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State of the Union Address 1/31/90 [OA 4391] [2]
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Record Group/Collection:
George H.W. Bush Presidential Records
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Speechwriting, White House Office of
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Speech File Draft Files
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13518-008
Folder Title:
State of the Union Address 1/31/90 [OA 4391] [2]
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25
6
7
3
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
1/17/90
Date:
TO:
CHRISS WINSTON
FROM: JAMES W. CICCONI
Assistant to the President and
Deputy to the Chief of Staff
Information
Action
Let's Discuss
Document Originally
Attached to
Following Page
Put in
State of
the Union
of
OUTLINE: 1/29/90, 3 PM
Not state of government -- state of union
revolution of 1989
One year ago
(Panama)
Idea called America
Building blocks: democracy, investment, competition,
opportunity, steardship, and leadership
jobs
child care
safe environment
disabled Americans
homeless
drug-free
education
3 capitals
family savings plan
capital gains
money is there -- R & D, HOPE, drugs, education
Education Goals (Head Start)
competition
deficit control
pay off debt
environment (America the Beautiful)
Full agenda/work together
Clean Air
Child Care
Crime & Drugs
National Transportation Policy
Space Exploration
Tort Reform
Enterprise Zones
Social Security
Health Care
State of the Union depends on all Americans
racism
lend a hand
read with our kids
pass long values
Marwell letter
Leadership
Truman quote
democracy's advance/commonwealth of nations
Soviet Union
Eastern Europe
Far East/China
Our hemisphere
Strong America
Solidarity monument
Children/grandparents/parents/children
THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
EMBARGOED FOR RELEASE
UNTIL 9:00 P.M. EST
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 31, 1990
FACT SHEET
The President's CFE Initiative on U.S. and Soviet Manpower
After initial discussions with NATO Allies, the President
concluded that changes which have taken place in Europe over the
last three months have made it possible to propose lower levels
in the area of greatest concentration of forces -- Central and
Eastern Europe. However, the United States will maintain
significant military forces in Europe as long as our Allies
desire our presence as part of a common security effort.
Therefore, in his State of the Union address to Congress on
January 31, President Bush proposed to revise NATO's current
position in the Conventional Armed Forces in Europe (CFE)
Negotiations to lower substantially the levels of U.S. and Soviet
ground and air force manpower in Central and Eastern Europe to
195,000 on each side. Forces withdrawn will be demobilized.
There would be approximately 225,000 U.S. ground and air force
personnel in Europe after CFE reductions are completed. The
proposal responds to rapid changes in Eastern Europe and is
designed to help propel the CFE negotiations to an early
conclusion in 1990.
The President's initiative would supersede an earlier proposal
establishing a level of 275,000 each on U.S. and Soviet ground
and air force manpower stationed outside of their respective
national territories in the Atlantic to the Urals region.
The President has concluded that this proposal reflects the
minimum level of U.S. forces needed in Europe to protect American
interests and to sustain NATO's strategy of forward defense and
flexible response. Even if -- as we expect -- Soviet forces in
this region are reduced even further, the United States does not
envision the further reduction of its forces in Europe below this
new level.
* * *
E
'DRAFT TALKING POINTS
My speech tonight doesn't detail every line item in our new
budget; rather its sets out my view of the state the union and
our world. What a year this has been.
Because of the dramatic events of 1989, my speech reviews
the past year - from Panama to Poland to the Berlin Wall - and
looks forward to the challenges we face in the future.
I'm grateful to all of you for your contributions and
suggests about this speech, but I decided that rather than recite
a laundry list of accomplishment and _programs. I'd like to talk
thematically about our responsibilities. I've called them
opportunity, competitiveness, competitiveness stewardship and investment.
I've included a section on our domestic initiatives, and our
foreign policy goals for the coming year, and I-hope you 11 find
it inclusive.
advit its not inclusive
of all the good work gring
As I outlined in my budget, we've got some new ideas I'll on in
your
talk about tonight, and reiterate my call for some old ones: a
department
balanced budget with no new taxes, and a cut in the capital gains
tax.
will repeat what Isach
and
As I mentioned in my inaugural address, I'll extend my hand
to Congress again tonight. It's time we roll up our sleeves and
get to it. And I'll tell senior citizens loudly and clearly that
we don't need to tinker with the Social Security system.
mess
Finally, I'll end my speech with some personal observations
about things that have touched my family and me deeply in the
last year.
morethematic
I wanted this to be a shorter speech, than usual, and I think
we've succeeded. Thanks to you and your hard working staffs for
all your contributions.
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
January 19, 1990
MEMORANDUM FOR CHRISS WINSTON
FROM
COOPER EVANS CO
SUBJECT
MENTION OF THE AGRICULTURAL NATIONAL RESEARCH
INITIATIVE IN THE PRESIDENT'S BUDGET MESSAGE
OR STATE OF THE UNION MESSAGE
Attached is a letter to me from Dr. Charles Hess, Assistant
Secretary of Agriculture for Science and Education. Dr. Hess
notes the substantial increase in spending for agricultural
research and development in the 1991 and subsequent budgets.
He suggests that the President comment on this important new
commitment in his Budget Message or State of the Union Address.
I too believe this item is noteworthy and should be included for
several reasons:
* The President needs to emphasize the positive aspects
of the agricultural budget -- and there aren't many.
Otherwise coverage will focus on the several proposals
which will be viewed with dismay by many out in farm
country -- for example, doing away with Federal Crop
Insurance.
*
The National Academy of Sciences strongly supports such
an increase. Actually, they advocate even more money and
believe that more emphasis on research and development is
crucial to the future of American agriculture.
*
Finally, as Dr. Hess points out, the President should
take credit for this important initiative. If he does
not, the credit will tend to go to Democratic Congressman
McCloskey and Jontz who have introduced HR 3806 based
on National Academy recommendations.
Note that Dr. Hess has attached a brief draft of what he
considers to be appropriate comments by the President. I believe
comments should include "industrial uses" of agricultural
products -- see attached Presidential quotes on this subject.
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
UNITED AGICULTURE UNITED STATES
OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20250
1989
Mr. Cooper Evans
Special Assistant to the President
for Agricultural Trade and Food Assistance
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, D.C. 20500
Dear Cooper:
Although the level of funding for the National Research Initiative is not as high as
recommended by the National Academy of Sciences, the funding level of $100 million for
1991 and a commitment for a $50 million increase per year for the next four years does
represent a significant new investment in research in agriculture, food, and the environment.
It would be a great help if the President could mention this initiative in his State of the
Union and/or budget message for two reasons. One, it would help raise the level of
awareness of the new investment and will galvanize the coalition which has been developed
to shepherd the initiative through Congress. We need the external support as part of our
strategy to help prevent the new funds from being "earmarked." Second, the President
should take credit for the initiative and not have the credit go to Congressmen McCloskey
and Jontz, who have introduced H.R. 3806, which is based on the National Academy of
Sciences report.
I have appreciated the opportunity to discuss the National Research Initiative with you in
the past, and ask your support to include a statement about the initiative in the President's
message to Congress. A suggested statement is enclosed.
I am sending similar letters to Allan Bromley, Bob Grady, and Roger Porter.
With best regards for the New Year, I am
Sincerely yours,
Garley CHARLES E. HESS
Assistant Secretary
Science and Education
Enclosure
cc: Secretary Yeutter
Suggested statement for President Bush
on the
National Initiative for Research on Agriculture,
Food, and the Environment
A new investment of $100 million for agricultural research is being made to enhance
production efficiency, food safety, and environmental quality. This investment will allow
U.S. agriculture to broaden its science and technology base to more effectively meet the
challenges of international competitiveness, new product development, food quality and
nutrition, and environmental issues, including water quality and global climate change.
PRESIDENTIAL QUOTES
"Let's be aggressive about pursuing new markets here at
home, from alternative fuels like ethanol, to plastics from
cornstarch, to printers ink from soybean oil. These
programs offer rural America new jobs in new industries.
And at the same time, they offer potentially higher prices
and increased demand for the commodities you already
produce.
"
10/26/88 Speech Sioux City Stockyards
"At home, the need to compete means developing new crops
and uses for agricultural commodities as raw materials for
industry."
7/27/89 Speech FFA
"My administration would shift the focus to lowering
production costs and developing new markets for crops,
some of which I've just mentioned. And when we make
advances in technology, we will move them as quickly as
possible from the laboratory to the farm."
7/11/88 Speech Ag Communicators Congress
copy Ching Dan
THE WHITE house
0442
WASHINGTON
January 22, 1990
MEMORANDUM FOR DAVID F. DEMAREST, JR.
FROM:
BRENT SCOWCROFT B
SUBJECT:
Second Draft of the State of the Union Speech
NSC concurs in the draft, with suggestions as marked.
Attachment
Tab A
Draft Speech
CC: James W. Cicconi
CLOSE HOLD
DRAFT
1990
McGroarty/Dooley
January 18, 1990
5:45 pm
PM
PRESIDENTIAL REMARKS: STATE OF THE UNION ADDRESS
01
THE CAPITOL
JANUARY 31, 1990
9:00 P.M.
Mr. President, Mr. Speaker, members of the United States
Congress: as a former President of the Senate, and proud member
of this House, it is my great privilege to report to you on the
State of the Union.
I didn't come here tonight to do what's been done so often
in the past. I didn't come here to speak about the "state of the
government" -- to outline every program and new initiative we
plan for the coming year, or to recite every line item in the
budget. I came here to speak to you and to the American people
about the State of the Union -- about our world -- the changes
we've seen, the challenges we'll face. And what that means for
America. ///
There are singular moments in history: dates that divide
all that goes before from all that comes after. Many of us here
in this chamber have lived much of our lives in a world whose
fundamental features were defined in 1945. The events of that
year decreed the shape of nations. The pace of progress. The
fate of freedom for millions of people around the world.
1945 provided the common frame of reference -- the compass
points -- we've relied upon to understand ourselves. Our world.
Our goals. /// Until today. /// Such have been the events of
CLOSE HOLD
DRAFT
2
the year just passed -- the revolution of 1989 -- a chain
reaction of change so striking that it marks the beginning of a
new era in the world's affairs.
Think back -- just twelve short months ago -- to the world
we knew as this past year began.
One year ago, the people of Panama lived in fear, under a
dictator's rule. Today, democracy is restored -- Panama 11 is
free. //
One year ago in Poland, Lech Walesa declared that he was
ready to open a dialogue with the communist rulers of that
country. Today, with the future of a free Poland in their hands,
Lead
government.
members of Solidarity (sit in the Polish Parliament 11
One year ago, freedom's playwright, Vaclav Havel, languished
in a prison in Prague. Today, it's Vaclav Havel -- President of
Czechoslovakia. //
And one year ago, Erich Honecker of East Germany claimed
history as his guide. He predicted the Berlin Wall would last
another hundred years. Today -- not one year later -- it's the
Wall that's history. ///
What a world of change we've witnessed in one year's time.//
Remarkable events -- events that fulfill the long-held hopes
of the American people
That validate the long-standing goals
of American policy -- a policy based on a single, shining
Needto
principle: advancing the cause of freedom in the world.
mention
And in this new world now emerging, our nation -- America --
allies
will continue to be what it has always been -- not just a nation
+
vindication
America and its democratic allies stood fast - and stool
of past
together - -for four decades. Our policy of Strength and
policies
Solidarity has brought US to this moment, Our being restrute
of
strength
left COMMUNIST leaders
X no choice but D reform.
CLOSE HOLD
DRAFT
3
-- but an idea alive in the minds of people everywhere, full of
hope for all the world. America
the sum total of the hopes
of the men and women who built this nation. The shining dream of
every immigrant who set foot on our shores. This nation -- this
idea called America -- was for all of them -- and is still for
all of us -- a new world. Our new world. ///
And now, as a new world takes shape -- at the center of a
widening circle of freedom -- today, tomorrow and into the next
century -- that's where you'll find America. //
In a place called Branik, on the outskirts of Prague, the
idea called America is alive. A worker, dressed in grimy
overalls, rises to speak at the factory gates. He begins his
speech to his fellow workers with these words -- words of a
distant revolution: "We hold these truths to be self-evident.
Check,
That all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their
creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are
life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness."
Today, East and West and in every corner of the globe, we
hear the voices of democracy -- the truths that speak across the
centuries to men and women everywhere.
*****
It's no secret to those gathered here and watching on TV
tonight that, here at home, freedom's door opened long ago. We
Democracy
understand the building blocks of a free society:
Investment.
change
Competition.
Opportunity.
Stewardship.
And of course,
order
leadership. So today, Americans want to know about this new
CLOSE HOLD
DRAFT
4
world, and our place in it. About the challenges on the horizon
-- and what we as a nation must do to meet them.
Yes -- we're going to invest in America. We're going to
encourage the creation of capital -- capital of all kinds.
Physical capital: everything, from America's farms and factories
to our workshops and production lines, that enables us to produce
and deliver quality goods and services. Intellectual capital:
the store-house of ideas that become tomorrow's products. And of
course, America's human capital: the well-educated, highly-
skilled workforce we'll need to compete in the global market.
I'm talking about creating the capital that fuels growth --
that creates jobs. Because when you keep the cost of capital
high -- when you make it hard to expand, hard to start that new
business -- you stifle growth. When you delay upkeep -- you lose
your competitive edge. And when you ignore human capital -- you
lose the spirit of American ingenuity -- the spirit that is the
hallmark of the American worker. And the American worker remains
the most productive worker in the world.
We need to save more -- expand the pool of capital for the
new investments that mean more jobs, more growth. That's the
reason behind the new initiative I call the Family Savings Plan,
[which creates new incentive to save.]
We need people to take risks -- to take that first step that
translates into economic reward, a stronger economy, for all of
us -- that's why we've got to cut the tax on capital gains.
CLOSE HOLD
5
DRAFT
And investment means Research and Development. That's what
spawns the new products, moves new ideas off the drawing board
and into the market. And that's why I've proposed an R&D budget
anall-time an
of $70 billion dollars -- [a record high for R&D. //
And of course, there's the most important investment of all:
our investment in America's children. Education. In this year's
budget, the federal government will spend more on education than
ever before. //
And we've got to do all we can to make sure that -- from the
very first day in school -- all our children are ready to learn.
That's why I've proposed a record increase in funds -- an extra
[xx] million dollars -- for something near and dear to all of us:
Head Start. //
But real education reform -- real improvement in our schools
-- isn't simply a matter of spending more. That's why tonight I
want to announce [[Education Goals]]. //
Opportunity for all Americans. Nothing matters more. Every
man, woman -- and every American child -- deserves a chance to
grow up in a community that's safe and secure -- because fear is
the enemy of opportunity. That's why it's time to take the next
step towards a drug-free future for all Americans. Just last
week we released Phase II of our National Drug Control Strategy.
And our budget provides funds to implement that plan: an
increase of $2.1 billion dollars -- 41% more than last year. //
Then there's stewardship: America's precious environmental
inheritance. We simply must preserve it. And there's something
CLOSE HOLD
DRAFT
6
really new in this year's budget [ an initiative I call the
Endowment for the Environment [America the Beautiful Fund?]. $2
[?] billion dollars to clean up our country -- and keep America
beautiful for generations to come. //
And we've sent up a budget that brings federal spending
under control. It meets the Gramm-Rudman budget targets, and
balances the budget by 1993. // And once again, read my lips:
we're going to do it without raising taxes. //
And once the budget is balanced, we will begin operating the
way every family in America has to when it has bills to pay:
We're going to start buying down our debt. //
And let me say something about obligations. We're going to
keep our commitments. Once again, we have fully funded Social
Security. And I want to assure not only today's retired
Americans, but tomorrow's retirees -- especially those of you
born in the 1950s -- the system will remain sound. Your benefits
will be there when you retire.
The proposals I've just spoken of are all part of an agenda
that will keep the idea we call America alive -- all the dreams
and hopes we cherish -- keep it alive today, and into the next
century and new world ahead. ///
So tonight, let me say to all the members of Congress the
same thing I said one year ago. The American people didn't send
us here to bicker. There's work to do -- and they sent us here
to get it done. And as I did a year ago, once again, I offer my
hand to all of you. Let's work together to do the will of the
CLOSE HOLD
DRAFT
7
American people. There's a full agenda in front of us. It's
time to take action. /////
Now, there's something else I want to say right now to every
American watching tonight. The "state of the government" does
indeed depend on many of us in this very chamber. But the State
of the Union depends on all Americans. Whether we are a decent
people -- whether we maintain the democratic decency that makes a
nation out of millions of individuals. Whether we respect the
rights of all -- equally. Whether we speak out against racism,
bigotry and hate. ///
The State of the Union depends on whether we help our
neighbor -- claim the problems of our community as our own.
Whether we step forward when there's trouble -- lend a hand,
volunteer. 111 Whether we take the time after a busy day to sit
down and read with our kids. Help them with their homework.
Pass along the values we learned as children. That's how we
measure the State of the Union. //
Nothing's too small -- too unimportant. It all adds up --
to whether we do the things that give democracy meaning. It all
adds up to who we are. ///
So let me say, that so long as we remember the American idea
-- SO long as we live up to the American ideal -- the State of
the Union will remain sound and strong.
I know there are doubters. People out there who lack faith
in this nation's future. Some who've been forgotten, some who've
given up. To them we must offer hope and encouragement. And to
CLOSE HOLD
DRAFT
8
those who think we have lost our way -- well, I want you to
listen to a letter from one young man that came to me at the
White House.
It was written by James Markwell -- PFC James Markwell, a
20-year old Army medic. It's dated December 18th -- the night
before our Armed Forces went into action in Panama. It's a
letter servicemen write -- and hope will never be sent. Sadly,
Private Markwell's mother received this letter. And she passed
it on to me.
He writes: "I have never been afraid of death, but I know
now he is waiting at the corner
I have been trained to kill
and to save, so has everyone else. I am frightened of what lays
beyong the fog, yet
I must go through the fog -- whether the
other side is a plane ride home for Christmas, or the fog never
ends. Do not mourn for me. Revel in the life that I have died
to give you "
And most of all, don't forget that the Army was my
choice. Something that I wanted to do."
Private Markwell was among the first to see battle in
Panama, and one of the first to fall. ///
He wasn't lost. He knew what he believed in -- because he
carried the idea we call America in his heart. 111
It is that spirit that tells me -- that tells all of us --
the State of the Union is strong. That our nation can meet the
challenges we face. That we can build a better world here at
CLOSE HOLD
DRAFT
9
home -- that we possess the sense of purpose we need to play a
leading role in the new world taking shape around us. ////
I began tonight speaking about the changes we've seen this
past year. There is a new world of challenges and opportunities
before us. And there is a need for leadership that only America
can provide.
Nearly forty years ago, in his last address to the Congress,
President Harry Truman predicted such a time would come. He
said: "As our world grows stronger, more united, more attractive
to men on both sides of the iron curtain, then inevitably there
will come a time of change within the communist world."
Today, that opportunity exists.
And I say tonight to the Congress and to the American
people: the time is right to build a new relationship with the
Soviet Union. // As long as glasnost and perestroika move
forward, we must welcome -- and we must support -- these dramatic
Add
changes -- these long-awaited steps towards lasting peace. //
something
All of us understand that the events of this past year open
on these
unparalleled opportunities for peace and freedom.
key
sars!
Together, we must create a new consensus -- a common vision
Before we can expect place divident we must first make addirinal
of this new world we want to see. A world that is more than a
collection of nations at odds, at arms-length, and -- all too
ged
move
often -- at war. But for the first time, a truly international
and a commitment to place
to
community -- a commonwealth with freedom at its core. Not a
>
NAT
world where all nations are identical, where all differences
pay
Today, we must respond to the wn forces of freedom including apport for
new democracies in Eastern Europe. Nextyexv I'm increasing orr funding for this
purpose by $300 million, as part of a comprehensive strategy for the region,
J
And we must respond to a changing security environment. I'm
proposing a defense budget that begins the transition to a restructured
military -- more flexible, more gearen to contingincies outside of Europe, while
continuing to meet our inescapable responsibilities for Acpricance and to
maintaining the 510bal balance.
to NATO
CLOSE HOLD
DRAFT
10
disappear -- but one where the diversity of cultures and customs
and where it 1) under shood that differences
finds an open door in democracy.
are To be settled by words, not war.
For more than forty years, America and its allies sought to
hold communism in check, and to ensure that democracy would
ned hee insert pr NW and
Rid
continue to exist. Today, with communism crumbling, our aim must
demos.
be to ensure democracy's advance. ////
But we must recognize a sad, but unfortunate fact: We have
not entered an era of perpetual peace. In many regions of the
me Edend
world tonight, the reality is war. Enduring animosities,
opposing interests, will continue to cause conflict -- and peace
my Es at
will continue to be served by an America strong enough -- and
sure enough -- to defend our interests and ideals.
NATO
Here at home -- and in the world -- there is history in the
making -- and history to be made. But the changes and the
challenges ahead should not blind us to the elements that endure
-- to the principles that remain fixed forever in the human mind
and spirit.
Six months ago, early in this season of change, I stood at
the gates of the Lenin Shipyard in Gdansk, at the monument to the
fallen workers of Solidarity. It is a monument of simple
majesty. Three tall crosses rise up from the stones. Atop each
cross, an anchor -- an ancient symbol of hope.
The anchor in our world today is freedom. Holding us steady
in times of change. A symbol of hope to all the world. And
freedom is the very center of the idea that is America. ///
CLOSE HOLD
DRAFT
11
And every one of us can help keep this idea alive for
ourselves and all the world. /// You know, in the last few days
of this past momentous year, Barbara and I were blessed once more
-- blessed with a new grandson -- our twelfth -- Charles Walker
Bush {here tonight}. [GRANDCHILDREN IN GALLERY] Those 12 are
their grandparents' pride and joy. And together with the tens of
millions of children in this great nation, they are far more.
They are the very future of freedom. To them belongs this new
world I've been speaking about.
So tonight -- for them and for every child in America -- I'm
going to ask something of every one of you. Let me start with my
generation -- with the grandparents out there. You are our
living link to the past. Tell your grandchildren the story of
struggles waged, at home and abroad. Of sacrifices freely made
for freedom's sake. And tell them your story as well -- because
every American has a story to tell.
And parents: your children look to you for direction and
guidance. Teach them that of all the many gifts they can
receive, liberty is their most precious legacy. You too must
tell them the story of America.
And of course, let me say to the children and young people
watching tonight: with you rests our hope -- all that America
will mean in the years and decades ahead. Fix your vision on a
new century -- your century. On dreams we cannot see. On the
destiny that is yours -- and yours alone -- to fulfill. //
CLOSE HOLD
DRAFT
12
And finally, let all Americans -- all of us together here in
this chamber, the symbolic center of American democracy -- affirm
our allegiance to this idea we call America. And let us all
remember that the State of the Union depends on each and every
one of us.
God bless all of you. God bless every American watching
tonight -- and may God bless this great nation, the United States
of America.
# # #
DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNICATIONS & POLICY
FOR E MAACP ASTANCEMENT g
The Crisis Magazine
IIII
NAACP 4805 Mt. Hope Drive
Baltimore. MD. 21215
THE
PERIT
FAX TRANSMITTAL COVER SHEET
CAFE
TO: Ope Wathins
TIME: DATE: Jan 25,1990
COMPANY:
NUMBER OF PAGES: (including COVER sheet) 2
FAX NO. (202) 456-6218
FROM: Juny Guess
IF PAGES ARE NOT RECEIVED CORRECTLY, PLEASE CALL:
MESSAGE:
JERRY M. GUESS
(301) 486-9104
(212) 481-4100
STATEMENT THE E
OF
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF COLORED PEOPLE
MATION NAACP 1909 PEOPLE COLORED
4805 MT HOPE DRIVE. BALTIMORE, MD 21215-3297 (301) 358-8900
BENJAMIN L. HOOKS
Executive Director/CEO
January 25, 1990
Mr. Joe Watkins
Assistant to the President
White House
Washington, D.C.
Dear Mr. Watkins:
I am attaching hereto some suggested language on
the issue of Racial Violence for possible inclusion in
the President's State of the Union Address.
Let me hear from you.
Keep the faith!!!
Sincerely,
Jerry M. Guess
Director of Communications
JMG/slc
Phone #: (301) 486-9160
Fax #: (301) 486-9164
SUGGESTED BEMARKS ON BACIAL VIOLENCE FOR INCLUSION
IN THE PRESIDENT'S STATE OF THE UNION ADDRESS
In recent months there has been an alarming and disturbing
increase in reported instances of racial violence in a number of
communities across the nation. Bombs have been sent through the
mail which killed a federal judge in Alabama and a civil rights
lawyer in Savannah, Georgia. In addition, potentially lethal
bombs were sent to the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals and to the
offices of the NAACP in Jacksonville, Florida and in Atlanta,
Georgia. In June the National Headquarters of the NAACP was
fired into under the cover of darkness. In addition, vicious
threats against civil rights activists have been received.
These threats promised the assassinations of members of the
judiciary and civil rights leaders.
In this nation we do not express our dissent by bullets and
bombs, but rather, this dissent is rendered at the ballot box.
As we move into the decade of the 90's and prepare to enter
the 21st century, we simply cannot nor will not allow
lawlessness and bigotry to engender a reign of terror, fear and
repression. We must somehow, as a nation of people consisting
of descendants from every country on the face of the globe, rid
ourselves of the tired old baggage of racial intolerance,
religious bigotry, and sexism. To do less would be to deny
ourselves, as the leaders of the free world, of the moral high
ground necessary in pursuing our ultimate destiny as a free and
civilized people. Failure to act now to defeat the guardians of
Page 2
hatred and violence would make us unworthy of our creed.
Failure to act nov would deny this, the greatest nation on the
face of the earth, of its rightful place in history as the
defender of human rights.
If the valls which existed over 30 years between the people
of the city of Berlin could be breached, and hopefully
ultimately torn down, certainly, ve Americans, can find common
ground upon which to live and work together. We, here in
America, can and must tear down the walls of suspicion and
mistrust which separates us because of our differences of skin
color, religious preference or political beliefs.
As President of this nation, I intend to use my office to
heal old vounds, to encourage new dialogue, to invoke new trust,
to instill new pride, and to speed up the day when the old
antiquated luggage of racism and intolerance are no longer
present on the American scene.
