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323154774
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Prayer Breakfast, Washington, DC 5/4/89 [OA 8130]
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323154774
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Prayer Breakfast, Washington, DC 5/4/89 [OA 8130]
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13888-013
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Records of the White House Office of Speechwriting (George H. W. Bush Administration)
Curt Smith Chronological Files
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Originally Processed With FOIA(s):
FOIA Number:
S
FOIA
MARKER
This is not a textual record. This is used as an
administrative marker by the George Bush Presidential
Library Staff.
Record Group/Collection:
George H.W. Bush Presidential Records
Collection/Office of Origin:
Speechwriting, White House Office of
Series:
Smith, Curt, Files
Subseries:
Chron File, 1989-1992
OA/ID Number:
13888
Folder ID Number:
13888-013
Folder Title:
Prayer Breakfast, Washington D.C., 5/4/89
Stack:
Row:
Section:
Shelf:
Position:
G
18
29
1
4
(Smith/Simon)
May 2, 1989
Draft One
PRAYER
PRESIDENTIAL REMARKS: PRAYER BREAKFAST
WASHINGTON, D.C.
MAY 4, 1989
Dr. and Mrs. Bright, Reverend Clergy, Members of the
National Day of Prayer Committee, Congressmen, Ladies and
Gentlemen.
You know, there were times during last year's campaign when
it was said of this morning's speaker, "He hasn't got a prayer."
Well, I am delighted to address an audience of whom that will
never be said.
Let me say what a pleasure it is to be here. For we meet on
a special day -- for America, a National Day of Prayer.
And let me pledge, also, not to overstay my welcome at this
early-morning hour. Believe me, if brevity is the soul of wit,
you'll soon be comparing me with Oscar Wilde.
I want to thank you, first, for your past friendship and
support. And for your kindness in extending this invitation. And
I would like to take just a few moments to share some thoughts
among friends.
'Like you, I believe in the separation of church and state.
But I do not believe in a separation of morality and state. Yes,
like yqu, I believe in pluralism, and in mutua'l tolerance. But I
also believe that we are "One Nation Under God" -- and that it,
and we, were placed here on earth to do His work.
Our work has gone on, now, for more than 200 years -- work
best embodied in four simple words: "In God We Trust."
It was to that Higher Being that George Washington looked
when, addressing his troops in 1776, he said, "The fate of unborn
millions will now depend, under God, on the courage and conduct
of this army."
Lincoln, too, believed in divine providence. Leaving
Springfield to assume the Presidency, he told his home people
that "The great God which helped General Washington must now help
me. Without that great assistance, I will surely fail. With it,
I cannot fail."
And who can forget how on D Day, over a nationwide radio
network, Franklin Roosevelt prayed for the safety and success of
2
our invading force. "Our sons he said, "pride of our Nation.
Lead them straight and true. Give strength to their arms,
stoutness to their hearts, steadfastness to their faith."
Yes, history tells us what our hearts confirm. As
Americans, we are a religious people. We revere the family, and
the love that it radiates. We know that America is great because
America is good.
That is why we must work, together, for a Constitutional
Amendment to ban Federal funding of abortions. My friends, life
does not begin at birth; life begins at conception. Without life
at conception there would be no life at birth.
We should work, too, to reaffirm traditional values in our
Nation's citizenship. schools -- values like respect, self-discipline, good
That is why I have unveiled an education program to demand
accountability, and reward achievement. And why, as soon as
budget realities allow, we must approve tuition tax credits for
our private schools. And, today, I call for the passage of a
Constitutional Amendment to allow voluntary prayer in the
classrooms of America. We need the Federal courts out of
nation's schools -- and we need the Faith of our Fathers back our in.
We can do these things, and must. But even more, we can
honor God in a most profound and personal way -- daily, as human
beings, by the conduct of our lives.
You know, a public official once composed this prayer: "God
bless mother and daddy, my brother and sister. And, oh God, do
all sunk."
take care of yourself, because if anything happens to you we're
God is, indeed, "A Mighty Fortress." So, let us do His will
and self-sacrifice. And truly love our neighbor. Let us
-- not ask Him, haugtily, to do ours. Let us practice charity
remember The Golden Rule, and "Do Unto Others." And let
civility, humility, kindness.
strive, however feebly, to live the eternal verities of decency, us
I thought of those verities last Sunday, when I visited New
York to mark the 200th anniversary of our first President's first
Inaugural Address. For preceding its reenactment, I did what
Washington did, also, two centuries ago -- pray at Saint Paul's
Chapel, where in 1789 a prayer service was offered by the
Chaplain of Congress for the United States of America.
Saint Paul's was especially SO. For it reminded me that my
To me, the entire day was moving, intimate. But time at
political values without moral values cannot sustain a Nation.
