Ask the Scholar
Document scope · 1 page
Scholar
Ask about this object, its catalog metadata, its source description, or the page inventory.
For page-specific OCR and visual context, open one of the page chats.
Scholar Source Context
Document identity
localId
323150423
label
Building a Better America, 4/20/89
core
doc
dtoType
document
citationUrl
pageCount
1
Source metadata
id
323150423
contentType
document
title
Building a Better America, 4/20/89
citationUrl
identifierLocal
13483-008
collections
Records of the White House Office of Speechwriting (George H. W. Bush Administration)
Speech Draft Files
imageCount
1
hasImages
yes
source
import
hasTranscription
no
Source extras
naId
323150423
levelOfDescription
fileUnit
recordType
description
ocrSource
nara-archive
Single page context
seq
1
pageIndex
0
type
document
mediaId
931c670e20af40b9
ocrText
Originally Processed With FOIA(s):
FOIA Number:
S
2011-2184-F
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:
13483
Folder ID Number:
13483-008
Folder Title:
Building a Better America, 4/20/89
Stack:
Row:
Section:
Shelf:
Position:
G
26
15
6
6
Document No. 02841955
WHITE HOUSE STAFFING MEMORANDUM
DATE: 4/19/89
ACTION/CONCURRENCE/COMMENT DUE BY: 12:00 NOON, 4/20/89
SUBJECT: EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: BUILDING A BETTER AMERICA
ACTION FYI
ACTION FYI
VICE PRESIDENT
MCCLURE
SUNUNU
NEWMAN
SCOWCROFT
PORTER
R
DARMAN
STUDDERT
BATES
UNTERMEYER
BREEDEN
Bennett
CARD
CICCONI
P
DEMAREST
FITZWATER
GRAY
HAGIN
REMARKS:
Please provide your comments/recommendations directly to Chriss
Winston (ext. 2930, rm. 122) with an info copy to my office by
12:00 NOON, THURSDAY, 4/20/89. Thank you.
RESPONSE:
see Comments
James W. Cicconi
Assistant to the President
and Deputy to the Chief of Staff
Ext. 2702
( (Grant)
BUILDING A BETTER AMERICA
APRIL 19, 1989
Since President Bush took office, he has addressed a series
of tough issues, meeting both urgent short-term priorities and
working toward solutions to the long-term challenges facing the
nation. Relying on basic American principles -- traditional
family values, choice, accountability, fairness, excellence,
peace through strength -- the President is building a better
America by:
1. Keeping the economy strong -- with no new taxes
2. Seizing international opportunities for peace
3. Investing in our future
4. Working for a kinder, gentler America
Solen
Keeping the Economy Strong -- With No New Taxes
weicher
5178
76
X 5873
Record economic growth -- 77 months of economic expansion.
Nearly 20 million nate new jobs have been created, and
during the this period
unemployment is now at its lowest since December, 1973.
Holen
Real income of the median family set a new record in 1987
and continues to grow.
O
A comprehensive budget proposal to the Congress and an
unprecedented bipartisan agreement with the Congress on the
budget reducing the Federal budget deficit with no new taxes
o
A comprehensive plan to rescue the Savings and Loan industry
An initiative for cutting the capital gains tax rate to
encourage investment and create jobs and opportunity
A proposal for raising the minimum wage to $4.25 coupled
with a six-month training wage
Seizing International Opportunities for Peace
Holen
the
5178
The signing of a bipartisan accord with Congress on Central
America
An eight-step program to support Polish political and
economic reforms
Intensive Presidential consultations with the leaders of 34
nations, including 18 bilateral meetings held during the
Asia trip
A plan to strengthen the international response to Third
World debt
Comprehensive foreign policy and defense strategy reviews
initiated
Investing in Our Future
Improving Education
Trans mission
Holen 5178
O
Introduction of a comprehensive legislative package for
educational excellence tothe congless
Protecting our Environment
to overpee
Hale
A multi-agency commitment of federal resources to the
3/20
Alaskan oil spill cleanup effort
An announcement of an effort to seek legislative authority
to ban hazardous waste exports, where agreements do not
exist for their safe disposal
A call for the worldwide phaseout of CFCs by the year 2000
A plan of action to identify and prioritize clean up of
defense and civilian radioactive waste
A legislative proposal, already enacted by the House, to
deregulate natural gas by January 1, 1993
Fighting Drugs and Crime
A major $6 billion anti-drug abuse initiative focusing on
education, rehabilitation, interdiction and enforcement
Action in response to the drug emergency in the District of
Columbia, including enforcement support, more prison space,
and stepped-up efforts in prevention and rehabilitation
A temporary ban on the import of certain types of semi-
automatic weapons
Action to suspend lease and grievance procedures to
facilitate eviction of those involved in drug related
criminal activity from public housing
New aviation security initiatives announced by the Secretary
of Transportation, designed to counteract terrorism in the
skies
Working for a Kinder, Gentler America
Halen
y5178
Child Care
parents in
A child care initiative to give low-income working parents families
greater choice and flexibility in meeting their child care
needs
the
Legislation to increase FY 1990 authorization for Head Start
by 1250 million
allow
Aolen 45178
programs, to pay for the enrollment of up to 95,000 more poor
four-year olds to participate in this program that gives
them a better start in Life.
Volunteerism
The creation of the Office of National Service in the White
House, and leadership in the Administration's initiative on
volunteerism
Welfare Reform and Medicaid
Quick action to implement major welfare reform legislation
Holen 5178
that will help reduce long-term welfare dependency
to serve more
Expansion of the Medicaid program for pregnant women,
infants, and children
Homelessness
An initiative to provide over $1 billion in federal
resources to help end homelessness and pave the way to jobs,
permanent housing and health care
Ethics/Whistleblower Protection
A comprehensive ethics proposal to make uniform the
standards among all three branches of government
Whistleblower protection legislation to strengthen the
rights of those who report misdeeds and mismanagement
Civil Rights
Enforcement of the new Fair Housing Laws, to fully prosecute
those found to be discriminating in housing opportunities on
the basis of religion, race, age, ethnicity, handicap or
family status
Support by the Department of Justice for the objectives of
the Hate Crimes Bill, which provides for the collection of
data about crimes motivated by race, religion, ethnicity or
sexual orientation
President Bush has set an agenda for the 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.
