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06 76
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
January 23, 2000
MEMORANDUM FOR THE PRESIDENT
FROM:
J. TERRY EDMONDS Ф.
'00 JAN 23 PM3:36
SUBJECT:
REVISED SOTU DRAFT
Please find attached a revised draft of your 2000 State of the Union Address. This latest
version reflects thematic, structural and editing changes recommended by our team of
consultants, including Bob Shrum, Mark Penn, Don Baer, Sid Blumenthal and others.
We have added a central theme that runs through the speech: a "21st Century Revolution"
of Opportunity, Responsibility and Community. We felt that this would provide a way to give
lift to the speech and a connecting frame to your policy agenda, your theory of governing and
your vision of what America should look like in this century. Per Mark Penn's suggestions, we
moved the crime and guns suggestion of the speech up higher. As you directed, we have also
reworked the conclusion to include ideas from your Millennium speech.
While we have worked to tighten the draft, the speech is still about 1,500 words too long.
After we receive your edits to this draft, we will continue to revise and shorten.
- 361 wour ( uet
use well to go only
I'll have to Explain
offer getting them
PG PG76
Draft7e 01/23/00 3:10pm
PRESIDENT WILLIAM J. CLINTON
STATE OF THE UNION ADDRESS
UNITED STATES CAPITOL
'00 JAN 23 PM3:36
WASHINGTON, DC
January 27, 2000
Mr. Speaker, Mr. Vice President, Members of Congress, honored guests, my fellow
Americans: [Tonight-I have the honor of-delivering the first State of the Union Address of a new
century and a new millennium]
We are fortunate to be alive at this moment in history. Never before has our nation
enjoyed, at once, so much prosperity, social progress, and self-confidence with so little internal
crisis or so few external threats. [Never have our values of freedom and democracy been
more.aseendant around the world.] Neverhave before we had such a blessed opportunity - and,
therefore, such a profound obligation - to build the more perfect union of our founders' dreams,
by.
We ended the 20th Century, and now begin the 21st at a high point in our history. There
Jhnis
is no better moment to act on our hopes for our children.A No better moment to dream new
dreams for our nation.- autocting on them.
is
we begin the ww century of over
intrabatzyce.
We are achieving an economic revolution. Twenty million new jobsA The fastest
economic growth in more than 30 years; the lowest unemployment rate in 30 years; the lowest
poverty rate in 20 years; the lowest African-American and Hispanic unemployment rate on
record; the highest home ownership ever; the first back-to-back budget surpluses in 42 years -
and the largest budget surplus in history.
1
86
Next month, mark the 107ᵗʰ month of this economic expansion, America will
achieve the longest period of prosperity in our entire history.
Ec growth
6
work ur can 14am w wes
Our economic revolution has been matched by a remarkable revival of the American
25%
spirit. Who would have thought that wę could cut Crimejby one quarter, to its lowest level in
more than 30 years? Who would have thought that we could reverse virtually every terrible
social trond of the last few decades, sending Teen births.down seven years in a row and adoptions are
have Degard
averface will cut in have, to their countleers in 32yrs, and
11
up by 30 percent? Seven million of our fellow citizens have broken the bonds of poverty Seven
million Americans have moved from welfare to work (
8
My fellow Americans, I-stand before you tenight to report that the state of our union is
the strongest it has ever been.
As always, most of the credit for what we have achieved belongs to the American people.
have to
you have
6
You work every day to pay your taxes, raise your families and live your dreams. Thanks to you,
our mation
Our nation is prepared for the new century.
My gratitude also goes to all of you in this chamber who have worked with us to make
3
the tough decisions, to put progress above partisanship for the sake of our people. I thank you.
In 1993 we passed an historic deficit reduction plan that helped put America on track to
the
the longest economic expansion in our history. Tonight I want to recognize a man who played a
on process properity
2
86
30
key role in that effort, my first Secretary of the Treasury, your former colleague and-always a
true American statesman, Lloyd Bentsen.
Eight years ago, it was not clear to most Americans that there would be much to celebrate
in the year 2000. Our nation was gripped by economic distress, social decline, political gridlock,
and discredited government. In 1992, at a time of rising crime, mounting deficits, and high
unemployment, the title of a best-selling book asked: "What went wrong?
9
But in the best traditions of our nation, from the time of Lincoln and the two Roesevelts,
America determined to set things right. We replaced outdated ideologies with bold, new ideas
anchored in basic, enduring values: opportunity for all, responsibility from all and a community
of all Americans. [Roned Gov't]
That's how we turned decades of record defioits into back-to-back record surpluses - not
by discarding government but by reinventing it, and moving forward with fiscal discipline.
That's how we have cut crime -not by debating prevention OF punishment but by doing both,
102
and doing them better - passing the Brady Law that has kept guns out of the hands of. half-a
million criminals, and funding 10Q,000 community police to make our neighborhoods safer.
That's how we have protected our environment - not by pitting economic growth against
environmental progress, but by pursuing both.
requiring but are writing wain
clicary
Opportunity and responsibility That's how we ended welfare as we knew its That's how thousands though.
we have helped parents to succeed at work and at home - by offering new approaches, like
3
30
upconar
in christian or
(7
Family and Medical Leave, which 20 million working Americans have used to care for sick
loved ones. That's how we are opening the doorsito ofcollege all - with HOPE scholarship tax cuts, more
answering 90%g checks Inlsa the
always
Pell Grants, and more affordable college loans That's how we have engaged 150,000 more
young Americans in citizen service - building One America, one community at a time, through
AmeriCorps. That's how we have seized the opportunities of a global era - with 270 new
whilepring P arease to carlaborated account in the
agreements to expand trade and open markets for American products And that's how we are
etenooin
meeting the threats to peace by standing against ethnic and religious hatred and standing for
Allot used to the andless to countin wh work fn peace au end to Bel AS squiembe, sup
our interests and values around the world.
freedom from
-40
importants,
In 1992, Vice President Gore and I had a roadmap. Today we have results [But we have
16
we have ther cleanee of a lifetimete fee the futured our oreans "
work to do and great goals to reach. Wa will get there only = if we stay on the path that got us
here. Building on our progress always moving forward always gaining ground.
But
But we must not let our renewed confidence grow into complacency. Because you can't
11
gain ground if you're standing still. For too long this Congress has been standing still on some
hets begin wl over.
of our most pressing national priorities. So let's get moving.
S,S,
I ask you again this year to set aside theAsurplus to pay down the debt. To save social
security, and extend its life the next 50 years. Lask you To secure Medicare so that this
Ace
generation of older Americans -- and the next never have to worry about medical care.
to
provide a prescription drug benefit so that no senior has to choose between medicine and
food.
4
17
I ask you to pass a real patients bill of rights. Pass common-sense gun-safety legislation.
Rass meaningful Date hate crimes legislation And I again to raise the minimum wage.
we retent health beyour even Mass important usium, lifting
to
5
But that will only be the start of our journey. New we must lift our sights and take what
Theodore Roosevelt at the dawn of the last century, called "the long look ahead."
We live in revolutionary times. The way we communicate. The way we work. The way
we learn. The way we live. The way we are and the we are becoming. We have not only
increasingly commented one and a would.
F myflliow
webines to
passed a point in time, we have crossed the bridge into the 21st century. We must now shape a
21st century American revolution of opportunity, responsibility, and community, Equal to the
AMERICA
'4
challenges of our times America is an ongoing revolution. We & as we were in the beginning,
a new nation.
The first American revolution was not won with a single shot. The continent was not
wasnot
settled in a single day. The challenge of expanding freedom has not been accomplished with one
AN
march but requires constant commitment and sacrifice. And always with our eyes on the prize.
The dreams that drive us on are always bold. But the lesson of our history and the lesson of the
7
toward them.
last seven years is that we make great strides/step by step, out our eyes always on all piye.
OPPORTUNITY AND RESPONSIBILITY IN EDUCATION
5
4/27/4
CO++ first steps into the 21s Century must be the right steps We need first and foremost a
21st century revolution in education, guided by our faith that all our children can learn and that
all our people can succeed
For seven years we have pursued a fundamental strategy on education: Invest more, yet
demand more in return. Offer opportunity, but demand responsibility. We have helped nearly
every state set higher academic standards for their schools. We are closing in on our goal of
For twoyear
connecting every classroom and library in America to the Internet. And Congress has supported
our effort to King hire 100,000 new, qualified teachers, to lower class sizes in the early grades,
10
yearsin-quow. This year, I call on Congress to make it three in a row.
Scores on college entrance exams are going up, even as more students from more-diverse
backgrounds are taking the test. And some of the most impressive academic gains are happening
in schools in some of America's poorest neighborhoods.
Schools like Beaufort [B'YOU-ferd] Elementary in South Carolina. Classified five years
ago one of the state's worst-performing schools, Beaufort embraced accountability and higher
S
with
academic standards, and started afterschool and summer school programs to help students to
meet these Them standards. Today, Beaufort's math and test scores exceed the state average, and local
parents are pulling their children out of private schools and putting them in Beaufort. The
principal of Beaufort, Ruth Summerlin, is with us here tonight. Thank you for proving what all
our children can do.
6
51
90
I have visited schools like Beaufort all across America -- schools that have turned
themselves around with the same proven formula: greater accountability, higher standards, and
Still
the conviction that all students can learn. Unfortunately, there/are too many low-performing
schools in this country that are not applying these lessons - schools where, year after year,
children fail to get the knowledge and skills they need to make the most of their God-given
leave enough
2
talents.
Last year, from this podium, I proposed an Education Accountability Act, to
fundamentally change the way the federal government invests in our schools - to support what
5
we know works, and stop supporting what doesn't. This year, I challenge Congress not only
pass that measure, but to make dramatic new investments in ideas we know are working.
18ᵗ, let's driber the investment coughes made but you to fewd 5 proven
We know that many states and districts have managed to turn around their worst-
effort by toh
performing schools-or shut them down and allow parents to choose other public schools for
14
their children. Last fall. Congress passed my plan to, give districts more resources to do the
same. This year, let's double that investment And let's give bonuses to states that succeed in
making scores go up across the board]
20, Let's dowble our
that
We know that quality afterschool and summer school programs boost academic
and out of trable
18
achievement They also keep children off the street in the hours before parents get home from
work, when juvenile crime soars. Tonight, I propose that we double our investment for
afterschool and summer school. If we do this, we can give every child in every failing school in
America the chance to meet high standards.
7
90
We know that children who learn early learn best. since 1993, we've put over
ib
160,000 more children in the successful Head Start pre school program, and improved the
quality of Head Start. Tonight, I propose the largest funding increase for Head Start in history.
Doug If we do this this, will we lay can build the foundation fortuniversal pre-school for every four-year-old in
our love than goal:
[3+2]
America.
more
7
We know that if we want our children to learn, we need good teachers. Tonight, I
propose a $1 billion initiative to bring the best and the brightest into teaching, to reward good
teachers, and to ensure that bad ones leave the classroom, swiftly and fairly.
We know that a third of all schools in America are in serious disrepair - with leaky roofs
and antiquated electrical wiring. Tonight, I propose a new, $1.3 billionto program help 5,000 schools
make immediate, urgent repairs. I renew my call for a tax credit to help build or modernize
6,000 schools nationwide - so we can take our children out of trailers and put them in modern
Explain
classrooms. [And let's make our high schools safer and better by investing in making them
smaller. Let's make sure our kids go to schools where everybody knows their name.
we know public seriod cloiner world 4 parents have a New clicical thats What schoper changer
When I became President, there was just one independent public charter school in all
provide
America. Today there are 1700. My budget assures that we will meet our goal of funding 3000,
are gring two reduction ter gurpounds Keal clurier
sa that when parents choose a public school they have real choice.
We know that to make the American Dream more achievable, we must make college
toward
more affordable. For seven years, we have more taken actions, on a bipartisan basis, to reach that
3
goal: more Pell grants, more-affordable student loans, education IRAs, and our HOPE
8
of
118
scholarship tax cut. Our efforts are clearly paying off. Today, 67 percent of students who
graduate high school graduates go on to college, up almost 10 percent since 1993. Yet still, millions of
5
middle class families are fue feeling the strain of paying college tuition. They need help.
In an economy that increasingly runs on brain power, we should give tax relief to people
who are investing in education. My tpegrose budget provides a landmark $30-billion college opportunity
MC
tax cut, to help millions of middle class families pay for college. It will give families a tax
deduction for up to $10,000 in tuition costs--providing as much as $2,800 in much needed tax
aPreGraus insurance
25
relief. With this new college opportunity tax cut, plus Hope Scholarships and other aid, we can
say that every American who wants to go to college can go.
we meet on more to pupau young students
We must also say to middle school students from disadvantaged backgrounds, who may
for course and convinue Them They can go. Lartyr, congress clossed party have
think college is unaffordable, OF not for them, that it is for them. My budget doubles to 1.4
to week au GEAL upprogram, enable college students to member
million the number of at-risk middle school students who receive mentoring by college students.
+ propose to deriber the number 9 cluebres Married, to multion;
-8
offers disadvantaged students the same test prep courses wealthier students use to boost their
?
are
THE provide growt to hey
scores on college entrance exams; And it provides grants to colleges R help disadvantaged
students succeed once they're in college.
welf ? [
If you have any doubt that by reaching across party lines, we can lift the lives of children,
United
consider this: the thirty percent increase in the number of children adopted out of foster care.
The first real increase in thirty years. And it happened because a bipartisan majority worked
with us to make it happen. And we are improving foster care for the children it serves and
supporting those who turn 18 and leave foster care without a permanent home. Tonight, I want
9
118
26
144
to honor the person who has led in this effort, someone who has worked tirelessly for children as
long as I have known her: Hillary Rodham Clinton.
REWARDING WORK AND STRENGTHENING FAMILIES
wkere
in a would
We need a 21st Century revolution to reward work and strengthen families That has been
where more and more patients works but the mort information work
23
the basic goal of so much of what we have done - from reforming welfare to raising the
mlaimumage When you work hard and play by the rules, you should be rewarded. From
of all issist'u naising clussives,
your standard of living to your self- respect.
One of the most powerful incentives to work has been the Earned Income Tax Credit, a
targeted tax cut for working families. The "E" in "EITC" is about earning; about working; about
first to you
taking responsibility and being rewarded for it. As one of my first actions as President, I asked
3
Congress to greatly expand the EITC, and we did. As a result, in 1998 alone the EITC
helped more than 4.3 million Americans work their way into the middle class - double the
number in 1993.
Tonight, I propose another major expansion of the EITC. We should reduce the marriage
penalty for the EITC, making sure that it rewards marriage, and family, just as it rewards work;
and we should expand the tax credit for families with more than two children. Our plan would
provide those families up to $1,200 more in tax relief. They're working hard to reach the middle
class. And we should help them.
10
Poor Familes
144
Two-thirds of new jobs are in the suburbs, far away from many low-income families. In
the past two years, I have proposed and Congress has approved funds for 110,000 more working
families to live closer to the workplace. This year, lets more than double that number. If we
want people to go to work, they have to be able to get to work.
We must never forget the Americans who have no home but the shelters or the streets. At
a time of prosperity, we must dedicate ourselves to ending homelessness and ensuring that all
Americans - every veteran, every person with a mental illness, every family - have a place to
call home. I want to thank someone who has made that her personal mission. Who is working
day after day directly with homeless people:Tipper Gore.
Working parents need quality, affordable child care. Many spend up to a quarter of their
income on child care. Last year, we helped parents provide care for about 1.75 million children.
But that's only one tenth of those eligible under federal law. My child care initiative, along with
the funds secured in welfare reform, would make child care better, safer, and more affordable for
another 650,000 children.
To help millions of parents with moderate incomes, we should expand the child care tax
credit. And let's take the next big step. Let's make the tax credit refundable for low-income
families. For those making $TK a year - too little to earn a refund today - that means $TK more
for child-care costs. Let's get this done. Parents should be able to balance work and family -
not have to choose between them.
Reward and family requires
11
144
29
From my first days as President, we have worked to give families better access to better 166
health care. In 1993, many workers lost their coverage when they changed or lost their jobs;
many lost their jobs when they took time off to care for a sick loved one. And when employers
failed to provide it, many working families had nowhere to turn to provide health care for their
children.
Working together, we have changed that: by providing family and medical leave; by
protecting coverage between jobs; and by passing a Children's Health Insurance Program. In
we're on our way to
less than a year, enrollment in CHIP has doubled, to 2 million children. Our goal is to cover up
28
1. 15 millionsee we re well on our way. The more children we cover, the more can begin healthy
Wecan musting by everowing them where
lives: the childhood immunization rate is now 90 percent, an all time high
up?
But therefare far too many uninsured children. To enroll more of them, we
are
shere they re-found are schools, churches child-care centers and do (r thers, And
Buyin?
Despite our progress on checoran, then ou more Anerican arthout
let take an even bigger step. In four out of five cases, uninsured kids have uninsured parents.
health actuance manneumen we 1993, when are well w providey
q muture?
coving fnall wany 9 could, about a million,
So let's do what Viee President Gore suggests and enroll the parents, too. I I propose new
legislation to make these parents eligible for the programs that cover their kids.
-20
UP Gouis Auggusion are make Mean paud eligible for the liserse that cover bride nice
an parents of cluedien where eligible fn CHIP. Tought + propose that ak follow
And let's give a real, affordable option to the fastest growing group of uninsured: people
between 55 and 65 who lose their coverage. Last year, I proposed that we let them buy into
Medicare. This year, I propose we also give them a tax credit, to make this option more
affordable.
12
166
4
citizen
We must also do more to care for the caregivers - the record numbers of Americans
187
families providing for aging or ailing loved ones at home. More and more this is a common
choice, but rarely an easy - or inexpensive - one. Last year, I proposed a $1,000 tax credit for
18
long-term care. Thinyon This year, let's triple that - to $3,000. That would cover up tp 60 percent of a
Are this year, let's. pak it
family's long-term care costs. Let's recognize and reward the sacrifice they re making.
should
Rularding work and family reguire us to make subtlet merco
If we really wantito reward work and family, let's make sure that men and women get
answorn get equalying pi=cole.
the ferrale
equal pay for equal work. Working women have made significant strides: more single mothers
3
water is Hulwert in 40yran, the Aligh note lowerting over sayers
are working than ever, and the women's unemployment ratevs the lowest in almost 50 years.
still
But women earn less than 77 cents for every dollar men earn. That's just not good enough. We
And
the
should pass the Paycheck Fairness Act. My budget also provides much needed resources to
enforce present equal pay laws, and to train more women for high-paying, high-tech jobs.
This year, I again propose a progressive savings initiative to help low- and moderate-
income families work and save for retirement. [policy TK]
Nearly one child in three in America today grows up in a home without a father - and
these children are five times more likely to live in poverty than children with both parents at
home. Demanding and promoting responsible fatherhood is the critical next stage of welfare
reform.
We have already begun to crack down on fathers who fail to pay child support by
denying them drivers' licenses and creating a national database to track them across state lines.
13
187
As a result, child support payments have doubled since 1993. The number of unwed fathers who
IN
lay
legally acknowledge their paternity has tripled. And the percentage of children born into unwed
homes, after skyrocketing for decades, has begun to level off.
This is progress. But we must accelerate that progress; step by step, until the day that
3
every father in America takes responsibility for his children. We can begin by toughening
measures against fathers who owe child support, such as booting their cars.
And to absent parents who owe child support, we should pass legislation that says: we'll
help you do right by your children, but from now on, you have to go to work, and pay them what
you owe.
RESPONSIBILITY AND CRIME
Crime in America has dropped every year for the past seven years -- the longest
4
For surveyears, we've helped
continuous decline ever recorded. It happened because we took more responsibility for helping
America fight crime, from passing the Brady billito funding 100,000 new community police
officers Last fall, Congress agreed to support my plan to hire up to 50,000 more police officers,
with special help for high-crime neighborhoods. Congress must continue that support this year.
famgrito
But while we are grateful that America is much safer, no one believes America is safe
this futu to shoot for out real goal: lot's
enough. We have the opportunity and responsibility to make America the safest big country in
the world.
14
197
16
43
after trucolombine
Wa must do more to keep guns out of the hands of criminals and juveniles. Last year, 1 tragedy,
Congress considered common-sense gun safety legislation to require Brady background checks
at gun shows, child safety locks for all new handguns, and a ban on the importation of large-
capacity ammunition clips. In the face of enormous pressure from the gun lobby, the Senate,
acting with courage and responsibility, and with a tie-breaking vote by the Vice President, passed
the legislation. This year, I hope the House will finally follow suit. The lives of our children
depend on it.
5
We've all Allen
Last year, in Littleton, Colorado; we all saw what can happen when guns are allowed to
fall into the wrong hands. One of the students killed at Columbine High School was Daniel
libe all lose Rui clusion,
Mauser, age 15. Daniel was an amazing kid, a straight-A student, a good skier. Atrisdrand, maybe
we father Tom has Gom us give. southow Town has focus the strugar to hour
impossible, to comprehend the grief his father Tom must feel. But Tom has translated that grief
lide Aan by his gring
into action. Earlier this month, he took a leave of absence from his job to adverte fight for tougher
+
pay that his cowage wissous will Allow This congus to malu
-4
gun safety laws. HIS presence here is an inspiration. Passing common-sense gun safety
the my meet aimor of vurien.
legislation should be the very next Congr CSS.
We must ON mou.
3
Butwe can and must de more. States require hunters and automobile drivers to have
Hirlougpast time for
licenses. ^ To reduce firearms accidents and keep guns out of the wrong hands, tonight + propose
9
that states to require licenses for handgun purchasers as well.
To those who say that instead of strengthening gun laws, we should better enforce gun
laws now on the books, I say: we already are. Federal gun crime prosecutions are higher today
15
213
than in 1992, and are up 25 percent since 1998. But again, we must do more. I propose to hire
more federal and local gun prosecutors, and more ATF agents to crack down on illegal gun
traffickers and bad-apple dealers who supply guns to criminals and juveniles. We must supply
law enforcement with the tools to trace the origin of every gun used in a crime in America. And
we must create a national ballistics network capable of tracing almost any bullet left at a crime
scene anywhere in America to the gun of the criminal who fired it.
Listen to this: the accidental gun death rate of children under 15 is nine times higher in
the U.S. than in 25 other industrialized nations combined. Technologies now exist that could
lead to guns that can only be fired by the adults who own them. It's time to help the gun industry
accelerate development of these smart guns. I thank those gun manufacturers who have worked
on this. And I invite all manufacturers to help us keep guns out of the wrong hands.
Every parent I know worries about violence in the media. The entertainment industry
should respond to parents concerns. I give the industry credit for accepting my challenge to put
voluntary ratings not just on movies but on TV programs and video and Internet games. This
year, I ask the industry to go farther. Let's do as the First Lady has suggested, and give parents
what they need: a single, voluntary rating system for all their children's entertainment -- a
system that is easy to understand and enforce.
Every year, hundreds of thousands of offenders leave our prisons and jails, only to wind
up back in trouble with the law. More often than not, drugs are a major part of the problem.
Two-thirds of ex-offenders who are sent back to prison are drug abusers. But if they get drug
treatment, they are up to 70 percent less likely to commit another crime. We must provide them
16
213
LNY
23p
with that treatment, along with regular drug testing and a simple bargain: stay clean and you stay
free; do drugs and you do more time. I also propose a new initiative to train, counsel, and more
carefully monitor ex-offenders so that they can become responsible citizens, family members,
and employees was
OPENING NEW MARKETS
For our economy to continue enjoying rapid growth without inflation, we need a 21st
start
bus
8
Century revolution to open new markets, It is vital that businesses find new opportunities and
him
new workers Ibelieve they exist right here in America - in the inner cities, poor rural areas, and
Indian reservations - places that have not yet been blessed by our nation's prosperity. Over the
last six months, I have traveled to many of these places - joined by many of you - to shine a
spotlight on the enormous potential in America's new markets.
Atcauts
Now, more than ever, we can expand the circle of opportunity to include the men artd
16
women at its margins, so that no one who's willing to work is left behind as our nation moves And
ahead. For business, it's the smart thing to do. And for America, it's the right thing to do. If we
don't do it now, when will we ever get around to it?
for congran to give
Businesses should have the same incentives to invest in America's new markets they
INP
have to invest in foreign markets, In this year's budget, I call on Congress to double our New
7
Markets Tax Credit, to spur $15 billion in new equity capital for our untapped markets. We
meantures
should also greatly increase funding to help large-seale businesses expand or relocate to our
17
234
inner cities or rural areas. And we should increase the tax incentives that promote growth in our
Empowerment Zones, wh movpon's writes, have been bringing magerity to,
dutiented over for lasio you Moro (5.?)
-30
This & Nota assur a a Rep Usium it's can American issue.
Speaker Hastert, it was a powerful moment last November when you joined me and
Reverend Jesse Jackson on stage at Englewood High School, in your home state of Illinois, and
ully to
pledged to work with administration on common ground for New Markets legislation. I
thank you for your commitment and I pledge to work with you.
