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1/12/77 - Address to Congress and the Nation: State of the Union
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1/12/77 - Address to Congress and the Nation: State of the Union
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President's Speeches and Statements Reading Copies (Ford Administration)
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The original documents are located in Box 42, "1/12/77 - Address to Congress and the
Nation: State of the Union" of the President's Speeches and Statements: Reading Copies at
the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library.
Copyright Notice
The copyright law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code) governs the making of
photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted material. Gerald Ford donated to the United
States of America his copyrights in all of his unpublished writings in National Archives collections.
Works prepared by U.S. Government employees as part of their official duties are in the public
domain. The copyrights to materials written by other individuals or organizations are presumed to
remain with them. If you think any of the information displayed in the PDF is subject to a valid
copyright claim, please contact the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library.
Digitized from Box 42 of President's Speeches and Statements: Reading Copies at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library
-1-
THE PRESIDENT MAS SEEN
MR. SPEAKER, / MR. VICE PRESIDENT, / MEMBERS OF THE
95th CONGRESS AND DISTINGUISHED GUESTS: /
IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONSTITUTION, I COME BEFORE
YOU ONCE AGAIN TO REPORT ON THE STATE OF THE UNION.
MAYBE
THIS REPORT WILL BE MY LAST
BUT For THE UNION.
-2-
BUT FOR THE UNION, IT IS ONLY THE FIRST OF SUCH
REPORTS IN OUR THIRD CENTURY OF INDEPENDENCE
/
THE CLOSE
OF WHICH NONE OF US WILL SEE
WE CAN BE CONFIDENT,
HOWEVER, THAT 100 YEARS FROM NOW A FREELY ELECTED
PRESIDENT WILL COME BEFORE A FREELY CHOSEN CONGRESS TO RENEW
OUR GREAT REPUBLIC'S PLEDGE TO GOVERNMENT OF THE PEOPLE,
BY THE PEOPLE, FOR THE PEOPLE.
-3-
FOR MY PART,
I PRAY THE THIRD CENTURY WE ARE
BEGINNING WILL BRING TO ALL AMERICANS, OUR CHILDREN
AND THEIR CHILDREN'S CHILDREN, A GREATER MEASURE
OF INDIVIDUAL EQUALITY, \ OPPORTUNITY AND JUSTICE, |\
A GREATER ABUND ANCE OF SPIRITUAL AND MATERIAL BLESSINGS \\
AND A HIGHER QUALITY OF LIFE, LIBERTY AND THE PURSUIT
OF HAPPINESS.
-4-
THE STATE OF THE UNION IS A MEASUREMENT OF THE MANY
ELEMENTS OF WHICH IT IS COMPOSED
It
A POLITICAL UNION
II
OF DIVERSE STATES, \ AN ECONOMIC UNION OF VARYING INTERESTS,
AN INTELLECTUAL UNION OF COMMON CONVICTIONS AND A MORAL
UNION OF IMMUTABLE IDEALS
-5-
TAKEN IN SUM, I CAN REPORT THAT THE STATE OF THE UNION
IS GOOD
/
THERE IS ROOM FOR IMPROVEMENT AS ALWAYS,
BUT TODAY WE HAVE A MORE PERFECT UNION THAN WHEN MY
STEWARDSHIP BEGAN
-6-
AS A PEOPLE, WE DISCOVERED THAT OUR BICENTENNIAL
WAS MUCH MORE THAN A CELEBRATION OF THE PAST;
IT BECAME
A JOYOUS REAFFIRMATION OF ALL THAT IT MEANS TO BE AMERICANS
II
\
A CONFIRMATION BEFORE ALL THE WORLD OF THE VITALITY AND
DURABILITY OF OUR FREE INSTITUTIONS.
-7-
I AM PROUD TO HAVE BEEN PRIVILEGED TO PRESIDE OVER
THE AFFAIRS OF OUR FEDERAL GOVERNMENT DURING THESE EVENTFUL
YEARS WHEN WE PROVED, \ AS I SAID IN MY FIRST WORDS UPON
-
ASSUMING OFFICE,
/
THAT "OUR CONSTITUTION WORKS; OUR
GREAT REPUBLIC IS A GOVERNMENT OF LAWS AND NOT OF MEN;
/
HERE, THE PEOPLE RULE."
-8-
THE PEOPLE HAVE SPOKEN: THEY HAVE CHOSEN A NEW
PRESIDENT AND A NEW CONGRESS TO WORK THEIR WILL; \
I CONGRATULATE YOU -- PARTICULARLY THE NEW MEMBERS --
AS SINCERELY AS I DID PRESIDENT-ELECT CARTER
-9-
IN A FEW DAYS, IT WILL BE HIS DUTY TO OUTLINE FOR YOU
HIS PRIORITIES AND LEGISLATIVE RECOMMENDATIONS
TONIGHT I WILL NOT INFRINGE ON THAT RESPONSIBILITY,
BUT RATHER WISH HIM THE VERY BEST IN ALL THAT IS GOOD
FOR OUR COUNTRY
-10-
DURING THE PERIOD OF MY OWN SERVICE IN THIS CAPITOL
AND IN THE WHITE HOUSE I CAN RECALL MANY ORDERLY TRANSITIONS
OF GOVERNMENTAL RESPONSIBILITY -- OF PROBLEMS AS WELL AS
OF POSITION, II OF BURDENS $ AS WELL AS OF POWER
-11-
THE GENIUS OF THE AMERICAN SYSTEM IS THAT WE DO THIS
so NATURALLY AND NORMALLY; \\ THERE ARE NO SOLDIERS MARCHING
IN THE STREETS EXCEPT IN THE INAUGURAL PARADE; \ NO PUBLIC
DEMONSTRATIONS EXCEPT FOR SOME OF THE DANCERS AT THE
INAUGURAL BALL;
THE OPPOSITION PARTY DOESN'T GO
UNDERGROUND BUT GOES ON FUNCTIONING VIGOROUSLY IN
THE CONGRESS AND THE COUNTRY;
\\
AND OUR VIGILANT PRESS
GOES RIGHT ON PROBING AND PUBLISHING OUR FAULTS AND FOLLIES,
CONFIRMING THE WISDOM OF THE FRAMERS OF THE FIRST AMENDMENT
-12-
BECAUSE THE TRANSFER OF AUTHORITY IN OUR FORM OF
GOVERNMENT AFFECTS THE STATE OF THE UNION, AND OF THE WORLD,
I AM HAPPY TO REPORT TO YOU THAT THE CURRENT TRANSITION
IS PROCEEDING VERY WELL
I WAS DETERMINED THAT IT SHOULD
I WANTED THE NEW PRESIDENT TO GET OFF TO AN EASIER START
THAN I HAD
-13-
WHEN I BECAME PRESIDENT ON AUGUST 9, 1974, OUR
NATION WAS DEEPLY DIVIDED AND TORMENTED
IN RAPID
SUCCESSION, THE VICE PRESIDENT AND THE PRESIDENT HAD
RESIGNED IN DISGRACE.
