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Shallowater Co-op Cotton Gin 9/2/92 [OA 5812]
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Shallowater Co-op Cotton Gin 9/2/92 [OA 5812]
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Originally Processed With FOIA(s):
FOIA Number:
S
S
FOIA
MARKER
This is not a textual record. This is used as an
administrative marker by the George Bush Presidential
Library Staff.
Record Group/Collection:
George H.W. Bush Presidential Records
Collection/Office of Origin:
Speechwriting, White House Office of
Series:
Speech File Draft Files
Subseries:
Chron File, 1989-1993
OA/ID Number:
13638
Folder ID Number:
13638-005
Folder Title:
Shallowater Co-op Cotton Gin 9/2/92 [OA 5812]
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G
26
18
4
4
SHALLOWATER CO-OP GIN COMPANY \ SHALLOWATER, TEXAS
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 1992 \ 1:35 P.M.
THANK YOU, RICK [PERRY] FOR THAT INTRODUCTION. Now,
I'VE NEVER BEEN ACCUSED OF BEING BORN WITH A SILVER TONGUE
IN MY MOUTH, BUT I RECOGNIZE A GOOD SPEECH WHEN I HEAR ONE
-- AND RICK PERRY DELIVERED A BANG-UP SPEECH AT THE
REPUBLICAN NATIONAL CONVENTION./
LET ME SALUTE THE FUTURE FARMERS OF AMERICA WHO ARE
HERE TODAY -- AND CONGRESSMAN LARRY COMBEST, MAYOR MOE
DOZIER, AND OUR HOST SONNY LUPTON
AND CARYE GRUBEN,
1992 SOUTH PLAINS MAID OF COTTON.
- 2 -
OUR CONVENTION BACK IN HOUSTON WAS so SUCCESSFUL THAT
I JUST HAD TO COME BACK TO TEXAS FOR ANOTHER BIG EVENT
-- BUT I WON'T BE ABLE TO STAY UNTIL TOMORROW NIGHT'S
SEASON OPENER FOR THE TEXAS TECH RED RAIDERS./
I LOVE COMING BACK TO THE PLAINS OF WEST TEXAS. IN
1948, BARBARA AND I MOVED TO THE ODESSA-MIDLAND AREA.
I'VE DRIVEN THOUSANDS OF MILES BETWEEN HERE AND ODESSA
-- BACK IN THE DAYS OF THE SCURRY COUNTY BOOM AND ALL
THROUGH THE 50s.
- 3 -
EVERY TIME THERE WAS A WEST TEXAS DUST STORM, WE'D BE
PULLING LUBBOCK COUNTY TUMBLEWEEDS OFF OUR EVAPORATIVE AIR
CONDITIONER IN ODESSA.
WHEN I LIVED IN MIDLAND I EVEN PLAYED TOUCH FOOTBALL
AGAINST A LUBBOCK TEAM MADE UP OF GLENN DAVIS, MEL KUTNOW,
AND BOBBY LAYNE.
I CAME BACK HERE TO TEXAS TODAY, TO THE HEART OF RURAL
AMERICA, TO TALK WITH YOU ABOUT THE FUTURE -- FOR FARMERS,
AND FOR AMERICA.
- 4 -
I'M FOR OPENING MARKETS, INCREASING EXPORTS, KEEPING THE
GOVERNMENT OFF YOUR BACKS AT HOME, AND BEING THERE TO HELP
YOU GET BACK ON YOUR FEET WHEN DISASTER STRIKES.
FOR AGRICULTURE, AND FOR ALL AMERICANS, THE CHALLENGE
OF THE 90s IS TO WIN THE ECONOMIC COMPETITION -- TO WIN
THE PEACE.
OUT HERE IN TEXAS, YOU KNOW THIS: WE MUST BE A
MILITARY SUPERPOWER, AN ECONOMIC SUPERPOWER, AND AN EXPORT
SUPERPOWER.
- 5 -
I BELIEVE WE MUST LOOK FORWARD -- AND GET READY TO
COMPETE. AND MAKE NO MISTAKE: AMERICA CAN COMPETE -- AND
AMERICA CAN WIN.
I HAVE FOUGHT TO OPEN NEW MARKETS FOR AMERICAN
AGRICULTURE. TEXAS BEEF TO ASIA. MIDWEST GRAIN TO THE
FORMER SOVIET UNION. AND JUST LAST MONTH, WE CONCLUDED THE
NORTH AMERICAN FREE TRADE AGREEMENT WITH MEXICO. NEW
MARKETS ADD UP TO ONE THING: NEW JOBS FOR AMERICANS.
6 I I
TODAY, AMERICAN PRODUCTS -- FROM BLUE JEANS SPUN FROM
TEXAS HIGH PLAINS COTTON TO BUSHELS OF WHEAT FROM HASKELL
COUNTY -- ARE IN DEMAND EVERYWHERE. IN FACT, ONE IN EVERY
3 ACRES PLANTED IN THIS COUNTRY PRODUCES CROPS FOR EXPORT.
EXPORTS ARE UP. THAT'S GOOD FOR GROWTH.
So THIS FALL YOU HAVE AN IMPORTANT CHOICE TO MAKE
-- ONE THAT WILL AFFECT THE ECONOMIC HEALTH OF FARMERS
ACROSS AMERICA.
- 7 -
IF OUR OPPONENTS IN THIS YEAR'S ELECTION PUT UP WALLS
AROUND AMERICA -- WHETHER THEY ARE HIGH TARIFF WALLS OR
HIGH TAX WALLS -- THE FIRST LOSERS WILL BE AMERICAN
AGRICULTURE -- AND AMERICAN JOBS.
LET ME DRIVE THE POINT HOME. You KNOW THAT TEXAS IS
AMERICA'S NUMBER ONE EXPORTER OF COTTON. THE STATE OF
TEXAS RANKS AMONG THE TOP TEN EXPORTERS IN 14 DIFFERENT
MAJOR CROPS.
- 8 -
IF GOVERNOR CLINTON GETS INFECTED WITH THAT ANTI-
TRADE STRAIN FROM THE PROTECTIONIST CROWD HE'S BEEN
HANGING AROUND WITH -- IT WILL BE TEXAS THAT CATCHES
PNEUMONIA.
ON NAFTA, GOVERNOR CLINTON IS RIDING THE FENCE so HARD
HE'S GOT SADDLE SORES -- OR SHOULD I SAY "STRADDLE SORES"?
BUT AS PRESIDENT, YOU CAN'T BE ON BOTH SIDES OF EVERY
ISSUE. I'M FIGHTING HARD FOR ANOTHER AGREEMENT -- THIS
ONE UNDER THE GATT, THE GENERAL AGREEMENT ON TARIFFS AND
TRADE.
- 9 -
A GATT AGREEMENT WILL FORCE OUR COMPETITORS, ESPECIALLY
THOSE IN THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITY, TO CUT THEIR MASSIVE
EXPORT SUBSIDIES IN AGRICULTURE. WE WANT FREE TRADE --
BUT WE WANT FAIR TRADE./
To HELP US REACH GOOD AGREEMENTS, I'VE BEEN USING A
STRATEGY THAT WON US MILITARY SECURITY: PEACE THROUGH
STRENGTH. No UNILATERAL DISARMAMENT./
- 10 -
WE'VE USED OUR EXPORT ENHANCEMENT PROGRAM, OR EEP, TO
FIGHT FOR MARKET SHARE AGAINST THE EC's SUBSIDIZED
EXPORTS. SINCE 1989, WE HAVE DOUBLED THE NUMBER OF EEP
INITIATIVES AND TRIPLED THE VALUE OF EEP BONUSES --
SELLING ALMOST $10 BILLION WORTH OF COMMODITIES TO 93
COUNTRIES.
BUT NOW WE NEED TO DO MORE.
- 11 -
THE FACT IS THAT THE PRICES FARMERS ARE RECEIVING ARE
TOO LOW TODAY. To GET PRICES UP, WE MUST EXPAND DEMAND
-- AND THAT MEANS AN AGGRESSIVE EXPORT POLICY.
TODAY I AM ANNOUNCING THE LARGEST EEP INITIATIVE IN
HISTORY -- TO HELP SELL OVER 1 BILLION BUSHELS OR OVER 30
MILLION METRIC TONS OF U.S. WHEAT, WITH A MARKET VALUE OF
OVER THREE BILLION DOLLARS, TO 28 COUNTRIES AROUND THE
WORLD.
- 12 -
WE ARE COMMITTED TO REDUCING SUBSIDIES WORLDWIDE. BUT
MY ANNOUNCEMENT SHOULD LEAVE NO DOUBT: WITH HEAVY EC
SUBSIDIES CONTINUING, THE EEP IS VITAL -- AND WE WILL USE
IT AS NECESSARY.
To KEEP WINNING IN THE GLOBAL MARKETPLACE, WE HAVE TO
GET READY TO COMPETE. So WE'VE EXPANDED RESEARCH, IN
EVERY THING FROM ALTERNATIVE USES OF AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS
TO BIOTECHNOLOGY.
- 13 -
RIGHT HERE IN TEXAS, A NEW KIND OF COTTON -- CALLED
"B. T. COTTON" -- LOOKS AND FEELS LIKE REGULAR COTTON BUT
PROTECTS ITSELF FROM BUGS BY PRODUCING ITS OWN
INSECTICIDES.
WE WILL ALWAYS WORK TO MAKE SURE OF THIS: AMERICAN
PRODUCTS ARE THE HIGHEST QUALITY PRODUCTS IN THE WORLD.
WE'RE WORKING TO STRENGTHEN PRICES, BOOST FARM INCOME,
AND CREATE JOBS. THAT'S WHY FARM INCOME OVER THE PAST
THREE YEARS HAS AVERAGED A HIGHER LEVEL THAN AT ANY TIME
IN AMERICAN HISTORY.
- 14 -
BUT EVEN so, 1992 HAS BEEN A DIFFICULT YEAR IN PARTS
OF RURAL AMERICA. LAST FALL'S EXTREME DROUGHT -- FOLLOWED
BY A FREEZE IN LATE MAY -- HURT THE WINTER WHEAT CROP FROM
KANSAS TO THE TEXAS PANHANDLE. AND HERE IN THE COTTON
BELT, YOU SAW A FREEZE IN 1991 -- FOLLOWED BY A WET SPRING
THAT PREVENTED MANY ACRES FROM BEING PLANTED AT all.
FOR SOME FARMERS, THESE DISASTERS COME ON THE HEELS
OF LOSSES LAST YEAR AND THE YEAR BEFORE.
- 15 -
LAST FALL, I SIGNED A BILL TO PROVIDE ALMOST $1 BILLION
IN DISASTER ASSISTANCE FOR THE 1990 AND 1991 CROPS.
TODAY, I WOULD LIKE TO ANNOUNCE THE NEXT STEP.
I AM TODAY RELEASING AN ADDITIONAL $755 MILLION IN
DISASTER ASSISTANCE FUNDS TO HELP TACKLE THESE EMERGENCIES
WHICH HAVE STRICKEN FARMERS. AMERICAN FARMERS NEED HELP
-- AND WITH THIS ACTION, YOU WILL GET IT./
Now I KNOW THAT THIS $755 MILLION WILL NOT SOLVE EVERY
PROBLEM.
