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Originally Processed With FOIA(s): FOIA Number: S FOIA MARKER This is not a textual record. This is used as an administrative marker by the George Bush Presidential Library Staff. Record Group/Collection: George H.W. Bush Presidential Records Collection/Office of Origin: Speechwriting, White House Office of Series: Speech File Draft Files Subseries: Chron File, 1989-1993 OA/ID Number: 13482 Folder ID Number: 13482-010 Folder Title: Bush Accomplishments, 4/17/89 [1] Stack: Row: Section: Shelf: Position: G 25 6 2 2 ( (Grant)) April 10, 1989 1989 APR 14 PM 5:57 THE ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF THE BUSH ADMINISTRATION Dince President Bush he took fo, lesaddressed a The new Administration is tackling the tough issues and both Shoterms addressing the most urgent priorities facing the nation. and working townd solutions to consterm challenges Accomplishments so far include: 1. A comprehensive budget proposal to the Congress and an numbers no unprecedented bipartisan agreement on the budget consultations (Ciccon.) reached in negotiations with the Congress in order to reduce record time, comprehensive (Bates) the Federal budget 2. A y plan to rescue the Savings and Loan industry deficit. (Pink An initiative ( Porter) 3. A proposal for cutting the capital gains tax rate to encourage investment and create jobs + (Pink) OMB: keep capital formation strong opportunity An initiative (Porter) move to A15 4. A proposal for raising the minimum wage to $4.25 coupled with a six month training wage Comprehensive (NSC) Replace w 5. Foreign policy and defense strategy reviews initiated (Cicconi) insert Intensive Presidential (NSC) 34 6. Consultations with the leaders of 32 nations, including Asia (Cicconi) 18 bilateral meetings held during the Tokyo trip (34 by Insert 4/15) Poland buller y with Congress (OMB) 7. The signing of a bipartisan accord on Central America with Congress 8. Introduction of a comprehensive legislative package for educational reform excellence (Ciceoni) Under the President's direction, (studdert) 9. Action by the Director of National Drug Control Policy, as a start (Pink) Bill Bennett, to target Washington, D.C. Vin the war on drugs #1 Add the following to the list of accomplishments: An initiative to strengthen the international strategy on Third World debt. suspension (Bales) 10. A temporary ban on the import of certain types of semi- automatic military assault rifles (Cicconi) Leadership by President Bush's Administration (studdent) of an effort to seek An amo ugis/ative unce ment Morth hazarnows to (Press) w 123 reements their safe do disposal, for 11. Federal action in the Alaskan oilspill cleanup effort, (grody) 12A the banning of toxic waste exports. and A call for the worldwide 12C a lan to begin an 12 D. Air phaseout of CFCs by the year 2000, integrated 5. years Iclean for upplars initiative (Porter) vlow income working parents nuclear all wash DOE cleanistion? 12E A child care proposal to give parents greater choice in meeting Their child care needs. (OMB) facilities and flexibility while helping those most in need (Preas) (Bates) targetted to help those most in need (Porter) 13. Whistleblower protection legislation to strengthen the rights of those who report misdeeds and mismanagement 14. A comprehensive ethics proposal to make uniform the among (Bater) standards between all three branches of government The president created the office of National Service in the W. H., and 15. A Presidential proclamation and series of events un the Administration's initiative on volunteerism. (Pethrsmeyer celebrating National Volunteer Week ? Pink). Insert H 4 + medicaid insert 16. A total of eleven televised press conferences by the 18. President delete not an accomplishment Insert: New aviation security initiatives announces. by DOT, designed to counteract terrorism in the skys. (Bates) President Bush has set an agenda for this country. He is orienting us as a nation toward the future -- building a better America -- keeping America strong and at peace. It is an agenda that seizes this special moment in our history: leadership is the ability to see the shape of things to come, to address tomorrow's challenges today. George Bush is preparing the nation for the 21st Century. Insert: Housing bullet (see last 2 pages) THE WHITE HOUSE WASHINGTON NOTE FOR CHRISS WINSTON FROM; DENISE SCHWARZ SUBJECT: THE ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF THE BUSH ADMINISTRATION I just received the final comments on the paper from Justice and Agriculture. Thank you for your patience. Attachment This constitutes about 70 percent of President Bush's proposed drug budget. Substantial increases are requested in funding to strengthen inspection, interdiction, intelligence efforts and crop eradication suchas operation Polar.Cap, a federally Led effort programs: The President strongly supports the death which broke up penalty for drug kingpins who commit drug-related 1.2B murders, and will appoint judges who will strongly any moreet aundering enforce the drug penalty laws. operation The Administration imposed a temporary suspension ban on the import of certain types of astomatic littary assault weapons, in order to get dangerous weapons out of the hands of criminals many of atom orlinvolved in drug-related killings. In addition, the Office of National Drug Control Policy has responded to the drug emergency in the District of expanded Columbia: A Metropolitan Area Task Force will be convened, 57 additional with representatives from federal agencies, and state and local police from D.C., Maryland and Virginia. More prisons: The federal Bureau of Prisons will