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American Association of University Women 6/26/89 [3]
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Document No. 046634
WHITE HOUSE STAFFING MEMORANDUM
6/21/89
89 JUN21 All 6/22/89 89 NOON
DATE:
ACTION/CONCURRENCE/COMMENT DUE BY:
PRESIDENTIAL REMARKS: AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF UNIVERSITY WOMEN
SUBJECT:
ACTION FYI
ACTION FYI
VICE PRESIDENT
MCCLURE
SUNUNU
NEWMAN
SCOWCROFT
PORTER
DARMAN
STUDDERT on trip
BATES N/C phone
UNTERMEYER
BREEDEN
ROGERS
CARD
WINSTON
CICCONI
PINKERTON
DEMAREST mel have
comments
FITZWATER
GRAY
HAGIN
REMARKS:
Please forward any comments directly to Chriss Winston, Rm.
122, x2930, no later than NOON, Thursday, June 22, 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
(McNally/Simon)
June 2000 1989, 9:00 p.m.
Draft Three (AAUW)
PRESIDENTIAL REMARKS: AMERICAN ASSOC. OF UNIVERSITY WOMEN
WASHINGTON SHERATON HOTEL
MONDAY, JUNE 26, 1989, 11:15 A.M.
Thank you, Sarah Harder, for that gracious introduction.
And congratulations as you complete your distinguished term as
president of AAUW. You and I know it can be fun to be President.
But I hear from California that ex-President is not such a bad
job, either.
And congratulations also to your successor, Sharon Schuster.
Sharon, you have a big advantage over me. [[PAUSE]] You can
still blame things on your predecessor.
And there's another AAUW president -- a past president --
that I'd like to say hello to today. From Des Moines, Iowa --
and now head of your Educational Foundation -- Mary Grefe.
In America today, there is no greater imperative -- moral or
practical -- than providing equal opportunity to every man, woman
and
and child. This means equal opportunity in housing jobs and
parental
He?
VANA
education. -- flexibility and choice in child care and health
education.
care. It means equal protection from hostile elements, whether
criminal or environmental -- and equal opportunity in service and
community action, whether through public, private, or non-profit
organizations.
And today, I'd like to talk about two issues in particular:
Education -- and public safety. Both are important to this
association -- and to any thinking person who cares about the
2
quality of life and opportunity in America. And both are the
subject of major Administration proposals now pending before the
Congress.
And there's a third issue that I know you're familiar with
-- community action -- what I have called "a thousand points of
light."
Last week I traveled up and down the Eastern seaboard --
issuing a call to action for community service. We carried the
from main Street enlisting young andold, black, white and
message to Wall Street And to the youth of a suburban high brown -
america's divers. tel - to
school.
join a movement preclicated
on the fo 110wmg statement
"From now on, any definition of a successful life must
for over a hundred years, your preclecersas
include service to others."
And members of the American
and now your in this room
Association of University Women have built successful lives
through community action, for over a hundred years. You were
ahead of the curve -- by. about a century. And often your service
has addressed the very two needs we're talking about today --
the very issues
education and public safety.
The AAUW foundation that Mary Grefe now directs began
handing out educational fellowships in 1888. It is a great
tradition, at once combining America's values of service and
education.
And the scholarships you provide are more than just money in
the hands of deserving students. They are money in the bank for
the future of America.
And today our efforts to improve the education system
represent an endeavor where nothing less than the future of our
3
country is at stake. And your association represents 140,000
reasons why America will succeed.
Your contributions are important. And equally important is
the recent and renewed commitment to an old-fashioned American
idea -- partnership between the government and the community in
seeking educational excellence.
Government -- and especially federal government -- cannot
provide all the answers. But it has an obligation to lead.
Earlier this year, I sent to Congress the Education
Excellence Act of 1989. It proposes solutions based on four
simple ideas -- rewarding excellence, helping those in need,
accountability -- and one that's close to the traditions of this
parental
organization choice and flexibility.
To achieve these goals, my new initiative proposes a seven-
point plan. Two of these points call for merit awards -- cash
incentives for our most successful schools and the top teachers
in every state.
I want the best teachers our educational system can attract,
We must never lose because sight of the fact that teachers shape the
minds that will shape the future of the country.
Last year -- at the centennial celebration of the first AAUW
educational fellowship -- Justice Sandra Day 0' Connor received
the AAUW Achievement Award. And when we talk about merit schools
and merit teachers, there could hardly be a better example than
this year's winner -- the founder of Westside Preparatory School
in Chicago's inner city -- Marva Collins.
4
Says Marva: "Any child can learn -- if they are not taught
too SO thoroughly that they cannot."
She got
And the results. prove it. Working with students who have
been written off by the public schools, 98 percent of her
students go on to high school and then college.
and her students sot results.
Amazing results. It was reported that one of Marva's six-
year-olds could recite Jesse Jackson's 1988 Convention address
from memory. Now Marva -- Jesse's a very gifted speaker -- and
you're being too tough on those kids. Give them my Convention
speech and I bet they can do it at age three.
I've also heard of one young girl who began pounding her
lunch box on the desk in the middle of class. Marva told the
girl: "Darling, no one is going to be handing out good jobs to
people who pound their lunchboxes on their desks. President Bush
does not pound his lunchbox on the desk." [[PAUSE]] Obviously,
Marva's never been to one of my Cabinet meetings.
well, Curenca needs results, too.
So Another part of my education plan calls for a similar kind
of new incentive -- science scholarships of up to $40,000 for
more than 500 of our best high school seniors.
resonates
And this is an idea that also finds echoes in your
association, too. Last year you founded the Eleanor Roosevelt Fund --
what you call "an intergenerational partnership" -- to address
the underrepresentation of women and girls in math and science.
And I know that many of you are familiar with "Workforce
2000," which concludes that almost two-thirds of the new entrants
to the labor force in the next eleven years will be women. To
5
stay competitive in a competitive world, we must provide
incentives and opportunities for this new generation of women --
to get the education and training they need to be second to none.
You know, there are more women in this country than there
are people in Japan. And success for America in international
competition begins with success in our schools. If we cannot
compete with other countries in the classroom, we cannot compete
with them in the boardroom.
Rewarding successful students, teachers, and schools is one
way to encourage excellence. But it also requires elements of
flexibility and choice. And that's why our package also requests
new funding for both magnet schools and historically black
colleges and universities. And it calls for alternative
certification -- to expand the pool of talented teachers and
administrators -- by opening the door to diverse and accomplished
people, such as the women here in this room.
And speaking of the women in this room -- I've come here
today to thank you for your assistance in developing these plans
Check?
-- and to tell you that my Administration values your experience
and your views. Twice since my election as President I have met
with Sarah Harder. And I've been grateful for her commitment and
her counsel.
In fact, Sarah's contributions have been such that -- I am
pleased to announce today -- the new president of AAUW will be
invited to serve on the President's Education Policy Advisory
Committee. AAUW will be heard.
6
The last of our education initiatives calls for drug-free
schools. We've asked Congress to finance urban emergency grants
-- to help our hardest-hit school districts. If we want to stop
our kids from putting drugs in their bodies, we must first put
good ideas in their heads and moral character in their hearts.
And, as with education, the subject of drugs and crime --
and especially violent crime -- has been much on my mind in
recent weeks. Last month, I stood before the U.S. Capitol on a
somber, rainy afternoon to call on Congress to join me -- in a
new partnership with America's cities and states -- to "take back
the streets."
This comprehensive initiative is directed at violent crime
-- and, in particular, the explosion of urban gunfire that often
accompanies drug trafficking. But all too often, violent crime
also means crime against women.
I am angered and disgusted by the crimes against American
women -- and by the archaic and unacceptable attitudes that all
too frequently contribute to those crimes. Whether it involves
spouse
abuse
at
home
?
street
the violation of a jogger in a park -- or the brutalization of a
wife and daughter in a high-rent brownstone -- these are evil
This
acts of violence that transcend racial and class lines. The war
against women must stop.
Our cities and states must step up their efforts to combat
violence against women -- and to treat victims with compassion
and respect. And they must follow our federal example of
7
enacting tougher laws -- backed up by more police, prosecutors,
and prisons -- to put away every violent offender.
And, fundamentally, violence against women won't subside
unless public attitudes change. We must continue to educate
police and prosecutors, judges and juries. And we must engender
a climate where the message our children get -- from television
and films, from schools and parents -- is that violence against
women is wrong.
A kinder and gentler nation must protect all its citizens.
And no matter how equal the opportunities in our schools and the
workplace, women will never have the same opportunities as men if
a climate of fear leaves them justifiably concerned about walking
to the campus library at night -- or reluctant to work late
hours, for fear of getting out of the parking lot safely.
I have a daughter -- and four daughters-in-law. And when we
talk about what kind of schools and the kind of society we are
shaping for the next century, I think about my eleven
grandchildren. Seven are girls. And it is unthinkable that any
opportunity should be available to young George P. that isn't
also out there for his cousin Jenna Bush.