The greatest resource this nation has is not our military
might, not our natural resources of coal, iron, oil, gold,
agriculture, prosperity, or our vast timber lands. Our greatest
national resources are not our fertile farmlands, our abundance
of lakes, rivers or streams. Rather, the people of this nation
are the resource that has enabled us to experience the
technological and industrial success that has spurred our
conquest of space, our exploration of the ocean depths, and made
our system of government - the envy of the world. People of all
Page 3
colors, all religious beliefs, all levels of educational
attainment that make up this beautiful mosaic we proudly call
America.
SENSITIVE
CLOSE HOLD
ment No.
WHITE HOUSE STAFFING MEMORANDUM
DATE:
1/29/90
ACTION/CONCURRENCE/COMMENT DUE BY:
4:00pm TODAY
STATE OF THE UNION - 1/29/90 DRAFT
SUBJECT:
ACTION FYI
ACTION FYI
VICE PRESIDENT
MCCLURE
SUNUNU
NEWMAN
SCOWCROFT
PORTER
DARMAN
ROGICH
BATES
UNTERMEYER
CARD
BOSKIN
CICCONI
BROMLEY
DEMAREST
PINKERTON
FITZWATER
WINSTON
GRAY
ROGERS
HAGIN
REMARKS:
The attached has been forwarded to the President. Action assignees
are requested to check facts and substantive statements in the
draft. Please forward any comments to Chriss Winston's (x2930)
with a copy to my office, by 4:00pm TODAY, Tuesday, January 30.
Thank you.
RESPONSE:
SENSITIVE
8 E : old 0£ NVC 06
James W. Cicconi
Assistant to the President
and Deputy to the Chief of Staff
CLOSE HOLD
Ext. 2702
OUTLINE: 1/29/90, 3 PM
Not state of government -- state of union
revolution of 1989
One year ago
...
(Panama)
Idea called America
Building blocks: democracy, investment, competition,
opportunity, steardship, and leadership
jobs
child care
safe environment
disabled Americans
homeless
drug-free
education
3 capitals
family savings plan
capital gains
money is there -- R & D, HOPE, drugs, education
Education Goals (Head Start)
competition
deficit control
pay off debt
environment (America the Beautiful)
Full agenda/work together
Clean Air
Child Care
Crime & Drugs
National Transportation Policy
Space Exploration
Tort Reform
Enterprise Zones
Social Security
Health Care
State of the Union depends on all Americans
racism
lend a hand
read with our kids
pass long values
Marwell letter
Leadership
Truman quote
democracy's advance/commonwealth of nations
Soviet Union
Eastern Europe
Far East/China
Our hemisphere
Strong America
Solidarity monument
Children/grandparents/parents/children
McGroarty/Dooley
January 29, 1990
9:30 pm
PRESIDENTIAL REMARKS: STATE OF THE UNION ADDRESS
THE CAPITOL
JANUARY 31, 1990
9:00 P.M.
Mr. President, Mr. Speaker, members of the United States
Congress: I return as a former President of the Senate, and
proud member of this great House. // Now, as President, it is
my privilege to report to you on the State of the Union.
Tonight, I come not to speak about the "state of the
government" -- not to detail every new initiative we plan for the
coming year, nor to describe every line item in the budget. I am
here to speak to you and to the American people about the State
of the Union -- about our world -- the changes we've seen, the
challenges we'll face. And what that means for America. 111
There are singular moments in history: dates that divide
all that goes before from all that comes after. Many of us in
this chamber have lived much of our lives in a world whose
fundamental features were defined in 1945. The events of that
year decreed the shape of nations. The pace of progress.
Freedom or oppression for millions of people around the world.
1945 provided the common frame of reference -- the compass
points of the post-war era we've relied upon to understand
ourselves. That was our world. /// Until now. /// The events
of the year just ended -- the revolution of '89 -- have been a
2
chain reaction of change so striking that it marks the beginning
of a new era in the world's affairs.
Think back -- just twelve short months ago -- to the world
we knew -- as 1989 began.
One year ago, the people of Panama lived in fear, under the
thumb of a dictator. Today, democracy is restored -- Panama // is
free. 11
And tonight I'm proud to announce the formal termination of
Operation JUST CAUSE. [[Tonight, troop levels in Panama are just
1000 above where they stood before our operation began.]] By the
last day of February, our personnel will be at the same levels as
before the operation -- all of the additional American troops who
made this mission a success will be back home. ///
A year ago in Poland, Lech Walesa declared that he was ready
to open a dialogue with the communist rulers of that country.
Today, with the future of a free Poland in their hands, members
of Solidarity lead the Polish Government. 11
A year ago, freedom's playwright, Vaclav Havel, languished
as a prisoner in Prague. Today, it's Vaclav Havel -- President
of Czechoslovakia. 11
And one year ago, Erich Honecker of East Germany claimed
history as his guide. He predicted the Berlin Wall would last
another hundred years. Today -- less than one year later -- it's
the Wall that's history. ///
Remarkable events -- events that fulfill the long-held hopes
of the American people..
Events that validate the long-standing
3
goals of American policy -- a policy based on a single, shining
principle: the causerof freedom.
America -- not just the nation -- but an idea, alive in the
minds of people everywhere. As this new world takes shape,
America stands at the center of a widening circle of freedom --
today, tomorrow and into the next century. //
Our America is the shining dream of every immigrant who ever
set foot on these shores -- and the millions still struggling to
be free. This nation -- this idea called America -- was and
always will be -- a new world. Our new world. ///
At a workers' rally -- in a place called Branik on the
outskirts of Prague -- the idea called America is alive. A
worker, dressed in grimy overalls, rises to speak at the factory
gates. He begins his speech to his fellow citizens with these
words -- words of a distant revolution: "We hold these truths to
be self-evident. That all men are created equal, that they are
endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, [and]
that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness."
/////
It's no secret that, here at home, freedom's door opened
long ago. The cornerstones of this free society have already
been set in place: Democracy. Competition. Opportunity.
Private investment. Stewardship. And of course, leadership.
Our challenge today is to take this democratic system of
ours -- a system second to none -- and make it better. That's
the American idea.
4
A better America, where there's a job for everyone who wants
one.
Where women who work outside the home can be confident their
children are in safe and loving care -- and where government
works to expand child care alternatives for parents.
Where we aren't forced to make an "either-or" decision
between a clean environment and American jobs.
Where all Americans enjoy the same opportunities to live, to
work, and to contribute to society. And where, for the first
time, the American mainstream includes all disabled Americans.
11
Where every American has a roof over his head -- and
where the homeless get the help they need to live in dignity. //
Where every street, every city, every school and every
American child is drug-free. 11
Where our schools challenge our kids and our teachers -- and
where all of them make the grade.
That's part of the future we want to see -- the future we
can make for ourselves. But dreams alone won't get us there. We
need to extend our horizon -- commit to the long-view. Our
[plans] for the future start today. ///
Yes -- we are going to invest in America. This
Administration is determined to encourage the creation of capital
-- capital of all kinds. Physical capital: everything, from
America's farms and factories to our workshops and production
lines, all that is needed to produce and deliver quality goods
and services. Intellectual capital: the store-house of ideas
5
that become tomorrow's products. And of course, America's human
capital: the talented workforce we'll need to compete in the
global market.
And let me tell you: if we ignore human capital -- we lose
the spirit of American ingenuity -- the spirit that is the
hallmark of the American worker. And the American worker is the
most productive worker in the world. //
We need to save more -- expand the pool of capital for the
P.97
th
new investments that mean more jobs, more growth. That's the
Account
idea behind a new initiative I call the Family Savings [Package],
1991
which I will send to the Congress tomorrow. //
Budget
We need to encourage risk-takers to take those steps that
translate into economic reward, jobs and a better life for all of
us -- that's why we've got to cut the tax on capital gains. //
We'll do what it takes to invest in America's future. The
commitment is there. The money is there. // It's there for
Research and Development, R&D -- a record high. It's there for
our housing initiative -- HOPE, to help everyone from first-time
homebuyers to the homeless. The money's there to keep our kids
41%
drug-free: a 70% increase in funds to fight drugs since last
p.111
year. It's there for Space -- and it's there for education:
budget
another record high.
//
And one more thing: last fall at the Education Summit, the
Governors and I agreed to look for ways to help make sure kids
are ready to learn the very first day they walk into that
classroom. I've made good on that commitment -- by proposing a
6
P.100
kang
record increase in funds -- an extra half a billion dollars --
for something near and dear to all of us: Head Start. //
Education is the one investment that means more for our
future because it means the most for our children. Real
improvement in our schools is not simply a matter of spending
more. It is a matter of asking more -- expecting more: of our
schools, our teachers, of our kids, and our parents. That's why
tonight I am announcing America's education goals -- goals agreed
upon with the nation's Governors:
By the year 2000, every child in America must start school
ready to learn. The United States must increase the high school
graduation rate to no less than 90%. And we're going to make
sure our schools' diplomas means something: at the critical
grades -- 4th, 8th and 12th -- we must check all our students'
progress.
By the year 2000, U.S. students must be first in the world
in math and science skills. Every American adult must be
literate. Every school in America must offer the kind of
disciplined environment that makes it possible for our kids to
learn -- and every school in America must be drug-free. //
Ambitious aims? of course. Guaranteed success? Far from
it. But the future's at stake. This nation will not accept
anything less than excellence in education. //
These investments will keep America competitive. And I know
this about the American people: we welcome competition. We'll
match our ingenuity and energy -- our experience and technology -
nots 5.4%
last you it wash
7
Noto,
6%
31% and #
- our spirit and enterprise -- against anyone.
Let the canth The
competition be free -- but let it be fair. America is ready.
Since we really mean it -- and since we are serious about
Budget
being ready to meet that challenge -- let's get our house in
P.A.283
Total 5:
order. // We've made real progress. 5 years ago, the federal
deficit was 6% of our Gross National Product.
This
year
E
on- Budgets 1985 5
the budget I sent up two days ago -- the deficit's down to 1% of
GNP.
will bee
1991
Total
That budget brings federal spending under control. It meets
the Gramm-Rudman target. Brings that deficit down further. And
balances the budget by 1993 -- with no new taxes. // /
And once the budget is balanced, we can operate the way
every family in America has to when it has bills to pay. We
won't leave it to our children and grandchildren. We will start
paying off the national debt. //
And there's something more we owe the generations of the
future: stewardship -- the safekeeping of America's precious
environmental inheritance. As just one sign of how serious we
are, we will elevate the Environmental Protection Agency to
cabinet rank. Not more bureaucracy, not more red tape -- but the
certainty that here at home, and in our dealings with other
nations, environmental issues have the status they deserve.
//
[[And this year's budget provides over $2 billion in new
p.119
spending to protect our environment. Over $1 billion for global
change research. ]] And a new initiative I call the America the
Beautiful Fund -- to expand our national parks and wildlife
misleading.
the A is #375N
the level is B
8
refuges and improve recreational facilities on public lands. And
something else: something that will help keep this country
clean, from our forestland to our inner cities, and keep American
beautiful for generations to come -- the money to plant a billion
trees a year. /////
And tonight, let me say again to all the members of
Congress: The American people did not send us here to bicker.
There's work to do -- and they sent us here to get it done. And
once again, I offer my hand to all of you. Let's work together
to do the will of the American people. Clean Air. Child Care.
Crime and Drugs. It's time to act. /// The farm bill.
Transportation policy. Tort reform. Enterprise Zones. It's
time to act together. ///
And there's one thing I hope we'll all be able to agree on.
It's about our commitments. I'm talking about Social Security.
To every American out there on Social Security, to every
American supporting that system today, and to everyone counting
on it when they retire: We made a promise to you -- and we're
going to keep it. //
We rescued the Social Security system in 1983 -- and it's
sound again. // Social Security is fully funded in our budget -
- and fully funded for the future. The last thing we need to do
is tinker with the system. ////
There's one more problem we need to address. We must give
careful consideration to the recommendations of the health care
studies now underway. That's why tonight, I am requesting that
9
Dr. Louis Sullivan -- Secretary of Health and Human Services --
lead a Domestic Policy Council review of recommendations on the
quality, accessibility and cost of our nation's health care
system. ////
The "state of the government" does indeed depend on many of
us in this very chamber. But the State of the Union depends on
all Americans. We must maintain the democratic decency that
makes a nation out of millions of individuals. I have been
appalled at the recent letter bombings across this country.
Every one of us must confront and condemn racism. Anti-semitism.
Bigotry and hate. /// Not tomorrow, not next week, but today.
The State of the Union depends on whether we help our
neighbor -- claim the problems of our community as our own.
We've got to step forward when there's trouble -- lend a hand, be
a point of light to a stranger in need. /// We've got to take
the time after a busy day to sit down and read with our kids.
Help them with their homework. Pass along the values we learned
as children. That's how we sustain the State of the Union. //
Every effort is important. It all adds up -- it's doing the
things that give democracy meaning. It all adds up to who we are
-- and who we will be. ///
And let me say, that so long as we remember the American
idea -- so long as we live up to the American ideal -- the State
of the Union will remain sound and strong.
And to those who worry we have lost our way -- well, I want
you to listen to a letter written by James Markwell -- PFC James
10
Markwell, a 20-year old Army medic. It's dated December 18th --
the night before our Armed Forces went into action in Panama.
It's a letter servicemen write -- and hope will never be sent.
Sadly, Private Markwell's mother did receive this letter. And
she passed it on to me.
He writes: "I have never been afraid of death, but I know
now he is waiting at the corner
I have been trained to kill
and to save, so has everyone else. I am frightened of what lays
beyond the fog, yet
I must go through the fog --- whether the
other side is a plane ride home for Christmas, or the fog never
ends. Do not mourn for me. Revel in the life that I have died
to give you.
And most of all, don't forget that the Army was
my choice. Something that I wanted to do." //
Private Markwell was among the first to see battle in
Panama, and one of the first to fall. ///
He knew what he believed in. // He carried the idea we
call America in his heart. 1111
I began tonight speaking about the changes we've seen this
past year. There is a new world of challenges and opportunities
before us. And there is a need for leadership that only America
can provide.
Nearly forty years ago, in his last address to the Congress,
President Harry Truman predicted such a time would come. He
said: "As our world grows stronger, more united, more attractive
to men on both sides of the iron curtain, then inevitably there
will come a time of change within the communist world."
11
Today, that change is taking place. //
For more than forty years, America and its allies held
communism in check, and ensured that democracy would continue to
exist. Today, with communism crumbling, our aim must be to
ensure democracy's advance. To take the lead in forging peace
and freedom's best hope -- a great and growing commonwealth of
free nations. ///
I say to the Congress and to all Americans: It is time to
acclaim a new consensus at home and abroad -- a common vision of
the peaceful world we want to see.
It's time to reconcile a new relationship with the Soviet
Union -- to endorse and extend the peaceful process of internal
change toward democracy and economic opportunity. //
It is time to offer our hand to the emerging democracies of
Eastern Europe. So that continent -- for too long a continent
divided -- can see a future whole and free. //
In the Far East, it is time for the full flowering of free
governments and free markets that have served as the engine of
progress. In China, two decades ago, we opened the door,
awakening a love of democracy in the Chinese people. // The key
to democracy in China today is to keep that door open -- to
rekindle the flame of freedom. /////
And finally, the time is right -- here in our own hemisphere
for all the people of the Americas, North and South, to live in
freedom.
12
still, we must recognize an unfortunate fact: In many
regions of the world tonight, the reality is conflict -- not
peace. Enduring animosities, opposing interests remain. Thus
the cause of peace must be served by an America strong enough --
and sure enough -- to defend our interests and ideals.
/////
[DEFENSE LINE]]
Here at home -- and in the world -- there is history in the
making -- and history to be made. Six months ago, early in this
season of change, I stood at the gates of the Gdansk Shipyard in
Poland at the monument to the fallen workers of Solidarity. It's
a monument of simple majesty. Three tall crosses rise up from
the stones. Atop each cross, an anchor -- an ancient symbol of
hope.
The anchor in our world today is freedom. Holding us steady
in times of change -- a symbol of hope to all the world. And
freedom is at the very heart of the idea that is America. ///
Giving life to that idea depends on every one of us. In
America, our anchor has always been faith and family. And you
know, in the last few days of this past momentous year, our
family was blessed once more -- blessed when a little boy born
back in November became our newest grandchild -- our twelfth.
Charles Walker Bush. [WITH GRANDCHILDREN IN GALLERY] Those 12
are their grandparents' pride and joy. //
Now, I know you're thinking: that's a grandfather talking.
// Well, I've met a lot of children this past year -- across
this country, and everywhere from the Far East to Eastern Europe.
13
All kids are unique. Yet, all kids are alike. The budding young
environmentalists I met this month, who joined me exploring the
Florida Everglades. The little leaguers I played catch with in
Poland -- ready to go from Warsaw to the World Series. Even the
kids who are ill or alone, coping with problems no child should
have to face. When it comes to hope and the future: Every kid
is the same. Full of dreams. Ready to take on the world. All
special: because they are the very future of freedom. To them
belongs this new world I've been speaking about.
So tonight I'm going to ask something of every one of you.
Let me start with my generation -- with the grandparents out
there. You are our living link to the past. Tell your
grandchildren the story of struggles waged, at home and abroad.
of sacrifices freely made for freedom's sake. And tell them your
own story as well -- because every American has a story to tell.
Parents: your children look to you for direction and
guidance. Tell them of faith and family. Teach them that of all
the many gifts they can receive, liberty is their most precious
legacy. And of all the gifts they can give, the greatest is
serving others.
And of course, let me say to the children and young people
out there tonight: with you rests our hope -- all that America
will mean in the years and decades ahead. Fix your vision on a
new century -- your century. On dreams we cannot see. On the
destiny that is yours -- and yours alone. //
14
And finally, let all Americans -- all of us together here in
this chamber, the symbolic center of American democracy -- affirm
our allegiance to this idea we call America. And let us all
remember that the State of the Union depends on each and every
one of us.
God bless all of you. God bless every American -- and may
God bless this great nation, the United States of America.
# # #
CLOSE HOLD
Document No.
EYES ONLY
WHITE HOUSE STAFFING MEMORANDUM
1/25/90
3:00 pm Friday 1/26
DATE:
ACTION/CONCURRENCE/COMMENT DUE BY:
STATE OF THE UNION - 1/25 DRAFT
SUBJECT:
ACTION FYI
ACTION FYI
VICE PRESIDENT
MCCLURE
SUNUNU
NEWMAN
SCOWCROFT
PORTER
DARMAN
ROGICH
BATES
UNTERMEYER
CARD
ROGERS
CICCONI
WINSTON
DEMAREST
FITZWATER
GRAY
HAGIN
REMARKS:
Please provide your comments/recommendations directly to David
Demarest's office with an information copy to my office by 3:00 pm
Friday, January 26. Thank you.
RESPONSE:
CLOSE HOLD
James W. Cicconi
Assistant to the President
EYES ONLY
and Deputy to the Chief of Staff
Ext. 2702
CLOSE HOLD
OUTLINE - 1/25/90
Not state of government -- state of union
revolution of 1989
One year ago
...
Idea called America
Building blocks: democracy, investment, competition,
opportunity, stewardship, and leadership.
jobs
child care
safe environment
homeless
drug-free
education
3 capitals
family savings plan
capital gains
money is there -- R & D, drugs, education
Head Start
education goals
competition
balance budget
pay off debt
environment (America the Beautiful?)
Full agenda/work together
Social Security
State of the Union depends on all Americans
lend a hand
read with our kids
pass along values
Markwell letter
Leadership
Truman quote
democracy's advance
Soviet Union
Eastern Europe
our own hemisphere
Europe
Far East
Strong America
Solidarity monument
Children/grandparents/parents/children
CLOSE HOLD
over
CLOSE HOLD
McGroarty/Dooley
January 25, 1990
4:00 pm
PRESIDENTIAL REMARKS: STATE OF THE UNION ADDRESS
THE CAPITOL
JANUARY 31, 1990
9:00 P.M.
Mr. President, Mr. Speaker, members of the United States
Congress: As a former President of the Senate, and proud member
great Naw as Present,
of this House, it is my great privilege to report to you on the
State of the Union.
am not
I didn 't come here tonight to do what's been done so often
am not
in the past. I didn come here to speak about the "state of the
government" -- to outline every new initiative we plan for the
are
coming year, or to recite every line item in the budget. I came
here to speak to you and to the American people about the State
of the Union -- about our world -- the changes we've seen, the
challenges we'll face. And what that means for America. 111
There are singular moments in history: dates that divide
all that goes before from all that comes after. Many of us here
in this chamber have lived much of our lives in a world whose
fundamental features were defined in 1945. The events of that
year decreed the shape of nations. The pace of progress. The
fate of freedom for millions of people around the world.
1945 provided the common frame of reference -- the compass
points -- we've relied upon to understand ourselves. Our world.
now
Our goals. /// Until today. /// Such have been the events of
have been
the year just passed -- the revolution of 1989 -- a chain
CLOSE HOLD
2
reaction of change so striking that it marks the beginning of a
new era in the world's affairs.
Think back -- just twelve short months ago -- to the world
we knew as this past year began.
One year ago in Poland, Lech Walesa declared that he was
ready to open a dialogue with the communist rulers of that
country. Today, with the future of a free Poland in their hands,
members of Solidarity lead the Polish Government. //
One year ago, freedom's playwright, Vaclav Havel, languished
?
as
er
President
President
in a prison in Prague. Today, it's Vaclav Havel -- President of
Czechoslovakia. //
One year ago, Erich Honecker of East Germany claimed history
as his guide. He predicted the Berlin Wall would last another
hundred years. Today -- not one year later -- it's the Wall
that's history. ///
And one year ago, the people of Panama lived in fear, under
the thumb of a dictator. Today, democracy is restored -- Panama
//
is
free. 11 Panama insert
What a world of change we've tnessed in one year's time./ /
Remarkable events -- events that fulfill the long-held hopes
of the American people
That validate the long-standing goals
of American policy -- a policy based on a single, shining
principle: advancing the cause of freedom.
And in this new world now emerging, our nation -- America --
will continue to be what it has always been -- not just a nation
-- but an idea alive in the minds of people everywhere, full of
3
hope for all the world. And now, as a new world takes shape-
at the center of a widening circle of freedom -- today, tomorrow
and into the next century -- that's where you'll find America.
/
This America is the shining dream of every immigrant who
and millions who still yearn to
ever set foot on our shores--- every one a Pilgrim at Plymouth
breather breath free
Rock This nation -- this idea called America -- was for all of
them -- and is still for all of us -- a new world. Our new
world. ///
In a place called Branik, on the outskirts of Prague, the
idea called America is alive. A worker, dressed in grimy
overalls, rises to speak at the factory gates. He begins his
speech to his fellow workers with these words -- words of a
distant revolution: "We hold these truths to be self-evident.
That all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their
creator with certain unalienable rights, [and] that among these
are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness." /////
It's no secret to those gathered in this chamber and
watching on TV tonight that, here at home, freedom's door opened
long ago. We already understand the building blocks of a free
society: Democracy. Investment. Competition. Opportunity.
Stewardship. And of course, leadership.
Our challenge today is to take this democratic system of
ours -- a system second to none -- and make it better. That's
the American idea.
An America where there's a job for everyone who wants one.
4
Where women who work outside the home can be confident their
children are well cared for -- and where government works to
expand choice in child care.
Where we aren't forced to make an "either-or" choice between
a safe environment and American jobs.
Where every American has a roof over his head -- where the
homeless get the help they need to leave the streets behind, and
live in dignity.
Where every street, every city, every school and every
American child is drug-free. 11
Where parents decide what schools their kids will attend.
Where our schools don't fail our kids or our teachers -- and
where all of them make the grade.
portifille
That's the future we want to see -- the future we can make
1
for ourselves. But dreams alone won't get us there. We need to
change our focus -- commit to the long-view. We need to realize
that our plans for the future start today.
Let's talk for a moment about how we get there:
Yes --- we're going to invest in America. We're going to
encourage the creation of capital -- capital of all kinds.
Physical capital: everything, from America's farms and factories
to our workshops and production lines, that enables us to produce
and deliver quality goods and services. Intellectual capital:
the store-house of ideas that become tomorrow's products. And of
course, America's human capital: the well-educated, highly-
skilled workforce we'll need to compete in the global market.
5
And let me tell you: when we ignore human capital -- we
lose the spirit of American ingenuity -- the spirit that is the
hallmark of the American worker. And the American worker is the
most productive worker in the world. //
mith
We need to save more -- expand the pool of capital for the
new investments that mean more jobs, more growth. That's the
idea behind a new initiative I call the Family Savings Plan,
which creates new incentive to save.
We need people to take risks -- to take that first step that
translates into economic reward, a stronger economy, for all of
us -- that's why we've got to cut the tax on capital gains. //
And when I say we're serious about investing in our future -
- we've got the budget to back us up. I know money is tight --
but for the key programs, the money is there. It's there for
Research and Development, R&D
a record high.
It's
there
to
HOPE
keep our kids drug-free: a 69% increase in funds to fight drugs
took office
since last year. It's there for education: a record high. //
Education
And one more thing: I've proposed a record increase in
Gov's
hay a Willion
Sunnamit
funds an extra [xx] million dollars -- for something near and
dear to all of us: Head Start. //
Let me speak for a moment about education -- about the one
investment that means more for our future because it means the
most for our children. Real improvement in our schools isn't
I stood
here a year
simply a matter of spending more. It's a matter of asking more -
- expecting more: of our schools, our teachers, of our kids.
ago
So working with the Garnys we have developed
6
That's why tonight I want to announce America's education goals -
- the new national standards goal for all our schools.
Goall By the year 2000, every child in America will start school
ready to learn.
Goal 2 Every American adult will be literate -- with the skills
they need to succeed in our competitive economy.
Goals Every school in America will offer the kind of disciplined
environment that makes it possible for our kids to learn -- and
every school in America will be drug-free.
By the year 2000, the United States will increase the high
school graduation rate to 90%.
By the year 2000, U.S. students will be first in the world
in math and science skills.
