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4/4/75 - San Francisco Bay Area Council
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1252275
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4/4/75 - San Francisco Bay Area Council
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President's Speeches and Statements Reading Copies (Ford Administration)
Reading Copies of Presidential Speeches and Statements
subjects
Vietnam (Republic)
Revenue sharing
Economics
Speeches, addresses, etc.
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Vietnam War, 1961-1975
Vietnamese Americans
Energy policy
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1252275
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4
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1975-04-04
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4
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1975
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4
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1975-04-04
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4
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1975
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The original documents are located in Box 7, folder "4/4/75 - San Francisco Bay Area
Council" of the President's Speeches and Statements: Reading Copies at the Gerald R.
Ford Presidential Library.
Copyright Notice
The copyright law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code) governs the making of
photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted material. Gerald Ford donated to the United
States of America his copyrights in all of his unpublished writings in National Archives collections.
Works prepared by U.S. Government employees as part of their official duties are in the public
domain. The copyrights to materials written by other individuals or organizations are presumed to
remain with them. If you think any of the information displayed in the PDF is subject to a valid
copyright claim, please contact the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
MR. TRA- FETH - THEN
MAYOR ALLOTO
MEMBERS AND GUESTS OF THE
BAY AREA COUNCIL
Digitized from Box 7 of President's Speeches and Statements:
Reading Copies at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library
3.
10:45 am The President boards
motorcade.
10:50 am MOTORCADE ARRIVES
drilling rig.
11:05 am The President boards
Motorcade.
11:12 am MOTORCADE ARRIVES
producing well site.
11:22 am The President boards
motorcade.
11:30 am MOTORCADE ARRIVES
PG&E geothermal
11:40 am The President, escorted
by Paul Matthew,
proceeds to view
cooling towers.
11:50 am The President boards
motorcade.
11:55 am MOTORCADE ARRIVES
helo Landing zone
THE PRESIDENT HAS SEEN of
SAN FRANCISCO BAY AREA COUNCIL
a
area have
the By hast
for special SPOT in
FRIDAY, APRIL - -Cot-Wat 4, 1975 from
Ferglat
can inch
2) I
- 1 -
(ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS)
IT IS A GREAT HONOR TO BE ASKED TO SPEAK TO YOUR
VERY DISTINGUISHED ORGANIZATION.
FOR THE LAST THIRTY YEARS,
YOU HAVE BEEN LEADERS IN PRESERVING THE ECONOMIC, SOCIAL,
CIVIC, AND ENVIRONMENTAL INTEGRITY OF THE BAY AREA.
AND
THE OUTSTANDING SUCCESS OF YOUR EFFORTS CAN BE APPLAUDED
BY RESIDENT AND VISITOR ALIKE.
ON BEHALF OF ALL, I THANK
YOU MOST SINCERELY FOR THIS GENERATION OF ACHIEVEMENT.
- 2 -
FRANKLY, IT NEVER TAKES MUCH PERSUADING TO
GET ME TO COME TO THE BAY AREA -- A REGION OF INFINITE
CHARM AND BOUNDLESS BEAUTY.
1935 - Ent-West -
2/yr oil
Forglast- BART
Regar stadement
1945 - Orroseas - lach from
Pacific
- 3 -
AND IT IS ALWAYS A DELIGHT TO VISIT SAN FRANCISCO
AGAIN.
THE CITY THAT GLISTENS IN THE SUNLIGHT AND SPARKLES
AT NIGHT.
WHERE LIFE HAS STYLE AND STYLE HAS LIFE --
AND EVEN THE COMMONPLACE BECOMES AN ADVENTURE.
ALL I CAN
SAY IS: IF TONY BENNETT EVER WANTS TO TAKE HIS HEART BACK --
I'VE GOT ONE TO REPLACE IT.
- 4 -
AS YOU ALL KNOW, THE BAY AREA HAS ALSO EXPERIENCED
ADVERSITY.
THIS MONTH MARKS THE SIXTY-NINTH ANNIVERSARY
OF THE DISASTROUS SAN FRANCISCO EARTHQUAKE.
IN 1906,
SAN FRANCISCO WAS CHALLENGED BY AND PASSED THE ULTIMATE
TEST OF ITS RECUPERATIVE VITALITY.