- 16 -
WE WILL BEGIN SIGNUPS FOR WINTER WHEAT NEXT TUESDAY, AND
FOR OTHER CROPS SHORTLY THEREAFTER. WE CAN'T PREVENT AN
EARLY FREEZE. BUT THESE FUNDS WILL HELP KEEP FARMERS ON
THEIR FEET --so THAT BANKERS WILL WORK WITH YOU, AND NEXT
SEASON'S CROP CAN BE PLANTED. AND IF ADDITIONAL DISASTER
FUNDS ARE NEEDED NOW, WE WILL SECURE THEM.
GOVERNMENT MUST HELP IN DISASTERS OF THE MAGNITUDE
YOU'VE SUFFERED HERE IN COTTON COUNTRY. BUT SOMETIMES
GOVERNMENT CAN HELP BY GETTING OUT OF THE WAY.
- 17 -
TAKE THE SUBJECT OF REGULATION. My OPPONENTS WANT TO
REGULATE THE WORLD'S SAFEST FOOD SUPPLY AND DRIVE UP ITS
COST. I'M FOR FOOD SAFETY -- BUT LET'S ALSO PROTECT THE
CONSUMER FROM THE BUREAUCRAT. TAKE THE SUBJECT OF
TAXES. THE DIFFERENCE HERE IS SIMPLE: MY OPPONENTS WANT
TO RAISE THEM BY $150 BILLION -- I WANT TO CUT THEM ACROSS
THE BOARD.
an
- 18 -
TAKE THE SUBJECT OF GOVERNMENT SPENDING. AGAIN HERE
THE CHOICE IS CLEAR: MY OPPONENTS WANT $220 BILLION MORE
SPENDING -- I WANT TO CUT SPENDING, AND I WANT YOU TO HELP
ME.
Ask CONGRESS TO PASS MY PLAN FOR A "CHECK OFF FOR
AMERICA". IF CONGRESS WON'T CUT SPENDING, LET THE PEOPLE
DO IT.
AND SOMETHING ELSE. IT'S TIME FOR A BALANCED BUDGET
AMENDMENT. AND GIVE ME A LINE ITEM VETO.
- 19 -
REMEMBER: WE TRIED THE OTHER SIDE'S RECIPE OF HIGHER
TAXES AND HIGHER SPENDING BEFORE. WE WENT DOWN THE PATH
OF FOREIGN POLICY INEXPERIENCE. WE TRIED THE COMBINATION
OF AN OUT OF CONTROL CONGRESS AND A LIBERAL DEMOCRATIC
PRESIDENT.
AND REMEMBER THE RESULTS. WE HAD BACK TO BACK YEARS
OF DOUBLE DIGIT INFLATION. AND FARMERS WERE DEVASTATED.
WE HAD INTEREST RATES AT 21.5%. AND FARMERS WERE
DEVASTATED.
- 20 -
WE HAD GRAIN EMBARGOES, AND FOOD AS A FOREIGN POLICY
WEAPON. AND FARMERS WERE DEVASTATED.
So LET'S NOT TRY THAT AGAIN. WE CAN'T AFFORD A RUBBER
CHECK CONGRESS AND A RUBBER STAMP PRESIDENT.
IN THIS POLITICAL YEAR, IT'S EASY TO BE FOOLED. THE
NEW KID ON THE BLOCK SHOWS UP WITH NEW LINES, BUT IT'S THE
SAME OLD SONG. HERE IN WEST TEXAS, YOU KNOW all ABOUT
THE CHOICE BETWEEN THE LATEST SYNTHETIC FIBER AND REAL
COTTON.
- 21 -
I DON'T PRETEND TO HAVE THE STRETCH OF SPANDEX OR THE
LUSTER OF LYCRA. BUT I DO KNOW THIS: SOME IDEAS AND
VALUES AND CONCEPTS ARE TIMELESS. FREEDOM WORKS.
OPPORTUNITY AWAITS THOSE WHO DARE TO REACH FOR IT.
COMPETITION BRINGS OUT THE BEST IN PEOPLE -- ESPECIALLY
THE AMERICAN PEOPLE.
IF WE REMEMBER THESE HOME TRUTHS,
THERE IS NO TELLING WHAT WE CAN ACCOMPLISH. FOR AMERICA'S
FINEST HOUR IS YET TO COME.
- 22 -
THANK YOU, God BLESS YOU, AND God BLESS THE UNITED
STATES OF AMERICA.
#
#
#
#
SHALLOWATER CO-OP GIN COMPANY \ SHALLOWATER, TEXAS
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 1992 \ 1:35 P.M.
THANK YOU, RICK [PERRY] FOR THAT INTRODUCTION. Now,
I'VE NEVER BEEN ACCUSED OF BEING BORN WITH A SILVER TONGUE
IN MY MOUTH, BUT I RECOGNIZE A GOOD SPEECH WHEN I HEAR ONE
-- AND RICK PERRY DELIVERED A BANG-UP SPEECH AT THE
REPUBLICAN NATIONAL CONVENTION./
LET ME SALUTE THE FUTURE FARMERS OF AMERICA WHO ARE
HERE TODAY -- AND CONGRESSMAN LARRY COMBEST, MAYOR MOE
DOZIER, AND OUR HOST SONNY LUPTON
AND CARYE GRUBEN,
1992 SOUTH PLAINS MAID OF COTTON.
- 2 -
OUR CONVENTION BACK IN HOUSTON WAS so SUCCESSFUL THAT
I JUST HAD TO COME BACK TO TEXAS FOR ANOTHER BIG EVENT
-- BUT I WON'T BE ABLE TO STAY UNTIL TOMORROW NIGHT'S
SEASON OPENER FOR THE TEXAS TECH RED RAIDERS./
I LOVE COMING BACK TO THE PLAINS OF WEST TEXAS. IN
1948, BARBARA AND I MOVED TO THE ODESSA-MIDLAND AREA.
I'VE DRIVEN THOUSANDS OF MILES BETWEEN HERE AND ODESSA
-- BACK IN THE DAYS OF THE SCURRY COUNTY BOOM AND ALL
THROUGH THE 50s.
- 3 -
EVERY TIME THERE WAS A WEST TEXAS DUST STORM, WE'D BE
PULLING LUBBOCK COUNTY TUMBLEWEEDS OFF OUR EVAPORATIVE AIR
CONDITIONER IN ODESSA.
WHEN I LIVED IN MIDLAND I EVEN PLAYED TOUCH FOOTBALL
AGAINST A LUBBOCK TEAM MADE UP OF GLENN DAVIS, MEL KUTNOW,
AND BOBBY LAYNE.
I CAME BACK HERE TO TEXAS TODAY, TO THE HEART OF RURAL
AMERICA, TO TALK WITH YOU ABOUT THE FUTURE -- FOR FARMERS,
AND FOR AMERICA.
- 4 -
I'M FOR OPENING MARKETS, INCREASING EXPORTS, KEEPING THE
GOVERNMENT OFF YOUR BACKS AT HOME, AND BEING THERE TO HELP
YOU GET BACK ON YOUR FEET WHEN DISASTER STRIKES.
FOR AGRICULTURE, AND FOR all AMERICANS, THE CHALLENGE
OF THE 90s IS TO WIN THE ECONOMIC COMPETITION -- TO WIN
THE PEACE.
OUT HERE IN TEXAS, YOU KNOW THIS: WE MUST BE A
MILITARY SUPERPOWER, AN ECONOMIC SUPERPOWER, AND AN EXPORT
SUPERPOWER.
- 5 -
I BELIEVE WE MUST LOOK FORWARD -- AND GET READY TO
COMPETE. AND MAKE NO MISTAKE: AMERICA CAN COMPETE -- AND
AMERICA CAN WIN.
I HAVE FOUGHT TO OPEN NEW MARKETS FOR AMERICAN
AGRICULTURE. TEXAS BEEF TO ASIA. MIDWEST GRAIN TO THE
FORMER SOVIET UNION. AND JUST LAST MONTH, WE CONCLUDED THE
NORTH AMERICAN FREE TRADE AGREEMENT WITH MEXICO. NEW
MARKETS ADD UP TO ONE THING: NEW JOBS FOR AMERICANS.
- 6 -
TODAY, AMERICAN PRODUCTS -- FROM BLUE JEANS SPUN FROM
TEXAS HIGH PLAINS COTTON TO BUSHELS OF WHEAT FROM HASKELL
COUNTY -- ARE IN DEMAND EVERYWHERE. IN FACT, ONE IN EVERY
3 ACRES PLANTED IN THIS COUNTRY PRODUCES CROPS FOR EXPORT.
EXPORTS ARE UP. THAT'S GOOD FOR GROWTH.
So THIS FALL YOU HAVE AN IMPORTANT CHOICE TO MAKE
-- ONE THAT WILL AFFECT THE ECONOMIC HEALTH OF FARMERS
ACROSS AMERICA.
- 7 -
IF OUR OPPONENTS IN THIS YEAR'S ELECTION PUT UP WALLS
AROUND AMERICA -- WHETHER THEY ARE HIGH TARIFF WALLS OR
HIGH TAX WALLS -- THE FIRST LOSERS WILL BE AMERICAN
AGRICULTURE -- AND AMERICAN JOBS.
LET ME DRIVE THE POINT HOME. You KNOW THAT TEXAS IS
AMERICA'S NUMBER ONE EXPORTER OF COTTON. THE STATE OF
TEXAS RANKS AMONG THE TOP TEN EXPORTERS IN 14 DIFFERENT
MAJOR CROPS.
- 8 -
IF GOVERNOR CLINTON GETS INFECTED WITH THAT ANTI-
TRADE STRAIN FROM THE PROTECTIONIST CROWD HE'S BEEN
HANGING AROUND WITH -- IT WILL BE TEXAS THAT CATCHES
PNEUMONIA.
ON NAFTA, GOVERNOR CLINTON IS RIDING THE FENCE so HARD
HE'S GOT SADDLE SORES -- OR SHOULD I SAY "STRADDLE SORES"?
BUT AS PRESIDENT, YOU CAN'T BE ON BOTH SIDES OF EVERY
ISSUE. I'M FIGHTING HARD FOR ANOTHER AGREEMENT -- THIS
ONE UNDER THE GATT, THE GENERAL AGREEMENT ON TARIFFS AND
TRADE.
- 9 -
A GATT AGREEMENT WILL FORCE OUR COMPETITORS, ESPECIALLY
THOSE IN THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITY, TO CUT THEIR MASSIVE
EXPORT SUBSIDIES IN AGRICULTURE. WE WANT FREE TRADE --
BUT WE WANT FAIR TRADE./
To HELP US REACH GOOD AGREEMENTS, I'VE BEEN USING A
STRATEGY THAT WON US MILITARY SECURITY: PEACE THROUGH
STRENGTH. No UNILATERAL DISARMAMENT./
- 10 -
WE'VE USED OUR EXPORT ENHANCEMENT PROGRAM, OR EEP, TO
FIGHT FOR MARKET SHARE AGAINST THE EC's SUBSIDIZED
EXPORTS. SINCE 1989, WE HAVE DOUBLED THE NUMBER OF EEP
INITIATIVES AND TRIPLED THE VALUE OF EEP BONUSES --
SELLING ALMOST $10 BILLION WORTH OF COMMODITIES TO 93
COUNTRIES.
