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Illinois State Fair 8/23/92 [OA 5811]
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Illinois State Fair 8/23/92 [OA 5811]
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Records of the White House Office of Speechwriting (George H. W. Bush Administration)
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Originally Processed With FOIA(s):
FOIA Number:
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S
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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
Collection/Office of Origin:
Speechwriting, White House Office of
Series:
Speech File Draft Files
Subseries:
Chron File, 1989-1993
OA/ID Number:
13636
Folder ID Number:
13636-006
Folder Title:
Illinois State Fair 8/23/92 [OA 5811]
Stack:
Row:
Section:
Shelf:
Position:
G
26
18
4
2
1486
Aug. 22 / Administration of George Bush, 1992
I happen to believe that just as we fix our
As I looked over the crowd, the rain was
economy and improve our schools, we've got
pouring down, falling, and I saw a little girl
to strengthen our moral foundation. If I
with blond ringlets perched upon her dad's
could make one political comment, I was
shoulders. She had a little ball cap on her
struck by the fact that the other party took
head, an American flag in one hand. As Lee
words to put together their platform but left
Greenwood began to sing she began to wave
out three simple letters, G-O-D. As you may
the flag, and I looked and in her other hand
have heard, Governor Casey of Pennsylvania
she had scrawled a sign. All the rain had
was also shut out of the convention because
smudged the ink, but I could still make out
he wanted to talk about the rights of the un-
the words "I love America. America loves
born. At least he's in good company. My par-
God."
ty's platform is different. We are proud to
That little girl will grow up in a world filled
celebrate our country's Judeo-Christian her-
with miracle medicines, a world where all the
itage unrivaled in the world. [Applause]
volumes of all the books in the Library of
While you're still standing may I say, as
Congress will be able to be stored on one
I said, I happen to believe that all human
tiny little disk. While scientific progress is
life is precious, born or unborn. I think it's
good, it is my fervent hope that she will also
ridiculous that a 13-year-old girl here in Dal-
come of age in a Nation where family is al-
las has to get her mother's permission to get
ways first and where the Creator is wor-
her ears pierced in a mall but can get an
shipped above all else. That is what has made
abortion without telling her mom and dad.
America the greatest Nation on God's Earth,
That doesn't make sense to me. I don't be-
It is our faith which will guarantee that the
lieve it makes sense to most Americans.
Sun never sets on our Nation.
Something's wrong when kids can get birth
I'm just delighted to have been with you.
control in school but can't say a prayer in
Thank you for inviting us. And may God bless
this most wondrous land on the face of the
school. If Congress can debate the merits of
Earth, the United States of America. Thank
Vanna White appearing on the Home Shop-
ping Network, surely Congress can find
you very, very much.
enough time to pass an amendment to allow
Note: The President spoke at 9:25 p.m. at
our kids to thank God. So I call on the Con-
the Dallas Convention Center. In his re-
gress again, and I'll keep calling on them to
marks, he referred to Adrian Rogers, pastor,
pass a constitutional amendment allowing
Bellevue Baptist Church, Memphis, TN;
voluntary prayer. Let us bring the faith of
evangelists Jerry Falwell and Billy Graham;
our fathers back to schools.
Edward V. Hill, pastor, Mount Zion Mission-
These are the kinds of issues that I care
ary Baptist Church, Los Angeles, CA; and
about and, certainly, I know you care about.
National Affairs Briefing officers Ed
So I'm not going to be dissuaded by the crit-
McAteer, national chairman, Ed Drake, Dal-
ics who call family values a cliche, who say
las steering committee chairman, and Jack
that family values have no place in our na-
Graham, ministerial committee chairman.
tional debate. I will ignore those who would
rather not talk about a moral revival in Amer-
ica because I believe it is as important as
any other challenge that we face.
