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OA/ID Number:
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Future Farmers of America 7/27/89
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4
THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
For Immediate Release
July 27, 1989
REMARKS BY THE PRESIDENT
TO THE FUTURE FARMERS OF AMERICA
Room 450
old Executive Office Building
11:09 A.M. EDT
THE PRESIDENT: I want to apologize for keeping you
waiting. I'm blaming your six national officers. (Laughter.)
Putting the blame squarely on them. It doesn't deserve to be there,
but they gave me a warm greeting outside on your behalf -- a lovely
plaque that I will treasure, and I see them here and I want to say
thank you publicly.
I want to salute my two able assistants and friends up
here on the platform, both of whom are not only experts in
agriculture, but both of whom are shaping the destiny of our country
in terms of agricultural policy. Cooper Evans, a former member of
the United States Congress, son of Iowa -- former Congressman from
Iowa here in the White House on ag policy. And then Fred McClure,
whom I'll refer to in a bit, but whose job is working with Congress
as we try to move certain kinds of legislation through the Congress
itself.
But I'm just delighted to welcome you to the White House.
Thirty years ago this very week, President Eisenhower told the FFA,
"I always get a kick out of meeting with a bunch of young people."
Well, today, with apologies to Cole Porter, let me say, "I get a kick
out of you.' And I'm delighted you're here, and I remember the warm
hospitality a year ago at Kansas City -- modest turnout of about
24,000, but nevertheless -- (laughter.)
I'm delighted to see Tony and Larry once again, to be
among so many new friends -- no longer just the Future Farmers of
America, as impressive as that is; now also the Future leaders of
America.
And two days ago -- I guess it was -- did you talk two
days -- two days ago -- I want to be sure of my facts -- Fred
McClure, who handles, as I say, congressional liaison, talked to you
all. Perhaps he didn't sing his own praises as a former national
secretary and head of the Texas FFA.
Like all Texans, he loves our state's memorable phrases.
You know what we call catfish? "Tourist trout." (Laughter.) And we
don't refer to animals as animals. The saying goes, they're
critters, if they're not friendly -- if they are friendly, and they
are varmints, if they're not. (Laughter.) And on and on it goes.
But whether you're from Texas or not, we know what to
call the FFA. We call it America at her best; America at her most
generous. An America embodied by the your motto: Learning to do,
doing to learn; earning to live, and then living to serve. And these
guys were telling me, in a nice presentation of this plaque, the
emphasis on service. And I think it is appropriate, whether you're
in FFA or whether you're President of the United States of America.
And last month I announced what we call a "points of
MORE
- 2 -
light initiative," which asks every American to bring this service
into every corner of our country. And today, I want to renew that
challenge. And I know that you will meet it. For since 1926, FFA
has done much and served many. And you have been a point of light.
And today, you're still shining -- all 50 states, nearly 8,000
chapters, more than 400,000 members.
And you serve through faith -- faith in God, strength of
character, and through the belief in family, which makes us whole.
And you know that what we are matters more than what we have.
Working with your minds -- your hands -- as farmers and as Americans.
And now, I know you like to spread the credit around.
After all, that's rural America's way -- modest and understated. And
I'm reminded of how a noted comedian once bought a chicken farm. A
friend was astonished. "Do you know anything about breeding
chickens?", he asked. "No," the comedian replied, "but the chickens
do." (Laughter and applause.) And the thing is -- I'm going to
divert from my text to tell you one of President Reagan's favorite
stories about the guy driving down about 50 miles an hour down the
highway.
And he sees a chicken run by the car, speeding on past
him. "My golly," he said, "that chicken looked like it had three
legs." So he pulled into the -- schreeched -- the chicken dashed
into the farm and the guy schreeched on the brakes, turned into the
farm; said to the farmer, "I thought I saw a three-legged chicken run
by my car a minute ago." And the farmer said, "Well, yeah, we breed
three-legged chickens. You see, there's me, my wife, and our kid
here, and we all like drumsticks. And it's wonderful." (Laughter.)
He said, "Well, how do they taste?" He said, "Well, I don't know.
I've never been able to catch him." (Laughter.)
But anyway, where were we? No, but seriously, the credit
does belong to you and to your parents-- this family matters. Two
years ago -- it was two years. I thought it was just last year, the
Kansas City convention -- the theme, "Agriculture's New Spirit. I
do remember that. And today, thanks to the hard work and
self-reliance, now that spirit is still alive and well.
Do you want evidence? Consider that only four years ago,
the Congress passed a pioneering farm bill to help a whole community
in crisis. And yet this year, farm income and agricultural exports
are nearing record highs. Our surpluses of farm commodities have
been drastically reduced and most of our good land has been brought
back into production. And the farm credit situation has greatly
improved over the last decade.
This progress has occurred while cutting the cost of
federal farm programs in half. For when the farm economy is strong
and government has to pay less, all America benefits. We -- you --
have told government to tear down the roadblocks of tariffs and trade
barriers. And that the wave of the future lies in competition and
free enterprise.
And given agriculture's commitment to these principles, I
had an opportunity to take that message to the leaders of Western
Europe, our close allies there, just a couple of weeks ago in Paris.
Our task now is to build upon that spirit -- the spirit
of "America can," not "Washington must." And we don't want
government to spend more, we want people to earn more. And we must
remember that next year when we write a new farm bill, these
principles must be kept in mind. Ensuring the many good features of
the 1985 act and, at the same time, making what I think we all would
agree are needed improvements.
You know, Will Rogers once said, "A man in the country
does his own thinking -- but you get him into town and he soon will
be thinking second-handed." Well, our new farm bill must be
MORE
- 3 -
even-handed, level-headed. And in response to market forces,
producers must have more flexibility to decide what crops they grow.
And regarding agriculture and the environment, we must see these
concerns as compatible. Both, for example, need clean, safe, and
quality water.
But we can't stop there. For we must work to expand
efforts. And the key to that achievement is the current round of
these GATT talks. And, yes, we want free trade, but we will keep
insisting that it be fair trade. And that's why, like the Walls of
Jericho, these barriers which distort world trade must come tumbling
down.
Ours -- as you well know from your studies and real-life
experiences -- ours is a global ecomony now. And America must
compete -- be able to compete. And that means, as our relations
improve, expanding our ties with the Soviet Union -- already the
third-largest customer for U.S. agricultural commodities. And
enlarging our trade with other countries who know and need the
farming genius of America.
At home, the need to compete means developing new crops
and uses for agricultural commodities as raw materials for industry.
And for you, our global economy means there has never been a better
place -- nor more crucial time -- to start a career than in America
today.
I'm sure all of you have read, or been exposed to and
most read in school, Carl Sandburg. He was America's poet laureate
-- a graceful, lyric writer. And he spoke beautifully and movingly
about American agriculture, and about the vast horizons and beauty
that form the heartland of our country.
Once he said simply, "The Republic is a dream. Nothing
happens unless first a dream."
And your dreams are big dreams. And future farmers who
will feed the whole world of tomorrow. Future leaders whose
character and commitment will enrich America's destiny -- not merely
for your generation, but for all the generations to come.
So I came over here to thank you for coming to
Washington, and may your dreams become a reality. God bless you and
Godspeed to the Future Farmers of America and, most of all, God bless
the United States of America. Thank you all very, very much for
coming. (Applause.)
END
11:20 A.M. EDT
Document No. 057101
WHITE HOUSE STAFFING MEMORANDUM
07/26/89
----
DATE:
ACTION/CONCURRENCE/COMMENT DUE BY:
SUBJECT: PRESIDENTIAL REMARKS: FFA
(07/26-draft three)
ACTION FYI
ACTION FYI
VICE PRESIDENT
MCCLURE
SUNUNU
NEWMAN
SCOWCROFT
PORTER
DARMAN
STUDDERT
BATES
UNTERMEYER
BREEDEN
ROGERS
CARD
PINKERTON
CICCONI
WINSTON
DEMAREST
EVANS
FITZWATER
P
GRAY
HAGIN
REMARKS:
The attached has been forwarded to the President.
RESPONSE:
James W. Cicconi
Assistant to the President
and Deputy to the Chief of Staff
Ext. 2702
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
1999 JUL 20
JULY 26, 1989
INFORMATION
MEMORANDUM FOR THE PRESIDENT
THROUGH:
CHRISS WINSTON
W
FROM:
CURT SMITH as
SUBJECT:
JULY 27 FFA ADDRESS
I.
SUMMARY
On Thursday, July 27, at 11:05 A.M., you will address 200 members
of the FFA (formerly, Future Farmers of America) in Room 450. Among
those attending will be three FFA officials you met when you addressed
the 1987 FFA Convention in Kansas City -- Tony Hoyt, Larry Case, and
Coleman Harris.
II.
DISCUSSION
The enclosed remarks focus on the FFA's place in rural America, and
how its values embody the best of America. Also discussed are the new
farm bill, and agriculture's role in the global economy. The length of
remarks is 8 minutes.
(Smith/Blessey)
Draft Three
July 26, 1989
FARM
PRESIDENTIAL REMARKS: FFA
ROOM 450, OLD EOB
THURSDAY, JULY 27, 1989
11:05 A.M.
Members of the FFA, Ladies and Gentlemen.
It is an honor to welcome you to the White House. Thirty
years ago this very week, President Eisenhower told the FFA: "I
always get a kick out of meeting with a bunch of young people."
Well, today with apologies to that noted composer Cole
Porter, let me say, as he did: "I get a kick out of you."
First, I want to note that I'm delighted to see my old
friends Tony Hoyt, Larry Case, and Coleman Harris. And to be
among so many new friends: No longer just the Future Farmers of
America -- as impressive as that is. Now, also, the Future
Leaders of America.
Two days ago, you heard from Fred McClure, who's my
Congressional liaison. But more to the point: He once was
national secretary and head of the Texas FFA.
And like all Texans, Fred loves our State's memorable
phrases. For instance, you know what we call catfish? "Tourist
trout." And we don't refer to animals as animals. No sir. The
saying goes that "They're critters, if they're friendly. And
varmints, if they're not."
2
Well, whether you're from Texas or not, we know what to call
the FFA. We call it America at her best. America at her most
generous. An America embodied by the FFA motto: "Learning to
do, doing to learn; earning to live, living to serve."
Last month I announced a "Points of Light Initiative" which
asks every American to bring this service into every corner of
America. Today, I renew that challenge. And I know that you
will meet it. For since 1926 FFA has done much, and served many.
You have been a point of light. And today, you're still shining
-- all 50 States, nearly 8,000 chapters, more than 400,000
members.
You serve through faith in God, and strength of character.
And through the belief in family which makes us whole. You know
that what we are matters more than what we have. Working with
your minds -- your hands -- as farmers, and as Americans.
Now, I know you like to spread the credit around. After
all, that's rural America's way: Modest and understated. I'm
reminded of how a noted comedian once bought a chicken farm. A
friend was astonished. "Do you know anything about breeding
chickens?" he asked. "No," the comedian replied, "but the
chickens do."
But the thing is: The credit does belong to you. And to
your parents. Two years ago, I addressed the FFA convention in
Kansas city. Its theme was "Agriculture's New Spirit." Well,
today, thanks to your hard work, and self-reliance, that spirit
is alive, and well.
3
Want evidence? Consider that only four years ago, the
Congress passed a pioneering farm bill to help a whole community
in crisis. Yet this year, farm income and agricultural exports
are nearing record highs. Our surpluses of farm commodities have
been drastically reduced. Most of our good land has been brought
back into production. And the farm credit situation has greatly
improved over the last decade.
This progress has occurred while cutting the cost of Federal
farm programs in half. For when the farm economy is strong, and
government has to pay less, all America benefits. We -- you --
have told government to tear down the roadblocks of tariffs and
trade barriers. And that the wave of the future lies in
competition and free enterprise.
Our task now is to build upon that spirit -- the spirit of
"America-Can," not "Washington-must." We don't want government
to spend more. We want people to earn more. And we must
remember that next year when we write a new farm bill. Ensuring
the many good features of the 1985 Act. And at the same time,
making needed improvements.
You know, the great humorist Will Rogers once said, "A man
in the country does his own thinking -- but you get him into town
and he soon will be thinking second-handed." [PAUSE]
My friends, our new farm bill must be even-handed. And
level-headed. In response to market forces, producers must have
more flexibility to decide what crops to grow. And regarding
agriculture and the environment, we must see their concerns as
4
compatible. Both, for example, need clean, safe, and quality
water.
But we can't stop there. For we must work to expand
exports. And the key to that achievement is the current round of
GATT talks. Yes, we want free trade. But we also want fair
trade. And that is why, like the walls of Jericho, barriers
which distort world trade must come tumbling down.
For ours is a global economy. And America must compete --
be able to compete. That means, as our relations improve,
expanding our ties with the Soviet Union -- already the third-
largest customer for U.S. agricultural commodities. And
enlarging our trade with other countries who know, and need, the
farming genius of America.
At home, the need to compete means developing new crops and
uses for agricultural commodities as raw materials for industry.
And for you, our global economy means there has never been a
better place -- nor more crucial time -- to start a career than
America, today.
I'm sure all of you have read Carl Sandburg. He was
America's poet laureate -- a graceful, lyric writer. He spoke --
beautifully, movingly -- about American agriculture. And about
the vast horizons and beauty that form the heartland of America.
Once, he said simply: "The Republic is a dream. Nothing
happens unless first a dream."
My friends, your dreams are big dreams. Future Farmers who
will feed the world of tomorrow. Future Leaders whose character
5
and commitment will enrich America's destiny -- not merely for
your generation, but for all the generations to come.
Thank you for coming here -- and may your dreams become
reality. God bless you, Godspeed to the FFA, and God bless the
United States of America.
# # # #
To CW
Date 7/26
Time 9:40am
WHILE YOU WERE OUT
M Fred Mcclure
of
Phone
Area Code
Number
Extension
TELEPHONED
PLEASE CALL
CALLED TO SEE YOU
WILL CALL AGAIN
WANTS TO SEE YOU
URGENT
RETURNED YOUR CALL
Message Fred suggestsure
incorporate a PP on
national Service, the
FFA incourages !
volunteerism
Operator KG
AMPAD
EFFICIENCY®
23-020
FILE
REMARKS: FFA
ROOM 450, OLD EOB
THURSDAY, JULY 27, 1989
11:05 A.M.
MEMBERS OF THE FFA, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN.
IT IS AN HONOR TO WELCOME YOU TO THE WHITE HOUSE.
THIRTY YEARS AGO THIS VERY WEEK, PRESIDENT EISENHOWER
TOLD THE FFA: "I ALWAYS GET A KICK OUT OF MEETING WITH
A BUNCH OF YOUNG PEOPLE."
- 2 -
WELL, TODAY WITH APOLOGIES TO THAT NOTED COMPOSER COLE
PORTER, LET ME SAY, AS HE DID: "I GET A KICK OUT OF
YOU."
FIRST, I WANT TO NOTE THAT I'M DELIGHTED TO SEE
TONY HOYT AND LARRY CASE ONCE AGAIN. AND TO BE AMONG
so MANY NEW FRIENDS: No LONGER JUST THE FUTURE FARMERS
OF AMERICA -- AS IMPRESSIVE AS THAT IS. Now, ALSO,
THE FUTURE LEADERS OF AMERICA.
- 3 -
Two DAYS AGO, YOU HEARD FROM FRED MCCLURE, WHO'S MY
CONGRESSIONAL LIAISON. BUT MORE TO THE POINT: HE ONCE
WAS NATIONAL SECRETARY AND HEAD OF THE TEXAS FFA.
AND LIKE ALL TEXANS, FRED LOVES OUR STATE'S
MEMORABLE PHRASES. FOR INSTANCE, YOU KNOW WHAT WE CALL
CATFISH? "TOURIST TROUT." AND WE DON'T REFER TO
ANIMALS AS ANIMALS. No SIR, THE SAYING GOES THAT
"THEY'RE CRITTERS, IF THEY'RE FRIENDLY. AND VARMINTS,
IF THEY'RE NOT."
- 4 -
WELL, WHETHER YOU'RE FROM TEXAS OR NOT, WE KNOW
WHAT TO CALL THE FFA. WE CALL IT AMERICA AT HER BEST.
AMERICA AT HER MOST GENEROUS. AN AMERICA EMBODIED BY
THE FFA MOTTO: "LEARNING TO DO, DOING TO LEARN;
EARNING TO LIVE, LIVING TO SERVE."
LAST MONTH I ANNOUNCED A "POINTS OF LIGHT
INITIATIVE" WHICH ASKS EVERY AMERICAN TO BRING THIS
SERVICE INTO EVERY CORNER OF AMERICA. TODAY, I RENEW
THAT CHALLENGE. AND I KNOW THAT YOU WILL MEET IT.
- 5 -
FOR SINCE 1926 FFA HAS DONE MUCH, AND SERVED MANY. You
HAVE BEEN A POINT OF LIGHT. AND TODAY, YOU'RE STILL
SHINING -- ALL 50 STATES, NEARLY 8,000 CHAPTERS, MORE
THAN 400,000 MEMBERS.
You SERVE THROUGH FAITH IN GOD, AND STRENGTH OF
CHARACTER. AND THROUGH THE BELIEF IN FAMILY WHICH
MAKES US WHOLE. You KNOW THAT WHAT WE ARE MATTERS MORE
THAN WHAT WE HAVE. WORKING WITH YOUR MINDS -- YOUR
HANDS -- AS FARMERS, AND AS AMERICANS.
- 6 -
Now, I KNOW YOU LIKE TO SPREAD THE CREDIT AROUND.
AFTER ALL, THAT'S RURAL AMERICA'S WAY: MODEST AND
UNDERSTATED. I'M REMINDED OF HOW A NOTED COMEDIAN ONCE
BOUGHT A CHICKEN FARM. A FRIEND WAS ASTONISHED. "Do
YOU KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT BREEDING CHICKENS?" HE ASKED.
"No," THE COMEDIAN REPLIED, "BUT THE CHICKENS DO."
BUT THE THING IS: THE CREDIT DOES BELONG TO YOU.
AND TO YOUR PARENTS. Two YEARS AGO, I ADDRESSED THE
FFA CONVENTION IN KANSAS CITY.
- 7 -
ITS THEME WAS "AGRICULTURE'S NEW SPIRIT." WELL, TODAY,
THANKS TO YOUR HARD WORK, AND SELF-RELIANCE, THAT
SPIRIT IS ALIVE, AND WELL.
WANT EVIDENCE? CONSIDER THAT ONLY FOUR YEARS AGO,
THE CONGRESS PASSED A PIONEERING FARM BILL TO HELP A
WHOLE COMMUNITY IN CRISIS. YET THIS YEAR, FARM INCOME
AND AGRICULTURAL EXPORTS ARE NEARING RECORD HIGHS. OUR
SURPLUSES OF FARM COMMODITIES HAVE BEEN DRASTICALLY
REDUCED.
- 8 -
MOST OF OUR GOOD LAND HAS BEEN BROUGHT BACK INTO
PRODUCTION. AND THE FARM CREDIT SITUATION HAS GREATLY
IMPROVED OVER THE LAST DECADE.
THIS PROGRESS HAS OCCURRED WHILE CUTTING THE COST
OF FEDERAL FARM PROGRAMS IN HALF. FOR WHEN THE FARM
ECONOMY IS STRONG, AND GOVERNMENT HAS TO PAY LESS, ALL
AMERICA BENEFITS.