###
BUILDING A BETTER AMERICA
APRIL 24, 1989
SUMMARY
Since President Bush took office, he has addressed a series
of tough issues, meeting both urgent short-term priorities and
working toward solutions to the long-term challenges facing the
nation. Relying on basic American principles -- traditional
family values, choice, accountability, fairness, excellence,
peace through strength -- the President is building a better
America by:
1. Keeping the economy strong -- with no new taxes
2. Seizing international opportunities for peace
3. Investing in our future
4. Working for a kinder, gentler America
Keeping the Economy Strong -- With No New Taxes
o
Record economic growth -- 76 months of economic expansion.
Nearly 20 million new jobs have been created, and the
unemployment rate is now at its lowest since December, 1973.
Real median family income set a new record in 1987 and
continues to grow.
A comprehensive budget proposal sent to the Congress and an
unprecedented bipartisan agreement with the Congress reached
on the budget reducing the Federal budget deficit, meeting
Gramm-Rudman-Hollings deficit reduction targets with no new
taxes
A comprehensive plan to rescue the Savings and Loan industry
which has cleared the Senate
An initiative for cutting the capital gains tax rate sent to
the Congress to encourage investment and create jobs and
opportunity
In the Uruguay Round of GATT trade negotiations, substantial
progress has been made by the Administration toward reducing
trade barriers to U.S. exports
A plan for raising the minimum wage to $4.25 coupled with a
six month training wage
Seizing International Opportunities for Peace
The signing of a bipartisan accord with the Congress on
Central America
The initiation of a dialogue with the Soviet Union.
Secretary Baker met with Foreign Minister Shevardnadze in
March, and these talks will continue when the two meet next
in Moscow
An eight-step program to support Polish political and
economic reforms
Intensive Presidential consultations with the leaders of 34
nations, including 18 bilateral meetings held during the
Asia trip
A plan to strengthen the international response to Third
World debt
Comprehensive foreign policy and defense strategy reviews
initiated
Investing in Our Future
Improving Education
A comprehensive legislative package for educational
excellence sent to the Congress
Protecting our Environment
A multi-agency commitment to oversee the Alaskan oil spill
cleanup effort
The development of Clean Air Act revisions, with provisions
for control of acid rain and other problems
An announcement of an effort to seek legislative authority
to ban hazardous waste exports, where agreements do not
exist for their safe disposal
A call for the worldwide phaseout of CFCs by the year 2000
A plan of action to identify and prioritize clean up of
defense and civilian radioactive waste
A legislative proposal, already enacted by the House, to
deregulate natural gas by January 1, 1993
Fighting Drugs and Crime
A major $6 billion anti-drug abuse initiative focusing on
education, rehabilitation, interdiction and enforcement
Action in response to the drug emergency in the District of
Columbia, including enforcement support, more prison space,
and stepped-up efforts in prevention and rehabilitation
A temporary suspension of imports of certain types of semi-
automatic weapons
Action to modify lease and grievance procedures to
facilitate eviction of those involved in drug related
criminal activity from public housing
New aviation security initiatives announced by the Secretary
of Transportation, to counteract terrorism in the skies
Working for a Kinder, Gentler America
Child Care
A child care initiative to give low and moderate income
working families greater choice and flexibility in meeting
their child care needs
Legislation to increase the FY 1990 authorization for Head
Start by $250 million to help up to 95,000 more 4-year olds
National Service
The creation of the Office of National Service in the White
House, and leadership in the Administration's initiative on
volunteerism
Welfare Reform and Medicaid
Quick action to implement major welfare reform legislation
that will help reduce long-term welfare dependency
Expansion of the Medicaid program to serve more pregnant
women, infants, and children
Homelessness
An initiative to provide over $1 billion in federal
resources to help end homelessness and pave the way to jobs,
permanent housing and health care
Ethics and Civil Rights
A comprehensive ethics proposal to make uniform the
standards among all three branches of government
Whistleblower protection legislation, now law, to strengthen
the rights of those who report misdeeds and mismanagement
Enforcement of the new Fair Housing Laws, to fully prosecute
those discriminating in housing opportunities on the basis
of religion, race, age, ethnicity, handicap or family status
Support by the Department of Justice for the objectives of
the Hate Crimes Bill, which provides for the collection of
data about crimes motivated by race, religion, ethnicity or
sexual orientation
President Bush has set an agenda for the country. He is
orienting us as a nation toward the future -- building a better
America -- keeping America strong and at peace. 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.
BUILDING A BETTER AMERICA
APRIL 24, 1989
KEEPING THE ECONOMY STRONG -- WITH NO NEW TAXES
Keeping our nation's economy strong is the key to managing
change successfully. The news is good:
Record expansion: We are now in the 76th month of the
current economic expansion.
Job creation: Nearly 20 million new jobs have been created,
and the unemployment rate has declined to 4.9 percent, a 15
year low. During this decade, America has created more new
jobs than Japan and the nations of Western Europe combined.
Record income: Per capita personal income, after taxes and
inflation, has risen 17 percent during the expansion; real
income of the median family -- the family exactly in the
middle of the income distribution -- set a new record in
1987 and continues to grow.
Industrial output: During this expansion, American
industrial output has grown 33 percent compared with overall
economic growth of 26 percent. This is double Europe's
growth rate in industrial output and even slightly more than
Japan's rate of increase during the same period.
Inflation under control: We have had seven straight years
of consumer price inflation under 5 percent. The
Administration supports the Federal Reserve's efforts to
restrain inflation while maintaining real economic growth.
The Administration and the Fed share the goal of ultimately
achieving price stability -- zero inflation.
ACTION BY THE ADMINISTRATION:
Presenting a budget: The President put forth a budget which
addresses our fundamental obligations for protection of
national security and support of the needy, while providing
sufficient funds to advance high-priority initiatives. The
President's budget restrains overall growth of spending and
meets the Gramm-Rudman-Hollings targets -- with no new
taxes.
Reaching a budget agreement with Congress: The President
and Congress announced on April 14 a budget plan to reduce
the estimated FY 1990 deficit by about $64 billion below FY
1989. The deficit will be reduced to $99.4 billion, as
required by the Gramm-Rudman-Hollings law. This is the
2
first budget agreement reached before the start of the
budget year and not framed in the context of crisis.