Remarks to the Community in
Barbara and I have crisscrossed the coun-
Springfield, Illinois
try today, started out in Missouri, went to
August 23, 1992
Georgia, spent our afternoon in Birmingham,
Alabama, where a crowd of 20,000 people
The President. Thank you, thank you.
were kind enough to wait in the rain to see
Thank you, Jim Edgar. You in Illinois are
us. As we came out on the stage, singer Lee
lucky to have Jim Edgar and Brenda here
Greenwood was just beginning that mar-
in Springfield, I'll tell you. And of course,
velous anthem you know, a beautiful version
I'm very pleased that Illinois' own Ed Mad-
of the song, "I'm Proud To Be an American."
igan is our Secretary of Agriculture. He un-
leorge Bush, 1992
Administration of George Bush, 1992 / Aug. 23
1487
wd, the rain was
derstands it, and he's doing a great job. May
I owe everything." I think he had good taste
I saw a little girl
I salute Bob Kustra, the Lieutenant Gov-
in political parties. I think he had great taste
d upon her dad's
ernor, and his wife Kathy; an old friend of
in hometowns.
ball cap on her
mine, the secretary of state, George Ryan,
And as you know, until Houston I stayed
ne hand. As Lee
and Lura Lynn. George has been at my side
out of the actual political arena. I stayed out
he began to wave
through a lot of political battles, and I'm very
of it because I was trying to get some things
n her other hand
grateful to him.
done to bring tax relief, incentives for the
All the rain had
May I salute a good Member of Congress;
first-time homebuyer, investment tax allow-
ld still make out
if we had more like him we wouldn't need
ance, reduction in capital gains, trying to get
1. America loves
to clean House. I'm talking about Represent-
those done for the farmer and for the Amer-
ative Thomas Ewing here. And two others
ican people. But I felt like one of those
, in a world filled
that I want to single out because as we talk
corndogs at the fair, skewered by the Demo-
orld where all the
about change, real change to help this coun-
cratic opposition for 9 months. And that's
n the Library of
try, we've got to change the Clinton-Gore
changing; it changed as of Houston, and it's
e stored on one
gridlock Congress. We've got to change it.
going to change for every single of the re-
tific progress is
And in Rich Williamson running for the Sen-
maining 73 days.
that she will also
ate, we have a man that can do just exactly
You know, we've had dramatic change. I
nere family is al-
that. He's with you on the values. He's with
see these kids here. And you do not hear
Creator is wor-
us on taxing less and spending less. He's with
a word about this from the Democratic Con-
is what has made
us on the fundamentals, and we must have
vention. Don't you think it's a wonderful
on God's Earth.
him in the United States Senate. And I want
thing that these young kids go to bed at night
arantee that the
to see John Shimkus elected from the 20th
without the same fear of nuclear war that
District.
the generations precedent had? This is big.
e been with you.
I am going to do what Harry Truman did
This is important.
d may God bless
in this campaign. No, it's not give 'em hell,
So we've got our priorities. And one of
1 the face of the
but they're going to think it's hell when I
them affects every single Illinois farmer: We
America. Thank
get through with them. But here's what it
must open markets abroad. We will get a
is. Look, I'll tell you why I'm going to do
GATT agreement. We've gotten a NAFTA
it this way. For months, I've held out my
agreement. And we cannot go for protection.
at 9:25 p.m. at
hand to the Congress only to have it bitten
One fact: One-third of the corn and soybeans
nter. In his re-
off. And now I am starting right here in Illi-
grown in Illinois head for markets outside
2 Rogers, pastor,
nois. The Congressman from this district
the United States. And if we can get that
Memphis, TN;
voted against us on Desert Storm. He tried
playing field level, if we get access to foreign
d Billy Graham;
to bring legal papers against me. He is against
markets, it means bonanza for the farmers
nt Zion Mission-
the balanced budget amendment. And I want
in this country. They can outproduce any-
ngeles, CA; and
John Shimkus to replace him in the United
body, outhustle them, outwork them. And so,
g officers Ed
States Congress.