LOCAL COURAGE AND LOCAL
DETERMINATION PREVAILED.
THE BAY AREA NOW OFFERS THE WORLD
AN INTERNATIONAL CENTER THAT REPRESENTS THE BEST OF WHAT
AMERICANS CAN DO.
-5-
YOUR COUNCIL IS TYPICAL OF THE GENIUS AND
ENERGY THAT PERSONIFY THE STATE OF MIND THAT IS
d the By nun.
SAN FRANCISCO.
YOU ARE A CONSISTENT CONSTRUCTIVE
1
FORCE IN THE NINE COUNTIES OF THE BAY REGION.
- 6 -
YOU ACT NOT AS SELF-INTERESTED INDIVIDUALS BUT AS A
COMMUNITY SEEKING THE IMPROVEMENT AND PROGRESS
OF A REGION.
AND YOUR REGION IS A GREAT SOURCE OF
AMERICA'S PRIDE.
- 7 -
I COMMEND YOU FOR THIS DEMONSTRATION OF BAY AREA
WILL POWER AND BAY AREA KNOW HOW.
I COMMEND YOU FOR THE
SUCCESS OF DECISION-MAKING PROCESSES ON A LOCAL LEVEL.
4th Bay Aven
THE MAGIC OF SAN FRANCISCO WAS NOT CONJURED UP IN BUREAUS
AND AGENCIES OF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.
IT DEVELOPED
SPONTANEOUSLY RIGHT HERE ON THE SHORES OF SAN FRANCISCO BAY.
IT EMERGED FROM THE PEOPLE, FROM YOUR OPTIMISM AND VISION.
- 8 -
THE BAY AREA IS A SHOWCASE OF WHAT CAN BE ACHIEVED
BY RETURNING THE DECISION-MAKING PROCESSES TO THE PEOPLE.
OUR ECONOMY CAN NO LONGER AFFORD THE WASTE, DUPLICATION,
AND MISUNDERSTANDINGS THAT OCCUR WHEN A FEDERAL GOVERNMENT
TRIES TO DO FOR LOCAL PEOPLE WHAT THEY CAN BEST ACHIEVE FOR
THEMSELVES.
- 8a -
ONLY THIS MORNING, IN SPITE OF A SMALL SNOWSTORM,
I HAD THE PRIVILEGE OF VISITING BY HELICOPTER THE FASCINATING
GEOTHERMAL POWER DEVELOPMENT AT THE GEYSERS.
FRED HARTLEY AND SHERM SIBLEY AND OTHERS EXPLAINED
HOW THIS NATURAL STEAM FROM INSIDE THE EARTH ALREADY SUPPLIES
A SIGNIFICANT SHARE OF THE BAY AREA'S ENERGY NEEDS, SAVING
MILLIONS OF BARRELS OF IMPORTED OIL AND MILLIONS OF DOLLARS
OF FOREIGN PAYMENTS.
- 8b -
GOVERNMENT'S ROLE IN THIS PROMISING NEW ENERGY
DEVELOPMENT, I WAS TOLD, HAS MOSTLY BEEN ONE OF OBSTRUCTING
FASTER PROGRESS.
I PROMISED TO TAKE CARE OF THE FEDERAL
GOVERNMENT'S SHARE OF THE RED TAPE AND I JUST CAME FROM
A MEETING WITH WESTERN GOVERNORS WHERE I ASKED GOVERNOR BROWN
TO JOIN ME IN CUTTING CALIFORNIA'S SHARE.
GEOTHERMAL POWER DISCOVERIES IN OTHER PARTS OF
THE WEST COULD BE A MAJOR BREAKTHROUGH IN OUR RACE FOR ENERGY
INDEPENDENCE.
- 9 -
Let monthst me turn effict T infect.
CRITICISM I MADE OF THE TAX REDUCTION BILL I SIGNED
a
LAST SATURDAY WAS THAT IT FAILED TO GIVE ADEQUATE RELIEF TO THE
MILLIONS OF MIDDLE INCOME TAXPAYERS WHO CONTRIBUTE THE BIGGEST
SHARE OF FEDERAL TAXES.