Savings and Loan reform: The Administration has transmitted
the "Financial Institutions Reform, Recovery and Enforcement
Act of 1989' to Congress, which has already cleared the
Senate. The proposal 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.
Capital gains tax rate cut: The re-establishment of a
capital gains differential will encourage capital formation,
and investment and stimulate job creation. The President
has sent to the Congress a proposal which includes:
---
A 45 percent capital gains exclusion for qualified
capital gains, making the maximum capital gains tax
rate 15 percent.
--
A phased-in increase in the qualifying holding period
from one year to three years.
--
Families earning under $20,000 would be exempted from
the tax.
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 those seeking to enter the economic
mainstream. 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.
The President's pledge to veto an excessive increase in the
minimum wage has gained strong support in both Houses of
Congress.
International Trade: The Administration broke a logjam in
international trade talks which had existed since late 1988.
In breaking the stalemate, the United States advanced its
proposal to correct and prevent trade distortions in
agriculture. This clears the way for negotiations that -- if
3
successful over the next 20 months -- will greatly expand
rules governing free and open trade.
Agricultural initiatives:
--
The announcement of additional advance deficiency
payments of 10 percent available to producers of wheat,
feed grains, rice and upland cotton.
--
The establishment of a top-level Working Group on Rural
Development to focus on an action-oriented agenda.
4
SEIZING INTERNATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR PEACE
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
Congress. The agreement sets out the broad outlines of a
strong and effective U.S. policy in the region:
Humanitarian aid: Congress has agreed to support the
Administration's request for continued humanitarian
assistance for the Nicaraguan Democratic Resistance at
current levels through the elections in Nicaragua
scheduled for February, 1990.
Democracy and Regional Peace: 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 people and its neighbors. If those
pledges of democracy and peace 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.
Support for reform in Poland: The Polish people are now
taking concrete steps which deserve our active support.
Those reforms include the legalization of Poland's heroic
trade union movement, Solidarity, and were recognized by
President Bush's initiative, which contained eight steps to
support Polish political and economic reforms:
i
The President is asking the Congress to join him in
providing Poland access to our Generalized System of
Preferences, which offers selective tariff relief to
beneficiary countries.
We are working with our allies and friends in the Paris
Club to develop sustainable new schedules for Poland to
repay its debt, easing a heavy burden so that a free
market can grow.
The President is also asking Congress to join him in
authorizing the Overseas Private Investment Corporation
to operate in Poland.
--
The President is proposing negotiations for a private
business agreement with Poland to encourage cooperation
between U.S. firms and Poland's private businesses.
The U.S. will continue to consider supporting, on their
merits, viable loans to the private sector by the
International Finance Corporation.
5
The President supports the Roundtable agreements that
clear the way for Poland to be able to work with the
International Monetary Fund on programs that encourage
sound, new, market-oriented economic policies.
The Administration is also encouraging business and
non-profit groups to develop innovative programs to
swap Polish debt for equity in Polish enterprises; and
for charitable, humanitarian and environmental
projects.
The President will support imaginative educational,
cultural and training programs to help liberate the
creative energies of the Polish people.
Bilateral meetings: The President has met with a total of 34
foreign leaders while in office, including a series of 18
bilateral meetings during the trip to Emperor 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.
A dialogue has begun with the Soviet Union. Secretary Baker
met with Foreign Minister Shevardnadze in March, and these
talks will continue when the two meet next in Moscow
Inter-American Development Bank: The Bush Administration
successfully concluded negotiations which will lead to a
substantial increase in the Bank's resources. The 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.
Initiative on Third World Debt: The President's initiative
to strengthen the international strategy on Third World debt
has already received broad international support from both
industrialized and developing countries. The approach is
designed to promote sustained growth in developing countries
by:
Emphasizing sound market-oriented economic policies in
debtor countries, particularly measures to promote
investment and repatriation of flight capital;
--
Increasing the focus on debt and debt service reduction
to complement new lending by commercial banks;
--
Using resources from the World Bank and International
Monetary Fund to catalyze voluntary debt and debt
service reduction by the commercial banks.
GATT: In the Uruguay Round of GATT trade negotiations, the
Administration has made substantial progress toward reducing
trade barriers to U.S. exports.
Policy reviews: President Bush has ordered a comprehensive
review of foreign policy and defense strategies, soon to be
completed.
6
INVESTING IN OUR FUTURE
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:
o
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.
I
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 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
shoulder-to-shoulder with Interior Secretary Lujan, Energy
Secretary Watkins, and EPA Administrator Reilly on a number of
fronts.
7
ACTION BY THE ADMINISTRATION:
Alaskan oil spill:
A Cabinet-level team was sent to assess the Alaskan oil
spill situation, and 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. 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.
--
The President has set up a special task force to
address environmental concerns about oil and gas
drilling off the coasts of California and Florida.
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.
Also, Secretary of Energy Watkins has put forth a plan of
action to identify and prioritize clean up of defense and
civilian radioactive waste.
Superfund: The President is reinvigorating the Superfund
hazardous waste clean-up program by directing EPA to take a
number of actions, including more aggressive action to force
private parties to clean up sites, stepped-up cost recovery,
and better use of existing emergency cleanup authorities.
EPA is also now finishing a priority review of Superfund to
improve its operation.
Ozone depletion: The President has called for a total
worldwide phaseout of CFCs by the year 2000, provided safe
substitutes are available, in order to prevent further
damage to the earth's protective ozone layer.
8
Clean Air and Acid Rain: The President committed his
Administration to submitting a new Clean Air Act, including
provisions for control of acid rain, ozone, and toxic air
pollutants. Top Administration officials have begun
drafting a bill, in consultation with leaders of Congress.
Clean water and coastlines: The EPA has started a tracking
system for medical wastes and the Justice Department has
started a task force to prosecute these abuses -- the first
step in a comprehensive program to help keep our beaches
clean. The President is committed to end ocean dumping of
sewage sludge by 1991.
Wetlands: The President is committed to "no net loss of
wetlands" and is directing his agencies to work toward that
goal. He has also proposed $206 million in his budget to
expand our parks and wildlife refuges.
FIGHTING DRUGS AND CRIME
With the confirmation of Bill Bennett as Director of
National Drug Control Policy, and the trip by Attorney General
Thornburgh to South America to meet with local leaders with
regard to joint eradication and 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
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
9
eradication programs, such as Operation Polar Cap, a
federally led effort which broke up a $1.2 billion drug
money-laundering operation. 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.