- 9 -
WE -- YOU -- HAVE TOLD GOVERNMENT TO TEAR DOWN THE
ROADBLOCKS OF TARIFFS AND TRADE BARRIERS. AND THAT THE
WAVE OF THE FUTURE LIES IN COMPETITION AND FREE
ENTERPRISE.
OUR TASK NOW IS TO BUILD UPON THAT SPIRIT -- THE
SPIRIT OF "AMERICA-CAN," NOT "WASHINGTON-MUST." WE
DON'T WANT GOVERNMENT TO SPEND MORE. WE WANT PEOPLE TO
EARN MORE.
- 10 -
AND WE MUST REMEMBER THAT NEXT YEAR WHEN WE WRITE A NEW
FARM BILL. ENSURING THE MANY GOOD FEATURES OF THE 1985
AcT. AND AT THE SAME TIME, MAKING NEEDED IMPROVEMENTS.
You KNOW, THE GREAT HUMORIST WILL ROGERS ONCE
SAID, "A MAN IN THE COUNTRY DOES HIS OWN THINKING --
BUT YOU GET HIM INTO TOWN AND HE SOON WILL BE THINKING
SECOND-HANDED." [PAUSE]
OUR NEW FARM BILL MUST BE EVEN-HANDED. AND LEVEL-
HEADED.
- 11 -
IN RESPONSE TO MARKET FORCES, PRODUCERS MUST HAVE MORE
FLEXIBILITY TO DECIDE WHAT CROPS TO GROW. AND
REGARDING AGRICULTURE AND THE ENVIRONMENT, WE MUST SEE
THEIR CONCERNS AS COMPATIBLE. BoTH, FOR EXAMPLE, NEED
CLEAN, SAFE, AND QUALITY WATER.
BUT WE CAN'T STOP THERE. FOR WE MUST WORK TO
EXPAND EXPORTS. AND THE KEY TO THAT ACHIEVEMENT IS THE
CURRENT ROUND OF GATT TALKS. YES, WE WANT FREE TRADE.
BUT WE ALSO WANT FAIR TRADE.
- 12 -
AND THAT IS WHY, LIKE THE WALLS OF JERICHO, BARRIERS
WHICH DISTORT WORLD TRADE MUST COME TUMBLING DOWN.
FOR OURS IS A GLOBAL ECONOMY. AND AMERICA MUST
COMPETE -- BE ABLE TO COMPETE. THAT MEANS, AS OUR
RELATIONS IMPROVE, EXPANDING OUR TIES WITH THE SOVIET
UNION -- ALREADY THE THIRD-LARGEST CUSTOMER FOR U.S.
AGRICULTURAL COMMODITIES. AND ENLARGING OUR TRADE WITH
OTHER COUNTRIES WHO KNOW, AND NEED, THE FARMING GENIUS
OF AMERICA.
- 13 -
AT HOME, THE NEED TO COMPETE MEANS DEVELOPING NEW
CROPS AND USES FOR AGRICULTURAL COMMODITIES AS RAW
MATERIALS FOR INDUSTRY. AND FOR YOU, OUR GLOBAL
ECONOMY MEANS THERE HAS NEVER BEEN A BETTER PLACE --
NOR MORE CRUCIAL TIME -- TO START A CAREER THAN IN
AMERICA, TODAY.
- 14 -
I'M SURE ALL OF YOU HAVE READ CARL SANDBURG. HE
WAS AMERICA'S POET LAUREATE -- A GRACEFUL, LYRIC
WRITER. HE SPOKE --BEAUTIFULLY, MOVINGLY -- ABOUT
AMERICAN AGRICULTURE. AND ABOUT THE VAST HORIZONS AND
BEAUTY THAT FORM THE HEARTLAND OF AMERICA.
ONCE, HE SAID SIMPLY: "THE REPUBLIC IS A DREAM.
NOTHING HAPPENS UNLESS FIRST A DREAM."
YOUR DREAMS ARE BIG DREAMS. FUTURE FARMERS WHO
WILL FEED THE WORLD OF TOMORROW.
- 15 -
FUTURE LEADERS WHOSE CHARACTER AND COMMITMENT WILL
ENRICH AMERICA'S DESTINY -- NOT MERELY FOR YOUR
GENERATION, BUT FOR ALL THE GENERATIONS TO COME.
THANK YOU FOR COMING HERE -- AND MAY YOUR DREAMS
BECOME REALITY. GOD BLESS YOU, GODSPEED TO THE FFA,
AND GOD BLESS THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.
# # # #
Note to writes
reminder I feel
uncomfortable saying
"my friends" which
thy are frends.
Too meh like FOR
on this a -
THE PRESIDENT HA
7/26/89
(Smith/Blessey)
Draft Three
July 26, 1989
FARM
PRESIDENTIAL REMARKS: FFA
ROOM 450, OLD EOB
THURSDAY, JULY 27, 1989
11:05 A.M.
Members of the FFA, Ladies and Gentlemen.
It is an honor to welcome you to the White House. Thirty
years ago this very week, President Eisenhower told the FFA: "I
always get a kick out of meeting with a bunch of young people."
Well, today with apologies to that noted composer Cole
Porter, let me say, as he did: "I get a kick out of you.'
First, I want to note that I'm delighted to see my-old
Tony Hoyt, (and) Larry Case and Coleman Harris And to be
once again
friends
among so many new friends: No longer just the Future Farmers of
America -- as impressive as that is. Now, also, the Future
Leaders of America.
Two days ago, you heard from Fred McClure, who's my
Congressional liaison. But more to the point: He once was
national secretary and head of the Texas FFA.
And like all Texans, Fred loves our State's memorable
phrases. For instance, you know what we call catfish? "Tourist
trout." And we don't refer to animals as animals. No sir. The
saying goes that "They're critters, if they're friendly. And
varmints, if they're not."
2
Well, whether you're from Texas or not, we know what to call
the FFA. We call it America at her best. America at her most
generous. An America embodied by the FFA motto: "Learning to
do, doing to learn; earning to live, living to serve."
Last month I announced a "Points of Light Initiative" which
asks every American to bring this service into every corner of
America. Today, I renew that challenge. And I know that you
will meet it. For since 1926 FFA has done much, and served many.
You have been a point of light. And today, you're still shining
-- all 50 States, nearly 8,000 chapters, more than 400,000
members.
You serve through faith in God, and strength of character.
And through the belief in family which makes us whole. You know
that what we are matters more than what we have. Working with
your minds -- your hands -- as farmers, and as Americans.
Now, I know you like to spread the credit around. After
all, that's rural America's way: Modest and understated. I'm
reminded of how a noted comedian once bought a chicken farm. A
friend was astonished. "Do you know anything about breeding
chickens?" he asked. "No," the comedian replied, "but the
chickens do."
But the thing is: The credit does belong to you. And to
your parents. Two years ago, I addressed the FFA convention in
Kansas City. Its theme was "Agriculture's New Spirit." Well,
today, thanks to your hard work, and self-reliance, that spirit
is alive, and well.
3
Want evidence? Consider that only four years ago, the
Congress passed a pioneering farm bill to help a whole community
in crisis. Yet this year, farm income and agricultural exports
are nearing record highs. Our surpluses of farm commodities have
been drastically reduced. Most of our good land has been brought
back into production. And the farm credit situation has greatly
improved over the last decade.
This progress has occurred while cutting the cost of Federal
farm programs in half. For when the farm economy is strong, and
government has to pay less, all America benefits. We -- you --
have told government to tear down the roadblocks of tariffs and
trade barriers. And that the wave of the future lies in
competition and free enterprise.
Our task now is to build upon that spirit -- the spirit of
"America-Can," not "Washington-must." We don't want government
to spend more. We want people to earn more. And we must
remember that next year when we write a new farm bill. Ensuring
the many good features of the 1985 Act. And at the same time,
making needed improvements.
You know, the great humorist Will Rogers once said, "A man
in the country does his own thinking -- but you get him into town
and he soon will be thinking second-handed." [PAUSE]
My friends, Bur new farm bill must be even-handed. And
level-headed. In response to market forces, producers must have
more flexibility to decide what crops to grow. And regarding
agriculture and the environment, we must see their concerns as
4
compatible. Both, for example, need clean, safe, and quality
water.
But we can't stop there. For we must work to expand
exports. And the key to that achievement is the current round of
GATT talks. Yes, we want free trade. But we also want fair
trade. And that is why, like the walls of Jericho, barriers
which distort world trade must come tumbling down.
For ours is a global economy. And America must compete --
be able to compete. That means, as our relations improve,
expanding our ties with the Soviet Union -- already the third-
largest customer for U.S. agricultural commodities. And
enlarging our trade with other countries who know, and need, the
farming genius of America.
At home, the need to compete means developing new crops and
uses for agricultural commodities as raw materials for industry.
And for you, our global economy means there has never been a
better place -- nor more crucial time -- to start a career than
America, today.
I'm sure all of you have read Carl Sandburg. He was
America's poet laureate --, a graceful, lyric writer. He spoke --
beautifully, movingly -- about American agriculture. And about
the vast horizons and beauty that form the heartland of America.
Once, he said simply: "The Republic is a dream. Nothing
happens unless first a dream."
My friends Your dreams are big dreams. Future Farmers who
will feed the world of tomorrow. Future Leaders whose character
5
and commitment will enrich America's destiny -- not merely for
your generation, but for all the generations to come.
Thank you for coming here -- and may your dreams become
reality. God bless you, Godspeed to the FFA, and God bless the
United States of America.
# # # #
1989
THE WHITE HOUSE
JUL
WASHINGTON
50
JULY 26, 1989
INFORMATION
MEMORANDUM FOR THE PRESIDENT
THROUGH:
CHRISS WINSTON
W
FROM:
CURT SMITH as
SUBJECT:
JULY 27 FFA ADDRESS
I.
SUMMARY
On Thursday, July 27, at 11:05 A.M., you will address 200 members
of the FFA (formerly, Future Farmers of America) in Room 450. Among
those attending will be three FFA officials you met when you addressed
the 1987 FFA Convention in Kansas City -- Tony Hoyt, Larry Case, and
Coleman Harris.
II.
DISCUSSION
The enclosed remarks focus on the FFA's place in rural America, and
how its values embody the best of America. Also discussed are the new
farm bill, and agriculture's role in the global economy. The length of
remarks is 8 minutes.
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
JULY 26, 1989
INFORMATION
MEMORANDUM FOR THE PRESIDENT
THROUGH:
CHRISS WINSTON
W
FROM:
CURT SMITH as
SUBJECT:
JULY 27 FFA ADDRESS
I.
SUMMARY
On Thursday, July 27, at 11:05 A.M., you will address 200 members
of the FFA (formerly, Future Farmers of America) in Room 450. Among
those attending will be three FFA officials you met when you addressed
the 1987 FFA Convention in Kansas City -- Tony Hoyt, Larry Case, and
Coleman Harris.
II.
DISCUSSION
The enclosed remarks focus on the FFA's place in rural America, and
how its values embody the best of America. Also discussed are the new
farm bill, and agriculture's role in the global economy. The length of
remarks is 8 minutes.
(Smith/Blessey)
Draft Three
July 26, 1989
FARM
PRESIDENTIAL REMARKS: FFA
ROOM 450, OLD EOB
THURSDAY, JULY 27, 1989
11:05 A.M.
Members of the FFA, Ladies and Gentlemen.
It is an honor to welcome you to the White House. Thirty
years ago this very week, President Eisenhower told the FFA: "I
always get a kick out of meeting with a bunch of young people."
Well, today with apologies to that noted composer Cole
Porter, let me say, as he did: "I get a kick out of you."
First, I want to note that I'm delighted to see my old
friends Tony Hoyt, Larry Case, and Coleman Harris. And to be
among so many new friends: No longer just the Future Farmers of
America -- as impressive as that is. Now, also, the Future
Leaders of America.
Two days ago, you heard from Fred McClure, who's my
Congressional liaison. But more to the point: He once was
national secretary and head of the Texas FFA.
And like all Texans, Fred loves our State's memorable
phrases. For instance, you know what we call catfish? "Tourist
trout." And we don't refer to animals as animals. No sir. The
saying goes that "They're critters, if they're friendly. And
varmints, if they're not."
2
Well, whether you're from Texas or not, we know what to call
the FFA. We call it America at her best. America at her most
generous. An America embodied by the FFA motto: "Learning to
do, doing to learn; earning to live, living to serve."
Last month I announced a "Points of Light Initiative" which
asks every American to bring this service into every corner of
America. Today, I renew that challenge. And I know that you
will meet it. For since 1926 FFA has done much, and served many.
You have been a point of light. And today, you're still shining
-- all 50 States, nearly 8,000 chapters, more than 400,000
members.
You serve through faith in God, and strength of character.
And through the belief in family which makes us whole. You know
that what we are matters more than what we have. Working with
your minds -- your hands -- as farmers, and as Americans.
Now, I know you like to spread the credit around. After
all, that's rural America's way: Modest and understated. I'm
reminded of how a noted comedian once bought a chicken farm. A
friend was astonished. "Do you know anything about breeding
chickens?" he asked. "No," the comedian replied, "but the
chickens do."
But the thing is: The credit does belong to you. And to
your parents. Two years ago, I addressed the FFA convention in
Kansas City. Its theme was "Agriculture's New Spirit." Well,
today, thanks to your hard work, and self-reliance, that spirit
is alive, and well.
3
Want evidence? Consider that only four years ago, the
Congress passed a pioneering farm bill to help a whole community
in crisis. Yet this year, farm income and agricultural exports
are nearing record highs. Our surpluses of farm commodities have
been drastically reduced. Most of our good land has been brought
back into production. And the farm credit situation has greatly
improved over the last decade.
This progress has occurred while cutting the cost of Federal
farm programs in half. For when the farm economy is strong, and
government has to pay less, all America benefits. We -- you --
have told government to tear down the roadblocks of tariffs and
trade barriers. And that the wave of the future lies in
competition and free enterprise.
Our task now is to build upon that spirit -- the spirit of
"America-Can," not "Washington-must." We don't want government
to spend more. We want people to earn more. And we must
remember that next year when we write a new farm bill. Ensuring
the many good features of the 1985 Act. And at the same time,
making needed improvements.
You know, the great humorist Will Rogers once said, "A man
in the country does his own thinking -- but you get him into town
and he soon will be thinking second-handed." [PAUSE]
My friends, our new farm bill must be even-handed. And
level-headed. In response to market forces, producers must have
more flexibility to decide what crops to grow. And regarding
agriculture and the environment, we must see their concerns as
4
compatible. Both, for example, need clean, safe, and quality
water.
But we can't stop there. For we must work to expand
exports. And the key to that achievement is the current round of
GATT talks. Yes, we want free trade. But we also want fair
trade. And that is why, like the walls of Jericho, barriers
which distort world trade must come tumbling down.
For ours is a global economy. And America must compete --
be able to compete. That means, as our relations improve,
expanding our ties with the Soviet Union -- already the third-
largest customer for U.S. agricultural commodities. And
enlarging our trade with other countries who know, and need, the
farming genius of America.
At home, the need to compete means developing new crops and
uses for agricultural commodities as raw materials for industry.
And for you, our global economy means there has never been a
better place -- nor more crucial time -- to start a career than
America, today.
I'm sure all of you have read Carl Sandburg. He was
America's poet laureate -- a graceful, lyric writer. He spoke --
beautifully, movingly -- about American agriculture. And about
the vast horizons and beauty that form the heartland of America.
Once, he said simply: "The Republic is a dream. Nothing
happens unless first a dream."
My friends, your dreams are big dreams. Future Farmers who
will feed the world of tomorrow. Future Leaders whose character
5
and commitment will enrich America's destiny -- not merely for
your generation, but for all the generations to come.
Thank you for coming here -- and may your dreams become
reality. God bless you, Godspeed to the FFA, and God bless the
United States of America.
# # # #
Document No.
057101SS
WHITE HOUSE STAFFING MEMORANDUM
DATE:
7/25/89
7/26/89 10:00 AM
ACTION/CONCURRENCE/COMMENT DUE BY:
PRESIDENTIAL REMARKS: FFA
SUBJECT:
10:35
ACTION FYI
ACTION FYI
VICE PRESIDENT
MCCLURE on unside
SUNUNU
of folder
NEWMAN
SCOWCROFT TO Scowcrobt
PORTER
DARMAN
STUDDERT N/C phone
BATES N/C phone
UNTERMEYER
BREEDEN
ROGERS
CARD
WINSTON
CICCONI
PINKERTON
DEMAREST
EVANS N/C
FITZWATER
GRAY N/C
89-JU-25
HAGIN
25
REMARKS:
Please forward any comments directly to Chriss Winston, Rm.
122, x2930, no later than 10:00 AM, Wednesday, July 26, with
a copy to my office. Thank you.
RESPONSE: Double- check econ figures.
James W. Cicconi
Assistant to the President
and Deputy to the Chief of Staff
Ext. 2702
(Smith/Blessey)
Draft Two
July 24, 1989
FARM
PRESIDENTIAL REMARKS: FFA
ROOM 450, OLD EOB
THURSDAY, JULY 27, 1989
11:05 A.M.
, , Members of the FFA, Ladies and Gentlemen.
It is an honor to welcome you to the White House. Thirty
years ago this very week, President Eisenhower told the FFA: "I
always get a kick out of meeting with a bunch of young people."
Today, with apologies to Cole Porter, let me add: I, too, get a
1
kick out of you.
First, I want to say that I'm delighted to see my old
friends . And - . And to be among so many new friends: No
longer just the Future Farmers of America -- as impressive as
that is. Now, also, the Future Leaders of America.
Two days ago, you heard from Fred McClure, who's my
Congressional liaison. But more to the point: He once was
national secretary and head of the Texas FFA.
And like all Texans, Fred loves our State's memorable
phrases. For instance, you know what we call catfish? "Tourist
trout." And we don't refer to animals as animals. No sir. The
saying goes that "They're critters, if they're friendly. And
varmints, if they're not."
Well, whether you're from Texas or not, we know what to call
the FFA. We call it America at her best. America at her most
2
generous. An America embodied by the FFA motto: "Learning to
do, doing to learn; earning to live, living to serve. "
Point G of 1.8th
For 61 years FFA has done much, and served many, so that
America could prosper. And today, you're still doing it -- all
50 States, nearly 8,000 chapters, more than 400,000 members.
You serve through faith in God, and strength of character.
And through the belief in family which makes us whole. You know
that what we are matters more than what we have. Working with
your minds -- your hands -- as farmers, and as Americans.
Now, I know you like to spread the credit around. After
all, that's rural America's way: Modest and understated. I'm
reminded of how a noted comedian once bought a chicken farm. A
friend was astonished. "Do you know anything about breeding
chickens?" he asked. "No," the comedian replied, "but the
chickens do."
But the thing is: The credit does belong to you. And to
your parents. Two years ago, I addressed the FFA convention in
Kansas City. Its motto was "Agriculture's New Spirit." Well,
today, thanks to your hard work, and self-reliance, that spirit
is alive, and well.
Want evidence? Consider that only four years ago, the
Congress passed a pioneering farm bill to help a whole community
in crisis. Yet today, farm income and agricultural exports are
nearing record highs. Our surpluses of farm commodities have
been drastically reduced. Most of our good land has been brought
3
back into production. And the farm credit situation is has greatly
improved over the decade ago
This progress has occurred while cutting the cost of Federal
farm programs in half. For when the farm economy is strong,
and government has to pay less, all America benefits. We -- you
-- have told government to tear down the roadblocks of tariffs
and trade barriers. And that the wave of the future lies in
competition and free enterprise.