open trade, free trade without apology is
Ed Drake, Dal-
We've had it. We've had it with this
what I believe in and the case I'm taking to
irman, and Jack
gridlocked Congress. The American people
the American people.
ill chairman.
have told Barbara and me, "Here are our
Illinois farmers and workers feel that the
values." And they've said, agreed with me in
Government takes too much and gives too
the election, "Here's want we want to do."
little. And so, when next year Congress
And it hasn't worked because the Congress
comes back in, I pledge a dramatic new effort
nity in
blocks us at every turn. You've got to turn
to slash Federal spending and then get these
out these-no matter how nice they are, how
taxes down.
kind they talk about the farmer when they
Listen to the opponents on this one. It's
come back here, look at the record. Don't
wonderful new
/ou, thank you.
let them talk one way in Illinois and vote
Audience members. Clean House! Clean
1 in Illinois are
differently in Washington, DC.
House! Clean House!
nd Brenda here
And let me just say it is really great to
The President. Yes, as soon as we get a
And of course,
be back in Springfield. Lincoln, you recall,
Congress in that will do it. And I want to
.s' own Ed Mad-
Abraham that is, said of this, he said, "To
cut spending and taxes. And he accuses me
iculture. He un-
this place and the kindness of these people
of fearmongering? He's wrong. Capital gains
1488
Aug. 23 / Administration of George Bush, 1992
is one right there. That's a good place to start.
Congress by Bill Clinton and the liberal lead-
Get the income taxes down. And if you'll ex-
ership in Washington. We've got to change
cuse me one political comment, I have a mes-
it. We have got to change that gridlocked
sage for Governor Clinton: Americans aren't
Congress. We've got to clean House.
afraid of cutting spending and lowering taxes.
Let me just say in conclusion: Two years
They fear most of all a rubber-stamp Presi-
ago I made, I think, the toughest decision
dent that will rubber-stamp this spendthrift
that a President can make, and that is to send
Congress. So there. We're not going to let
America's sons and daughters into battle. The
that nightmare happen.
sons and daughters of Illinois and every other
You know, I think that you all understand
State fought against aggression, fought to
perhaps as well as any in America-certainly
keep a people free, fought to prevent the
is true in rural America-the values, what
Mideast from becoming a nuclear powder
we're talking about when we talk about fam-
keg. Now they have come home. And this
ily values. And here we learn that the family
election, like every other, is about making
is there to teach us right from wrong, to lend
an America that they can be proud of, an
a helping hand to a neighbor, respect for the
America we all can be proud of: good jobs,
law, hold out your hand to help somebody
safe streets, and strong families. And so I ask
else, wipe a tear away when something goes
for your support, not to change for the sake
wrong. Now, Barbara and I try to impart
of change but to change America to make
these values to our kids and grandkids. And
it more secure, more safe, more promising
I have great respect for what she has done,
to every young person here today.
helping with literacy, helping other Ameri-
May God bless you all. And thank you for
cans to have a better life.
this fantastic rally. I am so proud to be back.
You know, today the American family is
Four more!
under attack. And we've got to defend it be-
cause it is the foundation of our nature. And
Note: The President spoke at 1:07 p.m. at
that is why when we cut Government spend-
the Illinois State Fairgrounds. In his remarks,
ing, I will fight for an increase in the personal
he referred to Jim Edgar, Governor of Illi-
income tax exemption so more Americans
nois, and his wife, Brenda.
can afford to build and strengthen their fami-
lies.
We're going to reform the welfare pro-
gram to encourage families to stick together
Remarks on Disaster Assistance for
and have fathers stick around and do what
Florida Following Hurricane Andrew
they ought to do.
