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Speech File Draft Files
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13474-009
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National Religious Broadcasters, 2/1/89 [2]
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6
1
1
NATIONAL RELIGIOUS BROADCASTERS 1989
Whenever I think how much broadcasting has changed in my
lifetime, I'm amazed. I keep trying to tell my grandchildren
how hard things were in the old days. I can remember when we had
to get up and walk all the way across the room to change channels
on the TV set.
Many of the changes in broadcasting have been very positive,
but there are other trends that cause concern. Today, a lot of
people are wondering what's happened to standards of decency in
broadcasting. Many things that would have raised an outcry a
decade ago, pass almost unnoticed today.
In George Burns' book about his wifc and comdey partner,
Gracie Allen, he recalls the time Gracie gave a speech on the
radio in Omaha. When the city's mayor, Dan Butler, asked her to
be informal and just call him Dan, Gracie refused. She said:
"Everybody knows you can't say Dan on the radio." (International
Herald Tribune, Nov. 9, 1988, "George Burns, Talking a Book to
Gracie," by Mervyn Rothstein, page 24.)
Obviously, things have changed. There used to be a list of
at least seven words you couldn't say on the air and a lot of
things you couldn't show on TV. I think the lists have gotten
pretty short these days.
I still believe in decency on the public airwaves and I
believe we can work toward it, even in a pluralistic society.
The network people must remain responsive to the voice of the
American public and the people must take the time and effort to
make their voice heard.
And Christian broadcasting must lead the way in careful
consideration of what is truly exemplary.
The President of the Television Critics Association was
asked recently if viewers minded what was on television. He was
quoted as saying in response: "I get a lot of discussion on it,
but really when you sit down and look at it and hear what's said,
I don't really. hear anybody complaining." (Art Chapman of the
Fort Worth Star-Telegram quoted by Kathryn Baker, Associated
Press, "Censors are allowing tube to get hotter," Published in
Colorado Springs Gazette-Telegraph, Jan. 20, 1989, page E-1.)
I'm not sure how many words you can't say on the air, but
I'm thinking of six beautiful words you can still broadcast. And
I want to affirm my support of your right to say them, and
encourage your responsibility in doing so. Six words: "For God
so loved the world
"
(Personal story about a religious program that has been of
encouragement and/or benefit to you, a family member, or friend.
It may have been a church service broadcast locally for shut-ins,
a program your parents loved, or something that was carried on
Armed Services Radio during World War II.)
Our country and our world are desperately in need of good
news, and you've got the best news there is. Keep saying those
six words and telling people what they can mean in their lives.
Thank you and God bless you.
1903 JAN 30 PM 12: 31
(WEAD - 1/30/89)
PRESIDENT BUSH
NATIONAL RELIGIOUS BROADCASTERS
February 1, 1989
Dr. Graham, Jerry Rose, Ben Armstrong, Ladies and
Gentleman, I am delighted to be here.
what.77
You know the last time I quoted John 3:16, but
then gave the wrong text. Well, a few months later
Pearl Harbor day, you know that day of infamy, turned
up on September 7th.
Anyway, I think it is very appropriate, that I
should be speaking to the National Religious
Broadcasters on this fine Easter morning.
(pause for laughter)
Seriously, I want to thank Jerry Rose and all of
you at the NRB for arranging to broadcast the
Inaugural Sunday service at the National Cathedral. It
was a wonderful feeling to know that millions of
Americans were sharing those moments of prayer
together.
Page 2
I must tell you, that service was a very moving
occasion for Barbara and me and the whole family. It
is a humbling thought to know that, God entrusts
people - mere human beings with the stewardship of
this planet. He still has confidence that somehow
with His help - we can find our way We can still
learn and we can still improve.
I thought it was very appropriate that one of
the scripture readings that morning was from the
book of Genesis: We are embarking on a new
administration. This is our time of genesis.
What will be the hopes and prayers of this
administration? What will we say and do? What will
our story be?
The scriptures say, that God has made us in His
own image and it is true that in some finite way, we
have been given the opportunity to create. We can
create peace or war, we can create prosperity or
poverty.
Like most Americans, I believe that we must
strive to continue our economic growth, and to see
that its benefits reach more and more of our people.
We must never stop working until there are homes for
the homeless, jobs for the jobless, and hope for those
Page 3
Like most Americans, I long for continued peace
with our neighbors and better relationships with our
rivals around the world.
But I hope for more than that - that our chance is
not only to improve upon the status quo, but to set a
higher standard - a higher purpose for our country.
That higher purpose is not about a higher quantity of
7
about
life rather it ultimately represents a higher quality
of life.