Our task now is to build upon that spirit -- the spirit of
"America-Can," not "Washington-must." We don't want government
to spend more. We want people to earn more. And we must
remember that next year when we write a new farm bill. Ensuring
the many good features of the 1985 Act. And at the same time,
making needed improvements.
You know, the great humorist Will Rogers once said, "A man
in the country does his own thinking -- but you get him into town
and he soon will be thinking second-handed." [PAUSE]
My friends, our new farm bill must be even-handed. And
level-headed. In response to market forces, producers must have
more flexibility to decide what crops to grow. We must recognize
that the concerns of agriculture and the environment are
compatible. And nowhere more than in water quality.
?
As we write our farm bill, we'll work to expand exports.
And the key to that achievement is the current round of GATT
talks. Yes, we want free trade. But we also want fair trade.
4
barriers
And that is why, like the walls of Jericho, penalties which
distort world trade must come tumbling down.
For ours is a global economy. And America must compete --
relations improve,
be able to compete. That means expanding our ties with the
Soviet Union -- already the third-largest customer for U.S.
agricultural commodities. And enlarging our trade with other
countries who know, and need, the farming genius of America.
At home, the need to compete means developing new crops and
uses for agricultural commodities as raw materials for industry.
And for you, our global economy means there has never been a
better place -- nor more crucial time --- to start a career than
America, today.
I'm sure all of you have read Carl Sandburg. He was
America's poet laureate -- a graceful, lyric writer. He spoke ---
beautifully, movingly -- about American agriculture. And about
the vast horizons and beauty that form the heartland of America.
Once, he said simply: "The Republic is a dream. Nothing
happens unless first a dream."
My friends, your dreams are big dreams. Future Farmers who
will feed the world of tomorrow. Future Leaders whose character
and commitment will enrich America's destiny -- not merely for
your generation, but for all the generations to come.
Thank you for coming here -- and may your dreams become
reality. God bless you, Godspeed to the FFA, and God bless the
United States of America.
# # # #
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
July 26, 1989
Memorandum to Chriss Winston
From:
Austen Furse
A.F.
Subject:
FFA speech
The draft manages to handle a number of disparate points.
One concept that would help unify these points is the fact that
the U.S. has an unrivalled competitive advantage over the rest of
the world in agriculture. We can be confident in the public
resonance of greater freer trade in agriculture because we're
simply the best. Thus, for example, we could refer to the
contributions of the FFA in ensuring America's global
competitiveness. The "global economy" language on page four
seems a natural place for fleshing out this theme, which is
already implicit in much of the draft's language.
pg. 1, para. 2, line 4 The idea of "getting a kick" out of
something will, unfortunately, have a different connotation for
those who spend a lot of time around farm animals. FFA members
are likely to have gotten a literal kick out of their animals at
one time or other and thus, many will conjure up a more humorous
image. We suggest using a word other than "kick."
One possible substitute intro. is suggested by the language
referring to the President's Texas connection as 1,5. Before he
moved to Texas, the President and Mrs. Bush considered starting a
farm and, if memory serves, they read up on the subject. Looking
Forward will have the relevant information.
2,2 With the language, starting at this point, praising the FFA,
it seems natural to make the point that FFA is a point of light
and notably successful one at that.
2,3,1
We especially like references to "character" when it
comes to successful community service groups like FFA. We
suggest that the phrase "cultivating character," which aptly
describes the FFA's role in molding young citizens, seems
especially appropriate given the agricultural connotation of
"cultivating."
: Olv 26 7nr 68
3,5,5
The reference to "water quality" comes and goes too
quickly. We suggest either briefly explaining this point, or
saying "water quality, for example," in order to pass over it
more smoothly.
4,2,2
Expanding "our ties" with the Soviet Union needs some
qualifying when we are talking, after all, about expanding
agricultural ties. The danger here is in this line being taken
out of context or otherwise misunderstood.
#
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
July 26, 1989
MEMORANDUM FOR CHRISS WINSTON
DEPUTY ASSISTANT TO THE PRESIDENT
FOR COMMUNICATIONS
FROM:
ROBERT J. PORTMAN RJP
ASSOCIATE COUNSEL TO THE PRESIDENT
SUBJECT:
Presidential Remarks: FFA
Pursuant to your staffing request of July 25, 1989, Counsel's
Office has reviewed the above-referenced Presidential remarks.
We have no legal objection to the contents of these remarks.
Thank you for bringing this matter to our attention.
CC: James W. Cicconi
£5:6v 29 7nr 68
057101SS
Document No.
WHITE HOUSE STAFFING MEMORANDUM
7/25/89
7/26/89 10:00 AM
DATE:
ACTION/CONCURRENCE/COMMENT DUE BY:
PRESIDENTIAL REMARKS: FFA
SUBJECT:
ACTION FYI
ACTION FYI
VICE PRESIDENT
MCCLURE
SUNUNU
NEWMAN
SCOWCROFT
PORTER
DARMAN
STUDDERT
BATES
UNTERMEYER
BREEDEN
ROGERS
CARD
WINSTON
PINKERTON
CICCONI
EVANS
DEMAREST
FITZWATER
GRAY
HAGIN
REMARKS:
Please forward any comments directly to Chriss Winston, Rm.
122, x2930, no later than 10:00 AM, Wednesday, July 26, with
a copy to my office. Thank you.
All comments
RESPONSE:
16 : Ed 26 7nr 68
James W. Cicconi
Assistant to the President
and Deputy to the Chief of Staff
Ext. 2702
(Smith/Blessey)
Draft Two
July 24, 1989
FARM
PRESIDENTIAL REMARKS: FFA
ROOM 450, OLD EOB
THURSDAY, JULY 27, 1989
11:05 A.M.
, , Members of the FFA, Ladies and Gentlemen.
It is an honor to welcome you to the White House. Thirty
years ago this very week, President Eisenhower told the FFA: "I
always get a kick out of meeting with a bunch of young people."
Today, with apologies to Cole Porter, let me add: I, too, get a
kick out of you.
First, I want to say that I'm delighted to see my old
friends And And to be among so many new friends: No
longer just the Future Farmers of America -- as impressive as
that is. Now, also, the Future Leaders of America.
Two days ago, you heard from Fred McClure, who's my
Congressional liaison. But more to the point: He once was
national secretary and head of the Texas FFA.
And like all Texans, Fred loves our State's memorable
phrases. For instance, you know what we call catfish? "Tourist
trout." And we don't refer to animals as animals. No sir. The
saying goes that "They're critters, if they're friendly. And
varmints, if they're not."
Well, whether you're from Texas or not, we know what to call
the FFA. We call it America at her best. America at her most
2
generous. An America embodied by the FFA motto: "Learning to
do, doing to learn; earning to live, living to serve."
For 61 years FFA has done much, and served many, so that
America could prosper. And today, you're still doing it -- all
50 States, nearly 8,000 chapters, more than 400,000 members.
You serve through faith in God, and strength of character.
And through the belief in family which makes us whole. You know
that what we are matters more than what we have. Working with
your minds -- your hands -- as farmers, and as Americans.
Now, I know you like to spread the credit around. After
all, that's rural America's way: Modest and understated. I'm
reminded of how a noted comedian once bought a chicken farm. A
friend was astonished. "Do you know anything about breeding
chickens?" he asked. "No," the comedian replied, "but the
chickens do."
But the thing is: The credit does belong to you. And to
your parents. Two years ago, I addressed the FFA convention in
Kansas City. Its motto was "Agriculture's New Spirit." Well,
today, thanks to your hard work, and self-reliance, that spirit
is alive, and well.
Want evidence? Consider that only four years ago, the
Congress passed a pioneering farm bill to help a whole community
in crisis. Yet today, farm income and agricultural exports are
nearing record highs. Our surpluses of farm commodities have
been drastically reduced. Most of our good land has been brought
3
back into production. And the farm credit situation is greatly
improved over a decade ago.
This progress has occurred while cutting the cost of Federal
farm programs in half. For when the farm economy is strong,
and government has to pay less, all America benefits. We -- you
-- have told government to tear down the roadblocks of tariffs
and trade barriers. And that the wave of the future lies in
competition and free enterprise.
Our task now is to build upon that spirit -- the spirit of
"America-Can," not "Washington-must." We don't want government
to spend more. We want people to earn more. And we must
remember that next year when we write a new farm bill. Ensuring
the many good features of the 1985 Act. And at the same time,
making needed improvements.
You know, the great humorist Will Rogers once said, "A man
in the country does his own thinking -- but you get him into town
and he soon will be thinking second-handed." [PAUSE]
My friends, our new farm bill must be even-handed. And
level-headed. In response to market forces, producers must have
more flexibility to decide what crops to grow. We must recognize
that the concerns of agriculture and the environment are
compatible. And nowhere more than in water quality.
As we write our farm bill, we'll work to expand exports.
And the key to that achievement is the current round of GATT
talks. Yes, we want free trade. But we also want fair trade.
4
varier
And that is why, like the walls of Jericho, penalties which
distort world trade must come tumbling down.
For ours is a global economy. And America must compete --
working with
be able to compete. That means expanding our ties with the
Soviet Union -- already the third-largest customer for U.S.
agricultural commodities. And enlarging our trade with other
countries who know, and need, the farming genius of America.
At home, the need to compete means developing new crops and
uses for agricultural commodities as raw materials for industry.
And for you, our global economy means there has never been a
better place -- nor more crucial time -- to start a career than
America, today.
I'm sure all of you have read Carl Sandburg. He was
America's poet laureate -- a graceful, lyric writer. He spoke --
beautifully, movingly -- about American agriculture. And about
the vast horizons and beauty that form the heartland of America.
Once, he said simply: "The Republic is a dream. Nothing
happens unless first a dream."
My friends, your dreams are big dreams. Future Farmers who
will feed the world of tomorrow. Future Leaders whose character
and commitment will enrich America's destiny -- not merely for
your generation, but for all the generations to come.
Thank you for coming here -- and may your dreams become
reality. God bless you, Godspeed to the FFA, and God bless the
United States of America.
# # # #
0
057101SS
Document No.
WHITE HOUSE STAFFING MEMORANDUM
7/25/89
7/26/89 10:00 AM
DATE:
ACTION/CONCURRENCE/COMMENT DUE BY:
PRESIDENTIAL REMARKS: FFA
SUBJECT:
ACTION FYI
ACTION FYI
VICE PRESIDENT
MCCLURE
SUNUNU
NEWMAN
SCOWCROFT
PORTER
DARMAN
STUDDERT
BATES
UNTERMEYER
BREEDEN
ROGERS
WINSTON
CARD
PINKERTON
CICCONI
EVANS
DEMAREST
FITZWATER
GRAY
HAGIN
REMARKS:
Please forward any comments directly to Chriss Winston, Rm.
122, x2930, no later than 10:00 AM, Wednesday, July 26, with
a copy to my office. Thank you.
RESPONSE:
9€ 96:2d :2d 266 700 68
W.
Comment 7/24/89
James W. Cicconi
Assistant to the President
and Deputy to the Chief of Staff
Ext. 2702
Document No.
057101SS
5847
WHITE HOUSE STAFFING MEMORANDUM
DATE:
7/25/89
7/26/89 10:00 AM
ACTION/CONCURRENCE/COMMENT DUE BY:
PRESIDENTIAL REMARKS: FFA
SUBJECT:
ACTION FYI
ACTION FYI
VICE PRESIDENT
MCCLURE
SUNUNU
NEWMAN
SCOWCROFT
PORTER
DARMAN
STUDDERT
BATES
UNTERMEYER
BREEDEN
ROGERS
CARD
WINSTON
CICCONI
PINKERTON
EVANS
DEMAREST
FITZWATER
GRAY
HAGIN
REMARKS:
Please forward any comments directly to Chriss Winston,
Rm.
122, x2930, no later than 10:00 AM, Wednesday, July 26, with
a copy to my office. Thank you.
P1:02
RESPONSE:
Julv 26, 1989
TO: CHRISS WINSTON
NSC concurs with the Presidential remarks for the FFA on July 27 with
change as indicated.
Brent B Scowcroft
James W. Cicconi
Assistant to the President
CC: James W. Cicconi
and Deputy to the Chief of Staff
Ext. 2702
89 JUL 25 P4: 53
SO S0:19 :19 as JUL as JUL es
(Smith/Blessey)
Draft Two
July 24, 1989
FARM
PRESIDENTIAL REMARKS: FFA
ROOM 450, OLD EOB
THURSDAY, JULY 27, 1989
11:05 A.M.
, , Members of the FFA, Ladies and Gentlemen.
It is an honor to welcome you to the White House. Thirty
years ago this very week, President Eisenhower told the FFA: "I
always get a kick out of meeting with a bunch of young people."
Today, with apologies to Cole Porter, let me add: I, too, get a
kick out of you.
First, I want to say that I'm delighted to see my old
friends . And . And to be among so many new friends: No
longer just the Future Farmers of America -- as impressive as
that is. Now, also, the Future Leaders of America.
Two days ago, you heard from Fred McClure, who's my
Congressional liaison. But more to the point: He once was
national secretary and head of the Texas FFA.
And like all Texans, Fred loves our State's memorable
phrases. For instance, you know what we call catfish? "Tourist
trout." And we don't refer to animals as animals. No sir. The
saying goes that "They're critters, if they're friendly. And
varmints, if they're not."
Well, whether you're from Texas or not, we know what to call
the FFA. We call it America at her best. America at her most
2
generous. An America embodied by the FFA motto: "Learning to
do, doing to learn; earning to live, living to serve."
For 61 years FFA has done much, and served many, so that
America could prosper. And today, you're still doing it -- all
50 States, nearly 8,000 chapters, more than 400,000 members.
You serve through faith in God, and strength of character.
And through the belief in family which makes us whole. You know
that what we are matters more than what we have. Working with
your minds -- your hands -- as farmers, and as Americans.
Now, I know you like to spread the credit around. After
all, that's rural America's way: Modest and understated. I'm
reminded of how a noted comedian once bought a chicken farm. A
friend was astonished. "Do you know anything about breeding
chickens?" he asked. "No," the comedian replied, "but the
chickens do."
But the thing is: The credit does belong to you. And to
your parents. Two years ago, I addressed the FFA convention in
Kansas City. Its motto was "Agriculture's New Spirit." Well,
today, thanks to your hard work, and self-reliance, that spirit
is alive, and well.
Want evidence? Consider that only four years ago, the
Congress passed a pioneering farm bill to help a whole community
in crisis. Yet today, farm income and agricultural exports are
nearing record highs. Our surpluses of farm commodities have
been drastically reduced. Most of our good land has been brought
3
back into production. And the farm credit situation is greatly
improved over a decade ago.
This progress has occurred while cutting the cost of Federal
farm programs in half. For when the farm economy is strong,
and government has to pay less, all America benefits. We -- you
-- have told government to tear down the roadblocks of tariffs
and trade barriers. And that the wave of the future lies in
competition and free enterprise.
Our task now is to build upon that spirit -- the spirit of
"America-Can," not "Washington-must." We don't want government
to spend more. We want people to earn more. And we must
remember that next year when we write a new farm bill. Ensuring
the many good features of the 1985 Act. And at the same time,
making needed improvements.
You know, the great humorist Will Rogers once said, "A man
in the country does his own thinking -- but you get him into town
and he soon will be thinking second-handed." [PAUSE]
My friends, our new farm bill must be even-handed. And
level-headed. In response to market forces, producers must have
more flexibility to decide what crops to grow. We must recognize
that the concerns of agriculture and the environment are
compatible. And nowhere more than in water quality.
As we write our farm bill, we'll work to expand exports.
And the key to that achievement is the current round of GATT
talks. Yes, we want free trade. But we also want fair trade.
4
And that is why, like the walls of Jericho, penalties which
distort world trade must come tumbling down.
For ours is a global economy. And America must compete --
as our relations improve,
be able to compete. That means expanding our ties with the
Add
"
Soviet Union -- already the third-largest customer for U.S.
agricultural commodities. And enlarging our trade with other
countries who know, and need, the farming genius of America.
At home, the need to compete means developing new crops and
uses for agricultural commodities as raw materials for industry.
And for you, our global economy means there has never been a
better place -- nor more crucial time -- to start a career than
America, today.
I'm sure all of you have read Carl Sandburg. He was
America's poet laureate -- a graceful, lyric writer. He spoke --
beautifully, movingly -- about American agriculture. And about
the vast horizons and beauty that form the heartland of America.
Once, he said simply: "The Republic is a dream. Nothing
happens unless first a dream."
My friends, your dreams are big dreams. Future Farmers who
will feed the world of tomorrow. Future Leaders whose character
and commitment will enrich America's destiny -- not merely for
your generation, but for all the generations to come.
Thank you for coming here -- and may your dreams become
reality. God bless you, Godspeed to the FFA, and God bless the
United States of America.
#
#
#
#
Document No.
057101SS
WHITE HOUSE STAFFING MEMORANDUM
DATE:
7/25/89
7/26/89 10:00 AM
ACTION/CONCURRENCE/COMMENT DUE BY:
PRESIDENTIAL REMARKS: FFA
SUBJECT:
ACTION FYI
ACTION FYI
VICE PRESIDENT
MCCLURE
SUNUNU
NEWMAN
SCOWCROFT
PORTER
DARMAN
STUDDERT
BATES
UNTERMEYER
BREEDEN
ROGERS
CARD
WINSTON
CICCONI
PINKERTON
DEMAREST
EVANS
FITZWATER
GRAY
HAGIN
REMARKS:
Please forward any comments directly to Chriss Winston, Rm.
122, x2930, no later than 10:00 AM, Wednesday, July 26, with
a copy to my office. Thank you.
RESPONSE:
Smr
Comments
UL 26 26 P12 47
James W. Cicconi
Assistant to the President
and Deputy to the Chief of Staff
Ext. 2702
will know any who tenager Cole Pater
(Smith/Blessey)
Draft Two
July 24, 1989
FARM
PRESIDENTIAL REMARKS: FFA
ROOM 450, OLD EOB
THURSDAY, JULY 27, 1989
11:05 A.M.
, , Members of the FFA, Ladies and Gentlemen.
It is an honor to welcome you to the White House. Thirty
years ago this very week, President Eisenhower told the FFA: "I
always get a kick out of meeting with a bunch of young people."
Today, with apologies to Cole Porter, let me add: I, too, get a
kick out of you.
First, I want to say that I'm delighted to see my old
friends And . And to be among so many new friends: No
longer just the Future Farmers of America -- as impressive as
that is. Now, also, the Future Leaders of America.
Two days ago, you heard from Fred McClure, who's my
Congressional liaison. But more to the point: He once was
national secretary and head of the Texas FFA.
And like all Texans, Fred loves our State's memorable
phrases. For instance, you know what we call catfish? "Tourist
trout." And we don't refer to animals as animals. No sir. The
saying goes that "They're critters, if they're friendly. And
varmints, if they're not."
Well, whether you're from Texas or not, we know what to call
the FFA. We call it America at her best. America at her most
2
generous. An America embodied by the FFA motto: "Learning to
do, doing to learn; earning to live, living to serve."
For 61 years FFA has done much, and served many, so that
America could prosper. And today, you're still doing it -- all
50 States, nearly 8,000 chapters, more than 400,000 members.
You serve through faith in God, and strength of character.
