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George H.W. Bush Presidential Records
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Chron File, 1989-1993
OA/ID Number:
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Joint Session of Congress, 2/9/89 [4]
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10002
ADDRESS TO THE JOINT SESSION OF CONGRESS
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 1989
MR. SPEAKER, MR. PRESIDENT, DISTINGUISHED
MEMBERS OF THE HOUSE AND SENATE, HONORED GUESTS,
FELLOW CITIZENS:
LESS THAN 3 WEEKS AGO, I JOINED YOU ON THE
WEST FRONT OF THIS VERY BUILDING AND -- LOOKING
OVER THE MONUMENTS TO OUR PROUD PAST -- OFFERED
YOU MY HAND IN FILLING THE NEXT PAGE OF AMERICAN
HISTORY WITH A STORY OF EXTENDED PROSPERITY AND
CONTINUED PEACE. TONIGHT, I AM BACK, TO OFFER YOU
MY PLANS AS WELL. THE HAND REMAINS EXTENDED, THE
SLEEVES ARE ROLLED UP, AMERICA IS WAITING, AND NOW
WE MUST PRODUCE.
TOGETHER, WE CAN BUILD A BETTER AMERICA.
IT IS COMFORTING TO RETURN TO THIS HISTORIC
CHAMBER. HERE, 22 YEARS AGO, I FIRST RAISED MY
HAND TO BE SWORN INTO PUBLIC LIFE. SO TONIGHT, I
FEEL AS IF I AM RETURNING HOME TO FRIENDS. AND I
INTEND, IN THE MONTHS AND YEARS TO COME, TO GIVE
YOU WHAT FRIENDS DESERVE: FRANKNESS, RESPECT, AND
MY BEST JUDGMENT ABOUT WAYS TO IMPROVE AMERICA'S
FUTURE.
- 2 -
IN RETURN, I ASK FOR AN HONEST COMMITMENT To
OUR COMMON MISSION OF PROGRESS. IF WE SEIZE THE
OPPORTUNITIES ON THE ROAD BEFORE US, THERE WILL BE
PRAISE ENOUGH FOR ALL.
THE PEOPLE DIDN'T SEND US HERE TO BICKER.
IT'S TIME TO PRODUCE. IT'S TIME TO GOVERN.
MANY PRESIDENTS HAVE COME TO THIS CHAMBER IN
TIMES OF GREAT CRISIS. WAR. DEPRESSION. LOSS OF
NATIONAL SPIRIT.
EIGHT YEARS AGO, I SAT IN THAT CHAIR AS
PRESIDENT REAGAN SPOKE OF PUNISHING INFLATION AND
DEVASTATINGLY HIGH INTEREST RATES, PEOPLE OUT OF
WORK, AMERICAN CONFIDENCE ON THE WANE.
OUR CHALLENGE IS DIFFERENT.
WE ARE FORTUNATE -- A MUCH CHANGED LANDSCAPE
LIES BEFORE US TONIGHT.
so I DON'T PROPOSE TO REVERSE DIRECTION. WE
ARE HEADED THE RIGHT WAY.
- 3 -
BUT WE CANNOT REST. WE ARE A PEOPLE WHOSE
ENERGY AND DRIVE HAVE FUELED OUR RISE TO
GREATNESS. WE ARE A FORWARD-LOOKING NATION --
GENEROUS, YES, BUT AMBITIOUS AS WELL -- NOT FOR
OURSELVES, BUT FOR THE WORLD.
COMPLACENCY IS NOT IN OUR CHARACTER -- NOT
BEFORE, NOT NOW, NOT EVER.
so TONIGHT, WE MUST TAKE A STRONG AMERICA --
AND MAKE IT EVEN BETTER.
WE MUST ADDRESS SOME VERY REAL PROBLEMS. WE
MUST ESTABLISH SOME VERY CLEAR PRIORITIES. AND WE
MUST MAKE A VERY SUBSTANTIAL CUT IN THE FEDERAL
BUDGET DEFICIT.
SOME PEOPLE FIND THAT AGENDA IMPOSSIBLE.
BUT I AM PRESENTING TO YOU TONIGHT A
REALISTIC PLAN FOR TACKLING IT. MY PLAN HAS FOUR
BROAD FEATURES: ATTENTION TO URGENT PRIORITIES,
INVESTMENT IN THE FUTURE, AN ATTACK ON THE
DEFICIT, AND NO NEW TAXES.
- 4 -
THIS BUDGET REPRESENTS MY BEST JUDGMENT OF
HOW WE CAN ADDRESS OUR PRIORITIES, CONSISTENT WITH
THE PEOPLE'S VIEW. THERE ARE MANY AREAS IN WHICH
WE WOULD ALL LIKE TO SPEND MORE THAN I PROPOSE,
BUT WE CANNOT UNTIL WE GET OUR FISCAL HOUSE IN
ORDER.
NEXT YEAR ALONE, THANKS TO ECONOMIC GROWTH,
WITHOUT ANY CHANGE IN THE LAW, THE FEDERAL
GOVERNMENT WILL TAKE IN OVER $80 BILLION DOLLARS
MORE THAN IT DOES THIS YEAR. THAT'S RIGHT -- OVER
$80 BILLION IN NEW REVENUES, WITH NO INCREASE IN
TAXES. OUR JOB IS TO ALLOCATE THOSE NEW RESOURCES
WISELY.
WE CAN AFFORD TO INCREASE SPENDING -- BY A
MODEST AMOUNT, BUT ENOUGH TO INVEST IN KEY
PRIORITIES AND STILL CUT THE DEFICIT BY ALMOST
40 PERCENT IN ONE YEAR.
- 5 -
THAT WILL ALLOW US TO MEET THE TARGETS SET
FORTH IN THE GRAMM-RUDMAN-HOLLINGS LAW.
BUT TO DO THAT, WE MUST RECOGNIZE THAT GROWTH
ABOVE INFLATION IN FEDERAL PROGRAMS IS NOT
PREORDAINED, THAT NOT ALL SPENDING INITIATIVES
WERE DESIGNED TO BE IMMORTAL.
I MAKE THIS PLEDGE TONIGHT: MY TEAM AND I
ARE READY TO WORK WITH THE CONGRESS, TO FORM A
SPECIAL LEADERSHIP GROUP, TO NEGOTIATE IN GOOD
FAITH, TO WORK DAY AND NIGHT -- IF THAT'S WHAT IT
TAKES -- TO MEET THE BUDGET TARGETS, AND TO
PRODUCE A BUDGET ON TIME.
WE CANNOT SETTLE FOR BUSINESS AS USUAL.
GOVERNMENT BY CONTINUING RESOLUTION -- OR
GOVERNMENT BY CRISIS -- WILL NOT DO.
I ASK THE CONGRESS TONIGHT TO APPROVE SEVERAL
MEASURES WHICH WILL MAKE BUDGETING MORE SENSIBLE.
WE COULD SAVE TIME AND IMPROVE EFFICIENCY BY
ENACTING 2-YEAR BUDGETS.
- 6 -
FORTY-THREE GOVERNORS HAVE THE LINE-ITEM
VETO. PRESIDENTS SHOULD HAVE IT, TOO.
AT THE VERY LEAST, WHEN A PRESIDENT PROPOSES
TO RESCIND FEDERAL SPENDING, THE CONGRESS SHOULD
BE REQUIRED TO VOTE ON THAT PROPOSAL -- INSTEAD OF
KILLING IT BY INACTION.
AND I ASK FOR CONGRESS TO HONOR THE PUBLIC'S
WISHES BY PASSING A CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT TO
REQUIRE A BALANCED BUDGET. SUCH AN AMENDMENT,
ONCE PHASED IN, WILL DISCIPLINE BOTH CONGRESS AND
THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH.
SEVERAL PRINCIPLES DESCRIBE THE KIND OF
AMERICA I HOPE TO BUILD WITH YOUR HELP IN THE
YEARS AHEAD.
WE WILL NOT HAVE THE LUXURY OF TAKING THE
EASY, SPENDTHRIFT APPROACH TO SOLVING PROBLEMS --
BECAUSE HIGHER SPENDING AND HIGHER TAXES PUT
ECONOMIC GROWTH AT RISK.
- 7 -
ECONOMIC GROWTH PROVIDES JOBS AND HOPE.
ECONOMIC GROWTH ENABLES US TO PAY FOR SOCIAL
PROGRAMS. ECONOMIC GROWTH ENHANCES THE SECURITY
OF THE NATION. AND LOW TAX RATES CREATE ECONOMIC
GROWTH.
I BELIEVE IN GIVING AMERICANS GREATER FREEDOM
AND GREATER CHOICE -- AND I WILL WORK FOR CHOICE
FOR AMERICAN FAMILIES, WHETHER IN THE HOUSING IN
WHICH THEY LIVE, THE SCHOOLS TO WHICH THEY SEND
THEIR CHILDREN, OR THE CHILD CARE THEY SELECT FOR
THEIR YOUNG.
I BELIEVE THAT WE HAVE AN OBLIGATION TO THOSE
IN NEED, BUT THAT GOVERNMENT SHOULD NOT BE THE
PROVIDER OF FIRST RESORT FOR THINGS THAT THE
PRIVATE SECTOR CAN PRODUCE BETTER.
I BELIEVE IN A SOCIETY THAT IS FREE FROM
DISCRIMINATION AND BIGOTRY OF ANY KIND. I WILL
WORK TO KNOCK DOWN THE BARRIERS LEFT BY PAST
DISCRIMINATION AND TO BUILD A MORE TOLERANT
SOCIETY THAT WILL STOP SUCH BARRIERS FROM EVER
BEING BUILT AGAIN.
- 8 -
I BELIEVE THAT FAMILY AND FAITH REPRESENT THE
MORAL COMPASS OF THE NATION -- AND I WILL WORK TO
MAKE THEM STRONG, FOR AS BENJAMIN FRANKLIN SAID:
"IF A SPARROW CANNOT FALL TO THE GROUND WITHOUT
HIS NOTICE, [CAN] A [GREAT NATION] RISE WITHOUT
HIS AID?"
AND I BELIEVE IN GIVING PEOPLE THE POWER TO
MAKE THEIR OWN LIVES BETTER THROUGH GROWTH AND
OPPORTUNITY. TOGETHER, LET'S PUT POWER IN THE
HANDS OF PEOPLE.
THREE WEEKS AGO, WE CELEBRATED THE
BICENTENNIAL INAUGURAL, THE 200TH ANNIVERSARY OF
THE FIRST PRESIDENCY.
AND IF YOU LOOK BACK, ONE THING IS so
STRIKING ABOUT THE WAY THE FOUNDING FATHERS LOOKED
AT AMERICA. THEY DIDN'T TALK ABOUT THEMSELVES.
THEY TALKED ABOUT POSTERITY. THEY TALKED ABOUT
THE FUTURE.
WE, Too, MUST THINK IN TERMS BIGGER THAN
OURSELVES.
- 9 -
WE MUST TAKE ACTIONS TODAY THAT WILL ENSURE A
BETTER TOMORROW. WE MUST EXTEND AMERICAN
LEADERSHIP IN TECHNOLOGY, INCREASE LONG-TERM
INVESTMENT, IMPROVE OUR EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM, AND
BOOST PRODUCTIVITY. THESE ARE THE KEYS TO
BUILDING A BETTER FUTURE.
HERE ARE SOME OF MY RECOMMENDATIONS:
- I PROPOSE ALMOST $2.2 BILLION FOR THE
NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION TO PROMOTE BASIC
RESEARCH AND KEEP US ON TRACK TO DOUBLE ITS BUDGET
BY 1993;
- I PROPOSE TO MAKE PERMANENT THE TAX CREDIT
FOR RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT;
- I HAVE ASKED VICE PRESIDENT QUAYLE TO
CHAIR A NEW TASK FORCE ON COMPETITIVENESS;
- 10 -
- I REQUEST FUNDING FOR NASA AND A STRONG
SPACE PROGRAM -- AN INCREASE OF ALMOST
$2.4 BILLION OVER THE CURRENT FISCAL YEAR. WE
MUST HAVE A MANNED SPACE STATION; A VIGOROUS, SAFE
SPACE SHUTTLE PROGRAM; AND MORE COMMERCIAL
DEVELOPMENT IN SPACE. THE SPACE PROGRAM SHOULD
ALWAYS GO "FULL THROTTLE UP" -- THAT'S NOT JUST
OUR AMBITION; IT'S OUR DESTINY.
- I PROPOSE THAT WE CUT THE MAXIMUM TAX RATE
ON CAPITAL GAINS TO INCREASE LONG-TERM INVESTMENT.
HISTORY IS CLEAR: THIS WILL INCREASE REVENUES,
HELP SAVINGS, AND CREATE NEW JOBS.
WE WON'T BE COMPETITIVE IF WE LEAVE WHOLE
SECTORS OF AMERICA BEHIND. THIS IS THE YEAR WE
SHOULD FINALLY ENACT URBAN ENTERPRISE ZONES, AND
BRING HOPE TO OUR INNER CITIES.
BUT THE MOST IMPORTANT COMPETITIVENESS
PROGRAM OF ALL IS ONE WHICH IMPROVES EDUCATION IN
AMERICA.
WHEN SOME OF OUR STUDENTS ACTUALLY HAVE
TROUBLE LOCATING AMERICA ON A MAP OF THE WORLD, IT
IS TIME FOR US TO MAP A NEW APPROACH TO EDUCATION.
- 11 -
WE MUST REWARD EXCELLENCE, AND CUT THROUGH
BUREAUCRACY. WE MUST HELP THOSE SCHOOLS THAT NEED
HELP MOST. WE MUST GIVE CHOICE TO PARENTS,
STUDENTS, TEACHERS, AND PRINCIPALS. AND WE MUST
HOLD ALL CONCERNED ACCOUNTABLE. IN EDUCATION, WE
CANNOT TOLERATE MEDIOCRITY.
I WANT TO CUT THE DROP-OUT RATE, AND MAKE
AMERICA A MORE LITERATE NATION. BECAUSE WHAT IT
REALLY COMES DOWN TO IS THIS: THE LONGER OUR
GRADUATION LINES ARE TODAY, THE SHORTER OUR
UNEMPLOYMENT LINES WILL BE TOMORROW.
so TONIGHT I AM PROPOSING THE FOLLOWING
INITIATIVES:
- THE BEGINNING OF A $500-MILLION PROGRAM TO
REWARD AMERICA'S BEST SCHOOLS -- "MERIT SCHOOLS";
- THE CREATION OF SPECIAL PRESIDENTIAL
AWARDS FOR THE BEST TEACHERS IN EVERY STATE --
BECAUSE EXCELLENCE SHOULD BE REWARDED;
- 12 -
- THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A NEW PROGRAM OF
NATIONAL SCIENCE SCHOLARS, ONE EACH YEAR FOR EVERY
MEMBER OF THE HOUSE AND SENATE, TO GIVE THIS
GENERATION OF STUDENTS A SPECIAL INCENTIVE TO
EXCEL IN SCIENCE AND MATHEMATICS;
- THE EXPANDED USE OF MAGNET SCHOOLS WHICH
GIVE FAMILIES AND STUDENTS GREATER CHOICE;
- AND A NEW PROGRAM TO ENCOURAGE
"ALTERNATIVE CERTIFICATION" -- WHICH WILL LET
TALENTED PEOPLE FROM ALL FIELDS TEACH IN THE
CLASSROOM.
I HAVE SAID I'D LIKE TO BE "THE EDUCATION
PRESIDENT.' TONIGHT, I ASK YOU TO JOIN ME BY
BECOMING "THE EDUCATION CONGRESS."
JUST LAST WEEK, AS I SETTLED INTO THIS NEW
OFFICE, I RECEIVED A LETTER FROM A MOTHER IN
PENNSYLVANIA, WHO HAD BEEN STRUCK BY MY MESSAGE IN
THE INAUGURAL ADDRESS. "NOT 12 HOURS BEFORE," SHE
WROTE, "MY HUSBAND AND I RECEIVED WORD THAT [OUR]
SON WAS ADDICTED TO COCAINE. [HE] HAD THE WORLD
AT HIS FEET. BRIGHT, GIFTED, PERSONABLE.., HE
COULD HAVE DONE ANYTHING WITH HIS LIFE. [NOW] HE
HAS CHOSEN COCAINE."
- 13 -
"PLEASE," SHE WROTE, "FIND A WAY TO CURB THE
SUPPLY OF COCAINE. GET TOUGH WITH THE PUSHERS.
[OUR SON] NEEDS YOUR HELP."
MY FRIENDS, THAT VOICE CRYING OUT FOR HELP
COULD BE THE VOICE OF YOUR OWN NEIGHBOR. YOUR OWN
FRIEND. YOUR OWN RELATIVE. OVER 23 MILLION
AMERICANS USED ILLEGAL DRUGS LAST YEAR -- AT A
STAGGERING COST TO OUR NATION'S WELL-BEING.
LET THIS BE RECORDED AS THE TIME WHEN AMERICA
ROSE UP AND SAID "NO" TO DRUGS. THE SCOURGE OF
DRUGS MUST BE STOPPED.
I AM ASKING TONIGHT FOR AN INCREASE OF ALMOST
A BILLION DOLLARS IN BUDGET OUTLAYS TO ESCALATE
THE WAR AGAINST DRUGS. THE WAR WILL BE WAGED ON
ALL FRONTS.
SOME MONEY WILL BE USED TO EXPAND TREATMENT
TO THE POOR, AND TO YOUNG MOTHERS. THIS WILL
OFFER THE HELPING HAND TO THE MANY INNOCENT
VICTIMS OF DRUGS -- LIKE THE THOUSANDS OF BABIES
BORN ADDICTED, OR WITH AIDS, BECAUSE OF THE
MOTHER'S ADDICTION.
- 14 -
SOME WILL BE USED TO CUT THE WAITING TIME FOR
TREATMENT.
SOME MONEY WILL BE DEVOTED TO THOSE URBAN
SCHOOLS WHERE THE EMERGENCY IS NOW THE WORST. AND
MUCH OF IT WILL BE USED TO PROTECT OUR BORDERS,
WITH HELP FROM THE COAST GUARD, THE CUSTOMS
SERVICE, THE DEPARTMENTS OF STATE AND JUSTICE, AND
YES, THE U.S. MILITARY.
I MEAN TO GET TOUGH ON THE DRUG CRIMINALS.
LET ME BE CLEAR: THIS PRESIDENT WILL BACK UP
THOSE WHO PUT THEIR LIVES ON THE LINE EVERY DAY --
OUR LOCAL POLICE OFFICERS.
MY BUDGET ASKS FOR BEEFED-UP PROSECUTION, FOR
A NEW ATTACK ON ORGANIZED CRIME, AND FOR
ENFORCEMENT OF TOUGH SENTENCES -- AND FOR THE
WORST KINGPINS, THAT MEANS THE DEATH PENALTY.
I ALSO WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WHEN A DRUG
DEALER IS CONVICTED, THERE IS A CELL WAITING FOR
HIM. HE SHOULD NOT GO FREE BECAUSE PRISONS ARE
TOO FULL.
- 15 -
LET THE WORD GO OUT: IF YOU ARE CAUGHT AND
CONVICTED, YOU MUST DO TIME.
BUT FOR ALL WE DO IN LAW ENFORCEMENT, IN
INTERDICTION AND TREATMENT, WE WILL NEVER WIN THIS
WAR ON DRUGS UNLESS WE STOP DEMAND FOR DRUGS.
SO SOME OF THIS INCREASE WILL BE USED TO
EDUCATE THE YOUNG ABOUT THE DANGERS OF DRUGS. WE
MUST INVOLVE PARENTS. WE MUST INVOLVE TEACHERS.
WE MUST INVOLVE COMMUNITIES. AND MY FRIENDS, WE
MUST INVOLVE OURSELVES.
ONE PROBLEM RELATED TO DRUG USE DEMANDS OUR
URGENT ATTENTION AND OUR CONTINUING COMPASSION.
THAT IS THE TERRIBLE TRAGEDY OF AIDS.
I AM ASKING FOR $1.6 BILLION FOR EDUCATION TO
PREVENT THE DISEASE -- AND FOR RESEARCH TO FIND A
CURE.
IF WE'RE TO PROTECT OUR FUTURE, WE NEED A NEW
ATTITUDE ABOUT THE ENVIRONMENT.
WE MUST PROTECT THE AIR WE BREATHE.
- 16 -
I WILL SEND TO YOU SHORTLY LEGISLATION FOR A
NEW, MORE EFFECTIVE CLEAN AIR ACT. IT WILL
INCLUDE A PLAN TO REDUCE, BY DATE CERTAIN, THE
EMISSIONS WHICH CAUSE ACID RAIN -- BECAUSE THE
TIME FOR STUDY ALONE HAS PASSED, AND THE TIME FOR
ACTION IS NOW.
WE MUST MAKE USE OF CLEAN COAL. MY BUDGET
CONTAINS FULL FUNDING, ON SCHEDULE, FOR THE CLEAN
COAL TECHNOLOGY AGREEMENT WE HAVE MADE WITH
CANADA. WE INTEND TO HONOR THAT AGREEMENT.
I BELIEVE WE SHOULD EXPAND OUR PARKS. SO I
AM ASKING TO FUND NEW ACQUISITIONS UNDER THE LAND
AND WATER CONSERVATION FUND.
WE MUST PROTECT OUR OCEANS. I SUPPORT NEW
PENALTIES AGAINST THOSE WHO WOULD DUMP MEDICAL
WASTE AND OTHER TRASH IN THE OCEANS. THE AGE OF
THE NEEDLE ON THE BEACH MUST END.
- 17 -
IN SOME CASES, THE GULFS AND OCEANS OFF OUR
SHORES HOLD THE PROMISE OF OF OIL AND GAS RESERVES
WHICH CAN MAKE OUR NATION MORE SECURE AND LESS
DEPENDENT ON FOREIGN OIL. WHEN THOSE WITH THE
MOST PROMISE CAN BE TAPPED SAFELY, AS WITH MUCH OF
THE ALASKA NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE, WE SHOULD
PROCEED. BUT WE MUST USE CAUTION AND WE MUST
RESPECT THE ENVIRONMENT.
so TONIGHT I AM CALLING FOR THE INDEFINITE
POSTPONEMENT OF THREE LEASE SALES WHICH HAVE
RAISED TROUBLING QUESTIONS -- TWO OFF THE COAST OF
CALIFORNIA, AND ONE WHICH COULD THREATEN THE
EVERGLADES IN FLORIDA.
ACTION ON THESE THREE LEASE SALES WILL AWAIT
THE CONCLUSIONS OF A SPECIAL TASK FORCE SET UP TO
MEASURE THE POTENTIAL FOR ENVIRONMENTAL DAMAGE.
I AM DIRECTING THE ATTORNEY GENERAL AND THE
ADMINISTRATOR OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
AGENCY TO USE EVERY TOOL AT THEIR DISPOSAL TO
SPEED AND TOUGHEN THE ENFORCEMENT OF OUR LAWS
AGAINST TOXIC WASTE DUMPERS. I WANT FASTER
CLEANUPS AND TOUGHER ENFORCEMENT OF PENALTIES
AGAINST POLLUTERS.
- 18 -
IN ADDITION TO CARING FOR OUR FUTURE, WE MUST
CARE FOR THOSE AROUND US. A DECENT SOCIETY SHOWS
COMPASSION FOR THE YOUNG, THE ELDERLY, THE
VULNERABLE, AND THE POOR.