The Administration imposed a temporary suspension of imports
of certain types of semi-automatic weapons, and has
undertaken an emergency study to identify the best means of
reducing drug-related killings and other violent crime.
Public housing: 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 modify its lease and grievance procedures to
facilitate eviction of those involved in 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;
--
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.
In addition, the Office of National Drug Control Policy has
responded to the drug emergency in the District of Columbia:
I
A Metropolitan Area Task Force will be expanded, with
57 additional 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.
--
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.
10
WORKING FOR A KINDER, GENTLER AMERICA
CHILD CARE
The changing nature of American society heightens the need
for quality, affordable, accessible child care. President Bush
wants to put choice in the hands of parents so that they -- not
government -- 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:
--
Provides a new refundable child care tax credit of up
to $1000 per child under four, for low and moderate
income working families.
--
Makes the existing Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit
refundable.
--
Does not discriminate against religious- and family-
based child care.
The President has directed Secretary of Labor Dole to study
the market for liability insurance to determine if liability
issues impair child care.
Head Start: The President has also transmitted legislation
to the Congress which would increase the FY 1990
authorization for Head Start by $250 million; this will pay
for enrollment of up to 95,000 more four-year-olds in the
program.
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
11
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.
WELFARE REFORM
The Administration has developed a major new education and
job training program to help recipients of Aid to Families with
Dependent Children move off welfare and become economically self-
sufficient.
ACTION BY THE ADMINISTRATION:
O
Welfare reform: The Administration issued proposed rules on
April 18 to implement the major provisions of the Family
Support Act of 1988. The proposed rules are designed to:
i
Target job training assistance to those who are most
likely to benefit and who are most at risk for long-
term welfare dependency.
:
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.
JOBS Program: The Administration is proposing 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.
EXPANSION OF MEDICAID
The Administration is committed to health care for the
disadvantaged, calling for full funding of Medicaid, $37.6
billion for FY 1990, an increase of $3.3 billion, or 9.6 percent
over the FY 1989 level.
ACTION BY THE ADMINISTRATION:
o
Expanding Medicaid: On April 18, the Administration
forwarded to Congress proposed legislation to make federal
programs better serve pregnant women, infants and children.
The legislation would expand significantly the population
12
Medicaid serves, making Medicaid available to 1.9 million
more women when they became pregnant. The legislation
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 by requiring
States to operate outreach programs in areas 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 administration
expenses a uniform 50 percent by gradually reducing
special administrative match rates ranging from 75 to
100 percent. The savings that would result would allow
the legislative eligibility changes proposed by the
President to be implemented within the current
program's spending level.
HOUSING/HOMELESSNESS
President Bush has taken a number of steps to create an
"opportunity society" of jobs, growth, housing and hope for
Americans in need of a helping hand.
ACTION BY THE ADMINISTRATION:
Homelessness: A proposal to provide over $1 billion in
federal resources to help end 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.
Enterprise zones: A call for enactment of enterprise zone
legislation, to give urban and rural areas the opportunity
for jobs and hope for the future. President Bush asked
Congress to enact labor and capital-based incentives to
create jobs and entrepreneurial activity in our most
distressed communities.
Affordable housing: A commitment to making housing more
affordable for low-income families, and to provide
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.
13
ETHICS AND CIVIL RIGHTS
High ethical standards and civil rights for all Americans
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:
O
Ethics: 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:
-- A ban on outside earned income for non-career
Presidential appointees in the executive branch,
including all employees in the immediate White House
Office.
:
Expanded financial disclosure for all three branches of
government.
--
Prohibition of the conversion of political
contributions for personal or office use.
--
A comprehensive review of federal campaign finance
laws, including an assessment of the impact 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
the Congress on this issue. President Bush is also
opposed to federal funding of congressional campaigns.
:
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 rules also apply to the legislative branch.
A 25 percent pay raise for federal judges was proposed
in separate legislation submitted April 12, while the
ethics reform legislation restricts their acceptance of
honoraria. President Bush believes that honoraria for
Members of Congress should be banned; however, the
President will not formalize that proposal until after
he consults with Congress on that issue and their 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.
14
--
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. 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.
--
This new law 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 statute alters the legal burdens of proof, making
it easier for employees to be vindicated when they are
wrongfully penalized by their supervisors for
whistleblowing activities.
Civil rights: The Administration has taken a number of
actions to protect the civil rights of all Americans,
including several court actions in key civil rights cases.
--
On March 8, the Department of Justice endorsed the
objectives of the Hate Crimes Bill and voiced 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 Thornburgh announced the
filing of Federal housing discrimination lawsuits
seeking monetary damages and civil penalties under the
expanded enforcement authority of the Fair Housing
Amendments Act of 1988.
# # #
SENT BY:The TICKET CENTER
; 4-20-89 ; 4:21PM ; LEGISLATIVE AFFAIRS-
4566218;# 1
Document No. 02841755
WHITE HOUSE STAFFING MEMORANDUM
DATE: 4/19/89
ACTION/CONCURENCE/COMMENT DUE BY: 12:00 NOON, 4/20/89
SUBJECT: EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: BUILDING A BETTER AMERICA
ACTION FYI
ACTION FYI
VICE PRESIDENT
MCCLURE
SUNUNU
NEWMAN
SCOWCROFT
PORTER 5:30PM
R
DARMAN
STUDDERT
BATES
UNTERMEYER
BREEDEN
Bennett
CARD
CICCONI
DEMAREST
FITZWATER
GRAY
HAGIN
REMARKS:
Please provide your comments/recommendations directly to Chriss
Winston (ext. 2930, rm. 122) with an info copy to my office by
12:00 NOON, THURSDAY, 4/20/89. Thank you.
RESPONSE:
see comments
GBW
4/20
James W. Cicconi
Assistant to the President
and Deputy to the Chief of Staff
Ext. 2702
SENT BY:The TICKET CENTER
; 4-20-89 ; 4:21PM ; LEGISLATIVE AFFAIRS-
4566218;# 2
((Grant)
BUILDING A BETTER AMERICA
APRIL 19, 1989
Since President Bush took office, he has addressed a series
head on
of tough issues, meeting both urgent short-term priorities and
working toward solutions to the long-term challenges facing the
nation. Relying on basic American principles -- traditional
family values, choice, accountability, fairness, excellence,
peace through strength -- the President is building a better
America by:
1. Keeping the economy strong -- with no new taxes
2. Seizing international opportunities for peace
3. Investing in our future
4. Working for a kinder, gentler America
Keeping the Economy Strong -- with No New Taxes
Record economic growth -- 77 months of economic expansion.
