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FOIA Number:
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MARKER
This is not a textual record. This is used as an
administrative marker by the George Bush Presidential
Library Staff.
Record Group/Collection:
George H.W. Bush Presidential Records
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Speechwriting, White House Office of
Series:
Speech File Draft Files
Subseries:
Chron File, 1989-1993
OA/ID Number:
13601
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13601-005
Folder Title:
National Association of Religious Broadcasters 1/27/92 [OA 6096][1]
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26
17
6
2
RELIGIOUS BROADCASTERS
SHERATON WASHINGTON HOTEL
MONDAY, JANUARY 27, 1992
12:00 P.M.
PRESIDENT DAVID CLARK AND EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR BRANDT
GUSTAFSON -- AND LET ME SALUTE YOUR LEADERSHIP OF THE
N.R.B. FORMER SECRETARY ELIZABETH DOLE. F.C.C.
CHAIRMAN SYKES. I SEE MY GOOD FRIEND REV. BILLY GRAHAM
AND JIM DOBSON. LADIES AND GENTLEMEN. // THIS MARKS
THE FIFTH TIME I HAVE HAD THE HONOR OF ADDRESSING THE
ANNUAL CONVENTION OF THE NATIONAL RELIGIOUS
BROADCASTERS.
A YEAR AGO WE MET IN THE FIRST WEEK OF A STRUGGLE
TO PROTECT WHAT IS RIGHT, AND TRUE. I CAME BEFORE YOU
TO TALK OF WHAT WAS NOT A CHRISTIAN OR JEWISH WAR --
NOT A MOSLEM WAR. IT WAS A JUST WAR. // IN THE
PERSIAN GULF WE FOUGHT FOR GOOD VERSUS EVIL / RIGHT
VERSUS WRONG / DIGNITY AGAINST OPPRESSION. AMERICA
STOOD FAST -- SO THAT LIBERTY COULD STAND TALL. //
- 2 -
TODAY, I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR HELPING AMERICA, AS
CHRIST ORDAINED, BE "A LIGHT UNTO THE WORLD." YOUR
SUPPORT HONORED THE FINEST SOLDIERS / SAILORS / MARINES
/ AIRMEN / AND COAST GUARDSMEN ANY NATION HAS EVER
KNOWN. // WHAT THEY DID IN WAR, LET US NOW DO IN
PEACE. 11 JUST AS OUR FORCES FOUGHT TO DEFEND ALL THAT
IS BEST IN AMERICA, WE NEED YOU TO HELP INSTILL THE
TRADITIONAL VALUES THAT MAKE LIFE AND LIBERTY WORTH
DEFENDING. //
LET ME BEGIN WITH SOME GOOD NEWS FOR MODERN MAN.
ACCORDING TO GALLUP SURVEYS, NO SOCIETY IS MORE
RELIGIOUS THAN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. // SEVEN
IN TEN AMERICANS BELIEVE IN LIFE AFTER DEATH -- EIGHT
IN TEN THAT GOD WORKS MIRACLES. NINE IN TEN AMERICANS
PRAY. AND MORE THAN NINETY PERCENT BELIEVE IN GOD. //
TO WHICH I SAY: THANK GOD. //
- 3 -
NOW, I KNOW THIS IS AN ELECTION YEAR. ((I DON'T
KNOW ABOUT DAMASCUS -- BUT THIS PRIMARY SEASON, WE'RE
SEEING A LOT OF CONVERSIONS ON THE ROAD TO NEW
HAMPSHIRE.) // TODAY, I WANT TO SPEAK OF VALUES WHICH
SUSTAIN AMERICA -- VALUES THAT ARE ALWAYS IN FASHION. /
THE FIRST VALUE IS NOT SIMPLY AMERICAN -- BUT
UNIVERSAL. I REFER TO THE SANCTITY OF LIFE. I WILL
STAND ON THE SIDE OF CHOOSING LIFE. //
NEXT COMES A VALUE WHICH GIVES EACH LIFE MEANING:
THE SELF-RELIANCE CENTRAL TO THE DIGNITY OF WORK. //
GO TO THE BARRIOS OF SAN ANTONIO, OR THE SUBURBS OF ST.
PAUL. THERE YOU WILL FIND PEOPLE WHO ASK FOR ONLY WHAT
OUR FOREFATHERS HAD: THE SAME OPPORTUNITY WHICH HELPED
US BRAVE INDEPENDENCE / PUSH BACK THE WILDERNESS / WIN
TWO WORLD WARS / AND CREATE THE HIGHEST STANDARD OF
LIVING IN THE HISTORY OF MAN. //
- 4 -
THE BIBLE REMINDS US: "BY THY WORKS SHALL YE KNOW
THEM." WHAT WE MUST DO IS GIVE WORKING AMERICANS THE
LEVEL PLAYING FIELD TO KEEP US RICH IN GOODS, AND
SPIRIT. 11
TOMORROW, MY STATE OF THE UNION ADDRESS WILL DETAIL
HOW WE CAN NURTURE CREATIVITY AS OLD AS 1776 -- HARNESS
IT TO THE NEEDS OF A NEW AMERICAN CENTURY. //
REMEMBER: TO THIS DAY, THE ONLY FOOTPRINTS ON THE MOON
ARE AMERICAN FOOTPRINTS. / THE ONLY FLAG ON THE MOON
IS THE STARS AND STRIPES. // THE KNOWLEDGE THAT PUT IT
THERE IS STAMPED: "MADE IN USA." // THE WORLD LOOKS
TO US TO LEAD -- AND LEAD WE WILL. // AMERICANS CAN
OUTWORK / OUTPRODUCE/ AND OUTCOMPETE ANY NATION IN THE
WORLD. // WE MUST DO ALL WE CAN TO FURTHER THAT END.
I WILL DO MY LEVEL BEST. I NEED YOUR HELP.
- 5 -
THE NEXT VALUE I SPEAK OF MUST BE FOREVER CAST IN
STONE. // I SPEAK OF DECENCY -- THE MORAL COURAGE TO
SAY WHAT IS RIGHT, AND CONDEMN WHAT'S WRONG. // WE
NEED A NATION CLOSER TO THE WALTONS THAN THE SIMPSONS
-- AN AMERICA THAT REJECTS THE RISING TIDE OF
INCIVILITY AND INTOLERANCE. //
WE SEE THIS TIDE IN THE NAKED EPITHET -- AND IN THE
CODE WORDS -- THAT PLAY TO OUR WORST PREJUDICES. / WE
SEE IT WHEN PEOPLE RIDICULE RELIGION AND RELIGIOUS
LEADERS -- LIKE THE GROUP WHICH CRUSHED A CONSECRATED
HOST ON THE STEPS OF ST. PATRICK'S CATHEDRAL. / WE SEE
THIS TIDE OF INCIVILITY AND INTOLERANCE IN BIGOTRY,
DISCRIMINATION, AND ANTI-SEMITISM. / HAVE THEY NO
DECENCY -- HAVE THEY NO HONOR -- HAVE THEY NO RESPECT
FOR THE RIGHTS OF OTHERS? // I WILL CONTINUE TO SPEAK
OUT AGAINST THESE APOSTLES OF HATE WHO POISON OUR KIDS'
MINDS AND DEBASE THEIR SOULS. //
- 6 -
THERE IS NO PLACE IN AMERICA FOR RELIGIOUS
PREJUDICE, FOR ANTI-SEMITISM, OR RACIAL PREJUDICE. //
THIS BRINGS ME TO A FOURTH VALUE CRUCIAL TO AMERICA:
BELIEF IN FAMILY -- THE FOUNDATION OF OUR STRENGTH.
(TAKE MY KIDS, FOR EXAMPLE. // HAVING HELPED PUT THEM
THROUGH COLLEGE, I REMEMBER RECEIVING LETTERS FROM
THEM, AND THERE WOULD ALWAYS BE A P.S. AT THE BOTTOM.
IT WAS THOSE THREE WORDS THAT SAY SO MUCH ABOUT THE
BOND BETWEEN PARENTS AT HOME AND KIDS AT SCHOOL.
"PLEASE SEND MONEY. ")) //
- 7 -
THE OTHER DAY, I WAS VISITED BY THE LEADERS OF THE
NATIONAL LEAGUE OF CITIES -- MAYORS FROM BIG CITIES AND
SMALL, REPUBLICAN AND DEMOCRAT, LIBERAL AND
CONSERVATIVE. // THEY WERE UNANIMOUS IN THEIR VIEW
THAT THE MAJOR UNDERLYING PROBLEM IN OUR CITIES IS THE
DECLINE OF THE AMERICAN FAMILY. // THEY ARE RIGHT.
TOO OFTEN THE FAMILY IS UNDER SIEGE. // EACH ONE OF US
-- PARENTS, PREACHERS, POLITICIANS, AND TEACHERS --
MUST DO OUR PART TO DEFEND IT. // I DO NOT WANT ONE
SINGLE ACTION I TAKE AS PRESIDENT TO WEAKEN THE
AMERICAN FAMILY. I WANT TO STRENGTHEN IT IN EVERY WAY
I CAN. EVERY LAW THAT IS PASSED, SHOULD GUARD AGAINST
WEAKENING THE FAMILY. //
- 8 -
THAT IS WHY I INSISTED THAT THE CHILD-CARE BILL I
SIGNED IN 1990 ALLOW PARENTS -- NOT BUREAUCRATS -- TO
DECIDE HOW TO CARE FOR THEIR CHILDREN. I REFUSED TO
SEE THE OPTION OF RELIGIOUS-BASED CHILD CARE RESTRICTED
OR ELIMINATED. // OUR NATIONAL EDUCATION STRATEGY --
AMERICA 2000 -- HELPS THE FAMILY BY ENHANCING PARENTAL
INVOLVEMENT IN EDUCATION -- INSISTING THAT CHOICE
INCLUDE BOTH PRIVATE AND PUBLIC SCHOOLS. // I DO NOT
BELIEVE IT IS UNCONSTITUTIONAL FOR SCHOOL KIDS TO HAVE
THE SAME CHOICE THAT I GOT UNDER THE GI BILL OR THAT
COLLEGE KIDS NOW GET UNDER THE PELL GRANT OR THAT EX-
SERVICEMEN NOW GET UNDER THE MONTGOMERY BILL. //
- 9 -
LAST WEEK, I ANNOUNCED ANOTHER POLICY TO
STRENGTHEN THE FAMILY: EXPANDING THE PRE-SCHOOL
PROGRAM TO SERVE ALL THOSE WHO ARE ELIGIBLE -- THE
LARGEST FUNDING INCREASE IN THE HISTORY OF PROJECT HEAD
START. // WHEN THIS IS ENACTED, WE WILL BE MUCH CLOSER
TO ACHIEVING ONE OF OUR SIX NATIONAL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:
"EVERY SCHOOL CHILD SHOULD START SCHOOL READY TO
LEARN. // FINALLY, FAMILIES WILL STAY TOGETHER ONLY
IF DRUGS DO NOT DRIVE THEM APART. //
WINNING THE WAR ON DRUGS MEANS WAGING A WAR ON
CRIME. WE'VE MADE THE COMMITMENT. ALL TOGETHER, THE
NEW FEDERAL BUDGET I'LL INTRODUCE TWO DAYS FROM NOW
WILL INCREASE SPENDING TO COMBAT CRIME BY $1.2 BILLION
-- TO A TOTAL OF ALMOST $16 BILLION DOLLARS. THAT'S
NEARLY 60 PERCENT HIGHER THAN WHEN I TOOK OFFICE IN
1989.
- 10 -
MY NEW BUDGET PROVIDES A-HALF-A-BILLION DOLLARS FOR
AN INITIATIVE WE CALL "WEED AND SEED." LATER TODAY, MY
ABLE ATTORNEY GENERAL, BILL BARR -- POINT MAN IN THIS
NEW OPERATION -- WILL SPELL OUT ALL ITS DETAILS. //
BUT LET ME SAY THIS MUCH RIGHT NOW. WEED AND SEED
WORKS THIS WAY: FIRST, WE JOIN FEDERAL, STATE AND
LOCAL FORCES TO "WEED OUT" THE GANG LEADERS, THE
VIOLENT CRIMINALS, AND THE DRUG DEALERS WHO PLAGUE OUR
NEIGHBORHOODS. WHEN WE BREAK THEIR DEADLY GRIP, WE
FOLLOW UP WITH PART TWO: WE "SEED" THOSE NEIGHBORHOODS
WITH EXPANDED EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES AND SOCIAL
SERVICES. BUT KEY TO THE SEED CONCEPT WILL BE JOBS-
GENERATING INITIATIVES SUCH AS ENTERPRISE ZONES -- TO
GIVE PEOPLE WHO CALL THESE NEIGHBORHOODS HOME SOMETHING
TO HOPE FOR. //
- 11 -
THERE IS MORE TO DO TO WIN THE FINAL VICTORY IN OUR
WAR ON DRUGS. BUT WE ARE WINNING. // OVER THE PAST
FOUR YEARS, MARIJUANA, CRACK, AND COCAINE USE HAS
DECLINED. WHAT'S MORE, TODAY KIDS AGED 9 TO 12 ARE THE
MOST ANTI-DRUG GROUP IN AMERICA. THE HIGHEST AT-RISK
GROUP REMAINS 13 TO 17-YEAR-OLDS -- BUT LAST YEAR / FOR
THE FIRST TIME / 13-YEAR-OLDS MIRRORED THE BEHAVIOR OF
PRE-TEENAGERS. //
DRUGS EFFECT A MULTITUDE OF ISSUES. THEY
CONTRIBUTE TO AIDS AND HOMELESSNESS -- SHATTERING
FAMILIES AND FUTURES / HOPES AND DREAMS. / THAT'S WHY
-- LITERALLY -- WE SHOULD THANK GOD FOR THE DRUG USE
DECLINE. THE DROP IN USE DOESN'T JUST PROVE WE WERE
RIGHT IN OUR ASSAULT ON SUBSTANCE USE: IT SHOWS HOW WE
CAN ACHIEVE DRUGS' UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER. //
- 12 -
WE WILL TRIUMPH THROUGH TOUGH ENFORCEMENT -- AND
THROUGH EDUCATION: INCREASING AWARENESS OF THE DAMAGE
DRUGS DO. // IN THAT SPIRIT, LET US RESOLVE TO TREAT
THE VICTIMS OF AIDS AND DRUG ABUSE WITH COMPASSION AND
CARING -- AND LET US REDOUBLE OUR EFFORTS TO HELP WITH
TREATMENT AND WITH EDUCATION. THAT WILL HELP ELIMINATE
THE RISKS INVOLVED. 11 OVER THE LAST FOUR YEARS, MORE
KIDS TALKED ABOUT DRUGS WITH THEIR PARENTS AND
TEACHERS. ANOTHER REASON FOR DRUG USE DECLINE HAS BEEN
AMERICA'S PRINT AND ELECTRONIC MEDIA -- THE MAJOR
SOURCE OF DRUG INFORMATION AND THE PRIMARY "INFLUENCER"
ON DRUG USE, ESPECIALLY AMONG THE YOUNG. // TOGETHER,
THEY HAVE HELPED REAWAKEN AMERICA'S CONSCIENCE --
WHICH, IN TURN, INSPIRES AMERICA'S GREATNESS. / LATER
TODAY, I WILL UNVEIL OUR FOURTH NATIONAL DRUG CONTROL
STRATEGY TO BUILD ON THESE BEGINNINGS. IT WILL SAY NO
TO DRUGS. IT WILL ALSO SAY YES TO LIFE. //
- 13 -
TO STOP DRUG USE WILL REQUIRE CARING, AND
COMMUNITY - ABOVE ALL, ABUNDANT LOVE. / LET ME TELL
YOU A STORY. ONCE, A GREAT FIRST LADY -- PAT NIXON --
TOURED A MEDICAL CENTER AND STOPPED TO EMBRACE A LITTLE
GIRL BLINDED BY RUBELLA. FOR A FEW MINUTES, SHE TALKED
TO THE GIRL AND HELD HER CLOSE. LATER, SOMEONE TOLD
HER THAT THE CHILD WAS DEAF AS WELL AS BLIND. // PAT
ANSWERED THAT SHE HAD KNOWN THAT. // "BUT SHE KNOWS
WHAT LOVE IS," MRS. NIXON SAID. "SHE CAN FEEL LOVE."
