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Folder Title:
Springfield Firefighters 10/12/92 [OA 8485]
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Document No. 355805
WHITE HOUSE STAFFING MEMORANDUM
DATE: 10/10/92
ACTION/CONCURRENCE/COMMENT DUE BY: ASAP TODAY!!!!
SUBJECT: PRESIDENTIAL REMARKS: SPRINGFIELD FIREFIGHTERS DROP BY,
SPRINGFIELD, PA - 10/12
ACTION FYI
ACTION FYI
VICE PRESIDENT
MCBRIDE
BAKER
MOORE
SCOWCROFT
MULLINS
DARMAN
>
PETERSMEYER
BATES
PORTER
BRADY
>
PROVOST
BROMLEY
ROSS
CALIO
A
SMITH
DEMAREST
n
TUTWILER
FITZWATER
ZOELLICK
KAUFMAN
GRAY
HOLIDAY
MCGROARTY
GROOMES
HORNER
REMARKS:
Please provide any comments directly to Dan McGroarty ASAP TODAY,
with a copy to this office. Thanks.
RESPONSE:
PHILLIP D. BRADY
Assistant to the President
and Staff Secretary
Ext. 2702
(Smith/Aarhus)
2.007.10 P2: 34
Draft One
October 9, 1992
PAFIRE
PRESIDENTIAL TALKING POINTS: BEN FRANKLIN MEMORIAL BILL-SIGNING
SPRINGFIELD TOWNSHIP, PA
MONDAY, OCT. 9, 1992
11:50 A.M.
o
Acknowledgements. Members of the Fire Service
community. And a special salute to the fire-fighter's best
friend, Congressman Curt Weldon -- the man responsible for
getting this bill through the Congress. It is a great honor to
be here with all of you this morning.
0
Today I will sign the Benjamin Franklin National
Memorial Commemorative Medal and Fire Service Bill of Rights Act
-- which authorizes the minting of a medal commemorating Benjamin
Franklin's contribution to the advancement of science and the
American Fire Service.
Proceeds from the sale of this medal will benefit the
Franklin Institute, as well as various fire-fighting
organizations, such as the International Association of Fire
Fighters Burn Foundation to aid burn injury research. The
proceeds will also go toward creating public education programs
on fire-fighting training grants, help design and maintain arson
prevention programs, and create a John Heinz Memorial Scholarship
Fund.
o
The list of causes goes on and on. And so does the
courage of America's fire fighters. I know it can be "touch-
and-go" in some of the calls you respond to / the danger every
2
fire fighter faces when entering a burning building or responding
to an accident. For your bravery and unfailing dedication, I
say: thank you.
O
The Fire Service Bill of Rights Act salutes all of you:
all heroes. It ensures you will have the necessary tools to do
your job to the utmost of your ability, and seeks to protect you
from the dangers of emergency response. Your Bill of Rights
promotes education, training programs, and asks for greater
public awareness of the many hazards of fire-fighting. And it
and
Provides demands that should the ultimate tragedy occur -- your loved ones
will be provided for.
As some of you may know, Teddy Roosevelt is among my
favorite Presidents. Let me share with you what his father said
to him on the eve of his 16th birthday. He said, "All that gives
me most pleasure in the retrospect is connected with others
We
are not placed here to live exclusively for ourselves."
O
You serve not for yourselves alone -- but for the
Family called America. May God bless each and every one of you
and the great State of Pennsylvania. Now, let's sign that Act.
((SIGN ACT))
#
#
#
#
Document No. 355805
WHITE HOUSE STAFFING MEMORANDUM
DATE: 10/10/92
13
DUE BY: ASAP TODAY!!!!
