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JGR/Presidential Remarks, Statements, [& Addresses] August 1984 (2 of 2)
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Ronald Reagan Presidential Library
Digital Library Collections
This is a PDF of a folder from our textual collections.
Collection: Roberts, John G.: Files
Folder Title: JGR/Presidential Remarks, Statements,
[& Addresses] August 1984
(2 of 2)
Box: 40
To see more digitized collections visit:
https://reaganlibrary.gov/archives/digital-library
To see all Ronald Reagan Presidential Library inventories visit:
https://reaganlibrary.gov/document-collection
Contact a reference archivist at: [email protected]
Citation Guidelines: https://reaganlibrary.gov/citing
National Archives Catalogue: https://catalog.archives.gov/
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
August 21, 1984
MEMORANDUM FOR FRED F. FIELDING
FROM:
JOHN G. ROBERTS $22
SUBJECT:
Presidential Remarks: Reception for Women
Appointees in Commemoration of Women's
Equality Day - Sunday, 8/26/84
Richard Darman has asked that comments on the above-
referenced draft remarks be sent to Ben Elliott by noon
today. The brief remarks review the historic progress of
American women from the frontier days to the present,
singling out Maureen Reagan, Ambassador Kirkpatrick, and
Justice O'Connor. On page 2, line 8, the remarks state that
the rightful role of women includes "good pay." I have no
idea what this means, and am aware of no recognized right to
"good pay" for women or, for that matter, for men. Use of
such an unrecognized, vague term could be interpreted as
something more or less than support for equal pay for equal
work. I would change "good pay" to "equal pay for equal
work."
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
August 21, 1984
MEMORANDUM FOR BEN ELLIOTT
DEPUTY ASSISTANT TO THE PRESIDENT
AND DIRECTOR OF SPEECHWRITING
Original signed by RAH
HFFF
FROM:
FRED F. FIELDING
COUNSEL TO THE PRESIDENT
SUBJECT:
Presidential Remarks: Reception for Women
Appointees in Commemoration of Women's
Equality Day - Sunday, 8/26/84
Counsel's Office has reviewed the above-referenced draft
remarks. We object to the statement in the first paragraph
on page 2 that the "rightful role" of women includes "good
pay." We are aware of no recognized right to "good pay"
for women or, for that matter, for men. Use of such a vague
term could be variously interpreted as something more or
less than support for equal pay for equal work, and is
particularly problematic in light of the comparable worth
controversy. We would change "good pay" to "equal pay for
equal worth."
FFF/JGR/lmp 8/21/84
CC: FFF/JGR/Subj/Cron
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
August 23, 1984
MEMORANDUM FOR FRED F. FIELDING
FROM:
JOHN G. ROBERTS
826
SUBJECT:
Proposed Presidential Remarks: Address
Award Winning Secondary Schools
Richard Darman has asked that comments on the above-
referenced remarks be sent directly to Ben Elliott by 4:00
p.m. today. The remarks discuss the increased emphasis on
the need for excellence in education in a rapidly changing
America. The President cites his recent signing into law of
the Education for Economic Security Act and the Equal Access
Act, discusses the importance of teaching values and what is
good about the country, and announces that he has directed
NASA to select a public school teacher to be the first
citizen passenger on the space shuttle. I have no
objections, other than minor the stylistic one noted in the
attached draft memorandum for Elliott.
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
August 23, 1984
MEMORANDUM FOR BEN ELLIOTT
DEPUTY ASSISTANT TO THE PRESIDENT
AND DIRECTOR OF SPEECHWRITING
FROM:
FRED F. FIELDING
FFF
FFFIDBW
COUNSEL TO THE PRESIDENT
SUBJECT:
Proposed Presidential Remarks: Address
Award Winning Secondary Schools
Counsel's Office has reviewed the above-referenced draft
remarks. The fourth sentence in the second paragraph draws
an inaccurate parallel. Principals are employed by and
answerable to schoolboards; Presidents are in no sense
similarly subordinate to the Cabinet. A President does not
have to keep the Cabinet happy.
CC: Richard Darman
FFF/JGR/1mp 8/23/84
CC: FFF/JGR/Subj/Chron
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
August 23, 1984
MEMORANDUM FOR FRED F. FIELDING
FROM:
JOHN G. ROBERTS D6L
SUBJECT:
Proposed Presidential Remarks: Signing
Ceremony for S. 746 - Illinois-Michigan
Corridor
Richard Darman has asked that comments on the above-
referenced draft remarks be sent directly to Ben Elliott by
4:00 p.m. today. The remarks briefly discuss the main
provisions of the bill, which would create a national
historic corridor along the Illinois-Michigan Canal and
establish a Commission to advise on appropriate commemor-
ation of the Canal. The remarks also note that Title II of
the bill would authorize the Secretary of the Interior to
acquire 100 acres of land in East St. Louis, to add to the
Gateway Memorial. Interior objected to this provision in
the bill, and does not intend to exercise the authority
granted by the bill.