IT IS MY FEAR THAT INITIATIVE WILL BE
PUNISHED -- AND THE LACK OF INITIATIVE REWARDED -- IF AN
EMERGING PHILOSOPHY OF TAXATION KNOWN AS "INCOME
REDISTRIBUTION" PREVAILS.
IT WOULD TAKE THE FREEDOM OUT OF
THE FREE ENTERPRISE SYSTEM.
- 10 -
WHAT INCENTIVE WILL REMAIN FOR UPWARD BOUND PEOPLE
TO IMPROVE THEIR STATUS IF THEY ARE ASSESSED AN UNDUE PROPORTION
OF TAXES?
WE MUST, OF COURSE, HELP THOSE LEAST ABLE TO HELP
THEMSELVES.
BUT I CANNOT CONCEIVE OF AN AMERICA IN WHICH
HALF THE NATION PRODUCES NOTHING AND THE OTHER HALF IS EXPECTED
TO PROVIDE A FREE RIDE.
YET THAT IS THE INEVITABLE RESULT,
BY THE YEAR TWO THOUSAND, IF WE CONTINUE THE PRESENT PACE OF
ESCALATING SOCIAL SPENDING.
WE MUST PUT A CURB ON THESE
TRANSFER PAYMENTS.
AND WE MUST DO IT NOW.
everything we want is a
Housenment lig everyth To not good us
by enough to tahn from no everyth
we Keve.
- 11 -
I AM DETERMINED TO STOP THE INFLATIONARY IMPACT
OF RUNAWAY SPENDING.
I PREFER CONCILIATION WITH THE
CONGRESS.
BUT I MUST DRAW THE LINE AT A FISCAL 1976 DEFICIT
OF SIXTY BILLION DOLLARS.
I WAS ENCOURAGED TO HEAR THE
DISTINGUISHED CHAIRMAN OF THE SENATE BUDGET COMMITTEE,
SENATOR MUSKIE, WARN THAT A DEFICIT OF ONE HUNDRED-TWENTY
BILLION DOLLARS MIGHT ENSUE IF BRAKES ARE NOT APPLIED.
- 12 -
OUR SYSTEM IS FLEXIBLE ENOUGH AND STRONG ENOUGH
TO WORK UNDER GREAT STRESS.
BUT THE GROWTH OF SOCIAL
ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS MUST REMAIN IN A CONTEXT THAT WE CAN MANAGE
AND NOT ENTER A NEW DIMENSION THAT MANAGES US.
AN EXAMPLE
OF HOW SPENDING UNDERMINES A VIABLE SOCIETY CAN BE SEEN IN
GREAT BRITAIN.
THEY ARE STRIVING TO STOP THE MOMENTUM.
I DO NOT WANT TO SEE THE UNITED STATES IN THAT SITUATION.
- 13 -
IN THE STRUGGLE TO PRESERVE A FREE ECONOMY,
INDIVIDUALS -- NOT SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS -- WILL BE THE
REAL ALLIES.
I REFER TO INDIVIDUAL WORKERS, AND INDIVIDUAL
PROFESSIONAL PEOPLE.
I AM CONFIDENT THAT AMERICAN
INDIVIDUALISM WILL RISE TO THE CHALLENGE.
- 14 -
I DEEPLY BELIEVE IN THE CONCEPT OF DECENTRALIZING
GOVERNMENT POWER AND PROVIDING WIDER DISCRETIONARY
ACCOUNTABILITY TO LOCALLY-ELECTED OFFICIALS AND THEIR
CONSTITUENCIES.
AN EXAMPLE IS THE CONCEPT OF GENERAL
REVENUE SHARING.
- 15 -
ACCORDINGLY, I AM PARTICULARLY PROUD AS ONE OF
THIS PROGRAM'S CHIEF PROPONENTS WHEN IN THE CONGRESS, TO REPORT
TO YOU THAT PAYMENTS TO THE SAN FRANCISCO BAY AREA FROM THE
INCEPTION OF GENERAL REVENUE SHARING -- INCLUDING CHECKS
NOW IN THE MAIL -- TOTAL WELL OVER ONE-QUARTER BILLION DOLLARS.
