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Thanksgiving Address to the Nation 11/28/91 [OA 8319] [1]
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Thanksgiving Address to the Nation 11/28/91 [OA 8319] [1]
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1
1
THANKSGIVING SPEECH OUTLINE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
I) INTRODUCTION: NOTES ON THANKSGIVING
II) UNDERSTANDING THE PROBLEMS
A) HOW A PRESIDENT STAYS IN TOUCH
1) LETTERS FROM CITIZENS
2) PHONE CALLS
3) VISITING THE COUNTRY -- PERHAPS TALK ABOUT THE
TRAVELS TO FLA, MS, ETC.
4) PERSONAL HISTORY: UNDERSTANDS WHAT IT TAKES TO
BUILD A BUSINESS. GOVERNMENT DOESN'T CREATE JOBS,
PEOPLE DO
B) WHERE THE ECONOMY STANDS
1) WHATEVER BAD NEWS WE WANT TO DISCUSS
2) GOOD NEWS: FUNDAMENTALS LOOK STURDY
A) INFLATION
B) INTEREST RATES
C) EXPORTS
D) DEFICIT CONTROL
3) A CHANGING INTERNATIONAL ECONOMY: ONE THAT REWARDS
AMERICAN STRENGTHS: HARD WORK, FREE ENTERPRISE,
INNOVATION, ETC.
4) WHAT PEOPLE WANT: TALK ABOUT THE HOUSEHOLD-LEVEL
VIEW OF THINGS: GOOD JOB, SAFE NEIGHBORHOODS, GOOD
SCHOOLS, VIBRANT OPTIMISTIC ECONOMY
III) WHAT WE PROPOSE
A) PACKAGE OUR GROWTH INCENTIVES: A SIX- OR SEVEN- OR
WHATEVER-POINT PACKAGE:
1) CAPITAL GAINS
2) R&D TAX CREDIT
3) IRA EXPANSION
4) REGULATORY REFORM
5) BANKING REFORM
6) AGGRESSIVE TRADE POLICY
B) COMMON-SENSE EXPLANATION OF WHAT THESE WILL DO
C) BRIEF DISCUSSION OF THE ASIA TRIP: ANY INITIATIVES
TO ANNOUNCE?
D) AN EXTENDED HAND TO CONGRESS
1) NOTE NORMAL ELECTION-YEAR TEMPTATIONS
2) DISCUSS THE IMPORTANCE OF SETTING ASIDE POLITICAL
AMBITIONS LONG ENOUGH TO DO POLITICIANS' JOBS
IV) AMERICA'S GREATNESS: WE CAN DO IT
A) COLD WAR, GULF TRIUMPHS: IDEALS AND COMMITMENT
B) NATURAL OPTIMISM AND VERVE
V) PUTTING IT ALL IN PERSPECTIVE
A) OUR HISTORY: FROM RAW WILDERNESS TO GREATEST CIVILIZATION
IN WORLD HISTORY
B) RECALL FIRST THANKSGIVING, RECALL WHAT AMERICANS WANT
C) A CALL TO JOIN TOGETHER, LIKE EARLY PILGRIMS, TO CONFRONT
THE EXCITING CHALLENGES OF THE NEXT CENTURY
7 January 1991
MEMORANDUM FOR MARK LANGE
FROM:
JENNIFER GROSSMAN
SUBJECT:
OTHER IMPORTANT SPEECHES, NOT PRESIDENTIAL
1)
RALPH WALDO EMERSON POINTS OUT THE DUTIES OF THE AMERICAN
SCHOLAR, August 31, 1837:
"This time, like all times is a very good one, if we but
know what to do with it. "
"Is it not the chief disgrace in the world, not to be a
unit--not to be reckoned with one character--not to yield
that peculiar fruit which each man was created to bear, but
to be reckoned in the gross, in the hundred, or the
thousand, or the party, the section, to which we belong. "
2)
LEARNED HAND, May 21, 1944:
"We have gathered here to affirm a faith, a faith in a
common purpose, a common conviction, a common devotion."
"Some of us have chosen America as the land of our adoption;
the rest have come from those who did the same. For this
reason we have some right to consider ourselves a picked
group, a group of those who had the courage to break from
the past and brave the dangers and the loneliness of a
strange land. What was the object that nerved us, or those
who went before us, to this choice? We sought liberty:
freedom from oppression, freedom from want, freedom to be
ice
founto,
allofus
ourselves."
HOW ABOUT SUBSTITUTING "BUREAUCRACY/PROGRAMS" FOR
"LAWS/CONSTITUTION":
"Liberty lies in the hearts of men and women; when it dies
there, no constitution, no law, no court can save it; no
constitution, no law, no court can even do much to help it."
3)
THE SINEWS OF PEACE, EX-PRIME MINISTER CHURCHILL, March 5,
1946:
" in moral force, there will be no quivering, precarious
balance of power to offer its temptation to ambition or
adventure. On the contrary, there will be an overwhelming
assurance of security. If we adhere faithfully to the
Charter of the United Nations and walk forward in sedate and
CONSERVATIVE VISION OF A COLORBLIND SOCIETY: "I have a
dream that my four little children will one day live in a
nation where they will not be judged by the color of their
skin but by the content of their character."
" From every mountain-side
Let freedom ring.
5)
ANNUAL MESSAGES OF THE PRESIDENTS: MAJOR THEMES IN AMERICAN
HISTORY, ARTHUR M. SCHLESINGER, JR.:
" He shall from time to time give to the Congress
Information of the State of the Union, and recommend to
their Consideration such Measures as he shall judge
neccessary and expedient
feyord Ke
The Constitution of the United States, Article
II, Section 3.
"
these innocuous phrases (above) conferred on the American
President what has become after vicissitudes, a basic tool
in his management of Congress and a potent instrument of
national leadership."
"The next Presidents kept up the standards of the Messages
for a while: Jefferson through literary grace and
philosophical force; Madison through intellectual cogency;
Monroe through the direct promulgation of policy (as his
celebrated Doctrine) ; John Quincy Adams through sweeping
national vision; Jackson through bold executive initiative.
But in time the Message became increasingly a perfunctory
and bureaucratic document, made up of submissions from the
executive departments lightly bound together by the passages
of piety and self-congratulation. "
"
Grant's support for the item veto (renewed by Arthur and
again by Eisenhower) "
"Most of the time, as devices in the presidential management
of Congress, they tended to employ the rhetoric of
consensus, seeking to minimize differences, to mollify
opposition and to court support. Abrasive issues were often
swathed and submerged
"
((Aon't,
"Yet, though sometimes in a muted and fitful way, major
themes of American history nevertheless emerge in these
texts: the security of the republic; the internal
development of the continent; the place of ethnic
minorities; the evolution of presidential power; and the
significance of the experiment in democratic government."
"
(Franklin) Roosevelt set forth his Four Freedoms. Three
years later, warning against the 'tragic errors of ostrich
isolationism, he called on the freedom-loving nations to
join 'in a just and durable system of peace.
"'We seek, I said Kennedy, 'not the worldwide victory of one
nation or system but a worldwide victory of men. 111
John Quincy Adams: the exercise of delegated powers is a
duty as sacred and indispensable as the usurpation of powers
not granted is criminal and odious.
The Great Society,' said Johnson in his Second Message,
asks not only how much, but how good; not only how to
Arbor?
create wealth, but how to use it; not only how fast we are
Ann
going but where we are headed.
"Polk wrote: 'Any attempt to coerce the President to yield
his sanction to measures which he cannot approve would be a
violation of the spirit of the Constitution, palpable and
flagrant, and if successful would break down the
independence of the executive department and make the
President, elected by the people and clothed by the
Constitution with the power to defend their rights, the mere
instrument of a majority of Congress.'
THE COLD WAR DISSOLVES ABROAD, CAN WE MELT IT HERE AT HOME?
the cold war between the President and the Congress has
remained a central (and wholesome) feature of American
political history."
PRESIDENT AND HIS PEOPLE EXCHANGE SOU MESSAGES:
"The people through their representatives, their newspapers
and their right of petition had to be free to send back
their own state-of-the-union messages to the President."
"Truman's last Message stated the issue with quiet
eloquence:
Let all of us pause now, think back, consider carefully
the meaning of our national experience. Let us draw
comfort from it and faith and confidence in our future
as Americans. The Nation's business is never finished.
The basic questions we have been dealing with, these
eight years past, present themselves anew. That is the
way of our society. Circumstances change and current
questions take on different forms, new complications,
year by year. But underneath the great issues remain
the same--prosperity, welfare, human rights, effective
democracy, and, above all, peace."
Kennedy:
"Now, in 1965, we begin a new quest for union. We seek
the unity of man with the world he has built--with the
knowledge that can save or destroy him--with the cities
which can stimulate or stifle him--with the wealth and
machines which can enrich or menace his spirit. We
seek to establish a harmony between man and society
which will allow each of us to enlarge the meaning of
his life and all of us to elevate the quality of our
civilization."
6)
REMARKS BY CHIEF OF STAFF GOVERNOR JOHN SUNUNU TO NATIONAL
PRESS CLUB---This is a laundry list of what has been
accomplished, and what we'd like to accomplish. Read not
for style, but for policy outlines, details.
November 22, 1991
MEMORANDUM FOR TONY SNOW
FROM:
JENNIFER GROSSMAN
SUBJECT:
LETTERS
LETTERS
NOTE:
Strong themes running through many of the letters -- "you
might think that the recession is over. You should get
out in the country and see for yourself," "Show us that
you care, " "You're not getting good economic advice, " "Do
you know how bad it is out here?" "It is time for action
on the homefront."
1)
"I'm one of those 'middle class working people.' We're a two-
job family and have to be to keep our heads above water.
There are no big frills for us we were brought up with a
strong work ethic
Thank you for not backing down, for doing
what needs to be done in the face of ridicule and a clamoring
for quick fixes to our problems. "
*This letter, from Beth Kolstad of Waukesha, Wisconsin, would
fit neatly into a message of: "The American people aren't
innocents. They won't be scared or pushed around or fooled
by those who seek to exploit their economic fears for
political gain. Also, if the press wanted to see the whole
letter or interview woman after excerpt was used -- she's an
ideal booking: letter slams liberal press bias.
2)
"Mr.
President
I wrote you in early September because I
had
not been regularly employed since around April
I was
mad, depressed, confused, and broke.
After I wrote you (which was in haste) I decided to put
my faith in gear. My faith in you, our country, in God and
in myself. That very evening the phone rang -- it was a call
to bid a job
I'm a Republican, and you can tell those Democrats, I'm
not one of those rich Republicans. I had a good job, I lost
it, I was down but I am in the direction of my own
recovery
"
*Beautiful letter from Alan Desmond of Dickenson (Ohio?)
3)
James Price of Santa Monica, California wrote of how the
President knows "where shadows, cold, and despair prevail in
our nation."
4)
Ursula Hayes of Cape Cod writes:
"I am very frightened. Please, please don't abandon your
hardest working to the devastation of poverty. We only want
a fair chance to work hard so our children will have the
opportunity for a future."
5)
Larry Adams of Encinitas, California writes urging politically
cooperative action on economy, a "what works" approach:
II
it is crucial to get this economy of our on track again.
This should not be a political confrontation, but instead a
joint effort by all of our representatives
If
certain
entities benefit because they risk capital and generate
movement, is this not better than the stagnation we have
fallen into since the last major tax reform act. When you
deprive the human sould the reward of risk you deny everyone
of our heritage of how our country was built
As neither a
wealthy nor poor citizen of this country, I'm asking all of
my representatives to act in unison and tighten spending where
needed and loosen the strings whre it can do the most for our
entire economy and each and every citizen."
6)
CAP GAINS (maybe not for use in this speech, but could use
elsewere). Joseph Locatell of Chadwick Beach, New Jersey
writes:
"Capital gains reduction is not just a relief for the wealthy.
Actually, the wealthy have many options for tax relief that
the lower and middle income tax payers do not
have
(example) : Tony, your local pizza business; he starts
with a small shop and works hard to build his business. He
and tens of thousands like him, gift shops, hair salons,
luncheonettes, small businesses work hard to build their
businesses and when they sell, the government takes 30%.
These are not wealthy people There is a concept (a wrong
one) that capital gains is only applied to the rich. This is
not true. Will someone in Washington get this message to the
congress by letting the public know the facts."
People who put to werk their faith in themselves.
THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
(Camp David, Maryland)
EMBARGOED FOR RELEASE
UNTIL 10:00 A.M. EST
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 1991
TEXT OF REMARKS BY THE PRESIDENT
IN THANKSGIVING ADDRESS TO THE NATION
Camp David, Maryland
From Camp David, Barbara and I would like to wish all Americans a
joyous Thanksgiving. This holiday has always had a special
meaning for the Bush family, as it does for most Americans.
Thanksgiving captures our spirit as a people: our determination,
our generosity, our industry, and our faith.
Thanksgiving brings to mind the joys of plenty and the anguish of
want. As Americans celebrated Thanksgiving in 1777, George
Washington and his troops huddled along the banks of the Delaware
River. Buffeted by the brutal cold, haunted by British troops
massed over the horizon, they stopped to offer humble words of
thanks and praise, and to dedicate themselves to the cause of
building a land of prosperous liberty. That simple moment helped
establish the American character. Our Founders' faith and
determination transformed this land from a patchwork of colonies
into a Republic of ideals.
This Thanksgiving, many of us join friends and family around the
table; others share time by phoning loved ones far away; and all
of us will think of others. In places of worship across the
land, people contribute canned goods or turkeys or clothing.
They share their blessings with people suffering through tough
times. And that's as it should be. Americans always have
expressed their thanks by serving others.
Many people wonder how a President understands what goes on
outside Washington, especially to people struggling to make ends
meet. Of course, statistics paint a sobering picture:
unemployment, tight credit, lower home values, sluggish job
growth. But real life speaks far more eloquently than bare
numbers. I have traveled to 48 states since becoming President:
talking, meeting people, listening, learning. I will continue
traveling around our great country because that's one way a
President stays in touch with people.
Recently, many Americans have written me, saying they want me to
know and understand that hard times have hurt them. They don't
pull any punches. One man, who lost his job in September,
described how he and his wife struggle to support two children at
home, pay the bills and keep up their property while he seeks
work. "Mr. President," he wrote, "now is the time to come to the
aid of the American people The American people need to know
that you mean what you say." A woman, who typed beneath her
signature the words, "Average Middle American," was just as
blunt. Her husband recently lost his job, and she wrote that
"it's pretty thorny out there."
Well, I do understand. I am concerned. And I want to help.
I know that for a person out of a job, the unemployment rate is
100 percent.
- more -
2
As a Nation, we need to address today's problems and tomorrow's
promise in a new world united in economic competition -- not
frozen in nuclear conflict.
Over the years we have built a strong foundation for progress in
this new, revitalized world. Inflation is down. Interest rates
have fallen to the lowest level in years. This year we will
export billions of dollars more in goods and services than ever
before, and that means good jobs for American men and women.
This doesn't mean that we ought to sit back and hope for the
best. We must take strong steps to move ahead. I have asked
Congress to pass an important series of initiatives to boost our
economy. These include tax incentives to unleash investment,
reforms to help our banks do their job, proposals to set loose a
revolution in American education, initiatives to keep health care
costs down. Taken together, these proposals would let Americans
do more, produce more, dream more, dare more. They would create
more jobs, good jobs, for American workers.
Unfortunately, Congress did not send me a comprehensive package
of economic growth measures. But we can't take "no" for an
answer.
Now, I know we're about to enter an election year. And I know
that both parties will spend a lot of time taking tough shots at
one another. In our system of government, the opposition will
attack the President aggressively. There is nothing new about
this. But when people are hurting, a President cannot accept
politics as usual.
Congress left town after a particularly bitter session. We now
have a few weeks in which elected officials can cool off and hear
from the people they serve. In this time we can build a
foundation for greater prosperity. I will continue taking what
independent steps I can to help the economy like fighting to
create opportunities in foreign markets for American workers.
I'll make sure that Administration agencies do everything they
can to help the people, from getting unemployment checks out to
easing the credit crunch. And I will insist that we get the
money in our transportation bill out right away to build roads,
fix bridges and create jobs.
When I give the State of the Union Speech in January, I will ask
Congress to lay aside election-year politics at least long enough
to enact a common-sense series of economic growth measures.
I will ask politicians to restrain their personal ambitions at
least long enough to get the job done. Afterward, the normal
election-year battling can resume.
Politicians should remember that hot rhetoric won't fill an empty
stomach. It won't create a job. It won't get the people's
business done. Americans don't care about finger pointing in
Washington, and they certainly have no tolerance for politicians
who use tough times for political advantage. So I will continue
to place top priority on the issues you care about: building a
growing economy, world-class schools, and what our Founders
called "public tranquility" -- a kinder, gentler nation rid of
crime and united by bonds of brotherhood and service.
Every day, as I confront the tasks ahead of us, I think of the
people we serve -- the family struggling to make ends meet;
police risking everything to keep peace on the streets. I thank
God for our teachers, who must serve as psychologists, doctors,
social workers and peacekeepers before getting a chance to teach
the three Rs. And I do care about the people who write me
letters, especially people in trouble, people out of work.
- more -
3
Finally, I also remember the American people I have seen in every
state and on virtually every continent: People who will not take
no for an answer, people with a zest for life; people who love
their country.
Americans don't ignore tough realities; we tackle them. We don't
wallow in self-pity or despair; we shove obstacles aside and make
life better. Optimism, opportunity, realism, determination:
These are oxygen to us; they let our society live and breathe.
America grew strong with the help of the greatest resource on
Earth, the American people. As we look ahead, we should be as
realistic about our strengths as we are about our problems.
Every time I talk with Americans, I see our strength and I feel
all the more determined to do what you elected me to do: foster
growth, keep the peace, and maintain our stature as the world's
greatest Nation -- the standard by which all other countries
measure themselves.
Two years ago, I talked to the Nation on the Eve of Thanksgiving
about the challenges posed by the collapse of communism. We met
those challenges.
One year ago today, Barbara and I stood in the sands of Saudi
Arabia, looking into the eyes of the finest men and women this
country has ever known. I wondered whether I would have to send
those young people into battle. We were a Nation on edge,
anxious about what lay ahead in the Persian Gulf. No one knew
how it would work out.
But look at what they did; what we did. We pulled together. We
fought for principle. We stood up to aggression. And when our
men and women returned home, remember how we felt: proud,
excited, confident, even relieved -- all because we knew that we
did the right thing.
Today, democracy is on the march around the globe. Nations long
enslaved have begun experimenting with liberty, exploring their
own promise as free people. America led the way to this new
world. We met the test of world leadership.
Just as we've met every challenge in the past, we will meet those
that confront us today. As we do, let us remember who we are and
what we've done. Let's give thanks for our blessings, for our
families and our faith. Let's dedicate ourselves to the hard
work this moment demands. Let's pledge to join hands in common
purpose.
That's the Thanksgiving spirit, and it has lifted us since the
pilgrims first celebrated it more than three centuries ago. Now
let's call upon that spirit today to help those in need. Let's
call upon that spirit as we move toward a new year and look
forward to a new century.
Thank you. May God bless all of you and our great land, the
United States of America.