//
- 14 -
AMERICA'S LOVE IS CONVEYED IN MANY WAYS. IN WHAT
WE OPPOSE: INJUSTICE AND TYRANNY. IN WHAT WE SUPPORT:
THE INALIENABLE RIGHTS THAT INCLUDE THE FREEDOM TO
THINK, DREAM, WORSHIP, AND, YES, VOTE AS WE PLEASE. //
TO PRESERVE OUR LIBERTY, AMERICA ONCE DEPOSED A KING /
FOUGHT A GREAT CIVIL WAR / AND FIVE TIMES THIS CENTURY
SENT AMERICANS INTO MAJOR BATTLE. YET FREEDOM IS NOT
OURS ALONE -- IT IS OUR MOST TREASURED EXPORT. // IF
YOU DOUBT FREEDOM'S VICTORY, LOOK TO THE PERSIAN GULF.
/ LOOK TO THE FORMER SOVIET UNION, WHERE THOSE ONCE
OPPRESSED, CROWD REOPENED CHURCHES AND SYNAGOGUES. /
LOOK TO EASTERN EUROPE, WHERE CHRISTMAS CAROLS WARM THE
BRIGHT WINTER CHILL. // IT IS WRITTEN: "IN THE
BEGINNING WAS THE WORD." HERE IS THE WORD FOR 1992:
TODAY, THE TIMES ARE ON THE SIDE OF PEACE -- BECAUSE
THE WORLD, INCREASINGLY, IS ON THE SIDE OF GOD. //
- 15 -
I REMEMBER AN EARLY TRIP TO THE SOVIET UNION BY
BILLY GRAHAM. HE CAME BACK AND REPORTED THAT FAITH IN
GOD WAS VERY MUCH ALIVE IN RUSSIA. SOME HARDLINERS
RIDICULED HIM. TODAY, WE SEE CLEARLY THAT HE WAS
RIGHT. 11
THIS BRINGS ME TO THE ULTIMATE VALUE THAT SUSTAINS
AMERICA, AND THE VALUES I HAVE ALREADY CITED: A BELIEF
IN PRAYER. // NO COUNTRY CAN CLAIM A SPECIAL PLACE IN
GOD'S HEART. YET WE ARE BETTER AS A PEOPLE BECAUSE HE
HAS A SPECIAL PLACE IN OURS. //
I ONCE ASKED ONE OF MY GRANDKIDS HOW HE FELT ABOUT
PRAYER. HE SAID: "JUST TRY GETTING THROUGH A MATH
TEST WITHOUT IT. // IN SUNDAY SCHOOL, CHILDREN LEARN
THAT GOD IS EVERYWHERE -- BUT IN PUBLIC SCHOOL THEY
FIND THAT HE'S ABSENT FROM CLASS. // I CONTINUE TO
BELIEVE -- AS DO THE OVERWHELMING MAJORITY OF AMERICANS
-- IN THE RIGHT TO NON-DENOMINATIONAL VOLUNTARY SCHOOL
PRAYER. /
- 16 -
THE VALUES I HAVE SPOKEN OF REMIND US OF THE TRUTH
THAT COMES ON ONE'S KNEES. // I BELIEVE WITH ALL MY
HEART THAT ONE CANNOT BE AMERICA'S PRESIDENT WITHOUT A
BELIEF IN GOD AND IN PRAYER.
THE POET WALT WHITMAN WAS ONCE ASKED WHAT MADE
AMERICA / AMERICA. HE REPLIED, SIMPLY: "[ITS]
RELIGION. OTHERWISE THERE IS NO REAL AND PERMANENT
GRANDEUR." 11 LET THAT BE OUR ESSENCE AS A PEOPLE --
AND OUR MESSAGE AS A NATION. THANK YOU FOR THIS
OCCASION. GOD BLESS THIS MOST WONDROUS LAND ON EARTH
-- THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.
#
#
#
#
Teleprompter
RELIGIOUS BROADCASTERS
SHERATON WASHINGTON HOTEL
Proof
MONDAY, JANUARY 27, 1992
12:00 P.M.
PRESIDENT DAVID CLARK AND EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR BRANDT
212 460 9050
GUSTAFSON -- AND LET ME SALUTE YOUR LEADERSHIP OF THE
N.R.B. FORMER SECRETARY ELIZABETH DOLE. F.C.C.
CHAIRMAN SYKES. I SEE MY GOOD FRIEND REV. BILLY GRAHAM
AND JIM DOBSON. LADIES AND GENTLEMEN. // THIS MARKS
THE FIFTH TIME I HAVE HAD THE HONOR OF ADDRESSING THE
ANNUAL CONVENTION OF THE NATIONAL RELIGIOUS
BROADCASTERS.
A YEAR AGO WE MET IN THE FIRST WEEK OF A STRUGGLE
TO PROTECT WHAT IS RIGHT, AND TRUE. I CAME BEFORE YOU
TO TALK OF WHAT WAS NOT A CHRISTIAN OR JEWISH WAR --
NOT A MOSLEM WAR. IT WAS A JUST WAR. // IN THE
PERSIAN GULF WE FOUGHT FOR GOOD VERSUS EVIL / RIGHT
VERSUS WRONG / DIGNITY AGAINST OPPRESSION. AMERICA
STOOD FAST - -- SO THAT LIBERTY COULD STAND TALL. //
- 2 -
TODAY, I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR HELPING AMERICA, AS
CHRIST ORDAINED, BE "A LIGHT UNTO THE WORLD." YOUR
SUPPORT HONORED THE FINEST SOLDIERS / SAILORS / MARINES
/ AIRMEN / AND COAST GUARDSMEN ANY NATION HAS EVER
KNOWN. // WHAT THEY DID IN WAR, LET US NOW DO IN
PEACE. // JUST AS OUR FORCES FOUGHT TO DEFEND ALL THAT
IS BEST IN AMERICA, WE NEED YOU TO HELP INSTILL THE
TRADITIONAL VALUES THAT MAKE LIFE AND LIBERTY WORTH
DEFENDING. //
LET ME BEGIN WITH SOME GOOD NEWS FOR MODERN MAN.
ACCORDING TO GALLUP SURVEYS, NO SOCIETY IS MORE
RELIGIOUS THAN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. // SEVEN
IN TEN AMERICANS BELIEVE IN LIFE AFTER DEATH -- EIGHT
IN TEN THAT GOD WORKS MIRACLES. NINE IN TEN AMERICANS
PRAY. AND MORE THAN NINETY PERCENT BELIEVE IN GOD. //
TO WHICH I SAY: THANK GOD. //
- 3 -
NOW, I KNOW THIS IS AN ELECTION YEAR. ((I DON'T
KNOW ABOUT DAMASCUS -- BUT THIS PRIMARY SEASON, WE'RE
SEEING A LOT OF CONVERSIONS ON THE ROAD TO NEW
HAMPSHIRE. )) // TODAY, I WANT TO SPEAK OF VALUES WHICH
SUSTAIN AMERICA -- VALUES THAT ARE ALWAYS IN FASHION. /
THE FIRST VALUE IS NOT SIMPLY AMERICAN -- BUT
UNIVERSAL. I REFER TO THE SANCTITY OF LIFE. I WILL
STAND ON THE SIDE OF CHOOSING LIFE. //
NEXT COMES A VALUE WHICH GIVES EACH LIFE MEANING:
THE SELF-RELIANCE CENTRAL TO THE DIGNITY OF WORK. //
GO TO THE BARRIOS OF SAN ANTONIO, OR THE SUBURBS OF ST.
PAUL. THERE YOU WILL FIND PEOPLE WHO ASK FOR ONLY WHAT
OUR FOREFATHERS HAD: THE SAME OPPORTUNITY WHICH HELPED
US BRAVE INDEPENDENCE / PUSH BACK THE WILDERNESS / WIN
TWO WORLD WARS / AND CREATE THE HIGHEST STANDARD OF
LIVING IN THE HISTORY OF MAN. //
- 4 -
THE BIBLE REMINDS US: "BY THY WORKS SHALL YE KNOW
THEM." WHAT WE MUST DO IS GIVE WORKING AMERICANS THE
AS
AS
WTS
LEVEL PLAYING FIELD TO KEEP US RICH IN GOODS AND
SPIRIT. //
TOMORROW, MY STATE OF THE UNION ADDRESS WILL DETAIL
HOW WE CAN NURTURE CREATIVITY AS OLD AS 1776 -- HARNESS
IT TO THE NEEDS OF A NEW AMERICAN CENTURY. //
REMEMBER: TO THIS DAY, THE ONLY FOOTPRINTS ON THE MOON
ARE AMERICAN FOOTPRINTS. / THE ONLY FLAG ON THE MOON
IS THE STARS AND STRIPES. // THE KNOWLEDGE THAT PUT IT
THERE IS STAMPED: "MADE IN USA." // THE WORLD LOOKS
TO US TO LEAD -- AND LEAD WE WILL. // AMERICANS CAN
OUTWORK / OUTPRODUCE/ AND OUTCOMPETE ANY NATION IN THE
WORLD. // WE MUST DO ALL WE CAN TO FURTHER THAT END.
I WILL DO MY LEVEL BEST. I NEED YOUR HELP.
- 5 -
THE NEXT VALUE I SPEAK OF MUST BE FOREVER CAST IN
STONE. // I SPEAK OF DECENCY -- THE MORAL COURAGE TO
SAY WHAT IS RIGHT, AND CONDEMN WHAT'S WRONG. 11 WE
NEED A NATION CLOSER TO THE WALTONS THAN THE SIMPSONS
-- AN AMERICA THAT REJECTS THE RISING TIDE OF
INCIVILITY AND INTOLERANCE. //
WE SEE THIS TIDE IN THE NAKED EPITHET -- AND IN THE
CODE WORDS -- THAT PLAY TO OUR WORST PREJUDICES. / WE
SEE IT WHEN PEOPLE RIDICULE RELIGION AND RELIGIOUS
LEADERS -- LIKE THE GROUP WHICH CRUSHED DESECRATOD A CONSECRATED
HOST ON THE STEPS OF ST. PATRICK'S CATHEDRAL /
WE COMMANION
THIS TIDE OF INCIVILITY AND INTOLERANCE IN BIGOTRY,
DISCRIMINATION, AND ANTI-SEMITISM. / HAVE THEY NO
DECENCY -- HAVE THEY NO HONOR -- HAVE THEY NO RESPECT
FOR THE RIGHTS OF OTHERS? // I WILL CONTINUE TO SPEAK
OUT AGAINST THESE APOSTLES OF HATE WHO POISON OUR KIDS'
MINDS AND DEBASE THEIR SOULS. //
- 6 -
THERE IS NO PLACE IN AMERICA FOR RELIGIOUS
PREJUDICE, FOR ANTI-SEMITISM, OR RACIAL PREJUDICE. //
THIS BRINGS ME TO A FOURTH VALUE CRUCIAL TO AMERICA:
BELIEF IN FAMILY -- THE FOUNDATION OF OUR STRENGTH.
(TAKE MY KIDS, FOR EXAMPLE. // HAVING HELPED PUT THEM
THROUGH COLLEGE, I REMEMBER RECEIVING LETTERS FROM
THEM, AND THERE WOULD ALWAYS BE A P.S. AT THE BOTTOM.
IT WAS THOSE THREE WORDS THAT SAY SO MUCH ABOUT THE
BOND BETWEEN PARENTS AT HOME AND KIDS AT SCHOOL.