+ none we call also agree to realer spice efforts to Aughout
Last summer, I became-the first President to visit an Indian reservation since Franklin
own tusian reservations, lugues, RU some drew,
Roosevelt. That far too long. My budget increases our investment in health care, education,
law enforcement, and infrastructure by more than $1 billion. In this new century, we should
honor our historic responsibility to the first Americans -- Native Americans.
We must also fulfill our obligation to our farming communities, the lifeblood of our land.
When I signed the farm bill in 1996, I feared it would work well in good times but not in bad -
especially for family farmers. In recent years, they have endured droughts, floods and
historically low prices due to financial crises abroad. We simply must change the Farm Bill and my
strengthen the Farm Safety Net.
This spring, I will lead a New Markets tour to focus on the "digital divide" - between
those with access to the new economy and those without it. The technology that drives our
expansion also creates tools to ensure that everyone, from the city to the farm to the reservation,
can share in our prosperity. My budget creates technology centers in 1,000 neighborhoods
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198
across our land - connecting poor communities to the economic mainstream. It also mobilizes
H: to
the combined force of public, private, and nonprofit sectors to increase Internet access in low-
income areas. Every American must have the tools to succeed.
SEAL g
GLOBAL CHANGE AND AMERICAN LEADERSHIP
It is not enough to master the possibilities of the new economy at home. We must also
4
lead * the revolution that is reshaping the global economy entire globe
anoxinge our would: globaleyation and indeed the
At the dawn of this new century, the economie and military might of America are
It's
31
unrivaled These are the measures of American power, as they have long been. But the central
and binding new returalist
reality of our time is globalization - a process tearing down barriers between nations, peoples,
economies, and cultures,se that what happens anywhere is felt where. The change can-be be
This processing specials 3 apiration thing
liberating and threatening. But the bottom line is elear: The world is coming together around
ts
ideals Americans have long proelaimed, fought for and tried to live. And it is our open, creative
society that stands to benefit more than any other.
driven confortute Du axplorion in information technology. Charge this profered
Globalization is irreversible The way to advance our interests is to stand at the center of
is book Welding and tweating. an open creative beidy, with to ceonovice and multary
every vital global network., America will remain a strong leader by being a good partner to old
wingt staude to benefits mon Man any other, 1 we moesstand are ou the
allies and to new ones, and to nations that need a helping hand And we will remain true to what
www Y causes was alow, we caures key going
makes us Americans by standing strong for our values.
forward by weding other securities, expecially poor overback, we CALLIOT
unighton and good portners we equipt Grien our that future whout &
we without being at new center every vital betwork, being good
were clean economics
belony other to hual their, and without recognizing This about
19
238
International trade now accounts for one-quarter of our economy. It creates good jobs
and brings us new products and technologies. We need to keep that trade growing, and growing
fairly. That means enforcing our own rules to protect our workers, our industries, and our
environment. It means making international trade - and the WTO - more open and responsive to
huditmen
concerns about dignity of work and quality of life. What we seek is a global economy based on
the rule of law.
That is why China should join the WTO and live under the same trade rules America
does. For America's companies and workers, this will open new opportunities in every sector of
China's vast market I ask Congress to lock in this opportunity by passing Permanent Normal
Trade Relations status for China. This is a good deal for America. It will level the playing field
in U.S,-China trade, and it is a chance to help China along the road to change.
When we engage in the global economy, we are investing in our shared future. Growth
GA the would,
from trade is vital not just for us, but for the 1.3 billion people ofthein around the world who still live on
less than a dollar a day. To help pass opportunity on to them, we should do our part to reduce
asyondid costfulls
the debts that cripple the world's poorest nations. I ask Congress to support that effort and to
finalize our plans to open new trade opportunities with Africa and the Caribbean Basin. By herging do
3
them,
and hire numpai tweethips for a mou from, Mou
-$0, we will help Americans master the new economy
and help others to become masters of
their own future.
Still, our modern world is bedeviled by our most ancient failing - fear of those who are
different from us. In too many places, that fear is exploited by unscrupulous leaders clinging to
20
2x2
power or waging war on their neighbors. History teaches that big wars start small. And When
human beings anywhere are singled out for destruction, itsis our common humanity that suffers,
and I next 'a can affect us mou disectly,
America cannot prevent every conflict or stop every outrage. But where our interests are
at stake and we can make a difference, we must be peacemakers. We should be proud of
America's role in bringing the Middle East closer than ever to comprehensive peace. [Update;
m
essential that America does its share.] We should be proud of our role in building peace
We should be prove of om iffortitions Brown
Northern Ireland to East Timor, to Africa promoting reconciliation between Greece and
Turkey
and in defending human rights and religious freedom.
And we should be proud of the men and women of our armed forces who stopped the
ethnic cleansing in Kosovo, and made it possible for a million innocent people to return to their
homes. Today, instead of struggling to defeat something evil, we can focus on building
something good: a Europe undivided, democratic, and at peace for the first time in history.
With us today are two Americans who, each in his own way, has given his best - and
America's best - to the cause of peace. In Kosovo, when Slobodan Milosevic unloosed his
terror, Captain John Cherrey was one of the brave airmen who turned the tide - flying straight
into the teeth of Serbian air defenses to bring home the pilot of a downed American plane. And
in Northern Ireland, when the peace process stalled, I asked the man who had done so much to
start it to go back again to save it. And now, thanks to George Mitchell, the people of Northern
Ireland finally have a working government representing all parties. Captain Cherrey, Senator
Mitchell, you have our gratitude, and our promise to finish the work you helped begin.
21
23(
A central challenge of this new century is whether our former adversaries, Russia and
China, emerge as stable, prosperous, democratic partners of the United States.
Today, Russia is weakened by the legacy of communism, by economic crisis, by a cruel
and futile war in Chechnya. But so much else has changed: 5,000 Soviet nuclear weapons
dismantled; Russian troops serving by our side, keeping peace in the Balkans. Russia's long
journey to democracy may be difficult, it may not be complete; but it is profoundly important to
America and the world. A generation from now, let it be said we did our part.
In China, we must promote our interests with firmness, but not in fear. China cannot buy
stability and stature at the expense of freedom. But let us not isolate China from the global
forces of change. We want to see China on the inside, playing by the rules, not on the outside
denying them.
We face another challenge: whether terrorists and hostile nations will acquire new means
to undermine our defenses. The same advances that have shrunk cell phones to fit in the palms
of our hands can also make weapons of terror - chemical, biological, nuclear - easier to conceal
and easier to use.
We must meet this threat. By working with Russia to keep deadly weapons and materials
secure and continuing to reduce our nuclear arsenals; by restraining nuclear and missile
programs in North Korea and Iran; by preventing Iraq from threatening its neighbors; and by
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228
strengthening global standards against proliferation. I am committed to working with the Senate
- on a bipartisan basis - to build a consensus for the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty.
America is increasing its preparedness for potential biological attack, and developing a
system to defend ourselves against the missiles of outlaw nations - - while working to preserve
our Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty with Russia. My budget devotes $2 billion to protect our vital
computer systems from hackers and criminals in any corner of any country.
alto
To have a more stable world, welmust narrow the gap between rich and poor. We cannot
accept a world in which a part of humanity lives on the cutting edge of the new economy while
another lives on the bare edge of survival. Expanded trade is part of the answer. But the real
answer is freedom.
From Nigeria to Indonesia, more people won the right to choose their leaders in 1999
than in 1989, the year the Berlin Wall fell. Yet new democracies need help in delivering for their
people. We must stand by countries like|Colombia, fighting for its own people's lives - and for
our children's lives - against the poison of drug trafficking. I have proposed a two-year, $1.6
Explain
billion package to help Colombia; and I count on your support. And if we want to put the drug
lords out of business, let's go after what they value most: their money. This year, I will propose
legislation to crack down harder on money laundering, here and around the world.
America must help more nations to break the bonds of disease that hold down their
people. Last year in Africa, AIDS killed ten times as many people as war did. My budget
23
Jun
259
invests $150 million in the global fight against this and other infectious killers. And I will ask
the world to join us in a new initiative to speed the delivery and development of vaccines.
Today, I am proposing a tax credit that will say to private industry: if you develop vaccines for
save
diseases like malaria, AIDS and TB, we will help pay for them and, together, fift millions of
lives.
All this comes down to a single central challenge, the most important one of all, will
America continue to lead. In the 20th Century, America was thrust into global leadership by the
forces of history. Now, America must choose: to direct the new forces of history or be driven
by them.
The choice is clear America must not grow complacent; we cannot presume that the
29
fight for freedom is fully won. No peace can endure unless it is backed by the leadership of great
nations classys So America must lead boldly and consistently and without re vation. Because
a clear understanding of what
givbalistron uteidgenture requires of
freedom is always in America's interest.
2
That why We have reversed the decline in defense spending that began in 1985. We
must continue to work together to keep our military the best trained, best equipped in the world.
My budget invests in readiness and in 21st-Century weapons. And it raises salaries for our men
and women in uniform.
We must also continue to fund the one percent of our budget that supports our
international engagement and keeps our soldiers out of war. Last year, Congress worked with
me to maintain that commitment and to resume paying our UN dues and arrears. Let's do it
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259
again this year. And let's remember that building a stronger global community will only
strengthen our own community here at home.
RESPONSIBIILTY, OPPORTUNITY, AND THE ENVIRONMENT
We have no higher obligation to our children, and their children, than to be wise stewards
of our air, water, and land. I am grateful for the many opportunities the Vice President and I
have had to honor this commitment - and to finally put to rest the notion that you can't expand
your economy and protect the environment at the same time.
as our economy has grown, we
have rid countless neighborhoods of toxic waste; ensured cleaner drinking water for millions of
families; and taken unprecedented action to improve the air we breathe.
In the past three months alone, we have acted to preserve pristine backcountry lands in
our National Forests and created three new National Monuments - adding to the tens of millions
of acres we are protecting for all Americans, for all time. Not since the days of Theodore
Roosevelt has the nation come together to save so much precious land.
But our communities are growing, and our commitment to conservation must keep
growing as well. So tonight, as part of my Lands Legacy Initiative, I propose creating, for the
first time, a permanent conservation endowment to save our wildlands, protect our coastlines,
and restore our wildlife. This endowment would provide nearly $1.5 billion each year - by far
the largest, most enduring investment in land preservation ever proposed.
25
Last year, the Vice President launched a major new effort to help make communities
more livable - so children will grow up next to parks rather than parking lots, and parents don't
sit in endless traffic when they could be home with their kids. Tonight, we propose to strengthen
this initiative with new funding to help communities build advanced transit systems and save
farms, parks, and other precious open spaces.
As we work to protect our land, we must help other nations that are struggling to protect
theirs. The rainforests are the lungs of our planet - yet they are disappearing at the rate of more
than 50 acres a minute. Tonight, I propose a new plan to help countries from the Amazon to the
Congo Basin strengthen their economies by preserving, rather than destroying, irreplaceable
forests.
The greatest environmental challenge of the new century is global warming. Scientists
tell us that the 1990s were the hottest decade of the entire millennium - and that if we fail to
reduce emissions of greenhouse gases now, the seas will rise and natural disasters will become
more frequent with each passing year.
There is no question that we can reduce greenhouse gas pollution. Thanks to remarkable
new technologies, I am absolutely convinced that we can do it in ways that will produce more
widespread, more sustainable economic growth.
chli
In California, the Departments of Energy and Housing and Urban Development helped
build a moderate-income housing community with windows that keep out four or five times as
26
much heat and cold as ordinary windows do. With these and other readily-available
&
technologies, we thought we'd be able to save homeowners 40% off their energy bills. It turns
out, they're saving 65%.
Last week, at the Detroit Auto Show, the world got a chance to see cars we've helped
automakers developfwhich use advanced materials and dual fuel sources to get 70 to 80 miles a
gallon. Next on the horizon are even more efficient cars powered by fuel cells that emit pure
water and nothing else. Before you know it, we'll be producing clean fuels from crops and
getting the equivalent of hundreds of miles from a gallon of gas.
To spur these new technologies, I propose giving our families a tax credit worth up to
$3,000 a car when new super-efficient vehicles hit the showroom floor. But let me be clear: We
have the technology to make all new cars more fuel efficient right now. I want to thank the
underswendy
automakers who have joined our Partnership for New Generation Vehiclesjand I ask more of
them to join with us to design a new strategy for reversing the recent decline in average fuel
economy. You've committed to higher efficiency in Europe. Let's do the same right here at
home.
We must also meet this worldwide challenge by giving developing countries the tools to
grow in ways that strengthen their economies and protect the environment. So tonight, I propose
a new [$100 million] initiative to help these countries adopt the newest clean-energy
technologies. It is simply no longer true that to prosper you have to pollute the air and endanger
27
266
can now achieve
without
the Earth. Nations that long for the level of prosperity we take for granted need not follow the
old patterns of growth that brought us global warming. Missus help them so IT.
THE OPPORTUNITY AND RESPONSIBILITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
Innovations in science and technology are key not only to enhancing the environment.
Sustained investments in scientific research will also yield dramatic, almost miraculous,
advances in the quality of our lives.
In the last century alone, the life expectancy for the average American has increased from
47 to 77 - thanks to discoveries such as penicillin and the development of vaccines for many
childhood diseases. Today, we are on the cusp of far greater advances that will not only help us
live far longer but far better. Later this year, researchers will finish the first complete sequence
of the human genome - the very blueprint of life. Since SO many diseases have a genetic
и
component, the completion of this project will lead to a revolution in our ability to detect, treat,
and prevent diseases from Alzheimer's to cancer to AIDS.
Consider the implications: if we delay the onset of Alzheimer's by just five years, we
yr ?
could empty half the nursing home beds in America. If we delay the onset of adult diabetes, we
could save $30 billion in health care costs.
Thanks to the Human Genome Project, scientists have recently identified three of the
genes that cause Parkinson's Disease - and they are already working to create precision proteins
28
277
that will turn off these faulty genes for good. Not if but when they succeed, millions and men
and women will be cured of this dread disease - even those whose symptoms have not even
begun to emerge.
[insert acknowledgment and introduction of Michael J. Fox]
Advances in science and technology will surely produce quantum leaps in many other
fields as well. In the future we will have new materials ten times as strong as steel but ten times
lighter
computers that can translate spoken English into foreign languages and vice versa as
fast as you can speak devices the size of sugar cubes that can store all the information
contained the Library of Congress.
These and other innovations could change the way we work and live as surely as the
Internet does today. Fully one-third of our recent growth is due to the rise of the Internet and
other information technologies. And the high-tech jobs this industry creates are high-wage jobs
- paying nearly 80 percent more than the private-sector average.
For all these reasons, my budget will include a $3 billion increase in the 21st Century
Research Fund. We will increase support for biomedical research, information technology, clean
and
energy, and university-based research, We will also help propel NASA's never-ending quest in
space. NASA's missions to Mars and into the heavens beyond are just as important to
humankind today as the brave sea voyages of the explorers hundreds of years ago As President
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279
Kennedy once said, "We choose to do these things not because they are easy but because they
are hard."
It is up to all of us to ensure that this new age of science and technology is also a new age
7
of enlightenments The advances we seek must be guided by the values we hold dear.
refluting our murt cleaning
citizens
First and foremost, we must ensure that our privacy -- financial and medical -- is
protected. Last year, our administration proposed rules to protect every citizen's most sensitive
information, his or her medical records. This year, we will finalize those rules. We have also
taken steps to protect our people's financial records. But these are only the first steps, as I said
when I signed the financial modernization bill into law. I will soon send legislation to the
Congress to complete this important unfinished business.
We will also take action to prevent genetic discrimination -- so no employer ever reviews
your genetic records along with your resume. We will make sure that the actions of the
government itself contain strong privacy protections. And tonight, I want to issue a strong
challenge to on-line companies -- to do more to protect their customers' privacy.
Second, we know that our medical professionals work wonders every day; but we also
know that their first obligation is to do no harm. My budget makes the largest investment in
history to eliminate medical errors and enhance patient safety. Because no American should
ever fear that their health care will jeopardize their health.
30
If we do all these things, we can ensure that the march of human discovery will only
quicken in the century before us - enhancing life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness in ways
That we can only begin to imagine today.
COMMUNITY
tn The gera of globalizations unmult work honder ther
7
At a time of unprecedented prosperity. we have a unique opportunity and responsibility, to
ever to strugthen the bones our lowe community + our reserval community.
reach out beyond ourselves to help those who are less fortunate and to build stronger
communities The most important work of America occurs outside the realm of government - in anshour,
our houses of worship, in our clubs and charities and volunteer groups. Service is not only the
way we tackle some of our most pressing problems - from drug abuse and homelessness, to
health care and crime it is one of the best ways to come face to face with our common
humanity. Our differences suddenly become less important when you are working side by side
with your neighbors to rebuild a church, battle a flood or feed the hungry
3
we I drossed begin with
So, our long look ahead must include ways to widen the circle of citizen service until it
embraces every American. We are already in the midst of a new service movement in America,
a
use have supported
to
And one of the things I am most proud of is our efforts to support that movementithrough greaterNew
12
between goit and
partnershipswith private citizens, new model for government that energizes private
resources for noble public ends. Four years ago, I asked corporate leaders to join with us in a
partnership to provide jobs to those leaving welfare. Today, 12,000 companies have hired nearly
Stati?
650,000 former welfare recipients Over the past seven years we have created many other
successful partnerships. To fight drug abuse and AIDS. To teach our young people to read. To
31
Save America's Treasures. To fight teen pregnancy. To fight crime and promote community
policing. To promote racial healing and build One America. To prevent youth violence. To
create cleaner cars. To help our young people serve.
When I first ran for this office, I had faith that if we gave our young people the
opportunity to serve their communities, they would answer the call. Together, we created
AmeriCorps in 1994, and today, over 150,000 AmeriCorps members have served in countless
ways, from teaching children to helping the homeless-often working with non-profit
organizations.
Today, AmeriCorps graduates, like veterans of our military and the Peace Corps, are an
enormous pool of know-how and can-do. We need to tap that resource. Tonight, I propose the
creation of the Americorps Reserves to activate former AmeriCorps members in times of crisis
including natural disasters.
The AmeriCorps oath concludes with the words: I will get things done. Let us do the
same. Let us build on the success of AmeriCorps, fund it fully, and keep it strong for all time.
If we really do believe that charity begins at home, we must do more to reward lower and
middle income Americans who tithe and contribute to charities. Right now, only people who
earn enough to itemize can claim a tax deduction for charitable contributions. Tonight, I propose
Store?
new tax incentives that will allow low and middle income citizens to claim that same deduction.
32
That will not only help them, it will be an incentive for more Americans to give to worthy
causes.
There are more than twice as many seniors today as there were in 1960. And by 2030,
the senior population will grow by over 75 percent. I hope to be one of them. This is a huge
army of workers and volunteers who want and deserve a chance to serve.
So, tonight, I say to seniors across America - we need you. We need your work, your
wisdom and you service. Get involved if you are not and stay involved if you are.
We must do more to bring more people into the circle of citizenship and service - from
supporting the efforts of faith-based organizations to increasing our investment, as we are this
year, in teaching English and civics to new immigrants.
Of course, the most fundamental responsibility of citizenship begins in the voting booth.
More than half of our children live in households where neither parent votes. Too many simply
think politics doesn't matter. But it does. So I say to all Americans: whatever your party,
whatever your ideology, whatever you do, make your voice heard. Vote.
And this is the year of the census, so you have a unique opportunity to not only stand up
and be counted, but to make your voice count.
33
One of the wonders of our time is the way technology is expanding the community of
citizenship, creating new ways for individuals to get involved in the democratic process. Two
generations ago, Franklin Roosevelt used the new medium of radio for his fireside chats.
Starting next month, I will use the new medium of the Internet to launch Webside Chats. These
interactive discussions will give more Americans the opportunity to share their views and be a
part of our national community.
Burographer
America is demographically undergoing one of the greatitransformations in our history.
Within ten years there will be no majority race in our largest state, California. In a little more
than 50 years there is likely to be no majority race in America. We know what America will
look like then. The question before us tonight is: What kind of America will we be? In a more
interconnected world, will we make diversity our greatest strength? As we have seen in recent
The Balleves
years, from Northern Ireland to Africa from Bosnia to the Middle East, racial and ethnic
conflict too often spark war and terror. And no country is exempt from hatred - even our own.
We have seen a man dragged to death in Texas simply because he was black. A young
man murdered in Wyoming simply because he was gay. In just the last year, we've seen the
shootings and killings of African Americans, Asian Americans, and Jewish children simply
because of who they were. We must draw the line. This is not the American way. In America,
we not only tolerate diversity, we celebrate it. Diversity is our greatest strength - and we must
protect it. We must without further delay, pass the Hate Crimes Prevention Act and the
Employment Non-Discrimination Act.
34
The work of building One America must be the work of every American. That means
rededicating ourselves to the ideals of justice and opportunity for all that are at the heart of our
democracy. No American should be subjected to discrimination in housing, education, federal
contracting or any other aspect of American life. That is why my budget increases funding
substantially for civil rights enforcement at the EEOC and the Justice Department's Civil Rights
Division-to make sure that protections in law are protections in fact.
Last February, I created the White House Office on One America to coordinate our
efforts and help build community partnerships for racial reconciliation. We are reaching out
across our nation - from religious leaders to corporate leaders to lawyers to make sure every
American can help build the One America of our dreams.
This fall, at the White House, one of America's leading scientists, said something we all
Thesaur modern amount
need to remember, all human beings genetically are 99.9 percent. Science affirms whatfaith hast
always taught up: the differences between us are nothing compared to our common humanity.
My fellow Americans, each time I prepare for the state of the union, I approach it with
great hope and great expectations for our nation. But there is no escaping the fact that tonight is
different. For tonight, we stand on the mountaintop, with a new millennium spread out before
us. Behind us we see the expanse of American achievement, and ahead even wider frontiers of
possibility.
35
So, as we take our long look ahead, we must ask ourselves: How will we make the most
of this moment of promise?
Tonight, let us pledge to ourselves and to our children:
At a time of undreamed of economic growth, we will, step by step, bring prosperity in
reach of every American in every community.
At a time of record surpluses, we will, step by step, make America debt free for the first
time since 1835.
welline ensure that
At a time when Americans are living longer than ever, let's make sure they, also live healthier
than ever, Let's us provide quality, affordable healthcare for everyone in Americass,
all
corwier, Stepby Step
At a time when science and technology are transforming our world, let us realize their
full promise and, at every step, harness our progress to our values.
At a time when we have proved we can grow the economy and protect the environment,
let's also prove that, step by step, werean reverse climate change and make our planet from
we will
serve
livable place.
we sty by sky,
At a time of steadily falling crime, let's finish the job of making America the safest big
nation on Earth.
36
wearn Styley Sby
At a time when more parents are working, let's ensure that all parents have the tools to
success will at work and at in the most important work of all - raising their children, are that now of Those ch
an raised in poverty
sty by sky
our achidren's future ALL to u
At a time when knowledge is the key to the new economy, let's guarantee that every
ally them
child begin school ready to learn and graduate ready to succeed.
studysty
At a time when globalization brings both new promise and new perils, letus continue to
be the world's indispensable nation, a strong leadert a before partner.
wearer
attact
At a time when America is growing more diverse than ever, let's finally become what
our towners
us sologago.
we've always pledgedito be - one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.
This the long Look alrow, wreachable in one you, but clearly within reach
We know we will not be able to do this in one year alone. Or even in the decade ahead.
of a great pigale wf a Oxiring dream, Determined to
and
But we will reach these goals, thelway we always have: working together moving ahead, step by
step, as One America.
When the framers signature were crafting our Constitution, Benjamin Franklin was refected often soon in
on
hanging in
Independence Hall looking at a painting of the sun low on the horizon When, at long last, the
He
Constitution finally was signed, Mr. Franklin, said: "I have often wondered whether that sun was
because rach
rising or setting. Today I have the happiness to know it is a rising sun." Today the sun continues
everytion has kept the file freedom burning and lighting New froutions of possiblity,
to shine brightly on America, as cach-aucessive generation relights the fire of freedom: Even
has Personal us back in the wannter of all. Fraubles reting AHu, our Orener are
within Nach
37
After 224 years, the American revolution continues
We remain a new nation. As long as
15th
our dreams outweigh our memories, America will be forever young.
ad that is our destiny.
mines
Aud this our wagie moment,
would
Thank you, God bless you, and God bless America.
Acternation ending -
ween that guar any Dawn,
Twin be gone. Puriaps Mint of
yorwin be your. our past tan
will
byus began. be look
But the order
and dreams we pau ou to our
clusious will endure. Aue on
that Acou we will be held to
a high staulard indead, because
our chave to do good'u AO great.
So us us woh to the Rising San.
After 224 you, the Am Rev. aratines.
we remain a new nation. Haloug
as our Dreams outwings our increased
we will be forweryoug.