OUR FIRST OBLIGATION IS TO THE MOST
VULNERABLE -- INFANTS, POOR MOTHERS, CHILDREN
LIVING IN POVERTY -- AND MY PROPOSED BUDGET
RECOGNIZES THIS. I ASK FOR FULL FUNDING OF
MEDICAID -- AN INCREASE OF OVER $3 BILLION -- AND
AN EXPANSION OF THE PROGRAM TO INCLUDE COVERAGE OF
PREGNANT WOMEN WHO ARE NEAR THE POVERTY LINE.
I BELIEVE WE SHOULD HELP WORKING FAMILIES
COPE WITH THE BURDEN OF CHILD CARE.
OUR HELP SHOULD BE AIMED AT THOSE WHO NEED IT
MOST -- LOW-INCOME FAMILIES WITH YOUNG CHILDREN.
I SUPPORT A NEW CHILD CARE TAX CREDIT THAT WILL
AIM OUR EFFORTS AT EXACTLY THOSE FAMILIES --
WITHOUT DISCRIMINATING AGAINST MOTHERS WHO CHOOSE
TO STAY AT HOME.
- 19 -
NOW, I KNOW THERE ARE COMPETING PROPOSALS.
BUT REMEMBER THIS: THE OVERWHELMING MAJORITY OF
ALL PRESCHOOL CHILD CARE IS NOW PROVIDED BY
RELATIVES AND NEIGHBORS, CHURCHES AND COMMUNITY
GROUPS. FAMILIES WHO CHOOSE THESE OPTIONS SHOULD
REMAIN ELIGIBLE FOR HELP. PARENTS SHOULD HAVE
CHOICE.
AND FOR THOSE CHILDREN WHO CANNOT LIVE WITH
THEIR PARENTS, I BELIEVE WE SHOULD ENCOURAGE
ADOPTION. I PROPOSE TO RE-ENACT THE TAX DEDUCTION
FOR ADOPTION EXPENSES, AND TO DOUBLE IT TO $3,000.
WE HAVE A MORAL CONTRACT WITH OUR SENIOR
CITIZENS. IN THIS BUDGET, SOCIAL SECURITY IS
FULLY FUNDED, INCLUDING A FULL COST-OF-LIVING
ADJUSTMENT. WE MUST HONOR OUR CONTRACT.
WE MUST CARE ABOUT THOSE IN "THE SHADOWS OF
LIFE," AND I, LIKE MANY AMERICANS, AM DEEPLY
TROUBLED BY THE PLIGHT OF THE HOMELESS. THE
CAUSES OF HOMELESSNESS ARE MANY, THE HISTORY IS
LONG, BUT THE MORAL IMPERATIVE TO ACT IS CLEAR.
- 20 -
THANKS TO THE DEEP WELL OF GENEROSITY IN THIS
GREAT LAND, MANY ORGANIZATIONS ALREADY CONTRIBUTE.
BUT WE IN GOVERNMENT CANNOT STAND ON THE
SIDELINES. IN MY BUDGET, I ASK FOR GREATER
SUPPORT FOR EMERGENCY FOOD AND SHELTER, FOR HEALTH
SERVICES AND MEASURES TO PREVENT SUBSTANCE ABUSE,
AND FOR CLINICS FOR THE MENTALLY ILL -- AND I
PROPOSE A NEW INITIATIVE INVOLVING THE FULL RANGE
OF GOVERNMENT AGENCIES. WE MUST CONFRONT THIS
NATIONAL SHAME.
THERE IS ANOTHER ISSUE I HAVE DECIDED TO
MENTION HERE TONIGHT. I HAVE LONG BELIEVED THAT
THE PEOPLE OF PUERTO RICO SHOULD HAVE THE RIGHT TO
DETERMINE THEIR OWN POLITICAL FUTURE. PERSONALLY,
I FAVOR STATEHOOD. BUT I ASK THE CONGRESS TO TAKE
THE NECESSARY STEPS TO LET THE PEOPLE DECIDE IN A
REFERENDUM.
CERTAIN PROBLEMS, THE RESULT OF DECADES OF
UNWISE PRACTICES, THREATEN THE HEALTH AND SECURITY
OF OUR PEOPLE. LEFT UNATTENDED, THEY WILL ONLY
GET WORSE -- BUT WE CAN ACT NOW TO PUT THEM BEHIND
US.
- 21 -
EARLIER THIS WEEK, I ANNOUNCED MY SUPPORT FOR
A PLAN TO RESTORE THE FINANCIAL AND MORAL
INTEGRITY OF OUR SAVINGS SYSTEM. I ASK CONGRESS
TO ENACT OUR REFORM PROPOSALS WITHIN 45 DAYS. WE
MUST NOT LET THIS SITUATION FESTER.
CERTAINLY, THE SAVINGS OF AMERICANS MUST
REMAIN SECURE -- INSURED DEPOSITORS WILL CONTINUE
TO BE FULLY PROTECTED. BUT ANY PLAN TO REFINANCE
THE SYSTEM MUST BE ACCOMPANIED BY MAJOR REFORM.
OUR PROPOSALS WILL PREVENT SUCH A CRISIS FROM
REOCCURRING. THE BEST ANSWER IS TO MAKE SURE THAT
A MESS LIKE THIS WILL NEVER HAPPEN AGAIN.
THE MAJORITY OF THRIFTS IN COMMUNITIES ACROSS
THIS NATION HAVE BEEN HONEST; THEY HAVE PLAYED A
MAJOR ROLE IN HELPING FAMILIES ACHIEVE THE
AMERICAN DREAM OF HOME OWNERSHIP. BUT MAKE NO
MISTAKE: THOSE WHO ARE CORRUPT, THOSE WHO BREAK
THE LAW, MUST BE KICKED OUT OF THE BUSINESS; AND
THEY SHOULD GO TO JAIL.
- 22 -
WE FACE A MASSIVE TASK IN CLEANING UP THE
WASTE LEFT FROM DECADES OF ENVIRONMENTAL NEGLECT
AT AMERICA'S NUCLEAR WEAPONS PLANTS.
CLEARLY, WE MUST MODERNIZE THESE PLANTS AND
OPERATE THEM SAFELY. THAT IS NOT AT ISSUE -- OUR
NATIONAL SECURITY DEPENDS ON IT.
BUT BEYOND THAT, WE MUST CLEAN UP THE OLD
MESS THAT'S BEEN LEFT BEHIND -- AND I PROPOSE IN
THIS BUDGET TO MORE THAN DOUBLE OUR CURRENT EFFORT
TO DO so. THIS WILL ALLOW US TO IDENTIFY THE
EXACT NATURE OF THE VARIOUS PROBLEMS SO WE CAN
CLEAN THEM UP -- AND CLEAN THEM UP WE WILL.
WE HAVE BEEN FORTUNATE DURING THESE PAST
8 YEARS. AMERICA IS A STRONGER NATION TODAY THAN
IT WAS IN 1980.
MORALE IN OUR ARMED FORCES IS RESTORED. OUR
RESOLVE HAS BEEN SHOWN. OUR READINESS HAS BEEN
IMPROVED. AND WE ARE AT PEACE.
THERE CAN NO LONGER BE ANY DOUBT THAT PEACE
HAS BEEN MADE MORE SECURE THROUGH STRENGTH. WHEN
AMERICA IS STRONGER, THE WORLD IS SAFER.
- 23 -
MOST PEOPLE DON'T REALIZE, THAT AFTER THE
SUCCESSFUL RESTORATION OF OUR STRENGTH, THE
PENTAGON BUDGET HAS ACTUALLY BEEN REDUCED IN REAL
TERMS FOR EACH OF THE LAST 4 YEARS.
IN LIGHT OF THE COMPELLING NEED TO REDUCE THE
DEFICIT, I PROPOSE A 1-YEAR FREEZE IN THE MILITARY
BUDGET -- SOMETHING I PROPOSED LAST FALL IN MY
FLEXIBLE FREEZE PLAN.
THIS FREEZE WILL APPLY FOR ONLY 1 YEAR --
AFTER THAT INCREASES ABOVE INFLATION WILL BE
REQUIRED. I WILL NOT SACRIFICE AMERICAN
PREPAREDNESS; AND I WILL NOT COMPROMISE AMERICAN
STRENGTH.
I SHOULD BE CLEAR ON THE CONDITIONS ATTACHED
TO MY RECOMMENDATION FOR THE COMING YEAR:
- THE SAVINGS MUST BE ALLOCATED TO THOSE
PRIORITIES FOR INVESTING IN OUR FUTURE THAT I HAVE
SPOKEN ABOUT TONIGHT;
- 24 -
- THIS DEFENSE FREEZE MUST BE PART OF A
COMPREHENSIVE BUDGET AGREEMENT WHICH MEETS THE
TARGETS SPELLED OUT IN THE GRAMM-RUDMAN-HOLLINGS
LAW WITHOUT RAISING TAXES, AND WHICH INCORPORATES
REFORMS IN THE BUDGET PROCESS.
I HAVE DIRECTED THE NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL
TO REVIEW OUR NATIONAL SECURITY AND DEFENSE
POLICIES AND REPORT BACK TO ME WITHIN 90 DAYS TO
ENSURE THAT OUR CAPABILITIES AND RESOURCES MEET
OUR COMMITMENTS AND STRATEGIES.
I AM ALSO CHARGING THE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
WITH THE TASK OF DEVELOPING A PLAN TO IMPROVE THE
DEFENSE PROCUREMENT PROCESS AND MANAGEMENT OF THE
PENTAGON -- ONE WHICH WILL FULLY IMPLEMENT THE
PACKARD COMMISSION REPORT. MANY OF THE CHANGES
CAN ONLY BE MADE WITH THE PARTICIPATION OF THE
CONGRESS -- SO I ASK FOR YOUR HELP.
WE NEED FEWER REGULATIONS. WE NEED LESS
BUREAUCRACY. WE NEED MULTI-YEAR PROCUREMENT AND
2-YEAR BUDGETING. AND FRANKLY, WE NEED LESS
CONGRESSIONAL MICROMANAGEMENT OF OUR NATION'S
MILITARY POLICY.
- 25 -
SECURING A MORE PEACEFUL WORLD IS PERHAPS THE
MOST IMPORTANT PRIORITY I'D LIKE TO ADDRESS
TONIGHT.
WE MEET AT A TIME OF EXTRAORDINARY HOPE.
NEVER BEFORE IN THIS CENTURY HAVE OUR VALUES OF
FREEDOM, DEMOCRACY, AND ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY BEEN
SUCH A POWERFUL POLITICAL AND INTELLECTUAL FORCE
AROUND THE GLOBE.
NEVER BEFORE HAS OUR LEADERSHIP BEEN SO
CRUCIAL, BECAUSE WHILE AMERICA HAS ITS EYES ON THE
FUTURE, THE WORLD HAS ITS EYES ON AMERICA.
IT IS A TIME OF GREAT CHANGE IN THE WORLD --
AND ESPECIALLY IN THE SOVIET UNION. PRUDENCE AND
COMMON SENSE DICTATE THAT WE TRY TO UNDERSTAND THE
FULL MEANING OF THE CHANGE GOING ON THERE, REVIEW
OUR POLICIES CAREFULLY, AND PROCEED WITH CAUTION.
BUT I HAVE PERSONALLY ASSURED GENERAL SECRETARY
GORBACHEV THAT, AT THE CONCLUSION OF SUCH A
REVIEW, WE WILL BE READY TO MOVE FORWARD. WE WILL
NOT MISS ANY OPPORTUNITY TO WORK FOR PEACE.
- 26 -
THE FUNDAMENTAL FACT REMAINS THAT THE SOVIETS
RETAIN A VERY POWERFUL MILITARY MACHINE, IN THE
SERVICE OF OBJECTIVES WHICH ARE STILL TOO OFTEN IN
CONFLICT WITH OURS. SO LET US TAKE THE NEW
OPENNESS SERIOUSLY. BUT LET US ALSO BE REALISTIC.
AND LET US NEGOTIATE FROM STRENGTH.
THERE ARE SOME PRESSING ISSUES WE MUST
ADDRESS:
I WILL VIGOROUSLY PURSUE THE STRATEGIC
DEFENSE INITIATIVE.
THE SPREAD AND EVEN USE OF SOPHISTICATED
WEAPONRY THREATENS GLOBAL STABILITY AS NEVER
BEFORE.
CHEMICAL WEAPONS MUST BE BANNED FROM THE FACE
OF THE EARTH, NEVER TO BE USED AGAIN. THIS WON'T
BE EASY. VERIFICATION WILL BE DIFFICULT. BUT
CIVILIZATION AND HUMAN DECENCY DEMAND THAT WE TRY.
- 27 -
AND THE SPREAD OF NUCLEAR WEAPONS MUST BE
STOPPED. I WILL WORK TO STRENGTHEN THE HAND OF
THE INTERNATIONAL ATOMIC ENERGY AGENCY. OUR
DIPLOMACY MUST WORK EVERY DAY AGAINST THE
PROLIFERATION OF NUCLEAR WEAPONS.
AND, AROUND THE GLOBE, WE MUST CONTINUE TO BE
FREEDOM'S BEST FRIEND.
WE MUST STAND FIRM FOR SELF-DETERMINATION AND
DEMOCRACY IN CENTRAL AMERICA -- INCLUDING IN
NICARAGUA.
FOR WHEN PEOPLE ARE GIVEN THE CHANCE, THEY
INEVITABLY WILL CHOOSE A FREE PRESS, FREEDOM OF
WORSHIP, AND CERTIFIABLY FREE AND FAIR ELECTIONS.
WE MUST STRENGTHEN THE ALLIANCE OF INDUSTRIAL
DEMOCRACIES -- AS SOLID A FORCE FOR PEACE AS THE
WORLD HAS EVER KNOWN. THIS IS AN ALLIANCE FORGED
BY THE POWER OF OUR IDEALS, NOT THE PETTINESS OF
OUR DIFFERENCES. SO LET US LIFT OUR SIGHTS -- TO
RISE ABOVE FIGHTING ABOUT BEEF HORMONES TO
BUILDING A BETTER FUTURE TO MOVE FROM
PROTECTIONISM TO PROGRESS.
- 28 -
I HAVE ASKED THE SECRETARY OF STATE TO VISIT
EUROPE NEXT WEEK AND TO CONSULT WITH THEM ON THE
WIDE RANGE OF CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES WE FACE
TOGETHER -- INCLUDING EAST-WEST RELATIONS. AND I
LOOK FORWARD TO MEETING WITH OUR NATO PARTNERS IN
THE NEAR FUTURE.
I, Too, SHALL BEGIN A TRIP SHORTLY -- TO THE
FAR REACHES OF THE PACIFIC BASIN, WHERE THE WINDS
OF DEMOCRACY ARE CREATING NEW HOPE, AND THE POWER
OF FREE MARKETS IS UNLEASHING A NEW FORCE.
WHEN I SERVED AS OUR REPRESENTATIVE IN CHINA
JUST 14 YEARS AGO, FEW WOULD HAVE PREDICTED THE
SCOPE OF THE CHANGES WE'VE WITNESSED SINCE THEN.
BUT IN PREPARING FOR THIS TRIP, I WAS STRUCK
BY SOMETHING I CAME ACROSS FROM A CHINESE WRITER,
LIN [YOU-TANG]. HE WAS SPEAKING OF HIS COUNTRY,
DECADES AGO -- BUT HIS WORDS SPEAK TO EACH OF US,
IN AMERICA, TONIGHT.
"TODAY," HE SAID, "WE ARE AFRAID OF THE
SIMPLE WORDS LIKE GOODNESS AND MERCY AND
KINDNESS."
- 29 -
MY FRIENDS, IF WE'RE TO SUCCEED AS A NATION,
WE MUST REDISCOVER THOSE WORDS.
IN JUST 3 DAYS, WE MARK THE BIRTHDAY OF
ABRAHAM LINCOLN -- THE MAN WHO SAVED OUR UNION,
AND GAVE NEW MEANING TO THE WORD OPPORTUNITY.
LINCOLN ONCE SAID:
"I HOLD THAT WHILE MAN EXISTS, IT IS HIS DUTY
TO IMPROVE NOT ONLY HIS OWN CONDITION, BUT TO
ASSIST IN AMELIORATING [THAT OF] MANKIND."
IT IS THIS BROADER MISSION TO WHICH I CALL
ALL AMERICANS. BECAUSE THE DEFINITION OF A
SUCCESSFUL LIFE MUST INCLUDE SERVING OTHERS.
TO THE YOUNG PEOPLE OF AMERICA, WHO SOMETIMES
FEEL LEFT OUT -- I ASK YOU TONIGHT TO GIVE US THE
BENEFIT OF YOUR TALENT AND ENERGY THROUGH A NEW
PROGRAM CALLED "YES," FOR YOUTH ENTERING SERVICE
TO AMERICA.
TO THOSE MEN AND WOMEN IN BUSINESS --
REMEMBER THE ULTIMATE END OF YOUR WORK -- TO MAKE
A BETTER PRODUCT, TO CREATE BETTER LIVES. I ASK
YOU TO PLAN FOR THE LONGER-TERM AND AVOID THE
TEMPTATION OF QUICK AND EASY PAPER PROFITS.
- 30 -
TO THE BRAVE MEN AND WOMEN WHO WEAR THE
UNIFORM OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA -- THANK
YOU. YOUR CALLING IS A HIGH ONE -- TO BE THE
DEFENDERS OF FREEDOM AND THE GUARANTORS OF
LIBERTY. AND I WANT YOU TO KNOW THAT THE NATION
IS GRATEFUL FOR YOUR SERVICE.
TO THE PARENTS OF AMERICA, I ASK YOU TO GET
INVOLVED IN YOUR CHILD'S SCHOOLING. CHECK ON
THEIR HOMEWORK. GO TO THE SCHOOL, MEET THE
TEACHERS, CARE ABOUT WHAT IS HAPPENING THERE. IT
IS NOT ONLY YOUR CHILD'S FUTURE ON THE LINE, IT IS
AMERICA'S.
TO KIDS IN OUR CITIES -- DON'T GIVE UP HOPE.
SAY NO TO DRUGS. STAY IN SCHOOL. AND YES, "KEEP
HOPE ALIVE."
TO THOSE 37 MILLION AMERICANS WITH SOME FORM
OF DISABILITY -- YOU BELONG IN THE ECONOMIC
MAINSTREAM. WE NEED YOUR TALENTS IN AMERICA'S
WORKFORCE. DISABLED AMERICANS MUST BECOME FULL
PARTNERS IN AMERICA'S OPPORTUNITY SOCIETY.
- 31 -
TO THE FAMILIES OF AMERICA WATCHING TONIGHT
IN YOUR LIVING ROOMS: HOLD FAST TO YOUR DREAMS,
BECAUSE ULTIMATELY AMERICA'S FUTURE RESTS IN YOUR
HANDS.
AND TO MY FRIENDS IN THIS CHAMBER, I ASK FOR
YOUR COOPERATION TO KEEP AMERICA GROWING WHILE
CUTTING THE DEFICIT. THAT IS ONLY FAIR TO THOSE
WHO NOW HAVE NO VOTE -- THE GENERATIONS TO COME.
LET THEM LOOK BACK AND SAY THAT WE HAD THE
FORESIGHT TO UNDERSTAND THAT A TIME OF PEACE AND
PROSPERITY IS NOT A TIME TO REST, BUT A TIME TO
PUSH FORWARD. A TIME TO INVEST IN THE FUTURE.
AND LET ALL AMERICANS REMEMBER THAT NO
PROBLEM OF HUMAN MAKING IS TOO GREAT TO BE
OVERCOME BY HUMAN INGENUITY, HUMAN ENERGY, AND THE
UNTIRING HOPE OF THE HUMAN SPIRIT. I BELIEVE
THIS. I WOULD NOT HAVE ASKED TO BE YOUR PRESIDENT
IF I DIDN'T.
- 32 -
TOMORROW, THE DEBATE ON THE PLAN I HAVE PUT
FORWARD BEGINS. I ASK THE CONGRESS TO COME
FORWARD WITH YOUR PROPOSALS, IF THEY ARE
DIFFERENT. BUT LET US NOT QUESTION EACH OTHER'S
MOTIVES. LET US DEBATE. LET US NEGOTIATE. AND
IN THE END, LET US PRODUCE.
RECALLING ANNIVERSARIES MAY NOT BE MY
SPECIALTY IN SPEECHES.. BUT TONIGHT IS ONE OF
SOME NOTE. ON FEBRUARY 9, 1941, JUST 48 YEARS AGO
TONIGHT, SIR WINSTON CHURCHILL TOOK TO THE
AIRWAVES DURING BRITAIN'S HOUR OF PERIL.
HE HAD RECEIVED FROM PRESIDENT ROOSEVELT A
HAND-CARRIED LETTER QUOTING LONGFELLOW'S FAMOUS
POEM: "SAIL ON, OH SHIP OF STATE! SAIL ON, OH
UNION, STRONG AND GREAT! HUMANITY WITH ALL ITS
FEARS, WITH ALL THE HOPES OF FUTURE YEARS, IS
HANGING BREATHLESS ON THY FATE!"
CHURCHILL RESPONDED ON THIS NIGHT BY RADIO
BROADCAST TO A NATION AT WAR, BUT HE DIRECTED HIS
WORDS TO ROOSEVELT. "WE SHALL NOT FAIL OR
FALTER," HE SAID. "WE SHALL NOT WEAKEN OR TIRE.
GIVE US THE TOOLS, AND WE WILL FINISH THE JOB." "
- 33 -
TONIGHT, ALMOST A HALF CENTURY LATER, OUR
PERIL MAY BE LESS IMMEDIATE, BUT THE NEED FOR
PERSEVERANCE AND CLEAR-SIGHTED FORTITUDE IS JUST
AS GREAT.
NOW, AS THEN, THERE ARE THOSE WHO SAY IT
CAN'T BE DONE. THERE ARE VOICES WHO SAY THAT
AMERICA'S BEST DAYS HAVE PAST. THAT WE ARE BOUND
BY CONSTRAINTS, THREATENED BY PROBLEMS, SURROUNDED
BY TROUBLES WHICH LIMIT OUR ABILITY TO HOPE.
WELL, TONIGHT I REMAIN FULL OF HOPE. WE
AMERICANS HAVE ONLY BEGUN ON OUR MISSION OF
GOODNESS AND GREATNESS. AND TO THOSE TIMID SOULS,
I REPEAT THE PLEA -- GIVE US THE TOOLS; AND WE
WILL DO THE JOB.
THANK YOU, AND GOD BLESS YOU.
###
ADDRESS TO THE JOINT SESSION OF CONGRESS
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 1989
MR. SPEAKER, MR. PRESIDENT, DISTINGUISHED
MEMBERS OF THE HOUSE AND SENATE, HONORED GUESTS,
FELLOW CITIZENS:
LESS THAN 3 WEEKS AGO, I JOINED YOU ON THE
WEST FRONT OF THIS VERY BUILDING AND -- LOOKING
OVER THE MONUMENTS TO OUR PROUD PAST -- OFFERED
YOU MY HAND IN FILLING THE NEXT PAGE OF AMERICAN
HISTORY WITH A STORY OF EXTENDED PROSPERITY AND
CONTINUED PEACE. TONIGHT, I AM BACK, TO OFFER YOU
MY PLANS AS WELL. THE HAND REMAINS EXTENDED, THE
SLEEVES ARE ROLLED UP, AMERICA IS WAITING, AND NOW
WE MUST PRODUCE.
TOGETHER, WE CAN BUILD A BETTER AMERICA.
IT IS COMFORTING TO RETURN TO THIS HISTORIC
CHAMBER. HERE, 22 YEARS AGO, I FIRST RAISED MY
HAND TO BE SWORN INTO PUBLIC LIFE. SO TONIGHT, I
FEEL AS IF I AM RETURNING HOME TO FRIENDS. AND I
INTEND, IN THE MONTHS AND YEARS TO COME, TO GIVE
YOU WHAT FRIENDS DESERVE: FRANKNESS, RESPECT, AND
MY BEST JUDGMENT OUT WAYS TO IMPROVE AMERICA'S
FUTURE.