And through the belief in family which makes us whole. You know
that what we are matters more than what we have. Working with
your minds -- your hands -- as farmers, and as Americans.
Now, I know you like to spread the credit around. After
all, that's rural America's way: Modest and understated. I'm
reminded of how a noted comedian once bought a chicken farm. A
friend was astonished. "Do you know anything about breeding
chickens?" he asked. "No," the comedian replied, "but the
chickens do."
But the thing is: The credit does belong to you. And to
your parents. Two years ago, I addressed the FFA convention in
Kansas City. Its motto was "Agriculture's New Spirit." Well,
today, thanks to your hard work, and self-reliance, that spirit
is alive, and well.
Want evidence? Consider that only four years ago, the
Congress passed a pioneering farm bill to help a whole community
in crisis. Yet today, farm income and agricultural exports are
nearing record highs. Our surpluses of farm commodities have
been drastically reduced. Most of our good land has been brought
3
back into production. And the farm credit situation is greatly
improved over a decade ago.
This progress has occurred while cutting the cost of Federal
farm programs in half. For when the farm economy is strong,
and government has to pay less, all America benefits. We -- you
-- have told government to tear down the roadblocks of tariffs
and trade barriers. And that the wave of the future lies in
competition and free enterprise.
Our task now is to build upon that spirit -- the spirit of
"America-Can," not "Washington-must." We don't want government
to spend more. We want people to earn more. And we must
remember that next year when we write a new farm bill. Ensuring
the many good features of the 1985 Act. And at the same time,
making needed improvements.
You know, the great humorist Will Rogers once said, "A man
in the country does his own thinking -- but you get him into town
and he soon will be thinking second-handed." [PAUSE]
My friends, our new farm bill must be even-handed. And
level-headed. In response to market forces, producers must have
more flexibility to decide what crops to grow. We must recognize
that the concerns of agriculture and the environment are
compatible. And nowhere more than in water quality.
As we write our farm bill, we'll work to expand exports.
And the key to that achievement is the current round of GATT
talks. Yes, we want free trade. But we also want fair trade.
4
And that is why, like the walls of Jericho, penalties which
distort world trade must come tumbling down.
For ours is a global economy. And America must compete --
be able to compete. That means expanding our ties with the
Soviet Union -- already the third-largest customer for U.S.
agricultural commodities. And enlarging our trade with other
countries who know, and need, the farming genius of America.
At home, the need to compete means developing new crops and
uses for agricultural commodities as raw materials for industry.
And for you, our global economy means there has never been a
better place -- nor more crucial time -- to start a career than
America, today.
I'm sure all of you have read Carl Sandburg. He was
America's poet laureate -- a graceful, lyric writer. He spoke --
beautifully, movingly -- about American agriculture. And about
the vast horizons and beauty that form the heartland of America.
Once, he said simply: "The Republic is a dream. Nothing
happens unless first a dream."
My friends, your dreams are big dreams. Future Farmers who
will feed the world of tomorrow. Future Leaders whose character
and commitment will enrich America's destiny -- not merely for
your generation, but for all the generations to come.
Thank you for coming here -- and may your dreams become
reality. God bless you, Godspeed to the FFA, and God bless the
United States of America.
#
#
#
#
057101SS
Document No.
WHITE HOUSE STAFFING MEMORANDUM
7/25/89
7/26/89 10:00 AM
DATE:
ACTION/CONCURRENCE/COMMENT DUE BY:
PRESIDENTIAL REMARKS: FFA
SUBJECT:
ACTION FYI
ACTION FYI
VICE PRESIDENT
MCCLURE
SUNUNU
NEWMAN
SCOWCROFT
PORTER
DARMAN
STUDDERT
BATES
UNTERMEYER
BREEDEN
ROGERS
WINSTON
CARD
PINKERTON
CICCONI
EVANS
DEMAREST
FITZWATER
GRAY
HAGIN
REMARKS:
8
Please forward any comments directly to Chriss Winston, Rm.
122, x2930, no later than 10:00 AM, Wednesday, July 26, with
a copy to my office. Thank you.
RESPONSE:
UL 26 Al 22
ok but
should add
"1000 pts light," 10
James W. Cicconi
Assistant to the President
and Deputy to the Chief of Staff
Ext. 2702
(Smith/Blessey)
Draft Two
July 24, 1989
FARM
PRESIDENTIAL REMARKS: FFA
ROOM 450, OLD EOB
THURSDAY, JULY 27, 1989
11:05 A.M.
, , Members of the FFA, Ladies and Gentlemen.
It is an honor to welcome you to the White House. Thirty
years ago this very week, President Eisenhower told the FFA: "I
always get a kick out of meeting with a bunch of young people."
Today, with apologies to Cole Porter, let me add: I, too, get a
kick out of you.
First, I want to say that I'm delighted to see my old
friends And . And to be among so many new friends: No
longer just the Future Farmers of America -- as impressive as
that is. Now, also, the Future Leaders of America.
Two days ago, you heard from Fred McClure, who's my
Congressional liaison. But more to the point: He once was
national secretary and head of the Texas FFA.
And like all Texans, Fred loves our State's memorable
phrases. For instance, you know what we call catfish? "Tourist
trout." And we don't refer to animals as animals. No sir. The
saying goes that "They're critters, if they're friendly. And
varmints, if they're not."
Well, whether you're from Texas or not, we know what to call
the FFA. We call it America at her best. America at her most
2
generous. An America embodied by the FFA motto: "Learning to
do, doing to learn; earning to live, living to serve."
For 61 years FFA has done much, and served many, so that
America could prosper. And today, you're still doing it --- all
50 States, nearly 8,000 chapters, more than 400,000 members.
You serve through faith in God, and strength of character.
And through the belief in family which makes us whole. You know
that what we are matters more than what we have. Working with
your minds -- your hands -- as farmers, and as Americans.
Now, I know you like to spread the credit around. After
all, that's rural America's way: Modest and understated. I'm
reminded of how a noted comedian once bought a chicken farm. A
friend was astonished. "Do you know anything about breeding
chickens?" he asked. "No," the comedian replied, "but the
chickens do."
But the thing is: The credit does belong to you. And to
your parents. Two years ago, I addressed the FFA convention in
Kansas City. Its motto was "Agriculture's New Spirit." Well,
today, thanks to your hard work, and self-reliance, that spirit
is alive, and well.
Want evidence? Consider that only four years ago, the
Congress passed a pioneering farm bill to help a whole community
in crisis. Yet today, farm income and agricultural exports are
nearing record highs. Our surpluses of farm commodities have
been drastically reduced. Most of our good land has been brought
3
back into production. And the farm credit situation is greatly
improved over a decade ago.
This progress has occurred while cutting the cost of Federal
farm programs in half. For when the farm economy is strong,
and government has to pay less, all America benefits. We -- you
-- have told government to tear down the roadblocks of tariffs
and trade barriers. And that the wave of the future lies in
competition and free enterprise.
Our task now is to build upon that spirit -- the spirit of
"America-Can," not "Washington-must." We don't want government
to spend more. We want people to earn more. And we must
remember that next year when we write a new farm bill. Ensuring
the many good features of the 1985 Act. And at the same time,
making needed improvements.
You know, the great humorist Will Rogers once said, "A man
in the country does his own thinking -- but you get him into town
and he soon will be thinking second-handed." [PAUSE]
My friends, our new farm bill must be even-handed. And
level-headed. In response to market forces, producers must have
more flexibility to decide what crops to grow. We must recognize
that the concerns of agriculture and the environment are
compatible. And nowhere more than in water quality.
As we write our farm bill, we'll work to expand exports.
And the key to that achievement is the current round of GATT
talks. Yes, we want free trade. But we also want fair trade.
4
And that is why, like the walls of Jericho, penalties which
distort world trade must come tumbling down.
For ours is a global economy. And America must compete --
be able to compete. That means expanding our ties with the
Soviet Union -- already the third-largest customer for U.S.
agricultural commodities. And enlarging our trade with other
countries who know, and need, the farming genius of America.
At home, the need to compete means developing new crops and
uses for agricultural commodities as raw materials for industry.
And for you, our global economy means there has never been a
better place -- nor more crucial time -- to start a career than
America, today.
I'm sure all of you have read Carl Sandburg. He was
America's poet laureate -- a graceful, lyric writer. He spoke --
beautifully, movingly -- about American agriculture. And about
the vast horizons and beauty that form the heartland of America.
Once, he said simply: "The Republic is a dream. Nothing
happens unless first a dream."
My friends, your dreams are big dreams. Future Farmers who
will feed the world of tomorrow. Future Leaders whose character
and commitment will enrich America's destiny -- not merely for
your generation, but for all the generations to come.
Thank you for coming here -- and may your dreams become
reality. God bless you, Godspeed to the FFA, and God bless the
United States of America.
# # # #
OFFICE THE STATEMENT STATES 1 UNITED
EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT
OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20503
NOTICE:
Enclosed are comments from staff members of the Office of
Management and Budget (OMB) Such comments do not necessarily
represent the official position of the Director of OMB or of the
Office of Management and Budget. If you wish to have the
Director's personal comments, please let me know -- and contact
me if you have any questions.
David J. Haun
Executive Assistant
to the Director
st : olv 26 700 68
Document No.
057101SS
WHITE HOUSE STAFFING MEMORANDUM
7/25/89
7/26/89 10:00 AM
DATE:
ACTION/CONCURRENCE/COMMENT DUE BY:
PRESIDENTIAL REMARKS: FFA
SUBJECT:
ACTION FYI
ACTION FYI
VICE PRESIDENT
MCCLURE
SUNUNU
NEWMAN
SCOWCROFT
PORTER
DARMAN
STUDDERT
BATES
UNTERMEYER
BREEDEN
ROGERS
CARD
WINSTON
CICCONI
PINKERTON
EVANS
DEMAREST
FITZWATER
GRAY
HAGIN
REMARKS:
Please forward any comments directly to Chriss Winston, Rm.
122, x2930, no later than 10:00 AM, Wednesday, July 26, with
a copy to my office. Thank you.
RESPONSE: See PS I, 3.
James W. Cicconi
Assistant to the President
and Deputy to the Chief of Staff
Ext. 2702
(Smith/Blessey)
Draft Two
July 24, 1989
FARM
PRESIDENTIAL REMARKS: FFA
ROOM 450, OLD EOB
THURSDAY, JULY 27, 1989
11:05 A.M.
, , Members of the FFA, Ladies and Gentlemen.
It is an honor to welcome you to the White House. Thirty
years ago this very week, President Eisenhower told the FFA: "I
always get a kick out of meeting with a bunch of young people."
mollin
Today, with apologies to Cole Porter, let me add: IC too get
a
+
3060
kick out of you.
First, I want to say that I'm delighted to see my old
friends . And . And to be among so many new friends: No
longer just the Future Farmers of America -- as impressive as
that is. Now, also, the Future Leaders of America.
Two days ago, you heard from Fred McClure, who's my
Congressional liaison. But more to the point: He once was
national secretary and head of the Texas FFA.
And like all Texans, Fred loves our State's memorable
phrases. For instance, you know what we call catfish? "Tourist
trout." And we don't refer to animals as animals. No sir. The
saying goes that "They're critters, if they're friendly. And
varmints, if they're not."
Well, whether you're from Texas or not, we know what to call
the FFA. We call it America at her best. America at her most
2
generous. An America embodied by the FFA motto: "Learning to
do, doing to learn; earning to live, living to serve."
For 61 years FFA has done much, and served many, so that
America could prosper. And today, you're still doing it -- all
50 States, nearly 8,000 chapters, more than 400,000 members.
You serve through faith in God, and strength of character.
And through the belief in family which makes us whole. You know
that what we are matters more than what we have. Working with
your minds -- your hands -- as farmers, and as Americans.
Now, I know you like to spread the credit around. After
all, that's rural America's way: Modest and understated. I'm
reminded of how a noted comedian once bought a chicken farm. A
friend was astonished. "Do you know anything about breeding
chickens?" he asked. "No," the comedian replied, "but the
chickens do."
But the thing is: The credit does belong to you. And to
your parents. Two years ago, I addressed the FFA convention in
Kansas City. Its motto was "Agriculture's New Spirit." Well,
today, thanks to your hard work, and self-reliance, that spirit
is alive, and well.
Want evidence? Consider that only four years ago, the
Congress passed a pioneering farm bill to help a whole community
in crisis. Yet today, farm income and agricultural exports are
nearing record highs. Our surpluses of farm commodities have
been drastically reduced. Most of our good land has been brought
3
has
back into production. And the farm credit situation is greatly
the
mole
improved over -2 decade ago.
X3060
This progress has occurred while cutting the cost of Federal
farm programs in half. For when the farm economy is strong,
and government has to pay less, all America benefits. We -- you
-- have told government to tear down the roadblocks of tariffs
and trade barriers. And that the wave of the future lies in
competition and free enterprise.
Our task now is to build upon that spirit -- the spirit of
"America-Can," not "Washington-must." We don't want government
to spend more. We want people to earn more. And we must
remember that next year when we write a new farm bill. Ensuring
the many good features of the 1985 Act. And at the same time,
making needed improvements.
You know, the great humorist Will Rogers once said, "A man
in the country does his own thinking -- but you get him into town
and he soon will be thinking second-handed. [PAUSE]
My friends, our new farm bill must be even-handed. And
level-headed. In response to market forces, producers must have
more flexibility to decide what crops to grow. We must recognize
that the concerns of agriculture and the environment are
compatible. And nowhere more than in water quality.
As we write our farm bill, we'll work to expand exports.
And the key to that achievement is the current round of GATT
talks. Yes, we want free trade. But we also want fair trade.
4
And that is why, like the walls of Jericho, penalties which
distort world trade must come tumbling down.
For ours is a global economy. And America must compete --
be able to compete. That means expanding our ties with the
Soviet Union -- already the third-largest customer for U.S.
agricultural commodities. And enlarging our trade with other
countries who know, and need, the farming genius of America.
At home, the need to compete means developing new crops and
uses for agricultural commodities as raw materials for industry.
And for you, our global economy means there has never been a
better place -- nor more crucial time -- to start a career than
America, today.
I'm sure all of you have read Carl Sandburg. He was
America's poet laureate -- a graceful, lyric writer. He spoke --
beautifully, movingly -- about American agriculture. And about
the vast horizons and beauty that form the heartland of America.
Once, he said simply: "The Republic is a dream. Nothing
happens unless first a dream."
My friends, your dreams are big dreams. Future Farmers who
will feed the world of tomorrow. Future Leaders whose character
and commitment will enrich America's destiny -- not merely for
your generation, but for all the generations to come.
Thank you for coming here -- and may your dreams become
reality. God bless you, Godspeed to the FFA, and God bless the
United States of America.
#
#
#
#
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
July 25, 1989
MEMORANDUM FOR CHRISS WINSTON
FROM
COOPER EVANS CC
SUBJECT
PRESIDENTIAL REMARKS: FFA
The remarks are excellent -- very appropriate for the audience.