take custody of 250 inmates from the D.C. jail, and work to locate land for construction of a new prison. Enforcement: The FBI will provide support to D.C. police in investigations of drug-related murders. Also, HUD will ease red tape to hasten the eviction of drug offenders from federally funded housing projects, and, with the D.C. police, will tighten security and maintenance at projects. Rehabilitation: The National Institute on Drug Abuse will provide assistance in local treatment efforts and will be authorized to establish three new outpatient clinics by 1990. Prevention: The Department of Education will provide the District with 50 percent more funds for drug prevention programs in city schools. The Department of Labor will work with the business community to increase job training for youth, and will provide a $100,000 grant to establish employee assistance programs for drug abuse. THE ENVIRONMENT President Bush, a long-time environmentalist, has taken strong action to protect the environment. He is working shoulder-to-shoulder with Interior Secretary Lujan and EPA Administrator Reilly on a number of fronts. ACTION BY THE ADMINISTRATION: Clean Air: The President committed his Administration to submitting a new Clean Air Act, including provisions for control of acid rain, ozone, and toxic air pollutants. Global warming: The President has called for the phaseout of CFCs by the year 2000, provided safe substitutes are available, in order to prevent further damage to the eartiko protective ozone layer. Cleaning up hazardous wastes: The President announced he will be seeking new legislation to give the United States government authority to ban all exports of hazardous waste except where an agreement exists with the receiving country providing for the safe handling and management of those wastes. Superfund: The President is reinvigorating the Superfund hazardous waste clean-up program by directing more aggress ive EPA to take a number of actions, including stricter action to force private parties to clean up sites enforcement of violations, stepped-up cost recovery, and increased emergency cleanup authority. authorities. better use of existing Clean water and coastlines: The EPA has started a tracking system for medical wastes,\ the a first step in a ^ and Justice Dept has started a task force to prosecute these abuse) From Emily mead April 14, 1989 MEMORANDUM SUBJECT: Civil Rights Agenda of the Bush Administration Since 1/20/89 MAJOR ACTIONS On March 8, the DOJ submitted a letter to Senator Biden indicating support of the objectives of the Hate Crimes Bill [S. 419] and no opposition to the bill's enactment. The Hate Crimes Bill provides for the collection of data about crimes motivated by race, religion, ethnicity or sexual orientation. On March 13, Attorney General Dick Thornburgh announced that the Department of Justice had filed Federal housing discrimination lawsuits seeking monetary damages and civil penalties under the expanded enforcement authority provided for in the Fair Housing Amendments Act of 1988 which became effective on March 12. [President Bush was one of 12 southern Congressman to vote for the Civil Rights Bill of 1968. This was the first open housing law of the 20th century.] On April 5, President Bush reaffirmed his dedication to the Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) by announcing a proposal to authorize $60 million in additional funds for endowment grants. ($10 million for FY 1990, 20 million FY 1991 and 1992, and $10 for FY 1993.) The Executive Order on Historically Black Colleges and Universities will soon be issued. OTHER ACTIONS On January 23, the DOJ filed a complaint against the Board of Education of Prince George's County, MD, alleging a pattern or practice of employment discrimination on the basis of race and sex. On January 27, a federal grand jury indicted two Georgia troopers and a county sheriff on charges of violating the civil rights of a man they apprehended after a car chase. (more) -2- On February 10, the DOJ filed a lawsui against the Holiday Spa Health Club chain, based in Towson, Maryland, alleging that the chain has engaged in a pattern and practice of racial discrimination against blacks. On February 27, the DOJ filed a motion to intervene in a private housing discrimination lawsuit in Mississippi in support of civil rights plaintiffs challenging a zoning ordinance. ACTION ON BEHALF OF THE CIVIL RIGHTS OF OTHER MINORITIES On February 6, the DOJ announced that federal observers would be assigned to polling places in Sandoval County, New Mexico, school districts for board and bond elections. The elections follow a Justice Department suit filed on December 5, 1988, seeking a comprehensive bilingual election program in the county that would allow persons who speak the Navajo and Pueblo languages to participate effectively in the electoral process. On February 21, the DOJ filed a consent decree in the U.S. District Court of Portland, Oregon, requiring the State to make sweeping improvement at the Fairview Training Center to ensure that the Center's 950 mentally retarded residents receive the care and treatment to which they are entitled under the Constitution and Federal law. PRESIDENTIAL PROCLAMATIONS AND ADDRESSES On February 1, a message from the President was issued on the observance of National Afro-American (Black) History Month, February, 1989. On March 9, the President addressed the United Negro College Fund Dinner in New York City. #: DEPARTMENTO MOUSING EVELOPMENT U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT THE SECRETARY WASHINGTON, D.C. 20410-0001 April 18, 1989 MEMORANDUM FOR: John Sununu Chief of Staff The White House FROM: SUBJECT: Accomplishments Jack Kemp Junkems of the Bush Administration I strongly believe that President Bush should highlight the positive steps he has taken to create an "opportunity society" of jobs, growth, housing and hope for Americans in need of a helping hand. His accomplishments include: INSERT 1. A proposal to provide over $1 billion in federal resources to help end the appalling tragedy of homelessness and pave the way to jobs, permanent housing, health care and human dignity. President Bush's proposal calls for fully funding the McKinney Homeless Assistance Act and for a new $50 million matching grant program to promote public/private partnerships to assist homeless families and the mentally ill. The annual Shelter Survey prepared by the Department of Housing and Urban Development showed that 9 out of 10 providers of assistance to the homeless were from the voluntary sector - an illustration of President Bush's support for the "1,000 points of light." 2. A call for enactment of enterprise zone legislation, to take urban and rural areas once redlined for despair, and greenline them for jobs, opportunity and hope for the future. President Bush has asked Congress to enact labor and capital based incentives to create jobs and entrepreneurial activity in our most distressed communities. 3. A commitment to making housing more affordable for low- income families, and to providing homeownership opportunities to the poor and young families just starting out. President Bush proposes to assist 109,000 new families in need of low-income housing, and has pledged to maintain assistance to those families already being helped. President Bush has also signalled his commitment to empowering poor residents of public housing to become homeowners through resident management and ownership of public housing. 4. The Bush Administration is working to make public housing drug free, to protect the rights of the vast majority of decent, law-abiding public housing residents. The Department of Housing and Urban Development has acted to suspend its lease and grievance procedures to facilitate eviction of those involved on drug related criminal activity; to make drug use and trafficking a lease violation subject to eviction proceedings; to target federal assistance to anti-drug security measures; to revoke federal housing subsidies from those dealing in drugs; and to involve the private and voluntary sectors in efforts to rid public housing of drugs and give residents, especially young people, a stake in their communities and their futures. 5. President Bush is enforcing the new Fair Housing Laws, which went into effect on March 12, 1989. He will fully prosecute those found to be discriminating in housing opportunities on the basis of religion, race, age, ethnicity, handicap, or family status. John these are concrete accomplishments which can be pointed to with pride. I strongly and sincerely believe they are crucial to an "opportenity society" war on poverty using free-enterprise, job creation and growth. They help form the basis of President Bush's "kinder and gentler" America. I strongly urge you to include them in any discussion of the administration's first 100 days. P.S. I strongly urge that language like you used on television talk shows on Sunday highlighting the link between cutting the capital gains tax rate and creating jobs, growth and opportunity should be used. Capital formation" is an abstract concept with little meaning to those in need of a job. CC: David Bates THE WHITE HOUSE washington NOTE FOR CHRISS WINSTON FROM; DENISE SCHWARZ SUBJECT: THE ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF THE BUSH ADMINISTRATION I just received the attached submission from Health and Human Services. Thank you. Attachment APR-18-89 TUE 17:30 P.02 IMPLEMENTATION OF WELFARE REFORM The Administration (HHS) issued proposed rules on April 18 to implement the major provisions of the Family Support Act of 1988. The Act required the Administration to develop a major new education and job training program to help recipients of Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC) move off welfare and become economically self sufficient. The Act required proposed regulations to be issued within 6 months of passage of the Act. The Administration has been successful in meeting that difficult goal. This Act was passed at the request of the Reagan-Bush Administration and major support of the Congress. The proposed rules are designed to: target job training assistance to those who are most likely to benefit and who are most at risk for long-term welfare dependency; provide that basic education is among the most important tools an individual needs for self-sufficiency and that these must be key components of this training program; use existing resources, including existing training and education programs as well as volunteer organizations and business firms; provide maximum level of flexibility to AFDC parents in obtaining the type of child care that best suits their needs consistent with the Administration's legislative proposals on child care. The Administration proposes to spend $3.3 billion over the next five years implementing the JOBS program. The changes will pay benefits in the future by reducing the number of individuals on welfare. It is estimated that 138,000 families will be able to leave welfare rolls over the next five years as a result of this program. Contact: John J. Phelan HHS 245-1753 APR-18-89 TUE 17:31 P.03 EXPANSION OF THE MEDICAID PROGRAM FOR PREGNANT WOMAN, INFANTS, AND CHILDREN On April 18, 1989, the Administration fowarded to the Congress proposed legislation to make federal programs better serve pregnant women, infants, and