SUBJECT: PRESIDENTIAL REMARKS: SPRINGFIELD FIREFIGHTERS DROP BY,
SPRINGFIELD, PA - 10/12
ACTION FYI
ACTION FYI
VICE PRESIDENT
MCBRIDE
S
BAKER
MOORE
SCOWCROFT
MULLINS
DARMAN
PETERSMEYER
BATES
PORTER
BRADY
>
PROVOST
BROMLEY
ROSS
CALIO
A
SMITH
DEMAREST
TUTWILER
FITZWATER
ZOELLICK
GRAY
^
KAUFMAN
HOLIDAY
MCGROARTY
GROOMES
HORNER
REMARKS:
Please provide any comments directly to Dan McGroarty ASAP TODAY,
with a copy to this office. Thanks.
RESPONSE:
OBE rec'd 10/12 @ 9:40 a.m. Assistant to
PHILLIP D. BRADY
the President
and Staff Secretary
Ext. 2702
(Smith/Aarhus)
20010 P2: 34
Draft One
October 9, 1992
PAFIRE
PRESIDENTIAL TALKING POINTS: BEN FRANKLIN MEMORIAL BILL-SIGNING
SPRINGFIELD TOWNSHIP, PA
MONDAY, OCT. 9, 1992
11:50 A.M.
Acknowledgements. Members of the Fire Service
community. And a special salute to the fire-fighter's best
friend, Congressman Curt Weldon -- the man responsible for
getting this bill through the Congress. It is a great honor to
be here with all of you this morning.
Today I will sign the Benjamin Franklin National
Memorial Commemorative Medal and Fire Service Bill of Rights Act
-- which authorizes the minting of a medal commemorating Benjamin
Franklin's contribution to the advancement of science and the
American Fire Service.
O
Proceeds from the sale of this medal will benefit the
Franklin Institute, as well as various fire-fighting
organizations, such as the International Association of Fire
Fighters Burn Foundation to aid burn injury research. The
proceeds will also go toward creating public education programs
on fire-fighting training grants, help design and maintain arson
prevention programs, and create a John Heinz Memorial Scholarship
Fund.
O
The list of causes goes on and on. And so does the
courage of America's fire fighters. I know it can be "touch-
and-go" in some of the calls you respond to / the danger every
2
fire fighter faces when entering a burning building or responding
to an accident. For your bravery and unfailing dedication, I
say: thank you.
O
The Fire Service Bill of Rights Act salutes all of you:
all heroes. It ensures you will have the necessary tools to do
your job to the utmost of your ability, and seeks to protect you
from the dangers of emergency response. Your Bill of Rights
promotes education, training programs, and asks for greater
public awareness of the many hazards of fire-fighting. And it
demands that should the ultimate tragedy occur -- your loved ones
will be provided for.
O
As some of you may know, Teddy Roosevelt is among my
favorite Presidents. Let me share with you what his father said
to him on the eve of his 16th birthday. He said, "All that gives
me most pleasure in the retrospect is connected with others
We
are not placed here to live exclusively for ourselves. "
You serve not for yourselves alone -- but for the
Family called America. May God bless each and every one of you
and the great State of Pennsylvania. Now, let's sign that Act.
( (SIGN ACT) )
#
#
#
#
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
October 13, 1992
MEMORANDUM FOR PHILLIP D. BRADY
ASSISTANT TO THE PRESIDENT AND STAFF ASSISTANT
FROM:
LEE S. LIBERMAN
ASSOCIATE COUNSEL TO THE PRESIDENT
SUBJECT:
Presidential Remarks: Springfield Firefighters
Drop By, Springfield, PA
This confirms the Counsel's Office oral comments on the above-
captioned Presidential remarks.
cc: Dan McGroarty
(Smith/Aarhus)
200.10 P2: 34
Draft One
October 9, 1992
PAFIRE
PRESIDENTIAL TALKING POINTS: BEN FRANKLIN MEMORIAL BILL-SIGNING
SPRINGFIELD TOWNSHIP, PA
MONDAY, OCT. 9, 1992
11:50 A.M.