CC: James Cicconi
92:2d 25 700 68

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"ocrText": "Originally Processed With FOIA(s):\nFOIA Number:\nS\nFOIA\nMARKER\nThis is not a textual record. This is used as an\nadministrative marker by the George Bush Presidential\nLibrary Staff.\nRecord Group/Collection:\nGeorge H.W. Bush Presidential Records\nCollection/Office of Origin:\nSpeechwriting, White House Office of\nSeries:\nSpeech File Draft Files\nSubseries:\nChron File, 1989-1993\nOA/ID Number:\n13498\nFolder ID Number:\n13498-001\nFolder Title:\nFuture Farmers of America 7/27/89\nStack:\nRow:\nSection:\nShelf:\nPosition:\nG\n25\n6\n4\n4\nTHE WHITE HOUSE\nOffice of the Press Secretary\nFor Immediate Release\nJuly 27, 1989\nREMARKS BY THE PRESIDENT\nTO THE FUTURE FARMERS OF AMERICA\nRoom 450\nold Executive Office Building\n11:09 A.M. EDT\nTHE PRESIDENT: I want to apologize for keeping you\nwaiting. I'm blaming your six national officers. (Laughter.)\nPutting the blame squarely on them. It doesn't deserve to be there,\nbut they gave me a warm greeting outside on your behalf -- a lovely\nplaque that I will treasure, and I see them here and I want to say\nthank you publicly.\nI want to salute my two able assistants and friends up\nhere on the platform, both of whom are not only experts in\nagriculture, but both of whom are shaping the destiny of our country\nin terms of agricultural policy. Cooper Evans, a former member of\nthe United States Congress, son of Iowa -- former Congressman from\nIowa here in the White House on ag policy. And then Fred McClure,\nwhom I'll refer to in a bit, but whose job is working with Congress\nas we try to move certain kinds of legislation through the Congress\nitself.\nBut I'm just delighted to welcome you to the White House.\nThirty years ago this very week, President Eisenhower told the FFA,\n\"I always get a kick out of meeting with a bunch of young people.\"\nWell, today, with apologies to Cole Porter, let me say, \"I get a kick\nout of you.' And I'm delighted you're here, and I remember the warm\nhospitality a year ago at Kansas City -- modest turnout of about\n24,000, but nevertheless -- (laughter.)\nI'm delighted to see Tony and Larry once again, to be\namong so many new friends -- no longer just the Future Farmers of\nAmerica, as impressive as that is; now also the Future leaders of\nAmerica.\nAnd two days ago -- I guess it was -- did you talk two\ndays -- two days ago -- I want to be sure of my facts -- Fred\nMcClure, who handles, as I say, congressional liaison, talked to you\nall. Perhaps he didn't sing his own praises as a former national\nsecretary and head of the Texas FFA.\nLike all Texans, he loves our state's memorable phrases.\nYou know what we call catfish? \"Tourist trout.\" (Laughter.) And we\ndon't refer to animals as animals. The saying goes, they're\ncritters, if they're not friendly -- if they are friendly, and they\nare varmints, if they're not. (Laughter.) And on and on it goes.\nBut whether you're from Texas or not, we know what to\ncall the FFA. We call it America at her best; America at her most\ngenerous. An America embodied by the your motto: Learning to do,\ndoing to learn; earning to live, and then living to serve. And these\nguys were telling me, in a nice presentation of this plaque, the\nemphasis on service. And I think it is appropriate, whether you're\nin FFA or whether you're President of the United States of America.\nAnd last month I announced what we call a \"points of\nMORE\n- 2 -\nlight initiative,\" which asks every American to bring this service\ninto every corner of our country. And today, I want to renew that\nchallenge. And I know that you will meet it. For since 1926, FFA\nhas done much and served many. And you have been a point of light.\nAnd today, you're still shining -- all 50 states, nearly 8,000\nchapters, more than 400,000 members.\nAnd you serve through faith -- faith in God, strength of\ncharacter, and through the belief in family, which makes us whole.\nAnd you know that what we are matters more than what we have.\nWorking with your minds -- your hands -- as farmers and as Americans.\nAnd now, I know you like to spread the credit around.\nAfter all, that's rural America's way -- modest and understated. And\nI'm reminded of how a noted comedian once bought a chicken farm. A\nfriend was astonished. \"Do you know anything about breeding\nchickens?\", he asked. \"No,\" the comedian replied, \"but the chickens\ndo.\" (Laughter and applause.) And the thing is -- I'm going to\ndivert from my text to tell you one of President Reagan's favorite\nstories about the guy driving down about 50 miles an hour down the\nhighway.\nAnd he sees a chicken run by the car, speeding on past\nhim. \"My golly,\" he said, \"that chicken looked like it had three\nlegs.\" So he pulled into the -- schreeched -- the chicken dashed\ninto the farm and the guy schreeched on the brakes, turned into the\nfarm; said to the farmer, \"I thought I saw a three-legged chicken run\nby my car a minute ago.\" And the farmer said, \"Well, yeah, we breed\nthree-legged chickens. You see, there's me, my wife, and our kid\nhere, and we all like drumsticks. And it's wonderful.\" (Laughter.)\nHe said, \"Well, how do they taste?\" He said, \"Well, I don't know.\nI've never been able to catch him.\" (Laughter.)\nBut anyway, where were we? No, but seriously, the credit\ndoes belong to you and to your parents-- this family matters. Two\nyears ago -- it was two years. I thought it was just last year, the\nKansas City convention -- the theme, \"Agriculture's New Spirit. I\ndo remember that. And today, thanks to the hard work and\nself-reliance, now that spirit is still alive and well.\nDo you want evidence? Consider that only four years ago,\nthe Congress passed a pioneering farm bill to help a whole community\nin crisis. And yet this year, farm income and agricultural exports\nare nearing record highs. Our surpluses of farm commodities have\nbeen drastically reduced and most of our good land has been brought\nback into production. And the farm credit situation has greatly\nimproved over the last decade.\nThis progress has occurred while cutting the cost of\nfederal farm programs in half. For when the farm economy is strong\nand government has to pay less, all America benefits. We -- you --\nhave told government to tear down the roadblocks of tariffs and trade\nbarriers. And that the wave of the future lies in competition and\nfree enterprise.\nAnd given agriculture's commitment to these principles, I\nhad an opportunity to take that message to the leaders of Western\nEurope, our close allies there, just a couple of weeks ago in Paris.\nOur task now is to build upon that spirit -- the spirit\nof \"America can,\" not \"Washington must.\" And we don't want\ngovernment to spend more, we want people to earn more. And we must\nremember that next year when we write a new farm bill, these\nprinciples must be kept in mind. Ensuring the many good features of\nthe 1985 act and, at the same time, making what I think we all would\nagree are needed improvements.\nYou know, Will Rogers once said, \"A man in the country\ndoes his own thinking -- but you get him into town and he soon will\nbe thinking second-handed.\" Well, our new farm bill must be\nMORE\n- 3 -\neven-handed, level-headed. And in response to market forces,\nproducers must have more flexibility to decide what crops they grow.\nAnd regarding agriculture and the environment, we must see these\nconcerns as compatible. Both, for example, need clean, safe, and\nquality water.\nBut we can't stop there. For we must work to expand\nefforts. And the key to that achievement is the current round of\nthese GATT talks. And, yes, we want free trade, but we will keep\ninsisting that it be fair trade. And that's why, like the Walls of\nJericho, these barriers which distort world trade must come tumbling\ndown.\nOurs -- as you well know from your studies and real-life\nexperiences -- ours is a global ecomony now. And America must\ncompete -- be able to compete. And that means, as our relations\nimprove, expanding our ties with the Soviet Union -- already the\nthird-largest customer for U.S. agricultural commodities. And\nenlarging our trade with other countries who know and need the\nfarming genius of America.\nAt home, the need to compete means developing new crops\nand uses for agricultural commodities as raw materials for industry.\nAnd for you, our global economy means there has never been a better\nplace -- nor more crucial time -- to start a career than in America\ntoday.\nI'm sure all of you have read, or been exposed to and\nmost read in school, Carl Sandburg. He was America's poet laureate\n-- a graceful, lyric writer. And he spoke beautifully and movingly\nabout American agriculture, and about the vast horizons and beauty\nthat form the heartland of our country.\nOnce he said simply, \"The Republic is a dream. Nothing\nhappens unless first a dream.\"\nAnd your dreams are big dreams. And future farmers who\nwill feed the whole world of tomorrow. Future leaders whose\ncharacter and commitment will enrich America's destiny -- not merely\nfor your generation, but for all the generations to come.\nSo I came over here to thank you for coming to\nWashington, and may your dreams become a reality. God bless you and\nGodspeed to the Future Farmers of America and, most of all, God bless\nthe United States of America. Thank you all very, very much for\ncoming. (Applause.)\nEND\n11:20 A.M. EDT\nDocument No. 057101\nWHITE HOUSE STAFFING MEMORANDUM\n07/26/89\n----\nDATE:\nACTION/CONCURRENCE/COMMENT DUE BY:\nSUBJECT: PRESIDENTIAL REMARKS: FFA\n(07/26-draft three)\nACTION FYI\nACTION FYI\nVICE PRESIDENT\nMCCLURE\nSUNUNU\nNEWMAN\nSCOWCROFT\nPORTER\nDARMAN\nSTUDDERT\nBATES\nUNTERMEYER\nBREEDEN\nROGERS\nCARD\nPINKERTON\nCICCONI\nWINSTON\nDEMAREST\nEVANS\nFITZWATER\nP\nGRAY\nHAGIN\nREMARKS:\nThe attached has been forwarded to the President.\nRESPONSE:\nJames W. Cicconi\nAssistant to the President\nand Deputy to the Chief of Staff\nExt. 2702\nTHE WHITE HOUSE\nWASHINGTON\n1999 JUL 20\nJULY 26, 1989\nINFORMATION\nMEMORANDUM FOR THE PRESIDENT\nTHROUGH:\nCHRISS WINSTON\nW\nFROM:\nCURT SMITH as\nSUBJECT:\nJULY 27 FFA ADDRESS\nI.\nSUMMARY\nOn Thursday, July 27, at 11:05 A.M., you will address 200 members\nof the FFA (formerly, Future Farmers of America) in Room 450. Among\nthose attending will be three FFA officials you met when you addressed\nthe 1987 FFA Convention in Kansas City -- Tony Hoyt, Larry Case, and\nColeman Harris.\nII.\nDISCUSSION\nThe enclosed remarks focus on the FFA's place in rural America, and\nhow its values embody the best of America. Also discussed are the new\nfarm bill, and agriculture's role in the global economy. The length of\nremarks is 8 minutes.\n(Smith/Blessey)\nDraft Three\nJuly 26, 1989\nFARM\nPRESIDENTIAL REMARKS: FFA\nROOM 450, OLD EOB\nTHURSDAY, JULY 27, 1989\n11:05 A.M.\nMembers of the FFA, Ladies and Gentlemen.\nIt is an honor to welcome you to the White House. Thirty\nyears ago this very week, President Eisenhower told the FFA: \"I\nalways get a kick out of meeting with a bunch of young people.\"\nWell, today with apologies to that noted composer Cole\nPorter, let me say, as he did: \"I get a kick out of you.\"\nFirst, I want to note that I'm delighted to see my old\nfriends Tony Hoyt, Larry Case, and Coleman Harris. And to be\namong so many new friends: No longer just the Future Farmers of\nAmerica -- as impressive as that is. Now, also, the Future\nLeaders of America.\nTwo days ago, you heard from Fred McClure, who's my\nCongressional liaison. But more to the point: He once was\nnational secretary and head of the Texas FFA.\nAnd like all Texans, Fred loves our State's memorable\nphrases. For instance, you know what we call catfish? \"Tourist\ntrout.\" And we don't refer to animals as animals. No sir. The\nsaying goes that \"They're critters, if they're friendly. And\nvarmints, if they're not.\"\n2\nWell, whether you're from Texas or not, we know what to call\nthe FFA. We call it America at her best. America at her most\ngenerous. An America embodied by the FFA motto: \"Learning to\ndo, doing to learn; earning to live, living to serve.\"\nLast month I announced a \"Points of Light Initiative\" which\nasks every American to bring this service into every corner of\nAmerica. Today, I renew that challenge. And I know that you\nwill meet it. For since 1926 FFA has done much, and served many.\nYou have been a point of light. And today, you're still shining\n-- all 50 States, nearly 8,000 chapters, more than 400,000\nmembers.\nYou serve through faith in God, and strength of character.\nAnd through the belief in family which makes us whole. You know\nthat what we are matters more than what we have. Working with\nyour minds -- your hands -- as farmers, and as Americans.\nNow, I know you like to spread the credit around. After\nall, that's rural America's way: Modest and understated. I'm\nreminded of how a noted comedian once bought a chicken farm. A\nfriend was astonished. \"Do you know anything about breeding\nchickens?\" he asked. \"No,\" the comedian replied, \"but the\nchickens do.\"\nBut the thing is: The credit does belong to you. And to\nyour parents. Two years ago, I addressed the FFA convention in\nKansas city. Its theme was \"Agriculture's New Spirit.\" Well,\ntoday, thanks to your hard work, and self-reliance, that spirit\nis alive, and well.\n3\nWant evidence? Consider that only four years ago, the\nCongress passed a pioneering farm bill to help a whole community\nin crisis. Yet this year, farm income and agricultural exports\nare nearing record highs. Our surpluses of farm commodities have\nbeen drastically reduced. Most of our good land has been brought\nback into production. And the farm credit situation has greatly\nimproved over the last decade.\nThis progress has occurred while cutting the cost of Federal\nfarm programs in half. For when the farm economy is strong, and\ngovernment has to pay less, all America benefits. We -- you --\nhave told government to tear down the roadblocks of tariffs and\ntrade barriers. And that the wave of the future lies in\ncompetition and free enterprise.\nOur task now is to build upon that spirit -- the spirit of\n\"America-Can,\" not \"Washington-must.\" We don't want government\nto spend more. We want people to earn more. And we must\nremember that next year when we write a new farm bill. Ensuring\nthe many good features of the 1985 Act. And at the same time,\nmaking needed improvements.\nYou know, the great humorist Will Rogers once said, \"A man\nin the country does his own thinking -- but you get him into town\nand he soon will be thinking second-handed.\" [PAUSE]\nMy friends, our new farm bill must be even-handed. And\nlevel-headed. In response to market forces, producers must have\nmore flexibility to decide what crops to grow. And regarding\nagriculture and the environment, we must see their concerns as\n4\ncompatible. Both, for example, need clean, safe, and quality\nwater.\nBut we can't stop there. For we must work to expand\nexports. And the key to that achievement is the current round of\nGATT talks. Yes, we want free trade. But we also want fair\ntrade. And that is why, like the walls of Jericho, barriers\nwhich distort world trade must come tumbling down.\nFor ours is a global economy. And America must compete --\nbe able to compete. That means, as our relations improve,\nexpanding our ties with the Soviet Union -- already the third-\nlargest customer for U.S. agricultural commodities. And\nenlarging our trade with other countries who know, and need, the\nfarming genius of America.\nAt home, the need to compete means developing new crops and\nuses for agricultural commodities as raw materials for industry.\nAnd for you, our global economy means there has never been a\nbetter place -- nor more crucial time -- to start a career than\nAmerica, today.\nI'm sure all of you have read Carl Sandburg. He was\nAmerica's poet laureate -- a graceful, lyric writer. He spoke --\nbeautifully, movingly -- about American agriculture. And about\nthe vast horizons and beauty that form the heartland of America.\nOnce, he said simply: \"The Republic is a dream. Nothing\nhappens unless first a dream.\"\nMy friends, your dreams are big dreams. Future Farmers who\nwill feed the world of tomorrow. Future Leaders whose character\n5\nand commitment will enrich America's destiny -- not merely for\nyour generation, but for all the generations to come.\nThank you for coming here -- and may your dreams become\nreality. God bless you, Godspeed to the FFA, and God bless the\nUnited States of America.\n# # # #\nTo CW\nDate 7/26\nTime 9:40am\nWHILE YOU WERE OUT\nM Fred Mcclure\nof\nPhone\nArea Code\nNumber\nExtension\nTELEPHONED\nPLEASE CALL\nCALLED TO SEE YOU\nWILL CALL AGAIN\nWANTS TO SEE YOU\nURGENT\nRETURNED YOUR CALL\nMessage Fred suggestsure\nincorporate a PP on\nnational Service, the\nFFA incourages !\nvolunteerism\nOperator KG\nAMPAD\nEFFICIENCY®\n23-020\nFILE\nREMARKS: FFA\nROOM 450, OLD EOB\nTHURSDAY, JULY 27, 1989\n11:05 A.M.\nMEMBERS OF THE FFA, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN.\nIT IS AN HONOR TO WELCOME YOU TO THE WHITE HOUSE.\nTHIRTY YEARS AGO THIS VERY WEEK, PRESIDENT EISENHOWER\nTOLD THE FFA: \"I ALWAYS GET A KICK OUT OF MEETING WITH\nA BUNCH OF YOUNG PEOPLE.\"\n- 2 -\nWELL, TODAY WITH APOLOGIES TO THAT NOTED COMPOSER COLE\nPORTER, LET ME SAY, AS HE DID: \"I GET A KICK OUT OF\nYOU.\"\nFIRST, I WANT TO NOTE THAT I'M DELIGHTED TO SEE\nTONY HOYT AND LARRY CASE ONCE AGAIN. AND TO BE AMONG\nso MANY NEW FRIENDS: No LONGER JUST THE FUTURE FARMERS\nOF AMERICA -- AS IMPRESSIVE AS THAT IS. Now, ALSO,\nTHE FUTURE LEADERS OF AMERICA.\n- 3 -\nTwo DAYS AGO, YOU HEARD FROM FRED MCCLURE, WHO'S MY\nCONGRESSIONAL LIAISON. BUT MORE TO THE POINT: HE ONCE\nWAS NATIONAL SECRETARY AND HEAD OF THE TEXAS FFA.\nAND LIKE ALL TEXANS, FRED LOVES OUR STATE'S\nMEMORABLE PHRASES. FOR INSTANCE, YOU KNOW WHAT WE CALL\nCATFISH? \"TOURIST TROUT.\" AND WE DON'T REFER TO\nANIMALS AS ANIMALS. No SIR, THE SAYING GOES THAT\n\"THEY'RE CRITTERS, IF THEY'RE FRIENDLY. AND VARMINTS,\nIF THEY'RE NOT.\"\n- 4 -\nWELL, WHETHER YOU'RE FROM TEXAS OR NOT, WE KNOW\nWHAT TO CALL THE FFA. WE CALL IT AMERICA AT HER BEST.\nAMERICA AT HER MOST GENEROUS. AN AMERICA EMBODIED BY\nTHE FFA MOTTO: \"LEARNING TO DO, DOING TO LEARN;\nEARNING TO LIVE, LIVING TO SERVE.\"\nLAST MONTH I ANNOUNCED A \"POINTS OF LIGHT\nINITIATIVE\" WHICH ASKS EVERY AMERICAN TO BRING THIS\nSERVICE INTO EVERY CORNER OF AMERICA. TODAY, I RENEW\nTHAT CHALLENGE. AND I KNOW THAT YOU WILL MEET IT.\n- 5 -\nFOR SINCE 1926 FFA HAS DONE MUCH, AND SERVED MANY. You\nHAVE BEEN A POINT OF LIGHT. AND TODAY, YOU'RE STILL\nSHINING -- ALL 50 STATES, NEARLY 8,000 CHAPTERS, MORE\nTHAN 400,000 MEMBERS.\nYou SERVE THROUGH FAITH IN GOD, AND STRENGTH OF\nCHARACTER. AND THROUGH THE BELIEF IN FAMILY WHICH\nMAKES US WHOLE. You KNOW THAT WHAT WE ARE MATTERS MORE\nTHAN WHAT WE HAVE. WORKING WITH YOUR MINDS -- YOUR\nHANDS -- AS FARMERS, AND AS AMERICANS.\n- 6 -\nNow, I KNOW YOU LIKE TO SPREAD THE CREDIT AROUND.\nAFTER ALL, THAT'S RURAL AMERICA'S WAY: MODEST AND\nUNDERSTATED. I'M REMINDED OF HOW A NOTED COMEDIAN ONCE\nBOUGHT A CHICKEN FARM. A FRIEND WAS ASTONISHED. \"Do\nYOU KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT BREEDING CHICKENS?\" HE ASKED.\n\"No,\" THE COMEDIAN REPLIED, \"BUT THE CHICKENS DO.\"\nBUT THE THING IS: THE CREDIT DOES BELONG TO YOU.\nAND TO YOUR PARENTS. Two YEARS AGO, I ADDRESSED THE\nFFA CONVENTION IN KANSAS CITY.\n- 7 -\nITS THEME WAS \"AGRICULTURE'S NEW SPIRIT.\" WELL, TODAY,\nTHANKS TO YOUR HARD WORK, AND SELF-RELIANCE, THAT\nSPIRIT IS ALIVE, AND WELL.