Shan Ld not
One opportunity that some women in this room have probably
overlook
never thought about is running for public office. I encourage
you to do so. It is challenging and enormously satisfying work.
And when you've had the opportunity, as I have had, to working
I have had the privilege of
with leaders like Margaret Thatcher, Benazir Bhutto, and Cory
Aquino -- not to mention Carla Hills, Liddy Dole, Sandra Day
8
O' Connor and Nancy Kassebaum -- you realize that we're long
overdue to elect a woman as President of the United States.
[ [PAUSE]] But do me one favor -- please wait until after 1996.
I am pleased to be the first President to address AAUW, and
very honored to be awarded an official membership. And I guess
that, technically, that makes me the first AAUW member to be
President of the United States. But I know I won't be the last.
Thank you for your warm welcome. Good luck in your efforts
to serve the public good. And God bless you -- and God bless
America.
#
#
#
FICE
(McNally/Simon)
June 20, 1989, 9:00 p.m.
Draft Three (AAUW)
PRESIDENTIAL REMARKS: AMERICAN ASSOC. OF UNIVERSITY WOMEN
WASHINGTON SHERATON HOTEL
MONDAY, JUNE 26, 1989, 11:15 A.M.
Thank you, Sarah Harder, for that gracious introduction.
And congratulations as you complete your distinguished term as
president of AAUW. You and I know it can be fun to be President.
But I hear from California that ex-President is not such a bad
job, either.
And congratulations also to your successor, Sharon Schuster.
Sharon, you have a big advantage over me. [[PAUSE]] You can
still blame things on your predecessor.
And there's another AAUW president -- a past president --
that I'd like to say hello to today. From Des Moines, Iowa --
and now head of your Educational Foundation -- Mary Grefe.
In America today, there is no greater imperative -- moral or
practical -- than providing equal opportunity to every man, woman
and child. This means equal opportunity in housing, jobs, and
education -- flexibility and choice in child care and health
care. It means equal protection from hostile elements, whether
criminal or environmental -- and equal opportunity in service and
community action, whether through public, private, or non-profit
organizations.
And today, I'd like to talk about two issues in particular:
Education -- and public safety. Both are important to this
association -- and to any thinking person who cares about the
2
quality of life and opportunity in America. And both are the
subject of major Administration proposals now pending before the
Congress.
And there's a third issue that I know you're familiar with
-- community action -- what I have called "a thousand points of
light."
Last week I traveled up and down the Eastern seaboard --
issuing a call to action for community service. We carried the
message to Wall Street. And to the youth of a suburban high
school.
"From now on, any definition of a successful life must
include service to others." And members of the American
Association of University Women have built successful lives
through community action for over a hundred years. You were
ahead of the curve -- by about a century. And often your service
has addressed the very two needs we're talking about today --
education and public safety.
The AAUW foundation that Mary Grefe now directs began
handing out educational fellowships in 1888. It is a great
tradition, at once combining America's values of service and
education.
And the scholarships you provide are more than just money in
the hands of deserving students. They are money in the bank for
the future of America.
And today our efforts to improve the education system
represent an endeavor where nothing less than the future of our
3
country is at stake. And your association represents 140,000
reasons why America will succeed.
Your contributions are important. And equally important is
the recent and renewed commitment to an old-fashioned American
idea -- partnership between the government and the community in
seeking educational excellence.
Government -- and especially federal government -- cannot
provide all the answers. But it has an obligation to lead.
Earlier this year, I sent to Congress the Education
Excellence Act of 1989. It proposes solutions based on four
simple ideas -- rewarding excellence, helping those in need,
accountability -- and one that's close to the traditions of this
organization -- choice and flexibility.
To achieve these goals, my new initiative proposes a seven-
point plan. Two of these points call for merit awards -- cash
incentives for our most successful schools and the top teachers
in every state.
I want the best teachers our educational system can attract.
We must never lose sight of the fact that teachers shape the
minds that will shape the future of the country.
Last year -- at the centennial celebration of the first AAUW
educational fellowship -- Justice Sandra Day Connor received
the AAUW Achievement Award. And when we talk about merit schools
and merit teachers, there could hardly be a better example than
this year's winner -- the founder of Westside Preparatory School
in Chicago's inner city -- Marva Collins.
4
Says Marva: "Any child can learn -- if they are not taught
too thoroughly that they cannot."
And the results prove it. Working with students who have
been written off by the public schools, 98 percent of her
students go on to high school and then college.
Amazing results. It was reported that one of Marva's six-
year-olds could recite Jesse Jackson's 1988 Convention address
from memory. Now Marva -- Jesse's a very gifted speaker -- and
you're being too tough on those kids. Give them my Convention
speech and I bet they can do it at age three.
I've also heard of one young girl who began pounding her
lunch box on the desk in the middle of class. Marva told the
girl: "Darling, no one is going to be handing out good jobs to
people who pound their lunchboxes on their desks. President Bush
does not pound his lunchbox on the desk." [[PAUSE]] Obviously,
Marva's never been to one of my Cabinet meetings.
Another part of my education plan calls for a similar kind
of new incentive -- science scholarships of up to $40,000 for
more than 500 of our best high school seniors.
And this is an idea that also finds echoes in your
association. Last year you founded the Eleanor Roosevelt Fund --
what you call "an intergenerational partnership" -- to address
the underrepresentation of women and girls in math and science.
And I know that many of you are familiar with "Workforce
2000," which concludes that almost two-thirds of the new entrants
to the labor force in the next eleven years will be women. To
5
stay competitive in a competitive world, we must provide
incentives and opportunities for this new generation of women --
to get the education and training they need to be second to none.
You know, there are more women in this country than there
are people in Japan. And success for America in international
competition begins with success in our schools. If we cannot
compete with other countries in the classroom, we cannot compete
with them in the boardroom.
Rewarding successful students, teachers, and schools is one
way to encourage excellence. But it also requires elements of
flexibility and choice. And that's why our package also requests
new funding for both magnet schools and historically black
colleges and universities. And it calls for alternative
certification -- to expand the pool of talented teachers and
administrators -- by opening the door to diverse and accomplished
people, such as the women here in this room.
And speaking of the women in this room -- I've come here
today to thank you for your assistance in developing these plans
-- and to tell you that my Administration values your experience
and your views. Twice since my election as President I have met
with Sarah Harder. And I've been grateful for her commitment and
her counsel.
In fact, Sarah's contributions have been such that -- I am
pleased to announce today -- the new president of AAUW will be
invited to serve on the President's Education Policy Advisory
Committee. AAUW will be heard.
6
The last of our education initiatives calls for drug-free
schools. We've asked Congress to finance urban emergency grants
-- to help our hardest-hit school districts. If we want to stop
our kids from putting drugs in their bodies, we must first put
good ideas in their heads and moral character in their hearts.
And, as with education, the subject of drugs and crime --
and especially violent crime -- has been much on my mind in
recent weeks. Last month, I stood before the U.S. Capitol on a
somber, rainy afternoon to call on Congress to join me -- in a
new partnership with America's cities and states --- to "take back
the streets."
This comprehensive initiative is directed at violent crime
-- and, in particular, the explosion of urban gunfire that often
accompanies drug trafficking. But all too often, violent crime
also means crime against women.
I am angered and disgusted by the crimes against American
women -- and by the archaic and unacceptable attitudes that all
too frequently contribute to those crimes. Whether it involves
the violation of a jogger in a park -- or the brutalization of a
wife and daughter in a high-rent brownstone -- these are evil
acts of violence that transcend racial and class lines. The war
against women must stop.
Our cities and states must step up their efforts to combat
violence against women -- and to treat victims with compassion
and respect. And they must follow our federal example of
7
enacting tougher laws --- backed up by more police, prosecutors,
and prisons -- to put away every violent offender.
And, fundamentally, violence against women won't subside
unless public attitudes change. We must continue to educate
police and prosecutors, judges and juries. And we must engender
a climate where the message our children get -- from television
and films, from schools and parents -- is that violence against
women is wrong.
A kinder and gentler nation must protect all its citizens.
And no matter how equal the opportunities in our schools and the
workplace, women will never have the same opportunities as men if
a climate of fear leaves them justifiably concerned about walking
to the campus library at night -- or reluctant to work late
hours, for fear of getting out of the parking lot safely.
I have a daughter -- and four daughters-in-law. And when we
talk about what kind of schools and the kind of society we are
shaping for the next century, I think about my eleven
grandchildren. Seven are girls. And it is unthinkable that any
opportunity should be available to young George P. that isn't
also out there for his cousin Jenna Bush.
One opportunity that some women in this room have probably
never thought about is running for public office. I encourage
you to do so. It is challenging and enormously satisfying work.
And when you've had the opportunity, as I have had, to work
with leaders like Margaret Thatcher, Benazir Bhutto, and Cory
Aquino -- not to mention Carla Hills, Liddy Dole, Sandra Day
8
0' Connor and Nancy Kassebaum -- you realize that we're long
overdue to elect a woman as President of the United States.
