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26
19
6
2
Feb. 6 / Administration of Ronald Reagan, 1985
Address Before a Joint Session of the Congress on the State of the
Union
February 6, 1985
Mr. Speaker, Mr. President, distinguished
stand watch on the frontiers of freedom;
Members of the Congress, honored guests,
For an America of compassion that opens
and fellow citizens:
its heart to those who cry out for help.
I come before you to report on the state
We have begun well. But it's only a be-
of our Union, and I'm pleased to report that
ginning. We're not here to congratulate
after 4 years of united effort, the American
ourselves on what we have done but to
people have brought forth a nation re-
challenge ourselves to finish what has not
newed, stronger, freer, and more secure
yet been done.
than before.
We're here to speak for millions in our
Four years ago we began to change, for-
inner cities who long for real jobs, safe
ever I hope, our assumptions about govern-
neighborhoods, and schools that truly teach.
ment and its place in our lives. Out of that
We're here to speak for the American
change has come great and robust growth-
farmer, the entrepreneur, and every
in our confidence, our economy, and our
worker in industries fighting to modernize
role in the world.
and compete. And, yes, we're here to stand,
Tonight America is stronger because of
and proudly so, for all who struggle to
the values that we hold dear. We believe
break free from totalitarianism, for all who
faith and freedom must be our guiding
know in their hearts that freedom is the
stars, for they show us truth, they make us
one true path to peace and human happi-
brave, give us hope, and leave us wiser than
ness.
we were. Our progress began not in Wash-
Proverbs tell us, without a vision the
ington, DC, but in the hearts of our fami-
people perish. When asked what great prin-
lies, communities, workplaces, and volun-
ciple holds our Union together, Abraham
tary groups which, together, are unleashing
Lincoln said: "Something in [the] Declara-
the invincible spirit of one great nation
tion giving liberty, not alone to the people
under God.
of this country, but hope to the world for all
Four years ago we said we would invigo-
future time."
rate our economy by giving people greater
We honor the giants of our history not by
freedom and incentives to take risks and
going back but forward to the dreams their
letting them keep more of what they
vision foresaw. My fellow citizens, this
earned. We did what we promised, and a
nation is poised for greatness. The time has
great industrial giant is reborn.
come to proceed toward a great new chal-
Tonight we can take pride in 25 straight
lenge-a second American Revolution of
months of economic growth, the strongest
hope and opportunity; a revolution carrying
in 34 years; a 3-year inflation average of 3.9
us to new heights of progress by pushing
percent, the lowest in 17 years; and 7.3
back frontiers of knowledge and space; a
million new jobs in 2 years, with more of
revolution of spirit that taps the soul of
our citizens working than ever before.
America, enabling us to summon greater
New freedom in our lives has planted the
strength than we've ever known; and a rev-
rich seeds for future success:
olution that carries beyond our shores the
For an America of wisdom that honors
golden promise of human freedom in a
the family, knowing that if [as] the family
world of peace.
goes, so goes our civilization;
Let us begin by challenging our conven-
For an America of vision that sees tomor-
tional wisdom. There are no constraints on
row's dreams in the learning and hard work
the human mind, no walls around the
we do today;
human spirit, no barriers to our progress
For an America of courage whose service
except those we ourselves erect. Already;
men and women, even as we meet, proudly
pushing down tax rates has freed our econo-
130
Administration of Ronald Reagan, 1985 / Feb. 6
tate of the
my to vault forward to record growth.
tax preferences. We will propose a top rate
In Europe, they're calling it "the Ameri-
of no more than 35 percent, and possibly
can Miracle." Day by day, we're shattering
lower. And we will propose reducing corpo-
accepted notions of what is possible. When
rate rates, while maintaining incentives for
I was growing up, we failed to see how a
capital formation.
tiers of freedom;
new thing called radio would transform our
To encourage opportunity and jobs rather
bassion that opens
marketplace. Well, today, many have not
than dependency and welfare, we will pro-
out for help.
yet seen how advances in technology are
pose that individuals living at or near the
But it's only a be-
transforming our lives.
poverty line be totally exempt from Federal
In the late 1950's workers at the AT&T
to congratulate
income tax. To restore fairness to families,
ave done but to
sémiconductor plant in Pennsylvania pro-
we will propose increasing significantly the
ish what has not
duced five transistors a day for $7.50
personal exemption.
apiece. They now produce over a million
And tonight, I am instructing Treasury
ir millions in our
for less than a penny apiece.
Secretary James Baker-I have to get used
New laser techniques could revolutionize
or real jobs, safe
to saying that-to begin working with con-
heart bypass surgery, cut diagnosis time for
S that truly teach.
gressional authors and committees for bi-
viruses linked to cancer from weeks to min-
or the American
partisan legislation conforming to these
utes, reduce hospital costs dramatically, and
eur, and every
principles. We will call upon the American
hold out new promise for saving human
ing to modernize
people for support and upon every man
lives.
e're here to stand,
and woman in this Chamber. Together, we
Our automobile industry has overhauled
who struggle to
can pass, this year, a tax bill for fairness,
assembly lines, increased worker productivi-
mism, for all who
simplicity, and growth, making this econo-
ty, and is competitive once again.
t freedom is the
my the engine of our dreams and America
We stand on the threshold of a great abil-
nd human happi-
the investment capital of the world. So let
ity to produce more, do more, be more.
us begin.
Our economy is not getting older and
out a vision the
Tax simplification will be a giant step
weaker; it's getting younger and stronger. It
i what great prin-
doesn't need rest and supervision; it needs
toward unleashing the tremendous pent-up
gether, Abraham
new challenge, greater freedom. And that
power of our economy. But a second Amer-
in [the] Declara-
word "freedom" is the key to the second
ican revolution must carry the promise of
one to the people
American revolution that we need to bring
opportunity for all. It is time to liberate the
o the world for all
about.
spirit of enterprise in the most distressed
Let us move together with an historic
areas of our country.
our history not by
reform of tax simplification for fairness and
This government will meet its responsibil-
) the dreams their
growth. Last year I asked Treasury Secre-
ity to help those in need. But policies that
DW citizens, this
tary-then-Regan to develop a plan to
increase dependency, break up families,
less. The time has
simplify the tax code, so all taxpayers would
and destroy self-respect are not progressive;
a great new chal-
be treated more fairly and personal tax
they're reactionary. Despite our strides in
an Revolution of
rates could come further down.
civil rights, blacks, Hispanics, and all mi-
evolution carrying
We have cut tax rates by almost 25 per-
norities will not have full and equal power
gress by pushing
cent, yet the tax system remains unfair and
until they have full economic power.
dge and space; a
limits our potential for growth. Exclusions
We have repeatedly sought passage of en-
taps the soul of
and exemptions cause similar incomes to be
terprise zones to help those in the aban-
summon greater
taxed at different levels. Low-income fami-
doned corners of our land find jobs, learn
known; and a rev-
lies face steep tax barriers that make hard
skills, and build better lives. This legislation
id our shores the
lives even harder. The Treasury Depart-
is supported by a majority of you.
an freedom in a
ment has produced an excellent reform
Mr. Speaker, I know we agree that there
plan, whose principles will guide the final
must be no forgotten Americans. Let us
iging our conven-
proposal that we will ask you to enact.
place new dreams in a million hearts and
no constraints on
One thing that tax reform will not be is a
create a new generation of entrepreneurs
walls around the
tax increase in disguise. We will not jeop-
by passing enterprise zones this year. And,
S to our progress
ardize the mortgage interest deduction that
Tip, you could make that a birthday
es erect. Already,
families need. We will reduce personal tax
present. [Laughter]
IS freed our econo-
rates as low as possible by removing many
Nor must we lose the chance to pass our
131
Feb. 6 / Administration of Ronald Reagan, 1985
youth employment opportunity wage pro-
aid, will be slowed, but protections for the
posal. We can help teenagers, who have the
elderly and needy will be preserved.
highest unemployment rate, find summer
Second, we must not relax our efforts to
jobs, so they can know the pride of work
restore military strength just as we near our
and have confidence in their futures.
goal of a fully equipped, trained, and ready
We'll continue to support the Job Train-
professional corps. National security is gov-
ing Partnership Act, which has a nearly
ernment's first responsibility; so in past
two-thirds job placement rate. Credits in
years defense spending took about half the
education and health care vouchers will
Federal budget. Today it takes less than a
help working families shop for services that
third. We've already reduced our planned
they need.
defense expenditures by nearly a hundred
Our administration is already encourag-
billion dollars over the past 4 years and re-
ing certain low-income public housing resi-
duced projected spending again this year.
dents to own and manage their own dwell-
You know, we only have a military-indus-
ings. It's time that all public housing resi-
trial complex until a time of danger, and
dents have that opportunity of ownership.
The Federal Government can help create
then it becomes the arsenal of democracy.
a new atmosphere of freedom. But States
Spending for defense is investing in things
and localities, many of which enjoy surplus-
that are priceless-peace and freedom.
es from the recovery, must not permit their
Third, we must reduce or eliminate costly
tax and regulatory policies to stand as bar-
government subsidies. For example, deregu-
riers to growth.
lation of the airline. industry has led to
Let us resolve that we will stop spreading
cheaper airfares, but on Amtrak taxpayers
dependency and start spreading opportuni-
pay about $35 per passenger every time an
ty; that we will stop spreading bondage and
Amtrak train leaves the station. It's time we
start spreading freedom.
ended this huge Federal subsidy.
There are some who say that growth ini-
Our farm program costs have quadrupled
tiatives must await final action on deficit
in recent years. Yet I know from visiting
reductions. Well, the best way to reduce
farmers, many in great financial distress,
deficits is through economic growth. More
that we need an orderly transition to a
businesses will be started, more investments
market-oriented farm economy. We can
made, more jobs created, and more people
help farmers best not by expanding Federal
will be on payrolls paying taxes. The best
payments but by making fundamental re-
way to reduce government spending is to
forms, keeping interest rates heading down,
reduce the need for spending by increasing
and knocking down foreign trade barriers
prosperity. Each added percentage point
to American farm exports.
per year of real GNP growth will lead to
We're moving ahead with Grace commis-
cumulative reduction in deficits of nearly
sion reforms to eliminate waste and im-
$200 billion over 5 years.
prove government's management practices.
To move steadily toward a balanced
In the long run, we must protect the tax-
budget, we must also lighten government's
payers from government. And I ask again
claim on our total economy. We will not do
that you pass, as 32 States have now called
this by raising taxes. We must make sure
for, an amendment mandating the Federal
that our economy grows faster than the
Government spend no more than it takes
growth in spending by the Federal Govern-
in. And I ask for the authority, used respon-
ment. In our fiscal year 1986 budget, over-
sibly by 43 Governors, to veto individual
all government program spending will be
items in appropriation bills. Senator Mat-
frozen at the current level. It must not be
tingly has introduced a bill permitting a 2-
one dime higher than fiscal year 1985, and
year trial run of the line-item veto. I hope
three points are key.
you'll pass and send that legislation to my
First, the social safety net for the elderly,
desk.
the needy, the disabled, and unemployed
Nearly 50 years of government living
will be left intact. Growth of our major
beyond its means has brought us to a time
health care programs, Medicare and Medic-
of reckoning. Ours is but a moment in histo-
132
Administration of Ronald Reagan, 1985 / Feb. 6
:ections for the
ry. But one moment of courage, idealism,
Superfund program to continue cleaning up
eserved.
and bipartisan unity can change American
hazardous waste sites which threaten
( our efforts to
history forever.
human health and the environment.
as we near our
Sound monetary policy is key to long-run-
Now, there's another great heritage to
ned, and ready
ning economic strength and stability. We
speak of this evening. Of all the changes
security is gov-
will continue to cooperate with the Federal
that have swept America the past 4 years,
y; so in past
Reserve Board, seeking a steady policy that
none brings greater promise than our redis-
about half the
ensures price stability without keeping in-
covery of the values of faith, freedom,
kes less than a
terest rates artificially high or needlessly
family, work, and neighborhood.
d our planned
holding down growth.
We see signs of renewal in increased at-
arly a hundred
Reducing unneeded redtape and regula-
tendance in places of worship; renewed op-
4 years and re-
tions, and deregulating the energy, trans-
timism and faith in our future; love of coun-
gain this year.
portation, and financial industries have un-
try rediscovered by our young, who are
military-indus-
leashed new competition, giving consumers
leading the way. We've rediscovered that
more choices, better services, and lower
of danger, and
work is good in and of itself, that it enno-
of democracy.
prices. In just one set of grant programs we
bles us to create and contribute no matter
have reduced 905 pages of regulations to
sting in things
how seemingly humble our jobs. We've
31. We seek to fully deregulate natural gas
freedom.
seen a powerful new current from an old
to bring on new supplies and bring us closer
and honorable tradition-American gener-
eliminate costly
to energy independence. Consistent with
ample, deregu-
osity.
safety standards, we will continue removing
ry has led to
From thousands answering Peace Corps
restraints on the bus and railroad industries,
itrak taxpayers
appeals to help boost food production in
we will soon end up legislation-or send up
every time an
Africa, to millions volunteering time, corpo-
legislation, I should say-to return Conrail
on. It's time we
rations adopting schools, and communities
to the private sector where it belongs, and
idy.
pulling together to help the neediest among
we will support further deregulation of the
üs at home, we have refound our values.
lve quadrupled
trucking industry.
Private sector initiatives are crucial to our
/ from visiting
Every dollar the Federal Government
future.
ancial distress,
does not take from us, every decision it
I thank the Congress for passing equal
transition to a
does not make for us will make our econo-
omy. We can
my stronger, our lives more abundant, our
access legislation giving religious groups the
anding Federal
same right to use classrooms after school
future more free.
indamental re-
Our second American revolution will
that other groups enjoy. But no citizen
heading down,
push on to new possibilities not only on
need tremble, nor the world shudder, if a
Earth but in the next frontier of space. De-
child stands in a classroom and breathes a
trade barriers
spite budget restraints, we will seek record
prayer. We ask you again, give children
funding for research and development.
back a right they had for a century and a
Grace commis-
waste and im-
We've seen the success of the space shut-
half or more in this country.
ment practices.
tle. Now we're going to develop a perma-
The question of abortion grips our nation.
rotect the tax-
nently manned space station and new op-
Abortion is either the taking of a human life
portunities for free enterprise, because in
or it isn't. And if it is-and medical technol-
nd I ask again
ave now called
the next decade Americans and our friends
ogy is increasingly showing it is-it must be
ng the Federal
around the world will be living and work-
stopped. It is a terrible irony that while
e than it takes
ing together in space.
some turn to abortion, so many others who
y, used respon-
In the zero gravity of space, we could
cannot become parents cry out for children
veto individual
manufacture in 30 days lifesaving medicines
to adopt. We have room for these children.
Senator Mat-
it would take 30 years to make on Earth.
We can fill the cradles of those who want a
permitting a 2-
We can make crystals of exceptional purity
child to love. And tonight I ask you in the
m veto. I hope
to produce super computers, creating jobs,
Congress to move this year on legislation to
gislation to my
technologies, and medical breakthroughs
protect the unborn.
beyond anything we ever dreamed possible.
In the area of education, we're returning
ernment living
As we do all this, we'll continue to pro-
to excellence, and again, the heroes are our
ht us to a time
tect our natural resources. We will seek re-
people, not government. We're stressing
oment in histo-
authorization and expanded funding for the
basics of discipline, rigorous testing, and
133
Feb. 6 / Administration of Ronald Reagan, 1985
homework, while helping children become
that would lower the risk of war and reduce
computer-smart as well. For 20 years scho-
the size of nuclear arsenals. Now our deter-
lastic aptitude test scores of our high school
mination to maintain a strong defense has
students went down, but now they have
influenced the Soviet Union to return to
gone up 2 of the last 3 years. We must go
the bargaining table. Our negotiators must
forward in our commitment to the new
be able to go to that table with the united
basics, giving parents greater authority and
support of the American people. All of us
making sure good teachers are rewarded
have no greater dream than to see the day
for hard work and achievement through
when nuclear weapons are banned from
merit pay.
this Earth forever.
Of all the changes in the past 20 years,
Each Member of the Congress has a role
none has more threatened our sense of na-
to play in modernizing our defenses, thus
tional well-being than the explosion of vio-
lent crime. One does not have to be at-
supporting our chances for a meaningful
arms agreement. Your vote this spring on
tacked to be a victim. The woman who
the Peacekeeper missile will be a critical
must run to her car after shopping at night
test of our resolve to maintain the strength
is a victim. The couple draping their door
we need and move toward mutual and veri-
with locks and chains are victims; as is the
fiable arms reductions.
tired, decent cleaning woman who can't
ride a subway home without being afraid.
For the past 20 years we've believed that
We do not seek to violate the rights of
no war will be launched as long as each side
defendants. But shouldn't we feel more
knows it can retaliate with a deadly coun-
compassion for the victims of crime than for
terstrike. Well, I believe there's a better
those who commit crime? For the first time
way of eliminating the threat of nuclear
in 20 years, the crime index has fallen 2
war. It is a Strategic Defense Initiative
years in a row. We've convicted over 7,400
aimed ultimately at finding a nonnuclear
drug offenders and put them, as well as
defense against ballistic missiles. It's the
leaders of organized crime, behind bars in
most hopeful possibility of the nuclear age.
record numbers.
But it's not very well understood.
But we must do more. I urge the House
Some say it will bring war to the heavens,
to follow the Senate and enact proposals
but its purpose is to deter war in the heav-
permitting use of all reliable evidence that
ens and on Earth. Now, some say the re-
police officers acquire in good faith. These
search would be expensive. Perhaps, but it
proposals would also reform the habeas
could save millions of lives, indeed human-
corpus laws and allow, in keeping with the
ity itself. And some say if we build such a
will of the overwhelming majority of Amer-
system, the Soviets will build a defense
icans, the use of the death penalty where
system of their own. Well, they already
necessary.
have strategic defenses that surpass ours; a
There can be no economic revival in
civil defense system, where we have almost
ghettos when the most violent among us
none; and a research program covering
are allowed to roam free. It's time we re-
roughly the same areas of technology that
stored domestic tranquility. And we mean
we're now exploring. And finally some say
to do just that.
the research will take a long time. Well, the
Just as we're positioned as never before
answer to that is: Let's get started.
to secure justice in our economy, we're
Harry Truman once said that, ultimately,
poised as never before to create a safer,
our security and the world's hopes for
freer, more peaceful world. Our alliances
peace and human progress "lie not in meas-
are stronger than ever. Our economy is
ures of defense or in the control of weap-
stronger than ever. We have resumed our
ons, but in the growth and expansion of
historic role as a leader of the free world.
freedom and self-government."
And all of these together are a great force
And tonight, we declare anew to our
for peace.
fellow citizens of the world: Freedom is not
Since 1981 we've been committed to
the sole prerogative of a chosen few; it is
seeking fair and verifiable arms agreements
the universal right of all God's children.
134
Administration of Ronald Reagan, 1985 / Feb. 6
ar and reduce
Look to where peace and prosperity flour-
those who are risking their lives-on every
low our deter-
ish today. It is in homes that freedom built.
continent, from Afghanistan to Nicaragua-
g defense has
Victories against poverty are greatest and
to defy Soviet-supported aggression and
to return to
peace most secure where people live by
secure rights which have been ours from
gotiators must
laws that ensure free press, free speech, and
birth.
ith the united
freedom to worship, vote, and create
The Sandinista dictatorship of Nicaragua,
ople. All of us
wealth.
with full Cuban-Soviet bloc support, not
to see the day
Our mission is to nourish and defend
only persecutes its people, the church, and
banned from
freedom and democracy, and to communi-
denies a free press, but arms and provides
cate these ideals everywhere we can.
bases for Communist terrorists attacking
ress has a role
America's economic success is freedom's
neighboring states. Support for freedom
defenses, thus
success; it can be repeated a hundred times
fighters is self-defense and totally consistent
a meaningful
in a hundred different nations. Many coun-
with the OAS and U.N. Charters. It is essen-
this spring on
tries in east Asia and the Pacific have few
tial that the Congress continue all facets of
be a critical
resources other than the enterprise of their
our assistance to Central America. I want to
n the strength
own people. But through low tax rates and
work with you to support the democratic
utual and veri-
free markets they've soared ahead of cen-
forces whose struggle is tied to our own
tralized economies. And now China is open-
security.
believed that
ing up its economy to meet its needs.
And tonight, I've spoken of great plans
ng as each side
We need a stronger and simpler approach
and great dreams. They're dreams we can
1 deadly coun-
to the process of making and implementing
make come true. Two hundred years of
ere's a better
trade policy, and we'll be studying potential
American history should have taught us that
eat of nuclear
changes in that process in the next few
nothing is impossible.
ense Initiative
weeks. We've seen the benefits of free
Ten years ago a young girl left Vietnam
a nonnuclear
trade and lived through the disasters of pro-
with her family, part of the exodus that
ssiles. It's the
tectionism. Tonight I ask all our trading
followed the fall of Saigon. They came. to
e nuclear age.
partners, developed and developing alike,
the United States with no possessions and
od.
to join us in a new round of trade negotia-
0 the heavens,
tions to expand trade and competition and
not knowing a word of English. Ten years
strengthen the global economy-and to
ago-the young girl studied hard, learned
ar in the heav-
English, and finished high school in the top
ne say the re-
begin it in this next year.
There are more than 3 billion human
of her class. And this May, May 22d to be
Perhaps, but it
beings living in Third World countries with
exact, is a big date on her calendar. Just 10
ndeed human-
an average per capita income of $650 a
years from the time she left Vietnam, she
e build such a
tild a defense
year. Many are victims of dictatorships that
will graduate from the United States Mili-
impoverished them with taxation and cor-
tary Academy at West Point. I thought you
they already
ruption. Let us ask our allies to join us in a
might like to meet an American hero
surpass ours; a
practical program of trade and assistance
named Jean Nguyen.
ve have almost
that fosters economic development through
Now, there's someone else here tonight,
gram covering
personal incentives to help these people
born 79 years ago. She lives in the inner
echnology that
climb from poverty on their own.
city, where she cares for infants born of
nally some say
We cannot play innocents abroad in a
mothers who are heroin addicts. The chil-
time. Well, the
world that's not innocent; nor can we be
dren, born in withdrawal, are sometimes
rted.
passive when freedom is under seige. With-
even dropped on her doorstep. She helps
nat, ultimately,
out resources, diplomacy cannot succeed.
them with love. Go to her house some
d's hopes for
Our security assistance programs help
night, and maybe you'll see her silhouette
ie not in meas-
friendly governments defend themselves
against the window as she walks the floor
ntrol of weap-
and give them confidence to work for
talking softly, soothing a child in her arms-
I expansion of
peace. And I hope that you in the Congress
Mother Hale of Harlem, and she, too, is an
will understand that, dollar for dollar, secu-
American hero.
anew to our
rity assistance contributes as much to global
Jean, Mother Hale, your lives tell us that
Freedom is not
security as our own defense budget.
the oldest American saying is new again:
osen few; it is
We must stand by all our democratic
Anything is possible in America if we have
God's children.
allies. And we must not break faith with
the faith, the will, and the heart. History is
135
Feb. 6 / Administration of Ronald Reagan, 1985
asking us once again to be a force for good
the House Chamber of the Capitol. He was
in the world. Let us begin in unity, with
introduced by Thomas P. O'Neill, Jr., Speak-
justice, and love.
er of the House of Representatives. The ad-
Thank you, and God bless you.
dress was broadcast live on nationwide
Note: The President spoke at 9:05 p.m. in
radio and television.
Informal Exchange With Reporters Prior to a Meeting With Prime
Minister Robert Hawke of Australia
February 7, 1985
Q. Mr. President, does the ANZUS alli-
The President. About what?
ance have any future, given the lack of co-
Q. What does the U.S. intend to do? Will
operation we've been getting from our
we be considering economic sanctions or
South Pacific allies?
reviewing our relationship with New Zea-
The President. Well, the only thing that
land?
has happened that disturbs that is the New
The President. Oh, this is I don't think
Zealand position on our vessels there and
any time to discuss that.
the right of entry at the ports. But, other
than that, I think our ANZUS alliance is
Q. Will you be talking to your guest about
very sound and very solid. And I think the
a separate alliance. between the U.S. and
presence here of the first head of state, in
Australia and excluding New Zealand?
the new term, the Prime Minister of Aus-
The President. No. As I say, we feel the
tralia, is evidence of that.
ANZUS alliance is very much alive and
Q. Doesn't the announcement yesterday
working.
of a change of plans on the MX test give
Q. How do you feel about the reaction to
you any reason for concern, Mr. President?
your speech last night, sir?
The President. No, because that was
The President. Well, that's a whole differ-
pretty much our own idea. We had several
ent subject. I only answered those other
alternatives, and we made a choice.
questions, because I thought that I couldn't
Q. Are you concerned at all about a
avoid them on the subject they were on.
ripple effect throughout the other allies?
But I've been pleased, yes.
The President. No.
Q. What does the U.S. intend to do, sir,
about the New Zealand position on our ves-
Note: The exchange began at 11:35 a.m. in
sels?
the Oval Office at the White House.
Appointment of Robert H. Tuttle as Deputy Assistant to the
President and Director of Presidential Personnel
February 7, 1985
The President today announced the ap-
A successful west coast business executive
pointment of Robert H. Tuttle as Deputy
for the past 15 years, Mr. Tuttle served as
Assistant to the President and Director of
president of three automobile dealerships in
Presidential Personnel.
Los Angeles and Tucson prior to accepting
Mr. Tuttle has served as Special Assistant
his position on the White House staff.
to the President in the Office of Presiden-
An active member of the California Re-
tial Personnel since December 1982.
136
John F. Kennedy, 1962
Jan. ri [7]
nt spoke at the Buckeye Building
Your recommendations properly recognize
organizations to support and improve educational
ads in Columbus, Ohio. In his
both sides of this problem. I am grateful
facilities.
= referred to William L. Coleman,
for your help.
4. Acceptance of responsibility by management
Democratic Executive Committee
for measures to reduce the impact on workers of
technological change.
stice Carl V. Weygandt of the
NOTE: The Committee's first report, dated January
5. Public and private support for retraining of
me Court, the Reverend Reed
II and entitled "The Benefits and Problems Incident
displaced workers, for financial help to such workers
od Samaritan Baptist Church in
to Automation and Other Technological Advances"
in periods of unemployment, and for protection of
ost Reverend Clarence G. Issen-
(25 pp., processed), was released with the President's
their job equities and security.
Columbus, and U.S. Senators
statement. It was presented to the President at the
6. Improvement of public employment services.
and Frank J. Lausche of Ohio.
White House by the Chairman, Secretary of Labor
7. Intensified efforts to end discriminatory em-
Arthur J. Goldberg, and the Vice Chairman, Sec-
ployment practices.
retary of Commerce Luther H. Hodges, accompanied
8. Advance planning for short-term public works
g With General
by members of the 19-man Committee. (For estab-
projects in possible areas of technological unem-
lishment see 1961 volume, this series, Item 40.)
ployment.
The Committee's recommendations cover the fol-
9. Consideration of possible monetary and fiscal
lowing matters:
measures, including tax reductions, to stimulate
e have reached full agree-
I. Adoption of policies to promote a high rate of
business and employment.
icy to be followed during
economic growth and fuller utilization of resources.
IO. Consideration of possible reductions in basic
2. Collection and dissemination of information on
work periods.
job opportunities and requirements.
Incorporated in the report are dissenting state-
S one more way in which
3. Cooperation between Government and private
ments by two of the Committee members.
al Clay, and I can keep in
and we continue to be for-
him as the senior American
7 Annual Message to the Congress on the State of the Union.
January II, 1962
. Clay was serving as the Pres-
esentative in Berlin, with the
[ As delivered in person before a joint session ]
Mr. Vice President, my old colleague from
ments, look to us-not to our wealth or
Massachusetts and your new Speaker, John
power, but to the splendor of our ideals.
McCormack, Members of the 87th Congress,
For our Nation is commissioned by history
ladies and gentlemen:
to be either an observer of freedom's failure
This week we begin anew our joint and
or the cause of its success. Our overriding
I to know we are glad to
separate efforts to build the American future.
obligation in the months ahead is to fulfill
hite House. Thank you.
But, sadly, we build without a man who
the world's hopes by fulfilling our own faith.
hear from them?
linked a long past with the present and
looked strongly to the future. "Mister Sam"
I. STRENGTHENING THE ECONOMY
velcomed the boys in the Rose
Rayburn is gone. Neither this House nor
nded by singing the Gallus
the Nation is the same without him.
That task must begin at home. For if we
an Kodaly's "Angels. and the
Members of the Congress, the Constitu-
cannot fulfill our own ideals here, we cannot
tion makes us not rivals for power but
expect others to accept them. And when the
partners for progress. We are all trustees
youngest child alive today has grown to the
for the American people, custodians of the
cares of manhood, our position in the world
on Automation
American heritage. It is my task to report
will be determined first of all by what pro-
the State of the Union-to improve it is the
visions we make today-for his education,
ent Policy.
task of us all.
his health, and his opportunities for a good
In the past year, I have travelled not only
home and a good job and a good life.
across our own land but to other lands—
At home, we began the year in the valley
dvantage of every oppor-
to the North and the South, and across the
of recession-we completed it on the high
gical development. But
seas. And I have found-as I am sure you
road of recovery and growth. With the help
di the human values in-
have, in your travels-that people every-
of new congressionally approved or admin-
where, in spite of occasional disappoint-
istratively increased stimulants to our econ-
5
[7] Jan. II
Public Papers of the Presidents
omy, the number of major surplus labor
upon a given rise in the rate of unemploy-
areas has declined from IOI to 60; non-
ment, to accelerate Federal and federally-
agricultural employment has increased by
aided capital improvement programs; and
more than a million jobs; and the average
(3) Third, a permanent strengthening of
factory work-week has risen to well over 40
our unemployment compensation system-to
hours. At year's end the economy which
maintain for our fellow citizens searching
Mr. Khrushchev once called a "stumbling
for a job who cannot find it, their purchasing
horse" was racing to new records in con-
power and their living standards without
sumer spending, labor income, and indus-
constant resort-as we have seen in recent
trial production.
years by the Congress and the administra-
We are gratified-but we are not satisfied.
tions-to temporary supplements.
Too many unemployed are still looking for
If we enact this six-part program, we can
the blessings of prosperity. As those who
show the whole world that a free economy
leave our schools and farms demand new
need not be an unstable economy-that a
jobs, automation takes old jobs away. To
free system need not leave men unem-
expand our growth and job opportunities,
ployed-and that a free society is not only
I urge on the Congress three measures:
the most productive but the most stable form
(I) First, the Manpower Training and
of organization yet fashioned by man.
Development Act, to stop the waste of able-
bodied men and-women who want to work,
ii. FIGHTING INFLATION
but whose only skill has been replaced by a
machine, or moved with a mill, or shut down
But recession is only one enemy of a free
with a mine;
economy-inflation is another. -Last year,
(2) Second, the Youth Employment Op-
1961, despite rising production and demand,
portunities Act, to help train and place not
consumer prices held almost steady-and
only the one million young Americans who
wholesale prices declined. This is the best
are both' out of school and out of work, but
record of overall price stability of any com-
the twenty-six million young Americans
parable period of recovery since the end of
entering the labor market in this decade; and
World War II.
(3) Third, the 8 percent tax credit for
Inflation too often follows in the shadow
investment in machinery and equipment,
of growth-while price stability is made
which, combined with planned revisions of
easy by stagnation or controls. But we
depreciation allowances, will spur our
mean to maintain both stability and growth
modernization, our growth, and our ability
in a climate of freedom.
to compete abroad.
Our first line of defense against inflation
Moreover-pleasant as it may be to bask
is the good sense and public spirit of busi-
in the warmth of recovery-let us not forget
ness and labor-keeping their total increases
that we have suffered three recessions in the
in wages and profits in step with produc-
last 7 years. The time to repair the roof is
tivity. There is no single statistical test to
when the sun is shining-by filling three
guide each company and each union. But
basic gaps in our anti-recession protection.