- 2 -
IN RETURN, I ASK FOR AN HONEST COMMITMENT TO
OUR COMMON MISSION OF PROGRESS. IF WE SEIZE THE
OPPORTUNITIES ON THE ROAD BEFORE US, THERE WILL BE
PRAISE ENOUGH FOR ALL.
2
THE PEOPLE DIDN'T SEND US HERE TO BICKER.
IT'S TIME TO GOVERN.
MANY PRESIDENTS HAVE COME TO THIS CHAMBER IN
TIMES OF GREAT CRISIS. WAR. DEPRESSION. LOSS OF
NATIONAL SPIRIT.
EIGHT YEARS AGO, I SAT IN THAT CHAIR AS
PRESIDENT REAGAN SPOKE OF PUNISHING INFLATION AND
DEVASTATINGLY HIGH INTEREST RATES, PEOPLE OUT OF
WORK, AMERICAN CONFIDENCE ON THE WANE.
OUR CHALLENGE IS DIFFERENT.
WE ARE FORTUNATE -- A MUCH CHANGED LANDSCAPE
LIES BEFORE US TONIGHT.
SO I DON'T PROPOSE TO REVERSE DIRECTION. WE
ARE HEADED THE RIGHT WAY.
- 3 -
BUT WE CANNOT REST. WE ARE A PEOPLE WHOSE
ENERGY AND DRIVE HAVE FUELED OUR RISE TO
3
GREATNESS. WE ARE A FORWARD-LOOKING NATION --
GENEROUS, YES, BUT AMBITIOUS AS WELL NOT FOR
OURSELVES, BUT FOR THE WORLD.
COMPLACENCY IS NOT IN OUR CHARACTER -- NOT
BEFORE, NOT NOW, NOT EVER.
so TONIGHT, WE MUST TAKE A STRONG AMERICA --
AND MAKE IT EVEN BETTER.
i WE MUST ADDRESS SOME VERY REAL PROBLEMS. WE
MUST ESTABLISH SOME VERY CLEAR PRIORITIES. AND WE
MUST MAKE A VERY SUBSTANTIAL CUT IN THE FEDERAL
BUDGET DEFICIT.
SOME PEOPLE FIND THAT AGENDA IMPOSSIBLE.
BUT I AM PRESENTING TO YOU TONIGHT A
REALISTIC PLAN FOR TACKLING IT. MY PLAN HAS FOUR
BROAD FEATURES: ATTENTION TO URGENT PRIORITIES,
INVESTMENT IN THE FUTURE, AN ATTACK ON THE
DEFICIT, AND NO NEW TAXES.
- 4 -
THIS BUDGET REPRESENTS MY BEST JUDGMENT OF
HOW WE CAN ADDRESS OUR PRIORITIES. THERE ARE MANY
4
AREAS IN WHICH WE WOULD ALL LIKE TO SPEND MORE
THAN I PROPOSE, BUT WE CANNOT UNTIL WE GET OUR
FISCAL HOUSE IN ORDER.
NEXT YEAR ALONE, THANKS TO ECONOMIC GROWTH,
WITHOUT ANY CHANGE IN THE LAW, THE FEDERAL
GOVERNMENT WILL TAKE IN OVER $80 BILLION DOLLARS
MORE THAN IT DOES THIS YEAR. THAT'S RIGHT -- OVER
$80 BILLION IN NEW REVENUES, WITH NO INCREASE IN
TAXE$. OUR JOB IS TO ALLOCATE THOSE NEW RESOURCES
WISELY.
WE CAN AFFORD TO INCREASE SPENDING -- BY A
MODEST AMOUNT, BUT ENOUGH TO INVEST IN KEY
PRIORITIES AND STILL CUT THE DEFICIT BY ALMOST
40 PERCENT IN ONE YEAR.
THAT WILL ALLOW US TO MEET THE TARGETS SET
FORTH IN THE GRAMM-RUDMAN-HOLLINGS LAW.
BUT TO DO THAT, WE MUST RECOGNIZE THAT GROWTH
ABOVE INFLATION IN FEDERAL PROGRAMS IS NOT
PREORDAINED, THAT NOT ALL SPENDING INITIATIVES
WERE DESIGNED TO BE IMMORTAL.
- 5 -
I MAKE THIS PLEDGE TONIGHT: MY TEAM AND I
ARE READY TO WORK WITH THE CONGRESS, TO FORM A
SPECIAL LEADERSHIP GROUP, TO NEGOTIATE IN GOOD
FAITH, TO WORK DAY AND NIGHT -- IF THAT'S WHAT IT
5
TAKES -- TO MEET THE BUDGET TARGETS, AND TO
PRODUCE A BUDGET ON TIME.
WE CANNOT SETTLE FOR BUSINESS AS USUAL.
GOVERNMENT BY CONTINUING RESOLUTION -- OR
GOVERNMENT BY CRISIS -- WILL NOT DO.
I
I ASK THE CONGRESS TONIGHT TO APPROVE SEVERAL
MEASURES WHICH WILL MAKE BUDGETING MORE SENSIBLE.
WE COULD SAVE TIME AND IMPROVE EFFICIENCY BY
ENACTING 2-YEAR BUDGETS.
FORTY-THREE GOVERNORS HAVE THE LINE-ITEM
VETO. PRESIDENTS SHOULD HAVE IT, TOO.
AT THE VERY LEAST, WHEN A PRESIDENT PROPOSES
TO RESCIND FEDERAL SPENDING, THE CONGRESS SHOULD
BE REQUIRED TO VOTE ON THAT PROPOSAL -- INSTEAD OF
KILLING IT BY INACTION.
- 6 -
AND I ASK FOR CONGRESS TO HONOR THE PUBLIC'S
WISHES BY PASSING A CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT TO
REQUIRE A BALANCED BUDGET. SUCH AN AMENDMENT,
ONCE PHASED IN, WILL DISCIPLINE BOTH CONGRESS AND
6
THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH.
SEVERAL PRINCIPLES DESCRIBE THE KIND OF
AMERICA I HOPE TO BUILD WITH YOUR HELP IN THE
YEARS AHEAD.
WE WILL NOT HAVE THE LUXURY OF TAKING THE
EASY, SPENDTHRIFT APPROACH TO SOLVING PROBLEMS --
BECAUSE HIGHER SPENDING AND HIGHER TAXES PUT
ECONOMIC GROWTH AT RISK.
ECONOMIC GROWTH PROVIDES JOBS AND HOPE.
ECONOMIC GROWTH ENABLES US TO PAY FOR SOCIAL
PROGRAMS. ECONOMIC GROWTH ENHANCES THE SECURITY
OF THE NATION. AND LOW TAX RATES CREATE ECONOMIC
GROWTH.
I BELIEVE IN GIVING AMERICANS GREATER FREEDOM
AND GREATER CHOICE AND I WILL WORK FOR CHOICE
FOR AMERICAN FAMILIES, WHETHER IN THE HOUSING IN
WHICH THEY LIVE, THE SCHOOLS TO WHICH THEY SEND
THEIR CHILDREN, OR THE CHILD CARE THEY SELECT FOR
THEIR YOUNG.
- 7 -
I BELIEVE THAT WE HAVE AN OBLIGATION TO THOSE
IN NEED, BUT THAT GOVERNMENT SHOULD NOT BE THE
PROVIDER OF FIRST RESORT FOR THINGS THAT THE
PRIVATE SECTOR CAN PRODUCE BETTER.
+
I BELIEVE IN A SOCIETY THAT IS FREE FROM
DISCRIMINATION AND BIGOTRY OF ANY KIND. I WILL
WORK TO KNOCK DOWN THE BARRIERS LEFT BY PAST
DISCRIMINATION AND TO BUILD A MORE TOLERANT
SOCIETY THAT WILL STOP SUCH BARRIERS FROM EVER
BEING BUILT AGAIN.
i
I BELIEVE THAT FAMILY AND FAITH REPRESENT THE
MORAL COMPASS OF THE NATION -- AND I WILL WORK TO
MAKE THEM STRONG, FOR AS BENJAMIN FRANKLIN SAID:
"IF A SPARROW CANNOT FALL TO THE GROUND WITHOUT
HIS NOTICE, [CAN] A [GREAT NATION] RISE WITHOUT
HIS AID?"
AND I BELIEVE IN GIVING PEOPLE THE POWER TO
MAKE THEIR OWN LIVES BETTER THROUGH GROWTH AND
OPPORTUNITY. TOGETHER, LET'S PUT POWER IN THE
HANDS OF PEOPLE.
((PAUSE))
- 8 -
THREE WEEKS AGO, WE CELEBRATED THE
BICENTENNIAL INAUGURAL, THE 200TH ANNIVERSARY OF
THE FIRST PRESIDENCY.
AND IF YOU LOOK BACK, ONE THING IS SO
8
STRIKING ABOUT THE WAY THE FOUNDING FATHERS LOOKED
AT AMERICA. THEY DIDN'T TALK ABOUT THEMSELVES.
THEY TALKED ABOUT POSTERITY. THEY TALKED ABOUT
THE FUTURE.
WE, TOO, MUST THINK IN TERMS BIGGER THAN
OURSELVES.
WE MUST TAKE ACTIONS TODAY THAT WILL ENSURE A
BETTER TOMORROW. WE MUST EXTEND AMERICAN
LEADERSHIP IN TECHNOLOGY, INCREASE LONG-TERM
INVESTMENT, IMPROVE OUR EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM, AND
BOOST PRODUCTIVITY. THESE ARE THE KEYS TO
BUILDING A BETTER FUTURE.
HERE ARE SOME OF MY RECOMMENDATIONS:
- I PROPOSE ALMOST $2.2 BILLION FOR THE
NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION TO PROMOTE BASIC
RESEARCH AND KEEP US ON TRACK TO DOUBLE ITS BUDGET
BY 1993;
- 9 -
- I PROPOSE TO MAKE PERMANENT THE TAX CREDIT
FOR RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT;
- I HAVE ASKED VICE PRESIDENT QUAYLE TO
9
CHAIR A NEW TASK FORCE ON COMPETITIVENESS;
- I REQUEST FUNDING FOR NASA AND A STRONG
SPACE PROGRAM -- AN INCREASE OF ALMOST
$2.4 BILLION OVER THE CURRENT FISCAL YEAR. WE
MUST HAVE A MANNED SPACE STATION; A VIGOROUS, SAFE
SPACE SHUTTLE PROGRAM; AND MORE COMMERCIAL
DEVELOPMENT IN SPACE. THE SPACE PROGRAM SHOULD
ALWAYS GO "FULL THROTTLE UP" -- THAT'S NOT JUST
OUR AMBITION; IT'S OUR DESTINY.
- I PROPOSE THAT WE CUT THE MAXIMUM TAX RATE
ON CAPITAL GAINS TO INCREASE LONG-TERM INVESTMENT.
HISTORY IS CLEAR: THIS WILL INCREASE REVENUES,
HELP SAVINGS, AND CREATE NEW JOBS.
WE WON'T BE COMPETITIVE IF WE LEAVE WHOLE
SECTORS OF AMERICA BEHIND. THIS IS THE YEAR WE
SHOULD FINALLY ENACT URBAN ENTERPRISE ZONES, AND
BRING HOPE TO OUR INNER CITIES.
BUT THE MOST IMPORTANT COMPETITIVENESS
PROGRAM OF ALL IS ONE WHICH IMPROVES EDUCATION IN
AMERICA.
- 10 -
WHEN SOME OF OUR STUDENTS ACTUALLY HAVE
TROUBLE LOCATING AMERICA ON A MAP OF THE WORLD, IT
IS TIME FOR US TO MAP A NEW APPROACH TO EDUCATION.
0
WE MUST REWARD EXCELLENCE, AND CUT THROUGH
BUREAUCRACY. WE MUST HELP THOSE SCHOOLS THAT NEED
HELP MOST. WE MUST GIVE CHOICE TO PARENTS,
STUDENTS, TEACHERS, AND PRINCIPALS. AND WE MUST
HOLD ALL CONCERNED ACCOUNTABLE. IN EDUCATION, WE
CANNOT TOLERATE MEDIOCRITY.
I WANT TO CUT THE DROP-OUT RATE, AND MAKE
AMERICA A MORE LITERATE NATION. BECAUSE WHAT IT
REALLY COMES DOWN TO IS THIS: THE LONGER OUR
GRADUATION LINES ARE TODAY, THE SHORTER OUR
UNEMPLOYMENT LINES WILL BE TOMORROW.
so TONIGHT I AM PROPOSING THE FOLLOWING
INITIATIVES:
- THE BEGINNING OF A $500-MILLION PROGRAM TO
REWARD AMERICA'S BEST SCHOOLS -- "MERIT SCHOOLS";
- THE CREATION OF SPECIAL PRESIDENTIAL
AWARDS FOR THE BEST TEACHERS IN EVERY STATE --
BECAUSE EXCELLENCE SHOULD BE REWARDED;
- 11 -
- THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A NEW PROGRAM OF
NATIONAL SCIENCE SCHOLARS, ONE EACH YEAR FOR EVERY
MEMBER OF THE HOUSE AND SENATE, TO GIVE THIS
GENERATION OF STUDENTS A SPECIAL INCENTIVE TO
11
EXCEL IN SCIENCE AND MATHEMATICS;
- THE EXPANDED USE OF MAGNET SCHOOLS WHICH
GIVE FAMILIES AND STUDENTS GREATER CHOICE;
- AND A NEW PROGRAM TO ENCOURAGE
"ALTERNATIVE CERTIFICATION" -- WHICH WILL LET
TALENTED PEOPLE FROM ALL FIELDS TEACH IN THE
CLASSROOM.
I HAVE SAID I'D LIKE TO BE "THE EDUCATION
PRESIDENT. " TONIGHT, I ASK YOU TO JOIN ME BY
BECOMING
I
"THE EDUCATION CONGRESS."
JUST LAST WEEK, AS I SETTLED INTO THIS NEW
OFFICE, I RECEIVED A LETTER FROM A MOTHER IN
PENNSYLVANIA, WHO HAD BEEN STRUCK BY MY MESSAGE IN
THE INAUGURAL ADDRESS. "NOT 12 HOURS BEFORE," SHE
WROTE, "MY HUSBAND AND I RECEIVED WORD THAT [OUR]
SON WAS ADDICTED TO COCAINE. [HE] HAD THE WORLD
AT HIS FEET. BRIGHT, GIFTED, PERSONABLE.., HE
COULD HAVE DONE ANYTHING WITH HIS LIFE. [NOW] HE
HAS CHOSEN COCAINE."
- 12 -
"PLEASE," SHE WROTE, "FIND A WAY TO CURB THE
SUPPLY OF COCAINE. GET TOUGH WITH THE PUSHERS.
[OUR SON] NEEDS YOUR HELP."
2
MY FRIENDS, THAT VOICE CRYING OUT FOR HELP
COULD BE THE VOICE OF YOUR OWN NEIGHBOR. YOUR OWN
FRIEND. YOUR OWN SON. OVER 23 MILLION AMERICANS
USED ILLEGAL DRUGS LAST YEAR -- AT A STAGGERING
COST TO OUR NATION'S WELL-BEING.
LET THIS BE RECORDED AS THE TIME WHEN AMERICA
ROSE UP AND SAID "NO" TO DRUGS. THE SCOURGE OF
DRUGS MUST BE STOPPED.
I AM ASKING TONIGHT FOR AN INCREASE OF ALMOST
A BILLION DOLLARS IN BUDGET OUTLAYS TO ESCALATE
THE WAR AGAINST DRUGS. THE WAR WILL BE WAGED ON
ALL FRONTS.
OUR NEW "DRUG CZAR" BILL BENNETT AND I WILL
BE SHOULDER-TO-SHOULDER, LEADING THE CHARGE.
SOME MONEY WILL BE USED TO EXPAND TREATMENT
TO THE POOR, AND TO YOUNG MOTHERS. THIS WILL
OFFER THE HELPING HAND TO THE MANY INNOCENT
VICTIMS OF DRUGS -- LIKE THE THOUSANDS OF BABIES
BORN ADDICTED, OR WITH AIDS, BECAUSE OF THE
MOTHER'S ADDICTION.
- 13 -
SOME WILL BE USED TO CUT THE WAITING TIME FOR
TREATMENT.
SOME MONEY WILL BE DEVOTED TO THOSE URBAN
SCHOOLS WHERE THE EMERGENCY IS NOW THE WORST. AND
3
MUCH OF IT WILL BE USED TO PROTECT OUR BORDERS,
WITH HELP FROM THE COAST GUARD, THE CUSTOMS
SERVICE, THE DEPARTMENTS OF STATE AND JUSTICE, AND
YES, THE U.S. MILITARY.
I MEAN TO GET TOUGH ON THE DRUG CRIMINALS.
LET ME BE CLEAR: THIS PRESIDENT WILL BACK UP
THOSE WHO PUT THEIR LIVES ON THE LINE EVERY DAY --
OUR LOCAL POLICE OFFICERS.
MY BUDGET ASKS FOR BEEFED-UP PROSECUTION, FOR
A NEW ATTACK ON ORGANIZED CRIME, AND FOR
ENFORCEMENT OF TOUGH SENTENCES -- AND FOR THE
WORST KINGPINS, THAT MEANS THE DEATH PENALTY.
I ALSO WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WHEN A DRUG
DEALER IS CONVICTED, THERE IS A CELL WAITING FOR
HIM. HE SHOULD NOT GO FREE BECAUSE PRISONS ARE
TOO FULL.
LET THE WORD GO OUT: IF YOU ARE CAUGHT AND
CONVICTED, YOU WILL DO TIME.
- 14 -
BUT FOR ALL WE DO IN LAW ENFORCEMENT, IN
INTERDICTION AND TREATMENT, WE WILL NEVER WIN THIS
WAR ON DRUGS UNLESS WE STOP DEMAND FOR DRUGS.
so SOME OF THIS INCREASE WILL BE USED TO
EDUCATE THE YOUNG ABOUT THE DANGERS OF DRUGS. WE
MUST INVOLVE PARENTS. WE MUST INVOLVE TEACHERS.
WE MUST INVOLVE COMMUNITIES. AND MY FRIENDS, WE
MUST INVOLVE OURSELVES.
ONE PROBLEM RELATED TO DRUG USE DEMANDS OUR
URGENT ATTENTION AND OUR CONTINUING COMPASSION.
THAT, IS THE TERRIBLE TRAGEDY OF AIDS.
I AM ASKING FOR $1.6 BILLION FOR EDUCATION TO
PREVENT THE DISEASE -- AND FOR RESEARCH TO FIND A
CURE.
((PAUSE))
IF WE'RE TO PROTECT OUR FUTURE, WE NEED A NEW
ATTITUDE ABOUT THE ENVIRONMENT.
WE MUST PROTECT THE AIR WE BREATHE.
- 15 -
I WILL SEND TO YOU SHORTLY LEGISLATION FOR A
NEW, MORE EFFECTIVE CLEAN AIR ACT. IT WILL
INCLUDE A PLAN TO REDUCE, BY DATE CERTAIN, THE
15
EMISSIONS WHICH CAUSE ACID RAIN -- BECAUSE THE
TIME FOR STUDY ALONE HAS PASSED, AND THE TIME FOR
ACTION IS NOW.
WE MUST MAKE USE OF CLEAN COAL. MY BUDGET
CONTAINS FULL FUNDING, ON SCHEDULE, FOR THE CLEAN
COAL TECHNOLOGY AGREEMENT WE HAVE MADE WITH
CANADA. WE INTEND TO HONOR THAT AGREEMENT.
i WE MUST NOT NEGLECT OUR PARKS. so I AM
ASKING TO FUND NEW ACQUISITIONS UNDER THE LAND AND
WATER CONSERVATION FUND.
WE MUST PROTECT OUR OCEANS. I SUPPORT NEW
PENALTIES AGAINST THOSE WHO WOULD DUMP MEDICAL
WASTE AND OTHER TRASH IN THE OCEANS. THE AGE OF
THE NEEDLE ON THE BEACH MUST END.
- 16 -
IN SOME CASES, THE GULFS AND OCEANS OFF OUR
SHORES HOLD THE PROMISE OF OF OIL AND GAS RESERVES
WHICH CAN MAKE OUR NATION MORE SECURE AND LESS
DEPENDENT ON FOREIGN OIL. WHEN THOSE WITH THE
6
MOST PROMISE CAN BE TAPPED SAFELY, AS WITH MUCH OF
THE ALASKA NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE, WE SHOULD
PROCEED. BUT WE MUST USE CAUTION AND WE MUST
RESPECT THE ENVIRONMENT.
so TONIGHT I AM CALLING FOR THE INDEFINITE
POSTPONEMENT OF THREE LEASE SALES WHICH HAVE
RAISED TROUBLING QUESTIONS -- TWO OFF THE COAST OF
CALIFORNIA, AND ONE WHICH COULD THREATEN THE
EVERGLADES IN FLORIDA.
ACTION ON THESE THREE LEASE SALES WILL AWAIT
THE CONCLUSIONS OF A SPECIAL TASK FORCE SET UP TO
MEASURE THE POTENTIAL FOR ENVIRONMENTAL DAMAGE.
I AM DIRECTING THE ATTORNEY GENERAL AND THE
ADMINISTRATOR OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
AGENCY TO USE EVERY TOOL AT THEIR DISPOSAL TO
SPEED AND TOUGHEN THE ENFORCEMENT OF OUR LAWS
AGAINST TOXIC WASTE DUMPERS. I WANT FASTER
CLEANUPS AND TOUGHER ENFORCEMENT OF PENALTIES
AGAINST POLLUTERS.
((PAUSE))
- 17 -
IN ADDITION TO CARING FOR OUR FUTURE, WE MUST
CARE FOR THOSE AROUND US. A DECENT SOCIETY SHOWS
COMPASSION FOR THE YOUNG, THE ELDERLY, THE
VULNERABLE, AND THE POOR.
17
OUR FIRST OBLIGATION IS TO THE MOST
VULNERABLE -- INFANTS, POOR MOTHERS, CHILDREN
LIVING IN POVERTY -- AND MY PROPOSED BUDGET
RECOGNIZES THIS. I ASK FOR FULL FUNDING OF
MEDICAID -- AN INCREASE OF OVER $3 BILLION -- AND
AN EXPANSION OF THE PROGRAM TO INCLUDE COVERAGE OF
PREGNANT WOMEN WHO ARE NEAR THE POVERTY LINE.
I BELIEVE WE SHOULD HELP WORKING FAMILIES
COPE WITH THE BURDEN OF CHILD CARE.
OUR HELP SHOULD BE AIMED AT THOSE WHO NEED IT
MOST -- LOW-INCOME FAMILIES WITH YOUNG CHILDREN.
I SUPPORT A NEW CHILD CARE TAX CREDIT THAT WILL
AIM OUR EFFORTS AT EXACTLY THOSE FAMILIES --
WITHOUT DISCRIMINATING AGAINST MOTHERS WHO CHOOSE
TO STAY AT HOME.
- 18 -
NOW, I KNOW THERE ARE COMPETING PROPOSALS.
BUT REMEMBER THIS: THE OVERWHELMING MAJORITY OF
ALL PRESCHOOL CHILD CARE IS NOW PROVIDED BY
RELATIVES AND NEIGHBORS, CHURCHES AND COMMUNITY
GROUPS. FAMILIES WHO CHOOSE THESE OPTIONS SHOULD
18
REMAIN ELIGIBLE FOR HELP. PARENTS SHOULD HAVE
CHOICE.