Guaranteedruccss 7 OFcourse,
Ambitious aims. But the future's at stake. This nation
cannot afford anything less than excellence in education. //
The kind of investments I'm talking about is what will keep
America competitive -- able to come out ahead in the
tighten
international marketplace. I know this about the American
people: we welcome competition. We'll match our ingenuity and
energy -- our experience and technology -- against anyone. Let
the competition be free -- let it be fair. America is ready. //
But if we really mean it -- if we're serious about being
ready to meet that challenge -- we've got to get our house in
order here at home. // We've sent up a budget that brings
federal spending under control. It meets the Gramm-Rudman
7
target. Brings that deficit down. And balances the budget by
1993 -- with no new taxes. //
And once the budget is balanced, we will begin operating the
way every family in America has to when it has bills to pay:
children
We're going to start paying off the national debt. // Our kids
and
have to foot the bill for our failure to spend within
our means.
the generations of the future
And there's something more we owe our children: stewardship
-- the safekeeping of America's precious environmental
inheritance. We simply must preserve it. As just one sign of
how serious we are about the environment, we're going to elevate
pub.
the Environmental Protection Agency to cabinet rank. // And
there's something really new in this year's budget -- an
Grady 10mg.
initiative I call the America the Beautiful Fund. $2[?] billion
dollars to clean up our country -- and keep America beautiful for
generations to come. //
help
This is an agenda that will, keep the idea we call America
alive. ///
a yr ago on the 5 types of this
So tonight, let me say to all the members of Congress the
same thing I said one year ago. The American people didn't send
us here to bicker. There's work to do -- and they sent us here
to get it done. And as I did a year ago, once again, I offer my
hand to all of you. Let's work together to do the will of the
American people. There's a full agenda in front of us. It's
time to take action. ///
Clean Air
deficit reduction
HOPE mitrator
enterpise zones
Crime
ppace exploration
national Tronsp Policy
8
But there's one thing I hope we'll all be able to agree on.
It's about our obligations. I'm talking about Social Security.
Let me say this to every American out there on Social
Security, to every American supporting that system today, and
counting on it when they retire. We made a promise to the
We reserved th
American people -- and we're going to keep it. 11 Social
in 1953 Sand in undget
Security is fully funded So in the words of that old saying, if
it ain't broke [Pause] don- fix it 1111
Budge
Now, there's something I want to say right now to every
American watching tonight. The "state of the government" does
indeed depend on many of us in this very chamber. But the State
of the Union depends on all Americans. Whether we are a decent
people -- whether we maintain the democratic decency that makes a
nation out of millions of individuals. Whether we respect the
conforts Condemn
rights of all -- equally. Every one of us must speak out against
antisention
racism, bigotry and hate, ///
The State of the Union depends on whether we help our
neighbor -- claim the problems of our community as our own.
Whether we step forward when there's trouble -- lend a hand,
light the life of a stranger in need. /// Whether we take the
time after a busy day to sit down and read with our kids. Help
them with their homework. Pass along the values we learned as
children. That's how we measure the State of the Union. //
Every effort is important
Nothing's too small -- too unimportant. It all adds up --
to whether we do the things that give democracy meaning. It all
adds up to who we are. ///
and who we will we
aneriense
who
9
So let me say, that so long as we remember the American idea
-- so long as we live up to the American ideal -- the State of
the Union will remain sound and strong.
I know there are doubters. People out there who lack faith
worry
in this nation's future. So to those who think we have lost our
way -- well, I want you to listen to a letter written by James
Markwell -- PFC James Markwell, a 20-year old Army medic. It's
dated December 18th -- the night before our Armed Forces went
into action in Panama. It's a letter servicemen write -- and
hope will never be sent. Sadly, Private Markwell's mother
received this letter. And she passed it on to me.
He writes: "I have never been afraid of death, but I know
now he is waiting at the corner
I have been trained to kill
and to save, so has everyone else. I am frightened of what lays
beyond the fog, yet
I must go through the fog -- whether the
other side is a plane ride home for Christmas, or the fog never
ends. Do not mourn for me. Revel in the life that I have died
to give you.
And most of all, don't forget that the Army was
my choice. Something that I wanted to do." //
Private Markwell was among the first to see battle in
Panama, and one of the first to fall. ///
He hadn't lost his way. He knew what he believed in ---
because he carried the idea we call America in his heart. // No
country that produces a young man like that can ever lose its
way 1111
So long as their are rember Concerners who believe
walling to fight
10
I began tonight speaking about the changes we've seen this
past year. There is a new world of challenges and opportunities
before us. And there is a need for leadership that only America
can provide.
Nearly forty years ago, in his last address to the Congress,
President Harry Truman predicted such a time would come. He
said: "As our world grows stronger, more united, more attractive
to men on both sides of the iron curtain, then inevitably there
will come a time of change within the communist world."
Today, that opportunity exists.
Change takes place, //
All of us understand that the events of this past year have
opened unparalleled opportunities for peace and freedom. For
more than forty years, America and its allies sought to hold
communism in check, to ensure that democracy would continue to
exist. Today, with communism crumbling, our aim must be to
ensure democracy's advance. //
I say now to the Congress and to all Americans:
the time is
right To build a new relationship with the Soviet Union, to
see that it is in America's interest that perestroika succeed.
emerging democrances
The time is right to offer our hand to the new nations of
Eastern Europe offer American aid, American assistance to help
millions grasp the freedoms they seek.
at home ond abroad
The time is right to create a new consensus a common
vision of this new world we want to see.
In our own hemisphere, a day when democracy links the
nations of North and South. When -- for the first time in
11
history -- all the people in all of the Americas live in freedom.
In Europe -- for too long a continent divided, a future
whole and free. A chance for East and West to live in peace, and
prosper together. In the Soviet Union -- a peaceful process of
internal change and movement toward the universal ideals of
democracy and economic opportunity.
In the Far East, the full flowering of the free government
and free markets that has proved the engine of progress. And in
China -- home to more than a billion people -- a fresh move
forward on the path toward human rights and market reform -- and
yes, towards democracy.
Everywhere, a world that is more than a collection of
nations at odds, at arms-length, and all too often at war. For
the first time, a truly international community -- a commonwealth
add
with freedom at its core. Not a world where all nations are
identical, where all differences disappear -- but one where the
diversity of cultures and customs finds an open door in
democracy.
And still, we must recognize a sad, but unfortunate fact:
We have not entered an era of perpetual peace. In many regions.
of the world tonight, the reality is war. Enduring animosities,
opposing interests, will continue to cause conflict -- and peace
will continue to be served by an America strong enough -- and
sure enough -- to defend our interests and ideals. /////
[ -PANAMA INSERT]]
defense incert
12
Here at home -- and in the world -- there is history in the
making -- and history to be made. Six months ago, early in this
season of change, I stood at the gates of the Lenin Shipyard in
Gdansk, Poland at the monument to the fallen workers of
Solidarity. It's a monument of simple majesty. Three tall
crosses rise up from the stones. Atop each cross, an anchor --
an ancient symbol of hope.
The anchor in our world today is freedom. Holding us steady
in times of change -- a symbol of hope to all the world. And
freedom is at the very heart of the idea that is America. ///
Keeping that idea alive depends on every one of us. In
America, our anchor has always been the family. And you know, in
the last few days of this past momentous year, our family was
blessed once more -- blessed when a little boy born back in
November became our newest grandchild -- our twelfth. Charles
Walker Bush. [WITH GRANDCHILDREN IN GALLERY] Those 12 are their
grandparents' pride and joy. //
Now, I know you're thinking: that's a grandfather talking.
11 Well, I've met a lot of children this past year -- across
this country, and everywhere from the Far East to Eastern Europe.
unique
And every kid is the same. The budding young environmentalists I
met this month, who joined me exploring the Florida Everglades.
The little leaguers I played catch with in Poland -- ready to go
from Warsaw to the World Series. Even the kids who are ill or
alone, coping with problems no child should have to face. Every
kid is the same. Full of dreams. Ready to take on the world.
13
All special: because they are the very future of freedom. To
them belongs this new world I've been speaking about.
So tonight I'm going to ask something of every one of you.
Let me start with my generation -- with the grandparents out
there. You are our living link to the past. Tell your
grandchildren the story of struggles waged, at home and abroad.
Of sacrifices freely made for freedom's sake. And tell them your
own story as well -- because every American has a story to tell.
Parents: your children look to you for direction and
guidance. You too must tell them the story of America. Teach
them that of all the many gifts they can receive, liberty is
their most precious legacy. And of all the gifts they can give,
the greatest is serving others.
And of course, let me say to the children and young people
watching tonight: with you rests our hope -- all that America
will mean in the years and decades ahead. Fix your vision on a
new century -- your century. On dreams we cannot see. On the
destiny that is yours -- and yours alone -- to fulfill. //
And finally, let all Americans -- all of us together here in
this chamber, the symbolic center of American democracy -- affirm
our allegiance to this idea we call America. And let us all
remember that the State of the Union depends on each and every
one of us.
God bless all of you. God bless every American watching
tonight -- and may God bless this great nation, the United States
of America.
Summir
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
January 30, 1990
NOTE FOR THE VICE PRESIDENT
THE CHIEF OF STAFF
GENERAL SCOWCROFT
DIRECTOR DARMAN
ANDY CARD
ROGER PORTER
ED ROGERS
Attached is the latest revised draft
of the State of the Union address.
James W. Cicconi
CC: David Demarest
STATE OF THE UNION ADDRESS
THE CAPITOL
JANUARY 31, 1990
9:00 P.M.
EYES ONLY SENSITIVE
PM
MR. PRESIDENT, MR. SPEAKER, MEMBERS OF THE UNITED
51
STATES CONGRESS: I RETURN AS A FORMER PRESIDENT OF THE
SENATE, AND FORMER PROUD MEMBER OF THIS GREAT HOUSE. * // J.)ex-PRES.
NOW, AS PRESIDENT, IT IS MY PRIVILEGE TO REPORT TO YOU
ON THE STATE OF THE UNION. *
TONIGHT, I COME NOT TO SPEAK ABOUT THE "STATE OF
THE GOVERNMENT" -- NOT TO DETAIL EVERY NEW INITIATIVE
WE PLAN FOR THE COMING YEAR, NOR TO DESCRIBE EVERY LINE
ITEM IN THE BUDGET. I'M HERE TO SPEAK TO YOU AND TO
THE AMERICAN PEOPLE ABOUT THE STATE OF THE UNION --
ABOUT OUR WORLD -- THE CHANGES WE'VE SEEN, THE
CHALLENGES WE FACE. AND WHAT THAT MEANS FOR AMERICA.
III
EYES ONLY
SENSITIVE
P2:11 P2: 11
- 2 -
THERE ARE SINGULAR MOMENTS IN HISTORY: DATES THAT
DIVIDE ALL THAT GOES BEFORE FROM ALL THAT COMES AFTER.
MANY OF US IN THIS CHAMBER HAVE LIVED MUCH OF OUR LIVES
IN A WORLD WHOSE FUNDAMENTAL FEATURES WERE DEFINED IN
1945. THE EVENTS OF THAT YEAR DECREED THE SHAPE OF
NATIONS. THE PACE OF PROGRESS. FREEDOM OR OPPRESSION
FOR MILLIONS OF PEOPLE AROUND THE WORLD.
1945 PROVIDED THE COMMON FRAME OF REFERENCE -- THE
COMPASS POINTS OF THE POST-WAR ERA WE'VE RELIED UPON TO
UNDERSTAND OURSELVES. THAT WAS OUR WORLD. /// UNTIL
NOW. /// THE EVENTS OF THE YEAR JUST ENDED -- THE
REVOLUTION OF '89 -- -- HAVE BEEN A CHAIN REACTION OF
CHANGE so STRIKING THAT IT MARKS THE BEGINNING OF A NEW
ERA IN THE WORLD'S AFFAIRS.
THINK BACK - JUST TWELVE SHORT MONTHS AGO -- TO
THE WORLD WE KNEW - -- AS 1989 BEGAN.
ONE YEAR AGO, THE PEOPLE OF PANAMA LIVED IN FEAR,
UNDER THE THUMB OF A DICTATOR. TODAY, DEMOCRACY IS
RESTORED - PANAMA 11 IS FREE. * 11
- 3 -
AND TONIGHT I'M PROUD TO ANNOUNCE THE FORMAL
TERMINATION OF OPERATION "JUST CAUSE." [[TONIGHT,
TROOP LEVELS IN PANAMA ARE JUST 1000 ABOVE WHERE THEY
STOOD BEFORE OUR OPERATION BEGAN.]] BY THE LAST DAY OF
FEBRUARY, OUR PERSONNEL WILL BE AT THE SAME LEVELS AS
BEFORE THE OPERATION -- ALL OF THE ADDITIONAL AMERICAN
TROOPS WHO MADE THIS MISSION A SUCCESS WILL BE BACK
HOME. * ///
A YEAR AGO IN POLAND, LECH WALESA DECLARED THAT HE
WAS READY TO OPEN A DIALOGUE WITH THE COMMUNIST RULERS
OF THAT COUNTRY. TODAY, WITH THE FUTURE OF A FREE
POLAND IN THEIR OWN HANDS, MEMBERS OF SOLIDARITY LEAD
THE POLISH GOVERNMENT. * 11
A YEAR AGO, FREEDOM'S PLAYWRIGHT, VACLAV HAVEL
[VAHTS-LAHV HA-VEL], LANGUISHED AS A PRISONER IN
PRAGUE. TODAY, IT'S VACLAV HAVEL PRESIDENT OF
CZECHOSLOVAKIA. * //
- 4 -
AND ONE YEAR AGO, ERICH HONECKER OF EAST GERMANY
CLAIMED HISTORY AS HIS GUIDE. HE PREDICTED THE BERLIN
WALL WOULD LAST ANOTHER HUNDRED YEARS. TODAY -- LESS
THAN ONE YEAR LATER -- IT'S THE WALL THAT'S HISTORY. *
///
[[TALK ABOUT
REMARKABLE EVENTS -- EVENTS THAT FULFILL THE LONG-
HELD HOPES OF THE AMERICAN PEOPLE... EVENTS THAT
VALIDATE THE LONG-STANDING GOALS OF AMERICAN POLICY --
A POLICY BASED ON A SINGLE, SHINING PRINCIPLE: THE
CAUSE OF FREEDOM. *
AMERICA -- NOT JUST THE NATION -- BUT AN IDEA, //
ALIVE IN THE MINDS OF PEOPLE EVERYWHERE. AS THIS NEW
WORLD TAKES SHAPE, AMERICA STANDS AT THE CENTER OF A
WIDENING CIRCLE OF FREEDOM -- TODAY, TOMORROW AND INTO
THE NEXT CENTURY. * //
- 5 .
OUR NATION IS THE ENDURING DREAM OF EVERY
IMMIGRANT WHO EVER SET FOOT ON THESE SHORES -- AND THE
MILLIONS STILL STRUGGLING TO BE FREE. THIS NATION --
THIS IDEA CALLED AMERICA -- WAS AND ALWAYS WILL BE -- A
NEW WORLD. OUR NEW WORLD. ///
AT A WORKERS' RALLY -- IN A PLACE CALLED
BRANIK [BRAH-NEEK] ON THE OUTSKIRTS OF PRAGUE -- THE
IDEA CALLED AMERICA IS ALIVE. A WORKER, DRESSED IN
GRIMY OVERALLS, RISES TO SPEAK AT THE FACTORY GATES.
HE BEGINS HIS SPEECH TO HIS FELLOW CITIZENS WITH THESE
WORDS -- WORDS OF A DISTANT REVOLUTION:
"WE HOLD THESE TRUTHS TO BE SELF-EVIDENT. THAT
ALL MEN ARE CREATED EQUAL, THAT THEY ARE ENDOWED BY
THEIR CREATOR WITH CERTAIN UNALIENABLE RIGHTS, [AND]
THAT AMONG THESE ARE LIFE, LIBERTY AND THE PURSUIT OF
HAPPINESS." /////
- 6 -
IT'S NO SECRET THAT, HERE AT HOME, FREEDOM'S DOOR
OPENED LONG AGO. THE CORNERSTONES OF THIS FREE SOCIETY
HAVE ALREADY BEEN SET IN PLACE: DEMOCRACY.
COMPETITION. OPPORTUNITY. PRIVATE INVESTMENT.
STEWARDSHIP. AND OF COURSE, LEADERSHIP.
OUR CHALLENGE TODAY IS TO TAKE THIS DEMOCRATIC
SYSTEM OF OURS -- A SYSTEM SECOND TO NONE -- AND MAKE
IT BETTER. * ///
A BETTER AMERICA, WHERE
THERE'S A JOB FOR EVERYONE WHO WANTS ONE.
*
WHERE WOMEN WHO WORK OUTSIDE THE HOME CAN BE
CONFIDENT THEIR CHILDREN ARE IN SAFE AND LOVING CARE --
AND WHERE GOVERNMENT WORKS TO EXPAND CHILD CARE
ALTERNATIVES FOR PARENTS. *
WHERE WE AREN'T FORCED TO MAKE AN "EITHER-OR"
0
DECISION BETWEEN A CLEAN ENVIRONMENT AND AMERICAN JOBS.
*
- 7 -
WHERE EVERY ONE OF US ENJOYS THE SAME
OPPORTUNITIES TO LIVE, TO WORK, AND TO CONTRIBUTE TO
SOCIETY. AND WHERE, FOR THE FIRST TIME, THE AMERICAN
MAINSTREAM INCLUDES ALL OF OUR DISABLED CITIZENS. * //
WHERE EVERYONE HAS A ROOF OVER HIS HEAD -- AND
WHERE THE HOMELESS GET THE HELP THEY NEED TO LIVE IN
DIGNITY. * //
WHERE OUR SCHOOLS CHALLENGE AND SUPPORT OUR KIDS
AND OUR TEACHERS -- AND WHERE ALL OF THEM MAKE THE
GRADE. *
WHERE EVERY STREET, EVERY CITY, EVERY SCHOOL AND
EVERY CHILD IS DRUG-FREE. * //
THAT'S PART OF THE FUTURE WE WANT TO SEE -- THE
FUTURE WE CAN MAKE FOR OURSELVES. BUT DREAMS ALONE
WON'T GET US THERE. WE NEED TO EXTEND OUR HORIZON --
COMMIT TO THE LONG-VIEW. OUR [PLANS] FOR THE FUTURE
START TODAY. ///
- 8 -
YES -- WE ARE GOING TO INVEST IN AMERICA. THIS
ADMINISTRATION IS DETERMINED TO ENCOURAGE THE CREATION
OF CAPITAL -- CAPITAL OF ALL KINDS. PHYSICAL CAPITAL:
EVERYTHING, FROM OUR FARMS AND FACTORIES TO OUR
WORKSHOPS AND PRODUCTION LINES, ALL THAT IS NEEDED TO
PRODUCE AND DELIVER QUALITY GOODS AND QUALITY SERVICES.
INTELLECTUAL CAPITAL: THE SOURCE OF IDEAS THAT SPARK
TOMORROW'S PRODUCTS. AND OF COURSE, OUR HUMAN CAPITAL:
THE TALENTED WORKFORCE WE'LL NEED TO COMPETE IN THE
GLOBAL MARKET.
AND LET ME TELL YOU: IF WE IGNORE HUMAN
CAPITAL -- WE LOSE THE SPIRIT OF AMERICAN INGENUITY --
THE SPIRIT THAT IS THE HALLMARK OF THE AMERICAN WORKER.
AND THE AMERICAN WORKER IS THE MOST PRODUCTIVE WORKER
IN THE WORLD. * 11
WE NEED TO SAVE MORE -- EXPAND THE POOL OF CAPITAL
FOR THE NEW INVESTMENTS THAT MEAN MORE JOBS, MORE
GROWTH. THAT'S THE IDEA BEHIND A NEW INITIATIVE I CALL
THE FAMILY SAVINGS PLAN, WHICH I WILL SEND TO THE
CONGRESS TOMORROW. //
- 9 -
WE NEED TO CUT THE TAX ON CAPITAL GAINS --
ENCOURAGE RISK-TAKERS - -- ESPECIALLY THOSE IN OUR SMALL
BUSINESSES -- TO TAKE THOSE STEPS THAT TRANSLATE INTO
ECONOMIC REWARD, JOBS, AND A BETTER LIFE FOR ALL OF US.
* //
WE'LL DO WHAT IT TAKES TO INVEST IN AMERICA'S
FUTURE. THE BUDGET COMMITMENT IS THERE. THE MONEY IS
THERE. // IT'S THERE FOR RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT,
R&D -- A RECORD HIGH. IT'S THERE FOR OUR HOUSING
INITIATIVE HOPE, TO HELP EVERYONE FROM FIRST-TIME
HOMEBUYERS TO THE HOMELESS. THE MONEY'S THERE TO KEEP
OUR KIDS DRUG-FREE: 70% MORE THAN WHEN I TOOK OFFICE
IN 1989. * IT'S THERE FOR SPACE EXPLORATION -- AND
IT'S THERE FOR EDUCATION: ANOTHER RECORD HIGH. * //
AND ONE MORE THING: LAST FALL AT THE EDUCATION
SUMMIT, THE GOVERNORS AND I AGREED TO LOOK FOR WAYS TO
HELP MAKE SURE KIDS ARE READY TO LEARN THE VERY FIRST
DAY THEY WALK INTO THAT CLASSROOM. I'VE MADE GOOD ON
THAT COMMITMENT BY PROPOSING A RECORD INCREASE IN
FUNDS -- AN EXTRA HALF A BILLION DOLLARS -- FOR
SOMETHING NEAR AND DEAR TO ALL OF US: HEAD START. *
//
- 10 -
EDUCATION IS THE ONE INVESTMENT THAT MEANS MORE
FOR OUR FUTURE BECAUSE IT MEANS THE MOST FOR OUR
CHILDREN. REAL IMPROVEMENT IN OUR SCHOOLS IS NOT
SIMPLY A MATTER OF SPENDING MORE. IT IS A MATTER OF
ASKING MORE -- EXPECTING MORE: OF OUR SCHOOLS, OUR
TEACHERS, OF OUR KIDS, AND OUR PARENTS AND OURSELVES.
THAT'S WHY TONIGHT I AM ANNOUNCING AMERICA'S EDUCATION
GOALS -- GOALS DEVELOPED WITH THE NATION'S GOVERNORS:
BY THE YEAR 2000, EVERY CHILD MUST START SCHOOL
READY TO LEARN.
THE UNITED STATES MUST INCREASE THE HIGH SCHOOL
GRADUATION RATE TO NO LESS THAN 90%.
AND WE'RE GOING TO MAKE SURE OUR SCHOOLS' DIPLOMAS
MEAN SOMETHING: AT THE CRITICAL GRADES -- 4TH, 8TH AND
12TH -- WE MUST CHECK ALL OUR STUDENTS' PROGRESS.
BY THE YEAR 2000, U.S. STUDENTS MUST BE FIRST IN
THE WORLD IN MATH AND SCIENCE SKILLS.
EVERY AMERICAN ADULT MUST BE LITERATE.
- 11 -
EVERY SCHOOL MUST OFFER THE KIND OF DISCIPLINED
ENVIRONMENT THAT MAKES IT POSSIBLE FOR OUR KIDS TO
LEARN -- AND EVERY SCHOOL IN AMERICA MUST BE DRUG-FREE.
* //
AMBITIOUS AIMS? OF COURSE. EASY TO DO? FAR FROM
IT. BUT THE FUTURE'S AT STAKE. THIS NATION WILL NOT
ACCEPT ANYTHING LESS THAN EXCELLENCE IN EDUCATION. *
//
THESE INVESTMENTS WILL KEEP AMERICA COMPETITIVE.
AND I KNOW THIS ABOUT THE AMERICAN PEOPLE: WE WELCOME
COMPETITION. WE'LL MATCH OUR INGENUITY AND ENERGY --
OUR EXPERIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY -- OUR SPIRIT AND
ENTERPRISE - -- AGAINST ANYONE. LET THE COMPETITION BE
FREE -- BUT LET IT BE FAIR. AMERICA IS READY. * //
SINCE WE REALLY MEAN IT -- AND SINCE WE ARE
SERIOUS ABOUT BEING READY TO MEET THAT CHALLENGE --
WE'RE GETTING OUR OWN HOUSE IN ORDER. // WE'VE MADE
REAL PROGRESS. 5 YEARS AGO, THE FEDERAL DEFICIT WAS 6%
OF OUR GROSS NATIONAL PRODUCT. THIS YEAR -- IN THE
BUDGET I SENT UP TWO DAYS AGO -- THE DEFICIT IS DOWN TO
1% OF GNP.
- 12 -
THAT BUDGET BRINGS FEDERAL SPENDING UNDER CONTROL.
IT MEETS THE GRAMM-RUDMAN TARGET. BRINGS THAT DEFICIT
DOWN FURTHER. AND BALANCES THE BUDGET BY 1993 -- WITH
NO NEW TAXES. * //
AND ONCE THE BUDGET IS BALANCED, WE CAN OPERATE
THE WAY EVERY FAMILY MUST WHEN IT HAS BILLS TO PAY. WE
WON'T LEAVE IT TO OUR CHILDREN AND GRANDCHILDREN. WE
WILL START PAYING OFF THE NATIONAL DEBT. * //
AND THERE'S SOMETHING MORE WE OWE THE GENERATIONS
OF THE FUTURE: STEWARDSHIP -- THE SAFEKEEPING OF
AMERICA'S PRECIOUS ENVIRONMENTAL INHERITANCE. *
AS JUST ONE SIGN OF HOW SERIOUS WE ARE, WE WILL
ELEVATE THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY TO CABINET
RANK. NOT MORE BUREAUCRACY, NOT MORE RED TAPE -- BUT
THE CERTAINTY THAT HERE AT HOME, AND IN OUR DEALINGS
WITH OTHER NATIONS, ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES HAVE THE
STATUS THEY DESERVE. * //
- 13 -
THIS YEAR'S BUDGET PROVIDES OVER $2 BILLION IN NEW
SPENDING TO PROTECT OUR ENVIRONMENT with OVER $1 BILLION
where)
FOR GLOBAL CHANGE RESEARCH. AND A NEW INITIATIVE I
EPA Says
$50m.