WE WERE STILL STRUGGLING WITH
THE AFTER-EFFECTS OF A LONG, UNPOPULAR AND BLOODY WAR
IN SOUTHEAST ASIA.
-14-
THE ECONOMY WAS UNSTABLE AND RAC ING TOWARD THE WORST
RECESSION IN 40 YEARS
PEOPLE WERE LOS ING JOBS
THE COST OF LIVING WAS SOARING
THE CONGRESS AND THE
CHIEF EXECUTIVE WERE AT LOGGERHEADS.
THE INTEGRITY OF OUR
CONSTITUTIONAL PROCESS AND OF OTHER INSTITUTIONS WAS BEING
QUESTIONED.
V
-15-
FOR MORE THAN 15 YEARS, DOMESTIC SPENDING HAD
SOARED AS FEDERAL PROGRAMS MULTIPLIED AND THE EXPENSE
ESCALATED ANNUALLY.
DURING THE SAME PERIOD, OUR
NATIONAL SECURITY NEEDS WERE STEADILY SHORTCHANGED
IN THE GRAVE SITUATION WHICH PREVAILED IN AUGUST 1974,
OUR WILL TO MAINTAIN OUR INTERNATIONAL LEADERSHIP WAS
IN DOUBT
-16-
I ASKED FOR YOUR PRAYERS, AND WENT TO WORK
IN JANUARY 1975, I REPORTED TO THE CONGRESS THAT THE
STATE OF THE UNION WAS NOT GOOD
I PROPOSED URGENT
ACTION TO IMPROVE THE ECONOMY AND TO ACHIEVE ENERGY
INDEPENDENCE IN TEN YEARS
V
-17-
I REASSURED AMERICA'S ALLIES AND SOUGHT TO REDUCE THE DANGER
OF CONFRONTATION WITH POTENTIAL ADVERSARIES.
/
I PLEDGED
A NEW DIRECTION FOR AMERICA
1975
NINETEEN SEVENTY-FIVE WAS A YEAR OF DIFFICULT DECISIONS,
BUT AMERICANS RESPONDED WITH REALISM,
COMMON SENSE
AND SELF-DISCIPLINE.
V
-18-
BY JANUARY 1976, WE WERE HEADED IN A NEW DIRECTION,
WHICH I HOLD TO BE THE RIGHT DIRECTION FOR A FREE SOCIETY
I WAS GUIDED BY THE BELIEF THAT SUCCESSFUL PROBLEM-SOLVING
REQUIRES MORE THAN FEDERAL ACTION ALONE;
THAT IT INVOLVES
I
A FULL PARTNERSHIP AMONG ALL BRANCHES AND LEVELS
OF GOVERNMENT,
\
AND PUBLIC POLICIES WHICH NURTURE AND
PROMOTE THE CREATIVE ENERGIES OF PRIVATE ENTERPRISES,
INSTITUTIONS AND INDIVIDUAL CITIZENS
-19-
A YEAR AGO, I REPORTED THAT THE STATE OF THE UNION
WAS BETTER
t
IN MANY WAYS A LOT BETTER
BUT STILL
NOT GOOD ENOUGH
-20-
COMMON SENSE TOLD ME TO STICK TO THE STEADY COURSE
WE WERE ON, TO CONTINUE TO RESTRAIN THE INFLATIONARY
GROWTH OF GOVERNMENT, / TO REDUCE TAXES AS WELL AS SPENDING, /
TO RETURN LOCAL DECISIONS TO LOCAL PEOPLE
/
TO PROVIDE
FOR LONG-RANGE SUFFICIENCY IN ENERGY AND NATIONAL SECURITY
NEEDS
-21-
I RESISTED THE IMMENSE PRESSURES OF AN ELECTION YEAR
TO OPEN THE FLOODGATES OF FEDERAL MONEY AND THE TEMPTATION
TO PROMISE MORE THAN I COULD DELIVER
I TOLD IT AS IT WAS
TO THE AMERICAN PEOPLE AND DEMONSTRATED TO THE WORLD THAT,
IN OUR SPIRITED POLITICAL COMPETITION, \ AS IN THIS CHAMBER,
I
AMERICANS CAN DISAGREE WITHOUT BEING DISAGREEABLE.
-22-
NOW, AFTER 30 MONTHS AS YOUR PRESIDENT I CAN SAY
THAT WHILE WE STILL HAVE A WAY TO GO, I AM PROUD OF THE
LONG WAY WE HAVE COME TOGETHER
V
-23-
I AM PROUD OF THE PART I HAVE HAD IN REBUILDING
CONFIDENCE IN THE PRESIDENCY, CONFIDENCE IN OUR FREE SYSTEM \
AND CONFIDENCE IN OUR FUTURE
ONCE AGAIN, AMERICANS
BELIEVE IN THEMSELVES, \ IN THEIR LEADERS AND IN THE PROMISE
THAT TOMORROW HOLDS FOR THEIR CHILDREN
-24-
I AM PROUD THAT TODAY AMERICA IS AT PEACE.
NONE
OF OUR SONS ARE FIGHTING AND DYING IN BATTLE ANYWHERE
IN THE WORLD
AND THE CHANCE FOR PEACE AMONG
ALL NATIONS IS IMPROVED BY OUR DETERMINATION TO HONOR
OUR VITAL COMMITMENTS IN THE DEFENSE OF PEACE AND FREEDOM
-25-
I AM PROUD THAT THE UNITED STATES HAS STRONG DEFENSES,
STRONG ALLIANCES AND A SOUND AND COURAGEOUS FOREIGN
POLICY.