"PLEASE SEND MONEY. ")) //
- 7 -
THE OTHER DAY, I WAS VISITED BY THE LEADERS OF THE
NATIONAL LEAGUE OF CITIES -- MAYORS FROM BIG CITIES AND
SMALL, REPUBLICAN AND DEMOCRAT, LIBERAL AND
CONSERVATIVE. // THEY WERE UNANIMOUS IN THEIR VIEW
THAT THE MAJOR UNDERLYING PROBLEM IN OUR CITIES IS THE
DECLINE OF THE AMERICAN FAMILY. // THEY ARE RIGHT.
TOO OFTEN THE FAMILY IS UNDER SIEGE. // EACH ONE OF US
-- PARENTS, PREACHERS, POLITICIANS, AND TEACHERS --
MUST DO OUR PART TO DEFEND IT. // I DO NOT WANT ONE
SINGLE ACTION I TAKE AS PRESIDENT TO WEAKEN THE
AMERICAN FAMILY. I WANT TO STRENGTHEN IT IN EVERY WAY
I CAN. EVERY LAW THAT IS PASSED, SHOULD GUARD AGAINST
WEAKENING THE FAMILY. //
- 8 -
THAT IS WHY I INSISTED THAT THE CHILD-CARE BILL I
SIGNED IN 1990 ALLOW PARENTS -- NOT BUREAUCRATS -- TO
DECIDE HOW TO CARE FOR THEIR CHILDREN. I REFUSED TO
SEE THE OPTION OF RELIGIOUS-BASED CHILD CARE RESTRICTED
OR ELIMINATED. // OUR NATIONAL EDUCATION STRATEGY --
AMERICA 2000 -- HELPS THE FAMILY BY ENHANCING PARENTAL
INVOLVEMENT IN EDUCATION -- INSISTING THAT CHOICE
INCLUDE BOTH PRIVATE AND PUBLIC SCHOOLS. // I DO NOT
BELIEVE IT IS UNCONSTITUTIONAL FOR SCHOOL KIDS TO HAVE
THE SAME CHOICE THAT I GOT UNDER THE GI BILL OR THAT
COLLEGE KIDS NOW GET UNDER THE PELL GRANT OR THAT EX-
SERVICEMEN NOW GET UNDER THE MONTGOMERY BILL. //
- 9 -
LAST WEEK, I ANNOUNCED ANOTHER POLICY TO
STRENGTHEN THE FAMILY: EXPANDING THE PRE SCHOOL
4 year olds
PROGRAM TO SERVE ALL THOSE WHO ARE ELIGIBLE -- THE
LARGEST FUNDING INCREASE IN THE HISTORY OF PROJECT HEAD
START. // WHEN THIS IS ENACTED, WE WILL BE MUCH CLOSER
TO ACHIEVING ONE OF OUR SIX NATIONAL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:
"EVERY SCHOOL CHILD SHOULD START SCHOOL READY TO
LEARN." // FINALLY, FAMILIES WILL STAY TOGETHER ONLY
IF DRUGS DO NOT DRIVE THEM APART. //
WINNING THE WAR ON DRUGS MEANS WAGING A WAR ON
CRIME. WE'VE MADE THE COMMITMENT. ALL TOGETHER, THE
NEW FEDERAL BUDGET I'LL INTRODUCE TWO DAYS FROM NOW
WILL INCREASE SPENDING TO COMBAT CRIME BY $1.2 BILLION
-- TO A TOTAL OF ALMOST $16 BILLION DOLLARS. THAT'S
NEARLY 60 PERCENT HIGHER THAN WHEN I TOOK OFFICE IN
1989.
- 10 -
X
will provide
MY NEW BUDGET PROVIDES A-HALF-A-BILLION DOLLARS FOR
AN INITIATIVE WE CALL "WEED AND SEED." LATER TODAY, MY
ABLE ATTORNEY GENERAL, BILL BARR -- POINT MAN IN THIS
ING
NEW OPERATION -- WILL SPELL OUT ALL ITS DETAILS. //
BUT LET ME SAY THIS MUCH RIGHT NOW. WEED AND SEED
WORKS THIS WAY: FIRST, WE JOIN FEDERAL, STATE AND
LOCAL FORCES TO "WEED OUT" THE GANG LEADERS, THE
VIOLENT CRIMINALS, AND THE DRUG DEALERS WHO PLAGUE OUR
NEIGHBORHOODS. WHEN WE BREAK THEIR DEADLY GRIP, WE
FOLLOW UP WITH PART TWO: WE "SEED" THOSE NEIGHBORHOODS
X
WITH EXPANDED EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES, AND2 SOCIAL
JOB TRAINING, healthcare
other
SERVICES. BUT KEY TO THE SEED CONCEPT WILL BE JOBS-
GENERATING INITIATIVES SUCH AS ENTERPRISE ZONES -- TO
GIVE PEOPLE WHO CALL THESE NEIGHBORHOODS HOME SOMETHING
TO HOPE FOR. //
- 11 -
THERE IS MORE TO DO TO WIN THE FINAL VICTORY IN OUR
WAR ON DRUGS. BUT WE ARE WINNING. // OVER THE PAST
FOUR YEARS, MARIJUANA, CRACK, AND COCAINE USE HAS
DECLINED. WHAT'S MORE, TODAY KIDS AGED 9 TO 12 ARE THE
MOST ANTI-DRUG GROUP IN AMERICA. THE HIGHEST AT-RISK
GROUP REMAINS 13 TO 17-YEAR-OLDS -- BUT LAST YEAR / FOR
THE FIRST TIME / 13-YEAR-OLDS MIRRORED THE BEHAVIOR OF
PRE-TEENAGERS. //
DRUGS EFFECT A MULTITUDE OF ISSUES. THEY
CONTRIBUTE TO AIDS AND HOMELESSNESS -- SHATTERING
FAMILIES AND FUTURES / HOPES AND DREAMS. / THAT'S WHY
-- LITERALLY -- WE SHOULD THANK GOD FOR THE DRUG USE
DECLINE. THE DROP IN USE DOESN'T JUST PROVE WE WERE
RIGHT IN OUR ASSAULT ON SUBSTANCE USE: IT SHOWS HOW WE
CAN ACHIEVE DRUGS' UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER. //
- 12 -
WE WILL TRIUMPH THROUGH TOUGH ENFORCEMENT -- AND
THROUGH EDUCATION: INCREASING AWARENESS OF THE DAMAGE
DRUGS DO. // IN THAT SPIRIT, LET US RESOLVE TO TREAT
THE VICTIMS OF AIDS AND DRUG ABUSE WITH COMPASSION AND
CARING -- AND LET US REDOUBLE OUR EFFORTS TO HELP WITH
TREATMENT AND WITH EDUCATION. THAT WILL HELP ELIMINATE
THE RISKS INVOLVED. // OVER THE LAST FOUR YEARS, MORE
KIDS TALKED ABOUT DRUGS WITH THEIR PARENTS AND
TEACHERS. ANOTHER REASON FOR DRUG USE DECLINE HAS BEEN
AMERICA'S PRINT AND ELECTRONIC MEDIA -- THE MAJOR
SOURCE OF DRUG INFORMATION AND THE PRIMARY "INFLUENCER"
ON DRUG USE, ESPECIALLY AMONG THE YOUNG. // TOGETHER,
THEY HAVE HELPED REAWAKEN AMERICA'S CONSCIENCE --
WHICH, IN TURN, INSPIRES AMERICA'S GREATNESS. / LATER
TODAY, I WILL UNVEIL OUR FOURTH NATIONAL DRUG CONTROL
STRATEGY TO BUILD ON THESE BEGINNINGS. IT WILL SAY NO
TO DRUGS. IT WILL ALSO SAY YES TO LIFE. //
- 13 -
TO STOP DRUG USE WILL REQUIRE CARING, AND
COMMUNITY -- ABOVE ALL, ABUNDANT LOVE. / LET ME TELL
YOU A STORY. ONCE, A GREAT FIRST LADY -- PAT NIXON --
TOURED A MEDICAL CENTER AND STOPPED TO EMBRACE A LITTLE
GIRL BLINDED BY RUBELLA. FOR A FEW MINUTES, SHE TALKED
TO THE GIRL AND HELD HER CLOSE. LATER, SOMEONE TOLD
HER THAT THE CHILD WAS DEAF AS WELL AS BLIND. // PAT
ANSWERED THAT SHE HAD KNOWN THAT. // "BUT SHE KNOWS
WHAT LOVE IS," MRS. NIXON SAID. "SHE CAN FEEL LOVE."
//
- 14 -
AMERICA'S LOVE IS CONVEYED IN MANY WAYS. IN WHAT
WE OPPOSE: INJUSTICE AND TYRANNY. IN WHAT WE SUPPORT:
THE INALIENABLE RIGHTS THAT INCLUDE THE FREEDOM TO
THINK, DREAM, WORSHIP, AND, YES, VOTE AS WE PLEASE. //
TO PRESERVE OUR LIBERTY, AMERICA ONCE DEPOSED A KING /
FOUGHT A GREAT CIVIL WAR / FIVE TIMES THIS CENTURY SENT
AMERICANS INTO MAJOR BATTLE. YET FREEDOM IS NOT OURS
ALONE -- IT IS OUR MOST TREASURED EXPORT. // IF YOU
DOUBT FREEDOM'S VICTORY, LOOK TO THE PERSIAN GULF. /
LOOK TO THE FORMER SOVIET UNION, WHERE THOSE ONCE
OPPRESSED CROWD REOPENED CHURCHES AND SYNAGOGUES. /
LOOK TO EASTERN EUROPE, WHERE CHRISTMAS CAROLS WARM THE
BRIGHT WINTER CHILL. // IT IS WRITTEN: "IN THE
BEGINNING WAS THE WORD." HERE IS THE WORD FOR 1992:
TODAY, THE TIMES ARE ON THE SIDE OF PEACE -- BECAUSE
THE WORLD, INCREASINGLY, IS ON THE SIDE OF GOD. //
- 15 -
I REMEMBER AN EARLY TRIP TO THE SOVIET UNION BY
BILLY GRAHAM. HE CAME BACK AND REPORTED THAT FAITH IN
GOD WAS VERY MUCH ALIVE IN RUSSIA. SOME HARDLINERS
RIDICULED HIM. TODAY, WE SEE CLEARLY THAT HE WAS
RIGHT. //
THIS BRINGS ME TO THE ULTIMATE VALUE THAT SUSTAINS
AMERICA, AND THE VALUES I HAVE ALREADY CITED: A BELIEF
IN PRAYER. // NO COUNTRY CAN CLAIM A SPECIAL PLACE IN
GOD'S HEART. YET WE ARE BETTER AS A PEOPLE BECAUSE HE
HAS A SPECIAL PLACE IN OURS. //
I ONCE ASKED ONE OF MY GRANDKIDS HOW HE FELT ABOUT
PRAYER. HE SAID: "JUST TRY GETTING THROUGH A MATH
TEST WITHOUT IT. // IN SUNDAY SCHOOL, CHILDREN LEARN
THAT GOD IS EVERYWHERE -- BUT IN PUBLIC SCHOOL THEY
FIND THAT HE'S ABSENT FROM CLASS. // I CONTINUE TO
BELIEVE -- AS DO THE OVERWHELMING MAJORITY OF AMERICANS
-- IN THE RIGHT TO NON-DENOMINATIONAL VOLUNTARY SCHOOL
PRAYER. /
- 16 -
THE VALUES I HAVE SPOKEN OF REMIND US OF THE TRUTH
THAT COMES ON ONE'S KNEES. // I BELIEVE WITH ALL MY
HEART THAT ONE CANNOT BE AMERICA'S PRESIDENT WITHOUT A
BELIEF IN GOD AND IN PRAYER.
THE POET WALT WHITMAN WAS ONCE ASKED WHAT MADE
AMERICA / AMERICA. HE REPLIED, SIMPLY: "[ITS]
RELIGION. OTHERWISE THERE IS NO REAL AND PERMANENT
GRANDEUR." // LET THAT BE OUR ESSENCE AS A PEOPLE --
AND OUR MESSAGE AS A NATION. THANK YOU FOR THIS
OCCASION. GOD BLESS THIS MOST WONDROUS LAND ON EARTH
-- THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.
#
#
#
#
(Smith/Grossman)
January 25, 1992
Draft Five
RELIGION
PRESIDENTIAL REMARKS: RELIGIOUS BROADCASTERS
SHERATON WASHINGTON HOTEL
MONDAY, JANUARY 27, 1992
12:00 P.M.
President David Clark and Executive Director Brandt
Gustafson -- and let me salute your leadership of the NRB.
Former Secretary Elizabeth Dole. FCC Chairman Sykes. I see my
good friend Rev. Billy Graham and Jim Dobson. Ladies and
gentlemen. // This marks the fifth time I have had the honor of
addressing the annual convention of the National Religious
Broadcasters.
A year ago we met in the first week of a struggle to protect
what is right, and true. I came before you to talk of what was
not a Christian or Jewish war -- not a Moslem war. It was a just
war. // In the Persian Gulf we fought for good versus evil /
right versus wrong / dignity against oppression. America stood
fast -- so that liberty could stand tall. //
Today, I want to thank you for helping America, as Christ
ordained, be "a light unto the world." Your support honored the
finest soldiers / sailors / Marines / airmen / and Coast
Guardsmen any Nation has ever known. // What they did in war,
let us now do in peace. // Just as our forces fought to defend
all that is best in America, we need you to help instill the
traditional values that make life and liberty worth defending. //
2
Let me begin with some good news for modern man. According
to Gallup surveys, no society is more religious than the United
States of America. // Seven in ten Americans believe in life
after death -- eight in ten that God works miracles. Nine in ten
Americans pray. And more than ninety percent believe in God. //
To which I say: Thank God. //
Now, I know this is an election year. ( (I don't know about
Damascus -- but this Primary Season, we're seeing a lot of
conversions on the road to New Hampshire. ) ) // Today, I want to
speak of values which sustain America -- values that are always
in fashion. /
The first value is not simply American -- but universal. I
refer to the sanctity of life. I will stand on the side of
choosing life. //
Next comes a value which gives each life meaning: The self-
reliance central to the dignity of work. // Go to the barrios of
San Antonio, or the suburbs of St. Paul. There you will find
people who ask for only what our forefathers had: The same
opportunity which helped us brave independence / push back the
wilderness / win two World Wars / and create the highest standard
of living in the history of man. / /
The Bible reminds us: "By thy works shall Ye know them. "
What we must do is give working Americans the level playing field
to keep us rich in goods, and spirit. //
Tomorrow, my State of the Union Address will detail how we
can nurture creativity as old as 1776 -- harness it to the needs
3
of a new American Century. // Remember: To this day, the only
footprints on the moon are American footprints. / The only flag
on the moon is the stars and stripes. // The knowledge that put
it there is stamped: "Made in USA. " // The world looks to us to
lead --- and lead we will. // Americans can outwork / outproduce/
and outcompete any Nation in the world. // We must do all we can
to further that end. I will do my level best. I need your help.