BUT NOW WE NEED TO DO MORE.
- 11 -
THE FACT IS THAT THE PRICES FARMERS ARE RECEIVING ARE
TOO LOW TODAY. To GET PRICES UP, WE MUST EXPAND DEMAND
-- AND THAT MEANS AN AGGRESSIVE EXPORT POLICY.
TODAY I AM ANNOUNCING THE LARGEST EEP INITIATIVE IN
HISTORY -- TO HELP SELL OVER 1 BILLION BUSHELS OR OVER 30
MILLION METRIC TONS OF U.S. WHEAT, WITH A MARKET VALUE OF
OVER THREE BILLION DOLLARS, TO 28 COUNTRIES AROUND THE
WORLD.
- 12 -
WE ARE COMMITTED TO REDUCING SUBSIDIES WORLDWIDE. BUT
MY ANNOUNCEMENT SHOULD LEAVE NO DOUBT: WITH HEAVY EC
SUBSIDIES CONTINUING, THE EEP IS VITAL -- AND WE WILL USE
IT AS NECESSARY.
To KEEP WINNING IN THE GLOBAL MARKETPLACE, WE HAVE TO
GET READY TO COMPETE. So WE'VE EXPANDED RESEARCH, IN
EVERY THING FROM ALTERNATIVE USES OF AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS
TO BIOTECHNOLOGY.
- 13 -
RIGHT HERE IN TEXAS, A NEW KIND OF COTTON -- CALLED
"B. T. COTTON" -- LOOKS AND FEELS LIKE REGULAR COTTON BUT
PROTECTS ITSELF FROM BUGS BY PRODUCING ITS OWN
INSECTICIDES.
WE WILL ALWAYS WORK TO MAKE SURE OF THIS: AMERICAN
PRODUCTS ARE THE HIGHEST QUALITY PRODUCTS IN THE WORLD.
WE'RE WORKING TO STRENGTHEN PRICES, BOOST FARM INCOME,
AND CREATE JOBS. THAT'S WHY FARM INCOME OVER THE PAST
THREE YEARS HAS AVERAGED A HIGHER LEVEL THAN AT ANY TIME
IN AMERICAN HISTORY.
- 14 -
BUT EVEN so, 1992 HAS BEEN A DIFFICULT YEAR IN PARTS
OF RURAL AMERICA. LAST FALL'S EXTREME DROUGHT -- FOLLOWED
BY A FREEZE IN LATE MAY -- HURT THE WINTER WHEAT CROP FROM
KANSAS TO THE TEXAS PANHANDLE. AND HERE IN THE COTTON
BELT, YOU SAW A FREEZE IN 1991 -- FOLLOWED BY A WET SPRING
THAT PREVENTED MANY ACRES FROM BEING PLANTED AT ALL.
FOR SOME FARMERS, THESE DISASTERS COME ON THE HEELS
OF LOSSES LAST YEAR AND THE YEAR BEFORE.
- 15 -
LAST FALL, I SIGNED A BILL TO PROVIDE ALMOST $1 BILLION
IN DISASTER ASSISTANCE FOR THE 1990 AND 1991 CROPS.
TODAY, I WOULD LIKE TO ANNOUNCE THE NEXT STEP.
I AM TODAY RELEASING AN ADDITIONAL $755 MILLION IN
DISASTER ASSISTANCE FUNDS TO HELP TACKLE THESE EMERGENCIES
WHICH HAVE STRICKEN FARMERS. AMERICAN FARMERS NEED HELP
-- AND WITH THIS ACTION, YOU WILL GET IT./
Now I KNOW THAT THIS $755 MILLION WILL NOT SOLVE EVERY
PROBLEM.
- 16 -
WE WILL BEGIN SIGNUPS FOR WINTER WHEAT NEXT TUESDAY, AND
FOR OTHER CROPS SHORTLY THEREAFTER. WE CAN'T PREVENT AN
EARLY FREEZE. BUT THESE FUNDS WILL HELP KEEP FARMERS ON
THEIR FEET --so - THAT BANKERS WILL WORK WITH YOU, AND NEXT
SEASON'S CROP CAN BE PLANTED. AND IF ADDITIONAL DISASTER
FUNDS ARE NEEDED NOW, WE WILL SECURE THEM.
GOVERNMENT MUST HELP IN DISASTERS OF THE MAGNITUDE
YOU'VE SUFFERED HERE IN COTTON COUNTRY. BUT SOMETIMES
GOVERNMENT CAN HELP BY GETTING OUT OF THE WAY.
- 17 -
TAKE THE SUBJECT OF REGULATION. MY OPPONENTS WANT TO
REGULATE THE WORLD'S SAFEST FOOD SUPPLY AND DRIVE UP ITS
COST. I'M FOR FOOD SAFETY -- BUT LET'S ALSO PROTECT THE
CONSUMER FROM THE BUREAUCRAT. TAKE THE SUBJECT OF
TAXES. THE DIFFERENCE HERE IS SIMPLE: MY OPPONENTS WANT
TO RAISE THEM BY $150 BILLION -- I WANT TO CUT THEM ACROSS
THE BOARD.
- 18 -
TAKE THE SUBJECT OF GOVERNMENT SPENDING. AGAIN HERE
THE CHOICE IS CLEAR: MY OPPONENTS WANT $220 BILLION MORE
SPENDING -- I WANT TO CUT SPENDING, AND I WANT YOU TO HELP
ME.
Ask CONGRESS TO PASS MY PLAN FOR A "CHECK OFF FOR
AMERICA". IF CONGRESS WON'T CUT SPENDING, LET THE PEOPLE
DO IT.
AND SOMETHING ELSE. IT'S TIME FOR A BALANCED BUDGET
AMENDMENT. AND GIVE ME A LINE ITEM VETO.
- 19 -
REMEMBER: WE TRIED THE OTHER SIDE'S RECIPE OF HIGHER
TAXES AND HIGHER SPENDING BEFORE. WE WENT DOWN THE PATH
OF FOREIGN POLICY INEXPERIENCE. WE TRIED THE COMBINATION
OF AN OUT OF CONTROL CONGRESS AND A LIBERAL DEMOCRATIC
PRESIDENT.
AND REMEMBER THE RESULTS. WE HAD BACK TO BACK YEARS
OF DOUBLE DIGIT INFLATION. AND FARMERS WERE DEVASTATED.
WE HAD INTEREST RATES AT 21.5%. AND FARMERS WERE
DEVASTATED.
- 20 -
WE HAD GRAIN EMBARGOES, AND FOOD AS A FOREIGN POLICY
WEAPON. AND FARMERS WERE DEVASTATED.
So LET'S NOT TRY THAT AGAIN. WE CAN'T AFFORD A RUBBER
CHECK CONGRESS AND A RUBBER STAMP PRESIDENT.
IN THIS POLITICAL YEAR, IT'S EASY TO BE FOOLED. THE
NEW KID ON THE BLOCK SHOWS UP WITH NEW LINES, BUT IT'S THE
SAME OLD SONG. HERE IN WEST TEXAS, YOU KNOW ALL ABOUT
THE CHOICE BETWEEN THE LATEST SYNTHETIC FIBER AND REAL
COTTON.
- 21 -
I DON'T PRETEND TO HAVE THE STRETCH OF SPANDEX OR THE
LUSTER OF LYCRA. BUT I DO KNOW THIS: SOME IDEAS AND
VALUES AND CONCEPTS ARE TIMELESS. FREEDOM WORKS.
OPPORTUNITY AWAITS THOSE WHO DARE TO REACH FOR IT.
COMPETITION BRINGS OUT THE BEST IN PEOPLE -- ESPECIALLY
THE AMERICAN PEOPLE.
IF WE REMEMBER THESE HOME TRUTHS,
THERE IS NO TELLING WHAT WE CAN ACCOMPLISH. FOR AMERICA'S
FINEST HOUR IS YET TO COME.
- 22 -
THANK YOU, GOD BLESS YOU, AND GOD BLESS THE UNITED
STATES OF AMERICA.
#
#
#
#
Document No. 347804SS
WHITE HOUSE STAFFING MEMORANDUM
9/1/92
92 AUGHI SEARO 1 0610: 12
NOON, TODAY!!! SEPT. 1
DATE:
ACTION/CONCURRENCE/COMMENT DUE BY:
PRESIDENTIAL REMARKS: SHALLOWATER CO-OP COTTON GIN
SHALLOWATER, TEXAS
SUBJECT:
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 1992
ACTION FYI
ACTION FYI
VICE PRESIDENT
MOORE
BAKER
MULLINS
SCOWCROFT
PETERSMEYER
DARMAN
PORTER
BRADY
PROVOST
BROMLEY
ROSS
CALIO
SMITH
DEMAREST
TUTWILER
FITZWATER
ZOELLICK
GRAY
KAUFMAN
BOSKIN
HOLIDAY
GRADY
HORNER
MCGROARTY
MCBRIDE
DELAND
REMARKS:
Please provide comments on the attached directly to
Bob Grady, x4742 Rm. 252, with a copy to this office
NO LATER THAN NOON, TODAY, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 1.
Thank you.
RESPONSE:
PHILLIP D. BRADY
Assistant to the President
and Staff Secretary
Ext. 2702
SENT BY:Xerox Telecopier 7020 9- 1-92 7:48
2023951005-
22151# 2
((Grady, 8/31/92))
PRESIDENTIAL REMARKS:
SHALLOWATER CO-OP COTTON GIN
SHALLOWATER, TEXAS
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 1992
Thank you, Rick [Perry]_for that introduction. Now, I've
never been accused of being born with a silver tongue in my
mouth, but I recognize a good speech when I see one. And I think
you'll agree that Rick Perry delivered a bang-up speech at the
Republican National Convention./
Our Convention back in Houston was SO successful that I just
had to come back to Texas for another big event. Unfortunately,
I won't be able to stay until tomorrow night's season opener for
the Texas Tech Red Raiders./
Now I'm going to keep my silver tongue under control today
and try not to speak too long -- because the Shallowater Mustangs
scrimmage at four o'clock -- and I know better than to go head-
to-head against the Mustangs./
I love coming back to the High Plains of West Texas. I got
my start not far from here in Midland -- not far, that is, by
West Texas standards. I joined a business, and later started
one. I learned the joy and fulfillment that comes with meeting a
payroll. I learned first-hand -- in the private sector -- the
things that helped me form the philosophy I brought to
government. I know this from the core of my own experience:
given the chance of a level playing field, and a government that
2
doesn't smother every innovation, Americans can outperform and
out compete any people on earth.
I came to Texas right after the war. And I think back today
to all that has happened since then. It was 47 years ago today -
- on this very day -- that Japan tendered its surrender aboard
the U.S.S. Missouri to end World War II. And less than 30 years
ago -- exactly 29 years ago this week, the hot line was
established between the White House and the Kremlin, to cut
through the nuclear tension.
In less than a half-century, we have seen the rebuilding of
Europe and Japan, the onset of the Cold War, and its happy
conclusion: Freedom finished first. /
Today, when I talk to Russian President Yeltsin, it's about
how much American grain we can provide to Russian consumers -- or
about how we can turn Russian weapons grade material into fuel
for the peaceful generation of electric power here in America.