-26-
-- OUR ALLIANCES WITH OUR MAJOR PARTNERS, THE GREAT
INDUSTRIAL DEMOCRACIES OF WESTERN EUROPE, JAPAN, AND
CANADA, HAVE NEVER BEEN MORE SOLID
CONSULTATIONS
ON MUTUAL SECURITY, DEFENSE AND EAST-WEST RELATIONS
HAVE GROWN CLOSER
COLLABORATION HAS BRANCHED OUT
INTO NEW FIELDS, SUCH AS ENERGY, ECONOMIC POLICY
AND RELATIONS WITH THE THIRD WORLD
-27-
WE HAVE USED MANY AVENUES FOR COOPERATION, INCLUDING
SUMMIT MEETINGS HELD AMONG MAJOR ALLIED COUNTRIES
THE
FRIENDSHIP OF THE DEMOCRACIES IS DEEPER
WARMER AND MORE
EFFECTIVE THAN AT ANY TIME IN 30 YEARS
-28-
-- WE ARE MAINTAINING STABILITY IN THE STRATEGIC
NUCLEAR BALANCE, AND PUSHING BACK THE SPECTRE OF NUCLEAR
WAR
/
A DECISIVE STEP FORWARD WAS TAKEN IN THE VLADIVOSTOK
ACCORD WHICH I NEGOTIATED WITH GENERAL SECRETARY BREZHNEV
H
JOINT RECOGNITION THAT AN EQUAL CEILING SHOULD BE PLACED
ON THE NUMBER OF STRATEGIC WEAPONS ON EACH SIDE.
-
-29-
WITH RESOLVE AND WISDOM ON THE PART OF BOTH NATIONS,
A GOOD AGREEMENT IS WELL WITHIN REACH THIS YEAR
-- THE FRAMEWORK FOR PEACE IN THE MIDDLE EAST HAS BEEN
BUILT
HOPES FOR FUTURE PROGRESS IN THE MIDDLE EAST WERE
STIRRED BY THE HISTORIC AGREEMENTS WE REACHED AND THE TRUST
AND CONFIDENCE WE FORMED
-30-
-- THANKS TO AMERICAN LEADERSHIP, THE PROSPECTS
FOR PEACE IN THE MIDDLE EAST ARE BRIGHTER THAN THEY HAVE
BEEN IN THREE DECADES
THE ARAB STATES AND ISRAEL CONTINUE
TO LOOK TO US TO LEAD THEM FROM CONFRONTATION AND WAR
TO A NEW ERA OF ACCOMMODATION AND PEACE
WE HAVE NO
ALTERNATIVE BUT TO PERSEVERE
-31-
THE OPPORTUNITIES FOR A FINAL SETTLEMENT ARE GREAT, AND THE
PRICE OF FAILURE IS A RETURN TO THE BLOODSHED AND HATRED
THAT FOR TOO LONG HAVE BROUGHT TRAGEDY TO ALL THE PEOPLES
11
OF THIS AREA, AND REPEATEDLY EDGED THE WORLD TO THE BRINK
OF WAR.
-32-
-- OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH THE PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC
OF CHINA IS PROVING ITS IMPORTANCE AND ITS DURABILITY
WE ARE FINDING MORE AND MORE COMMON GROUND BETWEEN
OUR TWO COUNTRIES ON BASIC QUESTIONS OF INTERNATIONAL
AFFAIRS
-32a-
IN MY TWO TRIPS TO ASIA AS PRESIDENT, WE HAVE
REAFFIRMED AMERICA'S CONTINUING VITAL INTEREST IN THE PEACE
AND SECURITY OF ASIA AND THE PACIFIC BASIN,
ESTABLISHED
A NEW PARTNERSHIP WITH JAPAN, \ CONFIRMED OUR DEDICATION
11
TO THE SECURITY OF KOREA,
\
AND REINFORCED OUR TIES WITH
I
THE FREE NATIONS OF SOUTHEAST ASIA.
-33-
-- AN HISTORIC DIALOGUE HAS BEGUN BETWEEN INDUSTRIAL
NATIONS AND THE DEVELOPING NATIONS
MOST PROPOSALS
ON THE TABLE ARE INITIATIVES OF THE UNITED STATES, INCLUDING
THOSE ON FOOD, ENERGY, TECHNOLOGY, TRADE, INVESTMENT
AND COMMODITIES.
WE ARE WELL LAUNCHED ON THIS PROCESS
OF SHAPING POSITIVE AND RELIABLE ECONOMIC RELATIONS
BETWEEN RICH NATIONS AND POOR NATIONS OVER THE LONG-TERM®
-34-
-- WE HAVE MADE PROGRESS IN TRADE NEGOTIATIONS
AND AVOIDED PROTECTIONISM DURING RECESSION
WE STRENGTHENED THE INTERNATIONAL MONETARY SYSTEM
DURING THE PAST TWO YEARS THE FREE WORLD'S MOST IMPORTANT
ECONOMIC POWERS HAVE ALREADY BROUGHT ABOUT IMPORTANT
CHANGES THAT SERVE BOTH DEVELOPED AND DEVELOPING ECONOMIES
THE MOMENTUM ALREADY ACHIEVED MUST BE NURTURED AND
STRENGTHENED, FOR THE PROSPERITY OF RICH AND POOR DEPENDS
UPON IT.
-35-
-- IN LATIN AMERICA, OUR RELATIONS HAVE TAKEN ON
A NEW MATURITY AND A SENSE OF COMMON ENTERPRISE.
-- IN AFRICA, THE QUEST FOR PEACE,
RACIAL JUSTICE
AND ECONOMIC PROGRESS IS AT A CRUCIAL POINT
THE UNITED STATES, IN CLOSE COOPERATION WITH THE UNITED
KINGDOM, IS ACTIVELY ENGAGED IN THAT HISTORIC PROCESS
-36-
?
WILL CHANGE COME ABOUT BY WARFARE AND CHAOS AND FOREIGN
INTERVENTION?
/
OR WILL IT COME ABOUT BY NEGOTIATED Y AND FAIR
?
SOLUTIONS, ENSURING MAJORITY RULE, \ MINORITY RIGHTS \
AND ECONOMIC ADVANCE?
