CLINTON PRESIDENTIAL CENTER DEDICATION ENDS

Everyone filed in and lined the stage before the ceremony began, surprisingly promptly, Thursday morning.

Chelsea Clinton has grown up so much since being in the Arkansas spotlight. Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton, First Lady Laura Bush, Barbara Bush and Rosalyn Carter all took the stage. Then, came Bill Clinton, President George Bush, Bush Sr. and Jimmy Carter, braving the rain with no umbrellas. In fact, President Bush lifted up Laura?s umbrella, as if to make sure she was the one under there.

Clinton Presidential Library Foundation director Skip Rutherford gave brief opening remarks; the colors were presented by the Armed Forces Color Guard, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance and then the anthem.

In the invocation, the Reverend Floyd Flake said the world was blessed when Clinton was elected in 1992. Flake, the pastor of the Greater Allen Cathedral in Jamaica, New York, asked that the library be a "fitting testimony of the labor and love of William Jefferson Clinton."

People who benefited from programs under the Clinton administration gave their testimonials.

And a group of children performed from Columbia and really got the crowd going with their energy and joy.

Former President Jimmy Carter also made remarks. He said he probably cost Clinton his bid for re-election and said he was sorry for that, as Clinton laughed.

Then, President Bush Sr. took the podium. He described the library as a "magnificent structure." He added that Clinton has touched the lives of people all over the world. He also got the most laughs, as usual with his wit and charm.

President Bush gave glowing remarks. Bush says that Clinton is a "man of great compassion." He talked about Clinton's giving heart and his inspiring story.

Bono and The Edge have performed a song about "when the rain comes" on this fitting occasion, although the rain didn't seem to put a damper on the celebration.

After the song, Bono noted that Clinton forgave debts of poor nations during Clinton's time in office. The singer credited Clinton for bringing a peace agreement in Ireland, saying, "Bill Clinton didn't have to -- he chose to."

The singer and guitarist, who are Irish, then began a performance of "Sunday Bloody Sunday," about the conflict in Northern Ireland. With The Edge on piano, Bono sang a song they did for the movie, "The Gangs of New York."

Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton then introduced her husband. She said she is grateful for this moment and extended thanks for all the well wishes after Bill's surgery.

Former President Bill Clinton then began his remarks. He said, "Welcome to my rainy library dedication."

He opened his comments with a reflection about his mother. He said she would remind him that rain mixes with sunshine.

Clinton thanked Al and Tipper Gore, and he said Al Gore inspired him to make his library environmentally friendly.

Clinton said he'd recognized George W. Bush's political skills early on. He credited the president's father for a 1989 initiative that set national education goals.

And he said Jimmy Carter invited the Clintons into his presidential campaign. Clinton said Gerald Ford and Nancy Reagan had been in touch about the library, and he offered praise to the memory of Ronald Reagan.

And he thanked Senator John Kerry for coming and said he's glad Kerry is back on the job. Clinton thanked his supporters from early on -- crediting them for his rise to power. And any mention of Kerry got applause from the crowd.

Clinton said the story told in his library will reflect an explosion of diversity, a move to a high-tech economy and will issue a call for more people to go into public service. He said his foundation is continuing its efforts to provide AIDS drugs to poor countries.

Clinton said that he took office with the aim to pursue both conservative and progressive goals. He said he wanted to be more conservative in working to push down the deficit and the national debt and bring stricter crime enforcement. He said he wanted a progressive in new pursing new and better jobs, fighting poverty, improving education and in building new alliances with former adversaries.

He said the effects those policies had on individuals are what makes politics real and that's why he invited the people who had benefited from them to speak.

Clinton said his biggest disappointment was failing to achieve peace in the Middle East. He said, "I did all I could."

After seven years of effort, Clinton said there was one year in which no one in Israel died from a terror attack. He addressed President Bush and told him he hopes he reaches "the promised land" of peace in the Middle East.

Clinton wrapped up his speech and Chelsea presented the key to the archive to John Carlin, Archivist of the United States.

Mickey Mangun sang the Battle Hymn of the Republic. Then, the benediction finished up the ceremony.