\nWANT EVIDENCE? CONSIDER THAT ONLY FOUR YEARS AGO,\nTHE CONGRESS PASSED A PIONEERING FARM BILL TO HELP A\nWHOLE COMMUNITY IN CRISIS. YET THIS YEAR, FARM INCOME\nAND AGRICULTURAL EXPORTS ARE NEARING RECORD HIGHS. OUR\nSURPLUSES OF FARM COMMODITIES HAVE BEEN DRASTICALLY\nREDUCED.\n- 8 -\nMOST OF OUR GOOD LAND HAS BEEN BROUGHT BACK INTO\nPRODUCTION. AND THE FARM CREDIT SITUATION HAS GREATLY\nIMPROVED OVER THE LAST DECADE.\nTHIS PROGRESS HAS OCCURRED WHILE CUTTING THE COST\nOF FEDERAL FARM PROGRAMS IN HALF. FOR WHEN THE FARM\nECONOMY IS STRONG, AND GOVERNMENT HAS TO PAY LESS, ALL\nAMERICA BENEFITS.\n- 9 -\nWE -- YOU -- HAVE TOLD GOVERNMENT TO TEAR DOWN THE\nROADBLOCKS OF TARIFFS AND TRADE BARRIERS. AND THAT THE\nWAVE OF THE FUTURE LIES IN COMPETITION AND FREE\nENTERPRISE.\nOUR TASK NOW IS TO BUILD UPON THAT SPIRIT -- THE\nSPIRIT OF \"AMERICA-CAN,\" NOT \"WASHINGTON-MUST.\" WE\nDON'T WANT GOVERNMENT TO SPEND MORE. WE WANT PEOPLE TO\nEARN MORE.\n- 10 -\nAND WE MUST REMEMBER THAT NEXT YEAR WHEN WE WRITE A NEW\nFARM BILL. ENSURING THE MANY GOOD FEATURES OF THE 1985\nAcT. AND AT THE SAME TIME, MAKING NEEDED IMPROVEMENTS.\nYou KNOW, THE GREAT HUMORIST WILL ROGERS ONCE\nSAID, \"A MAN IN THE COUNTRY DOES HIS OWN THINKING --\nBUT YOU GET HIM INTO TOWN AND HE SOON WILL BE THINKING\nSECOND-HANDED.\" [PAUSE]\nOUR NEW FARM BILL MUST BE EVEN-HANDED. AND LEVEL-\nHEADED.\n- 11 -\nIN RESPONSE TO MARKET FORCES, PRODUCERS MUST HAVE MORE\nFLEXIBILITY TO DECIDE WHAT CROPS TO GROW. AND\nREGARDING AGRICULTURE AND THE ENVIRONMENT, WE MUST SEE\nTHEIR CONCERNS AS COMPATIBLE. BoTH, FOR EXAMPLE, NEED\nCLEAN, SAFE, AND QUALITY WATER.\nBUT WE CAN'T STOP THERE. FOR WE MUST WORK TO\nEXPAND EXPORTS. AND THE KEY TO THAT ACHIEVEMENT IS THE\nCURRENT ROUND OF GATT TALKS. YES, WE WANT FREE TRADE.\nBUT WE ALSO WANT FAIR TRADE.\n- 12 -\nAND THAT IS WHY, LIKE THE WALLS OF JERICHO, BARRIERS\nWHICH DISTORT WORLD TRADE MUST COME TUMBLING DOWN.\nFOR OURS IS A GLOBAL ECONOMY. AND AMERICA MUST\nCOMPETE -- BE ABLE TO COMPETE. THAT MEANS, AS OUR\nRELATIONS IMPROVE, EXPANDING OUR TIES WITH THE SOVIET\nUNION -- ALREADY THE THIRD-LARGEST CUSTOMER FOR U.S.\nAGRICULTURAL COMMODITIES. AND ENLARGING OUR TRADE WITH\nOTHER COUNTRIES WHO KNOW, AND NEED, THE FARMING GENIUS\nOF AMERICA.\n- 13 -\nAT HOME, THE NEED TO COMPETE MEANS DEVELOPING NEW\nCROPS AND USES FOR AGRICULTURAL COMMODITIES AS RAW\nMATERIALS FOR INDUSTRY. AND FOR YOU, OUR GLOBAL\nECONOMY MEANS THERE HAS NEVER BEEN A BETTER PLACE --\nNOR MORE CRUCIAL TIME -- TO START A CAREER THAN IN\nAMERICA, TODAY.\n- 14 -\nI'M SURE ALL OF YOU HAVE READ CARL SANDBURG. HE\nWAS AMERICA'S POET LAUREATE -- A GRACEFUL, LYRIC\nWRITER. HE SPOKE --BEAUTIFULLY, MOVINGLY -- ABOUT\nAMERICAN AGRICULTURE. AND ABOUT THE VAST HORIZONS AND\nBEAUTY THAT FORM THE HEARTLAND OF AMERICA.\nONCE, HE SAID SIMPLY: \"THE REPUBLIC IS A DREAM.\nNOTHING HAPPENS UNLESS FIRST A DREAM.\"\nYOUR DREAMS ARE BIG DREAMS. FUTURE FARMERS WHO\nWILL FEED THE WORLD OF TOMORROW.\n- 15 -\nFUTURE LEADERS WHOSE CHARACTER AND COMMITMENT WILL\nENRICH AMERICA'S DESTINY -- NOT MERELY FOR YOUR\nGENERATION, BUT FOR ALL THE GENERATIONS TO COME.\nTHANK YOU FOR COMING HERE -- AND MAY YOUR DREAMS\nBECOME REALITY. GOD BLESS YOU, GODSPEED TO THE FFA,\nAND GOD BLESS THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.\n# # # #\nNote to writes\nreminder I feel\nuncomfortable saying\n\"my friends\" which\nthy are frends.\nToo meh like FOR\non this a -\nTHE PRESIDENT HA\n7/26/89\n(Smith/Blessey)\nDraft Three\nJuly 26, 1989\nFARM\nPRESIDENTIAL REMARKS: FFA\nROOM 450, OLD EOB\nTHURSDAY, JULY 27, 1989\n11:05 A.M.\nMembers of the FFA, Ladies and Gentlemen.\nIt is an honor to welcome you to the White House. Thirty\nyears ago this very week, President Eisenhower told the FFA: \"I\nalways get a kick out of meeting with a bunch of young people.\"\nWell, today with apologies to that noted composer Cole\nPorter, let me say, as he did: \"I get a kick out of you.'\nFirst, I want to note that I'm delighted to see my-old\nTony Hoyt, (and) Larry Case and Coleman Harris And to be\nonce again\nfriends\namong so many new friends: No longer just the Future Farmers of\nAmerica -- as impressive as that is. Now, also, the Future\nLeaders of America.\nTwo days ago, you heard from Fred McClure, who's my\nCongressional liaison. But more to the point: He once was\nnational secretary and head of the Texas FFA.\nAnd like all Texans, Fred loves our State's memorable\nphrases. For instance, you know what we call catfish? \"Tourist\ntrout.\" And we don't refer to animals as animals. No sir. The\nsaying goes that \"They're critters, if they're friendly. And\nvarmints, if they're not.\"\n2\nWell, whether you're from Texas or not, we know what to call\nthe FFA. We call it America at her best. America at her most\ngenerous. An America embodied by the FFA motto: \"Learning to\ndo, doing to learn; earning to live, living to serve.\"\nLast month I announced a \"Points of Light Initiative\" which\nasks every American to bring this service into every corner of\nAmerica. Today, I renew that challenge. And I know that you\nwill meet it. For since 1926 FFA has done much, and served many.\nYou have been a point of light. And today, you're still shining\n-- all 50 States, nearly 8,000 chapters, more than 400,000\nmembers.\nYou serve through faith in God, and strength of character.\nAnd through the belief in family which makes us whole. You know\nthat what we are matters more than what we have. Working with\nyour minds -- your hands -- as farmers, and as Americans.\nNow, I know you like to spread the credit around. After\nall, that's rural America's way: Modest and understated. I'm\nreminded of how a noted comedian once bought a chicken farm. A\nfriend was astonished. \"Do you know anything about breeding\nchickens?\" he asked. \"No,\" the comedian replied, \"but the\nchickens do.\"\nBut the thing is: The credit does belong to you. And to\nyour parents. Two years ago, I addressed the FFA convention in\nKansas City. Its theme was \"Agriculture's New Spirit.\" Well,\ntoday, thanks to your hard work, and self-reliance, that spirit\nis alive, and well.\n3\nWant evidence? Consider that only four years ago, the\nCongress passed a pioneering farm bill to help a whole community\nin crisis. Yet this year, farm income and agricultural exports\nare nearing record highs. Our surpluses of farm commodities have\nbeen drastically reduced. Most of our good land has been brought\nback into production. And the farm credit situation has greatly\nimproved over the last decade.\nThis progress has occurred while cutting the cost of Federal\nfarm programs in half. For when the farm economy is strong, and\ngovernment has to pay less, all America benefits. We -- you --\nhave told government to tear down the roadblocks of tariffs and\ntrade barriers. And that the wave of the future lies in\ncompetition and free enterprise.\nOur task now is to build upon that spirit -- the spirit of\n\"America-Can,\" not \"Washington-must.\" We don't want government\nto spend more. We want people to earn more. And we must\nremember that next year when we write a new farm bill. Ensuring\nthe many good features of the 1985 Act. And at the same time,\nmaking needed improvements.\nYou know, the great humorist Will Rogers once said, \"A man\nin the country does his own thinking -- but you get him into town\nand he soon will be thinking second-handed.\" [PAUSE]\nMy friends, Bur new farm bill must be even-handed. And\nlevel-headed. In response to market forces, producers must have\nmore flexibility to decide what crops to grow. And regarding\nagriculture and the environment, we must see their concerns as\n4\ncompatible. Both, for example, need clean, safe, and quality\nwater.\nBut we can't stop there. For we must work to expand\nexports. And the key to that achievement is the current round of\nGATT talks. Yes, we want free trade. But we also want fair\ntrade. And that is why, like the walls of Jericho, barriers\nwhich distort world trade must come tumbling down.\nFor ours is a global economy. And America must compete --\nbe able to compete. That means, as our relations improve,\nexpanding our ties with the Soviet Union -- already the third-\nlargest customer for U.S. agricultural commodities. And\nenlarging our trade with other countries who know, and need, the\nfarming genius of America.\nAt home, the need to compete means developing new crops and\nuses for agricultural commodities as raw materials for industry.\nAnd for you, our global economy means there has never been a\nbetter place -- nor more crucial time -- to start a career than\nAmerica, today.\nI'm sure all of you have read Carl Sandburg. He was\nAmerica's poet laureate --, a graceful, lyric writer. He spoke --\nbeautifully, movingly -- about American agriculture. And about\nthe vast horizons and beauty that form the heartland of America.\nOnce, he said simply: \"The Republic is a dream. Nothing\nhappens unless first a dream.\"\nMy friends Your dreams are big dreams. Future Farmers who\nwill feed the world of tomorrow. Future Leaders whose character\n5\nand commitment will enrich America's destiny -- not merely for\nyour generation, but for all the generations to come.\nThank you for coming here -- and may your dreams become\nreality. God bless you, Godspeed to the FFA, and God bless the\nUnited States of America.\n# # # #\n1989\nTHE WHITE HOUSE\nJUL\nWASHINGTON\n50\nJULY 26, 1989\nINFORMATION\nMEMORANDUM FOR THE PRESIDENT\nTHROUGH:\nCHRISS WINSTON\nW\nFROM:\nCURT SMITH as\nSUBJECT:\nJULY 27 FFA ADDRESS\nI.\nSUMMARY\nOn Thursday, July 27, at 11:05 A.M., you will address 200 members\nof the FFA (formerly, Future Farmers of America) in Room 450. Among\nthose attending will be three FFA officials you met when you addressed\nthe 1987 FFA Convention in Kansas City -- Tony Hoyt, Larry Case, and\nColeman Harris.\nII.\nDISCUSSION\nThe enclosed remarks focus on the FFA's place in rural America, and\nhow its values embody the best of America. Also discussed are the new\nfarm bill, and agriculture's role in the global economy. The length of\nremarks is 8 minutes.\nTHE WHITE HOUSE\nWASHINGTON\nJULY 26, 1989\nINFORMATION\nMEMORANDUM FOR THE PRESIDENT\nTHROUGH:\nCHRISS WINSTON\nW\nFROM:\nCURT SMITH as\nSUBJECT:\nJULY 27 FFA ADDRESS\nI.\nSUMMARY\nOn Thursday, July 27, at 11:05 A.M., you will address 200 members\nof the FFA (formerly, Future Farmers of America) in Room 450. Among\nthose attending will be three FFA officials you met when you addressed\nthe 1987 FFA Convention in Kansas City -- Tony Hoyt, Larry Case, and\nColeman Harris.\nII.\nDISCUSSION\nThe enclosed remarks focus on the FFA's place in rural America, and\nhow its values embody the best of America. Also discussed are the new\nfarm bill, and agriculture's role in the global economy. The length of\nremarks is 8 minutes.\n(Smith/Blessey)\nDraft Three\nJuly 26, 1989\nFARM\nPRESIDENTIAL REMARKS: FFA\nROOM 450, OLD EOB\nTHURSDAY, JULY 27, 1989\n11:05 A.M.\nMembers of the FFA, Ladies and Gentlemen.\nIt is an honor to welcome you to the White House. Thirty\nyears ago this very week, President Eisenhower told the FFA: \"I\nalways get a kick out of meeting with a bunch of young people.\"\nWell, today with apologies to that noted composer Cole\nPorter, let me say, as he did: \"I get a kick out of you.\"\nFirst, I want to note that I'm delighted to see my old\nfriends Tony Hoyt, Larry Case, and Coleman Harris. And to be\namong so many new friends: No longer just the Future Farmers of\nAmerica -- as impressive as that is. Now, also, the Future\nLeaders of America.\nTwo days ago, you heard from Fred McClure, who's my\nCongressional liaison. But more to the point: He once was\nnational secretary and head of the Texas FFA.\nAnd like all Texans, Fred loves our State's memorable\nphrases. For instance, you know what we call catfish? \"Tourist\ntrout.\" And we don't refer to animals as animals. No sir. The\nsaying goes that \"They're critters, if they're friendly. And\nvarmints, if they're not.\"\n2\nWell, whether you're from Texas or not, we know what to call\nthe FFA. We call it America at her best. America at her most\ngenerous. An America embodied by the FFA motto: \"Learning to\ndo, doing to learn; earning to live, living to serve.\"\nLast month I announced a \"Points of Light Initiative\" which\nasks every American to bring this service into every corner of\nAmerica. Today, I renew that challenge. And I know that you\nwill meet it. For since 1926 FFA has done much, and served many.\nYou have been a point of light. And today, you're still shining\n-- all 50 States, nearly 8,000 chapters, more than 400,000\nmembers.\nYou serve through faith in God, and strength of character.\nAnd through the belief in family which makes us whole. You know\nthat what we are matters more than what we have. Working with\nyour minds -- your hands -- as farmers, and as Americans.\nNow, I know you like to spread the credit around. After\nall, that's rural America's way: Modest and understated. I'm\nreminded of how a noted comedian once bought a chicken farm. A\nfriend was astonished. \"Do you know anything about breeding\nchickens?\" he asked. \"No,\" the comedian replied, \"but the\nchickens do.\"\nBut the thing is: The credit does belong to you. And to\nyour parents. Two years ago, I addressed the FFA convention in\nKansas City. Its theme was \"Agriculture's New Spirit.\" Well,\ntoday, thanks to your hard work, and self-reliance, that spirit\nis alive, and well.\n3\nWant evidence? Consider that only four years ago, the\nCongress passed a pioneering farm bill to help a whole community\nin crisis. Yet this year, farm income and agricultural exports\nare nearing record highs. Our surpluses of farm commodities have\nbeen drastically reduced. Most of our good land has been brought\nback into production. And the farm credit situation has greatly\nimproved over the last decade.\nThis progress has occurred while cutting the cost of Federal\nfarm programs in half. For when the farm economy is strong, and\ngovernment has to pay less, all America benefits. We -- you --\nhave told government to tear down the roadblocks of tariffs and\ntrade barriers. And that the wave of the future lies in\ncompetition and free enterprise.\nOur task now is to build upon that spirit -- the spirit of\n\"America-Can,\" not \"Washington-must.\" We don't want government\nto spend more. We want people to earn more. And we must\nremember that next year when we write a new farm bill. Ensuring\nthe many good features of the 1985 Act. And at the same time,\nmaking needed improvements.\nYou know, the great humorist Will Rogers once said, \"A man\nin the country does his own thinking -- but you get him into town\nand he soon will be thinking second-handed.\" [PAUSE]\nMy friends, our new farm bill must be even-handed. And\nlevel-headed. In response to market forces, producers must have\nmore flexibility to decide what crops to grow. And regarding\nagriculture and the environment, we must see their concerns as\n4\ncompatible. Both, for example, need clean, safe, and quality\nwater.\nBut we can't stop there. For we must work to expand\nexports. And the key to that achievement is the current round of\nGATT talks. Yes, we want free trade. But we also want fair\ntrade. And that is why, like the walls of Jericho, barriers\nwhich distort world trade must come tumbling down.\nFor ours is a global economy. And America must compete --\nbe able to compete. That means, as our relations improve,\nexpanding our ties with the Soviet Union -- already the third-\nlargest customer for U.S. agricultural commodities. And\nenlarging our trade with other countries who know, and need, the\nfarming genius of America.\nAt home, the need to compete means developing new crops and\nuses for agricultural commodities as raw materials for industry.\nAnd for you, our global economy means there has never been a\nbetter place -- nor more crucial time -- to start a career than\nAmerica, today.\nI'm sure all of you have read Carl Sandburg. He was\nAmerica's poet laureate -- a graceful, lyric writer. He spoke --\nbeautifully, movingly -- about American agriculture. And about\nthe vast horizons and beauty that form the heartland of America.\nOnce, he said simply: \"The Republic is a dream. Nothing\nhappens unless first a dream.\"\nMy friends, your dreams are big dreams. Future Farmers who\nwill feed the world of tomorrow. Future Leaders whose character\n5\nand commitment will enrich America's destiny -- not merely for\nyour generation, but for all the generations to come.\nThank you for coming here -- and may your dreams become\nreality. God bless you, Godspeed to the FFA, and God bless the\nUnited States of America.\n# # # #\nDocument No.\n057101SS\nWHITE HOUSE STAFFING MEMORANDUM\nDATE:\n7/25/89\n7/26/89 10:00 AM\nACTION/CONCURRENCE/COMMENT DUE BY:\nPRESIDENTIAL REMARKS: FFA\nSUBJECT:\n10:35\nACTION FYI\nACTION FYI\nVICE PRESIDENT\nMCCLURE on unside\nSUNUNU\nof folder\nNEWMAN\nSCOWCROFT TO Scowcrobt\nPORTER\nDARMAN\nSTUDDERT N/C phone\nBATES N/C phone\nUNTERMEYER\nBREEDEN\nROGERS\nCARD\nWINSTON\nCICCONI\nPINKERTON\nDEMAREST\nEVANS N/C\nFITZWATER\nGRAY N/C\n89-JU-25\nHAGIN\n25\nREMARKS:\nPlease forward any comments directly to Chriss Winston, Rm.\n122, x2930, no later than 10:00 AM, Wednesday, July 26, with\na copy to my office. Thank you.\nRESPONSE: Double- check econ figures.\nJames W. Cicconi\nAssistant to the President\nand Deputy to the Chief of Staff\nExt. 2702\n(Smith/Blessey)\nDraft Two\nJuly 24, 1989\nFARM\nPRESIDENTIAL REMARKS: FFA\nROOM 450, OLD EOB\nTHURSDAY, JULY 27, 1989\n11:05 A.M.\n, , Members of the FFA, Ladies and Gentlemen.\nIt is an honor to welcome you to the White House. Thirty\nyears ago this very week, President Eisenhower told the FFA: \"I\nalways get a kick out of meeting with a bunch of young people.\"\nToday, with apologies to Cole Porter, let me add: I, too, get a\n1\nkick out of you.\nFirst, I want to say that I'm delighted to see my old\nfriends . And - . And to be among so many new friends: No\nlonger just the Future Farmers of America -- as impressive as\nthat is. Now, also, the Future Leaders of America.\nTwo days ago, you heard from Fred McClure, who's my\nCongressional liaison. But more to the point: He once was\nnational secretary and head of the Texas FFA.\nAnd like all Texans, Fred loves our State's memorable\nphrases. For instance, you know what we call catfish? \"Tourist\ntrout.\" And we don't refer to animals as animals. No sir. The\nsaying goes that \"They're critters, if they're friendly. And\nvarmints, if they're not.\"\nWell, whether you're from Texas or not, we know what to call\nthe FFA. We call it America at her best. America at her most\n2\ngenerous. An America embodied by the FFA motto: \"Learning to\ndo, doing to learn; earning to live, living to serve. \"\nPoint G of 1.8th\nFor 61 years FFA has done much, and served many, so that\nAmerica could prosper. And today, you're still doing it -- all\n50 States, nearly 8,000 chapters, more than 400,000 members.\nYou serve through faith in God, and strength of character.\nAnd through the belief in family which makes us whole. You know\nthat what we are matters more than what we have. Working with\nyour minds -- your hands -- as farmers, and as Americans.\nNow, I know you like to spread the credit around. After\nall, that's rural America's way: Modest and understated. I'm\nreminded of how a noted comedian once bought a chicken farm. A\nfriend was astonished. \"Do you know anything about breeding\nchickens?\" he asked. \"No,\" the comedian replied, \"but the\nchickens do.