Teddy Roosevelt often talked about "getting into
the arena", about taking the risk of doing something
and not just standing on the sidelines.
There is a wonderful proverb in the Bible - Billy
Graham says that if you read one proverb a day you can
read through the whole book in a month. Not a bad
practice for any of us to follow - well, there is this
wonderful proverb, it says, "where there are no oxen,
the stable is clean, but there is no profit in an
empty stable."
Critics are sometimes very impressive people.
Their stables are so clean. But to improve to the lot
of others requires action, and action requires risk
and the people who take risks will make mistakes along
the way. Their stables may be cluttered. But with risk
Page 4
comes reward. And our country was forwarded by men
legislation
and women who took risk.
When I spoke to you several years ago, I talked
about the need of ethics. I talked about the
problems and controversies and scandals that had
Ethis amount conject
come to Wall Street and to government; no institution
has been immune, before or since.
I've talked these last two weeks about service, and
particularly about ethics. Some would want me to use
this occasion to preach at you, as well. But I must
say that I commend the action. you are taking to look
office Mention Nahoval A Service
inward, to set standards and rules of accountability
-
for freedom carries with it the demands of
w w,
responsibility.
I am not a judge. I am a servant of the people
and of God - like so many of you.
My message is to thank you for the good you are
doing - to tell you to keep going, to not let the
mistakes and the setbacks distract you from the good
work that so many of you have done.
If your schools were to close, and if your church-
financed retirement homes were to shut down - If your
soup kitchens on the skid rows were to shut their
doors. How could government step in to replace you?
Page 5
There isn't enough money - There aren't enough people.
You are needed. You have answered a noble calling.
Thanks to you, and the hard work of others, we may
be close to an historic decision for life, an end to
the millions of abortions.
And how can any of us rest until little school
children have the same right that our own Senators and
Congressmen have. the right to begin their day with a
moment of silent prayer ?
When I see Mother Angelica here with her
television network to the Catholics - when I
see my friend Reverend Graham - and his eloquent call
for commitment - and when I think of the work of the
great evangelical denominations - I am convinced more
than ever of the merit of your work. This is a time
for coming together - pulling together. That's why I
need your help.
To you and all Americans, join the process. Put
aside your fears of each other. Put aside the
stereotypes. Leave religious intolerance behind and
its snarling cohort racism, too.
You, the members of the National Religious
Broadcasters, with all of your television and radio
important role to engender a new generation, with
Page 6
a common sense value of telling right from wrong, free
from fears and biases. These new lives are,
themselves, pages to write on.
Our Lord clearly said in Matthew chapter 5, verse
23, "Therefore, if you bring your gift to your
altar, and there remember that your brother has
something against you, leave your gift there before
the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to
your brother, and then come and offer your gift. "
I hope that together we can create an atmosphere
of caring. We are all very familiar with the love
chapter, First Corinithians, 13. It is one of my
favorites. It teaches that love has to be more than
talk, it has to be action. We all have often heard the
admonition - "Faith without works is dead."
So remember, each act of caring is a victory for
us all. One person's triumph is an inspiration to
everyone else.
There is a verse of scripture in Matthew 12 that
talks about our Lord. It says, "he will not crush the
weak or quench the smallest hope." (Matthew 12:20)
This morning, someone's child is ill.
There is an old woman somewhere whose friends and
Page 7
disoriented. There is despair.
Can we as a people re-discover the promise that is
America, the hope that brought millions of poor
immigrants to our shores and with their dreams, and
the dreams of those who came before them, who built
this mighty nation.
I believe that we can.
We must not bow before cancer, or bow before
poverty or loneliness. God has created us in his own
image and as Paul has written, "He has not given us a
spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a
sound mind." We must never give up.
These are the thoughts I would like to see us write
on the empty pages that God has given this new
administration. And with your support and patience,
and above all with your prayers, this could be the
genesis for our new administration.
Document No. MASTER
WHITE HOUSE STAFFING MEMORANDUM
1/30/89
DATE:
ACTION/CONCURRENCE/COMMENT DUE BY: 3:00 pm today
SUBJECT: PRESIDENTIAL REMARKS: NATIONAL RELIGIOUS BROADCASTERS
ACTION FYI
ACTION FYI
VICE PRESIDENT
MCCLURE
SUNUNU
NEWMAN
SCOWCROFT
PORTER
DARMAN
STUDDERT
BATES
UNTERMEYER
BREEDEN
WINSTON
CARD
CICCONI
DEMAREST
FITZWATER
GRAY
HAGIN
REMARKS: Please provide your comments directly to Chris Winston (x2930)
by 3:00 this afternoon, with an info copy to my office.
Thanks.
