of Veterans Affairs and Housing and Urban Development, the Environmental Protection Agency, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, the National Science Foundation, and several other agencies." October 27 – President Clinton signed the Department of Transportation and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 1998 into law. President Clinton said the legislation "provides funds to improve safety on our highways, airways, and waterways" in addition to permitting "the highest level of Federal infrastructure investment in history--investment to improve our Nation's highways, transit systems, Amtrak, and airports and, as a result, improve personal mobility and make America a better global competitor." October 27 – President and First Lady Clinton attended a birthday party for the First Lady in Gar Hall at the Chicago Cultural Center in Chicago, Illinois. October 28 – President Clinton delivered remarks in the auditorium of Oscar Mayer Elementary School in Chicago. October 28 – President Clinton issued a memorandum to the Secretary of Education on the subject of low-performing public schools and the success of the strategy the administration has imposed toward the education system. October 28 – In a statement, President Clinton lamented the death of Walter H. Capps and notes his characteristics such as his devotion to his community. October 29 – In a message to Congress, President Clinton transmitted a "report on the Nation's achievements in aeronautics and space during fiscal year (FY) 1996, as required under section 206 of the National Aeronautics and Space Act of 1958, as amended (42 U.S.C. 2476)." October 29 – President Clinton attended the welcoming ceremony for President of the People's Republic of China Jiang Zemin on the South Lawn. October 29 – President Clinton began a news conference with remarks on his interactions with Chinese President Jiang and answered questions from reporters on Jiang's visit, Tiananmen Square, Taiwan, human rights, nuclear cooperation between China and the United States, American troops in Asia, China, Russia, and the United States, relations between China and the United States, and Tibet in Room 450 of the Old Executive Office Building. October 29 – The United States and China issued a joint statement on the "in-depth and productive exchange of views on the international situation, U.S.-China relations and the important opportunities and challenges facing the two countries" held between President Clinton and President Jiang. October 29 – In a statement, President Clinton lamented the death of American Federation of Government Employees National President John N.