\"\nBut the thing is: The credit does belong to you. And to\nyour parents. Two years ago, I addressed the FFA convention in\nKansas City. Its motto was \"Agriculture's New Spirit.\" Well,\ntoday, thanks to your hard work, and self-reliance, that spirit\nis alive, and well.\nWant evidence? Consider that only four years ago, the\nCongress passed a pioneering farm bill to help a whole community\nin crisis. Yet today, farm income and agricultural exports are\nnearing record highs. Our surpluses of farm commodities have\nbeen drastically reduced. Most of our good land has been brought\n3\nback into production. And the farm credit situation is has greatly\nimproved over the decade ago\nThis progress has occurred while cutting the cost of Federal\nfarm programs in half. For when the farm economy is strong,\nand government has to pay less, all America benefits. We -- you\n-- have told government to tear down the roadblocks of tariffs\nand trade barriers. And that the wave of the future lies in\ncompetition and free enterprise.\nOur task now is to build upon that spirit -- the spirit of\n\"America-Can,\" not \"Washington-must.\" We don't want government\nto spend more. We want people to earn more. And we must\nremember that next year when we write a new farm bill. Ensuring\nthe many good features of the 1985 Act. And at the same time,\nmaking needed improvements.\nYou know, the great humorist Will Rogers once said, \"A man\nin the country does his own thinking -- but you get him into town\nand he soon will be thinking second-handed.\" [PAUSE]\nMy friends, our new farm bill must be even-handed. And\nlevel-headed. In response to market forces, producers must have\nmore flexibility to decide what crops to grow. We must recognize\nthat the concerns of agriculture and the environment are\ncompatible. And nowhere more than in water quality.\n?\nAs we write our farm bill, we'll work to expand exports.\nAnd the key to that achievement is the current round of GATT\ntalks. Yes, we want free trade. But we also want fair trade.\n4\nbarriers\nAnd that is why, like the walls of Jericho, penalties which\ndistort world trade must come tumbling down.\nFor ours is a global economy. And America must compete --\nrelations improve,\nbe able to compete. That means expanding our ties with the\nSoviet Union -- already the third-largest customer for U.S.\nagricultural commodities. And enlarging our trade with other\ncountries who know, and need, the farming genius of America.\nAt home, the need to compete means developing new crops and\nuses for agricultural commodities as raw materials for industry.\nAnd for you, our global economy means there has never been a\nbetter place -- nor more crucial time --- to start a career than\nAmerica, today.\nI'm sure all of you have read Carl Sandburg. He was\nAmerica's poet laureate -- a graceful, lyric writer. He spoke ---\nbeautifully, movingly -- about American agriculture. And about\nthe vast horizons and beauty that form the heartland of America.\nOnce, he said simply: \"The Republic is a dream. Nothing\nhappens unless first a dream.\"\nMy friends, your dreams are big dreams. Future Farmers who\nwill feed the world of tomorrow. Future Leaders whose character\nand commitment will enrich America's destiny -- not merely for\nyour generation, but for all the generations to come.\nThank you for coming here -- and may your dreams become\nreality. God bless you, Godspeed to the FFA, and God bless the\nUnited States of America.\n# # # #\nTHE WHITE HOUSE\nWASHINGTON\nJuly 26, 1989\nMemorandum to Chriss Winston\nFrom:\nAusten Furse\nA.F.\nSubject:\nFFA speech\nThe draft manages to handle a number of disparate points.\nOne concept that would help unify these points is the fact that\nthe U.S. has an unrivalled competitive advantage over the rest of\nthe world in agriculture. We can be confident in the public\nresonance of greater freer trade in agriculture because we're\nsimply the best. Thus, for example, we could refer to the\ncontributions of the FFA in ensuring America's global\ncompetitiveness. The \"global economy\" language on page four\nseems a natural place for fleshing out this theme, which is\nalready implicit in much of the draft's language.\npg. 1, para. 2, line 4 The idea of \"getting a kick\" out of\nsomething will, unfortunately, have a different connotation for\nthose who spend a lot of time around farm animals. FFA members\nare likely to have gotten a literal kick out of their animals at\none time or other and thus, many will conjure up a more humorous\nimage. We suggest using a word other than \"kick.\"\nOne possible substitute intro. is suggested by the language\nreferring to the President's Texas connection as 1,5. Before he\nmoved to Texas, the President and Mrs. Bush considered starting a\nfarm and, if memory serves, they read up on the subject. Looking\nForward will have the relevant information.\n2,2 With the language, starting at this point, praising the FFA,\nit seems natural to make the point that FFA is a point of light\nand notably successful one at that.\n2,3,1\nWe especially like references to \"character\" when it\ncomes to successful community service groups like FFA. We\nsuggest that the phrase \"cultivating character,\" which aptly\ndescribes the FFA's role in molding young citizens, seems\nespecially appropriate given the agricultural connotation of\n\"cultivating.\"\n: Olv 26 7nr 68\n3,5,5\nThe reference to \"water quality\" comes and goes too\nquickly. We suggest either briefly explaining this point, or\nsaying \"water quality, for example,\" in order to pass over it\nmore smoothly.\n4,2,2\nExpanding \"our ties\" with the Soviet Union needs some\nqualifying when we are talking, after all, about expanding\nagricultural ties. The danger here is in this line being taken\nout of context or otherwise misunderstood.\n#\nTHE WHITE HOUSE\nWASHINGTON\nJuly 26, 1989\nMEMORANDUM FOR CHRISS WINSTON\nDEPUTY ASSISTANT TO THE PRESIDENT\nFOR COMMUNICATIONS\nFROM:\nROBERT J. PORTMAN RJP\nASSOCIATE COUNSEL TO THE PRESIDENT\nSUBJECT:\nPresidential Remarks: FFA\nPursuant to your staffing request of July 25, 1989, Counsel's\nOffice has reviewed the above-referenced Presidential remarks.\nWe have no legal objection to the contents of these remarks.\nThank you for bringing this matter to our attention.\nCC: James W. Cicconi\n£5:6v 29 7nr 68\n057101SS\nDocument No.\nWHITE HOUSE STAFFING MEMORANDUM\n7/25/89\n7/26/89 10:00 AM\nDATE:\nACTION/CONCURRENCE/COMMENT DUE BY:\nPRESIDENTIAL REMARKS: FFA\nSUBJECT:\nACTION FYI\nACTION FYI\nVICE PRESIDENT\nMCCLURE\nSUNUNU\nNEWMAN\nSCOWCROFT\nPORTER\nDARMAN\nSTUDDERT\nBATES\nUNTERMEYER\nBREEDEN\nROGERS\nCARD\nWINSTON\nPINKERTON\nCICCONI\nEVANS\nDEMAREST\nFITZWATER\nGRAY\nHAGIN\nREMARKS:\nPlease forward any comments directly to Chriss Winston, Rm.\n122, x2930, no later than 10:00 AM, Wednesday, July 26, with\na copy to my office. Thank you.\nAll comments\nRESPONSE:\n16 : Ed 26 7nr 68\nJames W. Cicconi\nAssistant to the President\nand Deputy to the Chief of Staff\nExt. 2702\n(Smith/Blessey)\nDraft Two\nJuly 24, 1989\nFARM\nPRESIDENTIAL REMARKS: FFA\nROOM 450, OLD EOB\nTHURSDAY, JULY 27, 1989\n11:05 A.M.\n, , Members of the FFA, Ladies and Gentlemen.\nIt is an honor to welcome you to the White House. Thirty\nyears ago this very week, President Eisenhower told the FFA: \"I\nalways get a kick out of meeting with a bunch of young people.\"\nToday, with apologies to Cole Porter, let me add: I, too, get a\nkick out of you.\nFirst, I want to say that I'm delighted to see my old\nfriends And And to be among so many new friends: No\nlonger just the Future Farmers of America -- as impressive as\nthat is. Now, also, the Future Leaders of America.\nTwo days ago, you heard from Fred McClure, who's my\nCongressional liaison. But more to the point: He once was\nnational secretary and head of the Texas FFA.\nAnd like all Texans, Fred loves our State's memorable\nphrases. For instance, you know what we call catfish? \"Tourist\ntrout.\" And we don't refer to animals as animals. No sir. The\nsaying goes that \"They're critters, if they're friendly. And\nvarmints, if they're not.\"\nWell, whether you're from Texas or not, we know what to call\nthe FFA. We call it America at her best. America at her most\n2\ngenerous. An America embodied by the FFA motto: \"Learning to\ndo, doing to learn; earning to live, living to serve.\"\nFor 61 years FFA has done much, and served many, so that\nAmerica could prosper. And today, you're still doing it -- all\n50 States, nearly 8,000 chapters, more than 400,000 members.\nYou serve through faith in God, and strength of character.\nAnd through the belief in family which makes us whole. You know\nthat what we are matters more than what we have. Working with\nyour minds -- your hands -- as farmers, and as Americans.\nNow, I know you like to spread the credit around. After\nall, that's rural America's way: Modest and understated. I'm\nreminded of how a noted comedian once bought a chicken farm. A\nfriend was astonished. \"Do you know anything about breeding\nchickens?\" he asked. \"No,\" the comedian replied, \"but the\nchickens do.\"\nBut the thing is: The credit does belong to you. And to\nyour parents. Two years ago, I addressed the FFA convention in\nKansas City. Its motto was \"Agriculture's New Spirit.\" Well,\ntoday, thanks to your hard work, and self-reliance, that spirit\nis alive, and well.\nWant evidence? Consider that only four years ago, the\nCongress passed a pioneering farm bill to help a whole community\nin crisis. Yet today, farm income and agricultural exports are\nnearing record highs. Our surpluses of farm commodities have\nbeen drastically reduced. Most of our good land has been brought\n3\nback into production. And the farm credit situation is greatly\nimproved over a decade ago.\nThis progress has occurred while cutting the cost of Federal\nfarm programs in half. For when the farm economy is strong,\nand government has to pay less, all America benefits. We -- you\n-- have told government to tear down the roadblocks of tariffs\nand trade barriers. And that the wave of the future lies in\ncompetition and free enterprise.\nOur task now is to build upon that spirit -- the spirit of\n\"America-Can,\" not \"Washington-must.\" We don't want government\nto spend more. We want people to earn more. And we must\nremember that next year when we write a new farm bill. Ensuring\nthe many good features of the 1985 Act. And at the same time,\nmaking needed improvements.\nYou know, the great humorist Will Rogers once said, \"A man\nin the country does his own thinking -- but you get him into town\nand he soon will be thinking second-handed.\" [PAUSE]\nMy friends, our new farm bill must be even-handed. And\nlevel-headed. In response to market forces, producers must have\nmore flexibility to decide what crops to grow. We must recognize\nthat the concerns of agriculture and the environment are\ncompatible. And nowhere more than in water quality.\nAs we write our farm bill, we'll work to expand exports.\nAnd the key to that achievement is the current round of GATT\ntalks. Yes, we want free trade. But we also want fair trade.\n4\nvarier\nAnd that is why, like the walls of Jericho, penalties which\ndistort world trade must come tumbling down.\nFor ours is a global economy. And America must compete --\nworking with\nbe able to compete. That means expanding our ties with the\nSoviet Union -- already the third-largest customer for U.S.\nagricultural commodities. And enlarging our trade with other\ncountries who know, and need, the farming genius of America.\nAt home, the need to compete means developing new crops and\nuses for agricultural commodities as raw materials for industry.\nAnd for you, our global economy means there has never been a\nbetter place -- nor more crucial time -- to start a career than\nAmerica, today.\nI'm sure all of you have read Carl Sandburg. He was\nAmerica's poet laureate -- a graceful, lyric writer. He spoke --\nbeautifully, movingly -- about American agriculture. And about\nthe vast horizons and beauty that form the heartland of America.\nOnce, he said simply: \"The Republic is a dream. Nothing\nhappens unless first a dream.\"\nMy friends, your dreams are big dreams. Future Farmers who\nwill feed the world of tomorrow. Future Leaders whose character\nand commitment will enrich America's destiny -- not merely for\nyour generation, but for all the generations to come.\nThank you for coming here -- and may your dreams become\nreality. God bless you, Godspeed to the FFA, and God bless the\nUnited States of America.\n# # # #\n0\n057101SS\nDocument No.\nWHITE HOUSE STAFFING MEMORANDUM\n7/25/89\n7/26/89 10:00 AM\nDATE:\nACTION/CONCURRENCE/COMMENT DUE BY:\nPRESIDENTIAL REMARKS: FFA\nSUBJECT:\nACTION FYI\nACTION FYI\nVICE PRESIDENT\nMCCLURE\nSUNUNU\nNEWMAN\nSCOWCROFT\nPORTER\nDARMAN\nSTUDDERT\nBATES\nUNTERMEYER\nBREEDEN\nROGERS\nWINSTON\nCARD\nPINKERTON\nCICCONI\nEVANS\nDEMAREST\nFITZWATER\nGRAY\nHAGIN\nREMARKS:\nPlease forward any comments directly to Chriss Winston, Rm.\n122, x2930, no later than 10:00 AM, Wednesday, July 26, with\na copy to my office. Thank you.\nRESPONSE:\n9€ 96:2d :2d 266 700 68\nW.\nComment 7/24/89\nJames W. Cicconi\nAssistant to the President\nand Deputy to the Chief of Staff\nExt. 2702\nDocument No.\n057101SS\n5847\nWHITE HOUSE STAFFING MEMORANDUM\nDATE:\n7/25/89\n7/26/89 10:00 AM\nACTION/CONCURRENCE/COMMENT DUE BY:\nPRESIDENTIAL REMARKS: FFA\nSUBJECT:\nACTION FYI\nACTION FYI\nVICE PRESIDENT\nMCCLURE\nSUNUNU\nNEWMAN\nSCOWCROFT\nPORTER\nDARMAN\nSTUDDERT\nBATES\nUNTERMEYER\nBREEDEN\nROGERS\nCARD\nWINSTON\nCICCONI\nPINKERTON\nEVANS\nDEMAREST\nFITZWATER\nGRAY\nHAGIN\nREMARKS:\nPlease forward any comments directly to Chriss Winston,\nRm.\n122, x2930, no later than 10:00 AM, Wednesday, July 26, with\na copy to my office. Thank you.\nP1:02\nRESPONSE:\nJulv 26, 1989\nTO: CHRISS WINSTON\nNSC concurs with the Presidential remarks for the FFA on July 27 with\nchange as indicated.\nBrent B Scowcroft\nJames W. Cicconi\nAssistant to the President\nCC: James W. Cicconi\nand Deputy to the Chief of Staff\nExt. 2702\n89 JUL 25 P4: 53\nSO S0:19 :19 as JUL as JUL es\n(Smith/Blessey)\nDraft Two\nJuly 24, 1989\nFARM\nPRESIDENTIAL REMARKS: FFA\nROOM 450, OLD EOB\nTHURSDAY, JULY 27, 1989\n11:05 A.M.\n, , Members of the FFA, Ladies and Gentlemen.\nIt is an honor to welcome you to the White House. Thirty\nyears ago this very week, President Eisenhower told the FFA: \"I\nalways get a kick out of meeting with a bunch of young people.\"\nToday, with apologies to Cole Porter, let me add: I, too, get a\nkick out of you.\nFirst, I want to say that I'm delighted to see my old\nfriends . And . And to be among so many new friends: No\nlonger just the Future Farmers of America -- as impressive as\nthat is. Now, also, the Future Leaders of America.\nTwo days ago, you heard from Fred McClure, who's my\nCongressional liaison. But more to the point: He once was\nnational secretary and head of the Texas FFA.\nAnd like all Texans, Fred loves our State's memorable\nphrases. For instance, you know what we call catfish? \"Tourist\ntrout.\" And we don't refer to animals as animals. No sir. The\nsaying goes that \"They're critters, if they're friendly. And\nvarmints, if they're not.\"\nWell, whether you're from Texas or not, we know what to call\nthe FFA. We call it America at her best. America at her most\n2\ngenerous. An America embodied by the FFA motto: \"Learning to\ndo, doing to learn; earning to live, living to serve.\"\nFor 61 years FFA has done much, and served many, so that\nAmerica could prosper. And today, you're still doing it -- all\n50 States, nearly 8,000 chapters, more than 400,000 members.\nYou serve through faith in God, and strength of character.\nAnd through the belief in family which makes us whole. You know\nthat what we are matters more than what we have. Working with\nyour minds -- your hands -- as farmers, and as Americans.\nNow, I know you like to spread the credit around. After\nall, that's rural America's way: Modest and understated. I'm\nreminded of how a noted comedian once bought a chicken farm. A\nfriend was astonished. \"Do you know anything about breeding\nchickens?\" he asked. \"No,\" the comedian replied, \"but the\nchickens do.\"\nBut the thing is: The credit does belong to you. And to\nyour parents. Two years ago, I addressed the FFA convention in\nKansas City. Its motto was \"Agriculture's New Spirit.\" Well,\ntoday, thanks to your hard work, and self-reliance, that spirit\nis alive, and well.\nWant evidence? Consider that only four years ago, the\nCongress passed a pioneering farm bill to help a whole community\nin crisis. Yet today, farm income and agricultural exports are\nnearing record highs. Our surpluses of farm commodities have\nbeen drastically reduced. Most of our good land has been brought\n3\nback into production. And the farm credit situation is greatly\nimproved over a decade ago.\nThis progress has occurred while cutting the cost of Federal\nfarm programs in half. For when the farm economy is strong,\nand government has to pay less, all America benefits. We -- you\n-- have told government to tear down the roadblocks of tariffs\nand trade barriers. And that the wave of the future lies in\ncompetition and free enterprise.\nOur task now is to build upon that spirit -- the spirit of\n\"America-Can,\" not \"Washington-must.\" We don't want government\nto spend more. We want people to earn more. And we must\nremember that next year when we write a new farm bill. Ensuring\nthe many good features of the 1985 Act. And at the same time,\nmaking needed improvements.\nYou know, the great humorist Will Rogers once said, \"A man\nin the country does his own thinking -- but you get him into town\nand he soon will be thinking second-handed.\" [PAUSE]\nMy friends, our new farm bill must be even-handed. And\nlevel-headed. In response to market forces, producers must have\nmore flexibility to decide what crops to grow. We must recognize\nthat the concerns of agriculture and the environment are\ncompatible. And nowhere more than in water quality.\nAs we write our farm bill, we'll work to expand exports.\nAnd the key to that achievement is the current round of GATT\ntalks. Yes, we want free trade. But we also want fair trade.\n4\nAnd that is why, like the walls of Jericho, penalties which\ndistort world trade must come tumbling down.\nFor ours is a global economy. And America must compete --\nas our relations improve,\nbe able to compete. That means expanding our ties with the\nAdd\n\"\nSoviet Union -- already the third-largest customer for U.S.\nagricultural commodities. And enlarging our trade with other\ncountries who know, and need, the farming genius of America.\nAt home, the need to compete means developing new crops and\nuses for agricultural commodities as raw materials for industry.\nAnd for you, our global economy means there has never been a\nbetter place -- nor more crucial time -- to start a career than\nAmerica, today.\nI'm sure all of you have read Carl Sandburg. He was\nAmerica's poet laureate -- a graceful, lyric writer. He spoke --\nbeautifully, movingly -- about American agriculture. And about\nthe vast horizons and beauty that form the heartland of America.\nOnce, he said simply: \"The Republic is a dream. Nothing\nhappens unless first a dream.\"\nMy friends, your dreams are big dreams. Future Farmers who\nwill feed the world of tomorrow. Future Leaders whose character\nand commitment will enrich America's destiny -- not merely for\nyour generation, but for all the generations to come.\nThank you for coming here -- and may your dreams become\nreality. God bless you, Godspeed to the FFA, and God bless the\nUnited States of America.