The next value I speak of must be forever cast in stone. //
I speak of decency -- the moral courage to say what is right, and
condemn what's wrong. // We need a nation closer to The Waltons
than The Simpsons -- an America which rejects the rising tide of
incivility and intolerance. //
We see this tide in the naked epithet -- and in the code
words -- that play to our worst prejudices. / We see it when
people ridicule religion and religious leaders -- like the group
which crushed a consecrated host on the steps of St. Patrick's
Cathedral. / We see this tide of incivility and intolerance in
bigotry, discrimination, and anti-Semitism. / Have they no
decency -- have they no honor -- have they no respect for the
rights of others? // I will continue to speak out against these
apostles of hate who poison our kids' minds and debase their
souls. //
There is no place in America for religious prejudice, for
anti-Semitism, or racial prejudice. // This brings me to a
fourth value crucial to America: Belief in family -- the
foundation of our strength. ((Take my kids, for example. //
4
Having helped put them through college, I remember receiving
letters from them, and there would always be a P.S. at the
bottom. It was those three words that say so much about the bond
between parents at home and kids at school. "Please send
money. ")) //
The other day, I was visited by the leaders of the National
League of Cities -- mayors from big cities and small, Republican
and Democrat, liberal and conservative. // They were unanimous
in their view that the major underlying problem in our cities is
the decline of the American family. // They are right. Too
often the family is under siege. // Each one of us -- parents,
preachers, politicians, and teachers -- must do our part to
defend it. // I do not want one single action I take as
President to weaken the American family. I want to strengthen it
in every way I can. Every law that is passed, should guard
against weakening the family. //
That is why I insisted that the child-care bill I signed in
1990 allow parents -- not bureaucrats -- to decide how to care
for their children. I refused to see the option of religious-
based child care restricted or eliminated. // The family is also
why our education program -- America 2000 -- insists that choice
include both private and public schools. // I do not believe it
is unconstitutional to give to school kids the same choice that I
got under the GI Bill or that college kids now get under the Pell
grant or that ex-servicemen now get under the Montgomery bill. //
5
Last week, I announced another policy to strengthen the
family: Expanding the pre-school program to serve all those who
are eligible -- the largest funding increase in the history of
Project Head Start. // When this is enacted, we will be much
closer to achieving one of our six National Educational goals:
"Every school child should start school ready to learn.' " //
Finally, families will stay together only if drugs do not drive
them apart. //
Winning the war on drugs means waging a war on crime. We've
made the commitment. All together, the new federal budget I'll
introduce two days from now will increase spending to combat
crime by $1.2 billion -- to a total of almost $16 billion
dollars. That's nearly 60 percent higher than when I took office
in 1989.
My new budget provides a-half-a-billion dollars for an
initiative we call "Weed and Seed." " Later today, my able
Attorney General, Bill Barr -- point man in this new program --
will spell out all its details. // But let me say this much
right now. Weed and Seed works this way: First, we join
federal, state and local forces to "weed out" the gang leaders,
the violent criminals, and the drug dealers who plague our
neighborhoods. When we break their deadly grip, we follow up
with part two: we "seed" those neighborhoods with expanded
educational opportunities and social services. But key to the
seed concept will be jobs-generating initiatives such as
6
Enterprise Zones -- to give people who call these neighborhoods
home something to hope for. //
There is more to do to win the final victory in our war on
drugs. But we are winning. // Over the past four years,
marijuana, crack, and cocaine use has declined. What's more,
today kids aged 9 to 12 are the most anti-drug group in America.
The highest at-risk group remains 13 to 17-year-olds -- but last
year / for the first time / 13-year-olds mirrored the behavior of
pre-teenagers. //
Drugs effect a multitude of issues. They contribute to AIDS
and homelessness -- shattering families and futures / hopes and
dreams. / That's why -- literally -- we should thank God for the
drug use decline. The drop in use doesn't just prove we were
right in our assault on substance use: It shows how we can
achieve drugs' unconditional surrender. / /
We will triumph through tough enforcement -- and through
education: Increasing awareness of the damage drugs do. // In
that spirit, let us resolve to treat the victims of AIDS and drug
abuse with compassion and caring -- and let us redouble our
efforts to help with treatment and with education. That will
help eliminate the risks involved. // Over the last four years,
more kids talked about drugs with their parents and teachers.
Another reason for drug use decline has been America's print and
electronic media -- the major source of drug information and the
primary "influencer" on drug use, especially among the young. //
Together, they have helped reawaken America's conscience --
7
which, in turn, inspires America's greatness. / Later today, I
will unveil our fourth National Drug Control Strategy to build on
these beginnings. It will say no to drugs. It will also say yes
to life. / /
To stop drug use will require caring, and community --
above all, abundant love. / Let me tell you a story. Once, a
great First Lady -- Pat Nixon -- toured a medical center and
stopped to embrace a little girl blinded by rubella. For a few
minutes, she talked to the girl and held her close. Later,
someone told her that the child was deaf as well as blind. //
Pat answered that she had known that. // "But she knows what
love is, " Mrs. Nixon said. "She can feel love. " //
America's love is conveyed in many ways. In what we oppose:
Injustice and tyranny. In what we support: The inalienable
rights that include the freedom to think, dream, worship, and,
yes, vote as we please. // To preserve our liberty, America once
deposed a king / fought a great Civil War / five times this
Century sent Americans into major battle. Yet freedom is not
ours alone -- it is our most treasured export. // If you doubt
freedom's victory, look to the Persian Gulf. / Look to the
former Soviet Union, where those once oppressed crowd reopened
churches and synagogues. / Look to Eastern Europe, where
Christmas carols warm the bright winter chill. // It is written:
"In the beginning was the Word." Here is the word for 1992:
Today, the times are on the side of peace -- because the world,
increasingly, is on the side of God. //
8
I remember an early trip to the Soviet Union by Billy
Graham. He came back and reported that faith in God was very
much alive in Russia. Some hardliners ridiculed him. Today, we
see clearly that he was right. //
This brings me to the ultimate value that sustains America,
and the values I have already cited: A belief in prayer. // No
country can claim a special place in God's heart. Yet we are
better as a people because He has a special place in ours. //
I once asked one of my grandkids how he felt about prayer.
He said: "Just try getting through a math test without it." //
In Sunday school, children learn that God is everywhere -- but in
public school they find that He's absent from class. // I
continue to believe -- as do the overwhelming majority of
Americans -- in the right to non-denominational voluntary school
prayer. /
The values I have spoken of remind us of the truth that
comes on one's knees. // I believe with all my heart that one
cannot be America's President without a belief in God and in
prayer.
The poet Walt Whitman was once asked what made America /
America. He replied, simply: "[Its] religion. Otherwise there
is no real and permanent grandeur." // Let that be our essence
as a people -- and our message as a Nation. Thank you for this
occasion. God bless this most wondrous land on earth -- the
United States of America.
#
#
#
#
Document No. 300916ss
WHITE HOUSE STAFFING MEMORANDUM
DATE:
1/23/92
ACTION/CONCURRENCECOMMENT DUE BY:
PRESIDENTIAL REMARKS: NATIONAL RELIGIOUS BROADCASTERS
SUBJECT:
MONDAY, JANUARY 27, 1992
ACTION FYI
ACTION FYI
-
1
VICE PRESIDENT
HORNER
1
-
1
SKINNER
-
MCCLURE
1
-
-
SCOWCROFT
PETERSMEYER
1
-
-
DARMAN
PORTER
-
BRADY
ROGICH
1
1
BROMLEY
SMITH
1
-
FINDLAY
CARD
1
1
PORTER ROSE
DEMAREST
1
-
MARTINEZ
-
FITZWATER
1
-
SNOW
-
GRAY
I
HOLIDAY
REMARKS:
The attached has been forwarded to the President.
RESPONSE:
See insert. Thanks
PK
Paul 01/24/92 Korfouta
PHILLIP D. BRADY
Assistant to the President
and Staff Secretary
Ext. 2702
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
January 23, 1992
92 JAN 23 P6: 36
MEMORANDUM FOR THE PRESIDENT
THROUGH:
DAVID DEMAREST
TONY SNOW
FROM:
T5.0
CURT SMITH
SUBJECT:
NATIONAL RELIGIOUS BROADCASTERS
On Monday, January 27, 1992, at noon, you will deliver
remarks (approximately 14 minutes/teleprompted) to the National
Religious Broadcasters' annual conference. Roughly 1,500 will
attend.
Your speech strives to cut through the political vagaries
of campaign season by focusing on values -- the values that
sustain America and that this administration shares with our
nation's religious broadcasters. You talk about the sanctity of
unborn life, opportunity and empowerment, decency and tolerance,
family and choice, the war against drugs, and the power of
prayer.
(Smith/Grossman)
January 23, 1992
Draft Three
RELIGION
PRESIDENTIAL REMARKS: RELIGIOUS BROADCASTERS
SHERATON WASHINGTON HOTEL
MONDAY, JANUARY 27, 1992
12:00 P.M.
President David Clark and Executive Director Brandt
Gustafson -- and let me salute your leadership of the NRB. Liddy
Dole. FCC Chairman Sykes. I see my good friend Rev. Billy
Graham. Jim Dobson, Pat Robertson, and Jerry Falwell. Ladies
and gentlemen. Fellow communicators. // This marks the fifth
time I have had the honor of addressing the annual convention of
the National Religious Broadcasters. ((It's always a pleasure
driving over here from the White House. I think if Moses were
around today, he'd be called upon to part the traffic. )) //
((First, I'm glad to see Jerry Falwell. I invited Jerry to
go jogging with me this morning, but he had his own exercise
plans. / He walked across the Potomac. )) //
((Then, there's my other friend, Pat Robertson. Pat was
telling me you have the lowest catering bill of any convention
that comes to this hotel. // It's amazing how you can feed this
entire multitude on five loaves and two fishes. )) //
A year ago we met in the first week of a struggle to protect
what is right, and true. I came before you to talk of what was
not a Christian or Jewish war -- not a Moslem war. It was a just
war. // In the Persian Gulf we fought for good versus evil /
2
right versus wrong / dignity against oppression. America stood
fast -- so that liberty could stand tall. //
Today, I want to thank you for helping America, as Christ
ordained, be "a light unto the world." Your support honored the
finest soldiers / sailors / Marines / airmen / and Coast
Guardsmen any Nation has ever known. // What they did in war,
let us now do in peace. // Just as our forces fought to defend
all that is best in America, we need you to help instill the
traditional values that make life and liberty worth defending. //
Let me begin with some good news for modern man. According
to Gallup surveys, no society is more religious than the United
States of America. // Seven in ten Americans believe in life
after death -- eight in ten that God works miracles. Nine in ten
Americans pray. And more than ninety percent believe in God. //
To which I say: Thank God. //
Now, I know this is an election year. ( (I don't know about
Damascus -- but this Primary Season, we're seeing a lot of
conversions on the road to New Hampshire. )) // We hear
candidates promising this, and that -- espousing policies
suddenly in fashion. // Today, I want to speak of values which
sustain America -- values that are always in fashion. /
The first value is not simply American -- but universal. I
refer to the sanctity of life. You know my position -- but I'll
restate it. In the words of Deuteronomy: "Let us choose life. "
/ We need policies that encourage adoption, not abortion. //
3
Next comes a value which gives each life meaning: The self-
reliance central to the dignity of work. // Go to the barrios of
San Antonio, or the suburbs of St. Paul. There you will find
people who ask for only what our forefathers had: The same
opportunity which helped us brave independence / push back the
wilderness / win two World Wars / and create the highest standard
of living in the history of man. //
The Bible reminds us: "By thy works shall Ye know them."
What we must do is give working Americans the level playing field
to keep us rich in goods, and spirit. //
Tomorrow, my State of the Union Address will detail how we
can nurture creativity as old as 1776 -- harness it to the needs
of a new American Century. // Remember: To this day, the only
footprints on the moon are American footprints. / The only flag
on the moon is the stars and stripes. // The knowledge that put
it there is stamped: "Made in USA. " // The world looks to us to
lead -- and lead we will. // Tune in tomorrow, and see if you
don't agree: I will announce a program to help Americans outwork
/ outproduce / and outcompete any Nation in the world. //
The next value I speak of must be forever cast in stone. //
I speak of decency -- the moral courage to say what is right, and
condemn what's wrong. // We need a nation closer to The Waltons
than The Simpsons -- an America which rejects the rising tide of
incivility and intolerance. //
We see this tide in the naked epithet -- and in the code
words -- that play to our worst prejudices. / We see it when
4
people ridicule religion and religious leaders -- like the group
which crushed a consecrated host on the steps of St. Patrick's
Cathedral. / We see it in bigotry, discrimination, and anti-
Semitism. / I will continue to speak out against these apostles
of hate who poison our kids' minds and debase their souls. //
This brings me to a fourth value crucial to America: Belief
in family -- the foundation of our strength. ((I admit it: I've
been lucky -- a wonderful wife and five great kids. // Having
helped put them through college, I remember receiving letters
from them, and there would always be a P.S. at the bottom. It
was those three words that say so much about the bond between
parents at home and kids at school. "Please send money. ")) //
Too often today, the family is under siege. I say to you:
Each one of us -- parents, preachers, politicians, and teachers -
- must do our part to defend it. // I do not want one single
action I take as President to weaken the American family. I want
to strengthen it in every way I can. //
That is why I insisted that the child-care bill I signed in
1990 allow parents -- not bureaucrats -- to decide how to care
for their children. I refused to see the option of religious-
based child care restricted or eliminated. // The family is also
why our education program -- America 2000 -- insists that choice
include both private and public schools. // Last week, I
announced another policy to strengthen the family: Expanding the
pre-school program to serve all those who are eligible -- the
largest funding increase in the history of Project Head Start. //
5
(Justre)
Finally, families will stay together only if drugs do not drive
them apart. //
Insert
There is more to do to win the final victory in our war on
drugs. But we are winning. // Over the past four years,
marijuana, crack, and cocaine use has declined. What's more,
today kids aged 9 to 12 are the most anti-drug group in America.