# # #
Dec. 11 / Administration of George Bush, 1989
Section 105(b) of the Act requires that
tutional authority to protect information re-
the United States Arms Control and Disar-
lating to treaty negotiations or other sensi-
mament Agency disseminate information
tive national security information.
pertaining to arms control verification and
GEORGE BUSH
monitoring, including information regard-
ing current, proposed, prospective, and po-
The White House,
tential arms treaties. It also requires that
December 11, 1989.
the Agency provide detailed information on
such activities in its annual report to the
Note: H.R. 1495, approved December 11,
Congress. I shall interpret the language of
was assigned Public Law No. 101-216.
this Act so as not to detract from my consti-
Remarks and a Question-and-Answer Session With Newspaper
Editors
December 11, 1989
The President. Thank you all for coming.
and others-private banking interests-help
I'm particularly looking forward to this be-
us get on with this.
cause you do represent a unique category of
On the economy-we end the year with a
journalism. What I want to do is just make a
still-growing economy, the lowest unem-
few brief comments and then take your
ployment rate in 15 years, and 20.5 million
questions for awhile.
new jobs created over the last several years.
First, just a word on the recent Malta
I've been able to keep my pledge of no new
visit-I think it was very promising. Mr.
taxes for this year. And generally, I feel
Gorbachev and I agreed to hold a summit
pretty good about it. There's some signs of
in the United States next year in June. We
concern that have been expressed from
agreed that our foreign ministers would
time to time by the Fed [Federal Reserve
meet in the Soviet Union next month. We
Board], but I think the main thing now is to
are on the brink of exciting, new U.S.-Soviet
keep it growing until every American bene-
relations. And having said that, there are
fits by this-the longest recovery in history.
still some difficulties. Our Secretary of
And on the ethics package-we sent an
State's abroad right now, talking about
ethics package up early. Congress did incor-
some of the problems facing Europe. But
porate many of the provisions in our gov-
basically, I end the year more optimistic
ernmentwide ethics package into the law
than when I began it, and very encouraged
passed recently that was coupled with the
about the change that's taking place inside
congressional pay raise. I think the reform
the Soviet Union and all across Eastern
is long overdue. We didn't get everything
Europe.
we want, but we made a beginning out
On the Third World debt question, we
there.
came up with a proposal for solving it-the
On S&L's-the package, which was not
so-called Brady plan. I want to be sure that
easy to come by, guarantees depositors that
we move further during next year in terms
money will be safe and sets tough new
of implementation. At least we spelled out
standards to ensure that the crisis doesn't
some broad parameters with which to try to
happen again. I'm disappointed, in some
help solve the problems of Third World
ways, with the Congress and with our
debt. But as one who is very interested in
progress-or lack thereof-in some areas.
this hemisphere, I can tell you that there's
The crime package-we sent a compre-
enormous interest in the part of our friends
hensive violent crime control package
to the south-small countries and large-
which proposes augmenting enforcement
that we get on with this, and that our allies
and prosecutions, strengthening current
1682
Dec. 11 / Administration of George Bush, 1989
Administration of George Bu
El Salvador
the specifics in that case to give you an
notebook over there. So, I'm not ducking it;
tion, as to when all this
Q. John Zakarian, from the Hartford Cou-
opinion as to whether the $100,000 limit on
I just don't know the answer. But generally
It should be, and I'd like
rant, Hartford, Connecticut. How likely is it
savings deposits affected it or not. All I do
speaking, I think you are going to find that
possible.
for Jennifer Casolo to receive a fair trial in
know is that we've got to clean it up and
we are able to finance the initiatives that I
But I think there are
El Salvador, given the breakdown of law
it's a whale of a mess. And we'll see where
talked about-some of which I mentioned
all I would say is that thi
and order in that country and also given
we go, but we had this one refinancing. I
here-that do affect the welfare of the
panied by a person from
the initial remarks that came out of the
am now told that that might not be enough.
American people, particularly those that are
I believe the Justice Dei
White House when she was arrested?
And whether you can attribute it to your
disadvantaged.
the custodianship or take
The President. Well, I think it's essential
question or not, I am embarrassed to say I
in all of this. And I have
Panama
that she receive a fair trial. And I have
just don't have a good answer for you.
our Attorney General woul
instructed our Ambassador and, indeed,
Q. Sterling Holmesly, San Antonio Ex-
kind of inquisition process
talked to Cristiani [President of El Salvador]
Urban Poverty
press-News. Mr. President, could you tell us
to in the papers today.
personally, to represent to the Salvadorans
Q. David Boldt, of the Philadelphia En-
when a decision will be announced on the
important, just as in the
that it's essential that a fair trial be granted.
quirer. It sometimes seems that missing
relocation of the Southern Command in
this be resolved fairly and
And having said that, I'm satisfied so far
from your agenda and from your comments
Panama?
of the American people.
that that will take place. But it is essential
today has been anything relating to the
The President. No, sir, I don't know. I'm
to mean the disclosure
that it not only take place but have all the
problems of American cities, particularly
not ducking it; I just don't know the
about. And so, I want to ju
appearances of fairness. And I think that's
the problems of urban poverty. And it leads
answer. Can anyone help with that? Bob
this will take place. I thi
what Mr. Cristiani is determined to do.
to an inclination to think that perhaps you
[Robert Gates, Deputy Assistant to the
that it's done in a way
That one is very complex, but so far I
don't think these problems are amenable to
President for National Security Affairs]? I
tampering with evidence
have seen no indication that she will not
Federal initiative. Is that correct?
know people in San Antonio have a keen
the legal proceedings that
receive a fair trial. I have expressed my
The President. No, that's incorrect. I
interest in this, and I can understand why,
I think that's very importa
own concern about the FMLN shooting up
thought child care had a lot to do with that.
but I just don't know the answer to that
Q. Will you order the
civilians and shooting up a-going after a
I thought the question of anticrime legisla-
one.
investigation public in the
democratically elected government that
future?
tion has a lot to do with that because those
El Salvador
was elected in certifiably free elections.
The President. Well, I'll
areas are the most severely impacted. But I
And I think when Oscar Arias calls and
Q. Shelly Cohen, from the Boston Herald.
confines of the legal pr
am glad you raised it because it is totally
urges that the Soviets intervene to see that
There have been widely divergent accounts
want to order them to
incorrect. I also mentioned the creation of
this kind of thing doesn't go on-it makes
this morning of the credibility of a witness
then have them say the
jobs-that's very important to the inner
an impression on me. But we ought to sepa-
to the murder of those priests in El Salva-
done this is making it dif!
cities.
rate these cases and just do everything we
dor. Is it not time to go public with that
sonable solution to the
can to insist that whoever it is be granted a
Federal Budget
investigation? If not now, when?
is asking-what happene
fair hearing and a fair trial. And I hope that
Q. Chris Colford-I'm from the Cleve-
The President. Widely-
fairness to her, I've alre:
will be the case in Jennifer Casolo.
land Plain Dealer. As we await your next
Q. We have a report-
my satisfaction that she i.
The President. -as to whether she's a
dled. And I don't think
Savings and Loan Crisis
budget for next year there is some anxiety
credible witness or not?
tell me something that's
Q. Byron White, Cincinnati Post. Cincin-
that there may be another round of cuts in
nati being the home of Marvin Warner and
human and domestic services-for example,
Q. Yes. We have a report out of El Salva-
cause there would be
dor that she had flunked lie detector tests.
that. Thank you all very
Charles Keating, we've had quite an inter-
the Legal Services Corporation, where you
recently offered a recess appointment for a
We have other reports from the clergy in
est in the S&L crisis. You mentioned in
new Chairman. Can you give us some assur-
El Salvador that she's being brainwashed.
Note: The President spol
your remarks that you saw the fact that the
S&L package guaranteed depositors their
ances that the kinder, gentler administra-
Could you respond to that?
group of editorial page
tion will have adequate funding for human
The President. Yes, I can respond to the
at the Old Executive Off
money as being a positive. However, some
services?
last part of it, because when I read that, I
closing remarks, he ref
have suggested that the fact that that maxi-
looked into that and am assured that is not
rera de Cerna, who was
mum level of insurance is so high is part of
The President. I think you'll be pleasantly
the case. But I think you ask a good ques-
the Jesuit priests murde
the problem. And I was just wondering
surprised when you take the overall budget
what your thoughts were on that.
and its concerns for city affairs, human af-
The President. On deposit insurance?
fairs-whatever.
Q. The maximum level of insurance,
Q. Legal services?
$100,000 on depositors insurance as being
The President. Well, I can't. I don't know
part of the reason for some of the problems
the exact levels on legal services. We're in
with Lincoln Savings and so forth.
the final processes of budget right now. I go
The President. I don't want to dodge your
from this meeting to another marvelous
question, but I don't know enough about
meeting with Dick Darman and a big thick
Administration of George Bush, 1989 / Nov. 2
e Uruguay round
the Associate Deputy Administrator for Lo-
Deputy Director of the Veterans Adminis-
of the quadrilat-
gistics at the Veterans Administration. Prior
tration for Logistics.
anada, and Japan)
to this, she served in several other capac-
Ms. Livingstone graduated from the Col-
mber 12.
ities at the Veterans Administration, includ-
lege of William and Mary (A.B., 1968), the
eral Development
ing Associate Deputy Administrator for
University of Montana (M.A., 1972), and the
ourage Meaning-
Management, 1985-1986, and Associate
Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy
ms: Consult with
Deputy Administrator for Logistics, 1985.
(M.A., 1973). She was born January 13,
pment banks to
From 1981 to 1985, Ms. Livingstone served
1946, in Carthage, MO. Ms. Livingstone is
D work with the
as the Executive Assistant to the Associate
married and currently resides in Washing-
omote meaning-
ton, DC.
i.
Nomination of Abraham N.M. Shashy, Jr., To Be Assistant General
Community
Counsel of the Treasury
November 1, 1989
The President today announced his inten-
School of Law, 1985-1986; adjunct profes-
xample of one
tion to nominate Abraham N.M. Shashy, Jr.,
sor of taxation at New York University
you've respond-
to be Assistant General Counsel of the
School of Law, 1977-1984; instructor of tax-
Treasury (Chief Counsel for the Internal
ation at New York University School of
r you, Jessica-
Revenue Service). He would succeed Wil-
Law, 1975-1976; and instructor at the Uni-
handkerchief?
liam F. Nelson.
versity of Florida College of Law, 1974.
now?
Since 1984 Mr. Shashy has served as a
Mr. Shashy graduated from the University
partner with the firm of Jones, Day, Reavis
of Florida (B.S., 1970), the University of
it 1:30 p.m. in
and Pogue in Dallas, TX. Prior to this, he
Florida College of Law (J.D., 1973), and
White House.
was a partner with Kronish, Lieb, Shainswit,
Weiner and Hellman in New York, 1981-
New York University School of Law (LL.M.,
ted the award
gnition of the
1984, and an associate, 1976-1981. In addi-
1975). He was born January 13, 1950, in
tion, he served as an adjunct professor of
Ocala, FL. Mr. Shashy is married, has two
the crash of
taxation at Southern Methodist University
children, and resides in Dallas, TX.
n July 19. The
hed the award
nunity volun-
rescue of Jessi-
oned well in
Remarks at the Presentation Ceremony for the Malcolm Baldrige
ear-old Jessica
National Quality Awards
y. In his re-
or Charles E.
November 2, 1989
Fred Grandy
Thank you, Secretary Mosbacher, for the
spotted Strom—I know I did-over here.
warm welcome. It's great to be back across
And it's a little hard to see, but Jesse Helms
the street, almost, at this wonderful Depart-
was to be here, Congressmen Sherry Boeh-
ment. I first want to salute the Baldrige
lert, Don Ritter. George Brown, I do see,
ant
family-a special hello to Midge. Of course,
Howard Coble, Doug Walgren, and Nancy
I'm delighted to see the Secretary of the
Johnson. And if I missed a few-Alec Mc-
Treasury here and Ambassador Hills; able
Millan, I think. And I can't see who else
members of my Cabinet sitting next to
we've got over there, but nevertheless, wel-
them; Dr. Bromley, our Science Advisor,
come to the Members of Congress, whose
who has a keen interest in the success of
support is absolutely essential for the work-
ogistics. She
the work of this Department.
ings of the Commerce Department.
1.
I want to salute Deputy Secretary Murrin
In just a few moments, it will be my
as served as
and Under Secretary Betti. And I think I
pleasure to present awards named after a
1441
Nov. 2 / Administration of George Bush, 1989
great public servant and a close and dear
learned to see foreign competition not as an
friend, Malcolm Baldrige. So, let me just say
excuse to close doors and raise barriers but
a few words about Mac. He had a zest for
as an incentive to renew our own commit-
life-Nancy, I didn't see you-had a zest for
ment to excellence.
life, love of family, and a love of country
American managers have reconsidered
that was uncommon. He was an outstanding
every time-honored belief, every traditional
Secretary of Commerce for 6½ years, and
practice, every customary procedure; and
he was also an outstanding friend. Mac's
they've embraced what works and rejected
word of honor-as those of you who worked
the past. They've studied examples of inno-
with him-was his bond, as good as a $20
vation from home and abroad and adopted
gold piece.
only the best. And we now know the result
And he never quite fit any mold. In this
of this historic reassessment: When it comes
town, they always try to make you fit into
to meeting the competition, America is
some mold. Baldrige never quite fit the
back in business.
mold. He was the president of a very suc-
cessful company who spent a lot of his time
We're here today to honor two companies
a
with volunteer firemen when his wife
that are leading this resurgence. They're
wasn't doing that kind of work. He was the
leading the resurgence in American busi-
S
son of the East who rode horses and loved
ness leadership. Most companies catch hell
his place in New Mexico. He felt at home
from the competition, but these two compa-
with cowboys because he roped with them
nies are in the lead because no competitor
all of his life. You'd never have known it
gave them a tougher time than they gave
from his friendly, easygoing manner, but he
themselves. Of course, in business, success is
was also a bit of a perfectionist, in word and
its own reward. And yet all American firms
deed.
benefit by having a standard of excellence
As a leader in business, Mac strived for
to match and perhaps, one day, to surpass.
quality in products; as Commerce Secre-
For 1989 there can be no higher standard
tary, for quality in public policies. Even the
of quality management than those provided
language-some of you may well remem-
by the winners of the Malcolm Baldrige Na-
ber, to your horror-the language of his
tional Quality Award: Milliken & Company
memos was lean and exact. In fact, he had a
and the Xerox Corporation.
special computer software program for
Both of these manufacturing firms were
Commerce Department documents, one
well-established leaders in their markets,
that automatically weeded out jargon like
yet both were being steadily squeezed out
impacted, viable, infrastructure. [Laughter]
by the intense foreign and domestic compe-
Sort of Gramm-Rudman cut of the English
tition. In the midst of this crisis, the men
language, if you will. [Laughter]
and women of these companies found
But like all perfectionists, he knew that
within themselves the will to make a pains-
perfection is not reaching the attainable.
taking reassessment and the drive to win
Rather, it's a never-ending quest for the
back that market share. Both companies
unattainable. His life was such a quest, a life
started down this path of reassessment with
whose legacy leaves us with a profound in-
a simple premise: In business, there is only
sight: A truly successful man or woman is
one definition of quality-the customer's
someone who has, indeed, served others.
definition. And then they proceeded from
Companies, like people, are successful
this one premise to restructure their pro-
only to the extent to which they provide
duction and marketing plan. Sounds simple.
service. This is true for all business, from
But I know, as a former tiny businessman
the humblest mom-and-pop operation to
myself, how difficult it is to restructure a
the largest corporation. The improvement
firm from top to bottom. And today's win-
of quality in products and the improvement
ners know what is possible when a firm
of quality in service-these are national pri-
restructures itself from the bottom up. They
orities as never before. In recent years,
know that a company can no longer afford
Americans have felt the sting of fierce com-
to regard employees as automatons in a pro-
petition on a global scale, and we've
duction line. They know that a company
1442
Administration of George Bush, 1989 / Nov. 2
competition not as an
must rely on the intelligence, judgment,
excuses attitude, an aggressive impatience
and raise barriers but
and good character of the people it em-
with the status quo even in the best of
ew our own commit-
ploys.
times. And it's this attitude, more than any-
And there are as many successful forms of
thing else, that is responsible for the cre-
management as there are successful compa-
ation of wealth and jobs that we have seen
have reconsidered
lief, every traditional
nies. But for these two companies, success
over the last 7 years.
came when they developed their human as
In these years, our total national wealth
nary procedure; and
well as their technological potential. Milli-
t works and rejected
has grown by almost a third, and more than
ken, for example, a 125-year-old textile
ed examples of inno-
20 million new jobs created. And we are
manufacturer in South Carolina-but its
abroad and adopted
still enjoying the rewards of what has
management style is sheer 21st century.
now know the result
proven to be the longest peacetime expan-
Milliken scrapped the old management hi-
nent: When it comes
sion in American history. So, given the right
erarchy in favor of what they call a flat
petition, America is
policies, and a reduced capital gains tax
management structure-good thing they're
would be one-Congress, I hope you're lis-
not a tire company-[laughter}-flat man-
tening-this expansion will continue. And
nonor two companies
agement structure. Milliken even gave a
given the right tools, the American people
resurgence. They're
new title to its employees, calling them as-
e in American busi-
can reach even greater heights. The poten-
sociates. And this is no hollow accolade for
tial of this nation is as boundless as the
companies catch hell
public relations. Every Milliken employee,
out these two compa-
imagination and drive of the American
I'm told, truly is an associate. In fact, any
people. All we have to do for our citizens is
cause no competitor
Milliken worker has the power to halt that
what these two companies have done for
time than they gave
production line if he or she detects a prob-
n business, success is
their employees: give them the freedom to
lem in quality or safety.
t all American firms
Our other winner takes a similar ap-
do what they do best-freedom to imagine,
andard of excellence
freedom to create, and freedom to excel.
proach with its "Team Xerox" philosophy.
Our winners had such freedom, and they
one day, to surpass.
Xerox employees are given the authority
no higher standard
that they have to have, that they need, to
certainly made the most of it.
than those provided
make day-to-day decisions. And they are,
I give my heartiest congratulations to
[alcolm Baldrige Na-
the company says, expected to take the ini-
Roger Milliken, who is here, and to David
filliken & Company
tiative in finding and fixing problems-and
Kearns. And I give my heartiest congratula-
ion.
they do. While every manager works, every
tions to your employees, your associates.
acturing firms were
worker is managing.
And thank you all for being here to honor
in their markets,
One of the best things about this award is
these two successful stories. Thank you
eadily squeezed out
that it allows successful companies to share
very, very much.
nd domestic compe-
what they have learned to set an example.
this crisis, the men
Perhaps these two companies ought to
Note: The President spoke at 10:34 a.m. in
companies found
merge-and be careful of the antitrust.