Nearly 20 million new jobs have been created, and
unemployment is now at its lowest since December, 1973.
Real income of the median family set a new record in 1987
and continues to grow.
Sending A comprehensive budget proposal to the Congress and an reaching an
unprecedented bipartisan agreement with the Congress on the
FY1990
budgets reducing the Federal budget deficit with no new taxes
and meets the Gramm -Rudman-
Developing A. compremensive plan to rescue the Savings and Loan industry
that cleared the Senate in Q manner generally acceptable
Holling
to the Administration
deficit
net
reduction
SENT BY:The TICKET CENTER
; 4-20-89 ; 4:22PM ; LEGISLATIVE AFFAIRS-
4566218;# 3
Transmitted to the Congress to
An initiative, for cutting the capital gains tax rate to
encourage investment and create jobs and opportunity
Proposed plan that
A proposal for raising the minimum wage to $4.25 coupled
with a six month training wage (that gained strong support
an excessive increase approved by congress.
in both Houses of congren, sufficient tosustain G vets of
Seizing International Opportunities for Peace
The signing of a bipartisan accord with Congress on Central
America which lead subsequently to legislation just signed
into law;
An eight-step program to support Polish political and
economic reforms
Intensive Presidential consultations with the leaders of 34
nations, including 18 bilateral meetings held during the
Asia trip
A plan to strengthen the international response to Third
World debt
Comprehensive foreign policy and defense strategy reviews
initiated
Investing in Our Future
Improving Education
Introduction of a comprehensive legislative package for
concressural
educational excellence sponsored by a bigartism group
Protecting our Environment
A multi-agency commitment of federal resources to the
Alaskan oil spill cleanup effort
SENT BY:The TICKET CENTER
; 4-20-89 ; 4:22PM ; LEGISLATIVE AFFAIRS-
4566218;# 4
An announcement of an effort to seek legislative authority
to ban hazardous waste exports, where agreements do not
exist for their safe disposal
A call for the worldwide phaseout of CFCs by the year 2000
A plan of action to identify and prioritize clean up of
defense and civilian radioactive waste
A legislative proposal, already enacted by the House, to
deregulate natural gas by January 1, 1993
An ongoing effort to develop the first clean air package
Dorighting Drugs and Crime
to clear congress in nine years -
A major $6 billion anti-drug abuse initiative focusing on
education, rehabilitation, interdiction and enforcement
Action in response to the drug emergency in the District of
Columbia, including enforcement support, more prison space,
and stepped-up efforts in prevention and rehabilitation
A temporary ban on the import of certain types of semi-
automatic weapons
Action to suspend lease and grievance procedures to
facilitate eviction of those involved in drug related
criminal activity from public housing
New aviation security initiatives announced by the Secretary
of Transportation, designed to counteract terrorism in the
skies
SENT BY:The TICKET CENTER
; 4-20-89 ; 4:23PM ; LEGISLATIVE AFFAIRS-
4566218;# 5
working for & Kinder, Gentler America
Child Care
A child care initiative to give low-income working parents
greater choice and flexibility in meeting their child care
needs
Legislation to increase FY 1990 authorization for Head Start
(already cleared by the House)
programs, to pay for the enrollment of up to 95,000 more
four-year olds
Volunteerism
The creation of the Office of National Service in the White
House, and leadership in the Administration's initiative on
volunteerism
Welfare Reform and Medicaid
Quick action to implement major welfare reform legislation
that will help reduce long-term welfare dependency
Expansion of the Medicaid program for pregnant women,
infants, and children
Homelessness
An initiative to provide over $1 billion in federal
resources to help end homelessness and pave the way to jobs,
permanent housing and health care
Ethics/Whistleblower Protection
A comprehensive ethics proposal to make uniform the
standards among all three branches of government
Whistleblower protection legislation to strengthen the
rights of those who report misdeeds and mismanagement
signed into law on april 10;
SENT BY:The TICKET CENTER
;
4-20-89 ; 4:23PM ; LEGISLATIVE AFFAIRS
4566218;# 6
civil Rights
Enforcement of the new Fair Housing Laws, to fully prosecute
those found to be discriminating in housing opportunities on
the basis of religion, race, age, ethnicity, handicap or
family status
o
Support by the Department of Justice for the objectives of
the Hate Crimes Bill, which provides for the collection of
data about crimes motivated by race, religion, ethnicity or
sexual orientation
President Bush has set an agenda for the 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.
# # #
April 20, 1989
MEMORANDUM FOR JIM CICCONI
FROM;
DENISE SCHWARZ
OFFICE OF CABINET AFFAIRS
SUBJECT;
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY; BUILDING A BETTER AMERICA
LOG #028419SS
We have reviewed the summary and have incorporated our
comments.
Attachment
CC: Chriss Winston
Phil - comments.
Lehmana
Document No. 02841955
WHITE HOUSE STAFFING MEMORANDUM
DATE: 4/19/89
ACTION/CONCURRENCE/COMMENT DUE BY: 12:00 NOON, 4/20/89
SUBJECT: EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: BUILDING A BETTER AMERICA
ACTION FYI
ACTION FYI
VICE PRESIDENT
MCCLURE
SUNUNU
NEWMAN
SCOWCROFT
PORTER
DARMAN
STUDDERT
BATES
UNTERMEYER
BREEDEN
Bennett
CARD
CICCONI
DEMAREST
FITZWATER
GRAY
HAGIN
REMARKS:
Please provide your comments/recommendations directly to Chriss
Winston (ext. 2930, rm. 122) with an info copy to my office by
12:00 NOON, THURSDAY, 4/20/89. Thank you.
RESPONSE:
sent Not to to begencies!