RESPONSE:
James W. Cicconi
Assistant to the President
and Deputy to the Chief of Staff
Ext. 2702
1903 JAH 30 PM 12: 31
(WEAD - 1/30/89)
2nd droft
PRESIDENT BUSH
NATIONAL RELIGIOUS BROADCASTERS
February 1, 1989
Dr. Graham, Jerry Rose, Ben Armstrong, Ladies and
you
Gentleman, I am to be
want to for Say delighted a special wonderful hillo winds to here. or of Graham and at here
again
him
to
You know the last time I quoted John 3:16, but
for
then gave the wrong text. Well, a few months later
Pearl Harbor day, you know that day of infamy, turned
up on September 7th.
Anyway, I think it is very appropriate, that I
should be speaking to the National Religious
Broadcasters on this fine Easter morning.
(pause for laughter)
Seriously, I want to thank Jerry Rose and all of
the role you played in helpeng
you at the NRB, for arranging to broadcast the
Inaugural Sunday service at the National Cathedral. It
was a wonderful feeling to know that millions of
Americans were sharing those moments of prayer and decleation
together.
Page 2
I must tell you, that service was a very moving
occasion for Barbara and me and the whole family. It
is a humbling thought to know that God entrusts
people - mere human beings with the stewardship of
X
this planet. He still has confidence that somehow
with His help - we can find our way We can still
learn and we can still improve.
I thought it was very appropriate that one of
the scripture readings that morning was from the
book of Genesis: We are embarking on a new
administration. This is our time of genesis.
What will be the hopes and prayers of this
administration? What will we say and do? What will
our story be?
The scriptures say, that God has made us in His
own image and it is true that in some finite way, we
have been given the opportunity to create. We can
create peace or war, we can create prosperity or
poverty.
Like most Americans, I believe that we must
strive to continue our economic growth, and to see
that its benefits reach more and more of our people.
We must never stop working until there are homes for
the homeless, jobs for the jobless, and hope for those
Page 3
want
Like most Americans, I long for continued peace
with our alide neighbors and better relationships with our friends and
rivals, around the world.
But I hope for more than that - that our chance is
not only to improve upon the status quo, but to set a
higher standard - a higher purpose for our country.
resert
That higher purpose is not about a higher quantity of
sendence
life rather it ultimately represents a higher quality
A
of life.
Teddy Roosevelt often talked about "getting into
the arena", about taking the risk of doing something
and not just standing on the sidelines.
There is a wonderful proverb in the Bible, * Billy
chapter of
Graham says that if you read one proverbs a day you can
read through the whole book in a month. Not a bad
practice for any of us to follow. Well, there is this X
wonderful proverb It says, "where there are no oxen,
the stable is clean, but there is no profit in an
empty stable."
Critics are sometimes very impressive people.
Their stables are so clean. But to improve to the lot
of others requires action, and action requires risk,
X
and the people who take risks will make mistakes along
the way. Their stables may be cluttered. But with risk
Page 4
founcled
comes reward. And our country was forwarded by men
and women who took risk.
two
When I spoke to you several years ago, I talked
about the need of ethics. I talked about the
problems and controversies and scandals that had
come to Wall Street and to government; no institution
has been immune, before or since.
I've talked these last two weeks about service, and
particularly about ethics. Some would want me to use
this occasion to preach at you, as well. But I must
say that I commend the action you are taking to look
inward, to set standards and rules of accountability -
for freedom carries with it the demands of
responsibility.
I am not a judge. I am a servant of the Unericon people
and of God - like so many of you.
My message is to thank you for the good you are
doing - to tell you to keep going, to not let the
mistakes and the setbacks distract you from the good
work that so many of you have done.
Imagine what america would be like)
If your schools were to close, and if your church-
and adoption were
financed retirement homes were to shut down, X If your
you'res your "longer" there.
soup kitchens on the skid rows were to shut close their
no
doors). How could government step in to replace you?
Page 5
There isn't enough money - There aren't enough people.
You are needed. You have answered a noble calling.
many mothers
Thanks to you, and the hard work of others, we may
be are close nowopting to an historic for 1, fe decision and we for look life, forward an end to to the clay
when all mothers opt for life,
the millions of abortions
And how can any of us rest until little school
children have the same right that our own Senators and
Congressmen have the right to begin their day with a
moment of silent prayer ?
insert b
When I see Mother Angelica here with her
television network to the Catholics - when I
see my friend Reverend Graham - and his eloquent call
for commitment - and when I think of the work of the
I am reminded of other kinds of partnershippa
great evangelical denominations I am convinced more
than ever of the merit of your work. This is a time
for coming together - pulling together. That's why I
need your help.