The highest at-risk group remains 13 to 17-year-olds -- but last
year / for the first time / 13-year-olds mirrored the behavior of
pre-teenagers. //
Drugs effect a multitude of issues. They contribute to AIDS
and homelessness -- shattering families and futures / hopes and
dreams. / That's why -- literally -- we should thank God for the
drug use decline. The drop in use doesn't just prove we were
right in our assault on substance use: It shows how we can
achieve drugs' unconditional surrender. //
We will triumph through tough enforcement -- and through
education: Increasing awareness of the damage drugs do. // Over
the last four years, more kids talked about drugs with their
parents and teachers. Another force has been America's print and
electronic media -- the major source of drug information and the
primary "influencer" on drug use, especially among the young. //
Together, they have helped reawaken America's conscience --
which, in turn, inspires America's greatness. / Later today, I
will unveil our fourth National Drug Control Strategy to build on
these beginnings. It will say no to drugs. It will also say yes
to life. //
6
To stop drug use will require caring, and community --
above all, abundant love. / Let me tell you a story. Once, a
great First Lady -- Pat Nixon -- toured a medical center and
stopped to embrace a little girl blinded by rubella. For a few
minutes, she talked to the girl and held her close. Later,
someone told her that the child was deaf as well as blind. //
Pat answered that she had known that. // "But she knows what
love is," Mrs. Nixon said. "She can feel love. " //
America's love is conveyed in many ways. In what we oppose:
Injustice and tyranny. In what we support: The inalienable
rights that include the freedom to think, dream, worship, and,
yes, vote as we please. // To preserve our liberty, America once
deposed a king / fought a great Civil War / five times this
Century sent Americans into major battle. Yet freedom is not
ours alone -- it is our most treasured export. // If you doubt
freedom's victory, look to the Persian Gulf. / Look to the
former Soviet Union, where those once oppressed crowd reopened
churches and synagogues. / Look to Eastern Europe, where
Christmas carols warm the bright winter chill. // It is written:
"In the beginning was the Word." Here is the word for 1992:
Today, the times are on the side of peace -- because the world,
increasingly, is on the side of God. //
This brings me to the ultimate value that sustains America,
and the values I have already cited: A belief in prayer -- and
through prayer, in the One through whom all things are possible.
7
// No country can claim a special place in God's heart. Yet we
are better as a people because He has a special place in ours. //
I once asked one of my grandkids how he felt about prayer.
He said: "Just try getting through a math test without it." //
In Sunday school, children learn that God is everywhere -- but in
public school they find that He's absent from class. // I
continue to believe -- as do the overwhelming majority of
Americans -- in the right to voluntary school prayer. / I once
again call on the Congress to pass a Constitutional Amendment
putting the Faith of our Fathers back in our schools. /
The values I have spoken of remind us of the truth that
comes on one's knees. // I believe with all my heart that one
cannot be America's President without a belief in God and in
prayer. I also believe America will be a better place if the
Golden Rule becomes our daily guide. //
The poet Walt Whitman was once asked what made America /
America. He replied, simply: "[Its] religion. Otherwise there
is no real and permanent grandeur." // Let that be our essence
as a people -- and our message as a Nation. Thank you for this
occasion. God bless this most wondrous land on earth -- the
United States of America.
#
#
#
#
01/24/92
17:01
202 514 0468
ATTORNEY GENERAL WHITE HOUSE/OCA
002
INSERT FOR THE NATIONAL RELIGIOUS BROADCASTERS SPEECH
FROM ATTORNEY GENERAL BARR
PAGE FIVE, FIRST FULL PARAGRAPH
Finally, families will stay together only if drugs do not
drive them apart.
INSERT
A
INSERT HERE:
Last week, I visited with children in a Head Start program
here in the District to announce that next year's budget will
include full funding for this important initiative. But if kids
can't get to their Head Start center because gangs and drug
dealers are lurking on the streets outside, what good is it?
That's why, tomorrow night, I'll be making an important
announcement in the State of the Union address to the nation.
We're proposing a substantial investment in combatting violent
crime and drugs in our hardest hit communities -- in a way that
coordinates federal, state and local law enforcement efforts with
social programs that work. We call it "Weed and Seed" -- because
we have to weed out the crime and drugs in our neighborhoods
before we can plant the seeds of education, growth and
opportunity.
There is more to do to win the final victory
THANKS VERY MUCH.
More from B. Barr coming
SENT BY:OMB
; 1-24-92 ; 17:24
2023957238->
2023954639;# 1
Relig B'canters
1-27-92
WEED AND SEED DESCRIPTION
Impoverished and embattled communities are a problem not
only for the people who live there, but for all of American
society. The high incidence of crime, drug use, and wasted human
potential translates to a lower quality of life and lower
productivity for the entire country. "Weed and Seed" is a new
half-billion dollar 1993 initiative designed to reclaim and
rejuvenate embattled neighborhoods and communities. The
initiative seeks to remove or "weed" gang leaders, violent
criminals, and drug dealers from the neighborhoods using Federal,
State and local resources. Then it prevents a reinfestation of
criminal activity by "seeding" the neighborhoods with education,
social services and jobs generation associated with Enterprise
Zones, as proposed by this Administration.
This $500 million initiative, led by the Attorney General in
conjunction with other Federal agencies, is part of a larger
effort to fight crime and spur economic development. For
example, Federal spending to fight crime is proposed to increase
by $1.2 billion in 1993. The total Federal anti-crime effort,
almost $16 billion in 1993, is almost 60 percent higher than when
I took office in 1989.
must. include
gudies juzhce
(Smith/Grossman)
January 24, 1992
Draft Four
RELIGION
PRESIDENTIAL REMARKS: RELIGIOUS BROADCASTERS
SHERATON WASHINGTON HOTEL
MONDAY, JANUARY 27, 1992
12:00 P.M.
President David Clark and Executive Director Brandt
Gustafson -- and let me salute your leadership of the NRB. Liddy
Dole. FCC Chairman Sykes. I see my good friend Rev. Billy
Graham and Jim Dobson. Ladies and gentlemen. Fellow
communicators. // This marks the fifth time I have had the honor
of addressing the annual convention of the National Religious
Broadcasters.
A year ago we met in the first week of a struggle to protect
what is right, and true. I came before you to talk of what was
not a Christian or Jewish war -- not a Moslem war. It was a just
war. // In the Persian Gulf we fought for good versus evil /
right versus wrong / dignity against oppression. America stood
fast -- so that liberty could stand tall. //
Today, I want to thank you for helping America, as Christ
ordained, be "a light unto the world." Your support honored the
finest soldiers / sailors / Marines / airmen / and Coast
Guardsmen any Nation has ever known. // What they did in war,
let us now do in peace. // Just as our forces fought to defend
all that is best in America, we need you to help instill the
traditional values that make life and liberty worth defending. //
2
Let me begin with some good news for modern man. According
to Gallup surveys, no society is more religious than the United
States of America. // Seven in ten Americans believe in life
after death -- eight in ten that God works miracles. Nine in ten
Americans pray. And more than ninety percent believe in God. //
To which I say: Thank God. //
Low, I know this is an election year. ((I don't know about
Damasous -- but this Primary Season, we're seeing a lot of
conversions on the road to New Hampshire. )) // We hear
candidates promising this, and that -- espousing policies
suddenly in fashion. // Today, I want to speak of values which
sustain America -- values that are always in fashion. /
The first value is not simply American -- but universal. I
refer to the sanctity of life. You know my position -- but I'll
restate it. In the words of Deuteronomy: "Let us choose life."
/ We need policies that encourage adoption, not abortion. //
Next comes a value which gives each life meaning: The self-
reliance central to the dignity of work. // Go to the barrios of
San Antonio, or the suburbs of St. Paul. There you will find
people who ask for only what our forefathers had: The same
opportunity which helped us brave independence / push back the
wilderness / win two World Wars / and create the highest standard
of living in the history of man. //
The Bible reminds us: "By thy works shall Ye know them."
What we must do is give working Americans the level playing field
to keep us rich in goods, and spirit. //
3
Tomorrow, my State of the Union Address will detail how we
can nurture creativity as old as 1776 -- harness it to the needs
of a new American Century. // Remember: To this day, the only
footprints on the moon are American footprints. / The only flag
on the moon is the stars and stripes. // The knowledge that put
it there is stamped: "Made in USA. II // The world looks to us to
lead -- and lead we will. // Tune in tomorrow, and see if you
don't agree: I will announce a program to help Americans outwork
/ outproduce / and outcompete any Nation in the world. //
The next value I speak of must be forever cast in stone. //
I speak of decency -- the moral courage to say what is right, and
condemn what's wrong. // We need a nation closer to The Waltons
than The Simpsons -- an America which rejects the rising tide of
incivility and intolerance. //
We see this tide in the naked epithet -- and in the code
words -- that play to our worst prejudices. / We see it when
people ridicule religion and religious leaders -- like the group
which crushed a consecrated host on the steps of St. Patrick's
Cathedral. / We see it in bigotry, discrimination, and anti-
Semitism. / I will continue to speak out against these apostles
of hate who poison our kids' minds and debase their souls. //
This brings me to a fourth value crucial to America: Belief
in family -- the foundation of our strength. ((I admit it: I've
been lucky -- a wonderful wife and five great kids. // Having
helped put them through college, I remember receiving letters
from them, and there would always be a P.S. at the bottom. It
4
was those three words that say so much about the bond between
parents at home and kids at school. "Please send money. ) //
Too often today, the family is under siege. I say to you:
Each one of us -- parents, preachers, politicians, and teachers -
- must do our part to defend it. // I do not want one single
action I take as President to weaken the American family. I want
to strengthen it in every way I can. //
That is why I insisted that the child-care bill I signed in
1990 allow parents -- not bureaucrats -- to decide how to care
for their children. I refused to see the option of religious-
based child care restricted or eliminated. // The family is also
why our education program -- America 2000 -- insists that choice
include both private and public schools. // Last week, I
announced another policy to strengthen the family: Expanding the
pre-school program to serve all those who are eligible -- the
largest funding increase in the history of Project Head Start. //
Finally, families will stay together only if drugs do not drive
them apart. //
Winning the war on drugs means waging a war on crime. We've
made the commitment. All together, the new federal budget I'll
introduce two days from now will increase spending to combat
crime by $1.2 billion -- to a total of almost $16 billion
dollars. That's nearly 60% higher than when I took office in
1989.
My new budget provides a-half-a-billion dollars for an
initiative we call "Weed and Seed. II Later today, my able
5
Attorney General, Bill Barr -- point man in this new program --
will spell out all its details. // But let me say this much
right now. Weed and Seed works this way: First, we join
federal, state and local forces to "weed out" the gang leaders,
the violent criminals, and the drug dealers who plague our
neighborhoods. When we break their deadly grip, we follow on
with part two: we "seed" those neighborhoods with expanded
educational opportunities and social services. But key to the
seed concept will be jobs-generating initiatives such as
Enterprise Zones -- to give people who call these neighborhoods
home something to hope for. //
There is more to do to win the final victory in our war on
drugs. But we are winning. // Over the past four years,
marijuana, crack, and cocaine use has declined. What's more,
today kids aged 9 to 12 are the most anti-drug group in America.
The highest at-risk group remains 13 to 17-year-olds -- but last
year / for the first time / 13-year-olds mirrored the behavior of
pre-teenagers. //
Drugs effect a multitude of issues. They contribute to AIDS
and homelessness -- shattering families and futures / hopes and
dreams. / That's why -- literally -- we should thank God for the
drug use decline. The drop in use doesn't just prove we were
right in our assault on substance use: It shows how we can
achieve drugs' unconditional surrender. //
We will triumph through tough enforcement -- and through
education: Increasing awareness of the damage drugs do. // Over
6
the last four years, more kids talked about drugs with their
parents and teachers. Another force has been America's print and
electronic media -- the major source of drug information and the
primary "influencer" on drug use, especially among the young. //
Together, they have helped reawaken America's conscience --
which, in turn, inspires America's greatness. / Later today, I
will unveil our fourth National Drug Control Strategy to build on
these beginnings. It will say no to drugs. It will also say yes
to life. //
To stop drug use will require caring, and community --
above all, abundant love. / Let me tell you a story. Once, a
great First Lady -- Pat Nixon -- toured a medical center and
stopped to embrace a little girl blinded by rubella. For a few
minutes, she talked to the girl and held her close. Later,
someone told her that the child was deaf as well as blind. //
Pat answered that she had known that. // "But she knows what
love is," Mrs. Nixon said. "She can feel love. " //
America's love is conveyed in many ways. In what we oppose:
Injustice and tyranny. In what we support: The inalienable
rights that include the freedom to think, dream, worship, and,
yes, vote as we please. // To preserve our liberty, America once
deposed a king / fought a great Civil War / five times this
Century sent Americans into major battle. Yet freedom is not
ours alone -- it is our most treasured export. // If you doubt
freedom's victory, look to the Persian Gulf. / Look to the
former Soviet Union, where those once oppressed crowd reopened
7
churches and synagogues. / Look to Eastern Europe, where
Christmas carols warm the bright winter chill. // It is written:
"In the beginning was the Word." Here is the word for 1992:
Today, the times are on the side of peace -- because the world,
increasingly, is on the side of God. //
This brings me to the ultimate value that sustains America,
and the values I have already cited: A belief in prayer -- and
through prayer, in the One through whom all things are possible.