o
Acknowledgements. Members of the Fire Service
community. And a special salute to the fire-fighter's best
friend, Congressman Curt Weldon -- the man responsible for
getting this bill through the Congress. It is a great honor to
be here with all of you this morning.
o
Today I will sign the Benjamin Franklin National
Memorial Commemorative Medal and Fire Service Bill of Rights Act
-- which authorizes the minting of a medal commemorating Benjamin
Franklin's contribution to the advancement of science and the
American Fire Service.
o
Proceeds from the sale of this medal will benefit the
Franklin Institute, as well as various fire-fighting
organizations, such as the International Association of Fire
Fighters Burn Foundation to aid burn injury research. The
proceeds will also go toward creating public education programs
on fire-fighting training grants, help design and maintain arson
prevention programs, and create a John Heinz Memorial Scholarship
Fund.
0
The list of causes goes on and on. And so does the
courage of America's fire fighters. I know it can be "touch-
and-go" in some of the calls you respond to / the danger every
2
fire fighter faces when entering a burning building or responding
to an accident. For your bravery and unfailing dedication, I
say: thank you.
O
The Fire Service Bill of Rights Act salutes all of you:
the of establishey will activity funded Broya to relas
all heroes. It ensures you will have the necessary tools to-do
your job to the utmost of your ability, and seeks to protect you
help
They will
from the dangers of emergency response. Your Bill of Rights
help
promotes education, training programs, and asks for greater
my will
public awareness of the many hazards of fire-fighting. And it
assue
demands that should the ultimate tragedy occur -- your loved ones
will be provided for.
O
As some of you may know, Teddy Roosevelt is among my
favorite Presidents. Let me share with you what his father said
to him on the eve of his 16th birthday. He said, "All that gives
me most pleasure in the retrospect is connected with others
We
are not placed here to live exclusively for ourselves."
You serve not for yourselves alone -- but for the
Family called America. May God bless each and every one of you
and the great State of Pennsylvania. Now, let's sign that Act.
((SIGN ACT))
7002
#
#
#
#
THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
(Springfield, Missouri)
For Immediate Release
September 22, 1992
REMARKS BY THE PRESIDENT
TO SPRINGFIELD SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS
University Plaza Convention Center
Springfield, Missouri
8:53 A.M. CDT
THE PRESIDENT: Thank you all very, very much.
Thank you very much. And let me just say to Governor Ashcroft
how appreciative I am for that rousing introduction. And let me
tell you, it's a joy to be back. I keep showing up in this
marvelous part of the country. (Applause.)
And I understand that I owe a vote of gratitude to
Ben Parnell, a leading, most respected Democrat who gave an
outstanding talk here; to Hal Gibbs, a former leader in the Perot
organization who is now suited up and working hard for us. And
I'm grateful to him -- grateful to both of them. To an old
friend, Johnny Morris. The only thing I feel deprived of is I
can't go by that marvelous outlet here and enhance your economy.
(Laughter.) Because I love fishing and I love the outdoors.
(Applause.) And I respect Johnny Morris as one of our leading
environmentalists in the entire United States. He's sensible and
he speaks for the sportsmen all across this country.
And, of course, seeing -- modestly sitting in the
front row over here, my old, dear friend whom Barbara and I
respect and love, who's been with us at Camp David, with whom I
campaigned four years ago -- MO Bandy. I'll tell you, it's a joy
to have him here. (Applause.)
And I also want to pay my respects to the
Congressman -- I haven't seen Mel Hancock. Maybe he's not with
us, but he's a great representative for this area. And, of
course, I was privileged to -- (applause) -- privileged to ride
in with Don Gunn, who is the neighboring state rep, a man that
serves with John Ashcroft with such distinction in the Capitol.
so let me on with the business at hand. And John
has set the course and set the agenda for today's comments.
These trips today will take me to six different states. And two
weeks ago in Detroit, I presented to the American people my
Agenda for American Renewal. It is a clear-eyed look at what's
wrong with our country, and also what's right about our country.