X americans, we must/
To you and all Americans, join the process. Put
aside your fears of each other.
we we must
Put aside the
of us must
AND
stereotypes intolerance behind. and
its snarting cohort racism, too.
You, the members of the National Religious
Broadcasters, with all of your television resources and radio
important role to engender a new generation, with
Page 6
a common sense value of telling right from wrong, free
from fears and biases. These new lives are,
themselves, pages to write on.
Our Lord clearly said in Matthew chapter 5, verse
23, "Therefore, if you bring your gift to your
altar, and there remember that your brother has
something against you, leave your gift there before
the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to
your brother, and then come and offer your gift "
I hope that together we can create an atmosphere
of caring. We are all very familiar with the love
chapter, First Corinithians, 13. It is one of my
?
favorites. It teaches that love has to be more than
deed as
talk, it has to be action. We all have often heard the
admonition - "Faith without works is dead."
So remember, each act of caring is a victory for
us all. One person's triumph is an inspiration to
everyone else.
There is a verse of scripture in Matthew 12 that
talks about our Lord. It says, "he will not crush the
weak or quench the smallest hope." " (Matthew 12:20)
This morning, someone's child is ill.
There is an old woman somewhere whose friends and
Page 7
disoriented. There is despair.
contene sofusfill
Can we as a people re discover the promise that is
America, the hope that brought millions of poor
immigrants to our shores and with their dreams, and
the dreams of those who came before them, who built
this mighty nation.
I believe that we can.
We must not bow before cancer, or bow before
poverty or loneliness. God has created us in his own
image and as Paul has written, "He has not given us a
spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a
sound mind." We must never give up.
These are the thoughts I would like to see us write
first pages m this new Chapter in our history.
on the empty pages that God has given this new
administration. And with your support and patience,
and above all with your prayers, this could be the
genesis for our new administration.
return to
chuss
AA
(WEAD - 1/30/89)
PRESIDENT BUSH
NATIONAL RELIGIOUS BROADCASTERS
February 1, 1989
Dr. Graham, Jerry Rose, Ben Armstrong, Ladies and
Gentleman, I am delighted to be here.
You know the last time I quoted John 3:16, but
then gave the wrong text. Well, a few months later
Pearl Harbor day, you know that day of infamy, turned
up on September 7th.
Anyway, I think it is very appropriate, that I
should be speaking to the National Religious
Broadcasters on this fine Easter morning.
(pause for laughter)
Seriously, I want to thank Jerry Rose and all of
you at the NRB for arranging to broadcast the
Inaugural Sunday service at the National Cathedral. It
was a wonderful feeling to know that millions of
Americans were sharing those moments of prayer
together.
Page 2
I must tell you, that service was a very moving
occasion for Barbara and me and the whole family. It
is a humbling thought to know that God entrusts
-
people - mere human beings with the stewardship of
this planet. He still has confidence that somehow
with His help - we can find our way We can still
learn and we can still improve.
I thought it was very appropriate that one of
the scripture readings that morning was from the
book of Genesis: We are embarking on a new
administration. This is our time of genesis.
What will be the hopes and prayers of this
administration? What will we say and do? What will
our story be?
The scriptures say, that God has made us in His
own image and it is true that in some finite way, we
have been given the opportunity to create. We can
create peace or war, we can create prosperity or
poverty.
Like most Americans, I believe that we must
strive to continue our economic growth, and to see
that its benefits reach more and more of our people.
We must never stop working until there are homes for
the homeless, jobs for the jobless, and hope for those
Page 3
Like most Americans, I long for continued peace
with our neighbors and better relationships with our
rivals around the world.
But I hope for more than that - that our chance is
not only to improve upon the status quo, but to set a
higher standard - a higher purpose for our country.
That higher purpose is not about a higher quantity of
life rather it ultimately represents a higher quality
of life.
Teddy Roosevelt often talked about "getting into
the arena", about taking the risk of doing something
and not just standing on the sidelines.
There is a wonderful proverb in the Bible - Billy
Graham says that if you read one proverb a day you can
read through the whole book in a month. Not a bad
practice for any of us to follow - well, there is this
wonderful proverb, it says, "where there are no oxen,
the stable is clean, but there is no profit in an
empty stable."
Critics are sometimes very impressive people.
Their stables are so clean. But to improve to the lot
of others requires action, and action requires risk
....11
the way. Their stables may be cluttered. But with risk
Page 4
unded
comes reward. And our country was forwarded by men
and women who took risk.
When I spoke to you several years ago, I talked
about the need of ethics. I talked about the
problems and controversies and scandals that had
come to Wall Street and to government; no institution
has been immune, before or since.