That u our outing. And This is our
imagin moment. with open haves
and open heart, cares is intreases.
38
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
durett
We went beyoure the debate
over wherease goo't was the problem
or the solution to a goo't Deducted
to being giring the puple
the tools to solve Their our problems,
to being a catalyst of new was and
a present wf American in all other wall
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Clinton Presidential Records
Digital Records Marker
This is not a presidential record. This is used as an administrative
marker by the William J. Clinton Presidential Library Staff.
This marker identifies the place of a tabbed divider. Given our
digitization capabilities, we are sometimes unable to adequately
scan such dividers. The title from the original document is
indicated below.
DRAFT 8
Divider Title:
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
January 25, 2000
MEMORANDUM FOR THE PRESIDENT
FROM:
J. TERRY EDMONDS B.
CC:
JOHN PODESTA
MARIA ECHAVESTE
SUBJECT: REVISED SOTU 2000 DRAFT
Attached please find a revised draft of your 2000 State of the Union Address. This draft
reflects the edits and additions we discussed during our prep session in the Oval yesterday.
The draft is still too long, and we will have to work together to cut at least 1,500 words.
Thank you.
Fourth, I challenge the Republican leaders to make the responsible choice to allow people with
disabilities to keep their health insurance when they go to work. In June, the Senate unanimously passed
legislation sponsored by Sens. Jeffords, Kennedy, Roth, and Moynihan that would finally end the
senseless system that says to people with disabilities: If you want to work, you have to give up your
health insurance. Now it is time for the Speaker to schedule a vote on the Work Incentive Improvement
Act in the House, which already has 231 co-sponsors. On this issue, I know we can all agree: No one
should ever have to choose between keeping health care and taking a job.
remember this: last year we came
together to help people with disabilities
keep their health instance when they
so to work.
Draft8 01/25/00 2:30am
PRESIDENT WILLIAM J. CLINTON
STATE OF THE UNION ADDRESS
UNITED STATES CAPITOL
WASHINGTON, DC
January 27, 2000
Mr. Speaker, Mr. Vice President, Members of Congress, honored guests, my fellow
Americans: We are fortunate to be alive at this moment in history. Never before has our nation
enjoyed, at once, so much prosperity, social progress, and self-confidence with so little internal
crisis or so few external threats. Never before have we had such a blessed opportunity - and,
therefore, such a profound obligation - to build the more perfect union of our founders' dreams.
There is no better moment to dream new dreams for our nation and act on them.
We begin the new century with over 20 million new jobs in the last seven years. The
fastest economic growth in more than 30 years; the lowest unemployment rate in 30 years; the
lowest poverty rate in 20 years; the lowest African-American and Hispanic unemployment rate
on record; the highest home ownership ever; the first back-to-back budget surpluses in 42 years -
and the largest budget surplus in history.
Next month, America will achieve the longest period of economic growth in our entire
history.
Our economic revolution has been matched by a remarkable revival of the American
spirit: Crime down by 25 percent, to its lowest level in more than 30 years. Teen births have
dropped seven years in a row and adoptions are up by 30 percent. Welfare rolls have been cut in
1
half to their lowest levels in 32 years, and seven million Americans have moved off welfare and
are moving into work.
My fellow Americans, the state of our union is the strongest it has ever been.
As always, most of the credit for what we have achieved belongs to the American people.
With your hard work - to raise your families and live your dreams -- you have prepared our
nation for the 21st century.
My gratitude also goes to all of you in this chamber who have worked with us to make
the tough decisions, to put progress above partisanship for the sake of our people.
Eight years ago, it was not clear to most Americans that there would be much to celebrate
in the year 2000. Our nation was gripped by economic distress, social decline, political gridlock,
and discredited government. In 1992, at a time of rising crime, mounting deficits, and high
unemployment, the title of a best-selling book asked: "America: What went wrong?"
But in the best traditions of our nation, America determined to set things right. We
replaced outdated ideologies with bold, new ideas anchored in basic, enduring values:
opportunity for all, responsibility from all, and a community of all Americans.
2
We went beyond the debate over whether government was the problem or the solution to
a government dedicated to giving the American people the tools to solve their own problems, to
being a catalyst for new ideas, and a partner with Americans in all other walks of life.
With the smallest federal government in 37 years, we turned record deficits into record
surpluses, and doubled our investment in education. We refused to keep making the false
choices that paralyzed Washington for too long. We cut crime, not by choosing prevention or
punishment, but by choosing both, with 100,000 community police and the Brady Law, which
has kept guns out of the hands of a half-million criminals. We protected the environment, not by
pitting economic growth against environmental progress, but by choosing both - with cleaner air,
safer water and food, and record amounts of precious land protected.
We emphasized both opportunity and responsibility: That's how we ended welfare as we
knew it - requiring work, but protecting health care and nutrition for children and investing more
in child care, transportation and housing for their parents who are making the move from welfare
to work. That's how we have helped parents to succeed at work and at home - with ideas like
Family and Medical Leave, which 20 million Americans have used for childbirth or to care for
sick loved ones, and immunizing 90 percent of our children for the very first time. And that's
how we are opening the doors of college to all - with more Pell grants, more affordable college
loans, and already almost 5 million recipients of the HOPE Scholarship.
Opportunity and responsibility: That's how we have engaged 150,000 more young
Americans in citizen service, in building One America, one community at a time, through
3
AmeriCorps as they earn money to further their own college education. That's how we seized
the opportunities of a global era - with 270 new agreements to expand trade and open markets
for American products, while pushing for an end to child labor and advances in the global
economy and environment. That's how we've advanced our interests around the world - by
standing up for peace from Bosnia to Ireland to the Middle East; by expanding NATO; by
building new partnerships in Asia, Latin America and Africa; by fighting terrorism and the
spread of weapons of mass destruction.
In 1992, Vice President Gore and I had a roadmap. Today we have results. More
important, we have the chance of a lifetime to build the future of our dreams if we stay on the
path that got us here. Building on our progress always moving forward always gaining
ground.
But you can't gain ground if you're standing still. For too long this Congress has been
standing still on some of our most pressing national priorities. Let's begin with them.
I ask you to pass a real patients bill of rights. To pass common-sense gun-safety
legislation. And, again, I ask you to raise the minimum wage.
Two years ago, I stood before you as we reached our first balanced budget and said let's
show our responsibility to the next generation, by maintaining our fiscal discipline and saving
the surplus for Social Security. Because we resisted the temptation to stray from the path of
fiscal discipline, we have had back to back surpluses and are doing something that would have
4
seemed unimaginable seven years ago. We are paying down our national debt. If every one in
this chamber will join me in staying on this path, we now know that we can pay down the debt in
13 years and make America debt free for the first time since Andrew Jackson was president in
1835.
In 1993, when we took our first major step to put our fiscal house in order with the
passage of the deficit reduction act, I asked your former colleague, my first Secretary of the
Treasury, and a true American statesman, Lloyd Bentson, to lead that effort. America is better
off for his service.
But beyond paying off the debt, we need to make sure that the benefits of that debt
reduction go to preserving two of the most important programs for every family in America -
Social Security and Medicare. I ask you tonight to work with me to make a bi-partisan down
payment on Social Security reform by ensuring that it is strong and safe for the next 50 years.
We should also use the benefits of debt reduction to secure Medicare so that this generation of
older Americans -- and the next never have to worry about medical care. And to provide a
prescription drug benefit so that no senior has to choose between medicine and food.
But all of this is just a start. Now we must lift our sights and take what Theodore
Roosevelt, at the dawn of the last century, called "the long look ahead."
We live in revolutionary times. The way we communicate. The way we work. The way
we learn. The way we live. The way we are increasingly connected to each other and to people
5
around the world. My fellow Americans, we have crossed the bridge we built to the 21st
century. Now we must shape a 21st century American revolution of opportunity, responsibility,
and community. We must be, as we were in the beginning, a new nation.
The first American revolution was not won with a single shot. The continent was not
settled in a single day. The challenge of expanding freedom was not accomplished with one
march. The dreams for which we strive are always bold. But the lesson of our history and the
lesson of the last seven years is that we make great strides toward them step by step.
OPPORTUNITY AND RESPONSIBILITY IN EDUCATION
First and foremost, we need a 21st century revolution in education, guided by our faith
that every child can learn. With the largest, most diverse group of students ever, an economy
that rewards education more than ever, we must set the highest goals for education ever: Every
child who needs it should have access to preschool. Every child who needs it should have
afterschool and summer school to meet high standards. Every child should learn from great
teachers. Every student should graduate high school with a diploma that means something. And
every young person in America should know that if they want to go to college, they can afford
to.
For seven years, we have worked hard to improve our schools, following a fundamental
strategy: Invest more, but demand more in return. Since 1993, we have nearly doubled
investment in education and training. At the same time, we have helped nearly every state set
higher academic standards for their schools.
6
Scores on college entrance exams are now going up, even as more students from more-
diverse backgrounds are taking the test. And some of the most impressive academic gains are
happening in schools in some of America's poorest neighborhoods.
I have visited schools across this country, in some of America's poorest neighborhoods,
that have turned themselves around through the same proven formula: more accountability,
higher standards, and extra help to make sure children reach those standards. I have sent
Congress a reform plan based on that formula, a plan that holds all states and school districts
accountable for progress, and rewards them for results. Each year, the national government
invests more than $15 billion in our public schools. It's time to change the way we invest that
money, to support what works and stop supporting what doesn't.
But just as we must demand more than ever from our schools, tonight I propose that we
invest more than ever in our schools.
Let's double our investment to help states and districts turn around their worst-
performing schools-or shut them down. And let's give bonuses to states that succeed in
making scores go up.
Let's double our investment in quality afterschool and summer school programs. They
boost academic achievement and keep children off the street and out of trouble. If we do this, we
can give every child in every failing school in America the chance to meet high standards.
7
We know that children who learn early learn best. Since 1993, we've put over 160,000
more children in Head Start and improved its quality. Tonight, I propose the largest funding
increase for Head Start in history. This will lay the foundation for our long-term goal: universal
pre-school for every child who needs it.
We know that children learn best in smaller classes with good teachers. For two years in
a row, Congress has supported my plan to hire 100,000 new, qualified teachers, to lower class
sizes in the early grades. This year, I ask you to make it three in a row. But with two million
teachers retiring in the next decade, we must do more. Tonight, I propose a $1 billion initiative
to bring the best and the brightest into teaching, to get bad teachers out of the classroom, and to
reward good teachers - because none of us would be here without them.
We know public school choice works when parents have real choice. That's what charter
schools provide. When I became President, there was just one independent public charter school
in America. Today there are 1,700. My budget assures that we will meet our goal of funding
3,000.
We know that for children today, having access to the Internet is as vital as access to a
library. In 1994, only 35 percent of schools and only three percent of classrooms were connected
to the Internet. Today, with the help of the Vice President's E-rate program, 89 percent of
schools and 51 percent of classrooms are hooked up. And the money is there to connect them
all. The problem is that a third of all schools are in serious disrepair - not just with leaky roofs
but with walls too old to wire to the Internet. Tonight, I propose $1.3 billion to help 5,000
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schools make immediate, urgent repairs. And I renew my call for a tax credit to help build or
modernize 6,000 schools nationwide - to put our students in modern classrooms and get them
out of trailers.
We know that smaller high schools are safer and help students learn more. But since
World War II, American high schools have grown five times bigger. We must help districts
convert large, factory-style high schools into smaller schools where the often-cruel forces of peer
pressure can be softened by the influence of caring adults.
We must do more to prepare young students for college and convince them they can go.
Two years ago, Congress crossed party lines to create our Gear Up program, enabling college
students to mentor at-risk middle school students. I propose to double the number of children
reached, to 1.4 million, and to offer disadvantaged students the same college test prep courses
wealthier students use to boost their scores.
We know that to make the American Dream achievable, we must make college
affordable. For seven years, on a bipartisan basis, we have taken actions toward that goal: more
Pell grants, more-affordable student loans, education IRAs, and our HOPE scholarship tax cut.
Today, 67 percent of high school graduates go on to college, up almost 10 percent since 1993.
Yet still, millions of families feel the strain of paying college tuition. They need help.
I propose a landmark $30-billion college opportunity tax cut. It will give middle class
families a tax deduction for up to $10,000 in tuition costs -- providing as much as $2,800 in
9
much needed tax relief. With this new college opportunity tax cut, plus another Pell grant
increase and other aid, we can say that we have made four years of college available to all.
REWARDING WORK AND STRENGTHENING FAMILIES
We need a 21st Century revolution to reward work and strengthen families, in a world
where more and more parents work, but the most important work of all - still - is raising
children.
One of the most powerful incentives to work has been the Earned Income Tax Credit, a
targeted tax cut for working families. The "E" in "EITC" is about earning; about working; about
taking responsibility and being rewarded for it. In my first address to you, I asked Congress to
greatly expand the EITC, and we did. As a result, in 1998 alone, the EITC helped more than 4.3
million Americans work their way into the middle class - double the number in 1993.
Tonight, I propose another major expansion of the EITC. We should reduce the marriage
penalty for the EITC, making sure that it rewards marriage, and family, just as it rewards work;
and we should expand the tax credit for families with more than two children. Our plan would
provide those families up to $1,200 more in tax relief. They're working hard to reach the middle
class. We should help them.
Rewarding work and family requires us to make sure that men and women get equal pay
for equal work. Working women have made significant strides: the female unemployment rate
10
is the lowest in 40 years, and the female-headed household poverty rate is the lowest ever
recorded. But women still earn only about 75 cents for every dollar men earn. That's just not
good enough. We must provide the resources to enforce present equal pay laws, and train more
women for high-paying, high-tech jobs. And we should pass the Paycheck Fairness Act.
Working parents need quality, affordable child care. Many spend up to a quarter of their
income on child care. Last year, we helped parents provide care for about 1.75 million children.
But that's only one tenth of those eligible under federal law. My child care initiative, along with
the funds secured in welfare reform, would make child care better, safer, and more affordable for
another 650,000 children.
To help millions of parents with moderate incomes, we should expand the child care tax
credit. And let's take the next big step. Let's make the tax credit refundable for low-income
families. For those making under $25,000 a year - too little to earn a refund today - that means
up to $2,400 more for child-care costs. Let's get this done. Parents should be able to balance
work and family - not have to choose between them.
Tens of millions of Americans live paycheck to paycheck. As hard as they work, they
still don't have the opportunity to save. Too many work for a small business that lacks the
resources to provide pensions. Too few can make use of the IRAs and 401-Ks that so many
Americans are using to accumulate wealth, or save for a first home or a dignified retirement.
Every family that works hard should have that chance. Tonight, I propose a major new initiative
to ensure that all Americans can save. These new [TK] Savings Accounts will give low- and
11
moderate-income families the help they need - matching their contributions, however small,
dollar for dollar, every year they save. I also propose a major new 50 percent tax credit for any
small business that provides a meaningful pension to all of its workers.
From my first days as President, we have worked to give families better access to better
health care. We have made sure workers can keep their coverage when they change jobs or take
time off to care for a sick loved one. And we passed the Children's Health Insurance Program,
so that workers who don't have health coverage through their employers can get it for their
children. In less than a year, enrollment in CHIP has doubled, to 2 million children. We're on
our way to our goal of 5 million. To ensure that we meet it, I propose that we enroll children
where they are: schools, HeadStart classrooms, and child-care centers. Because every child in
America deserves a healthy start in life.
But there is more we must do - to insure not only children, but entire families that lack
coverage. Tonight I propose that we follow Vice President Gore's suggestion and make hard-
pressed parents eligible for the insurance that covers their kids. If we do this, not just for
children but for these 6.5 million parents, we can make sure that families have the health care
they need. With these steps alone, we can cover nearly one quarter of the uninsured in America.
And let's give a real, affordable option to the fastest growing group of uninsured: people
between 55 and 65 who lose their coverage. Last year, I proposed that we let them buy into
Medicare. This year, I propose we also give them a tax credit when they do so, to make this
option more affordable.
12
Record numbers of Americans are providing for aging or ailing loved ones at home.
More and more this is a common choice, but rarely an easy - or an inexpensive - one. Last year,
I proposed a $1,000 tax credit for long-term care. This year, let's pass it - and triple it to $3,000.
Taken together, these proposals mark the largest investment in health care in the 35 years
since Medicare. We owe it to our people to make that investment this year.
Let's make another pledge: let's improve mental health care. My budget makes the
largest increase ever to expand community mental health services. And I want to thank someone
who has waged this battle on all fronts, fighting for the mentally ill homeless, working to break
down the barriers that keep people from the help they need: Tipper Gore.
Nearly one in three American children grows up in a home without a father - and these
children are five times more likely to live in poverty than children with both parents at home.
Demanding and promoting responsible fatherhood is the critical next stage of welfare reform.
We have already begun to crack down on fathers who fail to pay child support by denying them
drivers' licenses and creating a national database to track them across state lines. As a result,
child support payments have doubled since 1993. The number of unwed fathers who legally
acknowledge their paternity has tripled. And the percentage of children born into unwed homes,
after skyrocketing for decades, has begun to level off.
We must work toward the day when every father in America takes responsibility for his
children. We can begin with tougher measures against fathers who fail to pay child support, like
13
booting their cars and denying them passports. And we should require fathers to work - while
helping them find work - so they can pay the child support they owe.
We know this can make a difference. Carlos Rosas of St. Paul, Minnesota enrolled in a
father's program in 1996 when he was not making enough to keep up with his child support
payments to his 13-year-old son, Ricardo. Since continuing his education and graduating from
technical school, Carlos has landed a good job and is able to better support his son, both
financially and emotionally. Contrary to conventional wisdom, many fathers, like Carlos, want
to do right by their children, and we should help them. Carlos is with us tonight. And we should
let him know that we support his commitment to support his child.
If you have any doubt that we can reach across party lines to reward work and strengthen
families, remember this: Last year, we came together to help people with disabilities keep their
health insurance when they go to work. And we have come together to improve foster care; to
support those who leave it at age 18; and to greatly increase the number of foster children who
find loving families in permanent homes. A bipartisan majority worked with us to make it
happen; and I thank you. Of course, I am also grateful to the person who has led in this effort,
someone who has worked tirelessly for children and families as long as I have known her: my
wife, Hillary.
RESPONSIBILITY AND CRIME
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Crime in America has dropped every year for the past seven years -- the longest
continuous decline on record. For seven years, we've helped wage the fight -- from passing the
Brady bill to funding 100,000 new community police officers. Our nation is safer, but no one
believes America is safe as it can be. Let's set a higher goal. Let's make America the safest big
country in the world.
Last fall, Congress supported my plan to hire up to 50,000 more police officers, with
special help for high-crime neighborhoods. I ask you to continue that support this year.
Last year, after the Columbine tragedy, Congress considered common-sense gun safety
legislation to require Brady background checks at gun shows, child safety locks for all new
handguns, and a ban on the importation of large-capacity ammunition clips. With courage -- and
a tie-breaking vote by the Vice President -- the Senate faced down the gun lobby, stood up for
the American people and passed this legislation. But the House failed to follow suit.
We've all seen what can happen when guns fall into the wrong hands. Daniel Mauser
was only 15 years old when he was gunned down at Columbine High School. He was an
amazing kid, a straight-A student, a good skier. Like all parents who lose their children, his
father Tom has borne unimaginable grief. Somehow Tom has found the strength to honor his
son by transforming that grief into action. Earlier this month, he took a leave of absence to fight
for tougher gun safety laws. I pray that his courage and wisdom will move this Congress to
make common-sense gun safety legislation the very next order of business.
15
We must do more. States require hunters and automobile drivers to have licenses. It is
long past time for states to require licenses for handgun purchasers as well.
We've shown that we can strengthen gun laws and better enforce laws already on the
books. Federal gun crime prosecutions are higher today than in 1992, and are up 25 percent
since 1998. But again, we must do more. I propose to hire more federal and local gun
prosecutors, and more ATF agents to crack down on illegal gun traffickers and bad-apple dealers
who supply guns to criminals and juveniles. We must give law enforcement the tools to trace
every gun used in a crime in America. And we must create a national ballistics network capable
of tracing almost any bullet left at a crime scene to the gun of the criminal who fired it.
[Let me say something else. I think it is important that the gun industry take more
responsibility in changing the way it designs, markets and distributes firearms. There are
responsible citizens in the gun industry who want to work with us to make sure the guns they sell
don't wind up in the wrong hands and that kids aren't killed accidentally with them. Part of the
answer may be in new technologies that could reduce accidents.]
Listen to this: the accidental gun death rate of children under 15 is nine times higher in
the U.S. than in 25 other industrialized nations--combined Technologies now exist that could
lead to guns that can only be fired by the adults who own them. I thank the gun manufacturers
who are developing these smart guns, and ask all other manufacturers to join them. And I ask
Congress to help by increasing funds for research in these technologies to keep our kids safer.
16
Every parent I know worries about violence in the media. We need to give parents more
tools to raise their kids right in today's culture. I thank the entertainment industry for accepting
my challenge to put voluntary ratings on TV programs and video and Internet games. This year,
I challenge the industry to go farther. Let's do as the First Lady has suggested, and give parents
a single, voluntary rating system for all their children's entertainment -- a system that is easy to
understand and enforce.
Every year, hundreds of thousands of offenders leave our prisons, only to wind up back
in trouble with the law. To keep our communities safe, we must do more to monitor ex-
offenders and give them the support they need to become responsible citizens. Two-thirds of ex-
offenders who are sent back to prison are drug abusers. But if they get drug treatment, they are
far less likely to commit another crime. We must provide them with that treatment, along with
regular drug testing and a simple bargain: stay clean and you stay free; do drugs and you do more
time.
OPENING NEW MARKETS
We need a 2 1st Century revolution to open new markets, start new businesses, and hire
new workers right here in America - in the inner cities, poor rural areas, and Indian reservations
- places not yet blessed by our nation's prosperity. Over the last six months, I have traveled to
many of these places - joined by many of you - to shine a spotlight on the enormous potential in
these communities. Everywhere I've gone, I've met talented people eager for opportunity.
They're eager to work. I say: let's put them to work.
17
For business, it's the smart thing to do. For America, it's the right thing to do. And if we
don't do it now, when will we ever get around to it?
I ask Congress to give businesses the same incentives to invest in America's new markets
as they have to invest in foreign markets. Tonight, I propose a New Markets Tax Credit that is
more than twice the size of what I proposed last year. With this and other new incentives, we
can spur [$TK billion] in private-sector capital to create new businesses and to help firms expand
or relocate to our inner cities or rural areas. And we should increase the tax incentives that
promote growth in our Empowerment Zones - which, with Vice President Gore's leadership,
have been bringing prosperity to distressed areas for five years now.
I thank the business leaders who are not just seizing these opportunities - but creating
them. 1 challenge every business to do the same.
This is not a Democratic or Republican issue; it's an American issue. Mr. Speaker, it was
a powerful moment last November when you joined me and Reverend Jesse Jackson on stage at
Englewood High School, in your home state of Illinois, and pledged to work with us. I thank
you for your commitment and I look forward to working with you.
I hope we can also agree to make special efforts to support our Indian reservations, where
unemployment is extreme - as high as 70%. My budget increases our investment in health care,
18
education, law enforcement, and infrastructure by more than $1 billion. In this new century, we
should honor our historic responsibility to the first Americans - Native Americans.
We must also fulfill our obligation to our farming communities, the lifeblood of our land.
When I signed the farm bill in 1996, I feared it would work well only in good times and not in
bad - especially for family farmers. In recent years, they have endured droughts, floods and
historically low prices due to financial crises abroad. We simply must strengthen the farm safety
net and invest in farm conservation. The Freedom to Farm Bill cannot become a "freedom to
fail" bill.
This spring, I will lead a New Markets tour to focus on the disturbing gap between those
who have the tools to succeed in the new economy, and those who don't. That "digital divide"
exists along lines of education, income, region, and race. It is one of the great civil rights
challenges of this Information Age.
[We are now on track to meeting our goal of connecting every classroom and library to
the Internet.] But now, we must connect all our citizens to the Internet - everywhere they live
and work. My budget helps to train more teachers, wire more classrooms, and connect more
communities to the economic mainstream. If America closes this digital divide, we can open a
new era of opportunity for all.
GLOBAL CHANGE AND AMERICAN LEADERSHIP
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It is not enough to master the possibilities of the new economy at home. We must also
lead and shape the revolution that is sweeping our world: globalization. It is the central reality
of our time - a process tearing down barriers and building new connections between nations,
peoples, economies, and cultures.
Globalization is irreversible, driven even faster by the explosion in information
technology. Change this profound is both liberating and threatening. But our open, creative
society stands to benefit more than any other - if we understand and act on the new realities of
interdependence. We must maintain our military and economic might. But we cannot lead
alone. And we cannot keep going forward by holding other countries, especially poor ones,
back. We cannot lead without being at the center of every vital network, being a good neighbor
and good partner. We cannot build our future without helping others to build theirs.