/
AMERICA IS COMMITTED TO THE SIDE
OF PEACE AND JUSTICE, AND TO THE PRINCIPLE THAT AFRICA SHOULD
SHAPE ITS OWN FUTURE FREE OF OUTSIDE INTERVENTION.
-37-
-- AMERICAN LEADERSHIP HAS HELPED TO STIMULATE NEW
INTERNATIONAL EFFORTS TO STEM THE PROLIFERATION OF NUCLEAR
WEAPONS AND TO SHAPE A COMPREHENS IVE TREATY GOVERNING
THE USE OF THE OCEANS
-38-
I AM GRATIFIED BY THESE ACCOMPLISHMENTS.
THEY
CONSTITUTE A RECORD OF BROAD SUCCESS FOR AMERICA, AND
FOR THE PEACE AND PROSPERITY OF ALL MANKIND.
D./
THIS
ADMINISTRATION LEAVES TO ITS SUCCESSOR A WORLD IN BETTER
CONDITION THAN WE FOUND WE LEAVE, AS WELL, A SOLID
FOUNDATION FOR PROGRESS ON A RANGE OF ISSUES THAT ARE VITAL
TO THE WELL BEING OF AMERICA.
Y
-39-
WHAT HAS BEEN ACHIEVED IN THE FIELD OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS,
AND WHAT CAN BE ACCOMPLISHED BY THE NEW ADMINISTRATION,
DEMONSTRATE THE GENIUS OF AMERICANS WORKING TOGETHER
FOR THE COMMON GOOD
IT IS THIS, OUR REMARKABLE ABILITY
TO WORK TOGETHER, THAT HAS MADE US A UNIQUE NATION
IT IS
CONGRESS, THE PRESIDENT, AND THE PEOPLE STRIVING FOR
A BETTER WORLD
-40-
I KNOW ALL PATRIOTIC AMERICANS WANT THIS NATION'S
FOREIGN POLICY TO SUCCEED
I URGE MEMBERS OF MY PARTY IN THE CONGRESS TO GIVE
THE NEW PRESIDENT LOYAL SUPPORT IN THIS AREA
I EXPRESS THE HOPE THAT THIS NEW CONGRESS WILL
RE-EXAMINE ITS CONSTITUTIONAL ROLE IN INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS
-41-
THE EXCLUSIVE RIGHT TO DECLARE WAR, / THE DUTY TO ADVISE
AND CONSENT ON THE PART OF THE SENATE / AND THE POWER OF
THE PURSE ON THE PART OF THE HOUSE, ARE AMPLE AUTHORITY
FOR THE LEGISLATIVE BRANCH AND SHOULD BE JEALOUSLY GUARDED.
-42-
BUT BECAUSE WE MAY HAVE BEEN TOO CARELESS OF THESE
POWERS IN THE PAST DOES NOT JUSTIFY CONGRESSIONAL INTRUSION
INTO, OR OBSTRUCTION OF, THE PROPER EXERCISE OF
PRESIDENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES NOW OR IN THE FUTURE
THERE CAN BE ONLY ONE COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF
IN THESE TIMES
CRISES CANNOT BE MANAGED AND WARS CANNOT BE WAGED BY
I
COMMITTEE
-43-
NOR CAN PEACE BE PURSUED SOLELY BY PARLIAMENTARY DEBATE
/
TO THE EARS OF THE WORLD, THE PRESIDENT SPEAKS FOR THE
NATION
WHILE HE IS, OF COURSE, ULTIMATELY ACCOUNTABLE
TO THE CONGRESS, THE COURTS AND THE PEOPLE, HE AND HIS
EMISSARIES MUST NOT BE HANDICAPPED IN ADVANCE IN THEIR
RELATIONS WITH FOREIGN GOVERNMENTS AS HAS SOMETIMES HAPPENED
IN THE PAST
11
-44-
AT HOME, I AM ENCOURAGED BY THE NATION'S RECOVERY
FROM THE RECESSION AND OUR STEADY RETURN TO SOUND ECONOMIC
GROWTH
/
IT IS NOW CONTINUING AFTER THE RECENT PERIOD
OF UNCERTAINTY, WHICH IS PART OF THE PRICE WE PAY FOR
FREE ELECTIONS
Y
-44a-
OUR MOST PRESSING NEED TODAY AND IN THE FUTURE
IS MORE JOBS -- PRODUCTIVE AND PERMANENT JOBS
CREATED BY A THRIVING ECONOMY
V
-44b-
WE MUST REVISE OUR TAX SYSTEM BOTH TO EASE THE BURDEN
OF HEAVY TAXATION AND TO ENCOURAGE THE INVESTMENT NECESSARY
FOR THE CREATION OF PRODUCTIVE JOBS FOR ALL AMERICANS WHO
WANT TO WORK
EARLIER THIS MONTH I PROPOSED A PERMANENT
INCOME TAX REDUCTION OF TEN BILLION DOLLARS BELOW CURRENT
LEVELS INCLUDING RAISING THE PERSONAL EXEMPTION FROM
750 DOLLARS TO 1,000 DOLLARS
-44c-
I ALSO RECOMMENDED A SERIES OF MEASURES TO STIMULATE
INVESTMENT, SUCH AS ACCELERATED DEPRECIATION FOR NEW PLANTS
AND EQUIPMENT IN AREAS OF HIGH UNEMPLOYMENT,
A REDUCTION
IN THE CORPORATE TAX RATE FROM 48 TO 46 PERCENT,
AND ELIMINATING THE PRESENT DOUBLE TAXATION OF DIVIDENDS
I STRONGLY URGE THE CONGRESS TO PASS THESE MEASURES TO
HELP CREATE THE PRODUCTIVE, PERMANENT JOBS IN THE PRIVATE
-
ECONOMY THAT ARE ESSENTIAL TO OUR FUTURE.