I've talked these last two weeks about service, and
particularly about ethics. Some would want me to use
this occasion to preach at you, as well. But I must
say that I commend the action you are taking to look
inward, to set standards and rules of accountability -
for freedom carries with it the demands of
responsibility.
I am not a judge. I am a servant of the people
and of God - like so many of you.
My message is to thank you for the good you are
doing - to tell you to keep going, to not let the
mistakes and the setbacks distract you from the good
work that so many of you have done.
If your schools were to close, and if your church-
financed retirement homes were to shut down - If your
soup kitchens on the skid rows were to shut their
doors. How could government step in to replace you?
Page 5
There isn't enough money - There aren't enough people.
You are needed. You have answered a noble calling.
Thanks to you, and the hard work of others, we may
be close to an historic decision for life, an end to
the millions of abortions.
And how can any of us rest until little school
children have the same right that our own Senators and
Congressmen have. the right to begin their day with a
moment of silent prayer ?
When I see Mother Angelica here with her
television network to the Catholics - when I
see my friend Reverend Graham - and his eloquent call
for commitment - and when I think of the work of the
great evangelical denominations -, I am convinced more
than ever of the merit of your work. This is a time
for coming together - pulling together. That's why I
need your help.
To you and all Americans, join the process. Put
aside your fears of each other. Put aside the
stereotypes. Leave religious intolerance behind and
its snarling cohort racism, too.
You, the members of the National Religious
Broadcasters, with all of your television and radio
important role to engender a new generation, with
Page 6
a common sense value of telling right from wrong, free
from fears and biases. These new lives are,
themselves, pages to write on.
Our Lord clearly said in Matthew chapter 5, verse
23, "Therefore, if you bring your gift to your
altar, and there remember that your brother has
something against you, leave your gift there before
the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to
your brother, and then come and offer your gift "
I hope that together we can create an atmosphere
of caring. We are all very familiar with the love
chapter, First Corinithians, 13. It is one of my
favorites. It teaches that love has to be more than
deed, as well
talk, it has to be action. We all have often heard the
admonition - "Faith without works is dead."
So remember, each act of caring is a victory for
us all. One person's triumph is an inspiration to
everyone else.
There is a verse of scripture in Matthew 12 that
talks about our Lord. It says, "he will not crush the
weak or quench the smallest hope." (Matthew 12:20)
This morning, someone's child is ill.
There is an old woman somewhere whose friends and
Page 7
disoriented. There is despair.
Can we as a people re-discover the promise that is
America, the hope that brought millions of poor
immigrants to our shores and with their dreams, and
the dreams of those who came before them, who built
this mighty nation.
I believe that we can.
We must not bow before cancer, or bow before
poverty or loneliness. God has created us in his own
image and as Paul has written, "He has not given us a
spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a
sound mind. " We must never give up.
These are the thoughts I would like to see us write
on the empty pages that God has given this new
administration. And with your support and patience,
and above all with your prayers, this could be the
genesis for our new administration.
1st chaft
(WEAD - 1/26/89)
PRESIDENT BUSH NATIONAL RELIGIOUS
BROADCASTERS, February 2, 1989
Dr. Graham, Jerry Rose, Ben Armstrong, Ladies and
Gentleman, I am delighted to be here.
The last time I was here I got into some trouble.
I quoted John 3:16, but then gave the wrong text.
(Pause and smile) I am glad my good friend Billy
Graham was not there. How embarrassing. And my mother
would have never had let me hear the end of it. She
would have been mortified.
They tell me that afterwards, one of my staffers
was cornered by a rival campaign worker, who said,
"your man doesn't even know John 3:16."
Well, a few months later I messed up the date of
Pearl Harbor day, you know that day of infamy,
September 7th. (a trace of sarcasm and a big smile)
Well, the man from the rival campaign came back and
apologized to my staffer. He said, "I am sure George
Bush knows when Pearl Harbor day is. So, you're right,
he probably knows John 3:16 too, but he still
shouldn't be President, he can't get his dates and his
numbers straight."
Well, at least I figured out where to show up on
Inauguration day, SO there's nothing they can do about
it now. (pause for laughter)
Anyway, I think it is very appropriate, that I
should be speaking to the National Religious
Broadcasters on this fine Easter morning.
(pause for laughter)
Seriously, can we please get serious here? I want
to thank Jerry Rose and all of you at the NRB for
arranging to broadcast the Inaugural Sunday service at
the National Cathedral. It was a wonderful feeling to
know that millions of Americans were sharing those
moments of prayer together.