Those events are connected, because they trace the path to
the crossroads we face today. Now, we face a unique opportunity:
a world at peace, an unparalleled reign of freedom around the
globe, an unprecedented opportunity for growth.
Today, the American people are universally respected as the
most generous and energetic on earth. American products --
whether it's Levis spun from Texas cotton or wheat from the
rolling hills of South Dakota -- are desired everywhere. And
most importantly, American ideals are openly embraced and
emulated around the world as never before.
3
The challenge before us is to seize this moment. Our
challenge now is to win the economic competition -- to win the
peace.
Out here in Texas, you know this: we must be an military
superpower, an economic superpower, and an export superpower.
I've come here today to talk to you about my agenda for
achieving these things. In a few short weeks, you will be asked
to choose between two completely different visions for how to win
this global economic competition.
One vision is to turn inward, to try to protect what we
have, to put up walls around America.
Mine is to look forward -- to open new markets to American
exports, to prepare our workforce to compete through better
education and training, to keep our social fabric strong, and,
both as a government and a society, to save and invest in those
things that will help us win -- from new technologies to new
methods that will help us produce more.
Let me give you some examples.
With the world changing as quickly as it is, agriculture
will need to keep pace -- to develop new techniques for fighting
pests and disease, for understanding human nutrition, for
protecting the environment. So we've launched a major program of
research -- endorsed by the National Academy of Sciences -- to
make sure that American agriculture maintains its lead in
producing the safest, most abundant supply of food and fiber that
the world has ever seen. That's the trend of the future.
4
A related example: we've expanded the Federal investment in
biotechnology. Biotechnology holds promise in so many areas:
from curing human disease, to improving agricultural yields, to
stopping pests without pesticides.
Right here in Texas, a new kind of cotton -- called
"B. T. Cotton" -- looks and feels like regular cotton but protects
itself from bugs by producing its own insecticides.
The point is this: these advances don't just happen. They
are the result of the choices we make today. This year, Congress
has cut our research initiative -- in order to dip into the pork
barrel. And, believe it or not, Congress cut my proposed
investment in biotechnology.
I'm sure those Congressmen didn't cut these investments in
the future to defend disease or help boll weevils -- but they did
use the money to feather the nests of those who go along with the
old system. In this case, part of the money taken from
biotechnology went to build a dock on a lake in the home district
of the subcommittee chairman in charge of the funding.
That's what I mean when I say you face a choice -- between
the architects of the future and the patrons of the past.
This much is clear. It's time for a new Congress. It's
time to clean the House. /
Perhaps the best example of our forward-looking approach is
the work we've done to open new markets for American agriculture.
In the last four years, we have signed 11 bilateral agreements
5
with 10 countries to open up new markets for American
agricultural exports.
Increased beef exports to Korea and Austria. Corn and
sorghum to Europe. And the North American Free Trade Agreement,
which I signed last month, will boost the 3 billion dollars worth
of agricultural exports we now send to Mexico.
Overall, since 1988, American exports are up 28 percent --
even after adjusting for inflation. Exports to Mexico: up 62
percent; to Japan: up 28 percent; to Europe; up 35 percent; to
the Pacific Rim: up 31%.
You won't read this in the national media -- they only
report the bad news -- and you won't hear this from our opponents
-- they only want you to believe the bad news -- but the facts
reveal that we can compete, and we can win.
Those of you who make your living in agriculture know better
than most Americans the damage that would be done by the wrecking
ball of protectionism. One in every three acres planted in this
country produces crops for export. U.S. agricultural exports
support over a million jobs. And just since 1989, agricultural
exports have reduced our trade deficit by over $68 billion.
Make no mistake: if the other side puts up walls around
America -- whether they are high tariff walls or high tax walls -
- the first loser will be the American farmer.
But farmers won't be the only losers. Auto workers,
software writers, machine makers: from Missouri to Michigan,
from Kentucky to the Carolinas, jobs will be put at risk. Why?
6
Because in a world where everything from financial flows to faxes
moves faster than ever before -- the high tax policies of the
other side will prevent foreign capital from seeking out and
teaming up with the most productive workers it can find anywhere
on earth: American workers.
Let me drive the point home. You know that Texas is
America's number one exporter of cotton. But did you know that
in 14 of America's 17 major farm products, Texas ranks among the
top ten exporters. If Governor Clinton gets infected with that
anti-trade strain from the protectionist crowd he's been hanging
around with -- it will be Texas that catches a cold.
Remember this. Where does the money for my opponent's
campaign come from? From the opponents of free trade.
Where does Governor Clinton stand on this historic trade
agreement with Mexico? He won't say. But saying nothing says it
all. He may know in his heart that it's the right thing to do,
but the special interests won't let him embrace it.
He's stuck riding the fence so hard he's got saddle sores.
But that kind of doublespeak means one thing: double
trouble. Today, over 7 1/2 million American jobs are tied to
merchandise exports. We can create millions of new jobs with a
free trade agreement. And we can't afford a President who will
put these jobs at risk.
Our goal is to create a more open trading regime around the
world that increases economic growth for our customers -- and for
ourselves.
7
That is why I have fought so hard to reach a new agreement
under the GATT -- the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade.
The GATT will knock down the barriers we face in everything from
financial services to farm products. And it will do something
else: it will force our competitors, especially those in the
European Community, to reduce their excessive export subsidies in
agriculture. We want free trade -- but we want fair trade.
But even as we work for an agreement, we must be prepared to
defend the interests of the American farmer. Two years ago, I
worked with Congress to include in law a pair of "GATT triggers."
The date of the first trigger has now passed, and we still have
not reached agreement.
As a result, we are prepared to increase programs to promote
agricultural exports by one billion dollars. The law requires
that we do this in 1994 and 1995. But today, I would like to
announce that we will speed up that deadline and increase these
programs beginning now.
Today I am announcing a series of initiatives under our
Export Enhancement Program -- known as "EEP" -- to sell over 1
billion bushels of U.S. wheat to 28 countries and regions around
the world. This is the largest quantity of wheat ever made
available under the EEP at one time.
Today's announcement should leave no doubt: we will not
engage in unilateral disarmament when it comes to fighting for
our market share. There is no question that, in a world of open
trade, the U.S. would be the premier supplier of wheat to world
8
markets. We are committed to reducing subsidies worldwide. But
in the interim, with heavy EC subsidies continuing, the EEP is
vital -- and we will use it as necessary.
In fact, since 1989, we have quadrupled the number of EEP
initiatives. We have tripled the volume of EEP bonuses. This
has enabled us to remain a key player in vitally important
markets around the world.
Today's EEP initiatives will give farmers, exporters, and
buyers more certainty about market opportunities. We want to
help growers plan -- and we want to strengthen America's
reputation as a reliable supplier.
These initiatives will help strengthen prices, boost farm
income, and create jobs. But even so, 1992 has been a difficult
year in parts of rural America. A freeze devastated the winter
wheat crop in Kansas, the Dakotas, and the Texas panhandle.
Frost, rains and hail hit Nebraska. Flooding from the wettest
summer in memory ravaged upstate New York. Drought dragged on in
Oregon. And here in the Cotton Belt, you saw a freeze in 1991 --
followed by a wet spring that prevented many acres from being
planted to cotton at all.
For some farmers, these disasters come on the heels of
losses in 1990 or 1991 as well. Late last year, I signed a bill
to provide almost $1 billion in disaster assistance for the 1990
and 1991 crops. Today, I would like to announce the next step.
Enough losses in 1992 have occurred due to drought, floods,
storms, and hail that I am today releasing an additional $755
9
million in disaster assistance funds. This assistance will
become available automatically upon my certification to the
Congress that an emergency exists. I am sending this
certification to the Congress today. American farmers need
help -- and with this action, you will get it./
Now I know that this $755 million will not solve every
problem. We will begin signups for winter wheat right away, and
for other crops as soon as the harvest is complete. And while
this amount may not be enough to pay the full amount of every
loss, it will help keep farmers on their feet -- so that bankers
will work with you, interest on debt can be paid, next season's
crop can be planted.
You see, the philosophy of competition is not an abandonment
of governmental responsibility. Sometimes when disaster strikes,
the Federal government is uniquely equipped to help. We've seen
that this week in Florida and Louisiana, in the aftermath of
Hurricane Andrew. If additional disaster funds are needed to
address that emergency, we will secure them.
In the mean time, let me say this: it's a magnificent sight
to see the armed forces of the United States -- one of the most
skilled organizations on earth -- lend their weight to helping
people. Our men and women in uniform were called upon this week
to perform a humanitarian mission. They have performed
superbly -- and every American should be proud and grateful. /
But what competition does mean is that, when appropriate,
government should get out of the way of the producers. And here
10
we have a fundamentally different philosophy from our opponents.
And a different agenda. Again, you have a choice.
Take the subject of regulation. They want to take the
world's safest food supply -- and remove from it all traces of
risk, no matter what the cost. We want to advance the capacity
for improvement that made our food supply safe in the first
place. The choice is yours.
Take the subject of taxation. They say in their speeches
that "government takes too much of your money." But they want to
take more of it. $150 billion in new taxes. New taxes on small
business to pay for government health care and mandatory
training. We want to cut taxes across the board -- and reduce
the burden on small business. The choice is yours.
Take the subject of Federal spending. They want to use
those new taxes to add $220 billion in new spending. And that's
not all. Newsweek magazine pointed out this week that the
Governor failed to even put a price tag on his four biggest
programs. The real cost of Clinton's spending binge, said
Newsweek, "is arguably at least three times higher than that. "
I will concede this. Governor Clinton is a clever
politician. He's managed to blur the distinctions -- to confuse
the American public on a lot of issues.
But remember: we tried this recipe of higher taxes and
higher spending before. We went down the path of foreign policy
inexperience -- of flirting with disaster by not understanding
how decisions made abroad affect lives here at home.
SENT BY:Xerox Telecopier 7020 ; 9- 1-92 ; 7:49 ;
2023951005-
2215:# 3
11
And remember the results.
We had back to back years of double digit inflation. And
farmers were dovastated.
We had interest rates at 20%. And farmers were devastate.
We had grain embargoes, and food as a foreign policy weapon.
And farmers were devastated.
In this political year, it's easy to be fooled. But here in
West Texas, you know all about the choice between the latest
synthetic fiber and real cotton.
You know which of the two serves well in rough weather or
calm. Which lasts through the seasons.
I don't pretend to have the stretch of spandex or the luster
of lycra. But I do know this: some ideas and values and
concepts are timeless. Freedom works. Opportunity awaits those
who dare to reach for it. Competition brings out the best in
people -- especially the American people.
If we remember these home truths, there is no telling what
we can accomplish. For America's finest hour is yet to come.
Thank you, God bless you, and God bless the United States of
America.