International trade now accounts for one-quarter of our economy. It creates good jobs
and brings us new products and technologies. We need to keep that trade growing, and growing
fairly. That means enforcing our own rules to protect our workers, our industries, and our
environment. It means making international trade - and the WTO - more open and responsive to
concerns about the dignity of work and the quality of life. And it means a global economy based
on the rule of law.
We must also reach out to developing economies. I ask Congress to finalize our
groundbreaking African and Caribbean Basin trade initiatives. This will help Americans
economically, and build new partnerships for a more secure, more democratic world.
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But mastering globalization means more than economics. It means seizing an
unprecedented opportunity to build a future of security, prosperity and freedom, while dealing
with the dangers that still imperil our national interests. Tonight I ask: What are the critical
challenges we face in the coming century?
One will be to encourage our former adversaries Russia and China to emerge as stable,
prosperous, democratic partners of the United States. Both countries are being held back from
reaching their potential: Russia by the legacy of communism, by economic crisis, by a cruel and
futile war in Chechnya; China by the illusion that it can buy stability at the expense of freedom.
But think how much else has changed: 5,000 former Soviet nuclear weapons dismantled;
Russian soldiers serving with ours to keep peace in the Balkans; Russian people democratically
electing their leaders for the first time. And in China, a society more open to the world than at
any time in its history. No one can know for sure what direction these great countries will
choose. We can make sure that we do everything in our power to see that both are on the inside
of the global community, playing by the rules, not on the outside denying them.
Congress should support the agreement we negotiated to bring China into the WTO, by
passing Permanent Normal Trade Relations. If we do, America's companies and workers gain
new opportunities in every sector of China's vast market, but China gains no new access to ours.
This agreement is good for America and will promote the cause of change in China.
21
Another critical challenge will be to protect our security from conflicts that pose the risk
of wider war, especially those rooted in ethnic and religious tensions. Our modern world is still
bedeviled by our most ancient failing - fear of those different from us. In too many places, that
fear is exploited by cynical leaders clinging to power or waging war on their neighbors.
America cannot prevent every conflict or stop every outrage. But where our interests are
at stake and we can make a difference, we must be peacemakers. When human beings anywhere
are singled out for destruction, our common humanity suffers. Left unresolved, such tragedies
can throw entire regions into turmoil, overwhelm the world's capacity to help the innocent, and
threaten us more directly.
We should be proud of America's role in bringing the Middle East closer than ever to a
comprehensive peace. We should be proud of our work in building peace in Northern Ireland.
We should be proud of our efforts from East Timor to Africa; in promoting reconciliation
between Greece and Turkey; in working to defuse crises between India and Pakistan, and in
defending human rights and religious freedom.
And we should be proud of the men and women of our armed forces who stopped the
ethnic cleansing in Kosovo, enabling a million innocent people to return to their homes. Today,
instead of struggling to defeat something evil, we can focus on building something good: a
Europe undivided, democratic and at peace for the first time in history.
22
When Slobodan Milosevic unleashed his terror in Kosovo, Captain John Cherrey was one
of the brave airmen who turned the tide. And when another American plane went down over
Serbia, he flew into the teeth of enemy air defenses to bring his fellow pilot home. Captain
Cherrey, we honor you with our gratitude, and with our promise to finish the work you helped
begin.
Another critical challenge is to keep the inexorable march of technology from giving
terrorists and hostile nations the means to undermine our defenses, and force us to live in fear
again. The same advances that have shrunk cell phones to fit in the palms of our hands can also
make weapons of terror easier to conceal and easier to use.
We must meet this threat: by helping Russia keep its arsenal secure and reducing both
our nuclear arsenals; restraining nuclear and missile programs in North Korea and Iran;
preventing Iraq from threatening its neighbors. We are increasing our preparedness against
biological attack and developing a system to defend against the missiles of outlaw nations -
while working to preserve our Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty with Russia. My budget devotes $2
billion to protect our vital computer systems from hackers and criminals in any corner of any
country.
We must also strengthen global standards against proliferation. I hope we can have a
bipartisan dialogue this year to build a consensus on the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty which
will eventually lead to its ratification. America must remain a leader in the struggle for a safer
world.
23
Another critical challenge is to keep global stability from being threatened by a gap
between rich and poor. We cannot accept a world in which a part of humanity lives on the
cutting edge of a new economy, while another lives on the bare edge of survival. Part of the
answer is expanded trade. A bigger part is the expansion of freedom.
From Nigeria to Indonesia, more people won the right to choose their leaders in 1999
than in 1989, the year the Berlin Wall fell. Yet new democracies need help in delivering for their
people. We must stand by neighboring countries like Colombia, fighting for its people's lives -
and for our children's lives - against the poison of drugs. I have proposed a two-year, $1.6
billion package to help Colombia; and I ask for your support. And if we want to put the drug
barons out of business, let's go after what they value most: their money. This year, I will
propose legislation to crack down harder on money laundering, here and around the world.
In a world where 1.3 billion people live on less than a dollar a day, we must also reduce
the debts of impoverished countries. I ask Congress to continue to support that effort.
And America must help more nations break the bonds of disease that hold down their
people. It is unacceptable that last year in Africa, AIDS killed ten times as many people as war
did. My budget invests $150 million in the fight against this and other infectious killers. And I
will ask the world to join us in an initiative to speed the delivery and development of vaccines.
Today, I am proposing a tax credit that will say to private industry: if you develop vaccines for
24
diseases like malaria, TB and AIDS, we will help pay for them, and together save millions of
lives.
And I will ask Congress to increase our support for international family planning by $170
million. That money will help families live healthier lives, and it will save the lives of thousands
of women and children.
All this comes down to a central challenge, the most important of all: will America
continue to lead? In the 20th century, America was thrust into global leadership by the forces of
history. Now America must choose: to direct the new forces of history or be driven by them.
Clearly, America must lead boldly and consistently and with a clear understanding of what
globalization and increasing interdependence require of us.
To lead, we must remain strong. We have reversed the decline in defense spending that
began in 1985. We must continue to keep our military the best trained, best equipped in the
world. My budget invests in readiness and in 21st century weapons. It raises salaries for our
men and women in uniform and ensures America's veterans the thanks and honor they have so
richly earned.
We must also continue to fund the one percent of our budget that supports the diplomacy that
keeps our soldiers out of war. Last year, Congress worked with me to maintain that commitment
and resume paying our UN dues and arrears. Let's do it again this year. And let's remember:
building a stronger global community will only strengthen our community here at home.
25
RESPONSIBILITY, OPPORTUNITY, AND THE ENVIRONMENT
We have no higher obligation to our children, and their children, than to be wise stewards
of our air, water, and land. I am grateful for the many opportunities the Vice President and I
have had to honor this commitment - and finally to put to rest the notion that you can't expand
your economy and protect the environment at the same time. As our economy has grown, we
have rid countless neighborhoods of toxic waste, ensured cleaner drinking water for millions of
families, and taken unprecedented steps to improve the air we breathe.
In the past three months alone, we have acted to preserve pristine backcountry lands in
our National Forests and created three new National Monuments - adding to the tens of millions
of acres we are protecting for all Americans, for all time. Not since the days of Theodore
Roosevelt has the nation come together to save so much precious land in the continental United
States.
But our communities are growing, and our commitment to conservation must keep
growing as well. So tonight, as part of my Lands Legacy Initiative, I propose creating, for the
first time, a permanent conservation endowment to save our wildlands, protect our coastlines,
and restore our wildlife. This endowment would provide nearly $1.5 billion each year - by far
the largest, most enduring investment in land preservation ever proposed.
Last year, the Vice President launched a major new effort to help make communities
more livable - so children will grow up next to parks rather than parking lots, and parents don't
26
sit in endless traffic when they could be home with their kids. Tonight, we propose new funding
for advanced transit systems
for saving farms and other precious open spaces
and for
helping the major cities around the Great Lakes protect their waterways and enhance their quality
of life.
As we work to protect our natural resources, we must help other nations that are
struggling to protect theirs. The rainforests are the lungs of our planet - the source of more than
a quarter of the oxygen on earth. Yet these lush sanctuaries of life are disappearing at the rate of
more than 50 acres a minute. Tonight, I propose a new plan to help countries from the Amazon
to the Congo Basin strengthen their economies by preserving, rather than destroying,
irreplaceable forests.
The greatest environmental challenge of the new century is global warming. Scientists
tell us that the 1990s were the hottest decade of the entire millennium - and that if we fail to
reduce emissions of greenhouse gases now, deadly heat waves, droughts, and floods will become
more frequent with each passing year.
But thanks to remarkable new technologies, we can meet this challenge - and we can do
it in ways that produce more widespread, more sustainable economic growth.
Last week, at the Detroit Auto Show, automakers unveiled cars that use advanced
materials and dual fuel sources to get 70 to 80 miles a gallon - the fruits of a unique partnership
the Vice President has led. We' ve helped develop windows that drastically cut energy bills by
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keeping out four or five times as much heat and cold as normal windows do. We're helping to
bring the benefits of advanced space research into our homes with solar roofing tiles and fuel
cells that produce all the electricity a family needs - and no pollution at all. Before you know it,
we'll be producing clean fuels from crops and getting the equivalent of hundreds of miles from a
gallon of gas.
To help spur these new technologies, I propose giving major tax incentives to businesses
for producing clean power from crops, wind, or sun
and to families for buying energy-
efficient homes and appliances. And when new super-efficient cars hit the showroom floor, we
should provide people who buy them with up to $3,000 in tax credits, effectively cutting their
sticker price and ensuring even greater appeal.
But we have the technology to make all new cars more fuel efficient right now. So
tonight, I call on auto industry leaders to join us in designing a new strategy for reversing the
recent decline in average fuel economy. You've committed to higher efficiency in Europe.
Let's do the same right here at home.
We must also meet the worldwide challenge of global warming by giving developing
countries the tools to grow in ways that strengthen their economies and protect the environment.
So tonight, I propose a new [$100 million] initiative to help these countries adopt the newest
clean-energy technologies. Nations can now achieve prosperity without following the old
patterns of growth that brought us global warming. Let's help them follow a better, more
modern path.
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THE OPPORTUNITY AND RESPONSIBILITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
In the new century, innovations in science and technology will be key not only to the
health of our environment. Sustained investments in scientific research will also yield dramatic,
almost miraculous, improvements in the quality of our lives.
In the last century, the life expectancy for the average American increased from 47 to 77
- thanks to discoveries such as penicillin and the development of vaccines for many childhood
diseases. Today, we are on the cusp of advances that will not only help us live far longer but far
better.
Later this year, researchers will finish the first complete sequence of the human genome -
the very blueprint of life. This will lead to a revolution in our ability to detect, treat, and prevent
diseases from Alzheimer's to cancer to AIDS. If we delay the onset of Alzheimer's by just five
years, we could empty half the nursing home beds in America.
Research at the intersection between biomedical research and engineering will also lead
to amazing breakthroughs. Scientists are already working on an artificial retina to treat certain
kinds of blindness, and methods of directly stimulating the spinal cord to allow people who are
paralyzed to walk.
Scientists have recently identified three of the genes that cause Parkinson's Disease - and
they will soon begin to test elegant therapies that will turn off these faulty genes for good.
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Tonight, I want to thank these scientists for their brilliant work. I also want to salute Michael J.
Fox - the talented actor, director, and producer who was diagnosed with Parkinson's nine years
ago. Michael, on behalf of the million young and older Americans struggling with Parkinson's, I
thank you for giving so much of yourself to accelerating the hunt for a cure.
Advances in science and engineering are also the engine of our economic growth.
Consider the impact of information technology. Because of our early investments in developing
microprocessors, satellite communications, and the Internet, America now leads the world in
information technology - an industry that accounts for one third of our economic growth and that
generates jobs that pay almost 80 percent more than the private sector average wage.
In the future, we will have devices that can translate foreign languages as fast as you can
speak, enabling anyone to tap into the world's knowledge instantly - from anywhere
materials ten times stronger than steel at only a small fraction of the weight unimaginably
powerful computers made with DNA strands rather than silicon chips. These and other
breakthroughs may enhance our economy and our society even more profoundly than the
Internet does today.
For all these reasons, my budget will include an unprecedented $3 billion increase in the
21st Century Research Fund. We will boost support for biomedical research at the National
Institutes of Health, double the largest dollar increase for the National Science Foundation in its
50-year history, and greatly expand funding for information technology, clean energy,
university-based research, and NASA's never-ending quest in space.
30
It is up to all of us to ensure that this new age of science and technology is also a new age
of enlightenment, reflecting our most cherished values.
First and foremost, we must ensure that citizens' privacy - financial and medical - is
protected. Last year, our administration proposed rules to protect every citizen's most sensitive
information, his or her medical records. This year, we will finalize those rules. We have also
taken steps to protect our people's financial records. But these are only the first steps, as I said
when I signed the financial modernization bill into law. I will soon send legislation to the
Congress to complete this important unfinished business.
We will also take action to prevent genetic discrimination - so no employer ever reviews
your genetic records along with your resume. We will make sure that the actions of the
government itself contain strong privacy protections. And tonight, I want to issue a strong
challenge to on-line companies to do more to protect their customers' privacy.
Second, we know that our medical professionals work wonders every day; but we also
know that their first obligation is to do no harm. My budget makes the largest investment in
history to eliminate medical errors and enhance patient safety. Because no American should
ever fear that their health care will jeopardize their health.
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If we do all these things, we can ensure that the march of human discovery will only
quicken in the century before us - enhancing our lives, and the lives of our children, in ways that
we can only begin to imagine today.
COMMUNITY
In the era of globalization, we must work even harder to strengthen the bonds of our
local communities and our national community.
We should begin with ways to widen the circle of citizen service until it embraces every
American. There is a new spirit of service in America-a movement we have supported with
revolutionary new partnerships between government and private citizens.
Four years ago, I asked corporate leaders to join us in helping people move from welfare
to work. Today, 12,000 companies have hired nearly 650,000 of our fellow citizens.
Over the past seven years, we have created many other successful partnerships. To battle
drug abuse and AIDS. To teach young people to read. To Save America's Treasures. To fight
teen pregnancy. To prevent youth violence. To promote racial healing. To help our young
people serve.
But there is much more to be done, we need more citizen servants.
32
Veterans of AmeriCorps, like veterans of our military and the Peace Corps, are a pool of
know-how and can-do. Tonight, I propose the creation of the Americorps Reserves to activate
former AmeriCorps members in times of crisis including natural disasters.
Our senior population represents a huge army of workers and volunteers who want and
deserve a chance to serve. So, tonight, I say to seniors across America - we need your work,
your wisdom and your service. Get involved if you are not and stay involved if you are.
If we believe that charity begins at home, we must reward lower and middle income
Americans who tithe and contribute to charities. Right now, only those who earn enough to
itemize can claim a tax deduction for charitable contributions. Tonight, I propose new tax
incentives to allow low and middle income citizens to claim that same deduction.
Faith-based organizations are on the frontlines in our communities helping Americans
fight substance abuse, providing opportunities for young people to get back on the right track.
We can respect the line between church and state and still do more to support the good works of
these groups. [TK Specific examples to come]
There is even more we can do to breathe fuller life into the idea of citizenship. That's
why we're proposing to invest more in teaching civics and English to new immigrants. That's
why in this year of the census, every one of us must not only stand up and be counted. We must
also stand up and be heard.
33
So I say to all Americans: whatever your party, whatever your ideology, whatever you
do, make your voice heard. Vote.
We are going to use 21st century technology to open new doors to the democratic process.
Two generations ago, Franklin Roosevelt used the new medium of radio for his fireside chats.
Starting next month, I will use the new medium of the Internet to launch Webside Chats
interactive discussions to connect more Americans to our democracy.
Our national community is undergoing one of the greatest demographic transformations
in history. Within ten years there will be no majority race in our largest state, California. In a
little more than 50 years there will be no majority race in America.
In a more interconnected world, will we make diversity our greatest strength? As we
have seen in recent years, from Northern Ireland to Africa from the Balkans to the Middle
East racial and ethnic conflict too often spark terror and war. And no country is exempt from
hatred-even our own.
We have seen a man dragged to death in Texas simply because he was black. A young
man murdered in Wyoming simply because he was gay. In the last year, we' ve seen the
shootings of African Americans, Asian Americans, and Jewish children simply because of who
they were. We must draw the line. This is not the American way. In America, we must do more
than tolerate diversity--we must celebrate it. Without further delay, we must pass the Hate
Crimes Prevention Act and the Employment Non-Discrimination Act.
34
The work of building One America must be the work of all Americans. We must
rededicate ourselves to the ideals of justice and opportunity for all that are at the heart of our
democracy. No American should be subjected to discrimination in finding a home, getting a job,
going to school, or securing a loan. Tonight, I propose the largest ever investment to enforce
America's civil rights laws. Let's make sure protections in law are protections in fact.
Last February, I created the White House Office on One America to coordinate our
efforts and help build community partnerships for racial reconciliation. We are reaching out
across our nation - to religious leaders, to corporate leaders, to the legal community to enlist the
help of American in building the One America of our dreams.
This fall, at the White House, one of America's leading scientists, said something we all
need to remember: all human beings are genetically 99.9 percent the same. Modern science
affirms what ancient faith has taught us: the most important fact of life is our common humanity.
My fellow Americans, each time I prepare for the state of the union, I approach it with
great hope and great expectations for our nation. But there is no escaping the fact that tonight is
different. For tonight, we stand on the mountaintop, with a new millennium spread out before
us. Behind us we see the expanse of American achievement, and ahead even wider frontiers of
possibility.
35
So, as we take our long look ahead, we must ask ourselves: How will we make the most
of this moment of promise?
Tonight, let us pledge to ourselves and to our children:
At a time of undreamed of economic growth, we will, step by step, bring opportunity to
every American in every community.
At a time of record surpluses, we will, step by step, make America debt free for the first
time since 1835.
At a time when our people are living longer than ever, we will, step by step, ensure that
they live healthier, with quality, affordable healthcare for all Americans.
At a time when science and technology are transforming our world, we will, step by step,
realize their full promise and, at every step, harness our progress to our values.
At a time when we have proved we can grow the economy and protect the environment,
we will, step by step, reverse climate change and secure our planet for our grandchildren.
At a time of steadily falling crime, we will, step by step, make America the safest big
nation on Earth.
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At a time when more parents are working, we will, step by step, ensure that all parents
have the tools to succeed at work and in raising their children and that none of those children
are raised in poverty.
At a time when knowledge is the key to our children's future, we will, step by step, see
to it that all of them begin school ready to learn and graduate ready to succeed.
At a time when globalization brings both new promise and new perils, we will continue
to be the world's indispensable nation - a strong leader and a better neighbor.
At a time when America is growing more diverse than ever, we will become at last what
our founders pledged us to be so long ago -- one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and
justice for all.
This is the long look ahead, unreachable in one year, but clearly within reach of a great
people with big dreams, determined to work together and move ahead, step by step.
When the framers were crafting our Constitution, Benjamin Franklin reflected on a
painting of the sun, low on the horizon, hanging in Independence Hall. He said, "I have often
wondered whether that sun was rising or setting. Today I have the happiness to know it is a
rising sun." Well, today because each generation of Americans has kept the fire of freedom
burning and lighting new frontiers of possibility, we bask in the warmth of Mr. Franklin's rising
sun. Now it is our time. We will be judged by the deeds and dreams we pass to our children.
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And on that score, we will be held to a high standard, indeed. Because our chance to do good is
so great. After 224 years, the American revolution continues. We remain a new nation. As long
as our dreams outweigh our memories, America will be forever young. That is our destiny. And
this is our magic moment.
Thank you, God bless you, and God bless America.
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Draft8 01/25/00 1:30am
PRESIDENT WILLIAM J. CLINTON
STATE OF THE UNION ADDRESS
UNITED STATES CAPITOL
WASHINGTON, DC
January 27, 2000
Mr. Speaker, Mr. Vice President, Members of Congress, honored guests, my fellow
Americans: We are fortunate to be alive at this moment in history. Never before has our nation
enjoyed, at once, so much prosperity, social progress, and self-confidence with so little internal
crisis or so few external threats. Never before have we had such a blessed opportunity - and,
therefore, such a profound obligation - to build the more perfect union of our founders' dreams.
There is no better moment to dream new dreams for our nation and act on them.
We begin the new century with over 20 million new jobs in the last seven years. The
fastest economic growth in more than 30 years; the lowest unemployment rate in 30 years; the
lowest poverty rate in 20 years; the lowest African-American and Hispanic unemployment rate
on record; the highest home ownership ever; the first back-to-back budget surpluses in 42 years -
and the largest budget surplus in history.
Next month, America will achieve the longest period of economic growth in our entire
history.
Our economic revolution has been matched by a remarkable revival of the American
spirit: Crime down by 25 percent, to its lowest level in more than 30 years. Teen births have
dropped seven years in a row and adoptions are up by 30 percent. Welfare rolls have been cut in
I
We went beyond the debate over whether government was the problem or the solution to
a government dedicated to giving the American people the tools to solve their own problems, to
being a catalyst for new ideas, and a partner with Americans in all other walks of life.
With the smallest federal government in 37 years, we turned record deficits into record
surpluses, and doubled our investment in education. We refused to keep making the false
choices that paralyzed Washington for too long. We cut crime, not by choosing prevention or
punishment, but by choosing both, with 100,000 community police and the Brady Law, which
has kept guns out of the hands of a half-million criminals. We protected the environment, not by
pitting economic growth against environmental progress, but by choosing both - with cleaner air,
safer water and food, and record amounts of precious land protected.
We emphasized both opportunity and responsibility: That's how we ended welfare as we
knew it - requiring work, but protecting health care and nutrition for children and investing more
in child care, transportation and housing for their parents who are making the move from welfare
to work. That's how we have helped parents to succeed at work and at home - with ideas like
Family and Medical Leave, which 20 million Americans have used for childbirth or to care for
sick loved ones, and immunizing 90 percent of our children for the very first time. And that's
how we are opening the doors of college to all - with more Pell grants, more affordable college
loans, and already almost 5 million recipients of the HOPE Scholarship.
Opportunity and responsibility: That's how we have engaged 150,000 more young
Americans in citizen service, in building One America, one community at a time, through
3
AmeriCorps as they earn money to further their own college education. That's how we seized
the opportunities of a global era - with 270 new agreements to expand trade and open markets
for American products, while pushing for an end to child labor and advances in the global
economy and environment. That's how we've advanced our interests around the world - by
standing up for peace from Bosnia to Ireland to the Middle East; by expanding NATO; by
building new partnerships in Asia, Latin America and Africa; by fighting terrorism and the
spread of weapons of mass destruction.
In 1992, Vice President Gore and I had a roadmap. Today we have results. More
important, we have the chance of a lifetime to build the future of our dreams if we stay on the
path that got us here. Building on our progress
always moving forward
always gaining
ground.
But you can't gain ground if you're standing still. For too long this Congress has been
standing still on some of our most pressing national priorities. Let's begin with them.
1 ask you to pass a real patients bill of rights. To pass common-sense gun-safety
legislation. And, again, I ask you to raise the minimum wage.
Two years ago, I stood before you as we reached our first balanced budget and said let's
show our responsibility to the next generation, by maintaining our fiscal discipline and saving
the surplus for Social Security. Because we resisted the temptation to stray from the path of
fiscal discipline, we have had back to back surpluses and are doing something that would have
4
around the world. My fellow Americans, we have crossed the bridge we built to the 21st
century. Now we must shape a 21st century American revolution of opportunity, responsibility,
and community. We must be, as we were in the beginning, a new nation.
The first American revolution was not won with a single shot. The continent was not
settled in a single day. The challenge of expanding freedom was not accomplished with one
march. The dreams for which we strive are always bold. But the lesson of our history and the
lesson of the last seven years is that we make great strides toward them step by step.
OPPORTUNITY AND RESPONSIBILITY IN EDUCATION
First and foremost, we need a 21st century revolution in education, guided by our faith
that every child can learn. With the largest, most diverse group of students ever, an economy
that rewards education more than ever, we must set the highest goals for education ever: Every
child who needs it should have access to preschool. Every child who needs it should have
afterschool and summer school to meet high standards. Every child should learn from great
teachers. Every student should graduate high school with a diploma that means something. And
every young person in America should know that if they want to go to college, they can afford
to.
For seven years, we have worked hard to improve our schools, following a fundamental
strategy: Invest more, but demand more in return. Since 1993, we have nearly doubled
investment in education and training. At the same time, we have helped nearly every state set
higher academic standards for their schools.
6
Scores on college entrance exams are now going up, even as more students from more-
diverse backgrounds are taking the test. And some of the most impressive academic gains are
happening in schools in some of America's poorest neighborhoods.
I have visited schools across this country, in some of America's poorest neighborhoods,
that have turned themselves around through the same proven formula: more accountability,
higher standards, and extra help to make sure children reach those standards. I have sent
Congress a reform plan based on that formula, a plan that holds all states and school districts
accountable for progress. and rewards them for results. Each year, the national government
invests more than $15 billion in our public schools. It's time to change the way we invest that
money, to support what works and stop supporting what doesn't.