Malcolm Baldrige Hall at the Commerce
'ill to make a pains-
[Laughter] Can you imagine it? Your ward-
Department. In his remarks, he referred to
1 the drive to win
robes wouldn't just be coordinated; it would
Secretary of Commerce Robert A. Mos-
e. Both companies
be collated. [Laughter]
bacher; Malcolm Baldrige's widow, Marga-
f reassessment with
Many firms will learn a great deal from
ret (Midge); Secretary of the Treasury Nich-
siness, there is only
their example. Others will need to follow
olas F. Brady; U.S. Trade Representative
ty-the customer's
their own path. But to those who say that
Carla A. Hills; Deputy Secretary of Com-
ey proceeded from
we have lost our edge, that the days are
merce Thomas J. Murrin; Under Secretary of
tructure their pro-
past when "Made in America" meant the
Defense John A. Betti; Senators Strom Thur-
lan. Sounds simple.
best, I say: Tell that to the people of the
mond of South Carolina and Jesse Helms of
r tiny businessman
Milliken plant in Spartanburg, South Caroli-
North Carolina; Roger Milliken, chairman
is to restructure a
na. Tell that to the Xerox teams in up-
and chief executive officer of Milliken &
1. And today's win-
state-up in Monroe County, New York.
Co.; and David T. Kearns, chairman and
sible when a firm
Quality products and service is no acci-
chief executive officer for business and
ie bottom up. They
dent. It's the result of a certain can-do, no-
products systems for Xerox Corp.
.n no longer afford
itomatons in a pro-
V that a company
1443
Sept. 26 / Administration of George Bush, 1989
Remarks and a Question-and-Answer Session With Reporters During
y
d
a Meeting With Small Business Leaders
September 26, 1989
The President. As we meet with these
budget. And that is unacceptable to me as
small business owners and representatives
President.
n
C
of small business owners, it gives me an
Chemical Weapons
a
opportunity to make another appeal for the
capital gains differential. It is not, as these
Q. Did you get everything you wanted
A
folks know, a tax break for the rich. It is a
from Mr. Shevardnadze today at the
in
Soviet-or at the United Nations on chemi-
n
job-creating tax measure that will put more
cal weapons?
W
Americans to work. And so, I think we have
The President. Well, you never get every-
F
to stand up to the understandable political
thing you want, but I'm very pleased with
II
rhetoric on the other side, rhetoric that we
heard all last year and are now hearing
the way things are going. The reaction from
W
the Soviets to our proposals yesterday has
W
once again, and fight for this principle that
will be good for the American people.
been positive, and so now the goal is to get
W
And when I look back at some of the
moving and try to work out these agree-
g
statistics-that in 1987 over 14 million
ments. But we got some good common
le
people reported capital gain and 70 percent
ground, Terry [Terry Hunt, Associated
C
of the tax returns with long-term gains had
Press], that I don't think we had before the
incomes of less than $50,000. So, this argu-
Foreign Minister came here. I know he's
ment that we hear from the political oppo-
accurately reflecting Mr. Gorbachev's view.
nents that this is a tax break for the rich-
Education Summit
they simply are wrong about it. The Ameri-
can people had a chance to hear this debate
Q. Mr. President, this being the eve of
in last year's political process, and now I'm
your education summit, do you care to
F
trying to follow through and do what I said
make a comment on what you hope to gain
S
I would do. It's a tough fight, but I obvious-
of substance at the 2-day meeting-how you
ly would welcome all of your support,
expect to improve America's schools?
which I hope I have.
The President. Well, I think that we're
T
Q. You certainly have ours.
going to come together with the Governors
on major objectives for this country in
at
The President. But in fairness now, we
can take a quick question and then I'll have
terms of education-something that's never
C
to go to work here.
been done before. And I know what my
T
agenda is and what I believe in, but I'm
the
Capital Gains Taxes
going down there to listen and to work with
su
Q. What do you think the outcome is
the Governors, not try to impose an agenda
p
going to be at this point? They're going to
from here. But I want to see us come up
re
vote the rule today.
with some suggestions that will dramatically
The President. I don't know, but it's close,
change things.
very close. I think some had predicted it
I was just reminded by a group of busi-
would never get this far, given the political
ness leaders that on a per capita basis we
breakdown up there. But I'm confident that
spend far more than Germany or far more
V
we do have a strong bipartisan support, and
than Japan, and yet we're not achieving the
I
I'm hopeful that we will prevail.
way they are. So we've got to see what it is
Q. Are you suggesting you might get both
that we're doing wrong, how can we be
S
the capital gains tax cut and an IRA cut-
more accountable. And it's in those areas of
both?
goals-national goals, but coming up
The President. I don't see how we can do
through the Governors-that I think we can
g
that. I have to have some final-I have to
make a real contribution here.
re
be the final arbiter, I think, on the overall
Q. How would goals make a difference? If
1254
Administration of George Bush, 1989 / Sept. 26
Reporters During
you did have goals, how would that make a
Q. Dick Darman [Director, Office of
difference in the classroom?
Management and Budget] said yesterday
The President. Well, if we all agree on
that the Democrats want to shut down the
them, if we can get the Nation to agree on
government in order to force you to raise
them, then the President can push from
taxes, rather than go along with this capital
unacceptable to me as
here. But the beauty of having the Gover-
gains. Are you willing to see an extensive
nors is, they're the ones that are on the
sequestration and a
cutting edge. And we want them to go back
The President. I don't want that, but I'm
actively engaged in working for excellence.
not ruling out anything. I mean, we know
everything you wanted
And besides that, I think there will be an
what the law is, and the President has to
Inadze today at the
interesting exchange of ideas-one Gover-
abide by the law. But if they would go for-
ited Nations on chemi-
nor saying to another, "Here's what's
ward and do what we've suggested, why,
worked in my State." And to the degree the
we could avoid sequestration. But I'm not
11, you never get every-
Federal Government does have a role in
ruling it out. Can't rule it out. It's the law of
I'm very pleased with
many of these educational programs, we
the land. And I've got certain convictions. I
bing. The reaction from
will be listening intently, and our people
was elected to do certain things, and I'm
proposals yesterday has
will be saying what we think works and
going to keep on trying to do them. And a
1 now the goal is to get
what doesn't. It's a good way to do it. It's a
President has to use the tools at his disposal
work out these agree-
good way to have it, at this Governor's
to accomplish the ends for which he was
some good common
level.
elected, and I plan to do exactly that.
rry Hunt, Associated
Capital Gains Taxes
ink we had before the
Note: The President spoke at 2:07 p.m. in
me here. I know he's
One more capital gains question?
the Oval Office at the White House.
Mr. Gorbachev's view.
this being the eve of
Message to the Congress Transmitting Proposed Campaign Finance
mit, do you care to
Reform Legislation
what you hope to gain
day meeting-how you
September 26, 1989
herica's schools?
II, I think that we're
To the Congress of the United States:
of individuals and political parties. The pro-
er with the Governors
I am pleased to submit for your consider-
posal also restores competition to congres-
for this country in
ation and enactment the "Comprehensive
sional elections by reducing the advantages
omething that's never
Campaign Finance Reform Act of 1989."
of incumbency.
nd I know what my
This legislative proposal would implement
I look forward to working with the Con-
I believe in, but I'm
the reforms I announced earlier this
gress on those critical issues.
sten and to work with
summer. It represents comprehensive cam-
GEORGE BUSH
to impose an agenda
paign finance reform legislation designed to
it to see us come up
reduce substantially the power of special
The White House,
that will dramatically
economic interests while enhancing the role
September 26, 1989.
I by a group of busi-
1 per capita basis we
Germany or far more
White House Fact Sheet on Proposed Campaign Finance Reform
e're not achieving the
e got to see what it is
Legislation
ng, how can we be
September 26, 1989
I it's in those areas of
but coming up
Today the President transmitted to Con-
power of special economic interests and re-
-that I think we can
gress comprehensive campaign finance
store competition to American congression-
n here.
reform legislation designed to lessen the
al elections. This legislative proposal imple-
make a difference? If
1255
Sept. 26 / Administration of George Bush, 1989
ments the reforms already announced by
prohibit the personal use of excess
the President.
campaign funds, drastically reduce con-
equ
T
While curtailing the influence of special
gressional franked mailings, ban the
Nat
economic interests, the proposal enhances
rollover of campaign funds from one
moi
the roles of individuals and the political par-
election cycle to the next, and legislate
in
ties in the electoral process. It is also de-
fair neutral criteria for the redistricting
signed to reform a system which has led to
that will follow the 1990 census.
gair
a "permanent Congress." In the 1980's,
pro
A strengthening of political parties by
House incumbents have had a 97.7 percent
increasing the amounts they can spend
reelection rate and Senate incumbents an
on behalf of congressional candidates.
85 percent reelection rate. Below is an out-
This source of funds would permit leg-
line of the major proposals:
islators to spend less time fundraising,
Elimination of political action commit-
would ensure that challengers have
Re
tees (PAC's) supported by corporations,
greater resources with which to chal-
In
unions, or trade associations, and a pro-
lenge incumbents, and would further
Se;
hibition on any such entities paying for
limit the role of special economic inter-
the overhead or administrative costs of
ests in elections.
any independent PAC.
]
Full disclosure of all "soft money"
Reforms to address the problem of the
spent by the political parties and all
An
"permanent Congress" by reducing
labor unions, corporations, and trade
our
the unwarranted advantages of incum-
associations to influence a Federal elec-
An
bency. Specifically, the proposal would
tion.
eco
Mr
to
Letter to the Members of the House of Representatives on
ing
me
Proposed Capital Gains Tax Legislation
fri
September 26, 1989
Ba
are
Dear
in
:
other income less than $50,000.
th
The House of Representatives will soon
In this intensely competitive world,
in
have the opportunity to vote on legislation
almost all major industrial nations tax cap-
sy
that will ensure continued economic pros-
ital gains lightly or not at all. This is impor-
perity and provide powerful incentives for
tant to the American factory worker whose
to
investment and jobs.
job may be on the line unless his company
Bt
I firmly believe a capital gains reduction
can bring down its capital costs.
na
is the right policy for all Americans. This is
Reestablishing a capital gains differential,
Ba
an opportunity to restore an incentive for
which was part of our tax laws for over six
Ai
saving and investment, to create new jobs
decades, provides the needed incentives for
ar
and build a better future. All Americans
those willing to take a risk on new products
in
will benefit.
and research that are the result of Ameri-
le
Middle-income Americans who invest
can ingenuity.
ar
wisely, farmers selling off a piece of the
Reducing the capital gains tax means
family farm, the elderly widow who is living
Americans who have capital gains at some
off the assets she and her husband struggled
p:
time in their lives-about half of our popu-
to accumulate, the couple who planned
lation-will be able to keep more of their
A
ahead and saved so their children could go
savings to invest for the future.
si
to college, the small business entrepreneur
You will be offered an alternative to the
at
who sank his savings in an idea he alone
Jenkins-Archer capital gains proposal. No
d
believed would work-these are not
matter how you dress it up, that alternative
W
wealthy Americans. Over 70 percent of the
is a tax increase-plain and simple. That's
taxpayers who report capital gains have
no alternative, and my response will be
e
1256
Administration of George Bush, 1989 / Sept. 27
the personal use of excess
n funds, drastically reduce con-
equally plain and simple-veto.
the Jenkins-Archer proposal comes to a
il franked mailings, ban the
The timing for this vote is excellent. The
vote.
of campaign funds from one
Nation is enjoying its 82nd consecutive
Sincerely,
cycle to the next, and legislate
month of economic expansion-the longest
ral criteria for the redistricting
in peacetime history. Support for a capital
GEORGE BUSH
follow the 1990 census.
gains differential is a vote to continue that
thening of political parties by
prosperity, and I ask for your support when
Note: Identical letters were sent to each
Member of the House of Representatives.
g the amounts they can spend
f of congressional candidates.
ce of funds would permit leg-
) spend less time fundraising,
nsure that challengers have
Remarks at the Annual Meeting of the Boards of Governors of the
esources with which to chal-
International Monetary Fund and World Bank Group
cumbents, and would further
role of special economic inter-
September 27, 1989
ections.
losure of all "soft money"
Thank you all very much. Thank you.
freedom are essential and inseparable com-
the political parties and all
And thanks especially to my good friend,
panions on the road to national prosperity.
ons, corporations, and trade
our Secretary of the Treasury, Nick Brady.
The jury is no longer out. Look at the two
as to influence a Federal elec-
And thank you, Nick, for your outstanding
economic systems and see who has pros-
economic leadership.
pered and who has struggled. Let's put an
Chairman Lee and President Conable,
end to this economic experiment-because
Mr. Camdessus, it really is a pleasure for me
history has decided.
to be here and to welcome you all to Wash-
It is not climate, natural resources, or cul-
entatives on
ington, DC. And it's a special privilege for
tural traditions that make the difference. I
me to be here in the company of my old
said it in my own Inaugural Address: "We
friend, former Congressman, now President
know what works: Freedom works. We
Barber Conable. We in the United States
know how to secure a more just and pros-
are keenly aware of these annual gather-
perous life for man on Earth: through free
ess than $50,000.
ings, the importance of them-you drive
markets, free speech, free elections, and the
the work of all of us in maintaining a strong
tensely competitive world,
exercise of free will unhampered by the
international economic and financial
state."
or industrial nations tax cap-
system.
y or not at all. This is impor-
In Latin America, in Africa, Mexico, cou-
erican factory worker whose
And this is my first opportunity to speak
rageous leaders are turning away from state
to you as President of the United States.
control of their economies. Economic re-
the line unless his company
But I've followed the activities of the Inter-
1 its capital costs.
structuring and deregulation are opening
national Monetary Fund and the World
g a capital gains differential,
the door to private initiative. And already
of our tax laws for over six
Bank throughout my years of public service.
they're seeing results. Even more stunning
les the needed incentives for
And I have visited many of your homelands
is the transformation in thinking in the
and seen firsthand the problems created by
Communist countries-in both the Soviet
take a risk on new products
hat are the result of Ameri-
inadequate growth and development, prob-
Union and in Eastern Europe. During my
lems that your two distinguished institutions
recent travels in Poland and Hungary, I was
are working hard to solve.
e capital gains tax means
impressed by the people but also impressed
We've witnessed a dramatic shift over the
have capital gains at some
by the almost universal acceptance of the
ves-about half of our popu-
past few years in the debate over how to
free market as the best hope-indeed, the
able to keep more of their
achieve sustained growth and development.
only hope-for reversing the economic for-
t for the future.
All across the world, there's been an almost
tunes of these two proud countries. And we
offered an alternative to the
simultaneous rediscovery of the power cre-
will welcome the efforts of the Soviet Union
capital gains proposal. No
ated when individuals are given the free-
to liberalize and decentralize their econo-
I dress it up, that alternative
dom to act in their own best interests. True,
my. I have said many times-and I want to
e-plain and simple. That's
we're here today mainly to discuss econom-
repeat it here today-that I want to see
ic freedom. But make no mistake: In the
and my response will be
perestroika succeed. A more open and
end, both economic freedom and political
humane Soviet Union can only be in the
1257
Sept. 18 / Administration of George Bush, 1989
children well.
Note: The President spoke at 2:32 p.m. in
I am impressed with what you're doing.
the house chamber of the State capitol. In
Five States, a room full of committed
his remarks, he referred to State Representa-
people: you really can make a difference,
tive Ray Peck, Speaker of the State House
and we want to work with you. Thank you
John Vincent, and President of the State
for the privilege of sharing this occasion.
Senate Jack E. Galt. Representatives from
God bless you for your commitment, and
North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska,
God bless this great State, and God bless
Wyoming, and Idaho attended the confer-
the United States of America. Thank you all
ence.
very, very much.
The President's News Conference in Helena, Montana
September 18, 1989
The President. I have a brief statement,
has been a bipartisan effort in the Congress
and then I'll be glad to respond to some
to bring this issue to the House floor. I'm
questions.
hopeful that the Congress will continue in
I have decided, and Secretary Mosbacher
this bipartisan spirit.
has announced in Hungary, that Hungary
will be granted permanent most-favored
And now I'll be glad to respond to some
nation, MFN, status in October and will be
questions.
granted the benefits of a Generalized
Arms Control
System of Preferences.
Hungary has undertaken major steps
Q. Mr. President, when you meet on
toward political and economic reform, and
Thursday with Mr. Shevardnadze [Foreign
during our recent visit, we witnessed signif-
Minister] of the Soviet Union, there's a lot
icant changes toward freedom in that coun-
of speculation that he will bring with him a
try. The dedication and diligence of the
major new strategic arms proposal from the
Hungarian people is quickly transforming
Soviet Union. Are conditions ripe now to
the economic system into a more produc-
move ahead on a strategic arms agreement,
tive and competitive posture.
or is there a chance that further delays may
GSP eligibility will open new doors for
make it impossible to reach such an agree-
the Hungarian economy, encouraging great-
ment in your term?
er market orientation and increasing the
foreign exchange earnings. Our commit-
The President. I would not take that pessi-
ment to helping the reform movement in
mistic an assessment that further delay will
Eastern Europe is strong. Our step today
make it impossible to reach an agreement
underscores our willingness to help these
in the next 3½ years. I don't know, Tom
countries. Obviously, it's up to them to
[Tom Raum, Associated Press], what he is
make the structural adjustments, but they
going to bring with him. I've read specula-
should be aware that the United States is
tion that there might be a new arms control
ready and willing to assist in this progress.
proposal, but I can't confirm that for you.
Let me just say a word on economic
We do want to move forward on START. As
growth at home. There is an issue before
you know, we came in, did a review, com-
the Congress which I feel is just the kind of
pleted the review; and we're working inside
thing that will help States like Montana bol-
our own administration to have proposals
ster their economic productivity and em-
that I think will capture the imagination of
ployment. A reduction in our capital gains
the Soviet Union. But I don't know what
tax rate is right for Montana, and it is good
he's going to bring. We haven't had that
for America. And I am pleased that there
confirmed.
1218
ush, 1989
Administration of George Busi
Q. Are you afraid for the security of your
keep hearing about for a major budget
And I will make it clear
aders
family, sir?
compromise in the next 2 years?
many of them come and
ming
The President. No, I'm not. I'm not afraid.