I strongly urge them-for their country's
We need:
interest, and for their own-to apply the
(I) First, Presidential standby authority,
test of the public interest to these trans-
subject to congressional veto, to adjust per-
actions.
sonal income tax rates downward within a
Within this same framework of growth
specified range and time, to slow down an
and wage-price stability:
economic decline before it has dragged us
-This administration has helped keep our
all down;
economy competitive by widening the access
(2) Second, Presidential standby authority,
of small business to credit and Govern-
6
John F. Kennedy, 1962
Jan. II [7]
the rate of unemploy-
ment contracts, and by stepping up the
the Internal Revenue, the Bureau of Nar-
Federal and federally-
drive against monopoly, price-fixing, and
cotics, and many others. We shall need
ment programs; and
racketeering;
further anti-crime, mass transit, and trans-
anent strengthening of
-We will submit a Federal Pay Reform
portation legislation-and new tools to fight
empensation system-to
bill aimed at giving our classified, postal,
air pollution. And with all this effort
low citizens searching
and other employees new pay scales more
under way, both equity and commonsense
find it, their purchasing
comparable to those of private industry;
require that our nation's urban areas-con-
ing standards without
-We are holding the fiscal 1962 budget
taining three-fourths of our population-sit
ve have seen in recent
deficit far below the level incurred after the
as equals at the Cabinet table. I urge a new
SS and the administra-
last recession in 1958; and, finally,
Department of Urban Affairs and Housing.
supplements.
-I am submitting for fiscal 1963 a bal-
:-part program, we can
anced Federal Budget.
AGRICULTURE AND RESOURCES
Id that a free economy
This is a joint responsibility, requiring
table economy-that a
Congressional cooperation on appropriations,
A strong America also depends on its
ot leave men unem-
and on three sources of income in particular:
farms and natural resources. American
ree society is not only
(I) First, an increase in postal rates, to
farmers took heart in 1961-from a billion
ut the most stable form
end the postal deficit;
dollar rise in farm income-and from a
shioned by man.
(2) Secondly, passage of the tax reforms
hopeful start on reducing the farm surpluses.
previously urged, to remove unwarranted
But we are still operating under a patch-
tax preferences, and to apply to dividends
work accumulation of old laws, which cost
G INFLATION
and to interest the same withholding re-
us $1 billion a year in CCC carrying charges
ly one enemy of a free
quirements we have long applied to wages;
alone, yet fail to halt rural poverty or boost
S another. Last year,
and
farm earnings.
roduction and demand,
(3) Third, extension of the present ex-
Our task is to master and turn to fully
d almost steady-and
cise and corporation tax rates, except for
fruitful ends the magnificent productivity of
ined. This is the best
those changes-which will be recommended
our farms and farmers. The revolution on
e stability of any com-
in a message-affecting transportation.
our own countryside stands in the sharpest
overy since the end of
contrast to the repeated farm failures of the
Communist nations and is a source of pride
III. GETTING AMERICA MOVING
follows in the shadow
to us all. Since I950 our agricultural output
rice stability is made
But a stronger nation and economy re-
per man-hour has actually doubled! With-
or controls. But we
quire more than a balanced Budget. They
out new, realistic measures, it will someday
th stability and growth
require progress in those programs that spur
swamp our farmers and our taxpayers in a
om.
our growth and fortify our strength.
national scandal or a farm depression.
efense against inflation
I will, therefore, submit to the Congress
CITIES
d public spirit of busi-
a new comprehensive farm program-tai-
ing their total increases
A strong America depends on its cities—
lored to fit the use of our land and the
in step with produc-
America's glory, and sometimes America's
supplies of each crop to the long-range needs
single statistical test to
shame. To substitute sunlight for conges-
of the sixties-and designed to prevent
and each union. But
tion and progress for decay, we have stepped
chaos in the sixties with a program of
n-for their country's
up existing urban renewal and'housing pro-
commonsense.
grams, and launched new ones-redoubled
We also need for the sixties-if we are
:ir own-to apply the
nterest to these trans-
the attack on water pollution-speeded aid
to bequeath our full national estate to our
to airports, hospitals, highways, and our de-
heirs-a new long-range conservation and
framework of growth
clining mass transit systems-and secured
recreation program-expansion of our su-
ity:
new weapons to combat organized crime,
perb national parks and forests-preserva-
racketeering, and youth delinquency, as-
tion of our authentic wilderness areas-
ion has helped keep our
by widening the access
sisted by the coordinated and hard-hitting
new starts on water and power projects as
) credit and Govern-
efforts of our investigative services: the FBI,
our population steadily increases-and ex-
7
[7] Jan. II
Public Papers of the Presidents
panded REA generation and transmission
developing the Nation's wealth for its own
loans.
sake. Wealth is the means-and people are
CIVIL RIGHTS
the ends. All our material riches will avail
But America stands for progress in human
us little if we do not use them to expand the
rights as well as economic affairs, and a
opportunities of our people.
strong America requires the assurance of
Last year, we improved the diet of needy
full and equal rights to all its citizens, of
people-provided more hot lunches and fresh
any race or of any color. This administra-
milk to school children-built more college
tion has shown as never before how much
dormitories-and, for the elderly, expanded
could be done through the full use of Ex-
private housing, nursing homes, heath serv-
ecutive powers-through the enforcement
ices, and social security. But we have just
of laws already passed by the Congress-
begun.
through persuasion, negotiation, and liti-
To help those least fortunate of all, I am
gation, to secure the constitutional rights of
recommending a new public welfare pro-
all: the right to vote, the right to travel
gram, stressing services instead of support,
without hindrance across State lines, and
rehabilitation instead of relief, and training
the right to free public education.
for useful work instead of prolonged
I issued last March a comprehensive order
dependency.
to guarantee the right to equal employment
To relieve the critical shortage of doctors
opportunity in all Federal agencies and con-
and dentists-and this is a matter which
tractors. The Vice President's Committee
should concern us all-and expand research,
thus created has done much, including the
I urge action to aid medical and dental col-
voluntary "Plans for Progress" which, in all
leges and schölarships and to establish-new
sections of the country, are achieving a quiet
National Institutes of Health.
but striking success in opening up to all
To take advantage of modern vaccination
races new professional, supervisory, and
achievements, I am proposing a mass im-
other job opportunities.
munization program, aimed at the virtual
But there is much more to be done-by the
elimination of such ancient enemies of our
Executive, by the courts, and by the Con-
children as polio, diphtheria, whooping
gress. Among the bills now pending before
cough, and tetanus.
you, on which the executive departments
To protect our consumers from the care-
will comment in detail, are appropriate
less and the unscrupulous, I shall recommend
methods of strengthening these basic rights
improvements in the Food and Drug laws-
which have our full support. The right to
strengthening inspection and standards, halt-
vote, for example, should no longer be de-
ing unsafe and worthless products, prevent-
nied through such arbitrary devices on a
ing misleading labels, and cracking down on
local level, sometimes abused, such as literacy
the illicit sale of habit-forming drugs.
tests and poll taxes. As we approach the
But in matters of health, no piece of un-
rooth anniversary, next January, of the
finished business is more important or more
Emancipation Proclamation, let the acts of
urgent than the enactment under the social
every branch of the Government-and every
security system of health insurance for the
citizen-portray that "righteousness does
aged.
exalt a nation."
For our older citizens have longer and
more frequent illnesses, higher hospital and
HEALTH AND WELFARE
medical bills and too little income to pay
Finally, a strong America cannot neglect
them. Private health insurance helps very
the aspirations of its citizens-the welfare
few-for its cost is high and its coverage
of the needy, the health care of the elderly,
limited. Public welfare cannot help those
the education of the young. For we are not
too proud to seek relief but hard-pressed to
8
John F. Kennedy, 1962
Jan. II
[7]
n's wealth for its own
pay their own bills. Nor can their children
"Civilization," said H. G. Wells, "is a
means-and people are
or grandchildren always sacrifice their own
race between education and catastrophe."
aterial richés will avail
health budgets to meet this constant drain.
It is up to you in this Congress to determine
use them to expand the
Social security has long helped to meet the
the winner of that race.
eople.
hardships of retirement, death, and disability.
These are not unrelated measures ad-
oved the diet of needy
I now urge that its coverage be extended
dressed to specific gaps or grievances in our
re hot lunches and fresh
without further delay to provide health in-
national life. They are the pattern of our
en-built more college
surance for the elderly.
intentions and the foundation of our hopes.
r the elderly, expanded
"I believe in democracy," said Woodrow
ing homes, heath serv-
EDUCATION
Wilson, "because it releases the energy of
ity. But we have just
Equally important to our strength is the
every human being." The dynamic of
quality of our education. Eight million
democracy is the power and the purpose of
t fortunate of all, I am
adult Americans are classified as functionally
the individual, and the policy of this admin-
W public welfare pro-
illiterate. This is a disturbing figure-re-
istration is to give to the individual the
ces instead of support,
flected in Selective Service rejection rates—
opportunity to realize his own highest
of relief, and training
reflected in welfare rolls and crime rates.
possibilities.
instead of prolonged
And I shall recommend plans for a massive
Our program is to open to all the oppor-
attack to end this adult illiteracy.
tunity for steady and productive employ-
ical shortage of doctors
I shall also recommend bills to improve
ment, to remove from all the handicap of
his is a matter which
educational quality, to stimulate the arts,
arbitrary or irrational exclusion, to offer
-and expand research,
and, at the college level, to provide Federal
to all the facilities for education and health
medical and dental col-
loans for the construction of academic facili-
and welfare, to make society the servant of
)S and to establish new
ties and federally financed scholarships.
the individual and the individual the source
f Health.
If this Nation is to grow in wisdom and
of progress, and thus to realize for all the
of modern vaccination
strength, then every able high school gradu-
full promise of American life.
proposing a mass im-
ate should have the opportunity to develop
1, aimed at the virtual
his talents. Yet nearly half lack either the
IV. OUR GOALS ABROAD
ancient enemies of our
funds or the facilities to attend college.
diphtheria, whooping
Enrollments are going to double in our col-
All of these efforts at home give meaning
leges in the short space of IO years. The
to our efforts abroad. Since the close of the
nsumers from the care-
annual cost per student is skyrocketing to
Second World War, a global civil war has
ilous, I shall recommend
astronomical levels-now averaging $1,650
divided and tormented mankind. But it is
Food and Drug laws-
a year, although almost half of our families
not our military might, or our higher stand-
tion and standards, halt-
earn less than $5,000. They cannot afford
ard of living, that has most distinguished us
thless products, prevent-
such costs-but this Nation cannot afford to
from our adversaries. It is our belief that
i, and cracking down on
maintain its military power and neglect its
the state is the servant of the citizen and
it-forming drugs.
brainpower.
not his master.
health, no piece of un-
But excellence in education must begin at
This basic clash of ideas and wills is but
nore important or more
the elementary level. I sent to the Congress
one of the forces reshaping our globe-swept
ctment under the social
last year a proposal for Federal aid to public
as it is by the tides of hope and fear, by
ealth insurance for the
school construction and teachers' salaries.
crises in the headlines today that become
I believe that bill, which passed the Senate
mere footnotes tomorrow. Both the suc-
tizens have longer and
and received House Committee approval,
cesses and the setbacks of the past year
ses, higher hospital and
offered the minimum amount required by
remain on our agenda of unfinished busi-
00 little income to pay
our needs and-in terms of across-the-board
ness. For every apparent blessing contains
th insurance helps very
aid-the maximum scope permitted by our
the seeds of danger-every area of trouble
high and its coverage
Constitution. I therefore see no reason to
gives out a ray of hope-and the one un-
lfare cannot help those
weaken or withdraw that bill: and I urge its
changeable certainty is that nothing is
elief but hard-pressed to
passage at this session.
certain or unchangeable.
90975-63-5
9
[7] Jan. II
Public Papers of the Presidents
Yet our basic goal remains the same: a
insure the continuing strength of our nuclear
peaceful world community of free and in-
deterrent.
dependent states-free to choose their own
But our strength may be tested at many
future and their own system, so long as it
levels. We intend to have at all times the
does not threaten the freedom of others.
capacity to resist non-nuclear or limited
Some may choose forms and ways that
attacks-as a complement to our nuclear
we would not choose for ourselves-but it
capacity, not as a substitute. We have re-
is not for us that they are choosing. We
jected any all-or-nothing posture which
can welcome diversity-the Communists
would leave no choice but inglorious retreat
cannot. For we offer a world of choice-
or unlimited retaliation.
they offer the world of coercion. And the
Thus we have doubled the number of
way of the past shows clearly that freedom,
ready combat divisions in the Army's stra-
not coercion, is the wave of the future. At
tegic reserve-increased our troops in
times our goal has been obscured by crisis or
Europe-built up the Marines-added new
endangered by conflict-but it draws sus-
sealift and airlift capacity-modernized our
tenance from five basic sources of strength:
weapons and ammunition-expanded our
-the moral and physical strength of the
anti-guerrilla forces-and increased the
United States;
active fleet by more than 70 vessels and our
-the united strength of the Atlantic Com-
tactical air forces by nearly a dozen wings.
munity;
Because we needed to reach this higher
-the regional strength of our Hemi-
long-term level of readiness more quickly,
spheric relations;
155,000 members of the Reserve and Na-
-the creative strength of our efforts in
tional Guard were activated under the Act
the new and developing and
of this Congress. Some disruptions and dis-
-the peace-keeping strength of the
tress were inevitable. But the overwhelming
United Nations.
majority bear their burdens-and their
Nation's burdens-with admirable and tra-
ditional devotion.
V. OUR MILITARY STRENGTH
In the coming year, our reserve programs
Our moral and physical strength begins
will be revised-two Army Divisions will,
at home as already discussed. But it includes
I hope, replace those Guard Divisions on
our military strength as well. So long as
duty-and substantial other increases will
fanaticism and fear brood over the affairs
boost our Air Force fighter units, the pro-
of men, we must arm to deter others from
curement of equipment, and our continental
aggression.
defense and warning efforts. The Nation's
In the past I2 months our military posture
first serious civil defense shelter program is
has steadily improved. We increased the
under way, identifying, marking, and stock-
previous defense budget by I5 percent-not
ing 50 million spaces; and I urge your ap-
in the expectation of war but for the preser-
proval of Federal incentives for the construc-
vation of peace. We more than doubled our
tion of public fall-out shelters in schools and
acquisition rate of Polaris submarines-we
hospitals and similar centers.
doubled the production capacity for Minute-
man missiles-and increased by 50 percent
VI. THE UNITED NATIONS
the number of manned bombers standing
But arms alone are not enough to keep the
ready on a I5 minute alert. This year the
peace-it must be kept by men. Our instru-
combined force levels planned under our
ment and our hope is the United Nations-
new Defense budget-including nearly three
and I see little merit in the impatience of
hundred additional Polaris and Minuteman
those who would abandon this imperfect
missiles-have been precisely calculated to
world instrument because they dislike our
IO
John F. Kennedy, 1962
Jan. II [7]
g strength of our nuclear
imperfect world. For the troubles of a
much higher than our share of the annual
world organization merely reflect the
assessment-and the bond issue will in effect
may be tested at many
troubles of the world itself. And if the
reduce our disproportionate obligation, and
to have at all times the
organization is weakened, these troubles can
for these reasons, I am urging Congress to
non-nuclear or limited
only increase. We may not always agree
approve our participation.
olement to our nuclear
with every detailed action taken by every
With the approval of this Congress, we
ubstitute. We have re-
officer of the United Nations, or with every
have undertaken in the past year a great new
nothing posture which
voting majority. But as an institution, it
effort in outer space. Our aim is not simply
ice but inglorious retreat
should have in the future, as it has had in
to be first on the moon, any more than
ation.
the past since its inception, no stronger or
Charles Lindbergh's real aim was to be the
loubled the number of
more faithful member than the United States
first to Paris. His aim was to develop the
ions in the Army's stra-
of America.
techniques of our own country and other
reased our troops in
In 1961 the peace-keeping strength of the
countries in the field of air and the atmos-
he Marines-added new
United Nations was reinforced. And those
phere, and our objective in making this
pacity-modernized our
who preferred or predicted its demise, en-
effort, which we hope will place one of our
unition-expanded our
visioning a troika in the seat of Hammar-
citizens on the moon, is to develop in a new
es-and increased the
skjold-or Red China inside the Assembly-
frontier of science, commerce and coopera-
than 7° vessels and our
have seen instead a new vigor, under a new
tion, the position of the United States and
nearly a dozen wings.
Secretary General and a fully independent
the Free World.
led to reach this higher
Secretariat. In making plans for a new
This Nation belongs among the first to
readiness more quickly,
forum and principles on disarmament-for
explore it, and among the first-if not the
of the Reserve and Na-
peace-keeping in outer space-for a decade
first-we shall be. We are offering our
activated under the Act
of development effort-the UN fulfilled its
know-how and our cooperation to the
ome disruptions and dis-
Charter's lofty aim.
United Nations. Our satellites will soon be.
:. But the overwhelming
Eighteen months ago the tangled and
providing other nations with improved
eir burdens-and their
turbulent Congo presented the UN with its
weather observations. And I shall soon send
with admirable and tra-
gravest challenge. The prospect was one of
to the Congress a measure to govern the
chaos-or certain big-power confrontation,
financing and operation of an International
ar, our reserve programs
with all of its hazards and all of its risks,
Communications Satellite system, in a man-
70 Army Divisions will,
to us and to others. Today the hopes have
ner consistent with the public interest and
ose Guard Divisions on
improved for peaceful conciliation within a
our foreign policy.
tial other increases will
united Congo. This is the objective of our
But peace in space will help us naught
:e fighter units, the pro-
policy in this important area.
once peace on earth is gone. World order
nent, and our continental
No policeman is universally popular-
will be secured only when the whole world
ng efforts. The Nation's
particularly when he uses his stick to restore
has laid down these weapons which seem to
efense shelter program is
law and order on his beat. Those members
offer us present security but threaten the
ing, marking, and stock-
who are willing to contribute their votes and
future survival of the human race. That
ces; and I urge your ap-
their views-but very little else-have cre-
armistice day seems very far away. The vast
icentives for the construc-
ated a serious deficit by refusing to pay their
resources of this planet are being devoted
ut shelters in schools and
share of special UN assessments. Yet they
more and more to the means of destroying,
ar centers.
do pay their annual assessments to retain
instead of enriching, human life.
their votes-and a new UN Bond issue,
But the world was not meant to be a prison
INITED NATIONS
financing special operations for the next 18
in which man awaits his execution. Nor
re not enough to keep the
months, is to be repaid with interest from
has mankind survived the tests and trials of
kept by men. Our instru-
these regular assessments. This is clearly in
thousands of years to surrender everything-
: is the United Nations—
our interest. It will not only keep the UN
including its existence-now. This Nation
erit in the impatience of
solvent, but require all voting members to
has the will and the faith to make a supreme
abandon this imperfect
pay their fair share of its activities. Our
effort to break the log jam on disarmament
because they dislike our
share of special operations has long been
and nuclear tests-and we will persist until
II
[7] Jan. II
Public Papers of the Presidents
we prevail, until the rule of law has replaced
aid instead of military, individual plans to
the ever dangerous use of force.
meet the individual needs of the nations, and
new standards on what they must do to
marshal their own resources.
VII. LATIN AMERICA
A newly conceived Peace Corps is win-
I turn now to a prospect of great promise:
ning friends and helping people in fourteen
our Hemispheric relations. The Alliance
countries-supplying trained and dedicated
for Progress is being rapidly transformed
young men and women, to give these new
from proposal to program. Last month in
nations a hand in building a society, and a
Latin America I saw for myself the quicken-
glimpse of the best that is in our country.
ing of hope, the revival of confidence, the
If there is a problem here, it is that we
new trust in our country-among workers
cannot supply the spontaneous and mount-
and farmers as well as diplomats. We have
ing demand.
pledged our help in speeding their economic,
A newly-expanded Food for Peace Pro-
educational, and social progress. The Latin
gram is feeding the hungry of many lands
American Republics have in turn pledged a
with the abundance of our productive
new and strenuous effort of self-help and
farms-providing lunches for children in
self-reform.
school, wages for economic development,
To support this historic undertaking, I am
relief for the victims of flood and famine,
proposing-under the authority contained
and a better diet for millions whose daily
in the bills of the last session of the Con-
bread is their chief concern.
gress-a special long-term Alliance for
These programs help people; and, by help-
Progress fund of $3 billion. Combined with
ing people, they help freedom. The views
our Food for Peace, Export-Import Bank,
of their governments may sometimes be
and other resources, this will provide more
very different from ours-but events in
than $1 billion a year in new support for
Africa, the Middle East, and Eastern Europe
the Alliance. In addition, we have increased
teach us never to write off any nation as lost
twelvefold our Spanish and Portuguese-
to the Communists. That is the lesson of
language broadcasting in Latin America,
our time. We support the independence
and improved Hemispheric trade and de-
of those newer or weaker states whose his-
fense. And while the blight of communism
tory, geography, economy or lack of power
has been increasingly exposed and isolated
impels them to remain outside "entangling
in the Americas, liberty has scored a gain.
alliances"-as we did for more than a cen-
The people of the Dominican Republic, with
tury. For the independence of nations is
our firm encouragement and help, and those
a bar to the Communists' "grand design"-
of our sister Republics of this Hemisphere
it is the basis of our own.
are safely passing through the treacherous
In the past year, for example, we have
course from dictatorship through disorder
urged a neutral and independent Laos-
towards democracy.
regained there a common policy with our
major allies-and insisted that a cease-fire
precede negotiations. While a workable
VIII. THE NEW AND DEVELOPING NATIONS
formula for supervising its independence is
Our efforts to help other new or develop-
still to be achieved, both the spread of war-
ing nations, and to strengthen their stand
which might have involved this country
for freedom, have also made progress. A
also-and a Communist occupation have
newly unified Agency for International
thus far been prevented.
Development is reorienting our foreign as-
A satisfactory settlement in Laos would
sistance to emphasize long-term develop-
also help to achieve and safeguard the peace
ment loans instead of grants, more economic
in Viet-Nam-where the foe is increasing
I2
John F. Kennedy, 1962
Jan. II [7]
ary, individual plans to
his tactics of terror-where our own efforts
increasing pace, we are, and increasingly
needs of the nations, and
have been stepped up-and where the local
will be, partners in aid, trade, defense,
what they must do to
government has initiated new programs and
diplomacy, and monetary affairs.
esources.
reforms to broaden the base of resistance.
The emergence of the new Europe is being
ed Peace Corps is win-
The systematic aggression now bleeding that
matched by the emergence of new ties across
ping people in fourteen
country is not a "war of liberation"-for
the Atlantic. It is a matter of undramatic
; trained and dedicated
Viet-Nam is already free. It is a war of
daily cooperation in hundreds of workaday
men, to give these new
attempted subjugation-and it will be
tasks: of currencies kept in effective relation,
uilding a society, and a
resisted.
of development loans meshed together, of
that is in our country.
standardized weapons, and concerted diplo-
em here, it is that we
IX. THE ATLANTIC COMMUNITY
matic positions. The Atlantic Community
pontaneous and mount-
grows, not like a volcanic mountain, by one
Finally, the united strength of the Atlantic
mighty explosion, but like a coral reef, from
d Food for Peace Pro-
Community has flourished in the last year
the accumulating activity of all.
hungry of many lands
under severe tests. NATO has increased
Thus, we in the free world are moving
ce of our productive
both the number and the readiness of its air,
steadily toward unity and cooperation, in the
unches for children in
ground, and naval units-both its nuclear
teeth of that old Bolshevik prophecy, and at
economic development,
and non-nuclear capabilities. Even greater
the very time when extraordinary rumbles
IS of flood and famine,
efforts by all its members are still required.
of discord can be heard across the Iron
or millions whose daily
Nevertheless our unity of purpose and
Curtain. It is not free societies which bear
concern.
will has been, I believe, immeasurably
within them the seeds of inevitable disunity.
elp people; and, by help-
strengthened.
p freedom. The views
The threat to the brave city of Berlin
X. OUR BALANCE OF PAYMENTS
its may sometimes be
remains. In these last 6 months the Allies
1 ours-but events in
have made it unmistakably clear that our
On one special problem, of great concern
last, and Eastern Europe
presence in Berlin, our free access thereto,
to our friends, and to us, I am proud to give
ite off any nation as lost
and the freedom of two million West Ber-
the Congress an encouraging report. Our
That is the lesson of
liners would not be surrendered either to
efforts to safeguard the dollar are progress-
port the independence
force or through appeasement-and to main-
ing. In the II months preceding last Febru-
veaker states whose his-
tain those rights and obligations, we are
ary I, we suffered a net loss of nearly $2
nomy or lack of power
prepared to talk, when appropriate, and to
billion in gold. In the II months that fol-
ain outside "entangling
fight, if necessary. Every member of
lowed, the loss was just over half a billion
id for more than a cen-
NATO stands with us in a common com-
dollars. And our deficit in our basic trans-
:pendence of nations is
mitment to preserve this symbol of free
actions with the rest of the world—trade,
inists' "grand design"-
man's will to remain free.
defense, foreign aid, and capital, excluding
own.
I cannot now predict the course of future
volatile short-term flows-has been reduced
for example, we have
negotiations over Berlin. I can only say
from $2 billion for 1960 to about one-third
ad independent Laos—
that we are sparing no honorable effort to
that amount for 1961. Speculative fever
mmon policy with our
find a peaceful and mutually acceptable
against the dollar is ending-and confidence
nsisted that a cease-fire
resolution of this problem. I believe such a
in the dollar has been restored.
IS. While a workable
resolution can be found, and with it an
We did not-and could not-achieve these
sing its independence is
improvement in our relations with the Soviet
gains through import restrictions, troop
both the spread of war-
Union, if only the leaders in the Kremlin
withdrawals, exchange controls, dollar de-
involved this country
will recognize the basic rights and interests
valuation or choking off domestic recovery.
nunist occupation have
involved, and the interest of all mankind
We acted not in panic but in perspective.
nted.
in peace.
But the problem is not yet solved. Persist-
tlement in Laos would
But the Atlantic Community is no longer
ently large deficits would endanger our eco-
and safeguard the peace
concerned with purely military aims. As its
nomic growth and our military and defense
re the foe is increasing
common undertakings grow at an ever-
commitments abroad. Our goal must be a
I3
[7] Jan. II
Public Papers of the Presidents
reasonable equilibrium in our balance of
increase. Our balance of payments position
payments. With the cooperation of the
will improve. And we will have forged
Congress, business, labor, and our major
across the Atlantic a trading partnership
allies, that goal can be reached.
with vast resources for freedom.
We shall continue to attract foreign tour-
If, on the other hand, we hang back in
ists and investments to our shores, to seek
deference to local economic pressures, we
increased military purchases here by our
will find ourselves cut off from our major
allies, to maximize foreign aid procurement
allies. Industries-and I believe this is most
from American firms, to urge increased aid
vital-industries will move their plants and
from other fortunate nations to the less
jobs and capital inside the walls of the Com-
fortunate, to seek tax laws which do not
mon Market, and jobs, therefore, will be
favor investment in other industrialized
lost here in the United States if they cannot
nations or tax havens, and to urge coordina-
otherwise compete for its consumers. Our
tion of allied fiscal and monetary policies so
farm surpluses-our balance of trade, as you
as to discourage large and disturbing capital
all know, to Europe, the Common Market,
movements.
in farm products, is nearly three or four to
one in our favor, amounting to one of the
TRADE
best earners of dollars in our balance of pay-
Above all, if we are to pay for our com-
ments structure, and without entrance to this
mitments abroad, we must expand our
Market, without the ability to enter it, our
exports. Our businessmen must be export-
farm surpluses will pile up in the Middle
conscious and export competitive. Our tax
West, tobacco in the South, and other com-
policies must spur modernization of our
modities, which have gone through Western
plants-our wage and price gains must be
Europe for I5 years. Our balance of pay-
consistent with productivity to hold the line
ments position will worsen. Our consumers
on prices-our export credit and promotion
will lack a wider choice of goods at lower
campaigns for American industries must
prices. And millions of American work-
continue to expand.
ers-whose jobs depend on the sale or the
But the greatest challenge of all is posed
transportation or the distribution of exports
by the growth of the European Common
or imports, or whose jobs will be endangered
Market. Assuming the accession of the
by the movement of our capital to Europe,
United Kingdom, there will arise across
or whose jobs can be maintained only in an
the Atlantic a trading partner behind a
expanding economy-these millions of work-
single external tariff similar to ours with
ers in your home States and mine will see
an economy which nearly equals our own.
their real interests sacrificed.
Will we in this country adapt our thinking
Members of the Congress: The United
to these new prospects and patterns-or will
States did not rise to greatness by waiting
we wait until events have passed us by?
for others to lead. This Nation is the
This is the year to decide. The Reciprocal
world's foremost manufacturer, farmer,
Trade Act is expiring. We need a new
banker, consumer, and exporter. The Com-
law-a wholly new approach--a bold new
mon Market is moving ahead at an economic
instrument of American trade policy. Our
growth rate twice ours. The Communist
decision could well affect the unity of the
economic offensive is under way. The
West, the course of the Cold War, and the
opportunity is ours-the initiative is up to
economic growth of our Nation for a
us-and I believe that 1962 is the time.
generation to come.
To seize that initiative, I shall shortly
If we move decisively, our factories and
send to the Congress a new five-year Trade
farms can increase their sales to their richest,
Expansion Action, far-reaching in scope but
fastest-growing market. Our exports will
designed with great care to make certain
14
John F. Kennedy, 1962
Jan. I5 [8]
ince of payments position
that its benefits to our people far outweigh
build in partnership a new trading commu-
ad we will have forged
any risks. The bill will permit the gradual
nity in which all free nations may gain from
C a trading partnership
elimination of tariffs here in the United
the productive energy of free competitive
:s for freedom.
States and in the Common Market on those
effort.
hand, we hang back in
items in which we together supply 80 per-
These various elements in our foreign
economic pressures, we
cent of the world's trade-mostly items
policy lead, as I have said, to a single
cut off from our major
in which our own ability to compete is dem-
goal-the goal of a peaceful world of free
and I believe this is most
onstrated by the fact that we sell abroad,
and independent states. This is our guide
ill move their plants and
in these items, substantially more than we
for the present and our vision for the fu-
ide the walls of the Com-
import. This step will make it possible for
ture-a free community of nations, inde-
jobs, therefore, will be
our major industries to compete with their
pendent but interdependent, uniting north
ited States if they cannot
counterparts in Western Europe for access
and south, east and west, in one great family
for its consumers. Our
to European consumers.
of man, outgrowing and transcending the
r balance of trade, as you
On other goods the bill will permit a grad-
hates and fears that rend our age.
e, the Common Market,
ual reduction of duties up to 5° percent-
We will not reach that goal today, or
S nearly three or four to
permitting bargaining by major categories-
tomorrow. We may not reach it in our
amounting to one of the
and provide for appropriate and tested forms
own lifetime. But the quest is the greatest
a in our balance of pay-
of assistance to firms and employees adjust-
adventure of our century. We sometimes
i without entrance to this
ing to import competition. We are not
chafe at the burden of our obligations, the
e ability to enter it, our
neglecting the safeguards provided by peril
complexity of our decisions, the agony of
L pile up in the Middle
points, an escape clause, or the National
our choices. But there is no comfort or
e South, and other com-
Security Amendment. Nor are we aban-
security for us in evasion, no solution in
e gone through Western
doning our non-European friends or our
abdication, no relief in irresponsibility.
S. Our balance of pay-
traditional "most-favored nation" principle.
A year ago, in assuming the tasks of the
worsen. Our consumers
On the contrary, the bill will provide new
Presidency, I said that few generations, in
hoice of goods at lower
encouragement for their sale of tropical
all history, had been granted the role of
ons of American work-
agricultural products, so important to our
being the great defender of freedom in its
pend on the sale or the
friends in Latin America, who have long
hour of maximum danger. This is our good
e distribution of exports
depended upon the European market, who
fortune; and I welcome it now as I did a
jobs will be endangered
now find themselves faced with new chal-
year ago. For it is the fate of this genera-
f our capital to Europe,
lenges which we must join with them in
tion-of you in the Congress and of me as
e maintained only in an
overcoming.
President-to live with a struggle we did
-these millions of work-
Concessions, in this bargaining, must of
not start, in a world we did not make. But
tates and mine will see
course be reciprocal, not unilateral. The
the pressures of life are not always distrib-
crificed.
Common Market will not fulfill its own
uted by choice. And while no nation has
Congress: The United
high promise unless its outside tariff walls
ever faced such a challenge, no nation has
to greatness by waiting
are low. The dangers of restriction or ti-
ever been so ready to seize the burden and
This Nation is the
midity in our own policy have counterparts
the glory of freedom.
manufacturer, farmer,
for our friends in Europe. For together
And in this high endeavor, may God
nd exporter. The Com-
we face a common challenge: to enlarge
watch over the United States of America.
ng ahead at an economic
the prosperity of free men everywhere-to
ours. The Communist
is under way. The
-the initiative is up to
8 The President's News Conference of
at 1962 is the time.