[ [PAUSE] ] But do me one favor -- please wait until after 1996.
I am pleased to be the first President to address AAUW, and
very honored to be awarded an official membership. And I guess
that, technically, that makes me the first AAUW member to be
President of the United States. But I know I won't be the last.
Thank you for your warm welcome. Good luck in your efforts
to serve the public good. And God bless you -- and God bless
America.
#
#
#
REMARKS: AMERICAN ASSOC. OF UNIVERSITY WOMEN
WASHINGTON SHERATON HOTEL
MONDAY, JUNE 26, 1989, 11:15 A.M.
THANK YOU, SARAH HARDER, FOR THAT GRACIOUS
INTRODUCTION. AND CONGRATULATIONS AS YOU COMPLETE YOUR
DISTINGUISHED TERM AS PRESIDENT OF AAUW.
AND THERE'S ANOTHER AAUW PRESIDENT -- A PAST
PRESIDENT -- THAT I'D LIKE TO SAY HELLO TO TODAY. FROM
DES MOINES, IOWA -- AND NOW HEAD OF YOUR EDUCATIONAL
FOUNDATION -- MARY GREFE [GREFF].
IN AMERICA TODAY, THERE IS NO GREATER IMPERATIVE
-- MORAL OR PRACTICAL -- THAN PROVIDING EQUAL
OPPORTUNITY TO EVERY MAN, WOMAN AND CHILD. THIS MEANS
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY IN HOUSING AND JOBS -- AND
FLEXIBILITY AND PARENTAL CHOICE IN CHILD CARE AND
EDUCATION. IT MEANS EQUAL PROTECTION FROM HOSTILE
ELEMENTS, WHETHER CRIMINAL OR ENVIRONMENTAL -- AND
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY IN SERVICE AND COMMUNITY ACTION,
WHETHER THROUGH PUBLIC, PRIVATE, OR NON-PROFIT
ORGANIZATIONS.
- 2 -
AND TODAY, I'D LIKE TO TALK ABOUT TWO ISSUES IN
PARTICULAR: EDUCATION -- AND PUBLIC SAFETY. BOTH ARE
IMPORTANT TO THIS ASSOCIATION -- AND TO ANY THINKING
PERSON WHO CARES ABOUT THE QUALITY OF LIFE AND
OPPORTUNITY IN AMERICA. AND BOTH ARE THE SUBJECT OF
MAJOR ADMINISTRATION PROPOSALS NOW PENDING BEFORE THE
CONGRESS.
AND THERE'S A THIRD ISSUE THAT I KNOW YOU'RE
FAMILIAR WITH -- COMMUNITY ACTION -- WHAT I HAVE CALLED
"A THOUSAND POINTS OF LIGHT."
LAST WEEK I TRAVELED UP AND DOWN THE EASTERN
SEABOARD -- ISSUING A CALL TO ACTION FOR COMMUNITY
SERVICE. WE CARRIED THE MESSAGE FROM MAIN STREET TO
WALL STREET -- ENLISTING YOUNG AND OLD -- BLACK, WHITE
AND BROWN -- AMERICA'S DIVERSITY -- TO JOIN A MOVEMENT
PREDICATED ON ONE SIMPLE IDEA:
"FROM NOW ON, ANY DEFINITION OF A SUCCESSFUL LIFE
MUST INCLUDE SERVICE TO OTHERS."
- 3 -
FOR OVER A HUNDRED YEARS, YOUR PREDECESSORS -- AND
NOW YOU IN THIS ROOM -- HAVE BUILT SUCCESSFUL LIVES
THROUGH COMMUNITY ACTION. YOU WERE AHEAD OF THE CURVE
-- BY ABOUT A CENTURY. AND OFTEN YOUR SERVICE HAS
ADDRESSED THE VERY ISSUES WE'RE TALKING ABOUT TODAY --
EDUCATION AND PUBLIC SAFETY.
THE AAUW FOUNDATION THAT MARY GREFE NOW DIRECTS
BEGAN HANDING OUT EDUCATIONAL FELLOWSHIPS IN 1888. IT
IS A GREAT TRADITION, AT ONCE COMBINING AMERICA'S
VALUES OF SERVICE AND EDUCATION.
AND THE SCHOLARSHIPS YOU PROVIDE ARE MORE THAN
JUST MONEY IN THE HANDS OF DESERVING STUDENTS. THEY
ARE MONEY IN THE BANK FOR THE FUTURE OF AMERICA. AND
YOUR ASSOCIATION REPRESENTS 140,000 REASONS WHY AMERICA
WILL SUCCEED.
YOUR CONTRIBUTIONS ARE IMPORTANT. AND EQUALLY
IMPORTANT IS THE RECENT AND RENEWED COMMITMENT TO AN
OLD-FASHIONED AMERICAN IDEA -- PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN THE
GOVERNMENT AND THE COMMUNITY IN SEEKING EDUCATIONAL
EXCELLENCE.
- 4 -
GOVERNMENT -- AND ESPECIALLY FEDERAL GOVERNMENT --
CANNOT PROVIDE ALL THE ANSWERS. BUT IT HAS AN
OBLIGATION TO LEAD.
EARLIER THIS YEAR, I SENT TO CONGRESS THE
EDUCATIONAL EXCELLENCE ACT OF 1989. IT PROPOSES
SOLUTIONS BASED ON SOME SOUND AND TIME-TESTED IDEAS --
REWARDING EXCELLENCE, HELPING THOSE IN NEED,
ACCOUNTABILITY -- AND ONE THAT'S CLOSE TO THE
TRADITIONS OF THIS ORGANIZATION -- PARENTAL CHOICE AND
FLEXIBILITY.
TO ACHIEVE THESE GOALS, MY NEW INITIATIVE PROPOSES
A SEVEN-POINT PLAN. FIRST -- CASH AWARDS FOR MERIT
SCHOOLS. SECOND -- MERIT AWARDS FOR AMERICA'S BEST
TEACHERS. THIRD -- A NEW PROGRAM FOR HIGH SCHOOL
SCIENCE SCHOLARSHIPS. FOURTH -- $400 MILLION TO BOOST
MAGNET SCHOOLS. FIFTH -- NEW MONEY FOR NEW TEACHERS --
USING ALTERNATIVE CERTIFICATION TO EXPAND THE POOL OF
SKILLED EDUCATORS. SIXTH -- EMERGENCY GRANTS TO HELP
OUR SCHOOLS BECOME DRUG-FREE. AND SEVENTH -- EXPANDED
FEDERAL HELP TO OUR HISTORICALLY BLACK COLLEGES AND
UNIVERSITIES.
- 5 -
GIVEN THE NUMBER OF EXPERIENCED EDUCATORS HERE IN
THIS ROOM, IT WILL COME AS NO SURPRISE TO LEARN THAT
MANY OF THESE INITIATIVES WERE DEVELOPED FROM THE
CLASSROOM SUCCESS STORIES OF TEACHERS LIKE THOSE IN
YOUR ASSOCIATION. OTHER GUIDANCE CAME FROM PEOPLE LIKE
SARAH HARDER, WHO I MET WITH IN WASHINGTON FOLLOWING MY
ELECTION AS PRESIDENT. AND MY ADMINISTRATION IS
GRATEFUL FOR THE BENEFIT OF YOUR EXPERIENCES AND YOUR
VIEWS.
AND TODAY, I'D LIKE TO TALK ABOUT FOUR OF THESE
INITIATIVES IN PARTICULAR. TWO OF THE POINTS CALL FOR
MERIT AWARDS -- CASH INCENTIVES FOR OUR MOST SUCCESSFUL
SCHOOLS AND THE TOP TEACHERS IN EVERY STATE.
I WANT THE BEST TEACHERS OUR EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM
CAN ATTRACT. BECAUSE TEACHERS SHAPE THE MINDS THAT
SHAPE THE FUTURE OF THE COUNTRY.
- 6 -
LAST YEAR -- AT THE CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION OF THE
FIRST AAUW EDUCATIONAL FELLOWSHIP -- JUSTICE SANDRA DAY
O'CONNOR RECEIVED THE AAUW ACHIEVEMENT AWARD. AND WHEN
WE TALK ABOUT MERIT SCHOOLS AND MERIT TEACHERS, THERE
COULD HARDLY BE A BETTER EXAMPLE THAN THIS YEAR'S
WINNER -- THE FOUNDER OF WESTSIDE PREPARATORY SCHOOL IN
CHICAGO'S INNER CITY -- MARVA COLLINS.
SAYS MARVA: "ANY CHILD CAN LEARN -- IF THEY ARE
NOT TAUGHT SO THOROUGHLY THAT THEY CANNOT."