The fact that the authority has been granted may still be
worth mentioning, since I gather the Congressman responsible
will be at the ceremony, but the drafters of the remarks
should be aware that the Congressman's efforts are not
likely to bear fruit in the long run.
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
August 23, 1984
MEMORANDUM FOR BEN ELLIOTT
DEPUTY ASSISTANT TO THE PRESIDENT
AND DIRECTOR OF SPEECHWRITING
FROM:
FRED F. FIELDING FFF IDBW
COUNSEL TO THE PRESIDENT
SUBJECT:
Proposed Presidential Remarks: Signing
Ceremony for S. 746 - Illinois-Michigan
Corridor
Counsel's Office has reviewed the above-referenced draft
remarks, and finds no objection to them from a legal
perspective. I would note, however, that the Department of
the Interior has indicated that it does not intend to
exercise the authority granted by Title II. It is
acceptable to mention that the bill grants the authority in
question, as is done in the draft, but unless there are
other reasons for doing so (such as the presence of
Congressman Emerson at the ceremony), it may be better not
to discuss Title II at all.
FFF/JGR/lmp 8/23/84
CC: FFF/JGR/Subj/Chron
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
August 23, 1984
MEMORANDUM FOR FRED F. FIELDING
FROM:
JOHN G. ROBERTS one
SUBJECT:
Proposed Presidential Remarks: Presentation
of Young American Medals
Richard Darman has asked that comments on the above-
referenced draft remarks be sent directly to Ben Elliott by
9:00 a.m. August 24. The remarks are to be delivered during
the ceremony for the presentation of the Young American
Medal for Bravery to two teenagers, and the remarks
accordingly review the exploits that earned the teenagers
this recognition. The remarks note that, by statute, the
medals must be personally awarded by the President and that
no more than two may be awarded each year. This is an
accurate recitation of the requirements codified at 42
U.S.C. §§ 1923-1924.
The remainder of the remarks discusses how America's youth
is rediscovering traditional values at a time of basic
changes in the social structure, such as the increase in
families headed by only one parent. I have reviewed the
remarks and have no objections.
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
August 23, 1984
MEMORANDUM FOR BEN ELLIOTT
DEPUTY ASSISTANT TO THE PRESIDENT
DBW
FROM:
FRED F. FIELDING Orig. signed by FFF
COUNSEL TO THE PRESIDENT
SUBJECT:
Proposed Presidential Remarks: Presentation
of Young American Medals
Counsel's Office has reviewed the above-referenced draft
remarks, and finds no objection to them from a legal
perspective.
CC: Richard Darman
FFF/JGR/lmp 8/23/84
CC: FFF/JGR/Subj/Chron
THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
(Chicago, Illinois)
For Immediate Release
August 24, 1984
REMARKS OF THE PRESIDENT
AT SIGNING CEREMONY
FOR S-746, ILLINOIS AND MICHIGAN CANAL BILL
International Ballroom
Conrad Hilton Hotel
Chicago, Illinois
2:45 P.M. CDT
THE PRESIDENT: Thank you and thank you all for coming.
I'm delighted to be here with Governor Thompson and cosponsors
Senator Chuck Percy and Congressman Tom Corcoran and Representatives
Henry Hyde and Lynn Martin to sign Senate Bill 746.
We're pleased that this legislation enjoyed strong
bipartisan support, including cosponsorship by Senator Dixon and the
long-time support of Congressman Mel Price.
The legislation commemorates the Illinois and Michigan
Canal, which was a main artery of commerce in the 19th century, by
designating a National Heritage Corridor from Chicago to
LaSalle-Peru, Illinois. The legislation also establishes a National
Heritage Corridor Commission to assist local and state entities in
any appropriate preservation treatment or renovation of the old
structures of the canal.
We believe such activity will stimulate tourism, jobs
and economic growth, as well as greater cooperation between local,
state and federal governments.
So with that said, I am pleased to sign the bill.
(Applause.)
(The bill is signed.)
THE PRESIDENT: There. (Applause.)