chilren. The legislation carries out commitments the President made in his February 9 adress, "Building a Better America." The President's proposals also include funds for improving the delivery of health care services; this request does not require new legislation. The legislation would expand significantly the population Medicaid serves, making Medicaid available to 1.9 million more women when they become pregnant. The legislation also takes steps to make Medicaid more effective by bringing more eligibile women and infants into the program. The legislation is part of an overall approach to health care for the disadvantaged that calls for full funding for Meicaid, $37.6 billion for FY 90, an increase of $3.3 billion or 9.6 percent over the FY 89 level. The legislation transmitted to the Congress today would: increase by 374,000 the number of pregnant women and children eligible for Medicaid. foster greater participation in Medicaid by eligible pregnant women by: - providing services to pregnant women who are presumed eligible for Medicaid before a formal eligibility determination is made, and - requiring States to operate outreach programs in area of high infant mortality. entitle all children under age 6 who are receiving Food Stamps to Medicaid coverage for immunizations. make the Federal match rate for State administrative expenses a uniform 50 percent byh gradually reducing special administrative match rates ranging from 75 to 100 percent. The savings that result would allow the legislative eleigibility changes proposed by the President to be implemented within the current programs spending level. APR-18-89 TUE 17:31 P.04 SENT BY:Xerox Telecopier 7020 : 4-18-89 12:04PM : 3857214- :# 3 10. A temporary ban on the import of certain types of automatic military assault rifles 11. Federal action in the Alaskan cilspill cleanup effort, the banning of toxic waste exports, and a call for the phaseout of CFCS by the year 2000 12. A child care proposal to give parents greater choice and flexibility, while helping those most in need 13. Whistleblower protection legislation to strengthen the rights of those who report misdeeds and mismanagement 14. A comprehensive ethics proposal to make uniform the standards between all three branches of government 15. A Presidential proclamation and series of events celebrating National Velunteer Week 16. A total of eleven televised press conferences by the President 17. Acted quickly to implement major welfare reform legislation that will help reduce long-term welfave dependency. President Bush has set an agenda for this country. He is orienting us as a nation toward the future -- building a better America -- keeping America strong and at peace. It is an agenda that seizes this special moment in our history: leadership is the ability to see the shape of things to come, to address tomorrow's challenges today. George Bush is preparing the nation for the 21st Century. 18. Expansion of Medicmid program for Pregnant women, Infants And Children. MASTER copy Document No. 026952SS WHITE HOUSE STAFFING MEMORANDUM DATE: 4/14/89 ACTION/CONCURRENCE/COMMENT DUE BY: 4/17/89 c.o.b. Building a Better America: SUBJECT: THE ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF THE BUSH ADMINISTRATION ACTION FYI ACTION FYI VICE PRESIDENT MCCLURE no comments SUNUNU NEWMAN SCOWCROFT PORTER DARMAN STUDDERT BATES UNTERMEYER ROGERS BREEDEN WINSTON CARD CICCONI PINKERTON DEMAREST no comments PETERSMEYER FITZWATER Boskin GRAY HAGIN REMARKS: Please forward any comments directly to Chriss Winston, Rm. 122, x2930, no later than c.o.b. Monday, April 17, 1989, with an info copy to my office. Thank you. RESPONSE: James W, Cicconi Assistant to the President and Deputy to the Chief of Staff Ext. 2702 THE ECONOMY Keeping our nation's economy strong is the key to managing change successfully. The news is good: More Americans are at work today than ever before I and has declared to (Bates 15 year low. (omB) unemployment continues at a record low. expansion continues with inflation under control. (OMB) The economy is sound without resurging inflation. ACTION BY THE ADMINISTRATION: Insert ECON T.P.'S - (Bates) Presenting a detailed budget: The President has put forth a detailed budget which addresses our fundamental obligations for protection of national security and support of the needy, while providing sufficient funds to advance high- The President's budget (0mB) priority initiatives, and at the same time, it restrains and overall growth of spending SQ that we can meet Gramm- Rudman-Hollings targets, on time. (Cicconi) - with no new taxes. (Grady) Reaching a budget agreement with Congress: The President and Congress announced on April 14 a budget plan to reduce $ 64 below FY '89 the estimated FY 1990 deficit by about $24 billion relative to the Gramm Rudman Hollings baseline. The deficit will be as required by the gramm- Rudman - reduced to $99.4 billion, which 1s a $64 billion reduction Hollings law. (Grady) relative to the current estimate of the FY 1989 deficit. the start of This is the first budget agreement reached ahead of schedule the budget year (Bates) and not framed in the context of crisis. rate (cieconi) Capital gains tax cut: In order to promote capital formation and investment, the President has proposed a 45 percent capital gains exclusion for qualified capital gains, a making the 15 percent (OMB) maximum 15 percent capital gains tax rate, and an increase V phased in (Bates FOREIGN POLICY The Administration's policy of peace through strength is working. As he prepares for both the 40th Anniversary of NATO in Brussels and the economic summit in Paris, President Bush has undertaken a number of foreign policy initiatives