-45-
ALL OF THE BASIC TRENDS ARE GOOD; WE ARE NOT ON THE BRINK
OF ANOTHER RECESSION OR ECONOMIC DISASTER
IF WE FOLLOW
PRUDENT POLICIES THAT ENCOURAGE PRODUCTIVE INVESTMENT
AND DISCOURAGE DESTRUCTIVE INFLATION, WE WILL COME OUT
ON TOP
-46-
WE HAVE SUCCESSFULLY CUT INFLATION BY MORE THAN HALF:
WHEN I TOOK OFFICE, THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX WAS RISING
AT 12.2 PERCENT A YEAR
DURING 1976, THE RATE OF
INFLATION WAS FIVE PERCENT
-47-
WE HAVE CREATED MORE JOBS
OVER FOUR MILLION
MORE PEOPLE HAVE JOBS TODAY THAN IN THE SPRING OF 1975
THROUGHOUT THIS NATION TODAY WE HAVE OVER 88 MILLION PEOPLE
IN USEFUL,
PRODUCTIVE WORK
t
MORE THAN AT ANY OTHER TIME
IN OUR HISTORY
BUT, THERE ARE STILL TOO MANY AMERICANS
UNEMPLOYED
THIS IS MY GREATEST REG RET AS I LEAVE OFFICE
-48-
WE BROUGHT ABOUT WITH THE CONGRESS,
AFTER MUCH DELAY
THE RENEWAL OF GENERAL REVENUE SHARING
WE EXPANDED
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AND FEDERAL MANPOWER PROGRAMS
WE BEGAN A SIGNIFICANT URBAN MASS TRANSIT PROGRAM
FEDERAL PROGRAMS TODAY PROVIDE MORE FUNDS FOR OUR STATES
AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS THAN EVER BEFORE
:
70 BILLION DOLLARS
FOR THE CURRENT FISCAL YEAR
-49-
THROUGH THESE PROGRAMS AND OTHERS THAT PROVIDE
AID DIRECTLY TO INDIVIDUALS WE HAVE KEPT FAITH WITH OUR
TRADITION OF COMPASSIONATE HELP FOR THOSE WHO NEED IT.
/
AS WE BEGIN OUR THIRD CENTURY WE CAN BE PROUD OF THE
PROGRESS WE HAVE MADE IN MEETING HUMAN NEEDS FOR ALL
OF OUR CITIZENS
-50-
WE HAVE CUT THE GROWTH OF CRIME BY NEARLY 90 PERCENT
TWO YEARS AGO, CRIME WAS INCREASING AT A RATE OF 18 PERCENT
ANNUALLY
/
IN THE FIRST THREE QUARTERS OF 1976, THAT
GROWTH RATE HAD BEEN REDUCED TO TWO PERCENT
/
BUT CRIME,
I
AND THE FEAR OF CRIME, REMAINS ONE OF THE MOST SERIOUS
PROBLEMS FACING OUR CITIZENS,
-51-
WE HAVE HAD SOME SUCCESSES
AND THERE HAVE BEEN
SOME DISAPPOINTMENTS
BLUNTLY, I MUST REMIND YOU THAT WE HAVE NOT MADE
SATISFACTORY PROGRESS TOWARD ACHIEVING ENERGY
INDEPENDENCE
V
-52-
ENERGY IS ABSOLUTELY VITAL TO THE DEFENSE OF OUR
COUNTRY, TO THE STRENGTH OF OUR ECONOMY AND TO THE QUALITY
OF OUR LIVES
TWO YEARS AGO I PROPOSED TO THE CONGRESS
THE FIRST COMPREHENSIVE NATIONAL ENERGY PROGRAM:
-53-
A SPECIFIC AND COORDINATED SET OF MEASURES THAT WOULD END
OUR VULNERABILITY TO EMBARGO BLOCKADE, OR ARBITRARY
PRICE INCREASES
-
AND WOULD MOBILIZE U.S. TECHNOLOGY
AND RESOURCES TO SUPPLY A SIGNIFICANT SHARE OF THE FREE
WORLD'S ENERGY NEEDS AFTER 1985
-54-
OF THE MAJOR ENERGY PROPOSALS I SUBMITTED TWO YEARS
AGO, ONLY HALF BELATEDLY BECAME LAW
/
IN 1973, WE WERE
DEPENDENT UPON FOREIGN OIL IMPORTS FOR 36 PERCENT OF OUR
NEEDS
TODAY WE ARE 40 PERCENT DEPENDENT, AND WE'LL PAY
OUT 34 BILLION U.S. DOLLARS FOR FOREIGN OIL THIS YEAR
ALONE
/
SUCH VULNERABILITY AT PRESENT OR IN THE FUTURE
IS INTOLERABLE.
-55-
THE ANSWER TO WHERE WE STAND ON OUR NATIONAL ENERGY
EFFORT TODAY REMINDS ME OF THE OLD ARGUMENT OVER WHETHER THE
TANK IS HALF FULL OR HALF EMPTY
THE PESSIMIST WILL SAY
WE HAVE HALF FAILED TO ACHIEVE OUR TEN-YEAR ENERGY GOALS,
THE OPTIMIST WILL SAY THAT WE HAVE HALF SUCCEEDED
I AM ALWAYS AN OPTIMIST, BUT WE MUST MAKE UP FOR LOST TIME
-56-
WE HAVE LAID A SOLID FOUNDATION FOR COMPLETING THE
ENORMOUS TASK WHICH CONFRONTS US
I HAVE SIGNED INTO
LAW FIVE MAJOR ENERGY BILLS WHICH CONTAIN SIGNIFICANT
MEASURES FOR CONSERVATION .\ RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT \
STOCKPILING \ AND STANDBY AUTHORITIES.
-57-
WE HAVE MOVED FORWARD TO DEVELOP THE NAVAL PETROLEUM
RESERVES; TO BUILD A FIVE HUNDRED MILLION BARREL STRATEGIC
PETROLEUM STOCKPILE;
TO PHASE-OUT UNNECESSARY GOVERNMENT
ALLOCATION AND PRICE CONTROLS;
TO DEVELOP A LASTING
RELATIONSHIP WITH OTHER OIL CONSUMING NATIONS;
TO IMPROVE THE EFFICIENCY OF ENERGY USE THROUGH CONSERVATION
IN AUTOMOBILES, BUILDINGS AND INDUSTRY; AND TO EXPAND
RESEARCH ON NEW TECHNOLOGY AND RENEWABLE RESOURCES,
SUCH AS WIND POWER, GEOTHERMAL AND SOLAR ENERGY
-58-
ALL THESE ACTIONS, SIGNIFICANT AS THEY ARE FOR THE
LONG TERM, ARE ONLY THE BEGINNING
I RECENTLY SUBMITTED
TO THE CONGRESS MY PROPOSALS TO REORGANIZE THE FEDERAL
ENERGY STRUCTURE, AND THE HARD CHOICES WHICH REMAIN
IF WE ARE SERIOUS ABOUT REDUCING OUR DEPENDENCE UPON
FOREIGN ENERGY
-59-
THESE INCLUDE PROGRAMS TO REVERSE OUR DECLINING
PRODUCTION OF NATURAL GAS AND INCREASE INCENTIVES FOR
DOMESTIC CRUDE OIL PRODUCTION.