END
2:47 P.M. CDT
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
August 24, 1984
MEMORANDUM FOR FRED F. FIELDING
FROM:
JOHN G. ROBERTS Ddd
SUBJECT:
Proposed Radio Address: America's Future
Richard Darman has asked that comments on the above-
referenced draft remarks be sent to Ben Elliott by 1:00 p.m.
today. The remarks are a general campaign statement,
stressing the themes of economic growth, technological
progress, return to basic values, and building an enduring
peace. I have reviewed the remarks and have no objections.
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
August 24, 1984
MEMORANDUM FOR BEN ELLIOTT
DEPUTY ASSISTANT TO THE PRESIDENT
AND DIRECTOR OF SPEECHWRITING
3
FROM:
FRED F. FIELDING Orig. signed by FFF
COUNSEL TO THE PRESIDENT
SUBJECT:
Proposed Radio Address: America's Future
Counsel's Office has reviewed the above-referenced draft
remarks, and finds no objection to them from a legal
perspective.
CC: Richard Darman
FFF/JGR/lmp 8/24/84
cc: FFF/JGR/Subj/Chron
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
August 24, 1984
MEMORANDUM FOR FRED F. FIELDING
FROM:
JOHN G. ROBERTS or
SUBJECT:
Presidential Remarks: Visit to Jefferson
Junior High School
Richard Darman has asked that comments on the above-
referenced remarks be sent directly to Ben Elliott by 10:00
a.m. today. The remarks are simply a "pep talk" for the
students, teachers, parents, and principal of Jefferson
Junior High School. I have reviewed the remarks and have no
objections.
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
August 24, 1984
MEMORANDUM FOR BEN ELLIOTT
DEPUTY ASSISTANT TO THE PRESIDENT
DBW
FROM:
FRED F. FIELDING Orig. signed by FFF
COUNSEL TO THE PRESIDENT
SUBJECT:
Presidential Remarks: Visit to Jefferson
Junior High School
Counsel's Office has reviewed the above-referenced remarks,
and finds no objection to them from a legal perspective. On
page 3, line 5, "they" should be "there."
CC: Richard Darman
FFF/JFR/lmp 8/24/84
CC: FFF/JGR/Subj/Chron
ID #.
CU
WHITE HOUSE
CORRESPONDENCE TRACKING WORKSHEET
0 . OUTGOING
H INTERNAL
I - INCOMING
Date Correspondence
Received (YY/MM/DD)
/
/
Name of Correspondent:
Richand Darman
MI Mail Report
User Codes: (A)
(B)
(C)
Subject: Presidential Speech Planning Schedule
ROUTE TO:
ACTION
DISPOSITION
Tracking
Type
Completion
Action
Date
of
Date
Office/Agency
(Staff Name)
Code
YY/MM/DD
Response
Code
YY/MM/DD
WHOLE
ORIGINATOR 84.05.D5
/
/
Referral Note:
CUAT 04
I 84,08,28
/
/
CUAT 14
Referral Note: I 84/08/28
CUAT 17
I
84 NE A?
/
/
CUAT 09
Referral Note: I84/08/08
CUAT 19
I 84/08/20
/
/
CLAAT 2
Referral Note: I 84/07/28
CUAT 02
I 84 18 123
/
/
Referral Note:
ACTION CODES:
DISPOSITION CODES:
A Appropriate Action
I Info Copy Only/No Action Necessary
A Answered
C Completed
C . Comment/Recommendation
R . Direct Reply w/Copy
B - Non-Special Referral
S Suspended
D Draft Response
S For Signature
F Furnish Fact Sheet
X Interim Reply
:0 be used as Enclosure
FOR OUTGOING CORRESPONDENCE:
Type of Response = Initials of Signer
Code - = "A"
Completion Date = Date of Outgoing
Comments:
Keep this worksheet attached to the original incoming letter.
Send all routing updates to Central Reference (Room 75, OEOB).
Always return completed correspondence record to Central Files.
Refer questions about the correspondence tracking system to Central Reference, ext. 2590.
5/81
Document No.
WHITE HOUSE STAFFING MEMORANDUM
DATE:
8/27/84
ACTION/CONCURRENCE/COMMENT DUE BY:
SUBJECT:
PRESIDENTIAL SPEECH PLANNING SCHEDULE
ACTION FYI
ACTION FYI
VICE PRESIDENT
MURPHY
MEESE
OGLESBY
BAKER
ROGERS
DEAVER
SPEAKES
STOCKMAN
SVAHN
DARMAN
P
x
SS
VERSTANDIG
FIELDING
WHITTLESEY
FULLER
HERRINGTON
HICKEY
McFARLANE
McMANUS
REMARKS:
PLEASE PROVIDE ANY COMMENTS/RECOMMENDATIONS TO BEN ELLIOTT, WITH
AN INFORMATION COPY TO MY OFFICE. THANK YOU.