The President. Well, it ties into the fact
don't think any will, Joh
nanu-
I have great confidence in the selflessness
that I ran for office in this State and in 49
Boston Globe]. I don't this
ggled
and in the thoroughness of the intelligence
other States on a platform that included
trol. Of course, Govern
we're
community and of the Secret Service.
very clearly a capital gains differential. And
want additional resource
hem-
I happen to feel that it is good for creating
another. And maybe we
drug
Gun Control
more jobs. I think it is good for risktaking. I
them, or maybe we can't.
ig to
Q. You said today and on Friday that you
think it is something that should happen.
they want that control 0
those
would not extend to domestically made
So, we'll fight for it on the floor and hope-
they call mandated benef
semiautomatic weapons a ban you placed
fully get it passed, and then approach the
certain they don't.
body
on imported weapons. But are there any
follow-on budget considerations.
restrictions at all that you would accept if
But this concept that I'm hearing from
Trade With Hungary
ban-
do is
Congress approved them on those weap-
some who are on the other side of the
Q. How much did it fi
are
issue-well, if you insist on this, then we
sion on Hungary and tra
ons?
one
won't talk to you about A, B, or C for the
ing travel to the West W
and I
The President. Well, I'd be glad to talk to
future-I don't think that's right, and I
mans?
nn the
Congress about it. But basically I think the
don't think the American people would sup-
The President. Well, to
rime
thing to do is go forward and approach the
port that. There was a good, clear fight in
you, it was in the mix b
problem by passing our anticrime bill. I
rong
that committee; and at this juncture, at
dramatic happenings. A
used the analogy the other day of the
least, after lots of amendments, my side
overall economic perfor
person in the tower with an automatic, I
prevailed on a bipartisan way-a lot of
But clearly, when a coun
his
mean, a quick-firing rifle as a view that it's
Democrats supporting us. And now we go
geous decision, that's just
ond,
going to be very, very hard to legislate
to the floor. And then whatever comes out
efit to this relationship t
against aberrational behavior. And I have
of the floor, we have to fit in, obviously, to
that is very, very importa
long felt that the answer is to go after the
the budgetary requirements for next year.
criminal and not, in the process, do vio-
But I don't think it is right for people
German Reunification
ports
lence to the rights of legitimate gun
who get whipped on an issue in a commit-
Q. Mr. President, the
rget-
owners.
tee to then start a lot of threats on the
East Germans to West G
aybe
Visa Request From Yasser Arafat
other side, saying, well, we'll never deal
lot of people thinking al
was
with the President. It doesn't work that
reunification of Germany
any
Q. Mr. President, we're told that Yasser
way. You know why? Because the American
would be a good idea or
t be
Arafat is preparing a visa request so he can
people have a say. And they had a say last
a reunified Germany wou
come to the U.N. General Assembly to
year about this question, and they'll have a
force in Europe or a d
te a
speak. Now that the U.S. has opened the
say in the future. And it is not, as my critics
The President. I would
ere's
dialog with the PLO, would you have any
contend, a tax that will simply help the
for the Germans to deci
hard
objection to Arafat coming to New York?
rich. A lot of countries don't have tax on
way: If that was worked
So,
The President. I will consider that matter
capital at all.
Germanys, I do not thin
rest.
when and if it comes to my attention.
that as bad for Western
ink,
Federal Role in Education
the
You've heard something I haven't heard—
there's been a dramatic
Gov-
that he is preparing a visa request, but I
Q. Mr. President, a few minutes ago you
World War II Germany.
will look at that. What I mean is, I'm not
told the State legislators that Washington
it. And I notice that th
going to answer your question right now
does not know best on the subject of educa-
something to say on this
our
because I don't know the final answer. But,
tion. At the education summit next week in
might need help from Bo
ura-
has
obviously, it was a decision that would come
Charlottesville, many of the Governors, not
ertheless, this is somethi
to me, but it's not that far along.
all Democratic, are going to say they want
for them to determine. I
And
more from Washington. How are you going
in some quarters a feeli
ome
Capital Gains Taxes
to reconcile the difference?
fied Germany would be
ill-
The President. Yes, they want more, and
peace of Europe, of Wes
oun-
Q. Back on the capital gains tax rate cut:
sometimes justifiably so. But I can't think of
way; and I don't accept
this
the Democrats on Capitol Hill seem plainly
a Governor that's going to come to me and
don't.
inst
determined to make it a major party ques-
say: Tell us how to do it. Mandate it. Man-
best
tion. How do you deal with that going into
dated benefits from Washington-we've
Alaskan Oilspill
om-
the floor debate in the House, and how
had enough of that, and I am against that.
Q. Mr. President,
does that tie into the grand strategy that we
Sept. 8 / Administration of George Bush, 1989
Appointment of Henry C. Cashen II as a Member of the Board of
Directors of the Federal National Mortgage Association
September 8, 1989
The President today announced his inten-
Sector, 1970-1973; Deputy Counsel to the
tion to appoint Henry C. Cashen II as a
President at the White House, 1969-1970;
member of the Board of Directors of the
and attorney with Dickenson, Wright,
Federal National Mortgage Association for a
McKean and Cudlip in Detroit, MI, 1964-
term ending on the date of the annual
1969.
meeting of the stockholders in 1990 (Public
Mr. Cashen graduated from Brown Uni-
Member). This is a reappointment.
versity (A.B., 1961) and the University of
Since 1973 Mr. Cashen has served as an
Michigan Law School (J.D., 1963). He was
attorney at Dickstein, Shapiro, and Morin in
born June 25, 1939, in Detroit, MI. He is
Washington, DC. Prior to this, he served as
Deputy Assistant to the President and
married, has three children, and resides in
White House Liaison with the Public
Washington, DC.
Appointment of George L. Clark, Jr., as a Member of the Board of
Directors of the Federal National Mortgage Association
September 8, 1989
The President today announced his inten-
president of the Brooklyn Board of Realtors,
tion to appoint George L. Clark, Jr., as a
and director of the Flatbush Real Estate
member of the Board of Directors of the
Board. Mr. Clark has served as Republican
Federal National Mortgage Association for a
State committeeman from the 42d assembly
term ending on the date of the annual
district in Brooklyn, NY, 1970, and was
meeting of the stockholders in 1990 (Real
elected Republican county chairman of
Estate Industry Representative). This is a
Brooklyn in 1972. In addition, he has served
reappointment.
as Republican State chairman of New York,
Currently, Mr. Clark serves as president
1981-1985.
of George L. Clark, Inc., in Brooklyn, NY.
He has served as a real estate broker, ap-
Mr. Clark graduated from St. John's Uni-
praiser, and consultant for the past 26 years
versity (B.A., 1962). He was born January 4,
in the following capacities: president of the
1941, in Brooklyn, NY. He is married, has
Bay Ridge Real Estate Board, first vice
four children, and resides in Brooklyn, NY.
Remarks to the United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce in
New Orleans, Louisiana
September 8, 1989
Thank you, President Abel Quintela-two
I'm proud to salute Abel for the job he has
Odessa boys on the same platform. [Laugh-
done and then to pay my respects to Lupe
ter] I'm delighted to be here, glad to know
Garcia, who's the incoming president. Texas
from your president that this has been a
seems to have a lock on this organization
highly successful meeting of the chamber.
for a-[applause]-and I'd be remiss if I
1164
Administration of George Bush, 1989 / Sept. 8
of the Board of
didn't mention the fact that I'm very
you are building, building a better life, and
pleased our Secretary of the Interior, our
building it in the schools, the police forces,
iation
friend and yours, certainly, Manuel Lujan, is
the small and large businesses all across so-
with us today. You see-where is he? And
ciety, building it for your kids-I've got 11
I'm proud to say that, along with Larry Ca-
grandchildren-for our grandchildren. I'm
Deputy Counsel to the
vazos, we have two Hispanic Americans in
old enough to have grandkids. Some of the
⁷hite House, 1969-1970;
the Cabinet of the President of the United
rest of you young guys here-it's your kids.
h Dickenson, Wright,
States, and that's a very good thing for our
For us, it's grandchildren, but what I'm
p in Detroit, MI, 1964-
country.
saying is for everybody.
I want to thank the Governor of the State
In another sense, the past decade is but a
of Louisiana, Buddy Roemer, my friend of
uated from Brown Uni-
preview of coming attractions. For it can be
longstanding, for being with us here today.
) and the University of
a gateway to tomorrow, much as America
We have two Congressmen from out and
has been a gateway to many of you in this
bol (J.D., 1963). He was
about, Congressman Holloway and Con-
room. And the theme of this convention is
9, in Detroit, MI. He is
gressman Tauzin, who are with us over
"Gateway to the Americas." And today it's
children, and resides in
here. I'd like to ask them to stand up. And
the gateways that I'd like to talk to you
right close in, Congresswoman Lindy Boggs
about-gateways to prosperity and stability
over here. And then, a man with whom I
that make progress possible.
work very closely in the Congress and for
First, the gateway to prosperity is-and
whom I have great respect, also from the
metropolitan New Orleans area-Bob Liv-
you understand this-the free enterprise
of the Board of
ingston, a Member of Congress here.
system which fosters equal opportunity.
ation
And also, Abel was telling me about the
Winston Churchill noted that some people
fact that this really is a hands-across-the-
view "private enterprise as a predatory
border meeting, and I should salute Dr.
tiger to be shot; others look on it as a cow
Ugarte from Mexico, the Under Secretary of
they can milk. Only a handful see private
oklyn Board of Realtors,
Commerce who is with us today, and also
enterprise for what it really is: the strong
e Flatbush Real Estate
Jose Maria Alverde, the president of the
and willing horse that pulls the whole cart
as served as Republican
largest chamber of commerce in the world,
along." Now, Churchill spoke those words
1 from the 42d assembly
I believe. He's head of the Mexican cham-
at the end of his career, 1959; but in 1989
n, NY, 1970, and was
ber of commerce from Mexico City, and we
they're truer than ever before.
1 county chairman of
are honored to have them with us here
I'm always reminded of the Commission-
1 addition, he has served
today. So, we do meet as vecinos, neighbors,
er of Patents of the United States Govern-
chairman of New York,
and as businessmen and businesswomen as
ment, back around 1900, who suggested
well; but mostly, perhaps, as citizens who
that the Patent Office be closed because
ted from St. John's Uni-
understand how Hispanics have helped
everything worthwhile had already been in-
America create a greater land for all of us.
vented. Then you think of Marconi invent-
He was born January 4,
You know, 9 years ago, America began
ing the wireless; or the Wright brothers, the
NY. He is married, has
resides in Brooklyn, NY.
what has been called the decade of the His-
airplane; or going to the Moon; or what-
panic. And now, at the decade's end, His-
ever, and you wonder what this guy was
panics are one of America's fastest growing
thinking of back there. But as you know,
minorities, enriching our country socially,
the gateway isn't highly concentrated gov-
academically, economically, spiritually and
ernment bureaucracies; it isn't bigger gov-
f Commerce in
living, more than ever, the American
ernment; it's bigger dreams.
dream. I've been to many such meetings of
Look at Pedro Garza, a former migrant
the chamber. And every time I come here,
worker who overcame disability to own a
I realize that what I just said is true: The
construction company-$4.5 million in
American dream-you epitomize it for me
sales; Remedios Diaz-Oliver-with us here,
Abel for the job he has
in so many ways.
I believe-here she is-Remedios, Hispanic
ay my respects to Lupe
You know, in one sense, the past decade
Businesswoman of the Year; or the father-
coming president. Texas
has reaffirmed that dream: the dream
and-son team, Louis and Fred Ruiz, who in
ck on this organization
which brought your parents and your
1964 started a food business in an old ware-
and I'd be remiss if I
grandparents and then, indeed, some of you
house-battered stove, small freezer, single
here in this room to this country. For today
mixer-they now employ 534 workers. And
1165
Sept. 8 / Administration of George Bush, 1989
they prove, as you do, that while govern-
I've talked of the prosperity which can
hun
ment can encourage opportunity, it is
better the lives of every American. And in
to r.
Americans who seize opportunity.
that context, let me just say a word about
per
Over the past decade, committed individ-
our relationship with Mexico. The first head
A I
uals like these-and then a million others of
of state that I met after the election, after I
pre
unsung Hispanic-Americans-have made
was elected-indeed, after his-was Presi-
nig.
big dreams come true for themselves and
dent Salinas. And 2 months ago, I was
tior
for so many others. Here's a partial score-
pleased to renew what I can tell you is a
stra
card of your success. Since 1980, according
genuine friendship now, at that economic
the
to your estimates, Hispanic-American-
summit in Paris. Mexico, by restructuring
ma
owned businesses have nearly doubled-
her economy, reducing trade barriers, and
F
that's in this decade, 9 years. And today the
then with our help, reaching agreement
crii
total-more than 400,000 and earn reve-
with her commercial bank creditors, has
tak
nues about $20 billion in 1987 alone. Im-
opened the gateway of increased trade with
ano
pressive? Of course, you bet. Good enough?
America. We welcome this commerce, for
ind
No, never. For as long as one Hispanic-
Mexico is-and most Americans don't know
Dr
American is bereft of hope, that is one
this-our third-largest trading partner.
gat
American too many.
An
I salute President Salinas for his leader-
And so, as we work to extend the pros-
dru
perity that blesses our country today, all
ship on this Mexican debt problem. It's a
COI
citizens must participate. Government can
tough problem, and he made some very dif-
the
play a unique role as a catalyst for opportu-
ficult decisions. He led the way. He was out
I'n
nity. As Vice President, I supported-and I
front. Mexico was the first country to
the
know many in this room did-the Presi-
achieve agreement on these major debt
fav
dent's Task Force on Private Sector Initia-
problems that are lingering out there, and I
de
tives. And knowing how cooperation can
think that his leadership has paved the way
spur development, we've tried to build on
for other countries. And so, I salute him
en
what the preceding administration fostered.
here today, with many of his friends and
an
I've asked Commerce Secretary Bob Mos-
colleagues in this audience. I look forward
Th
bacher and Ken Bolton [Director of the Mi-
to next month's state visit, and we will give
ha
nority Business Development Agency] to
him the honors that a good friend, Mexico,
C
develop a bold and innovative strategy for
merits and honors. We will give him those
to
the reinvigoration of the Minority Business
honors on the White House lawn. And to-
re
Development Agency. Every linkage be-
gether, we can build a gateway to the
W
tween corporate America and a minority
1990's that will provide both Mexico and
vendor and educational institution in the
America with economic opportunity and
di
minority population brings us one step
stability. We must never take our friends
W
closer to assuring the equal participation of
for granted.
sa
all Americans in our free enterprise system.
Now, I would be remiss if I didn't take a
m
These partnerships will aid the shop-
couple of minutes more-I know you're
in
owner in Los Angeles or the small develop-
starving out there, I can tell-[laughter]-
F
er in Des Moines. And so will one final
the look on the faces-but if I didn't take a
project that I'd like to mention here: the
couple of minutes more to talk about an-
fr
1990 census. You might say, "Why?" Look,
other kind of trade. You know what it is-a
fr
there are 19.5 million Hispanic Americans,
more destructive kind of trade that slams
P
approximately-19.5 million. And I urge
shut the gateways of opportunity. And, of
you to do your best to make them count.
course, I'm talking about the drug trade.
Tell your friends and neighbors to cooper-
Consider these statistics: Last year the
p
ate with census officials. Don't let the
Government estimated that 23 million
S
decade of the Hispanic go unreflected in
Americans used illegal drugs on a "current"
this very important national survey. So, re-
basis; that is, at least once in the preceding
member, the more accurate the census is,
30 days. Last year more than 8 million
the greater Hispanics' influence and ability
people used cocaine, and almost 1 million
to help people help themselves.
used it once a week or more. Last year
1166
Administration of George Bush, 1989 / Sept. 8
ity which can
hundreds of thousands of babies were born
ers. And finally, our drug program aims to
erican. And in
to mothers who use drugs-babies born des-
stop use before it starts-education and pre-
a word about
perately sick, weeks or months premature.
vention-from grade school to graduate
The first head
A nation with those numbers cannot long
school.
election, after I
preserve its very soul. And that's why, three
I was talking with Chief of Staff John
his-was Presi-
nights ago, I announced America's first na-
Sununu and Governor Roemer coming in.
IS ago, I was
tional, comprehensive, and coordinated
And the news, as I pointed out the other
1 tell you is a
strategy to wage unconditional war against
night, isn't all bad. Casual use of cocaine is
that economic
the scourge of drugs. And we've got four
down by about a third. We can change
restructuring
major elements in this plan.
things in this country. Peer group pressure
è barriers, and
First, enforcement, using our laws and
is changing in the universities and in some
ng agreement
criminal justice system-for America must
of the high schools in this country. And if
creditors, has
take back its streets. We need more jails
we all pitch in, we can see that it changes
sed trade with
and prisons and courts and prosecutors and,
even more. This plan can help stop the
commerce, for
indeed, in my view, tougher sentences.
trade I spoke of earlier. Some trade builds
ns don't know
Drug dealers deserve a gateway, but that
lives; drug trade takes lives. And it is the
partner.
gateway is one where they go to prison.
drug trade we've got to stop. Nobody,
And I still feel in my heart, for the ultimate
for his leader-
nobody, believes it will be easy.
roblem. It's a
drug violators, those that do the most to
Tuesday night I proposed this strategy to
corrupt the kids in this country and strip
some very dif-
them of every chance at a meaningful life-
end drug use and trafficking. And we're
ay. He was out
I'm talking about those drug kingpins or
proposing a drug budget totaling about $8
it country to
billion-a dramatic increase over the figure
those that kill police officers-I strongly
e major debt
that was used in the House of Representa-
favor the ultimate sentence, and that is the
it there, and I
tives just this spring, the largest increase in
death penalty.
paved the way
In that context, I sent my crime package,
history. And I know already there are some
I salute him
encompassing these things I've mentioned
who criticize. Not tough enough, they
is friends and
and others, to the Congress 3 months ago.
claim. They say that we aren't spending
look forward
That package went up 3 months ago, and it
enough. Well, those who judge this strategy
d we will give
has languished there in the Senate Judiciary
by its pricetag, by pricetag alone, don't un-
riend, Mexico,
Committee. So, please, urge the Congress
derstand the problem. Let me repeat: This
;ive him those
to pass this anticrime package. There's no
is an $8 billion program with record fund-
lawn. And to-
reason to wait any longer to move forward
ing increases, a program that is comprehen-
teway to the
with this part of the national strategy.
sive and touches every aspect of the drug
h Mexico and
The second part of our drug plan is inter-
problem.
portunity and
diction, a tool of foreign policy. Working
And those critics are the same ones who
:e our friends
with other governments-and I might again
complain they don't know how we can fund
salute Mexico; cooperation has increased de-
the proposal unless, of course-one easy
[ didn't take a
monstrably there-we're going to break the
answer-that some think is easy-raising
know you're
international drug rings who grow and
taxes. And I know and the American people
[laughter]-
process cocaine and crack.
know that to some the first and only answer
[ didn't take a
And again, I'd like to say here, with
is to hit the working man or woman with
talk about an-
friends from Colombia-many of us have
more taxes. And that is not the right
V what it is-a
friends in Colombia-that I salute what
answer. I have sent to the Congress specific
de that slams
President Virgilio Barco is trying to do. You
offsets. When you hear this debate rage, we
unity. And, of
talk about a tough, tough climate in which
have sent suggested specific offsets to fund
e drug trade.
to take action; but he's taken it, and I'm
this strategy without raising taxes or with-
Last year the
praying he will stay with it. And the United
out increasing the deficit. And all the critics
t 23 million
States must give him the support that he
have to do now is to go out and implement
on a "current"
needs.
it.
the preceding
It's not all muscle-the program, the na-
Government is going to do its part, but
ian 8 million
tional strategy. There's a third part: treat-
government will not win this battle alone.
nost 1 million
ment to help addicts who want to get clean,
This isn't a Federal problem; it's a national
re. Last year
with special emphasis on expectant moth-
problem. And we're all in it together-cops
1167
Sept. 8 / Administration of George Bush, 1989
to teachers, parents to clergymen. And
need for you to be involved in the life of
we'll have to fight together to crush the
another-constructive involvement in the
drug menace at every turn, fighting in the
lives of others. So, do this with your busi-
barrios and the boardrooms, cities and in
ness. Use it as a storefront against drugs.
the towns, winning it kid by kid, human life
Put the banners up and the brochures.
by human life, house by house, neighbor-
Don't let the cynics disturb you-those that
hood by neighborhood, putting the empha-
think everything has to come out of Wash-
sis where the problem is-locally, in the
ington. Employ volunteer counselors. Be a
community.
symbol in the community and, especially,
Fellow parents and businessmen, fellow
for its kids. And join the ranks of caring and
Americans, that's where you come in. For
committed and help us win this crusade.
drug use isn't merely statistics: It's the
So, I guess my question is: Will you enlist?
young kid tormented by cocaine addiction
I believe you will. And I'll tell you why I
or the pregnant mothers whose use of crack
feel so strongly about it in this audience:
impairs her child, perhaps for life. At stake
Because I know of your values of family;
is the very future of every community, and
religion; and above all, your commitment to
the Hispanic community is no different. At
freedom that has brought many of you to
stake is the future of the Hispanic commu-
this country. That's going to compel you to
nity, and I'm referring to our kids, of
get involved.
course.