SHE GOT RESULTS. WORKING WITH STUDENTS WHO HAVE
BEEN WRITTEN OFF BY THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS, IT'S SAID THAT
98 PERCENT OF HER STUDENTS GO ON TO HIGH SCHOOL AND
THEN COLLEGE.
AND HER STUDENTS GOT RESULTS. IT WAS REPORTED
THAT ONE OF MARVA'S SIX-YEAR-OLDS COULD RECITE JESSE
JACKSON'S 1988 CONVENTION ADDRESS FROM MEMORY. NOW
MARVA -- JESSE'S A VERY GIFTED SPEAKER -- AND YOU'RE
BEING TOO TOUGH ON THOSE KIDS. GIVE THEM MY CONVENTION
SPEECH AND I BET THEY CAN DO IT AT AGE THREE.
- 7 -
I'VE ALSO HEARD OF ONE YOUNG GIRL WHO BEGAN
POUNDING HER LUNCH BOX ON THE DESK IN THE MIDDLE OF
CLASS. MARVA TOLD THE GIRL: "DARLING, NO ONE IS GOING
TO BE HANDING OUT GOOD JOBS TO PEOPLE WHO POUND THEIR
LUNCHBOXES ON THEIR DESKS. PRESIDENT BUSH DOES NOT
POUND HIS LUNCHBOX ON THE DESK." [[PAUSE]] OBVIOUSLY,
MARVA'S NEVER BEEN TO ONE OF MY CABINET MEETINGS.
WELL, AMERICA NEEDS RESULTS, TOO. so ANOTHER PART
OF MY EDUCATION PLAN CALLS FOR A SIMILAR KIND OF NEW
INCENTIVE - -- SCIENCE SCHOLARSHIPS OF UP TO $40,000 FOR
MORE THAN 500 OF OUR BEST HIGH SCHOOL SENIORS.
AND THIS IS AN IDEA THAT ALSO RESONATES IN YOUR
ASSOCIATION. LAST YEAR YOU FOUNDED THE ELEANOR
ROOSEVELT FUND --WHAT YOU CALL "AN INTERGENERATIONAL
PARTNERSHIP" -- TO ADDRESS THE UNDERREPRESENTATION OF
WOMEN AND GIRLS IN MATH AND SCIENCE.
- 8 -
AND I KNOW THAT MANY OF YOU ARE FAMILIAR WITH
"WORKFORCE 2000," WHICH CONCLUDES THAT ALMOST TWO-
THIRDS OF THE NEW ENTRANTS TO THE LABOR FORCE IN THE
NEXT ELEVEN YEARS WILL BE WOMEN. TO STAY COMPETITIVE
IN A COMPETITIVE WORLD, WE MUST PROVIDE INCENTIVES AND
OPPORTUNITIES FOR THIS NEW GENERATION OF WOMEN -- TO
GET THE EDUCATION AND TRAINING THEY NEED TO BE SECOND
TO NONE. IF WE CANNOT COMPETE WITH OTHER COUNTRIES IN
THE CLASSROOM, WE CANNOT COMPETE WITH THEM IN THE
BOARDROOM.
THE LAST OF OUR EDUCATION INITIATIVES CALLS FOR
DRUG-FREE SCHOOLS. WE'VE ASKED CONGRESS TO FINANCE
URBAN EMERGENCY GRANTS -- TO HELP OUR HARDEST-HIT
SCHOOL DISTRICTS. IF WE WANT TO STOP OUR KIDS FROM
PUTTING DRUGS IN THEIR BODIES, WE MUST FIRST PUT
CHARACTER IN THEIR HEARTS AND COMMON SENSE IN THEIR
HEADS.
- 9 -
AND, AS WITH EDUCATION, THE SUBJECT OF DRUGS AND
CRIME -- AND ESPECIALLY VIOLENT CRIME -- HAS BEEN MUCH
ON MY MIND IN RECENT WEEKS. LAST MONTH, I STOOD BEFORE
THE U.S. CAPITOL ON A SOMBER, RAINY AFTERNOON TO CALL
ON CONGRESS TO JOIN ME -- IN A NEW PARTNERSHIP WITH
AMERICA'S CITIES AND STATES -- TO "TAKE BACK THE
STREETS."
AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL, WE'RE GOING TO DO OUR PART
BY TAKING VIOLENT CRIMINALS OFF THE STREETS. AND IT IS
AN ATTACK ON ALL FOUR FRONTS: NEW LAWS TO PUNISH THEM.
NEW AGENTS TO ARREST THEM. NEW PROSECUTORS TO CONVICT
THEM. AND NEW PRISONS TO HOLD THEM.
THIS COMPREHENSIVE INITIATIVE IS DIRECTED AT
VIOLENT CRIME -- AND, IN PARTICULAR, THE EXPLOSION OF
URBAN GUNFIRE THAT OFTEN ACCOMPANIES DRUG TRAFFICKING.
BUT ALL TOO OFTEN, VIOLENT CRIME ALSO MEANS CRIME
AGAINST WOMEN.
I AM ANGERED AND DISGUSTED BY THE CRIMES AGAINST
AMERICAN WOMEN -- AND BY THE ARCHAIC AND UNACCEPTABLE
ATTITUDES THAT ALL TOO FREQUENTLY CONTRIBUTE TO THOSE
CRIMES.
- 10 -
WHETHER IT INVOLVES SPOUSE ABUSE AT HOME -- OR
VIOLENCE IN THE STREET -- THESE ARE EVIL ACTS THAT
TRANSCEND RACIAL AND CLASS LINES. THIS WAR AGAINST
WOMEN MUST STOP.
OUR CITIES AND STATES MUST STEP UP THEIR EFFORTS
TO COMBAT VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN --, AND TO TREAT
VICTIMS WITH COMPASSION AND RESPECT. AND THEY MUST
FOLLOW OUR FEDERAL EXAMPLE OF ENACTING TOUGHER LAWS --
BACKED UP BY MORE POLICE, PROSECUTORS, AND PRISONS --
TO PUT AWAY EVERY VIOLENT OFFENDER.
AND, FUNDAMENTALLY, VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN WON'T
SUBSIDE UNLESS PUBLIC ATTITUDES CHANGE. WE MUST
CONTINUE TO EDUCATE POLICE AND PROSECUTORS, JUDGES AND
JURIES. AND WE MUST ENGENDER A CLIMATE WHERE THE
MESSAGE OUR CHILDREN GET -- FROM TELEVISION AND FILMS,
FROM SCHOOLS AND PARENTS -- IS THAT VIOLENCE AGAINST
WOMEN IS WRONG.
- 11 -
A KINDER AND GENTLER NATION MUST PROTECT ALL ITS
CITIZENS. AND NO MATTER HOW EQUAL THE OPPORTUNITIES IN
OUR SCHOOLS AND THE WORKPLACE, WOMEN WILL NEVER HAVE
THE SAME OPPORTUNITIES AS MEN IF A CLIMATE OF FEAR
LEAVES THEM JUSTIFIABLY CONCERNED ABOUT WALKING TO THE
CAMPUS LIBRARY AT NIGHT -- OR RELUCTANT TO WORK LATE
HOURS, FOR FEAR OF GETTING OUT OF THE PARKING LOT
SAFELY.
I HAVE A DAUGHTER -- AND FOUR DAUGHTERS-IN-LAW.
AND WHEN WE TALK ABOUT WHAT KIND OF SCHOOLS AND THE
KIND OF SOCIETY WE ARE SHAPING FOR THE NEXT CENTURY, I
THINK ABOUT MY ELEVEN GRANDCHILDREN. SEVEN ARE GIRLS.
AND IT IS UNTHINKABLE THAT ANY OPPORTUNITY SHOULD BE
AVAILABLE TO YOUNG GEORGE P. THAT ISN'T ALSO OUT THERE
FOR HIS COUSIN JENNA BUSH.
ONE OPPORTUNITY THAT SOME WOMEN IN THIS ROOM
SHOULD NOT OVERLOOK IS RUNNING FOR PUBLIC OFFICE. I
ENCOURAGE YOU TO DO SO. IT IS CHALLENGING AND
ENORMOUSLY SATISFYING WORK.
REMARKS: AMERICAN ASSOC. OF UNIVERSITY WOMEN
WASHINGTON SHERATON HOTEL
MONDAY, JUNE 26, 1989, 11:15 A.M.
THANK YOU, SARAH HARDER, FOR THAT GRACIOUS
INTRODUCTION. AND CONGRATULATIONS AS YOU COMPLETE YOUR
DISTINGUISHED TERM AS PRESIDENT OF AAUW.
- 2 -
AND THERE'S ANOTHER AAUW PRESIDENT -- A PAST
PRESIDENT -- THAT I'D LIKE TO SAY HELLO TO TODAY. FROM
DES MOINES, IOWA -- AND NOW HEAD OF YOUR EDUCATIONAL
FOUNDATION -- MARY GREFE [GREFF].