CALL THE AMERICA THE BEAUTIFUL FUND -- TO EXPAND OUR
NATIONAL PARKS AND WILDLIFE PRESERVES AND IMPROVE
RECREATIONAL FACILITIES ON PUBLIC LANDS.
AND SOMETHING ELSE: SOMETHING THAT WILL HELP KEEP
THIS COUNTRY CLEAN, FROM OUR FORESTLAND TO OUR INNER
CITIES, AND KEEP AMERICA BEAUTIFUL FOR GENERATIONS TO
COME -- THE MONEY TO PLANT A BILLION TREES A YEAR. *
/////
AND TONIGHT, LET ME SAY AGAIN TO ALL THE MEMBERS
OF CONGRESS: THE AMERICAN PEOPLE DID NOT SEND US HERE
TO BICKER. THERE'S WORK TO DO -- AND THEY SENT US HERE
TO GET IT DONE. AND ONCE AGAIN, I OFFER MY HAND TO ALL
OF YOU. LET'S WORK TOGETHER TO DO THE WILL OF THE
AMERICAN PEOPLE. CLEAN AIR. CHILD CARE. CRIME AND
DRUGS. IT'S TIME TO ACT. III THE FARM BILL.
N
TRANSPORTATION POLICY PRODUCT LIABILITY. ENTERPRISE
ZONES. IT'S TIME TO ACT TOGETHER. ///
- 14 -
AND THERE'S ONE THING I HOPE WE'LL ALL BE ABLE TO
AGREE ON. IT'S ABOUT OUR COMMITMENTS. I'M TALKING
ABOUT SOCIAL SECURITY.
TO EVERY AMERICAN OUT THERE ON SOCIAL SECURITY, TO
EVERY AMERICAN SUPPORTING THAT SYSTEM TODAY, AND TO
EVERYONE COUNTING ON IT WHEN THEY RETIRE: WE MADE A
PROMISE TO YOU -- AND WE'RE GOING TO KEEP IT. * //
And you've heard me
say A before WE RESCUED THE SYSTEM IN 1983 -- AND IT'S SOUND
read
me
AGAIN.
11 IT IS FULLY FUNDED IN OUR BUDGET -- AND
1
leps,
FULLY FUNDED FOR THE FUTURE. THE LAST THING WE NEED TO
don't
MBSS
DO IS TINKER WITH SOCIAL SECURITY. * 1111
not
THERE ONE MORE PROBLEM WE NEED TO ADDRESS. WE
MUST GIVE CAREFUL CONSIDERATION TO THE RECOMMENDATIONS
OF THE HEALTH CARE STUDIES NOW UNDERWAY. THAT'S WHY
TONIGHT, I AM INSTRUCTING DR. LOUIS SULLIVAN --
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES -- TO LEAD A
DOMESTIC POLICY COUNCIL REVIEW OF RECOMMENDATIONS ON
THE QUALITY, ACCESSIBILITY AND COST OF OUR NATION'S
HEALTH CARE SYSTEM. I AM COMMITTED TO BRING THE
STAGGERING COSTS OF HEALTH CARE UNDER CONTROL. 1111
- 15 -
THE "STATE OF THE GOVERNMENT" DOES INDEED DEPEND
ON MANY OF US IN THIS VERY CHAMBER. BUT THE STATE OF
THE UNION DEPENDS ON ALL AMERICANS. WE MUST MAINTAIN
THE DEMOCRATIC DECENCY THAT MAKES A NATION OUT OF
MILLIONS OF INDIVIDUALS. I HAVE BEEN APPALLED AT THE
RECENT LETTER BOMBINGS ACROSS THIS COUNTRY. EVERY ONE
OF US MUST CONFRONT AND CONDEMN RACISM. ANTI-SEMITISM.
BIGOTRY AND HATE. 111 NOT NEXT WEEK, NOT TOMORROW,
BUT RIGHT NOW. *
THE STATE OF THE UNION DEPENDS ON WHETHER WE HELP
OUR NEIGHBOR -- CLAIM THE PROBLEMS OF OUR COMMUNITY AS
OUR OWN. WE'VE GOT TO STEP FORWARD WHEN THERE'S
TROUBLE -- LEND A HAND, BE WHAT I CALL A POINT OF LIGHT
TO A STRANGER IN NEED. /// WE'VE GOT TO TAKE THE TIME
AFTER A BUSY DAY TO SIT DOWN AND READ WITH OUR KIDS.
HELP THEM WITH THEIR HOMEWORK. PASS ALONG THE VALUES
WE LEARNED AS CHILDREN. THAT'S HOW WE SUSTAIN THE
STATE OF THE UNION. //
EVERY EFFORT IS IMPORTANT. IT ALL ADDS UP -- IT'S
DOING THE THINGS THAT GIVE DEMOCRACY MEANING. IT ALL
ADDS UP TO WHO WE ARE -- AND WHO WE WILL BE. ///
- 16 -
AND LET ME SAY, THAT so LONG AS WE REMEMBER THE
AMERICAN IDEA -- so LONG AS WE LIVE UP TO THE AMERICAN
IDEAL -- THE STATE OF THE UNION WILL REMAIN SOUND AND
STRONG.
AND TO THOSE WHO WORRY WE HAVE LOST OUR WAY --
WELL, I WANT YOU TO LISTEN TO A LETTER WRITTEN BY JAMES
MARKWELL -- PFC JAMES MARKWELL, A 20-YEAR OLD ARMY
Charle
MEDIC. IT'S DATED DECEMBER 18TH -- THE NIGHT BEFORE
OUR ARMED FORCES WENT INTO ACTION IN PANAMA. IT'S A
LETTER SERVICEMEN WRITE -- AND HOPE WILL NEVER BE SENT.
SADLY, PRIVATE MARKWELL'S MOTHER DID RECEIVE THIS
LETTER. AND SHE PASSED IT ON TO ME.
HE WROTE: "I HAVE NEVER BEEN AFRAID OF DEATH, BUT
I KNOW NOW HE IS WAITING AT THE CORNER.
I HAVE BEEN
TRAINED TO KILL AND TO SAVE, so HAS EVERYONE ELSE. I
AM FRIGHTENED OF WHAT LAYS BEYOND THE FOG, YET...
I
MUST GO THROUGH THE FOG -- WHETHER THE OTHER SIDE IS A
PLANE RIDE HOME FOR CHRISTMAS, OR THE FOG NEVER ENDS.
DO NOT MOURN FOR ME. REVEL IN THE LIFE THAT I HAVE
DIED TO GIVE YOU.
AND MOST OF ALL, DON'T FORGET
THAT THE ARMY WAS MY CHOICE. SOMETHING THAT I WANTED
TO DO." //
- 17 -
PRIVATE MARKWELL WAS AMONG THE FIRST TO SEE BATTLE
IN PANAMA, AND ONE OF THE FIRST TO FALL. ///
HE KNEW WHAT HE BELIEVED IN. // HE CARRIED THE
IDEA WE CALL AMERICA IN HIS HEART. ////
H2O
I BEGAN TONIGHT SPEAKING ABOUT THE CHANGES WE'VE
SEEN THIS PAST YEAR. THERE IS A NEW WORLD OF
CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES BEFORE US. AND THERE IS A
NEED FOR LEADERSHIP THAT ONLY AMERICA CAN PROVIDE.
NEARLY FORTY YEARS AGO, IN HIS LAST ADDRESS TO THE
CONGRESS, PRESIDENT HARRY TRUMAN PREDICTED SUCH A TIME
WOULD COME. HE SAID: "AS OUR WORLD GROWS STRONGER,
MORE UNITED, MORE ATTRACTIVE TO MEN ON BOTH SIDES OF
THE IRON CURTAIN, THEN INEVITABLY THERE WILL COME A
TIME OF CHANGE WITHIN THE COMMUNIST WORLD."
TODAY, THAT CHANGE IS TAKING PLACE. 11
- 18 -
FOR MORE THAN FORTY YEARS, AMERICA AND ITS ALLIES
HELD COMMUNISM IN CHECK, AND ENSURED THAT DEMOCRACY
WOULD CONTINUE TO EXIST. TODAY, WITH COMMUNISM
CRUMBLING, OUR AIM MUST BE TO ENSURE DEMOCRACY'S
ADVANCE. TO TAKE THE LEAD IN FORGING PEACE AND
FREEDOM'S BEST HOPE -- A GREAT AND GROWING COMMONWEALTH
OF FREE NATIONS. ///
TO THE CONGRESS AND TO ALL AMERICANS, I SAY IT IS
TIME TO ACCLAIM A NEW CONSENSUS AT HOME AND ABROAD -- A
COMMON VISION OF THE PEACEFUL WORLD WE WANT TO SEE.
IT'S TIME TO RECONCILE A NEW RELATIONSHIP WITH THE
SOVIET UNION -- TO ENDORSE AND ENCOURAGE A PEACEFUL
PROCESS OF INTERNAL CHANGE TOWARD DEMOCRACY AND
ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY. //
IT IS TIME TO OFFER OUR HAND TO THE EMERGING
DEMOCRACIES OF EASTERN EUROPE. SO THAT-CONTINENT --
FOR TOO LONG A CONTINENT DIVIDED -- CAN SEE A FUTURE
WHOLE AND FREE. 11
- 19 -
IN THE FAR EAST, IT IS TIME FOR THE FULL FLOWERING
OF FREE GOVERNMENTS AND FREE MARKETS THAT HAVE SERVED
AS THE ENGINE OF PROGRESS. // THE KEY TO DEMOCRACY IN
THE FAR EAST TODAY IS TO KEEP THE DOOR OPEN -- TO
REKINDLE THE FLAME OF FREEDOM. /////
AND FINALLY, I WILL NOT NEGLECT THE DEMOCRACIES OF
THIS HEMISPHERE. THE TIME IS RIGHT FOR ALL THE PEOPLE
OF THE AMERICAS, NORTH AND SOUTH, TO LIVE IN FREEDOM.
STILL, WE MUST RECOGNIZE AN UNFORTUNATE FACT: IN
MANY REGIONS OF THE WORLD TONIGHT, THE REALITY IS
and
CONFLICT - -- NOT PEACE. ENDURING ANIMOSITIES, OPPOSING
2
INTERESTS REMAIN. THUS THE CAUSE OF PEACE MUST BE
SERVED BY AN AMERICA STRONG ENOUGH -- AND SURE
ENOUGH TO DEFEND OUR INTERESTS AND IDEALS.
/////
[[DEFENSE LINE]]
- 20 -
HERE AT HOME -- AND IN THE WORLD -- THERE IS
HISTORY IN THE MAKING -- AND HISTORY TO BE MADE. SIX
MONTHS AGO, EARLY IN THIS SEASON OF CHANGE, I STOOD AT
THE GATES OF THE GDANSK SHIPYARD IN POLAND AT THE
MONUMENT TO THE FALLEN WORKERS OF SOLIDARITY. IT'S A
MONUMENT OF SIMPLE MAJESTY. THREE TALL CROSSES RISE UP
FROM THE STONES. ATOP EACH CROSS, AN ANCHOR -- AN
ANCIENT SYMBOL OF HOPE.
THE ANCHOR IN OUR WORLD TODAY IS FREEDOM. HOLDING
US STEADY IN TIMES OF CHANGE -- A SYMBOL OF HOPE TO ALL
THE WORLD. AND FREEDOM IS AT THE VERY HEART OF THE
IDEA THAT IS AMERICA. ///
GIVING LIFE TO THAT IDEA DEPENDS ON EVERY ONE OF
US. OUR ANCHOR HAS ALWAYS BEEN FAITH AND FAMILY. AND
YOU KNOW, IN THE LAST FEW DAYS OF THIS PAST MOMENTOUS
YEAR, OUR FAMILY WAS BLESSED ONCE MORE -- CELEBRATING
THE JOY OF LIFE WHEN A LITTLE BOY BECAME OUR NEWEST
GRANDCHILD -- OUR TWELFTH. CHARLES WALKER BUSH. //
AS IN EVERY FAMILY, THOSE 12 ARE THEIR GRANDPARENTS'
PRIDE AND JOY. 11
- 21 -
NOW, I KNOW YOU'RE THINKING: THAT'S A GRANDFATHER
TALKING. //
WELL, I'VE MET A LOT OF CHILDREN THIS PAST YEAR --
ACROSS THIS COUNTRY, AND EVERYWHERE FROM THE FAR EAST
TO EASTERN EUROPE. ALL KIDS ARE UNIQUE yet ALL KIDS ARE
ALIKE. THE BUDDING YOUNG ENVIRONMENTALISTS I MET THIS
MONTH, WHO JOINED ME EXPLORING THE FLORIDA EVERGLADES.
THE LITTLE LEAGUERS I PLAYED CATCH WITH IN POLAND --
READY TO GO FROM WARSAW TO THE WORLD SERIES. EVEN THE
KIDS WHO ARE ILL OR ALONE -- GOD BLESS THOSE BOARDER
BABIES, BORN ADDICTED TO DRUGS -- COPING WITH PROBLEMS
NO CHILD SHOULD HAVE TO FACE. BUT, YOU KNOW, WHEN IT
COMES TO HOPE AND THE FUTURE: EVERY KID IS THE SAME.
FULL OF DREAMS. READY TO TAKE ON THE WORLD. ALL
SPECIAL: BECAUSE THEY ARE THE VERY FUTURE OF FREEDOM.
TO THEM BELONGS THIS NEW WORLD I'VE BEEN SPEAKING
ABOUT.
- 22 -
so TONIGHT I'M GOING TO ASK SOMETHING OF EVERY ONE
OF YOU. LET ME START WITH MY GENERATION -- WITH THE
GRANDPARENTS OUT THERE. YOU ARE OUR LIVING LINK TO THE
PAST. TELL YOUR GRANDCHILDREN THE STORY OF STRUGGLES
WAGED, AT HOME AND ABROAD. OF SACRIFICES FREELY MADE
FOR FREEDOM'S SAKE. AND TELL THEM YOUR OWN STORY AS
WELL -- BECAUSE EVERY AMERICAN HAS A STORY TO TELL.
PARENTS: YOUR CHILDREN LOOK TO YOU FOR DIRECTION
AND GUIDANCE. TELL THEM OF FAITH AND FAMILY. TELL
THEM WE ARE ONE NATION UNDER GOD. TEACH THEM THAT OF
ALL THE MANY GIFTS THEY CAN RECEIVE, LIBERTY IS THEIR
MOST PRECIOUS LEGACY. AND OF ALL THE GIFTS THEY CAN
GIVE, THE GREATEST IS SERVING OTHERS.
AND OF COURSE, LET ME SAY TO THE CHILDREN AND
YOUNG PEOPLE OUT THERE TONIGHT: WITH YOU RESTS OUR
HOPE -- ALL THAT AMERICA WILL MEAN IN THE YEARS AND
DECADES AHEAD. FIX YOUR VISION ON A NEW CENTURY --
YOUR CENTURY. ON DREAMS WE CANNOT SEE. ON THE DESTINY
THAT IS YOURS -- AND YOURS ALONE. //
- 23 -
AND FINALLY, LET ALL AMERICANS -- ALL OF US
TOGETHER HERE IN THIS CHAMBER, THE SYMBOLIC CENTER OF
DEMOCRACY -- AFFIRM OUR ALLEGIANCE TO THIS IDEA WE CALL
AMERICA. AND LET US ALL REMEMBER THAT THE STATE OF THE
UNION DEPENDS ON EACH AND EVERY ONE OF US.
GOD BLESS ALL OF YOU. AND MAY GOD BLESS THIS
GREAT NATION, THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.
# # #
OFFICE OF THE VICE PRESIDENT
WASHINGTON
January 30, 1990
NOTE TO CHRISS WINSTON
FROM: William Kristol wk
RE: State of the Union
On page seven we prefer "product liability reform" to "tort
reform," for reasons I'll be glad to explain. We also think
there's a case to be made for a whole sentence on product
liability, added to the paragraph on risk-taking on page five,
along these lines:
"And that's why I've proposed a product liability
reform package that would encourage innovation by
American entrepreneurs and improve U.S.
competitiveness, while insuring fairness and safety for
American consumers."
I would also expand the mention of Space on page five, to
something like, "It's there for Space -- so we can continue to
lead the world forward in exploring this new frontier."
CC: Jim Cicconi
ES:Ed 0E NAC 06
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
TO:
Chriss Winston
FROM:
JAMES W. CICCONI
Assistant to the President and
Deputy to the Chief of Staff
Attached are from
VP's office. Dave's
call, but I feel
some mention is warranted
(eargest % increase in budget).
Thanks
cc: Gov. Summ gim
Document Originally
Attached to
Following Page
PROPOSED STATE OF THE UNION INSERTS
p.5 par 5. "Our largest increase - for space, the ultimate
investment in the future.
p.7 par 2. " And while I'm on the subject of education and
investment in our future, I want to underscore my commitment to
future generations represented by our natinal space program.
Under the leadership of Vice President Quayle and the National
Space Council we are opening up the frontiers of space,
frontiers of economic opportunity, of knowledge and learning--and
we will do SO through expanding global partnerships."
90 JAN 29 P4: 36
OFFICE OF THE VICE PRESIDENT
WASHINGTON
January 30, 1990
NOTE TO CHRISS WINSTON
FROM: William Kristol wk
RE:
1990 Agenda Talking Points
Under Section 8. Competitiveness, we recommend changing
"tort reform" to "product liability reform."
CC: Jim Cicconi
90 JAN 30 P4:21
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
Jan. 30, 1990
TO:
CHRISS WINSTON
FROM: JAMES W. CICCONI
Assistant to the President and
Deputy to the Chief of Staff
The attached re State of the
Union are from Bill Kristol.
Thanks.
fim
OFFICE OF THE VICE PRESIDENT
WASHINGTON
State of Union
Space
Add to last paragraph on p.5 (""And when I say we're serious about investing
in our future--we've got the budget to back it up,"):
"The money's there for our vitally important program of space exploration
15
a 24% increase in funding for our space programs? programs, SO we can maintain our
eadership in exploring this new frontier."
christ- Above may or may more not fit, concise but on Than
it is definicomine yesterday. language
the space I sent you bad to
space This doem't look Thanks me.
fin
1/30/90
OFFICE OF THE VICE PRESIDENT
WASHINGTON
State of Union
Product liability
Add sentence to "We need people to take risks" paragraph on p.5:
"And that's why I've proposed a product liability reform package
that would encourage innovation by American entrepreneurs and improve
U.S. competitiveness, while insuring fairness and safety for American
consumers."
And/or: in list of issues on p.8, replace "tort reform" (which we don't
have a concrete proposal on) with "product liability reform."
OFFICE OF THE VICE PRESIDENT
WASHINGTON
State of the Union
Defense:
Add to P.12 top:
"And that's why we can't afford to gut our defense budget, and why we
must move ahead with important new programs like the Strategic Defense Initiative."
-
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
CHRISS-
Counsel's office called
with a last minute comment
on State of the Union. On
Page 4 line 3 (of The regular text
verion) when he speaks of
"women" who work outside
the home, they would advise
a change to "parents" or
"men $ women" so the statement
is not taken as sexist
Kisten
1/30 530pm
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
January 30, 1990
MEMORANDUM FOR CHRISS WINSTON
DEPUTY ASSISTANT TO THE PRESIDENT FOR
COMMUNICATIONS
FROM:
JAY S. BYBEE job
ASSOCIATE COUNSEL TO THE PRESIDENT
SUBJECT:
State of the Union
Counsel's office has reviewed the above-referenced matter. We
have no legal objections.
On page four, we do, however, question whether the reference to
child care should properly follow the reference to jobs -- and
come ahead of references to a clean environment and equal
opportunity for the disabled. It strikes us that the environment
and equal opportunity for the disabled should take priority over
child care.
Thank you for the opportunity to comment on this matter.
21 : Ed 0E JAN 06
SENSITIVE
CLOSE HOLD
Desument No.
WHITE HOUSE STAFFING MEMORANDUM
DATE:
1/29/90
ACTION/CONCURRENCE/COMMENT DUE BY:
:00pm TODAY
STATE OF THE UNION - 1/29/90 DRAFT
SUBJECT:
ACTION FYI
ACTION FYI
VICE PRESIDENT
MCCLURE
SUNUNU
NEWMAN
SCOWCROFT
PORTER
DARMAN
ROGICH
BATES
UNTERMEYER
CARD
BOSKIN
CICCONI
BROMLEY
DEMAREST
PINKERTON
FITZWATER
WINSTON
GRAY
ROGERS
HAGIN
REMARKS:
The attached has been forwarded to the President. Action assignees
are requested to check facts and substantive statements in the
draft. Please- forward any comments to Chriss Winston's (x2930)
with a copy to my office, by 4:00pm TODAY, Tuesday, January 30.
Thank you.
RESPONSE:
SENSITIVE
James W. Cicconi
Assistant to the President
and Deputy to the Chief of Staff
CLOSE HOLD
Ext. 2702
OUTLINE: 1/29/90, 3 PM
Not state of government -- state of union
revolution of 1989
One year ago
(Panama)
Idea called America
Building blocks: democracy, investment, competition,
opportunity, steardship, and leadership
jobs
child care
safe environment
disabled Americans
homeless
drug-free
education
3 capitals
family savings plan
capital gains
money is there -- R & D, HOPE, drugs, education
Education Goals (Head Start)
competition
deficit control
pay off debt
environment (America the Beautiful)
Full agenda/work together
Clean Air
Child Care
Crime & Drugs
National Transportation Policy
Space Exploration
Tort Reform
Enterprise Zones
Social Security
Health Care
State of the Union depends on all Americans
racism
lend a hand
read with our kids
pass long values
Marwell letter
Leadership
Truman quote
democracy's advance/commonwealth of nations
Soviet Union
Eastern Europe
Far East/China
Our hemisphere
Strong America
Solidarity monument
Children/grandparents/parents/children
McGroarty/Dooley
January 29, 1990
9:30 pm
PRESIDENTIAL REMARKS: STATE OF THE UNION ADDRESS
THE CAPITOL
JANUARY 31, 1990
9:00 P.M.
Mr. President, Mr. Speaker, members of the United States
Congress: I return as a former President of the Senate, and
proud member of this great House. // Now, as President, it is
my privilege to report to you on the State of the Union.
Tonight, I come not to speak about the "state of the
government" -- not to detail every new initiative we plan for the
coming year, nor to describe every line item in the budget. I am
here to speak to you and to the American people about the State
of the Union -- about our world -- the changes we've seen, the
challenges we'll face. And what that means for America. 111
There are singular moments in history: dates that divide
all that goes before from all that comes after. Many of us in
this chamber have lived much of our lives in a world whose
fundamental features were defined in 1945. The events of that
year decreed the shape of nations. The pace of progress.
Freedom or oppression for millions of people around the world.
1945 provided the common frame of reference -- the compass
points of the post-war era we've relied upon to understand
ourselves. That was our world. /// Until now. /// The events
of the year just ended -- the revolution of '89 -- have been a
2
chain reaction of change so striking that it marks the beginning
of a new era in the world's affairs.
Think back -- just twelve short months ago -- to the world
we knew -- as 1989 began.
One year ago, the people of Panama lived in fear, under the
thumb of a dictator. Today, democracy is restored -- Panama // is
free. 11
And tonight I'm proud to announce the formal termination of
Operation JUST CAUSE. [[Tonight, troop levels in Panama are just
1000 above where they stood before our operation began.]] By the
last day of February, our personnel will be at the same levels as
before the operation -- all of the additional American troops who
made this mission a success will be back home. 111
A year ago in Poland, Lech Walesa declared that he was ready
to open a dialogue with the communist rulers of that country.
Today, with the future of a free Poland in their hands, members
of Solidarity lead the Polish Government. //
A year ago, freedom's playwright, Vaclav Havel, languished
as a prisoner in Prague. Today, it's Vaclav Havel -- President
of Czechoslovakia. //
And one year ago, Erich Honecker of East Germany claimed
history as his guide. He predicted the Berlin Wall would last
another hundred years. Today -- less than one year later -- it's
the Wall that's history. ///
Remarkable events -- events that fulfill the long-held hopes
of the American people..
Events that validate the long-standing
3
goals of American policy -- a policy based on a single, shining
principle: the cause of freedom.
America -- not just the nation -- but an idea, alive in the
minds of people everywhere. As this new world takes shape,
America stands at the center of a widening circle of freedom --
today, tomorrow and into the next century. //
Our America is the shining dream of every immigrant who ever
set foot on these shores -- and the millions still struggling to
be free. This nation -- this idea called America -- was and
always will be -- a new world. Our new world. ///
At a workers' rally -- in a place called Branik on the
outskirts of Prague -- the idea called America is alive. A
worker, dressed in grimy overalls, rises to speak at the factory
gates. He begins his speech to his fellow citizens with these
words -- words of a distant revolution: "We hold these truths to
be self-evident. That all men are created equal, that they are
endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, [and]
that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness."
/////
It's no secret that, here at home, freedom's door opened
long ago. The cornerstones of this free society have already
been set in place: Democracy. Competition. Opportunity.
Private investment. Stewardship. And of course, leadership.
Our challenge today is to take this democratic system of
ours -- a system second to none -- and make it better. That's
the American idea.
4
A better America, where there's a job for everyone who wants
one.
Where women who work outside the home can be confident their
children are in safe and loving care -- and where government
works to expand child care alternatives for parents.
Where we aren't forced to make an "either-or" decision
between a clean environment and American jobs.
Where all Americans enjoy the same opportunities to live, to
work, and to contribute to society. And where, for the first
time, the American mainstream includes all disabled Americans.
//
Where every American has a roof over his head -- and
where the homeless get the help they need to live in dignity. //
Where every street, every city, every school and every
American child is drug-free. 11
Where our schools challenge our kids and our teachers -- and
where all of them make the grade.
That's part of the future we want to see -- the future we
can make for ourselves. But dreams alone won't get us there. We
need to extend our horizon -- commit to the long-view. Our
[plans] for the future start today. 111
Yes -- we are going to invest in America. This
Administration is determined to encourage the creation of capital
-- capital of all kinds. Physical capital: everything, from
America's farms and factories to our workshops and production
lines, all that is needed to produce and deliver quality goods
and services. Intellectual capital: the store-house of ideas
5
that become tomorrow's products. And of course, America's human
capital: the talented workforce we'll need to compete in the
global market.