to maintain America's position of world leadership. ACTION BY THE ADMINISTRATION: Bipartisan accord: On March 24, the President signed the Bipartisan Accord on Central America with top leaders of the a strong + effective Congress. The agreement sets out the broad outlines of U.S. (NSC) policy in the region: Humanitarian aid: Congress has agreed to support the Administration's request for continued humanitarian for the Nicaraguan Democratic Resistance (NSC) assistance at current levels through the elections in Nicaragua scheduled for February, 1990. Review/consultation: There will be extensive delete consultations and review with respect to these funds (NSC of cieconi) effective November 30 1989 by the bipartisan leadership and relevant committees. Democracy and Regional Peace : (NSC) Caveat: The burden of proof is on the Sandinista government to do something it has steadfastly refused to do from 1979 to 1989: keep its promises to its of democracy + peace people and its neighbors. If those pledges continue to be violated, we hope and expect that other nations will find ways to join us to condemn those actions. But if those promises are kept, we have an opportunity to start a new day in Central America. In addition, families earning under $20, 000 would be exempted from the tax. (Porter) in the qualifying holding period from one year to three The re- establishment of a capital gains differential years. will encourage investment and stimulate The creation of jobs. ( Brady) Minimum wage proposal: The President is seeking to minimize the adverse economic impact of an across-the-board increase in the minimum wage, and to keep job opportunities available for youth and minority workers. His proposal is: A 27 percent increase in the minimum wage over three years to $4.25 for most workers. Maintaining the current $3.35 minimum for all new employees of a firm on the job for less than six months, regardless of age or previous employment. An increase in the small business exemption to include all firms, not just retail and service establishments, with gross sales under $500,000. An increase in the tip credit from 40 percent to 50 percent. Savings and Loan reform: The Administration has transmitted the "Financial Institutions Reform, Recovery and Enforcement Act of 1989" to Congress, which includes provisions to: Assure financial integrity of deposit insurance by raising the annual premium rate for both commercial banks and S&Ls. Resolve the status of existing insolvent banks in an orderly fashion. Improve supervisory control by bringing S&Ls up to the same standards applied to commercial banks. Enhance enforcement of bank fraud provisions. for Add the following summary: Add to end - (Boskin) #2 O Initiative on Third World Debt: The President's initiative to strengthen the international strategy on Third World debt has already received broad international support says Bates put under from both industrialized and developing countries. The approach is designed to promote sustained growth in Foriegn the policy developing countries by: (1) emphasizing sound market- oriented economic policies in debtor countries, particu- larly measures to promote investment and repatriation of tlight capital; (2) increasing the focus on debt and debt service reduction to complement new Lending by commercial banks; and (3) using resources from the World Bank and International Monetary Fund to catalyze voluntary debt and debt service reduction by the commercial banks. International Trade: The Administration broke a logjam in Add international trade talks which had existed since late 1988. This clears the way for negotiations that -- if successful over (USTR) the the next 20 months -- will greatly expand rules governing free and open trade. too In breaking the stalemate, the United States advanced its proposal to correct and prevent trade distortions in agriculture. ((INSERT POLAND) ) Bilateral meetings: The President has met with a total of 32 foreign leaders while in office (34 by 4/15), including a series of 18 bilateral meetings during the trip to Emperor also (cicconi) Hirohito's funeral. President Bush has met with leaders from the Middle East, including Prime Minister Shamir of Israel, President Mubarak of Egypt and King Hussein of Jordan. Policy reviews: President Bush has ordered comprehensive review of foreign policy and defense strategies, soon to be completed. APR 18 '89 10:03 P.4/22 (Bates) Insert Inter-American Development Bank: The Bush Administration successfully concluded negotiations which will lead to a substantial increase in the Bank's resources. The 3 resulting $22.5 billion in lending over the 1990-93 period will support development efforts in major Latin American debtor countries as well as the smaller countries of Central America and the Caribbean. have decided on specific steps by the United States, carefully chosen to recognize reforms underway, and to encourage reforms yet to come once Solidarity is legal: POTUS The President is asking the him -- I will ask Congress to join me in providing Poland acces has to our Generalized System of Preferences, which offers selective tariff relief to beneficiary countries. are working -- We will work with our allies and friends in the Paris POLAND Club to develop sustainable new schedules for Poland to repay it debt, easing a heavy burden so that a free market can grow. INSERT The Pres him -- will also ask Congress to join me in authorizing the Overseas Private Investment Corporation to operate in Poland, to the benefit of both Polish and U.S. investors. The Pres is proposing -- We will propose negotiations for a private business agreement with Poland to encourage cooperation between U.S. firm