IN AMERICA TODAY, THERE IS NO GREATER IMPERATIVE --
MORAL OR PRACTICAL -- THAN PROVIDING EQUAL OPPORTUNITY
TO EVERY MAN, WOMAN AND CHILD. THIS MEANS EQUAL
OPPORTUNITY IN HOUSING AND JOBS -- AND FLEXIBILITY AND
PARENTAL CHOICE IN CHILD CARE AND EDUCATION.
- 3 -
IT MEANS EQUAL PROTECTION FROM HOSTILE ELEMENTS,
WHETHER CRIMINAL OR ENVIRONMENTAL -- AND EQUAL
OPPORTUNITY IN SERVICE AND COMMUNITY ACTION, WHETHER
THROUGH PUBLIC, PRIVATE, OR NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS.
AND TODAY, I'D LIKE TO TALK ABOUT TWO ISSUES IN
PARTICULAR: EDUCATION -- AND PUBLIC SAFETY. BOTH ARE
IMPORTANT TO THIS ASSOCIATION -- AND TO ANY THINKING
PERSON WHO CARES ABOUT THE QUALITY OF LIFE AND
OPPORTUNITY IN AMERICA.
- 4 -
AND BOTH ARE THE SUBJECT OF MAJOR ADMINISTRATION
PROPOSALS NOW PENDING BEFORE THE CONGRESS.
AND THERE'S A THIRD ISSUE THAT I KNOW YOU'RE
FAMILIAR WITH -- COMMUNITY ACTION -- WHAT I HAVE
CALLED "A THOUSAND POINTS OF LIGHT."
- 5 -
LAST WEEK I TRAVELED UP AND DOWN THE EASTERN
SEABOARD -- ISSUING A CALL TO ACTION FOR COMMUNITY
SERVICE. WE CARRIED THE MESSAGE FROM MAIN STREET TO
WALL STREET -- ENLISTING YOUNG AND OLD -- BLACK, WHITE
AND BROWN -- AMERICA'S DIVERSITY -- TO JOIN A MOVEMENT
PREDICATED ON ONE SIMPLE IDEA:
"FROM NOW ON, ANY DEFINITION OF A SUCCESSFUL LIFE
MUST INCLUDE SERVICE TO OTHERS."
- 6 -
FOR OVER A HUNDRED YEARS, YOUR PREDECESSORS -- AND
NOW YOU IN THIS ROOM -- HAVE BUILT SUCCESSFUL LIVES
THROUGH COMMUNITY ACTION. You WERE AHEAD OF THE
CURVE -- BY ABOUT A CENTURY. AND OFTEN YOUR SERVICE
HAS ADDRESSED THE VERY ISSUES WE'RE TALKING ABOUT TODAY
-- EDUCATION AND PUBLIC SAFETY.
- 7 -
THE AAUW FOUNDATION THAT MARY GREFE NOW DIRECTS
BEGAN HANDING OUT EDUCATIONAL FELLOWSHIPS IN 1888. IT
IS A GREAT TRADITION, AT ONCE COMBINING AMERICA'S
VALUES OF SERVICE AND EDUCATION.
AND THE SCHOLARSHIPS YOU PROVIDE ARE MORE THAN JUST
MONEY IN THE HANDS OF DESERVING STUDENTS. THEY ARE
MONEY IN THE BANK FOR THE FUTURE OF AMERICA. AND YOUR
ASSOCIATION REPRESENTS 140,000 REASONS WHY AMERICA WILL
SUCCEED.
- 8 -
YOUR CONTRIBUTIONS ARE IMPORTANT. AND EQUALLY
IMPORTANT IS THE RECENT AND RENEWED COMMITMENT TO AN
OLD-FASHIONED AMERICAN IDEA -- PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN THE
GOVERNMENT AND THE COMMUNITY IN SEEKING EDUCATIONAL
EXCELLENCE.
GOVERNMENT -- AND ESPECIALLY FEDERAL GOVERNMENT --
CANNOT PROVIDE ALL THE ANSWERS. BUT IT HAS AN
OBLIGATION TO LEAD.
- 9 -
EARLIER THIS YEAR, I SENT TO CONGRESS THE
EDUCATIONAL EXCELLENCE ACT OF 1989. IT PROPOSES
SOLUTIONS BASED ON SOME SOUND AND TIME-TESTED IDEAS --
REWARDING EXCELLENCE, HELPING THOSE IN NEED,
ACCOUNTABILITY -- AND ONE THAT'S CLOSE TO THE
TRADITIONS OF THIS ORGANIZATION -- PARENTAL CHOICE AND
FLEXIBILITY.
- 10 -
To ACHIEVE THESE GOALS, MY NEW INITIATIVE PROPOSES
A SEVEN-POINT PLAN. FIRST -- CASH AWARDS FOR MERIT
SCHOOLS. SECOND -- MERIT AWARDS FOR AMERICA'S BEST
TEACHERS. THIRD -- A NEW PROGRAM FOR HIGH SCHOOL
SCIENCE SCHOLARSHIPS. FOURTH -- $400 MILLION TO BOOST
MAGNET SCHOOLS. FIFTH -- NEW MONEY FOR NEW TEACHERS --
USING ALTERNATIVE CERTIFICATION TO EXPAND THE POOL OF
SKILLED EDUCATORS. SIXTH -- EMERGENCY GRANTS TO HELP
OUR SCHOOLS BECOME DRUG-FREE.
- 11 -
AND SEVENTH -- EXPANDED FEDERAL HELP TO OUR
HISTORICALLY BLACK COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES.
GIVEN THE NUMBER OF EXPERIENCED EDUCATORS HERE IN
THIS ROOM, IT WILL COME AS NO SURPRISE TO LEARN THAT
MANY OF THESE INITIATIVES WERE DEVELOPED FROM THE
CLASSROOM SUCCESS STORIES OF TEACHERS LIKE THOSE IN
YOUR ASSOCIATION. OTHER GUIDANCE CAME FROM PEOPLE LIKE
SARAH HARDER, WHO I MET WITH IN WASHINGTON FOLLOWING MY
ELECTION AS PRESIDENT.
- 12 -
AND MY ADMINISTRATION IS GRATEFUL FOR THE BENEFIT OF
YOUR EXPERIENCES AND YOUR VIEWS.
AND TODAY, I'D LIKE TO TALK ABOUT FOUR OF THESE
INITIATIVES IN PARTICULAR. Two OF THE POINTS CALL FOR
MERIT AWARDS -- CASH INCENTIVES FOR OUR MOST SUCCESSFUL
SCHOOLS AND THE TOP TEACHERS IN EVERY STATE.
I WANT THE BEST TEACHERS OUR EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM CAN
ATTRACT. BECAUSE TEACHERS SHAPE THE MINDS THAT SHAPE
THE FUTURE OF THE COUNTRY.
- 13 -
LAST YEAR -- AT THE CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION OF THE
FIRST AAUW EDUCATIONAL FELLOWSHIP -- JUSTICE SANDRA DAY
O' CONNOR RECEIVED THE AAUW ACHIEVEMENT AWARD. AND WHEN
WE TALK ABOUT MERIT SCHOOLS AND MERIT TEACHERS, THERE
COULD HARDLY BE A BETTER EXAMPLE THAN THIS YEAR'S
WINNER -- THE FOUNDER OF WESTSIDE PREPARATORY SCHOOL IN
CHICAGO'S INNER CITY -- MARVA COLLINS.
SAYS MARVA: "ANY CHILD CAN LEARN -- IF THEY ARE
NOT TAUGHT so THOROUGHLY THAT THEY CANNOT."
- 14 -
SHE GOT RESULTS. WORKING WITH STUDENTS WHO HAVE
BEEN WRITTEN OFF BY THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS, IT'S SAID THAT
98 PERCENT OF HER STUDENTS GO ON TO HIGH SCHOOL AND
THEN COLLEGE.
AND HER STUDENTS GOT RESULTS. IT WAS REPORTED THAT
ONE OF MARVA'S SIX-YEAR-OLDS COULD RECITE JESSE
JACKSON'S 1988 CONVENTION ADDRESS FROM MEMORY.
- 15 -
Now MARVA -- JESSE'S A VERY GIFTED SPEAKER -- AND
YOU'RE BEING TOO TOUGH ON THOSE KIDS. GIVE THEM MY
CONVENTION SPEECH AND I BET THEY CAN DO IT AT AGE
THREE.
I'VE ALSO HEARD OF ONE YOUNG GIRL WHO BEGAN
POUNDING HER LUNCH BOX ON THE DESK IN THE MIDDLE OF
CLASS. MARVA TOLD THE GIRL: "DARLING, NO ONE IS GOING
TO BE HANDING OUT GOOD JOBS To PEOPLE WHO POUND THEIR
LUNCHBOXES ON THEIR DESKS.
- 16 -
PRESIDENT BUSH DOES NOT POUND HIS LUNCHBOX ON THE
DESK." [[PAUSE]] OBVIOUSLY, MARVA'S NEVER BEEN TO ONE
OF MY CABINET MEETINGS.