And let me tell you: if we ignore human capital -- we lose
the spirit of American ingenuity -- the spirit that is the
hallmark of the American worker. And the American worker is the
most productive worker in the world. 11
We need to save more -- expand the pool of capital for the
new investments that mean more jobs, more growth. That's the
idea behind a new initiative I call the Family Savings [Package],
which I will send to the Congress tomorrow. 11
We need to encourage risk-takers to take those steps that
translate into economic reward, jobs and a better life for all of
us -- that's why we've got to cut the tax on capital gains. //
We'll do what it takes to invest in America's future. The
commitment is there. The money is there. 11 It's there for
Research and Development, R&D -- a record high. It's there for
our housing initiative -- HOPE, to help everyone from first-time
homebuyers to the homeless. The money's there to keep our kids
drug-free: a 70% increase in funds to fight drugs since last
year. It's there for Space -- and it's there for education:
another record high. //
And one more thing: last fall at the Education Summit, the
Governors and I agreed to look for ways to help make sure kids
are ready to learn the very first day they walk into that
classroom. I've made good on that commitment -- by proposing a
6
record increase in funds -- an extra half a billion dollars --
for something near and dear to all of us: Head Start. //
Education is the one investment that means more for our
future because it means the most for our children. Real
improvement in our schools is not simply a matter of spending
more. It is a matter of asking more -- expecting more: of our
schools, our teachers, of our kids, and our parents. That's why
tonight I am announcing America's education goals -- goals agreed
upon with the nation's Governors:
By the year 2000, every child in America must start school
ready to learn. The United States must increase the high school
graduation rate to no less than 90%. And we're going to make
sure our schools' diplomas means something: at the critical
grades -- 4th, 8th and 12th -- we must check all our students'
progress.
By the year 2000, U.S. students must be first in the world
in math and science skills. Every American adult must be
literate. Every school in America must offer the kind of
disciplined environment that makes it possible for our kids to
learn -- and every school in America must be drug-free. //
Ambitious aims? Of course. Guaranteed success? Far from
it. But the future's at stake. This nation will not accept
anything less than excellence in education. //
These investments will keep America competitive. And I know
this about the American people: we welcome competition. We'll
match our ingenuity and energy -- our experience and technology -
7
- our spirit and enterprise -- against anyone. Let the
competition be free -- but let it be fair. America is ready. //
Since we really mean it -- and since we are serious about
being ready to meet that challenge -- let's get our house in
order. // We've made real progress. 5 years ago, the federal
deficit was 6% of our Gross National Product. This year -- in
the budget I sent up two days ago -- the deficit's down to 1% of
GNP.
That budget brings federal spending under control. It meets
the Gramm-Rudman target. Brings that deficit down further. And
balances the budget by 1993 -- with no new taxes. //
And once the budget is balanced, we can operate the way
every family in America has to when it has bills to pay. We
won't leave it to our children and grandchildren. We will start
paying off the national debt. 11
And there's something more we owe the generations of the
future: stewardship -- the safekeeping of America's precious
environmental inheritance. As just one sign of how serious we
are, we will elevate the Environmental Protection Agency to
cabinet rank. Not more bureaucracy, not more red tape -- but the
certainty that here at home, and in our dealings with other
nations, environmental issues have the status they deserve. //
[[And this year's budget provides over $2 billion in new
spending to protect our environment. Over $1 billion for global
change research. ]] And a new initiative I call the America the
Beautiful Fund -- to expand our national parks and wildlife
8
refuges and improve recreational facilities on public lands. And
something else: something that will help keep this country
clean, from our forestland to our inner cities, and keep American
beautiful for generations to come -- the money to plant a billion
trees a year. 11111
And tonight, let me say again to all the members of
Congress: The American people did not send us here to bicker.
There's work to do -- and they sent us here to get it done. And
once again, I offer my hand to all of you. Let's work together
to do the will of the American people. Clean Air. Child Care.
Crime and Drugs. It's time to act. 111 The farm bill.
Transportation policy. Tort reform. Enterprise Zones. It's
time to act together. ///
And there's one thing I hope we'll all be able to agree on.
It's about our commitments. I'm talking about Social Security.
To every American out there on Social Security, to every
American supporting that system today, and to everyone counting
on it when they retire: We made a promise to you -- and we're
going to keep it. //
We rescued the Social Security system in 1983 -- and it's
sound again. 11 Social Security is fully funded in our budget -
- and fully funded for the future. The last thing we need to do
is tinker with the system. 1111
There's one more problem we need to address. We must give
careful consideration to the recommendations of the health care
studies now underway. That's why tonight, I am requesting that
9
Dr. Louis Sullivan -- Secretary of Health and Human Services --
lead a Domestic Policy Council review of recommendations on the
quality, accessibility and cost of our nation's health care
system. ////
The "state of the government" does indeed depend on many of
us in this very chamber. But the State of the Union depends on
all Americans. We must maintain the democratic decency that
makes a nation out of millions of individuals. I have been
appalled at the recent letter bombings across this country.
Every one of us must confront and condemn racism. Anti-semitism.
Bigotry and hate. /// Not tomorrow, not next week, but today.
The State of the Union depends on whether we help our
neighbor -- claim the problems of our community as our own.
We've got to step forward when there's trouble -- lend a hand, be
a point of light to a stranger in need. 111 We've got to take
the time after a busy day to sit down and read with our kids.
Help them with their homework. Pass along the values we learned
as children. That's how we sustain the State of the Union. //
Every effort is important. It all adds up -- it's doing the
things that give democracy meaning. It all adds up to who we are
-- and who we will be. ///
And let me say, that so long as we remember the American
idea -- so long as we live up to the American ideal -- the State
of the Union will remain sound and strong.
And to those who worry we have lost our way -- well, I want
you to listen to a letter written by James Markwell -- PFC James
10
Markwell, a 20-year old Army medic. It's dated December 18th --
the night before our Armed Forces went into action in Panama.
It's a letter servicemen write -- and hope will never be sent.
Sadly, Private Markwell's mother did receive this letter. And
she passed it on to me.
He writes: "I have never been afraid of death, but I know
now he is waiting at the corner
I have been trained to kill
and to save, so has everyone else. I am frightened of what lays
beyond the fog, yet
I must go through the fog -- whether the
other side is a plane ride home for Christmas, or the fog never
ends. Do not mourn for me. Revel in the life that I have died
to give you.
And most of all, don't forget that the Army was
my choice. Something that I wanted to do." //
Private Markwell was among the first to see battle in
Panama, and one of the first to fall. ///
He knew what he believed in. // He carried the idea we
call America in his heart. 1111
I began tonight speaking about the changes we've seen this
past year. There is a new world of challenges and opportunities
before us. And there is a need for leadership that only America
can provide.
Nearly forty years ago, in his last address to the Congress,
President Harry Truman predicted such a time would come. He
said: "As our world grows stronger, more united, more attractive
to men on both sides of the iron curtain, then inevitably there
will come a time of change within the communist world."
11
Today, that change is taking place. //
For more than forty years, America and its allies held
communism in check, and ensured that democracy would continue to
exist. Today, with communism crumbling, our aim must be to
ensure democracy's advance. To take the lead in forging peace
and freedom's best hope -- a great and growing commonwealth of
free nations. ///
I say to the Congress and to all Americans: It is time to
acclaim a new consensus at home and abroad -- a common vision of
the peaceful world we want to see.
It's time to reconcile a new relationship with the Soviet
Union -- to endorse and extend the peaceful process of internal
change toward democracy and economic opportunity. //
It is time to offer our hand to the emerging democracies of
Eastern Europe. So that continent -- for too long a continent
divided -- can see a future whole and free. //
In the Far East, it is time for the full flowering of free
governments and free markets that have served as the engine of
progress. In China, two decades ago, we opened the door,
awakening a love of democracy in the Chinese people. // The key
to democracy in China today is to keep that door open -- to
rekindle the flame of freedom. /////
And finally, the time is right -- here in our own hemisphere
for all the people of the Americas, North and South, to live in
freedom.
12
still, we must recognize an unfortunate fact: In many
regions of the world tonight, the reality is conflict -- not
peace. Enduring animosities, opposing interests remain. Thus
the cause of peace must be served by an America strong enough --
and sure enough -- to defend our interests and ideals.
/////
[DEFENSE LINE]]
Here at home -- and in the world -- there is history in the
making -- and history to be made. Six months ago, early in this
season of change, I stood at the gates of the Gdansk Shipyard in
Poland at the monument to the fallen workers of Solidarity. It's
a monument of simple majesty. Three tall crosses rise up from
the stones. Atop each cross, an anchor -- an ancient symbol of
hope.
The anchor in our world today is freedom. Holding us steady
in times of change -- a symbol of hope to all the world. And
freedom is at the very heart of the idea that is America. ///
Giving life to that idea depends on every one of us. In
America, our anchor has always been faith and family. And you
know, in the last few days of this past momentous year, our
family was blessed once more -- blessed when a little boy born
back in November became our newest grandchild -- our twelfth.
Charles Walker Bush. [WITH GRANDCHILDREN IN GALLERY] Those 12
are their grandparents' pride and joy. //
Now, I know you're thinking: that's a grandfather talking.
// Well, I've met a lot of children this past year -- across
this country, and everywhere from the Far East to Eastern Europe.
13
All kids are unique. Yet, all kids are alike. The budding young
environmentalists I met this month, who joined me exploring the
Florida Everglades. The little leaguers I played catch with in
Poland -- ready to go from Warsaw to the World Series. Even the
kids who are ill or alone, coping with problems no child should
have to face. When it comes to hope and the future: Every kid
is the same. Full of dreams. Ready to take on the world. All
special: because they are the very future of freedom. To them
belongs this new world I've been speaking about.
So tonight I'm going to ask something of every one of you.
Let me start with my generation -- with the grandparents out
there. You are our living link to the past. Tell your
grandchildren the story of struggles waged, at home and abroad.
Of sacrifices freely made for freedom's sake. And tell them your
own story as well -- because every American has a story to tell.
Parents: your children look to you for direction and
guidance. Tell them of faith and family. Teach them that of all
the many gifts they can receive, liberty is their most precious
legacy. And of all the gifts they can give, the greatest is
serving others.
And of course, let me say to the children and young people
out there tonight: with you rests our hope -- all that America
will mean in the years and decades ahead. Fix your vision on a
new century -- your century. On dreams we cannot see. On the
destiny that is yours -- and yours alone. //
14
And finally, let all Americans -- all of us together here in
this chamber, the symbolic center of American democracy -- affirm
our allegiance to this idea we call America. And let us all
remember that the State of the Union depends on each and every
one of us.
God bless all of you. God bless every American -- and may
God bless this great nation, the United States of America.
# # #
EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT
OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET
AND
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20503
NOTICE:
Enclosed are comments from staff members of the Office of
Management and Budget (OMB). Such comments do not necessarily
represent the official position of the Director of OMB or of the
Office of Management and Budget. If you wish to have the
Director's personal comments, please let me know -- and contact
me if you have any questions.
David J. Haun
Executive Assistant
to the Director
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
January 30, 1990
NOTE FOR THE VICE PRESIDENT
THE CHIEF OF STAFF
GENERAL SCOWCROFT
DIRECTOR DARMAN
ANDY CARD
ROGER PORTER
ED ROGERS
Attached is the latest revised draft
of the State of the Union address.
m
James W. Cicconi
CC: David Demarest
GRADY * = APPLAUSE LINE
STATE OF THE UNION ADDRESS
THE CAPITOL
JANUARY 31, 1990
9:00 P.M.
EYES ONLY SENSITIVE
PM
MR. PRESIDENT, MR. SPEAKER, MEMBERS OF THE UNITED
S
STATES CONGRESS: I RETURN AS A FORMER PRESIDENT OF THE
30MX
SPEED
SENATE, AND PROUD MEMBER OF THIS GREAT HOUSE. * //
NOW, AS PRESIDENT, IT IS MY PRIVILEGE TO REPORT TO YOU
ON THE STATE OF THE UNION. *
and MY
CONSTITUTIONAL
DUTY
TONIGHT, I COME NOT TO SPEAK ABOUT THE "STATE OF
GRADY
THE GOVERNMENT" -- NOT TO DETAIL EVERY NEW INITIATIVE
WE PLAN FOR THE COMING YEAR, NOR TO DESCRIBE EVERY LINE
ITEM IN THE BUDGET. I'M HERE TO SPEAK TO YOU AND TO
THE AMERICAN PEOPLE ABOUT THE STATE OF THE UNION --
ABOUT OUR WORLD -- THE CHANGES WE'VE SEEN, THE
CHALLENGES WE FACE. AND WHAT THAT MEANS FOR AMERICA.
///
EYES ONLY
SENSITIVE
MN30 P2: P2:11 11
- 2 -
THERE ARE SINGULAR MOMENTS IN HISTORY: DATES THAT
DIVIDE ALL THAT GOES BEFORE FROM ALL THAT COMES AFTER.
MANY OF US IN THIS CHAMBER HAVE LIVED MUCH OF OUR LIVES
IN A WORLD WHOSE FUNDAMENTAL FEATURES WERE DEFINED IN
1945. THE EVENTS OF THAT YEAR DECREED THE SHAPE OF
NATIONS. THE PACE OF PROGRESS. FREEDOM OR OPPRESSION
FOR MILLIONS OF PEOPLE AROUND THE WORLD.
Grody
a
1945 PROVIDED THE COMMON FRAME OF REFERENCE -- THE
COMPASS POINTS OF THE POST-WAR ERA WE VE RELIED UPON TO
UNDERSTAND OURSELVES. THAT WAS OUR WORLD. /// UNTIL
NOW. /// THE EVENTS OF THE YEAR JUST ENDED -- THE
REVOLUTION OF '89 -- HAVE BEEN A CHAIN REACTION OF
CHANGE so STRIKING THAT IT MARKS THE BEGINNING OF A NEW
ERA IN THE WORLD'S AFFAIRS.
THINK BACK -- JUST TWELVE SHORT MONTHS AGO -- TO
THE WORLD WE KNEW - -- AS 1989 BEGAN.
ONE YEAR AGO, THE PEOPLE OF PANAMA LIVED IN FEAR,
UNDER THE THUMB OF A DICTATOR. TODAY, DEMOCRACY IS
RESTORED - -- PANAMA 11 IS FREE. * //
- 3 -
check
DOD
AND TONIGHT I'M PROUD TO ANNOUNCE THE FORMAL
TERMINATION OF OPERATION "JUST CAUSE.' " [[TONIGHT,
TROOP LEVELS IN PANAMA ARE JUST 1000 ABOVE WHERE THEY
SAYS 3300
STOOD BEFORE OUR OPERATION BEGAN.] ]] BY THE LAST DAY OF
She back
FEBRUARY, OUR PERSONNEL WILL BE AT THE SAME LEVELS AS
BEFORE THE OPERATION -- ALL OF THE ADDITIONAL AMERICAN
TROOPS WHO MADE THIS MISSION A SUCCESS WILL BE BACK
HOME. * ///
A YEAR AGO IN POLAND, LECH WALESA DECLARED THAT HE
WAS READY TO OPEN A DIALOGUE WITH THE COMMUNIST RULERS
OF THAT COUNTRY. TODAY, WITH THE FUTURE OF A FREE
Grady
the
POLAND IN THEIR OWN HANDS, MEMBERS OF SOLIDARITY LEAD
THE POLISH GOVERNMENT. * //
A YEAR AGO, FREEDOM'S PLAYWRIGHT, VACLAV HAVEL
[VAHTS-LAHV HA-VEL], LANGUISHED AS A PRISONER IN
PRAGUE. TODAY, IT'S VACLAV HAVEL - -- PRESIDENT OF
CZECHOSLOVAKIA. * //
- 4 -
AND ONE YEAR AGO, ERICH HONECKER OF EAST GERMANY
CLAIMED HISTORY AS HIS GUIDE. HE PREDICTED THE BERLIN
Grody
WALL WOULD LAST ANOTHER HUNDRED YEARS. TODAY -- LESS
THE WALL HAS COME DOWN
THAN ONE YEAR LATER -- IT'S THE WALL THAT'S HISTORY. *
///
[[TALK ABOUT BEING WRONG....]] ///
REMARKABLE EVENTS - -- EVENTS THAT FULFILL THE LONG-
HELD HOPES OF THE AMERICAN PEOPLE... EVENTS THAT
VALIDATE THE LONG-STANDING GOALS OF AMERICAN POLICY --
A POLICY BASED ON A SINGLE, SHINING PRINCIPLE: THE
CAUSE OF FREEDOM. *
AMERICA - -- NOT JUST THE NATION - BUT AN IDEA, //
ALIVE IN THE MINDS OF PEOPLE EVERYWHERE. AS THIS NEW
WORLD TAKES SHAPE, AMERICA STANDS AT THE CENTER OF A
WIDENING CIRCLE OF FREEDOM - -- TODAY, TOMORROW AND INTO
THE NEXT CENTURY. * //
- 5 -
OUR NATION IS THE ENDURING DREAM OF EVERY
IMMIGRANT WHO EVER SET FOOT ON THESE SHORES - -- AND THE
MILLIONS STILL STRUGGLING TO BE FREE. THIS NATION --
THIS IDEA CALLED AMERICA - WAS AND ALWAYS WILL BE -- A
NEW WORLD. OUR NEW WORLD. ///
AT A WORKERS' RALLY - -- IN A PLACE CALLED
BRANIK [BRAH-NEEK] ON THE OUTSKIRTS OF PRAGUE - -- THE
IDEA CALLED AMERICA IS ALIVE. A WORKER, DRESSED IN
GRIMY OVERALLS, RISES TO SPEAK AT THE FACTORY GATES.
HE BEGINS HIS SPEECH TO HIS FELLOW CITIZENS WITH THESE
WORDS WORDS OF A DISTANT REVOLUTION:
"WE HOLD THESE TRUTHS TO BE SELF-EVIDENT. THAT
ALL MEN ARE CREATED EQUAL, THAT THEY ARE ENDOWED BY
THEIR CREATOR WITH CERTAIN UNALIENABLE RIGHTS, [AND]
THAT AMONG THESE ARE LIFE, LIBERTY AND THE PURSUIT OF
Grady
HAPPINESS." ///// *
- 6 -
IT'S NO SECRET THAT, HERE AT HOME, FREEDOM'S DOOR
OPENED LONG AGO. THE CORNERSTONES OF THIS FREE SOCIETY
HAVE ALREADY BEEN SET IN PLACE: DEMOCRACY.
COMPETITION. OPPORTUNITY. PRIVATE INVESTMENT.
STEWARDSHIP. AND OF COURSE, LEADERSHIP.
OUR CHALLENGE TODAY IS TO TAKE THIS DEMOCRATIC
SYSTEM OF OURS -- A SYSTEM SECOND TO NONE -- AND MAKE
IT BETTER. * ///
A BETTER AMERICA, WHERE
THERE'S A JOB FOR EVERYONE WHO WANTS ONE.
*
WORKING FAMILIES
HOLEN
WHERE
WOMEN WHO WORK OUTSIDE THE HOME
CAN BE
CONFIDENT THEIR CHILDREN ARE IN SAFE AND LOVING CARE --
AND WHERE GOVERNMENT WORKS TO EXPAND CHILD CARE
ALTERNATIVES FOR PARENTS. *
WHERE WE AREN'T FORCED TO MAKE AN "EITHER-OR"
DECISION BETWEEN A CLEAN ENVIRONMENT AND AMERICAN JOBS.
*
- 7 -
WHERE EVERY ONE OF US ENJOYS THE SAME
OPPORTUNITIES TO LIVE, TO WORK, AND TO CONTRIBUTE TO
SOCIETY. AND WHERE, FOR THE FIRST TIME, THE AMERICAN
MAINSTREAM INCLUDES ALL OF OUR DISABLED CITIZENS. * //
WHERE EVERYONE HAS A ROOF OVER HIS HEAD -- AND
WHERE THE HOMELESS GET THE HELP THEY NEED TO LIVE IN
DIGNITY. * //
WHERE OUR SCHOOLS CHALLENGE AND SUPPORT OUR KIDS
those schools are second to none.
AND OUR TEACHERS -- AND WHERE ALL OF THEM MAKE THE
GRADE. *
WHERE EVERY STREET, EVERY CITY, EVERY SCHOOL AND
EVERY CHILD IS DRUG-FREE. * //
THAT'S PART OF THE FUTURE WE WANT TO SEE -- THE
FUTURE WE CAN MAKE FOR OURSELVES. BUT DREAMS ALONE
WON'T GET US THERE. WE NEED TO EXTEND OUR HORIZON --
COMMIT TO THE LONG-VIEW. OUR [PLANS] FOR THE FUTURE
START TODAY. ///
- 8 -
YES -- WE ARE GOING TO INVEST IN AMERICA. THIS
ADMINISTRATION IS DETERMINED TO ENCOURAGE THE CREATION
OF CAPITAL - -- CAPITAL OF ALL KINDS. PHYSICAL CAPITAL:
EVERYTHING, FROM OUR FARMS AND FACTORIES TO OUR
WORKSHOPS AND PRODUCTION LINES, ALL THAT IS NEEDED TO
PRODUCE AND DELIVER QUALITY GOODS AND QUALITY SERVICES.
INTELLECTUAL CAPITAL: THE SOURCE OF IDEAS THAT SPARK
TOMORROW'S PRODUCTS. AND OF COURSE, OUR HUMAN CAPITAL:
THE TALENTED WORKFORCE WE'LL NEED TO COMPETE IN THE
GLOBAL MARKET.
AND LET ME TELL YOU: IF WE IGNORE HUMAN
CAPITAL - -- WE LOSE THE SPIRIT OF AMERICAN INGENUITY - --
THE SPIRIT THAT IS THE HALLMARK OF THE AMERICAN WORKER.
AND THE AMERICAN WORKER IS THE MOST PRODUCTIVE WORKER
IN THE WORLD. * //
WE NEED TO SAVE MORE -- EXPAND THE POOL OF CAPITAL
and
Grady
FOR THE NEW INVESTMENTS THAT MEAN MORE JOBS, MORE
GROWTH. THAT'S THE IDEA BEHIND A NEW INITIATIVE I CALL
THE FAMILY SAVINGS PLAN, WHICH I WILL SEND TO THE
CONGRESS TOMORROW. //
- 9 -
WE NEED TO CUT THE TAX ON CAPITAL GAINS --
ENCOURAGE RISK-TAKERS - -- ESPECIALLY THOSE IN OUR SMALL
BUSINESSES -- TO TAKE THOSE STEPS THAT TRANSLATE INTO
ECONOMIC REWARD, JOBS, AND A BETTER LIFE FOR ALL OF US.
* //
WE'LL DO WHAT IT TAKES TO INVEST IN AMERICA'S
Grody
FUTURE. THE BUDGET COMMITMENT IS THERE. THE MONEY IS
THERE. 11 IT'S THERE FOR RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT,
R&D
--
A RECORD HIGH. IT'S THERE FOR OUR HOUSING
INITIATIVE -- HOPE, TO HELP EVERYONE FROM FIRST-TIME
HOMEBUYERS TO THE HOMELESS. THE MONEY'S THERE TO KEEP
OUR KIDS DRUG-FREE: 70% MORE THAN WHEN I TOOK OFFICE
IN 1989. * IT'S THERE FOR SPACE EXPLORATION - -- AND
Both
IT'S THERE FOR EDUCATION: ANOTHER RECORD HIGH. * //
AND ONE MORE THING: LAST FALL AT THE EDUCATION
SUMMIT, THE GOVERNORS AND I AGREED TO LOOK FOR WAYS TO
HELP MAKE SURE KIDS ARE READY TO LEARN THE VERY FIRST
DAY THEY WALK INTO THAT CLASSROOM. I'VE MADE GOOD ON
THAT COMMITMENT - BY PROPOSING A RECORD INCREASE IN
FUNDS -- AN EXTRA HALF A BILLION DOLLARS -- FOR
SOMETHING NEAR AND DEAR TO ALL OF US: HEAD START. *
//
- 10 -
EDUCATION IS THE ONE INVESTMENT THAT MEANS MORE
FOR OUR FUTURE BECAUSE IT MEANS THE MOST FOR OUR
CHILDREN. REAL IMPROVEMENT IN OUR SCHOOLS IS NOT
SIMPLY A MATTER OF SPENDING MORE. IT IS A MATTER OF
ASKING MORE EXPECTING MORE: OF OUR SCHOOLS, OUR
TEACHERS, OF OUR KIDS, AND OUR PARENTS AND OURSELVES.
THAT'S WHY TONIGHT I AM ANNOUNCING AMERICA'S EDUCATION
GOALS -- GOALS DEVELOPED WITH THE NATION'S GOVERNORS:
BY THE YEAR 2000, EVERY CHILD MUST START SCHOOL
READY TO LEARN.
THE UNITED STATES MUST INCREASE THE HIGH SCHOOL
GRADUATION RATE TO NO LESS THAN 90%.
AND WE'RE GOING TO MAKE SURE OUR SCHOOLS' DIPLOMAS
MEAN SOMETHING: AT THE CRITICAL GRADES -- -- 4TH, 8TH AND
12TH -- WE MUST CHECK ALL OUR STUDENTS' PROGRESS.
BY THE YEAR 2000, U.S. STUDENTS MUST BE FIRST IN
THE WORLD IN MATH AND SCIENCE SKILLS.
EVERY AMERICAN ADULT MUST BE LITERATE. *
- 11 -
EVERY SCHOOL MUST OFFER THE KIND OF DISCIPLINED
ENVIRONMENT THAT MAKES IT POSSIBLE FOR OUR KIDS TO
GRADY
LEARN -- AND EVERY SCHOOL IN AMERICA MUST BE DRUG-FREE.
* //
68 HATES
RHETORLEAS QUESTIONS
AMBITIOUS AIMS? OF COURSE. EASY TO DO? FAR FROM
IT. BUT THE FUTURE'S AT STAKE. THIS NATION WILL NOT
ACCEPT ANYTHING LESS THAN EXCELLENCE IN EDUCATION. *
//
THESE INVESTMENTS WILL KEEP AMERICA COMPETITIVE.