#
#
#
#
Document No. 347804SS
WHITE HOUSE STAFFING MEMORANDUM
9/1/92
92 SEP B2 Allic
NOON, TODAY!!! SEPT. 1
DATE:
ACTION/CONCURRENCE/COMMENT DUE BY:
PRESIDENTIAL REMARKS: SHALLOWATER CO-OP COTTON GIN
SHALLOWATER, TEXAS
SUBJECT:
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 1992
ACTION FYI
ACTION FYI
VICE PRESIDENT
MOORE
BAKER
MULLINS
SCOWCROFT
PETERSMEYER
DARMAN
PORTER
BRADY
PROVOST
BROMLEY
ROSS
CALIO
SMITH
DEMAREST
TUTWILER
FITZWATER
ZOELLICK
GRAY
KAUFMAN
BOSKIN
HOLIDAY
GRADY
HORNER
MCGROARTY
MCBRIDE
DELAND
REMARKS:
Please provide comments on the attached directly to
Bob Grady, x4742 Rm. 252, with a copy to this office
NO LATER THAN NOON, TODAY, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 1.
Thank you.
RESPONSE:
PHILLIP D. BRADY
Assistant to the President
and Staff Secretary
Ext. 2702
SENT BY:Xerox Telecopier 7020 9- 1-92 i 7:48
2023951005-
2215:# 2
(Grady, 8/31/92))
PRESIDENTIAL REMARKS:
SHALLOWATER CO-OP COTTON GIN
SHALLOWATER, TEXAS
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 1992
Thank you, Rick [Perry]_for that introduction. Now, I've
never been accused of being born with a silver tongue in my
mouth, but I recognize a good speech when I see one. And I think
you'll agree that Rick Perry delivered a bang-up speech at the
Republican National Convention./
our Convention back in Houston was so successful that I just
had to come back to Texas for another big event. Unfortunately,
I won't be able to stay until tomorrow night's season opener for
the Texas Tech Red Raiders./
Now I'm going to keep my silver tongue under control today
and try not to speak too long -- because the Shallowater Mustangs
scrimmage at four o'clock -- and I know better than to go head-
to-head against the Mustangs./
I love coming back to the High Plains of West Texas. I got
my start not far from here in Midland -- not far, that is, by
West Texas standards. I joined a business, and later started
one. I learned the joy and fulfillment that comes with meeting a
payroll. I learned first-hand -- in the private sector -- the
things that helped me form the philosophy I brought to
government. I know this from the core of my own experience:
given the chance of a level playing field, and a government that
2
doesn't smother every innovation, Americans can outperform and
out compete any people on earth.
I came to Texas right after the war. And I think back today
to all that has happened since then. It was 47 years ago today -
- on this very day -- that Japan tendered its surrender aboard
the U.S.S. Missouri to end World War II. And less than 30 years
ago -- exactly 29 years ago this week, the hot line was
established between the White House and the Kremlin, to cut
through the nuclear tension.
In less than a half-century, we have seen the rebuilding of
Europe and Japan, the onset of the Cold War, and its happy
conclusion: Freedom finished first. /
Today, when I talk to Russian President Yeltsin, it's about
how much American grain we can provide to Russian consumers -- or
about how we can turn Russian weapons grade material into fuel
for the peaceful generation of electric power here in America.
Those events are connected, because they trace the path to
the crossroads we face today. Now, we face a unique opportunity:
a world at peace, an unparalleled reign of freedom around the
globe, an unprecedented opportunity for growth.
Today, the American people are universally respected as the
most generous and energetic on earth. American products --
whether it's Levis spun from Texas cotton or wheat from the
rolling hills of South Dakota -- are desired everywhere. And
most importantly, American ideals are openly embraced and
emulated around the world as never before.
3
The challenge before us is to seize this moment. Our
challenge now is to win the economic competition -- to win the
peace.
Out here in Texas, you know this: we must be an military
superpower, an economic superpower, and an export superpower.
I've come here today to talk to you about my agenda for
achieving these things. In a few short weeks, you will be asked
to choose between two completely different visions for how to win
this global economic competition.
One vision is to turn inward, to try to protect what we
have, to put up walls around America.
Mine is to look forward -- to open new markets to American
exports, to prepare our workforce to compete through better
education and training, to keep our social fabric strong, and,
both as a government and a society, to save and invest in those
things that will help us win -- from new technólogies to new
methods that will help us produce more.
Let me give you some examples.
With the world changing as quickly as it is, agriculture
will need to keep pace -- to develop new techniques for fighting
pests and disease, for understanding human nutrition, for
protecting the environment. So we've launched a major program of
research -- endorsed by the National Academy of Sciences -- to
make sure that American agriculture maintains its lead in
producing the safest, most abundant supply of food and fiber that
the world has ever seen. That's the trend of the future.
4
A related example: we've expanded the Federal investment in
biotechnology. Biotechnology holds promise in so many areas:
from curing human disease, to improving agricultural yields, to
stopping pests without pesticides.
Right here in Texas, a new kind of cotton -- called
"B. T. Cotton" -- looks and feels like regular cotton but protects
itself from bugs by producing its own insecticides.
The point is this: these advances don't just happen. They
are the result of the choices we make today. This year, Congress
has cut our research initiative -- in order to dip into the pork
barrel. And, believe it or not, Congress cut my proposed
investment in biotechnology.
I'm sure those Congressmen didn't cut these investments in
the future to defend disease or help boll weevils -- but they did
use the money to feather the nests of those who go along with the
old system. In this case, part of the money taken from
biotechnology went to build a dock on a lake in the home district
of the subcommittee chairman in charge of the funding.
That's what I mean when I say you face a choice -- between
the architects of the future and the patrons of the past.
This much is clear. It's time for a new Congress. It's
time to clean the House. /
Perhaps the best example of our forward-looking approach is
the work we've done to open new markets for American agriculture.
In the last four years, we have signed 11 bilateral agreements
5
with 10 countries to open up new markets for American
agricultural exports.
Increased beef exports to Korea and Austria. Corn and
sorghum to Europe. And the North American Free Trade Agreement,
which I signed last month, will boost the 3 billion dollars worth
of agricultural exports we now send to Mexico.
Overall, since 1988, American exports are up 28 percent --
even after adjusting for inflation. Exports to Mexico: up 62
percent; to Japan: up 28 percent; to Europe; up 35 percent; to
the Pacific Rim: up 31%.
You won't read this in the national media -- they only
report the bad news -- and you won't hear this from our opponents
-- they only want you to believe the bad news -- but the facts
reveal that we can compete, and we can win.
Those of you who make your living in agriculture know better
than most Americans the damage that would be done by the wrecking
ball of protectionism. One in every three acres planted in this
country produces crops for export. U.S. agricultural exports
support over a million jobs. And just since 1989, agricultural
exports have reduced our trade deficit by over $68 billion.
Make no mistake: if the other side puts up walls around
America -- whether they are high tariff walls or high tax walls -
- the first loser will be the American farmer.
But farmers won't be the only losers. Auto workers,
software writers, machine makers: from Missouri to Michigan,
from Kentucky to the Carolinas, jobs will be put at risk. Why?
6
Because in a world where everything from financial flows to faxes
moves faster than ever before -- the high tax policies of the
other side will prevent foreign capital from seeking out and
teaming up with the most productive workers it can find anywhere
on earth: American workers.
Let me drive the point home. You know that Texas is
America's number one exporter of cotton. But did you know that
in 14 of America's 17 major farm products, Texas ranks among the
top ten exporters. If Governor Clinton gets infected with that
anti-trade strain from the protectionist crowd he's been hanging
around with -- it will be Texas that catches a cold.
Remember this. Where does the money for my opponent's
campaign come from? From the opponents of free trade.
Where does Governor Clinton stand on this historic trade
agreement with Mexico? He won't say. But saying nothing says it
all. He may know in his heart that it's the right thing to do,
but the special interests won't let him embrace it.
He's stuck riding the fence so hard he's got saddle sores.
But that kind of doublespeak means one thing: double
trouble. Today, over 7 1/2 million American jobs are tied to
merchandise exports. We can create millions of new jobs with a
free trade agreement. And we can't afford a President who will
put these jobs at risk.
Our goal is to create a more open trading regime around the
world that increases economic growth for our customers -- and for
ourselves.
7
That is why I have fought so hard to reach a new agreement
under the GATT -- the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade.
The GATT will knock down the barriers we face in everything from
financial services to farm products. And it will do something
else: it will force our competitors, especially those in the
European Community, to reduce their excessive export subsidies in
agriculture. We want free trade -- but we want fair trade.
But even as we work for an agreement, we must be prepared to
defend the interests of the American farmer. Two years ago, I
worked with Congress to include in law a pair of "GATT triggers."
The date of the first trigger has now passed, and we still have
not reached agreement.
As a result, we are prepared to increase programs to promote
agricultural exports by one billion dollars. The law requires
that we do this in 1994 and 1995. But today, I would like to
announce that we will speed up that deadline and increase these
programs beginning now.
Today I am announcing a series of initiatives under our
Export Enhancement Program -- known as "EEP" -- to sell over 1
billion bushels of U.S. wheat to 28 countries and regions around
the world. This is the largest quantity of wheat ever made
available under the EEP at one time.
Today's announcement should leave no doubt: we will not
engage in unilateral disarmament when it comes to fighting for
our market share. There is no question that, in a world of open
trade, the U.S. would be the premier supplier of wheat to world
8
markets. We are committed to reducing subsidies worldwide. But
in the interim, with heavy EC subsidies continuing, the EEP is
vital -- and we will use it as necessary.
In fact, since 1989, we have quadrupled the number of EEP
initiatives. We have tripled the volume of EEP bonuses. This
has enabled us to remain a key player in vitally important
markets around the world.
Today's EEP initiatives will give farmers, exporters, and
buyers more certainty about market opportunities. We want to
help growers plan -- and we want to strengthen America's
reputation as a reliable supplier.
These initiatives will help strengthen prices, boost farm
income, and create jobs. But even so, 1992 has been a difficult
year in parts of rural America. A freeze devastated the winter
wheat crop in Kansas, the Dakotas, and the Texas panhandle.
Frost, rains and hail hit Nebraska. Flooding from the wettest
summer in memory ravaged upstate New York. Drought dragged on in
Oregon. And here in the Cotton Belt, you saw a freeze in 1991 --
followed by a wet spring that prevented many acres from being
planted to cotton at all.
For some farmers, these disasters come on the heels of
losses in 1990 or 1991 as well. Late last year, I signed a bill
to provide almost $1 billion in disaster assistance for the 1990
and 1991 crops. Today, I would like to announce the next step.
Enough losses in 1992 have occurred due to drought, floods,
storms, and hail that I am today releasing an additional $755
9
million in disaster assistance funds. This assistance will
become available automatically upon my certification to the
Congress that an emergency exists. I am sending this
certification to the Congress today. American farmers need
help -- and with this action, you will get it./
Now I know that this $755 million will not solve every
problem. We will begin signups for winter wheat right away, and
for other crops as soon as the harvest is complete. And while
this amount may not be enough to pay the full amount of every
loss, it will help keep farmers on their feet -- so that bankers
will work with you, interest on debt can be paid, next season's
crop can be planted.
You see, the philosophy of competition is not an abandonment
of governmental responsibility. Sometimes when disaster strikes,
the Federal government is uniquely equipped to help. We've seen
that this week in Florida and Louisiana, in the aftermath of
Hurricane Andrew. If additional disaster funds are needed to
address that emergency, we will secure them.
In the mean time, let me say this: it's a magnificent sight
to see the armed forces of the United States -- one of the most
skilled organizations on earth -- lend their weight to helping
people. Our men and women in uniform were called upon this week
to perform a humanitarian mission. They have performed
superbly -- and every American should be proud and grateful. /
But what competition does mean is that, when appropriate,
government should get out of the way of the producers. And here
10
we have a fundamentally different philosophy from our opponents.