January 15, 1962
itiative, I shall shortly
S a new five-year Trade
THE PRESIDENT. [I.] I have just one an-
documentation on the study of comparisons
ar-reaching in scope but
nouncement. I am sure you are all familiar
of those in our schools and universities and
: care to make certain
with the story in this morning's paper of the
the kind of subjects which they study which
I5
I
Message to the Finnish People on the Centennial of
the Birth of Jean Sibelius. January I, 1965
WE IN AMERICA celebrate this year the
throughout the world. For us, as for the
centennial of the birth of Jean Sibelius, the
people of Finland, his Finlandia has become
great Finnish composer. His achievement
a symbol of man's indomitable will for free-
has become a part of the world's cultural
dom. We are therefore proud to join in
heritage. Through his art, Sibelius has
doing homage to this son of Finland during
made an enduring contribution to the en-
Sibelius year.
richment of the human spirit, and his music
LYNDON B. JOHNSON
continues to bring enjoyment to people
NOTE: The message was released at Austin, Tex.
2 Annual Message to the Congress on the
State of the Union. January 4, 1965
[ As delivered in person before a joint session at 9:04 p.m. ]
Mr. Speaker, Mr. President, Members of the
years ago, in 1865, following a terrible test
Congress, my fellow Americans:
of blood and fire, the compact of union was
On this Hill which was my home, I am
finally sealed.
stirred by old friendships.
For a second century we labored to estab-
Though total agreement between the Ex-
lish a unity of purpose and interest among
ecutive and the Congress is impossible, total
the many groups which make up the Amer-
respect is important.
ican community.
I am proud to be among my colleagues of
That struggle has often brought pain and
the Congress whose legacy to their trust is
violence. It is not yet over. But we have
their loyalty to their Nation.
achieved a unity of interest among our peo-
I am not unaware of the inner emotions
ple that is unmatched in the history of
of the new Members of this body tonight.
freedom.
Twenty-eight years ago, I felt as you do
And so tonight, now, in 1965, we begin a
now. You will soon learn that you are
new quest for union. We seek the unity of
among men whose first love is their country,
man with the world that he has built-with
men who try each day to do as best they
the knowledge that can save or destroy
can what they believe is right.
him-with the cities which can stimulate or
We are entering the third century of the
stifle him-with the wealth and the ma-
pursuit of American union.
chines which can enrich or menace his spirit.
Two hundred years ago, in 1765, nine
We seek to establish a harmony between
assembled colonies first joined together to
man and society which will allow each of
demand freedom from arbitrary power.
us to enlarge the meaning of his life and
For the first century we struggled to hold
all of us to elevate the quality of our
together the first continental union of democ-
civilization.
racy in the history of man. One hundred
This is the search that we begin tonight.
I
[2] Jan. 4
Public Papers of the Presidents
STATE OF THE WORLD
they keep man less than God means him to
be.
But the unity we seek cannot realize its
We are moving toward that destiny, never
full promise in isolation. For today the
more rapidly than we have moved in the last
state of the Union depends, in large measure,
4 years.
upon the state of the world.
In this period we have built a military
Our concern and interest, compassion and
power strong enough to meet any threat and
vigilance, extend to every corner of a dwin-
destroy any adversary. And that superiority
dling planet.
will continue to grow so long as this office
Yet, it is not merely our concern but the
is mine-and you sit on Capitol Hill.
concern of all free men. We will not, and
In this period no new nation has become
we should not, assume that it is the task of
Communist, and the unity of the Communist
Americans alone to settle all the conflicts of
empire has begun to crumble.
a torn and troubled world.
In this period we have resolved in friend-
Let the foes of freedom take no comfort
ship our disputes with our neighbors of the
from this. For in concert with other na-
hemisphere, and joined in an Alliance for
tions, we shall help men defend their
Progress toward economic growth and politi-
freedom.
cal democracy.
Our first aim remains the safety and the
In this period we have taken more steps
well-being of our own country.
toward peace-including the test ban
We are prepared to live as good neighbors
treaty-than at any time since the cold war
with all, but we cannot be indifferent to acts
began.
designed to injure our interests, or our citi-
In this period we have relentlessly pursued
zens, or our establishments abroad. The
our advances toward the conquest of space.
community of nations requires mutual re-
Most important of all, in this period, the
spect. We shall extend it-and we shall
United States has reemerged into the full-
expect it.
ness of its self-confidence and purpose. No
In our relations with the world we shall
longer are we called upon to get America
follow the example of Andrew Jackson who
moving. We are moving. No longer do
said: "I intend to ask for nothing that is not
we doubt our strength or resolution. We
clearly right and to submit to nothing that
are strong and we have proven our resolve.
is wrong." And he promised, that "the
No longer can anyone wonder whether
honor of my country shall never be stained
we are in the grip of historical decay. We
by an apology from me for the statement of
know that history is ours to make. And if
truth or for the performance of duty." That
there is great danger, there is now also the
was this Nation's policy in the 1830's and
excitement of great expectations.
that is this Nation's policy in the 1960's.
Our own freedom and growth have never
AMERICA AND THE COMMUNIST NATIONS
been the final goal of the American dream.
We were never meant to be an oasis of
Yet we still live in a troubled and perilous
liberty and abundance in a worldwide desert
world. There is no longer a single threat.
of disappointed dreams. Our Nation was
There are many. They differ in intensity
created to help strike away the chains of
and in danger. They require different at-
ignorance and misery and tyranny wherever
titudes and different answers.
2
Lyndon B. Johnson, 1965
Jan. 4 [2]
is than God means him to
With the Soviet Union we seek peaceful
and in that cause America will never be
understandings that can lessen the danger to
found wanting.
toward that destiny, never
freedom.
we have moved in the last
Last fall I asked the American people to
THE NON-COMMUNIST WORLD
choose that course.
we have built a military
I will carry forward their command.
But communism is not the only source of
igh to meet any threat and
If we are to live together in peace, we
trouble and unrest. There are older and
ary. And that superiority
must come to know each other better.
deeper sources-in the misery of nations and
;row so long as this office
I am sure that the American people would
in man's irrepressible ambition for liberty
sit on Capitol Hill.
welcome a chance to listen to the Soviet
and a better life.
o new nation has become
leaders on our television-as I would like
With the free Republics of Latin America
ne unity of the Communist
the Soviet people to hear our leaders on
I have always felt-and my country has
to crumble.
theirs.
always felt-very special ties of interest and
e have resolved in friend-
I hope the new Soviet leaders can visit
affection. It will be the purpose of my ad-
with our neighbors of the
America so they can learn about our country
ministration to strengthen these ties. To-
joined in an Alliance for
at firsthand.
gether we share and shape the destiny of the
onomic growth and politi-
In Eastern Europe restless nations are
new world. In the coming year I hope to
slowly beginning to assert their identity.
pay a visit to Latin America. And I will
ve have taken more steps
Your Government, assisted by the leaders in
steadily enlarge our commitment to the
ncluding the test ban
American labor and business, is now explor-
Alliance for Progress as the instrument of
y time since the cold war
ing ways to increase peaceful trade with these
our war against poverty and injustice in this
countries and with the Soviet Union. I will
hemisphere.
: have relentlessly pursued
report our conclusions to the Congress.
In the Atlantic community we continue
ard the conquest of space.
In Asia, communism wears a more aggres-
to pursue our goal of 20 years-a Europe
of all, in this period, the
sive face.
that is growing in strength, unity, and coop-
reemerged into the full-
We see that in Viet-Nam.
eration with America. A great unfinished
fidence and purpose. No
Why are we there?
task is the reunification of Germany through
led upon to get America
We are there, first, because a friendly na-
self-determination.
moving. No longer do
tion has asked us for help against the
This European policy is not based on any
ength or resolution. We
Communist aggression. Ten years ago our
abstract design. It is based on the realities
have proven our resolve.
President pledged our help. Three Presi-
of common interests and common values,
anyone wonder whether
dents have supported that pledge. We will
common dangers and common expectations.
I of historical decay. We
not break it now.
These realities will continue to have their
is ours to make. And if
Second, our own security is tied to the
way-especially, I think, in our expanding
ger, there is now also the
peace of Asia. Twice in one generation we
trade and especially in our common defense.
it expectations.
have had to fight against aggression in the
Free Americans have shaped the policies
Far East. To ignore aggression now would
of the United States. And because we know
IE COMMUNIST NATIONS
only increase the danger of a much larger
these realities, those policies have been, and
war.
will be, in the interest of Europe.
in a troubled and perilous
Our goal is peace in southeast Asia. That
Free Europeans must shape the course of
no longer a single threat.
will come only when aggressors leave their
Europe. And, for the same reasons, that
They differ in intensity
neighbors in peace.
course has been, and will be, in our interest
They require different at-
What is at stake is the cause of freedom
and in the interest of freedom.
ent answers.
3
55-947-66-vol. 1-6
[2] Jan. 4
Public Papers of the Presidents
I found this truth confirmed in my talks
TOWARD THE GREAT SOCIETY
with European leaders in the last year. I
hope to repay these visits to some of our
World affairs will continue to call upon
friends in Europe this year.
our energy and our courage.
In Africa and Asia we are witnessing the
But today we can turn increased attention
turbulent unfolding of new nations and
to the character of American life.
continents.
We are in the midst of the greatest up-
We welcome them to the society of
ward surge of economic well-being in the
nations.
history of any nation.
We are committed to help those seeking
Our flourishing progress has been marked
to strengthen their own independence, and
by price stability that is unequalled in the
to work most closely with those govern-
world. Our balance of payments deficit has
ments dedicated to the welfare of all of their
declined and the soundness of our dollar
people.
is unquestioned. I pledge to keep it that
We seek not fidelity to an iron faith, but
way and I urge business and labor to coop-
a diversity of belief as varied as man him-
erate to that end.
self. We seek not to extend the power of
We worked for two centuries to climb this
America but the progress of humanity. We
peak of prosperity. But we are only at the
seek not to dominate others but to strengthen
beginning of the road to the Great Society.
the freedom of all people.
Ahead now is a summit where freedom
I will seek new ways to use our knowledge
from the wants of the body can help fulfill
to help deal with the explosion in world
the needs of the spirit.
population and the growing scarcity in
We built this Nation to serve its people.
world resources.
We want to grow and build and create,
Finally, we renew our commitment to the
but we want progress to be the servant and
continued growth and the effectiveness of
not the master of man.
the United Nations. The frustrations of
We do not intend to live in the midst of
the United Nations are a product of the
abundance, isolated from neighbors and
world that we live in, and not of the institu-
nature, confined by blighted cities and bleak
tion which gives them voice. It is far bet-
suburbs, stunted by a poverty of learning
ter to throw these differences open to the
and an emptiness of leisure.
assembly of nations than to permit them to
The Great Society asks not how much,
fester in silent danger.
but how good; not only how to create wealth
These are some of the goals of the Amer-
but how to use it; not only how fast we are
ican Nation in the world in which we live.
going, but where we are headed.
For ourselves we seek neither praise nor
It proposes as the first test for a nation:
blame, neither gratitude nor obedience.
the quality of its people.
We seek peace.
This kind of society will not flower spon-
We seek freedom.
taneously from swelling riches and surging
We seek to enrich the life of man.
power.
For that is the world in which we will
It will not be the gift of government or
flourish and that is the world that we mean
the creation of presidents.
for all men to ultimately have.
It will require of every American, for
4
Lyndon B. Johnson, 1965
Jan. 4 [2]
E GREAT SOCIETY
many generations, both faith in the destina-
Tonight I would like just briefly to explain
tion and the fortitude to make the journey.
some of my major recommendations in the
11 continue to call upon
And like freedom itself, it will always be
three main areas of national need.
courage.
challenge and not fulfillment.
turn increased attention
And tonight we accept that challenge.
I. A GROWING ECONOMY
American life.
nidst of the greatest up-
A NATIONAL AGENDA
BASIC POLICIES
nomic well-being in the
on.
I propose that we begin a program in edu-
First, we must keep our Nation prosper-
rogress has been marked
cation to ensure every American child the
ous. We seek full employment opportunity
hat is unequalled in the
fullest development of his mind and skills.
for every American citizen. I will present
e of payments deficit has
I propose that we begin a massive attack
a budget designed to move the economy for-
soundness of our dollar
on crippling and killing diseases.
ward. More money will be left in the hands
pledge to keep it that
I propose that we launch a national effort
of the consumer by a substantial cut in excise
siness and labor to coop-
to make the American city a better and a
taxes. We will continue along the path
more stimulating place to live.
toward a balanced budget in a balanced
NO centuries to climb this
VI propose that we increase the beauty of
economy.
But we are only at the
America and end the poisoning of our rivers
I confidently predict-what every eco-
bad to the Great Society.
and the air that we breathe.
nomic sign tells us tonight-the continued
summit where freedom
I propose that we carry out a new program
flourishing of the American economy.
the body can help fulfill
to develop regions of our country that are
But we must remember that fear of a
rit.
now suffering from distress and depression.
recession can contribute to the fact of a reces-
ation to serve its people.
I propose that we make new efforts to
sion. The knowledge that our Government
W and build and create,
control and prevent crime and delinquency.
will, and can, move swiftly will strengthen
ess to be the servant and
I propose that we eliminate every remain-
the confidence of investors and business.
nan.
ing obstacle to the right and the opportunity
Congress can reinforce this confidence by
d to live in the midst of
to vote.
insuring that its procedures permit rapid
d from neighbors and
I propose that we honor and support the
action on temporary income tax cuts. And
blighted cities and bleak
achievements of thought and the creations of
special funds for job-creating public pro-
y a poverty of learning
art.
grams should be made available for imme-
of leisure.
I propose that we make an all-out cam-
diate use if recession threatens.
ety asks not how much,
paign against waste and inefficiency.
Our continued prosperity demands con-
only how to create wealth
tinued price stability. Business, labor, and
not only how fast we are
THE TASK
the consumer all have a high stake in keep-
re are headed.
ing wages and prices within the framework
ie first test for a nation:
Our basic task is threefold:
of the guideposts that have already served the
eople.
First, to keep our economy growing;
Nation so well.
iety will not flower spon-
-to open for all Americans the opportu-
Finding new markets abroad for our goods
elling riches and surging
nity that is now enjoyed by most Americans;
depends on the initiative of American busi-
-and to improve the quality of life for all.
ness. But we stand ready-with credit and
e gift of government or
In the next 6 weeks I will submit special
other help-to assist the flow of trade which
sidents.
messages with detailed proposals for national
will benefit the entire Nation.
of every American, for
action in each of these areas.
5
[2] Jan. 4
Public Papers of the Presidents
ON THE FARMS
I will ask for funds to study high-speed
rail transportation between urban centers.
Our economy owes much to the efficiency
We will begin. with test projects between
of our farmers. We must continue to assure
Washington and Boston. On high-speed
them the opportunity to earn a fair reward.
trains, passengers could travel this distance
I have instructed the Secretary of Agriculture
in less than 4 hours.
to lead a major effort to find new approaches
to reduce the heavy cost of our farm pro-
II. OPPORTUNITY FOR ALL
grams and to direct more of our effort to the
small farmer who needs the help the most
Second, we must open opportunity to all
our people.
INCREASED PROSPERITY
Most Americans enjoy a good life. But
far too many are still trapped in poverty and
We can help insure continued prosperity
idleness and fear.
through:
Let a just nation throw open to them the
-a regional recovery program to assist
city of promise:
the development of stricken areas left be-
-to the elderly, by providing hospital care
hind by our national progress;
under social security and by raising benefit
-further efforts to provide our workers
payments to those struggling to maintain
with the skills demanded by modern tech-
the dignity of their later years;
nology; for the laboring-man is an indis-
-to the poor and the unfortunate,
pensable force in the American system;
through doubling- the war against poverty
-the extension of the minimum wage to
this year;
more than 2 million unprotected workers;
-to Negro Americans, through enforce-
-the improvement and the moderniza-
ment of the civil rights law and elimination
tion of the unemployment compensation
of barriers to the right to vote;
system.
-to those in other lands that are seeking
And as pledged in our 1960 and 1964
the promise of America, through an immi-
Democratic platforms, I will propose to Con-
gration law based on the work a man can
gress changes in the Taft-Hartley Act in-
do and not where he was born or how he
cluding section 14(b). I will do so hoping
spells his name.
to reduce the conflicts that for several years
have divided Americans in various States of
III. To ENRICH THE LIFE OF ALL
our Union.
In a country that spans a continent mod-
Our third goal is to improve the quality
ern transportation is vital to continued
of American life.
growth.
THROUGH EDUCATION
TRANSPORTATION FOR GROWTH
We begin with learning.
I will recommend heavier reliance on com-
Every child must have the best education
petition in transportation and a new policy
that this Nation can provide.
for our merchant marine.
Thomas Jefferson said that no nation can
6
Lyndon B. Johnson, 1965
Jan. 4 [2]
ds to study high-speed
be both ignorant and free. Today no na-
children from poor families, including serv-
between urban centers.
tion can be both ignorant and great.
ices for the mentally retarded.
1 test projects between
In addition to our existing programs, I
oston. On high-speed
will recommend a new program for schools
THROUGH IMPROVING THE WORLD WE LIVE IN
uld travel this distance
and students with a first year authorization
The City
of $1,500 million.
It will help at every stage along the road
An educated and healthy people require
INITY FOR ALL
to learning.
surroundings in harmony with their hopes.
For the preschool years we will help needy
In our urban areas the central problem
open opportunity to all
children become aware of the excitement of
today is to protect and restore man's satis-
learning.
faction in belonging to a community where
enjoy a good life. But
For the primary and secondary school
he can find security and significance.
trapped in poverty and
years we will aid public schools serving low-
The first step is to break old patterns-to
income families and assist students in both
begin to think and work and plan for the
throw open to them the
public and private schools.
development of the entire metropolitan
For the college years we will provide
areas. We will take this step with new pro-
y providing hospital care
scholarships to high school students of the
grams of help for the basic community fa-
/ and by raising benefit
greatest promise and the greatest need and
cilities and for neighborhood centers of
struggling to maintain
we will guarantee low-interest loans to stu-
health and recreation.
later years;
dents continuing their college studies.
New and existing programs will be open
and the unfortunate,
New laboratories and centers will help our
to those cities which work together to de-
he war against poverty
schools-help them lift their standards of ex-
velop unified long-range policies for metro-
cellence and explore new methods of teach-
politan areas.
ricans, through enforce-
ing. These centers will provide special
We must also make some very important
;hts law and elimination
training for those who need and those who
changes in our housing programs if we are
ght to vote;
deserve special treatment.
to pursue these same basic goals.
er lands that are seeking
So a Department of Housing and Urban
erica, through an immi-
THROUGH BETTER HEALTH
Development will be needed to spearhead
on the work a man can
this effort in our cities.
he was born or how he
Greatness requires not only an educated
Every citizen has the right to feel secure in
people but a healthy people.
his home and on the streets of his community.
Our goal is to match the achievements of
To help control crime, we will recommend
I THE LIFE OF ALL
our medicine to the afflictions of our people.
programs:
We already carry on a large program in
-to train local law enforcement officers;
S to improve the quality
this country for research and health.
-to put the best techniques of modern
In addition, regional medical centers can
science at their disposal;
provide the most advanced diagnosis and
-to discover the causes of crime and better
H EDUCATION
treatment for heart disease and cancer and
ways to prevent it.
stroke and other major diseases.
I will soon assemble a panel of outstand-
earning.
New support for medical and dental edu-
ing experts of this Nation to search out
t have the best education
cation will provide the trained people to
answers to the national problem of crime and
in provide.
apply our knowledge.
delinquency, and I welcome the recommen-
n said that no nation can
Community centers can help the mentally
dations and the constructive efforts of the
ill and improve health care for school-age
Congress.
7
[2] Jan. 4
Public Papers of the Presidents
The Beauty of America
Foundation on the Arts.
To develop knowledge which will enrich
For over three centuries the beauty of
our lives and ensure our progress, I will
at
America has sustained our spirit and has
recommend programs to encourage basic
g
enlarged our vision. We must act now to
science, particularly in the universities-and
y
protect this heritage. In a fruitful new part-
to bring closer the day when the oceans will
C
nership with the States and the cities the next
supply our growing need for fresh water.
decade should be a conservation milestone.
We must make a massive effort to save the
IV. THE GOVERNMENT
di
countryside and to establish-as a green
legacy for tomorrow-more large and small
For government to serve these goals it
parks, more seashores and open spaces than
must be modern in structure, efficient in
have been created during any other period
action, and ready for any emergency.
in our national history.
I am busy, currently, reviewing the struc-
A new and substantial effort must be made
ture of the entire executive branch of this
y
to landscape highways to provide places of
Government. I hope to reshape it and to
relaxation and recreation wherever our roads
reorganize it to meet more effectively the
run.
tasks of the 20th century.
Within our cities imaginative programs
Wherever waste is found, I will eliminate
are needed to landscape streets and to trans-
it.
form open areas into places of beauty and
Last year we saved almost $3,500 million
recreation.
by eliminating waste in the National Gov-
We will seek legal power to prevent pollu-
ernment.
tion of our air and water before it happens.
And I intend to do better this year.
We will step up our effort to control harmful
And very soon I will report to you on our
wastes, giving first priority to the cleanup
progress and on new economies that your
of our most contaminated rivers. We will
Government plans to make.
increase research to learn much more about
Even the best of government is subject to
a
the control of pollution.
the worst of hazards.
We hope to make the Potomac a model
I will propose laws to insure the necessary
of beauty here in the Capital, and preserve
continuity of leadership should the President
unspoiled stretches of some of our waterways
become disabled or die.
with a Wild Rivers bill.
In addition, I will propose reforms in the
More ideas for a beautiful America will
electoral college-leaving undisturbed the
emerge from a White House Conference on
vote by States-but making sure that no
Natural Beauty which I will soon call.
elector can substitute his will for that of the
people.
Art and Science
Last year, in a sad moment, I came here
1
and I spoke to you after 33 years of public
We must also recognize and encourage
service, practically all of them here on this
those who can be pathfinders for the Nation's
Hill.
imagination and understanding.
This year I speak after I year as President
To help promote and honor creative
of the United States.
achievements, I will propose a National
Many of you in this Chamber are among
8
Lyndon B. Johnson, 1965
Jan. 6 [3]
Arts.
my oldest friends. We have shared many
Well, they were restless, of course, and
vledge which will enrich
happy moments and many hours of work,
they had to be moving on. But there was
are our progress, I will
and we have watched many Presidents to-
more than that. There was a dream-a
ams to encourage basic
gether. Yet, only in the White House can
dream of a place where a free man could
in the universities-and
you finally know the full weight of this
build for himself, and raise his children to
day when the oceans will
Office.
a better life-a dream of a continent to be
; need for fresh water.
The greatest burden is not running the
conquered, a world to be won, a nation to
huge operations of government-or meeting
be made.
GOVERNMENT
daily troubles, large and small-or even
Remembering this, I knew the answer.
working with the Congress.
A President does not shape a new and
to serve these goals it
A President's hardest task is not to do
personal vision of America.
in structure, efficient in
what is right, but to know what is right.
He collects it from the scattered hopes of
or any emergency.
Yet the Presidency brings no special gift
the American past.
ntly, reviewing the struc-
of prophecy or foresight. You take an oath,
It existed when the first settlers saw the
executive branch of this
you step into an office, and you must then
coast of a new world, and when the first
pe to reshape it and to
help guide a great democracy.
pioneers moved westward.
eet more effectively the
The answer was waiting for me in the
It has guided us every step of the way.
entury.
land where I was born.
It sustains every President. But it is also
is found, I will eliminate
It was once barren land. The angular
your inheritance and it belongs equally to
hills were covered with scrub cedar and a
all the people that we all serve.
ed almost $3,500 million
few large live oaks. Little would grow in
It must be interpreted anew by each gen-
ite in the National Gov-
that harsh caliche soil of my country. And
eration for its own needs; as I have tried, in
each spring the Pedernales River would
part, to do tonight.
do better this year.
flood our valley.
It shall lead us as we enter the third cen-
will report to you on our
But men came and they worked and they
tury of the search for "a more perfect
ew economies that your
endured and they built.
union."
to make.
And tonight that country is abundant;
This, then, is the state of the Union: Free
government is subject to
abundant with fruit and cattle and goats and
and restless, growing and full of hope.
ds.
sheep, and there are pleasant homes and
So it was in the beginning.
vs to insure the necessary
lakes and the floods are gone.
So it shall always be, while God is willing,
ship should the President
Why did men come to that once forbid-
and we are strong enough to keep the faith.
die.
ding land?
Il propose reforms in the
leaving undisturbed the
it making sure that no
te his will for that of the
3
Letter to Alice Roosevelt Longworth on the 46th Anniversary
of the Death of Theodore Roosevelt. January 6, 1965
ad moment, I came here
Dear Mrs. Longworth:
President. He converted the Republican
1 after 33 years of public
On this occasion of the 46th anniversary
Party into a vehicle that was at once ven-
all of them here on this
of the death of your father, President Theo-
turesome and hardheaded. He developed
dore Roosevelt, I have been thinking over
the doctrine of the Presidency-to use his
: after I year as President
the enormous significance of his contribu-
phrase-as "the steward" of the interests of
S.
tions to our nation.
all the American people, and he pioneered
this Chamber are among
President Roosevelt was the first modern
in making the economic and social welfare
9
[8] Jan. 21
Public Papers of the Presidents
on January 20, 1970, at the age of 79. He
Ronald L. Ziegler during his regular news
had served as Secretary of the Treasury in the
briefing at the White House on January 21,
Eisenhower administration from 1953 to 1957.
1970.
The statement was read by Press Secretary
9
Annual Message to the Congress on the
State of the Union. January 22, 1970
Mr. Speaker, Mr. President, my colleagues
emphasis on developing better ways of
in the Congress, our distinguished guests
managing what we have and of complet-
and my fellow Americans:
ing what man's genius has begun but left
To address a joint session of the Con-
unfinished.
gress in this great Chamber in which I was
Our land, this land that is ours together,
once privileged to serve is an honor for
is a great and a good land. It is also an
which I am deeply grateful.
unfinished land, and the challenge of per-
The State of the Union Address is tradi-
fecting it is the summons of the seventies.
tionally an occasion for a lengthy and
It is in that spirit that I address myself
detailed account by the President of what
to those great issues facing our Nation
he has accomplished in the past, what he
which are above partisanship.
wants the Congress to do in the future,
When we speak of America's priorities
and, in an election year, to lay the basis
the first priority must always be peace for
for the political issues which might be de-
America and the world.
cisive in the fall.
The major immediate goal of our for-
Occasionally there comes a time when
eign policy is to bring an end to the war
profound and far-reaching events com-
in Vietnam in a way that our generation
mand a break with tradition.
will be remembered-not so much as the
This is such a time.
generation that suffered in war, but more
I say this not only because 1970 marks
for the fact that we had the courage and
the beginning of a new decade in which
character to win the kind of a just peace
America will celebrate its 200th birthday.
that the next generation was able to keep.
I say it because new knowledge and hard
We are making progress toward that
experience argue persuasively that both
goal.
our programs and our institutions in
The prospects for peace are far greater
America need to be reformed.
today than they were a year ago.
The moment has arrived to harness the
A major part of the credit for this
vast energies and abundance of this land
development goes to the Members of this
to the creation of a new American ex-
Congress who, despite their differences on
perience, an experience richer and deeper
the conduct of the war, have overwhelm-
and more truly a reflection of the goodness
ingly indicated their support of a just
and grace of the human spirit.
peace. By this action, you have completely
The seventies will be a time of new be-
demolished the enemy's hopes that they
ginnings, 2 time of exploring both on the
can gain in Washington the victory our
earth and in the heavens, a time of dis-
fighting men have denied them in
covery. But the time has also come for
Vietnam.
8
nts
Richard Nixon, 1970
Jan. 22 [9]
Ziegler during his regular news
No goal could be greater than to make
ment of other nations can be exclusively
the White House on January 21,
the next generation the first in this cen-
or primarily an American undertaking.
tury in which America was at peace with
The nations of each part of the world
every nation in the world.
should assume the primary responsibility
I shall discuss in detail the new con-
for their own well-being; and they them-
e
cepts and programs designed to achieve
selves should determine the terms of that
this goal in a separate report on foreign
well-being.
policy, which I shall submit to the Con-
We shall be faithful to our treaty com-
n developing better ways of
gress at a later date.
mitments, but we shall reduce our involve-
what we have and of complet-
Today, let me describe the directions of
ment and our presence in other nations'
our new policies.
affairs.
an's genius has begun but left
We have based our policies on an
To insist that other nations play a role
this land that is ours together,
evaluation of the world as it is, not as it
is not a retreat from responsibility; it is a
nd a good land. It is also an
was 25 years ago at the conclusion of
sharing of responsibility.
and, and the challenge of per-
World War II. Many of the policies which
The result of this new policy has been
the summons of the seventies.
were necessary and right then are obsolete
not to weaken our alliances, but to give
at spirit that I address myself
today.
them new life, new strength, a new sense
eat issues facing our Nation
Then, because of America's overwhelm-
of common purpose.
love partisanship.
ing military and economic strength, be-
Relations with our European allies
speak of America's priorities
cause of the weakness of other major
are once again strong and healthy,
free world powers and the inability of
based on mutual consultation and mutual
rity must always be peace for
1 the world.
scores of newly independent nations to
responsibility.
or immediate goal of our for-
defend, or even govern, themselves, Amer-
We have initiated a new approach to
is to bring an end to the war
ica had to assume the major burden for
Latin America in which we deal with
in a way that our generation
the defense of freedom in the world.
those nations as partners rather than
mbered-not SO much as the
In two wars, first in Korea and now in
patrons.
Vietnam, we furnished most of the money,
The new partnership concept has been
hat suffered in war, but more
that we had the courage and
most of the arms, most of the men to help
welcomed in Asia. We have developed an
other nations defend their freedom.
historic new basis for Japanese-American
win the kind of a just peace
generation was able to keep.
Today the great industrial nations of
friendship and cooperation, which is the
Europe, as well as Japan, have regained
linchpin for peace in the Pacific.
haking progress toward that
their economic strength; and the nations
If we are to have peace in the last third
of Latin America-and many of the na-
of the century, a major factor will be the
ects for peace are far greater
hey were a year ago.
tions who acquired their freedom from
development of a new relationship be-
colonialism after World War II in Asia
tween the United States and the Soviet
part of the credit for this
goes to the Members of this
and Africa-have a new sense of pride
Union.
o, despite their differences on
and dignity and a determination to as-
I would not underestimate our differ-
of the war, have overwhelm-
sume the responsibility for their own
ences, but we are moving with precision
defense.
and purpose from an era of confronta-
ted their support of a just
That is the basis of the doctrine I an-
tion to an era of negotiation.
5 action, you have completely
nounced at Guam.¹
Our negotiations on strategic arms lim-
he enemy's hopes that they
Neither the defense nor the develop-
itations and in other areas will have far
Washington the victory our
greater chance for success if both sides en-
n have denied them in
1 See 1969 volume, Item 279.
ter them motivated by mutual self-inter-
9
[9] Jan. 22
Public Papers of the Presidents
est rather than naive sentimentality.
Ours has become-as it continues to
It is with this same spirit that we have
be, and should remain-a society of large
resumed discussions with Communist
expectations. Government helped to gen-
China in our talks at Warsaw.
erate these expectations. It undertook to
Our concern in our relations with both
meet them. Yet, increasingly, it proved
these nations is to avoid a catastrophic col-
unable to do so.
lision and to build a solid basis for peace-
As a people, we had too many visions-
ful settlement of our differences.
and too little vision.
I would be the last to suggest that the
Now, as we enter the seventies, we
road to peace is not difficult and danger-
should enter also a great age of reform of
ous, but I believe our new policies have
the institutions of American government.
contributed to the prospect that America
Our purpose in this period should not
may have the best chance since World
be simply better management of the pro-
War II to enjoy a generation of uninter-
grams of the past. The time has come for
rupted peace. And that chance will be
a new quest-a quest not for a greater
enormously increased if we continue to
quantity of what we have, but for a new
have a relationship between Congress and
quality of life in America.
the Executive in which, despite differences
A major part of the substance for an un-
in detail, where the security of America
precedented advance in this Nation's ap-
and the peace of mankind are concerned,
proach to its problems and opportunities
we act not as Republicans, not as Demo-
is contained in more than two score legis-
crats, but as Americans.
lative proposals which I sent to the Con-
As we move into the decade of the
gress last year and which still await
seventies, we have the greatest opportu-
enactment.
nity for progress at home of any people
I will offer at least a dozen more major
in world history.
programs in the course of this session.