AND FOR THOSE CHILDREN WHO ARE UNWANTED OR
ABUSED, OR WHOSE PARENTS ARE DECEASED, WE SHOULD
ENCOURAGE ADOPTION. I PROPOSE TO RE-ENACT THE TAX
DEDUCTION FOR ADOPTION EXPENSES, AND TO DOUBLE IT
TO $3,000. LET'S MAKE IT EASIER FOR THESE KIDS TO
HAVE PARENTS WHO LOVE THEM.
WE HAVE A MORAL CONTRACT WITH OUR SENIOR
CITIZENS. IN THIS BUDGET, SOCIAL SECURITY IS
FULLY FUNDED, INCLUDING A FULL COST-OF-LIVING
ADJUSTMENT. WE MUST HONOR OUR CONTRACT.
WE MUST CARE ABOUT THOSE IN "THE SHADOWS OF
LIFE," AND I, LIKE MANY AMERICANS, AM DEEPLY
TROUBLED BY THE PLIGHT OF THE HOMELESS. THE
CAUSES OF HOMELESSNESS ARE MANY, THE HISTORY IS
LONG, BUT THE MORAL IMPERATIVE TO ACT IS CLEAR.
- 19 -
THANKS TO THE DEEP WELL OF GENEROSITY IN THIS
GREAT LAND, MANY ORGANIZATIONS ALREADY CONTRIBUTE.
BUT WE IN GOVERNMENT CANNOT STAND ON THE
SIDELINES. IN MY BUDGET, I ASK FOR GREATER
SUPPORT FOR EMERGENCY FOOD AND SHELTER, FOR HEALTH
SERVICES AND MEASURES TO PREVENT SUBSTANCE ABUSE,
AND FOR CLINICS FOR THE MENTALLY ILL -- AND I
19
PROPOSE A NEW INITIATIVE INVOLVING THE FULL RANGE
OF GOVERNMENT AGENCIES. WE MUST CONFRONT THIS
NATIONAL SHAME.
THERE IS ANOTHER ISSUE I HAVE DECIDED TO
MENTION HERE TONIGHT. I HAVE LONG BELIEVED THAT
THE PEOPLE OF PUERTO RICO SHOULD HAVE THE RIGHT TO
DETERMINE THEIR OWN POLITICAL FUTURE. PERSONALLY,
I FAVOR STATEHOOD. BUT I ASK THE CONGRESS TO TAKE
REFERENDUM.
THE NECESSARY STEPS TO allow LET THE PEOPLE DECIDE IN A
<x0
CERTAIN PROBLEMS, THE RESULT OF DECADES OF
UNWISE PRACTICES, THREATEN THE HEALTH AND SECURITY
OF OUR PEOPLE. LEFT UNATTENDED, THEY WILL ONLY
GET WORSE -- BUT WE CAN ACT NOW TO PUT THEM BEHIND
US.
- 20 -
EARLIER THIS WEEK, I ANNOUNCED MY SUPPORT FOR
A PLAN TO RESTORE THE FINANCIAL AND MORAL
INTEGRITY OF OUR SAVINGS SYSTEM. I ASK CONGRESS
TO ENACT OUR REFORM PROPOSALS WITHIN 45 DAYS. WE
MUST NOT LET THIS SITUATION FESTER.
20
CERTAINLY, THE SAVINGS OF AMERICANS MUST
REMAIN SECURE -- INSURED DEPOSITORS WILL CONTINUE
TO BE FULLY PROTECTED. BUT ANY PLAN TO REFINANCE
THE SYSTEM MUST BE ACCOMPANIED BY MAJOR REFORM.
OUR PROPOSALS WILL PREVENT SUCH A CRISIS FROM
REOCCURRING. THE BEST ANSWER IS TO MAKE SURE THAT
A MESS LIKE THIS WILL NEVER HAPPEN AGAIN.
THE MAJORITY OF THRIFTS IN COMMUNITIES ACROSS
THIS NATION HAVE BEEN HONEST; THEY HAVE PLAYED A
MAJOR ROLE IN HELPING FAMILIES ACHIEVE THE
AMERICAN DREAM OF HOME OWNERSHIP. BUT MAKE NO
MISTAKE: THOSE WHO ARE CORRUPT, THOSE WHO BREAK
THE LAW, MUST BE KICKED OUT OF THE BUSINESS; AND
THEY SHOULD GO TO JAIL.
WE FACE A MASSIVE TASK IN CLEANING UP THE
WASTE LEFT FROM DECADES OF ENVIRONMENTAL NEGLECT
AT AMERICA'S NUCLEAR WEAPONS PLANTS.
- 21 -
CLEARLY, WE MUST MODERNIZE THESE PLANTS AND
OPERATE THEM SAFELY. THAT IS NOT AT ISSUE -- OUR
NATIONAL SECURITY DEPENDS ON IT.
BUT BEYOND THAT, WE MUST CLEAN UP THE OLD
21
MESS THAT'S BEEN LEFT BEHIND -- AND I PROPOSE IN
THIS BUDGET TO MORE THAN DOUBLE OUR CURRENT EFFORT
TO DO SO. THIS WILL ALLOW US TO IDENTIFY THE
EXACT NATURE OF THE VARIOUS PROBLEMS so WE CAN
CLEAN THEM UP -- AND CLEAN THEM UP WE WILL.
WE HAVE BEEN FORTUNATE DURING THESE PAST
8 YEARS. AMERICA IS A STRONGER NATION TODAY THAN
IT WAS IN 1980.
MORALE IN OUR ARMED FORCES IS RESTORED. OUR
RESOLVE HAS BEEN SHOWN. OUR READINESS HAS BEEN
IMPROVED. AND WE ARE AT PEACE.
THERE CAN NO LONGER BE ANY DOUBT THAT PEACE
HAS BEEN MADE MORE SECURE THROUGH STRENGTH. WHEN
AMERICA IS STRONGER, THE WORLD IS SAFER.
MOST PEOPLE DON'T REALIZE, THAT AFTER THE
SUCCESSFUL RESTORATION OF OUR STRENGTH, THE
PENTAGON BUDGET HAS ACTUALLY BEEN REDUCED IN REAL
TERMS FOR EACH OF THE LAST 4 YEARS. WE CANNOT
TOLERATE CONTINUED REAL REDUCTIONS IN DEFENSE.
- 22 -
IN LIGHT OF THE COMPELLING NEED TO REDUCE THE
DEFICIT, HOWEVER, I SUPPORT A 1-YEAR FREEZE IN THE
MILITARY BUDGET -- SOMETHING I PROPOSED LAST FALL
IN MY FLEXIBLE FREEZE PLAN.
THIS FREEZE WILL APPLY FOR ONLY 1 YEAR --
22
AFTER THAT INCREASES ABOVE INFLATION WILL BE
REQUIRED. I WILL NOT SACRIFICE AMERICAN
PREPAREDNESS; AND I WILL NOT COMPROMISE AMERICAN
STRENGTH.
I SHOULD BE CLEAR ON THE CONDITIONS ATTACHED
TO MY RECOMMENDATION FOR THE COMING YEAR:
- THE SAVINGS MUST BE ALLOCATED TO THOSE
PRIORITIES FOR INVESTING IN OUR FUTURE THAT I HAVE
SPOKEN ABOUT TONIGHT;
- THIS DEFENSE FREEZE MUST BE PART OF A
COMPREHENSIVE BUDGET AGREEMENT WHICH MEETS THE
TARGETS SPELLED OUT IN THE GRAMM-RUDMAN-HOLLINGS
LAW WITHOUT RAISING TAXES, AND WHICH INCORPORATES
REFORMS IN THE BUDGET PROCESS.
- 23 -
I HAVE DIRECTED THE NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL
TO REVIEW OUR NATIONAL SECURITY AND DEFENSE
POLICIES AND REPORT BACK TO ME WITHIN 90 DAYS TO
ENSURE THAT OUR CAPABILITIES AND RESOURCES MEET
OUR COMMITMENTS AND STRATEGIES.
23
I AM ALSO CHARGING THE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
WITH THE TASK OF DEVELOPING A PLAN TO IMPROVE THE
DEFENSE PROCUREMENT PROCESS AND MANAGEMENT OF THE
PENTAGON -- ONE WHICH WILL FULLY IMPLEMENT THE
PACKARD COMMISSION REPORT. MANY OF THE CHANGES
CAN ONLY BE MADE WITH THE PARTICIPATION OF THE
CONGRESS -- so I ASK FOR YOUR HELP.
WE NEED FEWER REGULATIONS. WE NEED LESS
BUREAUCRACY. WE NEED MULTI-YEAR PROCUREMENT AND
2-YEAR BUDGETING. AND FRANKLY, WE NEED LESS
CONGRESSIONAL MICROMANAGEMENT OF OUR NATION'S
MILITARY POLICY.
SECURING A MORE PEACEFUL WORLD IS PERHAPS THE
MOST IMPORTANT PRIORITY I'D LIKE TO ADDRESS
TONIGHT.
- 24 -
WE MEET AT A TIME OF EXTRAORDINARY HOPE.
NEVER BEFORE IN THIS CENTURY HAVE OUR VALUES OF
FREEDOM, DEMOCRACY, AND ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY BEEN
SUCH A POWERFUL POLITICAL AND INTELLECTUAL FORCE
24
AROUND THE GLOBE.
NEVER BEFORE HAS OUR LEADERSHIP BEEN SO
CRUCIAL, BECAUSE WHILE AMERICA HAS ITS EYES ON THE
FUTURE, THE WORLD HAS ITS EYES ON AMERICA.
IT IS A TIME OF GREAT CHANGE IN THE WORLD --
AND ESPECIALLY IN THE SOVIET UNION. PRUDENCE AND
COMMON SENSE DICTATE THAT WE TRY TO UNDERSTAND THE
FULL MEANING OF THE CHANGE GOING ON THERE, REVIEW
OUR POLICIES CAREFULLY, AND PROCEED WITH CAUTION.
BUT I HAVE PERSONALLY ASSURED GENERAL SECRETARY
GORBACHEV THAT, AT THE CONCLUSION OF SUCH A
REVIEW, WE WILL BE READY TO MOVE FORWARD. WE WILL
NOT MISS ANY OPPORTUNITY TO WORK FOR PEACE.
THE FUNDAMENTAL FACT REMAINS THAT THE SOVIETS
RETAIN A VERY POWERFUL MILITARY MACHINE, IN THE
SERVICE OF OBJECTIVES WHICH ARE STILL TOO OFTEN IN
CONFLICT WITH OURS. so LET US TAKE THE NEW
OPENNESS SERIOUSLY. BUT LET US ALSO BE REALISTIC.
AND LET US ALWAYS BE STRONG.
- 25 -
THERE ARE SOME PRESSING ISSUES WE MUST
ADDRESS:
I WILL VIGOROUSLY PURSUE THE STRATEGIC
25
DEFENSE INITIATIVE.
THE SPREAD AND EVEN USE OF SOPHISTICATED
WEAPONRY THREATENS GLOBAL STABILITY AS NEVER
BEFORE.
CHEMICAL WEAPONS MUST BE BANNED FROM THE FACE
OF THE EARTH, NEVER TO BE USED AGAIN. THIS WON'T
BE EASY. VERIFICATION WILL BE DIFFICULT. BUT
CIVILIZATION AND HUMAN DECENCY DEMAND THAT WE TRY.
AND THE SPREAD OF NUCLEAR WEAPONS MUST BE
STOPPED. I WILL WORK TO STRENGTHEN THE HAND OF
THE INTERNATIONAL ATOMIC ENERGY AGENCY. OUR
DIPLOMACY MUST WORK EVERY DAY AGAINST THE
PROLIFERATION OF NUCLEAR WEAPONS.
AND, AROUND THE GLOBE, WE MUST CONTINUE TO BE
FREEDOM'S BEST FRIEND.
WE MUST STAND FIRM FOR SELF-DETERMINATION AND
DEMOCRACY IN CENTRAL AMERICA -- INCLUDING IN
NICARAGUA.
- 26 -
FOR WHEN PEOPLE ARE GIVEN THE CHANCE, THEY
INEVITABLY WILL CHOOSE A FREE PRESS, FREEDOM OF
WORSHIP, AND CERTIFIABLY FREE AND FAIR ELECTIONS.
WE MUST STRENGTHEN THE ALLIANCE OF INDUSTRIAL
ge
DEMOCRACIES - AS SOLID A FORCE FOR PEACE AS THE
WORLD HAS EVER KNOWN. THIS IS AN ALLIANCE FORGED
BY THE POWER OF OUR IDEALS, NOT THE PETTINESS OF
OUR DIFFERENCES. so LET US LIFT OUR SIGHTS -- TO
RISE ABOVE FIGHTING ABOUT BEEF HORMONES TO
BUILDING A BETTER FUTURE; TO MOVE FROM
PROTECTIONISM TO PROGRESS.
I HAVE ASKED THE SECRETARY OF STATE TO VISIT
our allies
EUROPE NEXT WEEK AND TO CONSULT WITH THEM ON THE
WIDE RANGE OF CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES WE FACE
TOGETHER INCLUDING EAST-WEST RELATIONS. AND I
LOOK FORWARD TO MEETING WITH OUR NATO PARTNERS IN
THE NEAR FUTURE.
I, Too, SHALL BEGIN A TRIP SHORTLY -- TO THE
FAR REACHES OF THE PACIFIC BASIN, WHERE THE WINDS
OF DEMOCRACY ARE CREATING NEW HOPE, AND THE POWER
OF FREE MARKETS IS UNLEASHING A NEW FORCE.
WHEN I SERVED AS OUR REPRESENTATIVE IN CHINA
JUST 14 YEARS AGO, FEW WOULD HAVE PREDICTED THE
SCOPE OF THE CHANGES WE'VE WITNESSED SINCE THEN.
- 27 -
BUT IN PREPARING FOR THIS TRIP, I WAS STRUCK
BY SOMETHING I CAME ACROSS FROM A CHINESE WRITER.
HE WAS SPEAKING OF HIS COUNTRY, DECADES AGO -- BUT
HIS WORDS SPEAK TO EACH OF US, IN AMERICA,
TONIGHT.
"TODAY," HE SAID, "WE ARE AFRAID OF THE
27
SIMPLE WORDS LIKE GOODNESS AND MERCY AND
KINDNESS."
MY FRIENDS, IF WE'RE TO SUCCEED AS A NATION,
WE MUST REDISCOVER THOSE WORDS.
IN JUST 3 DAYS, WE MARK THE BIRTHDAY OF
ABRAHAM LINCOLN -- THE MAN WHO SAVED OUR UNION,
AND GAVE NEW MEANING TO THE WORD OPPORTUNITY.
LINCOLN ONCE SAID:
"I HOLD THAT WHILE MAN EXISTS, IT IS HIS DUTY
TO IMPROVE NOT ONLY HIS OWN CONDITION, BUT TO
ASSIST IN AMELIORATING [THAT OF] MANKIND."
IT IS THIS BROADER MISSION TO WHICH I CALL
ALL AMERICANS. BECAUSE THE DEFINITION OF A
SUCCESSFUL LIFE MUST INCLUDE SERVING OTHERS.
- 28 -
TO THE YOUNG PEOPLE OF AMERICA, WHO SOMETIMES
FEEL LEFT OUT -- I ASK YOU TONIGHT TO GIVE US THE
BENEFIT OF YOUR TALENT AND ENERGY THROUGH A NEW
PROGRAM CALLED "YES," FOR YOUTH ENTERING SERVICE
TO AMERICA.
28
TO THOSE MEN AND WOMEN IN BUSINESS --
REMEMBER THE ULTIMATE END OF YOUR WORK -- TO MAKE
A BETTER PRODUCT, TO CREATE BETTER LIVES. I ASK
YOU TO PLAN FOR THE LONGER-TERM AND AVOID THE
TEMPTATION OF QUICK AND EASY PAPER PROFITS.
TO THE BRAVE MEN AND WOMEN WHO WEAR THE
i
UNIFORM OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA -- THANK
YOU. YOUR CALLING IS A HIGH ONE -- TO BE THE
DEFENDERS OF FREEDOM AND THE GUARANTORS OF
LIBERTY. AND I WANT YOU TO KNOW THAT THIS NATION
IS GRATEFUL FOR YOUR SERVICE.
TO THE FARMERS OF AMERICA -- WE APPRECIATE
THE BOUNTY YOU PROVIDE. WE WILL WORK WITH YOU TO
OPEN FOREIGN MARKETS TO AMERICAN AGRICULTURAL
PRODUCTS.
- 29 -
TO THE PARENTS OF AMERICA, I ASK YOU TO GET
INVOLVED IN YOUR CHILD'S SCHOOLING. CHECK ON
THEIR HOMEWORK. GO TO THE SCHOOL, MEET THE
TEACHERS, CARE ABOUT WHAT IS HAPPENING THERE. IT
29
IS NOT ONLY YOUR CHILD'S FUTURE ON THE LINE, IT IS
AMERICA'S.
TO KIDS IN OUR CITIES -- DON'T GIVE UP HOPE.
SAY NO TO DRUGS. STAY IN SCHOOL. AND YES, "KEEP
HOPE ALIVE."
TO THOSE 37 MILLION AMERICANS WITH SOME FORM
OF DISABILITY -- YOU BELONG IN THE ECONOMIC
MAINSTREAM. WE NEED YOUR TALENTS IN AMERICA'S
WORKFORCE. DISABLED AMERICANS MUST BECOME FULL
PARTNERS IN AMERICA'S OPPORTUNITY SOCIETY.
TO THE FAMILIES OF AMERICA WATCHING TONIGHT
IN YOUR LIVING ROOMS: HOLD FAST TO YOUR DREAMS,
BECAUSE ULTIMATELY AMERICA'S FUTURE RESTS IN YOUR
HANDS.
AND TO MY FRIENDS IN THIS CHAMBER, I ASK FOR
YOUR COOPERATION TO KEEP AMERICA GROWING WHILE
CUTTING THE DEFICIT. THAT IS ONLY FAIR TO THOSE
WHO NOW HAVE NO VOTE -- THE GENERATIONS TO COME.
- 30 -
LET THEM LOOK BACK AND SAY THAT WE HAD THE
FORESIGHT TO UNDERSTAND THAT A TIME OF PEACE AND
PROSPERITY IS NOT A TIME TO REST, BUT A TIME TO
PUSH FORWARD. A TIME TO INVEST IN THE FUTURE.
30
AND LET ALL AMERICANS REMEMBER THAT NO
PROBLEM OF HUMAN MAKING IS TOO GREAT TO BE
OVERCOME BY HUMAN INGENUITY, HUMAN ENERGY, AND THE
UNTIRING HOPE OF THE HUMAN SPIRIT. I BELIEVE
THIS. I WOULD NOT HAVE ASKED TO BE YOUR PRESIDENT
IF I DIDN'T.
TOMORROW, THE DEBATE ON THE PLAN I HAVE PUT
1
FORWARD BEGINS. I ASK THE CONGRESS TO COME
FORWARD WITH YOUR PROPOSALS. BUT LET US NOT
QUESTION EACH OTHER'S MOTIVES. LET US DEBATE.
LET US NEGOTIATE. BUT LET US SOLVE THE PROBLEM.
((PAUSE AND SMILE))
RECALLING ANNIVERSARIES MAY NOT BE MY
SPECIALTY IN SPEECHES... BUT TONIGHT IS ONE OF
SOME NOTE. ON FEBRUARY 9th 1941, JUST 48 YEARS AGO
TONIGHT, SIR WINSTON CHURCHILL TOOK TO THE
AIRWAVES DURING BRITAIN'S HOUR OF PERIL.
- 31 -
HE HAD RECEIVED FROM PRESIDENT ROOSEVELT A
HAND-CARRIED LETTER QUOTING LONGFELLOW'S FAMOUS
POEM: "SAIL ON, OH SHIP OF STATE! SAIL ON, OH
UNION, STRONG AND GREAT! HUMANITY WITH ALL ITS
FEARS, WITH ALL THE HOPES OF FUTURE YEARS, IS
HANGING BREATHLESS ON THY FATE!"
31
CHURCHILL RESPONDED ON THIS NIGHT BY RADIO
BROADCAST TO A NATION AT WAR, BUT HE DIRECTED HIS
WORDS TO ROOSEVELT. "WE SHALL NOT FAIL OR
FALTER," HE SAID. "WE SHALL NOT WEAKEN OR TIRE.
GIVE US THE TOOLS, AND WE WILL FINISH THE JOB."
TONIGHT, ALMOST A HALF CENTURY LATER, OUR
PERIL MAY BE LESS IMMEDIATE, BUT THE NEED FOR
PERSEVERANCE AND CLEAR-SIGHTED FORTITUDE IS JUST
AS GREAT.
NOW, AS THEN, THERE ARE THOSE WHO SAY IT
CAN'T BE DONE. THERE ARE VOICES WHO SAY THAT
AMERICA'S BEST DAYS HAVE PAST. THAT WE ARE BOUND
BY CONSTRAINTS, THREATENED BY PROBLEMS, SURROUNDED
BY TROUBLES WHICH LIMIT OUR ABILITY TO HOPE.
- 32 -
WELL, TONIGHT I REMAIN FULL OF HOPE. WE
32
AMERICANS HAVE ONLY BEGUN ON OUR MISSION OF
GOODNESS AND GREATNESS. AND TO THOSE TIMID SOULS,
I REPEAT THE PLEA -- GIVE US THE TOOLS; AND WE
WILL DO THE JOB.
THANK YOU, GOD BLESS YOU, AND GOD BLESS
AMERICA.