I PROPOSE TO MINIMIZE
ENVIRONMENTAL UNCERTAINTIES AFFECTING COAL DEVELOPMENT,
EXPAND NUCLEAR POWER GENERATION AND CREATE AN ENERGY
INDEPENDENCE AUTHORITY TO PROVIDE GOVERNMENT FINANCIAL
ASSISTANCE FOR VITAL ENERGY PROGRAMS WHERE PRIVATE CAPITAL
IS NOT AVAILABLE.
-60-
WE MUST EXPLORE EVERY REASONABLE PROSPECT FOR MEETING
OUR ENERGY NEEDS WHEN OUR CURRENT DOMESTIC RESERVES OF OIL
AND NATURAL GAS BEGIN TO DWINDLE IN THE NEXT DECADE
I URGENTLY ASK CONGRESS AND THE NEW ADMINISTRATION
TO MOVE QUICKLY ON THESE ISSUES
THIS NATION HAS THE
RESOURCES AND CAPABILITY TO ACHIEVE OUR ENERGY GOALS IF ITS
GOVERNMENT HAS THE WILL TO PROCEED
-61-
I HAVE BEEN DISAPPOINTED BY INABILITY TO COMPLETE MANY
OF THE MEANINGFUL ORGANIZATIONAL REFORMS WHICH
I CONTEMPLATED FOR THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT,
ALTHOUGH A START
HAS BEEN MADE
-62-
FOR EXAMPLE, THE FEDERAL JUDICIAL SYSTEM HAS LONG
SERVED AS A MODEL FOR OTHER COURTS
/
BUT TODAY IT IS
THREATENED BY A SHORTAGE OF QUALIFIED FEDERAL JUDGES
AND AN EXPLOSION OF LITIGATION CLAIMING FEDERAL
JURISDICTION
-63-
I COMMEND TO THE NEW ADMINISTRATION AND THE CONGRESS
THE RECENT REPORT AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF
JUSTICE,
UNDERTAKEN AT MY REQUEST,
ON
"THE NEEDS OF THE
FEDERAL COURTS
I ESPECIALLY ENDORSE ITS PROPOSALS
FOR A NEW COMMISSION ON THE JUDICIAL APPOINTMENT PROCESS
WHILE THE JUDICIAL BRANCH OF OUR GOVERNMENT MAY
REQUIRE REINFORCEMENT, THE BUDGETS AND PAYROLLS OF THE
OTHER BRANCHES REMAIN STAGGERING
-64-
I CANNOT HELP BUT OBSERVE THAT WHILE THE WHITE HOUSE STAFF
AND THE EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT HAVE BEEN REDUCED
AND THE TOTAL NUMBER OF CIVILIANS IN THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH
CONTAINED DURING THE 1970s, THE LEGISLATIVE BRANCH HAS
INCREASED SUBSTANTIALLY, ALTHOUGH THE MEMBERSHIP OF THE
CONGRESS REMAINS AT 535
-65-
CONGRESS NOW COSTS THE TAXPAYERS MORE THAN A MILLION DOLLARS
A YEAR PER MEMBER: R:/ THE WHOLE LEGISLATIVE BUDGET HAS PASSED
THE BILLION DOLLAR MARK
I SET OUT TO REDUCE THE GROWTH IN THE SIZE AND
SPENDING OF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, BUT NO PRESIDENT CAN
ACCOMPLISH THIS ALONE
-66-
THE CONG RESS SIDETRACKED MOST OF MY REQUESTS FOR AUTHORITY
TO CONSOLIDATE OVERLAPPING PROGRAMS AND AGENCIES,
TO RETURN MORE DECISION-MAKING AND RESPONSIBILITY TO STATE
AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS THROUGH BLOCK GRANTS INSTEAD OF
RIGID CATEGORICAL PROGRAMS AND TO ELIMINATE UNNECESSARY
RED TAPE AND OUTRAGEOUSLY COMPLEX REGULATIONS.
I
-67-
WE HAVE MADE SOME PROGRESS IN CUTTING BACK THE
EXPANSION OF GOVERNMENT AND ITS INTRUSION INTO INDIVIDUAL
LIVES -- BUT THERE IS MUCH MORE TO BE DONE
IT CAN ONLY BE DONE BY TOUGH AND TEMPORARILY PAINFUL
SURGERY BY A CONGRESS AS PREPARED AS THE PRESIDENT TO
FACE UP TO THIS VERY REAL POLITICAL PROBLEM.
-68-
AGAIN, I WISH MY SUCCESSOR, WORKING WITH
A SUBSTANTIAL MAJORITY OF HIS OWN PARTY, THE BEST OF SUCCESS
IN REFORMING THE COSTLY AND CUMBERSOME MACHINERY OF THE
FEDERAL GOVERNMENT
THE TASK OF SELF-GOVERNMENT IS NEVER FINISHED
THE PROBLEMS ARE GREAT; THE OPPORTUNITIES ARE GREATER
-69-
AMERICA'S FIRST GOAL IS AND ALWAYS WILL BE PEACE
WITH HONOR
AMERICA MUST REMAIN FIRST IN KEEPING PEACE
IN THE WORLD
WE CAN REMAIN FIRST IN PEACE ONLY IF
WE ARE NEVER SECOND IN DEFENSE
-70-
IN PRESENTING THE STATE OF THE UNION TO THE CONGRESS
AND TO THE AMERICAN PEOPLE, I HAVE A SPECIAL OBLIGATION AS
COMMANDER-IN-CHIER TO REPORT ON OUR NATIONAL DEFENSE.