August 24, 1992
I see the signs out here of the teachers;
God bless those people that teach our young
I just very briefly want to express my heart-
people. And we have proposed the most far-
felt concern to the people of Florida on this
reaching reform in American education in a
devastating storm. Apparently it's one of the
century, and with a new Congress we will
worst, probably the worst in six decades.
get it passed. We need to reform education,
We've already gotten two FEMA teams,
support the teachers, and be sure these kids
that's the Government emergency teams,
can grow up in a competitive world number
down there in Florida. I will be declaring
one.
today that Florida is a disaster area. There
I'll give you another idea why I want to
will be 27 agencies of the Government then
change this Congress. I mentioned it in
ready to help in any way that the Federal
Houston. We are suing each other too much
Government can help.
and caring for each other too little. And we
But I will be in touch during the day to
have been trying for 3 years to reform the
see that everything runs smoothly and that
legal liability laws so that you don't have
we do everything we can to help the people
these excessive suits that drive doctors out
down there. Apparently it was a very bad
of medicine, drive Little League coaches out
storm, a storm that kept the evaluation teams
of Little League. Locked in that gridlocked
from sizing it up up until now, but I expect
ILLINOIS STATE FAIR \ SPRINGFIELD, IL
SUNDAY, AUG. 23, 1992 \ 12:50 P.M.
THANK YOU Gov. EDGAR FOR THAT KIND INTRODUCTION.
AND GOOD AFTERNOON TO BRENDA AS WELL. I'M PLEASED SEC.
OF AGRICULTURE ED MADIGAN COULD JOIN US. AND LET ME
QUICKLY ACKNOWLEDGE A FEW MORE OF MY FAVORITE
CHICAGOANS: LT. Gov. BoB KUSTRA AND WIFE, KATHY; SEC.
OF STATE GEORGE RYAN AND LURA LYNN; REP. THOMAS EWING;
RICH AND JANE WILLIAMSON AND A MAN I HOPE TO SEE IN
CONGRESS THIS TIME NEXT YEAR -- JOHN SHIMKUS OF THE
20TH DISTRICT.
- 2 -
LET ME JUST SAY, IT IS GREAT TO BE BACK TO
SPRINGFIELD -- AND GREAT TO BE BACK AT THE ILLINOIS
STATE FAIR.
ABRAHAM LINCOLN SAID OF SPRINGFIELD -- "To THIS
PLACE, AND THE KINDNESS OF THESE PEOPLE, I OWE
EVERYTHING."
WELL, I THINK LINCOLN HAD GOOD TASTE IN POLITICAL
PARTIES, AND GREAT TASTE IN HOMETOWNS.
- 3 -
I VISITED THIS FAIR IN 1988 -- SOME OF YOU MAY HAVE
BEEN HERE.
DURING A SINGLE AFTERNOON -- I ATE GREEK SOUVLAKI,
MEXICAN NACHOS, JAPANESE TEMPURA, POLISH SAUSAGE,
FILIPINO BANANAS, INDIAN CURRY, AND A DILL PICKLE.
I'M SORRY I HAVEN'T BEEN BACK FOR FOUR YEARS -- BUT
I HAVE TO ADMIT -- IT TOOK ME THAT LONG TO GET HUNGRY
AGAIN.
- 4 -
FAIRS DON'T JUST REMIND ME OF GOOD FOOD, THEY
REMIND ME OF ROMANCE. So I BROUGHT ALONG MY "GIRL"
TODAY -- FIRST LADY -- BARBARA BUSH.
SOMEONE TOLD ME I REALLY OUGHT TO TRY THE LEGENDARY
HORSHOE SANDWICH. I TOLD BARBARA THAT WHILE I'M HERE
I'D LIKE TO THROW A LITTLE HORSESHOES, AND SHE SAID:
"GEORGE, YOU'RE TOO OLD TO BE PLAYING WITH YOUR FOOD."
- 5 -
(IF JOKE BOMBS)
THAT JOKE WAS so BAD, IT SHOULD BE ON SALE AT THE
CORNDOG STAND. //
I'M ALSO TOLD THAT THE BIG QUESTION AT THE FAIR
EVERY YEAR IS: "WHAT'S NEW ON A STICK." You CAN GET
ANYTHING FROM ICE CREAM, TO PICKLES, To MELON To PORK
ON A STICK.