and Poland's private businesses. Both sides can benefit. -- The United States will continue to consider supporting, on their merits, viable loans to the private-sector by the International Finance Corporation. -- We believe that the Roundtable agreements that clear the way The Pres supports for Poland to be able to work with the International Monetary Fund on programs that support sound, new, market-oriented economic policies. We will encourage business and private non-profit groups The Admin is encouraging to develop innovative programs to swap Polish debt for equity ir Polish enterprises; and for charitable, humanitarian and environmental projects. The President -- We will support imaginative educational, cultural and training programs to help liberate the creative energies of the Polish people. EDUCATION The President's actions to improve education are guided by four key principles: that excellence and success in education should be recognized and rewarded; that federal funding should be targeted to those who need it most; that choice and flexibility - - for educators, parents and students -- are important to educational reform and to achieving excellence; and finally, that greater accountability is needed in the education system to assure that students are actually receiving the highest quality education. ACTION BY THE ADMINISTRATION: The President proposed and sent to the Congress a comprehensive education package, "The Educational Excellence Act of 1989" which includes seven initiatives: The Presidential Merit Schools program --- to reward schools that have made substantial progress in raising students' educational achievement, creating a safe and drug-free school environment, and reducing the drop-out rate. A new Magnet Schools of Excellence program -- to support the establishment, expansion or enhancement of magnet schools, increasing parental choice and improving quality education. The Alternative Certification of Teachers and Principals program -- to assist States interested in broadening the pool of talent from which to recruit teachers and principals. President's Awards for Excellence in Education -- to be awarded to public and private school teachers in every state who meet the highest standards of excellence. Drug-free Schools Urban Emergency Grants -- to provide special assistance to selected urban school districts that are disproportionately affected by drug trafficking and abuse. A National Science Scholars program -- to provide college scholarships to high school seniors who have excelled in the sciences and mathematics. Additional Funding authorization for (omi) Executive Order for endowment matching grants at Historically Black Colleges and Universities -- to strengthen HBCUs by building endowments, an especially effective way to create financial strength and long- term security. THE ENVIRONMENT President Bush, a long-time environmentalist, has taken strong action to protect the environment. He is working Energy sec. watking shoulder-to-shoulder with Interior Secretary Lujan, and EPA (grady) Administrator Reilly on a number of fronts. ACTION BY THE ADMINISTRATION: Clean Air: The President committed his Administration to submitting a new Clean Air Act, including provisions for control of acid rain, ozone, and toxic air pollutants. of Congress (Grady) Top in consultation Administration w/ leaders ,fficials have begun drafting a bill, ozone Depution: (cicconi) Global warming: The President has called for the <a total world. phaseout of CFCs by the year 2000, provided safe (Grady) wide substitutes are available, in order to prevent further damage to the earth's protective ozone layer. Cleaning up hazardous wastes: The President announced (Bates) he will be seeking new legislation to give the United G States government authority to ban all exports of hazardous waste except where an agreement exists with the receiving country providing for the safe handling and management of those wastes. Superfund: The President is reinvigorating the Superfund hazardous waste clean-up program by directing more aggressive action EPA to take a number of actions, including stricter (Bates) to force private parties to clean up sites (Bates) enforcement of violations, stepped-up cost recovery, better use of existing (Bates) ies JEPA is now finishing and increased emergency cleanup authority a priority review of Superfund to improve Clean water and coastlines: The EPA has started a its operation the (Grady) (Medical wasee, tracking system for medical wastes, a first step in a Haven t we cra said something Cicconi Significant on and rain (on Canada trip I believe we ann'd tonnage seduction Goals ven sinificant Ac the Presedent is committed to "no net loss of wethands and will direct his (Porter) Insert agencies to work toward That some, The Departments of Interior, Commerce, and agriculture, with the State of Alaska, have begun a scientific assessment of damages to natural resources. Exxon has provided 15 million in up-front funding for this effort. Hale x3120 Jeams from department of the Interisr 8 Agriculture, Commerce is national OMB Deranic E Atmospheric administration insert & the State of Alaska have began an assess ment of the Environmental damage caused by th oil spill. The President has proposel $206 willin in his budget to expand our parks and wildlife refuges. Insert (6rady) The President has set 1p a special Task force to address environmental concerns alsorthdrilling off the oilagas coasts of California & Florida. help (Bates) comprehensive program to keep our beaches clean. The of sewage sludge President is committed to end ocean dumping by 1991. (Grady) Alaskan oil spill: A Cabinet-level team was sent immediately