I must tell you, that service was a very moving
occasion for Barbara and I and the whole family. It
is a humbling thought to know that, in spite of all
our
the damage we have done to the environment and to
each other, God entrusts people - mere human beings
with the stewardship of this planet. He still has
confidence that somehow with His help - we can find
our
way We can still learn and we can still
improve.
I thought it was very appropriate that one of
the scripture readings that morning was from the
book of Genesis: We are embarking on a new
administration. We have a clean slate to write on.
This is our time of genesis.
What will be the hopes and prayers of this
administration? What will we say and do? What will
our story be?
The scriptures say, that God has made us in His
own image and it is true that in some finite way, we
have been given the opportunity to create.
We can create peace or war, we can create prosperity
or poverty. As I sat there at the National
this great appr sunity
Cathedral, I couldn't help but wonder at the
newness, the innocence of this new administration.
We have been given a book with blank pages and all
of us can join in in writing the story.
Like most Americans, I believe that we must
our wreconomiesecovery econom
strive to continue- the prosperity, and to see that
the Circle of prosperity circle widen We must never stop
to solve the heentwrenching problems of
working until we find homes for alloof the homeless
and find jobs for all of the unemployed.
Like most Americans, I believe that we must
strive to remain strong to guarantee the blessings
of freedom for a new generation.
And finally, like most Americans, I long for
continued peace with our neighbors and rivals around
the world.
But it is also my hope that this administration
statistics
become known for more than good numbers. We want to
do more than create low unemployment figures or
a high GNP.
One of the lessons learned from these past years
is that the government, and the Presidency in
an
particular, can sometimes create atmosphere and that
the atmosphere or climate for our society is
sometimes the secret behind those good numbers the
government crunches out each month. And often that
atmosphere represents a quality of life more
shallow
important than the puny measurements of material
wealth.
This is what I want to talk to you about this
morning. What kind of atmosphere are we going to
have? Will there be riots in the streets?
Violence? Division? Or can we find peaceful ways
to disagree and resolve the differences?
There are four things that I would like to see
accomplished. First, I would like to see an
atmosphere of productivity.
Teddy Roosevelt often talked about "getting into
the arena", about taking the risk of doing something
and not just standing on the sidelines.
There is a wonderful proverb in the Bible - and
incidentally the proverbs of Solomon are one of the
greatest treasures the Jewish people have given the
world. Billy Graham says that if you read one
proverb a day you can read through the whole book in
a month. Not a bad practice for any of us to follow
- well, there is this wonderful proverb, it says,
"where there are no oxen, the stable is clean, but
there is no profit in an empty stable."
Critics are sometimes very impressive people.
Their stables are so clean. But it takes more than
criticism to feed a hungry world. It takes action.
I have often seen that the people who really do
things will make mistakes along the way. And their
stables are usually dirty
I know that this has been a difficult year for
you. When I spoke to you several years ago, I talked
about the need of ethics. I talked about the
problems and controversies and scandals that had
come to Wall Street and to government, and now they
have come to you.
Some would want me to use this occasion to
preach at you, and I must say that I commend the
action you are taking to police yourself, to set
standards and rules of accountability - for freedom
carries with it the demands of responsibility.
But I am not a judge. I am a servant, a servant
of the people. Every family has its skeletons in
the closet. Every life has its moments of failures,
none of us are exempt. None of us can cast stones
at the other.
I have not come here to judge you - rather, my
message is to thank you for the good you are doing -
to tell you to keep going, to not let the mistakes
and the setbacks distract you from the good work that
so many of you have done.
If all of your schools were to close, and if all
of your church-financed rètirement homes were to shut
down. If your soup kitchens on the skid rows were to
shut their doors. How could government step in to
replace you? There isn't enough money - There
aren't enough people. Don't hang your head and go
away. You are needed.
And when I talked about creating an atmosphere,
I
wonder, how many murders does a child of television
see in his lifetime? To those who say, "television
really has no impact, why do advertisers spend
millions of dollars for those precious minutes?
Yes, I have made it very clear, that I stand
strongly for a separation of church and state. No
questions. It is a firm commitment. But it is a
commitment that works both ways. (slowly and
deliberately) We must never allow well-intended
bureaucrats to C nclude that murder on television is
art, but preaching on television is dangerous. (pause
for applause)
When I see Mother Angelica here with her
television network to the Catholics and when I
see my friend Billy Graham - and Barbara and I have
so enjoyed our visits to his large televised
crusades - and when I think of the work of the great
evangelical denominations. I am convinced more than
ever. We must keep the airwaves free! (pause for
applause)
And keep the airwaves responsible
Secondly, I would like to see an atmosphere of
religious and racial tolerance.
I know that throughout the long history of this
this
country there have been moments of religious
injustice. There have been moments times when Catholics
have felt excluded or when Jews have felt excluded.