OUR SURVIVAL AS A FREE AND INDEPENDENT PEOPLE REQUIRES,
ABOVE ALL, STRONG MILITARY FORCES THAT ARE WELL-EQUIPPED
AND HIGHLY TRAINED TO PERFORM THEIR ASSIGNED MISSION.
-71-
I AM PARTICULARLY GRATIFIED TO REPORT THAT OVER THE
PAST TWO AND A HALF YEARS WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO REVERSE THE
DANGEROUS DECLINE OF THE PREVIOUS DECADE IN THE REAL RESOURCES
THIS COUNTRY WAS DEVOTING TO NATIONAL DEFENSE
THIS WAS
AN IMMEDIATE PROBLEM I FACED IN 1974
THE EVIDENCE WAS
UNMISTAKABLE THAT THE SOVIET UNION HAD BEEN STEADILY INCREASING
THE RESOURCES IT APPLIED TO BUILDING ITS MILITARY STRENGTH
-72-
DURING THIS SAME PERIOD THE UNITED STATES' REAL
DEFENSE SPENDING DECLINED
IN MY THREE BUDGETS,
WE NOT ONLY ARRESTED THAT DANGEROUS DECLINE, BUT WE HAVE
ESTABLISHED THE POSITIVE TREND WHICH IS ESSENTIAL TO OUR
ABILITY TO CONTRIBUTE TO PEACE AND STABILITY IN THE WORLD
-73-
THE VIETNAM WAR BOTH MATERIALLY AND PSYCHOLOGICALLY
AFFECTED OUR OVERALL DEFENSE POSTURE
/
THE DANGEROUS
ANTI-MILITARY SENTIMENT DISCOURAGED DEFENSE SPENDING
AND UNFAIRLY DISPARAGED THE MEN AND WOMEN WHO SERVE
IN OUR ARMED FORCES
-74-
THE CHALLENGE THAT NOW CONFRONTS THIS COUNTRY IS
WHETHER WE HAVE THE NATIONAL WILL AND DETERMINATION
TO CONTINUE THIS ESSENTIAL DEFENSE EFFORT OVER THE LONG TERM,
AS IT MUST BE CONTINUED
WE CAN NO LONGER AFFORD TO
OSCILLATE FROM YEAR TO YEAR IN so VITAL A MATTER
INDEED, WE HAVE A DUTY TO LOOK BEYOND THE IMMEDIATE QUESTION
OF BUDGETS, AND TO EXAMINE THE NATURE OF THE PROBLEM WE WILL
FACE OVER THE NEXT GENERATION
-75-
I AM THE FIRST RECENT PRESIDENT ABLE TO ADDRESS
LONG-TERM BASIC ISSUES WITHOUT THE BURDEN OF VIETNAM
THE WAR IN INDOCHINA CONSUMED ENORMOUS RESOURCES,
AT THE VERY TIME THAT THE OVERWHELMING STRATEGIC SUPERIORITY
WE ONCE ENJOYED WAS DISAPPEARING
-76-
IN PAST YEARS, AS A RESULT OF DECISIONS BY THE UNITED
STATES, OUR STRATEGIC FORCES LEVELLED OFF
/
YET, THE SOVIET UNION CONTINUED A STEADY, CONSTANT
BUILD-UP OF ITS OWN FORCES, COMMITTING A HIGH PERCENTAGE
OF ITS NATIONAL ECONOMIC EFFORT TO DEFENSE.
-77-
THE UNITED STATES CAN NEVER TOLERATE A SHIFT IN THE
STRATEGIC BALANCE AGAINST US s/ OR EVEN A SITUATION WHERE
THE AMERICAN PEOPLE OR OUR ALLIES BELIEVE THE BALANCE IS
SHIFTING AGAINST US
THE UNITED STATES WOULD RISK THE
MOST SERIOUS POLITICAL CONSEQUENCES IF THE WORLD CAME TO
BELIEVE THAT OUR ADVERSARIES HAVE A DECISIVE MARGIN OF
SUPERIORITY
-78-
TO MAINTAIN A STRATEGIC BALANCE WE MUST LOOK AHEAD TO
THE 1980s AND BEYOND
/
THE SOPHISTICATION OF MODERN
WEAPONS REQUIRES THAT WE MAKE DECISIONS NOW IF WE ARE TO
ENSURE OUR SECURITY TEN YEARS FROM NOW
-79-
THEREFORE I HAVE CONSISTENTLY ADVOCATED AND STRONGLY
URGED THAT WE PURSUE THREE CRITICAL STRATEGIC PROGRAMS:
THE TRIDENT MISSILE LAUNCHING SUBMARINE;
THE B-1 BOMBER,
WITH ITS SUPERIOR CAPABILITY TO PENETRATE MODERN AIR DEFENSES;
AND A MORE ADVANCED INTERCONTINENTAL BALLISTIC MISSILE THAT
WILL BE BETTER ABLE TO SURVIVE NUCLEAR ATTACK AND DELIVER
A DEVASTATING RETALIATORY STRIKE
TE
-80-
IN AN ERA WHERE THE STRATEGIC NUCLEAR FORCES ARE IN
ROUGH EQUILIBRIUM, THE RISKS OF CONFLICT BELOW THE NUCLEAR
THRESHOLD MAY GROW MORE PERILOUS
/
A MAJOR LONG-TERM
OBJECTIVE, THEREFORE, IS TO MAINTAIN CAPABILITIES TO DEAL
WITH, AND THEREBY DETER, CONVENTIONAL CHALLENGES AND
CRISES, PARTICULARLY IN EUROPE
V
-81-
WE CANNOT RELY SOLELY ON STRATEGIC FORCES TO
GUARANTEE OUR SECURITY OR TO DETER ALL TYPES OF AGGRESSION
WE MUST HAVE SUPERIOR NAVAL AND MARINE FORCES TO MAINTAIN
FREEDOM OF THE SEAS,
STRONG MULTI-PURPOSE TACTICAL AIR
FORCES, AND MOBILE, MODERN GROUND FORCES
V
-82-
ACCORDINGLY:
I HAVE DIRECTED A LONG-TERM EFFORT
TO IMPROVE OUR WORLDWIDE CAPABILITIES TO DEAL WITH REGIONAL
CRISES
-- I HAVE SUBMITTED A FIVE YEAR NAVAL BUILDING
PROGRAM INDISPENSABLE TO THE NATION'S MARITIME STRATEGY.