RESPONSE:
Richard G. Darman
1984 AUG 27 PM 12: 07
Assistant to the President
Ext. 2702
WRITER
EVENT
DATE
RESEARCHER
TOPIC/THEME/PURPOSE
C. REMARKS
RECEPTION FOR REAGAN-BUSH
08/29
Dana
HEADQUARTERS' STAFF
Wednesday
KimW
DROPBY BRIEFING FOR WOMEN
09/07
Peter
EXECUTIVES OF MAJOR CORPORATIONS
Friday
Julie
& FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS
1
POSTHUMOUS PRESENTATION OF CONGRES-
09/11
Peggy
SIONAL GOLD MEDAL TO
Tuesday
HUBERT HUMPHREY
E. TAPINGS
TAPING: NATIONAL CONVENTION OF
09/18
"CITIZENS FOR EDUCATIONAL
Tuesday
FREEDOM"
TAPING: INSTITUTE OF ELECTRICAL
09/18
AND ELECTRONICS ENGINEERS
Tuesday
TAPING: ADVISORY COMMISSION ON
09/18
INTERGOVERNMENTAL RELATIONS
Tuesday
DINNER
TAPING: LUTHERANS FOR LIFE
09/18
NATIONAL CONVENTION
Tuesday
WRITER
EVENT
DATE
RESEARCHER
TOPIC/THEME/PURPOSE
TAPING: "ROAST" OF DALLAS COUNTY
09/18
REPUBLICAN CHAIRMAN FRED MEYER
Tuesday
TAPING: ANNUAL CONFERENCE OF THE
09/18
ELECTRONIC INDUSTRIES ASSOCIATION
Tuesday
G. RADIO TALKS
RADIO TALK:
09/01
Ben
Saturday
RADIO TALK:
09/08
Ben
Saturday
RADIO TALK:
09/15
Ben
Saturday
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
Date
8.28.84
Suspense Date
MEMORANDUM FOR:
John
FROM:
DIANNA G. HOLLAND
ACTION
Approved
Please handle/review
X
For your information
For your recommendation
For the files
Please see me
Please prepare response for
signature
As we discussed
Return to me for filing
COMMENT
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
August 27, 1984
MEMORANDUM FOR FRED F. FIELDING
FROM:
JOHN G. ROBERTS 200
SUBJECT:
Revised Presidential Remarks:
Presentation of Young American Medals
Richard Darman has asked that comments on the above-
referenced remarks be sent directly to Ben Elliott by
11:00 a.m. today. The remarks have been revised to include
a challenge to reach out to struggling youth - the child in
a foster home, those with drug or alcohol problems, the
unwed mother, the dropout. I have reviewed the revised
draft and still have no objections to it.
Attachment
OBE-
review + disaus
w/ RGD-
8/27
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
August 27, 1984
MEMORANDUM FOR BEN ELLIOTT
DEPUTY ASSISTANT TO THE PRESIDENT
DIRECTOR, PRESIDENTIAL SPEECHWRITING
FROM:
FRED F. FIELDING
COUNSEL TO THE PRESIDENT
SUBJECT:
Revised Presidential Remarks:
Presentation of Young American Medals
Counsel's Office has reviewed the above-referenced remarks,
and finds no objection to them from a legal perspective.
CC: Richard G. Darman
FFF: JGR:aea 8/27/84
bcc: FFFielding/JGRoberts/Subj/Chron
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
August 27, 1984
MEMORANDUM FOR FRED F. FIELDING
FROM:
JOHN G. ROBERTS 222
SUBJECT:
Revised Presidential Remarks:
Presentation of Young American Medals
Richard Darman has asked that comments on the above-
referenced remarks be sent directly to Ben Elliott by
11:00 a.m. today. The remarks have been revised to include
a challenge to reach out to struggling youth -- the child in
a foster home, those with drug or alcohol problems, the
unwed mother, the dropout. I have reviewed the revised
draft and still have no objections to it.
Attachment
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
August 27, 1984
MEMORANDUM FOR BEN ELLIOTT
DEPUTY ASSISTANT TO THE PRESIDENT
DIRECTOR, PRESIDENTIAL SPEECHWRITING
FROM:
FRED F. FIELDING
COUNSEL TO THE PRESIDENT
SUBJECT:
Revised Presidential Remarks:
Presentation of Young American Medals
Counsel's Office has reviewed the above-referenced remarks,
and finds no objection to them from a legal perspective.
cc: Richard G. Darman
FFF: JGR:aea 8/27/84
bcc: FFFielding/JGRoberts/Subj/Chron
ID #.