\n#\n#\n#\n#\nDocument No.\n057101SS\nWHITE HOUSE STAFFING MEMORANDUM\nDATE:\n7/25/89\n7/26/89 10:00 AM\nACTION/CONCURRENCE/COMMENT DUE BY:\nPRESIDENTIAL REMARKS: FFA\nSUBJECT:\nACTION FYI\nACTION FYI\nVICE PRESIDENT\nMCCLURE\nSUNUNU\nNEWMAN\nSCOWCROFT\nPORTER\nDARMAN\nSTUDDERT\nBATES\nUNTERMEYER\nBREEDEN\nROGERS\nCARD\nWINSTON\nCICCONI\nPINKERTON\nDEMAREST\nEVANS\nFITZWATER\nGRAY\nHAGIN\nREMARKS:\nPlease forward any comments directly to Chriss Winston, Rm.\n122, x2930, no later than 10:00 AM, Wednesday, July 26, with\na copy to my office. Thank you.\nRESPONSE:\nSmr\nComments\nUL 26 26 P12 47\nJames W. Cicconi\nAssistant to the President\nand Deputy to the Chief of Staff\nExt. 2702\nwill know any who tenager Cole Pater\n(Smith/Blessey)\nDraft Two\nJuly 24, 1989\nFARM\nPRESIDENTIAL REMARKS: FFA\nROOM 450, OLD EOB\nTHURSDAY, JULY 27, 1989\n11:05 A.M.\n, , Members of the FFA, Ladies and Gentlemen.\nIt is an honor to welcome you to the White House. Thirty\nyears ago this very week, President Eisenhower told the FFA: \"I\nalways get a kick out of meeting with a bunch of young people.\"\nToday, with apologies to Cole Porter, let me add: I, too, get a\nkick out of you.\nFirst, I want to say that I'm delighted to see my old\nfriends And . And to be among so many new friends: No\nlonger just the Future Farmers of America -- as impressive as\nthat is. Now, also, the Future Leaders of America.\nTwo days ago, you heard from Fred McClure, who's my\nCongressional liaison. But more to the point: He once was\nnational secretary and head of the Texas FFA.\nAnd like all Texans, Fred loves our State's memorable\nphrases. For instance, you know what we call catfish? \"Tourist\ntrout.\" And we don't refer to animals as animals. No sir. The\nsaying goes that \"They're critters, if they're friendly. And\nvarmints, if they're not.\"\nWell, whether you're from Texas or not, we know what to call\nthe FFA. We call it America at her best. America at her most\n2\ngenerous. An America embodied by the FFA motto: \"Learning to\ndo, doing to learn; earning to live, living to serve.\"\nFor 61 years FFA has done much, and served many, so that\nAmerica could prosper. And today, you're still doing it -- all\n50 States, nearly 8,000 chapters, more than 400,000 members.\nYou serve through faith in God, and strength of character.\nAnd through the belief in family which makes us whole. You know\nthat what we are matters more than what we have. Working with\nyour minds -- your hands -- as farmers, and as Americans.\nNow, I know you like to spread the credit around. After\nall, that's rural America's way: Modest and understated. I'm\nreminded of how a noted comedian once bought a chicken farm. A\nfriend was astonished. \"Do you know anything about breeding\nchickens?\" he asked. \"No,\" the comedian replied, \"but the\nchickens do.\"\nBut the thing is: The credit does belong to you. And to\nyour parents. Two years ago, I addressed the FFA convention in\nKansas City. Its motto was \"Agriculture's New Spirit.\" Well,\ntoday, thanks to your hard work, and self-reliance, that spirit\nis alive, and well.\nWant evidence? Consider that only four years ago, the\nCongress passed a pioneering farm bill to help a whole community\nin crisis. Yet today, farm income and agricultural exports are\nnearing record highs. Our surpluses of farm commodities have\nbeen drastically reduced. Most of our good land has been brought\n3\nback into production. And the farm credit situation is greatly\nimproved over a decade ago.\nThis progress has occurred while cutting the cost of Federal\nfarm programs in half. For when the farm economy is strong,\nand government has to pay less, all America benefits. We -- you\n-- have told government to tear down the roadblocks of tariffs\nand trade barriers. And that the wave of the future lies in\ncompetition and free enterprise.\nOur task now is to build upon that spirit -- the spirit of\n\"America-Can,\" not \"Washington-must.\" We don't want government\nto spend more. We want people to earn more. And we must\nremember that next year when we write a new farm bill. Ensuring\nthe many good features of the 1985 Act. And at the same time,\nmaking needed improvements.\nYou know, the great humorist Will Rogers once said, \"A man\nin the country does his own thinking -- but you get him into town\nand he soon will be thinking second-handed.\" [PAUSE]\nMy friends, our new farm bill must be even-handed. And\nlevel-headed. In response to market forces, producers must have\nmore flexibility to decide what crops to grow. We must recognize\nthat the concerns of agriculture and the environment are\ncompatible. And nowhere more than in water quality.\nAs we write our farm bill, we'll work to expand exports.\nAnd the key to that achievement is the current round of GATT\ntalks. Yes, we want free trade. But we also want fair trade.\n4\nAnd that is why, like the walls of Jericho, penalties which\ndistort world trade must come tumbling down.\nFor ours is a global economy. And America must compete --\nbe able to compete. That means expanding our ties with the\nSoviet Union -- already the third-largest customer for U.S.\nagricultural commodities. And enlarging our trade with other\ncountries who know, and need, the farming genius of America.\nAt home, the need to compete means developing new crops and\nuses for agricultural commodities as raw materials for industry.\nAnd for you, our global economy means there has never been a\nbetter place -- nor more crucial time -- to start a career than\nAmerica, today.\nI'm sure all of you have read Carl Sandburg. He was\nAmerica's poet laureate -- a graceful, lyric writer. He spoke --\nbeautifully, movingly -- about American agriculture. And about\nthe vast horizons and beauty that form the heartland of America.\nOnce, he said simply: \"The Republic is a dream. Nothing\nhappens unless first a dream.\"\nMy friends, your dreams are big dreams. Future Farmers who\nwill feed the world of tomorrow. Future Leaders whose character\nand commitment will enrich America's destiny -- not merely for\nyour generation, but for all the generations to come.\nThank you for coming here -- and may your dreams become\nreality. God bless you, Godspeed to the FFA, and God bless the\nUnited States of America.\n#\n#\n#\n#\n057101SS\nDocument No.\nWHITE HOUSE STAFFING MEMORANDUM\n7/25/89\n7/26/89 10:00 AM\nDATE:\nACTION/CONCURRENCE/COMMENT DUE BY:\nPRESIDENTIAL REMARKS: FFA\nSUBJECT:\nACTION FYI\nACTION FYI\nVICE PRESIDENT\nMCCLURE\nSUNUNU\nNEWMAN\nSCOWCROFT\nPORTER\nDARMAN\nSTUDDERT\nBATES\nUNTERMEYER\nBREEDEN\nROGERS\nWINSTON\nCARD\nPINKERTON\nCICCONI\nEVANS\nDEMAREST\nFITZWATER\nGRAY\nHAGIN\nREMARKS:\n8\nPlease forward any comments directly to Chriss Winston, Rm.\n122, x2930, no later than 10:00 AM, Wednesday, July 26, with\na copy to my office. Thank you.\nRESPONSE:\nUL 26 Al 22\nok but\nshould add\n\"1000 pts light,\" 10\nJames W. Cicconi\nAssistant to the President\nand Deputy to the Chief of Staff\nExt. 2702\n(Smith/Blessey)\nDraft Two\nJuly 24, 1989\nFARM\nPRESIDENTIAL REMARKS: FFA\nROOM 450, OLD EOB\nTHURSDAY, JULY 27, 1989\n11:05 A.M.\n, , Members of the FFA, Ladies and Gentlemen.\nIt is an honor to welcome you to the White House. Thirty\nyears ago this very week, President Eisenhower told the FFA: \"I\nalways get a kick out of meeting with a bunch of young people.\"\nToday, with apologies to Cole Porter, let me add: I, too, get a\nkick out of you.\nFirst, I want to say that I'm delighted to see my old\nfriends And . And to be among so many new friends: No\nlonger just the Future Farmers of America -- as impressive as\nthat is. Now, also, the Future Leaders of America.\nTwo days ago, you heard from Fred McClure, who's my\nCongressional liaison. But more to the point: He once was\nnational secretary and head of the Texas FFA.\nAnd like all Texans, Fred loves our State's memorable\nphrases. For instance, you know what we call catfish? \"Tourist\ntrout.\" And we don't refer to animals as animals. No sir. The\nsaying goes that \"They're critters, if they're friendly. And\nvarmints, if they're not.\"\nWell, whether you're from Texas or not, we know what to call\nthe FFA. We call it America at her best. America at her most\n2\ngenerous. An America embodied by the FFA motto: \"Learning to\ndo, doing to learn; earning to live, living to serve.\"\nFor 61 years FFA has done much, and served many, so that\nAmerica could prosper. And today, you're still doing it --- all\n50 States, nearly 8,000 chapters, more than 400,000 members.\nYou serve through faith in God, and strength of character.\nAnd through the belief in family which makes us whole. You know\nthat what we are matters more than what we have. Working with\nyour minds -- your hands -- as farmers, and as Americans.\nNow, I know you like to spread the credit around. After\nall, that's rural America's way: Modest and understated. I'm\nreminded of how a noted comedian once bought a chicken farm. A\nfriend was astonished. \"Do you know anything about breeding\nchickens?\" he asked. \"No,\" the comedian replied, \"but the\nchickens do.\"\nBut the thing is: The credit does belong to you. And to\nyour parents. Two years ago, I addressed the FFA convention in\nKansas City. Its motto was \"Agriculture's New Spirit.\" Well,\ntoday, thanks to your hard work, and self-reliance, that spirit\nis alive, and well.\nWant evidence? Consider that only four years ago, the\nCongress passed a pioneering farm bill to help a whole community\nin crisis. Yet today, farm income and agricultural exports are\nnearing record highs. Our surpluses of farm commodities have\nbeen drastically reduced. Most of our good land has been brought\n3\nback into production. And the farm credit situation is greatly\nimproved over a decade ago.\nThis progress has occurred while cutting the cost of Federal\nfarm programs in half. For when the farm economy is strong,\nand government has to pay less, all America benefits. We -- you\n-- have told government to tear down the roadblocks of tariffs\nand trade barriers. And that the wave of the future lies in\ncompetition and free enterprise.\nOur task now is to build upon that spirit -- the spirit of\n\"America-Can,\" not \"Washington-must.\" We don't want government\nto spend more. We want people to earn more. And we must\nremember that next year when we write a new farm bill. Ensuring\nthe many good features of the 1985 Act. And at the same time,\nmaking needed improvements.\nYou know, the great humorist Will Rogers once said, \"A man\nin the country does his own thinking -- but you get him into town\nand he soon will be thinking second-handed.\" [PAUSE]\nMy friends, our new farm bill must be even-handed. And\nlevel-headed. In response to market forces, producers must have\nmore flexibility to decide what crops to grow. We must recognize\nthat the concerns of agriculture and the environment are\ncompatible. And nowhere more than in water quality.\nAs we write our farm bill, we'll work to expand exports.\nAnd the key to that achievement is the current round of GATT\ntalks. Yes, we want free trade. But we also want fair trade.\n4\nAnd that is why, like the walls of Jericho, penalties which\ndistort world trade must come tumbling down.\nFor ours is a global economy. And America must compete --\nbe able to compete. That means expanding our ties with the\nSoviet Union -- already the third-largest customer for U.S.\nagricultural commodities. And enlarging our trade with other\ncountries who know, and need, the farming genius of America.\nAt home, the need to compete means developing new crops and\nuses for agricultural commodities as raw materials for industry.\nAnd for you, our global economy means there has never been a\nbetter place -- nor more crucial time -- to start a career than\nAmerica, today.\nI'm sure all of you have read Carl Sandburg. He was\nAmerica's poet laureate -- a graceful, lyric writer. He spoke --\nbeautifully, movingly -- about American agriculture. And about\nthe vast horizons and beauty that form the heartland of America.\nOnce, he said simply: \"The Republic is a dream. Nothing\nhappens unless first a dream.\"\nMy friends, your dreams are big dreams. Future Farmers who\nwill feed the world of tomorrow. Future Leaders whose character\nand commitment will enrich America's destiny -- not merely for\nyour generation, but for all the generations to come.\nThank you for coming here -- and may your dreams become\nreality. God bless you, Godspeed to the FFA, and God bless the\nUnited States of America.\n# # # #\nOFFICE THE STATEMENT STATES 1 UNITED\nEXECUTIVE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT\nOFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET\nWASHINGTON, D.C. 20503\nNOTICE:\nEnclosed are comments from staff members of the Office of\nManagement and Budget (OMB) Such comments do not necessarily\nrepresent the official position of the Director of OMB or of the\nOffice of Management and Budget. If you wish to have the\nDirector's personal comments, please let me know -- and contact\nme if you have any questions.\nDavid J. Haun\nExecutive Assistant\nto the Director\nst : olv 26 700 68\nDocument No.\n057101SS\nWHITE HOUSE STAFFING MEMORANDUM\n7/25/89\n7/26/89 10:00 AM\nDATE:\nACTION/CONCURRENCE/COMMENT DUE BY:\nPRESIDENTIAL REMARKS: FFA\nSUBJECT:\nACTION FYI\nACTION FYI\nVICE PRESIDENT\nMCCLURE\nSUNUNU\nNEWMAN\nSCOWCROFT\nPORTER\nDARMAN\nSTUDDERT\nBATES\nUNTERMEYER\nBREEDEN\nROGERS\nCARD\nWINSTON\nCICCONI\nPINKERTON\nEVANS\nDEMAREST\nFITZWATER\nGRAY\nHAGIN\nREMARKS:\nPlease forward any comments directly to Chriss Winston, Rm.\n122, x2930, no later than 10:00 AM, Wednesday, July 26, with\na copy to my office. Thank you.\nRESPONSE: See PS I, 3.\nJames W. Cicconi\nAssistant to the President\nand Deputy to the Chief of Staff\nExt. 2702\n(Smith/Blessey)\nDraft Two\nJuly 24, 1989\nFARM\nPRESIDENTIAL REMARKS: FFA\nROOM 450, OLD EOB\nTHURSDAY, JULY 27, 1989\n11:05 A.M.\n, , Members of the FFA, Ladies and Gentlemen.\nIt is an honor to welcome you to the White House. Thirty\nyears ago this very week, President Eisenhower told the FFA: \"I\nalways get a kick out of meeting with a bunch of young people.\"\nmollin\nToday, with apologies to Cole Porter, let me add: IC too get\na\n+\n3060\nkick out of you.\nFirst, I want to say that I'm delighted to see my old\nfriends . And . And to be among so many new friends: No\nlonger just the Future Farmers of America -- as impressive as\nthat is. Now, also, the Future Leaders of America.\nTwo days ago, you heard from Fred McClure, who's my\nCongressional liaison. But more to the point: He once was\nnational secretary and head of the Texas FFA.\nAnd like all Texans, Fred loves our State's memorable\nphrases. For instance, you know what we call catfish? \"Tourist\ntrout.\" And we don't refer to animals as animals. No sir. The\nsaying goes that \"They're critters, if they're friendly. And\nvarmints, if they're not.\"\nWell, whether you're from Texas or not, we know what to call\nthe FFA. We call it America at her best. America at her most\n2\ngenerous. An America embodied by the FFA motto: \"Learning to\ndo, doing to learn; earning to live, living to serve.\"\nFor 61 years FFA has done much, and served many, so that\nAmerica could prosper. And today, you're still doing it -- all\n50 States, nearly 8,000 chapters, more than 400,000 members.\nYou serve through faith in God, and strength of character.\nAnd through the belief in family which makes us whole. You know\nthat what we are matters more than what we have. Working with\nyour minds -- your hands -- as farmers, and as Americans.\nNow, I know you like to spread the credit around. After\nall, that's rural America's way: Modest and understated. I'm\nreminded of how a noted comedian once bought a chicken farm. A\nfriend was astonished. \"Do you know anything about breeding\nchickens?\" he asked. \"No,\" the comedian replied, \"but the\nchickens do.\"\nBut the thing is: The credit does belong to you. And to\nyour parents. Two years ago, I addressed the FFA convention in\nKansas City. Its motto was \"Agriculture's New Spirit.\" Well,\ntoday, thanks to your hard work, and self-reliance, that spirit\nis alive, and well.\nWant evidence? Consider that only four years ago, the\nCongress passed a pioneering farm bill to help a whole community\nin crisis. Yet today, farm income and agricultural exports are\nnearing record highs. Our surpluses of farm commodities have\nbeen drastically reduced. Most of our good land has been brought\n3\nhas\nback into production. And the farm credit situation is greatly\nthe\nmole\nimproved over -2 decade ago.\nX3060\nThis progress has occurred while cutting the cost of Federal\nfarm programs in half. For when the farm economy is strong,\nand government has to pay less, all America benefits. We -- you\n-- have told government to tear down the roadblocks of tariffs\nand trade barriers. And that the wave of the future lies in\ncompetition and free enterprise.\nOur task now is to build upon that spirit -- the spirit of\n\"America-Can,\" not \"Washington-must.\" We don't want government\nto spend more. We want people to earn more. And we must\nremember that next year when we write a new farm bill. Ensuring\nthe many good features of the 1985 Act. And at the same time,\nmaking needed improvements.\nYou know, the great humorist Will Rogers once said, \"A man\nin the country does his own thinking -- but you get him into town\nand he soon will be thinking second-handed. [PAUSE]\nMy friends, our new farm bill must be even-handed. And\nlevel-headed. In response to market forces, producers must have\nmore flexibility to decide what crops to grow. We must recognize\nthat the concerns of agriculture and the environment are\ncompatible. And nowhere more than in water quality.\nAs we write our farm bill, we'll work to expand exports.\nAnd the key to that achievement is the current round of GATT\ntalks. Yes, we want free trade. But we also want fair trade.\n4\nAnd that is why, like the walls of Jericho, penalties which\ndistort world trade must come tumbling down.\nFor ours is a global economy. And America must compete --\nbe able to compete. That means expanding our ties with the\nSoviet Union -- already the third-largest customer for U.S.\nagricultural commodities. And enlarging our trade with other\ncountries who know, and need, the farming genius of America.\nAt home, the need to compete means developing new crops and\nuses for agricultural commodities as raw materials for industry.\nAnd for you, our global economy means there has never been a\nbetter place -- nor more crucial time -- to start a career than\nAmerica, today.\nI'm sure all of you have read Carl Sandburg. He was\nAmerica's poet laureate -- a graceful, lyric writer. He spoke --\nbeautifully, movingly -- about American agriculture. And about\nthe vast horizons and beauty that form the heartland of America.\nOnce, he said simply: \"The Republic is a dream. Nothing\nhappens unless first a dream.\"\nMy friends, your dreams are big dreams. Future Farmers who\nwill feed the world of tomorrow. Future Leaders whose character\nand commitment will enrich America's destiny -- not merely for\nyour generation, but for all the generations to come.\nThank you for coming here -- and may your dreams become\nreality. God bless you, Godspeed to the FFA, and God bless the\nUnited States of America.\n#\n#\n#\n#\nTHE WHITE HOUSE\nWASHINGTON\nJuly 25, 1989\nMEMORANDUM FOR CHRISS WINSTON\nFROM\nCOOPER EVANS CC\nSUBJECT\nPRESIDENTIAL REMARKS: FFA\nThe remarks are excellent -- very appropriate for the audience.\nCC: James Cicconi\n92:2d 25 700 68"
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