Our gross national product will increase
At this point I do not intend to go
by $500 billion in the next IO years. This
through a detailed listing of what I have
increase alone is greater than the entire
proposed or will propose, but I would like
growth of the American economy from
to mention three areas in which urgent
1790 to 1950.
priorities demand that we move and move
The critical question is not whether we
now:
will grow, but how we will use that
First, we cannot delay longer in accom-
growth.
plishing a total reform of our welfare
The decade of the sixties was also a pe-
system. When a system penalizes work,
riod of great growth economically. But in
breaks up homes, robs recipients of dig-
that same 10-year period we witnessed
nity, there is no alternative to abolishing
the greatest growth of crime, the greatest
that system and adopting in its place the
increase in inflation, the greatest social un-
program of income support, job training,
rest in America in 100 years. Never has a
and work incentives which I recom-
nation seemed to have had more and
mended to the Congress last year.
enjoyed it less.
Second, the time has come to assess and
At heart, the issue is the effectiveness
reform all of our institutions of govern-
of government.
ment at the Federal, State, and local level.
IO
Richard Nixon, 1970
Jan. 22 [9]
become-as it continues to
It is time for a New Federalism, in which,
In that same decade the American peo-
1 remain-a society of large
Government helped to gen-
after 190 years of power flowing from the
ple paid the bill for that deficit in price
people and local and State governments
increases which raised the cost of living
pectations. It undertook to
to Washington, D.C., it will begin to flow
for the average family of four by $200
et, increasingly, it proved
from Washington back to the States and
per month in America.
we had too many visions—
to the people of the United States.
Now millions of Americans are forced
ision.
Third, we must adopt reforms which
to go into debt today because the Federal
will expand the range of opportunities for
Government decided to go into debt yes-
e enter the seventies, we
all Americans: We can fulfill the Ameri-
terday. We must balance our Federal
so a great age of reform of
can dream only when each person has a
budget so that American families will have
of American government.
fair chance to fulfill his own dreams. This
a better chance to balance their family
in this period should not
means equal voting rights, equal employ-
budgets.
r management of the pro-
1st. The time has come for
ment opportunity, and new opportunities
Only with the cooperation of the Con-
for expanded ownership. Because in order
gress can we meet this highest priority
a quest not for a greater
to be secure in their human rights, people
objective of responsible government.
at we have, but for a new
America.
need access to property rights.
We are on the right track.
I could give similar examples of the
We had a balanced budget in 1969.
of the substance for an un-
need for reform in our programs for
This administration cut more than $7
vance in this Nation's ap-
health, education, housing, transporta-
billion out of spending plans in order to
oblems and opportunities
tion, as well as other critical areas which
produce a surplus in 1970, and in spite of
nore than two score legis-
directly affect the well-being of millions
the fact that Congress reduced revenues
which I sent to the Con-
of Americans.
by $3 billion, I shall recommend a bal-
and which still await
The people of the United States should
anced budget for 1971
wait no longer for these reforms that
But I can assure you that not only to
least a dozen more major
would so deeply enhance the quality of
present, but to stay within, a balanced
e course of this session.
their life.
budget requires some very hard decisions.
I do not intend to go
When I speak of actions which would
It means rejecting spending programs
ed listing of what I have
be beneficial to the American people, I
which would benefit some of the people
propose, but I would like
can think of none more important than
when their net effect would result in price
e areas in which urgent
for the Congress to join this administra-
increases for all the people.
1 that we move and move
tion in the battle to stop the rise in the
It is time to quit putting good money
cost of living.
into bad programs. Otherwise, we will
st delay longer in accom-
Now, I realize it is tempting to blame
end up with bad money and bad
reform of our welfare
someone else for inflation.
programs.
system penalizes work,
Some blame business for raising prices.
I recognize the political popularity of
, robs recipients of dig-
Some blame unions for asking for more
spending programs, and particularly in an
alternative to abolishing
wages.
election year. But unless we stop the rise
adopting in its place the
But a review of the stark fiscal facts of
in prices, the cost of living for millions
he support, job training,
the 1960's clearly demonstrates where the
of American families will become unbear-
tives which I recom-
primary blame for rising prices must be
able and government's ability to plan pro-
ngress last year.
placed.
grams for progress for the future will be-
e has come to assess and
In the decade of the sixties the Federal
come impossible.
institutions of govern-
Government spent $57 billion more than
In referring to budget cuts, there is one
al, State, and local level.
it took in in taxes.
area where I have ordered an increase
II
[9] Jan. 22
Public Papers of the Presidents
rather than a cut-and that is the re-
local law enforcement will double that
quests of those agencies with the respon-
budgeted for 1970.
sibilities for law enforcement.
The primary responsibility for crimes
We have heard a great deal of over-
that affect individuals is with local and
blown rhetoric during the sixties in which
State rather than with Federal Govern-
the word "war" has perhaps too often
ment. But in the field of organized crime,
been used-the war on poverty, the war
narcotics, pornography, the Federal Gov-
on misery, the war on disease, the war on
ernment has a special responsibility it
hunger. But if there is one area where the
should fulfill. And we should make Wash-
word "war" is appropriate it is in the
ington, D.C., where we have the primary
fight against crime. We must declare and
responsibility, an example to the Nation
win the war against the criminal elements
and the world of respect for law rather
which increasingly threaten our cities,
than lawlessness.
our homes, and our lives.
I now turn to a subject which, next to
We have a tragic example of this prob-
our desire for peace, may well become the
lem in the Nation's Capital, for whose
major concern of the American people in
safety the Congress and the Executive
the decade of the seventies.
have the primary responsibility. I doubt
In the next 10 years we shall increase
if many Members of this Congress who
our wealth by 50 percent. The profound
live more than a few blocks from here
question is: Does this mean we will be 50
would dare leave their cars in the Capitol
percent richer in a real sense, 50 percent
garage and walk home alone tonight.
better off, 5° percent happier?
Last year this administration sent to the
Or does it mean that in the year i980
Congress 13 separate pieces of legislation
the President standing in this place will
dealing with organized crime, pornog-
look back on a decade in which 70 per-
raphy, street crime, narcotics, crime in
cent of our people lived in metropolitan
the District of Columbia.
areas choked by traffic, suffocated by
None of these bills has reached my desk
smog, poisoned by water, deafened by
for signature.
noise, and terrorized by crime?
I am confident that the Congress will
These are not the great questions that
act now to adopt the legislation I placed
concern world leaders at summit confer-
before you last year. We in the Executive
ences. But people do not live at the sum-
have done everything we can under exist-
mit. They live in the foothills of everyday
ing law, but new and stronger weapons
experience, and it is time for all of us
are needed in that fight.
to concern ourselves with the way real
While it is true that State and local law
people live in real life.
enforcement agencies are the cutting edge
The great question of the seventies is,
in the effort to eliminate street crime,
shall we surrender to our surroundings, or
burglaries, murder, my proposals to you
shall we make our peace with nature and
have embodied my belief that the Fed-
begin to make reparations for the damage
eral Government should play a greater
we have done to our air, to our land, and
role in working in partnership with these
to our water?
agencies.
Restoring nature to its natural state is a
That is why 1971 Federal spending for
cause beyond party and beyond factions.
I2
Richard Nixon, 1970
Jan. 22 [9]
cement will double that
It has become a common cause of all the
open space and parklands now, before
'O.
people of this country. It is a cause of
they are lost to us.
responsibility for crimes
particular concern to young Americans,
The automobile is our worst polluter
viduals is with local and
because they more than we will reap the
of the air. Adequate control requires fur-
n with Federal Govern-
grim consequences of our failure to act on
ther advances in engine design and fuel
field of organized crime,
programs which are needed now if we are
composition. We shall intensify our re-
graphy, the Federal Gov-
to prevent disaster later.
search, set increasingly strict standards,
special responsibility it
Clean air, clean water, open spaces—
and strengthen enforcement procedures—
d we should make Wash-
these should once again be the birthright
and we shall do it now.
ere we have the primary
of every American. If we act now, they
We can no longer afford to consider air
example to the Nation
can be.
and water common property, free to be
f respect for law rather
We still think of air as free. But clean
abused by anyone without regard to the
air is not free, and neither is clean water.
consequences. Instead, we should begin
a subject which, next to
The price tag on pollution control is high.
now to treat them as scarce resources,
ice, may well become the
Through our years of past carelessness we
which we are no more free to contaminate
the American people in
incurred a debt to nature, and now that
than we are free to throw garbage into our
seventies.
debt is being called.
neighbor's yard.
years we shall increase
The program I shall propose to Con-
This requires comprehensive new regu-
percent. The profound
gress will be the most comprehensive and
lations. It also requires that, to the extent
this mean we will be 50
costly program in this field in America's
possible, the price of goods should be made
a real sense, 50 percent
history.
to include the costs of producing and dis-
cent happier?
It is not a program for just one year. A
posing of them without damage to the
n that in the year 1980
year's plan in this field is no plan at all.
environment.
ading in this place will
This is a time to look ahead not a year,
Now, I realize that the argument is
ecade in which 70 per-
but 5 years or IO years-whatever time is
often made that there is a fundamental
e lived in metropolitan
required to do the job.
contradiction between economic growth
traffic, suffocated by
I shall propose to this Congress a $10
and the quality of life, so that to have one
by water, deafened by
billion nationwide clean waters program
we must forsake the other.
ed by crime?
to put modern municipal waste treatment
The answer is not to abandon growth,
the great questions that
plants in every place in America where
but to redirect it. For example, we should
ders at summit confer-
they are needed to make our waters clean
turn toward ending congestion and elimi-
do not live at the sum-
again, and do it now. We have the indus-
nating smog the same reservoir of inven-
he foothills of everyday
trial capacity, if we begin now, to build
tive genius that created them in the first
t is time for all of us
them all within 5 years. This program will
place.
ves with the way real
get them built within 5 years.
Continued vigorous economic growth
life.
As our cities and suburbs relentlessly
provides us with the means to enrich life
ion of the seventies is,
expand, those priceless open spaces
itself and to enhance our planet as a place
to our surroundings, or
needed for recreation areas accessible to
hospitable to man.
peace with nature and
their people are swallowed up-often for-
Each individual must enlist in this fight
trations for the damage
ever. Unless we preserve these spaces while
if it is to be won.
ur air, to our land, and
they are still available, we will have none
It has been said that no matter how
to preserve. Therefore, I shall propose
many national parks and historical monu-
to its natural state is a
new financing methods for purchasing
ments we buy and develop, the truly sig-
y and beyond factions.
13
[9] Jan. 22
Public Papers of the Presidents
nificant environment for each of us is that
become insoluble, the Nation develop a
in which we spend 80 percent of our
national growth policy.
time-in our homes, in our places of work,
In the future, government decisions as
the streets over which we travel.
to where to build highways, locate air-
Street litter, rundown parking strips and
ports, acquire lan'd, or sell land should be
yards, dilapidated fences, broken win-
made with a clear objective of aiding a
dows, smoking automobiles, dingy work-
balanced growth for America:
ing places, all should be the object of our
In particular, the Federal Government
fresh view.
must be in a position to assist in the build-
We have been too tolerant of our sur-
ing of new cities and the rebuilding of old
roundings and too willing to leave it to
ones.
others to clean up our environment. It is
At the same time, we will carry our con-
time for those who make massive demands
cern with the quality of life in America
on society to make some minimal demands
to the farm as well as the suburb, to the
on themselves. Each of us must resolve
village as well as to the city. What rural
that each day he will leave his home, his
America needs most is a new kind of assist-
property, the public places of the city or
ance. It needs to be dealt with, not as a
town a little cleaner, a little better, a little
separate nation, but as part of an overall
more pleasant for himself and those
growth policy for America. We must
around him.
create a new rural environment which will
With the help of people we can do any-
not only stem the migration to urban cen-
thing, and without their help, we can do
ters, but reverse it. If we seize our growth
nothing. In this spirit, together, we can
as a challenge, we can make the 1970's an
reclaim our land for ours and generations
historic period when by conscious choice
to come.
we transformed our land into what we
Between now and the year 2000, over
want it to become.
100 million children will be born in the
America, which has pioneered in the
United States. Where they grow up-and
new abundance, and in the new tech-
how-will, more than any one thing,
nology, is called upon today to pioneer in
measure the quality of American life in
meeting the concerns which have followed
these years ahead.
in their wake-in turning the wonders of
This should be a warning to us.
science to the service of man.
For the past 30 years our population
In the majesty of this great Chamber
has also been growing and shifting. The
we hear the echoes of America's history,
result is exemplified in the vast areas of
of debates that rocked the Union and
rural America emptying out of people
those that repaired it, of the summons to
and of promise-a third of our counties
war and the search for peace, of the unit-
lost population in the sixties.
ing of the people, the building of a nation.
The violent and decayed central cities
Those echoes of history remind us of
of our great metropolitan complexes are
our roots and our strengths.
the most conspicuous area of failure in
They remind us also of that special
American life today.
genius of American democracy, which at
I propose that before these problems
one critical turning point after another
14
nts
Richard Nixon, 1970
Jan. 22 [9]
luble, the Nation develop a
has led us to spot the new road to the
nation of 3 million people, weak militarily,
wth policy.
future and given us the wisdom and the
poor economically. But America meant
ure, government decisions as
courage to take it.
something to the world then which could
build highways, locate air-
As I look down that new road which I
not be measured in dollars, something far
e land, or sell land should be
have tried to map out today, I see a new
more important than military might.
1 clear objective of aiding a
America as we celebrate our 200th anni-
Listen to President Thomas Jefferson
with for America.
versary 6 years from now.
in 1802: We act not "for ourselves alone,
lar, the Federal Government
I see an America in which we have
but for the whole human race."
position to assist in the build-
abolished hunger, provided the means for
We had a spiritual quality then which
ties and the rebuilding of old
every family in the Nation to obtain a
caught the imagination of millions of peo-
minimum income, made enormous prog-
ple in the world.
.e time, we will carry our con-
ress in providing better housing, faster
Today, when we are the richest and
e quality of life in America
transportation, improved health, and
strongest nation in the world, let it not
as well as the suburb, to the
superior education.
be recorded that we lack the moral and
Il as to the city. What rural
I see an America in which we have
spiritual idealism which made us the hope
is most is a new kind of assist-
checked inflation, and waged a winning
of the world at the time of our birth.
Is to be dealt with, not as a
war against crime.
The demands of us in 1976 are even
on, but as part of an overall
I see an America in which we have
greater than in 1776.
y for America. We must
made great strides in stopping the pol-
It is no longer enough to live and let
rural environment which will
lution of our air, cleaning up our water,
live. Now we must live and help live.
the migration to urban cen-
opening up our parks, continuing to ex-
We need a fresh climate in America,
rse it. If we seize our growth
plore in space.
one in which a person can breathe freely
we can make the 1970's an
Most important, I see an America at
and breathe in freedom.
d when by conscious choice
peace with all the nations of the world.
Our recognition of the truth that wealth
ed our land into what we
This is not an impossible dream. These
and happiness are not the same thing
goals are all within our reach.
requires us to measure success or failure
ome.
rhich has pioneered in the
In times past, our forefathers had the
by new criteria.
ce, and in the new tech-
vision but not the means to achieve such
Even more than the programs I have
ed upon today to pioneer in
goals.
described today, what this Nation needs
incerns which have followed
Let it not be recorded that we were
is an example from its elected leaders in
-in turning the wonders of
the first American generation that had
providing the spiritual and moral lead-
ervice of man.
the means but not the vision to make this
ership which no programs for material
sty of this great Chamber
dream come true.
progress can satisfy.
choes of America's history,
But let us, above all, recognize a funda-
Above all, let us inspire young Amer-
at rocked the Union and
mental truth. We can be the best clothed,
icans with a sense of excitement, a sense
aired it, of the summons to
best fed, best housed people in the world,
of destiny, a sense of involvement, in meet-
arch for peace, of the unit-
enjoying clean air, clean water, beautiful
ing the challenges we face in this great
le, the building of a nation.
parks, but we could still be the unhappiest
period of our history. Only then are they
$ of history remind us of
people in the world without an indefinable
going to have any sense of satisfaction in
our strengths.
spirit-the lift of a driving dream which
their lives.
d us also of that special
has made America, from its beginning, the
The greatest privilege an individual can
hope of the world.
have is to serve in a cause bigger than
rican democracy, which at
ming point after another
Two hundred years ago this was a new
himself. We have such a cause.
15
[9] Jan. 22
Public Papers of the Presidents
How we seize the opportunities I have
tunity, for progress and peace for all
described today will determine not only
peoples.
our future, but the future of peace and
NOTE: The President delivered his address at
freedom in this world in the last third of
12:30 p.m. in the House Chamber at the
the century.
Capitol before a joint session of the Congress.
May God give us the wisdom, the
He was introduced by Speaker of the House
strength and, above all, the idealism to be
of Representatives John W. McCormack of
Massachusetts.
worthy of that challenge, so that Amer-
On the same day an advance text of the
ica can fulfill its destiny of being the
President's address was released. by the White
world's best hope for liberty, for oppor-
House Press Office.
IO
Remarks on Presenting the Presidential Medal of
Freedom to Eugene Ormandy. January 24, 1970
Mr. Louchheim, Mr. Ormandy, members
tainly the highest experience that could
of the orchestra, all of the distinguished
ever have come is to have "Hail to the
performing artists tonight, and all of those
Chief" played by the Philadelphia Sym-
in this great American Academy of Mu-
phony Orchestra under Eugene Ormandy.
sic-that was its original name you know,
The highest honor that can be paid to a
and after tonight it is the American Acad-
private citizen by the Government of the
emy of Music:
United States is the Medal of Freedom.
Those in this room are indeed fortunate
The first award of this Medal in the dec-
to be here on this special day honoring
ade of the seventies is to be made tonight.
Eugene Ormandy. Because only a few
Usually the awards are made in the
could be here, you are the special few.
White House. I found, however, when I
I want you to know that for me it was
suggested that Mr. Ormandy might come
a very special honor to be here, because I
to the White House for the award, he
am in a much larger audience, the audi-
said: "Only if I can bring the 105 people
ence that does not live in Philadelphia, the
in my orchestra-all 105."
audience as a matter of fact-and I was
Now, we would have been delighted to
saying this to Mr. Ormandy before-I am
have the 105 in the orchestra there but we
one of those millions of people in Amer-
could not have had any guests. And so,
ica and the world who never before has
since the orchestra could not come to
heard the Philadelphia Symphony with
Washington, I thought that the President
Eugene Ormandy conducting in person.
ought to come to Philadelphia and come
I know him and the orchestra through the
to the orchestra.
records.
I now will read the citation to you.
And I want to say, Mr. Ormandy, that
when I was growing up as a child in Cal-
THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF
ifornia, and my mother was making me
AMERICA AWARDS THIS PRESIDENTIAL MEDAL
practice the piano and the violin, I never
OF FREEDOM TO EUGENE ORMANDY
dreamed that someday they might be play-
From early childhood he has possessed
ing "Hail to the Chief" to me, but cer-
superb musical gifts. For thirty-four years he
16
5
[27]
Public Papers of the Presidents
January 14
I will forward to the Congress later this week draft legislation for such an
extension. I believe the right to vote is the foundation of freedom and equality.
It must be protected.
During his lifetime, Dr. King received the Nobel Prize and numerous other
awards. But shortly before his death 7 years ago, he said that he preferred to be
remembered not for these honors, but for his service to his fellow man.
Dr. King is remembered as he wished-and his memory continues to inspire
hope for America. We must not let his work die-that will be the highest tribute
of all.
NOTE: The President spoke at 1:05 p.m. in the
The White House announced that the President
Cabinet Room at the White House. His remarks
also had sent a telegram to Coretta Scott King ex-
were recorded for later broadcast in commemora-
pressing his high regard for the memory of her late
tion of Dr. King's birth on January 15, 1929.
husband.
28
Address Before a Joint Session of the Congress Reporting on
the State of the Union. January 15, 1975
Mr. Speaker, Mr. Vice President, Members of the 94th Congress, and distin-
guished guests:
Twenty-six years ago, a freshman Congressman, a young fellow with lots of
idealism who was out to change the world, stood before Sam Rayburn in the
well of the House and solemnly swore to the same oath that all of you took
yesterday-an unforgettable experience, and I congratulate you all.
Two days later, that same freshman stood at the back of this great Chamber-
over there someplace-as President Truman, all charged up by his single-
handed election victory, reported as the Constitution requires on the state of the
Union.
When the bipartisan applause stopped, President Truman said, "I am happy
to report to this 81st Congress that the state of the Union is good. Our Nation
is better able than ever before to meet the needs of the American people, and
to give them their fair chance in the pursuit of happiness. [It] is foremost among
the nations of the world in the search for peace."
Today, that freshman Member from Michigan stands where Mr. Truman
stood, and I must say to you that the state of the Union is not good:
Millions of Americans are out of work.
Recession and inflation are eroding the money of millions more.
Prices are too high, and sales are too slow.
36
anuary 14
January 15
Gerald R. Ford, 1975
[28]
or such an
This year's Federal deficit will be about $30 billion; next year's probably
d equality.
$45 billion.
The national debt will rise to over $500 billion.
:rous other
Our plant capacity and productivity are not increasing fast enough.
erred to be
We depend on others for essential energy.
nan.
Some people question their Government's ability to make hard decisions
$ to inspire
and stick with them; they expect Washington politics as usual.
nest tribute
Yet, what President Truman said on January 5, 1949, is even more true in
1975. We are better able to meet our people's needs. All Americans do have a
fairer chance to pursue happiness. Not only are we still the foremost nation in
the President
Scott King ex-
the pursuit of peace but today's prospects of attaining it are infinitely brighter.
ory of her late
There were 59 million Americans employed at the start of 1949; now there
are more than 85 million Americans who have jobs. In comparable dollars, the
average income of the American family has doubled during the past 26 years.
Now, I want to speak very bluntly. I've got bad news, and I don't expect
ig on
much, if any, applause. The American people want action, and it will take both
the Congress and the President to give them what they want. Progress and
solutions can be achieved, and they will be achieved.
and distin-
My message today is not intended to address all of the complex needs of
America. I will send separate messages making specific recommendations for
vith lots of
domestic legislation, such as the extension of general revenue sharing and the
urn in the
Voting Rights Act.
f you took
The moment has come to move in a new direction. We can do this by fash-
ioning a new partnership between the Congress on the one hand, the White
Chamber-
House on the other, and the people we both represent.
his single-
Let us mobilize the most powerful and most creative industrial nation that
state of the
ever existed on this Earth to put all our people to work. The emphasis on our
economic efforts must now shift from inflation to jobs.
am happy
To bolster business and industry and to create new jobs, I propose a 1-year tax
)ur Nation
reduction of $16 billion. Three-quarters would go to individuals and one-quarter
>eople, and
to promote business investment.
lost among
This cash rebate to individuals amounts to 12 percent of 1974 tax payments-
a total cut of $12 billion, with a maximum of $1,000 per return.
r. Truman
I call on the Congress to act by April 1. If you do-and I hope you will-the
Treasury can send the first check for half of the rebate in May and the second
by September.
The other one-fourth of the cut, about $4 billion, will go to business, including
farms, to promote expansion and to create more jobs. The 1-year reduction for
37
[28]
Public Papers of the Presidents
January 15
businesses would be in the form of a liberalized investment tax credit increasing
the rate to 12 percent for all businesses.
I
This tax cut does not include the more fundamental reforms needed in our
tax system. But it points us in the right direction-allowing taxpayers rather
than the Government to spend their pay.
Cutting taxes now is essential if we are to turn the economy around. A tax cut
offers the best hope of creating more jobs. Unfortunately, it will increase the size
of the budget deficit. Therefore, it is more important than ever that we take steps
to control the growth of Federal expenditures.
Part of our trouble is that we have been self-indulgent. For decades, we have
been voting ever-increasing levels of Government benefits, and now the bill has
come due. We have been adding so many new programs that the size and the
growth of the Federal budget has taken on a life of its own.
One characteristic of these programs is that their cost increases automatically
every year because the number of people eligible for most of the benefits increases
every year. When these programs are enacted, there is no dollar amount set. No
one knows what they will cost. All we know is that whatever they cost last year,
they will cost more next year.
It is a question of simple arithmetic. Unless we check the excessive growth of
Federal expenditures or impose on ourselves matching increases in taxes, we
will continue to run huge inflationary deficits in the Federal budget.
If we project the current built-in momentum of Federal spending through
the next 15 years, State, Federal, and local government expenditures could easily
comprise half of our gross national product. This compares with less than a
third in 1975.
I have just concluded the process of preparing the budget submissions for
fiscal year 1976. In that budget, I will propose legislation to restrain the growth
of a number of existing programs. I have also concluded that no new spending
programs can be initiated this year, except for energy. Further, I will not hesitate
to veto any new spending programs adopted by the Congress.
As an additional step toward putting the Federal Government's house in order,
I recommend a 5-percent limit on Federal pay increases in 1975. In all Govern-
ment programs tied to the Consumer Price Index-including social security, civil
service and military retirement pay, and food stamps-I also propose a 1-year
maximum increase of 5 percent.
None of these recommended ceiling limitations, over which Congress has final
authority, are easy to propose, because in most cases they involve anticipated pay-
ments to many, many deserving people. Nonetheless, it must be done. I must
38
nuary 15
January 15
Gerald R. Ford, 1975
[28]
acreasing
emphasize that I am not asking to eliminate, to reduce, to freeze these payments.
I am merely recommending that we slow down the rate at which these payments
ed in our
increase and these programs grow.
rs rather
Only a reduction in the growth of spending can keep Federal borrowing down
and reduce the damage to the private sector from high interest rates. Only a
A tax cut
reduction in spending can make it possible for the Federal Reserve System to
e the size
avoid an inflationary growth in the money supply and thus restore balance to our
take steps
economy. A major reduction in the growth of Federal spending can help dispel
the uncertainty that so many feel about our economy and put us on the way to
, we have
curing our economic ills.
le bill has
If we don't act to slow down the rate of increase in Federal spending, the
e and the
United States Treasury will be legally obligated to spend more than $360 billion
in fiscal year 1976, even if no new programs are enacted. These are not matters
omatically
of conjecture or prediction, but again, a matter of simple arithmetic. The size of
S increases
these numbers and their implications for our everyday life and the health of our
nt set. No
economic system are shocking.
t last year,
I submitted to the last Congress a list of budget deferrals and rescissions. There
will be more cuts recommended in the budget that I will submit. Even so, the
growth of
level of outlays for fiscal year 1976 is still much, much too high. Not only is it too
taxes, we
high for this year but the decisions we make now will inevitably have a major
g through
and growing impact on expenditure levels in future years. I think this is a very
ould easily
fundamental issue that we, the Congress and I, must jointly solve.
ess than a
Economic disruptions we and others are experiencing stem in part from the
fact that the world price of petroleum has quadrupled in the last year. But in all
issions for
honesty, we cannot put all of the blame on the oil-exporting nations. We, the
the growth
United States, are not blameless. Our growing dependence upon foreign sources
V spending
has been adding to our vulnerability for years and years, and we did nothing to
not hesitate
prepare ourselves for such an event as the embargo of 1973.
During the 1960's, this country had a surplus capacity of crude oil which we
ise in order,
were able to make available to our trading partners whenever there was a dis-
all Govern-
ruption of supply. This surplus capacity enabled us to influence both supplies
:curity, civil
and prices of crude oil throughout the world. Our excess capacity neutralized
ose a 1-year
any effort at establishing an effective cartel, and thus the rest of the world was
assured of adequate supplies of oil at reasonable prices.
ess has final
By 1970, our surplus capacity had vanished, and as a consequence, the latent
cipated pay-
power of the oil cartel could emerge in full force. Europe and Japan, both
one. I must
heavily dependent on imported oil, now struggle to keep their economies in
39
[28]
Public Papers of the Presidents
January 15
balance. Even the United States, our country, which is far more self-sufficient
than most other industrial countries, has been put under serious pressure.
I am proposing a program which will begin to restore our country's surplus
capacity in total energy. In this way, we will be able to assure ourselves reliable
and adequate energy and help foster a new world energy stability for other
major consuming nations.
But this Nation and, in fact, the world must face the prospect of energy
difficulties between now and 1985. This program will impose burdens on all of
us with the aim of reducing our consumption of energy and increasing our
production. Great attention has been paid to the considerations of fairness, and I
can assure you that the burdens will not fall more harshly on those less able to
bear them.
I am recommending a plan to make us invulnerable to cutoffs of foreign oil. It
will require sacrifices, but it-and this is most important-it will work.
I have set the following national energy goals to assure that our future is as
secure and as productive as our past:
First, we must reduce oil imports by 1 million barrels per day by the end
of this year and by 2 million barrels per day by the end of 1977.
Second, we must end vulnerability to economic disruption by foreign
-suppliers by 1985.
Third, we must develop our energy technology and resources so that the
United States has the ability to supply a significant share of the energy needs of
the free world by the end of this century.
To attain these objectives, we need immediate action to cut imports. Unfortu-
nately, in the short term there are only a limited number of actions which can
increase domestic supply. I will press for all of them.
I urge quick action on the necessary legislation to allow commercial produc-
tion at the Elk Hills, California, Naval Petroleum Reserve. In order that we
make greater use of domestic coal resources, I am submitting amendments to
the Energy Supply and Environmental Coordination Act which will greatly
increase the number of powerplants that can be promptly converted to coal.
Obviously, voluntary conservation continues to be essential, but tougher
programs are needed-and needed now. Therefore, I am using Presidential
powers to raise the fee on all imported crude oil and petroleum products. The
crude oil fee level will be increased $1 per barrel on February 1, by $2 per barrel
on March 1, and by $3 per barrel on April 1. I will take actions to reduce undue
hardships on any geographical region. The foregoing are interim administra-
40
inuary 15
January 15
Gerald R. Ford, 1975
[28]
E-sufficient
tive actions. They will be rescinded when the broader but necessary legislation
ire.
is enacted.
i's surplus
To that end, I am requesting the Congress to act within 90 days on a more
es reliable
comprehensive energy tax program. It includes: excise taxes and import fees
for other
totaling $2 per barrel on product imports and on all crude oil; deregulation of
new natural gas and enactment of a natural gas excise tax.
of energy
I plan to take Presidential initiative to decontrol the price of domestic crude
$ on all of
oil on April 1. I urge the Congress to enact a windfall profits tax by that date
asing our
to ensure that oil producers do not profit unduly.
less, and I
The sooner Congress acts, the more effective the oil conservation program will
ess able to
be and the quicker the Federal revenues can be returned to our people.
I am prepared to use Presidential authority to limit imports, as necessary, to
eign oil. It
guarantee success.
rk.
I want you to know that before deciding on my energy conservation program,
iture is as
I considered rationing and higher gasoline taxes as alternatives. In my judg-
ment, neither would achieve the desired results and both would produce unac-
y the end
ceptable inequities.
A massive program must be initiated to increase energy supply, to cut demand,
y foreign
and provide new standby emergency programs to achieve the independence we
want by 1985. The largest part of increased oil production must come from new
) that the
frontier areas on the Outer Continental Shelf and from the Naval Petroleum
y needs of
Reserve No. 4 in Alaska. It is the intent of this Administration to move ahead
with exploration, leasing, and production on those frontier areas of the Outer
Unfortu-
Continental Shelf where the environmental risks are acceptable.
which can
Use of our most abundant domestic resource-coal-is severely limited. We
must strike a reasonable compromise on environmental concerns with coal. I
al produc-
am submitting Clean Air [Act] amendments which will allow greater coal use
:r that we
without sacrificing clean air goals.
dments to
I vetoed the strip mining legislation passed by the last Congress.¹ With ap-
ill greatly
propriate changes, I will sign a revised version when it comes to the White
) coal.
House.
it tougher
I am proposing a number of actions to energize our nuclear power program.
residential
I will submit legislation to expedite nuclear leasing [licensing] and the rapid
ducts. The
selection of sites.
per barrel
In recent months, utilities have cancelled or postponed over 60 percent of
uce undue
planned nuclear expansion and 30 percent of planned additions to non-nuclear
dministra-
1 See 1974 volume, Item 326.
41
[28]
Public Papers of the Presidents
January 15
capacity. Financing problems for that industry are worsening. I am therefore
recommending that the 1-year investment tax credit of 12 percent be extended
an additional 2 years to specifically speed the construction of powerplants that
do not use natural gas or oil. I am also submitting proposals for selective reform
of State utility commission regulations.
To provide the critical stability for our domestic energy production in the
face of world price uncertainty, I will request legislation to authorize and re-
quire tariffs, import quotas, or price floors to protect.our energy prices at levels
which will achieve energy independence.
Increasing energy supplies is not enough. We must take additional steps to
cut long-term consumption. I therefore propose to the Congress: legislation to
make thermal efficiency standards mandatory for all new buildings in the
United States; a new tax credit of up to $150 for those homeowners who install
insulation equipment; the establishment of an energy conservation program to
help low-income families purchase insulation supplies; legislation to modify
and defer automotive pollution standards for 5 years, which will enable us to
improve automobile gas mileage by 40 percent by 1980.