CU
WHITE HOUSE
CORRESPONDENCE TRACKING WORKSHEET
o . OUTGOING
H . INTERNAL
I - INCOMING
Date Correspondence
Received (YY/MM/DD)
/
/
Name of Correspondent:
Richard Darman
MI Mail Report
User Codes: (A)
(B)
(C)
Subject: Revised Presidential Remarks : Presentation
of young American Medals
ROUTE TO:
ACTION
DISPOSITION
Tracking
Type
Completion
Action
Date
of
Date
Office/Agency
(Staff Name)
Code
YY/MM/DD
Response
Code
YY/MM/DD
Cutton
ORIGINATOR 8408,07
/
/
CUAT 18
Referral Note:
D 04/08/27
584087
Referral Note:
11:00Am
/
/
/
/
-
Referral Note:
/
/
/
/
I
Referral Note:
/ /
/
/
-
-
Referral Note:
ACTION CODES:
DISPOSITION CODES:
A . Appropriate Action
Info Copy Only/No Action Necessary
A Answered
C Completed
C - Comment/Recommendation
R Direct Reply w/Copy
B - Non-Special Referral
S Suspended
ID Draft Response
S For Signature
F - Furnish Fact Sheet
X: Interim Reply
to be used as Enclosure
FOR OUTGOING CORRESPONDENCE:
Type of Response = Initials of Signer
Code
=
"A"
Completion Date = Date of Outgoing
Comments:
Keep this worksheet attached to the original incoming letter.
Send all routing updates to Central Reference (Room 75, OEOB).
Always return completed correspondence record to Central Files.
Refer questions about the correspondence tracking system to Central Reference, ext. 2590.
5/81
Document No.
WHITE HOUSE STAFFING MEMORANDUM
DATE: 8/27/84
ACTION/CONCURRENCE/COMMENT DUE BY:
11:00 a.m. TODAY
REVISED PRESIDENTIAL REMARKS: PRESENTATION OF YOUNG AMERICAN MEDALS
SUBJECT:
(8/26 - 7:00 p.m. draft)
ACTION FYI
ACTION FYI
VICE PRESIDENT
MURPHY
MEESE
OGLESBY
BAKER
ROGERS
DEAVER
SPEAKES
STOCKMAN
SVAHN
DARMAN
P
85
VERSTANDIG
FIELDING
WHITTLESEY
FULLER
>
TUTWILER
WIRTHLIN
HERRINGTON
\
HICKEY
HENKEL
McFARLANE
ELLIOTT
McMANUS
REMARKS:
Please provide any comments directly to Ben Elliott, with a copy to
my office, by 11:00 a.m. TODAY. Thank you.
RESPONSE:
1984 AUG 27 AM 9: 22
Richard G. Darman
Assistant to the President
Ext. 2702
(Noonan/BE)
August 26, 1984
7:00 p.m.
PRESIDENTIAL REMARKS: PRESENTATION OF YOUNG AMERICAN MEDALS
TUESDAY, AUGUST 28, 1984
Ladies and gentlemen, thank you very much.
The Young American Medal for Bravery is so special that the
law mandates that it be given to the recipients only by the
President of the United States. And it is to be given to no more
than two young people a year. Two points are made by these
directives. One is that the recipients are so important to us
that the Chief Executive of the Nation must personally honor
them. The other is that the winners are the very bravest of the -
brave.
Now, it has been said that of all the virtues, courage is
the most important, because without it we would never have the
strength to practice the others. That is a comment about moral
courage. But what about physical courage? The stories of these
two young men tell us something about that.
Both these young people made a conscious decision under
pressure to ignore personal safety, to ignore potential pain and
the possibility of death, and do an incredibly heroic thing:
save another human being from death. On the evening of
February 3, 1983, the home of 11-year-old Brian Gill was the
scene of a terrible fire. Brian escaped without harm and was
standing near a tree, when he realized that his 3-year-old sister
had become separated from his father and was still inside. Brian
ran back into the house, which by now was engulfed in flames. He
felt his way along a wall, followed the sound of his sister's
Page 2
coughs, made his way to her side, picked her up and ran outside
to safety. His little sister survived. So did three other
sisters. His 2-year-old brother, however, perished.