I think I understand Hispanic America.
And so, let me challenge you: Get in-
I've got lots to learn, but I think I under-
volved. There are so many who need your
stand. And the roots run deep, and the aspi-
help. Join the grassroots groups like the
rations run high. And its people ask not the
Miami coalition of leaders from business,
promise of success, only the opportunity to
education, government, and law enforce-
succeed. And Hispanic America is at her
ment to stop drug use. Take the time to
best when the challenge is the toughest. So,
really know your neighborhood, at home
together, let's open those gateways to pros-
and at work. Help your church and anti-
perity and stability, build for our children a
drug parents' groups. Support drug pro-
better tomorrow. The kids: they're the
grams in your childrens' schools. Look at
trustees of America's future, so let their ho-
New Orleans, for an example-drug-free
rizons touch the sky.
zone concept. It is working, and can work
I appreciate your kindness. You have this
anywhere in the country.
wonderful way of making me feel at home.
And then I talk about a Thousand Points
I appreciate the chance to share this occa-
of Light. People have finally gotten the
sion. God bless you, and God bless the
message. It isn't a thousand pints of Lite I
United States of America. Thank you very,
am talking about. [Laughter] It is a Thou-
very much.
sand Points of Light, and I talked about that
just a year ago here in the Superdome, and
Note: The President spoke at 11:57 a.m. in
I feel strongly about it. I feel more strongly
the Imperial Ballroom at the Fairmont
about one neighbor helping another, the
Hotel.
Remarks to the National Baptist Convention in New Orleans,
Louisiana
September 8, 1989
Now, what do you think of a man like
marks deeply appreciated, but, Earl, wher-
Reverend Jemison who would make you
ever you've gone to-here he is over here-
come on after that beautiful music by Earl
what magnificent joy, what magnificent
Taylor? [Laughter] Not only were his re-
music! Thank you very much.
1168
Administration of George Bush, 1989 / Sept. 6
evelop plans for an
very inspirational. And if there's things that
The President. It doesn't matter. I'll take
to unite U.S. drug-
these doctors have suggested that we can
all the responsibility in the world. You see
capabilities, and to
do in addition to what I've proposed, we'll
these kids, and you want to try harder.
e capabilities.
try very hard to accommodate them.
m increase in drug
Q. Mr. President, do you think the Amer-
Note: The President spoke at 10:15 a.m.
in 1990. The major
ican public is going to hold you responsible
while visiting infants born addicted to co-
rown on the
for solving the drug problem?
caine at D.C. General Hospital.
The President's News Conference on the National Drug Control
Strategy
September 6, 1989
FY89-
FY90
FY89-
Percent
FY90 $
Increase
The President. Hello, everybody. Please
nett's leadership, and he and I working
increase
sit. Well, I'm delighted that Dr. Sullivan
shoulder to shoulder, that we can eliminate
and Bill Bennett are with me-brought the
any of those that might still be lingering.
118
867
first team in to respond to questions, too.
But we've got to work together, and it's not
80
199
I'm pleased with our announcement on
just Federal; it's got to be State and local as
drugs. As I've listened carefully, there has
well.
133
200
been little, if any, substantive criticism
There's a bipartisan consensus in this
20
41
about this national strategy. And listen to
country. I don't think there's any disagree-
the critics, if you will, but recognize that
ment about the gravity of the threat. And
12
334
you don't hear much substance. What
that's important if you want to get some-
you're hearing the debate about is how one
25
thing done. I'm challenging the Congress to
233
53
321
pays for it or whether it needs to be more
give us bipartisan support in the implemen-
in one category or another. I say that be-
tation of this strategy. And I'm looking to
39
2,195
cause I think that is a tribute to the work of
the grassroots support of America's commu-
Bill Bennett and the others who helped for-
nities in the fight against drugs.
or adjustments to the
mulate this first-in-a-lifetime national strate-
ry 1989.
The evidence-I tried to point it out last
it's $1.2 billion crime
gy.
night, so I won't repeat it-the good news
crime initiative (The
Now, you're familiar with the strategy,
being the decline in casual drug use. And
but let me just touch a couple of points and
that's a significant point. If we can continue
of drug offenders in
dology reflects more
then respond to your questions. It's a fully
that trend, it will make a big impact on the
the historical prison
integrated approach. We address all the ele-
drug market and on the lives of individuals.
ments necessary to an effective strategy:
The bad news, of course, being the persist-
school and drug prevention programs, treat-
ence of cocaine, the hard users and, of
ment, laws and criminal justice system, and
course, the insidious effects of crack.
ol Strategy
foreign policy.
The criminal justice system-we're in-
On the laws and criminal justice system,
creasing Federal funding to States and lo-
we sent a package up to the Congress sev-
calities for street-level law enforcement.
eral months ago on anticrime, including
We're providing Federal funding to States
good program. It's
prisons and matters of that nature. And
for planning, developing, and implementing
But I'm not here in
some of our critics fail to understand that
alternative sentencing programs for nonvio-
spond, but they're
that is already up there as a very separate
lent drug offenders, including house arrests
od, comprehensive
program, but one that ties in, as I tried to
and this boot camp concept. Boot camp
ng. And we've got
point out last night, to our national strategy.
concept-I don't know, Bill, whether you
ut let's try this and
I'm determined that there will be no turf
discussed that here this morning or not.
problems. I think, as I look back over my
We're tightening bail and probation,
nd women that are
shoulder-and I had some role in the inter-
parole and sentencing-again, I touched on
ing these kids. It's
diction as head of a task force-we had
that last night-requiring drug testing of
some turf problems. I think with Bill Ben-
prisoners. It's interesting how the country
1143
Administration of George Bush, 1989 / Sept. 6
ough in taxes-and
them are with handguns.
to succeed. We're selling this one-we don't
his logic leads you to.
The President. Yes.
need backup. It's a good strategy, and we
uggestions as to how
Q. Besides the ban on importing some
want it to work.
n to the Hill, and it
types of automatic weapons, which we
Q. Mr. President, the Democrats never-
ional taxes. And I've
heard about earlier this year, does your plan
theless have made it quite clear that they
enough to know that
address-or what can we do about the tre-
don't think your plan is strong enough
g to be people out
mendous problem of keeping handguns out
across the board-not in terms of money
"More taxes." If it's
of drug dealers' hands, off the street?
but in terms of all the moves that you're
vill be for something
The President. We do support local law
proposing-and they pledge now to
cessary to fully fund
enforcement, and as you're familiar with,
strengthen it. The question is: Will you
at we came up with,
there are very strong laws in the books on
resist their efforts, and is there any flexibil-
t.
registrations, domestically-I mean in DC
ity on your part to strengthen what you've
ents, I'm wanting to
itself-not nationally, DC. And part of our
already given?
g. I'd be glad-oh, I
backing up law enforcement is so that they
can enforce local laws, and this is one. And
The President. It's $2 billion higher than
ternational aspects,
the House level-that they're talking about
our commitment to
there are plenty of laws and, regrettably,
these criminals seem to have a way to ac-
in the House. They're carping-those parti-
familiar with our
quire weapons even though the law in the
san comments. Now, if somebody has a real,
e the country is fa-
sincere belief that you need more in treat-
for what the Colom-
District, for example, is very strong against
ment and less in something, of course, the
it.
process will work this out. But this is $2
ght here.
Taxes
billion more than the House level. And for
Q. Mr. President, would you reconsider
a man to come to a meeting-one of the
approaching the tax structure, if, by chance,
Congressmen yesterday-and he couldn't
area suffers more
lorida. Are you con-
within 2 or 3 years you see no relief with
wait to get out on the lawn of the White
who live in these
this problem through your drug strategy?
House and say: Raise taxes! I'm not going to
oods will very soon
Would you consider raising taxes at that
do that. We don't have to do it.
And this gentleman asked a very good
their homes again
point?
The President. If I thought the only way
question. But nobody is going to convince
to get money to solve the drug problem
me that the people are paying too little in
get the proper sup-
was through increasing taxes, I would do
taxes. And it came up in the campaign; we
hey'll have a much
that. But that is not the only way to get
just have differences with some of our polit-
t. And I can't sug-
money for solving the drug program. And
ical opponents. So, what I'm going to try to
nding this program
we have made proposals that are well up
do is say: Look, let's work together on this
uggested it is going
into the billions that don't require socking it
strategy. Give it a try like this; see if it
to that problem. It
to the taxpayer anymore. But if somebody
won't make an impact. There is some en-
f.
could convince me that all the Federal pro-
couraging news. What's happening south of
ily impacted south
grams that are in existence are perfect and
our border is encouraging.
but I would not-
need not be eliminated, or that there's no
we have a regional
Funding of Antidrug Programs
way to move funds from one account to
st that you could
another in 3 years, and the country was still
Q. Mr. President, yesterday your czar and
n Chicago or New
suffering from this malaise, this sickness of
Dar briefed us.
munities that they
drugs, I certainly would be openminded.
The President. What is my Dar?
is a national prob-
But that isn't the case, and it won't be the
Deputy-
at this will be of
case in 3 years.
Q. Darman.
dened south Flori-
Every time you make a proposal you
The President. Oh, Darman. Excuse me.
have somebody jump up and say: Raise
[Laughter]
taxes! So, I am not in a mode to raise taxes.
Q. According to your czar. They-in
I am in a mode to move this national strate-
briefing us-they gave us the list of a
that we're so con-
gy forward and pay for it in the way we
number of items that they, and we believe
in the District of
have suggested.
you, are recommending might be taken off
have been more
Q. I have a followup, sir. Do you have a
of other appropriations.
ear. While most of
backup strategy for this strategy in case-
The President. Good.
gher proportion of
The President. No, I think this one's going
Q. What are your thoughts on other
1145
Sept. 6 / Administration of George Bush, 1989
to the job. The problem is after the police
more arms control.
make the arrest the system doesn't have
And so, I can understand that-that's a
enough resources to support the arrests
good free one out there, a big target. But I
through prosecution, conviction, and im-
don't know whether this Lieutenant Gover-
prisonment.
nor is proposing the elimination of the
International Task Force
Stealth technology bomber or not. I don't
know where he's coming from, but I think
Q. Sir, what exactly did you ask or talk to
he was using it as a dramatic example. And
Mrs. Thatcher and Mr. Kohl about? And
I am saying to him: We have stepped up by
how close are you to a G-7 task force? Is
$2 billion over the House level the re-
that still something that's close to reality?
sources for the fight against drugs. And so,
The President. Well, discussed with her a
follow-on to what we discussed in Paris, and
you see, let me go back to the basic point,
and then I notice Marlin's restlessness here.
that was G-7 united support for Colombia.
And she is enthusiastic about this, and
The basic point is this: Nobody is criticizing
Chancellor Kohl was enthusiastic about this.
the strategy. No one is coming at us and
The ball-in a sense, really, the leadership
saying you've left this out or left that out.
of the G-7-is still in the French court,
And I'm very encouraged by that. I think
President Mitterrand. Chancellor Kohl is
that means that if we do our job properly in
visiting with him this week. And so, I'm
selling we can get support from Democrats
hopeful and very much encouraged by this
as well as Republicans. We've got to do it.
united response.
The country is fed up. They don't want it to
be a Republican answer or a Democratic
Financial Priorities
answer or a liberal or a conservative
Q. Mr. President, our Lieutenant Gover-
answer.
nor in New York, where I'm from, says that
So, maybe he is attacking the strategy,
the increases you've given toward treat-
and if so, I'd have to take it back-but I
ment and law enforcement-and, in fact,
haven't heard any real substantive attack on
the whole budget-don't add up to the cost
the strategy itself. So, then you come to the
of one B-2 bomber. And people back home
question of whether it's enough or how are
want to know, even though your commit-
you going to pay for it? And there's a wide
ment toward drug fighting is strong, why
array of reflexive people up there who say
your financial priorities aren't more target-
"more taxes" for anything, and I don't think
ed toward the drug fight instead of toward
that's what the American people want. I
military.
have a funny feeling that something about
The President. This is Lieutenant Gover-
the last election was: Are we being taxed
nor who?
too little? And nobody jumped up and said,
Q. Stan Lundine, the State of-
"Hey, please tax me more." And I think we
The President. Oh, Lundine. Well, it's not
can do this significant increase without rais-
surprising that some think the only way to
ing taxes. And I'm certainly going to do it
solve the problem is by greater taxes. I
without diminishing the fundamental na-
don't know how Mr. Lundine is proposing
tional security requirements of the United
the Federal Government pay for the pro-
States. And that's my responsibility, and I'm
gram, but we've made suggestions here that
proud to shoulder it. And I think we've
I fully support. But you know, yes, the B-2
come up with a very good answer. And so,
bomber is expensive, and, yes, it is impor-
please-it's not your obligation, but we will
tant to the national security of this country.
try hard to convince your able Lieutenant
And, yes, it's easy for a Lieutenant Gover-
Governor that the program we have makes
nor to make an analogy of that nature. But
good sense.
a President has a responsibility for both the
national strategy on fighting drugs and the
Health Education
national security of the United States that
Q. Mr. President, regarding the outreach
hopefully will encourage the Soviet Union
issue in education, what role will communi-
to move forward productively towards even
ty-based organizations and national organi-
1148
Administration of George Bush, 1989 / Aug. 30
e under this provision).
1987; and executive director of the Fund
and columnist for Reno Newspapers, Inc.,
Debarment List is the
for America's Future, 1985-1986. In addi-
1975-1977.
hanism to implement
tion, he served as the chief of staff at the
Mr. Phillips graduated from the Universi-
sions, due to the thou-
Republican National Committee, 1983-
ty of Nebraska (B.A., 1969). He was born
it benefits-including
1985; executive assistant to Gov. Robert
June 8, 1944, in Whitesboro, TX. Mr. Phil-
ans, contracts, and pro-
List of Nevada, 1978-1983; deputy cam-
lips served in the U.S. Air Force, 1965-
mercial licenses-that
paign manager for Robert List for Gover-
1970. He is married, has three children, and
rsuant to section 5301.
nor, 1977-1978; and as a political reporter
resides in Springfield, VA.
licant for Federal bene-
ertify that he/she is not
I order that would bar
1 Federal benefits.
Nomination of Frank B. Sollars To Be a Member of the Board of
posal is designed to be
Directors of the National Consumer Cooperative Bank
nber 1, 1989, or as soon
oriate informational ma-
August 30, 1989
ed to the Federal and
uitable denial forms de-
The President today announced his inten-
of Columbus, OH, since 1968, and as chair-
to avoid any potential
tion to nominate Frank B. Sollars to be a
man of the board for the same company
Ex Post Facto Clause of
member of the Board of Directors of the
since 1972. Mr. Sollars has served as the
he statute shall be ap-
National Consumer Cooperative Bank for a
director of the National Cooperative Busi-
occurring after Septem-
term of 3 years. This is a reappointment.
ness Association since 1975, and was chair-
ise from offenses occur-
Since 1939 Mr. Sollars has been a self-
ovember 18, 1988. No-
man of the board for the same organization,
employed farmer. In addition, he has
1985-1987.
S the date of enactment
served as director of the National Coopera-
nally, I am directing the
tive Bank in Washington, DC, since 1980,
Mr. Sollars was born June 29, 1921, in
Drug Control Policy to
and chairman of the board for the National
Fayette County, OH. He is married, has
tation of this proposal,
Cooperative Bank, 1980-1988; director of
five children, and currently resides in
if additional changes or
Nationwide Mutual Casualty Insurance Co.
Washington Court House, OH.
required after 6 months
gislative intent effective-
Remarks at a Luncheon Hosted by the Chamber of Commerce in
GEORGE BUSH
Kennebunkport, Maine
ters were sent to Thomas
August 30, 1989
f the House of Represent-
Quayle, President of the
Well, what a magnificent picture! I'm
The Coast Guard guy went out and took
looking around at this crowd, and I see a
a look at the reef off the point there and
few faces old enough to remember that
started to tell me that he thought maybe,
boardwalk that went along-[laughter]-all
accidentally, I had hit a rock. And I told
the way along Ocean Avenue there. And
him, "Look, rocks do not grow in these
ctor of the Office
this is a very special occasion for Barbara
waters. I've been here for 65 years running
and me, and we're delighted to be here.
around in a boat-find some other answer.
And I'm very pleased to be honored by the
Even if there is metal on the rock out
chamber.
there, I did not hit that rock." [Laughter]
I was afraid you might be feeling I had
And as Commander in Chief of the Coast
1 Counselor to the Secre-
dishonored the community with some of
Guard, he changed his mind as I was talk-
artment of Education in
the excesses that have taken place out here,
ing to him, and-[laughter]-we now think
but I want the record to show that when
Prior to this, he served as
it was a submerged board. [Laughter]
fficer for the Republican
the bottom fell off of the starboard engine
Barbara-this Barbara-thank you very
on our boat the other day-[laughter]-it
ion, 1987-1988; vice presi-
much, Barbara Aiello, for this honor and for
Watts and Rollins, 1986-
was not an encounter with a lobster trap.
welcoming us to the community that we do
[Laughter]
love so much. I'm delighted to be back at
1121
Aug. 30 / Administration of George Bush, 1989
the Shawmut, where many of our press are
it in the land and in the water here. And I
scho
staying and other friends that are traveling
know that people that are members of this
Mid
with us, and this hospitality-a few of them
chamber and other visitors that we have
year
greeting us over here-the people working
here with us understand exactly what I'm
vote
at the Shawmut. But it's a wonderfully
talking about. Barbara has told you that I've
nan
warm feeling that we get from all of you,
been coming here every summer since 19-
Bar
our neighbors in Kennebunkport and Ken-
well, I was born in '24. And the only one I
side
nebunk Beach and, of course, Kennebunk.
missed was the summer of 1944 when, like
nifi
And it's a special time for me being here.
many of you, I was in the service. That's the
acc
We are doing some work, but I have con-
only time that we missed being here. And
I
fessed at the very outset that this is a pure,
there is a certain magic about the place.
bur
total vacation. And I'm not going to look
Our kids live in five different States-one
and
busy in order to convince people in Amer-
in Cape Elizabeth and the others, four dif-
if I
ica that it's something other than a vaca-
ferent States-and for them, this is an
as
tion. [Laughter] I mean, it's the way it is,
anchor to windward because not far from
cap
and there are some hazards out there. Some
where this picture was painted my mother
sma
of you have been on the golf course when I
was born in a house still standing right
doi
play, and that's-|laughter-and other
there-not too far from St. Ann's Church.
ne
challenges.
One of them now is, we have a fleet of
So, enough of the reminiscence, but it
try
plastic toys that Barbara bought at some-I
means renewal to us, a moment to reflect.