I offered a comprehensive, integrated approach to win the new
global economic competition. so that by early in the next
century, the world's first $10-trillion economy will be found
right here in the United States of America. (Applause.)
Last week, I discussed in detail how my vision of
our future differs from that of my opponent. The differences
simply could not be deeper -- the stakes, as John points out --
the Governor points out -- could not be higher.
Basically, it comes down to this: My opponent
believes that government planners can manage the economy better
than the workers and small businessmen and women who actually
make it grow. I respect government, but I don't put my faith in
it. I put my faith in the tax-paying, hard-working men and women
of America. (Applause.)
- 2 a
The first shot out of the box Goverhor Clinton says
that he wants to raise taxes that will kill jobs. I want to see
them cut to help Americans create jobs. (Applause.) Governor
Clinton wants to increase -- he's already said this -- increase
federal spending by at least $220 billion. And I want to cut it
by that and more. I want the differences to be clear and sharp.
And then the American people, then you will make a choice.
You know, the American people are interviewing two
men for the same job. NOW, you know me. My record is on the
table, over the years. You know its shortcomings. I admit I've
made mistakes and I hope you know my record's strengths. And in
my agenda I've told you what I intend to do to build on that
record. I have spoken from my heart about the great optimism
that I feel for this nation -- how I know we can rise above our
challenges today and achieve an even better tomorrow.
MY opponent has taken a very different path. He
hasn't hesitated a minute to try to tear down everything we've
accomplished for 12 years -- to find everything he can about
what's wrong with America. While I've been talking about ideas
he and his people have admitted publicly that their focus is on
the negative -- on what's wrong.
For month after month, Governor Clinton has
persisted in attacks on me -- persistent, unrelenting and many
very personal in nature. Frankly, he has distorted my record,
and his campaign chairman even called me a racist. And this
week, the Governor unveiled for the first time in this
presidential race negative campaigning, negative television
advertising -- first one of this campaign.
So far, right up to today in Springfield, I have
resisted the urge to focus on Governor Clinton's record.
Frankly, I have felt that Americans want a positive debate. But
I must tell you, I am very tired of the distortions, tired of the
half-truths. And the stakes are too high to let America be
deceived by a negative campaign. So today, for really the first
time, I have chosen to lay it on the line -- (applause) -- talk
about my opponent's record -- talk facts. Talk about the record
in Arkansas, the Governor's record. And that means explaining
the Grand Canyon that separates his rhetoric from the reality of
his record.
You need to know this, because our country's future
is literally on the line. You need to know whether you can trust
Bill Clinton to take America where it needs to go in the next
four years. Because once you buy what he's selling, there's no
refund.
I hear candidate Clinton is up in Michigan today
talking about debates. Well, I propose a debate for him today --
candidate Clinton versus Governor Clinton. You see, we've all
heard -- (applause) -- we've all heard what candidate Clinton
says he can do for America. But that's very different from what
Governor Clinton has done to Arkansas, to the good people of
Arkansas. (Applause.)
And I want to stress this: My argument is not with
the people of Arkansas. It is not. They are good, decent,
hard-working people. Frankly, they deserve treatment better than
they've received from Governor Clinton. So here we go. Let me
begin with an issue of concern to every American, every fair-
minded American: civil rights.
Governor Clinton says -- and I quote -- "Everybody
knows I have the best civil rights record." His words. His
modesty overwhelms me. (Laughter.) But how does his record
stand? Some of you may know that in 1968 -- when I was a
Congressman from Texas --- I supported the Fair Housing Act. It
wasn't popular with some of my constituents. Times have changed,
MORE
and nowadays 41 states have laws banning housing
of discrimination course, -- 41. But Arkansas is not one of them NP even
though my opponent has been Governor for 12 years.