Two weeks after the fire in Brian Gill's house, 17-year-old
Jim Morris was driving along an overpass near Grants Pass,
Oregon. It was late and he was returning from work. As he drove
along, he and a companion looked down to see a car in flames on
Interstate 5. A station wagon had been struck by a truck and was
in flames, its gas tank ruptured. Gill raced for the car, and
when he got there he saw the driver, Thomas Bishop, trying
desperately to get out. But Bishop was injured, and disoriented,-
and shaking badly. Brian Gill tried to open the door of the
burning car but it stuck. So he threw himself inside, through
the driver's window, and grabbed Bishop under the arms and
singlehandedly pulled him to safety through the window. Less
than a minute later, there was an explosion and the entire inside
of the car was engulfed in flames. Later Thomas Bishop wrote to
Morris, "It took a lot of courage for you to come through those
flames."
If it had not been for what Jim Morris did, Thomas Bishop
might not be alive. If it had not been for what Brian Gill did,
his sister would not be alive.
And as I look at these two young heroes all I can think is
how proud we are of you -- and thankful we are for you. I want
to say to our audience: These are America's children -- look at
what kind of people they are.
Page 3
The actions of these young men reflect great strength of
character. We can only wonder how, at such a tender age, they
managed to develop it.
I happen to think that it is always hard to be young. The
young are so vulnerable, and often feel misunderstood. But the
children and teenagers and young adults our society has produced
the past 20 years or so seem in some ways to have had it harder
than many of us older folks did.
We grew up in a different America -- an America of small
towns and big families, an America where generations lived
together, and lines of authority both within the home and outside
it were clear. We did not, for whatever reasons, question the
premises of life so much. It seemed a more secure age.
But the world is changing. And the facts of our lives have
changed. Throughout our history we have relied on the family as
the principle institution for transmitting values. But these
days the American family is very different from what it was. It
is almost as likely to be headed by a parent who is divorced as
by parents who live together. Families are smaller, not only
with fewer children but with fewer generations living together.
The extended family is increasingly a thing of the past. And so
is the old tradition of generation after generation living in the
same town and the same home. We are a country on the move; we
are wed to mobility -- and the ties that bind us seem looser. We
watch a lot of television, seeking continuity and reassurance in
the regular and predictable appearance of our favorite T.V. stars
and programs. They "visit us" -- as if they were a friend, a
Page 4
relative coming by for the evening. T.V. is increasingly
becoming The American Neighbor. And the fact that it serves that
function reflects what it is we are missing.
The point I'm making is that we are an America of changing
institutions, changing traditions. And change can be difficult,
especially for young people. In the sixties, the first
generation to completely feel the assault of modern life almost
came apart. Our youth seemed disoriented. But now, in the
eighties, when some would have thought that things would be
worse, they seem better. The young people of today are so solid,
so alive to the good things in life, the deepest pleasure. They -
seem to care about the things worth caring about. The polls show
they are more patriotic than the preceeding generation, and they
are very interested in home, career, family -- all of the things
that go into creating what we call society.
You saw the Olympic athletes last month, teenagers many of
them. You saw that they had faith in themselves, faith that
great effort will be rewarded, that trying to improve your
talents is worth it. You saw the love of country that they
displayed with a shining lack of self-consciousness.
Somehow, amidst all this change, all this movement, our
young people have held on. What we are seeing, I think, is a
reappreciation of our sense of national roots, a reappreciation
of the traditions and values our country lived by, a
reappreciation of the things that give us a sense of continuity,
a sense that there is a purpose to life.
Page 5
And many of our young people seem to be doing it on their
own, as if they are personally rediscovering these things and
making them new again.
I am not talking about nostalgia for the past, but refinding
what worked about the past and bringing it into the present and
the future. Refinding our bearings, forging a sense of
continuity where it does not exist outwardly in the facts of our
lives. We have to recreate connections -- connections with our
family and between the family and the community.
We need guideposts to help us find the way. And all this
will evolve as we bring the best along with us.
People wonder why there's such a feeling of hope these days.
And they come up with reasons -- the stock market's up, inflation
is down. But that's only a part of it. I think we're feeling
hope again because we're taking old values and making them new
again. And by giving them new life they are giving us new life.
These two young heroes we see here today reflect the
achievements and heroism of a shining new generation. But as we
honor them it is good for us to think of the quiet heroes of that
generation: the children who are starting out with some of the
odds against them. The quiet heroes who have not had a chance to
develop their potential and show us their greatness.
Think of a child who is in a foster home. Many of them have
special needs, and too many have a difficult time finding stable
and loving permanent homes. Many have been abused in some way.