There have been times when the 7th Day Adventists
and members of the Latter Day Saints have been
persecuted.
And now evangelicals often complain that
they are left out of government or that their
participation is ridiculed and disparaged. Well,
W
I want you to know something. In a George Bush
administration, no person will ever be
excluded on the basis of their faith. (pause for
applause)
My message to all Americans is to join the
process. Put aside your fears of each other. Put
aside the stereotypes.
Not only have we suffered from religious
intolerance, but too often in years past, there has
been the blight of racism. It has been felt in
government and in the church.
Some say that the climate is much better, but I
ask, why must any vestige of racism be tolerated at
all?
as
I ask you, the members of the National Religious
the
Broadcasters, with all of your television and radio
stations and your many programs, join with me and
with many others and let us once and for all close
the book on racism in America. Let it stop forever!
(pause for applause)
Let a new generation, with none of the horrible
fears and biases, grow up free from racial hatred.
These new lives are, themselves, pages to write on.
Our Lord clearly said in Matthew chapter 5, verse 23,
"Therefore, if you bring your gift to your
altar, and there remember that your brother has
something against you, leave your gift there before
the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to
your brother, and then come and offer your gift "
How can we talk to God, if we are unwilling to talk
to each other?
Thirdly, I would like to see this administration
create an atmosphere of caring. We are all very
familiar with the love chapter, First Corinithians,
13. It is one of my favorites. It teaches
that love has to be more than talk, it has to be
action. We all have often heard the admonition -
"Faith without works is dead."
But in these last few years, I have observed
another phenemona. We in government must not only
act, we must patiently demonstrate that we really
care. We cannot be upset with those who question our
intentions, but we must forcefully explain our
motives.
For example, we must answer those who charge
that the phenenoma of new jobs was only some
accidental spin-off from helping the rich. We must
explain that the whole idea of freeing up the
marketplace is to create opportunity for the small
businessmen and the poor and those who haven't had a
chance to see their productivity earn sufficient
reward.
various groups of people and show them numbers and
show them what government has done for them. But in
the final analysis, they are less impressed with
whether or not our program is economically right, than
they are with whether or not we care about them as
people
For in the end, why will scholars push on and
continue the search if no one cares? And why will
public servants work long hours for less pay if no
one appreciates it? And why will artists create if
there is no reaction? And why will our young
athletes punish their bodies and reach out and
capture the gold if no one is watching.
I hope that together we can create an atmosphere
of caring. For each gold medal is a victory for us
all. One person's triumph is an inspiration to
everyone else.
And finally, it is my goal to see this
administration create an atmosphere of hope.
There is a verse of scripture in Matthew 12 that
talks about our Lord. It says, "he will not crush the
weak or quench the smallest hope." (Matthew 12:20)
This morning, someone's child is dying of cancer.
There is a young AIDS victim in a hospital bed
abandoned by his own family and feeling shunned by
nervous medical attendants.
There is an old women somewhere and all of her
friends and relatives are gone, and she is feeling
lonely and disoriented, not wanting to live any
longer.
Can we as a people re-discover the promise that is
America, the hope that brought millions of poor
immigrants to our shores and with their dreams, and
the dreams of those who came before them, who built
this mighty nation.
I believe that we can.
We must not bow before cancer, or bow before
poverty or loneliness. God has created us in his own
image and as Paul has written, "He has not given us a
spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a
sound mind. " We must never give up.
And so these four thoughts.
an atmosphere of productivity
an atmosphere of religious and racial tolerance
a sense of caring and an interest in each other, 1 not just
ourselves.
and an unquenchable burning optimism. Hope.
These are the thoughts I would like to see us write
on the empty pages that God has given this new
administration. And with your support and patience,
and above all with your prayers, this could be the
genesis for our new administration.
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
January 27, 1989
MEMORANDUM
TO: DAVID DEMAREST, Assistant to the President for
Communications
FROM: DOUG WEAD, Special Assistant to the President for
Public Liaison
RE: THE PYSCHOLOGY OF THE NRB SPEECH
The physchology behind this speech is rather tricky.
It is necessary for the President to correct a mistake he
made at his last appearance when he misquoted and gave the
wrong reference of one of the most famous verses in the
Bible. To this day, many believe that he doesn't really know
the Bible or else wouldn't have made such an obvious
mistake.
By invoking the Pearl Harbor misstatement, he covers himself
completely.
By going even deeper, he lampoons the whole problem and
demonstrates a cleverness that should disarm any critics
(i.e. Reagan VS. Mondale on the age issue in the last debate
of the '84 campaign.)
