Clinton celebrates anniversary of presidential candidacy

LITTLE ROCK, AR - President Bill Clinton walks out on the State House steps a little more gray hair but with the same ideals for America he had 20 years ago when he first announced his candidacy for president.

"Now the big challenge to our more perfect union once again is a terrible economic crisis," said the former president.

As he spoke on the county's fiscal distress, he emphasized the need to remain positive in order to get anything done.

"Nobody has a right to a life free of challenges. It would be boring anyway."

The former president spoke of the similarities between his terms and the current administration - still noting an estimated 300 million people throughout the globe are without work.

"Now another young president is facing similar challenges," he said. "It is now up to the United States congress to act on those plans and if they don't like them come up with better ideas."

Two decades since his announcement here in Little Rock, but President Clinton still inspires his supporters as much as ever.

"To be young today is to live in a time of enormous uncertainty and difficulty but also of enormous opportunity," said Clinton. "But first you must make the decision not to give up."

Clinton on Friday kicked off the anniversary weekend by dedicating a $10.5 million pedestrian bridge across the Arkansas River next to his presidential library. The bridge will open to the public beginning Sunday.