// No country can claim a special place in God's heart. Yet we
are better as a people because He has a special place in ours. //
I once asked one of my grandkids how he felt about prayer.
He said: "Just try getting through a math test without it." //
In Sunday school, children learn that God is everywhere -- but in
public school they find that He's absent from class. // I
continue to believe -- as do the overwhelming majority of
Americans -- in the right to voluntary school prayer. / I once
again call on the Congress to pass a Constitutional Amendment
putting the Faith of our Fathers back in our schools. /
The values I have spoken of remind us of the truth that
comes on one's knees. // I believe with all my heart that one
cannot be America's President without a belief in God and in
prayer. I also believe America will be a better place if the
Golden Rule becomes our daily guide. //
The poet Walt Whitman was once asked what made America /
America. He replied, simply: "[Its] religion. Otherwise there
is no real and permanent grandeur. " // Let that be our essence
8
as a people -- and our message as a Nation. Thank you for this
occasion. God bless this most wondrous land on earth -- the
United States of America.
#
#
#
#
Document No. 300916ss
92 JAN 24 A8: WHITE HOUSE STAFFING MEMORANDUM
DATE.
1/23/92
ACTION/CONCURRENCE/COMMENT DUE BY:
---
PRESIDENTIAL REMARKS: NATIONAL RELIGIOUS BROADCASTERS
SUBJECT:
MONDAY, JANUARY 27, 1992
ACTION FYI
ACTION FYI
-
-
VICE PRESIDENT
HORNER
-
SKINNER
MCCLURE
1
SCOWCROFT
-
PETERSMEYER
-
DARMAN
PORTER
-
BRADY
ROGICH
-
1
BROMLEY
SMITH
1
FINDLAY
CARD
1
PORTER ROSE
DEMAREST
I
-
MARTINEZ
FITZWATER
1
1
SNOW
GRAY
HOLIDAY
REMARKS:
The attached has been forwarded to the President.
RESPONSE:
PHILLIP D. BRADY
Assistant to the President
and Staff Secretary
Ext. 2702
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
January 23, 1992
92 JAN 23 P6: 36
MEMORANDUM FOR THE PRESIDENT
THROUGH:
DAVID DEMAREST
TONY SNOW
FROM:
T5.s
CURT SMITH
SUBJECT:
NATIONAL RELIGIOUS BROADCASTERS
On Monday, January 27, 1992, at noon, you will deliver
remarks (approximately 14 minutes/teleprompted) to the National
Religious Broadcasters' annual conference. Roughly 1,500 will
attend.
Your speech strives to cut through the political vagaries
of campaign season by focusing on values -- the values that
sustain America and that this administration shares with our
nation's religious broadcasters. You talk about the sanctity of
unborn life, opportunity and empowerment, decency and tolerance,
family and choice, the war against drugs, and the power of
prayer.
(Smith/Grossman)
January 23, 1992
Draft Three
RELIGION
PRESIDENTIAL REMARKS: RELIGIOUS BROADCASTERS
SHERATON WASHINGTON HOTEL
MONDAY, JANUARY 27, 1992
12:00 P.M.
President David Clark and Executive Director Brandt
Gustafson -- and let me salute your leadership of the NRB. Liddy
Dole. FCC Chairman Sykes. I see my good friend Rev. Billy
Graham. Jim Dobson, Pat Robertson, and Jerry Falwell. Ladies
and gentlemen. Fellow communicators. // This marks the fifth
time I have had the honor of addressing the annual convention of
the National Religious Broadcasters. ((It's always a pleasure
driving over here from the White House. I think if Moses were
around today, he'd be called upon to part the traffic. )) //
((First, I'm glad to see Jerry Falwell. I invited Jerry to
go jogging with me this morning, but he had his own exercise
plans. / He walked across the Potomac. )) 11
((Then, there's my other friend, Pat Robertson. Pat was
telling me you have the lowest catering bill of any convention
that comes to this hotel. // It's amazing how you can feed this
entire multitude on five loaves and two fishes. )) //
A year ago we met in the first week of a struggle to protect
what is right, and true. I came before you to talk of what was
not a Christian or Jewish war -- not a Moslem war. It was a just
war. // In the Persian Gulf we fought for good versus evil /
2
right versus wrong / dignity against oppression. America stood
fast -- so that liberty could stand tall. 11
Today, I want to thank you for helping America, as Christ
ordained, be "a light unto the world." Your support honored the
finest soldiers / sailors / Marines / airmen / and Coast
Guardsmen any Nation has ever known. // What they did in war,
let us now do in peace. // Just as our forces fought to defend
all that is best in America, we need you to help instill the
traditional values that make life and liberty worth defending. //
Let me begin with some good news for modern man. According
to Gallup surveys, no society is more religious than the United
States of America. // Seven in ten Americans believe in life
after death -- eight in ten that God works miracles. Nine in ten
Americans pray. And more than ninety percent believe in God. //
To which I say: Thank God. //
Now, I know this is an election year. ((I don't know about
Damascus -- but this Primary Season, we're seeing a lot of
conversions on the road to New Hampshire. )) // We hear
candidates promising this, and that -- espousing policies
suddenly in fashion. // Today, I want to speak of values which
sustain America -- values that are always in fashion. /
The first value is not simply American -- but universal. I
refer to the sanctity of life. You know my position -- but I'll
restate it. In the words of Deuteronomy: "Let us choose life."
/ We need policies that encourage adoption, not abortion. //
3
Next comes a value which gives each life meaning: The self-
reliance central to the dignity of work. // Go to the barrios of
San Antonio, or the suburbs of St. Paul. There you will find
people who ask for only what our forefathers had: The same
opportunity which helped us brave independence / push back the
wilderness / win two World Wars / and create the highest standard
of living in the history of man. 11
The Bible reminds us: "By thy works shall Ye know them." "
What we must do is give working Americans the level playing field
to keep us rich in goods, and spirit. //
Tomorrow, my State of the Union Address will detail how we
can nurture creativity as old as 1776 -- harness it to the needs
of a new American Century. // Remember: To this day, the only
footprints on the moon are American footprints. / The only flag
on the moon is the stars and stripes. // The knowledge that put
it there is stamped: "Made in USA. " // The world looks to us to
lead -- and lead we will. // Tune in tomorrow, and see if you
don't agree: I will announce a program to help Americans outwork
/ outproduce / and outcompete any Nation in the world. //
The next value I speak of must be forever cast in stone. //
I speak of decency -- the moral courage to say what is right, and
condemn what's wrong. // We need a nation closer to The Waltons
than The Simpsons -- an America which rejects the rising tide of
incivility and intolerance. //
We see this tide in the naked epithet -- and in the code
words -- that play to our worst prejudices. / We see it when
4
people ridicule religion and religious leaders -- like the group
which crushed a consecrated host on the steps of St. Patrick's
Cathedral. / We see it in bigotry, discrimination, and anti-
Semitism. / I will continue to speak out against these apostles
of hate who poison our kids' minds and debase their souls. //
This brings me to a fourth value crucial to America: Belief
in family -- the foundation of our strength. ((I admit it: I've
been lucky -- a wonderful wife and five great kids. // Having
helped put them through college, I remember receiving letters
from them, and there would always be a P.S. at the bottom. It
was those three words that say so much about the bond between
parents at home and kids at school. "Please send money. ")) 11
Too often today, the family is under siege. I say to you:
Each one of us -- parents, preachers, politicians, and teachers -
- must do our part to defend it. // I do not want one single
action I take as President to weaken the American family. I want
to strengthen it in every way I can. //
That is why I insisted that the child-care bill I signed in
1990 allow parents -- not bureaucrats -- to decide how to care
for their children. I refused to see the option of religious-
based child care restricted or eliminated. // The family is also
why our education program -- America 2000 -- insists that choice
include both private and public schools. // Last week, I
announced another policy to strengthen the family: Expanding the
pre-school program to serve all those who are eligible -- the
largest funding increase in the history of Project Head Start. //
5
Finally, families will stay together only if drugs do not drive
them apart. / /
There is more to do to win the final victory in our war on
drugs. But we are winning. // Over the past four years,
marijuana, crack, and cocaine use has declined. What's more,
today kids aged 9 to 12 are the most anti-drug group in America.
The highest at-risk group remains 13 to 17-year-olds -- but last
year / for the first time / 13-year-olds mirrored the behavior of
pre-teenagers. //
Drugs effect a multitude of issues. They contribute to AIDS
and homelessness -- shattering families and futures / hopes and
dreams. / That's why -- literally -- we should thank God for the
drug use decline. The drop in use doesn't just prove we were
right in our assault on substance use: It shows how we can
achieve drugs' unconditional surrender. //
We will triumph through tough enforcement -- and through
education: Increasing awareness of the damage drugs do. // Over
the last four years, more kids talked about drugs with their
parents and teachers. Another force has been America's print and
electronic media -- the major source of drug information and the
primary "influencer" on drug use, especially among the young. //
Together, they have helped reawaken America's conscience --
which, in turn, inspires America's greatness. / Later today, I
will unveil our fourth National Drug Control Strategy to build on
these beginnings. It will say no to drugs. It will also say yes
to life. //
6
To stop drug use will require caring, and community --
above all, abundant love. / Let me tell you a story. Once, a
great First Lady -- Pat Nixon -- toured a medical center and
stopped to embrace a little girl blinded by rubella. For a few
minutes, she talked to the girl and held her close. Later,
someone told her that the child was deaf as well as blind. 11
Pat answered that she had known that. 11 "But she knows what
love is," Mrs. Nixon said. "She can feel love. " //
America's love is conveyed in many ways. In what we oppose:
Injustice and tyranny. In what we support: The inalienable
rights that include the freedom to think, dream, worship, and,
yes, vote as we please. // To preserve our liberty, America once
deposed a king / fought a great Civil War / five times this
Century sent Americans into major battle. Yet freedom is not
ours alone -- it is our most treasured export. // If you doubt
freedom's victory, look to the Persian Gulf. / Look to the
former Soviet Union, where those once oppressed crowd reopened
churches and synagogues. / Look to Eastern Europe, where
Christmas carols warm the bright winter chill. // It is written:
"In the beginning was the Word." Here is the word for 1992:
Today, the times are on the side of peace -- because the world,
increasingly, is on the side of God. //
This brings me to the ultimate value that sustains America,
and the values I have already cited: A belief in prayer -- and
through prayer, in the One through whom all things are possible.
7
// No country can claim a special place in God's heart. Yet we
are better as a people because He has a special place in ours. //
I once asked one of my grandkids how he felt about prayer.
He said: "Just try getting through a math test without it. " //
In Sunday school, children learn that God is everywhere -- but in
public school they find that He's absent from class. // I
continue to believe -- as do the overwhelming majority of
Americans -- in the right to voluntary school prayer. / I once
again call on the Congress to pass a Constitutional Amendment
putting the Faith of our Fathers back in our schools. /
The values I have spoken of remind us of the truth that
comes on one's knees. // I believe with all my heart that one
cannot be America's President without a belief in God and in
prayer. I also believe America will be a better place if the
Golden Rule becomes our daily guide. //
The poet Walt Whitman was once asked what made America /
America. He replied, simply: "[Its] religion. Otherwise there
is no real and permanent grandeur.' " // Let that be our essence
as a people -- and our message as a Nation. Thank you for this
occasion. God bless this most wondrous land on earth -- the
United States of America.
#
#
#
#
THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
For Immediate Release
January 27, 1992
REMARKS BY THE PRESIDENT
TO THE NATIONAL RELIGIOUS BROADCASTERS
ANNUAL CONVENTION
The Sheraton Washington Hotel
11:59 A.M. EST
THE PRESIDENT: Thank you for that wonderfully warm
welcome. And to President Dave Clark, may I thank you, sir; Brandt
Gustafson, the Executive Director. And let me salute your leadership
of the NRB. I understand that former Secretary Dole was to be here;
I don't know that she is. I know FCC Chairman Sykes is. And I see,
of course, two good, respected friends, Jim Dobson and Billy Graham.
And ladies and gentlemen.
This marks the fifth time that I've had the honor of
addressing the Annual Convention of the National Religious
Broadcasters. (Applause.) A year ago we met in the first week of a
struggle to protect what is right and true. And I came before you to
talk of what was not a Christian or Jewish war, not a Moslem war. It
was a just war. And in the Persian Gulf we fought for good versus
evil -- it was that clear to me -- right versus wrong, dignity
against oppression. And America stood fast so that liberty could
stand tall.
And today, I want to thank you for helping America, as
Christ ordained, to be "a light unto the world." Your support
honored the finest soldiers, the finest Sailors, Marines, Airmen, and
Coast Guardsmen that any nation has ever known. (Applause.) And
what they did in war, let us now do in peace. Just as our forces
fought to defend all of what is best about America, we need you to
help instill the traditional values that make life and liberty worth
defending.
Let me begin with some good news for modern man.
According to Gallup, the Gallup surveys, no society is more religious
than the United States of America. Seven in 10 Americans believe in
life after death, eight in 10 that God works miracles, nine in 10
Americans pray. And more than 90 percent believe in God, to which I
say, thank God. I wish it were 100 percent.
Now, I know this is an election year. And I don't know
about Damascus -- but this primary season, we're seeing a lot of
conversions on the road to New Hampshire. (Laughter and applause.)
But I don't want this to be a partisan speech and I appreciated so
much what David Clark said about values. I want to speak of the
values that I know you all believe in. Values which sustain America,
values that are always in fashion.
The first value is not simply American, but universal.
And I refer to the sanctity of life. I will stand on the side of
choosing life. (Applause.)