- 16 -
THE REGION TO WHICH I REFER INCLUDES THE COUNTY GOVERNMENTS AND
LOCAL GOVERNING BODIES IN SAN FRANCISCO, SONOMA, MARIN,
CONTRA COSTA, ALAMEDA, SANTA CLARA, SAN MATEO, NAPA,
AND SOLANO COUNTIES.
THE TOTAL TAXES RETURNED BY WASHINGTON
TO THE PEOPLE OF THESE COUNTIES IS TWO HUNDRED SEVENTY-ONE MILLION,
SIX HUNDRED FIFTEEN THOUSAND DOLLARS.
FORD
SUBSTITUTE
- 16 - 16 -
THE REGION TO WHICH I REFER INCLUDES THE COUNTY GOVERNMENTS AND
THE NINE COUNTY BAY AREA.
LOCAL GOVERNING BODIES IN
S
,
C.
at
THE TOTAL TAXES RETURNED BY WASHINGTON
TO THE PEOPLE OF THESE COUNTIES IS TWO HUNDRED SEVENTY-ONE MILLION,
SIX HUNDRED FIFTEEN THOUSAND DOLLARS.
- 16a -
THIS MONEY TRANSLATES INTO A VARIETY OF COMMUNITY
PROGRAMS PLANNED BY LOCAL PEOPLE TO FILL LOCAL NEEDS.
IN THE CITY OF SAN FRANCISCO, FOR INSTANCE, GENERAL REVENUE
SHARING FUNDS PROVIDE KITCHENS TO FEED SCHOOL CHILDREN AND
REHABILITATION OF PLAYGROUNDS.
IN OAKLAND REVENUE
SHARING FUNDS ARE USED TO PAY THE SALARIES OF CITY FIREMEN.
- 160 -
SANTA CLARA COUNTY HAS PUT ITS SHARE INTO A NEW
PUBLIC PARK.
THE CITY OF SANTA ROSA BUYS GASOLINE TO
TRANSPORT HANDICAPPED CITIZENS TO THE DOCTOR.
SAN MATEO
COUNTY PROVIDES A HEALTH CARE DEMONSTRATION PROJECT,
A REHABILITATION PROGRAM FOR DRUG USERS, A TREATMENT FACILITY
FOR ALCOHOLICS, AND SUBSIDIES TO HOSPITAL OUTPATIENTS UNABLE
TO PAY MEDICAL COSTS.
CONTRA COSTA COUNTY DESIGNATED ITS
REVENUE SHARING RETURNS TO COVER PART OF THE COSTS OF THE
BAY AREA SEWER SERVICES AGENCY.
- 16C-
AN EXTENSIVE SOCIAL SERVICE PROGRAM IS CONDUCTED WITH
THIS MONEY IN ALAMEDA COUNTY.
IT INCLUDES JOB TRAINING
FOR WELFARE RECIPIENTS, AID TO THE MENTALLY RETARDED,
VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION OF EX-CONVICTS, LEGAL AID AND
EMERGENCY SERVICES TO MINORITY GROUPS, SUICIDE PREVENTION
ACTIVITIES, AND SIMILAR PROGRAMS TO HELP PEOPLE HELP
THEMSELVES.
- 17 -
AS AMERICANS EVERYWHERE ARE SHOWING NEW
DETERMINATION TO HELP THEMSELVES, OUR ECONOMY IS STARTING
TO SHOW TENTATIVE SIGNS THAT THE WORST MAY BE BEHIND US
AFTER TOO LONG A PERIOD OF RECESSION AND INFLATION.
THIS DOES NOT MEAN THAT ALL OUR TROUBLES ARE OVER.
A FEW FLOWERS DO NOT MEAN THAT SPRING HAS REALLY COME.
UNEMPLOYMENT REMAINS TOO HIGH, AND INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION
REMAINS TOO SLUGGISH.
- 18 -
YET THIS SPRING HAS BROUGHT SOME ENCOURAGING
INDICATIONS:
-- THERE HAS BEEN AN EASING IN PRICE INCREASES
SUGGESTING A LESSENING OF INFLATIONARY TENDENCIES.
-- INTEREST RATES HAVE MOVED IN A DOWNWARD DIRECTION.
-- RETAIL SALES HAVE HELD UP SURPRISINGLY WELL.