James W. Cicconi
Assistant to the President
and Deputy to the Chief of Staff
Ext. 2702
( (Grant) )
BUILDING A BETTER AMERICA
APRIL 19, 1989
Since President Bush took office, he has addressed a series
of tough issues, meeting both urgent short-term priorities and
working toward solutions to the long-term challenges facing the
nation. Relying on basic American principles -- traditional
family values, choice, accountability, fairness, excellence,
peace through strength -- the President is building a better
America by:
1. Keeping the economy strong -- with no new taxes
2. Seizing international opportunities for peace
3. Investing in our future
4. Working for a kinder, gentler America
Keeping the Economy Strong -- With No New Taxes
Record economic growth -- 77 months of economic expansion.
Nearly 20 million new jobs have been created, and
unemployment is now at its lowest since December, 1973.
Real income of the median family set a new record in 1987
and continues to grow.
A comprehensive budget proposal to the Congress and an
unprecedented bipartisan agreement with the Congress on the
budget reducing the Federal budget deficit with no new taxes
A comprehensive plan to rescue the Savings and Loan industry
An initiative for cutting the capital gains tax rate to
encourage investment and create jobs and opportunity
A proposal for raising the minimum wage to $4.25 coupled
with a six month training wage
Seizing International Opportunities for Peace
The signing of a bipartisan accord with Congress on Central
America
An eight-step program to support Polish political and
economic reforms
Intensive Presidential consultations with the leaders of 34
nations, including 18 bilateral meetings held during the
Asia trip
A plan to strengthen the international response to Third
World debt
Comprehensive foreign policy and defense strategy reviews
initiated
Investing in Our Future
Improving Education
Introduction of a comprehensive legislative package for
educational excellence
Protecting our Environment
A multi-agency commitment of federal resources to the
Alaskan oil spill cleanup effort
An announcement of an effort to seek legislative authority
to ban hazardous waste exports, where agreements do not
exist for their safe disposal
A call for the worldwide phaseout of CFCs by the year 2000
A plan of action to identify and prioritize clean up of
defense and civilian radioactive waste
A legislative proposal, already enacted by the House, to
deregulate natural gas by January 1, 1993
Fighting Drugs and Crime
A major $6 billion anti-drug abuse initiative focusing on
education, rehabilitation, interdiction and enforcement
Action in response to the drug emergency in the District of
pud
Columbia, including enforcement support, more prison space
and stepped up efforts in prevention and rehabilitation
stat
A temporary ban on the import of certain types of semi-)
automatic weapons
Action to suspend midily lease and grievance procedures to
facilitate eviction of those involved in drug related
criminal activity from public housing
New aviation security initiatives announced by the Secretary
of Transportation, designed to counteract terrorism in the
skies
Working for a Kinder, Gentler America
Child Care
A child care initiative to give low-income working parents
greater choice and flexibility in meeting their child care
needs
Legislation to increase FY 1990 authorization for Head Start
programs, to pay for the enrollment of up to 95,000 more
four-year olds
Volunteerism
The creation of the Office of National Service in the White
House, and leadership in the Administration's initiative on
volunteerism
Welfare Reform and Medicaid
Quick action to implement major welfare reform legislation
that will help reduce long-term welfare dependency
Expansion of the Medicaid program for pregnant women,
infants, and children
Homelessness
An initiative to provide over $1 billion in federal
resources to help end homelessness and pave the way to jobs,
permanent housing and health care
Ethics/Whistleblower Protection
A comprehensive ethics proposal to make uniform the
standards among all three branches of government
Whistleblower protection legislation to strengthen the
rights of those who report misdeeds and mismanagement
civil Rights
Enforcement of the new Fair Housing Laws, to fully prosecute
those found to be discriminating in housing opportunities on
the basis of religion, race, age, ethnicity, handicap or
family status
Support by the Department of Justice for the objectives of
the Hate Crimes Bill, which provides for the collection of
data about crimes motivated by race, religion, ethnicity or
sexual orientation
President Bush has set an agenda for the 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.
###
from
wherestr?
(GATF)
the
GATT
In preparation for the Uruguay Round of multilateral
trade negotiations, have made significant progress
toward strengthening free and fair trade based on
enforceable rules.
The Admin has made substantial progress
toward reducing trade namers to U.S exports.
world
third abt
((Grant))
BUILDING A BETTER AMERICA
APRIL 24, 1989
SUMMARY
Since President Bush took office, he has addressed a series
of tough issues, meeting both urgent short-term priorities and
working toward solutions to the long-term challenges facing the
nation. Relying on basic American principles -- traditional
family values, choice, accountability, fairness, excellence,
peace through strength -- the President is building a better
America by:
1. Keeping the economy strong -- with no new taxes
2. Seizing international opportunities for peace
3. Investing in our future
4. Working for a kinder, gentler America
Keeping the Economy Strong -- With No New Taxes
Record economic growth -- 77 months of economic expansion.
durma this period
Nearly 20 million new jobs have been created, and the
rate
unemployment is now at its lowest since December, 1973.
Real income of the median family set a new record in 1987
and continues to grow.
sent
reached
A comprehensive budget 3 proposal to the Congress and an
reached
unprecedented bipartisan agreement with the Congress on the
meeting the
budget reducing the Federal budget deficit with no new taxes
Grahason Rudman. Hollingo
defect reduce term targets
2
which has cleared the Senate
A comprehensive plan to rescue the Savings and Loan industry
seet to the Congress
An initiative for cutting the capital gains tax rate to
encourage investment and create jobs and opportunity
-
want (Li)
A proposal for raising the minimum wage to $4.25 coupled
plan
with a six month training wage
Seizing International Opportunities for Peace
the
The signing of a bipartisan accord with Congress on Central
America
Three would debt
An eight-step program to support Polish political and
economic reforms
Intensive Presidential consultations with the leaders of 34
nations, including 18 bilateral meetings held during the
Asia trip
A plan to strengthen the international response to Third
World debt
Comprehensive foreign policy and defense strategy reviews
initiated
o
Investing in Our Future
Improving Education
Introduction of a comprehensive legislative package for
educational excellence sent to the Congress
Protecting our Environment
to oversee
A multi-agency commitment of federal resources to the
Alaskan oil spill cleanup effort
3
An announcement of an effort to seek legislative authority
to ban hazardous waste exports, where agreements do not
exist for their safe disposal
A call for the worldwide phaseout of CFCs by the year 2000
A plan of action to identify and prioritize clean up of
defense and civilian radioactive waste
A legislative proposal, already enacted by the House, to
deregulate natural gas by January 1, 1993
Fighting Drugs and Crime
A major $6 billion anti-drug abuse initiative focusing on
education, rehabilitation, interdiction and enforcement
Action in response to the drug emergency in the District of
Columbia, including enforcement support, more prison space,
and stepped-up efforts in prevention and rehabilitation
A temporary suspension of imports of certain types of semi-
automatic weapons
Action to modely suspend lease and grievance procedures to
facilitate eviction of those involved in drug related
criminal activity from public housing
New aviation security initiatives announced by the Secretary
of Transportation, designed to counteract terrorism in the
skies
4
Working for a Kinder, Gentler America
Child Care
A child care initiative to give low-income working parents
greater choice and flexibility in meeting their child care
needs
the
Legislation to increase FY 1990 authorization for Head Start
by $250 million
allow
up
programs, to pay for the enrollment of up to 95,000 more
four-year olds mto the prog raw.