And next comes a value which gives each life meaning:
The self-reliance central to the dignity of work. Go to the barrios
of San Antonio or the suburbs of St. Paul and there you will find
people who ask for only what our forefathers had: the same
opportunity which helped us brave independence, push back the
wilderness, win two world wars, and create the highest standard of
living in the history of man.
MORE
- 2 -
The Bible reminds us: "By thy works shall ye know
them." What we must do is give working Americans that level playing
field to keep us as rich in goods as we have been blessed in spirit.
Tomorrow, I'm giving a speech. (Laughter.) A State of
the Union address will detail how we can nurture creativity as old as
1776, harness it to the needs of a new American century. Remember,
to this day, the only footsteps on the moon are American footsteps.
The only flag on the moon is the stars and stripes. The knowledge
that put it there is stamped, "Made in USA." (Applause.)
And, yes, the world looks to us to lead, and lead we
will. Americans can outwork, outproduce, outcompete any nation in
the world. And we must do all we can to further that end. And I
will do my level-best. And I need your help.
The next value I speak of must be forever cast in stone.
I speak of decency the moral courage to say what is right and
condemn what is wrong. And we need a nation closer to the Waltons
than the Simpsons. (Applause.) An America that rejects the
incivility the tide of incivility and the tide of intolerance.
We see this tide in the naked epithet and in the code
words that play to our worst prejudices. We see it when people
ridicule religion and religious leaders -- like the group which
desecrated communion hosts on the steps of St. Patrick's Cathedral.
We see this tide of incivility and intolerance in bigotry, in
discrimination and anti-Semitism. Have they no decency? Have they
no honor? Have they no respect for the rights of others? I will
continue to speak out against these apostles of hate who poison our
kids' minds and debase their souls. (Applause.)
There is no place -- whatever our views, there is no
place in America for religious prejudice, for anti-Semitism or racial
prejudice. This, then, brings me to a fourth value crucial to
America: a belief in family -- the foundation of our strength. Take
my kids, for example. Having helped put them through college, I
remember receiving letters from them. Barbara does, too. And there
would always be a P.S. at the bottom. It was those three words that
said so much about the bond between parents at home and kids at
school. "Please send money. " (Laughter.)
But this one is true. The other day I was visited by
the leaders of the National League of Cities -- mayors from big
cities and small, liberal and conservative, Republican and Democrat.
And they were unanimous in their view that the major underlying
problem in our cities is the decline of the American family. And
they are right. Too often the family is under siege. 'Each one of us
-- parents, preachers, politicians and teachers -- must do our part
to defend it. I do not want one single action that I take as
President to weaken the American family. And I want to strengthen it
in every way that I can. Every law that is passed should guard
against weakening the family. (Applause.)
And that is why I insisted that the child care bill that
I signed in 1990 allow parents -- not bureaucrats -- to decide how to
care for their children. I refused to see the option of a religious-
based child care restricted or eliminated. Our national education
strategy -- we call it America 2000, and it is an exciting program --
helps the family by enhancing parental involvement in education,
insisting that choice include both private and public schools. I do
not believe it is unconstitutional for schoolkids to have the same
choice that I got under the GI Bill or that college kids now get
under the Pell Grant or that ex-servicemen now get under the
Montgomery Bill.
MORE
- 4 -
and held her close. And then later, someone told her that the child
was deaf as well as blind. And Pat answered that she had known that.
"But she knows what love is," Mrs. Nixon said. "She can feel love.
America's love is conveyed in many ways. In what we
oppose: injustice and tyranny. In what we support: the inalienable
rights that include the freedom to think and dream and worship and,
yes, vote as we please. To preserve our liberty, America once
deposed a king, fought a great Civil War and five times in this
century sent Americans into major battle.
And yet, freedom is not ours alone -- it is our most
treasured export. If you doubt freedom's victory, look to the
Persian Gulf. Look to the former Soviet Union, where those once
oppressed crowds reopened churches and synagogues. Look to Eastern
Europe where Christmas carols warm the bright winter chill. It is
written, "In the beginning was the Word.' Here is the word for 1992:
Today, the times are on the side of peace because the world,
increasingly, is on the side of God.
I remember an early trip to the Soviet Union by our
friend, Billy Graham. He came back and he reported that faith in God
was very much alive in Russia. And some hardliners ridiculed him.
Some even thought he shouldn't go. Today, we see that he clearly was
right.
This brings me, then, to the ultimate value that
sustains America and the values I have already cited: A belief in
prayer. (Applause.) Obviously, no country can claim a special place
in God's heart. Yet we are better as a people because he has a
special place in ours.
I once asked one of my grandkids how he felt about
prayer. And he said, "Just try getting through a math test without
it." (Laughter.) In Sunday school, children learn that God is
everywhere -- but in public school they find that he's absent from
class. And I continue to believe -- as do the overwhelming majority
of Americans -- in the right to nondenominational voluntary school
prayer. (Applause.)
The values I have spoken of remind us of the truth that
comes on one's knees. And I believe with all my heart that one
cannot have this job, cannot be America's President, without a belief
in God, without a belief in prayer.
The poet Walt Whitman, once asked what made America
America, and he replied simply, "It's religion. Otherwise there is
no real and permanent grandeur." Let that be our essence as a people
-- and our message as a nation.
Thank you for this occasion. And may God bless this
most wondrous land on Earth, the United States of America. Thank you
very, very much. (Applause.)
END
12:19 P.M. EST
- 3 -
Last week, I announced another policy to strengthen the
family expanding the preschool program to serve all those four-
year-olds who are eligible -- the largest funding increase in the
history of Project Head Start. And when this is enacted, we will be
much closer to achieving one of our six national educational
goals -- that every schoolchild should start school ready to learn.
And finally, families will stay together only if drugs
do not drive them apart. Winning the war on drugs means waging a war
on crime. Now, we've made the commitment. And altogether, the new
federal budget that I'll introduce two days from now will increase
spending to combat crime by $1.2 billion -- to a total of almost $16
billion. Now, that's nearly 60 percent higher than when I took
office in 1989.
My new budget will provide $.5 billion for an initiative
that we call "weed and seed" -- not enthralled with the name, but
listen to what it does. (Laughter.) Today, our very able Attorney
General, Bill Barr -- point man in this new operation -- is spelling
out all its details. But let me say this much right now: "Weed and
seed" works this way: First, we join federal, state and local forces
to weed out the gang leaders, the violent criminals, the drug dealers
who plague our neighborhoods. And when we break their deadly grip,
we follow up with part two: We seed those neighborhoods with
expanded educational opportunities, job training, health care and
other social services. But key to the "seed" concept will be jobs-
generating initiatives such as enterprise zones -- to give people who
call these neighborhoods home something to hope for.
There is more to do to win the final victory in our war
on drugs. We are making progress; we are winning. Over the past
four years, marijuana, crack and cocaine use has definitively
declined. And what's more, today kids aged nine to 12 are the most
antidrug group in America. The highest at-risk group remains 13 to
17-year-olds. But last year, for the first time, 13-year-olds
mirrored the behavior of preteenagers.
Drugs affect a multitude of issues. They contribute to
AIDS; they contribute to homelessness -- shattering families and
futures, hopes and dreams. And that's why, literally, we should
thank God for the drug use decline. The drop in use doesn't just
prove we were right in our assault on substance use, it shows how we
can achieve drugs' unconditional surrender.
We will triumph through tough enforcement and through
education -- increasing awareness of the damage drugs do. And in
that spirit, let us resolve to treat the victims of AIDS and drug
abuse with compassion and caring. Let us redouble our efforts to
help with treatment and with education. That will help eliminate the
risks involved.
Over the last four years, more kids talked about drugs
with their parents and teachers. Another reason for drug use decline
has been America's print and electronic media -- the major source of
drug information and the primary "influencer" on drug use, especially
among the young. Together, they have helped reawaken America's
conscience -- which, in turn, inspires America's greatness.
Later today, I will unveil our fourth National Drug
Control Strategy to build on these beginnings. It will say no to
drugs. It will say yes to life. But it cannot just be done by the
government. To stop drug use will require caring, and community --
above all, abundant love.
Let me tell you -- remind you, for some of you -- tell
you, others, a story. Once, a great First Lady, Pat Nixon, toured a
medical center. And she stopped to embrace a little girl that was
blinded by rubella. And for a few minutes, she talked to the girl
MORE
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
02 JAN 23 P6: 36
January 23, 1992
MEMORANDUM FOR THE PRESIDENT
THROUGH:
DAVID DEMAREST
TONY SNOW
T5.s
FROM:
CURT SMITH
SUBJECT:
NATIONAL RELIGIOUS BROADCASTERS
On Monday, January 27, 1992, at noon, you will deliver
remarks (approximately 14 minutes/teleprompted) to the National
Religious Broadcasters' annual conference. Roughly 1,500 will
attend.
Your speech strives to cut through the political vagaries
of campaign season by focusing on values -- the values that
sustain America and that this administration shares with our
nation's religious broadcasters. You talk about the sanctity of
unborn life, opportunity and empowerment, decency and tolerance,
family and choice, the war against drugs, and the power of
prayer.
(Smith/Grossman)
January 24, 1992
Draft Four
RELIGION
PRESIDENTIAL REMARKS: RELIGIOUS BROADCASTERS
SHERATON WASHINGTON HOTEL
MONDAY, JANUARY 27, 1992
12:00 P.M.
President David Clark and Executive Director Brandt
Gustafson -- and let me salute your leadership of the NRB.
Former Secretary Elizabeth
Liddy
Doly
Dole. FCC Chairman Sykes. I see my good friend Rev. Billy
Graham and Jim Dobson. Ladies and gentlemen. Fellow
communicators. // This marks the fifth time I have had the honor
of addressing the annual convention of the National Religious
Broadcasters.
A year ago we met in the first week of a struggle to protect
what is right, and true. I came before you to talk of what was
not a Christian or Jewish war -- not a Moslem war. It was a just
war. // In the Persian Gulf we fought for good versus evil /
right versus wrong / dignity against oppression. America stood
fast -- so that liberty could stand tall. //
Today, I want to thank you for helping America, as Christ
ordained, be "a light unto the world." Your support honored the
finest soldiers / sailors / Marines / airmen / and Coast
Guardsmen any Nation has ever known. // What they did in war,
let us now do in peace. // Just as our forces fought to defend
all that is best in America, we need you to help instill the
traditional values that make life and liberty worth defending. //
2
Let me begin with some good news for modern man. According
to Gallup surveys, no society is more religious than the United
States of America. // Seven in ten Americans believe in life
after death -- eight in ten that God works miracles. Nine in ten
Americans pray. And more than ninety percent believe in God. //
To which I say; Thank God. //
Low, I know this is an election year. ((I don't know about
Damasous -- but this Primary Season, we're seeing a lot of
conversions on the road to New Hampshire. )) // We hear
candidates promising this, and that -- espousing policies
suddenly in fashion. // Today, I want to speak of values which
sustain America -- values that are always in fashion. /
The first value is not simply American -- but universal. I
refer to the sanctity of life. You know my position but I'II
and I will stand on the side of
restate it. In the words of Deuterenemy. Let us choose y life."
/ We need policies that encourage adeption, not abortion. //
Next comes a value which gives each life meaning: The self-
reliance central to the dignity of work. // Go to the barrios of
San Antonio, or the suburbs of St. Paul. There you will find
people who ask for only what our forefathers had: The same
opportunity which helped us brave independence / push back the
wilderness / win two World Wars / and create the highest standard
of living in the history of man. //
The Bible reminds us: "By thy works shall Ye know them."
What we must do is give working Americans the level playing field
to keep us rich in goods, and spirit. //
3
Tomorrow, my State of the Union Address will detail how we
can nurture creativity as old as 1776 -- harness it to the needs
of a new American Century. // Remember: To this day, the only
footprints on the moon are American footprints. / The only flag
on the moon is the stars and stripes. // The knowledge that put
it there is stamped: "Made in USA. " // The world looks to us to
lead -- and lead we will. // Tune in tomorrow, and see if you
can
don't agree. I will announce a program to help Americans n outwork
/ outproduce / and outcompete any Nation in the world. WE must all do
what we can The to funther that end. I will do my level best. I need your
next value I speak of must be forever cast in stone. // help.
I speak of decency -- the moral courage to say what is right, and
condemn what's wrong. // We need a nation closer to The Waltons
than The Simpsons -- an America which rejects the rising tide of
incivility and intolerance. //
We see this tide in the naked epithet -- and in the code
words -- that play to our worst prejudices. / We see it when
people ridicule religion and religious leaders -- like the group
20m
which crushed a consecrated host on the steps of St. Patrick's
How they no decends, Have Hy no honor, have they no
respect
&
Cathedral. # Warseq it in bigotry, discrimination, and anti-
including
Semitism. / I will continue to speak out against these apostles
that rights others. of
include
of hate who poison our kids' minds and debase their souls.
There is me place in Amurca for religious prejudice, for acti- securtion
This brings me to a fourth value crucial to America: Belief
on for
racial
in family -- the foundation of our strength. ((I admit
it.
I've
prejudies
Take my kids for example
been lucky a wonderful wife and five great kids. // Having
helped put them through college, I remember receiving letters
from them, and there would always be a P.S. at the bottom. It
The other day I was visited by the leaders of the NAt'l League of cities, mayors from big cities
and small, repub and dem, liberal and conserv. They were unanimous in therir view that major
underlying problem in our cities is the decline of the american family.
They
are
right,
too
pood
often the family under siege etc
4
was those three words that say so much about the bond between
parents at home and kids at school. "Please send money. ")) //
Too often today, the family is under siege. I say to you:
Each one of us -- parents, preachers, politicians, and teachers -
- must do our part to defend it. // I do not want one single
action I take as President to weaken the American family. I want
to strengthen it in every way I can. Every low that is passed.
should guard against weaking the family.
That is why I insisted that the child-care bill I signed in
1990 allow parents -- not bureaucrats -- to decide how to care
for their children. I refused to see the option of religious-
based child care restricted or eliminated. // The family is also
why our education program -- America 2000 -- insists that choice
NW
include both private and public schools.