But just as we must demand more than ever from our schools, tonight I propose that we
invest more than ever in our schools.
Let's double our investment to help states and districts turn around their worst-
performing schools-or shut them down. And let's give bonuses to states that succeed in
making scores go up.
Let's double our investment in quality afterschool and summer school programs. They
boost academic achievement and keep children off the street and out of trouble. If we do this, we
can give every child in every failing school in America the chance to meet high standards.
7
We know that children who learn early learn best. Since 1993, we've put over 160,000
more children in Head Start and improved its quality. Tonight, I propose the largest funding
increase for Head Start in history. This will lay the foundation for our long-term goal: universal
pre-school for every child who needs it.
We know that children learn best in smaller classes with good teachers. For two years in
a row, Congress has supported my plan to hire 100,000 new, qualified teachers, to lower class
sizes in the early grades. This year, I ask you to make it three in a row. But with two million
teachers retiring in the next decade, we must do more. Tonight, I propose a $1 billion initiative
to bring the best and the brightest into teaching, to get bad teachers out of the classroom, and to
reward good teachers - because none of us would be here without them.
We know public school choice works when parents have real choice. That's what charter
schools provide. When I became President, there was just one independent public charter school
in America. Today there are 1,700. My budget assures that we will meet our goal of funding
3,000.
We know that for children today, having access to the Internet is as vital as access to a
library. In 1994, only 35 percent of schools and only three percent of classrooms were connected
to the Internet. Today, with the help of the Vice President's E-rate program, 89 percent of
schools and 51 percent of classrooms are hooked up. And the money is there to connect them
all. The problem is that a third of all schools are in serious disrepair - not just with leaky roofs
but with walls too old to wire to the Internet. Tonight, I propose $1.3 billion to help 5,000
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needed tax relief. With this new college opportunity tax cut, plus another Pell grant increase
and other aid, we can say that we have made four years of college available to all.
REWARDING WORK AND STRENGTHENING FAMILIES
We need a 21st Century revolution to reward work and strengthen families, in a world
where more and more parents work, but the most important work of all - still - is raising
children.
One of the most powerful incentives to work has been the Earned Income Tax Credit, a
targeted tax cut for working families. The "E" in "EITC" is about earning; about working; about
taking responsibility and being rewarded for it. In my first address to you, I asked Congress to
greatly expand the EITC, and we did. As a result, in 1998 alone, the EITC helped more than 4.3
million Americans work their way into the middle class - double the number in 1993.
Tonight, I propose another major expansion of the EITC. We should reduce the marriage
penalty for the EITC, making sure that it rewards marriage, and family, just as it rewards work;
and we should expand the tax credit for families with more than two children. Our plan would
provide those families up to $1,200 more in tax relief. They're working hard to reach the middle
class. We should help them.
Rewarding work and family requires us to make sure that men and women get equal pay
for equal work. Working women have made significant strides: the female unemployment rate
10
is the lowest in 40 years, and the female-headed household poverty rate is the lowest ever
recorded. But women still earn only about 75 cents for every dollar men earn. That's just not
good enough. We must provide the resources to enforce present equal pay laws, and train more
women for high-paying, high-tech jobs. And we should pass the Paycheck Fairness Act.
Working parents need quality, affordable child care. Many spend up to a quarter of their
income on child care. Last year, we helped parents provide care for about 1.75 million children.
But that's only one tenth of those eligible under federal law. My child care initiative, along with
the funds secured in welfare reform, would make child care better, safer, and more affordable for
another 650,000 children.
To help millions of parents with moderate incomes, we should expand the child care tax
credit. And let's take the next big step. Let's make the tax credit refundable for low-income
families. For those making under $25,000 a year - too little to earn a refund today - that means
up to $2,400 more for child-care costs. Let's get this done. Parents should be able to balance
work and family - not have to choose between them.
Tens of millions of Americans live paycheck to paycheck. As hard as they work, they
still don't have the opportunity to save. Too many work for a small business that lacks the
resources to provide pensions. Too few can make use of the IRAs and 401-Ks that so many
Americans are using to accumulate wealth, or save for a first home or a dignified retirement.
Every family that works hard should have that chance. Tonight, I propose a major new initiative
to ensure that all Americans can save. These new [TK] Savings Accounts will give low- and
11
moderate-income families the help they need - matching their contributions, however small,
dollar for dollar, every year they save. I also propose a major new 50 percent tax credit for any
small business that provides a meaningful pension to all of its workers.
From my first days as President, we have worked to give families better access to better
health care. We have made sure workers can keep their coverage when they change jobs or take
time off to care for a sick loved one. And we passed the Children's Health Insurance Program,
so that workers who don't have health coverage through their employers can get it for their
children. In less than a year, enrollment in CHIP has doubled, to 2 million children. We're on
our way to our goal of 5 million. To ensure that we meet it, I propose that we enroll children
where they are: schools, HeadStart classrooms, and child-care centers. Because every child in
America deserves a healthy start in life.
But there is more we must do - to insure not only children, but entire families that lack
coverage. Tonight I propose that we follow Vice President Gore's suggestion and make hard-
pressed parents eligible for the insurance that covers their kids. If we do this, not just for
children but for these 6.5 million parents, we can make sure that families have the health care
they need. With these steps alone, we can cover nearly one quarter of the uninsured in America.
And let's give a real, affordable option to the fastest growing group of uninsured: people
between 55 and 65 who lose their coverage. Last year, I proposed that we let them buy into
Medicare. This year, I propose we also give them a tax credit when they do so, to make this
option more affordable.
12
Record numbers of Americans are providing for aging or ailing loved ones at home.
More and more this is a common choice, but rarely an easy - or an inexpensive - one. Last year,
I proposed a $1,000 tax credit for long-term care. This year, let's pass it - and triple it to $3,000.
Taken together, these proposals mark the largest investment in health care in the 35 years
since Medicare. We owe it to our people to make that investment this year.
Let's make another pledge: let's improve mental health care. My budget makes the
largest increase ever to expand community mental health services. And I want to thank someone
who has waged this battle on all fronts, fighting for the mentally ill homeless, working to break
down the barriers that keep people from the help they need: Tipper Gore.
Nearly one in three American children grows up in a home without a father - and these
children are five times more likely to live in poverty than children with both parents at home.
Demanding and promoting responsible fatherhood is the critical next stage of welfare reform.
We have already begun to crack down on fathers who fail to pay child support by denying them
drivers' licenses and creating a national database to track them across state lines. As a result,
child support payments have doubled since 1993. The number of unwed fathers who legally
acknowledge their paternity has tripled. And the percentage of children born into unwed homes,
after skyrocketing for decades, has begun to level off.
We must work toward the day when every father in America takes responsibility for his
children. We can begin with tougher measures against fathers who fail to pay child support, like
13
booting their cars and denying them passports. And we should require fathers to work - while
helping them find work - so they can pay the child support they owe.
We know this can make a difference. Carlos Rosas of St. Paul, Minnesota enrolled in a
father's program in 1996 when he was not making enough to keep up with his child support
payments to his 13-year-old son, Ricardo. Since continuing his education and graduating from
technical school, Carlos has landed a good job and is able to better support his son, both
financially and emotionally. Contrary to conventional wisdom, many fathers, like Carlos, want
to do right by their children, and we should help them. Carlos is with us tonight. And we should
let him know that we support his commitment to support his child.
If you have any doubt that we can reach across party lines to reward work and strengthen
families, remember this: Last year, we came together to help people with disabilities keep their
health insurance when they go to work. And we have come together to improve foster care; to
support those who leave it at age 18; and to greatly increase the number of foster children who
find loving families in permanent homes. A bipartisan majority worked with us to make it
happen; and I thank you. Of course, I am also grateful to the person who has led in this effort,
someone who has worked tirelessly for children and families as long as I have known her: my
wife, Hillary.
RESPONSIBILITY AND CRIME
14
Crime in America has dropped every year for the past seven years -- the longest
continuous decline on record. For seven years, we've helped wage the fight -- from passing the
Brady bill to funding 100,000 new community police officers. Our nation is safer, but no one
believes America is safe as it can be. Let's set a higher goal. Let's make America the safest big
country in the world.
Last fall, Congress supported my plan to hire up to 50,000 more police officers, with
special help for high-crime neighborhoods. I ask you to continue that support this year.
Last year, after the Columbine tragedy, Congress considered common-sense gun safety
legislation to require Brady background checks at gun shows, child safety locks for all new
handguns, and a ban on the importation of large-capacity ammunition clips. With courage -- and
a tie-breaking vote by the Vice President -- the Senate faced down the gun lobby, stood up for
the American people and passed this legislation. But the House failed to follow suit.
We've all seen what can happen when guns fall into the wrong hands. Daniel Mauser
was only 15 years old when he was gunned down at Columbine High School. He was an
amazing kid, a straight-A student, a good skier. Like all parents who lose their children, his
father Tom has borne unimaginable grief. Somehow Tom has found the strength to honor his
son by transforming that grief into action. Earlier this month, he took a leave of absence to fight
for tougher gun safety laws. I pray that his courage and wisdom will move this Congress to
make common-sense gun safety legislation the very next order of business.
15
We must do more. States require hunters and automobile drivers to have licenses. It is
long past time for states to require licenses for handgun purchasers as well.
We've shown that we can strengthen gun laws and better enforce laws already on the
books. Federal gun crime prosecutions are higher today than in 1992, and are up 25 percent
since 1998. But again, we must do more. I propose to hire more federal and local gun
prosecutors, and more ATF agents to crack down on illegal gun traffickers and bad-apple dealers
who supply guns to criminals and juveniles. We must give law enforcement the tools to trace
every gun used in a crime in America. And we must create a national ballistics network capable
of tracing almost any bullet left at a crime scene to the gun of the criminal who fired it.
[Let me say something else. I think it is important that the gun industry take more
responsibility in changing the way it designs, markets and distributes firearms. There are
responsible citizens in the gun industry who want to work with us to make sure the guns they sell
don't wind up in the wrong hands and that kids aren't killed accidentally with them. Part of the
answer may be in new technologies that could reduce accidents.]
Listen to this: the accidental gun death rate of children under 15 is nine times higher in
the U.S. than in 25 other industrialized nations--combined. Technologies now exist that could
lead to guns that can only be fired by the adults who own them. I thank the gun manufacturers
who are developing these smart guns, and ask all other manufacturers to join them. And I ask
Congress to help by increasing funds for research in these technologies to keep our kids safer.
16
01/21/00 FRI 20:25 FAX
002
DOJ's Version of Legislation Proposals for State of Union
Safety Certification Requirement
We don't necessarily recommend "Licensing."
It shall be a violation of federal law to possess any-firearm without a Safety Certificate;
provided, however, that anyone who possesses a firearm at the time of enactment has
up to three years from enactment to acquire a Certificate, if such person does not
acquire any other firearm during that time. (Anyone who acquires a firearm after the
time of enactment must have a Certificate prior to acquisition.)
This proposal is consistent with one of the Treasury options to their
primary proposal. The primary Treasury proposal would require a
license only for those who receive a gun from an FFL after the date
of enactment.
We also submit that a different type of certificate may be
appropriate for different types of guns . such as rifles, handguns
and semiautomatic assault weapons.
Safety Certificates will be issued by the states; provided, however, that the federal
government shall issue such certificates where states opt not to do so, (A qualifying
certificate under this statute must, at a minimum, be based on submission of evidence
of completion of an approved firearms safety course and passage of a background
check.)
This is consistent with Treasury's proposal, although we do not
believe that States should be encouraged to issue certificates
through the conditioning of current grants.
FFLs can transfer firearms, or complete a background check for a transfer by a non-
FFL, [see proposal #2, Universal Background Checks], only upon presentation of a
valid Safety Certificate by the transferee.
700
CABINET AFFAIRS
01/24/00 MON 12:46 FAX
wjuu.)
Universal Background Checks
For any transfer of a firearm by a non-FFL, an FFL must conduct a background check
and keep required records; provided, however, that intra-family transfers are exempted
from this requirement.
This is materially different from Treasury's proposal in that our
proposal would cover all types of firearms.
We strangly support Treasury's proposal that the required
recordkeeping include submission of used gun information to the
National Tracing Center.
It shall be a violation of federal law to transfer or receive a firearm without complying
with this requirement.
Treasury had offered, as possible variations on this suggestion: 1)
that there be a numerical threshold of a number of guns that a
seller had to meet before being required to run a background check
and 2) the creation or imposition of civil liability for those who did
not run a background check. The DPC staff suggested a third
variation: restricting the background check requirement to those
persons who transfer firearms after advertising them. We believe
Treasury's first alternative to be unworkable, and its second to be
unnecessary. We believe DPC's suggestion would be difficult to
implement, and would fail to cover many dangerous black market
transactions. (OLC is also reviewing it for constitutional issues.)
003
CABINET AFFAIRS
01/24/00 MON 12:46 FAX
The White House
OFFICE OF CABINET AFFAIRS
Date:
1/24
To:
Fax:
6-2505
Josh Gottenberner / Terry Edmands
From:
Senti Warren
Pages:
3
(Including this cover sheet)
Comments:
OLD EXECUTIVE OFFICE BUILDING + ROOM 160 + WASHINGTON, DC 20502
TELEPHONE (202) 456-2572 + FACSIMILE (202) 456-6704
T00
CABINET AFFAIRS
01/24/00 MON 12:45 FAX
Draft8 01/24/00 11:40pm
PRESIDENT WILLIAM J. CLINTON
STATE OF THE UNION ADDRESS
UNITED STATES CAPITOL
WASHINGTON, DC
January 27, 2000
Mr. Speaker, Mr. Vice President, Members of Congress, honored guests, my fellow
Americans: We are fortunate to be alive at this moment in history. Never before has our nation
enjoyed, at once, so much prosperity, social progress, and self-confidence with so little internal
crisis or so few external threats. Never before have we had such a blessed opportunity - and,
therefore, such a profound obligation - to build the more perfect union of our founders' dreams.
There is no better moment to dream new dreams for our nation and act on them.
We begin the new century with over 20 million new jobs in the last seven years. The
fastest economic growth in more than 30 years; the lowest unemployment rate in 30 years; the
lowest poverty rate in 20 years; the lowest African-American and Hispanic unemployment rate
on record; the highest home ownership ever; the first back-to-back budget surpluses in 42 years -
and the largest budget surplus in history.
Next month, America will achieve the longest period of economic growth in our entire
history.
Our economic revolution has been matched by a remarkable revival of the American
spirit: Crime down by 25 percent, to its lowest level in more than 30 years. Teen births have
dropped seven years in a row and adoptions are up by 30 percent. Welfare rolls have been cut in
I
half to their lowest levels in 32 years, and seven million Americans have moved off welfare and
are moving into work.
My fellow Americans, the state of our union is the strongest it has ever been.
As always, most of the credit for what we have achieved belongs to the American people.
Your hard work - to raise your families and live your dreams you have prepared our nation for
the 21 st century.
My gratitude also goes to all of you in this chamber who have worked with us to make
the tough decisions, to put progress above partisanship for the sake of our people.
Eight years ago, it was not clear to most Americans that there would be much to celebrate
in the year 2000. Our nation was gripped by economic distress, social decline, political gridlock,
and discredited government. In 1992, at a time of rising crime, mounting deficits, and high
unemployment, the title of a best-selling book asked: "What went wrong?
But in the best traditions of our nation, America determined to set things right. We
replaced outdated ideologies with bold, new ideas anchored in basic, enduring values:
opportunity for all, responsibility from all and a community of all Americans.
2
We went beyond the debate over whether government was the problem or the solution to
a government dedicated to giving the American people the tools to solve their own problems, to
being a catalyst for new ideas, and a partner with Americans in all other walks of life.
&
We refused to keep making the false choices that paralyzed Washington for too long
with the smallest federal government in 37 years. We turned record deficits into record
surpluses, and doubled our investment in education. We cut crime, not by choosing prevention
or punishment, but by choosing both, with 100,000 community police and the Brady Law,
which has kept guns out of the hands of a half-million criminals. We protected the environment,
not by pitting economic growth against environmental progress, but by choosing both - with
cleaner air, safer water and food, and record amounts of precious land protected.
We emphasized both opportunity and responsibility: That's how we ended welfare as we
knew it - requiring work, but protecting health care and nutrition for children and investing more
in child care, transportation and housing for their parents who are making the move from welfare
to work. That's how we have helped parents to succeed at work and at home - with ideas like
Family and Medical Leave, which 20 million Americans have used for childbirth or to care for
sick loved ones, and immunizing 90 percent of our children for the very first time. And that's
how we are opening the doors of college to all - with more Pell grants, more affordable college
loans, and already almost 5 million recipients of the HOPE Scholarship.
Opportunity and responsibility: That's how we have engaged 150,000 more young
Americans in citizen service, in building One America, one community at a time, through
3
AmeriCorps as they earn money to further their own college education. That's how we seized
the opportunities of a global era - with 270 new agreements to expand trade and open markets
for American products, while pushing for an end to child labor and advances in the global
economy and environment. That's how we've advanced our interests around the world - by
standing up for peace from Bosnia to Ireland to the Middle East; by expanding NATO; by
building new partnerships in Asia, Latin America and Africa; by fighting terrorism and the
spread of weapons of mass destruction.
In 1992, Vice President Gore and I had a roadmap. Today we have results. More
important, we have the chance of a lifetime to build the future of our dreams if we stay on the
path that got us here. Building on our progress
always moving forward
always gaining
ground.
But you can't gain ground if you're standing still. For too long this Congress has been
standing still on some of our most pressing national priorities. Let's begin with them.
I ask you to pass a real patients bill of rights. To pass common-sense gun-safety
legislation. And, again, I ask you to raise the minimum wage.
Two years ago, I stood before you as we reached our first balanced budget and said let's
show our responsibility to the next generation, by maintaining our fiscal discipline and saving
the surplus for Social Security. Because we resisted the temptation to stray from the path of
fiscal discipline, we have had back to back surpluses and are doing something that would have
4
seemed unimaginable seven years ago. We are paying down our national debt. If every one in
this chamber will join me in staying on this path, we now know that we can pay down the debt in
13 years and make America debt free for the first time since Andrew Jackson was president in
1835.
In 1993, when we took our first major step to put our fiscal house in order with the
passage of the deficit reduction act, I asked your former colleague, my first Secretary of the
Treasury, and a true American statesman, Lloyd Bentson, to lead that effort. America is better
off for his service.
But beyond paying off the debt, we need to make sure that the benefits of that debt
reduction go to preserving two of the most important programs for every family in America -
Social Security and Medicare. I ask you tonight to work with me to make a bi-partisan down
payment on Social Security reform by ensuring that it is strong and safe for the next 50 years.
We should also use the benefits of debt reduction to secure Medicare so that this generation of
older Americans -- and the next -- never have to worry about medical care. And to provide a
prescription drug benefit so that no senior has to choose between medicine and food..
But all of this is just a start. Now we must lift our sights and take what Theodore
Roosevelt, at the dawn of the last century, called "the long look ahead."
We live in revolutionary times. The way we communicate. The way we work. The way
we learn. The way we live. The way we are increasingly connected to each other and to people
5
around the world. My fellow Americans, we have crossed the bridge we built to the 21st
century. Now we must shape a 21st century American revolution of opportunity, responsibility,
and community. We must be, as we were in the beginning, a new nation.
The first American revolution was not won with a single shot. The continent was not
settled in a single day. The challenge of expanding freedom was not accomplished with one
march. The dreams for which we strive are always bold. But the lesson of our history and the
lesson of the last seven years is that we make great strides toward them step by step.
OPPORTUNITY AND RESPONSIBILITY IN EDUCATION
First and foremost, we need a 21st century revolution in education, guided by our faith
Ance look ahead the mes
and
that every child can learn. We have the largest, most diverse group of students ever, They will
enter an economy that rewards n education more than ever, we must set a gaal for
our nation:
That is why, For sever for seven years, we have worked harder than ever to improve our schools,
by following a fundamental strategy: Invest more, but demand more in return. Since 1993 we
have nearly doubled investment in education and training. At the same time we have helped
nearly every state set higher academic standards for their schools.
Scores on college entrance exams are now going up, even as more students from more-
diverse backgrounds are taking the test. And some of the most impressive academic gains are
happening in schools in some of America's poorest neighborhoods.
6
Still, too many schools are a long way from where they need to be. We are doing too
little for these schools, and expecting too little of them. We must not let another generation of
children languish, when we know how to help. Every child who needs it should have access to
preschool. Every child who needs it should have afterschool and summer school to meet high
standards. Every child should learn from great teachers. Every student should graduate high
school with a diploma that means something. And every young person in America should know
that if they want to go to college, they can afford to.
Acrist this contra
We know this can be done. I have visited schoolsin some of America's poorest
neighborhoods that have turned themselves around through the same proven formula: more
accountability, higher standards, and extra help to make sure children reach those standards. I
have sent Congress a reform plan based on that formula, a plan that holds all states and school
districts accountable for progress, and rewards them for results. Each year, the national
government invests more than $15 billion in our public schools. It's time to change the way we
invest that money, to support what works and stop supporting what doesn't.
But just as we must demand more than ever from our schools, tonight I propose that we
invest more than ever in our schools.
Let's double our investment to help states and districts turn around their worst-
performing schools-or shut them down. And let's give bonuses to states that succeed in
making scores go up.
7
Let's double our investment in quality afterschool and summer school programs. They
boost academic achievement and keep children off the street and out of trouble. If we do this, we
can give every child in every failing school in America the chance to meet high standards.
We know that children who learn early learn best. Since 1993, we've put over 160,000
more children in Head Start and improved its quality. Tonight, I propose the largest funding
increase for Head Start in history. This will lay the foundation for our long-term goal: universal
pre-school for every child who needs it.
We know that children learn best in smaller classes with good teachers. For two years in
a row, Congress has supported my plan to hire 100,000 new, qualified teachers, to lower class
sizes in the early grades. This year, I ask you to make it three in a row. But with two million
teachers retiring in the next decade, we must do more. Tonight, I propose a $1 billion initiative
to bring the best and the brightest into teaching, to get bad teachers out of the classroom, and to
reward good teachers - because none of us would be here without them.
We know public school choice works when parents have real choice. That's what charter
schools provide. When I became President, there was just one independent public charter school
in America. Today there are 1,700. My budget assures that we will meet our goal of funding
3,000.
We know that for children today, having access to the Internet is as vital as access to a
library. In 1994, only 35 percent of schools and only three percent of classrooms were connected
8
Today, 67 percent of high school graduates go on to college, up almost 10 percent since 1993.
Yet still, millions of families feel the strain of paying college tuition. They need help.
I propose a landmark $30-billion college opportunity tax cut. It will give middle class
families a tax deduction for up to $10,000 in tuition costs--providing as much as $2,800 in much
needed tax relief. With this new college opportunity tax cut, plus Hope Scholarships aPell
grant increase, and other aid, we can say that we have made four years of college available to all.
REWARDING WORK AND STRENGTHENING FAMILIES
We need a 21st Century revolution to reward work and strengthen families, in a world
where more and more parents work, but the most important work of all - still - is raising
children.
One of the most powerful incentives to work has been the Earned Income Tax Credit, a
targeted tax cut for working families. The "E" in "EITC" is about earning; about working; about
taking responsibility and being rewarded for it. In my first address to you, I asked Congress to
greatly expand the EITC, and we did. As a result, in 1998 alone, the EITC helped more than 4.3
million Americans work their way into the middle class - double the number in 1993.
Tonight, I propose another major expansion of the EITC. We should reduce the marriage
penalty for the EITC, making sure that it rewards marriage, and family, just as it rewards work;
and we should expand the tax credit for families with more than two children. Our plan would
10
provide those families up to $1,200 more in tax relief. They're working hard to reach the middle
class. We should help them.
Rewarding work and family requires us to make sure that men and women get equal pay
for equal work. Working women have made significant strides: the female unemployment rate
is the lowest in 40 years, and the female-headed household poverty rate is the lowest ever
recorded. But women still earn only about 75 cents for every dollar men earn. That's just not
good enough. We must provide the resources to enforce present equal pay laws, and train more
women for high-paying, high-tech jobs. And we should pass the Paycheck Fairness Act.
Working parents need quality, affordable child care. Many spend up to a quarter of their
income on child care. Last year, we helped parents provide care for about 1.75 million children.
But that's only one tenth of those eligible under federal law. My child care initiative, along with
the funds secured in welfare reform, would make child care better, safer, and more affordable for
another 650,000 children.
To help millions of parents with moderate incomes, we should expand the child care tax
credit. And let's take the next big step. Let's make the tax credit refundable for low-income
families. For those making under $25,000 a year - too little to earn a refund today - that means
up to $2,400 more for child-care costs. Let's get this done. Parents should be able to balance
work and family - not have to choose between them.