National Service
The creation of the Office of National Service in the White
House, and leadership in the Administration's initiative on
volunteerism
Welfare Reform and Medicaid
Quick action to implement major welfare reform legislation
that will help reduce long-term welfare dependency
to serve more
Expansion of the Medicaid program for pregnant women,
infants, and children
Homelessness
An initiative to provide over $1 billion in federal
resources to help end homelessness and pave the way to jobs,
permanent housing and health care
Ethics and Civil Rights
A comprehensive ethics proposal to improve standards in all
three branches of government
/
Whistleblower protection legislation to strengthen the
rights of those who report misdeeds and mismanagement
5
Enforcement of the new Fair Housing Laws, to fully prosecute
those found to be discriminating in housing opportunities on
the basis of religion, race, age, ethnicity, handicap or
family status
Support by the Department of Justice for the objectives of
the Hate Crimes Bill, which provides for the collection of
data about crimes motivated by race, religion, ethnicity or
sexual orientation
President Bush has set an agenda for the 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.
# # #
Document No. 02841955
2850
WHITE HOUSE STAFFING MEMORANDUM
DATE: 4/19/89
ACTION/CONCURRENCE/COMMENT DUE BY: 12:00 NOON, 4/20/89
SUBJECT: EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: BUILDING A BETTER AMERICA
ACTION FYI
ACTION FYI
VICE PRESIDENT
MCCLURE
SUNUNU
NEWMAN
SCOWCROFT
PORTER
R
DARMAN
STUDDERT
BATES
UNTERMEYER
BREEDEN
Bennett
CARD
CICCONI
T
DEMAREST
FITZWATER
GRAY
HAGIN
REMARKS:
Please provide your comments/recommendations directly to Chriss
Winston (ext. 2930, rm. 122) with an info copy to my office by
12:00 NOON, THURSDAY, 4/20/89. Thank you.
RESPONSE:
April 20, 1989
TO: Chriss Winston
NSC clears.
VLBIA 68:30
for. MiDoway Philip Hughes
James W. Cicconi
Assistant to the President
Executive Secretary
and Deputy to the Chief of Staff
Ext. 2702
CC: J. W. Cicconi
((Grant) )
BUILDING A BETTER AMERICA
APRIL 19, 1989
Since President Bush took office, he has addressed a series
of tough issues, meeting both urgent short-term priorities and
working toward solutions to the long-term challenges facing the
nation. Relying on basic American principles -- traditional
family values, choice, accountability, fairness, excellence,
peace through strength -- the President is building a better
America by:
1. Keeping the economy strong -- with no new taxes
2. Seizing international opportunities for peace
3. Investing in our future
4. Working for a kinder, gentler America
Keeping the Economy Strong -- With No New Taxes
o
Record economic growth -- 77 months of economic expansion.
Nearly 20 million new jobs have been created, and
unemployment is now at its lowest since December, 1973.
Real income of the median family set a new record in 1987
and continues to grow.
A comprehensive budget proposal to the Congress and an
unprecedented bipartisan agreement with the Congress on the
budget reducing the Federal budget deficit with no new taxes
A comprehensive plan to rescue the Savings and Loan industry
An initiative for cutting the capital gains tax rate to
encourage investment and create jobs and opportunity
A proposal for raising the minimum wage to $4.25 coupled
with a six month training wage
Seizing International Opportunities for Peace
The signing of a bipartisan accord with Congress on Central
America
An eight-step program to support Polish political and
economic reforms
Intensive Presidential consultations with the leaders of 34
nations, including 18 bilateral meetings held during the
Asia trip
A plan to strengthen the international response to Third
World debt
Comprehensive foreign policy and defense strategy reviews
initiated
Investing in Our Future
Improving Education
Introduction of a comprehensive legislative package for
educational excellence
Protecting our Environment
A multi-agency commitment of federal resources to the
Alaskan oil spill cleanup effort
An announcement of an effort to seek legislative authority
to ban hazardous waste exports, where agreements do not
exist for their safe disposal
A call for the worldwide phaseout of CFCs by the year 2000
A plan of action to identify and prioritize clean up of
defense and civilian radioactive waste
A legislative proposal, already enacted by the House, to
deregulate natural gas by January 1, 1993
Fighting Drugs and Crime
A major $6 billion anti-drug abuse initiative focusing on
education, rehabilitation, interdiction and enforcement
Action in response to the drug emergency in the District of
Columbia, including enforcement support, more prison space,
and stepped-up efforts in prevention and rehabilitation
A temporary ban on the import of certain types of semi-
automatic weapons
Action to suspend lease and grievance procedures to
facilitate eviction of those involved in drug related
criminal activity from public housing
New aviation security initiatives announced by the Secretary
of Transportation, designed to counteract terrorism in the
skies
Working for a Kinder, Gentler America
Child Care
A child care initiative to give low-income working parents
greater choice and flexibility in meeting their child care
needs
Legislation to increase FY 1990 authorization for Head Start
programs, to pay for the enrollment of up to 95,000 more
four-year olds
Volunteerism
The creation of the Office of National Service in the White
House, and leadership in the Administration's initiative on
volunteerism
Welfare Reform and Medicaid
Quick action to implement major welfare reform legislation
that will help reduce long-term welfare dependency
Expansion of the Medicaid program for pregnant women,
infants, and children
Homelessness
An initiative to provide over $1 billion in federal
resources to help end homelessness and pave the way to jobs,
permanent housing and health care
Ethics/Whistleblower Protection
A comprehensive ethics proposal to make uniform the
standards among all three branches of government
Whistleblower protection legislation to strengthen the
rights of those who report misdeeds and mismanagement
Civil Rights
Enforcement of the new Fair Housing Laws, to fully prosecute
those found to be discriminating in housing opportunities on
the basis of religion, race, age, ethnicity, handicap or
family status
Support by the Department of Justice for the objectives of
the Hate Crimes Bill, which provides for the collection of
data about crimes motivated by race, religion, ethnicity or
sexual orientation
President Bush has set an agenda for the 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.