Think of a child with drug problems -- a child who because
of bad judgements or peer pressure has become a slave to a
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terrible addiction. Think of a young person with a drinking
problem -- enslaved in the same way and needing our concern.
Think of a young girl who is unmarried and pregnant and who
needs our understanding. Who is she to turn to? Who will
comfort her? Abortion isn't the answer. More support so that
they're not left to drift is the answer.
Think of a young person in high school who, for a whole
combination of reasons, decides to drop out and end his or her
education forever. Usually we say: that child failed to
continue. Sometimes I wonder if it isn't also true that our
schools failed that child.
So many of these young people, with things going against
them early on, are quiet heroes trying to do their best. But
they represent not only a sadness in our society -- they
represent a challenge.
I believe we must challenge ourselves personally to help
them personally -- to show them our support and affection, to
show them that we care.
I am asking today that all of us commit ourselves to the
quiet heroes. That together we accept a national challenge, and
see to it that children in foster care are given our special
affection, and that we make sure they are in loving homes. We
must make a greater effort to make our educational system so
exciting and rewarding that young people don't want to drop out.
We must help those addicted to drugs and to alcohol by
recognizing their problem and letting them know that they suffer
from something many have suffered from -- and many have recovered
Page 7
from. And we must help unwed mothers get the societal support
and affection they need.
It is the quiet heroes who need our help.
Just as today it is Brian Gill and Jim Morris who deserve
our applause. Gentlemen, you represent the extraordinary courage
of an extraordinary new generation. You are brave and decent,
and we are proud of you. It is good to know the future will be
in the hands of people like you.
Thank you all very much, and God bless you.
THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
For Immediate Release
August 28, 1984
REMARKS OF THE PRESIDENT
IN PRESENTATION OF YOUNG AMERICAN MEDALS
The Rose Garden
1:31 P.M. EDT
THE PRESIDENT: Thank you all very much. Thank you.
The Young American Medal for Bravery is so special
that the law mandates that it be given to the recipients only by
the President of the United States and is to be given to no more
than two young people a year.
And two points are made by these directives. One
is that the recipients are so important to us the Chief Executive
of the nation must personally honor them. And the other is that
the winners are the very bravest of the brave.
Now, it's been said that of all the virtues, courage
is the most important because without it we would never have the
strength to practice the others.
Now, that's a comment about moral courage. But what
about physical courage? The stories of these two young men tell
us something about that. Both these young people made a conscious
decision under pressure to ignore personal safety, to ignore per-
sonal -- or potential pain and the possibility of death and do an
incredibly heroic thing, save another human being from death.
On the evening of February 3rd, 1983, the home of
then 11-year-old Brian Gill was the scene of a terrible fire.
Brian escaped without harm and was standing near a tree when he
realized that his three-year-old sister had become separated from
his father and was still inside. Brian ran back into the house,
which was now engulfed by flames. He felt his way along a wall,
followed the sound of his sister's coughs, made his way to her
side and pulled her outside to safety. His little sister survived,
and so did three other sisters. His two-year-old brother, however,
perished.
Almost two weeks after the fire in Brian Gill's house,
17-year-old, then, Jim Morris was driving along an overpass near
Grants Pass, Oregon. It was late and he was returning from work.
Driving along, he and a companion looked down to see a car in
flames on Interstate 5. A station wagon had been struck by a
truck and was in flames, its gas tank ruptured. Morris raced for
the car; and when he got there, he saw the driver, Thomas Bishop,
trying desperately to get out. But Bishop was disoriented and
shaking badly, and Jim tried to open the door of the burning car,
but it stuck.
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So he thrust himself through the driver's window, grabbed Bishop
under the arms, and single-handedly pulled him to safety through the
window.
Less than a minute later, there was an explosion, and
the entire inside of the car was engulfed in flames. Later, Thomas
Bishop wrote to Morris: "It required much courage for you to come
through those flames." If it had not been for what Jim Morris did,
Thomas Bishop might not be alive. If it had not been for what Brian
Gil did, his sister would not be alive.
As I look at these two young heroes, all I can think is
how proud we are of you. And we're thankful for you. I want to say
to our audience, these are America's children. And look at what
kind of people they are. The actions of these young men reflect
great strength of character. We can only wonder at how, at such a
tender age, they managed to develop it. I happen to think it's
always hard to be young. The young are so vulnerable and often feel
misunderstood.