11
Tens of millions of Americans live paycheck to paycheck. As hard as they work, they
still don't have the opportunity to save. Too many work for a small business that lacks the
resources to provide pensions. Too few can make use of the IRAs and 401-Ks that so many
Americans are using to accumulate wealth, or save for a first home or a dignified retirement.
Every family that works hard should have that chance. Tonight, I propose a major new initiative
to ensure that all Americans can save. These new [TK] Savings Accounts will give low- and
moderate-income families the help they need - matching their contributions, however small,
I ALSO ProPose
dollar for dollar, every year they save. And we should go further. We should pass a major new
50 percent tax credit for any small business that provides a meaningful pension to all of its
workers.
From my first days as President, we have worked to give families better access to better
health care. In 1993, many workers lost their coverage when they changed or lost their jobs;
many lost theirjobs when they took time off to care for a sick loved one. And when employers
failed to provide it, many working families had nowhere to turn to provide health care for their
children.
who
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time to CAR fi our
Working together, we have changed that by providing family and medical leave; By that 00
in lupthu college WW thy shape Johs, AND that, that ww whyus David Assving
protecting coverage between jobs; and by passing a Children's Health Insurance Program. In
meath wsms a, this is 50ml If tun esbyas Dorll Do, ,ffee To tw CSN
less than a year, enrollment in CHIP has doubled, to 2 million children. We're on our way to our
get A for thin Children with use NW Childr's health WS. Name
goal of 5 million. To ensure that we meet it, I propose that we enroll children where they are:
schools, HeadStart classrooms, and child-care centers. Because every child in America deserves
a healthy start in life.
12
But there is more we must do - to insure not only children, but entire families that lack
coverage. Tonight I propose that we follow Vice President Gore's suggestion and make hard-
pressed parents eligible for the insurance that covers their kids. If we do this, not just for
children but for these 6.5 million parents, we can make sure that families have the health care
they need. With these steps alone, we can cover nearly one quarter of the uninsured in America.
And let's give a real, affordable option to the fastest growing group of uninsured: people
PM suffey that he
between 55 and 65 who lose their coverage. Last year, I called on Congress is let them buy into
Medicare. This year, I propose we also give them a tax credit when they do so, to make this
option more affordable.
We must also do more for citizen caregivers - the R record numbers of Americans are
providing for aging or ailing loved ones at home. More and more this is a common choice, but
rarely an easy - or an inexpensive - one. Last year, I proposed a $1,000 tax credit for long-term
care. This year, let's pass it - and triple it to $3,000.
Taken together, these proposals mark the largest investment in health care in the 35 years
since Medicare. We owe it to our people to
risks pass Mthis that year.
Let's make another pledge: let's improve mental health care. My budget makes the
largest increase ever to expand community mental health services. And I want to thank someone
13
who has waged this battle on all fronts, fighting for the mentally ill homeless, working to break
down the barriers that keep people from the help they need: Tipper Gore.
Nearly one in three American children grows up in a home without a father - and these
children are five times more likely to live in poverty than children with both parents at home.
Demanding and promoting responsible fatherhood is the critical next stage of welfare reform.
We have already begun to crack down on fathers who fail to pay child support by denying them
drivers' licenses and creating a national database to track them across state lines. As a result,
child support payments have doubled since 1993. The number of unwed fathers who legally
acknowledge their paternity has tripled. And the percentage of children born into unwed homes,
after skyrocketing for decades, has begun to level off.
We must work toward the day when every father in America takes responsibility for his
children. We can begin with tougher measures against fathers who fail to pay child support, like
booting their cars and denying them passports. And we should require fathers to work - while
helping them find work - so they can pay the child support they owe.
We know this can make a difference. Carlos Rosas of St. Paul, Minnesota enrolled in a
father's program in 1996 when he was not making enough to keep up with his child support
payments to his 13-year-old son, Ricardo. Since continuing his education and graduating from
technical school, Carlos has landed a good job and is able to better support his son, both
financially and emotionally. Contrary to conventional wisdom, many fathers, like Carlos, want
14
to do right by their children, and we should help them. Carlos is with us tonight. And we should
let him know that we support his commitment to support his child.
RESPONSIBILITY AND CRIME
Crime in America has dropped every year for the past seven years -- the longest
continuous decline on record. For seven years, we've helped wage the fight--from passing the
Brady bill to funding 100,000 new community police officers. Our nation is safer, but no one
believes America is safe as it can be. Let's set a higher goal. Let's make America the safest big
country in the world.
Last fall, Congress supported my plan to hire up to 50,000 more police officers, with
special help for high-crime neighborhoods. I ask you to continue that support this year.
Last year, after the Columbine tragedy, Congress considered common-sense gun safety
legislation to require Brady background checks at gun shows, child safety locks for all new
handguns, and a ban on the importation of large-capacity ammunition clips. With courage-and
a tie-breaking vote by the Vice President-the Senate faced down the gun lobby, stood up for the
American people and passed this legislation. But the House failed to follow suit.
We've all seen what can happen when guns fall into the wrong hands. Daniel Mauser
was only 15 years old when he was gunned down at Columbine High School. He was an
amazing kid, a straight-A student, a good skier. Like all parents who lose their children, his
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father Tom has borne unimaginable grief. Somehow Tom has found the strength to honor his
son by transforming that grief into action. Earlier this month, he took a leave of absence to fight
for tougher gun safety laws. I pray that his courage and wisdom will move this Congress to
make common-sense gun safety legislation the very next order of business.
We must do more. States require hunters and automobile drivers to have licenses. It is
long past time for states to require licenses for handgun purchasers as well.
We've shown that we can strengthen gun laws and better enforce laws already on the
books. Federal gun crime prosecutions are higher today than in 1992, and are up 25 percent
since 1998. But again, we must do more. I propose to hire more federal and local gun
prosecutors, and more ATF agents to crack down on illegal gun traffickers and bad-apple dealers
who supply guns to criminals and juveniles. We must give law enforcement the tools to trace
every gun used in a crime in America. And we must create a national ballistics network capable
of tracing almost any bullet left at a crime scene to the gun of the criminal who fired it.
[Let me say something else. I think it is important that the gun industry take more
responsibility in changing the way it designs, markets and distributes firearms. There are
responsible citizens in the gun industry who want to work with us to make sure the guns they sell
don't wind up in the wrong hands and that kids aren't killed accidentally with them. Part of the
answer may be in new technologies that could reduce accidents.]
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Listen to this: the accidental gun death rate of children under 15 is nine times higher in
the U.S. than in 25 other industrialized nations--combined. Technologies now exist that could
lead to guns that can only be fired by the adults who own them. I thank the gun manufacturers
who are developing these smart guns, and ask all other manufacturers to join them. And I ask
Congress to help by increasing funds for research in these technologies to keep our kids safer.
Every parent I know worries about violence in the media. We need to give parents more
tools to raise their kids right in today's culture. I thank the entertainment industry for accepting
my challenge to put voluntary ratings on TV programs and video and Internet games. This year,
I challenge the industry to go farther. Let's do as the First Lady has suggested, and give parents
a single, voluntary rating system for all their children's entertainment -- a system that is easy to
understand and enforce.
Every year, hundreds of thousands of offenders leave our prisons, only to wind up back
in trouble with the law. To keep our communities safe, we must do more to monitor ex-
offenders and give them the support they need to become responsible citizens. Two-thirds of ex-
offenders who are sent back to prison are drug abusers. But if they get drug treatment, they are
far less likely to commit another crime. We must provide them with that treatment, along with
regular drug testing and a simple bargain: stay clean and you stay free; do drugs and you do more
time.
OPENING NEW MARKETS
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to the Internet. Today, with the help of the Vice President's E-rate program, 89 percent of
schools and 51 percent of classrooms are hooked up. And the money is there to connect them
all. The problem is that a third of all schools are in serious disrepair - not just with leaky roofs
but with walls too old to wire to the Internet. Tonight, I propose $1.3 billion to help 5,000
schools make immediate, urgent repairs. And I renew my call for a tax credit to help build or
modernize 6,000 schools nationwide - to put our students in modern classrooms and get them
out of trailers.
We know that smaller high schools are safer and help students learn more. But since
World War II, American high schools have grown five times bigger. We must help districts
convert large, factory-style high schools into smaller schools where the often-cruel forces of peer
pressure can be softened by the influence of caring adults.
We must do more to prepare young students for college and convince them they can go.
Two years ago, Congress crossed party lines to create our Gear Up program, enabling college
students to mentor at-risk middle school students. I propose to double the number of children
reached, to 1.4 million, and to offer disadvantaged students the same college test prep courses
wealthier students use to boost their scores.
We know that to make the American Dream achievable, we must make college
affordable. For seven years, on a bipartisan basis, we have taken actions toward that goal: more
Pell grants, more-affordable student loans, education IRAs, and our HOPE scholarship tax cut.
9
who are developing these smart guns, and ask all other manufacturers to join them. And I ask
Congress to help by increasing funds for research in these technologies to keep our kids safer.
Every parent I know worries about violence in the media. We need to give parents more
tools to raise their kids right in today's culture. I thank the entertainment industry for accepting
my challenge to put voluntary ratings on TV programs and video and Internet games. This year,
I challenge the industry to go farther. Let's do as the First Lady has suggested, and give parents
a single, voluntary rating system for all their children's entertainment -- a system that is easy to
understand and enforce.
Every year, hundreds of thousands of offenders leave our prisons, only to wind up back
in trouble with the law. To keep our communities safe, we must do more to monitor ex-
offenders and give them the support they need to become responsible citizens. Two-thirds of ex-
offenders who are sent back to prison are drug abusers. But if they get drug treatment, they are
far less likely to commit another crime. We must provide them with that treatment, along with
regular drug testing and a simple bargain: stay clean and you stay free; do drugs and you do more
time.
OPENING NEW MARKETS
We need a 21st Century revolution to open new markets, start new businesses, and hire
new workers right here in America - in the inner cities, poor rural areas, and Indian reservations
- places not yet blessed by our nation's prosperity. Over the last six months, I have traveled to
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many of these places - joined by many of you - to shine a spotlight on the enormous potential in
these communities. Everywhere I've gone, I've met talented people eager for opportunity.
They're eager to work. I say: let's put them to work.
For business, it's the smart thing to do. For America, it's the right thing to do. And if we
don't do it now, when will we ever get around to it?
I ask Congress to give businesses the same incentives to invest in America's new markets
as they have to invest in foreign markets. Tonight, I propose a New Markets Tax Credit that is
more than twice the size of what I proposed last year. With this and other new incentives, we
can spur [$TK billion] in private-sector capital to create new businesses and to help firms expand
or relocate to our inner cities or rural areas. And we should increase the tax incentives that
promote growth in our Empowerment Zones - which, with Vice President Gore's leadership,
have been bringing prosperity to distressed areas for five years now.
I thank the business leaders who are not just seizing these opportunities - but creating
them. I challenge every business to do the same.
This is not a Democratic or Republican issue; it's an American issue. Mr. Speaker, it was
a powerful moment last November when you joined me and Reverend Jesse Jackson on stage at
Englewood High School, in your home state of Illinois, and pledged to work with us. I thank
you for your commitment and I look forward to working with you.
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I hope we can also agree to make special efforts to support our Indian reservations, where
unemployment is extreme - as high as 70%. My budget increases our investment in health care,
education, law enforcement, and infrastructure by more than $1 billion. In this new century, we
should honor our historic responsibility to the first Americans - Native Americans.
We must also fulfill our obligation to our farming communities, the lifeblood of our land.
When I signed the farm bill in 1996, I feared it would work well only in good times and not in
bad - especially for family farmers. In recent years, they have endured droughts, floods and
historically low prices due to financial crises abroad. We simply must strengthen the farm safety
net and invest in farm conservation. The Freedom to Farm Bill cannot become a "freedom to
fail" bill.
This spring, I will lead a New Markets tour to focus on the disturbing gap between those
who have the tools to succeed in the new economy, and those who don't. That "digital divide"
exists along lines of education, income, region, and race. It is one of the great civil rights
challenges of this Information Age.
[Back in 1994, when only 3 percent of classrooms were wired, Vice President Gore and I
set a goal of connecting every classroom and library to the Internet. The public and private
my
sectors have risen to the challenge. We are now on track to meet our goal by this timelnext
incy every Classrow litimary new we ~in
year But now, we must connect all our citizens to the Internet,- every where they live and
work. My budget helps to train more teachers, wire more classrooms, and connect more
19
communities to the economic mainstream. If America closes this digital divide, we can open a
new era of opportunity for all.
GLOBAL CHANGE AND AMERICAN LEADERSHIP
It is not enough to master the possibilities of the new economy at home. We must also
lead and shape another revolution that is sweeping our world: globalization. It is the central
reality of our time - a process tearing down barriers and building new networks between nations,
peoples, economies and cultures.
Globalization is irreversible, driven even further by the explosion in information
technology. Change this profound is both liberating and threatening. But our open, creative
society stands to benefit more than any other - if we understand and act on the new realities of
interdependence. We must maintain our military and economic might. But we cannot assure
our well being without also being an essential part of every vital global network, as a good
neighbor and good partner. We cannot keep going forward by holding other countries, especially
poor ones, back. We cannot build our future without helping others to build theirs.
Clearly, one thing we can and must do is to keep international trade growing, and
growing fairly. Trade now accounts for one-quarter of our economy. It creates good jobs and
brings us new products and technologies. We need to keep that trade growing, and growing
fairly. That means enforcing our own rules to protect our workers, our industries, and our
environment. It means a global economy based on the rule of law. It means making
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international trade - and the WTO - more open and responsive to public concerns. We will not
build our prosperity on the sweat of children, or the ruin of our environment.
We must also reach out to developing economies; and I ask Congress to finalize our
groundbreaking African and Caribbean Basin trade initiatives. This will help Americans
economically and forge new partnerships for a more secure, democratic world.
But mastering the demands of globalization is about much more than economics. It is
about seizing an unprecedented opportunity to build a future of security, prosperity and freedom,
while dealing with the dangers that still imperil our national interests. What are the critical
challenges we face in the coming century?
One will be to encourage our former adversaries Russia and China to emerge as stable,
prosperous, democratic partners of the United States. Both countries are being held back from
reaching their potential: Russia by the legacy of communism, by economic crisis, by a cruel and
futile war in Chechnya; China by the illusion that it can buy stability at the expense of freedom.
But think how much else has changed: 5,000 former Soviet nuclear weapons dismantled;
Russian soldiers serving with ours to keep peace in the Balkans; Russian people democratically
electing their leaders d for the first time. And in China, a society more open to the world than at
any time in its history. No one can know for sure what direction these great countries will
choose. We can make sure that we do everything in our power to see that both are on the inside
of the global community, playing by the rules, not on the outside denying them.
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Congress should support the agreement we negotiated to bring China into the WTO, by
passing Permanent Normal Trade Relations. If we do, America's companies and workers gain
new opportunities in every sector of China's vast market, but China gains no new access to ours.
This agreement is good for America and will promote the cause of change in China.
Another critical challenge will be to protect our security from conflicts that pose the risk
of wider war, especially those rooted in ethnic and religious tensions. Our modern world is still
bedeviled by our most ancient failing - fear of those different from us. In too many places, that
fear is exploited by cynical leaders clinging to power or waging war on their neighbors.
America cannot prevent every conflict or stop every outrage. But where our interests are
at stake and we can make a difference, we must be peacemakers. For when human beings
anywhere are singled out for destruction, it is our common humanity that suffers. And left
unresolved, such tragedies can throw whole regions into turmoil, overwhelm the world's
capacity to help the innocent, and threaten us more directly.
We should be proud of America's role in bringing the Middle East closer than ever to a
comprehensive peace. We should be proud of our work to bring peace in Northern Ireland;
proud of our efforts in East Timor and Africa, in promoting reconciliation between Greece and
Turkey, in working to defuse crises between India and Pakistan, and in defending human rights
and religious freedom.
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And we should be proud of the men and women of our armed forces who stopped the
ethnic cleansing in Kosovo, enabling a million innocent people to return to their homes. Today,
instead of struggling to defeat something evil, we can focus on building something good: a
Europe undivided, democratic and at peace for the first time in history.
When Slobodan Milosevic unleashed his terror in Kosovo, Captain John Cherrey was one
of the brave airmen who turned the tide. And when another American plane went down over
Serbia, he flew into the teeth of enemy air defenses to bring his fellow pilot home. Captain
Cherrey, we honor you with our gratitude, and with our promise to finish the work you helped
begin.
Another critical challenge is to keep the inexorable march of technology from giving
terrorists and hostile nations the means to undermine our defenses, and force us to live in fear
again. The same advances that have shrunk cell phones to fit in the palms of our hands can also
make weapons of terror easier to conceal and easier to use.
We must meet this threat: by helping Russia keep its arsenal secure and reducing both
our nuclear arsenals; restraining nuclear and missile programs in North Korea and Iran;
preventing Iraq from threatening its neighbors. We are increasing our preparedness against
biological attack and developing a system to defend against the missiles of outlaw nations -
while working to preserve our Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty with Russia. My budget devotes $2
billion to protect our vital computer systems from hackers and criminals in any corner of any
country.
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We must also strengthen global standards against proliferation. I hope we can have a
bipartisan dialogue this year to build a consensus on the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty which
will eventually lead to its ratification. America must remain a leader in the struggle for a safer
world.
Another critical challenge is to keep global stability from being threatened by a gap
between rich and poor. We cannot accept a world in which a part of humanity lives on the
cutting edge of a new economy, while another lives on the bare edge of survival. Part of the
answer is expanded trade. A bigger part is the expansion of freedom.
From Nigeria to Indonesia, more people won the right to choose their leaders in 1999
than in 1989, the year the Berlin Wall fell. Yet new democracies need help in delivering for their
people. We must stand by neighboring countries like Colombia, fighting for its people's lives -
and for our children's lives - against the poison of drugs. I have proposed a two-year, $1.6
billion package to help Colombia; and I ask for your support. And if we want to put the drug
barons out of business, let's go after what they value most: their money. This year, I will
propose legislation to crack down harder on money laundering, here and around the world.
In a world where 1.3 billion people live on less than a dollar a day, we must also reduce
the debts of impoverished countries. I ask Congress to continue to support that effort.
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And America must help more nations break the bonds of disease that hold down their
people. It is unacceptable that last year in Africa, AIDS killed ten times as many people as war
did. My budget invests $150 million in the fight against this and other infectious killers. And I
will ask the world to join us in an initiative to speed the delivery and development of vaccines.
Today, I am proposing a tax credit that will say to private industry: if you develop vaccines for
diseases like malaria, TB and AIDS, we will help pay for them, and together save millions of
lives.
And I will ask Congress to increase our support for international family planning by $170
million. That money will help families live healthier lives, and it will save the lives of thousands
of women and children.
All this comes down to a central challenge, the most important of all: will America
continue to lead? In the 20th century, America was thrust into global leadership by the forces of
history. Now America must choose: to direct the new forces of history or be driven by them.
Clearly, America must lead boldly and consistently and with a clear understanding of what
globalization and increasing interdependence require of us.
To lead, we must remain strong. We have reversed the decline in defense spending that
began in 1985. We must continue to keep our military the best trained, best equipped in the
world. My budget invests in readiness and in 21st century weapons. It raises salaries for our men
and women in uniform and ensures America's veterans the thanks and honor they have so richly
earned.
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We must also continue to fund the one percent of our budget that supports the diplomacy
that keeps our soldiers out of war. Last year, Congress worked with me to maintain that
commitment and resume paying our UN dues and arrears. Let's do it again this year. And let's
remember: building a stronger global community will only strengthen our community here at
home.
RESPONSIBILITY, OPPORTUNITY, AND THE ENVIRONMENT
We have no higher obligation to our children, and their children, than to be wise stewards
of our air, water, and land. I am grateful for the many opportunities the Vice President and I
have had to honor this commitment - and finally to put to rest the notion that you can't expand
your economy and protect the environment at the same time. As our economy has grown, we
have rid countless neighborhoods of toxic waste, ensured cleaner drinking water for millions of
families, and taken unprecedented steps to improve the air we breathe.
In the past three months alone, we have acted to preserve pristine backcountry lands in
our National Forests and created three new National Monuments - adding to the tens of millions
of acres we are protecting for all Americans, for all time. Not since the days of Theodore
Roosevelt has the nation come together to save so much precious land in the continental United
States.
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But our communities are growing, and our commitment to conservation must keep
growing as well. So tonight, as part of my Lands Legacy Initiative, I propose creating, for the
first time, a permanent conservation endowment to save our wildlands, protect our coastlines,
and restore our wildlife. This endowment would provide nearly $1.5 billion each year - by far
the largest, most enduring investment in land preservation ever proposed.
Last year, the Vice President launched a major new effort to help make communities
more livable - so children will grow up next to parks rather than parking lots, and parents don't
sit in endless traffic when they could be home with their kids. Tonight, we propose new funding
for advanced transit systems
for saving farms and other precious open spaces
and for
helping the major cities around the Great Lakes protect their waterways and enhance their quality
of life.
As we work to protect our natural resources, we must help other nations that are
struggling to protect theirs. The rainforests are the lungs of our planet - the source of more than
a quarter of the oxygen on earth. Yet these lush sanctuaries of life are disappearing at the rate of
more than 50 acres a minute. Tonight, I propose a new plan to help countries from the Amazon
to the Congo Basin strengthen their economies by preserving, rather than destroying,
irreplaceable forests.
The greatest environmental challenge of the new century is global warming. Scientists
tell us that the 1990s were the hottest decade of the entire millennium - and that if we fail to
27
reduce emissions of greenhouse gases now, deadly heat waves, droughts, and floods will become
more frequent with each passing year.
But thanks to remarkable new technologies, we can meet this challenge - and we can do
it in ways that produce more widespread, more sustainable economic growth.
Last week, at the Detroit Auto Show, automakers unveiled cars that use advanced
materials and dual fuel sources to get 70 to 80 miles a gallon - the fruits of a unique partnership
the Vice President has led. We've helped develop windows that drastically cut energy bills by
keeping out four or five times as much heat and cold as normal windows do. We're helping to
bring the benefits of advanced space research into our homes with solar roofing tiles and fuel
cells that produce all the electricity a family needs - and no pollution at all. Before you know it,
we'll be producing clean fuels from crops and getting the equivalent of hundreds of miles from a
gallon of gas.
To help spur these new technologies, I propose giving major tax incentives to businesses
for producing clean power from crops, wind, or sun
and to families for buying energy-
efficient homes and appliances. And when new super-efficient cars hit the showroom floor, we
should provide people who buy them with up to $3,000 in tax credits, effectively cutting their
sticker price and ensuring even greater appeal.
But let's be frank: we have the technology to make all new cars more fuel efficient right
now. So tonight, I call on auto industry leaders to join us in designing a new strategy for
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reversing the recent decline in average fuel economy. You've committed to higher efficiency in
Europe. Let's do the same right here at home.
We must also meet the worldwide challenge of global warming by giving developing
countries the tools to grow in ways that strengthen their economies and protect the environment.
So tonight, I propose a new [$100 million] initiative to help these countries adopt the newest
clean-energy technologies. Nations can now achieve prosperity without following the old
patterns of growth that brought us global warming. Let's help them follow a better, more
modern path.
THE OPPORTUNITY AND RESPONSIBILITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
In the new century, innovations in science and technology will be key not only to the
health of our environment. Sustained investments in scientific research will also yield dramatic,
almost miraculous, improvements in the quality of our lives.
In the last century, the life expectancy for the average American increased from 47 to 77
- thanks to discoveries such as penicillin and the development of vaccines for many childhood
diseases. Today, we are on the cusp of advances that will not only help us live far longer but far
better.
Later this year, researchers will finish the first complete sequence of the human genome -
the very blueprint of life. This will lead to a revolution in our ability to detect, treat, and prevent
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diseases from Alzheimer's to cancer to AIDS. If we delay the onset of Alzheimer's by just five
years, we could empty half the nursing home beds in America.
Research at the intersection between biomedical research and engineering will also lead
to amazing breakthroughs. Scientists are already working on an artificial retina to treat certain
kinds of blindness, and methods of directly stimulating the spinal cord to allow people who are
paralyzed to walk.
Scientists have recently identified three of the genes that cause Parkinson's Disease - and
they will soon begin to test elegant therapies that will turn off these faulty genes for good.
Tonight, I want to thank these scientists for their brilliant work. I also want to salute Michael J.
Fox - the talented actor, director, and producer who was diagnosed with Parkinson's nine years
ago. Michael, on behalf of the million young and older Americans struggling with Parkinson's, I
thank you for giving so much of yourself to accelerating the hunt for a cure.
Advances in science and engineering are also the engine of our economic growth.
Consider the impact of information technology. Because of our early investments in developing
microprocessors, satellite communications, and the Internet, America now leads the world in
information technology - an industry that accounts for one third of our economic growth and that
generates jobs that pay almost 80 percent more than the private sector average wage.
