Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 1998. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
Associated Press - Tuesday, December 1, 1998
Sonyar Ross, Associated Press Writer
In announcing grants for helping AIDS orphans in other parts of the world, Clinton recalled a 1992 campaign rally in Cedar Rapids, Iowa where he first saw Jamiya Poisel, then only a few months old and cuddled in the arms of her adoptive mother Laura Poisel.
Clinton said he was struck by the fact that Ms. Poisel, "who was either Czech or Slovak," was holding a baby who was clearly African American.
"I said, 'Whose baby is this?' She said, 'This is my baby,' " Clinton said. "And I said, 'Where is this baby from?' She said, 'Florida, I got her from Florida.' She said this baby was born with AIDS and abandoned and no one would take this baby. She adopted this baby."
Clinton said he has seen Jamiya about once a year since, usually when she comes to the Washington area for check-ups at the National Institutes of Health.
"I'm happy to tell you that, six years later, she's still alive and doing pretty well," Clinton said. "She comes by the White House to see her friend. And every time I see Jamiya, I am reminded of what this whole thing is about."
Jamiya last visited the White House on Oct. 2 along with her sister Sara, said White House spokeswoman Nanda Chitre. She also has attended Easter Egg rolls and other special events there.
Jamiya and her mother kept in touch with Clinton over the years, sending him letters, pictures and cards, even a wedding invitation when Ms. Poisel married John Deeth in May 1996.
The correspondence often is punctuated with Jamiya's questions -- about such things as his trip to Africa and his favorite TV shows. "Did you watch the X-Files yet?" the girl asked in July 1997.
Clinton wrote back about two weeks later without answering that question but thanking her for sending pictures of her with his cat, Socks, and promising to visit with her soon. "Keep your chin up!" he wrote.
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