These proposals and actions, cumulatively, can reduce our dependence on
foreign energy supplies from 3 to 5 million barrels per day by 1985. To-make the
United States invulnerable to foreign disruption, I propose standby emergency
legislation and a strategic storage program of 1 billion barrels of oil for domestic
needs and 300 million barrels for national defense purposes.
I will ask for the funds needed for energy research and development activities.
I have established a goal of 1 million barrels of synthetic fuels and shale oil
production per day by 1985 together with an incentive program to achieve it.
I have a very deep belief in America's capabilities. Within the next 10 years,
my program envisions: 200 major nuclear powerplants; 250 major new coal
mines; 150 major coal-fired powerplants; 30 major new [oil] refineries; 20
major new synthetic fuel plants; the drilling of many thousands of new oil wells;
the insulation of 18 million homes; and the manufacturing and the sale of
millions of new automobiles, trucks, and buses that use much less fuel.
I happen to believe that we can do it. In another crisis-the one in 1942-
President Franklin D. Roosevelt said this country would build 60,000 [50,000]
military aircraft. By 1943, production in that program had reached 125,000 air-
craft annually. They did it then. We can do it now.
If the Congress and the American people will work with me to attain these
targets, they will be achieved and will be surpassed.
From adversity, let us seize opportunity. Revenues of some $30 billion from
42
January 15
January 15
Gerald R. Ford, 1975
[28]
n therefore
higher energy taxes designed to encourage conservation must be refunded to
e extended
the American people in a manner which corrects distortions in our tax system
:plants that
wrought by inflation.
tive reform
People have been pushed into higher tax brackets by inflation, with conse-
quent reduction in their actual spending power. Business taxes are similarly
tion in the
distorted because inflation exaggerates reported profits, resulting in excessive
ize and re-
taxes.
ces at levels
Accordingly, I propose that future individual income taxes be reduced by
$16.5 billion. This will be done by raising the low-income allowance and reduc-
nal steps to
ing tax rates. This continuing tax cut will primarily benefit lower- and middle-
gislation to
income taxpayers.
ngs in the
For example, a typical family of four with a gross income of $5,600 now pays
who install
$185 in Federal income taxes. Under this tax cut plan, they would pay nothing.
program to
A family of four with a gross income of $12,500 now pays $1,260 in Federal
to modify
taxes. My proposal reduces that total by $300. Families grossing $20,000 would
nable us to
receive a reduction of $210.
Those with the very lowest incomes, who can least afford higher costs, must
endence on
also be compensated. I propose a payment of $80 to every person 18 years of age
'o make the
and older in that very limited category.
emergency
State and local governments will receive $2 billion in additional revenue shar-
or domestic
ing to offset their increased energy costs.
To offset inflationary distortions and to generate more economic activity, the
it activities.
corporate tax rate will be reduced from 48 percent to 42 percent.
id shale oil
Now let me turn, if I might, to the international dimension of the present
achieve it.
crisis. At no time in our peacetime history has the state of the Nation depended
xt 10 years,
more heavily on the state of the world. And seldom, if ever, has the state of the
T new coal
world depended more heavily on the state of our Nation.
fineries; 20
The economic distress is global. We will not solve it at home unless we help
W oil wells;
to remedy the profound economic dislocation abroad. World trade and mone-
the sale of
tary structure provides markets, energy, food, and vital raw materials-for all
fuel.
nations. This international system is now in jeopardy.
e in 1942-
This Nation can be proud of significant achievements in recent years in solv-
00 [50,000]
ing problems and crises. The Berlin agreement, the SALT agreements, our new
125,000 air-
relationship with China, the unprecedented efforts in the Middle East are
immensely encouraging. But the world is not free from crisis. In a world of
attain these
150 nations, where nuclear technology is proliferating and regional conflicts
continue, international security cannot be taken for granted.
illion from
So, let there be no mistake about it: International cooperation is a vital factor
43
[28]
Public Papers of the Presidents
January 15
of our lives today. This is not a moment for the American people to turn in-
ward. More than ever before, our own well-being depends on America's deter-
mination and America's leadership in the whole wide world.
We are a great Nation-spiritually, politically, militarily, diplomatically, and
economically. America's commitment to international security has sustained
the safety of allies and friends in many areas-in the Middle East, in Europe,
and in Asia. Our turning away would unleash new instabilities, new dangers
around the globe, which, in turn, would threaten our own security.
At the end of World War II, we turned a similar challenge into an historic
opportunity and, I might add, an historic achievement. An old order was in
disarray; political and economic institutions were shattered. In that period, this
Nation and its partners built new institutions, new mechanisms of mutual sup-
port and cooperation. Today, as then, we face an historic opportunity. If we
act imaginatively and boldly, as we acted then, this period will in retrospect be
seen as one of the great creative moments of our Nation's history.
The whole world is watching to see how we respond.
A resurgent American economy would do more to restore the confidence of
the world in its own future than anything else we can do. The program that
this Congress passes can demonstrate to the world that we have started to
put our own house in order. If we can show that this Nation is able and willing
to help other nations meet the common challenge, it can demonstrate that
the United States will fulfill its responsibilities as a leader among nations.
Quite frankly, at stake is the future of industrialized democracies, which
have perceived their destiny in common and sustained it in common for 30 years.
The developing nations are also at a turning point. The poorest nations see
their hopes of feeding their hungry and developing their societies shattered
by the economic crisis. The long-term economic future for the producers of
raw materials also depends on cooperative solutions.
Our relations with the Communist countries are a basic factor of the world
environment. We must seek to build a long-term basis for coexistence. We will
stand by our principles. We will stand by our interests. We will act firmly
when challenged. The kind of a world we want depends on a broad policy of
creating mutual incentives for restraint and for cooperation.
As we move forward to meet our global challenges and opportunities, we must
have the tools to do the job.
Our military forces are strong and ready. This military strength deters aggres-
sion against our allies, stabilizes our relations with former adversaries, and
44
uary 15
January 15
Gerald R. Ford, 1975
[28]
turn in-
protects our homeland. Fully adequate conventional and strategic forces cost
's deter-
many, many billions, but these dollars are sound insurance for our safety and
for a more peaceful world.
ally, and
Military strength alone is not sufficient. Effective diplomacy is also essential
ustained
in preventing conflict, in building world understanding. The Vladivostok ne-
Europe,
gotiations with the Soviet Union represent a major step in moderating strategic
dangers
arms competition. My recent discussions with the leaders of the Atlantic com-
munity, Japan, and South Korea have contributed to meeting the common
historic
challenge.
was in
But we have serious problems before us that require cooperation between the
iod, this
President and the Congress. By the Constitution and tradition, the execution of
rual sup-
foreign policy is the responsibility of the President.
y. If we
In recent years, under the stress of the Vietnam war, legislative restrictions
spect be
on the President's ability to execute foreign policy and military decisions have
proliferated. As a Member of the Congress, I opposed some and I approved
others. As President, I welcome the advice and cooperation of the House and
dence of
the Senate.
am that
But if our foreign policy is to be successful, we cannot rigidly restrict in
arted to
legislation the ability of the President to act. The conduct of negotiations is ill-
I willing
suited to such limitations. Legislative restrictions, intended for the best motives
rate that
and purposes, can have the opposite result, as we have seen most recently in our
nations.
trade relations with the Soviet Union.
s, which
For my part, I pledge this Administration will act in the closest consultation
30 years.
with the Congress as we face delicate situations and troubled times throughout
tions see
the globe.
shattered
When I became President only 5 months ago, I promised the last Congress
lucers of
a policy of communication, conciliation, compromise, and cooperation. I renew
that pledge to the new Members of this Congress.
he world
Let me sum it up. America needs a new direction, which I have sought to
We will
chart here today-a change of course which will: put the unemployed back to
it firmly
work; increase real income and production; restrain the growth of Federal
policy of
Government spending; achieve energy independence; and advance the cause
of world understanding.
we must
We have the ability. We have the know-how. In partnership with the Amer-
ican people, we will achieve these objectives.
'S aggres-
As our 200th anniversary approaches, we owe it to ourselves and to posterity
ries, and
to rebuild our political and economic strength. Let us make America once
45
[28]
Public Papers of the Presidents
January 15
again and for centuries more to come what it has so long been-a stronghold
and a beacon-light of liberty for the whole world.
Thank you.
NOTE: The President delivered his address at 1:06
of Representatives. The address was broadcast live
p.m. in the House Chamber at the Capitol. He was
on radio and television.
introduced by Carl Albert, Speaker of the House
29
Statement Announcing Activation of the Energy Research and
Development Administration and the Nuclear Regulatory
Commission. January 15, 1975
I HAVE today signed an Executive order [11834] which activates on Jan-
uary 19, 1975, the Energy Research and Development Administration (ERDA)
and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC).
The activation of these two new agencies has special meaning for me. The
proposal to create them was submitted to the Congress in June 1973. As a
Member of the House of Representatives at the time, I gave strong support to
their creation and cast my vote for the legislation in December 1973. As Vice
President, I followed closely the progress of the bill through the Senate. I was
gratified to sign the bill into law on October 11, 1974. I am now pleased to
sign the order which activates the two agencies.
Both agencies will play significant roles in our national energy programs,
thereby influencing the lives of all our people.
The Nuclear Regulatory Commission will carry out the licensing and regula-
tory functions formerly assigned the Atomic Energy Commission. Commercial
nuclear power will have an increasingly important role in our nation's energy
supply in the years ahead. This new Commission will devote its full attention to
assuring the safety as well as the reliability of this critically important source of
energy. The creation of the NRC should end the concern that some have
expressed about the past when one agency, the Atomic Energy Commission,
was assigned the responsibility for both the technological development and the
regulation of civilian nuclear power.
The Energy Research and Development Administration will bring together
in a single agency the major Federal energy research and development pro-
grams, and bear the responsibility for leading the national effort to develop the
needed technology to assure that the United States will have ample and secure
46
Jan. 19
Administration of Jimmy Carter, 1978
pendence of the United States of America
That was the duty Abraham Lincoln
the two hundred and second.
faced when our land was torn apart by
JIMMY CARTER
conflict in the War Between the States.
That was the duty faced by Franklin
[Filed with the Office of the Federal Register,
Roosevelt when he led America out of an
12:17 p.m., January 20, 1978]
economic depression and again when he
led America to victory in war.
There are other times when there is no
single overwhelming crisis, yet profound
The State of the Union
national interests are at stake.
Address Delivered Before a Joint Session of the
At such times the risk of inaction can
Congress. January 19, 1978
be equally great. It becomes the task of
leaders to call forth the vast and restless
Mr. President, Mr. Speaker, Members of
energies of our people to build for the
the 95th Congress, ladies and gentlemen:
future.
Two years ago today we had the first
That is what Harry Truman did in the
caucus in Iowa, and one year ago tomor-
years after the Second World War, when
row, I walked from here to the White
we helped Europe and Japan rebuild
House to take up the duties of President
themselves and secured an international
of the United States. I didn't know it then
order that has protected freedom from
when I walked, but I've been trying to
aggression.
save energy ever since. [Laughter]
We live in such times now, and we face
I return tonight to fulfill one of those
such duties.
duties of the Constitution: to give to the
Congress-and to the Nation-informa-
We've come through a long period of
tion on the state of the Union.
turmoil and doubt, but we've once again
Militarily, politically, economically, and
found our moral course, and with a new
in spirit, the state of our Union is sound.
spirit, we are striving to express our best
instincts to the rest of the world.
We are a great country, a strong coun-
try, a vital and a dynamic country-and
There is all across our land a growing
so we will remain.
sense of peace and a sense of common
We are a confident people and a hard-
purpose. This sense of unity cannot be
working people, a decent and a compas-
expressed in programs or in legislation or
sionate people-and so we will remain.
in dollars. It's an achievement that be-
I want to speak to you tonight about
longs to every individual American. This
where we are and where we must go,
unity ties together, and it towers over all
about what we have done and what we
our efforts here in Washington, and it
must do. And I want to pledge to you my
serves as an inspiring beacon for all of us
best efforts and ask you to pledge yours.
who are elected to serve.
Each generation of Americans has to
This new atmosphere demands a new
face circumstances not of its own choos-
spirit, a partnership between those of us
ing, but by which its character is meas-
who lead and those who elect. The foun-
ured and its spirit is tested.
dations of this partnership are truth, the
There are times of emergency, when
courage to face hard decisions, concern
a nation and its leaders must bring their
for one another and the common good
energies to bear on a single urgent task.
over special interests, and a basic faith and
90
Administration of Jimmy Carter, 1978
Jan. 19
:y Abraham Lincoln
trust in the wisdom and strength and
where further delay will only lead to more
id was torn apart by
judgment of the American people.
harsh and painful solutions.
Between the States.
For the first time in a generation, we
Every day we spend more than $120
y faced by Franklin
are not haunted by a major international
million for foreign oil. This slows our eco-
led America out of an
crisis or by domestic turmoil, and we now
nomic growth, it lowers the value of the
1 and again when he
have a rare and a priceless opportunity
dollar overseas, and it aggravates unem-
»ry in war.
to address persistent problems and bur-
ployment and inflation here at home.
imes when there is no
dens which come to us as a nation-
Now we know what we must do-in-
g crisis, yet profound
quietly and steadily getting worse over the
crease production. We must cut down on
e at stake.
years.
waste. And we must use more of those
e risk of inaction can
As President, I've had to ask you, the
fuels which are plentiful and more perma-
becomes the task of
Members of Congress, and you, the
nent. We must be fair to people, and we
the vast and restless
American people, to come to grips with
must not disrupt our Nation's economy
ople to build for the
some of the most difficult and hard ques-
and our budget.
tions facing our society.
Now, that sounds simple. But I recog-
We must make a maximum effort, be-
nize the difficulties involved. I know that
ry Truman did in the
nd World War, when
cause if we do not aim for the best, we
it is not easy for the Congress to act. But
and Japan rebuild
are very. likely to achieve little. I see no
the fact remains that on the energy legis-
ired an international
benefit to the country if we delay, because
lation, we have failed the American
tected freedom from
the problems will only get worse.
people. Almost 5 years after the oil em-
We need patience and good will, but
bargo dramatized the problem for us all,
we really need to realize that there is a
we still do not have a national energy
mes now, and we face
limit to the role and the function of gov-
program. Not much longer can we toler-
ernment. Government cannot solve our
ate this stalemate. It undermines our na-
ugh a long period of
problems, it can't set our goals, it cannot
tional interest both at home and abroad.
but we've once again
define our vision. Government cannot
We must succeed, and I believe we will.
urse, and with a new
eliminate poverty or provide a bountiful
Our main task at home this year, with
ig to express our best
economy or reduce inflation or save our
energy a central element, is the Nation's
f the world.
cities or cure illiteracy or provide energy.
economy. We must continue the recovery
S our land a growing
And government cannot mandate good-
and further cut unemployment and
a sense of common
ness. Only a true partnership between
inflation.
of unity cannot be
government and the people can ever
Last year was a good one for the
ns or in legislation or
hope to reach these goals.
United States. We reached all of our
achievement that be-
Those of us who govern can sometimes
major economic goals for 1977. Four mil-
idual American. This
inspire, and we can identify needs and
lion new jobs were created-an alltime
and it towers over all
marshal resources, but we simply cannot
record-and the number of unemployed
Washington, and it
be the managers of everything and every-
dropped by more than a million. Unem-
g beacon for all of us
body.
ployment right now is the lowest it has
erve.
We here in Washington must move
been since 1974, and not since World War
here demands a new
away from crisis management, and we
II has such a high percentage of Ameri-
between those of us
must establish clear goals for the future-
can people been employed.
who elect. The foun-
The rate of inflation went down. There
immediate and the distant future-which
hership are truth, the
was a good growth in business profits and
rd decisions, concern
will let us work together and not in con-
investments, the source of more jobs for
d the common good
flict. Never again should we neglect a
our workers, and a higher standard of liv-
, and a basic faith and
growing crisis like the shortage of energy,
ing for all our people. After taxes and in-
91
Jan. 19
Administration of Jimmy Carter, 1978
flation, there was a healthy increase in
Almost $17 billion in income tax cuts
workers' wages.
will go to individuals. Ninety-six percent
And this year, our country will have
of all American taxpayers will see their
the first $2 trillion economy in the his-
taxes go down. For a typical family of
tory of the world.
four, this means an annual saving of more
Now, we are proud of this progress the
than $250 a year, or a tax reduction of
first year, but we must do even better in
about 20 percent. A further $2 billion cut
the future.
in excise taxes will give more relief and
We still have serious problems on which
also contribute directly to lowering the
all of us must work together. Our trade
rate of inflation.
deficit is too large. Inflation is still too
And we will also provide strong addi-
high, and too many Americans still do not
tional incentives for business investment
have a job.
and growth through substantial cuts in
Now, I didn't have any simple answers
the corporate tax rates and improvement
for all these problems. But we have de-
in the investment tax credit.
veloped an economic policy that is work-
Now, these tax proposals will increase
ing, because it's simple, balanced, and
opportunity everywhere in the Nation.
fair. It's based on four principles:
But additional jobs for the disadvantaged
First, the economy must keep on ex-
deserve special attention.
panding to produce new jobs and better
We've already passed laws to assure
income, which our people need. The
equal access to the voting booth and to
fruits of growth must be widely shared.
restaurants and to schools, to housing, and
More jobs must be made available to
laws to permit access to jobs. But job.op-
those who have been bypassed until now.
portunity-the chance to earn a decent
And the tax system must be made fairer
living-is also a basic human right, which
and simpler.
we cannot and will not ignore.
Secondly, private business and not the
A major priority for our Nation is the
Government must lead the expansion in
final elimination of the barriers that re-
the future.
strict the opportunities available to
Third, we must lower the rate of infla-
women and also to black people and
tion and keep it down. Inflation slows
Hispanics and other minorities. We've
down economic growth, and it's the most
come a long way toward that goal. But
cruel to the poor and also to the elderly
there is still much to do. What we in-
and others who live on fixed incomes.
herited from the past must not be per-
And fourth, we must contribute to the
mitted to shackle us in the future.
strength of the world economy.
I'll be asking you for a substantial in-
I will announce detailed proposals for
crease in funds for public jobs for our
improving our tax system later this week.
young people, and I also am recommend-
We can make our tax laws fairer, we can
make them simpler and easier to under-
ing that the Congress continue the public
stand, and at the same time, we can-
service employment programs at more
and we will-reduce the tax burden on
than twice the level of a year ago. When
American citizens by $25 billion.
welfare reform is completed, we will have
The tax reforms and the tax reductions
more than a million additional jobs so
go together. Only with the long overdue
that those on welfare who are able to work
reforms will the full tax cut be advisable.
can work.
92
Administration of Jimmy Carter, 1978
Jan. 19
in income tax cuts
However, again, we know that in our
Government can help us by stimulating
S. Ninety-six percent
free society, private business is still the
private investment and by maintaining a
payers will see their
best source of new jobs. Therefore, I will
responsible economic policy. Through a
a typical family of
propose a new program to encourage busi-
new top-level review process, we will do a
nnual saving of more
nesses to hire young and disadvantaged
better job of reducing Government reg-
r a tax reduction of
Americans. These young people only need
ulation that drives up costs and drives up
further $2 billion cut
skills and a chance in order to take their
prices.
give more relief and
place in our economic system. Let's give
But again, Government alone cannot
ctly to lowering the
them the chance they need. A major step
bring down the rate of inflation. When a
in the right direction would be the early
level of high inflation is expected to con-
provide strong addi-
passage of a greatly improved Humphrey-
tinue, then companies raise prices to pro-
business investment
Hawkins bill.
tect their profit margins against prospec-
substantial cuts in
My budget for 1979 addresses these na-
tive increases in wages and other costs,
es and improvement
tional needs, but it is lean and tight. I
while workers demand higher wages as
X credit.
have cut waste wherever possible.
protection against expected price in-
oposals will increase
I am proposing an increase of less than
creases. It's like an escalation in the arms
ere in the Nation.
2 percent after adjusting for inflation-
race, and understandably, no one wants
or the disadvantaged
the smallest increase in the Federal budget
to disarm alone.
tion.
in 4 years.
Now, no one firm or a group of workers
ssed laws to assure
Lately, Federal spending has taken a
can halt this process. It's an effort that we
voting booth and to
steadily increasing portion of what Amer-
must all make together. I'm therefore ask-
100ls, to housing, and
icans produce. Our new budget reverses
ing government, business, labor, and other
to jobs. But job op-
that trend, and later I hope to bring the
groups to join in a voluntary program to
ce to earn a decent
Government's toll down even further.
moderate inflation by holding wage and
human right, which
And with your help, we'll do that.
price increases in each sector of the econ-
ot ignore.
In time of high employment and a
omy during 1978 below the average in-
or our Nation is the
strong economy, deficit spending should
creases of the last 2 years.
the barriers that re-
not be a feature of our budget. As the
I do not believe in wage and price con-
nities available to
economy continues to gain strength and as
trols. A sincere commitment to voluntary
black people and
our unemployment rates continue to fall,
constraint provides a way-perhaps the
r minorities. We've
revenues will grow. With careful plan-
only way-to fight inflation without Gov-
ward that goal. But
ning, efficient management, and proper
ernment interference.
to do. What we in-
restraint on spending, we can move rap-
As I came into the Capitol tonight, I
st must not be per-
idly toward a balanced budget-and we
saw the farmers, my fellow farmers, stand-
in the future.
will.
ing out in the snow. I'm familiar with
for a substantial in-
Next year the budget deficit will be only
their problem, and I know from Congress
public jobs for our
slightly less than this year. But one-third
action that you are too. When I was run-
also am recommend-
of the deficit is due to the necessary tax
ning Carters Warehouse, we had spread
cuts that I've proposed. This year the
$ continue the public
on our own farms 5-10-15 fertilizer for
right choice is to reduce the burden on
programs at more
taxpayers and provide more jobs for our
about $40 a ton. The last time I was
of a year ago. When
people.
home, the price was about $100 a ton. The
npleted, we will have
The third element in our program is a
cost of nitrogen has gone up 150 percent,
1 additional jobs SO
renewed attack on inflation. We've
and the price of products that farmers
who are able to work
learned the hard way that high unemploy-
sell has either stayed the same or gone
ment will not prevent or cure inflation.
down a little.
93
Jan. 19
Administration of Jimmy Carter, 1978
Now, this past year in 1977, you, the
tional health care later on this year. I will
Congress, and I together passed a new
not repeat these tonight. But there are
agricultural act. It went into effect Oc-
several other points that I would like to
tober 1. It'll have its first impact on the
make directly to you.
1978 crops. It will help a great deal. It'll
During these past years, Americans
add $61/2 billion or more to help the
have seen our Government grow far from
farmers with their price supports and
us.
target prices.
For some citizens, the Government has
Last year we had the highest level of
almost become like a foreign country, so
exports of farm products in the history of
strange and distant that we've often had
our country-$24 billion. We expect to
to deal with it through trained ambassa-
have more this year. We'll be working to-
dors who have sometimes become too
gether. But I think it's incumbent on us to
powerful and too influential-lawyers, ac-
monitor very carefully the farm situation
countants, and lobbyists. This cannot go
and continue to work harmoniously with
on.
the farmers of our country. What's best
We must have what Abraham Lincoln
for the farmers, the farm families, in the
wanted-a government for the people.
long run is also best for the consumers of
We've made progress toward that kind
our country.
of government. You've given me the au-
Economic success at home is also the key
thority I requested to reorganize the Fed-
to success in our international economic
eral bureaucracy. And I am using that
policy. An effective energy program,
authority.
strong investment and productivity, and
We've already begun a series of re-
controlled inflation will provide [improve]
organization plans which will be com-
our trade balance and balance it, and it
pleted over a period of 3 years. We have
will help to protect the integrity of the
also proposed abolishing almost 500 Fed-
dollar overseas.
eral advisory and other commissions and
By working closely with our friends
boards. But I know that the American
abroad, we can promote the economic
people are still sick and tired of Federal
health of the whole world, with fair and
paperwork and redtape. Bit by bit we are
balanced agreements lowering the barriers
to trade.
chopping down the thicket of unneces-
Despite the inevitable pressures that
sary Federal regulations by which Gov-
build up when the world economy suffers
ernment too often interferes in our per-
from high unemployment, we must firm-
sonal lives and our personal business.
ly resist the demands for self-defeating
We've cut the public's Federal paperwork
protectionism. But free trade must also be
load by more than 12 percent in less than
fair trade. And I am determined to pro-
a year. And we are not through cutting.
tect American industry and American
We've made a good start on turning the
workers against foreign trade practices
gobbledygook of Federal regulations into
which are unfair or illegal.
plain English that people can understand.
In a separate written message to Con-
But we know that we still have a long
gress, I've outlined other domestic initia-
way to go.
tives, such as welfare reform, consumer
We've brought together parts of 11
protection, basic education skills, urban
Government agencies to create a new De-
policy, reform of our labor laws, and na-
partment of Energy. And now it's time
94
Administration of Jimmy Carter, 1978
Jan. 19
er on this year. I will
to take another major step by creating a
world must know that in support of hu-
night. But there are
separate Department of Education.
man rights, the United States will stand
that I would like to
But even the best organized Govern-
firm.
ment will only be as effective as the peo-
We expect no quick or easy results, but
it years, Americans
ple who carry out its policies. For this
there has been significant movement to-
nment grow far from
reason, I consider civil service reform to
ward greater freedom and humanity in
be absolutely vital. Worked out with the
several parts of the world.
the Government has
civil servants themselves, this reorganiza-
Thousands of political prisoners have
1 foreign country, so
tion plan will restore the merit principle
been freed. The leaders of the world—
hat we've often had
to a system which has grown into a bu-
even our ideological adversaries-now see
gh trained ambassa-
reaucratic maze. It will provide greater
that their attitude toward fundamental
netimes become too
management flexibility and better re-
human rights affects their standing in the
uential-lawyers, ac-
wards for better performance without
international community, and it affects
vists. This cannot go
compromising job security.
their relations with the United States.
Then and only then can we have a
To serve the interests of every Ameri-
at Abraham Lincoln
government that is efficient, open, and
can, our foreign policy has three major
ent for the people.
truly worthy of our people's understand-
goals.
ess toward that kind
ing and respect. I have promised that we
The first and prime concern is and will
ve given me the au-
will have such a government, and I in-
remain the security of our country.
) reorganize the Fed-
tend to keep that promise.
Security is based on our national will,
nd I am using that
In our foreign policy, the separation of
and security is based on the strength of
people from government has been in the
our Armed Forces. We have the will, and
:gun a series of re-
past a source of weakness and error. In a
militarily we are very strong.
which will be com-
democratic system like ours, foreign policy
Security also comes through -the
of 3 years. We have
decisions must be able to stand the test of
strength of our alliances. We have re-
ning almost 500 Fed-
public examination and public debate. If
confirmed our commitment to the defense
her commissions and
we make a mistake in this administration,
of Europe, and this year we will demon-
that the American
it will be on the side of frankness and
strate that commitment by further mod-
and tired of Federal
openness with the American people.
ernizing and strengthening our military
tpe. Bit by bit we are
In our modern world, when the deaths
thicket of unneces-
of literally millions of people can result
capabilities there.
from a few terrifying seconds of destruc-
Security can also be enhanced by agree-
tions by which Gov-
nterferes in our per-
tion, the path of national strength and se-
ments with potential adversaries which
reduce the threat of nuclear disaster while
curity is identical to the path of peace.
r personal business.
Tonight, I am happy to report that
maintaining our own relative strategic
's Federal paperwork
because we are strong, our Nation is at
capability.
2 percent in less than
peace with the world.
In areas of peaceful competition with
not through cutting.
We are a confident nation. We've re-
the Soviet Union, we will continue to
d start on turning the
stored a moral basis for our foreign policy.
more than hold our own.
The very heart of our identity as a nation
At the same time, we are negotiating
leral regulations into
ople can understand.
is our firm commitment to human rights.
with quiet confidence, without haste,
we still have a long
We stand for human rights because we
with careful determination, to ease the
tensions between us and to ensure
believe that government has as a pur-
pose to promote the well-being of its cit-
greater stability and security.
ogether parts of 11
izens. This is true in our domestic policy;
The strategic arms limitation talks have
S to create a new De-
it's also true in our foreign policy. The
been long and difficult. We want a mu-
And now it's time
95
Jan. 19
Administration of Jimmy Carter, 1978
tual limit on both the quality and the
In the Middle East, we are contribut-
quantity of the giant nuclear arsenals of
ing our good offices to maintain the
both nations, and then we want actual
momentum of the current negotiations
reductions in strategic arms as a major
and to keep open the lines of communi-
step toward the ultimate elimination of
cation among the Middle Eastern leaders.
nuclear weapons from the face of the
The whole world has a great stake in the
Earth.
success of these efforts. This is a precious
If these talks result in an agreement
opportunity for a historic settlement of a
this year-and I trust they will-I pledge
longstanding conflict-an opportunity
to you that the agreement will maintain
which may never come again in our life-
and enhance the stability of the world's
time.
strategic balance and the security of the
Our role has been difficult and some-
United States.
times thankless and controversial. But it
For 30 years, concerted but unsuccess-
has been constructive and it has been nec-
ful efforts have been made to ban the
essary, and it will continue.
testing of atomic explosives-both mili-
Our third major foreign policy goal is
tary weapons and peaceful nuclear de-
one that touches the life of every Ameri-
vices.
can citizen every day-world economic
We are hard at work with Great Brit-
growth and stability.
ain and the Soviet Union on an agree-
This requires strong economic perform-
ment which will stop testing and will
ance by the industrialized democracies
protect our national security and provide
like ourselves and progress in resolving
for adequate verification of compliance.
the global energy crisis. Last fall, with the
We are now making, I believe, good prog-
help. of others, we- succeeded in our vig-
ress toward this comprehensive ban on
orous efforts to maintain the stability of
nuclear explosions.
the price of oil. But as many foreign lead-
We are also working vigorously to halt
ers have emphasized to me personally and,
the proliferation of nuclear weapons
I am sure, to you, the greatest future con-
tribution that America can make to the
among the nations of the world which do
not now have them and to reduce the
world economy would be an effective en-
deadly global traffic in conventional arms
ergy conservation program here at home.
sales. Our stand for peace is suspect if
We will not hesitate to take the actions
we are also the principal arms merchant
needed to protect the integrity of the
American dollar.
of the world. So, we've decided to cut
down our arms transfers abroad on a
We are trying to develop a more just in-
year-by-year basis and to work with other
ternational system. And in this spirit, we
major arms exporters to encourage their
are supporting the struggle for human de-
similar constraint.
velopment in Africa, in Asia, and in Latin
America.
Every American has a stake in our sec-
ond major goal-a world at peace. In a
Finally, the world is watching to see
nuclear age, each of us is threatened when
how we act on one of our most important
peace is not secured everywhere. We are
and controversial items of business-ap-
trying to promote harmony in those parts
proval of the Panama Canal treaties. The
of the world where major differences exist
treaties now before the Senate are the re-
among other nations and threaten inter-
sult of the work of four administrations-
national peace.
two Democratic, two Republican.
96
Administration of Jimmy Carter, 1978
Jan. 19
we are contribut-
They guarantee that the canal will be
We Americans have a great deal of
; to maintain the
urrent negotiations
open always for unrestricted use by the
work to do together. In the end, how well
ships of the world. Our ships have the
we do that work will depend on the spirit
lines of communi-
right to go to the head of the line for
in which we approach it. We must seek
dle Eastern leaders.
a great stake in the
priority of passage in times of emergency
fresh answers, unhindered by the stale
S. This is a precious
or need. We retain the permanent right
prescriptions of the past.
to defend the canal with our own military
It has been said that our best years are
oric settlement of a
forces, if necessary, to guarantee its
behind us. But I say again that America's
t-an opportunity
openness and its neutrality.
best is still ahead. We have emerged from
ie again in our life-
The treaties are to the clear advantage
bitter experiences chastened but proud,
of ourselves, the Panamanians, and the
confident once again, ready to face chal-
difficult and some-
controversial. But it
other users of the canal. Ratifying the
lenges once again, and united once again.
and it has been nec-
Panama Canal treaties will demonstrate
We come together tonight at a solemn
ontinue.
our good faith to the world, discourage
time. Last week the Senate lost a good
the spread of hostile ideologies in this
and honest man-Lee Metcalf of Mon-
reign policy goal is
life of every Ameri-
hemisphere, and directly contribute to the
tana.
y-world economic
economic well-being and the security of
And today, the flag of the United States
the United States.
flew at half-mast from this Capitol and
I have to say that that's very welcome
from American installations and ships all
economic perform-
ialized democracies
applause. [Laughter]
over the world, in mourning for Senator
rogress in resolving
There were two moments on my recent
Hubert Humphrey.