In the future, we will have devices that can translate foreign languages as fast as you can
speak, enabling anyone to tap into the world's knowledge instantly - from anywhere
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materials ten times stronger than steel at only a small fraction of the weight unimaginably
powerful computers made with DNA strands rather than silicon chips. These and other
breakthroughs may enhance our economy and our society even more profoundly than the
Internet does today.
For all these reasons, my budget will include an unprecedented $3 billion increase in the
21st Century Research Fund. We will boost support for biomedical research at the National
Institutes of Health, double the largest dollar increase for the National Science Foundation in its
50-year history, and greatly expand funding for information technology, clean energy,
university-based research, and NASA's never-ending quest in space.
It is up to all of us to ensure that this new age of science and technology is also a new age
of enlightenment, reflecting our most cherished values.
First and foremost, we must ensure that citizens' privacy - financial and medical - is
protected. Last year, our administration proposed rules to protect every citizen's most sensitive
information, his or her medical records. This year, we will finalize those rules. We have also
taken steps to protect our people's financial records. But these are only the first steps, as I said
when I signed the financial modernization bill into law. I will soon send legislation to the
Congress to complete this important unfinished business.
We will also take action to prevent genetic discrimination - so no employer ever reviews
your genetic records along with your resume. We will make sure that the actions of the
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government itself contain strong privacy protections. And tonight, I want to issue a strong
challenge to on-line companies to do more to protect their customers' privacy.
Second, we know that our medical professionals work wonders every day; but we also
know that their first obligation is to do no harm. My budget makes the largest investment in
history to eliminate medical errors and enhance patient safety. Because no American should
ever fear that their health care will jeopardize their health.
If we do all these things, we can ensure that the march of human discovery will only
quicken in the century before us - enhancing our lives, and the lives of our children, in ways that
we can only begin to imagine today.
COMMUNITY
In the era of globalization, we must work even harder to strengthen the bonds of our
local communities and our national community.
We should begin with ways to widen the circle of citizen service until it embraces every
American. There is a new spirit of service in America-a movement we have supported with
revolutionary new partnerships between government and private citizens.
Four years ago, I asked corporate leaders to join us in helping people move from welfare
to work. Today, 12,000 companies have hired nearly 650,000 of our fellow citizens.
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Over the past seven years, we have created many other successful partnerships. To battle
drug abuse and AIDS. To teach young people to read. To Save America's Treasures. To fight
teen pregnancy. To prevent youth violence. To promote racial healing. To help our young
people serve.
But there is much more to be done, we need more citizen servants.
Veterans of AmeriCorps, like veterans of our military and the Peace Corps, are a pool of
know-how and can-do. Tonight, I propose the creation of the Americorps Reserves to activate
former AmeriCorps members in times of crisis including natural disasters.
Our senior population represents a huge army of workers and volunteers who want and
deserve a chance to serve. So, tonight, I say to seniors across America - we need your work,
your wisdom and your service. Get involved if you are not and stay involved if you are.
If we believe that charity begins at home, we must reward lower and middle income
Americans who tithe and contribute to charities. Right now, only those who earn enough to
itemize can claim a tax deduction for charitable contributions. Tonight, I propose new tax
incentives to allow low and middle income citizens to claim that same deduction.
Faith-based organizations are on the frontlines in our communities helping Americans
fight substance abuse, providing opportunities for young people to get back on the right track.
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We can respect the line between church and state and still do more to support the good works of
these groups. [TK Specific examples to come]
There is even more we can do to breathe fuller life into the idea of citizenship. That's
why we're proposing to invest more in teaching civics and English to new immigrants. That's
why in this year of the census, every one of us must not only stand up and be counted. We must
also stand up and be heard.
So I say to all Americans: whatever your party, whatever your ideology, whatever you
do, make your voice heard. Vote.
We are going to use 21ˢᵗ century technology to open new doors to the democratic process.
Two generations ago, Franklin Roosevelt used the new medium of radio for his fireside chats.
Starting next month, I will use the new medium of the Internet to launch Webside Chats---
interactive discussions to connect more Americans to our democracy.
Our national community is undergoing one of the greatest demographic transformations
in history. Within ten years there will be no majority race in our largest state, California. In a
little more than 50 years there will be no majority race in America.
In a more interconnected world, will we make diversity our greatest strength? As we
have seen in recent years, from Northern Ireland to Africa from the Balkans to the Middle
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East racial and ethnic conflict too often spark terror and war. And no country is exempt from
hatred-even our own.
We have seen a man dragged to death in Texas simply because he was black. A young
man murdered in Wyoming simply because he was gay. In the last year, we've seen the
shootings of African Americans, Asian Americans, and Jewish children simply because of who
they were. We must draw the line. This is not the American way. In America, we must do more
than tolerate diversity--we must celebrate it. Without further delay, we must pass the Hate
Crimes Prevention Act and the Employment Non-Discrimination Act.
The work of building One America must be the work of all Americans. We must
rededicate ourselves to the ideals of justice and opportunity for all that are at the heart of our
democracy. No American should be subjected to discrimination in finding a home, getting a job,
going to school, or securing a loan. Tonight, I propose the largest ever investment to enforce
America's civil rights laws. Let's make sure protections in law are protections in fact.
Last February, I created the White House Office on One America to coordinate our
efforts and help build community partnerships for racial reconciliation. We are reaching out
across our nation - to religious leaders, to corporate leaders, to the legal community to enlist the
help of American in building the One America of our dreams.
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This fall, at the White House, one of America's leading scientists, said something we all
need to remember: all human beings are genetically 99.9 percent the same. Modern science
affirms what ancient faith has taught us: the most important fact of life is our common humanity.
My fellow Americans, each time I prepare for the state of the union, I approach it with
great hope and great expectations for our nation. But there is no escaping the fact that tonight is
different. For tonight, we stand on the mountaintop, with a new millennium spread out before
us. Behind us we see the expanse of American achievement, and ahead even wider frontiers of
possibility.
So, as we take our long look ahead, we must ask ourselves: How will we make the most
of this moment of promise?
Tonight, let us pledge to ourselves and to our children:
At a time of undreamed of economic growth, we will, step by step, bring opportunity to
every American in every community.
At a time of record surpluses, we will, step by step, make America debt free for the first
time since 1835.
At a time when our people are living longer than ever, we will, step by step, ensure that
they live healthier, with quality, affordable healthcare for all Americans.
36
At a time when science and technology are transforming our world, we will, step by step,
realize their full promise and, at every step, harness our progress to our values.
At a time when we have proved we can grow the economy and protect the environment,
we will, step by step, reverse climate change and secure our planet for our grandchildren.
At a time of steadily falling crime, we will, step by step, make America the safest big
nation on Earth.
At a time when more parents are working, we will, step by step, ensure that all parents
have the tools to succeed at work and in raising their children and that none of those children
are raised in poverty.
At a time when knowledge is the key to our children's future, we will, step by step, see
to it that all of them begin school ready to learn and graduate ready to succeed.
At a time when globalization brings both new promise and new perils, we will continue
to be the world's indispensable nation - a strong leader and a better neighbor.
At a time when America is growing more diverse than ever, we will become at last what
our founders pledged us to be so long ago -- one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and
justice for all.
37
This is the long look ahead, unreachable in one year, but clearly within reach of a great
people with big dreams, determined to work together and move ahead, step by step.
When the framers were crafting our Constitution, Benjamin Franklin reflected on a
painting of the sun, low on the horizon, hanging in Independence Hall. He said, "I have often
wondered whether that sun was rising or setting. Today I have the happiness to know it is a
rising sun." Well, today because each generation of Americans has kept the fire of freedom
burning and lighting new frontiers of possibility, we bask in the warmth of Mr. Franklin's rising
sun. Now it is our time. We will be judged by the deeds and dreams we pass to our children.
And on that score, we will be held to a high standard, indeed. Because our chance to do good is
so great. So, let us look to the rising sun. After 224 years, the American revolution continues.
We remain a new nation. As long as our dreams outweigh our memories, America will be
forever young. That is our destiny. And this is our magic moment.
Thank you, God bless you, and God bless America.
38
Draft8 01/25/00 2:30am
PRESIDENT WILLIAM J. CLINTON
STATE OF THE UNION ADDRESS
UNITED STATES CAPITOL
WASHINGTON, DC
January 27, 2000
Mr. Speaker, Mr. Vice President, Members of Congress, honored guests, my fellow
Americans: We are fortunate to be alive at this moment in history. Never before has our nation
enjoyed, at once, so much prosperity, social progress, and self-confidence with so little internal
crisis or so few external threats. Never before have we had such a blessed opportunity - and,
therefore, such a profound obligation - to build the more perfect union of our founders' dreams.
There is no better moment to dream new dreams for our nation and act on them.
We begin the new century with over 20 million new jobs in the last seven years. The
fastest economic growth in more than 30 years; the lowest unemployment rate in 30 years; the
lowest poverty rate in 20 years; the lowest African-American and Hispanic unemployment rate
on record; the highest home ownership ever; the first back-to-back budget surpluses in 42 years -
and the largest budget surplus in history.
Next month, America will achieve the longest period of economic growth in our entire
history.
Our economic revolution has been matched by a remarkable revival of the American
spirit: Crime down by 25 percent, to its lowest level in more than 30 years. Teen births have
dropped seven years in a row and adoptions are up by 30 percent. Welfare rolls have been cut in
I
half to their lowest levels in 32 years, and seven million Americans have moved off welfare and
are moving into work.
My fellow Americans, the state of our union is the strongest it has ever been.
As always, most of the credit for what we have achieved belongs to the American people.
With your hard work - to raise your families and live your dreams -- you have prepared our
nation for the 21st century.
My gratitude also goes to all of you in this chamber who have worked with us to make
the tough decisions, to put progress above partisanship for the sake of our people.
Eight years ago, it was not clear to most Americans that there would be much to celebrate
in the year 2000. Our nation was gripped by economic distress, social decline, political gridlock,
and discredited government. In 1992, at a time of rising crime, mounting deficits, and high
unemployment, the title of a best-selling book asked: "America: What went wrong?"
But in the best traditions of our nation, America determined to set things right. We
replaced outdated ideologies with bold, new ideas anchored in basic, enduring values:
opportunity for all, responsibility from all, and a community of all Americans.
2
We went beyond the debate over whether government was the problem or the solution to
a government dedicated to giving the American people the tools to solve their own problems, to
being a catalyst for new ideas, and a partner with Americans in all other walks of life.
With the smallest federal government in 37 years, we turned record deficits into record
surpluses, and doubled our investment in education. We refused to keep making the false
choices that paralyzed Washington for too long. We cut crime, not by choosing prevention or
punishment, but by choosing both, with 100,000 community police and the Brady Law, which
has kept guns out of the hands of a half-million criminals. We protected the environment, not by
pitting economic growth against environmental progress, but by choosing both - with cleaner air,
safer water and food, and record amounts of precious land protected.
We emphasized both opportunity and responsibility: That's how we ended welfare as we
knew it - requiring work, but protecting health care and nutrition for children and investing more
in child care, transportation and housing for their parents who are making the move from welfare
to work. That's how we have helped parents to succeed at work and at home - with ideas like
Family and Medical Leave, which 20 million Americans have used for childbirth or to care for
sick loved ones, and immunizing 90 percent of our children for the very first time. And that's
how we are opening the doors of college to all - with more Pell grants, more affordable college
loans, and already almost 5 million recipients of the HOPE Scholarship.
Opportunity and responsibility: That's how we have engaged 150,000 more young
Americans in citizen service, in building One America, one community at a time, through
3
AmeriCorps as they earn money to further their own college education. That's how we seized
the opportunities of a global era - with 270 new agreements to expand trade and open markets
for American products, while pushing for an end to child labor and advances in the global
economy and environment. That's how we've advanced our interests around the world - by
standing up for peace from Bosnia to Ireland to the Middle East; by expanding NATO; by
building new partnerships in Asia, Latin America and Africa; by fighting terrorism and the
spread of weapons of mass destruction.
In 1992, Vice President Gore and I had a roadmap. Today we have results. More
important, we have the chance of a lifetime to build the future of our dreams if we stay on the
path that got us here. Building on our progress always moving forward always gaining
ground.
But you can't gain ground if you're standing still. For too long this Congress has been
standing still on some of our most pressing national priorities. Let's begin with them.
I ask you to pass a real patients bill of rights. To pass common-sense gun-safety
legislation. And, again, I ask you to raise the minimum wage.
Two years ago, I stood before you as we reached our first balanced budget and said let's
show our responsibility to the next generation, by maintaining our fiscal discipline and saving
the surplus for Social Security. Because we resisted the temptation to stray from the path of
fiscal discipline, we have had back to back surpluses and are doing something that would have
4
seemed unimaginable seven years ago. We are paying down our national debt. If every one in
this chamber will join me in staying on this path, we now know that we can pay down the debt in
13 years and make America debt free for the first time since Andrew Jackson was president in
1835.
In 1993, when we took our first major step to put our fiscal house in order with the
passage of the deficit reduction act, I asked your former colleague, my first Secretary of the
Treasury, and a true American statesman, Lloyd Bentson, to lead that effort. America is better
off for his service.
But beyond paying off the debt, we need to make sure that the benefits of that debt
reduction go to preserving two of the most important programs for every family in America -
Social Security and Medicare. I ask you tonight to work with me to make a bi-partisan down
payment on Social Security reform by ensuring that it is strong and safe for the next 50 years.
We should also use the benefits of debt reduction to secure Medicare SO that this generation of
older Americans -- and the next -- never have to worry about medical care. And to provide a
prescription drug benefit so that no senior has to choose between medicine and food.
But all of this is just a start. Now we must lift our sights and take what Theodore
Roosevelt, at the dawn of the last century, called "the long look ahead."
We live in revolutionary times. The way we communicate. The way we work. The way
we learn. The way we live. The way we are increasingly connected to each other and to people
5
around the world. My fellow Americans, we have crossed the bridge we built to the 21 st
century. Now we must shape a 21st century American revolution of opportunity, responsibility,
and community. We must be, as we were in the beginning, a new nation.
The first American revolution was not won with a single shot. The continent was not
settled in a single day. The challenge of expanding freedom was not accomplished with one
march. The dreams for which we strive are always bold. But the lesson of our history and the
lesson of the last seven years is that we make great strides toward them step by step.
OPPORTUNITY AND RESPONSIBILITY IN EDUCATION
First and foremost, we need a 21st century revolution in education, guided by our faith
that every child can learn. With the largest, most diverse group of students ever, an economy
that rewards education more than ever, we must set the highest goals for education ever: Every
child who needs it should have access to preschool. Every child who needs it should have
afterschool and summer school to meet high standards. Every child should learn from great
teachers. Every student should graduate high school with a diploma that means something. And
every young person in America should know that if they want to go to college, they can afford
to.
For seven years, we have worked hard to improve our schools, following a fundamental
strategy: Invest more, but demand more in return. Since 1993, we have nearly doubled
investment in education and training. At the same time, we have helped nearly every state set
higher academic standards for their schools.
6
Scores on college entrance exams are now going up, even as more students from more-
diverse backgrounds are taking the test. And some of the most impressive academic gains are
happening in schools in some of America's poorest neighborhoods.
I have visited schools across this country, in some of America's poorest neighborhoods,
that have turned themselves around through the same proven formula: more accountability,
higher standards, and extra help to make sure children reach those standards. I have sent
Congress a reform plan based on that formula, a plan that holds all states and school districts
accountable for progress, and rewards them for results. Each year, the national government
invests more than $15 billion in our public schools. It's time to change the way we invest that
money, to support what works and stop supporting what doesn't.
But just as we must demand more than ever from our schools, tonight I propose that we
invest more than ever in our schools.
Let's double our investment to help states and districts turn around their worst-
performing schools-or shut them down. And let's give bonuses to states that succeed in
making scores go up.
Let's double our investment in quality afterschool and summer school programs. They
boost academic achievement and keep children off the street and out of trouble. If we do this, we
can give every child in every failing school in America the chance to meet high standards.
7
We know that children who learn early learn best. Since 1993, we've put over 160,000
more children in Head Start and improved its quality. Tonight, I propose the largest funding
increase for Head Start in history. This will lay the foundation for our long-term goal: universal
pre-school for every child who needs it.
We know that children learn best in smaller classes with good teachers. For two years in
a row, Congress has supported my plan to hire 100,000 new, qualified teachers, to lower class
sizes in the early grades. This year, I ask you to make it three in a row. But with two million
teachers retiring in the next decade, we must do more. Tonight, I propose a $1 billion initiative
to bring the best and the brightest into teaching, to get bad teachers out of the classroom, and to
reward good teachers - because none of us would be here without them.
We know public school choice works when parents have real choice. That's what charter
schools provide. When I became President, there was just one independent public charter school
in America. Today there are 1,700. My budget assures that we will meet our goal of funding
3,000.
We know that for children today, having access to the Internet is as vital as access to a
library. In 1994, only 35 percent of schools and only three percent of classrooms were connected
to the Internet. Today, with the help of the Vice President's E-rate program, 89 percent of
schools and 51 percent of classrooms are hooked up. And the money is there to connect them
all. The problem is that a third of all schools are in serious disrepair - not just with leaky roofs
but with walls too old to wire to the Internet. Tonight, I propose $1.3 billion to help 5,000
8
schools make immediate, urgent repairs. And I renew my call for a tax credit to help build or
modernize 6,000 schools nationwide - to put our students in modern classrooms and get them
out of trailers.
We know that smaller high schools are safer and help students learn more. But since
World War II, American high schools have grown five times bigger. We must help districts
convert large, factory-style high schools into smaller schools where the often-cruel forces of peer
pressure can be softened by the influence of caring adults.
We must do more to prepare young students for college and convince them they can go.
Two years ago, Congress crossed party lines to create our Gear Up program, enabling college
students to mentor at-risk middle school students. I propose to double the number of children
reached, to 1.4 million, and to offer disadvantaged students the same college test prep courses
wealthier students use to boost their scores.
We know that to make the American Dream achievable, we must make college
affordable. For seven years, on a bipartisan basis, we have taken actions toward that goal: more
Pell grants, more-affordable student loans, education IRAs, and our HOPE scholarship tax cut.
Today, 67 percent of high school graduates go on to college, up almost 10 percent since 1993.
Yet still, millions of families feel the strain of paying college tuition. They need help.
I propose a landmark $30-billion college opportunity tax cut. It will give middle class
families a tax deduction for up to $10,000 in tuition costs -- providing as much as $2,800 in
9
much needed tax relief. With this new college opportunity tax cut, plus another Pell grant
increase and other aid, we can say that we have made four years of college available to all.
REWARDING WORK AND STRENGTHENING FAMILIES
We need a 21 st Century revolution to reward work and strengthen families, in a world
where more and more parents work, but the most important work of all - still - is raising
children.
One of the most powerful incentives to work has been the Earned Income Tax Credit, a
targeted tax cut for working families. The "E" in "EITC" is about earning; about working; about
taking responsibility and being rewarded for it. In my first address to you, I asked Congress to
greatly expand the EITC, and we did. As a result, in 1998 alone, the EITC helped more than 4.3
million Americans work their way into the middle class - double the number in 1993.
Tonight, I propose another major expansion of the EITC. We should reduce the marriage
penalty for the EITC, making sure that it rewards marriage, and family, just as it rewards work;
and we should expand the tax credit for families with more than two children. Our plan would
provide those families up to $1,200 more in tax relief. They're working hard to reach the middle
class. We should help them.
Rewarding work and family requires us to make sure that men and women get equal pay
for equal work. Working women have made significant strides: the female unemployment rate
10
is the lowest in 40 years, and the female-headed household poverty rate is the lowest ever
recorded. But women still earn only about 75 cents for every dollar men earn. That's just not
good enough. We must provide the resources to enforce present equal pay laws, and train more
women for high-paying, high-tech jobs. And we should pass the Paycheck Fairness Act.
Working parents need quality, affordable child care. Many spend up to a quarter of their
income on child care. Last year, we helped parents provide care for about 1.75 million children.
But that's only one tenth of those eligible under federal law. My child care initiative, along with
the funds secured in welfare reform, would make child care better, safer, and more affordable for
another 650,000 children.
To help millions of parents with moderate incomes, we should expand the child care tax
credit. And let's take the next big step. Let's make the tax credit refundable for low-income
families. For those making under $25,000 a year - too little to earn a refund today - that means
up to $2,400 more for child-care costs. Let's get this done. Parents should be able to balance
work and family - not have to choose between them.
Tens of millions of Americans live paycheck to paycheck. As hard as they work, they
still don't have the opportunity to save. Too many work for a small business that lacks the
resources to provide pensions. Too few can make use of the IRAs and 401-Ks that so many
Americans are using to accumulate wealth, or save for a first home or a dignified retirement.
Every family that works hard should have that chance. Tonight, I propose a major new initiative
to ensure that all Americans can save. These new [TK] Savings Accounts will give low- and
11
moderate-income families the help they need - matching their contributions, however small,
dollar for dollar, every year they save. I also propose a major new 50 percent tax credit for any
small business that provides a meaningful pension to all of its workers.
From my first days as President, we have worked to give families better access to better
health care. We have made sure workers can keep their coverage when they change jobs or take
time off to care for a sick loved one. And we passed the Children's Health Insurance Program,
so that workers who don't have health coverage through their employers can get it for their
children. In less than a year, enrollment in CHIP has doubled, to 2 million children. We're on
our way to our goal of 5 million. To ensure that we meet it, I propose that we enroll children
where they are: schools, HeadStart classrooms, and child-care centers. Because every child in
America deserves a healthy start in life.
But there is more we must do - to insure not only children, but entire families that lack
coverage. Tonight I propose that we follow Vice President Gore's suggestion and make hard-
pressed parents eligible for the insurance that covers their kids. If we do this, not just for
children but for these 6.5 million parents, we can make sure that families have the health care
they need. With these steps alone, we can cover nearly one quarter of the uninsured in America.
And let's give a real, affordable option to the fastest growing group of uninsured: people
between 55 and 65 who lose their coverage. Last year, I proposed that we let them buy into
Medicare. This year, I propose we also give them a tax credit when they do so, to make this
option more affordable.
12
OPPORTUNITY AND RESPONSIBILITY IN EDUCATION
First and foremost, we need a 21st century revolution in education,
guided by our faith that every child can learn. We have the largest, most
diverse group of students ever. They will enter an economy that rewards
education more than ever.
That is why, for seven years, we have worked harder than ever to
improve our schools, by following a fundamental strategy: Invest more, but
demand more in return. Since 1993 we have nearly doubled investment in
education and training. At the same time we have helped nearly every state
set higher academic standards for their schools.
Scores on college entrance exams are now going up, even as more
students from more-diverse backgrounds are taking the test. And some of
the most impressive academic gains are happening in schools in some of
America's poorest neighborhoods.
Still, too many schools are a long way from where they need to be.
We are doing too little for these schools, and expecting too little of them.
We must not let another generation of children languish, when we know how
to help. Every child who needs it should have access to preschool. Every
child who needs it should have afterschool and summer school to meet high
standards. Every child should learn from great teachers. Every student
should graduate high school with a diploma that means something. And
every young person in America should know that if they want to go to
college, they can afford to.
We know this can be done. I have visited schools in some of
America's poorest neighborhoods that have turned themselves around
through the same proven formula: more accountability, higher standards,
and extra help to make sure children reach those standards. I have sent you
a plan based on that formula, a plan that holds all states and school districts
accountable for progress, and rewards them for results. Each year, the
national government invests more than $15 billion in our public schools. It's
time to change the way we invest that money, to support what works and
stop supporting what doesn't.
But just as we must demand more than ever from our schools, tonight
I propose that we invest more than ever in our schools.
Let's double the investment Congress made last year to fund proven
efforts by states and districts to turn around their worst-performing
schools-or shut them down and allow parents to choose other public
schools for their children. And let's give bonuses to states that succeed in
making scores go up across the board.
Let's double our investment in quality afterschool and summer school
programs. They boost academic achievement and keep children off the
street and out of trouble. If we do this, we can give every child in every
failing school in America the chance to meet high standards. And if
Congress stays on this path, we will provide access quality afterschool and
summer school to every child in America.
We know that children who learn early learn best. Since 1993, we've
put over 160,000 more children in Head Start and improved its quality.
Tonight, I propose the largest funding increase for Head Start in history.
Doing this will lay the foundation for our long-term goal: universal pre-
school for every child who needs it.
We know that children learn best in small classes with good teachers.
For two years in a row, Congress has supported hiring 100,000 new,
qualified teachers, to lower class sizes in the early grades. This year, I ask
you to make it three in a row. But with two million teachers retiring in the
next decade, we must do more. Tonight, I propose a $1 billion initiative to
bring the best and the brightest into teaching, to get bad teachers out of the
classroom, and to reward good teachers - because none of us would be here
without them.
We know public school choice works when parents have real choice.