But the children and teenagers and young adults our
society has produced the last 20 years or so, seem in some ways to
have had it harder than many of us older folks did. We grew up in
a different America -- an America of small towns and big families;
an America where generations lived together and lines of authority,
both within the home and outside it, were clear. We did not, for
whatever reasons, question the premises of life so much. It seemed
a more secure age.
But the world is changing. And the facts of our life
have changed. Throughout our history we've relied on the family as
the principle institution for transmitting values. But these days
the American family is very different from what it was. Many families
are headed by a single parent. Families are smaller, not only with
fewer children, but with fewer generations living together. The
extended family is a thing of the past, and SO is the old tradition
of generation after generation living in the same town and the same
house.
We're wed to mobility, and the ties that bind us seem
looser. We watch a lot of television, seeking continuity and
reassurance in the regular and predictable appearance of our TV
stars and programs. They visit us -- as if they were a friend or
relative coming by for the evening. TV is increasingly becoming
the American neighbor. And the fact that it serves that function
reflects what it is we're missing.
The point I'm making is that we're an America of
changing institutions and changing traditions. And change can be
difficult, especially for young people. In the sixties, the first
generation to completely feel the assault of modern life almost
came apart. Our youth seemed disoriented.
But now in the eighties, when some would have thought
that things would be worse, they seem better. The young people of
today are so solid, so alive to the good things in life, and the
deepest pleasure. And they seem to care about the things worth
caring about.
The polls show they're intensely patriotic. And they're
very interested in home, career and family all of the things that
go into creating what we call society.
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You saw the Olympic athletes a few weeks ago -- teenagers
many of them. You saw that they had faith in themselves; faith that
great effort will be rewarded, and that trying to improve your
talents is worth it. You saw the love of country that they displayed
with a shining lack of self-consciousness.
Somehow amidst all this change, all this movement, our
young people have held on. What we're seeing, I think, is a re-
appreciation of our sense of national roots; a reappreciation of the
traditions and values our country lived by; a reappreciation of the
things that give us a sense of continuity, a sense that there is a
purpose to life. And many of our young people seem to be doing it on
their own, as if they're personally rediscovering these things, and
making them new again.
I'm not talking about nostalgia for the past, but
refinding what worked about the past and bringing it into the present
and the future. Refinding our bearings, forging a sense of
continuity where it doesn't exist outwardly in the facts of our lives,
we have to recreate connection connections with our family, and
between the family and the community.
We need guideposts to help us find the way. And all this
will evolve as we bring the best along with us. People wonder why
there's such a feeling of hope these days, and they come up with
reasons - oh, the stock market's up, inflation is down - that's
only a part of it. I think we're feeling hope again, because we're
taking old values and making them new again. And by giving them new
life, they'r giving us new life.
These two young heroes that we see here today reflect
the achievements and heroism of a shining new generation. But as we
honor them it's good for us to think of the quiet heroes of that
generation -- the children who are starting out with some of the
odds against them. The quiet heroes who haven't had a chance to
develop their potential and show us their greatness.
Think of a child who is in a foster home. Many of
them have special needs and too many have a difficult time finding
stable and loving permanent homes. Many have been abused in some
way. Think of a child with drug problems -- a child who, because of
bad judgments or peer pressures, become a slave to a terrible
addiction. Think of a young person with a drinking problem enslaved
in the same way and needing our concern. Think of a young person
in high school who, for a whole combination of reasons, decides to
drop out and end his or her education forever. Usually we say that
child failed to continue. Sometimes I wonder if it isn't also true
that we failed and our schools failed that child.
So many of these young people with things going against
them early on are quiet heroes trying to do their best. I believe
we must challenge ourselves, personally, to help them personally; to
show them our support and affection and to show them we care --
asking today that all of us commit ourselves to those silent heroes;
that
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together we accept a national challenge and see to it that children
in foster care are given our special affection, that we make sure
they're in loving homes.
We must make a greater effort to make our educational
systems so exciting and rewarding that young people don't want to
drop out.
We must help those addicted to drugs and to alcohol
by recognizing their problem.
Just today, however, it is Brian Gill and Jim Morris,
who deserve our applause. Gentlemen, you represent the extraordinary
courage of an extraordinary new generation. You're brave. You're
decent. And we're proud of you. It's good to know that the future
of our land will be in the hands of people like you.
I would now like to present to Brian Gill and Jim
Morris the Young American Medal for Bravery.
(The medals are presented.) (Applause.)
Thank all of you very much. And God bless you. And
I know you'd better get in the shade. (Laughter.) Thank you very
much. (Applause.)
END
1:42 P.M. EDT