WELL, AMERICA NEEDS RESULTS, TOO. So ANOTHER PART
OF MY EDUCATION PLAN CALLS FOR A SIMILAR KIND OF NEW
INCENTIVE -- SCIENCE SCHOLARSHIPS OF UP TO $40,000 FOR
MORE THAN 500 OF OUR BEST HIGH SCHOOL SENIORS.
- 17 -
AND THIS IS AN IDEA THAT ALSO RESONATES IN YOUR
ASSOCIATION. LAST YEAR YOU FOUNDED THE ELEANOR
ROOSEVELT FUND --WHAT YOU CALL "AN INTERGENERATIONAL
PARTNERSHIP" -- TO ADDRESS THE UNDERREPRESENTATION OF
WOMEN AND GIRLS IN MATH AND SCIENCE.
AND I KNOW THAT MANY OF YOU ARE FAMILIAR WITH
"WORKFORCE 2000,' WHICH CONCLUDES THAT ALMOST TWO-
THIRDS OF THE NEW ENTRANTS TO THE LABOR FORCE IN THE
NEXT ELEVEN YEARS WILL BE WOMEN.
- 18 -
To STAY COMPETITIVE IN A COMPETITIVE WORLD, WE MUST
PROVIDE INCENTIVES AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR THIS NEW
GENERATION OF WOMEN -- TO GET THE EDUCATION AND
TRAINING THEY NEED TO BE SECOND TO NONE. IF WE CANNOT
COMPETE WITH OTHER COUNTRIES IN THE CLASSROOM, WE
CANNOT COMPETE WITH THEM IN THE BOARDROOM.
- 21 -
AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL, WE'RE GOING TO DO OUR PART BY
TAKING VIOLENT CRIMINALS OFF THE STREETS. AND IT IS AN
ATTACK ON ALL FOUR FRONTS: NEW LAWS TO PUNISH THEM.
NEW AGENTS TO ARREST THEM. NEW PROSECUTORS TO CONVICT
THEM. AND NEW PRISONS TO HOLD THEM.
- 22 -
THIS COMPREHENSIVE INITIATIVE IS DIRECTED AT
VIOLENT CRIME -- AND, IN PARTICULAR, THE EXPLOSION OF
URBAN GUNFIRE THAT OFTEN ACCOMPANIES DRUG TRAFFICKING.
BUT ALL TOO OFTEN, VIOLENT CRIME ALSO MEANS CRIME
AGAINST WOMEN.
I AM ANGERED AND DISGUSTED BY THE CRIMES AGAINST
AMERICAN WOMEN -- AND BY THE ARCHAIC AND UNACCEPTABLE
ATTITUDES THAT ALL TOO FREQUENTLY CONTRIBUTE TO THOSE
CRIMES.
- 23 -
WHETHER IT INVOLVES SPOUSE ABUSE AT HOME -- OR
VIOLENCE IN THE STREET -- THESE ARE EVIL ACTS THAT
TRANSCEND RACIAL AND CLASS LINES. THIS WAR AGAINST
WOMEN MUST STOP.
OUR CITIES AND STATES MUST STEP UP THEIR EFFORTS TO
COMBAT VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN -- AND TO TREAT VICTIMS
WITH COMPASSION AND RESPECT.
- 24 -
AND THEY MUST FOLLOW OUR FEDERAL EXAMPLE OF ENACTING
TOUGHER LAWS -- BACKED UP BY MORE POLICE, PROSECUTORS,
AND PRISONS -- TO PUT AWAY EVERY VIOLENT OFFENDER.
AND, FUNDAMENTALLY, VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN WON'T
SUBSIDE UNLESS PUBLIC ATTITUDES CHANGE. WE MUST
CONTINUE TO EDUCATE POLICE AND PROSECUTORS, JUDGES AND
JURIES.
- 25 -
AND WE MUST ENGENDER A CLIMATE WHERE THE MESSAGE OUR
CHILDREN GET -- FROM TELEVISION AND FILMS, FROM SCHOOLS
AND PARENTS -- IS THAT VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN IS WRONG.
- 26 -
A KINDER AND GENTLER NATION MUST PROTECT ALL ITS
CITIZENS. AND NO MATTER HOW EQUAL THE OPPORTUNITIES IN
OUR SCHOOLS AND THE WORKPLACE, WOMEN WILL NEVER HAVE
THE SAME OPPORTUNITIES AS MEN IF A CLIMATE OF FEAR
LEAVES THEM JUSTIFIABLY CONCERNED ABOUT WALKING TO THE
CAMPUS LIBRARY AT NIGHT -- OR RELUCTANT TO WORK LATE
HOURS, FOR FEAR OF GETTING OUT OF THE PARKING LOT
SAFELY.
- 27 -
I HAVE A DAUGHTER -- AND FOUR DAUGHTERS-IN-LAW.
AND WHEN WE TALK ABOUT WHAT KIND OF SCHOOLS AND THE
KIND OF SOCIETY WE ARE SHAPING FOR THE NEXT CENTURY, I
THINK ABOUT MY ELEVEN GRANDCHILDREN. SEVEN ARE GIRLS.
AND IT IS UNTHINKABLE THAT ANY OPPORTUNITY SHOULD BE
AVAILABLE To YOUNG GEORGE P. THAT ISN'T ALSO OUT THERE
FOR HIS COUSIN JENNA BUSH.
- 28 -
ONE OPPORTUNITY THAT SOME WOMEN IN THIS ROOM SHOULD
NOT OVERLOOK IS RUNNING FOR PUBLIC OFFICE. I ENCOURAGE
YOU TO DO SO. IT IS CHALLENGING AND ENORMOUSLY
SATISFYING WORK.
OVER THE YEARS, I HAVE HAD THE PRIVILEGE OF WORKING
WITH MANY TALENTED LEADERS LIKE CARLA HILLS, LIDDY
DOLE, SANDRA DAY O'CONNOR AND NANCY KASSEBAUM.
-
- 29 -
AND THEIR RECORD OF PUBLIC SERVICE -- LIKE THE WORK OF
so MANY IN YOUR ASSOCIATION -- CONFIRMS THE LONG-AGO
OBSERVATION OF ONE OF THE PATRON SAINTS OF COMMUNITY
SERVICE -- ALEXIS DE TOCQUEVILLE.
HE WROTE: "IF I WERE ASKED TO WHAT THE SINGULAR
PROSPERITY AND GROWING STRENGTH OF [THE AMERICAN
PEOPLE] OUGHT MAINLY TO BE ATTRIBUTED, I SHOULD REPLY:
To THE SUPERIORITY OF THEIR WOMEN."
- 30 -
I AM PLEASED TO BE THE FIRST PRESIDENT TO ADDRESS
AAUW, AND VERY HONORED TO BE AWARDED AN OFFICIAL
MEMBERSHIP. AND I GUESS THAT, TECHNICALLY, THAT MAKES
ME THE FIRST AAUW MEMBER TO BE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED
STATES. BUT I KNOW I WON'T BE THE LAST.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR WARM WELCOME. GOOD LUCK IN YOUR
EFFORTS TO SERVE THE PUBLIC GOOD. AND GOD BLESS YOU --
AND GOD BLESS AMERICA.
#
#
#
Document No.
046634
WHITE HOUSE STAFFING MEMORANDUM
6/23/89
DATE:
ACTION/CONCURRENCE/COMMENT DUE BY:
PRESIDENTIAL REMARKS: AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF UNIVERSITY WOMEN
SUBJECT:
ACTION FYI
ACTION FYI
VICE PRESIDENT
MCCLURE
SUNUNU
NEWMAN
SCOWCROFT
PORTER
DARMAN
STUDDERT
BATES
UNTERMEYER
ROGERS
BREEDEN
CARD
WINSTON
CICCONI
PINKERTON
DEMAREST
FITZWATER
GRAY
HAGIN
REMARKS:
The attached has been forwarded to the President.
* See changes P.3$7
RESPONSE:
James W, Cicconi
Assistant to the President
and Deputy to the Chief of Staff
Ext. 2702
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
1939 JUN 22 FII
JUNE 26, 1989
INFORMATION
MEMORANDUM FOR THE PRESIDENT
THROUGH:
CHRISS WINSTON C.W.
FROM:
ED MCNALLY EM.
SUBJECT:
SPEECH TO AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF UNIVERSITY WOMEN
I. SUMMARY
Attached are draft remarks for your speech to some 2,000
members of the A.A.U.W., at the Washington Sheraton on Monday,
June 26, at 11:15 a.m.
II. DISCUSSION
Those attending represent an organization of roughly 140,000
graduates of American universities. In your speech you discuss
volunteerism, education, and crime.
The remarks are about 15 minutes in length, and we have
tentatively scheduled the use of the teleprompter.
(McNally/Simon)
June 22, 1989, 7:00 p.m.