to assess the Alaskan oil spill situation. A joint federal-state resource recovery team was convened, with Secretary of Transportation Skinner now coordinating all efforts. Coast Guard Commandant Yost has returned to Alaska to assume personal oversight of developments, and the National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the accident itself. Exxon has accepted responsibility for paying for the cleanup, and for employing local civilian personnel necessary to control further damage. In addition to the considerable federal personnel and equipment already in place, on April 7, the President announced that Defense Secretary Cheney will make available U.S. Armed Forces personnel and equipment to assist in the cleanup. EPA Administrator Reilly will coordinate the long-range planning to restore the environment of Prince William Sound, and the President has ordered a review of existing contingency plans for accidents such as this. Delite sentence FIGHTING DRUG ABUSE (Bath) weakned (omB) [America is being paralyzed by the threat of drugs: With the confirmation of Bill Bennett as Director of National Drug Control Policy, and the trip by Attorney General Thornburgh to South local with regard to jointeradication and (Rates) America to meet with leaders in interdiction efforts, we have begun a new war on drugs in this country. The President believes a four-pronged approach is key: education, rehabilitation, interdiction and enforcement. The policy of this Administration is "zero tolerance." No amount of illegal drug use is acceptable. This means dealing with both supply and demand. ACTION BY THE ADMINISTRATION: Budget: The Administration is requesting $6 billion in (omis) new funding for FY 1990 to fight the drug war, increasing outlays by nearly $1 billion for drug education, treatment and enforcement. Education: The Administration is requesting nearly $1.1 billion for education and prevention efforts. This is a 16 percent increase over 1989, and includes funding for ongoing programs and new initiatives. Rehabilitation: Funding for drug abuse treatment will be increased 18 percent. The Administration is proposing over $700 million to expand the nation's capacity to provide treatment, particularly to the indigent, disadvantaged, youth, and expectant mothers. Interdiction and enforcement: The Administration is proposing over $4.1 billion for law enforcement programs in 1990, a 10 percent increase over 1989. This constitutes about 70 percent of President Bush's proposed drug budget. Substantial increases are requested in funding to strengthen inspection, interdiction, intelligence efforts and crop eradication programs. The President strongly supports the death penalty for drug kingpins who commit drug-related murders, and will appoint judges who will strongly enforce the drug penalty laws. Administration imposed a temporary ban on the import of suspension ( TBates ) The Administration imposed a temporary ban on the (Lund) import of certain semiautomatic weapons, and has undertaken an emergency study to identify the best means of reducing drug-related killings and other violent crime. In addition, the Office of National Drug Control Policy has responded to the drug emergency in the District of Columbia: A Metropolitan Area Task Force will be convened, with representatives from federal agencies, and state and local police from D.C., Maryland and Virginia. More prisons: The federal Bureau of Prisons will take custody of 250 inmates from the D.C. jail, and work to locate land for construction of a new prison. Enforcement: The FBI will provide support to D.C. police in investigations of drug-related murders. Also, HUD will ease red tape to hasten the eviction of drug offenders from federally funded housing projects, and, with the D.C. police, will tighten security and maintenance at projects. Rehabilitation: The National Institute on Drug Abuse will provide assistance in local treatment efforts and will be authorized to establish three new outpatient clinics by 1990. Prevention: The Department of Education will provide the District with 50 percent more funds for drug prevention programs in city schools. The Department of Labor will work with the business community to increase job training for youth, and will provide a $100,000 grant to establish employee assistance programs for drug abuse. Two words CHILDCARE The changing nature of American society is putting more and more pressure on the family. President Bush wants to put choice that (Porter) in the hands of parents not government so they have the power to select the best and safest environment for their children. ACTION BY THE ADMINISTRATION: Child care: The President has proposed a child care package, the "Working Family Child Care Assistance Act of 1989" which: refundable V Provides a new child care tax credit of up to $1000 per child under four for low and moderate income working families. Child (Tsated) Care (OMB). Makes the existing Dependent Child Tax Credit refundable. Head Start: The President has also transmitted legislation the FY 1990 to the Congress which would increase authorization for Head to accomodate a vincrease over FY 1989; Start programs by $250 million for FY 1990; this will pay (OMB) enrollment of four-yearolds forVup to 95,000 more children in the program. President directed Sec Dole to study (Porter) the market for liability insurance to determine life liability issues impair child care. Replace Inicot VOLUNTEERISM A The President proclaimed National Volunteer Week, April 10- 15 insert A from Petersmeyer NATIONAL SERVICE President Bush has said that "From now on in America, any definition of a successful life must include serving others". ACTION