Forty-six states have human relations agencies that
Arkansas under his leadership. Forty-eight states have basic
safeguard their citizens against discrimination. But not
civil rights laws that ban discrimination and guarantee equal
opportunity. But not Arkansas. That's right: Arkansas is one
of only two states in America without a civil rights statute.
candidate Clinton likes to talk about my 1990 veto
of the Democratic Congress's quota bill. I did veto that bill --
and I'll veto any other quota bill that the liberals cook up.
(Applause.) I am for civil rights. And I am against quotas.
That is not a contradiction.
so last year, after tough negotiations with Congress
and beating back two attempts to ram down my throat and the
people's throat a quota bill, I did sign -- proudly sign a major
civil rights bill without resorting to quotas. In addition, I
fought for the Americans With Disabilities Act, the most sweeping
civil rights legislation in 30 years that brings those with
disabilities into the mainstream and gives them a shot at the
American Dream. (Applause.) And I'm proud of it. (Applause.)
What about Governor Clinton? Even though his party
enjoys overwhelming control of the Arkansas legislature, Governor
Clinton has still not brought a civil rights bill to the people
of Arkansas.
so when you hear the candidate Clinton's rhetoric
all across this country about civil rights, Governor Clinton's
record just does not stand up.
Now, consider another issue: economic fairness.
You know, candidate Clinton is playing the old game that liberals
love to play -- class warfare. Divide Americans rich from poor,
one group from another. And he's good at it, candidate Clinton
is very good at that: using the same tired, twisted, partisan
statistics to explain how the poor can only get richer if the
rich get poorer.
According to candidate Clinton, the last 10 years
have been a nightmare. Well, I've got news for him. It is not
true. The Urban Institute back in Washington is not usually
sympathetic to me, but listen to what they had to say about the
1980s. "When one follows individuals rather than statistical
groups defined by income, one finds that, on average, the rich
got a little richer and the poor got much richer." Now, that's
the truth. Our policies of cutting taxes have spurred growth for
all Americans.
Yes, we've got tough times now. But it's fair to
look at the whole record. And candidate Clinton doesn't think
this is a "fair" result. He doesn't think it's fair. Maybe
because he -- it's maybe because Governor Clinton doesn't have
much experience with tax fairness in his own state. Governor
Clinton has more than doubled -- if you want a horror story,
listen to this -- he has more than doubled Arkansas state
spending since 1983, And he has paid for it by raising the taxes
that hurt poor and working families the most.
My opponent has raised and extended his sales tax
repeatedly -- and he has opposed removing that tax from
groceries. Governor taxes -- Governor Taxes -- sorry.
(Laughter.) Freudian slip. (Applause.) Freudian slip.
Governor Clinton raised taxes on beer and started taxing mobile
homes, too. And he more than doubled Arkansas's gas tax -- to
18-and-a-half cents per gallon. Governor Clinton even taxed food
stamps until the federal government forced him to stop. And as
MORE
- 4 -
if working families in Arkansas did not have enough problems,
he's even tried to tax child care.
When it comes to taxes, Governor Clinton can't seem
to get enough. Last year, he signed the largest tax increase in
Arkansas history. I signed a tax increase once, and I've
regretted it ever since. I admit it when I make a mistake. And
therein lies the difference. (Applause.)
Let me quote from an article in the Arkansas Gazette
on all of this. "In the Clinton era," it says, "the state tax
system has become more and more regressive. It has become, step
by step, a pretty bad system, stacked against the ordinary
taxpayer and consumer, stacked for the rich and special
interest." End of quotation. Now, that's been his tax policy in
Arkansas. Look at what it did to that state's economy -- a
wonderful state, but look what it did to the economy.
The per-capita income, for example -- that's the
bottom line for working men and women, how much income on average
each of them have. well, at the end of the 1980s, Arkansas
ranked 48th in the nation per-capita income -- only about 73
percent of the national average, and that was even lower than the
75 percent in 1980. The poor people have been going backwards
under this man. And what about all those good manufacturing jobs
that candidate Clinton talks about? Well, average hourly
earnings for Arkansas manufacturing workers ranked 47th in 1980.
