Letter from President Ronald Reagan to Honorable Howard H. Baker, Jr, expressing his support to for a National Endowment for Democracy Act, 07/19/1983

THE WHITE HOUSE WASHINGTON July 19, 1983 Dear Howard: As you are aware, the FY 84-85 State Department Authorization Bill (S. 1342) contains 2 set of proposals to create a National Endowment for Democracy and several related institutions. These proposals, sponsored jointly by the Republican and Demo- cratic National Committees, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, and the AFL-CIO represent a historic achievement of bipartisanship and are of vital importance to an expanded American leadership role abroad. If enacted, the National Endowment for Democracy Act would allow our two major political parties, the business community and organized labor to undertake serious and responsible long-term programs in support of democracy and pluralism abroad. At present, our non-governmental involvement in the international political world -- except for the AFL-CIO training institutes -- is haphazard at best. Although political parties from virtually every democracy in the world are already engaged in developing party-to-party links and programs, for example, our parties remain passive observers for the most part. Yet such non- governmental contacts can enhance government-to-government relationships. The amounts requested for these programs pale in comparison to the efforts of the enemies of democracy, free enterprise, and free trade unions. Yet there is no reason why we cannot assem- ble the resources to do the job. The private sector brings with it the practical experience of many Americans in the practice of democracy. There are public entities such as the VOA which, if strengthened, can contribute ever more effectively to the goals all Americans share. I strongly urge, therefore, that our fellow Republicans in the Senate support the National Endowment for Democracy Act when it reaches the Scate floor. As leader of the free world, the