I have purposely avoided mentioning abortion and prayer in
school. I am composing a paragraph that could be inserted
if it is felt necessary.
My own feeling is that while the President's stand on
abortion is important, it should not have such a dominant
place. It is also divisive to bring it up again so soon
after the anti-abortion march; it gives it an undue
priority. It angers those who are opposed and raises even
further the expectations of those who endorse the
President's stand on this issue.
This speech strikes a positive note, is generously laced
with scriptures and will be received very enthusiastically.
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
1/30/89
2:30 pm
Memorandum to Chriss Winston
From:
Jim Pinkerton
Re:
NRB speech
I have a fair number of comments on the speech. I am
leaving the office for a couple of hours, so I figured I better
get these in your hands before I left.
Overall, I think it's very good, and I have total faith
in Doug Wead's choices in terms of Biblical references, etc. However,
I do have some specific comments, which I will deal with on a page
by page basis.
P 3, para 2 I don't like the use of the phrase "quality
of life" anywhere in a speech to a religious, pro-life audience.
It has too much of a eugenicist tinge to it. Other phrases can
make the same point. I understand that doing away with "quality"
kills the paralellism with "quantity," so I would delete both.
I would replace the second sentences of the second graf with some-
thing like "Our higher purpose is to make a difference for the
insert
good. To achieve the quieter, deeper successes that are made, not
A
of gold and silk, but of better hears and finer souls.
"
P 4 para 6 Need a better, non-confusing transtion, such
as "Imagine what America would be like if your schools
"
And I would add "if your adoption services were to shut down." "
P 5, para 2 DELETE We've done enough on this front for
awhile. Let's have the President say a little less, and Sullivan
say a little more!
I would insert a paragraph here that ties in a few GB
themes that are otherwise missing from the speech. To wit: "All
ment
your works are like so many stars in the night -- a thousand points
of light, spread out over a broad and peaceful sky. This is my
vision of a kinder, gentler, better America. Partnerships, working
together to solve problems."
P 5 para 4, line 5 I might work in ecumenicalism under
2-2-2
the motif of partnerships: after "denominations" add "I am
reminded of other kinds of partnerships. And I am convinced
"
P 5 para 5 This is too nasty as written. These people
are part of our base. I would rewrite thus: "To you and all
Americans, I say, join the process. But we must all put aside
our fears of each other. We must put aside the stereotypes. We
must leave intolerance behind. And racism, too."
P 5 para 6 I'd delete the specific reference to TV
stations, and emphasize how the audience can play a "leadership"
role with its "resources."
P 7 last graf I don't like "empty pages. " Talk
instead of the "first pages in this new chapter in our history."
Last point: once we delete the heavy reference to
abortion and Roe, then the graf on school prayer is all by
itself on page 5. I would move that graf to become the new 2nd
graf on page 3.
#
CC:
Roger B. Porter
Page 5
There isn't enough money - There aren't enough people.
You are needed. You have answered a noble calling.
Thanks to you, and the hard work of others, we may
be close to an historic decision for life, an end to
the millions of abortions.
And how can any of us rest until little school
children have the same right that our own Senators and
Congressmen have. the right to begin their day with a
moment of silent prayer ?
When I see Mother Angelica here with her
television network to the Catholics - when I
see my friend Reverend Graham - and his eloquent call
for commitment - and when I think of the work of the
great evangelical denominations - I am convinced more
than ever of the merit of your work. This is a time
for coming together - pulling together. That's why
IAMERICANS we must
as
need your help
This needs to
be rephrased:
To you and all Americans, join the process.
Put
We must
sounds like
aside your fears of each other. Put aside the
all of us must leave belimd
we're accusing
stereotypes. Leave religious intolerance behind and
the NRB
its snarling cohort, racism, too.
You, the members of the National Religious
Broadcasters, with all of your television and radio
stations and your many programs, can play such an
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
January 30, 1989
TO CHRISS WINSTON:
Attached are a few comments
on the NRB speech from Jim
Cicconi and from me (which
Jim has approved).
Thanks.
Jes.
John S. Gardner
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
January 30, 1989
Jim --
A few random comments on the NRB
speech you may wish to pass on:
P. 3, para. 4, line 2 should read
"if you read a chapter of Proverbs
each day". As is, it's inaccurate.
P. 5, para. 2: If the Supreme Court
were to reverse Roe V. Wade, it would
not "end
the millions of abor-
tions," only return the issue to the
states.
Page 6, para. 3, line 6 is confusing
as currently written. The phrase
"Faith without works is dead" is
from James 2:17, not I Corinthians 13.
John This THE ive you
as a few Ms gets Twonks Them.
AC
y30