###
30 24 16 19
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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:\n13475\nFolder ID Number:\n13475-012\nFolder Title:\nJoint Session of Congress, 2/9/89 [4]\nStack:\nRow:\nSection:\nShelf:\nPosition:\nG\n25\n6\n1\n2\n10002\nADDRESS TO THE JOINT SESSION OF CONGRESS\nTHURSDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 1989\nMR. SPEAKER, MR. PRESIDENT, DISTINGUISHED\nMEMBERS OF THE HOUSE AND SENATE, HONORED GUESTS,\nFELLOW CITIZENS:\nLESS THAN 3 WEEKS AGO, I JOINED YOU ON THE\nWEST FRONT OF THIS VERY BUILDING AND -- LOOKING\nOVER THE MONUMENTS TO OUR PROUD PAST -- OFFERED\nYOU MY HAND IN FILLING THE NEXT PAGE OF AMERICAN\nHISTORY WITH A STORY OF EXTENDED PROSPERITY AND\nCONTINUED PEACE. TONIGHT, I AM BACK, TO OFFER YOU\nMY PLANS AS WELL. THE HAND REMAINS EXTENDED, THE\nSLEEVES ARE ROLLED UP, AMERICA IS WAITING, AND NOW\nWE MUST PRODUCE.\nTOGETHER, WE CAN BUILD A BETTER AMERICA.\nIT IS COMFORTING TO RETURN TO THIS HISTORIC\nCHAMBER. HERE, 22 YEARS AGO, I FIRST RAISED MY\nHAND TO BE SWORN INTO PUBLIC LIFE. SO TONIGHT, I\nFEEL AS IF I AM RETURNING HOME TO FRIENDS. AND I\nINTEND, IN THE MONTHS AND YEARS TO COME, TO GIVE\nYOU WHAT FRIENDS DESERVE: FRANKNESS, RESPECT, AND\nMY BEST JUDGMENT ABOUT WAYS TO IMPROVE AMERICA'S\nFUTURE.\n- 2 -\nIN RETURN, I ASK FOR AN HONEST COMMITMENT To\nOUR COMMON MISSION OF PROGRESS. IF WE SEIZE THE\nOPPORTUNITIES ON THE ROAD BEFORE US, THERE WILL BE\nPRAISE ENOUGH FOR ALL.\nTHE PEOPLE DIDN'T SEND US HERE TO BICKER.\nIT'S TIME TO PRODUCE. IT'S TIME TO GOVERN.\nMANY PRESIDENTS HAVE COME TO THIS CHAMBER IN\nTIMES OF GREAT CRISIS. WAR. DEPRESSION. LOSS OF\nNATIONAL SPIRIT.\nEIGHT YEARS AGO, I SAT IN THAT CHAIR AS\nPRESIDENT REAGAN SPOKE OF PUNISHING INFLATION AND\nDEVASTATINGLY HIGH INTEREST RATES, PEOPLE OUT OF\nWORK, AMERICAN CONFIDENCE ON THE WANE.\nOUR CHALLENGE IS DIFFERENT.\nWE ARE FORTUNATE -- A MUCH CHANGED LANDSCAPE\nLIES BEFORE US TONIGHT.\nso I DON'T PROPOSE TO REVERSE DIRECTION. WE\nARE HEADED THE RIGHT WAY.\n- 3 -\nBUT WE CANNOT REST. WE ARE A PEOPLE WHOSE\nENERGY AND DRIVE HAVE FUELED OUR RISE TO\nGREATNESS. WE ARE A FORWARD-LOOKING NATION --\nGENEROUS, YES, BUT AMBITIOUS AS WELL -- NOT FOR\nOURSELVES, BUT FOR THE WORLD.\nCOMPLACENCY IS NOT IN OUR CHARACTER -- NOT\nBEFORE, NOT NOW, NOT EVER.\nso TONIGHT, WE MUST TAKE A STRONG AMERICA --\nAND MAKE IT EVEN BETTER.\nWE MUST ADDRESS SOME VERY REAL PROBLEMS. WE\nMUST ESTABLISH SOME VERY CLEAR PRIORITIES. AND WE\nMUST MAKE A VERY SUBSTANTIAL CUT IN THE FEDERAL\nBUDGET DEFICIT.\nSOME PEOPLE FIND THAT AGENDA IMPOSSIBLE.\nBUT I AM PRESENTING TO YOU TONIGHT A\nREALISTIC PLAN FOR TACKLING IT. MY PLAN HAS FOUR\nBROAD FEATURES: ATTENTION TO URGENT PRIORITIES,\nINVESTMENT IN THE FUTURE, AN ATTACK ON THE\nDEFICIT, AND NO NEW TAXES.\n- 4 -\nTHIS BUDGET REPRESENTS MY BEST JUDGMENT OF\nHOW WE CAN ADDRESS OUR PRIORITIES, CONSISTENT WITH\nTHE PEOPLE'S VIEW. THERE ARE MANY AREAS IN WHICH\nWE WOULD ALL LIKE TO SPEND MORE THAN I PROPOSE,\nBUT WE CANNOT UNTIL WE GET OUR FISCAL HOUSE IN\nORDER.\nNEXT YEAR ALONE, THANKS TO ECONOMIC GROWTH,\nWITHOUT ANY CHANGE IN THE LAW, THE FEDERAL\nGOVERNMENT WILL TAKE IN OVER $80 BILLION DOLLARS\nMORE THAN IT DOES THIS YEAR. THAT'S RIGHT -- OVER\n$80 BILLION IN NEW REVENUES, WITH NO INCREASE IN\nTAXES. OUR JOB IS TO ALLOCATE THOSE NEW RESOURCES\nWISELY.\nWE CAN AFFORD TO INCREASE SPENDING -- BY A\nMODEST AMOUNT, BUT ENOUGH TO INVEST IN KEY\nPRIORITIES AND STILL CUT THE DEFICIT BY ALMOST\n40 PERCENT IN ONE YEAR.\n- 5 -\nTHAT WILL ALLOW US TO MEET THE TARGETS SET\nFORTH IN THE GRAMM-RUDMAN-HOLLINGS LAW.\nBUT TO DO THAT, WE MUST RECOGNIZE THAT GROWTH\nABOVE INFLATION IN FEDERAL PROGRAMS IS NOT\nPREORDAINED, THAT NOT ALL SPENDING INITIATIVES\nWERE DESIGNED TO BE IMMORTAL.\nI MAKE THIS PLEDGE TONIGHT: MY TEAM AND I\nARE READY TO WORK WITH THE CONGRESS, TO FORM A\nSPECIAL LEADERSHIP GROUP, TO NEGOTIATE IN GOOD\nFAITH, TO WORK DAY AND NIGHT -- IF THAT'S WHAT IT\nTAKES -- TO MEET THE BUDGET TARGETS, AND TO\nPRODUCE A BUDGET ON TIME.\nWE CANNOT SETTLE FOR BUSINESS AS USUAL.\nGOVERNMENT BY CONTINUING RESOLUTION -- OR\nGOVERNMENT BY CRISIS -- WILL NOT DO.\nI ASK THE CONGRESS TONIGHT TO APPROVE SEVERAL\nMEASURES WHICH WILL MAKE BUDGETING MORE SENSIBLE.\nWE COULD SAVE TIME AND IMPROVE EFFICIENCY BY\nENACTING 2-YEAR BUDGETS.\n- 6 -\nFORTY-THREE GOVERNORS HAVE THE LINE-ITEM\nVETO. PRESIDENTS SHOULD HAVE IT, TOO.\nAT THE VERY LEAST, WHEN A PRESIDENT PROPOSES\nTO RESCIND FEDERAL SPENDING, THE CONGRESS SHOULD\nBE REQUIRED TO VOTE ON THAT PROPOSAL -- INSTEAD OF\nKILLING IT BY INACTION.\nAND I ASK FOR CONGRESS TO HONOR THE PUBLIC'S\nWISHES BY PASSING A CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT TO\nREQUIRE A BALANCED BUDGET. SUCH AN AMENDMENT,\nONCE PHASED IN, WILL DISCIPLINE BOTH CONGRESS AND\nTHE EXECUTIVE BRANCH.\nSEVERAL PRINCIPLES DESCRIBE THE KIND OF\nAMERICA I HOPE TO BUILD WITH YOUR HELP IN THE\nYEARS AHEAD.\nWE WILL NOT HAVE THE LUXURY OF TAKING THE\nEASY, SPENDTHRIFT APPROACH TO SOLVING PROBLEMS --\nBECAUSE HIGHER SPENDING AND HIGHER TAXES PUT\nECONOMIC GROWTH AT RISK.\n- 7 -\nECONOMIC GROWTH PROVIDES JOBS AND HOPE.\nECONOMIC GROWTH ENABLES US TO PAY FOR SOCIAL\nPROGRAMS. ECONOMIC GROWTH ENHANCES THE SECURITY\nOF THE NATION. AND LOW TAX RATES CREATE ECONOMIC\nGROWTH.\nI BELIEVE IN GIVING AMERICANS GREATER FREEDOM\nAND GREATER CHOICE -- AND I WILL WORK FOR CHOICE\nFOR AMERICAN FAMILIES, WHETHER IN THE HOUSING IN\nWHICH THEY LIVE, THE SCHOOLS TO WHICH THEY SEND\nTHEIR CHILDREN, OR THE CHILD CARE THEY SELECT FOR\nTHEIR YOUNG.\nI BELIEVE THAT WE HAVE AN OBLIGATION TO THOSE\nIN NEED, BUT THAT GOVERNMENT SHOULD NOT BE THE\nPROVIDER OF FIRST RESORT FOR THINGS THAT THE\nPRIVATE SECTOR CAN PRODUCE BETTER.\nI BELIEVE IN A SOCIETY THAT IS FREE FROM\nDISCRIMINATION AND BIGOTRY OF ANY KIND. I WILL\nWORK TO KNOCK DOWN THE BARRIERS LEFT BY PAST\nDISCRIMINATION AND TO BUILD A MORE TOLERANT\nSOCIETY THAT WILL STOP SUCH BARRIERS FROM EVER\nBEING BUILT AGAIN.\n- 8 -\nI BELIEVE THAT FAMILY AND FAITH REPRESENT THE\nMORAL COMPASS OF THE NATION -- AND I WILL WORK TO\nMAKE THEM STRONG, FOR AS BENJAMIN FRANKLIN SAID:\n\"IF A SPARROW CANNOT FALL TO THE GROUND WITHOUT\nHIS NOTICE, [CAN] A [GREAT NATION] RISE WITHOUT\nHIS AID?\"\nAND I BELIEVE IN GIVING PEOPLE THE POWER TO\nMAKE THEIR OWN LIVES BETTER THROUGH GROWTH AND\nOPPORTUNITY. TOGETHER, LET'S PUT POWER IN THE\nHANDS OF PEOPLE.\nTHREE WEEKS AGO, WE CELEBRATED THE\nBICENTENNIAL INAUGURAL, THE 200TH ANNIVERSARY OF\nTHE FIRST PRESIDENCY.\nAND IF YOU LOOK BACK, ONE THING IS so\nSTRIKING ABOUT THE WAY THE FOUNDING FATHERS LOOKED\nAT AMERICA. THEY DIDN'T TALK ABOUT THEMSELVES.\nTHEY TALKED ABOUT POSTERITY. THEY TALKED ABOUT\nTHE FUTURE.\nWE, Too, MUST THINK IN TERMS BIGGER THAN\nOURSELVES.\n- 9 -\nWE MUST TAKE ACTIONS TODAY THAT WILL ENSURE A\nBETTER TOMORROW. WE MUST EXTEND AMERICAN\nLEADERSHIP IN TECHNOLOGY, INCREASE LONG-TERM\nINVESTMENT, IMPROVE OUR EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM, AND\nBOOST PRODUCTIVITY. THESE ARE THE KEYS TO\nBUILDING A BETTER FUTURE.\nHERE ARE SOME OF MY RECOMMENDATIONS:\n- I PROPOSE ALMOST $2.2 BILLION FOR THE\nNATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION TO PROMOTE BASIC\nRESEARCH AND KEEP US ON TRACK TO DOUBLE ITS BUDGET\nBY 1993;\n- I PROPOSE TO MAKE PERMANENT THE TAX CREDIT\nFOR RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT;\n- I HAVE ASKED VICE PRESIDENT QUAYLE TO\nCHAIR A NEW TASK FORCE ON COMPETITIVENESS;\n- 10 -\n- I REQUEST FUNDING FOR NASA AND A STRONG\nSPACE PROGRAM -- AN INCREASE OF ALMOST\n$2.4 BILLION OVER THE CURRENT FISCAL YEAR. WE\nMUST HAVE A MANNED SPACE STATION; A VIGOROUS, SAFE\nSPACE SHUTTLE PROGRAM; AND MORE COMMERCIAL\nDEVELOPMENT IN SPACE. THE SPACE PROGRAM SHOULD\nALWAYS GO \"FULL THROTTLE UP\" -- THAT'S NOT JUST\nOUR AMBITION; IT'S OUR DESTINY.\n- I PROPOSE THAT WE CUT THE MAXIMUM TAX RATE\nON CAPITAL GAINS TO INCREASE LONG-TERM INVESTMENT.\nHISTORY IS CLEAR: THIS WILL INCREASE REVENUES,\nHELP SAVINGS, AND CREATE NEW JOBS.\nWE WON'T BE COMPETITIVE IF WE LEAVE WHOLE\nSECTORS OF AMERICA BEHIND. THIS IS THE YEAR WE\nSHOULD FINALLY ENACT URBAN ENTERPRISE ZONES, AND\nBRING HOPE TO OUR INNER CITIES.\nBUT THE MOST IMPORTANT COMPETITIVENESS\nPROGRAM OF ALL IS ONE WHICH IMPROVES EDUCATION IN\nAMERICA.\nWHEN SOME OF OUR STUDENTS ACTUALLY HAVE\nTROUBLE LOCATING AMERICA ON A MAP OF THE WORLD, IT\nIS TIME FOR US TO MAP A NEW APPROACH TO EDUCATION.\n- 11 -\nWE MUST REWARD EXCELLENCE, AND CUT THROUGH\nBUREAUCRACY. WE MUST HELP THOSE SCHOOLS THAT NEED\nHELP MOST. WE MUST GIVE CHOICE TO PARENTS,\nSTUDENTS, TEACHERS, AND PRINCIPALS. AND WE MUST\nHOLD ALL CONCERNED ACCOUNTABLE. IN EDUCATION, WE\nCANNOT TOLERATE MEDIOCRITY.\nI WANT TO CUT THE DROP-OUT RATE, AND MAKE\nAMERICA A MORE LITERATE NATION. BECAUSE WHAT IT\nREALLY COMES DOWN TO IS THIS: THE LONGER OUR\nGRADUATION LINES ARE TODAY, THE SHORTER OUR\nUNEMPLOYMENT LINES WILL BE TOMORROW.\nso TONIGHT I AM PROPOSING THE FOLLOWING\nINITIATIVES:\n- THE BEGINNING OF A $500-MILLION PROGRAM TO\nREWARD AMERICA'S BEST SCHOOLS -- \"MERIT SCHOOLS\";\n- THE CREATION OF SPECIAL PRESIDENTIAL\nAWARDS FOR THE BEST TEACHERS IN EVERY STATE --\nBECAUSE EXCELLENCE SHOULD BE REWARDED;\n- 12 -\n- THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A NEW PROGRAM OF\nNATIONAL SCIENCE SCHOLARS, ONE EACH YEAR FOR EVERY\nMEMBER OF THE HOUSE AND SENATE, TO GIVE THIS\nGENERATION OF STUDENTS A SPECIAL INCENTIVE TO\nEXCEL IN SCIENCE AND MATHEMATICS;\n- THE EXPANDED USE OF MAGNET SCHOOLS WHICH\nGIVE FAMILIES AND STUDENTS GREATER CHOICE;\n- AND A NEW PROGRAM TO ENCOURAGE\n\"ALTERNATIVE CERTIFICATION\" -- WHICH WILL LET\nTALENTED PEOPLE FROM ALL FIELDS TEACH IN THE\nCLASSROOM.\nI HAVE SAID I'D LIKE TO BE \"THE EDUCATION\nPRESIDENT.' TONIGHT, I ASK YOU TO JOIN ME BY\nBECOMING \"THE EDUCATION CONGRESS.\"\nJUST LAST WEEK, AS I SETTLED INTO THIS NEW\nOFFICE, I RECEIVED A LETTER FROM A MOTHER IN\nPENNSYLVANIA, WHO HAD BEEN STRUCK BY MY MESSAGE IN\nTHE INAUGURAL ADDRESS. \"NOT 12 HOURS BEFORE,\" SHE\nWROTE, \"MY HUSBAND AND I RECEIVED WORD THAT [OUR]\nSON WAS ADDICTED TO COCAINE. [HE] HAD THE WORLD\nAT HIS FEET. BRIGHT, GIFTED, PERSONABLE.., HE\nCOULD HAVE DONE ANYTHING WITH HIS LIFE. [NOW] HE\nHAS CHOSEN COCAINE.\"\n- 13 -\n\"PLEASE,\" SHE WROTE, \"FIND A WAY TO CURB THE\nSUPPLY OF COCAINE. GET TOUGH WITH THE PUSHERS.\n[OUR SON] NEEDS YOUR HELP.\"\nMY FRIENDS, THAT VOICE CRYING OUT FOR HELP\nCOULD BE THE VOICE OF YOUR OWN NEIGHBOR. YOUR OWN\nFRIEND. YOUR OWN RELATIVE. OVER 23 MILLION\nAMERICANS USED ILLEGAL DRUGS LAST YEAR -- AT A\nSTAGGERING COST TO OUR NATION'S WELL-BEING.\nLET THIS BE RECORDED AS THE TIME WHEN AMERICA\nROSE UP AND SAID \"NO\" TO DRUGS. THE SCOURGE OF\nDRUGS MUST BE STOPPED.\nI AM ASKING TONIGHT FOR AN INCREASE OF ALMOST\nA BILLION DOLLARS IN BUDGET OUTLAYS TO ESCALATE\nTHE WAR AGAINST DRUGS. THE WAR WILL BE WAGED ON\nALL FRONTS.\nSOME MONEY WILL BE USED TO EXPAND TREATMENT\nTO THE POOR, AND TO YOUNG MOTHERS. THIS WILL\nOFFER THE HELPING HAND TO THE MANY INNOCENT\nVICTIMS OF DRUGS -- LIKE THE THOUSANDS OF BABIES\nBORN ADDICTED, OR WITH AIDS, BECAUSE OF THE\nMOTHER'S ADDICTION.\n- 14 -\nSOME WILL BE USED TO CUT THE WAITING TIME FOR\nTREATMENT.\nSOME MONEY WILL BE DEVOTED TO THOSE URBAN\nSCHOOLS WHERE THE EMERGENCY IS NOW THE WORST. AND\nMUCH OF IT WILL BE USED TO PROTECT OUR BORDERS,\nWITH HELP FROM THE COAST GUARD, THE CUSTOMS\nSERVICE, THE DEPARTMENTS OF STATE AND JUSTICE, AND\nYES, THE U.S. MILITARY.\nI MEAN TO GET TOUGH ON THE DRUG CRIMINALS.\nLET ME BE CLEAR: THIS PRESIDENT WILL BACK UP\nTHOSE WHO PUT THEIR LIVES ON THE LINE EVERY DAY --\nOUR LOCAL POLICE OFFICERS.\nMY BUDGET ASKS FOR BEEFED-UP PROSECUTION, FOR\nA NEW ATTACK ON ORGANIZED CRIME, AND FOR\nENFORCEMENT OF TOUGH SENTENCES -- AND FOR THE\nWORST KINGPINS, THAT MEANS THE DEATH PENALTY.\nI ALSO WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WHEN A DRUG\nDEALER IS CONVICTED, THERE IS A CELL WAITING FOR\nHIM. HE SHOULD NOT GO FREE BECAUSE PRISONS ARE\nTOO FULL.\n- 15 -\nLET THE WORD GO OUT: IF YOU ARE CAUGHT AND\nCONVICTED, YOU MUST DO TIME.\nBUT FOR ALL WE DO IN LAW ENFORCEMENT, IN\nINTERDICTION AND TREATMENT, WE WILL NEVER WIN THIS\nWAR ON DRUGS UNLESS WE STOP DEMAND FOR DRUGS.\nSO SOME OF THIS INCREASE WILL BE USED TO\nEDUCATE THE YOUNG ABOUT THE DANGERS OF DRUGS. WE\nMUST INVOLVE PARENTS. WE MUST INVOLVE TEACHERS.\nWE MUST INVOLVE COMMUNITIES. AND MY FRIENDS, WE\nMUST INVOLVE OURSELVES.\nONE PROBLEM RELATED TO DRUG USE DEMANDS OUR\nURGENT ATTENTION AND OUR CONTINUING COMPASSION.\nTHAT IS THE TERRIBLE TRAGEDY OF AIDS.\nI AM ASKING FOR $1.6 BILLION FOR EDUCATION TO\nPREVENT THE DISEASE -- AND FOR RESEARCH TO FIND A\nCURE.\nIF WE'RE TO PROTECT OUR FUTURE, WE NEED A NEW\nATTITUDE ABOUT THE ENVIRONMENT.\nWE MUST PROTECT THE AIR WE BREATHE.\n- 16 -\nI WILL SEND TO YOU SHORTLY LEGISLATION FOR A\nNEW, MORE EFFECTIVE CLEAN AIR ACT. IT WILL\nINCLUDE A PLAN TO REDUCE, BY DATE CERTAIN, THE\nEMISSIONS WHICH CAUSE ACID RAIN -- BECAUSE THE\nTIME FOR STUDY ALONE HAS PASSED, AND THE TIME FOR\nACTION IS NOW.\nWE MUST MAKE USE OF CLEAN COAL. MY BUDGET\nCONTAINS FULL FUNDING, ON SCHEDULE, FOR THE CLEAN\nCOAL TECHNOLOGY AGREEMENT WE HAVE MADE WITH\nCANADA. WE INTEND TO HONOR THAT AGREEMENT.\nI BELIEVE WE SHOULD EXPAND OUR PARKS. SO I\nAM ASKING TO FUND NEW ACQUISITIONS UNDER THE LAND\nAND WATER CONSERVATION FUND.\nWE MUST PROTECT OUR OCEANS. I SUPPORT NEW\nPENALTIES AGAINST THOSE WHO WOULD DUMP MEDICAL\nWASTE AND OTHER TRASH IN THE OCEANS. THE AGE OF\nTHE NEEDLE ON THE BEACH MUST END.\n- 17 -\nIN SOME CASES, THE GULFS AND OCEANS OFF OUR\nSHORES HOLD THE PROMISE OF OF OIL AND GAS RESERVES\nWHICH CAN MAKE OUR NATION MORE SECURE AND LESS\nDEPENDENT ON FOREIGN OIL. WHEN THOSE WITH THE\nMOST PROMISE CAN BE TAPPED SAFELY, AS WITH MUCH OF\nTHE ALASKA NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE, WE SHOULD\nPROCEED. BUT WE MUST USE CAUTION AND WE MUST\nRESPECT THE ENVIRONMENT.\nso TONIGHT I AM CALLING FOR THE INDEFINITE\nPOSTPONEMENT OF THREE LEASE SALES WHICH HAVE\nRAISED TROUBLING QUESTIONS -- TWO OFF THE COAST OF\nCALIFORNIA, AND ONE WHICH COULD THREATEN THE\nEVERGLADES IN FLORIDA.\nACTION ON THESE THREE LEASE SALES WILL AWAIT\nTHE CONCLUSIONS OF A SPECIAL TASK FORCE SET UP TO\nMEASURE THE POTENTIAL FOR ENVIRONMENTAL DAMAGE.