And there, in that tiny church, I thought of God's enduring
3
mission: To be the rock not simply of our age -- but of our
children's ages to come.
Let us assist that mission, as Americans and as believers.
And let me thank you for inviting me, and for this wonderful
occasion. Today, I take special joy in saying: God bless you
all, and God bless America.
# # # #
Simon
Comments (Smith/Simon)
May 3, 1989
Draft Two
PRAYER
PRESIDENTIAL REMARKS: PRAYER BREAKFAST
STATE DINING ROOM
THURSDAY, MAY 4, 1989
Dr. and Mrs. Bright, Reverend Clergy, Members of the
National Day of Prayer Committee, Members of the House and
Senate, Ladies and Gentlemen.
You know, it is often said of a group or individual that "He
hasn't got a prayer." Well, I am delighted to address an
audience about whom that will never be said.
First, I want to say what a pleasure it is to welcome you --
America's religious, civic, and political leaders -- to this,
America's House.
We gather here as friends, and as believers in a humane and
loving God. And we meet on a special day for America -- a
National Day of Prayer.
You know, a little boy once uttered this simple prayer:
"God bless mother and daddy, my brother and sister. And, oh God,
do take care of yourself, because if anything happens to you
we're all sunk."
At times, I'm sure all of us have shared those sentiments.
And so did the Continental Congress, for it was they who in 1775
issued the first official proclamation of a National Day of
Prayer.
In 1952, Congress decreed that a specific date be set aside
each year for Americans to gather in homes and places of worship
to pray. And, since then, every President has proclaimed a
National Day of Prayer.
This morning, like my predecessors, I am proud to continue
that tradition. But I'm pleased to note that today marks a
departure from the norm. For 1989 marks the first year of an
official permanent date of designation -- from now on, the first
Thursday of every May.
My friends, I'm glad that together, we could commemorate
this event. And just for a few moments, I'd like to focus on
what -- to me, and I hope to you -- our observance means.
It means that we believe in the separation of church and
state. But not in a separation of morality and state. While the
government must remain neutral towards particular religions, it
need not remain neutral towards values that Americans support.
Yes, we believe in pluralism, and in mutual tolerance. For we
are "One Nation Under God" -- and we were placed here on earth to
do His work.
Our work has gone on now for more than 200 years -- work
best embodied in four simple words: "In God We Trust."
It was to that Higher Being that George Washington looked
when, addressing his troops in 1776, he said, "The fate of unborn
millions will now depend, under God, on the courage and conduct
of this army."
Lincoln, too, believed in divine providence. Leaving
Springfield to assume the Presidency, he told the people of his
hometown that the God which helped General Washington must now
him
help me
"
Without the great assistance of the Diving Being,"
Lincoln said, "I cannot succeed. With that assistance, I cannot
fail.' "
And some of you may be too young to remember how on D-Day,
over a nationwide radio network, Franklin Roosevelt prayed for
the safety and success of our invading force. "Our sons," he
said, "pride of our Nation. Lead them straight and true. Give
strength to their arms, stoutness to their hearts, steadfastness
in their faith."
Our history tells us what our hearts confirm. As Americans,
we are a religious people. We prize compassion and self-
sacrifice. We know that America is great because America is
good.
As President, I'm reminded of that constantly. Several
weeks ago, for instance, I journeyed to central Pennsylvania.
First, I went to a local high-school. And discussed a problem
which is America's problem: the rising use of drugs.
But then, I traveled a few miles to meet with Amish and
Mennonite leaders. Wonderful people, kind. You know what? They
don't have a drug problem. You know why? Faith and family, they
told me. Against them, drugs don't have a chance.
My friends, faith and family can help us honor God in a most
profound and personal way -- daily, as human beings, by the
conduct of our lives. Faith and family teach us not only to
revere but to practice the Golden Rule. They also help us
reflect the eternal values of decency, humility, and caring.
I thought of those values last Sunday, when I visited New
York to mark the 200th anniversary of our first President's first
Inaugural Address. For it was then that, like Washington two
centuries ago, I prayed at Saint Paul's Chapel, where in 1789 a
prayer service was offered by the Chaplain of Congress for the
United States of America.
To me, the entire day was moving, intimate. But my time at
Saint Paul's was especially so. For as I prayed, I thought of
how -- even then -- Washington had realized that political values
without moral values cannot sustain a Nation.
This strong yet gentle man knew that the advancement of
America, while it might rely on its presidents, would surely
depend on Providence. What Washington believed so strongly over
two hundred years ago, is just as true today. For without God's
help, we can do nothing. With it, we can do great things -- for
our children, and for the world.
Let me thank you for coming here this morning -- and all
you've done to make ours a better, more decent, more peaceful
Nation. And you'll understand why today, I take special joy in
saying: God bless you all, and God bless America.
#
#
#
#