S. Last fall, with the
journey which, for me, confirmed the
Because he exemplified so well the joy
cceeded in our vig-
final aims of our foreign policy and what
and the zest of living, his death reminds
tain the stability of
it always must be.
us not so much of our own mortality, but
many foreign lead-
One was in a little village in India,
of the possibilities offered to us by life.
) me personally and,
where I met a people as passionately at-
He always looked to the future with a
greatest future con-
tached to their rights and liberties as we
special American kind of confidence, of
ca can make to the
are, but whose children have a far smaller
hope and enthusiasm. And the best way
I be an effective en-
chance for good health or food or educa-
that we can honor him is by following
gram here at home.
tion or human fulfillment than a child
his example.
to take the actions
born in this country.
Our task-to use the words of Sena-
ne integrity of the
The other moment was in Warsaw,
tor Humphrey-is "reconciliation, re-
capital of a nation twice devastated by
building, and rebirth."
velop a more just in-
war in this century. There, people have
Reconciliation of private needs and in-
nd in this spirit, we
rebuilt the city which war's destruction
terests into a higher purpose.
uggle for human de-
took from them. But what was new only
Rebuilding the old dreams of justice
n Asia, and in Latin
emphasized clearly what was lost.
and liberty, and country and community.
What I saw in those two places crys-
Rebirth of our faith in the common
is watching to see
talized for me the purposes of our own
good.
our most important
Nation's policy: to ensure economic jus-
Each of us here tonight-and all who
ns of business-ap-
tice, to advance human rights, to resolve
are listening in your homes-must re-
Canal treaties. The
conflicts without violence, and to pro-
dedicate ourselves to serving the common
e Senate are the re-
claim in our great democracy our con-
good. We are a community, a beloved
ir administrations-
community, all of us. Our individual fates
Republican.
stant faith in the liberty and dignity of
are linked, our futures intertwined. And
human beings everywhere.
if we act in that knowledge and in that
97
Jan. 19
Administration of Jimmy Carter, 1978
spirit, together, as the Bible says, we can
of our government remained in the after-
move mountains.
math of Watergate; and many of our
Thank you very much.
most pressing social problems had not
been addressed.
NOTE: The President spoke at 9 p.m. in the
House Chamber at the Capitol. He was intro-
In 1977, my Administration did not
duced by Thomas P. O'Neill, Jr., Speaker of
solve all of those problems. But Congress
the House of Representatives. The address
joined us in tackling many of these issues,
Was broadcast live on radio and television.
and together we made progress. Now that
a year has passed, I believe we are a more
confident people, with more trust in our
The State of the Union
institutions. We are a country on the move
Annual Message to the Congress.
again, prepared to address our problems
January 19, 1978
with boldness and confidence, at home
and abroad. We have reasserted our con-
To the Congress of the United States:
cern for the problems of people here at
Tonight's State of the Union Address
home and reaffirmed our position of moral
concentrates on this year's highest priori-
leadership in the world.
ties-a strong energy bill; a coordinated
This year, my domestic goals will con-
economic program of job creation, tax
tinue to reflect those concerns that guided
reduction, tax reform and anti-inflation
my actions in 1977: restoring economic
measures; making the government more
prosperity; meeting our Nation's human
effective and efficient; maintaining the
needs; making the government more effi-
peace through a strong national defense;
cient and more responsive; and develop-
and ratifying both the Panama Canal
ing and protecting our natural resources.
Treaties and, if completed, the SALT II
RESTORING ECONOMIC PROSPERITY
treaty.
It is important that the Congress and
I am devoting a substantial part of my
the Nation also understand what our
State of the Union Address to the need
other important initiatives and goals will
for a comprehensive economic program,
be for 1978. I am therefore sending to
and I will devote the bulk of my Economic
Congress this separate, more detailed
Report to Congress, to be delivered to-
State of the Union Message, which de-
morrow, to a complete description of my
scribes Administration priorities in the
Administration's economic goals and ob-
areas not fully covered in the Address.
jectives. In this Message, therefore, I will
DOMESTIC AFFAIRS
not repeat those statements but I want to
A number of serious domestic problems
set forth briefly the key elements of those
faced the Nation when I took office one
proposals:
year ago. The economy had not yet fully
-a $23 billion income tax cut in 1979,
recovered from the recession; our coun-
with $17 billion going to individuals
try had no sound energy policy; the Fed-
and their families and $6 billion
eral government was operating ineffi-
going to businesses;
ciently and ineffectively in many areas;
-a tax reform program designed to
concerns about the openness and integrity
make our tax laws fairer and simpler;
98
Linesen
Wilson 1916 (18min)
Viron 12 (1st sentence)
RR 86
Uerecland 1887
she To nadio
The Annual Message to the Congress
I shall be happy to submit the matter, with a favorable recom-
mendation, to the Congress at the first opportunity.
Very sincerely yours,
Honorable A. W. Mellon,
Washington, D. C.
235 The Annual Message to the Congress.
January 6, 1937
Mr. President, Mr. Speaker, Members of the Congress of the United
States:
OR the first time in our national history a President de-
F
livers his Annual Message to a new Congress within a
fortnight of the expiration of his term of office. While
there is no change in the Presidency this year, change
will occur in future years. It is my belief that under
this new constitutional practice, the President should in every
fourth year, in so far as seems reasonable, review the existing
state of our national affairs and outline broad future problems,
leaving specific recommendations for future legislation to be made
by the President about to be inaugurated.
At this time, however, circumstances of the moment compel
me to ask your immediate consideration of: First, measures ex-
tending the life of certain authorizations and powers which,
under present statutes, expire within a few weeks; second, an
addition to the existing Neutrality Act to cover specific points
raised by the unfortunate civil strife in Spain; and, third, a de-
ficiency appropriation bill for which I shall submit estimates this
week.
In March, 1933, the problems which faced our Nation and
which only our national Government had the resources to meet
were more serious even than appeared on the surface.
It was not only that the visible mechanism of economic life had
broken down. More disturbing was the fact that long neglect of
the needs of the underprivileged had brought too many of our
634
agress
The Annual Message to the Congress
1 a favorable recom-
people to the verge of doubt as to the successful adaptation of our
unity.
historic traditions to the complex modern world. In that lay a
challenge to our democratic form of Government itself.
Ours was the task to prove that democracy could be made to
function in the world of today as effectively as in the simpler
world of a hundred years ago. Ours was the task to do more than
to argue a theory. The times required the confident answer of
e Congress.
performance to those whose instinctive faith in humanity made
them want to believe that in the long run democracy would prove
superior to more extreme forms of Government as a process of
ngress of the United
getting action when action was wisdom, without the spiritual
sacrifices which those other forms of Government exact.
ory a President de-
That challenge we met. To meet it required unprecedented
Congress within a
activities under Federal leadership to end abuses, to restore a
m of office. While
large measure of material prosperity, to give new faith to mil-
this year, change
lions of our citizens who had been traditionally taught to expect
belief that under
that democracy would provide continuously wider opportunity
it should in every
and continuously greater security in a world where science was
eview the existing
continuously making material riches more available to man.
1 future problems,
In the many methods of attack with which we met these prob-
islation to be made
lems, you and I, by mutual understanding and by determination
to cooperate, helped to make democracy succeed by refusing to
e moment compel
permit unnecessary disagreement to arise between two of our
First, measures ex-
branches of Government. That spirit of cooperation was able to
nd powers which,
solve difficulties of extraordinary magnitude and ramification
weeks; second, an
with few important errors, and at a cost cheap when measured
ver specific points
by the immediate necessities and the eventual results.
; and, third, a de-
I look forward to a continuance of that cooperation in the next
omit estimates this
four years. I look forward also to a continuance of the basis of
that cooperation - mutual respect for each other's proper sphere
I our Nation and
of functioning in a democracy which is working well, and a com-
resources to meet
mon-sense realization of the need for play in the joints of the
surface.
machine.
economic life had
On that basis, it is within the right of the Congress to deter-
at long neglect of
mine which of the many new activities shall be continued or
too many of our
abandoned, increased or curtailed.
635
The Annual Message to the Congress
On that same basis, the President alone has the responsibility
for their administration. I find that this task of Executive manage-
ment has reached the point where our administrative machinery
needs comprehensive overhauling. I shall, therefore, shortly ad-
dress the Congress more fully in regard to modernizing and
improving the Executive branch of the Government.
That cooperation of the past four years between the Congress
and the President has aimed at the fulfillment of a twofold policy:
first, economic recovery through many kinds of assistance to agri-
culture, industry and banking; and, second, deliberate improve-
ment in the personal security and opportunity of the great mass
of our people.
The recovery we sought was not to be merely temporary. It
was to be a recovery protected from the causes of previous dis-
asters. With that aim in view - to prevent a future similar crisis-
you and I joined in a series of enactments - safe banking and
sound currency, the guarantee of bank deposits, protection for
the investor in securities, the removal of the threat of agricultural
surpluses, insistence on collective bargaining, the outlawing of
sweat shops, child labor and unfair trade practices, and the begin-
nings of security for the aged and the worker.
Nor was the recovery we sought merely a purposeless whirring
of machinery. It is important, of course, that every man and
woman in the country be able to find work, that every factory
run, that business and farming as a whole earn profits. But Gov-
ernment in a democratic Nation does not exist solely, or even
primarily, for that purpose.
It is not enough that the wheels turn. They must carry us in
the direction of a greater satisfaction in life for the average man.
The deeper purpose of democratic government is to assist as
many of its citizens as possible, especially those who need it most,
to improve their conditions of life, to retain all personal liberty
which does not adversely affect their neighbors, and to pursue the
happiness which comes with security and an opportunity for
recreation and culture.
Even with our present. recovery we are far from the goal of
636
gress
The Annual Message to the Congress
is the responsibility
that deeper purpose. There are far-reaching problems still with
Executive manage-
us for which democracy must find solutions if it is to consider
istrative machinery
itself successful.
erefore, shortly ad-
For example, many millions of Americans still live in habita-
modernizing and
tions which not only fail to provide the physical benefits of mod-
rnment.
ern civilization but breed disease and impair the health of future
tween the Congress
generations. The menace exists not only in the slum areas of the
of a twofold policy:
very large cities, but in many smaller cities as well. It exists on
of assistance to agri-
tens of thousands of farms, in varying degrees, in every part of
deliberate improve-
the country.
:y of the great mass
Another example is the prevalence of an un-American type of
tenant farming. I do not suggest that every farm family has the
erely temporary. It
capacity to earn a satisfactory living on its own farm. But many
ses of previous dis-
thousands of tenant farmers, indeed most of them, with some
ture similar crisis-
financial assistance and with some advice and training, can be
-safe banking and
made self-supporting on land which can eventually belong to
sits, protection for
them. The Nation would be wise to offer them that chance
reat of agricultural
instead of permitting them to go along as they do now, year after
;, the outlawing of
year, with neither future security as tenants nor hope of owner-
ices, and the begin-
ship of their homes nor expectation of bettering the lot of their
children.
urposeless whirring
Another national problem is the intelligent development of
at every man and
our social security system, the broadening of the services it ren-
that every factory
ders, and practical improvement in its operation. In many Na-
n profits. But Gov-
tions where such laws are in effect, success in meeting the expecta-
kist solely, or even
tions of the community has come through frequent amendment
of the original statute.
y must carry us in
And, of course, the most far-reaching and the most inclusive
r the average man.
problem of all is that of unemployment and the lack of economic
ient is to assist as
balance of which unemployment is at once the result and the
: who need it most,
symptom. The immediate question of adequate relief for the
ill personal liberty
needy-unemployed who are capable of performing useful work,
, and to pursue the
I shall discuss with the Congress during the coming months. The
n opportunity for
broader task of preventing unemployment is a matter of long-
range evolutionary policy. To that we must continue to give our
from the goal of
best thought and effort. We cannot assume that immediate indus-
637
The Annual Message to the Congress
trial and commercial activity which mitigates present pressures
justifies the national Government at this time in placing the un-
employment problem in a filing cabinet of finished business.
Fluctuations in employment are tied to all other wasteful fluc-
tuations in our mechanism of production and distribution. One
of these wastes is speculation. In securities or commodities, the
larger the volume of speculation, the wider become the upward
and downward swings and the more certain the result that in the
long run there will be more losses than gains in the underlying
wealth of the community.
And, as is now well known to all of us, the same net loss to
society comes from reckless overproduction and monopolistic
underproduction of natural and manufactured commodities.
Overproduction, underproduction and speculation are three
evil sisters who distill the troubles of unsound inflation and dis-
astrous deflation. It is to the interest of the Nation to have Gov-
ernment help private enterprise to gain sound general price levels
and to protect those levels from wide perilous fluctuations. We
know now that if early in 1931 Government had taken the steps
which were taken two and three years later, the depression would
never have reached the depths of the beginning of 1933.
Sober second thought confirms most of us in the belief that
the broad objectives of the National Recovery Act were sound.
We know now that its difficulties arose from the fact that it tried
to do too much. For example, it was unwise to expect the same
agency to regulate the length of working hours, minimum wages,
child labor and collective bargaining on the one hand and the
complicated questions of unfair trade practices and business con-
trols on the other.
The statute of N.R.A. has been outlawed. The problems have
not. They are still with us.
That decent conditions and adequate pay for labor, and just
return for agriculture, can be secured through parallel and simul-
taneous action by forty-eight States is a proven impossibility. It is
equally impossible to obtain curbs on monopoly, unfair trade
practices and speculation by State action alone. There are those
638
Congress
The Annual Message to the Congress
gates present pressures
who, sincerely or insincerely, still cling to State action as a theo-
time in placing the un-
retical hope. But experience with actualities makes it clear that
finished business.
Federal laws supplementing State laws are needed to help solve
all other wasteful fluc-
the problems which result from modern invention applied in an
and distribution. One
industrialized Nation which conducts its business with scant re-
es or commodities, the
gard to State lines.
er become the upward
During the past year there has been a growing belief that there
n the result that in the
is little fault to be found with the Constitution of the United
ins in the underlying
States as it stands today. The vital need is not an alteration of our
fundamental law, but an increasingly enlightened view with
,
the same net loss to
reference to it. Difficulties have grown out of its interpretation;
on and monopolistic
but rightly considered, it can be used as an instrument of prog-
ured commodities.
ress, and not as a device for prevention of action.
speculation are three
It is worth our while to read and reread the preamble of the
und inflation and dis-
Constitution, and Article I thereof which confers the legislative
Nation to have Gov-
powers upon the Congress of the United States. It is also worth
id general price levels
our while to read again the debates in the Constitutional Con-
lous fluctuations. We
vention of one hundred and fifty years ago. From such reading,
it had taken the steps
I obtain the very definite thought that the members of that
the depression would
Convention were fully aware that civilization would raise prob-
ing of 1933.
lems for the proposed new Federal Government, which they
us in the belief that
themselves could not even surmise; and that it was their definite
ery Act were sound.
intent and expectation that a liberal interpretation in the years
the fact that it tried
to come would give to the Congress the same relative powers over
: to expect the same
new national problems as they themselves gave to the Congress
rs, minimum wages,
over the national problems of their day.
e one hand and the
In presenting to the Convention the first basic draft of the
es and business con-
Constitution, Edmund Randolph explained that it was the pur-
pose "to insert essential principles only, lest the operation of
The problems have
government should be clogged by rendering those provisions
permanent and unalterable which ought to be accommodated to
for labor, and just
times and events."
parallel and simul-
With a better understanding of our purposes, and a more in-
1 impossibility. It is
telligent recognition of our needs as a Nation, it is not to be
opoly, unfair trade
assumed that there will be prolonged failure to bring legislative
ie. There are those
and judicial action into closer harmony. Means must be found to
639
The Annual Message to the Congress
adapt our legal forms and our judicial interpretation to the actual
present national needs of the largest progressive democracy in
the modern world.
That thought leads to a consideration of world problems. To
go no further back than the beginning of this century, men and
women everywhere were seeking conditions of life very different
from those which were customary before modern invention and
modern industry and modern communications had come into
being. The World War, for all of its tragedy, encouraged these
demands, and stimulated action to fulfill these new desires.
Many national Governments seemed unable adequately to re-
spond; and, often with the improvident assent of the masses of
the people themselves, new forms of government were set up with
oligarchy taking the place of democracy. In oligarchies, milita-
rism has leapt forward, while in those Nations which have re-
tained democracy, militarism has waned.
I have recently visited three of our sister Republics in South
America. The very cordial receptions with which I was greeted
were in tribute to democracy. To me the outstanding observation
of that visit was that the masses of the peoples of all the Americas
are convinced that the democratic form of government can be
made to succeed and do not wish to substitute for it any other
form of government. They believe that democracies are best able
to cope with the changing problems of modern civilization within
themselves, and that democracies are best able to maintain peace
among themselves.
The Inter-American Conference, operating on these funda-
mental principles of democracy, did much to assure peace in this
Hemisphere. Existing peace machinery was improved. New in-
struments to maintain peace and eliminate causes of war were
adopted. Wider protection of the interests of the American Re-
publics in the event of war outside the Western Hemisphere was
provided. Respect for, and observance of, international treaties
and international law were strengthened. Principles of liberal
trade policies, as effective aids to the maintenance of peace, were
reaffirmed. The intellectual and cultural relationships among
640
gress
The Annual Message to the Congress
etation to the actual
American Republics were broadened as a part of the general
ssive democracy in
peace program.
In a world unhappily thinking in terms of war, the representa-
world problems. To
tives of twenty-one Nations sat around a table, in an atmosphere
S century, men and
of complete confidence and understanding, sincerely discussing
of life very different
measures for maintaining peace. Here was a great and a perma-
dern invention and
nent achievement directly affecting the lives and security of the
ons had come into
two hundred and fifty million human beings who dwell in this
i, encouraged these
Western Hemisphere. Here was an example which must have a
se new desires.
wholesome effect upon the rest of the world.
le adequately to re-
In a very real sense, the Conference in Buenos Aires sent forth
nt of the masses of
a message on behalf of all the democracies of the world to those
nt were set up with
Nations which live otherwise. Because such other Governments
oligarchies, milita-
are perhaps more spectacular, it was high time for democracy to
ons which have re-
assert itself.
Because all of us believe that our democratic form of govern-
Republics in South
ment can cope adequately with modern problems as they arise,
hich I was greeted
it is patriotic as well as logical for us to prove that we can meet
anding observation
new national needs with new laws consistent with an historic
of all the Americas
constitutional framework clearly intended to receive liberal and
çovernment can be
not narrow interpretation.
te for it any other
The United States of America, within itself, must continue the
racies are best able
task of making democracy succeed.
civilization within
In that task the Legislative branch of our Government will, I am
to maintain peace
confident, continue to meet the demands of democracy whether
they relate to the curbing of abuses, the extension of help to those
g on these funda-
who need help, or the better balancing of our interdependent
issure peace in this
economies.
mproved. New in-
So, too, the Executive branch of the Government must move
auses of war were
forward in this task, and, at the same time, provide better man-
the American Re-
agement for administrative action of all kinds.
n Hemisphere was
The Judicial branch also is asked by the people to do its part
ernational treaties
in making democracy successful. We do not ask the Courts to call
inciples of liberal
non-existent powers into being, but we have a right to expect
nce of peace, were
that conceded powers or those legitimately implied shall be made
lationships among
effective instruments for the common good.
641
The Annual Budget Message
The process of our democracy must not be imperiled by the
denial of essential powers of free government.
Your task and mine is not ending with the end of the depres-
sion. The people of the United States have made it clear that
they expect us to continue our active efforts in behalf of their
peaceful advancement.
In that spirit of endeavor and service I greet the 75th Congress
at the beginning of this auspicious New Year.
236 (The Annual Budget Message to the Con-
gress. January 7, 1937
To the Congress of the United States:'
PURSUANT to provisions of law I transmit herewith the Budget of
the United States Government for the fiscal year ending June 30,
1938, together with this message, which is a part thereof. The esti-
mates have been developed after careful analysis of the revenues,
obligations, and reasonable needs of the Government, and I rec-
ommend appropriations for the purposes specifically detailed
herein.
PART I
The programs inaugurated during the last four years to combat
the depression and to initiate many needed reforms have cost
large sums of money, but the benefits obtained from them are far
outweighing all their costs. We shall soon be reaping the full
benefits of those programs and shall have at the same time a bal-
anced Budget that will also include provision for reduction of the
public debt.
The fiscal plans of the Federal Government for these four years
have been formulated with two objectives in mind. Our first was
to restore a successful èconomic life to the country, by providing
greater employment and purchasing power for the people, by
stimulating a more balanced use of our productive capacity, and
642
1 (Annual Message to the Congress.
January 3, 1934
Mr. President, Mr. Speaker, Senators and Representatives in Congress:
COME before you at the opening of the Regular Session of the
I
73d Congress, not to make requests for special or detailed
items of legislation; I come, rather, to counsel with you, who,
like myself, have been selected to carry out a mandate of the
whole people, in order that without partisanship you and I
may cooperate to continue the restoration of our national well-
being and, equally important, to build on the ruins of the past a
new structure designed better to meet the present problems of
modern civilization.
Such a structure includes not only the relations of industry
and agriculture and finance to each other but also the effect which
all of these three have on our individual citizens and on the whole
people as a Nation.
Now that we are definitely in the process of recovery, lines
have been rightly drawn between those to whom this recovery
means a return to old methods- and the number of these people
is small and those for whom recovery means a reform of many
old methods, a permanent readjustment of many of our ways of
thinking and therefore of many of our social and economic ar-
rangements.
Civilization cannot go back; civilization must not stand still.
We have undertaken new methods. It is our task to perfect, to
improve, to alter when necessary, but in all cases to go forward.
To consolidate what we are doing, to make our economic and so-
cial structure capable of dealing with modern life is the joint task
of the legislative, the judicial, and the executive branches of the
national Government.
Without regard to party, the overwhelming majority of our
people seek a greater opportunity for humanity to prosper and
find happiness. They recognize that human welfare has not in-
creased and does not increase through mere materialism and lux-
8
S.
Annual Message
ury, but that it does progress through integrity, unselfishness, re-
sponsibility and justice.
tives in Congress:
In the past few months, as a result of our action, we have de-
manded of many citizens that they surrender certain licenses to
lar Session of the
do as they please in their business relationships; but we have
ecial or detailed
asked this in exchange for the protection which the State can give
1 with you, who,
against exploitation by their fellow men or by combinations of
1 mandate of the
their fellow men.
nship you and I
I congratulate this Congress upon the courage, the earnestness
ir national well-
and the efficiency with which you met the crisis at the Special Ses-
ins of the past a
sion. It was your fine understanding of the national problem that
ent problems of
furnished the example which the country has so splendidly fol-
lowed. I venture to say that the task confronting the First Con-
ons of industry
gress of 1789 was no greater than your own.
the effect which
I shall not attempt to set forth either the many phases of the
nd on the whole
crisis which we experienced last March, or the many measures
which you and I undertook during the Special Session that we
recovery, lines
might initiate recovery and reform.
m this recovery
It is sufficient that I should speak in broad terms of the results
of these people
of our common counsel.
reform of many
The credit of the Government has been fortified by drastic re-
/ of our ways of
duction in the cost of its permanent agencies through the Econ-
id economic ar-
omy Act.
With the twofold purpose of strengthening the whole finan-
not stand still.
cial structure and of arriving eventually at a medium of exchange
k to perfect, to
which over the years will have less variable purchasing and debt-
$ to go forward.
paying power for our people than that of the past, I have used
conomic and so-
the authority granted me to purchase all American-produced gold
and silver and to buy additional gold in the world markets. Care-
is the joint task
ful investigation and constant study prove that in the matter of
branches of the
foreign exchange rates certain of our sister Nations find them-
selves so handicapped by internal and other conditions that they
najority of our
feel unable at this time to enter into stabilization discussion
to prosper and
based on permanent and world-wide objectives.
fare has not in-
The overwhelming majority of the banks, both national and
rialism and lux-
State, which reopened last spring, are in sound condition and
9
Annual Message
have been brought within the protection of Fedetal insurance.
In the case of those banks which were not permitted to reopen,
nearly six hundred million dollars of frozen deposits are being
restored to the depositors through the assistance of the national
Government.
We have made great strides toward the objectives of the Na-
tional Industrial Recovery Act, for not only have several millions
of our unemployed been restored to work, but industry is organ-
izing itself with a greater understanding that reasonable profits
can be earned while at the same time protection can be assured
to guarantee to labor adequate pay and proper conditions of
work. Child labor is abolished. Uniform standards of hours and
wages apply today to 95 percent of industrial employment within
the field of the National Industrial Recovery Act. We seek the
definite end of preventing combinations in furtherance of mo-
nopoly and in restraint of trade, while at the same time we seek
to prevent ruinous rivalries within industrial groups which in
many cases resemble the gang wars of the underworld and in
which the real victim in every case is the public itself.
Under the authority of this Congress, we have brought the
component parts of each industry together around a common
table, just as we have brought problems affecting labor to a com-
mon meeting ground. Though the machinery, hurriedly devised,
may need readjustment from time to time, nevertheless I think
you will agree with me that we have created a permanent feature
of our modernized industrial structure and that it will continue
under the supervision but not the arbitrary dictation of Govern-
ment itself.
You recognized last spring that the most serious part of the
debt burden affected those who stood in danger of losing their
farms and their homes. I am glad to tell you that refinancing in
both of these cases is proceeding with good success and in all
probability within the financial limits set by the Congress.
But agriculture had suffered from more than-its debts. Actual
experience with the operation of the Agricultural Adjustment
Act leads to my belief that thus far the experiment of seeking a
10
Annual Message
deral insurance.
balance between production and consumption is aucceeding and
litted to reopen,
has made progress entirely in line with reasonable expectations
posits are being
toward the restoration of farm prices to parity. I continue in my
of the national
conviction that industrial progress and prosperity can only be at-
tained by bringing the purchasing power of that portion of our
tives of the Na-
population which in one form or another is dependent upon agri-
several millions
culture up to a level which will restore a proper balance between
idustry is organ-
every section of the country and between every form of work.
asonable profits
In this field, through carefully planned flood control, power
can be assured
development and land-use policies in the Tennessee Valley and
:r conditions of
in other great watersheds, we are seeking the elimination of
ds of hours and
waste, the removal of poor lands from agriculture and the en-
loyment within
couragement of small local industries, thus furthering this prin-
ct. We seek the
ciple of a better balanced national life. We recognize the great
therance of mo-
ultimate cost of the application of this rounded policy to every
ne time we seek
part of the Union. Today we are creating heavy obligations to
roups which in
start the work because of the great unemployment needs of
erworld and in
the moment. I look forward, however, to the time in the not dis-
itself.
tant future, when annual appropriations, wholly covered by cur-
ve brought the
rent revenue, will enable the work to proceed under a national
und a common
plan. Such a national plan will, in a generation or two, return
labor to a com-
many times the money spent on it; more important, it will elimi-
rriedly devised,
nate the use of inefficient tools, conserve and increase natural re-
rtheless I think
sources, prevent waste, and enable millions of our people to take
manent feature
better advantage of the opportunities which God has given our
it will continue
country.
tion of Govern-
I cannot, unfortunately, present to you a picture of complete
optimism regarding world affairs.
ous part of the
The delegation representing the United States has worked in
of losing their
close cooperation with the other American Republics assembled
refinancing in
at Montevideo to make that conference an outstanding success.
cess and in all
We have, I hope, made it clear to our neighbors that we seek.
Congress.
with them future avoidance of territorial expansion and of inter-
S debts. Actual
ference by one Nation in the internal affairs of another. Further-
al Adjustment
more, all of us are seeking the restoration of commerce in ways
nt of seeking a
which will preclude the building up of large favorable trade bal-
Il
Annual Message
ances by any one Nation at the expense of trade debits on the
part of other Nations.
In other parts of the world, however, fear of immediate or fu-
ture aggression and with it the spending of vast sums on arma-
ment and the continued building up of defensive trade barriers
prevent any great progress in peace or trade agreements. I have
made it clear that the United States cannot take part in political
arrangements in Europe but that we stand ready to cooperate at
any time in practicable measures on a world basis looking to im-
mediate reduction of armaments and the lowering of the barriers
against commerce.
I expect to report to you later in regard to debts owed the Gov-
ernment and people of this country by the Governments and
peoples of other countries. Several Nations, acknowledging the
debt, have paid in small part; other Nations have failed to pay.
One Nation - Finland - has paid the installments due this coun-
try in full.
Returning to home problems, we have been shocked by many
notorious examples of injuries done our citizens by persons or
groups who have been living off their neighbors by the use of
methods either unethical or criminal.
In the first category - a field which does not involve violations
of the letter of our laws - practices have been brought to light
which have shocked those who believed that we were in the past
generation raising the ethical standards of business. They call for
stringent preventive or regulatory measures. I am speaking of
those individuals who have evaded the spirit and purpose of our
tax laws, of those high officials of banks or corporations who have
grown rich at the expense of their stockholders or the public, of
those reckless speculators with their own or other people's money
whose operations have injured the values of the farmers' crops
and the savings of the poor.
In the other category, crimes of organized banditry, cold-
blooded shooting, lynching and kidnapping have threatened our
security.
These violations of ethics and these violations of law call on
12
Annual Message
rade debits on the
the strong arm of Government for their immediate suppression;
they call also on the country for an aroused public opinion.
£ immediate or fu-
The adoption of the Twenty-first Amendment should give ma-
ast sums on arma-
terial aid to the elimination of those new forms of crime which
sive trade barriers
came from the illegal traffic in liquor.
agreements. I have
I shall continue to regard it as my duty to use whatever means
te part in political
may be necessary to supplement State, local and private agencies
dy to cooperate at
for the relief of suffering caused by unemployment. With respect
asis looking to im-
to this question, I have recognized the dangers inherent in the di-
ing of the barriers
rect giving of relief and have sought the means to provide not
mere relief, but the opportunity for useful and remunerative
:bts owed the Gov-
work. We shall, in the process of recovery, seek to move as rapidly
Governments and
as possible from direct relief to publicly supported work and
cknowledging the
from that to the rapid restoration of private employment.
have failed to pay.
It is to the eternal credit of the American people that this tre-
ents due this coun-
mendous readjustment of our national life is being accomplished
peacefully, without serious dislocation, with only a minimum of
shocked by many
injustice and with a great, willing spirit of cooperation through-
ens by persons or
out the country.
ors by the use of
Disorder is not an American habit. Self-help and self-control
are the essence of the American tradition - not of necessity the
involve violations
form of that tradition, but its spirit. The program itself comes
brought to light
from the American people.
e were in the past
It is an integrated program, national in scope. Viewed in the
ness. They call for
large, it is designed to save from destruction and to keep for the
I am speaking of
future the genuinely important values created by modern soci-
nd purpose of our
ety. The vicious and wasteful parts of that society we could not
orations who have
save if we wished; they have chosen the way of self-destruction.
or the public, of
We would save useful mechanical invention, machine produc-
er people's money
tion, industrial efficiency, modern means of communication,
he farmers' crops
broad education. We would save and encourage the slowly grow-
ing impulse among consumers to enter the industrial market
1 banditry, cold-
place equipped with sufficient organization to insist upon fair
ve threatened our
prices and honest sales.
But the unnecessary expansion of industrial plants, the waste
ns of law call on
of natural resources, the exploitation of the consumers of natural
Secretary Woodin Resigns
monopolies, the accumulation of stagnant surpluses, child labor,
and the ruthless exploitation of all labor, the encouragement of
speculation with other people's money. these were consumed in
the fires that they themselves kindled; we must make sure that
as we reconstruct our life there be no soil in which such weeds
can grow again.
We have plowed the furrow and planted the good seed; the
hard beginning is over. If we would reap the full harvest, we
must cultivate the soil where this good seed is sprouting and the
plant is reaching up to mature growth.
A final personal word. I know that each of you will appreciate
that I am speaking no mere politeness when I assure you how
much I value the fine relationship that we have shared during
these months of hard and incessant work. Out of these friendly
contacts we are, fortunately, building a strong and permanent tie
between the legislative and executive branches of the Govern-
ment. The letter of the Constitution wisely declared a separation,
but the impulse of common purpose declares a union. In this
spirit we join once more in serving the American people.
2
Secretary of the Treasury Woodin Resigns.
January 1, 1934
The following correspondence was made public today at the White
House:
Tucson, Arizona,
December 13, 1933
Dear Governor:
It is with great regret that I am compelled to tender you my-
resignation as Secretary of the Treasury, to take effect at your
convenience any time before January first.