\nI AM DIRECTING THE ATTORNEY GENERAL AND THE\nADMINISTRATOR OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION\nAGENCY TO USE EVERY TOOL AT THEIR DISPOSAL TO\nSPEED AND TOUGHEN THE ENFORCEMENT OF OUR LAWS\nAGAINST TOXIC WASTE DUMPERS. I WANT FASTER\nCLEANUPS AND TOUGHER ENFORCEMENT OF PENALTIES\nAGAINST POLLUTERS.\n- 18 -\nIN ADDITION TO CARING FOR OUR FUTURE, WE MUST\nCARE FOR THOSE AROUND US. A DECENT SOCIETY SHOWS\nCOMPASSION FOR THE YOUNG, THE ELDERLY, THE\nVULNERABLE, AND THE POOR.\nOUR FIRST OBLIGATION IS TO THE MOST\nVULNERABLE -- INFANTS, POOR MOTHERS, CHILDREN\nLIVING IN POVERTY -- AND MY PROPOSED BUDGET\nRECOGNIZES THIS. I ASK FOR FULL FUNDING OF\nMEDICAID -- AN INCREASE OF OVER $3 BILLION -- AND\nAN EXPANSION OF THE PROGRAM TO INCLUDE COVERAGE OF\nPREGNANT WOMEN WHO ARE NEAR THE POVERTY LINE.\nI BELIEVE WE SHOULD HELP WORKING FAMILIES\nCOPE WITH THE BURDEN OF CHILD CARE.\nOUR HELP SHOULD BE AIMED AT THOSE WHO NEED IT\nMOST -- LOW-INCOME FAMILIES WITH YOUNG CHILDREN.\nI SUPPORT A NEW CHILD CARE TAX CREDIT THAT WILL\nAIM OUR EFFORTS AT EXACTLY THOSE FAMILIES --\nWITHOUT DISCRIMINATING AGAINST MOTHERS WHO CHOOSE\nTO STAY AT HOME.\n- 19 -\nNOW, I KNOW THERE ARE COMPETING PROPOSALS.\nBUT REMEMBER THIS: THE OVERWHELMING MAJORITY OF\nALL PRESCHOOL CHILD CARE IS NOW PROVIDED BY\nRELATIVES AND NEIGHBORS, CHURCHES AND COMMUNITY\nGROUPS. FAMILIES WHO CHOOSE THESE OPTIONS SHOULD\nREMAIN ELIGIBLE FOR HELP. PARENTS SHOULD HAVE\nCHOICE.\nAND FOR THOSE CHILDREN WHO CANNOT LIVE WITH\nTHEIR PARENTS, I BELIEVE WE SHOULD ENCOURAGE\nADOPTION. I PROPOSE TO RE-ENACT THE TAX DEDUCTION\nFOR ADOPTION EXPENSES, AND TO DOUBLE IT TO $3,000.\nWE HAVE A MORAL CONTRACT WITH OUR SENIOR\nCITIZENS. IN THIS BUDGET, SOCIAL SECURITY IS\nFULLY FUNDED, INCLUDING A FULL COST-OF-LIVING\nADJUSTMENT. WE MUST HONOR OUR CONTRACT.\nWE MUST CARE ABOUT THOSE IN \"THE SHADOWS OF\nLIFE,\" AND I, LIKE MANY AMERICANS, AM DEEPLY\nTROUBLED BY THE PLIGHT OF THE HOMELESS. THE\nCAUSES OF HOMELESSNESS ARE MANY, THE HISTORY IS\nLONG, BUT THE MORAL IMPERATIVE TO ACT IS CLEAR.\n- 20 -\nTHANKS TO THE DEEP WELL OF GENEROSITY IN THIS\nGREAT LAND, MANY ORGANIZATIONS ALREADY CONTRIBUTE.\nBUT WE IN GOVERNMENT CANNOT STAND ON THE\nSIDELINES. IN MY BUDGET, I ASK FOR GREATER\nSUPPORT FOR EMERGENCY FOOD AND SHELTER, FOR HEALTH\nSERVICES AND MEASURES TO PREVENT SUBSTANCE ABUSE,\nAND FOR CLINICS FOR THE MENTALLY ILL -- AND I\nPROPOSE A NEW INITIATIVE INVOLVING THE FULL RANGE\nOF GOVERNMENT AGENCIES. WE MUST CONFRONT THIS\nNATIONAL SHAME.\nTHERE IS ANOTHER ISSUE I HAVE DECIDED TO\nMENTION HERE TONIGHT. I HAVE LONG BELIEVED THAT\nTHE PEOPLE OF PUERTO RICO SHOULD HAVE THE RIGHT TO\nDETERMINE THEIR OWN POLITICAL FUTURE. PERSONALLY,\nI FAVOR STATEHOOD. BUT I ASK THE CONGRESS TO TAKE\nTHE NECESSARY STEPS TO LET THE PEOPLE DECIDE IN A\nREFERENDUM.\nCERTAIN PROBLEMS, THE RESULT OF DECADES OF\nUNWISE PRACTICES, THREATEN THE HEALTH AND SECURITY\nOF OUR PEOPLE. LEFT UNATTENDED, THEY WILL ONLY\nGET WORSE -- BUT WE CAN ACT NOW TO PUT THEM BEHIND\nUS.\n- 21 -\nEARLIER THIS WEEK, I ANNOUNCED MY SUPPORT FOR\nA PLAN TO RESTORE THE FINANCIAL AND MORAL\nINTEGRITY OF OUR SAVINGS SYSTEM. I ASK CONGRESS\nTO ENACT OUR REFORM PROPOSALS WITHIN 45 DAYS. WE\nMUST NOT LET THIS SITUATION FESTER.\nCERTAINLY, THE SAVINGS OF AMERICANS MUST\nREMAIN SECURE -- INSURED DEPOSITORS WILL CONTINUE\nTO BE FULLY PROTECTED. BUT ANY PLAN TO REFINANCE\nTHE SYSTEM MUST BE ACCOMPANIED BY MAJOR REFORM.\nOUR PROPOSALS WILL PREVENT SUCH A CRISIS FROM\nREOCCURRING. THE BEST ANSWER IS TO MAKE SURE THAT\nA MESS LIKE THIS WILL NEVER HAPPEN AGAIN.\nTHE MAJORITY OF THRIFTS IN COMMUNITIES ACROSS\nTHIS NATION HAVE BEEN HONEST; THEY HAVE PLAYED A\nMAJOR ROLE IN HELPING FAMILIES ACHIEVE THE\nAMERICAN DREAM OF HOME OWNERSHIP. BUT MAKE NO\nMISTAKE: THOSE WHO ARE CORRUPT, THOSE WHO BREAK\nTHE LAW, MUST BE KICKED OUT OF THE BUSINESS; AND\nTHEY SHOULD GO TO JAIL.\n- 22 -\nWE FACE A MASSIVE TASK IN CLEANING UP THE\nWASTE LEFT FROM DECADES OF ENVIRONMENTAL NEGLECT\nAT AMERICA'S NUCLEAR WEAPONS PLANTS.\nCLEARLY, WE MUST MODERNIZE THESE PLANTS AND\nOPERATE THEM SAFELY. THAT IS NOT AT ISSUE -- OUR\nNATIONAL SECURITY DEPENDS ON IT.\nBUT BEYOND THAT, WE MUST CLEAN UP THE OLD\nMESS THAT'S BEEN LEFT BEHIND -- AND I PROPOSE IN\nTHIS BUDGET TO MORE THAN DOUBLE OUR CURRENT EFFORT\nTO DO so. THIS WILL ALLOW US TO IDENTIFY THE\nEXACT NATURE OF THE VARIOUS PROBLEMS SO WE CAN\nCLEAN THEM UP -- AND CLEAN THEM UP WE WILL.\nWE HAVE BEEN FORTUNATE DURING THESE PAST\n8 YEARS. AMERICA IS A STRONGER NATION TODAY THAN\nIT WAS IN 1980.\nMORALE IN OUR ARMED FORCES IS RESTORED. OUR\nRESOLVE HAS BEEN SHOWN. OUR READINESS HAS BEEN\nIMPROVED. AND WE ARE AT PEACE.\nTHERE CAN NO LONGER BE ANY DOUBT THAT PEACE\nHAS BEEN MADE MORE SECURE THROUGH STRENGTH. WHEN\nAMERICA IS STRONGER, THE WORLD IS SAFER.\n- 23 -\nMOST PEOPLE DON'T REALIZE, THAT AFTER THE\nSUCCESSFUL RESTORATION OF OUR STRENGTH, THE\nPENTAGON BUDGET HAS ACTUALLY BEEN REDUCED IN REAL\nTERMS FOR EACH OF THE LAST 4 YEARS.\nIN LIGHT OF THE COMPELLING NEED TO REDUCE THE\nDEFICIT, I PROPOSE A 1-YEAR FREEZE IN THE MILITARY\nBUDGET -- SOMETHING I PROPOSED LAST FALL IN MY\nFLEXIBLE FREEZE PLAN.\nTHIS FREEZE WILL APPLY FOR ONLY 1 YEAR --\nAFTER THAT INCREASES ABOVE INFLATION WILL BE\nREQUIRED. I WILL NOT SACRIFICE AMERICAN\nPREPAREDNESS; AND I WILL NOT COMPROMISE AMERICAN\nSTRENGTH.\nI SHOULD BE CLEAR ON THE CONDITIONS ATTACHED\nTO MY RECOMMENDATION FOR THE COMING YEAR:\n- THE SAVINGS MUST BE ALLOCATED TO THOSE\nPRIORITIES FOR INVESTING IN OUR FUTURE THAT I HAVE\nSPOKEN ABOUT TONIGHT;\n- 24 -\n- THIS DEFENSE FREEZE MUST BE PART OF A\nCOMPREHENSIVE BUDGET AGREEMENT WHICH MEETS THE\nTARGETS SPELLED OUT IN THE GRAMM-RUDMAN-HOLLINGS\nLAW WITHOUT RAISING TAXES, AND WHICH INCORPORATES\nREFORMS IN THE BUDGET PROCESS.\nI HAVE DIRECTED THE NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL\nTO REVIEW OUR NATIONAL SECURITY AND DEFENSE\nPOLICIES AND REPORT BACK TO ME WITHIN 90 DAYS TO\nENSURE THAT OUR CAPABILITIES AND RESOURCES MEET\nOUR COMMITMENTS AND STRATEGIES.\nI AM ALSO CHARGING THE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE\nWITH THE TASK OF DEVELOPING A PLAN TO IMPROVE THE\nDEFENSE PROCUREMENT PROCESS AND MANAGEMENT OF THE\nPENTAGON -- ONE WHICH WILL FULLY IMPLEMENT THE\nPACKARD COMMISSION REPORT. MANY OF THE CHANGES\nCAN ONLY BE MADE WITH THE PARTICIPATION OF THE\nCONGRESS -- SO I ASK FOR YOUR HELP.\nWE NEED FEWER REGULATIONS. WE NEED LESS\nBUREAUCRACY. WE NEED MULTI-YEAR PROCUREMENT AND\n2-YEAR BUDGETING. AND FRANKLY, WE NEED LESS\nCONGRESSIONAL MICROMANAGEMENT OF OUR NATION'S\nMILITARY POLICY.\n- 25 -\nSECURING A MORE PEACEFUL WORLD IS PERHAPS THE\nMOST IMPORTANT PRIORITY I'D LIKE TO ADDRESS\nTONIGHT.\nWE MEET AT A TIME OF EXTRAORDINARY HOPE.\nNEVER BEFORE IN THIS CENTURY HAVE OUR VALUES OF\nFREEDOM, DEMOCRACY, AND ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY BEEN\nSUCH A POWERFUL POLITICAL AND INTELLECTUAL FORCE\nAROUND THE GLOBE.\nNEVER BEFORE HAS OUR LEADERSHIP BEEN SO\nCRUCIAL, BECAUSE WHILE AMERICA HAS ITS EYES ON THE\nFUTURE, THE WORLD HAS ITS EYES ON AMERICA.\nIT IS A TIME OF GREAT CHANGE IN THE WORLD --\nAND ESPECIALLY IN THE SOVIET UNION. PRUDENCE AND\nCOMMON SENSE DICTATE THAT WE TRY TO UNDERSTAND THE\nFULL MEANING OF THE CHANGE GOING ON THERE, REVIEW\nOUR POLICIES CAREFULLY, AND PROCEED WITH CAUTION.\nBUT I HAVE PERSONALLY ASSURED GENERAL SECRETARY\nGORBACHEV THAT, AT THE CONCLUSION OF SUCH A\nREVIEW, WE WILL BE READY TO MOVE FORWARD. WE WILL\nNOT MISS ANY OPPORTUNITY TO WORK FOR PEACE.\n- 26 -\nTHE FUNDAMENTAL FACT REMAINS THAT THE SOVIETS\nRETAIN A VERY POWERFUL MILITARY MACHINE, IN THE\nSERVICE OF OBJECTIVES WHICH ARE STILL TOO OFTEN IN\nCONFLICT WITH OURS. SO LET US TAKE THE NEW\nOPENNESS SERIOUSLY. BUT LET US ALSO BE REALISTIC.\nAND LET US NEGOTIATE FROM STRENGTH.\nTHERE ARE SOME PRESSING ISSUES WE MUST\nADDRESS:\nI WILL VIGOROUSLY PURSUE THE STRATEGIC\nDEFENSE INITIATIVE.\nTHE SPREAD AND EVEN USE OF SOPHISTICATED\nWEAPONRY THREATENS GLOBAL STABILITY AS NEVER\nBEFORE.\nCHEMICAL WEAPONS MUST BE BANNED FROM THE FACE\nOF THE EARTH, NEVER TO BE USED AGAIN. THIS WON'T\nBE EASY. VERIFICATION WILL BE DIFFICULT. BUT\nCIVILIZATION AND HUMAN DECENCY DEMAND THAT WE TRY.\n- 27 -\nAND THE SPREAD OF NUCLEAR WEAPONS MUST BE\nSTOPPED. I WILL WORK TO STRENGTHEN THE HAND OF\nTHE INTERNATIONAL ATOMIC ENERGY AGENCY. OUR\nDIPLOMACY MUST WORK EVERY DAY AGAINST THE\nPROLIFERATION OF NUCLEAR WEAPONS.\nAND, AROUND THE GLOBE, WE MUST CONTINUE TO BE\nFREEDOM'S BEST FRIEND.\nWE MUST STAND FIRM FOR SELF-DETERMINATION AND\nDEMOCRACY IN CENTRAL AMERICA -- INCLUDING IN\nNICARAGUA.\nFOR WHEN PEOPLE ARE GIVEN THE CHANCE, THEY\nINEVITABLY WILL CHOOSE A FREE PRESS, FREEDOM OF\nWORSHIP, AND CERTIFIABLY FREE AND FAIR ELECTIONS.\nWE MUST STRENGTHEN THE ALLIANCE OF INDUSTRIAL\nDEMOCRACIES -- AS SOLID A FORCE FOR PEACE AS THE\nWORLD HAS EVER KNOWN. THIS IS AN ALLIANCE FORGED\nBY THE POWER OF OUR IDEALS, NOT THE PETTINESS OF\nOUR DIFFERENCES. SO LET US LIFT OUR SIGHTS -- TO\nRISE ABOVE FIGHTING ABOUT BEEF HORMONES TO\nBUILDING A BETTER FUTURE TO MOVE FROM\nPROTECTIONISM TO PROGRESS.\n- 28 -\nI HAVE ASKED THE SECRETARY OF STATE TO VISIT\nEUROPE NEXT WEEK AND TO CONSULT WITH THEM ON THE\nWIDE RANGE OF CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES WE FACE\nTOGETHER -- INCLUDING EAST-WEST RELATIONS. AND I\nLOOK FORWARD TO MEETING WITH OUR NATO PARTNERS IN\nTHE NEAR FUTURE.\nI, Too, SHALL BEGIN A TRIP SHORTLY -- TO THE\nFAR REACHES OF THE PACIFIC BASIN, WHERE THE WINDS\nOF DEMOCRACY ARE CREATING NEW HOPE, AND THE POWER\nOF FREE MARKETS IS UNLEASHING A NEW FORCE.\nWHEN I SERVED AS OUR REPRESENTATIVE IN CHINA\nJUST 14 YEARS AGO, FEW WOULD HAVE PREDICTED THE\nSCOPE OF THE CHANGES WE'VE WITNESSED SINCE THEN.\nBUT IN PREPARING FOR THIS TRIP, I WAS STRUCK\nBY SOMETHING I CAME ACROSS FROM A CHINESE WRITER,\nLIN [YOU-TANG]. HE WAS SPEAKING OF HIS COUNTRY,\nDECADES AGO -- BUT HIS WORDS SPEAK TO EACH OF US,\nIN AMERICA, TONIGHT.\n\"TODAY,\" HE SAID, \"WE ARE AFRAID OF THE\nSIMPLE WORDS LIKE GOODNESS AND MERCY AND\nKINDNESS.\"\n- 29 -\nMY FRIENDS, IF WE'RE TO SUCCEED AS A NATION,\nWE MUST REDISCOVER THOSE WORDS.\nIN JUST 3 DAYS, WE MARK THE BIRTHDAY OF\nABRAHAM LINCOLN -- THE MAN WHO SAVED OUR UNION,\nAND GAVE NEW MEANING TO THE WORD OPPORTUNITY.\nLINCOLN ONCE SAID:\n\"I HOLD THAT WHILE MAN EXISTS, IT IS HIS DUTY\nTO IMPROVE NOT ONLY HIS OWN CONDITION, BUT TO\nASSIST IN AMELIORATING [THAT OF] MANKIND.\"\nIT IS THIS BROADER MISSION TO WHICH I CALL\nALL AMERICANS. BECAUSE THE DEFINITION OF A\nSUCCESSFUL LIFE MUST INCLUDE SERVING OTHERS.\nTO THE YOUNG PEOPLE OF AMERICA, WHO SOMETIMES\nFEEL LEFT OUT -- I ASK YOU TONIGHT TO GIVE US THE\nBENEFIT OF YOUR TALENT AND ENERGY THROUGH A NEW\nPROGRAM CALLED \"YES,\" FOR YOUTH ENTERING SERVICE\nTO AMERICA.\nTO THOSE MEN AND WOMEN IN BUSINESS --\nREMEMBER THE ULTIMATE END OF YOUR WORK -- TO MAKE\nA BETTER PRODUCT, TO CREATE BETTER LIVES. I ASK\nYOU TO PLAN FOR THE LONGER-TERM AND AVOID THE\nTEMPTATION OF QUICK AND EASY PAPER PROFITS.\n- 30 -\nTO THE BRAVE MEN AND WOMEN WHO WEAR THE\nUNIFORM OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA -- THANK\nYOU. YOUR CALLING IS A HIGH ONE -- TO BE THE\nDEFENDERS OF FREEDOM AND THE GUARANTORS OF\nLIBERTY. AND I WANT YOU TO KNOW THAT THE NATION\nIS GRATEFUL FOR YOUR SERVICE.\nTO THE PARENTS OF AMERICA, I ASK YOU TO GET\nINVOLVED IN YOUR CHILD'S SCHOOLING. CHECK ON\nTHEIR HOMEWORK. GO TO THE SCHOOL, MEET THE\nTEACHERS, CARE ABOUT WHAT IS HAPPENING THERE. IT\nIS NOT ONLY YOUR CHILD'S FUTURE ON THE LINE, IT IS\nAMERICA'S.\nTO KIDS IN OUR CITIES -- DON'T GIVE UP HOPE.\nSAY NO TO DRUGS. STAY IN SCHOOL. AND YES, \"KEEP\nHOPE ALIVE.\"\nTO THOSE 37 MILLION AMERICANS WITH SOME FORM\nOF DISABILITY -- YOU BELONG IN THE ECONOMIC\nMAINSTREAM. WE NEED YOUR TALENTS IN AMERICA'S\nWORKFORCE. DISABLED AMERICANS MUST BECOME FULL\nPARTNERS IN AMERICA'S OPPORTUNITY SOCIETY.\n- 31 -\nTO THE FAMILIES OF AMERICA WATCHING TONIGHT\nIN YOUR LIVING ROOMS: HOLD FAST TO YOUR DREAMS,\nBECAUSE ULTIMATELY AMERICA'S FUTURE RESTS IN YOUR\nHANDS.\nAND TO MY FRIENDS IN THIS CHAMBER, I ASK FOR\nYOUR COOPERATION TO KEEP AMERICA GROWING WHILE\nCUTTING THE DEFICIT. THAT IS ONLY FAIR TO THOSE\nWHO NOW HAVE NO VOTE -- THE GENERATIONS TO COME.\nLET THEM LOOK BACK AND SAY THAT WE HAD THE\nFORESIGHT TO UNDERSTAND THAT A TIME OF PEACE AND\nPROSPERITY IS NOT A TIME TO REST, BUT A TIME TO\nPUSH FORWARD. A TIME TO INVEST IN THE FUTURE.\nAND LET ALL AMERICANS REMEMBER THAT NO\nPROBLEM OF HUMAN MAKING IS TOO GREAT TO BE\nOVERCOME BY HUMAN INGENUITY, HUMAN ENERGY, AND THE\nUNTIRING HOPE OF THE HUMAN SPIRIT. I BELIEVE\nTHIS. I WOULD NOT HAVE ASKED TO BE YOUR PRESIDENT\nIF I DIDN'T.\n- 32 -\nTOMORROW, THE DEBATE ON THE PLAN I HAVE PUT\nFORWARD BEGINS. I ASK THE CONGRESS TO COME\nFORWARD WITH YOUR PROPOSALS, IF THEY ARE\nDIFFERENT. BUT LET US NOT QUESTION EACH OTHER'S\nMOTIVES. LET US DEBATE. LET US NEGOTIATE. AND\nIN THE END, LET US PRODUCE.\nRECALLING ANNIVERSARIES MAY NOT BE MY\nSPECIALTY IN SPEECHES.. BUT TONIGHT IS ONE OF\nSOME NOTE. ON FEBRUARY 9, 1941, JUST 48 YEARS AGO\nTONIGHT, SIR WINSTON CHURCHILL TOOK TO THE\nAIRWAVES DURING BRITAIN'S HOUR OF PERIL.\nHE HAD RECEIVED FROM PRESIDENT ROOSEVELT A\nHAND-CARRIED LETTER QUOTING LONGFELLOW'S FAMOUS\nPOEM: \"SAIL ON, OH SHIP OF STATE! SAIL ON, OH\nUNION, STRONG AND GREAT! HUMANITY WITH ALL ITS\nFEARS, WITH ALL THE HOPES OF FUTURE YEARS, IS\nHANGING BREATHLESS ON THY FATE!\"\nCHURCHILL RESPONDED ON THIS NIGHT BY RADIO\nBROADCAST TO A NATION AT WAR, BUT HE DIRECTED HIS\nWORDS TO ROOSEVELT. \"WE SHALL NOT FAIL OR\nFALTER,\" HE SAID. \"WE SHALL NOT WEAKEN OR TIRE.\nGIVE US THE TOOLS, AND WE WILL FINISH THE JOB.\" \"\n- 33 -\nTONIGHT, ALMOST A HALF CENTURY LATER, OUR\nPERIL MAY BE LESS IMMEDIATE, BUT THE NEED FOR\nPERSEVERANCE AND CLEAR-SIGHTED FORTITUDE IS JUST\nAS GREAT.\nNOW, AS THEN, THERE ARE THOSE WHO SAY IT\nCAN'T BE DONE. THERE ARE VOICES WHO SAY THAT\nAMERICA'S BEST DAYS HAVE PAST. THAT WE ARE BOUND\nBY CONSTRAINTS, THREATENED BY PROBLEMS, SURROUNDED\nBY TROUBLES WHICH LIMIT OUR ABILITY TO HOPE.\nWELL, TONIGHT I REMAIN FULL OF HOPE. WE\nAMERICANS HAVE ONLY BEGUN ON OUR MISSION OF\nGOODNESS AND GREATNESS. AND TO THOSE TIMID SOULS,\nI REPEAT THE PLEA -- GIVE US THE TOOLS; AND WE\nWILL DO THE JOB.\nTHANK YOU, AND GOD BLESS YOU.