That's what charter schools provide. When I became President, there was
just one independent public charter school in all America. Today there are
1700. My budget assures that we will meet our goal of funding 3000. Let's
give parents real choice.
We know that for children today, having access to the Internet is as
important as having access to a library. In 1994, only 35 percent of schools
and three percent of classrooms were connected to the Internet. Today, with
the help of the Vice President's E-rate program, 89 percent of schools and
51 percent of classrooms are hooked up. And the money is there to connect
them all. The problem is that a third of all schools are in serious disrepair -
with not just leaky roofs but with and electrical service so inadequate that if
you plug a new computer into the wall, the circuit breaker cuts off.
Tonight, I propose a new, $1.3 billion to help 5,000 schools make
immediate, urgent repairs. I renew my call for a tax credit to help build or
modernize 6,000 schools nationwide - so we can take our children out of
trailers and put them in modern classrooms.
We know that since World War II, American high schools have grown
five times bigger, but that smaller high schools are better at promoting
learning and keeping students safe. We must help districts convert large,
factory-style high schools into smaller schools where the often-cruel forces
of peer pressure can be softened by the influence of caring adults. Let's
make sure our kids go to schools where everybody knows their name.
We must do more to prepare young students for college and convince
them they can go. Two years ago, Congress crossed party lines to create
our Gear Up program, enabling college students to mentor at-risk middle
school students. I propose to double the number of children reached, to 1.4
million, and to offer disadvantaged students the same test prep courses
wealthier students use to boost their scores on collegentrance exams.
We know that to make the American Dream more achievable, we
must make college more affordable. For seven years, on a bipartisan basis,
we have taken actions toward that goal: more Pell grants, more-affordable
student loans, education IRAs, and our HOPE scholarship tax cut. Today,
67 percent of high school graduates go on to college, up almost 10 percent
since 1993. Yet still, millions of families feel the strain of paying college
tuition. They need help.
I propose a landmark $30-billion college opportunity tax cut. It will
give middle class families a tax deduction for up to $10,000 in tuition costs--
providing as much as $2,800 in much needed tax relief. With this new
college opportunity tax cut, plus Hope Scholarships, a Pell grant increase,
and other aid, we can say that we have opened the door of four years of
college to all.
For seven
OPPORTUNITY AND RESPONSIBILITY IN EDUCATION
each of God's
Our first steps into the 21st Century must be the right steps. We need first and foremost a
21st century revolution in education, guided by our faith that all our children can learn and that
all our people can succeed
Q2) and that educat
Markey to a I'C
For seven years we have pursued a fundamental strategy on education: Invest more, yet
de gurcess
demand more in return. Offer opportunity, but demand responsibility. We have helped nearly
every state set higher academic standards for their schools. We are closing in on our goal of
connecting every classroom and library in America to the Internet. And Congress has supported
our effort to hire 100,000 new, qualified teachers, to lower class sizes in the early grades, for two
years in a row. This year, I call on Congress to make it three in a row.
Scores on college entrance exams are going up, even as more students from more-diverse
from in schools in some of America's poorest neighborhoods.
backgrounds are taking the test. And some of the most impressive academic gains are happening Flowing
Schools like Beaufort [B'YOU-ferd] Elementary in South Carolina. Classified five years
ago as one of the state's worst-performing schools, Beaufort embraced accountability and higher
academic standards, and started afterschool and summer school programs to help students to
3
Draft 1/24/00 11:20pm
RESPONSIBIILTY, OPPORTUNITY, AND THE ENVIRONMENT
We have no higher obligation to our children, and their children, than to be wise stewards
of our air, water, and land. I am grateful for the many opportunities the Vice President and I
have had to honor this commitment - and finally to put to rest the notion that you can't expand
your economy and protect the environment at the same time. As our economy has grown, we
have rid countless neighborhoods of toxic waste, ensured cleaner drinking water for millions of
families, and taken unprecedented steps to improve the air we breathe.
In the past three months alone, we have acted to preserve pristine backcountry lands in
our National Forests and created three new National Monuments - adding to the tens of millions
of acres we are protecting for all Americans, for all time. Not since the days of Theodore
Roosevelt has the nation come together to save so much precious land in the continental United
States.
But our communities are growing, and our commitment to conservation must keep
growing as well. So tonight, as part of my Lands Legacy Initiative, I propose creating, for the
first time, a permanent conservation endowment to save our wildlands, protect our coastlines,
and restore our wildlife. This endowment would provide nearly $1.5 billion each year - by far
the largest, most enduring investment in land preservation ever proposed.
Last year, the Vice President launched a major new effort to help make communities
more livable - so children will grow up next to parks rather than parking lots, and parents don't
sit in endless traffic when they could be home with their kids. Tonight, we propose new funding
for advanced transit systems for saving farms and other precious open spaces and for
helping the major cities around the Great Lakes protect their waterways and enhance their quality
of life.
As we work to protect our natural resources, we must help other nations that are
struggling to protect theirs. The rainforests are the lungs of our planet - the source of more than
a quarter of the oxygen on earth. Yet these lush sanctuaries of life are disappearing at the rate of
more than 50 acres a minute. Tonight, I propose a new plan to help countries from the Amazon
to the Congo Basin strengthen their economies by preserving, rather than destroying,
irreplaceable forests.
The greatest environmental challenge of the new century is global warming. Scientists
tell us that the 1990s were the hottest decade of the entire millennium - and that if we fail to
reduce emissions of greenhouse gases now, deadly heat waves, droughts, and floods will become
more frequent with each passing year.
But thanks to remarkable new technologies, we can meet this challenge - and we can do
it in ways that produce more widespread, more sustainable economic growth.
Last week, at the Detroit Auto Show, automakers unveiled cars that use advanced
materials and dual fuel sources to get 70 to 80 miles a gallon - the fruits of a unique partnership
the Vice President has led. We've helped develop windows that drastically cut energy bills by
keeping out four or five times as much heat and cold as normal windows do. We're helping to
bring the benefits of advanced space research into our homes with solar roofing tiles and fuel
cells that produce all the electricity a family needs - and no pollution at all. Before you know it,
we'll be producing clean fuels from crops and getting the equivalent of hundreds of miles from a
gallon of gas.
To help spur these new technologies, I propose giving major tax incentives to businesses
for producing clean power from crops, wind, or sun
and to families for buying energy-
efficient homes and appliances. And when new super-efficient cars hit the showroom floor, we
should provide people who buy them with up to $3,000 in tax credits, effectively cutting their
sticker price and ensuring even greater appeal.
But let's be frank: we have the technology to make all new cars more fuel efficient right
now. So tonight, I call on auto industry leaders to join us in designing a new strategy for
reversing the recent decline in average fuel economy. You've committed to higher efficiency in
Europe. Let's do the same right here at home.
We must also meet the worldwide challenge of global warming by giving developing
countries the tools to grow in ways that strengthen their economies and protect the environment.
So tonight, I propose a new [$100 million] initiative to help these countries adopt the newest
clean-energy technologies. Nations can now achieve prosperity without following the old
patterns of growth that brought us global warming. Let's help them follow a better, more
modern path.
THE OPPORTUNITY AND RESPONSIBILITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
In the new century, innovations in science and technology will be key not only to the
health of our environment. Sustained investments in scientific research will also yield dramatic,
almost miraculous, improvements in the quality of our lives.
In the last century, the life expectancy for the average American increased from 47 to 77
- thanks to discoveries such as penicillin and the development of vaccines for many childhood
diseases. Today, we are on the cusp of advances that will not only help us live far longer but far
better.
Later this year, researchers will finish the first complete sequence of the human genome -
the very blueprint of life. This will lead to a revolution in our ability to detect, treat, and prevent
diseases from Alzheimer's to cancer to AIDS. If we delay the onset of Alzheimer's by just five
years, we could empty half the nursing home beds in America.
Research at the intersection between biomedical research and engineering will also lead
to amazing breakthroughs. Scientists are already working on an artificial retina to treat certain
kinds of blindness, and methods of directly stimulating the spinal cord to allow people who are
paralyzed to walk.
Scientists have recently identified three of the genes that cause Parkinson's Disease - and
they will soon begin to test elegant therapies that will turn off these faulty genes for good.
Tonight, I want to thank these scientists for their brilliant work. I also want to salute Michael J.
Fox - the talented actor, director, and producer who was diagnosed with Parkinson's nine years
ago. Michael, on behalf of the million young and older Americans struggling with Parkinson's, I
thank you for giving so much of yourself to accelerating the hunt for a cure.
Advances in science and engineering are also the engine of our economic growth.
Consider the impact of information technology. Because of our early investments in developing
microprocessors, satellite communications, and the Internet, America now leads the world in
information technology - an industry that accounts for one third of our economic growth and that
generates jobs that pay almost 80 percent more than the private sector average wage.
In the future, we will have devices that can translate foreign languages as fast as you can
speak, enabling anyone to tap into the world's knowledge instantly - from anywhere
materials ten times stronger than steel at only a small fraction of the weight unfathomably
powerful computers made with DNA strands rather than silicon chips. These and other
breakthroughs may enhance our economy and our society even more profoundly than the
Internet does today.
For all these reasons, my budget will include an unprecedented $3 billion increase in the
21st Century Research Fund. We will boost support for biomedical research at the National
Institutes of Health, double the largest dollar increase for the National Science Foundation in its
50-year history, and greatly expand funding for information technology, clean energy,
university-based research, and NASA's never-ending quest in space.
It is up to all of us to ensure that this new age of science and technology is also a new age
of enlightenment, reflecting our most cherished values.
First and foremost, we must ensure that citizens' privacy - financial and medical - is
protected. Last year, our administration proposed rules to protect every citizen's most sensitive
information, his or her medical records. This year, we will finalize those rules. We have also
taken steps to protect our people's financial records. But these are only the first steps, as I said
when I signed the financial modernization bill into law. I will soon send legislation to the
Congress to complete this important unfinished business.
We will also take action to prevent genetic discrimination - so no employer ever reviews
your genetic records along with your resume. We will make sure that the actions of the
government itself contain strong privacy protections. And tonight, I want to issue a strong
challenge to on-line companies to do more to protect their customers' privacy.
Second, we know that our medical professionals work wonders every day; but we also
know that their first obligation is to do no harm. My budget makes the largest investment in
history to eliminate medical errors and enhance patient safety. Because no American should
ever fear that their health care will jeopardize their health.
If we do all these things, we can ensure that the march of human discovery will only
quicken in the century before us - enhancing our lives, and the lives of our children, in ways that
we can only begin to imagine today.
RESPONSIBILITY AND CRIME
Crime in America has dropped every year for the past seven years -- the longest
continuous decline on record. For seven years, we've helped wage the fight--from passing the
Brady bill to funding 100,000 new community police officers. Our nation is safer, but no one
believes America is safe as it can be. Let's set a higher goal. Let's make America the safest big
country in the world.
Last fall, Congress supported my plan to hire up to 50,000 more police officers, with
special help for high-crime neighborhoods. I ask you to continue that support this year.
Last year, after the Columbine tragedy, Congress considered common-sense gun safety
legislation to require Brady background checks at gun shows, child safety locks for all new
handguns, and a ban on the importation of large-capacity ammunition clips. With courage-and
a tie-breaking vote by the Vice President-the Senate faced down the gun lobby, stood up for the
American people and passed this legislation. But the House failed to follow suit.
We've all seen what can happen when guns fall into the wrong hands. Daniel Mauser
was only 15 years old when he was gunned down at Columbine High School. He was an
amazing kid, a straight-A student, a good skier. Like all parents who lose their children, his
father Tom has borne unimaginable grief. Somehow Tom has found the strength to honor his
son by transforming that grief into action. Earlier this month, he took a leave of absence to fight
I
for tougher gun safety laws. I pray that his courage and wisdom will this Congress to make
common-sense gun safety legislation the very next order of business.
We must do more. States require hunters and automobile drivers to have licenses. It is
long past time for states to require licenses for handgun purchasers as well.
We've shown that we can strengthen gun laws and better enforce laws already on the
books. Federal gun crime prosecutions are higher today than in 1992, and are up 25 percent
since 1998. But again, we must do more. I propose to hire more federal and local gun
prosecutors, and more ATF agents to crack down on illegal gun traffickers and bad-apple dealers
who supply guns to criminals and juveniles. We must give law enforcement the tools to trace
every gun used in a crime in America. And we must create a national ballistics network capable
of tracing almost any bullet left at a crime scene to the gun of the criminal who fired it.
[Let me say something else. I think it is important that the gun industry take more
responsibility in changing the way it designs, markets and distributes firearms. There are
responsible citizens in the gun industry who want to work with us to make sure the guns they sell
don't wind up in the wrong hands and that kids aren't killed accidentally with them. Part of the
answer may be in new technologies that could reduce accidents.]
Listen to this: the accidental gun death rate of children under 15 is nine times higher in
the U.S. than in 25 other industrialized nations--combined. Technologies now exist that could
lead to guns that can only be fired by the adults who own them. I thank the gun manufacturers
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who are developing these smart guns, and ask all other manufacturers to join them. And I ask
Congress to help by increasing funds for research in these technologies to keep our kids safer.
Every parent I know worries about violence in the media. We need to give parents more
tools to raise their kids right in today's culture. I thank the entertainment industry for accepting
my challenge to put voluntary ratings on TV programs and video and Internet games. This year,
I challenge the industry to go farther. Let's do as the First Lady has suggested, and give parents
a single, voluntary rating system for all their children's entertainment -- a system that is easy to
understand and enforce.
Every year, hundreds of thousands of offenders leave our prisons, only to wind up back
in trouble with the law. To keep our communities safe, we must do more to monitor ex-
offenders and give them the support they need to become responsible citizens. Two-thirds of ex-
offenders who are sent back to prison are drug abusers. But if they get drug treatment, they are
far less likely to commit another crime. We must provide them with that treatment, along with
regular drug testing and a simple bargain: stay clean and you stay free; do drugs and you do more
time.
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COMMUNITY -
In the era of globalization, we must work even harder to strengthen the bonds of our
local communities and our national community.
We should begin with ways to widen the circle of citizen service until it embraces every
American. There is a new spirit of service in America-- movement we have supported with
revolutionary new partnerships between government and private citizens.
Four years ago, I asked corporate leaders to join us in helping people move from welfare
to work. Today, 12,000 companies have hired nearly 650,000 of our fellow citizens.
Over the past seven years, we have created many other successful partnerships. To battle
drug abuse and AIDS. To teach young people to read. To Save America's Treasures. To fight
teen pregnancy. To prevent youth violence. To promote racial healing. To help our young
people serve.
But there is much more to be done, we need more citizen servants.
Veterans of AmeriCorps, like veterans of our military and the Peace Corps, are a pool of
know-how and can-do. Tonight, I propose the creation of the Americorps Reserves to activate
former AmeriCorps members in times of crisis including natural disasters.
4
Our senior population represents a huge army of workers and volunteers who want and
deserve a chance to serve. So, tonight, I say to seniors across America - we need your work,
your wisdom and your service. Get involved if you are not and stay involved if you are.
If we believe that charity begins at home, we must reward lower and middle income
Americans who tithe and contribute to charities. Right now, only those who earn enough to
itemize can claim a tax deduction for charitable contributions. Tonight, I propose new tax
incentives to allow low and middle income citizens to claim that same deduction.
Faith-based organizations are on the frontlines in our communities helping Americans
fight substance abuse, providing opportunities for young people to get back on the right track.
We can respect the line between church and state and still do more to support the good works of
these groups. [TK Specific examples to come]
There is even more we can do to breathe fuller life into the idea of citizenship. That's
we're going to invest more in teaching civics and English to new immigrants. That's why in
this year of the census, every one of us must not only stand up and be counted. We must also
stand up and be heard.
So I say to all Americans: whatever your party, whatever your ideology, whatever you
do, make your voice heard. Vote.
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We are going to use 21st century technology to open new doors to the democratic process.
Two generations ago, Franklin Roosevelt used the new medium of radio for his fireside chats.
Starting next month, I will use the new medium of the Internet to launch Webside Chats
interactive discussions to connect more Americans to our democracy.
Our national community is undergoing one of the greatest demographic transformations
in history. Within ten years there will be no majority race in our largest state, California. In a
little more than 50 years there will be no majority race in America.
In a more interconnected world, will we make diversity our greatest strength? As we
have seen in recent years, from Northern Ireland to Africa from the Balkans to the Middle
East
racial and ethnic conflict too often spark terror and war. And no country is exempt from
hatred-even our own.
We have seen a man dragged to death in Texas simply because he was black. A young
man murdered in Wyoming simply because he was gay. In the last year, we've seen the
shootings of African Americans, Asian Americans, and Jewish children simply because of who
they were. We must draw the line. This is not the American way. In America, we must do more
than tolerate diversity--we must celebrate it. Without further delay, we must pass the Hate
Crimes Prevention Act and the Employment Non-Discrimination Act.
The work of building One America must be the work of all Americans. We must
rededicate ourselves to the ideals of justice and opportunity for all that are at the heart of our
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democracy. No American should be subjected to discrimination in finding a home, getting a job,
going to school, or securing a loan. Tonight, I propose the largest ever investment to enforce
America's civil rights laws. Let's make sure protections in law are protections in fact.
Last February, I created the White House Office on One America to coordinate our
efforts and help build community partnerships for racial reconciliation. We are reaching out
across our nation - to religious leaders, to corporate leaders, to the legal community to enlist the
help of American in building the One America of our dreams.
This fall, at the White House, one of America's leading scientists, said something we all
need to remember: all human beings are genetically 99.9 percent the same. Modern science
affirms what ancient faith has taught us: the most important fact of life is our common humanity.
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Jeffrey A. Shesol
01/24/2000 11:41:23 PM
Record Type:
Record
To:
Terry Edmonds/WHO/EOP@EOP, Joshua S. Gottheimer/WHO/EOP@EOP
CC:
Subject: revised work & family through but not including Rosas (Kennedy-Jeff. & adoption TK)
REWARDING WORK AND STRENGTHENING FAMILIES
We need a 21st Century revolution to reward work and strengthen families, in a world
where more and more parents work, but the most important work of all - still - is raising
children.
One of the most powerful incentives to work has been the Earned Income Tax Credit, a
targeted tax cut for working families. The "E" in "EITC" is about earning; about working;
about taking responsibility and being rewarded for it. In my first address to you, I asked
Congress to greatly expand the EITC, and we did. As a result, in 1998 alone, the EITC
helped more than 4.3 million Americans work their way into the middle class - double the
number in 1993.
Tonight, I propose another major expansion of the EITC. We should reduce the
marriage penalty for the EITC, making sure that it rewards marriage, and family, just as it
rewards work; and we should expand the tax credit for families with more than two children.
Our plan would provide those families up to $1,200 more in tax relief. They're working hard
to reach the middle class. We should help them.
Rewarding work and family requires us to make sure that men and women get equal
pay for equal work. Working women have made significant strides: the female unemployment
rate is the lowest in 40 years, and the female-headed household poverty rate is the lowest ever
recorded. But women still earn only about 75 cents for every dollar men earn. That's just not
good enough. We must provide the resources to enforce present equal pay laws, and train
more women for high-paying, high-tech jobs. And we should pass the Paycheck Fairness Act.
Working parents need quality, affordable child care. Many spend up to a quarter of
their income on child care. Last year, we helped parents provide care for about 1.75 million
children. But that's only one tenth of those eligible under federal law. My child care
initiative, along with the funds secured in welfare reform, would make child care better, safer,
and more affordable for another 650,000 children.
To help millions of parents with moderate incomes, we should expand the child care tax
credit. And let's take the next big step. Let's make the tax credit refundable for low-income
families. For those making under $25,000 a year - too little to earn a refund today - that
means up to $2,400 more for child-care costs. Let's get this done. Parents should be able to
balance work and family - not have to choose between them.
Tens of millions of Americans live paycheck to paycheck. As hard as they work, they
still don't have the opportunity to save. Too many work for a small business that lacks the
resources to provide pensions. Too few can make use of the IRAs and 401-Ks that so many
Americans are using to accumulate wealth, or save for a first home or a dignified retirement.
Every family that works hard should have that chance. Tonight, I propose a major new
initiative to ensure that all Americans can save. These new [TK] Savings Accounts will give
low- and moderate-income families the help they need - matching their contributions, however
small, dollar for dollar, every year they save. And we should go further. We should pass a
major new 50 percent tax credit for any small business that provides a meaningful pension to
all of its workers.
From my first days as President, we have worked to give families better access to better
health care. In 1993, many workers lost their coverage when they changed or lost their jobs;
many lost their jobs when they took time off to care for a sick loved one. And when
employers failed to provide it, many working families had nowhere to turn to provide health
care for their children.
Working together, we have changed that: by providing family and medical leave; by
protecting coverage between jobs; and by passing a Children's Health Insurance Program. In
less than a year, enrollment in CHIP has doubled, to 2 million children. We're on our way to
our goal of 5 million. To ensure that we meet it, I propose that we enroll children where they
are: schools, HeadStart classrooms, and child-care centers. Because every child in America
deserves a healthy start in life.
But there is more we must do - to insure not only children, but entire families that lack
coverage. Tonight I propose that we follow Vice President Gore's suggestion and make
hard-pressed parents eligible for the insurance that covers their kids. If we do this, not just for
children but for these 6.5 million parents, we can make sure that families have the health care
they need. With these steps alone, we can cover nearly one quarter of the uninsured in
America.
And let's give a real, affordable option to the fastest growing group of uninsured:
people between 55 and 65 who lose their coverage. Last year, I called on Congress to let them
buy into Medicare. This year, I propose we also give them a tax credit when they do so, to
make this option more affordable.
We must also do more for citizen caregivers - the record numbers of Americans
providing for aging or ailing loved ones at home. More and more this is a common choice,
but rarely an easy - or an inexpensive - one. Last year, I proposed a $1,000 tax credit for
long-term care. This year, let's pass it - and triple it to $3,000.
Taken together, these proposals mark the largest investment in health care in the 35
years since Medicare. We owe it to our people to pass it this year.
Let's make another pledge: let's improve mental health care. My budget makes the
largest increase ever to expand community mental health services. And I want to thank
someone who has waged this battle on all fronts, fighting for the mentally ill homeless,
working to break down the barriers that keep people from the help they need: Tipper Gore.
Nearly one in three American children grows up in a home without a father - and these
children are five times more likely to live in poverty than children with both parents at home.
Demanding and promoting responsible fatherhood is the critical next stage of welfare reform.-
We have already begun to crack down on fathers who fail to pay child support by denying
them drivers' licenses and creating a national database to track them across state lines. As a
result, child support payments have doubled since 1993. The number of unwed fathers who
legally acknowledge their paternity has tripled. And the percentage of children born into
unwed homes, after skyrocketing for decades, has begun to level off.
We must work toward the day when every father in America takes responsibility for his
children. We can begin with tougher measures against fathers who fail to pay child support,
like booting their cars and denying them passports. And we should require fathers to work -
while helping them find work - so they can pay the child support they owe.
[Rosas]
need and
Every child deserves the love and
support both parents
We Know this Can make a difference
Carlos Bath Rosas of east St. Ruel enrulled menor. in a father
program in 1966 when he weer natimaking
enough to Key upwitton Behar his child support
abligation to sony ol Riderdo Since
Many Sand continuing his Completing education
arles yooa good job and is able to
and orgduating from technical school
enotionally is with us
pupport his both financellyand
and we should or pland his commitment to
be a helter father and
When we engage in the global economy, we are investing in our shared future. Growth
from trade is not just vital for us, but for the 1.3 billion people around the world who still live on
less than a dollar a day. To help pass opportunity on to them, we should do our part - our full
part - to reduce the debts that cripple the world's poorest nations. I ask Congress to support that
effort, and to finalize our initiatives to unlock new trade with Africa and the Caribbean Basin. If
we stay engaged, we will be helping Americans master the new economy
and helping others
around the world become masters of their own future.
At the dawn of this new century, the economic and military might of America are
unrivaled and our ideals are undiminished. These are the measures of American power, as they
21st century world is our
have long been. But the central reality of our time is globalization the growing
i a world_
interdependence of our world, aworld drawn closer together by new technologies like the
a
ld whereat threats ad opportunities alike know no borders.
Internet and new threats like global warming, or terrorism, that know no borders. Globalization
We must stad ready to shape I. And we ca our power is unrivale d ad
is irreversible. The only way to advance our interests is We to stand at the center of every vital on ideals
ad there we must stay.
ascerdant.
global network. In a world ever changing, ever more interconnected and interdependent,
We
America will remain a strong leader by being a good partner - to old allies and to new ones; and maching
out to
to the nations that need a helping hand. We will remain true to what makes us Americans by
those
needef
50
standing strong for our values. We have an opportunity, and a MAY responsibility, to strengthen
our own peace and freedom by helping others to secure theirs.
we must
So let us look beyond our borders to the big questions that will define the 21st Century
world, and look within for the strength to find the answers.
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