- 6 -
As YOU MAY KNOW, I'VE DELIBERATELY STAYED OUT OF
THIS CAMPAIGN FOR THE PAST FEW MONTHS -- WHILE MY
OPPONENT HAS BEEN SKEWERING ME EVERY DAY. So I WAS
BEGINNING TO THINK -- I WAS WHAT WAS NEW ON A STICK!
BUT NOW THAT THE REPUBLICAN CONVENTION IS OVER, I'M
TAKING MY CASE TO THE AMERICAN PEOPLE.
HERE'S WHAT THIS ELECTION IS ALL ABOUT. Now THAT
WE HAVE SEEN so MANY WONDERFUL CHANGES IN THE WORLD,
HOW DO WE TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THEM HERE AT HOME?
- 7 -
You HAVE TO ASK YOURSELF -- WHO DO YOU TRUST TO
BRING TOGETHER FOREIGN POLICY, SECURITY POLICY AND
ECONOMIC POLICY -- TO MAKE THEM WORK FOR YOU HERE IN
SPRINGFIELD?
ONE OF MY TOP PRIORITIES IS TO WORK TO OPEN WORLD
MARKETS -- so MORE CONSUMERS CAN ENJOY DELICIOUS
ILLINOIS CORN AND OTHER PRODUCTS.
- 8 -
TODAY, ONE-THIRD OF THE CORN AND SOYBEANS GROWN IN
ILLINOIS HEAD FOR MARKETS OUTSIDE THE U.S.
SINCE WE LOWERED TRADE BARRIERS WITH CANADA --
AMERICAN AGRICULTURAL EXPORTS TO THAT COUNTRY ARE UP 44
PERCENT. THE NEW TRADE TREATY WE NEGOTIATED WITH
MEXICO WILL GUARANTEE TOTAL MARKET ACESS IN
AGRICULTURE. BEHIND EVERY EXPORT DOLLAR, LIES GOOD
JOBS AND GOOD WAGES -- FOR AMERICAN FARMERS.
- 9 -
LIKE ALL AMERICANS, ILLINOIS FARMERS AND WORKERS
FEEL THAT THEIR GOVERNMENT TAKES TOO MUCH, AND GIVES
TOO LITTLE.
So WITH A NEW CONGRESS NEXT YEAR, I PLEDGE A
DRAMATIC NEW EFFORT TO SLASH FEDERAL SPENDING, AND THEN
CUT TAXES ACROSS THE BOARD.
MY OPPONENT DOESN'T LIKE THIS IDEA -- IN FACT HE IS
PROPOSING $220 BILLION MORE IN SPENDING -- PLUS THE
LARGEST TAX INCREASE IN AMERICAN HISTORY.
- 10 -
BECAUSE I WANT TO CUT SPENDING AND TAXES, HE
ACCUSES ME "FEARMONGERING."
WELL, IF YOU'LL EXCUSE ME ONE POLITICAL COMMENT, I
HAVE A MESSAGE FOR GOVERNOR CLINTON. AMERICANS AREN'T
AFRAID OF CUTTING SPENDING AND LOWER TAXES. AMERICANS
FEAR A RUBBER STAMP CONGRESS AND A RUBBER CHECK
PRESIDENT. THEY FEAR THE HIGHER TAXES AND THE EXCESS
SPENDING THAT WOULD GO WITH IT. AND I'M NOT GOING TO
LET THAT NIGHTMARE HAPPEN.
- 11 -
You're GOING TO HEAR A LOT ABOUT ANOTHER ISSUE IN
THIS CAMPAIGN -- THAT'S THE IMPORTANCE OF THE AMERICAN
FAMILY.
You UNDERSTAND FAMILY VALUES IN RURAL AMERICA.