###
Document No. 02841955
WHITE HOUSE STAFFING MEMORANDUM
DATE: 4/19/89
ACTION/CONCURRENCE/COMMENT DUE BY: 12:00 NOON, 4/20/89
SUBJECT: EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: BUILDING A BETTER AMERICA
ACTION FYI
ACTION FYI
VICE PRESIDENT
MCCLURE
SUNUNU
NEWMAN
SCOWCROFT
PORTER
DARMAN
STUDDERT
B
R
BATES
UNTERMEYER
BREEDEN
Bennett
CARD
CICCONI
T
DEMAREST
FITZWATER
GRAY
HAGIN
REMARKS:
Please provide your comments/recommendations directly to Chriss
Winston (ext. 2930, rm. 122) with an info copy to my office by
12:00 NOON, THURSDAY, 4/20/89. Thank you.
RESPONSE:
no comments
James W. Cicconi
Assistant to the President
and Deputy to the Chief of Staff
Ext. 2702
((Grant)
BUILDING A BETTER AMERICA
APRIL 19, 1989
Since President Bush took office, he has addressed a series
of tough issues, meeting both urgent short-term priorities and
working toward solutions to the long-term challenges facing the
nation. Relying on basic American principles -- traditional
family values, choice, accountability, fairness, excellence,
peace through strength -- the President is building a better
America by:
1. Keeping the economy strong -- with no new taxes
2. Seizing international opportunities for peace
3. Investing in our future
4. Working for a kinder, gentler America
Keeping the Economy Strong -- With No New Taxes
Record economic growth -- 77 months of economic expansion.
Nearly 20 million new jobs have been created, and
unemployment is now at its lowest since December, 1973.
Real income of the median family set a new record in 1987
and continues to grow.
o
A comprehensive budget proposal to the Congress and an
unprecedented bipartisan agreement with the Congress on the
budget reducing the Federal budget deficit with no new taxes
A comprehensive plan to rescue the Savings and Loan industry
An initiative for cutting the capital gains tax rate to
encourage investment and create jobs and opportunity
A proposal for raising the minimum wage to $4.25 coupled
with a six month training wage
Seizing International Opportunities for Peace
The signing of a bipartisan accord with Congress on Central
America
An eight-step program to support Polish political and
economic reforms
Intensive Presidential consultations with the leaders of 34
nations, including 18 bilateral meetings held during the
Asia trip
A plan to strengthen the international response to Third
World debt
Comprehensive foreign policy and defense strategy reviews
initiated
Investing in Our Future
Improving Education
Introduction of a comprehensive legislative package for
educational excellence
Protecting our Environment
A multi-agency commitment of federal resources to the
Alaskan oil spill cleanup effort
An announcement of an effort to seek legislative authority
to ban hazardous waste exports, where agreements do not
exist for their safe disposal
A call for the worldwide phaseout of CFCs by the year 2000
A plan of action to identify and prioritize clean up of
defense and civilian radioactive waste
A legislative proposal, already enacted by the House, to
deregulate natural gas by January 1, 1993
Fighting Drugs and Crime
A major $6 billion anti-drug abuse initiative focusing on
education, rehabilitation, interdiction and enforcement
Action in response to the drug emergency in the District of
Columbia, including enforcement support, more prison space,
and stepped-up efforts in prevention and rehabilitation
A temporary ban on the import of certain types of semi-
automatic weapons
Action to suspend lease and grievance procedures to
facilitate eviction of those involved in drug related
criminal activity from public housing
New aviation security initiatives announced by the Secretary
of Transportation, designed to counteract terrorism in the
skies
Working for a Kinder, Gentler America
Child Care
A child care initiative to give low-income working parents
greater choice and flexibility in meeting their child care
needs
Legislation to increase FY 1990 authorization for Head Start
programs, to pay for the enrollment of up to 95,000 more
four-year olds
Volunteerism
The creation of the Office of National Service in the White
House, and leadership in the Administration's initiative on
volunteerism
Welfare Reform and Medicaid
Quick action to implement major welfare reform legislation
that will help reduce long-term welfare dependency
Expansion of the Medicaid program for pregnant women,
infants, and children
Homelessness
An initiative to provide over $1 billion in federal
resources to help end homelessness and pave the way to jobs,
permanent housing and health care
Ethics/Whistleblower Protection
A comprehensive ethics proposal to make uniform the
standards among all three branches of government
Whistleblower protection legislation to strengthen the
rights of those who report misdeeds and mismanagement
Civil Rights
Enforcement of the new Fair Housing Laws, to fully prosecute
those found to be discriminating in housing opportunities on
the basis of religion, race, age, ethnicity, handicap or
family status
Support by the Department of Justice for the objectives of
the Hate Crimes Bill, which provides for the collection of
data about crimes motivated by race, religion, ethnicity or
sexual orientation
President Bush has set an agenda for the 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.
###
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
April 20, 1989
MEMORANDUM FOR CHRISS WINSTON
DEPUTY ASSISTANT TO THE PRESIDENT FOR
COMMUNICATIONS
FROM:
NELSON LUND mg
ASSOCIATE COUNSEL TO THE PRESIDENT
SUBJECT:
Executive Summary: Building a Better America
At the request of James W. Cicconi, Counsel's office has reviewed
the captioned draft document.
The first bullet under the heading "Ethics/Whistleblower
Protection" mistakenly suggests that uniformity of standards
among the three branches is the sole or principal goal of the
President's ethics program. We suggest that the bullet be
reworded as follows:
O
A comprehensive ethics program to improve
standards in all three branches of government
We have no other legal objections. We appreciate having had the
opportunity to review this matter.
CC: James W. Cicconi