Ke
hope it was at a sale. There are many cars
And as Barbara said, some of my colleagues
or
and little scooters and all out there, and it's
in the Government have had an opportuni-
hat
a hazard to get out the front door, get into
ty to come here for substantive meetings.
inc
the car or into the boat, just to escape all
Today I can't wait to show off this heaven
ga
these kids' playthings. But one of the great
to the Prime Minister of Canada, his wife,
It
joys for us has been having our grandchil-
and his four kids, who will be visiting us
wl
dren here, and I expect that those in Ken-
around the corner. And the other day it was
ne
nebunkport will recognize a familiar scene
the Prime Minister of Denmark and his
th
as we prepare this year's Christmas card.
charming wife. And as some of you all re-
he
I'm not going to comment on the fish-
member-in May, I believe it was-we had
ing-a vicious assault on my-[laughter]-
the President of the French Republic here.
in
vicious assault on my ability. I'm going to
And it is more than just inviting them to
A1
call the editor of the Portland paper, how-
a lovely place, because I've found, as I will
yc
ever, and present this to him: How would
with Mulroney, that with both the Danish
W
he call it? This morning, we got up and,
Prime Minister, Mr. Schlüter, and Mr. Mit-
a
through what was a rather heavy fog, went
terrand, you could converse and you could
ai
down to Whistler off Cape Porpoise and
relax and you could really get to know each
th
then down off of Woods Island. And here's
other in a wonderful setting. And though I
th
my position: I was driving the boat, placing
don't believe foreign policy is determined
et
the boat so that Sandy Boardman, who was
on whether a foreign leader likes you or
with me, could catch a bluefish-and she
not, I do think it makes a difference if you
g
did. And I think they should knock off that
can develop a good personal relationship.
r
advertisement on the front of the Portland
And you, our neighbors, have helped us in
p
paper that shows a bluefish with a big X
that regard, as we've had some distin-
through it-{laughter}-telling me that, yet
guished foreign visitors here.
F
a 13th day, I haven't caught one. I'm going
I appreciate the Outstanding Citizen
to appeal to them on that one.
Award. I don't know what the vote was on
It's been a joy to be here. Barbara put it
this one-[laughter]-but I want to tell you
pretty well: that this is a place where we
a true story. This came as a little bit of-
really enjoy ourselves-but more than that,
well, it was good for my ego, that tends to
kind of refurbish our souls and get our bat-
mount when you get into this job from time
teries all charged up and enjoy life really to
to time. But they decided to name a public
the fullest. It's a point of view. You can feel
school after me. I think it was a junior high
1122
Administration of George Bush, 1989 / Aug. 30
er here. And I
school, or maybe an elementary school, in
ful. The owner at the White Barn Inn may
embers of this
Midland, Texas, where we lived for 12
be with us today. Is Laurie here? Laurie
that we have
years. And this is God's honest truth: The
Bongiorno-over here-quoting him, per-
ctly what I'm
vote was either 4-3 or 3-2 in favor of
haps to his embarrassment, but he said:
I you that I've
naming the school for me. [Laughter] So,
"We have an opportunity to create value in
her since 19-
Barbara, I hope it was a little more one-
our businesses by taking a longer view. This
he only one I
sided than that in this-giving me this sig-
would be easier without the burdensome
44 when, like
nificant honor. But I really am pleased to
weight of the capital gains tax." And I think
ice. That's the
accept it.
he's absolutely right.
ng here. And
I know that the chamber of the Kenne-
George Bergeron-he runs a landscaping
ut the place.
bunks is made up of a lot of entrepreneurs,
operation with a very unusual name. It is
it States-one
and I would be remiss at a meeting like this
called George's Bush and Tree Service.
hers, four dif-
if I didn't ask you to give me strong support
[Laughter] I loved it when I saw that.
1, this is an
back to Washington to fight for a
[Laughter] But let me tell you about this
not far from
capital gains tax differential. I believe that
guy. I don't know whether he's here or not,
d my mother
small business-providing jobs to those who
but-back here? Fantastic! Planning for his
tanding right
don't have jobs-small business entrepre-
retirement, he says, "I left my work to go
nn's Church.
neurs really are the backbone of this coun-
into business for myself. I took the risks and
cence, but it
try in many ways.
went the American way for the sake of my
ent to reflect.
And I am absolutely convinced that John
retirement. Wouldn't it be ironic," he con-
ny colleagues
Kennedy was right years ago-25 years ago
tinues, "if just as I was ready to cash in, the
or more-when he talked about the need to
an opportuni-
Government took such a big piece of the
have a differential in the capital gains and,
ive meetings.
indeed, to call for a reduction in the capital
profit from me?" He's absolutely right. The
f this heaven
backbone of our recovery-in October it'll
ada, his wife,
gains tax because it stimulates the economy.
It encourages risktaking; it rewards those
be the longest in the history of the United
e visiting us
States-comes from the small business man
er day it was
who go out and employ others and start
new businesses. And I am just convinced
or woman, who then makes it work and
hark and his
that it is good; I am convinced that it will
goes out and gives jobs to other people. The
of you all re-
help with our deficit, not inhibit the efforts
best answer to poverty in this country is a
was-we had
I am making to get this budget deficit down
job, and I want to keep this economic ex-
epublic here.
in accord with the Gramm-Rudman targets.
pansion going.
iting them to
And so, I would ask your strong support to
I was told to say just a few words, but let
und, as I will
your very able congressional delegation as
me end with just a little reference to the
n the Danish
we now go back to battle for what I think is
times we're living in, regarding our foreign
and Mr. Mit-
a good incentive for business people, men
policy and the challenges we face as a coun-
nd you could
and women, small business entrepreneurs-
try. And you see the kids here, and it re-
to know each
those who have the courage to go off on
minds me that just before I went on a fasci-
And though I
their own and start new businesses wherev-
nating trip to Eastern Europe, including
; determined
er they may be. And I ask for your help.
Hungary and Poland, and then to Paris, the
likes you or
Incidentally, I do believe we're going to
Polish journalists came into that beautiful,
erence if you
get a good agreement on the budget deficit
majestic Oval Office, and they asked me:
relationship.
reduction package. I think it will be accom-
"What would you tell a young kid in Poland
helped us in
plished without raising the taxes on the
today?" And I had in my mind as he asked
some distin-
American working man in this country. The
me the question the numbers of people in
problem still is this: It isn't that the working
Chicago and in Detroit, and indeed some in
ding Citizen
man is paying too little in taxes; it is that
Maine, who have come to this country from
vote was on
the Government continues to, for a lot of
Poland-the arms of the Statue of Liberty
nt to tell you
reasons, to spend too much. And I am going
outstretched, then in the past as it is, thank
ittle bit of-
to continue to try to hold the line on taxes.
God, still today.
that tends to
And, again, I need your support there.
And I thought about it, and then I
ob from time
Right here in Kennebunk you've had
thought about the change, the political
ame a public
some-Kennebunkport-you've had some
change that's taking place in Eastern
a junior high
examples of people that have been success-
Europe-change far more dramatic than I
1123
Aug. 30 / Administration of George Bush, 1989
could have conceived when I was in the
our job right, if we handle the relationship
Congress, say, 20 years ago. And I said, "If I
with the Soviet Union properly, and if we
were a kid in Poland, I'd always want to see
then are smart enough and intelligent
the United States"-I'm thinking on this—
enough to delicately have the role of the
P
"to see the United States as a beacon." But
United States be one of helpfulness in East-
I told him: "If I were a kid in Poland, I'd
ern Europe, I think we can see a world
want to stay there. I'd want to participate
where the peace is much more enhanced,
in the change because we are living in a
or the threat of war-nuclear war, conven-
d
fascinating time." And you look at what's
tional war-greatly reduced. And it is an
happening in the Soviet Union, the changes
exciting time to be growing up in the
of perestroika-reform, glasnost-openness.
United States, and it certainly is an exciting
50
time to be the President of the United
It's dramatic. It's new. The aspirations for
freedom are there. And you see the
States of America. I like my job. I'm going
changes again in Poland, where you have a
to work hard for you. And thank you very,
p
very much for this honor. Thank you so
Communist government change through
much.
free elections to a government that contains
ki
people mainly out of the Solidarność move-
Note: The President spoke at 12:24 p.m. at
ment, the labor union movement.
the Shawmut Inn. In his opening remarks,
ti
So, the point I want to make to you is:
he referred to Barbara Aiello, president of
P:
We're living in exciting times. And I can
the Kennebunk-Kennebunkport Chamber
say with confidence to these kids: If we do
of Commerce.
ve
in
tw
News Conference of the President and Prime Minister Brian
to
pe
Mulroney of Canada in Kennebunkport, Maine
in
August 31, 1989
th
im
The President. Well, why don't we get
than I-but I have found that I can either
started on this scrum, as we call it. In the
pick up the phone and talk to him with a
th
first place, Barbara and I have just been
frankness that is very important, or in a
ex
delighted to have the Prime Minister and
visit of this nature, which we deliberately
Pr
Mrs. Mulroney here. And we had a chance
billed as a private visit, talk to him with no
holds barred. We agree on almost all the
gr
this morning-it started out as just a chat,
and ended up spending close to 4 hours
major issues. And where Canada and the
talking about issues affecting not only U.S.-
U.S. may have bumps in the road, we can
Canada but a wide array of issues affecting
talk very frankly. He is always very frank
do
the whole world, as a matter of fact. As
with me, expressing the Canadian point of
jus
usual, I've learned a lot from the Prime
view so strongly, and gives me a chance to
Minister, and we've really had a substantive
understand that position. And of course, I
Sit
discussion. John Sununu and Brent Scow-
feel no inhibitions in telling him where the
croft dropped in for some of the discussion.
United States is coming from.
sei
And I can say this-and I'll let the Prime
And though we have a few more hours of
ag
Minister have equal time-that the relation-
this most pleasant visit-from my stand-
O
ship between the United States and
point at least and, thus, from the standpoint
tin
Canada, a most significant and important
of the United States, it's been an unusually
relationship, is in good shape.
productive visit. And I'm just again, Brian,
tha
I have found, just in the short time that
so pleased, sir, that you are here.
sta
I've been in this job, and with respect to
The Prime Minister. Thank you, Mr. Presi-
is
the-certainly the Prime Minister with
dent. Thank you, George.
giv
much more experience in leading a country
Well, I really am here to give you the
goi
1124
Aug. 7 / Administration of George Bush, 1989
covery and adventure, that is surely draw-
Note: The President spoke at 10:44 a.m. at
ing us to a new destiny on new and far
Fort A.P. Hill. In his remarks, he referred to
distant worlds. You are privileged to be the
G. William Swisher, Jr., chairman of the
generation that will witness the first large
National Jamboree; Ben H. Love, chief
movement of men and women into space.
Scout executive of the Boy Scouts of Amer-
And as this happens, I know that the Boy
ica; former Scout Curtis Hawkins; entertain-
Scouts of today will be in the lead. Thank
er Calvin Grant; and Col. John R. Bour-
you for inviting me to your Jamboree. God
geois, USMC, Director of the U.S. Marine
bless you, God bless the Boy Scouts of
Corps Band.
America, and God bless the United States of
America. Thank you all.
Statement by Press Secretary Fitzwater on the Execution of
Lieutenant Colonel William R. Higgins
August 7, 1989
The Federal Bureau of Investigation
Note: Lt. Col. William R. Higgins, USMC,
today released the results of forensic exami-
chief of the U.N. peacekeeping force in
nations of the videotape purported to be of
southern Lebanon, was kidnaped on Febru-
Lieutenant Colonel Higgins. Mrs. Higgins
ary 17, 1988, and executed by pro-Iranian
was informed of the results by the Com-
terrorists on July 31, 1989. After examining
mandant of the Marine Corps, General Al
a videotape released by the terrorists, FBI
Gray. President Bush called Mrs. Higgins at
forensic experts and pathologists concluded
about 2 p.m. to offer his support and en-
that, although a positive identification
couragement. The President said the U.S.
could not be made, the person depicted in
Government will continue to do all it can to
the videotape probably was Lieutenant
obtain a full accounting of what happened
Colonel Higgins and that he was "within a
to her husband.
reasonable degree of medical certainty"
dead.
Remarks at the National Urban League Conference
August 8, 1989
Thank you very much, Dr. Watson. And
plane. Our Secretary of Defense, Dick
to you, my friend John Jacob, thank you,
Cheney-seeing what he can do in terms of
sir-Tony Burns, the chairman, and all the
search assets.
other Urban League leaders. I single out
I think it says a lot about Mickey that he
my Cabinet-mate, Secretary Kemp. I'm de-
was on his sixth humanitarian mission to
lighted that you're here, Jack. Thank you
help feed the hungry in that part of the
all.
world, and so, I would just like to join you
You know, Jack told me coming over that
all in what you did this morning to say that
you had a moment of silence-a prayer,
our thoughts and prayers are with him. I
really, for Mickey Leland, my fellow Hous-
talked to Alison, his wife, late this morn-
tonian. And let me just say that we have
ing-earlier this morning, I guess. She's
been in touch with the Government of
strong, has a lot of hope. And we all pray
Ethiopia and the United Nations to learn
that he's safe and that he and the others
the whereabouts of Congressman Leland's
with him on that humanitarian mission will
1068
Administration of George Bush, 1989 / Aug. 8
spoke at 10:44 a.m. at
be found and that they'll all be safe. And
we must continue the crusade for equality.
remarks, he referred to
we will, I can tell you as President, do all
Just over a week ago, a collection of schol-
Jr., chairman of the
we can to learn what has happened.
ars released a monumental study called "A
Ben H. Love, chief
I want to speak to you today about the
Common Destiny: Blacks and American So-
e Boy Scouts of Amer-
state of urban America, about the future
ciety." It offers detailed evidence of the
tis Hawkins; entertain-
that I see for American cities and for the
progress our nation has made in the past 50
d Col. John R. Bour-
many millions of Americans who make
years in living up to American ideals. But
or of the U.S. Marine
them their home. In many respects, let's
the study makes clear that our work is far
face it, urban America offers a bleak pic-
from over. The great gulf between black
ture: an inner city in crisis. And there is too
and white America has narrowed, but it's
much crime, too much crack, too many
not closed. And closing that gulf, eliminat-
dropouts, too much despair, too little eco-
ing it for all time, is the next chapter we
nomic opportunity, too little advancement,
must write in the unfolding history, the un-
and-the bottom line-too little hope. But
finished history, of civil rights. And that
:ution of
there's something else that's true about our
chapter will be written because today, as in
inner cities, something we can't overlook,
the past, advancing the cause of equal
something the Urban League has worked
rights is in keeping with our highest ideals.
tirelessly to strengthen; and that's a core
It's the right thing to do.
community that is simply too strong to suc-
Think back to 1954, the Court's decision
n R. Higgins, USMC,
cumb, a community where there is too
eacekeeping force in
much faith, too much pride, too strong a
in favor of Linda Brown; a year later, an-
S kidnaped on Febru-
sense of family not to fight back-whatever
other decision, Rosa Parks' refusal to go to
cuted by pro-Iranian
their challenge, whatever the odds.
the back of the bus; the 1960's, the passage
But the challenge for urban America is a
of the Civil Rights Act, the Voting Rights
'989. After examining
challenge for all America. It's a challenge
Act, Fair Housing; and in this decade, the
by the terrorists, FBI
athologists concluded
for my administration. It's a challenge every
elevation of Dr. Martin Luther King to a
ositive identification
American must embrace. The condition of
place of honor among American heroes. It
was the right thing to do. And today, when
re person depicted in
our inner cities isn't a matter of charts and
bly was Lieutenant
graphs and these cold statistics. It's more
our challenge is securing true equality for
hat he was "within a
than an exercise in sociology or public
every American, once again, we will suc-
medical certainty"
policy. It's a question of how people live
ceed because it's the right thing to do.
their lives, a question of human dignity; and
Discrimination-of course it still exists.
it's a challenge that I take to heart. Your
Race hate, born of ignorance and inhuman-
problems are my problems; your hopes, the
ity, still exists. The day of the poll tax is
hopes all Americans hold dear. Today I
over. The day of Jim Crow is gone. Today
offer you my hand, and I offer you my
bigotry and bias may take more subtle
word: Together we will make America open
forms; but they persist, and as long as they
and equal to all. And together we must and
do, my work is not over; your work is not
will find a way to stop the decline in our
over; our work is not over.
inner cities, to restore hope, and make the
Before I go on, I want to make sure ev-
of Defense, Dick
nineties a decade of urban renaissance.
eryone in this room knows just exactly
e can do in terms of
And whether we succeed depends on
where I stand and just where my adminis-
how well we meet three key tests. First, we
tration stands. My administration is commit-
bout Mickey that he
must strike down barriers to advancement
ted to reaching out to minorities, to striking
anitarian mission to
and opportunity for American minorities—
down barriers to free and open access. We
in that part of the
and strike them down for good. And
will not tolerate discrimination, bigotry, or
just like to join you
second, we must create conditions for urban
bias of any kind, period, just as Dr. Watson
morning to say that
growth and economic revival, conditions
said.
ers are with him. I
that leave no one behind. And finally, we
Now, we've all spent a lot of time over
vife, late this morn-
must secure the most fundamental right of
the past two decades debating the best
ing, I guess. She's
all: the right of young and old alike of any
means of ending unequal treatment. And
pe. And we all pray
race to walk any street without fear.
we've argued-I've even argued with John
he and the others
Let me start with equal opportunity. Not
Jacob; you try that one on for size-we've
nitarian mission will
just in urban America but across this nation,
argued, society's argued, about affirmative
1069
einan
Aug. 8 / Administration of George Bush, 1989
action, about quotas, about goals and time-
And back in April, I signed an Executive
tables, about set-asides and 8-A firms. Well,
order that will strengthen our nation's his-
while society's been debating these impor-
torically black colleges and universities and
tant issues, society's also been changing.
expand opportunities for their students and
The economy's been changing. Our world,
their graduates.
the world our children will inherit, is
In many urban schools, the key is creat-
changing. And part of the change is the
ing a sound learning environment, one that
progress we have made-hard-fought
keeps the dropouts in and keeps the drugs
changes in which the Urban League can
out. And that's why I've called for the cre-
take pride. Part of the change is simply a
ation of urban emergency grants to help
matter of the dynamics at work in our
clean up schools hit hardest by the drug
world.
scourge. Education is the way to turn
Take the economy: We're used to think-
dreams into reality, and even in the inner
ing of unemployment as a case of too many
city, every kid has a dream.
people and too few jobs. I remember play-
ing musical chairs when I was a little kid-a
And opportunity means job training,
game of musical chairs. And all too often,
building the employment skills and basic
it's the minorities left standing when the
literacy ability that everyone needs to get
music stops. In the 1990's, into the next
and keep a job. For 6 years now, the Job
century, our problem-our nation's prob-
Training Partnership program has been
lem-will be just the opposite: more than
equipping the disadvantaged youth to enter
enough jobs and too few people qualified to
the work force, to start that climb up out of
fill them.
the poverty trap. JTPA-it works. The proof
The last of the baby boom generation are
is its 68-percent success ratio, and we're
in their thirties. And there's been a slow-
working to make the program even strong-
down in the number of new workers that
er. Last month we introduced amendments
are entering our economy, and that's going
to the Job Training Partnership Act to
to continue into the 1990's. Talk to any de-
target it more tightly on at-risk youth, kids
mographer, and they'll tell you that's true.
with the most urgent need for job training.