\n###\nADDRESS TO THE JOINT SESSION OF CONGRESS\nTHURSDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 1989\nMR. SPEAKER, MR. PRESIDENT, DISTINGUISHED\nMEMBERS OF THE HOUSE AND SENATE, HONORED GUESTS,\nFELLOW CITIZENS:\nLESS THAN 3 WEEKS AGO, I JOINED YOU ON THE\nWEST FRONT OF THIS VERY BUILDING AND -- LOOKING\nOVER THE MONUMENTS TO OUR PROUD PAST -- OFFERED\nYOU MY HAND IN FILLING THE NEXT PAGE OF AMERICAN\nHISTORY WITH A STORY OF EXTENDED PROSPERITY AND\nCONTINUED PEACE. TONIGHT, I AM BACK, TO OFFER YOU\nMY PLANS AS WELL. THE HAND REMAINS EXTENDED, THE\nSLEEVES ARE ROLLED UP, AMERICA IS WAITING, AND NOW\nWE MUST PRODUCE.\nTOGETHER, WE CAN BUILD A BETTER AMERICA.\nIT IS COMFORTING TO RETURN TO THIS HISTORIC\nCHAMBER. HERE, 22 YEARS AGO, I FIRST RAISED MY\nHAND TO BE SWORN INTO PUBLIC LIFE. SO TONIGHT, I\nFEEL AS IF I AM RETURNING HOME TO FRIENDS. AND I\nINTEND, IN THE MONTHS AND YEARS TO COME, TO GIVE\nYOU WHAT FRIENDS DESERVE: FRANKNESS, RESPECT, AND\nMY BEST JUDGMENT OUT WAYS TO IMPROVE AMERICA'S\nFUTURE.\n- 2 -\nIN RETURN, I ASK FOR AN HONEST COMMITMENT TO\nOUR COMMON MISSION OF PROGRESS. IF WE SEIZE THE\nOPPORTUNITIES ON THE ROAD BEFORE US, THERE WILL BE\nPRAISE ENOUGH FOR ALL.\n2\nTHE PEOPLE DIDN'T SEND US HERE TO BICKER.\nIT'S TIME TO GOVERN.\nMANY PRESIDENTS HAVE COME TO THIS CHAMBER IN\nTIMES OF GREAT CRISIS. WAR. DEPRESSION. LOSS OF\nNATIONAL SPIRIT.\nEIGHT YEARS AGO, I SAT IN THAT CHAIR AS\nPRESIDENT REAGAN SPOKE OF PUNISHING INFLATION AND\nDEVASTATINGLY HIGH INTEREST RATES, PEOPLE OUT OF\nWORK, AMERICAN CONFIDENCE ON THE WANE.\nOUR CHALLENGE IS DIFFERENT.\nWE ARE FORTUNATE -- A MUCH CHANGED LANDSCAPE\nLIES BEFORE US TONIGHT.\nSO I DON'T PROPOSE TO REVERSE DIRECTION. WE\nARE HEADED THE RIGHT WAY.\n- 3 -\nBUT WE CANNOT REST. WE ARE A PEOPLE WHOSE\nENERGY AND DRIVE HAVE FUELED OUR RISE TO\n3\nGREATNESS. WE ARE A FORWARD-LOOKING NATION --\nGENEROUS, YES, BUT AMBITIOUS AS WELL NOT FOR\nOURSELVES, BUT FOR THE WORLD.\nCOMPLACENCY IS NOT IN OUR CHARACTER -- NOT\nBEFORE, NOT NOW, NOT EVER.\nso TONIGHT, WE MUST TAKE A STRONG AMERICA --\nAND MAKE IT EVEN BETTER.\ni WE MUST ADDRESS SOME VERY REAL PROBLEMS. WE\nMUST ESTABLISH SOME VERY CLEAR PRIORITIES. AND WE\nMUST MAKE A VERY SUBSTANTIAL CUT IN THE FEDERAL\nBUDGET DEFICIT.\nSOME PEOPLE FIND THAT AGENDA IMPOSSIBLE.\nBUT I AM PRESENTING TO YOU TONIGHT A\nREALISTIC PLAN FOR TACKLING IT. MY PLAN HAS FOUR\nBROAD FEATURES: ATTENTION TO URGENT PRIORITIES,\nINVESTMENT IN THE FUTURE, AN ATTACK ON THE\nDEFICIT, AND NO NEW TAXES.\n- 4 -\nTHIS BUDGET REPRESENTS MY BEST JUDGMENT OF\nHOW WE CAN ADDRESS OUR PRIORITIES. THERE ARE MANY\n4\nAREAS IN WHICH WE WOULD ALL LIKE TO SPEND MORE\nTHAN I PROPOSE, BUT WE CANNOT UNTIL WE GET OUR\nFISCAL HOUSE IN ORDER.\nNEXT YEAR ALONE, THANKS TO ECONOMIC GROWTH,\nWITHOUT ANY CHANGE IN THE LAW, THE FEDERAL\nGOVERNMENT WILL TAKE IN OVER $80 BILLION DOLLARS\nMORE THAN IT DOES THIS YEAR. THAT'S RIGHT -- OVER\n$80 BILLION IN NEW REVENUES, WITH NO INCREASE IN\nTAXE$. OUR JOB IS TO ALLOCATE THOSE NEW RESOURCES\nWISELY.\nWE CAN AFFORD TO INCREASE SPENDING -- BY A\nMODEST AMOUNT, BUT ENOUGH TO INVEST IN KEY\nPRIORITIES AND STILL CUT THE DEFICIT BY ALMOST\n40 PERCENT IN ONE YEAR.\nTHAT WILL ALLOW US TO MEET THE TARGETS SET\nFORTH IN THE GRAMM-RUDMAN-HOLLINGS LAW.\nBUT TO DO THAT, WE MUST RECOGNIZE THAT GROWTH\nABOVE INFLATION IN FEDERAL PROGRAMS IS NOT\nPREORDAINED, THAT NOT ALL SPENDING INITIATIVES\nWERE DESIGNED TO BE IMMORTAL.\n- 5 -\nI MAKE THIS PLEDGE TONIGHT: MY TEAM AND I\nARE READY TO WORK WITH THE CONGRESS, TO FORM A\nSPECIAL LEADERSHIP GROUP, TO NEGOTIATE IN GOOD\nFAITH, TO WORK DAY AND NIGHT -- IF THAT'S WHAT IT\n5\nTAKES -- TO MEET THE BUDGET TARGETS, AND TO\nPRODUCE A BUDGET ON TIME.\nWE CANNOT SETTLE FOR BUSINESS AS USUAL.\nGOVERNMENT BY CONTINUING RESOLUTION -- OR\nGOVERNMENT BY CRISIS -- WILL NOT DO.\nI\nI ASK THE CONGRESS TONIGHT TO APPROVE SEVERAL\nMEASURES WHICH WILL MAKE BUDGETING MORE SENSIBLE.\nWE COULD SAVE TIME AND IMPROVE EFFICIENCY BY\nENACTING 2-YEAR BUDGETS.\nFORTY-THREE GOVERNORS HAVE THE LINE-ITEM\nVETO. PRESIDENTS SHOULD HAVE IT, TOO.\nAT THE VERY LEAST, WHEN A PRESIDENT PROPOSES\nTO RESCIND FEDERAL SPENDING, THE CONGRESS SHOULD\nBE REQUIRED TO VOTE ON THAT PROPOSAL -- INSTEAD OF\nKILLING IT BY INACTION.\n- 6 -\nAND I ASK FOR CONGRESS TO HONOR THE PUBLIC'S\nWISHES BY PASSING A CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT TO\nREQUIRE A BALANCED BUDGET. SUCH AN AMENDMENT,\nONCE PHASED IN, WILL DISCIPLINE BOTH CONGRESS AND\n6\nTHE EXECUTIVE BRANCH.\nSEVERAL PRINCIPLES DESCRIBE THE KIND OF\nAMERICA I HOPE TO BUILD WITH YOUR HELP IN THE\nYEARS AHEAD.\nWE WILL NOT HAVE THE LUXURY OF TAKING THE\nEASY, SPENDTHRIFT APPROACH TO SOLVING PROBLEMS --\nBECAUSE HIGHER SPENDING AND HIGHER TAXES PUT\nECONOMIC GROWTH AT RISK.\nECONOMIC GROWTH PROVIDES JOBS AND HOPE.\nECONOMIC GROWTH ENABLES US TO PAY FOR SOCIAL\nPROGRAMS. ECONOMIC GROWTH ENHANCES THE SECURITY\nOF THE NATION. AND LOW TAX RATES CREATE ECONOMIC\nGROWTH.\nI BELIEVE IN GIVING AMERICANS GREATER FREEDOM\nAND GREATER CHOICE AND I WILL WORK FOR CHOICE\nFOR AMERICAN FAMILIES, WHETHER IN THE HOUSING IN\nWHICH THEY LIVE, THE SCHOOLS TO WHICH THEY SEND\nTHEIR CHILDREN, OR THE CHILD CARE THEY SELECT FOR\nTHEIR YOUNG.\n- 7 -\nI BELIEVE THAT WE HAVE AN OBLIGATION TO THOSE\nIN NEED, BUT THAT GOVERNMENT SHOULD NOT BE THE\nPROVIDER OF FIRST RESORT FOR THINGS THAT THE\nPRIVATE SECTOR CAN PRODUCE BETTER.\n+\nI BELIEVE IN A SOCIETY THAT IS FREE FROM\nDISCRIMINATION AND BIGOTRY OF ANY KIND. I WILL\nWORK TO KNOCK DOWN THE BARRIERS LEFT BY PAST\nDISCRIMINATION AND TO BUILD A MORE TOLERANT\nSOCIETY THAT WILL STOP SUCH BARRIERS FROM EVER\nBEING BUILT AGAIN.\ni\nI BELIEVE THAT FAMILY AND FAITH REPRESENT THE\nMORAL COMPASS OF THE NATION -- AND I WILL WORK TO\nMAKE THEM STRONG, FOR AS BENJAMIN FRANKLIN SAID:\n\"IF A SPARROW CANNOT FALL TO THE GROUND WITHOUT\nHIS NOTICE, [CAN] A [GREAT NATION] RISE WITHOUT\nHIS AID?\"\nAND I BELIEVE IN GIVING PEOPLE THE POWER TO\nMAKE THEIR OWN LIVES BETTER THROUGH GROWTH AND\nOPPORTUNITY. TOGETHER, LET'S PUT POWER IN THE\nHANDS OF PEOPLE.\n((PAUSE))\n- 8 -\nTHREE WEEKS AGO, WE CELEBRATED THE\nBICENTENNIAL INAUGURAL, THE 200TH ANNIVERSARY OF\nTHE FIRST PRESIDENCY.\nAND IF YOU LOOK BACK, ONE THING IS SO\n8\nSTRIKING ABOUT THE WAY THE FOUNDING FATHERS LOOKED\nAT AMERICA. THEY DIDN'T TALK ABOUT THEMSELVES.\nTHEY TALKED ABOUT POSTERITY. THEY TALKED ABOUT\nTHE FUTURE.\nWE, TOO, MUST THINK IN TERMS BIGGER THAN\nOURSELVES.\nWE MUST TAKE ACTIONS TODAY THAT WILL ENSURE A\nBETTER TOMORROW. WE MUST EXTEND AMERICAN\nLEADERSHIP IN TECHNOLOGY, INCREASE LONG-TERM\nINVESTMENT, IMPROVE OUR EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM, AND\nBOOST PRODUCTIVITY. THESE ARE THE KEYS TO\nBUILDING A BETTER FUTURE.\nHERE ARE SOME OF MY RECOMMENDATIONS:\n- I PROPOSE ALMOST $2.2 BILLION FOR THE\nNATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION TO PROMOTE BASIC\nRESEARCH AND KEEP US ON TRACK TO DOUBLE ITS BUDGET\nBY 1993;\n- 9 -\n- I PROPOSE TO MAKE PERMANENT THE TAX CREDIT\nFOR RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT;\n- I HAVE ASKED VICE PRESIDENT QUAYLE TO\n9\nCHAIR A NEW TASK FORCE ON COMPETITIVENESS;\n- I REQUEST FUNDING FOR NASA AND A STRONG\nSPACE PROGRAM -- AN INCREASE OF ALMOST\n$2.4 BILLION OVER THE CURRENT FISCAL YEAR. WE\nMUST HAVE A MANNED SPACE STATION; A VIGOROUS, SAFE\nSPACE SHUTTLE PROGRAM; AND MORE COMMERCIAL\nDEVELOPMENT IN SPACE. THE SPACE PROGRAM SHOULD\nALWAYS GO \"FULL THROTTLE UP\" -- THAT'S NOT JUST\nOUR AMBITION; IT'S OUR DESTINY.\n- I PROPOSE THAT WE CUT THE MAXIMUM TAX RATE\nON CAPITAL GAINS TO INCREASE LONG-TERM INVESTMENT.\nHISTORY IS CLEAR: THIS WILL INCREASE REVENUES,\nHELP SAVINGS, AND CREATE NEW JOBS.\nWE WON'T BE COMPETITIVE IF WE LEAVE WHOLE\nSECTORS OF AMERICA BEHIND. THIS IS THE YEAR WE\nSHOULD FINALLY ENACT URBAN ENTERPRISE ZONES, AND\nBRING HOPE TO OUR INNER CITIES.\nBUT THE MOST IMPORTANT COMPETITIVENESS\nPROGRAM OF ALL IS ONE WHICH IMPROVES EDUCATION IN\nAMERICA.\n- 10 -\nWHEN SOME OF OUR STUDENTS ACTUALLY HAVE\nTROUBLE LOCATING AMERICA ON A MAP OF THE WORLD, IT\nIS TIME FOR US TO MAP A NEW APPROACH TO EDUCATION.\n0\nWE MUST REWARD EXCELLENCE, AND CUT THROUGH\nBUREAUCRACY. WE MUST HELP THOSE SCHOOLS THAT NEED\nHELP MOST. WE MUST GIVE CHOICE TO PARENTS,\nSTUDENTS, TEACHERS, AND PRINCIPALS. AND WE MUST\nHOLD ALL CONCERNED ACCOUNTABLE. IN EDUCATION, WE\nCANNOT TOLERATE MEDIOCRITY.\nI WANT TO CUT THE DROP-OUT RATE, AND MAKE\nAMERICA A MORE LITERATE NATION. BECAUSE WHAT IT\nREALLY COMES DOWN TO IS THIS: THE LONGER OUR\nGRADUATION LINES ARE TODAY, THE SHORTER OUR\nUNEMPLOYMENT LINES WILL BE TOMORROW.\nso TONIGHT I AM PROPOSING THE FOLLOWING\nINITIATIVES:\n- THE BEGINNING OF A $500-MILLION PROGRAM TO\nREWARD AMERICA'S BEST SCHOOLS -- \"MERIT SCHOOLS\";\n- THE CREATION OF SPECIAL PRESIDENTIAL\nAWARDS FOR THE BEST TEACHERS IN EVERY STATE --\nBECAUSE EXCELLENCE SHOULD BE REWARDED;\n- 11 -\n- THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A NEW PROGRAM OF\nNATIONAL SCIENCE SCHOLARS, ONE EACH YEAR FOR EVERY\nMEMBER OF THE HOUSE AND SENATE, TO GIVE THIS\nGENERATION OF STUDENTS A SPECIAL INCENTIVE TO\n11\nEXCEL IN SCIENCE AND MATHEMATICS;\n- THE EXPANDED USE OF MAGNET SCHOOLS WHICH\nGIVE FAMILIES AND STUDENTS GREATER CHOICE;\n- AND A NEW PROGRAM TO ENCOURAGE\n\"ALTERNATIVE CERTIFICATION\" -- WHICH WILL LET\nTALENTED PEOPLE FROM ALL FIELDS TEACH IN THE\nCLASSROOM.\nI HAVE SAID I'D LIKE TO BE \"THE EDUCATION\nPRESIDENT. \" TONIGHT, I ASK YOU TO JOIN ME BY\nBECOMING\nI\n\"THE EDUCATION CONGRESS.\"\nJUST LAST WEEK, AS I SETTLED INTO THIS NEW\nOFFICE, I RECEIVED A LETTER FROM A MOTHER IN\nPENNSYLVANIA, WHO HAD BEEN STRUCK BY MY MESSAGE IN\nTHE INAUGURAL ADDRESS. \"NOT 12 HOURS BEFORE,\" SHE\nWROTE, \"MY HUSBAND AND I RECEIVED WORD THAT [OUR]\nSON WAS ADDICTED TO COCAINE. [HE] HAD THE WORLD\nAT HIS FEET. BRIGHT, GIFTED, PERSONABLE.., HE\nCOULD HAVE DONE ANYTHING WITH HIS LIFE. [NOW] HE\nHAS CHOSEN COCAINE.\"\n- 12 -\n\"PLEASE,\" SHE WROTE, \"FIND A WAY TO CURB THE\nSUPPLY OF COCAINE. GET TOUGH WITH THE PUSHERS.\n[OUR SON] NEEDS YOUR HELP.\"\n2\nMY FRIENDS, THAT VOICE CRYING OUT FOR HELP\nCOULD BE THE VOICE OF YOUR OWN NEIGHBOR. YOUR OWN\nFRIEND. YOUR OWN SON. OVER 23 MILLION AMERICANS\nUSED ILLEGAL DRUGS LAST YEAR -- AT A STAGGERING\nCOST TO OUR NATION'S WELL-BEING.\nLET THIS BE RECORDED AS THE TIME WHEN AMERICA\nROSE UP AND SAID \"NO\" TO DRUGS. THE SCOURGE OF\nDRUGS MUST BE STOPPED.\nI AM ASKING TONIGHT FOR AN INCREASE OF ALMOST\nA BILLION DOLLARS IN BUDGET OUTLAYS TO ESCALATE\nTHE WAR AGAINST DRUGS. THE WAR WILL BE WAGED ON\nALL FRONTS.\nOUR NEW \"DRUG CZAR\" BILL BENNETT AND I WILL\nBE SHOULDER-TO-SHOULDER, LEADING THE CHARGE.\nSOME MONEY WILL BE USED TO EXPAND TREATMENT\nTO THE POOR, AND TO YOUNG MOTHERS. THIS WILL\nOFFER THE HELPING HAND TO THE MANY INNOCENT\nVICTIMS OF DRUGS -- LIKE THE THOUSANDS OF BABIES\nBORN ADDICTED, OR WITH AIDS, BECAUSE OF THE\nMOTHER'S ADDICTION.\n- 13 -\nSOME WILL BE USED TO CUT THE WAITING TIME FOR\nTREATMENT.\nSOME MONEY WILL BE DEVOTED TO THOSE URBAN\nSCHOOLS WHERE THE EMERGENCY IS NOW THE WORST. AND\n3\nMUCH OF IT WILL BE USED TO PROTECT OUR BORDERS,\nWITH HELP FROM THE COAST GUARD, THE CUSTOMS\nSERVICE, THE DEPARTMENTS OF STATE AND JUSTICE, AND\nYES, THE U.S. MILITARY.\nI MEAN TO GET TOUGH ON THE DRUG CRIMINALS.\nLET ME BE CLEAR: THIS PRESIDENT WILL BACK UP\nTHOSE WHO PUT THEIR LIVES ON THE LINE EVERY DAY --\nOUR LOCAL POLICE OFFICERS.\nMY BUDGET ASKS FOR BEEFED-UP PROSECUTION, FOR\nA NEW ATTACK ON ORGANIZED CRIME, AND FOR\nENFORCEMENT OF TOUGH SENTENCES -- AND FOR THE\nWORST KINGPINS, THAT MEANS THE DEATH PENALTY.\nI ALSO WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WHEN A DRUG\nDEALER IS CONVICTED, THERE IS A CELL WAITING FOR\nHIM. HE SHOULD NOT GO FREE BECAUSE PRISONS ARE\nTOO FULL.\nLET THE WORD GO OUT: IF YOU ARE CAUGHT AND\nCONVICTED, YOU WILL DO TIME.\n- 14 -\nBUT FOR ALL WE DO IN LAW ENFORCEMENT, IN\nINTERDICTION AND TREATMENT, WE WILL NEVER WIN THIS\nWAR ON DRUGS UNLESS WE STOP DEMAND FOR DRUGS.\nso SOME OF THIS INCREASE WILL BE USED TO\nEDUCATE THE YOUNG ABOUT THE DANGERS OF DRUGS. WE\nMUST INVOLVE PARENTS. WE MUST INVOLVE TEACHERS.\nWE MUST INVOLVE COMMUNITIES. AND MY FRIENDS, WE\nMUST INVOLVE OURSELVES.\nONE PROBLEM RELATED TO DRUG USE DEMANDS OUR\nURGENT ATTENTION AND OUR CONTINUING COMPASSION.\nTHAT, IS THE TERRIBLE TRAGEDY OF AIDS.\nI AM ASKING FOR $1.6 BILLION FOR EDUCATION TO\nPREVENT THE DISEASE -- AND FOR RESEARCH TO FIND A\nCURE.\n((PAUSE))\nIF WE'RE TO PROTECT OUR FUTURE, WE NEED A NEW\nATTITUDE ABOUT THE ENVIRONMENT.\nWE MUST PROTECT THE AIR WE BREATHE.\n- 15 -\nI WILL SEND TO YOU SHORTLY LEGISLATION FOR A\nNEW, MORE EFFECTIVE CLEAN AIR ACT. IT WILL\nINCLUDE A PLAN TO REDUCE, BY DATE CERTAIN, THE\n15\nEMISSIONS WHICH CAUSE ACID RAIN -- BECAUSE THE\nTIME FOR STUDY ALONE HAS PASSED, AND THE TIME FOR\nACTION IS NOW.\nWE MUST MAKE USE OF CLEAN COAL. MY BUDGET\nCONTAINS FULL FUNDING, ON SCHEDULE, FOR THE CLEAN\nCOAL TECHNOLOGY AGREEMENT WE HAVE MADE WITH\nCANADA. WE INTEND TO HONOR THAT AGREEMENT.\ni WE MUST NOT NEGLECT OUR PARKS. so I AM\nASKING TO FUND NEW ACQUISITIONS UNDER THE LAND AND\nWATER CONSERVATION FUND.\nWE MUST PROTECT OUR OCEANS. I SUPPORT NEW\nPENALTIES AGAINST THOSE WHO WOULD DUMP MEDICAL\nWASTE AND OTHER TRASH IN THE OCEANS. THE AGE OF\nTHE NEEDLE ON THE BEACH MUST END.\n- 16 -\nIN SOME CASES, THE GULFS AND OCEANS OFF OUR\nSHORES HOLD THE PROMISE OF OF OIL AND GAS RESERVES\nWHICH CAN MAKE OUR NATION MORE SECURE AND LESS\nDEPENDENT ON FOREIGN OIL. WHEN THOSE WITH THE\n6\nMOST PROMISE CAN BE TAPPED SAFELY, AS WITH MUCH OF\nTHE ALASKA NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE, WE SHOULD\nPROCEED. BUT WE MUST USE CAUTION AND WE MUST\nRESPECT THE ENVIRONMENT.\nso TONIGHT I AM CALLING FOR THE INDEFINITE\nPOSTPONEMENT OF THREE LEASE SALES WHICH HAVE\nRAISED TROUBLING QUESTIONS -- TWO OFF THE COAST OF\nCALIFORNIA, AND ONE WHICH COULD THREATEN THE\nEVERGLADES IN FLORIDA.\nACTION ON THESE THREE LEASE SALES WILL AWAIT\nTHE CONCLUSIONS OF A SPECIAL TASK FORCE SET UP TO\nMEASURE THE POTENTIAL FOR ENVIRONMENTAL DAMAGE.\nI AM DIRECTING THE ATTORNEY GENERAL AND THE\nADMINISTRATOR OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION\nAGENCY TO USE EVERY TOOL AT THEIR DISPOSAL TO\nSPEED AND TOUGHEN THE ENFORCEMENT OF OUR LAWS\nAGAINST TOXIC WASTE DUMPERS. I WANT FASTER\nCLEANUPS AND TOUGHER ENFORCEMENT OF PENALTIES\nAGAINST POLLUTERS.