AND I KNOW THIS ABOUT THE AMERICAN PEOPLE: WE WELCOME
COMPETITION. WE'LL MATCH OUR INGENUITY AND ENERGY --
OUR EXPERIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY - OUR SPIRIT AND
ENTERPRISE - AGAINST ANYONE. LET THE COMPETITION BE
TO
FREE -- BUT LET IT BE FAIR. AMERICA IS READY. * //
(1983)
SINCE WE REALLY MEAN IT -- AND SINCE WE ARE
7
SERIOUS ABOUT BEING READY TO MEET THAT CHALLENGE --
WE'RE GETTING OUR OWN HOUSE IN ORDER. // WE'VE MADE
REAL PROGRESS
5
YEARS AGO, THE FEDERAL DEFICIT WAS 6%
DATE
OF OUR GROSS NATIONAL PRODUCT.
THIS YEAR IN THE NEW
BUDGET I SENT UP TWO DAYS AGO -- -- THE DEFICIT IS DOWN TO
1% OF GNP.
- 12 -
THAT BUDGET BRINGS FEDERAL SPENDING UNDER CONTROL.
IT MEETS THE GRAMM-RUDMAN TARGET. BRINGS THAT DEFICIT
DOWN FURTHER. AND BALANCES THE BUDGET BY 1993 -- WITH
NO NEW TAXES. * //
AND ONCE THE BUDGET IS BALANCED, WE CAN OPERATE
THE WAY EVERY FAMILY MUST WHEN IT HAS BILLS TO PAY. WE
WON'T LEAVE IT TO OUR CHILDREN AND GRANDCHILDREN. WE
WILL START PAYING OFF THE NATIONAL DEBT. * //
AND THERE'S SOMETHING MORE WE OWE THE GENERATIONS
OF THE FUTURE: STEWARDSHIP -- THE SAFEKEEPING OF
AMERICA'S PRECIOUS ENVIRONMENTAL INHERITANCE. *
AS JUST ONE SIGN OF HOW SERIOUS WE ARE, WE WILL
ELEVATE THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY TO CABINET
RANK. NOT MORE BUREAUCRACY, NOT MORE RED TAPE -- BUT
THE CERTAINTY THAT HERE AT HOME, AND IN OUR DEALINGS
WITH OTHER NATIONS, ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES HAVE THE
STATUS THEY DESERVE. * //
AND GIVE IT THE TOOCS NECESSARY TO DO THE JOB.
GRADY
- 13 -
THIS YEAR'S BUDGET PROVIDES OVER $2 BILLION IN NEW GRADY
SPENDING TO PROTECT OUR ENVIRONMENT. OVER $1 BILLION
FOR GLOBAL CHANGE RESEARCH. AND A NEW INITIATIVE I
MONEY TO
CALL THE & AMERICA THE BEAUTIFUL FUND -- TO EXPAND OUR
CLEAN up
NATIONAL PARKS AND WILDLIFE PRESERVES AND IMPROVE
WASTE AT
RECREATIONAL FACILITIES ON PUBLIC LANDS.
FEDERAL
FACILITIES
AND SOMETHING ELSE: SOMETHING THAT WILL HELP KEEP
THIS COUNTRY CLEAN, FROM OUR FORESTLAND TO OUR INNER
CITIES, AND KEEP AMERICA BEAUTIFUL FOR GENERATIONS TO
COME -- THE MONEY TO PLANT A BILLION TREES A YEAR.
/////
AND TONIGHT, LET ME SAY AGAIN TO ALL THE MEMBERS
OF CONGRESS: THE AMERICAN PEOPLE DID NOT SEND US HERE
TO BICKER. THERE'S WORK TO DO -- AND THEY SENT US HERE
TO GET IT DONE. AND ONCE AGAIN, I OFFER MY HAND TO ALL
OF YOU. LET'S WORK TOGETHER TO DO THE WILL OF THE
AMERICAN PEOPLE. CLEAN AIR. CHILD CARE. CRIME AND
DRUGS. IT'S TIME TO ACT. III THE FARM BILL.
2
Grady
TRANSPORTATION POLICY PRODUCT LIABILITY. ENTERPRISE
ZONES. IT'S TIME TO ACT TOGETHER. ///
TRANS. It IT Poucy is THE AUIATION DATE HACE
is NOT
- 14 -
AND THERE'S ONE THING I HOPE WE'LL ALL BE ABLE TO
AGREE ON. IT'S ABOUT OUR COMMITMENTS. I'M TALKING
ABOUT SOCIAL SECURITY.
TO EVERY AMERICAN OUT THERE ON SOCIAL SECURITY, TO
EVERY AMERICAN SUPPORTING THAT SYSTEM TODAY, AND TO
EVERYONE COUNTING ON IT WHEN THEY RETIRE: WE MADE A
PROMISE TO YOU -- AND WE'RE GOING TO KEEP IT. * //
WE RESCUED THE SYSTEM IN 1983 -- AND IT'S SOUND
AGAIN. //
IT IS FULLY FUNDED IN OUR BUDGET -- AND
FULLY FUNDED FOR THE FUTURE
THE LAST THING WE NEED TO
DO IS TINKER WITH SOCIAL SECURITY. * ////
THERE'S ONE MORE PROBLEM WE NEED TO ADDRESS. WE
MUST GIVE CAREFUL CONSIDERATION TO THE RECOMMENDATIONS
OF THE HEALTH CARE STUDIES NOW UNDERWAY. THAT'S WHY
EXPENDANCE ARE
TONIGHT, I AM INSTRUCTING DR. LOUIS SULLIVAN --
you
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES -- TO LEAD A
"COOKING
FOR IT
DOMESTIC POLICY COUNCIL REVIEW OF RECOMMENDATIONS ON
GRADY
THE QUALITY, ACCESSIBILITY AND COST OF OUR NATION'S
HEALTH CARE SYSTEM. I AM COMMITTED TO BRING THE
STAGGERING COSTS OF HEALTH CARE UNDER CONTROL. 1111
fully funds today's benefits —
LL
OUR BUDGET PROUIDES for FULL PAYMENT
OF SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFITS - AND
ASSURES THE SECURITY OF FUTURE BENEFIS
that future berefits will be funded.
- 15 -
THE "STATE OF THE GOVERNMENT" DOES INDEED DEPEND
ON MANY OF US IN THIS VERY CHAMBER. BUT THE STATE OF
THE UNION DEPENDS ON ALL AMERICANS. WE MUST MAINTAIN
THE DEMOCRATIC DECENCY THAT MAKES A NATION OUT OF
MILLIONS OF INDIVIDUALS. I HAVE BEEN APPALLED AT THE
RECENT LETTER BOMBINGS ACROSS THIS COUNTRY. EVERY ONE
OF US MUST CONFRONT AND CONDEMN RACISM. ANTI-SEMITISM.
BIGOTRY AND HATE. /// NOT NEXT WEEK, NOT TOMORROW,
GRADY
BUT RIGHT NOW. * LET THE WORD 60 OUT: RACISM
HAS NO PLACE IN THIS UNION
*
THE STATE OF THE UNION DEPENDS ON WHETHER WE HELP
OUR NEIGHBORS-- CLAIM THE PROBLEMS OF OUR COMMUNITY AS
OUR OWN. WE'VE GOT TO STEP FORWARD WHEN THERE'S
TROUBLE LEND A HAND, BE WHAT I CALL A POINT OF LIGHT
TO A STRANGER IN NEED. /// WE'VE GOT TO TAKE THE TIME
AFTER A BUSY DAY TO SIT DOWN AND READ WITH OUR KIDS.
HELP THEM WITH THEIR HOMEWORK. PASS ALONG THE VALUES
WE LEARNED AS CHILDREN. THAT'S HOW WE SUSTAIN THE
STATE OF THE UNION. //
EVERY EFFORT IS IMPORTANT. IT ALL ADDS UP -- IT'S
DOING THE THINGS THAT GIVE DEMOCRACY MEANING. IT ALL
ADDS UP TO WHO WE ARE -- AND WHO WE WILL BE. ///
- 16 -
AND LET ME SAY, THAT so LONG AS WE REMEMBER THE
AMERICAN IDEA -- SO LONG AS WE LIVE UP TO THE AMERICAN
IDEAL -- THE STATE OF THE UNION WILL REMAIN SOUND AND
STRONG.
AND TO THOSE WHO WORRY WE HAVE LOST OUR WAY --
WELL, I WANT YOU TO LISTEN TO A LETTER WRITTEN BY JAMES
MARKWELL -- PFC JAMES MARKWELL, A 20-YEAR OLD ARMY
MEDIC. IT'S DATED DECEMBER 18TH -- THE NIGHT BEFORE
OUR ARMED FORCES WENT INTO ACTION IN PANAMA. IT'S A
LETTER SERVICEMEN WRITE -- AND HOPE WILL NEVER BE SENT.
SADLY, PRIVATE MARKWELL'S MOTHER DID RECEIVE THIS
LETTER. AND SHE PASSED IT ON TO ME.
HE WROTE: "I HAVE NEVER BEEN AFRAID OF DEATH, BUT
I KNOW NOW HE IS WAITING AT THE CORNER I HAVE BEEN
TRAINED TO KILL AND TO SAVE, so HAS EVERYONE ELSE. I
AM FRIGHTENED OF WHAT LAYS BEYOND THE FOG, YET
I
MUST GO THROUGH THE FOG -- WHETHER THE OTHER SIDE IS A
PLANE RIDE HOME FOR CHRISTMAS, OR THE FOG NEVER ENDS.
DO NOT MOURN FOR ME. REVEL IN THE LIFE THAT I HAVE
DIED TO GIVE YOU.
...AND MOST OF ALL, DON'T FORGET
THAT THE ARMY WAS MY CHOICE. SOMETHING THAT I WANTED
TO DO." //
- 17 -
PRIVATE MARKWELL WAS AMONG THE FIRST TO SEE BATTLE
IN PANAMA, AND ONE OF THE FIRST TO FALL. 111
HE KNEW WHAT HE BELIEVED IN. 11 HE CARRIED THE
IDEA WE CALL AMERICA IN HIS HEART. IIII
I BEGAN TONIGHT SPEAKING ABOUT THE CHANGES WE'VE
SEEN THIS PAST YEAR. THERE IS A NEW WORLD OF
CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES BEFORE US. AND THERE IS A
NEED FOR LEADERSHIP THAT ONLY AMERICA CAN PROVIDE.
NEARLY FORTY YEARS AGO, IN HIS LAST ADDRESS TO THE
CONGRESS, PRESIDENT HARRY TRUMAN PREDICTED SUCH A TIME
WOULD COME. HE SAID: "AS OUR WORLD GROWS STRONGER,
MORE UNITED, MORE ATTRACTIVE TO MEN ON BOTH SIDES OF
THE IRON CURTAIN, THEN INEVITABLY THERE WILL COME A
TIME OF CHANGE WITHIN THE COMMUNIST WORLD."
TODAY, THAT CHANGE IS TAKING PLACE. 11
- 18 -
FOR MORE THAN FORTY YEARS, AMERICA AND ITS ALLIES
HELD COMMUNISM IN CHECK, AND ENSURED THAT DEMOCRACY
WOULD CONTINUE TO EXIST. TODAY, WITH COMMUNISM
CRUMBLING, OUR AIM MUST BE TO ENSURE DEMOCRACY'S
ADVANCE. TO TAKE THE LEAD IN FORGING PEACE AND
FREEDOM'S BEST HOPE -- A GREAT AND GROWING COMMONWEALTH
OF FREE NATIONS. ///
TO THE CONGRESS AND TO ALL AMERICANS, I SAY IT IS
TIME TO ACCLAIM A NEW CONSENSUS AT HOME AND ABROAD -- A
COMMON VISION OF THE PEACEFUL WORLD WE WANT TO SEE.
IT'S TIME TO RECONCILE A NEW RELATIONSHIP WITH THE
SOVIET UNION -- TO ENDORSE AND ENCOURAGE A PEACEFUL
PROCESS OF INTERNAL CHANGE TOWARD DEMOCRACY AND
ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY. //
IT IS TIME TO OFFER OUR HAND TO THE EMERGING
DEMOCRACIES OF EASTERN EUROPE. so THAT CONTINENT --
FOR TOO LONG A CONTINENT DIVIDED -- CAN SEE A FUTURE
WHOLE AND FREE. 11
- 19 -
IN THE FAR EAST, IT IS TIME FOR THE FULL FLOWERING
OF FREE GOVERNMENTS AND FREE MARKETS THAT HAVE SERVED
AS THE ENGINE OF PROGRESS. // THE KEY TO DEMOCRACY IN
THE FAR EAST TODAY IS TO KEEP THE DOOR OPEN -- TO
REKINDLE THE FLAME OF FREEDOM. /////
AND FINALLY, I WILL NOT NEGLECT THE DEMOCRACIES OF
THIS HEMISPHERE. THE TIME IS RIGHT FOR ALL THE PEOPLE
OF THE AMERICAS, NORTH AND SOUTH, TO LIVE IN FREEDOM.
STILL, WE MUST RECOGNIZE AN UNFORTUNATE FACT: IN
MANY REGIONS OF THE WORLD TONIGHT, THE REALITY IS
CONFLICT -- NOT PEACE. ENDURING ANIMOSITIES, OPPOSING
INTERESTS REMAIN. THUS THE CAUSE OF PEACE MUST BE
SERVED BY AN AMERICA STRONG ENOUGH -- AND SURE
ENOUGH -- TO DEFEND OUR INTERESTS AND IDEALS.
/////
[[DEFENSE LINE]]
- 20 -
HERE AT HOME -- AND IN THE WORLD -- THERE IS
HISTORY IN THE MAKING -- AND HISTORY TO BE MADE. SIX
MONTHS AGO, EARLY IN THIS SEASON OF CHANGE, I STOOD AT
THE GATES OF THE GDANSK SHIPYARD IN POLAND AT THE
MONUMENT TO THE FALLEN WORKERS OF SOLIDARITY. IT'S A
MONUMENT OF SIMPLE MAJESTY. THREE TALL CROSSES RISE UP
FROM THE STONES. ATOP EACH CROSS, AN ANCHOR -- AN
ANCIENT SYMBOL OF HOPE.
THE ANCHOR IN OUR WORLD TODAY IS FREEDOM. HOLDING
US STEADY IN TIMES OF CHANGE -- A SYMBOL OF HOPE TO ALL
THE WORLD. AND FREEDOM IS AT THE VERY HEART OF THE
IDEA THAT IS AMERICA. ///
GIVING LIFE TO THAT IDEA DEPENDS ON EVERY ONE OF
US. OUR ANCHOR HAS ALWAYS BEEN FAITH AND FAMILY. AND
YOU KNOW, IN THE LAST FEW DAYS OF THIS PAST MOMENTOUS
YEAR, OUR FAMILY WAS BLESSED ONCE MORE -- CELEBRATING
THE JOY OF LIFE WHEN A LITTLE BOY BECAME OUR NEWEST
GRANDCHILD -- OUR TWELFTH. CHARLES WALKER BUSH. 11
AS IN EVERY FAMILY, THOSE 12 ARE THEIR GRANDPARENTS'
PRIDE AND JOY. 11
- 21 -
NOW, I KNOW YOU'RE THINKING: THAT'S A GRANDFATHER
TALKING. //
WELL, I'VE MET A LOT OF CHILDREN THIS PAST YEAR --
ACROSS THIS COUNTRY, AND EVERYWHERE FROM THE FAR EAST
TO EASTERN EUROPE. ALL KIDS ARE UNIQUE. ALL KIDS ARE
ALIKE. THE BUDDING YOUNG ENVIRONMENTALISTS I MET THIS
MONTH, WHO JOINED ME EXPLORING THE FLORIDA EVERGLADES.
THE LITTLE LEAGUERS I PLAYED CATCH WITH IN POLAND --
READY TO GO FROM WARSAW TO THE WORLD SERIES. EVEN THE
KIDS WHO ARE ILL OR ALONE -- GOD BLESS THOSE BOARDER
BABIES, BORN ADDICTED TO DRUGS -- COPING WITH PROBLEMS
NO CHILD SHOULD HAVE TO FACE. BUT, YOU KNOW, WHEN IT
COMES TO HOPE AND THE FUTURE: EVERY KID IS THE SAME.
FULL OF DREAMS. READY TO TAKE ON THE WORLD. ALL
SPECIAL: BECAUSE THEY ARE THE VERY FUTURE OF FREEDOM.
TO THEM BELONGS THIS NEW WORLD I'VE BEEN SPEAKING e
ABOUT. -e
LET US DEDICATE THIS NEW WORLD
GAMDY
RS THEM : THE CHILDREN OF THE WORLD
*
- 22 -
so TONIGHT I'M GOING TO ASK SOMETHING OF EVERY ONE
OF YOU. LET ME START WITH MY GENERATION -- WITH THE
GRANDPARENTS OUT THERE. YOU ARE OUR LIVING LINK TO THE
PAST. TELL YOUR GRANDCHILDREN THE STORY OF STRUGGLES
WAGED, AT HOME AND ABROAD. OF SACRIFICES FREELY MADE
FOR FREEDOM'S SAKE. AND TELL THEM YOUR OWN STORY AS
WELL -- BECAUSE EVERY AMERICAN HAS A STORY TO TELL.
PARENTS: YOUR CHILDREN LOOK TO YOU FOR DIRECTION
AND GUIDANCE. TELL THEM OF FAITH AND FAMILY. TELL
THEM WE ARE ONE NATION UNDER GOD. TEACH THEM THAT OF
ALL THE MANY GIFTS THEY CAN RECEIVE, LIBERTY IS THEIR
MOST PRECIOUS LEGACY. AND OF ALL THE GIFTS THEY CAN
GIVE, THE GREATEST IS SERVING OTHERS.
AND OF COURSE, LET ME SAY TO THE CHILDREN AND
YOUNG PEOPLE OUT THERE TONIGHT: WITH YOU RESTS OUR
HOPE -- ALL THAT AMERICA WILL MEAN IN THE YEARS AND
DECADES AHEAD. FIX YOUR VISION ON A NEW CENTURY --
YOUR CENTURY.
ON DREAMS WE CANNOT SEE. ON THE DESTINY
THAT IS YOURS -- AND YOURS ALONE.
GLADY
D
OR
DARE TO DREAM GREATLY. AND
60 AFTER THAT DREAM WITH
ALL YOUR HEART. *
- 23 -
AND FINALLY, LET ALL AMERICANS -- ALL OF US
TOGETHER HERE IN THIS CHAMBER, THE SYMBOLIC CENTER OF
DEMOCRACY - AFFIRM OUR ALLEGIANCE TO THIS IDEA WE CALL
AMERICA. AND LET US ALL REMEMBER THAT THE STATE OF THE
UNION DEPENDS ON EACH AND EVERY ONE OF US.
GOD BLESS ALL OF YOU. AND MAY GOD BLESS THIS
GREAT NATION, THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.
# # #
STATE OF THE UNION ADDRESS
THE CAPITOL
JANUARY 31, 1990
9:00 P.M.
MR. PRESIDENT, MR. SPEAKER, MEMBERS OF THE UNITED
STATES CONGRESS: I RETURN AS A FORMER PRESIDENT OF THE
SENATE, AND PROUD MEMBER OF THIS GREAT HOUSE. * //
NOW, AS PRESIDENT, IT IS MY PRIVILEGE TO REPORT TO YOU
ON THE STATE OF THE UNION. *
TONIGHT, I COME NOT TO SPEAK ABOUT THE "STATE OF
THE GOVERNMENT" -- NOT TO DETAIL EVERY NEW INITIATIVE
WE PLAN FOR THE COMING YEAR, NOR TO DESCRIBE EVERY LINE
ITEM IN THE BUDGET. I'M HERE TO SPEAK TO YOU AND TO
THE AMERICAN PEOPLE ABOUT THE STATE OF THE UNION --
ABOUT OUR WORLD -- THE CHANGES WE'VE SEEN, THE
CHALLENGES WE FACE. AND WHAT THAT MEANS FOR AMERICA.
///
90 JAN 30 30 P2: 10
- 2 -
THERE ARE SINGULAR MOMENTS IN HISTORY: DATES THAT
DIVIDE ALL THAT GOES BEFORE FROM ALL THAT COMES AFTER.
MANY OF US IN THIS CHAMBER HAVE LIVED MUCH OF OUR LIVES
IN A WORLD WHOSE FUNDAMENTAL FEATURES WERE DEFINED IN
1945. THE EVENTS OF THAT YEAR DECREED THE SHAPE OF
NATIONS. THE PACE OF PROGRESS. FREEDOM OR OPPRESSION
FOR MILLIONS OF PEOPLE AROUND THE WORLD.
1945 PROVIDED THE COMMON FRAME OF REFERENCE -- THE
COMPASS POINTS OF THE POST-WAR ERA WE'VE RELIED UPON TO
UNDERSTAND OURSELVES. THAT WAS OUR WORLD. /// UNTIL
NOW. /// THE EVENTS OF THE YEAR JUST ENDED -- THE
REVOLUTION OF '89 -- HAVE BEEN A CHAIN REACTION OF
CHANGE SO STRIKING THAT IT MARKS THE BEGINNING OF A NEW
ERA IN THE WORLD'S AFFAIRS.
THINK BACK -- JUST TWELVE SHORT MONTHS AGO -- TO
THE WORLD WE KNEW -- AS 1989 BEGAN.
ONE YEAR AGO, THE PEOPLE OF PANAMA LIVED IN FEAR,
UNDER THE THUMB OF A DICTATOR. TODAY, DEMOCRACY IS
RESTORED -- PANAMA // IS FREE. * //
- 3 -
AND TONIGHT I'M PROUD TO ANNOUNCE THE FORMAL
TERMINATION OF OPERATION "JUST CAUSE." [[TONIGHT,
TROOP LEVELS IN PANAMA ARE JUST 1000 ABOVE WHERE THEY
STOOD BEFORE OUR OPERATION BEGAN.]] BY THE LAST DAY OF
FEBRUARY, OUR PERSONNEL WILL BE AT THE SAME LEVELS AS
BEFORE THE OPERATION - -- ALL OF THE ADDITIONAL AMERICAN
TROOPS WHO MADE THIS MISSION A SUCCESS WILL BE BACK
HOME. * ///
A YEAR AGO IN POLAND, LECH WALESA DECLARED THAT HE
WAS READY TO OPEN A DIALOGUE WITH THE COMMUNIST RULERS
:
OF THAT COUNTRY. TODAY, WITH THE FUTURE OF A FREE
POLAND IN THEIR OWN HANDS, MEMBERS OF SOLIDARITY LEAD
THE POLISH GOVERNMENT. * //
A YEAR AGO, FREEDOM'S PLAYWRIGHT, VACLAV HAVEL
[VAHTS-LAHV HA-VEL], LANGUISHED AS A PRISONER IN
PRAGUE. TODAY, IT'S VACLAV HAVEL -- PRESIDENT OF
CZECHOSLOVAKIA. * //
- 4 -
AND ONE YEAR AGO, ERICH HONECKER OF EAST GERMANY
CLAIMED HISTORY AS HIS GUIDE. HE PREDICTED THE BERLIN
WALL WOULD LAST ANOTHER HUNDRED YEARS. TODAY -- LESS
THAN ONE YEAR LATER -- IT'S THE WALL THAT'S HISTORY. *
///
[[TALK ABOUT BEING WRONG....]] ///
REMARKABLE EVENTS -- EVENTS THAT FULFILL THE LONG-
HELD HOPES OF THE AMERICAN PEOPLE... EVENTS THAT
VALIDATE THE LONG-STANDING GOALS OF AMERICAN POLICY --
A POLICY BASED ON A SINGLE, SHINING PRINCIPLE: THE
CAUSE OF FREEDOM. *
AMERICA -- NOT JUST THE NATION -- BUT AN IDEA, //
ALIVE IN THE MINDS OF PEOPLE EVERYWHERE. AS THIS NEW
WORLD TAKES SHAPE, AMERICA STANDS AT THE CENTER OF A
WIDENING CIRCLE OF FREEDOM -- TODAY, TOMORROW AND INTO
THE NEXT CENTURY. * //
- 5 -
OUR NATION IS THE ENDURING DREAM OF EVERY
IMMIGRANT WHO EVER SET FOOT ON THESE SHORES -- AND THE
MILLIONS STILL STRUGGLING TO BE FREE. THIS NATION --
THIS IDEA CALLED AMERICA -- WAS AND ALWAYS WILL BE -- A
NEW WORLD. OUR NEW WORLD. ///
AT A WORKERS' RALLY -- IN A PLACE CALLED
BRANIK [BRAH-NEEK] ON THE OUTSKIRTS OF PRAGUE -- THE
IDEA CALLED AMERICA IS ALIVE. A WORKER, DRESSED IN
GRIMY OVERALLS, RISES TO SPEAK AT THE FACTORY GATES.
HE BEGINS HIS SPEECH TO HIS FELLOW CITIZENS WITH THESE
WORDS -- WORDS OF A DISTANT REVOLUTION:
"WE HOLD THESE TRUTHS TO BE SELF-EVIDENT. THAT
ALL MEN ARE CREATED EQUAL, THAT THEY ARE ENDOWED BY
THEIR CREATOR WITH CERTAIN UNALIENABLE RIGHTS, [AND]
THAT AMONG THESE ARE LIFE, LIBERTY AND THE PURSUIT OF
HAPPINESS." /////
- 6 -
IT'S NO SECRET THAT, HERE AT HOME, FREEDOM'S DOOR
OPENED LONG AGO. THE CORNERSTONES OF THIS FREE SOCIETY
HAVE ALREADY BEEN SET IN PLACE: DEMOCRACY.
COMPETITION. OPPORTUNITY. PRIVATE INVESTMENT.
STEWARDSHIP. AND OF COURSE, LEADERSHIP.
OUR CHALLENGE TODAY IS TO TAKE THIS DEMOCRATIC
SYSTEM OF OURS -- A SYSTEM SECOND TO NONE -- AND MAKE
IT BETTER. * ///
A BETTER AMERICA, WHERE
THERE'S A JOB FOR EVERYONE WHO WANTS ONE.