Draft Four (AAUW)
PRESIDENTIAL REMARKS: AMERICAN ASSOC. OF UNIVERSITY WOMEN
WASHINGTON SHERATON HOTEL
MONDAY, JUNE 26, 1989, 11:15 A.M.
Thank you, Sarah Harder, for that gracious introduction.
And congratulations as you complete your distinguished term as
president of AAUW. You and I know it can be fun to be President.
But I hear from California that ex-President is not such a bad
job, either.
And congratulations also to your successor, Sharon Schuster.
And there's another AAUW president -- a past president --
that I'd like to say hello to today. From Des Moines, Iowa --
and now head of your Educational Foundation -- Mary Grefe.
In America today, there is no greater imperative -- moral or
practical -- than providing equal opportunity to every man, woman
and child. This means equal opportunity in housing and jobs --
and flexibility and parental choice in child care and education.
It means equal protection from hostile elements, whether criminal
or environmental -- and equal opportunity in service and
community action, whether through public, private, or non-profit
organizations.
And today, I'd like to talk about two issues in particular:
Education -- and public safety. Both are important to this
association -- and to any thinking person who cares about the
quality of life and opportunity in America. And both are the
2
subject of major Administration proposals now pending before the
Congress.
And there's a third issue that I know you're familiar with
-- community action -- what I have called "a thousand points of
light."
Last week I traveled up and down the Eastern seaboard --
issuing a call to action for community service. We carried the
message from Main Street to Wall Street -- enlisting young and
old -- black, white and brown -- America's diversity -- to join a
movement predicated on one simple idea:
"From now on, any definition of a successful life must
include service to others."
For over a hundred years, your predecessors -- and now you
in this room -- have built successful lives through community
action. You were ahead of the curve -- by about a century. And
often your service has addressed the very issues we're talking
about today -- education and public safety.
The AAUW foundation that Mary Grefe now directs began
handing out educational fellowships in 1888. It is a great
tradition, at once combining America's values of service and
education.
And the scholarships you provide are more than just money in
the hands of deserving students. They are money in the bank for
the future of America.
And today our efforts to improve the education system
represent an endeavor where nothing less than the future of our
3
country is at stake. And your association represents 140,000
reasons why America will succeed.
Your contributions are important. And equally important is
the recent and renewed commitment to an old-fashioned American
idea -- partnership between the government and the community in
seeking educational excellence.
Government -- and especially federal government -- cannot
provide all the answers. But it has an obligation to lead.
Earlier this year, I sent to Congress the Education
Excellence Act of 1989. It proposes solutions based on four
simple ideas -- rewarding excellence, helping those in need,
accountability -- and one that's close to the traditions of this
organization -- parental choice and flexibility.
To achieve these goals, my new initiative proposes a seven-
point plan. Two of these points call for merit awards -- cash
incentives for our most successful schools and the top teachers
in every state.
I want the best teachers our educational system can attract.
Because teachers shape the minds that shape the future of the
country.
Last year -- at the centennial celebration of the first AAUW
educational fellowship -- Justice Sandra Day O'Connor received
the AAUW Achievement Award. And when we talk about merit schools
and merit teachers, there could hardly be a better example than
this year's winner -- the founder of Westside Preparatory School
in Chicago's inner city -- Marva Collins.
4
Says Marva: "Any child can learn -- if they are not taught
so thoroughly that they cannot."
She got results. Working with students who have been
written off by the public schools, 98 percent of her students go
on to high school and then college.
And her students got results. It was reported that one of
Marva's six-year-olds could recite Jesse Jackson's 1988
Convention address from memory. Now Marva -- Jesse's a very
gifted speaker -- and you're being too tough on those kids. Give
them my Convention speech and I bet they can do it at age three.
I've also heard of one young girl who began pounding her
lunch box on the desk in the middle of class. Marva told the
girl: "Darling, no one is going to be handing out good jobs to
people who pound their lunchboxes on their desks. President Bush
does not pound his lunchbox on the desk." [[PAUSE]] Obviously,
Marva's never been to one of my Cabinet meetings.
Well, America needs results, too. So another part of my
education plan calls for a similar kind of new incentive --
science scholarships of up to $40,000 for more than 500 of our
best high school seniors.
And this is an idea that also resonates in your association.
Last year you founded the Eleanor Roosevelt Fund --what you call
"an intergenerational partnership" -- to address the
underrepresentation of women and girls in math and science.
And I know that many of you are familiar with "Workforce
2000," which concludes that almost two-thirds of the new entrants
5
to the labor force in the next eleven years will be women. To
stay competitive in a competitive world, we must provide
incentives and opportunities for this new generation of women --
to get the education and training they need to be second to none.
You know, there are more women in this country than there
are people in Japan. And success for America in international
competition begins with success in our schools. If we cannot
compete with other countries in the classroom, we cannot compete
with them in the boardroom.
Rewarding successful students, teachers, and schools is one
way to encourage excellence. But it also requires elements of
flexibility and choice. And that's why our package also requests
new funding for both magnet schools and historically black
colleges and universities. And it calls for alternative
certification -- to expand the pool of talented teachers and
administrators -- by opening the door to diverse and accomplished
people, such as the women here in this room.
And speaking of the women in this room -- I've come here
today to thank you for your assistance in developing these plans
-- and to tell you that my Administration values your experience
and your views. I met with Sarah Harder in Washington following
my election as President. And I am grateful for her commitment
and her counsel.
The last of our education initiatives calls for drug-free
schools. We've asked Congress to finance urban emergency grants
-- to help our hardest-hit school districts. If we want to stop
6
our kids from putting drugs in their bodies, we must first put
character in their hearts and common sense in their heads.
And, as with education, the subject of drugs and crime --
and especially violent crime -- has been much on my mind in
recent weeks. Last month, I stood before the U.S. Capitol on a
somber, rainy afternoon to call on Congress to join me -- in a
new partnership with America's cities and states -- to "take back
the streets."
This comprehensive initiative is directed at violent crime
-- and, in particular, the explosion of urban gunfire that often.
accompanies drug trafficking. But all too often, violent crime
also means crime against women.
I am angered and disgusted by the crimes against American
women -- and by the archaic and unacceptable attitudes that all
too frequently contribute to those crimes.
Whether it involves spouse abuse at home -- or violence in
the street -- these are evil acts that transcend racial and class
lines. This war against women must stop.
Our cities and states must step up their efforts to combat
violence against women -- and to treat victims with compassion
and respect. And they must follow our federal example of
enacting tougher laws -- backed up by more police, prosecutors,
and prisons -- to put away every violent offender.
And, fundamentally, violence against women won't subside
unless public attitudes change. We must continue to educate
police and prosecutors, judges and juries. And we must engender
7
a climate where the message our children get -- from television
and films, from schools and parents -- is that violence against
women is wrong.
A kinder and gentler nation must protect all its citizens.
And no matter how equal the opportunities in our schools and the
workplace, women will never have the same opportunities as men if
a climate of fear leaves them justifiably concerned about walking
to the campus library at night -- or reluctant to work late
hours, for fear of getting out of the parking lot safely.
I have a daughter -- and four daughters-in-law. And when we
talk about what kind of schools and the kind of society we are
shaping for the next century, I think about my eleven
grandchildren. Seven are girls. And it is unthinkable that any
opportunity should be available to young George P. that isn't
also out there for his cousin Jenna Bush.
One opportunity that some women in this room should not
overlook is running for public office. I encourage you to do so.
It is challenging and enormously satisfying work.
Over the years, I have had the privilege of working with
many talented leaders like Carla Hills, Liddy Dole, Sandra Day
0' Connor and Nancy Kassebaum. And their record of public service
-- like the work of so many in your association -- confirms the
long-ago observation of one of the patron saints of community
service -- Alexide Tocqueville.
8
He wrote: "If I were asked to what the singular prosperity
and growing strength of [the American people] ought mainly to be
attributed, I should reply: To the superiority of their women."
I am pleased to be the first President to address AAUW, and
very honored to be awarded an official membership. And I guess
that, technically, that makes me the first AAUW member to be
President of the United States. But I know I won't be the last.
Thank you for your warm welcome. Good luck in your efforts
to serve the public good. And God bless you -- and God bless
America.
#
#
#
Fill 45
TALKING POINTS: STATE DINNER
East Room, Tuesday, June 27, 1989
I'm grateful you all could be here tonight -- with our friends the
Prime Minister and Mrs. Hawke of Australia -- to hear the incomparable
singing of Ms. Leontyne Price.
Leontyne Price is a hard act to follow. Born in Laurel, Mississippi,
she grew up wanting to be a music teacher. Since then, she has taught
us all -- and taught the world -- to love music.
She has been called "the Stradivarius of singers." She was the first
opera singer to receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom, in 1965,
and the First Medal of Arts, in 1985.
She has sung here at the White House many times. And her previous
performances here have won Emmy Awards. We have been very fortunate
to have her here tonight -- together with her long-time partner at the
piano, David Garvey.