And a different agenda. Again, you have a choice.
Take the subject of regulation. They want to take the
world's safest food supply -- and remove from it all traces of
risk, no matter what the cost. We want to advance the capacity
for improvement that made our food supply safe in the first
place. The choice is yours.
Take the subject of taxation. They say in their speeches
that "government takes too much of your money." But they want to
take more of it. $150 billion in new taxes. New taxes on small
business to pay for government health care and mandatory
training. We want to cut taxes across the board -- and reduce
the burden on small business. The choice is yours.
Take the subject of Federal spending. They want to use
those new taxes to add $220 billion in new spending. And that's
not all. Newsweek magazine pointed out this week that the
Governor failed to even put a price tag on his four biggest
programs. The real cost of Clinton's spending binge, said
Newsweek, "is arguably at least three times higher than that."
I will concede this. Governor Clinton is a clever
politician. He's managed to blur the distinctions -- to confuse
the American public on a lot of issues.
But remember: we tried this recipe of higher taxes and
higher spending before. We went down the path of foreign policy
inexperience -- of flirting with disaster by not understanding
how decisions made abroad affect lives here at home.
SENT BY:Xerox Telecopier 7020 ; 9- 1-92 ; 7:49 ;
2023951005-
2215:# 3
11
And remember the results.
We had back to back years of double digit inflation. And
farmers wore devastated.
We had interest rates at 20%. And farmere were devastate.
We had grain embargoes, and food as a foreign policy weapon.
And farmers were devastated.
In this political year, it's easy to be fooled. But here in
West Texas, you know all about the choice between the latest
synthetic fiber and real cotton.
You know which of the two serves well in rough weather or
calm. Which lasts through the seasons.
I don't pretend to have the stretch of spandex or the luster
of lycra. But I do know this: some ideas and values and
concepts are timeless. Freedom works. Opportunity awaite those
who dare to reach for it. Competition brings out the best in
people -- especially the American people.
If we remember these home truths, there is no telling what
we can accomplish. For America's finest hour is yet to come.
Thank you, God bless you, and God bless the United States of
America.
#
#
#
#
SHALLOWATER CO-OP GIN COMPANY \ SHALLOWATER, TEXAS
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 1992 \ 1:35 P.M.
THANK YOU, RICK [PERRY] FOR THAT INTRODUCTION. Now,
I'VE NEVER BEEN ACCUSED OF BEING BORN WITH A SILVER TONGUE
IN MY MOUTH, BUT I RECOGNIZE A GOOD SPEECH WHEN I HEAR ONE
-- AND RICK PERRY DELIVERED A BANG-UP SPEECH AT THE
REPUBLICAN NATIONAL CONVENTION./
LET ME SALUTE THE FUTURE FARMERS OF AMERICA WHO ARE
HERE TODAY -- AND CONGRESSMAN LARRY COMBEST, MAYOR Moe
DOZIER, AND OUR HOST SONNY LUPTON
AND CARYE GRUBEN,
1992 SOUTH PLAINS MAID OF COTTON.
- 2 -
OUR CONVENTION BACK IN HOUSTON WAS so SUCCESSFUL THAT
I JUST HAD TO COME BACK TO TEXAS FOR ANOTHER BIG EVENT
-- BUT I WON'T BE ABLE TO STAY UNTIL TOMORROW NIGHT'S
SEASON OPENER FOR THE TEXAS TECH RED RAIDERS./
I LOVE COMING BACK TO THE PLAINS OF WEST TEXAS. IN
1948, BARBARA AND I MOVED TO THE ODESSA-MIDLAND AREA.
I'VE DRIVEN THOUSANDS OF MILES BETWEEN HERE AND ODESSA
-- BACK IN THE DAYS OF THE SCURRY COUNTY BOOM AND ALL
THROUGH THE 50s.
- 3 -
EVERY TIME THERE WAS A WEST TEXAS DUST STORM, WE'D BE
PULLING LUBBOCK COUNTY TUMBLEWEEDS OFF OUR EVAPORATIVE AIR
CONDITIONER IN ODESSA.
WHEN I LIVED IN MIDLAND I EVEN PLAYED TOUCH FOOTBALL
AGAINST A LUBBOCK TEAM MADE UP OF GLENN DAVIS, MEL KUTNOW,
AND BoBBy LAYNE.
I CAME BACK HERE TO TEXAS TODAY, TO THE HEART OF RURAL
AMERICA, TO TALK WITH YOU ABOUT THE FUTURE -- FOR FARMERS,
AND FOR AMERICA.
- 4 -
I'M FOR OPENING MARKETS, INCREASING EXPORTS, KEEPING THE
GOVERNMENT OFF YOUR BACKS AT HOME, AND BEING THERE TO HELP
YOU GET BACK ON YOUR FEET WHEN DISASTER STRIKES.
FOR AGRICULTURE, AND FOR ALL AMERICANS, THE CHALLENGE
OF THE 90s IS TO WIN THE ECONOMIC COMPETITION -- TO WIN
THE PEACE.
OUT HERE IN TEXAS, YOU KNOW THIS: WE MUST BE A
MILITARY SUPERPOWER, AN ECONOMIC SUPERPOWER, AND AN EXPORT
SUPERPOWER.
- 5 -
I BELIEVE WE MUST LOOK FORWARD -- AND GET READY TO
COMPETE. AND MAKE NO MISTAKE: AMERICA CAN COMPETE -- AND
AMERICA CAN WIN.
I HAVE FOUGHT TO OPEN NEW MARKETS FOR AMERICAN
AGRICULTURE. TEXAS BEEF TO ASIA. MIDWEST GRAIN TO THE
FORMER SOVIET UNION. AND JUST LAST MONTH, WE CONCLUDED THE
NORTH AMERICAN FREE TRADE AGREEMENT WITH MEXICO. NEW
MARKETS ADD UP TO ONE THING: NEW JOBS FOR AMERICANS.
- 6 -
TODAY, AMERICAN PRODUCTS -- FROM BLUE JEANS SPUN FROM
TEXAS HIGH PLAINS COTTON TO BUSHELS OF WHEAT FROM HASKELL
COUNTY - -- ARE IN DEMAND EVERYWHERE. IN FACT, ONE IN EVERY
3 ACRES PLANTED IN THIS COUNTRY PRODUCES CROPS FOR EXPORT.
EXPORTS ARE UP. THAT'S GOOD FOR GROWTH.
So THIS FALL YOU HAVE AN IMPORTANT CHOICE TO MAKE
-- ONE THAT WILL AFFECT THE ECONOMIC HEALTH OF FARMERS
ACROSS AMERICA.
- 7 -
IF OUR OPPONENTS IN THIS YEAR'S ELECTION PUT UP WALLS
AROUND AMERICA -- WHETHER THEY ARE HIGH TARIFF WALLS OR
HIGH TAX WALLS -- THE FIRST LOSERS WILL BE AMERICAN
AGRICULTURE -- AND AMERICAN JOBS.
LET ME DRIVE THE POINT HOME. You KNOW THAT TEXAS IS
AMERICA'S NUMBER ONE EXPORTER OF COTTON. THE STATE OF
TEXAS RANKS AMONG THE TOP TEN EXPORTERS IN 14 DIFFERENT
MAJOR CROPS.
- 8 -
IF GOVERNOR CLINTON GETS INFECTED WITH THAT ANTI-
TRADE STRAIN FROM THE PROTECTIONIST CROWD HE'S BEEN
HANGING AROUND WITH -- IT WILL BE TEXAS THAT CATCHES
PNEUMONIA.
ON NAFTA, GOVERNOR CLINTON IS RIDING THE FENCE SO HARD
HE'S GOT SADDLE SORES -- OR SHOULD I SAY "STRADDLE SORES"?
BUT AS PRESIDENT, YOU CAN'T BE ON BOTH SIDES OF EVERY
ISSUE. I'M FIGHTING HARD FOR ANOTHER AGREEMENT -- THIS
ONE UNDER THE GATT, THE GENERAL AGREEMENT ON TARIFFS AND
TRADE.
- 9 -
A GATT AGREEMENT WILL FORCE OUR COMPETITORS, ESPECIALLY
THOSE IN THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITY, TO CUT THEIR MASSIVE
EXPORT SUBSIDIES IN AGRICULTURE. WE WANT FREE TRADE --
BUT WE WANT FAIR TRADE./
To HELP US REACH GOOD AGREEMENTS, I'VE BEEN USING A
STRATEGY THAT WON US MILITARY SECURITY: PEACE THROUGH
STRENGTH. No UNILATERAL DISARMAMENT./
- 10 -
WE'VE USED OUR EXPORT ENHANCEMENT PROGRAM, OR EEP, TO
FIGHT FOR MARKET SHARE AGAINST THE EC's SUBSIDIZED
EXPORTS. SINCE 1989, WE HAVE DOUBLED THE NUMBER OF EEP
INITIATIVES AND TRIPLED THE VALUE OF EEP BONUSES --
SELLING ALMOST $10 BILLION WORTH OF COMMODITIES TO 93
COUNTRIES.
BUT NOW WE NEED TO DO MORE.
- 11 -
THE FACT IS THAT THE PRICES FARMERS ARE RECEIVING ARE
TOO LOW TODAY. To GET PRICES UP, WE MUST EXPAND DEMAND
-- AND THAT MEANS AN AGGRESSIVE EXPORT POLICY.
TODAY I AM ANNOUNCING THE LARGEST EEP INITIATIVE IN
HISTORY -- TO HELP SELL OVER 1 BILLION BUSHELS OR OVER 30
MILLION METRIC TONS OF U.S. WHEAT, WITH A MARKET VALUE OF
OVER THREE BILLION DOLLARS, TO 28 COUNTRIES AROUND THE
WORLD.
- 12 -
WE ARE COMMITTED TO REDUCING SUBSIDIES WORLDWIDE. BUT
MY ANNOUNCEMENT SHOULD LEAVE NO DOUBT: WITH HEAVY EC
SUBSIDIES CONTINUING, THE EEP IS VITAL -- AND WE WILL USE
IT AS NECESSARY.
To KEEP WINNING IN THE GLOBAL MARKETPLACE, WE HAVE TO
GET READY TO COMPETE. So WE'VE EXPANDED RESEARCH, IN
EVERY THING FROM ALTERNATIVE USES OF AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS
TO BIOTECHNOLOGY.
- 13 -
RIGHT HERE IN TEXAS, A NEW KIND OF COTTON -- CALLED
"B.T.COTTON" -- LOOKS AND FEELS LIKE REGULAR COTTON BUT
PROTECTS ITSELF FROM BUGS BY PRODUCING ITS OWN
INSECTICIDES.
WE WILL ALWAYS WORK TO MAKE SURE OF THIS: AMERICAN
PRODUCTS ARE THE HIGHEST QUALITY PRODUCTS IN THE WORLD.
WE'RE WORKING TO STRENGTHEN PRICES, BOOST FARM INCOME,
AND CREATE JOBS. THAT'S WHY FARM INCOME OVER THE PAST
THREE YEARS HAS AVERAGED A HIGHER LEVEL THAN AT ANY TIME
IN AMERICAN HISTORY.