Last week, I
paral
announced another policy to strengthen the family: Expanding the
pre-school program to serve all those who are eligible -- the
one
when this is exacted we will be much closen to one actuality
largest funding increase in the history of Project Head Start,
our
Finally, families will stay together only if drugs do not drive
6 Nat"
them apart. //
Educ. goals
Winning the war on drugs means waging a war on crime. We've " Every
made the commitment. All together, the new federal budget I'll
school
child should
introduce two days from now will increase spending to combat
start
crime by $1.2 billion -- to a total of almost $16 billion
school
ready
dollars. That's nearly 60% higher than when I took office in
to learn
1989.
My new budget provides a-half-a-billion dollars for an
initiative we call "Weed and Seed." Later today, my able
that will
eliminate
risks
involved
5
Attorney General, Bill Barr -- point man in this new program --
will spell out all its details. 11 But let me say this much
Seed works this way: First, we join
i out" the gang leaders,
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
lers who plague our
dly grip, we follow on
rhoods with expanded
DATE:
rvices. But key to the
itiatives such as
FROM THE PRESIDENT
call these neighborhoods
To:
writers
al victory in our war on
e past four years,
I'd like to try to wqork in some language
like that scrawled in on side of
eclined. What's more,
page 5.
ti-drug group in America.
Maybe it should go on 6
)
17-year-olds -- but last
but I think we should appeal for
compassion for the victims and for educals mirrored the behavior of
continued education to change behaviour.
If it doesn't fitsomewhere forget
S. They contribute to AIDS
it but I'd like to try.
S and futures / hopes and
we should thank God for the
sn't just prove we were
It shows how we can
//
orcement -- and through
e damage drugs do. 11 Over
Let И
with
to he
help climinate
involved
that will
the rishs
5
Attorney General, Bill Barr -- point man in this new program --
will spell out all its details. // But let me say this much
right now. Weed and Seed works this way: First, we join
federal, state and local forces to "weed out" the gang leaders,
the violent criminals, and the drug dealers who plague our
neighborhoods. When we break their deadly grip, we follow on
with part two: we "seed" those neighborhoods with expanded
educational opportunities and social services. But key to the
seed concept will be jobs-generating initiatives such as
Enterprise Zones -- to give people who call these neighborhoods
with compassion and caring and with let no education redarkle are "efforts
home something to hope for. //
There is more to do to win the final victory in our war on
by
drugs. But we are winning. // Over the past four years,
marijuana, crack, and cocaine use has declined. What's more,
avoided
today kids aged 9 to 12 are the most anti-drug group in America.
The highest at-risk group remains 13 to 17-year-olds -- but last
year / for the first time / 13-year-olds mirrored the behavior of
pre-teenagers. //
Drugs effect a multitude of issues. They contribute to AIDS
and homelessness -- shattering families and futures / hopes and
help with and
dreams. / That's why -- literally -- we should thank God for the
drug use decline. The drop in use doesn't just prove we were
right in our assault on substance use: It shows how we can
achieve drugs' unconditional surrender. //
We will triumph through tough enforcement -- and through
education: Increasing awareness of the damage drugs do. // Over
Let
to
mrs
nt
6
the last four years, more kids talked about drugs with their
parents and teachers. Another force has been America's print and
electronic media -- the major source of drug information and the
primary "influencer" on drug use, especially among the young. //
Together, they have helped reawaken America's conscience --
which, in turn, inspires America's greatness. / Later today, I
will unveil our fourth National Drug Control Strategy to build on
these beginnings. It will say no to drugs. It will also say yes
to life. //
To stop drug use will require caring, and community --
above all, abundant love. / Let me tell you a story. Once, a
great First Lady -- Pat Nixon -- toured a medical center and
stopped to embrace a little girl blinded by rubella. For a few
minutes, she talked to the girl and held her close. Later,
someone told her that the child was deaf as well as blind. //
Pat answered that she had known that. // "But she knows what
love is," Mrs. Nixon said. "She can feel love. " //
America's love is conveyed in many ways. In what we oppose:
Injustice and tyranny. In what we support: The inalienable
rights that include the freedom to think, dream, worship, and,
yes, vote as we please. // To preserve our liberty, America once
deposed a king / fought a great Civil War / five times this
Century sent Americans into major battle. Yet freedom is not
ours alone -- it is our most treasured export. // If you doubt
freedom's victory, look to the Persian Gulf. / Look to the
former Soviet Union, where those once oppressed crowd reopened
I remumber an early trip to the smet Union
my Billy Graham. He can back and reported that handlinus faith in
God was very meh alive in Russia. some
advisid hut Tody we see clearly that he was right
churches and synagogues. / Look to Eastern Europe, where
Christmas carols warm the bright winter chill. // It is written:
"In the beginning was the Word." Here is the word for 1992:
Today, the times are on the side of peace -- because the world,
increasingly, is on the side of God. //
This brings me to the ultimate value that sustains America,
and the values I have already cited: A belief in prayer and
through prayer, in the One through whom all things are possible
// No country can claim a special place in God's heart. Yet we
are better as a people because He has a special place in ours. //
I once asked one of my grandkids how he felt about prayer.
He said: "Just try getting through a math test without it. //
yes
In Sunday school, children learn that God is everywhere -- but in
public school they find that He's absent from class. // I
continue to believe --- as do the overwhelming majority of
non- devironmational
Americans -- in the right to X voluntary school prayer. / I once
again call on the Congress to pass a Constitutional Amendment
putting the Faith of our Fathers back in our schools
The values I have spoken of remind us of the truth that
comes on one's knees. // I believe with all my heart that one
cannot be America's President without a belief in God and in
prayer. H also believe America will be a better place if the
Golden Rule becomes our daily guide. H
The poet Walt Whitman was once asked what made America /
America. He replied, simply: "[Its] religion. Otherwise there
is no real and permanent grandeur." // Let that be our essence
8
as a people -- and our message as a Nation. Thank you for this
occasion. God bless this most wondrous land on earth -- the
United States of America.
#
#
#
#
(Smith/Grossman)
January 24, 1992
Draft Four
RELIGION
PRESIDENTIAL REMARKS: RELIGIOUS BROADCASTERS
SHERATON WASHINGTON HOTEL
MONDAY, JANUARY 27, 1992
12:00 P.M.
President David Clark and Executive Director Brandt
Gustafson -- and let me salute your leadership of the NRB. Liddy
Dole. FCC Chairman Sykes. I see my good friend Rev. Billy
Graham and Jim Dobson. Ladies and gentlemen. Fellow
communicators. // This marks the fifth time I have had the honor
of addressing the annual convention of the National Religious
Broadcasters.
A year ago we met in the first week of a struggle to protect
what is right, and true. I came before you to talk of what was
not a Christian or Jewish war -- not a Moslem war. It was a just
war. // In the Persian Gulf we fought for good versus evil /
right versus wrong / dignity against oppression. America stood
fast -- so that liberty could stand tall. //
Today, I want to thank you for helping America, as Christ
ordained, be "a light unto the world." Your support honored the
finest soldiers / sailors / Marines / airmen / and Coast
Guardsmen any Nation has ever known. // What they did in war,
let us now do in peace. // Just as our forces fought to defend
all that is best in America, we need you to help instill the
traditional values that make life and liberty worth defending. //
2
Let me begin with some good news for modern man. According
to Gallup surveys, no society is more religious than the United
States of America. // Seven in ten Americans believe in life
after death -- eight in ten that God works miracles. Nine in ten
Americans pray. And more than ninety percent believe in God. //
To which I say: Thank God. //
Now, I know this is an election year. ( (I don't know about
Damascus -- but this Primary Season, we're seeing a lot of
conversions on the road to New Hampshire.) ) // We hear
candidates promising this, and that -- espousing policies
suddenly in fashion. // Today, I want to speak of values which
sustain America -- values that are always in fashion. /
The first value is not simply American -- but universal. I
refer to the sanctity of life. You know my position -- but I'll
restate it. In the words of Deuteronomy: "Let us choose life."
/ We need policies that encourage adoption, not abortion. //
Next comes a value which gives each life meaning: The self-
reliance central to the dignity of work. // Go to the barrios of
San Antonio, or the suburbs of St. Paul. There you will find
people who ask for only what our forefathers had: The same
opportunity which helped us brave independence / push back the
wilderness / win two World Wars / and create the highest standard
of living in the history of man. //
The Bible reminds us: "By thy works shall Ye know them. If
What we must do is give working Americans the level playing field
to keep us rich in goods, and spirit. //
3
Tomorrow, my State of the Union Address will detail how we
can nurture creativity as old as 1776 -- harness it to the needs
of a new American Century. // Remember: To this day, the only
footprints on the moon are American footprints. / The only flag
on the moon is the stars and stripes. // The knowledge that put
it there is stamped: "Made in USA. " // The world looks to us to
lead -- and lead we will. // Tune in tomorrow, and see if you
don't agree: I will announce a program to help Americans outwork
/ outproduce / and outcompete any Nation in the world. //
The next value I speak of must be forever cast in stone. //
I speak of decency -- the moral courage to say what is right, and
condemn what's wrong. // We need a nation closer to The Waltons
than The Simpsons -- an America which rejects the rising tide of
incivility and intolerance. 11
We see this tide in the naked epithet -- and in the code
words -- that play to our worst prejudices. / We see it when
people ridicule religion and religious leaders -- like the group
which crushed a consecrated host on the steps of St. Patrick's
Cathedral. / We see it in bigotry, discrimination, and anti-
Semitism. / I will continue to speak out against these apostles
of hate who poison our kids' minds and debase their souls. //
This brings me to a fourth value crucial to America: Belief
in family -- the foundation of our strength. ((I admit it: I've
been lucky -- a wonderful wife and five great kids. // Having
helped put them through college, I remember receiving letters
from them, and there would always be a P.S. at the bottom. It
4
was those three words that say so much about the bond between
parents at home and kids at school. "Please send money. ") ) //
Too often today, the family is under siege. I say to you:
Each one of us -- parents, preachers, politicians, and teachers -
- must do our part to defend it. // I do not want one single
action I take as President to weaken the American family. I want
to strengthen it in every way I can. //
That is why I insisted that the child-care bill I signed in
1990 allow parents -- not bureaucrats -- to decide how to care
for their children. I refused to see the option of religious-
based child care restricted or eliminated. // The family is also
why our education program -- America 2000 -- insists that choice
include both private and public schools. // Last week, I
announced another policy to strengthen the family: Expanding the
pre-school program to serve all those who are eligible -- the
largest funding increase in the history of Project Head Start. //
Finally, families will stay together only if drugs do not drive
them apart. //
There is more to do to win the final victory in our war on
drugs. But we are winning. // Over the past four years,
marijuana, crack, and cocaine use has declined. What's more,
today kids aged 9 to 12 are the most anti-drug group in America.
The highest at-risk group remains 13 to 17-year-olds -- but last
year / for the first time / 13-year-olds mirrored the behavior of
pre-teenagers. //
5
Drugs effect a multitude of issues. They contribute to AIDS
and homelessness -- shattering families and futures / hopes and
dreams. / That's why -- literally -- we should thank God for the
drug use decline. The drop in use doesn't just prove we were
right in our assault on substance use: It shows how we can
achieve drugs' unconditional surrender. //
We will triumph through tough enforcement -- and through
education: Increasing awareness of the damage drugs do. // Over
the last four years, more kids talked about drugs with their
parents and teachers. Another force has been America's print and
electronic media -- the major source of drug information and the
primary "influencer" on drug use, especially among the young. 11
Together, they have helped reawaken America's conscience --
which, in turn, inspires America's greatness. / Later today, I
will unveil our fourth National Drug Control Strategy to build on
these beginnings. It will say no to drugs. It will also say yes
to life. //
To stop drug use will require caring, and community ---
above all, abundant love. / Let me tell you a story. Once, a
great First Lady -- Pat Nixon -- toured a medical center and
stopped to embrace a little girl blinded by rubella. For a few
minutes, she talked to the girl and held her close. Later,
someone told her that the child was deaf as well as blind. //
Pat answered that she had known that. // "But she knows what
love is," Mrs. Nixon said. "She can feel love. " //
6
America's love is conveyed in many ways. In what we oppose:
Injustice and tyranny. In what we support: The inalienable
rights that include the freedom to think, dream, worship, and,
yes, vote as we please. // To preserve our liberty, America once
deposed. a king / fought a great Civil War / five times this
Century sent Americans into major battle. Yet freedom is not
ours alone -- it is our most treasured export. // If you doubt
freedom's victory, look to the Persian Gulf. / Look to the
former Soviet Union, where those once oppressed crowd reopened
churches and synagogues. / Look to Eastern Europe, where
Christmas carols warm the bright winter chill. // It is written:
"In the beginning was the Word." Here is the word for 1992:
Today, the times are on the side of peace -- because the world,
increasingly, is on the side of God. //
This brings me to the ultimate value that sustains America,
and the values I have already cited: A belief in prayer -- and
through prayer, in the One through whom all things are possible.
// No country can claim a special place in God's heart. Yet we
are better as a people because He has a special place in ours. //
I. once asked one of my grandkids how he felt about prayer.
He said: "Just try getting through a math test without it. //
In Sunday school, children learn that God is everywhere -- but in
public school they find that He's absent from class. // I
continue to believe -- as do the overwhelming majority of
Americans -- in the right to voluntary school prayer. / I once
7
again call on the Congress to pass a Constitutional Amendment
putting the Faith of our Fathers back in our schools. /
The values I have spoken of remind us of the truth that
comes on one's knees. // I believe with all my heart that one
cannot be America's President without a belief in God and in
prayer. Ilalso believe America will be a better place if the
Golden Rule becomes our daily guide. //
The poet Walt Whitman was once asked what made America /
America. He replied, simply: "[Its] religion. Otherwise there
is no real and permanent grandeur. 11 Let that be our essence
as a people -- and our message as a Nation. Thank you for this
occasion. God bless this most wondrous land on earth -- the
United States of America.
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