New works will be in demand-new work-
But growth creates jobs, and the future of
ers-and the simple fact is that 8 out of
urban America depends on bringing growth
every 10 new workers will be women, mi-
to our inner cities. One entrepreneurial
norities, and immigrants. Think about what
answer to inner city poverty-and I salute
that means. Think about it: For every child
my Secretary of HUD for being in the fore-
growing up today-black or white and, yes,
ground on this one-is enterprise zones.
urban or rural-there will be a job waiting.
Enterprise zones can be a source of jobs,
The question, our challenge, is whether
growth, and advancement. And the payoff
they'll have the education and the skills
isn't simply economic. When you create
that they need to seize that opportunity.
jobs, you create hope. We've debated the
And that's the new frontier for civil rights.
idea of enterprise zones long enough. And
Opportunity means education. The jobs
I've asked Congress to create at least 50
open to the 21st century worker are going
enterprise zones between now and 1993,
to require higher skills. And never has edu-
and now is the time for action.
cation been more important than for the
But enterprise zones are meaningless if
next generation, for the first-grader-
we don't create economic incentives for
today's first-grader-who is a member of
urban expansion. And that's why I've also
the high school class of the year 2001. The
called on Congress to enact changes in the
package of education initiatives that I sent
Tax Code that will make enterprise zones
to the Congress this spring will make a dif-
magnets for capital, magnets for job cre-
ference for urban America and for Ameri-
ation. And I'm talking about incentives to
can minorities. And I've called on Congress
increase investment, to open a flow of seed
to provide a $250 million increase in funds
capital into urban areas. And if we're going
for Head Start, a key program in getting
to make inner cities attractive to new cap-
disadvantaged children ready for school.
ital, individuals who invest in enterprise
1070
Financial
Administration of George Bush, 1989 / Aug. 8
ed an Executive
zones should get an immediate tax savings.
is on your block, and when the stray bullet
our nation's his-
And we've also got to reward risk-taking.
from a drug war shootout kills some mother
1 universities and
I've proposed a zero capital gains rate for
sitting on her porch, and when parents and
heir students and
eligible business investments in enterprise
teachers and churches struggle to teach the
zones. If you take your capital and go there
values of honesty and hard work and then
the key is creat-
to invest, you ought to have that as an in-
find themselves up against the fast-money
onment, one that
centive to put the business where the jobs
lure of the drug trade, there's a certain
I keeps the drugs
must be for outside-[applause]. It should
hopelessness.
alled for the cre-
be a powerful incentive for outside inves-
But our children can live and learn in
y grants to help
tors and a rate of return fitting for urban
peace. Urban communities can thrive again.
lest by the drug
entrepreneurs.
And that's why we've got to combat drug
e way to turn
And I'm talking about incentives for
violence, and that's why we've got to elimi-
ven in the inner
working people. We want to establish
nate fear, and that's why we've got to
what's known as a refundable wage credit
create a climate of hope. The Federal Gov-
as job training,
for low-income employees in enterprise
ernment is doing its part. We're going to do
skills and basic
zones. In many cases, this credit will cut the
more. We've taken forceful action to speed
one needs to get
taxes of low-income workers to zero. And
up the eviction process for drug dealers in
ars now, the Job
for some low-income families who already
America's public housing. And in less than a
gram has been
owe little in taxes, a refundable credit will
month, we'll unveil a new national drug
ed youth to enter
not only take them off the Federal income
t climb up out of
tax rolls; it will put money in their pockets.
strategy, our comprehensive battle plan to
Opportunity, education, advancement,
wage the long, hard fight against illegal
works. The proof
equality: each is essential. But we can't talk
drugs.
ratio, and we're
about the future we want to see for urban
And there's a message that I want to send
ram even strong-
ced amendments
America without talking about the number-
today, all out across this country, to all law-
tnership Act to
one threat in our inner cities today. You
abiding Americans: The war on drugs is a
t-risk youth, kids
know what that is, every one of you: illegal
battle that can't simply be waged from
drugs. And you know the simple truth: Our
Washington, DC. When I was in Chicago
I for job training.
and the future of
inner cities cannot become centers of op-
last month, I asked this nation's Governors
portunity as long as they are battle zones in
to pass laws in each of their States that
bringing growth
entrepreneurial
a drug war.
parallel the tough Federal stand that we've
A little over a week ago, our Secretary of
taken against illegal drugs. And today I ask
rty-and I salute
being in the fore-
HHS, Dr. Louis Sullivan, released the
each of you to do the same at the local
enterprise zones.
newest statistics-maybe some of you all
level, in urban America. Let's put more
1 source of jobs,
saw it in the paper-the newest statistics on
police on the streets, tougher laws on the
illegal drug use in America. The statistics
books, build the jail cells that we need to
And the payoff
show two trends, one positive and one pro-
put drug criminals where they belong-
hen you create
foundly, earthshakingly disturbing. Overall
behind bars-and, in my view, keep them
!'ve debated the
ng enough. And
use of cocaine has declined by almost half-
there. Let's not point the finger or look for
eate at least 50
testimony to the years of dedication and
scapegoats. Let's enlist every asset that we
now and 1993,
hard work of parents, educators, religious
have, form a united front, and fight this war
together.
ion.
and community leaders, all determined to
e meaningless if
end this plague. But our greatest challenge
There are some who say-and you've
C incentives for
is yet to come. Frequent cocaine use-fre-
heard it-the state of urban America is
quent use-is up sharply.
hopeless. The National Urban League
:'s why I've also
And that means while our message is get-
doesn't believe that. I say they're wrong.
t changes in the
ting across to the casual user, hardcore
We've got to see past the stories on the 6
enterprise zones
drugs, drugs like this insidious crack co-
o'clock news and past the statistics. We've
ets for job cre-
caine, are tightening their grip. And that's
got to see the potential for progress; we've
out incentives to
grim news, that's bad news for the United
got to see the face of hope in our inner
en a flow of seed
States of America, because crack, crime,
cities.
id if we're going
and violence-they're the unholy trinity in
And, now, I'm not afraid to say we've got
tive to new cap-
our inner cities. And urban communities
hard work ahead of us: We've got to wage
st in enterprise
suffer the most. And when the crackhouse
war on poverty and wage war on despair
1071
Aug. 8 / Administration of George Bush, 1989
and wage war on the hopelessness that robs
simply, it is the right thing to do. Thank
us of our future. And I want to tell all of
you, God bless you, and God bless the
you here today: I'm not going to relax in
United States of America. Thank you very,
this job, or rest, until I know that I have
very much.
done everything in my power to ensure
that we succeed, that every child in our
Note: The President spoke at 2:25 p.m. at
inner cities has a shot at a good job, that
the Washington Convention Center. In his
every kid stays in school and gets a quality
remarks, he referred to Bernard Watson,
education-yes, lives in decent housing in a
John Jacob, and M. Anthony Burns, senior
neighborhood free of drugs, fear, and vio-
lence. We've got to work together to
vice chairman, president and chief execu-
achieve these goals. I know we will, and I
tive officer, and chairman of the National
know why. John, you know why. Jack
Urban League, respectively, and Secretary
Kemp, Dr. Watson, you know why. Every-
of Housing and Urban Development Jack F.
one here today knows why: Because,
Kemp.
Remarks on Signing the Financial Institutions Reform, Recovery,
and Enforcement Act of 1989
August 9, 1989
Well, Secretary Brady and Secretary Jack
vent. And the crisis has been told and
Kemp, Chairman Greenspan, Senators
retold: The Federal insurance fund was
Riegle and Gramm, and Congressmen
unable to make good on its commitments to
Wylie and Gonzalez, and other distin-
the public or to close insolvent institutions,
guished Members of the House and Senate,
and-their losses mounting-hundreds of
ladies and gentlemen, and friends: Thomas
bankrupt institutions were allowed to con-
Jefferson once observed that "the care of
tinue operating.
human life and happiness, and not their de-
On February 6, I announced a plan to
struction, is the first and only legitimate
change all that: to protect insured deposi-
object of good government." And today we
tors and to responsibly finance the closing
gather here to sign legislation, the Financial
or other resolution of all insolvent institu-
Institutions Reform, Recovery, and Enforce-
tions. And we sought to abolish lax regula-
ment Act of 1989, which reaffirms those
tions, to increase penalties for wrongdoing,
words.
and to reform the financial system. And
This legislation comes to grips with the
above all, we sought to protect those who
problems facing our savings and loan indus-
have relied on government to faithfully ful-
try. It'll safeguard and stabilize America's
fill its obligations.
financial system and put in place perma-
I take a special pleasure in the historic
nent reforms so these problems will never
legislation that I will sign here this morn-
happen again. And moreover, it says to tens
ing. For the Task Group on Regulation of
of millions of S&L depositors: You will not
Financial Services, which I was proud to
be the victim of others' mistakes. We will
chair, began the effort to strengthen our
see-guarantee-that your insured deposits
financial system. And its work, and that of
are secure.
many others, was debated and refined by
And this, of course, was government's
the United States Congress-and you see it
intent when, in 1933, it created the Federal
here, all 371 pages of it. And, no, the bill is
Deposit Insurance [Corporation]. And yet as
not perfect, but it is a first step, a crucial
that system incurred massive loans over the
step, toward restoring public confidence.
past couple of decades, the fund designed
H.R. 1278 is responsive and responsible,
to protect depositors itself became insol-
and for that I salute the Congress. This bill
1072
Financial
Administration of George Bush, 1989 / Aug. 9
e right thing to do. Thank
balances America's need for financial secu-
criminal penalties will be toughened from
S you, and God bless the
rity, competitiveness, and equity.
yesterday's slap on the wrist to the clang of
f America. Thank you very,
In particular, I want to thank two com-
a prison door. Those who try and loot the
mittee chairmen, Senator Don Riegle and
savings of their fellow citizens deserve, and
Representative Henry B. Gonzalez, here
will receive, swift and severe punishment.
ident spoke at 2:25 p.m. at
with us today for their superb leadership in
And also, starting today, tougher require-
I Convention Center. In his
an extraordinarily difficult proceedings.
ments for safe and sound operating prac-
ferred to Bernard Watson,
And they were aided by Senator Jake Garn
tices will begin to take effect. Never again
and Representative Chalmers Wylie, who
will America allow any insured institution
1 M. Anthony Burns, senior
president and chief execu-
helped make these proposals a reality; and
to operate normally if owners lack sufficient
d chairman of the National
of course, Senator Phil Gramm, who I men-
tangible capital to protect depositors and
tioned earlier; and numerous other mem-
taxpayers alike. And today, too, we begin
respectively, and Secretary
bers of the banking and other committees,
using the new resources available to accel-
Urban Development Jack F.
from both sides of the aisle, who took up
erate the resolution of failed institutions
the cause of the public's interest.
and to recover every possible dollar from
And then there's my friend, the Treasury
their assets for the taxpayer. And at the
Secretary, Nick Brady, whose dedicated ef-
same time, we will seek to minimize ad-
forts have been vital and whose leadership
verse impact on local markets.
Reform, Recovery,
has been truly outstanding. And so have
These reforms will help our system right
those of Director Dick Darman, over here,
itself. For while the S&L crisis isn't behind
the head of the OMB. I'd also like to men-
us, we have met and passed our first critical
tion Richard Breeden of the White House.
test. More hard choices, more challenges,
I'd be remiss not to salute hundreds of
lie ahead. But we will meet them as we
crisis has been told and
others on the staffs of the various regulatory
have this challenge-consulting, cooperat-
ederal insurance fund was
agencies and congressional committees.
ing between Congress and the executive
good on its commitments to
They, too, deserve our thanks.
branch. And as we do, we will keep the
And because of them, of you here today,
) close insolvent institutions,
and so many others, this legislation will give
new Federal deposit insurance system sol-
es mounting-hundreds of
us the tools to make our thrift institutions
vent and help serve those millions of small
utions were allowed to con-
and our financial system as a whole strong
savers who make America great-the local
and stable. With this bill's substantial fund-
paperboy looking ahead to college or the
6, I announced a plan to
ing, we will begin-here and now-to elimi-
young couple dreaming of their first home,
to protect insured deposi-
nate the ongoing losses of the insolvent
the retired teacher whose savings are her
ponsibly finance the closing
firms and to ensure that not one dollar of
entire lifetime. We have a commitment to
tion of all insolvent institu-
insured funds will be lost by any depositor.
protect the savings of these Americans and
sought to abolish lax regula-
Toward that end, this legislation abolishes
millions like them across this country, and
se penalties for wrongdoing,
the agency once responsible for thrift su-
we will honor that commitment.
the financial system. And
pervision. And in its place a new agency
And so, together, Republicans and Demo-
sought to protect those who
will operate as part of the Treasury Depart-
crats, we can keep America's economy
government to faithfully ful-
ment, ensuring the taxpayers' interests will
number one in the world. We can and will
ns.
always come first. And at the same time, a
preserve a safe, efficient, and equitable fi-
cial pleasure in the historic
completely new insurance fund will protect
nancial system for ourselves and, yes, for
I will sign here this morn-
deposits in thrift institutions. The obliga-
our kids. So, thank you all very much for
ask Group on Regulation of
tions of the new fund, called Savings Asso-
coming here and for your support, both
ices, which I was proud to
ciation Insurance Fund, SAIF, will be fully
past and future, because plenty of work lies
he effort to strengthen our
guaranteed by the full faith and credit of
ahead. Thank you all very much and now,
n. And its work, and that of
the United States. The new seal displayed
I'm proud to sign this monster.
was debated and refined by
here symbolizes this new fund and our
tes Congress-and you see it
commitment to protecting depositors.
Note: The President spoke at 10:49 a.m. in
ages of it. And, no, the bill is
Good steps? I'd say vital steps, and this
the Rose Garden at the White House. In his
it it is a first step, a crucial
legislation goes still further. Beginning
remarks, he referred to Secretary of the
restoring public confidence.
today, penalties for wrongdoing by officers
Treasury Nicholas F. Brady; Secretary of
responsive and responsible,
and directors of insured institutions will be
Housing and Urban Development Jack F.
salute the Congress. This bill
increased up to $1 million per day. And
Kemp; Alan Greenspan, Chairman of the
1073
#inancial
Aug. 9 / Administration of George Bush, 1989
Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve
member of the House Committee on Bank-
Q. Afte
System; Senators Donald W. Riegle, Jr., Phil
ing, Finance and Urban Affairs, respective-
mism, you
Gramm, and Jake Garn, chairman and
ly; and Richard C. Breeden, Assistant to the
mistic ab
members of the Senate Committee on Bank-
President for Issues Analysis. H.R. 1278, ap-
hostages (
ing, Housing, and Urban Affairs, respec-
proved August 9, was assigned Public Law
that way?
tively; Representatives Henry B. Gonzalez
No. 101-73.
The Pre
and Chalmers P. Wylie, chairman and
sociated I
feel? It's t
days.
Q. No,
Informal Exchange With Reporters
the Bostor
August 9, 1989
The Pre
Q. In W.
say just o
The President. Well, first let me welcome
out what their terms are and trying to per-
this proble
His Eminence, Cardinal Law, once again to
suade?
The Pres
the White House-a friend of longstanding
The President. I'm not talking about
thought it
and a man for whom I think we all have
terms; I'm talking about talking to get
side of the
great respect. But I just want to suggest
people out that are held against their will.
Q. But y
that this weekend, each in our own way,
And I think I covered that pretty well in
The Pre:
that we say a prayer for the American hos-
my inaugural address when I said good will
changed ar
tages, for their family, and indeed, for
will beget good will. And if ever there was
by some he
world peace. I believe in prayer, and I
a clearer signal, in my view, that's it. So, I
ducting the
think it would be most appropriate with the
repeat it. And if there are changes taking
a prudent r
situation that we consider this. So, I would
place and signals that are shifting, I don't
people out
ask the churches and other places of faith to
want to miss a signal. The life of every
want to dc
say a special prayer this weekend.
single one of these people is too precious
families wh
U.S. Hostage Policy
for me to be sticking my head in the sand
and over ag
Q. Mr. President, you seem to be moving
and miss some subtlety in this highly com-
I think tha
away from the Reagan interpretation of
plicated corner of the world. So, we are in
behave. So,
what is a negotiation. You have fine-tuned
touch with as many people as possible,
don't think,
it in the Boston Globe interview. To really
anyone that I think can help either me or
I've change
make it specific, is there a subtle change,
the Secretary of State or others who are in
the hostages
contact with them. We're going to keep on
want to-I 1
any change?
The President. I don't think there's any
doing that.
thing will ha
subtle change from the report that I signed,
Q. Is it possible to even discuss the ques-
tions, or ho
tion of the Iranian assets and the United
Q. But
and indeed was the father of, sponsored ob-
viously by President Reagan. I'm not going
States unfreezing them without encourag-
more hope
ing the taking of other hostages?
before.
to do anything that would put some other
American, perhaps in some other place, at
The President. I'm not going to go into
The Preside
some other time, at risk-and that means
the details of the question you've asked.
Q. "Cautic
trading off or negotiating for hostages.
I've seen conflicting statements coming out
word you bc
Q. But you are talking, and when you talk
of Iran on this question. And my view is to
view, seemed
make the statements unconflicting, and my
The Presid.
you obviously are-
The President. Excuse me, Helen [Helen
view is to do nothing that will be seen as
the hopes by
quid pro quo for hostages.
the same int
Thomas, United Press International], I hope
I'm openminded enough to talk and to ex-
Q. Mr. President, is it possible for you to
here. I mean
ercise every diplomatic channel I can to
elaborate on what you mean by that? How
You interpre
free these Americans. No American is going
you-
interprets it
The President. No.
what I think.
to be content until these people are free,
Q. Are the
and I would be not doing my job if I didn't
Q. No?
approach it in that manner.
Are the sign
The President. No, it's not possible for me
Q. Well, isn't talking really trying to find
positive?
to elaborate on it.
The Presia
1074
Administration of George Bush, 1989 / July 28
ities and member of the National Council
Governor's Committee for Persons with
ed-States
on the Handicapped, 1988 to present. Prior
Disabilities, 1980-1985; and chairperson of
to this, he was founder and chief executive
the Governor's Long Range Planning
officer of Japan Tupperware, Ltd. Mr. Dart
Group for Texans with Disabilities, 1982-
has served as Commissioner of the Rehabili-
1984.
tation Services Administration, 1986-1987;
Mr. Dart graduated from the University
nd Chemistry
member and Vice Chairperson of the Na-
of Houston (B.S., 1953). He was born in Chi-
and a delegate
tional Council on the Handicapped, 1983-
cago, IL, in 1930. Mr. Dart is married and
ember of the
1986; member and chairperson of the Texas
resides in Washington, DC.
n on Scientific
972. He is the
Committee on
I this position
The President's News Conference
the California
July 28, 1989
i., 1951; M.S.,
(Ph.D., 1960).