HERE WE LEARN THAT FAMILY IS THERE TO TEACH US RIGHT
FROM WRONG, TO LEND A HELPING HAND TO A NEIGHBOR, AND
TO WIPE A TEAR WHEN SOMETHING GOES WRONG.
BARBARA AND I TRY TO IMPART THESE VALUES TO OUR
KIDS AND GRANDKIDS, AND I KNOW YOU DO TOO.
- 12 -
BUT TODAY, THE AMERICAN FAMILY IS UNDER ATTACK, AND
WE MUST DEFEND IT -- BECAUSE IT IS THE FOUNDATION OF
OUR NATION.
THAT'S WHY WHEN WE CUT GOVERNMENT SPENDING, I WILL
FIGHT FOR AN INCREASE IN THE PERSONAL INCOME TAX
EXEMPTION, so MORE AMERICANS CAN AFFORD TO HAVE
CHILDREN.
- 13 -
IT'S WHY I'M FIGHTING FOR WELFARE PROGRAMS THAT
ENCOURAGE FAMILIES TO STICK TOGETHER -- AND FATHERS TO
STICK AROUND.
AND IT'S WHY I HAVE PUT FORWARD THE MOST FAR-
REACHING REFORM IN AMERICAN EDUCATION IN A CENTURY --
RAISING STANDARDS AND USING COMPETITION TO IMPROVE OUR
SCHOOLS. BY THE YEAR 2,000 -- I DON'T JUST WANT THE
SONS AND DAUGHTERS OF ILLINOIS TO BE THE BEST IN THE
WORLD ON THE BASKETBALL COURT AND IN THE SWIMMING POOL.
- 14 -
I WANT OUR KIDS TO BE SUPREME IN THE MATH ROOM, AND THE
SCIENCE LAB.//
I HAVE PUT FORTH IDEAS ON EDUCATION REFORM, LEGAL
REFORM, HEALTH CARE -- AND CONGRESS HAS BLOCKED THEM
ALL. So THIS FALL I'LL BE ASKING YOU TO JOIN ME IN
TAKING A BIG BROOM -- AND CLEANING HOUSE. CLEAN HOUSE
AND GIVE ME A NEW CONGRESS THAT WILL WORK WITH ME TO
MOVE AMERICA FORWARD.
- 15 -
THIS IS A POLITICAL YEAR, AND YOU'LL HEAR ALL KINDS
OF CHARGES AND COUNTERCHARGES. BUT I THINK IT'S
IMPORTANT TO BE FOCUSSED ON WHAT THIS ELECTION IS
REALLY ALL ABOUT.
Two YEARS AGO, I MADE THE TOUGHEST DECISION A
PRESIDENT CAN MAKE -- TO SEND AMERICA'S SONS AND
DAUGHTERS INTO BATTLE.
- 16 -
THE SONS AND DAUGHTERS OF ILLINOIS AND EVERY OTHER
STATE -- FOUGHT To KEEP A PEOPLE FREE -- AND TO PREVENT
THE MIDEAST FROM BECOMING A NUCLEAR POWDERKEG.
Now THEY HAVE COME HOME, AND THIS ELECTION, LIKE
EVERY OTHER -- IS ABOUT MAKING AN AMERICA THEY CAN BE
PROUD OF. AN AMERICA WE CAN BE PROUD.
AN AMERICA OF GOOD JOBS, OF SAFE STREETS, AND
STRONG FAMILIES.
AN AMERICA WHERE, IN THE WORDS OF THE COUNTRY MUSIC
SONG -- THERE IS "ONE DREAM PER CUSTOMER."
I BELIEVE I HAVE A PLAN TO RESPOND TO AMERICA'S
CHALLENGES, TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE ENORMOUS
OPPORTUNITY AROUND THE WORLD, TO BUILD A SAFER, MORE
SECURE NATION HERE AT HOME.
THANKS FOR COMING OUT TODAY. Now WE CAN GET BACK
TO EATING. GOD BLESS YOU, AND GOD BLESS THE UNITED
STATES OF AMERICA./
# # #