*
WHERE WOMEN WHO WORK OUTSIDE THE HOME CAN BE
CONFIDENT THEIR CHILDREN ARE IN SAFE AND LOVING CARE --
AND WHERE GOVERNMENT WORKS TO EXPAND CHILD CARE
ALTERNATIVES FOR PARENTS. *
WHERE WE AREN'T FORCED TO MAKE AN "EITHER-OR"
DECISION BETWEEN A CLEAN ENVIRONMENT AND AMERICAN JOBS.
*
- 7 -
WHERE EVERY ONE OF US ENJOYS THE SAME
OPPORTUNITIES TO LIVE, TO WORK, AND TO CONTRIBUTE TO
SOCIETY. AND WHERE, FOR THE FIRST TIME, THE AMERICAN
MAINSTREAM INCLUDES ALL OF OUR DISABLED CITIZENS. * //
WHERE EVERYONE HAS A ROOF OVER HIS HEAD -- AND
WHERE THE HOMELESS GET THE HELP THEY NEED TO LIVE IN
DIGNITY. * //
WHERE OUR SCHOOLS CHALLENGE AND SUPPORT OUR KIDS
AND OUR TEACHERS -- AND WHERE ALL OF THEM MAKE THE
GRADE. *
WHERE EVERY STREET, EVERY CITY, EVERY SCHOOL AND
EVERY CHILD IS DRUG-FREE. * //
THAT'S PART OF THE FUTURE WE WANT TO SEE -- THE
FUTURE WE CAN MAKE FOR OURSELVES. BUT DREAMS ALONE
WON'T GET US THERE. WE NEED TO EXTEND OUR HORIZON --
COMMIT TO THE LONG-VIEW. OUR [PLANS] FOR THE FUTURE
START TODAY. ///
- 8 -
YES -- WE ARE GOING TO INVEST IN AMERICA. THIS
ADMINISTRATION IS DETERMINED TO ENCOURAGE THE CREATION
OF CAPITAL -- CAPITAL OF ALL KINDS. PHYSICAL CAPITAL:
EVERYTHING, FROM OUR FARMS AND FACTORIES TO OUR
WORKSHOPS AND PRODUCTION LINES, ALL THAT IS NEEDED TO
PRODUCE AND DELIVER QUALITY GOODS AND QUALITY SERVICES.
INTELLECTUAL CAPITAL: THE SOURCE OF IDEAS THAT SPARK
TOMORROW'S PRODUCTS. AND OF COURSE, OUR HUMAN CAPITAL:
THE TALENTED WORKFORCE WE'LL NEED TO COMPETE IN THE
GLOBAL MARKET.
AND LET ME TELL YOU: IF WE IGNORE HUMAN
CAPITAL -- WE LOSE THE SPIRIT OF AMERICAN INGENUITY --
THE SPIRIT THAT IS THE HALLMARK OF THE AMERICAN WORKER.
AND THE AMERICAN WORKER IS THE MOST PRODUCTIVE WORKER
IN THE WORLD. * //
WE NEED TO SAVE MORE -- EXPAND THE POOL OF CAPITAL
FOR THE NEW INVESTMENTS THAT MEAN MORE JOBS, MORE
GROWTH. THAT'S THE IDEA BEHIND A NEW INITIATIVE I CALL
THE FAMILY SAVINGS PLAN, WHICH I WILL SEND TO THE
CONGRESS TOMORROW. //
- 9 -
WE NEED TO CUT THE TAX ON CAPITAL GAINS --
ENCOURAGE RISK-TAKERS -- ESPECIALLY THOSE IN OUR SMALL
BUSINESSES -- TO TAKE THOSE STEPS THAT TRANSLATE INTO
ECONOMIC REWARD, JOBS, AND A BETTER LIFE FOR ALL OF US.
* //
WE'LL DO WHAT IT TAKES TO INVEST IN AMERICA'S
FUTURE. THE BUDGET COMMITMENT IS THERE. THE MONEY IS
THERE. // IT'S THERE FOR RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT,
R&D -- A RECORD HIGH. IT'S THERE FOR OUR HOUSING
INITIATIVE -- HOPE, TO HELP EVERYONE FROM FIRST-TIME
HOMEBUYERS TO THE HOMELESS. THE MONEY'S THERE TO KEEP
OUR KIDS DRUG-FREE: 70% MORE THAN WHEN I TOOK OFFICE
IN 1989. * IT'S THERE FOR SPACE EXPLORATION -- AND
IT'S THERE FOR EDUCATION: ANOTHER RECORD HIGH. * //
AND ONE MORE THING: LAST FALL AT THE EDUCATION
SUMMIT, THE GOVERNORS AND I AGREED TO LOOK FOR WAYS TO
HELP MAKE SURE KIDS ARE READY TO LEARN THE VERY FIRST
DAY THEY WALK INTO THAT CLASSROOM. I'VE MADE GOOD ON
THAT COMMITMENT -- BY PROPOSING A RECORD INCREASE IN
FUNDS -- AN EXTRA HALF A BILLION DOLLARS -- FOR
SOMETHING NEAR AND DEAR TO ALL OF US: HEAD START. *
//
- 10 -
EDUCATION IS THE ONE INVESTMENT THAT MEANS MORE
FOR OUR FUTURE BECAUSE IT MEANS THE MOST FOR OUR
CHILDREN. REAL IMPROVEMENT IN OUR SCHOOLS IS NOT
SIMPLY A MATTER OF SPENDING MORE. IT IS A MATTER OF
ASKING MORE -- EXPECTING MORE: OF OUR SCHOOLS, OUR
TEACHERS, OF OUR KIDS, AND OUR PARENTS AND OURSELVES.
THAT'S WHY TONIGHT I AM ANNOUNCING AMERICA'S EDUCATION
GOALS -- GOALS DEVELOPED WITH THE NATION'S GOVERNORS:
BY THE YEAR 2000, EVERY CHILD MUST START SCHOOL
READY TO LEARN.
THE UNITED STATES MUST INCREASE THE HIGH SCHOOL
GRADUATION RATE TO NO LESS THAN 90%.
AND WE'RE GOING TO MAKE SURE OUR SCHOOLS' DIPLOMAS
MEAN SOMETHING: AT THE CRITICAL GRADES -- 4TH, 8TH AND
12TH -- WE MUST CHECK ALL OUR STUDENTS' PROGRESS.
BY THE YEAR 2000, U.S. STUDENTS MUST BE FIRST IN
THE WORLD IN MATH AND SCIENCE SKILLS.
EVERY AMERICAN ADULT MUST BE LITERATE.
- 11 -
EVERY SCHOOL MUST OFFER THE KIND OF DISCIPLINED
ENVIRONMENT THAT MAKES IT POSSIBLE FOR OUR KIDS TO
LEARN -- AND EVERY SCHOOL IN AMERICA MUST BE DRUG-FREE.
* //
AMBITIOUS AIMS? OF COURSE. EASY TO DO? FAR FROM
IT. BUT THE FUTURE'S AT STAKE. THIS NATION WILL NOT
ACCEPT ANYTHING LESS THAN EXCELLENCE IN EDUCATION. *
//
THESE INVESTMENTS WILL KEEP AMERICA COMPETITIVE.
AND I KNOW THIS ABOUT THE AMERICAN PEOPLE: WE WELCOME
COMPETITION. WE'LL MATCH OUR INGENUITY AND ENERGY --
OUR EXPERIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY -- OUR SPIRIT AND
ENTERPRISE -- AGAINST ANYONE. LET THE COMPETITION BE
FREE -- BUT LET IT BE FAIR. AMERICA IS READY. * //
SINCE WE REALLY MEAN IT -- AND SINCE WE ARE
SERIOUS ABOUT BEING READY TO MEET THAT CHALLENGE --
WE'RE GETTING OUR OWN HOUSE IN ORDER. // WE'VE MADE
REAL PROGRESS. 5 YEARS AGO, THE FEDERAL DEFICIT WAS 6%
OF OUR GROSS NATIONAL PRODUCT. THIS YEAR -- IN THE
BUDGET I SENT UP TWO DAYS AGO -- THE DEFICIT IS DOWN TO
1% OF GNP.
- 12 -
THAT BUDGET BRINGS FEDERAL SPENDING UNDER CONTROL.
IT MEETS THE GRAMM-RUDMAN TARGET. BRINGS THAT DEFICIT
DOWN FURTHER. AND BALANCES THE BUDGET BY 1993 -- WITH
NO NEW TAXES. * //
AND ONCE THE BUDGET IS BALANCED, WE CAN OPERATE
THE WAY EVERY FAMILY MUST WHEN IT HAS BILLS TO PAY. WE
WON'T LEAVE IT TO OUR CHILDREN AND GRANDCHILDREN. WE
WILL START PAYING OFF THE NATIONAL DEBT. * //
AND THERE'S SOMETHING MORE WE OWE THE GENERATIONS
OF THE FUTURE: STEWARDSHIP -- THE SAFEKEEPING OF
AMERICA'S PRECIOUS ENVIRONMENTAL INHERITANCE. *
AS JUST ONE SIGN OF HOW SERIOUS WE ARE, WE WILL
ELEVATE THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY TO CABINET
RANK. NOT MORE BUREAUCRACY, NOT MORE RED TAPE -- BUT
THE CERTAINTY THAT HERE AT HOME, AND IN OUR DEALINGS
WITH OTHER NATIONS, ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES HAVE THE
STATUS THEY DESERVE. * //
- 13 -
THIS YEAR'S BUDGET PROVIDES OVER $2 BILLION IN NEW
SPENDING TO PROTECT OUR ENVIRONMENT. OVER $1 BILLION
FOR GLOBAL CHANGE RESEARCH. AND A NEW INITIATIVE I
CALL THE AMERICA THE BEAUTIFUL FUND -- TO EXPAND OUR
NATIONAL PARKS AND WILDLIFE PRESERVES AND IMPROVE
RECREATIONAL FACILITIES ON PUBLIC LANDS.
AND SOMETHING ELSE: SOMETHING THAT WILL HELP KEEP
THIS COUNTRY CLEAN, FROM OUR FORESTLAND TO OUR INNER
CITIES, AND KEEP AMERICA BEAUTIFUL FOR GENERATIONS TO
COME -- THE MONEY TO PLANT A BILLION TREES A YEAR. *
/////
AND TONIGHT, LET ME SAY AGAIN TO ALL THE MEMBERS
OF CONGRESS: THE AMERICAN PEOPLE DID NOT SEND US HERE
TO BICKER. THERE'S WORK TO DO -- AND THEY SENT US HERE
TO GET IT DONE. AND ONCE AGAIN, I OFFER MY HAND TO ALL
OF YOU. LET'S WORK TOGETHER TO DO THE WILL OF THE
AMERICAN PEOPLE. CLEAN AIR. CHILD CARE. CRIME AND
DRUGS. IT'S TIME TO ACT. /// THE FARM BILL.
TRANSPORTATION POLICY. PRODUCT LIABILITY. ENTERPRISE
ZONES. IT'S TIME TO ACT TOGETHER. ///
- 14 -
AND THERE'S ONE THING I HOPE WE'LL ALL BE ABLE TO
AGREE ON. IT'S ABOUT OUR COMMITMENTS. I'M TALKING
ABOUT SOCIAL SECURITY.
TO EVERY AMERICAN OUT THERE ON SOCIAL SECURITY, TO
EVERY AMERICAN SUPPORTING THAT SYSTEM TODAY, AND TO
EVERYONE COUNTING ON IT WHEN THEY RETIRE: WE MADE A
PROMISE TO YOU -- AND WE'RE GOING TO KEEP IT. * //
WE RESCUED THE SYSTEM IN 1983 -- AND IT'S SOUND
AGAIN. // IT IS FULLY FUNDED IN OUR BUDGET -- AND
FULLY FUNDED FOR THE FUTURE. THE LAST THING WE NEED TO
DO IS TINKER WITH SOCIAL SECURITY. * 1111
THERE'S ONE MORE PROBLEM WE NEED TO ADDRESS. WE
MUST GIVE CAREFUL CONSIDERATION TO THE RECOMMENDATIONS
OF THE HEALTH CARE STUDIES NOW UNDERWAY. THAT'S WHY
TONIGHT, I AM INSTRUCTING DR. LOUIS SULLIVAN --
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES -- TO LEAD A
DOMESTIC POLICY COUNCIL REVIEW OF RECOMMENDATIONS ON
THE QUALITY, ACCESSIBILITY AND COST OF OUR NATION'S
HEALTH CARE SYSTEM. I AM COMMITTED TO BRING THE
STAGGERING COSTS OF HEALTH CARE UNDER CONTROL. ////
- 15 -
THE "STATE OF THE GOVERNMENT" DOES INDEED DEPEND
ON MANY OF US IN THIS VERY CHAMBER. BUT THE STATE OF
THE UNION DEPENDS ON ALL AMERICANS. WE MUST MAINTAIN
THE DEMOCRATIC DECENCY THAT MAKES A NATION OUT OF
MILLIONS OF INDIVIDUALS. I HAVE BEEN APPALLED AT THE
RECENT LETTER BOMBINGS ACROSS THIS COUNTRY. EVERY ONE
OF US MUST CONFRONT AND CONDEMN RACISM. ANTI-SEMITISM.
BIGOTRY AND HATE. /// NOT NEXT WEEK, NOT TOMORROW,
BUT RIGHT NOW. *
THE STATE OF THE UNION DEPENDS ON WHETHER WE HELP
OUR NEIGHBOR -- CLAIM THE PROBLEMS OF OUR COMMUNITY AS
OUR OWN. WE'VE GOT TO STEP FORWARD WHEN THERE'S
TROUBLE -- LEND A HAND, BE WHAT I CALL A POINT OF LIGHT
TO A STRANGER IN NEED. /// WE'VE GOT TO TAKE THE TIME
AFTER A BUSY DAY TO SIT DOWN AND READ WITH OUR KIDS.
HELP THEM WITH THEIR HOMEWORK. PASS ALONG THE VALUES
WE LEARNED AS CHILDREN. THAT'S HOW WE SUSTAIN THE
STATE OF THE UNION. //
EVERY EFFORT IS IMPORTANT. IT ALL ADDS UP -- IT'S
DOING THE THINGS THAT GIVE DEMOCRACY MEANING. IT ALL
ADDS UP TO WHO WE ARE -- AND WHO WE WILL BE. ///
- 16 -
AND LET ME SAY, THAT SO LONG AS WE REMEMBER THE
AMERICAN IDEA SO LONG AS WE LIVE UP TO THE AMERICAN
IDEAL -- THE STATE OF THE UNION WILL REMAIN SOUND AND
STRONG.
AND TO THOSE WHO WORRY WE HAVE LOST OUR WAY --
WELL, I WANT YOU TO LISTEN TO A LETTER WRITTEN BY JAMES
MARKWELL -- PFC JAMES MARKWELL, A 20-YEAR OLD ARMY
MEDIC. IT'S DATED DECEMBER 18TH -- THE NIGHT BEFORE
OUR ARMED FORCES WENT INTO ACTION IN PANAMA. IT'S A
LETTER SERVICEMEN WRITE -- AND HOPE WILL NEVER BE SENT.
SADLY, PRIVATE MARKWELL'S MOTHER DID RECEIVE THIS
LETTER. AND SHE PASSED IT ON TO ME.
HE WROTE: "I HAVE NEVER BEEN AFRAID OF DEATH, BUT
I KNOW NOW HE IS WAITING AT THE CORNER
I HAVE BEEN
TRAINED TO KILL AND TO SAVE, SO HAS EVERYONE ELSE. I
AM FRIGHTENED OF WHAT LAYS BEYOND THE FOG, YET
I
MUST GO THROUGH THE FOG -- WHETHER THE OTHER SIDE IS A
PLANE RIDE HOME FOR CHRISTMAS, OR THE FOG NEVER ENDS.
DO NOT MOURN FOR ME. REVEL IN THE LIFE THAT I HAVE
DIED TO GIVE YOU.
...AND MOST OF ALL, DON'T FORGET
THAT THE ARMY WAS MY CHOICE. SOMETHING THAT I WANTED
TO DO." //
- 17 -
PRIVATE MARKWELL WAS AMONG THE FIRST TO SEE BATTLE
IN PANAMA, AND ONE OF THE FIRST TO FALL. ///
HE KNEW WHAT HE BELIEVED IN. // HE CARRIED THE
IDEA WE CALL AMERICA IN HIS HEART. ////
I BEGAN TONIGHT SPEAKING ABOUT THE CHANGES WE'VE
SEEN THIS PAST YEAR. THERE IS A NEW WORLD OF
CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES BEFORE US. AND THERE IS A
NEED FOR LEADERSHIP THAT ONLY AMERICA CAN PROVIDE.
NEARLY FORTY YEARS AGO, IN HIS LAST ADDRESS TO THE
CONGRESS, PRESIDENT HARRY TRUMAN PREDICTED SUCH A TIME
WOULD COME. HE SAID: "AS OUR WORLD GROWS STRONGER,
MORE UNITED, MORE ATTRACTIVE TO MEN ON BOTH SIDES OF
THE IRON CURTAIN, THEN INEVITABLY THERE WILL COME A
TIME OF CHANGE WITHIN THE COMMUNIST WORLD."
TODAY, THAT CHANGE IS TAKING PLACE. //
- 18 -
FOR MORE THAN FORTY YEARS, AMERICA AND ITS ALLIES
HELD COMMUNISM IN CHECK, AND ENSURED THAT DEMOCRACY
WOULD CONTINUE TO EXIST. TODAY, WITH COMMUNISM
CRUMBLING, OUR AIM MUST BE TO ENSURE DEMOCRACY'S
ADVANCE. TO TAKE THE LEAD IN FORGING PEACE AND
FREEDOM'S BEST HOPE -- A GREAT AND GROWING COMMONWEALTH
OF FREE NATIONS. ///
TO THE CONGRESS AND TO ALL AMERICANS, I SAY IT IS
TIME TO ACCLAIM A NEW CONSENSUS AT HOME AND ABROAD -- A
COMMON VISION OF THE PEACEFUL WORLD WE WANT TO SEE.
IT'S TIME TO RECONCILE A NEW RELATIONSHIP WITH THE
SOVIET UNION -- TO ENDORSE AND ENCOURAGE A PEACEFUL
PROCESS OF INTERNAL CHANGE TOWARD DEMOCRACY AND
ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY. //
IT IS TIME TO OFFER OUR HAND TO THE EMERGING
DEMOCRACIES OF EASTERN EUROPE. SO THAT CONTINENT --
FOR TOO LONG A CONTINENT DIVIDED -- CAN SEE A FUTURE
WHOLE AND FREE. //
- 19 -
IN THE FAR EAST, IT IS TIME FOR THE FULL FLOWERING
OF FREE GOVERNMENTS AND FREE MARKETS THAT HAVE SERVED
AS THE ENGINE OF PROGRESS. // THE KEY TO DEMOCRACY IN
THE FAR EAST TODAY IS TO KEEP THE DOOR OPEN -- TO
REKINDLE THE FLAME OF FREEDOM. /////
AND FINALLY, I WILL NOT NEGLECT THE DEMOCRACIES OF
THIS HEMISPHERE. THE TIME IS RIGHT FOR ALL THE PEOPLE
OF THE AMERICAS, NORTH AND SOUTH, TO LIVE IN FREEDOM.
STILL, WE MUST RECOGNIZE AN UNFORTUNATE FACT: IN
MANY REGIONS OF THE WORLD TONIGHT, THE REALITY IS
CONFLICT -- NOT PEACE. ENDURING ANIMOSITIES, OPPOSING
INTERESTS REMAIN. THUS THE CAUSE OF PEACE MUST BE
SERVED BY AN AMERICA STRONG ENOUGH -- AND SURE
ENOUGH -- TO DEFEND OUR INTERESTS AND IDEALS.
/////
[[DEFENSE LINE]]
- 20 -
HERE AT HOME -- AND IN THE WORLD -- THERE IS
HISTORY IN THE MAKING -- AND HISTORY TO BE MADE. SIX
MONTHS AGO, EARLY IN THIS SEASON OF CHANGE, I STOOD AT
THE GATES OF THE GDANSK SHIPYARD IN POLAND AT THE
MONUMENT TO THE FALLEN WORKERS OF SOLIDARITY. IT'S A
MONUMENT OF SIMPLE MAJESTY. THREE TALL CROSSES RISE UP
FROM THE STONES. ATOP EACH CROSS, AN ANCHOR -- AN
ANCIENT SYMBOL OF HOPE.
THE ANCHOR IN OUR WORLD TODAY IS FREEDOM. HOLDING
US STEADY IN TIMES OF CHANGE -- A SYMBOL OF HOPE TO ALL
THE WORLD. AND FREEDOM IS AT THE VERY HEART OF THE
IDEA THAT IS AMERICA. ///
GIVING LIFE TO THAT IDEA DEPENDS ON EVERY ONE OF
US. OUR ANCHOR HAS ALWAYS BEEN FAITH AND FAMILY. AND
YOU KNOW, IN THE LAST FEW DAYS OF THIS PAST MOMENTOUS
YEAR, OUR FAMILY WAS BLESSED ONCE MORE -- CELEBRATING
THE JOY OF LIFE WHEN A LITTLE BOY BECAME OUR NEWEST
GRANDCHILD -- OUR TWELFTH. CHARLES WALKER BUSH. //
AS IN EVERY FAMILY, THOSE 12 ARE THEIR GRANDPARENTS'
PRIDE AND JOY. //
- 21 -
NOW, I KNOW YOU'RE THINKING: THAT'S A GRANDFATHER
TALKING. //
WELL, I'VE MET A LOT OF CHILDREN THIS PAST YEAR --
ACROSS THIS COUNTRY, AND EVERYWHERE FROM THE FAR EAST
TO EASTERN EUROPE. ALL KIDS ARE UNIQUE. ALL KIDS ARE
ALIKE. THE BUDDING YOUNG ENVIRONMENTALISTS I MET THIS
MONTH, WHO JOINED ME EXPLORING THE FLORIDA EVERGLADES.
THE LITTLE LEAGUERS I PLAYED CATCH WITH IN POLAND --
READY TO GO FROM WARSAW TO THE WORLD SERIES. EVEN THE
KIDS WHO ARE ILL OR ALONE -- GOD BLESS THOSE BOARDER
BABIES, BORN ADDICTED TO DRUGS -- COPING WITH PROBLEMS
NO CHILD SHOULD HAVE TO FACE. BUT, YOU KNOW, WHEN IT
COMES TO HOPE AND THE FUTURE: EVERY KID IS THE SAME.
FULL OF DREAMS. READY TO TAKE ON THE WORLD. ALL
SPECIAL: BECAUSE THEY ARE THE VERY FUTURE OF FREEDOM.
TO THEM BELONGS THIS NEW WORLD I'VE BEEN SPEAKING
ABOUT.
- 22 -
so TONIGHT I'M GOING TO ASK SOMETHING OF EVERY ONE
OF YOU. LET ME START WITH MY GENERATION -- WITH THE
GRANDPARENTS OUT THERE. YOU ARE OUR LIVING LINK TO THE
PAST. TELL YOUR GRANDCHILDREN THE STORY OF STRUGGLES
WAGED, AT HOME AND ABROAD. OF SACRIFICES FREELY MADE
FOR FREEDOM'S SAKE. AND TELL THEM YOUR OWN STORY AS
WELL -- BECAUSE EVERY AMERICAN HAS A STORY TO TELL.
PARENTS: YOUR CHILDREN LOOK TO YOU FOR DIRECTION
AND GUIDANCE. TELL THEM OF FAITH AND FAMILY. TELL
THEM WE ARE ONE NATION UNDER GOD. TEACH THEM THAT OF
ALL THE MANY GIFTS THEY CAN RECEIVE, LIBERTY IS THEIR
MOST PRECIOUS LEGACY. AND OF ALL THE GIFTS THEY CAN
GIVE, THE GREATEST IS SERVING OTHERS.
AND OF COURSE, LET ME SAY TO THE CHILDREN AND
YOUNG PEOPLE OUT THERE TONIGHT: WITH YOU RESTS OUR
HOPE -- ALL THAT AMERICA WILL MEAN IN THE YEARS AND
DECADES AHEAD. FIX YOUR VISION ON A NEW CENTURY --
YOUR CENTURY. ON DREAMS WE CANNOT SEE. ON THE DESTINY
THAT IS YOURS -- AND YOURS ALONE. //
- 23 -
AND FINALLY, LET ALL AMERICANS -- ALL OF US
TOGETHER HERE IN THIS CHAMBER, THE SYMBOLIC CENTER OF
DEMOCRACY AFFIRM OUR ALLEGIANCE TO THIS IDEA WE CALL
AMERICA. AND LET US ALL REMEMBER THAT THE STATE OF THE
UNION DEPENDS ON EACH AND EVERY ONE OF US.
GOD BLESS ALL OF YOU. AND MAY GOD BLESS THIS
GREAT NATION, THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.
# # #
McGroarty/Dooley
January 29, 1990
9:30 pm
PRESIDENTIAL REMARKS: STATE OF THE UNION ADDRESS
THE CAPITOL
JANUARY 31, 1990
9:00 P.M.
Mr. President, Mr. Speaker, members of the United States
Congress: I return as a former President of the Senate, and
proud member of this great House. // Now, as President, it is
my privilege to report to you on the State of the Union.
Tonight, I come not to speak about the "state of the
government" -- not to detail every new initiative we plan for the
coming year, nor to describe every line item in the budget. I am
here to speak to you and to the American people about the State
of the Union -- about our world -- the changes we've seen, the
challenges we'll face. And what that means for America. 111
There are singular moments in history: dates that divide
all that goes before from all that comes after. Many of us in
this chamber have lived much of our lives in a world whose
fundamental features were defined in 1945. The events of that
year decreed the shape of nations. The pace of progress.
Freedom or oppression for millions of people around the world.
1945 provided the common frame of reference -- the compass
points of the post-war era we've relied upon to understand
ourselves. That was our world. /// Until now. /// The events
of the year just ended -- the revolution of '89 -- have been a
2
chain reaction of change so striking that it marks the beginning
of a new era in the world's affairs.