-83-
-- BECAUSE THE SECURITY OF EUROPE AND THE INTEGRITY OF
N.A.T.O. REMAIN THE CORNERSTONE OF AMERICAN DEFENSE POLICY,
I HAVE INITIATED A SPECIAL, LONG-TERM PROGRAM TO ENSURE
THE CAPACITY OF THE ALLIANCE TO DETER OR DEFEAT AGGRESSION
IN EUROPE
-84-
AS I LEAVE OFFICE, I CAN REPORT THAT OUR NATIONAL
DEFENSE IS EFFECTIVELY DETERRING CONFLICT TODAY
OUR ARMED FORCES ARE CAPABLE OF CARRYING OUT THE VARIETY
OF MISSIONS ASSIGNED TO THEM
/
PROGRAMS ARE UNDERWAY
WHICH WILL ASSURE WE CAN DETER WAR IN THE YEARS AHEAD
-85-, -86-, & -87-
BUT I ALSO MUST WARN THAT IT WILL REQUIRE A SUSTAINED
EFFORT OVER A PERIOD OF YEARS TO MAINTAIN THESE CAPABILITIES
/
WE MUST HAVE THE WISDOM, / THE STAMINA AND THE COURAGE SE/
TO PREPARE TODAY FOR THE PERILS OF TOMORROW.
-88-
AS I LOOK TO THE FUTURE
AND I ASSURE YOU I INTEND
TO GO ON DOING THAT FOR A GOOD MANY YEARS
I CAN SAY
WITH CONFIDENCE THAT THE STATE OF THE UNION IS GOOD, BUT WE
I
MUST GO ON MAKING IT BETTER AND BETTER
-89-
THIS GATHERING SYMBOLIZES THE CONSTITUTIONAL FOUNDATION
WHICH MAKES CONTINUED PROGRESS POSSIBLE,
SYNCHRONIZING
THE SKILLS OF THREE INDEPENDENT BRANCHES OF GOVERNMENT,
\
RESERVING FUNDAMENTAL SOVEREIGNTY TO THE PEOPLE OF THIS
GREAT LAND
-90-
IT IS ONLY AS THE TEMPORARY REPRESENTATIVES AND
SERVANTS OF THE PEOPLE THAT WE MEET HERE
\
WE BRING NO
HEREDITARY STATUS OR GIFT OF INFALLIBILITY AND NONE FOLLOWS US
FROM THIS PLACE.
LIKE PRESIDENT WASHINGTON, LIKE THE
MORE FORTUNATE OF HIS SUCCESSORS RS/ I LOOK FORWARD TO THE
STATUS OF PRIVATE CITIZEN WITH GLADNESS AND GRATITUDE.
TO ME, BEING A CITIZEN OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
IS THE GREATEST HONOR AND PRIVILEGE IN THIS WORLD
-91-
FROM THE OPPORTUNITIES WHICH FATE AND MY FELLOW
CITIZENS HAVE GIVEN ME AS A MEMBER OF THE HOUSE,
AS VICE PRESIDENT AND PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE
AND AS
PRESIDENT OF ALL THE PEOPLE, I HAVE COME TO UNDERSTAND AND
TO PLACE THE HIGHEST VALUE ON THE CHECKS AND BALANCES
WHICH OUR FOUNDERS IMPOSED ON GOVERNMENT THROUGH THE
SEPARATION OF POWERS, AMONG CO-EQUAL LEGISLATIVE,
EXECUTIVE AND JUDICIAL BRANCHES
-92-
THIS OFTEN RESULTS IN DIFFICULTY AND DELAY,
\
AS I WELL KNOW / BUT IT ALSO PLACES SUPREME AUTHORITY
UNDER GOD, BEYOND ANY ONE PERSON, ANY ONE BRANCH,
\
ANY MAJORITY GREAT OR SMALL OR ANY ONE PARTY
THE CONSTITUTION IS THE BEDROCK OF ALL OUR FREEDOMS;
GUARD AND CHERISH IT; KEEP HONOR AND ORDER IN YOUR OWN
HOUSE; AND THE REPUBLIC WILL ENDURE.
-93-
IT IS NOT EASY TO END THESE REMARKS;
IN THIS CHAMBER,
ALONG WITH SOME OF YOU, I HAVE EXPERIENCED MANY OF THE
HIGHLIGHTS OF MY LIFE.
IT WAS HERE THAT I STOOD 28 YEARS
AGO WITH MY FRESHMAN COLLEAGUES AS SPEAKER SAM RAYBURN
ADMINISTERED THE OATH
-
I SEE SOME OF YOU NOW,
CHARLIE BENNETT DICK BOLLING CARL PERKINS PETE RODINO NO/,
HARLEY STAGGERS / TOM STEED SID YATES AND CLEM ZABLOCKI,
I
1 AND I REMEMBER THOSE WHO HAVE GONE TO THEIR REST
-94-
IT WAS HERE WE WAGED MANY A LIVELY BATTLE, WON SOME,
LOST SOME, BUT ALWAYS REMAINING FRIENDS
IT WAS HERE
SURROUNDED BY SUCH FRIENDS, THAT THE DISTINGUISHED CHIEF
JUSTICE SWORE ME IN AS VICE PRESIDENT ON DECEMBER 6, 1973
IT WAS HERE I RETURNED EIGHT MONTHS LATER AS PRESIDENT
TO ASK YOU NOT FOR A HONEYMOON, BUT FOR A GOOD MARRIAGE
-95-
I WILL ALWAYS TREASURE THOSE MEMORIES
I THANK YOU
FOR THEM
MY FELLOW AMERICANS, I ONCE ASKED FOR YOUR PRAYERS,
AND NOW I GIVE YOU MINE: / MAY GOD GUIDE THIS WONDERFUL
COUNTRY, ITS PEOPLE, AND THOSE THEY HAVE CHOSEN TO LEAD
P.
THEM / MAY OUR THIRD CENTURY BE ILLUMINATED BY LIBERTY
AND BLESSED WITH BROTHERHOOD, so THAT WE AND ALL WHO COME
AFTER US MAY BE THE HUMBLE SERVANTS OF THY PEACE
AMEN
GOOD NIGHT AND GOD BLESS YOU
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