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Clinton signs 'Oprah' Child Protection Act

WASHINGTON -- President Clinton Monday signed the Child Protection Act, creating a National Data Bank for background checks on managers of nursery schools and other institutions involved in child care.

Sharing the limelight with the president was television star Oprah Winfrey, who plugged passage of the bill personally and publicly on her television talk show.

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Clinton said the law will help to prevent children from child abuse and harm when under the care of others.

The president said most of the credit should go to Winfrey who has devoted 'a lifetime,' to fighting child abuse.

'I try to use the show as a small step,' Winfrey said. 'I believe that it will make a difference.'

In signing the legislation, Clinton noted that it was the last bill he would affix his signature to before the end of the year.

'This is a fine bill for us to end on,' he said.

The president expressed confidence that the tough anti-crime bill will be passed in the next session of Congress.

'This is very positive,' said Sen. Joseph Biden, D-Del., chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee. 'I think it's very helpful.'

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