BY THE ADMINISTRATION: Office of National Service: The President established in the White House the Office of National Service to lead the Administration's national service movement. This Office will identify effective community service models and encourage others to duplicate them across the country. It will challenge individuals, schools, businesses, civic and service groups, religious institutions and other entities to expand existing community service programs and to create new ones. The goal of this Office is to make service to others a central part of every American's life and, in so doing, to help to ameliorate the urgent ills which fray the fabric of American society. The Office will recommend changes in national social and economic policy to promote and encourage service including tort law reform, welfare law reform and housing, to name a few. Presidential proclamation: In signing the proclamation commemorating National Volunteer Week, April 9-15, the President challenged every American who cares about the future of this country to engage in some meaningful form of community service. He awarded 18 Presidential Awards to those chosen from nearly 2000 applications -- to winners who embody the ideals of goodness, compassion and concern for others. ETHICS High ethical standards are central to this Administration, and we will enforce them -- strictly, comprehensively, fairly, and to the letter and spirit of the law. ACTION BY THE ADMINISTRATION: The President issued an Executive Order creating the President's Commission on Federal Ethics Law Reform. On March 9, the Commission filed its report and its recommendations to the President. Legislation was sent April 12th to the Congress, and the President issued an Executive Order announcing ethical principles for the conduct of executive branch employees. The President's proposals include: earned (Cicconi) A ban on outside Y income for non-career Presidential appointees in the executive branch, including all employees in the immediate White House office. Ethics (Amy Schwartz) (Covasel's The second and third bullets intertwine three separate issues. office) For clarity, they should be revised into three separate points. That is: Expanded financial disclosure for all three branches of Insert government. Prohibition of the conversion of political these contributions for personal or office use. hw A comprehensive review of federal campaign laws, including an assessment of the negative effects of PACs on parties, competition and political debate. The President believes that PAC contributions to candidates should be eliminated, and he will be consulting with Congress on this issue. President Bush is also opposed to federal funding of congressional campaigns. In addition, a new bullet could be added to recognize that the bill also includes: Deferral of tax liability when an individual is required by his or her agency to divest assets in order to avoid conflicts of interest. Strengthened rules against abusing the revolving door for private gain at the expense of the public trust. These separate rules also apply to the legislative branch. was proposed in vlegislation "legis lation 12, submitted April A 25 percent pay raise for federal judges, while restricting The ethics reform legislation restricts ( OMB) V their acceptance of honoraria. President Bush believes that honoraria for Members of Congress should be banned. formalize that Comis) However, the President will not make that formal proposal until after he consults with Congress on the question of a congressional pay raise. He will include in that discussion the question of a pay increase for certain Executive Branch positions. The extension of the Independent Counsel statute to cover the Congress. The extension of the federal statute that prohibits employees from taking actions that enhance their own financial interest to cover legislative and judicial branch employees. The establishment of an independent ethics office for the Congress, to be headed by a clearly nonpartisan official, confirmed by both houses. The application of the existing one-year post-employment "cooling-off" period for senior executive-branch employees to the legislative and judicial branches. WHISTLEBLOWER PROTECTION The President supports public servants who revere the trust placed in them by the American people. To this end, he is working to protect those public servants who report waste, fraud and mismanagement. ACTION BY THE ADMINISTRATION: On April 10, the President signed S. 20, the "Whistleblower Protection Act of 1989." This law will strengthen the protections and procedural rights available to those federal employees who report misdeeds and mismanagement. new/egislation This will enhance the authority of the Office of Special Counsel, and whistleblowers will also now be allowed to take their cases to the Merit Systems Protection Board. The law now clarifies the burden of proof, so that Rep wl lace office) employees must prove only that whistleblowing was a "contributing factor" to any adverse personnel actions con tinue to (omB) against them. The agency will also have the right of rebuttal. ? see ome correction The it statute alters the legal burdens of proof, making easier for employees to be vindicated when they are wrongfully penalized by their supervisors for whistleblowing activities. (Press) \ PRESS RELATIONS ACTION BY THE ADMINISTRATION (As of 4/11/89) : 9 Eleven televised press conferences held by the President 12 Seven Presidential interviews with reporters Three sessions in the Oval Office with reporters One regional press briefing One televised address, to the nation ### to a Joint sension of Congress and (Grady too) Nukemarcet)