- 14 -
BUT EVEN so, 1992 HAS BEEN A DIFFICULT YEAR IN PARTS
OF RURAL AMERICA. LAST FALL'S EXTREME DROUGHT -- FOLLOWED
BY A FREEZE IN LATE MAY -- HURT THE WINTER WHEAT CROP FROM
KANSAS TO THE TEXAS PANHANDLE. AND HERE IN THE COTTON
BELT, YOU SAW A FREEZE IN 1991 -- FOLLOWED BY A WET SPRING
THAT PREVENTED MANY ACRES FROM BEING PLANTED AT all.
FOR SOME FARMERS, THESE DISASTERS COME ON THE HEELS
OF LOSSES LAST YEAR AND THE YEAR BEFORE.
- 15 -
LAST FALL, I SIGNED A BILL TO PROVIDE ALMOST $1 BILLION
IN DISASTER ASSISTANCE FOR THE 1990 AND 1991 CROPS.
TODAY, I WOULD LIKE TO ANNOUNCE THE NEXT STEP.
I AM TODAY RELEASING AN ADDITIONAL $755 MILLION IN
DISASTER ASSISTANCE FUNDS TO HELP TACKLE THESE EMERGENCIES
WHICH HAVE STRICKEN FARMERS. AMERICAN FARMERS NEED HELP
-- AND WITH THIS ACTION, YOU WILL GET IT./
Now I KNOW THAT THIS $755 MILLION WILL NOT SOLVE EVERY
PROBLEM.
- 16 -
WE WILL BEGIN SIGNUPS FOR WINTER WHEAT NEXT TUESDAY, AND
FOR OTHER CROPS SHORTLY THEREAFTER. WE CAN'T PREVENT AN
EARLY FREEZE. BUT THESE FUNDS WILL HELP KEEP FARMERS ON
THEIR FEET --SO THAT BANKERS WILL WORK WITH YOU, AND NEXT
SEASON'S CROP CAN BE PLANTED. AND IF ADDITIONAL DISASTER
FUNDS ARE NEEDED NOW, WE WILL SECURE THEM.
GOVERNMENT MUST HELP IN DISASTERS OF THE MAGNITUDE
YOU'VE SUFFERED HERE IN COTTON COUNTRY. BUT SOMETIMES
GOVERNMENT CAN HELP BY GETTING OUT OF THE WAY.
- 17 -
TAKE THE SUBJECT OF REGULATION. My OPPONENTS WANT TO
REGULATE THE WORLD'S SAFEST FOOD SUPPLY AND DRIVE UP ITS
COST. I'M FOR FOOD SAFETY -- BUT LET'S ALSO PROTECT THE
CONSUMER FROM THE BUREAUCRAT. TAKE THE SUBJECT OF
TAXES. THE DIFFERENCE HERE IS SIMPLE: MY OPPONENTS WANT
TO RAISE THEM BY $150 BILLION -- I WANT TO CUT THEM ACROSS
THE BOARD.
- 18 -
TAKE THE SUBJECT OF GOVERNMENT SPENDING. AGAIN HERE
THE CHOICE IS CLEAR: MY OPPONENTS WANT $220 BILLION MORE
SPENDING -- I WANT TO CUT SPENDING, AND I WANT YOU To HELP
ME.
Ask CONGRESS TO PASS MY PLAN FOR A "CHECK OFF FOR
AMERICA". IF CONGRESS WON'T CUT SPENDING, LET THE PEOPLE
DO IT.
AND SOMETHING ELSE. IT'S TIME FOR A BALANCED BUDGET
AMENDMENT. AND GIVE ME A LINE ITEM VETO.
- 19 -
REMEMBER: WE TRIED THE OTHER SIDE'S RECIPE OF HIGHER
TAXES AND HIGHER SPENDING BEFORE. WE WENT DOWN THE PATH
OF FOREIGN POLICY INEXPERIENCE. WE TRIED THE COMBINATION
OF AN OUT OF CONTROL CONGRESS AND A LIBERAL DEMOCRATIC
PRESIDENT.
AND REMEMBER THE RESULTS. WE HAD BACK TO BACK YEARS
OF DOUBLE DIGIT INFLATION. AND FARMERS WERE DEVASTATED.
WE HAD INTEREST RATES AT 21.5%. AND FARMERS WERE
DEVASTATED.
- 20 -
WE HAD GRAIN EMBARGOES, AND FOOD AS A FOREIGN POLICY
WEAPON. AND FARMERS WERE DEVASTATED.
So LET'S NOT TRY THAT AGAIN. WE CAN'T AFFORD A RUBBER
CHECK CONGRESS AND A RUBBER STAMP PRESIDENT.
IN THIS POLITICAL YEAR, IT'S EASY TO BE FOOLED. THE
NEW KID ON THE BLOCK SHOWS UP WITH NEW LINES, BUT IT'S THE
SAME OLD SONG. HERE IN WEST TEXAS, YOU KNOW ALL ABOUT
THE CHOICE BETWEEN THE LATEST SYNTHETIC FIBER AND REAL
COTTON.
- 21 -
I DON'T PRETEND TO HAVE THE STRETCH OF SPANDEX OR THE
LUSTER OF LYCRA. BUT I DO KNOW THIS: SOME IDEAS AND
VALUES AND CONCEPTS ARE TIMELESS. FREEDOM WORKS.
OPPORTUNITY AWAITS THOSE WHO DARE TO REACH FOR IT.
COMPETITION BRINGS OUT THE BEST IN PEOPLE -- ESPECIALLY
THE AMERICAN PEOPLE.
IF WE REMEMBER THESE HOME TRUTHS,
THERE IS NO TELLING WHAT WE CAN ACCOMPLISH. FOR AMERICA'S
FINEST HOUR IS YET TO COME.
- 22 -
THANK YOU, GOD BLESS YOU, AND GOD BLESS THE UNITED
STATES OF AMERICA.
#
#
#
#
THE WHITE HOUSE
office of the Press Secretary
(Lubbock, Texas)
For Immediate Release
September 2, 1992
REMARKS BY THE PRESIDENT
TO FARMERS AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS
Farm of Jeff Kapperman
Humboldt, South Dakota
10:05 A.M. CDT
THE PRESIDENT: Please be seated. And let me just
say how very pleased I am to be back in this state.
Today I want to give a rather serious speech --I'm
glad you all have seats, don't have to stand through this epic.
But first of all, I want to thank George Mickelson, the Governor.
You've got a great Governor. He's a great friend of agriculture
and a great friend of George and Barbara Bush. (Applause.)
And I hope you'll excuse us for being a little tardy
in getting here because sue and Jeff Kapperman have just
introduced us to one of the largest and nicest families I believe
I've ever met back there. (Applause.) There's a representative
group of them standing up against that fence. I cannot guarantee
it's all of them.
But in any event, we're just very pleased to be
here. I want to say that it's fun seeing the kids and visiting
the farm here and coming to Montrose and Humboldt -- special
because with us on the plane today, Air Force one coming out, was
Larry Pressler, who's here someplace. Went right by his home
farm, I believe. (Applause.) We salute him and thank him for
his support there in Washington.
And I can get a little feel, coming back here, for
what Money Magazine was talking about when they named sioux Falls
"the best place to live in America." That's pretty high praise.
(Applause.) I also want to salute another public servant and one
who has been at my side for a long time, the Lieutenant Governor
Walt Miller. I think he's here with us -- Walter Miller.
(Applause.) Anyway -- and old friend. And Mayor White greeted
us. I thank him for that. Senator Shanard is here; Don Jarrett
of the South Dakota Wheat Commission; and two people that I plan
on seeing in Washington -- I've known Charlene Haar, she's a good
woman and a good active campaigner. And I salute her --
(applause) -- for the United states Senate. And also John
Timmer, running for the congressional seat here. I'd back him.
We've got to make a change in this gridlocked Congress.
(Applause.)
And, of course, I'd be remiss if I didn't single out
another guy that's been at my side in politics, your former
Governor, Bill Janklow -- I thank him. (Applause.) And also,
Don Peterson, out there helping with the Republican effort this
year. So many people doing so much for what I think is good,
sound government.
I'm told that Jeff is a Democrat. But looking
around at this setting, even I can't hold that against him.
(Laughter.) And I must say thaMORE am very, very grateful to him
and to his family for letting this mob -- including you guys out
- 2 -
here -- hit this beautiful place of his. It's something very
special about talking about agriculture in a setting that's 50
down to earth and so wonderfully family oriented.
Jeff and Sue, as family farmers, represent something
very important about this state -- and I would say, very
important about this country. Agricultural families represent
the heart of South Dakota's economy.
so I came out here today to rural America to talk
with you about how I have been fighting and will continue to
fight for the economic security of American farmers -- through a
program that is based on opening markets abroad, and then helping
you export and grow more, keeping the government off your back as
best we can, and being there to help you get back on your feet
when disaster strikes. (Applause.)
I plan to speak mainly today about wheat and about
disaster assistance, but let me just say to America's corn
growers -- I noticed the corn fields as we came in -- that I am a
strong supporter of ethanol. (Applause.) We have worked hard to
see ethanol demand go to new heights -- through everything from
tax credits to research and new programs for clean fuels. And
we're working now on a very difficult legal problem facing the
White House -- to make sure that ethanol plays a leading role in
America's drive for cleaner air and America's drive for greater
markets for -- diverse markets for the corn growers of this
country. And we're going to whip that problem.
we now enjoy an unparalleled reign of free markets
and free people around the globe, an unprecedented opportunity
for growth. When I think of my presidency I must say I look at
these kids, and I think we are very lucky that in the last three
years we've been able to reduce the threat of nuclear war that
has scared every family half to death in this country.
(Applause.)
And today when I talk to Boris Yeltsin, the Russian
President -- and I talked to him just last week -- we don't talk
about nuclear weapons, we talk about how much grain we can
provide to Russian consumers, and how he can solidify his
democracy, his freedom, his reforms. We also talk about the
biggest swords-into-plowshares agreement ever, one that will turn
that Russian bomb-grade material, uranium, into fuel for the
peaceful generation of electric power right here in America.
The American people are universally respected as the
most generous and innovative on Earth. American products --
whether it is a pair of blue jeans spun from Texas cotton or a
bushel of wheat from here in South Dakota -- are in demand
everywhere.
The challenge before us then is to seize this
moment. Our challenge now is to win the economic competition --
literally to win the peace. In the 1990s, we must be a military
superpower, an economic superpower, and an export superpower.
In two months, you're going to be asked to choose
between two completely different versions of how to win this
global economic competition. One vision is to turn inward, to
try to protect what we have, to put up walls around America.
Mine is to look forward -- to open new markets to American
exports, to prepare our work force to compete, to keep the social
fabric of this country strong, and to save and invest in those
things that will help us win. (Applause.)
The best example that I can cite of our forward-
looking approach is the work we've done to open new markets for
American agriculture. In the last four years, we have signed 11
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- 3 -
bilateral agreements with 10 countries to open up new markets for
American farm exports.
We signed agreements to increase beef exports to
Japan and Korea -- now the third largest market for U.S. beef.
We've made inroads throughout Asia -- which now accounts for 38
percent of American agricultural exports -- 38 percent going to
Asia.