\n((PAUSE))\n- 17 -\nIN ADDITION TO CARING FOR OUR FUTURE, WE MUST\nCARE FOR THOSE AROUND US. A DECENT SOCIETY SHOWS\nCOMPASSION FOR THE YOUNG, THE ELDERLY, THE\nVULNERABLE, AND THE POOR.\n17\nOUR FIRST OBLIGATION IS TO THE MOST\nVULNERABLE -- INFANTS, POOR MOTHERS, CHILDREN\nLIVING IN POVERTY -- AND MY PROPOSED BUDGET\nRECOGNIZES THIS. I ASK FOR FULL FUNDING OF\nMEDICAID -- AN INCREASE OF OVER $3 BILLION -- AND\nAN EXPANSION OF THE PROGRAM TO INCLUDE COVERAGE OF\nPREGNANT WOMEN WHO ARE NEAR THE POVERTY LINE.\nI BELIEVE WE SHOULD HELP WORKING FAMILIES\nCOPE WITH THE BURDEN OF CHILD CARE.\nOUR HELP SHOULD BE AIMED AT THOSE WHO NEED IT\nMOST -- LOW-INCOME FAMILIES WITH YOUNG CHILDREN.\nI SUPPORT A NEW CHILD CARE TAX CREDIT THAT WILL\nAIM OUR EFFORTS AT EXACTLY THOSE FAMILIES --\nWITHOUT DISCRIMINATING AGAINST MOTHERS WHO CHOOSE\nTO STAY AT HOME.\n- 18 -\nNOW, I KNOW THERE ARE COMPETING PROPOSALS.\nBUT REMEMBER THIS: THE OVERWHELMING MAJORITY OF\nALL PRESCHOOL CHILD CARE IS NOW PROVIDED BY\nRELATIVES AND NEIGHBORS, CHURCHES AND COMMUNITY\nGROUPS. FAMILIES WHO CHOOSE THESE OPTIONS SHOULD\n18\nREMAIN ELIGIBLE FOR HELP. PARENTS SHOULD HAVE\nCHOICE.\nAND FOR THOSE CHILDREN WHO ARE UNWANTED OR\nABUSED, OR WHOSE PARENTS ARE DECEASED, WE SHOULD\nENCOURAGE ADOPTION. I PROPOSE TO RE-ENACT THE TAX\nDEDUCTION FOR ADOPTION EXPENSES, AND TO DOUBLE IT\nTO $3,000. LET'S MAKE IT EASIER FOR THESE KIDS TO\nHAVE PARENTS WHO LOVE THEM.\nWE HAVE A MORAL CONTRACT WITH OUR SENIOR\nCITIZENS. IN THIS BUDGET, SOCIAL SECURITY IS\nFULLY FUNDED, INCLUDING A FULL COST-OF-LIVING\nADJUSTMENT. WE MUST HONOR OUR CONTRACT.\nWE MUST CARE ABOUT THOSE IN \"THE SHADOWS OF\nLIFE,\" AND I, LIKE MANY AMERICANS, AM DEEPLY\nTROUBLED BY THE PLIGHT OF THE HOMELESS. THE\nCAUSES OF HOMELESSNESS ARE MANY, THE HISTORY IS\nLONG, BUT THE MORAL IMPERATIVE TO ACT IS CLEAR.\n- 19 -\nTHANKS TO THE DEEP WELL OF GENEROSITY IN THIS\nGREAT LAND, MANY ORGANIZATIONS ALREADY CONTRIBUTE.\nBUT WE IN GOVERNMENT CANNOT STAND ON THE\nSIDELINES. IN MY BUDGET, I ASK FOR GREATER\nSUPPORT FOR EMERGENCY FOOD AND SHELTER, FOR HEALTH\nSERVICES AND MEASURES TO PREVENT SUBSTANCE ABUSE,\nAND FOR CLINICS FOR THE MENTALLY ILL -- AND I\n19\nPROPOSE A NEW INITIATIVE INVOLVING THE FULL RANGE\nOF GOVERNMENT AGENCIES. WE MUST CONFRONT THIS\nNATIONAL SHAME.\nTHERE IS ANOTHER ISSUE I HAVE DECIDED TO\nMENTION HERE TONIGHT. I HAVE LONG BELIEVED THAT\nTHE PEOPLE OF PUERTO RICO SHOULD HAVE THE RIGHT TO\nDETERMINE THEIR OWN POLITICAL FUTURE. PERSONALLY,\nI FAVOR STATEHOOD. BUT I ASK THE CONGRESS TO TAKE\nREFERENDUM.\nTHE NECESSARY STEPS TO allow LET THE PEOPLE DECIDE IN A\n<x0\nCERTAIN PROBLEMS, THE RESULT OF DECADES OF\nUNWISE PRACTICES, THREATEN THE HEALTH AND SECURITY\nOF OUR PEOPLE. LEFT UNATTENDED, THEY WILL ONLY\nGET WORSE -- BUT WE CAN ACT NOW TO PUT THEM BEHIND\nUS.\n- 20 -\nEARLIER THIS WEEK, I ANNOUNCED MY SUPPORT FOR\nA PLAN TO RESTORE THE FINANCIAL AND MORAL\nINTEGRITY OF OUR SAVINGS SYSTEM. I ASK CONGRESS\nTO ENACT OUR REFORM PROPOSALS WITHIN 45 DAYS. WE\nMUST NOT LET THIS SITUATION FESTER.\n20\nCERTAINLY, THE SAVINGS OF AMERICANS MUST\nREMAIN SECURE -- INSURED DEPOSITORS WILL CONTINUE\nTO BE FULLY PROTECTED. BUT ANY PLAN TO REFINANCE\nTHE SYSTEM MUST BE ACCOMPANIED BY MAJOR REFORM.\nOUR PROPOSALS WILL PREVENT SUCH A CRISIS FROM\nREOCCURRING. THE BEST ANSWER IS TO MAKE SURE THAT\nA MESS LIKE THIS WILL NEVER HAPPEN AGAIN.\nTHE MAJORITY OF THRIFTS IN COMMUNITIES ACROSS\nTHIS NATION HAVE BEEN HONEST; THEY HAVE PLAYED A\nMAJOR ROLE IN HELPING FAMILIES ACHIEVE THE\nAMERICAN DREAM OF HOME OWNERSHIP. BUT MAKE NO\nMISTAKE: THOSE WHO ARE CORRUPT, THOSE WHO BREAK\nTHE LAW, MUST BE KICKED OUT OF THE BUSINESS; AND\nTHEY SHOULD GO TO JAIL.\nWE FACE A MASSIVE TASK IN CLEANING UP THE\nWASTE LEFT FROM DECADES OF ENVIRONMENTAL NEGLECT\nAT AMERICA'S NUCLEAR WEAPONS PLANTS.\n- 21 -\nCLEARLY, WE MUST MODERNIZE THESE PLANTS AND\nOPERATE THEM SAFELY. THAT IS NOT AT ISSUE -- OUR\nNATIONAL SECURITY DEPENDS ON IT.\nBUT BEYOND THAT, WE MUST CLEAN UP THE OLD\n21\nMESS THAT'S BEEN LEFT BEHIND -- AND I PROPOSE IN\nTHIS BUDGET TO MORE THAN DOUBLE OUR CURRENT EFFORT\nTO DO SO. THIS WILL ALLOW US TO IDENTIFY THE\nEXACT NATURE OF THE VARIOUS PROBLEMS so WE CAN\nCLEAN THEM UP -- AND CLEAN THEM UP WE WILL.\nWE HAVE BEEN FORTUNATE DURING THESE PAST\n8 YEARS. AMERICA IS A STRONGER NATION TODAY THAN\nIT WAS IN 1980.\nMORALE IN OUR ARMED FORCES IS RESTORED. OUR\nRESOLVE HAS BEEN SHOWN. OUR READINESS HAS BEEN\nIMPROVED. AND WE ARE AT PEACE.\nTHERE CAN NO LONGER BE ANY DOUBT THAT PEACE\nHAS BEEN MADE MORE SECURE THROUGH STRENGTH. WHEN\nAMERICA IS STRONGER, THE WORLD IS SAFER.\nMOST PEOPLE DON'T REALIZE, THAT AFTER THE\nSUCCESSFUL RESTORATION OF OUR STRENGTH, THE\nPENTAGON BUDGET HAS ACTUALLY BEEN REDUCED IN REAL\nTERMS FOR EACH OF THE LAST 4 YEARS. WE CANNOT\nTOLERATE CONTINUED REAL REDUCTIONS IN DEFENSE.\n- 22 -\nIN LIGHT OF THE COMPELLING NEED TO REDUCE THE\nDEFICIT, HOWEVER, I SUPPORT A 1-YEAR FREEZE IN THE\nMILITARY BUDGET -- SOMETHING I PROPOSED LAST FALL\nIN MY FLEXIBLE FREEZE PLAN.\nTHIS FREEZE WILL APPLY FOR ONLY 1 YEAR --\n22\nAFTER THAT INCREASES ABOVE INFLATION WILL BE\nREQUIRED. I WILL NOT SACRIFICE AMERICAN\nPREPAREDNESS; AND I WILL NOT COMPROMISE AMERICAN\nSTRENGTH.\nI SHOULD BE CLEAR ON THE CONDITIONS ATTACHED\nTO MY RECOMMENDATION FOR THE COMING YEAR:\n- THE SAVINGS MUST BE ALLOCATED TO THOSE\nPRIORITIES FOR INVESTING IN OUR FUTURE THAT I HAVE\nSPOKEN ABOUT TONIGHT;\n- THIS DEFENSE FREEZE MUST BE PART OF A\nCOMPREHENSIVE BUDGET AGREEMENT WHICH MEETS THE\nTARGETS SPELLED OUT IN THE GRAMM-RUDMAN-HOLLINGS\nLAW WITHOUT RAISING TAXES, AND WHICH INCORPORATES\nREFORMS IN THE BUDGET PROCESS.\n- 23 -\nI HAVE DIRECTED THE NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL\nTO REVIEW OUR NATIONAL SECURITY AND DEFENSE\nPOLICIES AND REPORT BACK TO ME WITHIN 90 DAYS TO\nENSURE THAT OUR CAPABILITIES AND RESOURCES MEET\nOUR COMMITMENTS AND STRATEGIES.\n23\nI AM ALSO CHARGING THE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE\nWITH THE TASK OF DEVELOPING A PLAN TO IMPROVE THE\nDEFENSE PROCUREMENT PROCESS AND MANAGEMENT OF THE\nPENTAGON -- ONE WHICH WILL FULLY IMPLEMENT THE\nPACKARD COMMISSION REPORT. MANY OF THE CHANGES\nCAN ONLY BE MADE WITH THE PARTICIPATION OF THE\nCONGRESS -- so I ASK FOR YOUR HELP.\nWE NEED FEWER REGULATIONS. WE NEED LESS\nBUREAUCRACY. WE NEED MULTI-YEAR PROCUREMENT AND\n2-YEAR BUDGETING. AND FRANKLY, WE NEED LESS\nCONGRESSIONAL MICROMANAGEMENT OF OUR NATION'S\nMILITARY POLICY.\nSECURING A MORE PEACEFUL WORLD IS PERHAPS THE\nMOST IMPORTANT PRIORITY I'D LIKE TO ADDRESS\nTONIGHT.\n- 24 -\nWE MEET AT A TIME OF EXTRAORDINARY HOPE.\nNEVER BEFORE IN THIS CENTURY HAVE OUR VALUES OF\nFREEDOM, DEMOCRACY, AND ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY BEEN\nSUCH A POWERFUL POLITICAL AND INTELLECTUAL FORCE\n24\nAROUND THE GLOBE.\nNEVER BEFORE HAS OUR LEADERSHIP BEEN SO\nCRUCIAL, BECAUSE WHILE AMERICA HAS ITS EYES ON THE\nFUTURE, THE WORLD HAS ITS EYES ON AMERICA.\nIT IS A TIME OF GREAT CHANGE IN THE WORLD --\nAND ESPECIALLY IN THE SOVIET UNION. PRUDENCE AND\nCOMMON SENSE DICTATE THAT WE TRY TO UNDERSTAND THE\nFULL MEANING OF THE CHANGE GOING ON THERE, REVIEW\nOUR POLICIES CAREFULLY, AND PROCEED WITH CAUTION.\nBUT I HAVE PERSONALLY ASSURED GENERAL SECRETARY\nGORBACHEV THAT, AT THE CONCLUSION OF SUCH A\nREVIEW, WE WILL BE READY TO MOVE FORWARD. WE WILL\nNOT MISS ANY OPPORTUNITY TO WORK FOR PEACE.\nTHE FUNDAMENTAL FACT REMAINS THAT THE SOVIETS\nRETAIN A VERY POWERFUL MILITARY MACHINE, IN THE\nSERVICE OF OBJECTIVES WHICH ARE STILL TOO OFTEN IN\nCONFLICT WITH OURS. so LET US TAKE THE NEW\nOPENNESS SERIOUSLY. BUT LET US ALSO BE REALISTIC.\nAND LET US ALWAYS BE STRONG.\n- 25 -\nTHERE ARE SOME PRESSING ISSUES WE MUST\nADDRESS:\nI WILL VIGOROUSLY PURSUE THE STRATEGIC\n25\nDEFENSE INITIATIVE.\nTHE SPREAD AND EVEN USE OF SOPHISTICATED\nWEAPONRY THREATENS GLOBAL STABILITY AS NEVER\nBEFORE.\nCHEMICAL WEAPONS MUST BE BANNED FROM THE FACE\nOF THE EARTH, NEVER TO BE USED AGAIN. THIS WON'T\nBE EASY. VERIFICATION WILL BE DIFFICULT. BUT\nCIVILIZATION AND HUMAN DECENCY DEMAND THAT WE TRY.\nAND THE SPREAD OF NUCLEAR WEAPONS MUST BE\nSTOPPED. I WILL WORK TO STRENGTHEN THE HAND OF\nTHE INTERNATIONAL ATOMIC ENERGY AGENCY. OUR\nDIPLOMACY MUST WORK EVERY DAY AGAINST THE\nPROLIFERATION OF NUCLEAR WEAPONS.\nAND, AROUND THE GLOBE, WE MUST CONTINUE TO BE\nFREEDOM'S BEST FRIEND.\nWE MUST STAND FIRM FOR SELF-DETERMINATION AND\nDEMOCRACY IN CENTRAL AMERICA -- INCLUDING IN\nNICARAGUA.\n- 26 -\nFOR WHEN PEOPLE ARE GIVEN THE CHANCE, THEY\nINEVITABLY WILL CHOOSE A FREE PRESS, FREEDOM OF\nWORSHIP, AND CERTIFIABLY FREE AND FAIR ELECTIONS.\nWE MUST STRENGTHEN THE ALLIANCE OF INDUSTRIAL\nge\nDEMOCRACIES - AS SOLID A FORCE FOR PEACE AS THE\nWORLD HAS EVER KNOWN. THIS IS AN ALLIANCE FORGED\nBY THE POWER OF OUR IDEALS, NOT THE PETTINESS OF\nOUR DIFFERENCES. so LET US LIFT OUR SIGHTS -- TO\nRISE ABOVE FIGHTING ABOUT BEEF HORMONES TO\nBUILDING A BETTER FUTURE; TO MOVE FROM\nPROTECTIONISM TO PROGRESS.\nI HAVE ASKED THE SECRETARY OF STATE TO VISIT\nour allies\nEUROPE NEXT WEEK AND TO CONSULT WITH THEM ON THE\nWIDE RANGE OF CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES WE FACE\nTOGETHER INCLUDING EAST-WEST RELATIONS. AND I\nLOOK FORWARD TO MEETING WITH OUR NATO PARTNERS IN\nTHE NEAR FUTURE.\nI, Too, SHALL BEGIN A TRIP SHORTLY -- TO THE\nFAR REACHES OF THE PACIFIC BASIN, WHERE THE WINDS\nOF DEMOCRACY ARE CREATING NEW HOPE, AND THE POWER\nOF FREE MARKETS IS UNLEASHING A NEW FORCE.\nWHEN I SERVED AS OUR REPRESENTATIVE IN CHINA\nJUST 14 YEARS AGO, FEW WOULD HAVE PREDICTED THE\nSCOPE OF THE CHANGES WE'VE WITNESSED SINCE THEN.\n- 27 -\nBUT IN PREPARING FOR THIS TRIP, I WAS STRUCK\nBY SOMETHING I CAME ACROSS FROM A CHINESE WRITER.\nHE WAS SPEAKING OF HIS COUNTRY, DECADES AGO -- BUT\nHIS WORDS SPEAK TO EACH OF US, IN AMERICA,\nTONIGHT.\n\"TODAY,\" HE SAID, \"WE ARE AFRAID OF THE\n27\nSIMPLE WORDS LIKE GOODNESS AND MERCY AND\nKINDNESS.\"\nMY FRIENDS, IF WE'RE TO SUCCEED AS A NATION,\nWE MUST REDISCOVER THOSE WORDS.\nIN JUST 3 DAYS, WE MARK THE BIRTHDAY OF\nABRAHAM LINCOLN -- THE MAN WHO SAVED OUR UNION,\nAND GAVE NEW MEANING TO THE WORD OPPORTUNITY.\nLINCOLN ONCE SAID:\n\"I HOLD THAT WHILE MAN EXISTS, IT IS HIS DUTY\nTO IMPROVE NOT ONLY HIS OWN CONDITION, BUT TO\nASSIST IN AMELIORATING [THAT OF] MANKIND.\"\nIT IS THIS BROADER MISSION TO WHICH I CALL\nALL AMERICANS. BECAUSE THE DEFINITION OF A\nSUCCESSFUL LIFE MUST INCLUDE SERVING OTHERS.\n- 28 -\nTO THE YOUNG PEOPLE OF AMERICA, WHO SOMETIMES\nFEEL LEFT OUT -- I ASK YOU TONIGHT TO GIVE US THE\nBENEFIT OF YOUR TALENT AND ENERGY THROUGH A NEW\nPROGRAM CALLED \"YES,\" FOR YOUTH ENTERING SERVICE\nTO AMERICA.\n28\nTO THOSE MEN AND WOMEN IN BUSINESS --\nREMEMBER THE ULTIMATE END OF YOUR WORK -- TO MAKE\nA BETTER PRODUCT, TO CREATE BETTER LIVES. I ASK\nYOU TO PLAN FOR THE LONGER-TERM AND AVOID THE\nTEMPTATION OF QUICK AND EASY PAPER PROFITS.\nTO THE BRAVE MEN AND WOMEN WHO WEAR THE\ni\nUNIFORM OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA -- THANK\nYOU. YOUR CALLING IS A HIGH ONE -- TO BE THE\nDEFENDERS OF FREEDOM AND THE GUARANTORS OF\nLIBERTY. AND I WANT YOU TO KNOW THAT THIS NATION\nIS GRATEFUL FOR YOUR SERVICE.\nTO THE FARMERS OF AMERICA -- WE APPRECIATE\nTHE BOUNTY YOU PROVIDE. WE WILL WORK WITH YOU TO\nOPEN FOREIGN MARKETS TO AMERICAN AGRICULTURAL\nPRODUCTS.\n- 29 -\nTO THE PARENTS OF AMERICA, I ASK YOU TO GET\nINVOLVED IN YOUR CHILD'S SCHOOLING. CHECK ON\nTHEIR HOMEWORK. GO TO THE SCHOOL, MEET THE\nTEACHERS, CARE ABOUT WHAT IS HAPPENING THERE. IT\n29\nIS NOT ONLY YOUR CHILD'S FUTURE ON THE LINE, IT IS\nAMERICA'S.\nTO KIDS IN OUR CITIES -- DON'T GIVE UP HOPE.\nSAY NO TO DRUGS. STAY IN SCHOOL. AND YES, \"KEEP\nHOPE ALIVE.\"\nTO THOSE 37 MILLION AMERICANS WITH SOME FORM\nOF DISABILITY -- YOU BELONG IN THE ECONOMIC\nMAINSTREAM. WE NEED YOUR TALENTS IN AMERICA'S\nWORKFORCE. DISABLED AMERICANS MUST BECOME FULL\nPARTNERS IN AMERICA'S OPPORTUNITY SOCIETY.\nTO THE FAMILIES OF AMERICA WATCHING TONIGHT\nIN YOUR LIVING ROOMS: HOLD FAST TO YOUR DREAMS,\nBECAUSE ULTIMATELY AMERICA'S FUTURE RESTS IN YOUR\nHANDS.\nAND TO MY FRIENDS IN THIS CHAMBER, I ASK FOR\nYOUR COOPERATION TO KEEP AMERICA GROWING WHILE\nCUTTING THE DEFICIT. THAT IS ONLY FAIR TO THOSE\nWHO NOW HAVE NO VOTE -- THE GENERATIONS TO COME.\n- 30 -\nLET THEM LOOK BACK AND SAY THAT WE HAD THE\nFORESIGHT TO UNDERSTAND THAT A TIME OF PEACE AND\nPROSPERITY IS NOT A TIME TO REST, BUT A TIME TO\nPUSH FORWARD. A TIME TO INVEST IN THE FUTURE.\n30\nAND LET ALL AMERICANS REMEMBER THAT NO\nPROBLEM OF HUMAN MAKING IS TOO GREAT TO BE\nOVERCOME BY HUMAN INGENUITY, HUMAN ENERGY, AND THE\nUNTIRING HOPE OF THE HUMAN SPIRIT. I BELIEVE\nTHIS. I WOULD NOT HAVE ASKED TO BE YOUR PRESIDENT\nIF I DIDN'T.\nTOMORROW, THE DEBATE ON THE PLAN I HAVE PUT\n1\nFORWARD BEGINS. I ASK THE CONGRESS TO COME\nFORWARD WITH YOUR PROPOSALS. BUT LET US NOT\nQUESTION EACH OTHER'S MOTIVES. LET US DEBATE.\nLET US NEGOTIATE. BUT LET US SOLVE THE PROBLEM.\n((PAUSE AND SMILE))\nRECALLING ANNIVERSARIES MAY NOT BE MY\nSPECIALTY IN SPEECHES... BUT TONIGHT IS ONE OF\nSOME NOTE. ON FEBRUARY 9th 1941, JUST 48 YEARS AGO\nTONIGHT, SIR WINSTON CHURCHILL TOOK TO THE\nAIRWAVES DURING BRITAIN'S HOUR OF PERIL.\n- 31 -\nHE HAD RECEIVED FROM PRESIDENT ROOSEVELT A\nHAND-CARRIED LETTER QUOTING LONGFELLOW'S FAMOUS\nPOEM: \"SAIL ON, OH SHIP OF STATE! SAIL ON, OH\nUNION, STRONG AND GREAT! HUMANITY WITH ALL ITS\nFEARS, WITH ALL THE HOPES OF FUTURE YEARS, IS\nHANGING BREATHLESS ON THY FATE!\"\n31\nCHURCHILL RESPONDED ON THIS NIGHT BY RADIO\nBROADCAST TO A NATION AT WAR, BUT HE DIRECTED HIS\nWORDS TO ROOSEVELT. \"WE SHALL NOT FAIL OR\nFALTER,\" HE SAID. \"WE SHALL NOT WEAKEN OR TIRE.\nGIVE US THE TOOLS, AND WE WILL FINISH THE JOB.\"\nTONIGHT, ALMOST A HALF CENTURY LATER, OUR\nPERIL MAY BE LESS IMMEDIATE, BUT THE NEED FOR\nPERSEVERANCE AND CLEAR-SIGHTED FORTITUDE IS JUST\nAS GREAT.\nNOW, AS THEN, THERE ARE THOSE WHO SAY IT\nCAN'T BE DONE. THERE ARE VOICES WHO SAY THAT\nAMERICA'S BEST DAYS HAVE PAST. THAT WE ARE BOUND\nBY CONSTRAINTS, THREATENED BY PROBLEMS, SURROUNDED\nBY TROUBLES WHICH LIMIT OUR ABILITY TO HOPE.\n- 32 -\nWELL, TONIGHT I REMAIN FULL OF HOPE. WE\n32\nAMERICANS HAVE ONLY BEGUN ON OUR MISSION OF\nGOODNESS AND GREATNESS. AND TO THOSE TIMID SOULS,\nI REPEAT THE PLEA -- GIVE US THE TOOLS; AND WE\nWILL DO THE JOB.\nTHANK YOU, GOD BLESS YOU, AND GOD BLESS\nAMERICA.\n###\n30 24 16 19\na"
}