Think back -- just twelve short months ago -- to the world
we knew -- as 1989 began.
One year ago, the people of Panama lived in fear, under the
thumb of a dictator. Today, democracy is restored -- Panama // is
free. 11
And tonight I'm proud to announce the formal termination of
Operation JUST CAUSE. [[Tonight, troop levels in Panama are just
1000 above where they stood before our operation began.] By the
last day of February, our personnel will be at the same levels as
before the operation -- all of the additional American troops who
made this mission a success will be back home. 111
A year ago in Poland, Lech Walesa declared that he was ready
to open a dialogue with the communist rulers of that country.
Today, with the future of a free Poland in their hands, members
of Solidarity lead the Polish Government. //
A year ago, freedom's playwright, Vaclav Havel, languished
as a prisoner in Prague. Today, it's Vaclav Havel -- President
of Czechoslovakia. //
And one year ago, Erich Honecker of East Germany claimed
history as his guide. He predicted the Berlin Wall would last
another hundred years. Today -- less than one year later -- it's
the Wall that's history. ///
Remarkable events -- events that fulfill the long-held hopes
of the American people..
Events that validate the long-standing
3
goals of American policy -- a policy based on a single, shining
principle: the cause of freedom.
America -- not just the nation -- but an idea, alive in the
minds of people everywhere. As this new world takes shape,
America stands at the center of a widening circle of freedom --
today, tomorrow and into the next century. //
Our America is the shining dream of every immigrant who ever
set foot on these shores -- and the millions still struggling to
be free. This nation -- this idea called America -- was and
always will be -- a new world. Our new world. ///
At a workers' rally -- in a place called Branik on the
outskirts of Prague -- the idea called America is alive. A
worker, dressed in grimy overalls, rises to speak at the factory
gates. He begins his speech to his fellow citizens with these
words --- words of a distant revolution: "We hold these truths to
be self-evident. That all men are created equal, that they are
endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, [and]
that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness."
/////
It's no secret that, here at home, freedom's door opened
long ago. The cornerstones of this free society have already
been set in place: Democracy. Competition. Opportunity.
Private investment. Stewardship. And of course, leadership.
Our challenge today is to take this democratic system of
ours -- a system second to none -- and make it better. That's
the American idea.
4
A better America, where there's a job for everyone who wants
one.
Where women who work outside the home can be confident their
children are in safe and loving care -- and where government
works to expand child care alternatives for parents.
Where we aren't forced to make an "either-or" decision
between a clean environment and American jobs.
Where all Americans enjoy the same opportunities to live, to
work, and to contribute to society. And where, for the first
time, the American mainstream includes all disabled Americans.
//
Where every American has a roof over his head -- and
where the homeless get the help they need to live in dignity. //
Where every street, every city, every school and every
American child is drug-free. //
Where our schools challenge our kids and our teachers -- and
where all of them make the grade.
That's part of the future we want to see -- the future we
can make for ourselves. But dreams alone won't get us there. We
need to extend our horizon -- commit to the long-view. Our
[plans] for the future start today. ///
Yes -- we are going to invest in America. This
Administration is determined to encourage the creation of capital
-- capital of all kinds. Physical capital: everything, from
America's farms and factories to our workshops and production
lines, all that is needed to produce and deliver quality goods
and services. Intellectual capital: the store-house of ideas
5
that become tomorrow's products. And of course, America's human
capital: the talented workforce we'll need to compete in the
global market.
And let me tell you: if we ignore human capital -- we lose
the spirit of American ingenuity -- the spirit that is the
hallmark of the American worker. And the American worker is the
most productive worker in the world. 11
We need to save more -- expand the pool of capital for the
new investments that mean more jobs, more growth. That's the
idea behind a new initiative I call the Family Savings [Package],
which I will send to the Congress tomorrow. //
We need to encourage risk-takers to take those steps that
translate into economic reward, jobs and a better life for all of
us -- that's why we've got to cut the tax on capital gains. //
We'll do what it takes to invest in America's future. The
commitment is there. The money is there. // It's there for
Research and Development, R&D -- a record high. It's there for
our housing initiative -- HOPE, to help everyone from first-time
homebuyers to the homeless. The money's there to keep our kids
drug-free: a 70% increase in funds to fight drugs since last
year. It's there for Space -- and it's there for education:
another record high. //
And one more thing: last fall at the Education Summit, the
Governors and I agreed to look for ways to help make sure kids
are ready to learn the very first day they walk into that
classroom. I've made good on that commitment -- by proposing a
6
record increase in funds -- an extra half a billion dollars --
for something near and dear to all of us: Head Start. //
Education is the one investment that means more for our.
future because it means the most for our children. Real
improvement in our schools is not simply a matter of spending
more. It is a matter of asking more -- expecting more: of our
schools, our teachers, of our kids, and our parents. That's why
tonight I am announcing America's education goals -- goals agreed
upon with the nation's Governors:
By the year 2000, every child in America must start school
ready to learn. The United States must increase the high school
graduation rate to no less than 90%. And we're going to make
sure our schools' diplomas means something: at the critical
grades -- 4th, 8th and 12th -- we must check all our students'
progress.
By the year 2000, U.S. students must be first in the world
in math and science skills. Every American adult must be
literate. Every school in America must offer the kind of
disciplined environment that makes it possible for our kids to
learn -- and every school in America must be drug-free. //
Ambitious aims? of course. Guaranteed success? Far from
it. But the future's at stake. This nation will not accept
anything less than excellence in education. //
These investments will keep America competitive. And I know
this about the American people: we welcome competition. We'll
match our ingenuity and energy -- our experience and technology -
7
- our spirit and enterprise -- against anyone. Let the
competition be free -- but let it be fair. America is ready. //
Since we really mean it -- and since we are serious about
being ready to meet that challenge -- let's get our house in
order. // We've made real progress. 5 years ago, the federal
deficit was 6% of our Gross National Product. This year -- in
the budget I sent up two days ago -- the deficit's down to 1% of
GNP.
That budget brings federal spending under control. It meets
the Gramm-Rudman target. Brings that deficit down further. And
balances the budget by 1993 -- with no new taxes. //
And once the budget is balanced, we can operate the way
every family in America has to when it has bills to pay. We
won't leave it to our children and grandchildren. We will start
paying off the national debt. 11
And there's something more we owe the generations of the
future: stewardship -- the safekeeping of America's precious
environmental inheritance. As just one sign of how serious we
are, we will elevate the Environmental Protection Agency to
cabinet rank. Not more bureaucracy, not more red tape -- but the
certainty that here at home, and in our dealings with other
nations, environmental issues have the status they deserve. //
[[And this year's budget provides over $2 billion in new
spending to protect our environment. Over $1 billion for global
change research. ]] And a new initiative I call the America the
Beautiful Fund -- to expand our national parks and wildlife
8
refuges and improve recreational facilities on public lands. And
something else: something that will help keep this country
clean, from our forestland to our inner cities, and keep American
beautiful for generations to come -- the money to plant a billion
trees a year. 11111
And tonight, let me say again to all the members of
Congress: The American people did not send us here to bicker.
There's work to do -- and they sent us here to get it done. And
once again, I offer my hand to all of you. Let's work together
to do the will of the American people. Clean Air. Child Care.
Crime and Drugs. It's time to act. 111 The farm bill.
Transportation policy. Tort reform. Enterprise Zones. It's
time to act together. ///
And there's one thing I hope we'll all be able to agree on.
It's about our commitments. I'm talking about Social Security.
To every American out there on Social Security, to every
American supporting that system today, and to everyone counting
on it when they retire: We made a promise to you -- and we're
going to keep it. //
We rescued the Social Security system in 1983 -- and it's
sound again. // Social Security is fully funded in our budget -
- and fully funded for the future. The last thing we need to do
is tinker with the system. ////
There's one more problem we need to address. We must give
careful consideration to the recommendations of the health care
studies now underway. That's why tonight, I am requesting that
9
Dr. Louis Sullivan -- Secretary of Health and Human Services --
lead a Domestic Policy Council review of recommendations on the
quality, accessibility and cost of our nation's health care
system. ////
The "state of the government" does indeed depend on many of
us in this very chamber. But the State of the Union depends on
all Americans. We must maintain the democratic decency that
makes a nation out of millions of individuals. I have been
appalled at the recent letter bombings across this country.
Every one of us must confront and condemn racism. Anti-semitism.
Bigotry and hate. /// Not tomorrow, not next week, but today.
The State of the Union depends on whether we help our
neighbor -- claim the problems of our community as our own.
We've got to step forward when there's trouble -- lend a hand, be
a point of light to a stranger in need. /// We've got to take
the time after a busy day to sit down and read with our kids.
Help them with their homework. Pass along the values we learned
as children. That's how we sustain the State of the Union. //
Every effort is important. It all adds up -- it's doing the
things that give democracy meaning. It all adds up to who we are
-- and who we will be. ///
And let me say, that so long as we remember the American
idea -- so long as we live up to the American ideal -- the State
of the Union will remain sound and strong.
And to those who worry we have lost our way -- well, I want
you to listen to a letter written by James Markwell -- PEC James
10
Markwell, a 20-year old Army medic. It's dated December 18th --
the night before our Armed Forces went into action in Panama.
It's a letter servicemen write -- and hope will never be sent.
Sadly, Private Markwell's mother did receive this letter. And
she passed it on to me.
He writes: "I have never been afraid of death, but I know
now he is waiting at the corner
I have been trained to kill
and to save, so has everyone else. I am frightened of what lays
beyond the fog, yet
I must go through the fog -- whether the
other side is a plane ride home for Christmas, or the fog never
ends. Do not mourn for me. Revel in the life that I have died
to give you.
And most of all, don't forget that the Army was
my choice. Something that I wanted to do." //
Private Markwell was among the first to see battle in
Panama, and one of the first to fall. ///
He knew what he believed in. // He carried the idea we
call America in his heart. ////
I began tonight speaking about the changes we've seen this
past year. There is a new world of challenges and opportunities
before us. And there is a need for leadership that only America
can provide.
Nearly forty years ago, in his last address to the Congress,
President Harry Truman predicted such a time would come. He
said: "As our world grows stronger, more united, more attractive
to men on both sides of the iron curtain, then inevitably there
will come a time of change within the communist world."
11
Today, that change is taking place. //
For more than forty years, America and its allies held
communism in check, and ensured that democracy would continue to
exist. Today, with communism crumbling, our aim must be to
ensure democracy's advance. To take the lead in forging peace
and freedom's best hope -- a great and growing commonwealth of
free nations. ///
I say to the Congress and to all Americans: It is time to
acclaim a new consensus at home and abroad -- a common vision of
the peaceful world we want to see.
It's time to reconcile a new relationship with the Soviet
Union -- to endorse and extend the peaceful process of internal
change toward democracy and economic opportunity. //
It is time to offer our hand to the emerging democracies of
Eastern Europe. So that continent -- for too long a continent
divided -- can see a future whole and free. //
In the Far East, it is time for the full flowering of free
governments and free markets that have served as the engine of
progress. In China, two decades ago, we opened the door,
awakening a love of democracy in the Chinese people. // The key
to democracy in China today is to keep that door open -- to
rekindle the flame of freedom. /////
And finally, the time is right -- here in our own hemisphere
for all the people of the Americas, North and South, to live in
freedom.
12
still, we must recognize an unfortunate fact: In many
regions of the world tonight, the reality is conflict -- not
peace. Enduring animosities, opposing interests remain. Thus
the cause of peace must be served by an America strong enough --
and sure enough -- to defend our interests and ideals.
/////
[[DEFENSE LINE]]
Here at home -- and in the world -- there is history in the
making -- and history to be made. Six months ago, early in this
season of change, I stood at the gates of the Gdansk Shipyard in
Poland at the monument to the fallen workers of Solidarity. It's
a monument of simple majesty. Three tall crosses rise up from
the stones. Atop each cross, an anchor -- an ancient symbol of
hope.
The anchor in our world today is freedom. Holding us steady
in times of change -- a symbol of hope to all the world. And
freedom is at the very heart of the idea that is America. ///
Giving life to that idea depends on every one of us. In
America, our anchor has always been faith and family. And you
know, in the last few days of this past momentous year, our
family was blessed once more -- blessed when a little boy born
back in November became our newest grandchild -- our twelfth.
Charles Walker Bush. [WITH GRANDCHILDREN IN GALLERY] Those 12
are their grandparents' pride and joy. //
Now, I know you're thinking: that's a grandfather talking.
// Well, I've met a lot of children this past year -- across
this country, and everywhere from the Far East to Eastern Europe.
13
All kids are unique. Yet, all kids are alike. The budding young
environmentalists I met this month, who joined me exploring the
Florida Everglades. The little leaguers I played catch with in
Poland -- ready to go from Warsaw to the World Series. Even the
kids who are ill or alone, coping with problems no child should
have to face. When it comes to hope and the future: Every kid
is the same. Full of dreams. Ready to take on the world. All
special: because they are the very future of freedom. To them
belongs this new world I've been speaking about.
So tonight I'm going to ask something of every one of you.
Let me start with my generation -- with the grandparents out
there. You are our living link to the past. Tell your
grandchildren the story of struggles waged, at home and abroad.
of sacrifices freely made for freedom's sake. And tell them your
own story as well -- because every American has a story to tell.
Parents: your children look to you for direction and
guidance. Tell them of faith and family. Teach them that of all
the many gifts they can receive, liberty is their most precious
legacy. And of all the gifts they can give, the greatest is
serving others.
And of course, let me say to the children and young people
out there tonight: with you rests our hope -- all that America
will mean in the years and decades ahead. Fix your vision on a
new century -- your century. On dreams we cannot see. On the
destiny that is yours -- and yours alone. //
14
And finally, let all Americans -- all of us together here in
this chamber, the symbolic center of American democracy -- affirm
our allegiance to this idea we call America. And let us all
remember that the State of the Union depends on each and every
one of us.
God bless all of you. God bless every American -- and may
God bless this great nation, the United States of America.
# # #
MARKWELL LETTER
"I HAVE NEVER BEEN AFRAID OF DEATH, BUT I KNOW HE
IS WAITING AT THE CORNER
I HAVE BEEN TRAINED TO
KILL AND TO SAVE, so HAS EVERYONE ELSE. I AM
FRIGHTENED OF WHAT LAYS BEYOND THE FOG, YET
I
MUST GO THROUGH THE FOG, WHETHER THE OTHER SIDE IS A
PLANE RIDE HOME FOR CHRISTMAS, OR THE FOG NEVER ENDS.
DO NOT MOURN FOR ME, REVEL IN THE LIFE THAT I HAVE DIED
TO GIVE YOU.
BUT MOST OF ALL, DON'T FORGET THAT
THE ARMY WAS MY CHOICE. SOMETHING THAT I WANTED TO
DO."
PRESIDENTIAL PRESS CONFERENCE: THE WHITE HOUSE
9:15 A.M. \ WED., JAN. 24, 1990
GOOD MORNING.
As YOU KNOW, I WILL SOON PRESENT MY BUDGET TO
CONGRESS. AND AS I PREPARE TO DO so, IT STRIKES ME
THAT OUR NATION FACES CHALLENGES ON MANY FRONTS. So
LET US GIVE EACH THE ATTENTION IT DESERVES.
TOMORROW, I WILL ANNOUNCE THE SECOND PHASE OF OUR
STRATEGY TO FIGHT DRUGS IN THE SCHOOLS AND STREETS OF
AMERICA.
- 2 -
THE FUTURE OF THIS COUNTRY DEPENDS ON WHETHER WE CAN
GIVE OUR CHILDREN A CHANCE TO GROW UP DRUG-FREE.
SECONDLY, I WILL SOON PRESENT OUR PLAN TO
RESTRUCTURE AMERICA'S DEFENSES IN THE WAKE OF DRAMATIC
CHANGE ABROAD. I'M PROPOSING A DEFENSE BUDGET THAT
BEGINS THE TRANSITION TO A RESTRUCTURED MILITARY -- A
NEW STRATEGY THAT IS MORE FLEXIBLE, MORE GEARED TO
CONTINGENCIES OUTSIDE OF EUROPE, WHILE CONTINUING TO
MEET OUR INESCAPABLE RESPONSIBILITY TO NATO, AND TO
MAINTAINING THE GLOBAL BALANCE.
- 3 -
FINALLY, SECRETARY BRADY, DIRECTOR DARMAN AND
CHAIRMAN BOSKIN WILL PUT THE DETAILS OF OUR BUDGET
BEFORE THE AMERICAN PEOPLE. As THAT OCCURS, OTHER
MEMBERS OF THIS ADMINISTRATION -- THE CABINET AND KEY
AGENCIES -- WILL PROVIDE AN INDEPTH OUTLINE OF THEIR
EFFORTS TO ADDRESS THE MANY CHALLENGES OF CARING FOR
THE AFFLICTED, UPLIFTING THE POOR, CLEANING THE
ENVIRONMENT AND EDUCATING OUR CHILDREN, AS WELL AS
OTHER IMPORTANT ISSUES.
- 4 -
ALL OF THIS IS PREPARATORY TO THE STATE OF THE
UNION ADDRESS, ONE WEEK FROM TODAY, IN WHICH I WILL
SPEAK TO THE BROADER ISSUES WE FACE AS A NATION.
THERE ARE TWO ITEMS IN PARTICULAR THAT I WOULD LIKE
TO DISCUSS WITH YOU TODAY.
FIRST, I HAVE DECIDED THAT THE ENVIRONMENTAL
CHALLENGES THAT FACE AMERICA -- AND THE WORLD -- ARE SO
IMPORTANT THAT THEY MUST BE ADDRESSED FROM THE HIGHEST
LEVEL OF OUR GOVERNMENT.
- 5 -
AT THE BEGINNING OF THIS CENTURY, PRESIDENT
THEODORE ROOSEVELT HELPED PAVE THE WAY FOR THE
ESTABLISHMENT OF THE NATIONAL PARK SYSTEM. TWENTY
YEARS AGO, PRESIDENT NIXON ESTABLISHED THE
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY BY EXECUTIVE ORDER.
EPA IS NOW ONE OF THE LARGEST AND MOST IMPORTANT
REGULATORY AGENCIES IN THE GOVERNMENT. TODAY, I WOULD
LIKE TO TAKE ANOTHER STEP FORWARD IN THIS IMPORTANT
TRADITION OF SUPPORT FOR CONSERVATION AND ENVIRONMENTAL
PROTECTION.
- 6 -
WITH so MANY DIFFICULT DECISIONS AHEAD, I WILL NEED
BILL REILLY'S COUNSEL. I WILL NEED HIM SITTING AT MY
SIDE, IN MY CABINET. So I AM PLEASED TO ENDORSE THE
ELEVATION OF THE EPA TO CABINET STATUS BY CREATING A
DEPARTMENT OF THE ENVIRONMENT.\
SENATORS JOHN GLENN AND BILL ROTH, THE CHAIRMAN AND
RANKING MEMBERS OF THE SENATE GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS
COMMITTEE, HAVE INTRODUCED LEGISLATION THAT WOULD
CREATE THIS NEW DEPARTMENT.
- 7 -
CONGRESSMAN CONYERS AND HORTON ARE WORKING ON SIMILAR
LEGISLATION. I LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH THEM AND
OTHER INTERESTED MEMBERS OF THE HOUSE AND SENATE TO
ENACT LEGISLATION THAT WOULD BRING EPA TO THE CABINET
TABLE, WHERE IT BELONGS. Now, I WOULD LIKE TO
ADDRESS THE ISSUE THAT I KNOW IS FIRST ON YOUR MINDS
THIS MORNING.
- 8 -
EVERY AMERICAN SHOULD KNOW I WILL NOT BREAK FAITH
WITH THE CHINESE STUDENTS HERE. RIGHT AFTER TIANANMEN,
I MOVED TO PROTECT THE CHINESE STUDENTS IN THIS
COUNTRY. Not ONE WAS SENT BACK. THEY WERE SAFE THEN,
AND THEY ARE SAFE NOW.
WHEN CONGRESS PASSED THE PELOSI BILL LAST FALL, I
WAS FACED WITH A CHOICE: IF I SIGNED THE BILL, THE
STUDENTS HERE WOULD STILL BE SAFE, BUT CHINA WOULD
RETALIATE AND CUT OFF FUTURE STUDENT EXCHANGES.
- 9 -
IF I VETOED THE BILL, I COULD TAKE ACTIONS TO PROVIDE
THE STUDENTS WITH EVEN GREATER PROTECTION WHILE KEEPING
THE DOOR OPEN FOR MORE CHINESE SCHOLARS TO STUDY HERE.
THE PRICE OF THE PELOSI BILL IS LOST OPPORTUNITY FOR
THE CHINESE SCHOLARS OF TOMORROW. THE BILL IS TOTALLY
UNNECESSARY -- THE LONG-TERM POLICY CONSEQUENCES ARE
POTENTIALLY GREAT -- AND CONGRESS WILL HAVE ONLY ITSELF
TO BLAME.
- 10 -
THIS IS A STRONG MESSAGE, AND I WANT IT TO BE SEEN
THAT WAY. AND NOW I'D BE HAPPY TO TAKE YOUR
QUESTIONS.
#
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PRESIDENTIAL PRESS CONFERENCE: THE WHITE HOUSE
9:15 A.M. \ WED., JAN. 24, 1990
GOOD MORNING.
As YOU KNOW, I WILL SOON PRESENT MY BUDGET To
CONGRESS. AND AS I PREPARE To DO so, IT STRIKES ME
THAT OUR NATION FACES CHALLENGES ON MANY FRONTS. So
LET US GIVE EACH THE ATTENTION IT DESERVES.
TOMORROW, I WILL ANNOUNCE THE SECOND PHASE OF OUR
STRATEGY TO FIGHT DRUGS IN THE SCHOOLS AND STREETS OF
AMERICA.
- 2 -
THE FUTURE OF THIS COUNTRY DEPENDS ON WHETHER WE CAN
GIVE OUR CHILDREN A CHANCE TO GROW UP DRUG-FREE.
SECONDLY, I WILL SOON PRESENT OUR PLAN TO
RESTRUCTURE AMERICA'S DEFENSES IN THE WAKE OF DRAMATIC
CHANGE ABROAD. I'M PROPOSING A DEFENSE BUDGET THAT
BEGINS THE TRANSITION TO A RESTRUCTURED MILITARY -- A
NEW STRATEGY THAT IS MORE FLEXIBLE, MORE GEARED To
CONTINGENCIES OUTSIDE OF EUROPE, WHILE CONTINUING To
MEET OUR INESCAPABLE RESPONSIBILITY TO NATO, AND TO
MAINTAINING THE GLOBAL BALANCE.
- 5 -
AT THE BEGINNING OF THIS CENTURY, PRESIDENT
THEODORE ROOSEVELT HELPED PAVE THE WAY FOR THE
ESTABLISHMENT OF THE NATIONAL PARK SYSTEM. TWENTY
YEARS AGO, PRESIDENT NIXON ESTABLISHED THE
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY BY EXECUTIVE ORDER.
EPA IS NOW ONE OF THE LARGEST AND MOST IMPORTANT
REGULATORY AGENCIES IN THE GOVERNMENT. TODAY, I WOULD
LIKE TO TAKE ANOTHER STEP FORWARD IN THIS IMPORTANT
TRADITION OF SUPPORT FOR CONSERVATION AND ENVIRONMENTAL
PROTECTION.
- 6 -
WITH so MANY DIFFICULT DECISIONS AHEAD, I WILL NEED
BILL REILLY'S COUNSEL. I WILL NEED HIM SITTING AT MY
SIDE, IN MY CABINET. So I AM PLEASED TO ENDORSE THE
ELEVATION OF THE EPA TO CABINET STATUS BY CREATING A
DEPARTMENT OF THE ENVIRONMENT.\
SENATORS JOHN GLENN AND BILL ROTH, THE CHAIRMAN AND
RANKING MEMBERS OF THE SENATE GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS
COMMITTEE, HAVE INTRODUCED LEGISLATION THAT WOULD
CREATE THIS NEW DEPARTMENT.
- 7 -
CONGRESSMAN CONYERS AND HORTON ARE WORKING ON SIMILAR
LEGISLATION. I LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH THEM AND
OTHER INTERESTED MEMBERS OF THE HOUSE AND SENATE TO
ENACT LEGISLATION THAT WOULD BRING EPA TO THE CABINET
TABLE, WHERE IT BELONGS.
Now, I WOULD LIKE To
ADDRESS THE ISSUE THAT I KNOW IS FIRST ON YOUR MINDS
THIS MORNING.
- 8 -
EVERY AMERICAN SHOULD KNOW I WILL NOT BREAK FAITH
WITH THE CHINESE STUDENTS HERE. RIGHT AFTER TIANANMEN,
I MOVED TO PROTECT THE CHINESE STUDENTS IN THIS
COUNTRY. NOT ONE WAS SENT BACK. THEY WERE SAFE THEN,
AND THEY ARE SAFE NOW.
WHEN CONGRESS PASSED THE PELOSI BILL LAST FALL, I
WAS FACED WITH A CHOICE: IF I SIGNED THE BILL, THE
STUDENTS HERE WOULD STILL BE SAFE, BUT CHINA WOULD
RETALIATE AND CUT OFF FUTURE STUDENT EXCHANGES.
- 9 -
IF I VETOED THE BILL, I COULD TAKE ACTIONS TO PROVIDE
THE STUDENTS WITH EVEN GREATER PROTECTION WHILE KEEPING
THE DOOR OPEN FOR MORE CHINESE SCHOLARS TO STUDY HERE.
THE PRICE OF THE PELOSI BILL IS LOST OPPORTUNITY FOR
THE CHINESE SCHOLARS OF TOMORROW. THE BILL IS TOTALLY
UNNECESSARY -- THE LONG-TERM POLICY CONSEQUENCES ARE
POTENTIALLY GREAT -- AND CONGRESS WILL HAVE ONLY ITSELF
TO BLAME.
- 10 - -
THIS IS A STRONG MESSAGE, AND I WANT IT TO BE SEEN
THAT WAY. AND NOW I'D BE HAPPY TO TAKE YOUR
QUESTIONS.
#
#
#