The state of my health will not permit me to remain in this
position.
I cannot express what a wrench it is to me to leave your official
14
152. Annual Message
ebt results from
152 The Annual Message to the Congress.
These condi-
en forced upon
January 6, 1941
Id be far lower
Mr. President, Mr. Speaker, Members of the Seventy-seventh Congress:
during the past
wed, as I hope
ADDRESS you, the Members of the Seventy-seventh Con-
then the com-
I
gress, at a moment unprecedented in the history of the
become possi-
Union. I use the word "unprecedented," because at no
be restored.
previous time has American security been as seriously
ntained during
threatened from without as it is today.
difficult task -
Since the permanent formation of our Government under
iscal needs can
the Constitution, in 1789, most of the periods of crisis in our
history have related to our domestic affairs. Fortunately, only
national pro-
one of these - the four-year War Between the States-ever
st of things to
threatened our national unity. Today, thank God, one hundred
and thirty million Americans, in forty-eight States, have for-
with armament
gotten points of the compass in our national unity.
ry, turn of fate
It is true that prior to 1914 the United States often had
a peace-loving
been disturbed by events in other Continents. We had even
engaged in two wars with European nations and in a number
ause we are a
of undeclared wars in the West Indies, in the Mediterranean
) defend. The
and in the Pacific for the maintenance of American rights and
been set.
for the principles of peaceful commerce. But in no case had
been prepared
a serious threat been raised against our national safety or our
ts ahead. One
continued independence.
marker carries
What I seek to convey is the historic truth that the United
:nd our demo-
States as a nation has at all times maintained clear, definite op-
position, to any attempt to lock us in behind an ancient Chinese
wall while the procession of civilization went past. Today,
thinking of our children and of their children, we oppose en-
forced isolation for ourselves or for any other part of the
Americas.
That determination of ours, extending over all these years,
was proved, for example, during the quarter century of wars
following the French Revolution.
While the Napoleonic struggles did threaten interests of the
66₃
152. Annual Message
United States because of the French foothold in the West Indies
and in Louisiana, and while we engaged in the War of 1812
to vindicate our right to peaceful trade, it is nevertheless clear
that neither France nor Great Britain, nor any other nation,
was aiming at domination of the whole world.
In like fashion from 1815 to 1914 -ninety-nine years-no
single war in Europe or in Asia constituted a real threat against
our future or against the future of any other American nation.
Except in the Maximilian interlude in Mexico, no foreign
power sought to establish itself in this Hemisphere; and the
strength of the British fleet in the Atlantic has been a friendly
strength. It is still a friendly strength.
Even when the World War broke out in 1914, it seemed to
contain only small threat of danger to our own American future.
But, as time went on, the American people began to visualize
what the downfall of democratic nations might mean to our
own democracy.
We need not overemphasize imperfections in the Peace of
Versailles. We need not harp on failure of the democracies to
deal with problems of world reconstruction. We should remem-
ber that the Peace of 1919 was far less unjust than the kind of
"pacification" which began even before Munich, and which
is being carried on under the new order of tyranny that seeks
to spread over every continent today. The American people
have unalterably set their faces against that tyranny.
Every realist knows that the democratic way of life is at this
moment being directly assailed in every part of the world-as-
sailed either by arms, or by secret spreading of poisonous
propaganda by those who seek to destroy unity and promote
discord in nations that are still at peace.
During-sixteen long months this assault has blotted out the
whole pattern of democratic life in an appalling number of in-
dependent nations, great and small. The assailants are still on
the march, threatening other nations, great and small.
Therefore, as your President, performing my constitutional
duty to "give to the Congress information of the state of the
664
152. Annual Message
e West Indies
Union," I find it, unhappily, necessary to report that the future
War of 1812
and the safety of our country and of our democracy are over-
ertheless clear
whelmingly involved in events far beyond our borders.
other nation,
Armed defense of democratic existence is now being gallantly
waged in four continents. If that defense fails, all the population
and all the resources of Europe, Asia, Africa and Australasia will
ne years-no
threat against
be dominated by the conquerors. Let us remember that the total
erican nation.
of those populations and their resources in those four continents
o, no foreign
greatly exceeds the sum total of the population and the re-
lere; and the
sources of the whole of the Western Hemisphere - many times
en a friendly
over.
In times like these it is immature - and incidentally, un-
it seemed to
true - for anybody to brag that an unprepared America, single-
erican future.
handed, and with one hand tied behind its back, can hold off
n to visualize
the whole world.
mean to our
No realistic American can expect from a dictator's peace in-
ternational generosity, or return of true independence, or world
the Peace of
disarmament, or freedom of expression, or freedom of religion -
emocracies to
or even good business.
ould remem-
Such a peace would bring no security for us or for our neigh-
1 the kind of
bors. "Those, who would give up essential liberty to purchase a
1, and which
little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety."
ny that seeks
As a nation, we may take pride in the fact that we are soft-
hearted; but we cannot afford to be soft-headed.
rican people
We must always be wary of those who with sounding brass
inny.
life is at this
and a tinkling cymbal preach the "ism". of appeasement.
ie world as-
We must especially beware of that small group of selfish men
of poisonous
who would clip the wings of the American eagle in order to
feather their own nests.
and promote
I have recently pointed out how quickly the tempo of modern
otted out the
warfare could- bring into our very midst the physical attack
umber of in-
which we must eventually expect if the dictator nations win this
S are still on
war.
all.
There is much loose talk of our immunity from immediate
constitutional
and direct invasion from across the seas. Obviously, as long as
state of the
the British Navy retains its power, no such danger exists. Even
665
152. Annual Message
if there were no British Navy, it is not probable that any enemy
would be stupid enough to attack us by landing troops in the
United States from across thousands of miles of ocean, until it
had acquired strategic bases from which to operate.
But we learn much from the lessons of the past years in Eu-
rope - particularly the lesson of Norway, whose essential sea-
ports were captured by treachèry and surprise built up over a
series of years.
The first phase of the invasion of this Hemisphere would not
be the landing of regular troops. The necessary strategic points
would be occupied by secret agents and their dupes-and great
numbers of them are already here, and in Latin America.
As long as the aggressor nations maintain the offensive, they -
not we - will choose the time and the place and the method
of their attack.
That is why the future of all the American Republics is today
in serious danger.
That is why this Annual Message to the Congress is unique
in our history.
That is why every member of the Executive Branch of the
Government and every member of the Congress faces great re-
sponsibility and great accountability.
The need of the moment is that our actions and our policy
should be devoted primarily - almost exclusively - to meeting
this foreign peril. For all our domestic problems are now a part
of the great emergency.
Just as our national policy in internal affairs has been based
upon a decent respect for the rights and the dignity of all our
fellow men within our gates, so our national policy in foreign
affairs has been based on a decent respect for the rights and
dignity of all nations, large and small. And the justice of morality
must and will win in the end.
Our national policy is this:
First, by an impressive expression of the public will and with-
out regard to partisanship, we are committed to all-inclusive
national defense.
666
152. Annual Message
hat any enemy
Second, by an impressive expression of the public will and
troops in the
without regard to partisanship, we are committed to full sup-
ocean, until it
port of all those resolute peoples, everywhere, who are resisting
e.
aggression and are thereby keeping war away from our Hemi-
t years in Eu-
sphere. By this support, we express our determination that the
essential sea-
ilt up over a
democratic cause shall prevail; and we strengthen the defense
and the security of our own nation.
ere would not
Third, by an impressive expression of the public will and with-
rategic points
out regard to partisanship, we are committed to the proposition
es-and great
that principles of morality and considerations for our own se-
America.
curity will never permit us to acquiesce in a peace dictated by
ensive, they -
aggressors and sponsored by appeasers. We know that enduring
I the method
peace cannot be bought at the cost of other people's freedom.
In the recent national election there was no substantial dif-
iblics is today
ference between the two great parties in respect to that national
policy. No issue was fought out on this line before the Ameri-
ess is unique
can electorate. Today it is abundantly evident that American
citizens everywhere are demanding and supporting speedy and
ranch of the
complete action in recognition of obvious danger.
aces great re-
Therefore, the immediate need is a swift and driving increase
in our armament production.
d our policy
Leaders of industry and labor have responded to our summons.
- to meeting
Goals of speed have been set. In some cases these goals are being
e now a part
reached ahead of time; in some cases we are on schedule; in
other cases there are slight but not serious delays; and in some
$ been based
cases - and I am sorry to say very important cases - we are all
ty of all our
concerned by the slowness of the accomplishment of our plans.
y in foreign
The Army and Navy, however, have made substantial progress
= rights and
during the past year. Actual experience is improving and speed-
e of morality
ing up our methods of production with every passing day. And
today's best is not good enough for tomorrow.
I am not satisfied with the progress thus far made. The men
ill and with-
in charge of the program represent the best in training, in ability,
all-inclusive
and in patriotism. They are not satisfied with the progress thus
far made. None of us will be satisfied until the job is done.
667
152. Annual Message
No matter whether the original goal was set too high or too
low, our objective is quicker and better results.
To give you two illustrations:
We are behind schedule in turning out finished airplanes;
we are working day and night to solve the innumerable problems
and to catch up.
We are ahead of schedule in building warships but we are
working to get even further ahead of that schedule.
To change a whole nation from a basis of peacetime produc-
tion of implements of peace to a basis of wartime production of
implements of war is no small task. And the greatest difficulty
comes at the beginning of the program, when new tools, new
plant facilities, new assembly lines, and new ship ways must first
be constructed before the actual matériel begins to flow steadily
and speedily from them.
The Congress, of course, must rightly keep itself informed
at all times of the progress of the program. However, there is
certain information, as the Congress itself will readily recognize,
which, in the interests of our own security and those of the
nations that we are supporting, must of needs be kept in con-
fidence.
New circumstances are constantly begetting new needs for
our safety. I shall ask this Congress for greatly increased new
appropriations and authorizations to carry on what we have
begun.
I also ask this Congress for authority and for funds sufficient
to manufacture additional munitions and war supplies of many
kinds, to be turned over to those nations which are now in
actual war with aggressor nations.
Our most useful- and immediate role is to act as an arsenal
for them as well as for ourselves. They do not need man power,
but they do need billions of dollars worth of the weapons of
defense.
The time is near when they will not be able to pay for them
all in ready cash. We cannot, and we will not, tell them that
668
152. Annual Message
00 high or too
they must surrender, merely because of present inability to pay
for the weapons which we know they must have.
I do not recommend that we make them a loan of dollars with
hed airplanes;
which to pay for these weapons - a loan to be repaid in dollars.
rable problems
I recommend that we make it possible for those nations to
continue to obtain war materials in the United States, fitting
ps but we are
their orders into our own program. Nearly all their matériel
ile.
would, if the time ever came, be useful for our own defense.
etime produc-
Taking counsel of expert military and naval authorities, con-
production of
sidering what is best for our own security, we are free to decide
how much should be kept here and how much should be sent
atest difficulty
abroad to our friends who by their determined and heroic re-
ew tools, new
sistance are giving us time in which to make ready our own
ways must first
defense.
D flow steadily
For what we send abroad, we shall be repaid within a reason-
able time following the close of hostilities, in similar materials,
self informed
or, at our option, in other goods of many kinds, which they
ever, there is
can produce and which we need.
dily recognize,
Let us say to the démocracies: "We Americans are vitally con-
those of the
cerned in your defense of freedom. We are putting forth our
kept in con-
energies, our resources and our organizing powers to give you
the strength to regain and maintain a free world. We shall send
ew needs for
you, in ever-increasing numbers, ships, planes, tanks, guns. This
ncreased new
is our purpose and our pledge."
that we have
In fulfillment of this purpose we will not be intimidated by
the threats of dictators that they will regard as a breach of inter-
nds sufficient
national law or as an act of war our aid to the democracies
plies of many
which dare to resist their aggression. Such aid is not an act of
are now in
war, even if a dictator should unilaterally proclaim it so to be.
When the dictators, if the dictators, are ready to make war
as an arsenal
upon us, they will not wait for an act of war on our part. They
man power,
did not wait for Norway or Belgium or the Netherlands to com-
weapons of
mit an act of war.
Their only interest is in a new one-way international law,
pay for them
which lacks mutuality in its observance, and, therefore, becomes
Il them that
an instrument of oppression.
669
152. Annual Message
The happiness of future generations of Americans may well
depend upon how effective and how immediate we can make
our aid felt. No one can tell the exact character of the emer-
gency situations that we may be called upon to meet. The
Nation's hands must not be tied when the Nation's life is in
danger.
We must all prepare to make the sacrifices that the emer-
gency - almost as serious as war itself - demands. Whatever
stands in the way of speed and efficiency in defense preparations
must give way to the national need.
A free nation has the right to expect full cooperation from
all groups. A free nation has the right to look to the leaders of
business, of labor, and of agriculture to take the lead in stimu-
lating effort, not among other groups but within their own
groups.
The best way of dealing with the few slackers or trouble
makers in our midst is, first, to shame them by patriotic example,
and, if that fails, to use the sovereignty of Government to save
Government.
As men do not live by bread alone, they do not fight by arma-
ments alone. Those who man our defenses, and those behind
them who build our defenses, must have the stamina and the
courage which come from unshakable belief in the manner of
life which they are defending. The mighty action that we are
calling for cannot be based on a disregard of all things worth
fighting for.
The Nation takes great satisfaction and much strength from
the things which have been done to make its people conscious
of their individual stake in the preservation of democratic life
in America. Those things have toughened the fibre of our
people, have renewed their faith and strengthened their devo-
tion to the institutions we make ready to protect.
Certainly this is no time for any of us to stop thinking about
the social and economic problems which are the root cause of
the social revolution which is today a supreme factor in the
world.
670
152.Annual Message
cans may well
For there is nothing mysterious about the foundations of a
we can make
healthy and strong democracy. The basic things expected by our
of the emer-
people of their political and economic systems are simple. They
o meet. The
are:
on's life is in
Equality of opportunity for youth and for others.
Jobs for those who can work.
nat the emer-
Security for those who need it.
ds. Whatever
The ending of special privilege for the few.
: preparations
The preservation of civil liberties for all.
The enjoyment of the fruits of scientific progress in a wider
beration from
and constantly rising standard of living.
the leaders of
These are the simple, basic things that must never be lost
lead in stimu-
sight of in the turmoil and unbelievable complexity of our
in their own
modern world. The inner and abiding strength of our economic
and political systems is dependent upon the degree to which
rs or trouble
they fulfill these expectations.
iotic example,
Many subjects connected with our social economy call for im-
ment to save
mediate improvement.
As examples:
fight by arma-
We should bring more citizens under the coverage of old-age
those behind
pensions and unemployment insurance.
mina and the
We should widen the opportunities for adequate medical
he manner of
care.
1 that we are
We should plan a better system by which persons deserving
things worth
or needing gainful employment may obtain it.
I have called for personal sacrifice. I am assured of the will-
strength from
ingness of almost all Americans to respond to that call.
ple conscious
A part of the sacrifice means the payment of more money in
emocratic life
taxes. In my Budget Message I shall recommend that a greater
fibre of our
portion of this great defense program be paid for from taxation
d their devo-
than we are paying today. No person should try, or be allowed,
to get rich out of this program; and the principle of tax pay-
inking about
ments in accordance with ability to pay should be. constantly
root cause of
before our eyes to guide our legislation.
factor in the
If the Congress maintains these principles, the voters, putting
patriotism ahead of pocketbooks, will give you their applause.
671
152. Annual Message
In the future days, which we seek to make secure, we look
forward to a world founded upon four essential human freedoms.
The first is freedom of speech and expression - everywhere
in the world.
The second is freedom of every person to worship God ir
his own way everywhere in the world.
The third is freedom from want which, translated into
world terms, means economic understandings which will secure
to every nation a healthy peacetime life for its inhabitants -
everywhere in the world.
The fourth is freedom from fear-which, translated into
world terms, means a world-wide reduction of armaments to
such a point and in such a thorough fashion that no nation
will be in a position to commit an act of physical aggression
against any neighbor-anywhere in the world.
That is no vision of a distant millennium. It is a definite basis
for a kind of world attainable in our own time and generation.
That kind of world is the very antithesis of the so-called new
order of tyranny which the dictators seek to create with the crash
of a bomb.
To that new order we oppose the greater conception - the
moral order. A good society is able to face schemes of world
domination and foreign revolutions alike without fear.
Since the beginning of our American history, we have been
engaged in change - in a perpetual peaceful revolution - a revo-
lution which goes on steadily, quietly adjusting itself to changing
conditions - - without the concentration camp or the quick-lime
in the ditch. The world order which we seek is the cooperation
of free countries, working together in a friendly, civilized society.
This nation has placed its destiny in the hands and heads and
hearts of its millions of free men and women; and its faith in
freedom under the guidance of God. Freedom means the su-
premacy of human rights everywhere. Our support goes to
those who struggle to gain those rights or keep them. Our
strength is our unity of purpose.
To that high concept there can be no end save victory.
672
he Union
126-A. Radio Address on the State of the Union
peace cannot exist
beginning of the organization of world peace. This organization
must be the fulfillment of the promise for which men have
in a national elec-
fought and died in this war. It must be the justification of all the
sacrifices that have been made - of all the dreadful misery that
rences were made
this world has endured.
he Congress, with
We Americans of today, together with our allies, are making
t this Administra-
history - and I hope it will be better history than ever has been
her harmoniously
made before.
We pray that we may be worthy of the unlimited opportuni-
disagreements be-
ties that God has given us.
as there have been
alf.
NOTE: At 10 P.M. of the same day
a message on the State of the Union
ne people in this
he sent the foregoing State of the
- and this evening I am taking the
Union message to the Congress, the
opportunity to repeat to you some
p dissension, and
President made a radio address em-
parts of that message." The Presi-
at they appear to
bodying significant excerpts from
dent then repeated in summary form
his message (see Item 126-A, this vol-
certain portions of the message.
is respect is elo-
ume). He commenced his radio ad-
Toward the close of his radio ad-
of America - all
dress with the following statement:
dress, the President added several
ent in this war.
"Today, in pursuance of my Consti-
paragraphs which did not appear in
tutional duty, I sent to the Congress
his message to the Congress.
iary have worked
Senate and of the
our relationships
of meeting some
126-A. Radio Address Summarizing State of
that opportunity
the Union Message. January 6, 1945
and we must ap-
T ODAY, in pursuance of my Constitutional duty, I sent to the
r of achievement
Congress a message on the State of the Union - and this evening
I am taking the opportunity to repeat to you some parts of that
the Nazi-Fascist
message.
This war must be waged - it is being waged - with the great-
le forces of retri-
est and most persistent intensity. Everything we are and have is
of imperialistic
at stake. Everything we are, and have, will be given.
We have no question of the ultimate victory. We have no ques-
e the substantial
tion of the cost. Our losses will be heavy.
507
126-A. Radio Address on the State of the Union
But - we and our Allies will go on fighting together to ultimate
total victory.
We have seen a year marked, on the whole, by substantial
progress toward victory, even though the year ended with a set-
back for our arms, when the Germans launched a ferocious
counterattack into Luxembourg and Belgium with the obvious
objective of cutting our line in the center.
Our men have fought with indescribable and unforgettable
gallantry under most difficult conditions.
The high tide of this German attack was reached two days
after Christmas. Since then we have reassumed the offensive,
rescued the isolated garrison at Bastogne, and forced a German
withdrawal along the whole line of the salient.
The speed with which we recovered from this savage attack
was possible primarily because we have one Supreme Com-
mander in complete control of all the Allied armies in France.
General Eisenhower has faced this period of trial with admirable
calm and resolution and with steadily increasing success. He has
my complete confidence.
Further desperate attempts may well be made to break our
lines, to slow our progress. We must never make the mistake
of assuming that the Germans are beaten until the last Nazi
has surrendered.
And I would express a most serious warning against the poi-
sonous effects of enemy propaganda.
The wedge that the Germans attempted to drive in Western
Europe was less dangerous in terms of winning the war than the
wedges which they are continually attempting to drive between
ourselves and our Allies.
Every little rumor which is intended to weaken our faith in
our Allies is like an actual enemy agent in our midst - seeking
to sabotage our war effort. There are, here and there, evil and
baseless rumors against the Russians - rumors against the Brit-
ish - rumors against our own American commanders in the field.
When you examine these rumors closely, you will observe
5.08
Union
126-A. Radio Address on the State of the Union
gether to ultimate
that every one of them bears the same trademark - "Made in
Germany."
e, by substantial
We must resist this propaganda - we must destroy it - with
ended with a set-
the same strength and the same determination that our fighting
ched a ferocious
men are displaying as they resist and destroy the panzer divisions.
with the obvious
In all of the far-flung operations of our own armed forces -
on land, and sea, and in the air - the final job, the toughest
nd unforgettable
job, has been performed by the average, easy-going, hard-fight-
ing young American who carries the weight of battle on his own
eached two days
shoulders.
ed the offensive,
It is to him that we and all future generations of Americans
forced a German
must pay grateful tribute.
But - it is of small satisfaction to him to know that monu-
his savage attack
ments will be raised to him in the future. He wants, he needs,
Supreme Com-
and he is entitled to insist upon, our full and active support -
rmies in France.
now.
1 with admirable
Although unprecedented production figures have made pos-
g success. He has
sible our victories, we shall have to increase our goals in certain
weapons even more.
de to break our
Our armed forces in combat have steadily increased their ex-
ake the mistake
penditure of ammunition. As we continue the decisive phases of
til the last Nazi
this war, the munitions that we expend will mount day by day.
I shall not go into the details of war production and the re-
against the poi-
quirements of war materials. They are contained in the message
that I sent today, and I hope that many of you will have an op-
drive in Western
portunity to read that in full.
the war than the
But there is one very human need that I do want to mention.
:o drive between
We need twenty thousand more trained nurses for our Army
and Navy.
ken our faith in
Those nurses that we have are rendering gallant service to our
midst - seeking
sick and wounded men, but they have been called upon to do
1 there, evil and
more than their share. More than a thousand nurses are now
against the Brit-
hospitalized themselves - and part of this is due to overwork. At
iders in the field.
Army hospitals in the United States there is only one nurse to
ou will observe
twenty-six beds, instead of one to fifteen beds, as there should be.
509
126-A. Radio Address on the State of the Union
Since volunteering has not produced the number of nurses
required, I asked the Congress in my message to amend the
Selective Service Act to provide for the induction of registered
nurses into the armed forces.
The need is too pressing to await the outcome of further
efforts at recruiting. However, I urge registered nurses through-
out the country to volunteer immediately for this great service.
The only way to meet our increased needs for more weapons
and new weapons is for every American now engaged in war
work to stay on his war job - for additional American civilians,
men and women not now engaged in essential work, to go out
and get a war job. Workers who are released because their war
production is cut back should get another job where war pro-
duction is being increased. This is no time to quit or change to
less essential jobs.
There is an old and true saying that the Lord hates a quitter.
And this Nation must pay for all those who leave their essential
jobs - for all those who lay down on their essential jobs for non-
essential reasons. And that payment must be made with the life's
blood of our sons.
Last year, after much consideration, I recommended that the
Congress adopt a National Service Act as the most efficient and
democratic way of insuring full production for our war require-
ments. This recommendation was not adopted.
I have again called upon the Congress today to enact this
measure for the total mobilization of all our human resources
- men and women - for the prosecution of the war. I urge that
this be done at the earliest possible moment.
It is not too late in the war. In fact, bitter experience has
shown that, in this kind of mechanized warfare where new weap-
ons are constantly being created by our enemies and by our-
selves, the closer we come to the end of the war, the more press-
ing becomes the need for sustained war production with which to
deliver the final blow to the enemy.
There are three basic arguments for a National Service Law.
First - it would assure that we have the right numbers of
workers in the right places at the right times.
510
e Union
126-A. Radio Address on the State of the Union
number of nurses
Second - it would provide supreme proof to all our fighting
ge to amend the
men that we are giving them what they are entitled to, which is
tion of registered
nothing less than our total effort.
And - third- - it would be the final, unequivocal answer to
tcome of further
the hopes of the Nazis and the Japanese that we may become
d nurses through-
half-hearted about this war, and that they can get from us a
this great service.
negotiated peace.
or more weapons
National service legislation would be used only to the extent
engaged in war
absolutely required by military necessities. In fact, experience in
merican civilians,
Great Britain and in other Nations at war indicates that use of
L work, to go out
the compulsory powers of national service is necessary only in
because their war
rare instances.
) where war pro-
National service would provide against loss of retirement and
quit or change to
seniority rights and benefits. It would not mean reduction in
wages.
d hates a quitter.
The contribution of our workers in this war has been beyond
ve their essential
measure. We must now build on the foundations that have
tial jobs for non-
already been laid, and supplement the measures now in opera-
de with the life's
tion, in order to guarantee the production that may be necessary
in the critical period that lies ahead.
mended that the
The Secretary of War and the Secretary of the Navy have writ-
nost efficient and
ten me a letter in which, speaking of present war needs, they
our war require-
said:
lay to enact this
"In our considered judgment, which is supported by General Marshall
human resources
and Admiral King, this requires total mobilization of our manpower by
the passage of a national war service law. The armed forces need this
war. I urge that
legislation to hasten the day of final victory, and to keep to a minimum
the cost in lives."
r experience has
where new weap-
That is the testimony of those best qualified to know the situ-
ies and by our-
ation which confronts us.
, the more press-
Pending action by the Congress on the broader aspects of na-
on with which to
tional service, I have recommended that the Congress immedi-
ately enact legislation which will be effective in using the services
nal Service Law.
of the four million men now classified as 4-F in whatever capacity
ght numbers of
is best for the war effort.
In the field of foreign policy, we propose to stand together
5 1 1
126-A. Radio Address on the State of the Union
with the United Nations not for the war alone but for the vic-
tory for which the war is fought.
It is not only a common danger which unites us, but a com-
mon hope. Ours is an association not of governments but of
peoples - and the peoples' hope is peace. Here, as in England;
in England, as in Russia; in Russia, as in China; in France, and
through the continent of Europe, and throughout the world;
wherever men love freedom, the hope and purpose of the people
are for peace - a peace that is durable and secure.
It will not be easy to create this peoples' peace. We have seen
already, in areas liberated from the Nazi and the Fascist tyranny,
what problems peace will bring. And we delude ourselves if we
attempt to believe wishfully that all these problems can be
solved overnight.
The firm foundation can be built - and it will be built. But
the continuance and assurance of a living peace must, in the long
run, be the work of the people themselves.
We ourselves, like all peoples who have gone through the
difficult processes of liberation and adjustment, know of our
own experience how great the difficulties can be. We know that
they are not difficulties peculiar to any continent or any Nation.
Our own Revolutionary War left behind it, in the words of one
American historian, "an eddy of lawlessness and disregard of
human life." There were separatist movements of one kind or
another in Vermont, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Tennessee, Ken-
tucky, and Maine. There were insurrections, open or threatened,
in Massachusetts and New Hampshire. We worked out for our-
selves these difficulties - as the peoples of the liberated areas of
Europe, faced with complex problems of adjustment, will work
out their difficulties for themselves.
Peace can be made and kept only by the united determination
of free and peace-loving peoples who are willing to work together
- willing to help one another - willing to respect and tolerate
and try to understand one another's opinions and feelings.
In the future world the misuse of power, as implied in the
term "power politics," must not be a controlling factor in inter-
5 12
e Union
126-A. Radio Address on the State of the Union
e but for the vic-
national relations. That is the heart of the principles to which we
have subscribed. In a democratic world, as in a democratic Na-
es us, but a com-
tion, power must be linked with responsibility, and obliged to
ernments but of
defend and justify itself within the framework of the general
e, as in England;
good.
a; in France, and
In our disillusionment after the last war we gave up the hope
;hout the world;
of achieving a better peace because we had not the courage to
ose of the people
fulfill our responsibilities in an admittedly imperfect world.
ure.
We must not let that happen again, or we shall follow the same
ce. We have seen
tragic road again - the road to a third world war.
e Fascist tyranny,
We can fulfill our responsibilities for maintaining the security
e ourselves if we
of our own country only by exercising our power and our in-
roblems can be
fluence to achieve the principles in which we believe, and for
which we have fought.
ill be built. But
It is true that the statement of principles in the Atlantic
must, in the long
Charter does not provide rules of easy application to each and
every one of the tangled situations in this war-torn world. But
one through the
it is a good and a useful thing - it is an essential thing - to
it, know of our
have principles toward which we can aim.
e. We know that
And we shall not hesitate to use our influence - and to use it
t or any Nation.
now - to secure so far as is humanly possible the fulfillment of
the words of one
the principles of the Atlantic Charter. We have not shrunk from
nd disregard of
the military responsibilities brought on by this war. We cannot
of one kind or
and will not shrink from the political responsibilities which fol-
Tennessee, Ken-
low in the wake of battle.
n or threatened,
To do this we must be on our guard not to exploit and exag-
ked out for our-
gerate the differences between us and our Allies, particularly
berated areas of
with reference to the peoples who have been liberated from
ment, will work
Fascist tyranny. That is not the way to secure a better settle-
ment of those differences, or to secure international machinery
d determination
which can rectify mistakes which may be made.
O work together
I must admit concern about many situations - the Greek
ect and tolerate
and Polish for example. But those situations are not as easy or
nd feelings.
as simple to deal with as some spokesmen, whose sincerity I do
implied in the
not question, would have us believe. We have obligations, not
factor in inter-
necessarily legal, to the exiled governments, to the underground
513
126-A. Radio Address on the State of the Union
leaders, and to our major Allies who came much nearer the
shadows than we did.
We and our Allies have declared that it is our purpose to
respect the right of all peoples to choose the form of govern-
ment under which they will live and to see sovereign rights and
self-government restored to those who have been forcibly de-
prived of them. But with internal dissension, with many citizens
of liberated countries still prisoners of war or forced to labor in
Germany, it is difficult to guess the kind of self-government the
people really want.
During the interim period, until conditions permit a genuine
expression of the peoples' will, we and our Allies have a duty,
which we cannot ignore, to use our influence to the end that no
temporary or provisional authorities in the liberated countries
block the eventual exercise of the peoples' right freely to choose
the government and institutions under which, as free men, they
are to live.
It is our purpose to help the peace-loving peoples of Europe
to live together as good neighbors, to recognize their common
interests, and not to nurse their traditional grievances against
one another.
But we must not permit the many specific and immediate
problems of adjustment connected with the liberation of Europe
to delay the establishment of permanent machinery for the
maintenance of peace. Under the threat of a common danger,
the United Nations joined together in war to preserve their
independence and their freedom. They must now join together
to make secure the independence and freedom of all peace-loving
states, so that never again shall tyranny be able to divide and
conquer.
International peace and well-being, like national peace and
well-being, require constant alertness, continuing cooperation,
and organized effort.
International peace and well-being, like national peace and
well-being, can be secured only through institutions capable of
life and growth.
514
le Union
126-A. Radio Address on the State of the Union
much nearer the
One of the most heartening events of the year in the inter-
national field has been the renaissance of the French people and
is our purpose to
the return of the French Nation to the ranks of the United Na-
: form of govern-
tions. Far from having been crushed by the terror of Nazi dom-
vereign rights and
ination, the French people have emerged with stronger faith
been forcibly de-
than ever in the destiny of their country and in the soundness of
with many citizens
the democratic ideals to which the French Nation has con-
forced to labor in
tributed so greatly.
f-government the
Today, French armies are again on the German frontier
and are again fighting shoulder to shoulder with our sons.
permit a genuine
Since our landings in Africa, we have placed in French hands
llies have a duty,
all the arms and material of war which our resources and the
o the end that no
military situation permitted. And I am glad to say that we are
berated countries
now about to equip large new French forces with the most
t freely to choose
modern weapons for combat duty.
as free men, they
I am clear in my own mind that, as an essential factor in
the maintenance of world peace in the future, we must have
eoples of Europe
universal military training after this war, and I shall send a
ze their common
special message to the Congress on this subject.
rievances against
An enduring peace cannot be achieved without a strong
America - strong in the social and economic sense as well as in
and immediate
the military sense.
ration of Europe
I have already set forth what I consider to be an American
achinery for the
Economic Bill of Rights, and the most fundamental of these
common danger,
is the "right to a useful and remunerative job in the industries
O preserve their
or shops or farms or mines of the Nation."