And just last month, we concluded the North American
Free Trade Agreement, which will boost our $3 billion worth of
agricultural exports to Mexico.
One in every three acres planted in this country
produces crops for export. That may be hard for some to realize,
but that's a lot of export -- one in every three goes to exports.
U.S. agricultural exports support over a million jobs. And just
since 1989, our agricultural trade has reduced our overall trade
deficit by almost $69 billion. You are doing the Lord's work.
Make no mistake: If the other side puts up walls
around America -- whether they're high tariff walls or high tax
walls -- the first loser is going to be the American farmer.
Now, let me drive this point home. Seventy-six
percent of South Dakota's wheat is exported -- 76 percent of it.
Agriculture contributes $13.2 billion to South Dakota's economy,
three times more than any other industry -- we we're talking
about it with the Governor coming in here. And if Governor
Clinton gets infected with that antitrade strain from the
protectionist crowd he's running around with, it will be the
American farmer that catches pneumonia and South Dakota is going
to get mighty sick.
Where does the Governor stand on free trade -- on
our historic trade agreement with Mexico? He won't say, but --
says nothing about all of that right now, is studying it, taking
another look.
The newspapers reported in Washington this morning
-- I don't like to read those papers very much, but I do from
time to time -- and they reported this morning that one of the
most powerful labor bosses in the country, Lane Kirkland, said
that they decided to -- the unions decided to let Governor
Clinton off the hook on this one until after the election --
they'll let him be on both sides of this free trade agreement
now.
Big labor made it clear that they are vehemently
opposed to this free trade agreement. mind you, and one labor
source said -- and this is a quote -- "there have been private
conversations with the candidate and he remains receptive to us."
I have found as President you cannot be on both sides of every
issue. You've got to take a position and say what you think is
right, whether some people like it or some people don't.
(Applause.)
This was in the paper today. Here's another quote
from them -- "labor does not plan to push Clinton for specific
public commitments that might prove politically embarrassing to
his candidacy." I think you're entitled to know -- not just as
voters, but as people that are doing the Lord's work out in the
field, you're entitled to know where a person stands on something
as fundamental as a free trade agreement that's going to open up
more markets for your products.
You cannot be on every side of every issue. He's
stuck riding the fence so hard he's got saddle sores -- I might
say "straddle sores". (Laughter.) But don't kid yourselves.
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- 4 -
The money, the manpower, and the support for his campaign comes
from the opponents of free trade. And after the election,
they'll call in that antifree trade IOU, and then you'd better
watch out. American agricultural exports and job-creating
exports of every kind will be the victims.
I don't believe that this doublespeak means one
thing except double trouble. The Congress is going to take this
vacillation as weakness, and the vital national economic interest
will lose out to congressional log-rolling, back-scratching, and
business-as-usual.
Over 7.5 million jobs -- American jobs -- are tied
to merchandise exports. We can create hundreds of thousands of
additional new jobs with a free trade agreement. And we cannot
afford a President who will put these jobs at risk.
That's why I fought very hard to reach a new
agreement under the GATT -- the General Agreement on Tariffs and
Trade. USDA -- Ag Department -- estimates that a successful GATT
agreement will add over a billion dollars a year to farm income
-- a billion dollars a year. And it will do something else: It
will force our competitors, especially in the European Community,
to reduce their excessive export subsidies in agriculture. We
want free trade --- but we must insist on fair trade.
To help us reach good agreements, I've been using a
strategy that won us military security: peace through strength.
NO unilateral disarmament. (Applause.)
Our Export Enhancement Program -- you all refer to
it as EEP -- have enabled us to help farmers fight for market
share against the EC's subsidized exports. since 1989, we have
doubled the number of EEP initiatives. we've nearly tripled the
value of EEP bonuses. Just since the beginning of this year,
we've awarded $914 million worth of EEP bonuses -- leading to
sales of over $3 billion under the EEP program.
Wheat to Algeria, Egypt, the Philippines. Vegoil to
Morocco and Turkey. A pork EEP to the former Soviet Union. In
total, our EEPS have helped us fight back against European
subsidies and sell almost $10 billion worth of commodities to 93
countries during these past four years.
But now we need to do more. The fact is that the
prices farmers are receiving are too low today. To get prices
up, we must expand demand -- and that means an aggressive export
policy.
Today I am announcing a broadside of EEP initiatives
to sell over one billion bushels or 30 million metric tons of
U.S. wheat, with a market value of over $3 billion, to 28
countries around the world. (Applause.) This is the largest
quantity of wheat ever made available under the EEP program at
one time.
There is no question that, in a world of open trade,
the U.S. would be the premier supplier of wheat to world markets.
That's why we are committed to reducing subsidies worldwide. But
my announcement today should leave no doubt: with heavy EC
subsidies continuing, this EEP is vital -- and we will use it as
necessary. I am putting foreign governments on notice to that
effect right here today in South Dakota. (Applause.)
That's why I am also taking a second step today to
show that we're in this competition for the long haul. Two years
ago, I worked with Congress to include two so-called "GATT
triggers" in our law. They were a warning to other nations that
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we would counter their subsidized exports if they would not agree
to negotiated cuts.
The date of the first trigger has passed, and SO
today, we are acting to protect the American farmer. We will
increase programs to promote agricultural exports by S1 billion.
The law said we would do this in 1994 and 1995; I am announcing
that we will increase these programs beginning now -- and my
support for wheat is the first step. (Applause.)
Let me make this comment to those friends of ours
overseas also. Let me be clear: this action is aimed at those
who subsidize, not at those, such as Australia and others, who do
not subsidize.
Today's wheat EEP initiatives will give farmers,
exporters, and buyers more certainty about market opportunities.
We want to help growers plan -- and we want to strengthen
America's reputation as a reliable supplier.
The other side's approach to trade is to create
barriers here, right here in this country, that increase prices,
dull our competitive edge, and hurt our growth. The usual
strategy is to impose productions controls. My approach is to
help our farmers take the battle to the competition: offense,
not defense. My strategy is to outproduce our competition, and
beat their socks off in the marketplace. (Applause.)
But as every farmer here knows, to win in the
marketplace we must also take steps today that will make us more
competitive tomorrow. so another part of my agricultural program
is to help farmers keep pace by developing new techniques through
our National Research Initiative for fighting pests and disease,
for understanding human nutrition, for growing more.
We're increasing research in biotechnology and into
new uses of agricultural products -- from cleaner fuels to
printer's ink to biodegradable plastics. The initiatives we are
pushing will help strengthen prices, boost farm income, and
create jobs. That's why farm income over the past three years
has averaged a higher level than at any time in American history
-- and more of that income is coming from the market, instead of
from the government, than at any time in decades.
But even so, 1992 has been a difficult year in parts
for rural America. Last fall's drought -- followed by a freeze
in late May -- severely weakened the winter wheat crop in Kansas,
and right here in South Dakota, and elsewhere. Weather has hit
farmers from Nebraska to New York, California to the cotton Belt.
And now Louisiana sugarcane has been damaged by the winds of
Hurricane Andrew. Barbara and I saw some of that devastation
yesterday there in Jeanerette, Louisiana.
For some farmers, these disasters come on the heels
of losses in 1990 and 1991. Late last year, I signed a bill to
provide about $1 billion in disaster assistance for the 1990 and
1991 crops. Today, I would like to announce the next step. I am
releasing an additional $755 million in disaster assistance
funds. A minimum of $100 million is set aside for crops planted
in 1991 for harvest in 1992, such as winter wheat. American
farmers need help. with this action, this disaster relief
action, you will get it.
Now I know that this 5755 million is not going to
solve every problem. We will begin sign-ups for winter wheat
next Tuesday; other crops shortly thereafter. We can't prevent
an early freeze, and I know that this amount may not be enough to
pay the full amount of every loss. But these funds will help
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keep farmers on their feet -- so that bankers will work with you,
and next season's crop can be planted.
We've worked hard over the past several years to
reduce farm debt. Debt is way down, equity is up, balance sheets
are stronger. Today's announcement will help to secure those
gains -- to advance the economic security of the American farmer.
If additional disaster funds are needed, we will go to bat with
the Congress to secure them.
You see, an economic strategy based on competition
is not an abandonment of governmental responsibility. sometimes
when disaster strikes, the federal government is uniquely
equipped to-help. We've seen that this week in Florida and
Louisiana in the aftermath of the hurricane. That's one reason I
went down to Florida and Louisiana again yesterday, to see the
progress and the problems with my own eyes. And we're going to
stay with the people of Florida and Louisiana until we get that
job done. (Applause.)
Now getting the job done in agriculture means
government should get out of the way of the producers when
intervention will hurt our competitiveness.
Take the subject of regulation. My opponents want
to take the world's safest food supply, tie it up with more
regulation, and make it more expensive for the consumer. We want
to work to make our food supply safe and affordable, without this
extremis, without this hysteria.
Take the subject of taxation. My opponent says that
government takes too much of your money and taxes. But they want
to take more of it -- 5150 billion already proposed in new taxes.
New taxes on small business to pay for government health and
mandatory training. I want to cut the taxes, cut them across the
board -- reduce the burden particularly on small business. Small
business is overregulated and overtaxed. (Applause.)
Take the subject of spending, which is absolutely
critical -- federal spending. They want to use those new taxes
to add $220 billion in new spending. And Newsweek Magazine
pointed out this week that Governor Clinton failed even to put a
price tag on his four biggest programs. The real cost of his
spending binge, said Newsweek, "is arguably at least three times
higher than that." That's the quote from Newsweek.
And remember, we tried this recipe of higher taxes
and higher spending before. We went down the path of foreign
policy inexperience. we tried the combination of a Democratic
controlled Congress and a Democratic President, and you remember
the results. We had back-to-back years of double-digit
inflation. And farmers were devastated. We had interest rates
at 21.5 percent, and farmers were devastated. We had grain
embargoes -- nobody here forgets that -- we had grain embargoes,
and food as a foreign policy weapon. And farmers were
devastated.
In this political year it is easy to be fooled. The
new kid on the block shows up with a new set OF lyrics, but it is
the same old song. Wouldn't it be ironic if now, at the exact
moment of America's triumph around the world -- we were to turn
backwards, to turn inward?
Not far from here, on the way into Humboldt, there's
a sign that calls this a "Small town with a big heart." Well,
now that the entire world is turning our way -- toward open
markets, less bureaucracy, less regulation, more freedom, more
competition -- we Americans must not and cannot lose heart.
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We've learned this: freedom works. Opportunity
awaits those who dare to reach for it. Competition brings out
the best in our people -- especially those here working in the
soil, those farmers that know how to really get out there and do
the hard work. If we remember these home truths, there is no
telling what we can accomplish. For America's finest hour is yet
to come.
The opposition tells you that we're not respected
abroad. They tell you that we're in decline. We are not a.
declining nation. We've had enormously difficult economic
problems; so has the entire world, caught up in a global
recession. But we are the United States of America. And if we
follow these policies we can outcompete, outhustle, outwork
anybody on the face of the Earth. (Applause.)
I wish I were this guy's age over here -- it's going
to be an exciting time ahead. And the American farmer is going
to lead the way. Thank you all very, very much. And may God
bless our great country. Thank you. (Applause.)
END
10:30 A.M. CDT