By 1989, they had dropped to 50th.
Now candidate Clinton says he wants to do to the
American economy what Governor Clinton's done to Arkansas --
Arkansas taxes, Arkansas income, Arkansas jobs. And I don't
think he's kidding. I wish he were. Candidate Clinton wants the
biggest tax increase in history. He hasn't even got there yet
and he's proposing the largest tax increase in history. And
that's not even counting his payroll taxes for training and also
those that would be required under his health care plan. And
that's not fair. That simply is not fair for every working man
and woman in America.
Another issue, one near and dear to the hearts of
every American, rural or urban, and that's crime. Candidate
Clinton likes to talk tough. You'll hear him criticize me about
federal aid to state and local law enforcement. But, in fact,
since 1989, we've proposed a 59-percent increase in federal
spending to fight crime. You'll also hear candidate Clinton make
some pretty impressive claims about crime control in Arkansas.
Wrong. Wrong again. Not. (Laughter.)
Candidate Clinton -- meet Governor Clinton. During
the 1980s, the nation's overall crime rate during the '80s
actually declined. But not in Arkansas! In fact, Governor
Clinton's state had the biggest increase in the overall crime
rate in the entire nation -- nearly 28 percent. Again, this is
not fair to the good people of Arkansas.
What about violent crimes? Arkansas's violent crime
rate went up more than 58 percent -- one of the worst records in
the entire nation. Why? Well, I've got a few hunches. Arkansas
ranks near rock bottom in every important per-capita law
enforcement expenditure. For prisons: 46th. For judicial and
legal systems: 50th. And when it comes to spending for police
officers, Arkansas ranks 49th.
And in Arkansas, when the prison door slams shut on
a convicted criminal, he knows it won't be long before it opens
up again. As incredible as it sounds -- as incredible as it
sounds, most inmates in Arkansas serve less than one-fifth --
one-fifth -- of their sentence behind bars. That's the worst
record in the entire nation. The people of Arkansas deserve to
walk their streets without fearing that some crazy convict is
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- 5 -
going to ruin their lives -- some guy let out of jail far too
early.
NOW, contrast the situation in Arkansas with what
we've been doing on the federal level. Most federal inmates
serve at least 85 percent of their full sentence. And I think
it's pretty simple: if you take liberties with the law, you're
going to lose your own liberties -- for a long, long time.
(Applause.)
When you look at Governor Clinton's record on law
enforcement, it's not surprising that last week, the fraternal
order of police in Little Rock gave me their endorsement for
President of the United states of America. (Applause.) And that
is the verdict of the police officers in Governor Clinton's own
backyard. They agree with me. You do not coddle criminals --
you stand up for the law-abiding citizens in this country.
(Applause.)
I'm really enjoying getting this record out here.
(Laughter.)
Let's look at another contrast. It's been 11 long
months of his hammering me. And we're just starting today right
here Springfield -- (applause) -- because I want the American
people to know the truth. (Applause.) I want them to know the
facts. (Applause.) I want them to know the truth. (Applause.)
Let's look at another contrast between candidate
Clinton's rhetoric and Governor Clinton's record with children.
In his new book, candidate Clinton says that America has failed
to provide its children with either the best education or
adequate protection from violence. That's what the candidate
says. Now how about the Governor?
Look at the facts. During the 1980s, Arkansas fell
from 47th to 48th place in the percentage of adults with a high
school diploma. Arkansas's rankings on its primary college
entrance examination -- known as A.C.T -- have declined overall.
Twenty-eight states use the A.C.T as their primary college
entrance test. The New York Times recently reported that in 1979
Arkansas ranked 20 out of those 28. The state's latest available
ranking is down to 25th out of the 28.