OW join together
In turn, others of the economic rights of American citizen-
£ all peace-loving
ship such as the right to a decent home, to a good education, to
le to divide and
good medical care, to social security, to reasonable farm income,
will, if fulfilled, make major contributions to achieving adequate
tional peace and
levels of employment.
ing cooperation,
In the message that I sent to the Congress today I discussed
the general approach to the program that we have in mind for
ional peace and
the provision of close to sixty million jobs.
tions capable of
Although we must plan now for our postwar economy, and
enact the necessary legislation, and set up the appropriate agen-
515
126-A. Radio Address on the State of the Union
cies for reconversion from war to peace, and lay the foundations
for that transition period - all of which we are now doing - it
is obviously impossible for us to do anything which might
possibly hinder the production for war at this time, when our
men are fighting on the frontiers of Germany and dropping
bombs on the war industries of Japan.
In these days, our thoughts and our hopes and our prayers
are with our sons and brothers, our loved ones who are far from
home.
We can and we will give them all the support of which this
great Nation is capable. But - no matter how well they may be
equipped with weapons and munitions - their magnificent fight
will have been in vain if this war should end in the breaking
of the unity of the United Nations.
We need the continuing friendship of our Allies in this war.
Indeed, that need is a matter of life and death. And we shall
need that friendship in the peace.
I quote from an editorial in the Stars and Stripes, our soldiers'
own newspaper in Europe:
"For the holy love of God let's listen to the dead. Let's learn
from the living. Let's join ranks against the foe. The bugles of
battle are heard again above the bickering."
That is the demand of our fighting men. We cannot fail to
heed it.
This new year of 1945 can be the greatest year of achieve-
ment in human history.
Nineteen forty-five can see the final ending of the Nazi-Fascist
reign of terror in Europe.
Nineteen forty-five can see the closing in of the forces of
retribution about the center of the malignant power of impe-
rialistic Japan.
Most important of all, 1945 can, and must, see the substantial
beginning of the organization of world peace - for we all know
what such an organization means in terms of security, and human
rights, and religious freedom.
We Americans of today, together with our Allies, are making
5 1 6
e Union
127. The Need for National Service Legislation
y the foundations
history - and I hope it will be better history than ever has been
e now doing - it
made before.
ng which might
We pray that we may be worthy of the unlimited opportuni-
$ time, when our
ties that God has given us.
ny and dropping
and our prayers
who are far from
127 The President Reemphasizes the Need for
ort of which this
National Service Legislation.
vell they may be
January 17, 1945
magnificent fight
in the breaking
Dear Congressman May:
IN MY RECENT message on the State of the Union, I pointed out
llies in this war.
the urgent need of a national service law, and recommended that,
h. And we shall
pending action by the Congress on the broader aspects of na-
tional service, the Congress immediately enact legislation which
bes, our soldiers'
will be effective in using the 4,000,000 men now classified in IV-F
in whatever capacity is best for the war effort.
lead. Let's learn
The urgent need of this legislation has not lessened but has
The bugles of
increased since the sending of my Message.
It is true that there has been a trend toward increased place-
e cannot fail to
ment of manpower in the last two weeks, but there is danger that
this trend, which was unquestionably due to the belief that Con-
ear of achieve-
gress contemplated prompt action, will be reversed by reports
now current in the press that Congressional action is likely to be
the Nazi-Fascist
delayed.
I am familiar with the provisions of H. R. 1119, on which
£ the forces of
hearings are now being held before your Committee. While this
ower of impe-
bill is not a complete national service law, it will go far to secure
the effective employment in the war effort of all registrants
the substantial
under the Selective Service Law between the ages of 18 and 45.
or we all know
While there may be some differences of opinion on the details
ity, and human
of the bill, prompt action now is much more important in the
war effort than the perfecting of detail.
es, are making
As the United Nations enter upon a truly total offense against
517
Jan. 26 / Administration of Ronald Reagan, 1982
Address Before a Joint Session of the Congress Reporting on the
State of the Union
January 26, 1982
Mr. Speaker, Mr. President, distinguished
Seldom have the stakes been higher for
Members of the Congress, honored guests,
America. What we do and say here will
and fellow citizens:
make all the difference to autoworkers in
Today marks my first State of the Union
Detroit, lumberjacks in the Northwest,
address to you, a constitutional duty as old
steelworkers in Steubenville who are in the
as our Republic itself.
unemployment lines; to black teenagers in
President Washington began this tradition
Newark and Chicago; to hard-pressed farm-
in 1790 after reminding the Nation that the
ers and small businessmen; and to millions
destiny of self-government and the "preser-
of everyday Americans who harbor the
vation of the sacred fire of liberty" is "final-
simple wish of a safe and financially secure
ly staked on the experiment entrusted to
future for their children. To understand the
the hands of the American people." For our
state of the Union, we must look not only at
friends in the press, who place a high pre-
where we are and where we're going but
mium on accuracy, let me say: I did not
where we've been. The situation at this
actually hear George Washington say that.
time last year was truly ominous.
[Laughter] But it is a matter of historic
The last decade has seen a series of reces-
record. [Laughter]
sions. There was a recession in 1970, in
But from this podium, Winston Churchill
1974, and again in the spring of 1980. Each
asked the free world to stand together
time, unemployment increased and infla-
against the onslaught of aggression. Frank-
tion soon turned up again. We coined the
lin Delano Roosevelt spoke of a day of
word stagflation" to describe this.
infamy and summoned a nation to arms.
Government's response to these reces-
Douglas MacArthur made an unforgettable
sions was to pump up the money supply
farewell to a country he loved and served
and increase spending. In the last 6 months
so well. Dwight Eisenhower reminded us
of 1980, as an example, the money supply
that peace was purchased only at the price
increased at the fastest rate in postwar his-
of strength. And John F. Kennedy spoke of
tory-13 percent. Inflation remained in
the burden and glory that is freedom.
double digits, and government spending in-
When I visited this Chamber last year as
creased at an annual rate of 17 percent.
a newcomer to Washington, critical of past
Interest rates reached a staggering 21½ per-
policies which I believed had failed, I pro-
cent. There were 8 million unemployed.
posed a new spirit of partnership between
Late in 1981 we sank into the present
this Congress and this administration and
recession, largely because continued high
between Washington and our State and
interest rates hurt the auto industry and
local governments. In forging this new part-
construction. And there was a drop in pro-
nership for America, we could achieve the
ductivity, and the already high unemploy-
oldest hopes of our Republic-prosperity for
ment increased.
our nation, peace for the world, and the
This time, however, things are different.
blessings of individual liberty for our chil-
We have an economic program in place,
dren and, someday, for all of humanity.
completely different from the artificial
It's my duty to report to you tonight on
quick fixes of the past. It calls for a reduc-
the progress that we have made in our rela-
tion of the rate of increase in government
tions with other nations, on the foundation
spending, and already that rate has been
we've carefully laid for our economic recov-
cut nearly in half. But reduced spending
ery, and finally, on a bold and spirited ini-
alone isn't enough. We've just implemented
tiative that I believe can change the face of
the first and smallest phase of a 3-year tax-
American government and make it again
rate reduction designed to stimulate the
the servant of the people.
economy and create jobs. Already interest
72
Administration of Ronald Reagan, 1982 / Jan. 26
n the
rates are down to 15% percent, but they
Together we've begun to mobilize the
must still go lower. Inflation is down from
private sector, not to duplicate wasteful and
12.4 percent to 8.9, and for the month of
discredited government programs, but to
December it was running at an annualized
bring thousands of Americans into a volun-
rate of 5.2 percent. If we had not acted as
teer effort to help solve many of America's
en higher for
we did, things would be far worse for all
social problems.
ay here will
Americans than they are today. Inflation,
Together we've begun to restore that
toworkers in
taxes, and interest rates would all be higher.
margin of military safety that ensures
Northwest,
A year ago, Americans' faith in their gov-
peace. Our country's uniform is being worn
tho are in the
ernmental process was steadily declining.
once again with pride.
Six out of 10 Americans were saying they
teenagers in
Together we have made a New Begin-
pressed farm-
were pessimistic about their future. A new
ning, but we have only begun.
kind of defeatism was heard. Some said our
id to millions
No one pretends that the way ahead will
harbor the
domestic problems were uncontrollable,
be easy. In my Inaugural Address last year,
that we had to learn to live with this seem-
ncially secure
I warned that the "ills we suffer have come
aderstand the
ingly endless cycle of high inflation and
upon us over several decades. They will not
ok not only at
high unemployment.
go away in days, weeks, or months, but they
There were also pessimistic predictions
're going but
will go away
because we as Americans
about the relationship between our adminis-
ation at this
have the capacity now, as we've had it in
tration and this Congress. It was said we
us.
the past, to do whatever needs to be done
could never work together. Well, those pre-
eries of reces-
to preserve this last and greatest bastion of
dictions were wrong. The record is clear,
in 1970, in
freedom."
and I believe that history will remember
of 1980. Each
this as an era of American renewal, remem-
The economy will face difficult moments
ed and infla-
in the months ahead. But the program for
ber this administration as an administration
le coined the
economic recovery that is in place will pull
of change, and remember this Congress as a
this.
the economy out of its slump and put us on
Congress of destiny.
these reces-
Together we not only cut the increase in
the road to prosperity and stable growth by
noney supply
government spending nearly in half, we
the latter half of this-year. And that is why I
last 6 months
brought about the largest tax reductions
can report to you tonight that in the near
money supply
future the state of the Union and the econo-
and the most sweeping changes in our tax
1 postwar his-
structure since the beginning of this cen-
my will be better-much better-if we
remained in
tury. And because we indexed future taxes
summon the strength to continue on the
t spending in-
to the rate of inflation, we took away gov-
course that we've charted.
f 17 percent.
ernment's built-in profit on inflation and its
And so, the question: If the fundamentals
ering 21½ per-
hidden incentive to grow larger at the ex-
are in place, what now? Well, two things.
employed.
pense of American workers.
First, we must understand what's happen-
) the present
Together, after 50 years of taking power
ing at the moment to the economy. Our
ontinued high
away from the hands of the people in their
current problems are not the product of the
industry and
States and local communities, we have start-
recovery program that's only just now get-
1 drop in pro-
ed returning power and resources to them.
ting underway, as some would have you be-
gh unemploy-
Together, we have cut the growth of new
lieve; they are the inheritance of decades of
Federal regulations nearly in half. In 1981
tax and tax and spend and spend.
are different.
there were 23,000 fewer pages in the Fed-
Second, because our economic problems
ram in place,
eral Register, which lists new regulations,
are deeply rooted and will not respond to
the artificial
than there were in 1980. By deregulating
quick political fixes, we must stick to our
Is for a reduc-
oil we've come closer to achieving energy
carefully integrated plan for recovery. That
n government
independence and helped bring down the
plan is based on four commonsense funda-
rate has been
cost of gasoline and heating fuel.
mentals: continued reduction of the growth
iced spending
Together, we have created an effective
in Federal spending; preserving the individ-
implemented
Federal strike force to combat waste and
ual and business tax reductions that will
f a 3-year tax-
fraud in government. In just 6 months it
stimulate saving and investment; removing
stimulate the
has saved the taxpayers more than $2 bil-
unnecessary Federal regulations to spark
ready interest
lion, and it's only getting started.
productivity; and maintaining a healthy
73
Jan. 26 / Administration of Ronald Reagan, 1982
dollar and a stable monetary policy, the
I have no intention of retreating from our
latter a responsibility of the Federal Re-
basic program of tax relief. I promise to
serve System.
bring the American people-to bring their
The only alternative being offered to this
tax rates down and to keep them down, to
economic program is a return to the poli-
provide them incentives to rebuild our
cies that gave us a trillion-dollar debt,
economy, to save, to invest in America's
runaway inflation, runaway interest rates
future. I will stand by my word. Tonight
and unemployment. The doubters would
I'm urging the American people: Seize
have us turn back the clock with tax in-
these new opportunities to produce, to save,
creases that would offset the personal tax-
to invest, and together we'll make this
rate reductions already passed by this Con-
gress. Raise present taxes to cut future defi-
economy a mighty engine of freedom,
hope, and prosperity again.
cits, they tell us. Well, I don't believe we
should buy that argument.
Now, the budget deficit this year will
There are too many imponderables for
exceed our earlier expectations. The reces-
sion did that. It lowered revenues and in-
anyone to predict deficits or surpluses sev-
eral years ahead with any degree of accura-
creased costs. To some extent, we're also
cy. The budget in place, when I took office,
victims of our own success. We've brought
had been projected as balanced. It turned
inflation down faster than we thought we
out to have one of the biggest deficits in
could, and in doing this, we've deprived
history. Another example of the impondera-
government of those hidden revenues that
bles that can make deficit projections highly
occur when inflation pushes people into
questionable-a change of only one per-
higher income tax brackets. And the contin-
centage point in unemployment can alter a
ued high interest rates last year cost the
deficit up or down by some $25 billion.
government about $5 billion more than an-
As it now stands, our forecast, which
ticipated.
we're required by law to make, will show
We must cut out more nonessential gov-
major deficits starting at less than a hun-
ernment spending and rout out more waste,
dred billion dollars and declining, but still
and we will continue our efforts to reduce
too high. More important, we're making
the number of employees in the Federal
progress with the three keys to reducing
work force by 75,000.
deficits: economic growth, lower interest
The budget plan I submit to you on Feb-
rates, and spending control. The policies we
ruary 8th will realize major savings by dis-
have in place will reduce the deficit stead-
mantling the Departments of Energy and
ily, surely, and in time, completely.
Education and by eliminating ineffective
Higher taxes would not mean lower defi-
subsidies for business. We'll continue to re-
cits. If they did, how would we explain that
direct our resources to our two highest
tax revenues more than doubled just since
budget priorities-a strong national defense
1976; yet in that same 6-year period we ran
to keep America free and at peace and a
the largest series of deficits in our history.
reliable safety net of social programs for
In 1980 tax revenues increased by $54 bil-
those who have contributed and those who
lion, and in 1980 we had one of our alltime
are in need.
biggest deficits. Raising taxes won't balance
Contrary to some of the wild charges you
the budget; it will encourage more govern-
may have heard, this administration has not
ment spending and less private investment.
and will not turn its back on America's el-
Raising taxes will slow economic growth,
derly or America's poor. Under the new
reduce production, and destroy future jobs,
budget, funding for social insurance pro-
making it more difficult for those without
grams will be more than double the amount
jobs to find them and more likely that those
spent only 6 years ago. But it would be
who now have jobs could lose them. So, I
foolish to pretend that these or any pro-
will not ask you to try to balance the
grams cannot be made more efficient and
budget on the backs of the American tax-
economical.
payers.
The entitlement programs that make up
I will seek no tax increases this year, and
our safety net for the truly needy have
74
Administration of Ronald Reagan, 1982 Jan. 26
ing from our
worthy goals and many deserving recipi-
security, go a long way toward bringing
I promise to
ents. We will protect them. But there's only
Federal spending under control.
o bring their
one way to see to it that these programs
But don't be fooled by those who pro-
em down, to
really help those whom they were designed
claim that spending cuts will deprive the
rebuild our
to help. And that is to bring their spiraling
elderly, the needy, and the helpless. The
in America's
costs under control.
Federal Government will still subsidize 95
ord. Tonight
Today we face the absurd situation of a
million meals every day. That's one out of
eople: Seize
Federal budget with three-quarters of its
seven of all the meals served in America.
duce, to save,
expenditures routinely referred to as "un-
Head Start, senior nutrition programs, and
1 make this
controllable." And a large part of this goes
child welfare programs will not be cut from
of freedom,
to entitlement programs.
the levels we proposed last year. More than
Committee after committee of this Con-
one-half billion dollars has been proposed
is year will
gress has heard witness after witness de-
for minority business assistance. And re-
S. The reces-
scribe many of these programs as poorly
search at the National Institute of Health
nues and in-
administered and rife with waste and fraud.
will be increased by over $100 million.
we're also
Virtually every American who shops in a
While meeting all these needs, we intend to
e've brought
local supermarket is aware of the daily
plug unwarranted tax loopholes and
thought we
abuses that take place in the food stamp
strengthen the law which requires all large
ve deprived
program, which has grown by 16,000 per-
corporations to pay a minimum tax.
evenues that
cent in the last 15 years. Another example
I am confident the economic program
people into
is Medicare and Medicaid-programs with
we've put into operation will protect the
1 the contin-
worthy goals but whose costs have in-
ear cost the
creased from 11.2 billion to almost 60 bil-
needy while it triggers a recovery that will
benefit all Americans. It will stimulate the
ore than an-
lion, more than 5 times as much, in just 10
economy, result in increased savings and
years.
Waste and fraud are serious problems.
provide capital for expansion, mortgages for
ssential gov-
Back in 1980 Federal investigators testified
homebuilding, and jobs for the unem-
more waste,
before one of your committees that "cor-
ployed.
:S to reduce
the Federal
ruption has permeated virtually every area
-Now that the essentials of that program
of the Medicare and Medicaid health care
are- in place, our next major undertaking
industry." One official said many of the
must be a program-just as bold, just as
you on Feb-
people who are cheating the system were
innovative-to make government again ac-
ings by dis-
"very confident that nothing was going to
countable to the people, to make our
Energy and
happen to them." Well, something is going
system of federalism work again.
ineffective
to happen. Not only the taxpayers are de-
Our citizens feel they've lost control of
tinue to re-
frauded; the people with real dependency
even the most basic decisions made about
wo highest
on these programs are deprived of what
the essential services of government, such
nal defense
they need, because available resources are
as schools, welfare, roads, and even garbage
eace and a
going not to the needy, but to the greedy.
collection. And they're right. A maze of in-,
ograms for
The time has come to control the uncon-
terlocking jurisdictions and levels of govern-
those who
trollable. In August we made a start. I
ment confronts average citizens in trying to
signed a bill to reduce the growth of these
solve even the simplest of problems. They
charges you
programs by $44 billion over the next 3
don't know where to turn for answers, who
ion has not
years while at the same time preserving
to hold accountable, who to praise, who to
nerica's el-
essential services for the truly needy. Short-
blame, who to vote for or against. The main
r the new
ly you will receive from me a message on
reason for this is the overpowering growth
rance pro-
further reforms we intend to install-some
of Federal grants-in-aid programs during
the amount
new, but others long recommended by your
the past few decades.
would be
own congressional committees. I ask you to
In 1960 the Federal Government had 132
r any pro-
help make these savings for the American
categorical grant programs, costing $7 bil-
ficient and
taxpayer.
lion. When I took office, there were ap-
The savings we propose in entitlement
proximately 500, costing nearly a hundred
t make up
programs will total some $63 billion over 4
billion dollars-13 programs for energy, 36
eedy have
years and will, without affecting social
for pollution control, 66 for social services,
75
Jan. 26 / Administration of Ronald Reagan, 1982
90 for education. And here in the Congress,
use their trust fund money to pay for the
it takes at least 166 committees just to try
grants. Or to the extent they choose to
to keep track of them.
forgo the Federal grant programs, they can
You know and I know that neither the
use their trust fund money on their own for
President nor the Congress can properly
those or other purposes. There will be a
oversee this jungle of grants-in-aid; indeed,
mandatory pass-through of part of these
the growth of these grants has led to the
funds to local governments.
distortion in the vital functions of govern-
By 1988 the States will be in complete
ment. As one Democratic Governor put it
control of over 40 Federal grant programs.
recently: The National Government should
The trust fund will start to phase out, even-
be worrying about "arms control, not pot-
tually to disappear, and the excise taxes will
holes."
be turned over to the States. They can then
The growth in these Federal programs
preserve, lower, or raise taxes on their own
has-in the words of one intergovernmental
commission-made the Federal Govern-
and fund and manage these programs as
they see fit.
ment "more pervasive, more intrusive,
more unmanageable, more ineffective and
In a single stroke we will be accom-
costly, and above all, more
plishing a realignment that will end cum-
[un]accountable." Let's solve this problem
bersome administration and spiraling costs
with a single, bold stroke: the return of
at the Federal level while we ensure these
some $47 billion in Federal programs to
programs will be more responsive to both
State and local government, together with
the people they're meant to help and the
the means to finance them and a transition
people who pay for them.
period of nearly 10 years to avoid unneces-
Hand in hand with this program to
sary disruption.
strengthen the discretion and flexibility of
I will shortly send this Congress a mes-
State and local governments, we're propos-
sage describing this program. I want to em-
ing legislation for an experimental effort to
phasize, however, that its full details will
improve and develop our depressed urban
have been worked out only after close con-
areas in the 1980's and '90's. This legislation
sultation with congressional, State, and local
will permit States and localities to apply to
officials.
the Federal Government for designation as
Starting in fiscal 1984, the Federal Gov-
urban enterprise zones. A broad range of
ernment will assume full responsibility for
special economic incentives in the zones
the cost of the rapidly growing Medicaid
will help attract new business, new jobs,
program to go along with its existing re-
new opportunity to America's inner cities
sponsibility for Medicare. As part of a finan-
and rural towns. Some will say our mission
cially equal swap, the States will simulta-
is to save free enterprise. Well, I say we
neously take full responsibility for Aid to
must free enterprise so that together we
Families with Dependent Children and
can save America.
food stamps. This will make welfare less
Some will also say our States and local
costly and more responsive to genuine
communities are not up to the challenge of
need, because it'll be designed and adminis-
a new and creative partnership. Well, that
tered closer to the grassroots and the
might have been true 20 years ago before
people it serves.
reforms like reapportionment and the
In 1984 the Federal Government will
Voting Rights Act, the 10-year extension of
apply the full proceeds from certain excise
which I strongly support. It's no longer true
taxes to a grassroots trust fund that will
today. This administration has faith in State
belong in fair shares to the 50 States. The
and local governments and the constitution-
total amount flowing into this fund will be
al balance envisioned by the Founding Fa-
$28 billion a year. Over the next 4 years the
thers. We also believe in the integrity, de-
States can use this money in either of two
cency, and sound, good sense of grassroots
ways. If they want to continue receiving
Americans.
Federal grants in such areas as transporta-
Our faith in the American people is re-
tion, education, and social services, they can
flected in another major endeavor. Our pri-
76
Administration of Ronald Reagan, 1982 / Jan. 26
vate sector initiatives task force is seeking
foreign policy, I should say, a subject I
to pay for the
out successful community models of school,
intend to address in detail in the near
they choose to
church, business, union, foundation, and
future. A few words, however, are in order
grams, they can
civic programs that help community needs.
on the progress we've made over the past
on their own for
Such groups are almost invariably far more
year, reestablishing respect for our nation
There will be a
efficient than government in running social
around the globe and some of the chal-
part of these
programs.
lenges and goals that we will approach in
We're not asking them to replace discard-
the year ahead.
be in complete
ed and often discredited government pro-
At Ottawa and Cancún, I met with lead-
grant programs.
grams dollar for dollar, service for service.
ers of the major industrial powers and de-
phase out, even-
We just want to help them perform the
veloping nations. Now, some of those I met
excise taxes will
good works they choose and help others to
with were a little surprised that I didn't
They can then
profit by their example. Three hundred and
apologize for America's wealth. Instead, I
es on their own
eighty-five thousand corporations and pri-
spoke of the strength of the free market-
se programs as
vate organizations are already working on
place system and how that system could
social programs ranging from drug rehabili-
help them realize their aspirations for eco-
will be accom-
tation to job training, and thousands more
nomic development and political freedom. I
will end cum-
Americans have written us asking how they
believe lasting friendships were made, and
1 spiraling costs
can help. The volunteer spirit is still alive
the foundation was laid for future coopera-
ve ensure these
and well in America.
tion.
ponsive to both
Our nation's long journey towards civil
In the vital region of the Caribbean
0 help and the
rights for all our citizens-once a source of
Basin, we're developing a program of aid,
discord, now a source of pride-must
trade, and investment incentives to pro-
continue with no backsliding or slowing
is program to
mote self-sustaining growth and a better,
down. We must and shall see that those
nd flexibility of
more secure life for our neighbors to the
basic laws that guarantee equal rights are
S, we're propos-
south. Toward those who would export ter-
mental effort to
preserved and, when necessary, strength-
rorism and subversion in the Caribbean and
ened.
lepressed urban
elsewhere, especially Cuba and Libya, we
Our concern for equal rights for women
This legislation
will act with firmness.
is firm and unshakable. We launched a new
ties to apply to
Task Force on Legal Equity for Women and
Our foreign policy is a policy of strength,
r designation as
a Fifty States Project that will examine
fairness, and balance. By restoring Ameri-
broad range of
State laws for discriminatory language. And
ca's military credibility, by pursuing peace
S in the zones
for the first time in our history, a woman
at the negotiating table wherever both sides
ness, new jobs,
sits on the highest court in the land.
are willing to sit down in good faith, and by
:a's inner cities
So, too, the problem of crime-one as real
regaining the respect of America's allies
say our mission
and deadly serious as any in America today.
and adversaries alike, we have strengthened
Well, I say we
It demands that we seek transformation of
our country's position as a force for peace
at together we
our legal system, which overly protects the
and progress in the world.
rights of criminals while it leaves society
When action is called for, we're taking it.
tates and local
and the innocent victims of crime without
Our sanctions against the military dictator-
he challenge of
justice.
ship that has attempted to crush human
ship. Well, that
We look forward to the enactment of a
rights in Poland-and against the Soviet
ears ago before
responsible clean air act to increase jobs
regime behind that military dictatorship-
ent and the
while continuing to improve the quality of
clearly demonstrated to the world that
ar extension of
our air. We're encouraged by the bipartisan
America will not conduct "business as
no longer true
initiative of the House and are hopeful of
usual" with the forces of oppression. If the
as faith in State
further progress as the Senate continues its
events in Poland continue to deteriorate,
he constitution-
deliberations.
further measures will follow.
: Founding Fa-
So far, I've concentrated largely, now, on
Now, let me also note that private Ameri-
e integrity, de-
domestic matters. To view the state of the
can groups have taken the lead in making
se of grassroots
Union in perspective, we must not ignore
January 30th a day of solidarity with the
the rest of the world. There isn't time to-
people of Poland. So, too, the European
n people is re-
night for a lengthy treatment of social-or
Parliament has called for March 21st to be
eavor. Our pri-
77
Jan. 26 / Administration of Ronald Reagan, 1982
an international day of support for Afghani-
keep the peace. We will also keep our free-
stan. Well, I urge all peace-loving peoples
dom.
to join together on those days, to raise their
We have made pledges of a new frank-
voices, to speak and pray for freedom.
ness in our public statements and world-
Meanwhile, we're working for reduction
wide broadcasts. In the face of a climate of
of arms and military activities, as I an-
falsehood and misinformation, we've prom-
nounced in my address to the Nation last
ised the world a season of truth-the truth
November 18th. We have proposed to the
of our great civilized ideas: individual liber-
Soviet Union a far-reaching agenda for
ty, representative government, the rule of
mutual reduction of military forces and
law under God. We've never needed walls
have already initiated negotiations with
or minefields or barbed wire to keep our
them in Geneva on intermediate-range nu-
people in. Nor do we declare martial law to
clear forces. In those talks it is essential that
keep our people from voting for the kind of
we negotiate from a position of strength.
government they want.
There must be a real incentive for the Sovi-
Yes, we have our problems; yes, we're in
ets to take these talks seriously. This re-
a time of recession. And it's true, there's no
quires that we rebuild our defenses.
In the last decade, while we sought the
quick fix, as I said, to instantly end the
moderation of Soviet power through a proc-
tragic pain of unemployment. But we will
ess of restraint and accommodation, the So-
end it. The process has already begun, and
viets engaged in an unrelenting buildup of
we'll see its effect as the year goes on.
their military forces. The protection of our
We speak with pride and admiration of
national security has required that we un-
that little band of Americans who overcame
dertake a substantial program to enhance
insuperable odds to set this nation on
our military forces.
course 200 years ago. But our glory didn't
We have not neglected to strengthen our
end with them. Americans ever since have
traditional alliances in Europe and Asia, or
emulated their deeds.
to develop key relationships with our part-
We don't have to turn to our history
ners in the Middle East and other countries.
books for heroes. They're all around us.
Building a more peaceful world requires a
One who sits among you here tonight epito-
sound strategy and the national resolve to
mized that heroism at the end of the long-
back it up. When radical forces threaten
est imprisonment ever inflicted on men of
our friends, when economic misfortune cre-
our Armed Forces. Who will ever forget
ates conditions of instability, when strategi-
that night when we waited for television to
cally vital parts of the world fall under the
bring us the scene of that first plane land-
shadow of Soviet power, our response can
ing at Clark Field in the Philippines, bring-
make the difference between peaceful
ing our POW's home? The plane door
change or disorder and violence. That's why
opened and Jeremiah Denton came slowly
we've laid such stress not only on our own
down the ramp. He caught sight of our flag,
defense but on our vital foreign assistance
saluted it, said, "God bless America," and
program. Your recent passage of the For-
then thanked us for bringing him home.
eign Assistance Act sent a signal to the
Just 2 weeks ago, in the midst of a terri-
world that America will not shrink from
ble tragedy on the Potomac, we saw again
making the investments necessary for both
the spirit of American heroism at its
peace and security. Our foreign policy must
finest-the heroism of dedicated rescue
be rooted in realism, not naivete or self-
workers saving crash victims from icy
delusion.
waters. And we saw the heroism of one of
A recognition of what the Soviet empire
our young government employees, Lenny
is about is the starting point. Winston
Skutnik, who, when he saw a woman lose
Churchill, in negotiating with the Soviets,
her grip on the helicopter line, dived into
observed that they respect only strength
the water and dragged her to safety.
and resolve in their dealings with other na-
And then there are countless, quiet, ev-
tions. That's why we've moved to recon-
eryday heroes of American life-parents
struct our national defenses. We intend to
who sacrifice long and hard so their chil-
78
Administration of Ronald Reagan, 1982 / Jan. 27
so keep our free-
dren will know a better life than they've
eration."
known; church and civic volunteers who
Well, that President and that Congress
of a new frank-
help to feed, clothe, nurse, and teach the
did not fail the American people. Together
ents and world-
needy; millions who've made our nation
they weathered the storm and preserved
e of a climate of
and our nation's destiny so very special-
the Union. Let it be said of us that we, too,
on, we've prom-
unsung heroes who may not have realized
did not fail; that we, too, worked together
truth-the truth
their own dreams themselves but then who
to bring America through difficult times.
individual liber-
reinvest those dreams in their children.
Let us so conduct ourselves that two cen-
ent, the rule of
Don't let anyone tell you that America's
turies from now, another Congress and an-
er needed walls
best days are behind her, that the American
other President, meeting in this Chamber
ire to keep our
spirit has been vanquished. We've seen it
as we are meeting, will speak of us with
e martial law to
pride, saying that we met the test and pre-
triumph too often in our lives to stop be-
g for the kind of
served for them in their day the sacred
lieving in it now.
flame of liberty-this last, best hope of man
A hundred and twenty years ago, the
on Earth.
ns; yes, we're in
greatest of all our Presidents delivered his
true, there's no
God bless you, and thank you.
second State of the Union message in this
stantly end the
Chamber. "We cannot escape history,"
nt. But we will
Note: The President spoke at 9 p.m. in the
Abraham Lincoln warned. "We of this Con-
ady begun, and
House Chamber at the Capitol. He was in-
gress and this administration will be re-
troduced by Thomas P. O'Neill, Jr., Speaker
r goes on.
I admiration of
membered in spite of ourselves." The "trial
of the House of Representatives. The ad-
through which we pass will light us down,
dress was broadcast live on nationwide
who overcame
radio and television.
this nation on
in honor or dishonor, to the latest [last] gen-
ur glory didn't
ever since have
to our history
Message to the Senate Transmitting a Protocol to the North Atlantic
all around us.
Treaty
e tonight epito-
nd of the long-
January 26, 1982
ted on men of
ill ever forget
To the Senate of the United States:
security, are historic developments and a
or television to
With a view to receiving the advice and
source of inspiration in these troubled
rst plane land-
consent of the Senate to ratification, I trans-
times. Spain's strategic location, and human
ippines, bring-
and material resources, will make a major
mit herewith a certified copy of a protocol
e plane door
contribution to the security of the Alliance.
to the North Atlantic Treaty on the acces-
a came slowly
Accordingly, I urge that the Senate give
sion of Spain, signed in Brussels on Decem-
ght of our flag,
early and favorable consideration to this
ber 10, 1981 on behalf of the United States
America," and
protocol.
g him home.
and the other parties to the North Atlantic
idst of a terri-
Treaty. I transmit also for the information
RONALD REAGAN
of the Senate the report made to me by the
we saw again
The White House,
roism at its
Secretary of State regarding this matter.
January 26, 1982.
cated rescue
Spain's rededication to the values and
ns from icy
purposes underlying the North Atlantic
Note: The text of the message was released
ism of one of
Treaty, and her decision to seek full part-
by the Office of the Press Secretary on Jan-
oyees, Lenny
nership in the effort to maintain Western
uary 27.
1 woman lose
e, dived into
afety.
SS, quiet, ev-
life-parents
so their chil-
79