INVENTORIES ARE RAPIDLY BEING REDUCED.
AS THIS REDUCTION
PROGRESSES, PRODUCTION AND EMPLOYMENT WILL TURN UPWARD.
- 19 -
-- AUTOMOBILE MANUFACTURERS ARE NOW PLANNING
INCREASED PRODUCTION.
THEY EXPECT NEW DEMANDS THIS SPRING
AND SUMMER.
THOUSANDS OF UNEMPLOYED WORKERS ARE BEING
CALLED BACK.
IN TWO PLANTS, WORKERS HAVE GONE ON OVERTIME.
PEOPLE ARE SHOWING NEW CONFIDENCE IN THE FUTURE.
- 20 -
LAST YEAR, I RECOMMENDED TO THE CONGRESS AND LATER
SIGNED INTO LAW TWO NEW MEASURES TO AID UNEMPLOYED WORKERS.
ONE OF THESE MEASURES PROVIDED UP TO THIRTEEN ADDITIONAL WEEKS
OF BENEFITS FOR INDIVIDUALS IN THE UNEMPLOYMENT COMPENSATION
SYSTEM.
THE SECOND MEASURE PROVIDED UP TO TWENTY-SIX WEEKS
OF SPECIAL UNEMPLOYMENT ASSISTANCE TO WORKERS WHOSE JOBS HAD
NOT BEEN PREVIOUSLY COVERED.
- 21 -
PEOPLE ARE BEGINNING TO EXHAUST BENEFITS IN BOTH NEW
PROGRAMS.
ACCORDINGLY, I WILL RECOMMEND TO THE CONGRESS
AS SOON AS IT RETURNS FROM RECESS, THE FOLLOWING ACTIONS:
- 22 -
AN ADDITIONAL THIRTEEN WEEKS OF BENEFITS TO BE MADE
AVAILABLE TO THOSE INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE EXHAUSTED THEIR PRESENT
ENTITLEMENT UNDER THE NEW FEDERAL SUPPLEMENTAL BENEFITS PROGRAM.
THIS WOULD RAISE THE OVERALL ENTITLEMENT OF MOST WORKERS IN THE
UNEMPLOYMENT COMPENSATION SYSTEM TO A MAXIMUM OF SIXTY-FIVE
WEEKS.
THE AUTHORIZATION SHOULD CONTINUE UNTIL THE END OF 1976.
- 23 -
FOR THE BENEFIT OF THOSE TWELVE MILLION INDIVIDUALS
WHO HAD NOT BEEN PREVIOUSLY PROTECTED BY THE UNEMPLOYMENT
COMPENSATION PROGRAM, I AM RECOMMENDING THAT THE PRESENT
ONE-YEAR TEMPORARY PROGRAM BE EXTENDED UNTIL THE END OF 1976,
AND THAT BENEFITS BE EXTENDED TO THIRTY-NINE WEEKS.
- 24 -
IN THE EXPECTATION THAT THE ECONOMY WILL SHOW
IMPROVEMENT BEFORE THE YEAR IS OUT, I AM GOING TO ASK THAT THESE
EXTENDED PROGRAMS HAVE A BUILT-IN PROCEDURE TO REDUCE OR TERMINATE
THE PROGRAM WHEN THE EMPLOYMENT RATE DECREASES TO A SPECIFIED
LEVEL.
THE PROCEDURES WILL CONCENTRATE THE LIMITED RESOURCES
IN THOSE AREAS EXPERIENCING THE GREATEST UNEMPLOYMENT.
- 25 -
UNEMPLOYMENT AND THE GROWTH OF OUR ECONOMY
ARE DIRECTLY INVOLVED WITH OUR INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS.
IN RECENT WEEKS WE HAVE EXPERIENCED SERIOUS SETBACKS
IN OUR QUEST FOR PEACE IN THE MIDDLE EAST AND, MORE RECENTLY
AND MORE TRAGICALLY, IN SOUTHEAST ASIA.
- 26 -
EVEN AS I SPEAK, THE DIMENSIONS OF THE HUMAN
CATASTROPHE IN SOUTHEAST ASIA INCREASE.