And we know that more than three-quarters of
Arkansas high school graduates require remedial instruction when
they get to college. It's not fair to the. Think about it -- 75
Percent of Arkansas college students spend their first year of
college relearning what they missed out on in high school. Now
these are bright, dynamic young people. And they deserve better
than a failed education system. And when it comes to the
percentage of adults with a college degree, Governor Clinton's
Arkansas still ranks 50th.
Now, when it comes to protecting children from
violence, you should know this: My opponent's record is, in one
word, appalling. The facts are not pretty. But America should
listen to the facts.
During the 1980s, the death rate for American
children 14-and-under improved dramatically across the country.
But in Arkansas, it got worse. The state ranked 49th in 1989.
In the late 1980s, Arkansas's rate of violent deaths for
teenagers soared at three times the national average. And over
the decade, child abuse reports shot up 130 percent. Now, behind
that statistic are tales of heartbreaking tragedy. The young
people over in Arkansas deserve to have their hearts healed.
ANd now, it's hard to believe that Governor Clinton
was unaware of what was going on. Throughout the 1980s, study
after study contained detailed findings and recommendations -- a
cry for help, if you will. And he even commissioned some of
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- 6 -
these studies himself. In 1990, his own Department of Human
services reported that "frequent and widespread" official
failures had placed the children of Arkansas in, again a quote,
"imminent peril." still Governor Clinton did nothing.
And finally a group of child welfare advocates took
the Governor to court. And they filed a federal class action
naming him as lead defendant. And on June 8th, less than four
months ago, my opponent finally settled. And now candidate
Clinton promises to crack down on violence against children.
Now to the environment to what Johnny Morris is
famous for and that Governor Ashcroft can take great pride in --
the environment. I love to hike. I love to camp out. I love to
go fishing. I like to go hunting. And you've heard me talk
about the importance of protecting the environment many times.
But to me real eloquence is action -- and I have acted. And
there's our historic Clean Air Act, cutting acid rain in half --
we did that. we banished offshore oil rigs from sensitive
beaches on both coasts and added a billion dollars worth of new
forests and parks for our children to enjoy.
And in the past three years, our Environmental
Protection Agency has assessed more than half of all the civil
penalties and criminal fines in the history of EPA -- more than
$200 million. To those who spoil our lakes and air we are
saying. mess with our children's health and you will pay.
And those are facts. And that is the record -- a
record I am very proud of on the environment; a sound,
progressive record. But candidate Clinton calls America's
environmental record since 1989 a "disaster." And he promises,
quote, "real environmental policy" that will, again quote,
"challenge Americans and demand responsibility at every level."
My advice: Let's take candidate Clinton at his
word. Demand that candidates run on their records. I'm prepared
to do that. We've got a good record to take to the American
people, the people of Missouri. I'll stand by my record. Now,
let's see if he can stand on his. And, again, I'm going to be
very, very factual.
Earlier this year, my opponent was asked to name a
single Arkansas law that exceeds federal environmental standards.
He couldn't do that -- not one. The Governor has accepted
generous campaign contributions, free plane rides from Arkansas's
powerful chicken industry. And the industry is the ultimate
source of -- and I'll put this as delicately as I possibly can --
fecal coliform bacteria, which pollutes hundreds of miles of
Arkansas rivers. Governor Clinton did create an animal waste
task force to deal with the issue. But the task force
subcommittee was headed by a chicken executive. And they decided
that controls on what they call "chicken litter", unquote --
(laughter) -- should be purely voluntary. It's hard to keep this
clean, (Applause.) but I'm telling you the record is bad over there.
But I guess with Governor Clinton, some things do
run thicker than water, (Laughter and applause.) Last year, the
Institute for Southern Studies released an extraordinarily
detailed, state-by-state study of environmental quality and
progress. And let me quote the Institute's research director:
"in the areas of policy -- laws passed, not task forces or
worst in the nation."
commissions set up to study a problem -- Arkansas was 50th, the
Arkansas residents want clean air and clean water.