The President. Well, in the past 7 months,
few words, and then both he and I will
9, in Cheney,
many distinguished Americans serving in
respond to some questions. I might wel-
nia.
congressional, State, and local offices across
come my old colleagues, John Paul Ham-
this country have decided to change their
merschmidt here and Guy Vander Jagt-
party allegiance from Democrat to Republi-
two classmates of mine in the Congress who
can-men and women of great diversity,
feel as enthusiastic about this as I do, and
but they're united by a deep devotion to
also, of course, our party chairman [H. Lee
deral Labor
this nation's traditional values, to building
Atwater].
an economy that provides growth and op-
All yours.
portunity, and to ensuring that America
Representative Robinson. Thank you, Mr.
stands for peace with freedom in every
President, for your kind words of welcome
corner of the globe. They represent a grow-
to the Republican Party. I am grateful for
t Opportunity
ing ground swell of support, a new majority
your confidence and support. I look forward
pervisory com-
that sees the Republican Party-our Grand
to working closely with you in building an
hal Labor Rela-
Old Party, the grand new party-as best
even stronger America in Arkansas.
-1983; national
able to lead a strong America through the
Public service has been the cornerstone
Labor Relations
decade of the nineties into the new millen-
and labor-man-
of my life. I have served at the local,
nium.
for the Nation-
county, State, and Federal levels for the
And so, it is a great privilege for me to
egion 20, 1973-
past 30 years. I chose a life of public service
welcome to the Republican Party a man
because my parents taught me that if you
who stands by the faith of his principles and
1 the City Uni-
work for the government, you work for the
has helped keep America free: Arkansas
boklyn College
people, you serve people. My parents raised
Representative Tommy Robinson, a man of
e currently re-
me in the tradition of Harry Truman:
exceptional caliber. Tommy Robinson is a
lunch-bucket Democrats and patriotism
man of the people, a man who believes in
without apology.
straight talk, hard work, and getting the job
But today, to best serve the people of
done-rebuilding our defenses; standing up
Arkansas and to stay true to the values of
for veterans, for small business; and fighting
resident's
my family and an ever-increasing number
the war on drugs. So, Tommy, welcome to
of Arkansans, I can no longer be a member
our party.
of the national Democratic Party. This is a
Representative Robinson. I'm on the
very personal, private decision. It has been
wrong side. The Democrat-he looks to his
long in coming, because frankly, I hoped
left. [Laughter]
that the national Democratic Party would
ussell.
The President. Well, I should-my wel-
come back home and once again be in
airperson of the
come-your party, the Republican Party-
touch with the mainstream of the American
1 the Rights and
we look forward to working with you. And
people.
as With Disabil-
I'm going to ask the Congressman to say a
But even after losing five of the last six
1025
Administration of George Bush, 1989 / July 28
of
lion to $30 million a day. I'll take the fault,
discussion, and I can't tell you how far
responsibility, when we're slow getting leg-
along it is, but there has been some discus-
I've
islation up. We've been criticized, and I
sion. I want to see something happen. I
I
think properly so, on a couple of subjects-
don't want to fall on my sword. I want to
the
not getting the legislation there on time;
see this country have more job creation,
but on this one, I think the Congress has
and that would be a part of this. And I want
taken too long to resolve the matter. And
to get on with the job of balancing this
there are others. The defense budget's not a
budget eventually.
the
question of timing so much as it is the mix
on our strategic system. So, I would not
Representative Robinson's Party Affiliation
give Congress very high marks on doing
Q. Mr. President, when Senator Phil
on,
what I want done on legislation. Putting
Gramm of your adopted State resigned his
their spin on it, why, that's something else.
House seat, he switched parties and re-
Q. Do you think this is just a harbinger of
signed his seat. Have you advised Congress-
is
things to come-a Republican President
man Robinson that that would be the noble
working with this Democratic Congress,
thing to do, to see if the voters approve of
and
converts notwithstanding?
that conversion you've just announced?
this
The President. Nobody ever said it would
The President. Well, I don't know that he
be easy in this department.
needs any advice from me, just like Phil
Capital Gains Taxes
didn't seek any from me in that regard. But
it,
Q. On a related matter, there are some
you can ask him the question if you want.
on
fairly intense negotiations on your capital
Q. Congressman, do you plan to offer
gains tax cut proposal going on right now.
yourself for election as a Republican?
Are you willing to accept some kind of an
Representative Robinson. That sounds like
index on the capital gains rather than the
a typical Democratic question.
cut you've asked for as an alternate that
Q. Awww!
might be more acceptable to Democrats?
Representative Robinson. Let me say this,
The President. Look, what I want to do is
let me say this: I represent 550,000 people
bill
see capital income at different rates. I want
in the Second District of Arkansas-Demo-
what's known as the differential. And so,
crats, Republicans, independents, and
let's see what can be worked out. If there is
people, quite frankly, that don't care about
is
some compromise that can spur investment,
any of the three above. We have no party
spur jobs, increase employment because of
registration in Arkansas. Republicans vote
new jobs starting up, I'd be interested in it.
for me, Democrats, Independents, the like.
And so, I want to see what could be worked
I am not going to resign. I am going to be a
out; I don't think I should ever say it's got
good Republican Congressman over the rest
to be done just this way in terms of the bills
of this session of Congress and work very
up there in the House Ways and Means
hard for President Bush.
I
Committee right now.
The President. Thank you.
and
But I have a good, sound proposal, and it
was tested-it was one of the things, I
Aviation Safety
think, that was clearly in focus in the cam-
Q. Mr. President, the airline passenger
and
paign. And the other side, particularly the
group would like to see the DC-10 planes
liberal Democrats, particularly, attacked me
grounded in the wake of that accident in
as having some kind of a tax favoring the
Sioux City. There have been other concerns
rich. It's nothing like that at all. It will stim-
about hydraulic problems with planes. Are
ulate jobs. It will encourage small business
you concerned at all about the safety of our
creation, and I stand for it. And if there's
fleet, and do you have any opinion about
some way that that can be achieved by
the grounding of the DC-10's?
changing the proposal I sent up there-fine,
The President. I don't have an opinion
I'm willing to listen.
about the grounding, but any time there
Q. Is there a compromise in the works?
are accidents of this nature you are con-
The President. Well, there's been some
cerned. The Safety Board is doing a thor-
1029
July 28 / Administration of George Bush, 1989
ough investigation, obviously, on the flight
proposal, you're actually going to increase
Loc
coming out of Colorado. And I expect the
revenues to the Federal Government, as
critici
Department of Transportation has taken a
happened when the Steiger amendment
worki
hard look at this in the light of the two
was passed. So, it's not a revenue loser.
my fi
recent happenings, but I can't really give
And
you a judgment as to whether I personally
Counterespionage Measures
drug
feel the answer at this juncture is the
Q. Mr. President, without discussing the
tional
grounding of this fleet.
specifics of the Bloch case, could you tell us
will a
whether you would support random poly-
You
Flag Desecration
graphs or some other increased security
mend
Q. On the flag desecration amendment,
measures to lessen the possibility that this
affairs
there was testimony to the Judiciary Com-
might happen in the future-that espionage
Colon
mittee that, however you word it, such a
might happen in the future?
Colon
constitutional amendment would make an
The President. Well, when I was head of
of thi
exception for the first time in 200 years to
the intelligence community, I supported
bia. T
the first amendment. I wonder if you have
the polygraph program there in CIA. I'm
They
any misgivings about the possibility that you
not sure that it needs to be extended to
Barco
may be weakening the first amendment?
other agencies. I am one who is very con-
stead
The President. I thought about it, Saul
cerned about the security implications of
ways
[Saul Friedman, Newsday], because I don't
this, but polygraphing, regrettably, has
that, i
want to weaken anything. But I feel so
taken on a concept of being against some-
ter] M
strongly that a very carefully drawn amend-
body's rights, like drug testing in a sense.
Chanc
ment can solve this problem that I don't
And I think it's got to be very careful, be-
trip.
worry about it, because I also fall back on
cause you want whatever program you have
But
the fact that the Founding Fathers did pro-
to be effective. You don't want to discour-
person
vide for the amendment process and-but
it's not a-I mean, I don't have disrespect
age good people from signing up. But I
better
for those who want to find a different
haven't rethought my position, if that's the
some
question, in the wake of the allegations
that a
answer.
The thing that I think is heartening is
against Mr. Bloch.
And I
where
that there's a wide array of support for
War on Drugs
signing
doing something about this question-
Q. Customs Commissioner von Raab has
hard-
people that have, maybe in the past, not
said that the war on drugs by the Federal
This
been identified as I got to be over some
Government is a dismal failure, that the
years in this department. So, I don't ques-
Panan
tion motives on this one, but I know what I
State Department is the Department that
Q.
think is right; and I know what our attor-
wasn't there, that Treasury Secretary Brady
charge
neys have advised me is right, given the
is disengaged and disinvolved in the war on
tions h
recent Supreme Court decision. And I also
drugs. I suspect I have an idea what your
on Par
would say I don't think this does violation
answer to that might be, but it is true that
you go
to the Constitution of the United States. If I
drug use is way up, that Congress has not
is?
did, I wouldn't be making this proposal.
funded the drug programs that have been
The
passed in the last couple of years. What can
passed
Capital Gains Taxes
you say, in light of those facts? How could
The A
Q. Mr. President, if I could follow on cap-
you dispute Commissioner von Raab-if,
that N
ital gains. If the goal is to generate new
indeed, you'd like to do that?
give y
investment in jobs, why not design the tax
The President. Well, I don't see much
is some
so that it only applies to new investment
reason getting into a-I want to phrase this
lem in
and long-term investment rather than pro-
very politely-[laughter]-a match of any
way it
viding a windfall for people who already
kind with Willie von Raab as he leaves the
hold assets?
Government. And I think he's worked very
The President. Because I think there are
hard in his field at Customs. I worked with
also revenue aspects of it, so when you turn
him when I was on the Vice President's
over in accordance with this capital gains
task force that I headed up.
1030
tation of the Vienna Convention on =
54) International Cooperation Against
projects
licit traffic in narcotic drugs and psy-
AIDS
n observ-
chotropic substances.
1 answers
-Conclude further bilateral or multilat-
We take note of the creation of an Inter-
eral agreements and support initiatives
national Ethics committee on AIDS which
pment of
rile, arid
and cooperation, where appropriate,
met in Paris in May 1989, as decided at the
effective-
which include measures to facilitate the
Summit of Venice (June 1987). It assembled
identification, tracing, freezing, seizure
the Summit Participants and the other
and forfeiture of drug crime proceeds.
members of the EC, together with the
-Convene a financial action task force
active participation of the World Health Or-
ed devas-
from Summit Participants and other
ganization.
e urgent
countries interested in these problems.
55) We take note of the representations
a national
Its mandate is to assess the results of
that we received from various Heads of
urge all
cooperation already undertaken in
State or Government and organizations and
drug pro-
order to prevent the utilization of the
we will study them with interest.
are large,
banking system and financial institu-
g produc-
tions for the purpose of money launder-
56) Next Economic Summit
carry for-
ing, and to consider additional preven-
We have accepted the invitation of the
king itself
tive efforts in this field, including the
President of the United States to meet next
adaptation of the legal and regulatory
year in the United States of America.
take the
systems so as to enhance multilateral
fora:
judicial assistance. The first meeting of
Note: The declaration was not issued as a
ateral and
this task force will be called by France
White House press release.
the con-
1 the pro-
1 Nations
Control
The President's News Conference in Paris
d Nations
as should
July 16, 1989
and made
could in-
The President. Well, we've just concluded
freely elected Senate in Poland or political
he imple-
2½ days of intensive and productive meet-
pluralism in Hungary? I was really touched
ms to stop
ings with the summit counterparts on eco-
by what I saw and heard in those two coun-
as well as
nomic and political issues. And let me take
tries-people determined to keep their
assistance.
this opportunity, first of all, to thank Presi-
dreams alive, people determined to see a
cing coun-
dent Mitterrand for his most gracious hospi-
Europe whole and free. And that's why
0 counter
tality.
America brought to this summit our deter-
The summit, in my view, was a clear suc-
mination to support the reform movement
bi
Inited Na-
cess. We met in a time of sustained eco-
in Hungary and Poland. People yearning
S through
nomic growth and agreed that the pros-
for freedom and democracy deserve our
d through
pects are good for the continued expansion
support, and it's because of the community
its oper-
without inflation of that growth. It was
of values shared by these summit countries
against this backdrop that we conducted a
that we were able to agree to meet soon to
aformation
wide-ranging discussion on critical global
discuss concerted action that will help
n, and re-
issues, from East-West relations to the grow-
Poland and Hungary.
ing environmental challenge that we face.
Democracy and economic growth go
conference
We came to Paris at a truly remarkable
hand in hand, whether in Eastern Europe,
and drug
moment. The winds of change are bringing
the Summit Seven, or the developing
hope to people all around the world. And
world. And therefore, much of our discus-
he cooper-
who would have thought just a few short
sion here in Paris centered on economics.
on these
years ago that we would be witness to a
We reaffirmed our international economic
969
July 16 / Administration of George Bush, 1989
at the letter-in that context.
Space Exploration
Future Economic Summits
Q. It'll be 20 years next Thursday that
man first landed on the Moon. There are
Q. Mr. President, in connection with next
some people in your administration that
year's summit, there's been some talk
would like for you to announce on Thurs-
among some of your people about possibly
day that we're going to go back to the
having it in your home State of Texas, possi-
Moon, possibly even to Mars. Can you and
bly in San Antonio. And I wondered wheth-
Dick Darman find that kind of money in
er you'd like to see that.
the budget?
The President. Well, I'd have to run that
The President. Well, you put your finger,
by the Dallas Morning News and see how
John [John Cochran, NBC News], on some
they felt about it, but that's a distinct possi-
of the real problems-the major problem-
bility. However, it's too early, no decision
on setting major goals for space exploration.
has been made. The fact that Jim Baker is
And whether we will be ready by next
from Houston and I'm from Houston and
week or later this week to make any mo-
Bob Mosbacher's from Texas should have
mentous announcements, I'm not sure. I
nothing to do-[laughter]-with where the
have not made a decision on what we will
next summit's going to be, and there has
say on that historic day.
been no decision.
Q. Would it be too quick going in on it
Q. That wouldn't mean some discrimina-
with the Soviets, though?
tion against Dallas because of your roots?
The President. Well, that has been sug-
The President. No, none whatsoever. Get
gested. And some, as you know, discussion
that down. The fall elections are up in 19-
have gone on-not, I don't think, recently-
Charles [Charles Bierbauer, CNN]?
between us and the Soviets on this. But
Q. Let me follow on the question about
certainly the concept of international is not
summits. These things have gotten a lot
offensive to me. But we'll have to wait and
bigger than they were originally planned to
see because no decision—
be-hundreds of your people, thousands of
U.S. Economy
us. It's your first summit, but you've got to
host the next one. Have you given any
Q. Mr. President, Friday's economic indi-
cators show some weakening of the U.S.
thought to how you want to do it in terms
economy. Apparently, some of your summit
of style?
partners expressed some concern about
The President. No, but, I'll tell you, the
that. What assurances did you give them
part-and I'm the new boy, the new kid in
and can you give us that we're not headed
school-but the part I found most interest-
for a recession?
ing was the unstructured part, the part
The President. Well, you know, ironically,
where you sit with these other leaders, tell
none did express to me their concern about
them what you think, listen carefully to
the U.S. economy stalling out. We really
what they think. And that happens some-
didn't get into that discussion. I must say
times in the corridors or sometimes before
that from time to time it is a matter of
a structured seminar, sometimes at a meal.
concern to me, and thus I've tried to think
And I would like to think that the more
through with our Secretary of the Treasury
emphasis we've placed on that kind of
and others the concept of how the interest
interaction, the better it would be.
rate structure should be. But I've had no
But there was no discussion by the
indication from home, nor had we picked
summit interlocutors on how to restructure
up any here, that they felt that the U.S.
it. Indeed, it went smoothly. And I will
economy was going to move towards a re-
again say that Mr. Mitterrand handled the
cession. And that's the thing, of course, that
formal part very well. But for me, I'd like
you'd want to guard against.
to see more just plain unstructured interac-
Our growth has not been as robust as the
tion between the leaders, where you don't
growth in some other countries, but we're
just have to talk on the agenda items.
still moving. And when you have a several-
972
the
Had jro Irsen talkin. necting who people truly you
hus POTUS in upt J? are we with this for just
of the each
Nov 06; 1991
Nach to
now
President George Bush
White House
1600 Pennsylvania, Ave, North West
Com a not loolay * will
>
years Bankii or
Washington, D.C. 20500
in
we
Dear President Bush,
22
I have written this letter to address
several issues that are of great concern to me and my family.
&
I am 47 years of age and have been
employed all my life until September when I was laid off.
I have a 21 year old son who has been
going to college part-time and working part-time but now is
also out of work. I have a son who is in college full-time
and a daughter who is a senior in high school. My wife holds
down two part-time jobs to help make ends meet, while I do
what I can to keep the household duties current such as
cooking meals, laundry, cleaning and so on, while attending
unemployed executive meetings and searching for employment.
My family income has been cut by more than
207
half and even though we have supported such programs as
PROP, Food Stamps, AFDC, Medicade and others through tax
deductions we qualify for none and can not afford health care
under COBRA.
In my home state of Maine the job market
is very bleak to say the least and I see no real relief in
sight in the near future.
I can not say where my family will be four
or five months from now, but the issues that face us, and
thousands of families like us, need to be addressed and
resolved now, not tomorrow, but today.
I am very proud that we have raised three
children all of which have never been in trouble. I have a
nice home that I have lived in for seventeen years and a
great wife that has been very supportive, but these times are
placing a great strain on my family as Iam sure it is on
many others across this country.
Mr. President now is the time to come to
the aid of the American people. We need your help to put
people back to work, we need an affordable health plan for
health
all Americans, and we need unemployment insurance to be
extended. We can not afford to wait any longer while more
care
and more Americans are placed out in the cold with no where
to turn. I was told that charity began at home, therefore
the time has come to look after the well being of the United
States first and the rest of the world second, as I am sure
the rest of the world could care less about Americans who are
out of work.
The American people need to know that you
mean what you say. Go on television, outline your plans to
make this happen and then follow through. Go to the Senate
floor and lay you cards on the table for all to see.
I heard on a radio talk show two ideas to
jump start the economy and they were, to create a tax
deduction for the purchase of a new car and I might add to
weind
that a used car as the auto industry needs that kind of help,
propore
and allow people to borrow on there IRS's to purchase first
tax
time homes and make both effective for this tax year.
These are just some of our ideas why can't
Government with all it's resources come up with sound ideas
of its own, do less talking and generate more action? If we
eliminated one B-1 bomber wouldn't that cover the cost of 26
weeks of extended unemployed compensation?
I feel as strongly as you do that a strong
defense is what we need, but we have enough atomic weapons to
destroy the world ten time over. Its time now to cut defense
spending and but those funds to better use by cutting the
deficit and putting people back to work SO America and its
people can be proud once again.
President Bush, I voted for you, and have
supported your ideas, but I must say that my faith is
beginning to falter.
I hope this letter reaches you, and if it
does I thank you for taking the time out of your busy
schedule to read it.
Sincerely,
Barry
Barry K. Emmons
Barry Emmons
P.O. Box 21
PORTLAND.
"
Gray, Me. 04039
PM
041
7 NOV
1991
29
President George Bush
White House
1600 Pennylvania Ave, North West
Washington, D.C. 20500