I HAVE FRANKLY
BEEN DEEPLY MOVED AND TROUBLED BY DEVELOPMENTS IN SOUTH
VIETNAM AND CAMBODIA.
I BELIEVE ALL AMERICANS --
REGARDLESS OF HOW THEY MAY HAVE VIEWED THE SITUATION
IN YEARS PAST -- ARE SHOCKED AND SADDENED.
- 26a -
I AM ESPECIALLY DISTRESSED BY THE DEATH OF so MANY
LITTLE CHILDREN IN THE CRASH OF THE UNITED STATES AIR FORCE MERCY
FLIGHT.
I WISH TO CONVEY MY HEARTFELT CONDOLENCES TO THE
PROSPECTIVE FOSTER PARENTS AND TO ALL RELATIVES AND FRIENDS
OF THE CHILDREN AND THE DEDICATED AMERICAN MILITARY AND
CIVILIAN MEN AND WOMEN WHO DIED IN THE CRASH.
- 26b -
MANY OF THE CHILDREN WERE ORPHANS ON THEIR WAY
TO NEW HOMES AND A NEW LIFE IN THE UNITED STATES.
OUR
MISSION OF MERCY IS GOING TO CONTINUE.
THE SURVIVORS
AND OTHER ORPHANS WILL BE FLOWN HERE.
- 27 -
OUT OF THIS TRAGEDY MUST COME NEW HOPE FOR THE
LIVING.
I AM CONFIDENT AMERICANS WILL JOIN TO HELP THESE
VIETNAMESE ORPHANS IN THE BEST AND FASTEST WAY.
WE ARE TAKING ALL POSSIBLE HUMANITARIAN MEASURES
TO RELIEVE THE INNOCENT CIVILIAN REFUGEES IN SOUTH VIETNAM.
WE ARE ALSO PROVIDING FOR THE SAFETY OF ALL AMERICANS IN THE
BATTLE ZONE.
- 28 -
WHEN I ADDRESS THE CONGRESS UPON ITS RETURN FROM
EASTER RECESS, I WILL ASK FOR A FIRM AMERICAN COMMITMENT
TO PROVIDE HUMANITARIAN AID TO THE HELPLESS CIVILIAN REFUGEES.
- 29 -
THERE IS A SPECIAL POINT I WISH TO RE-EMPHASIZE
TONIGHT.
LET NO ADVERSARIES OR POTENTIAL ENEMIES OF THE
UNITED STATES IMAGINE THAT AMERICA CAN BE SAFELY CHALLENGED;
LET NO ALLIES OR FRIENDS FEAR THAT OUR COMMITMENTS WILL NOT
BE HONORED.
WE STAND READY TO DEFEND OURSELVES AND SUPPORT
OUR ALLIES AS SURELY AS WE ALWAYS HAVE -- AND ALWAYS WILL.
- 30 -
LET US NOT DISPEL OUR ENERGIES IN RECRIMINATIONS
OR ASSESSMENTS OF BLAME.
THE FACTS SPEAK FOR THEMSELVES,
AND HISTORIANS WILL HAVE TIME TO JUDGE LATER.
WHAT IS NOW
ESSENTIAL IS THAT WE MAINTAIN OUR BALANCE AND UNITY AS A
POWERFUL BUT PEACE-LOVING NATION.
- 31 -
WHILE WE HAVE SUFFERED SETBACKS AT HOME AND ABROAD,
IT IS ESSENTIAL FOR AMERICANS TO RETAIN THEIR SELF-CONFIDENCE
AND PERSPECTIVE.
I APPEAL TO ALL AMERICANS TO SHARE MY
OPTIMISM IN THE FUTURE OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.
THIS IS A TIME TO RETURN TO FUNDAMENTALS, TO MOBILIZE OUR
ASSETS, AND TO BELIEVE IN THE GREAT CAPACITIES OF AMERICA.
- 32 -
LET US NOT SUCCUMB TO SELF-DOUBTS AND DESPONDENCY.
THIS IS OBVIOUSLY NOT THE POINT IN HISTORY TO DISMANTLE OUR
DEFENSES.
NOR CAN WE ADOPT SUCH A NAIVE VIEW OF THE WORLD
THAT WE CRIPPLE OUR VITAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCIES.