They're love sportsmen just like you all are -- just like I am. They
should not be last in the entire nation.
the outdoors just like you do and just like I do. And they
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- 7 .
And finally, let's talk about health care. As you
might expect, my opponent and I have two vastly different
approaches to the problem. I want to use competition to expand
coverage, preserve quality, drive down the costs. And candidate
Clinton's plan could eventually bring our health care system
under the control of the federal government.
And until last month, candidate Clinton pretended
that his plan wouldn't cost a dime. But then someone at USA
Today got him to admit what I've been saying all along: his plan
would require a new payroll tax. And I say small business does
not need any more taxes. Let's do it my way. (Applause.) A new
payroll tax will kill jobs, especially in the small businesses
that we're looking to to create the new jobs we need in this
country. It'll cut wages.
But since we're talking about our records today,
consider this, too. Candidate Clinton says "health care should
be a right, not a privilege." And yet, under Governor Clinton,
Arkansas has one of the nation's worst health insurance crises.
More than 42 percent of Arkansas workers, the second highest
percentage in the nation, don't even have employer-paid health
insurance. And the New York Times says a full 25 percent of all
state residents have no health insurance at all
Candidate Clinton now says America -- quote --
"can't afford four more years" without a solution to our health
care problem. And I totally agree with that. But Governor
Clinton took a long time to come around. Early last year, in his
fifth term as Governor, he finally signed a bill to provide bare
bones coverage to people who have gone uninsured for more than a
year.
And so there you have it. Nothing personal, just
the facts. And next time you hear candidate Clinton promise to
be a progressive change agent for the entire United States, think
of civil rights and taxes in the state he's left behind. Think
of crime and child abuse and education in that great state of
Arkansas. Think of the environment that he's neglected, the
health care problems he's ignored. Think about all this the next
time candidate Clinton says he will do for America what he's done
for Arkansas.
It is true we're having a big debate about America's
future. But first you have to learn who's really on the other
side. And you have to know, is it the words of candidate Clinton
or the actions of Governor Clinton.
We've seen over the last nine months that candidate
Clinton appears willing to say anything to anyone. But the
record of Governor Clinton proves that it doesn't matter what the
candidate will say to anyone, because he won't deliver.
So either way -- whether it's candidate Clinton or
Governor Clinton -- I believe that Bill Clinton is wrong to be
President of the United States of America. (Applause.)
You know, I feel better now -- (laughter) -- because
when I started this morning, I explained how for months Governor
Clinton has distorted my record. And I sat there through primary
after primary, one assault by another -- not all by Governor
Clinton, I might add; joined by a handful of other guys that have
fallen by the wayside.
And I've made a decision -- I was President; I was
trying to do something to help this country. And I chose not to
fight back until now, because I believe Americans want action
from their President. And I believe they want positive ideas --
want real solutions to our challenges.
But I simply cannot let Governor Clinton's
distortions go unanswered. His own record must be exposed --
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because look at what is at stake. (Applause.) This man issue has the
gall to go around America and promise the moon, when on
after issue, the sky has fallen in his own backyard
And I say Arkansas deserves better And I mean
that. And I say America deserves better. And I say America
deserves more than learning what's wrong, we need to know what
works to build a safer and more secure future for these kids over
here. And this is what I offer in this campaign -- - experience,
character and ideas that are right for America.
And my agenda contains 13 specific actions that I'm
going to fight to accomplish in the first year of my second term
with all those new congressmen that are coming in as a result of
the confusion and disarray in the House. (Applause. And I'm
going to get them done. I'm going to get these things done with
your help, because America has what it takes to win the economic
competition, to win the peace. so let's get on with the job.
And thank you for this exceptionally warm welcome --
this Missouri welcome. And may God bless the greatest country on
the face of the Earth, the United States of America. Thank you
all.
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