You have our enthusiastic appreciation. God bless you.
THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
For Immediate Release
June 26, 1989
REMARKS BY THE PRESIDENT
TO THE AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF UNIVERSITY WOMEN
The Sheraton Washington Hotel
Washington, D.C.
11:27 A.M. EDT
THE PRESIDENT: Sarah, thank you very much for that
introduction, and all of you for that warm welcome. And
congratulations to you as you complete your distinguished term as
President of AAUW, and welcome to Sharon Schuster, the new President.
And may she run the meetings with the same iron hand -- (laughter and
applause) -- and put-down of dilatory proceedings such as free debate
-- (laughter) -- that Sharon did. I say all that because she told me
coming in here that there was a harmonious meeting and one that
plenty of substance was discussed that went very, very well indeed.
So, congratulations.
There's another AAUW President -- a past President --
that I'd like to say hello to. From Des Moines, Iowa, and now the
head of your Educational Foundation -- Mary Grefe. (Applause.)
Is it Grefe? I didn't want to say "grief." (Laughter.)
I pronounced it my way. (Laughter.)
In America today, there is no greater imperative -- moral
or practical -- than providing equal opportunity to every man, woman
and child. And this means equal opportunity in housing and jobs --
and flexibility and parental choice in child care and education.
(Applause.) And it means equal protection from hostile elements,
whether criminal or environmental -- and equal opportunity in service
and community action, whether through public, private or non-profit
organizations.
And today I'd like to talk about two issues in
particular, education and public safety. Both are important to this
association -- and to any thinking person who cares about the quality
of life and opportunity in America. And both are the subject of
major administration proposals now pending before the United States
Congress.
And there's a third issue that I know you're familiar
with -- community action -- what I have called a thousand points of
light. And last week I traveled up and down the Eastern seaboard
issuing a call to action for community service. And we carried the
message from Main Street to Wall Street, enlisting young and old,
black and white and brown -- America's diversity -- to join a
- 2 -
1888. And it's a great tradition, at once combining America's values
of service and education.
And the scholarships you provide are more than just money
in the hands of deserving students. They are money in the bank for
the future of America. And your association represents 140,000
reasons why America will succeed.
Your contributions are important. And equally important
is the recent and renewed commitment to an old-fashioned American
idea -- partnership between the government and the community in
seeking educational excellence.
Government -- and especially federal government -- cannot
provide all the answers. But it has an obligation to lead.
And earlier this year, I sent to Congress the Educational
Excellence Act of 1989. And it proposes solutions based on some
sound and time-tested ideas -- rewarding excellence, helping those in
need, accountability -- and one that's close to the traditions of
this organization == parental choice and flexibility.
To achieve these goals, my new initiative proposes a
seven-point plan. First, cash awards for merit schools. Second,
merit awards for America's best teachers. (Applause.) A little
dissent on that one. (Laughter.) Third, a new program for high
school science scholarships. (Applause.) Fourth, $400 million to
boost magnet schools. Fifth, new money for new teachers -- using
alternative certification to expand the pool of skilled educators.
(Applause.) Sixth, emergency grants to help our schools become
drug-free. (Applause.) And seventh, expanded federal help to our
historically black colleges and universities. (Applause.)
Given the number of experienced educators right here in
this room, it will come as no surprise to learn that many of these
initiatives were developed from the classroom success stories of
teachers like those in your association. And other guidance came
from people like Sarah Harder, who I met with in Washington following
my election as President. And my administration is grateful for the
benefit of your experiences and your views.
And today, I'd like to talk briefly about four of these
initiatives in particular. Two of the points call for merit awards
-- cash incentives for our most successful schools and the top
teachers in every state.
I want the best teachers our educational system can
attract, because teachers shape the minds that shape the future of
the country. (Applause.)
Last year, at the centennial celebration of the first
AAUW educational fellowship, Justice Sandra Day O'Connor received
your Achievement Award. And when we talk about merit schools and
merit teachers, there could hardly be a better example than this
year's winner -- the founder of the Westside Preparatory School in
Chicago's inner city -- Marva Collins. (Applause.)
Says Marva, "Any child can learn if they are not that taught
- 3 -
But I've also heard of one young girl who began pounding
her lunch box on the desk in the middle of the class. Marva told the
girl, "No, darling, no one is going to be handing out good jobs to
people who pound their lunch boxes on their desks. President Bush
does not pound his lunch box on the desk." (Laughter.) Obviously,
Marva's never been to one of our Cabinet meetings. (Laughter.)
America needs results, too. So another part of my
education plan calls for a similar kind of new incentive -- science
scholarships of up to $40,000 for more than 500 of our best high
school seniors. (Applause.)
And this is an idea that also resonates in your
association. Last year you founded the Eleanor Roosevelt Fund --
what you call "an intergenerational partnership" -- to address the
underrepresentation of women and girls in math and science.
And I know that many of you are familiar with "Workforce
2000," which concludes that almost two-thirds of the new entrants to
the labor force in the next eleven years will be women. To stay
competitive in a competitive world, we must provide incentives and
opportunities for this new generation of women -- to get the
education and training they need to be second to none. (Applause.)
And if we cannot compete with other countries in the classroom, we
cannot compete with them in the boardroom.
And the last of our education initiatives calls for
drug-free schools. And we've asked Congress to finance urban
emergency grants to help our hardest-hit school districts. And if we
want to stop our kids from putting drugs in their bodies, we must
first put character in their hearts and common sense in their heads.
(Applause.)
Let me just stop here a minute, Barbara and I were up in
Covenant House the other day in New York -- and Barbara's good at
this. She can handle the emotion of the young kids. Her husband is
not. But, if you'd seen it, and I expect some of you had, these kids
-- the matrix joining the meeting was narcotics use, prostitution and
hopelessness, really -- and it was tragic. And it brought home to
me, loud and clear, how much we have left to do, in terms of offering
hope, through education, to the young people afflicted by this
scourge of narcotics. We've got to succeed as a nation. (Applause.)
So, as with education, the subject of drugs and crime, as
well -- especially violent crime -- has been on my mind in recent
weeks. And last month, I was out standing before the U.S. Capitol on
a somber, rainy afternoon to call on Congress to join me in a new
partnership with America's cities and states to "take back the
streets."
And at the federal level, we're going to do our part by
taking violent criminals off the streets. And it's an attack on all
four fronts: New laws to punish them. New agents to arrest them.
New prosecutors to convict them. And new prisons to hold them. And
incidentally, I feel just as strongly about the white collar criminal
that traffics in narcotics, as I do about the street criminal.
(Applause.)
- 4 -
combat violence against women -- to treat victims with compassion and
respect. And they must follow our federal example of enacting
tougher laws -- backed up by more police, prosecutors, and prisons --
to put away every violent offender. (Applause.)
Fundamentally, violence against women won't subside
unless public attitudes change. We must continue to educate police
and prosecutors, judges and juries. And we must engender a climate
where the message our children get -- from television and films, from
schools and parents -- is that violence against women is wrong.
(Applause.)
A kinder and gentler nation must protect all its
citizens. And no matter how equal the opportunities in our schools
and workplace, women will never have the same opportunities as men if
a climate of fear leaves them justifiably concerned about walking to
the campus library at night -- or reluctant to work late hours for
fear of getting out of some parking lot safely.
I have a daughter -- and four daughters-in-law. And when
we talk about what kind of schools and the kind of society we are
shaping for the next century, I think about my own eleven
grandchildren. Seven are girls. And it is unthinkable that any
opportunity should be available to, my pride and joy, our oldest
grandson, George P., that isn't also out there for his cousin Jenna
Bush. (Applause.)
And one opportunity and maybe I'm preaching to the
choir here -- (laughter) -- that some women in this room should not
overlook -- is rolling up your sleeves and running for public office.
(Applause.) I encourage you to do that and it is challenging and
enormously satisfying. This day and age there seems to be more
public flak and all of that, but, believe me, I still feel strongly
that public service is an honorable calling, and we've got to
inculcate that into the life of every single child in this country,
and you can help by running for office. (Applause.)
Over the years, I have had the privilege of working with
many talented leaders like Carla Hills and Elizabeth Dole and Sandra
Day O'Connor and Nancy Kassebaum, and their record of public service
-- like the work of so many in your own association -- confirms the
long-ago observation of one of the patron saints of community service
-- Alexis de Tocqueville.
He wrote: "If I were asked to what the singular
prosperity and growing strength of the American people ought mainly
to be attributed, I should reply -- to the superiority of their
women. " (Applause.)
I am pleased to be the first President to address the
AAUW -- (applause) -- and very honored -- maybe I'm getting a little
out ahead of the power curve here -- to be awarded an official
membership. (Laughter and applause.) Wait a minute. So technically
that makes me the first AAUW member to be President of the United
States. (Applause.) But I know I won't be the last. (Applause.)
Thank you all and God bless all of you. Thank you very
much.