- 33 -
I AM CONVINCED THAT AMERICANS ARE DETERMINED
TO GO ON HELPING PEOPLE IN LESS FORTUNATE LANDS TO HELP
THEMSELVES.
WE RETAIN OUR RELIGIOUS HERITAGE, OUR DECENCY
AS HUMAN BEINGS, AND OUR OWN SELF-INTEREST.
WE WILL
ASSIST THE REFUGEES OF VIETNAM IN ANY APPROPRIATE WAY.
AND WE WILL NOT TURN OUR BACKS ON ANY OTHER PEOPLES WHO ARE
VICTIMS OF SUCH DISASTERS.
- 34 - -
THERE ARE SOME WHO SEE NOTHING BUT A GRIM FUTURE
OF DEPRESSION AT HOME AND DISINTEGRATION ABROAD.
I REJECT
THAT SCENARIO.
MY VISION IS ONE OF GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT
WORLDWIDE THROUGH INCREASING INTERDEPENDENCE OF NATIONS
OF THE WORLD.
MY VISION IS ONE OF PEACE.
AND MY VISION
OF AMERICANS IS OF A PEOPLE WHO WILL RETAIN THEIR SELF-RESPECT
AND SELF-DEFENSE so THAT THIS VISION CAN EMERGE.
- 35 -
DURING MY ADMINISTRATION, AMERICANS WILL NEITHER
RESIGN FROM THE WORLD NOR ABANDON HOPE OF PEACEFUL AND
CONSTRUCTIVE RELATIONSHIPS WITH ALL PEOPLES.
- 36 -
WE WILL MAINTAIN CREDIBILITY AND CONSTANCY IN
ALL OUR POLICIES, AT HOME AND ABROAD.
WE LIVE IN A
COMPLICATED AND TENSE MOMENT IN HISTORY.
EVENTS ARE
MOVING WITH SHOCKING SPEED.
BUT WE WILL NOT WITHDRAW
INWARD NOR BECOME PARALYZED BY A STATE OF ANXIETY.
WE HAVE THE WORLD'S GREATEST CAPACITIES.
AND WE WILL
MOBILIZE THEM IN THE BEST AMERICAN TRADITION.
- 37 -
WE CAN MEET THE TEST.
IT IS NOT MERELY THE LATEST
TEST OF OUR MORAL INFLUENCE THROUGHOUT THE WORLD.
IT IS A
TEST OF OUR WILL TO DEVELOP OUR OWN RESOURCES, TO REDUCE
BUREAUCRATIC WASTE, AND TO CONTROL NON-ESSENTIAL SPENDING
WITH THE SAME VIGILANCE THAT WE MAINTAIN THE POWER OF OUR
DEFENSE FORCES.
- 38 -
THIS TEST CAN BE MET ONLY BY REDUCING VULNERABILITY
TO WEAKNESSES IN OUR ECONOMY AND ENERGY CAPACITIES.
AN ADEQUATE SECURITY PROGRAM IS DIRECTLY DEPENDENT UPON
SOUND ECONOMIC AND ENERGY POLICIES.
- 39 -
IN 1906 SAN FRANCISCO SURVIVED DOOMSDAY.
IN 1975 SOME PEOPLE MAY QUAKE BUT THE EARTH WILL REMAIN SOLID
UNDER OUR FEET.
THE BASIC STRENGTH OF AMERICA IS
UNSHAKEN.
- 40 -
SAN FRANCISCO IS A SHOW CASE OF A CITY THAT
ENDURED A DISASTER BUT RETURNED IN GREATER GLORY.
AMERICA HAS SUFFERED NOTHING REMOTELY COMPARABLE TO THE
DEVASTATION THAT STRUCK SUDDENLY ON APRIL 18, 1906.
- 41 -
AMERICA HAS THE WILL.
AMERICA HAS THE RESOURCES.
AMERICA HAS THE KNOW-HOW.
AND AMERICA HAS THE FAITH.
I SHARE YOUR BELIEF IN AMERICA.
IF YOU DESPAIRED
OF THIS NATION AND ITS FUTURE, YOU WOULD NOT BE HERE TONIGHT.
TOGETHER, WE WILL BUILD A NEW AND BETTER TOMORROW.
END OF TEXT