April 14, 1969, Message to Congress--Radio Address

FOR RELEASE AT 12 NOON, EST April 14, 1969 Office of the White House Press Secretary THE WHITE HOUSE TO THE CONGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES: As the members of Congress know, I have had under consideration the question of whether to send to the Congress this year a message on the State of the Union. I have decided against doing so. However, to assist Congress in formulating its plans, I would like to indicate at this time some of the principal legislative proposals that I will be sending in the weeks immediately ahead, and to report on the development of Administration plans and priorities as they relate to domestic programs. The first twelve weeks of the new Administration have been devoted intensively to the pursuit of peace abroad, and to the development of new structures and new programs for the pursuit of progress at home. Peace has been the first priority. It concerns the future of civilization; and even in terms of our domestic needs themselves, what we are able to do will depend in large measure on the prospects for an early end to the War in Viet Nam. At the same time, the first days of this Administration have afforded us a unique opportunity to study the nation's domestic problems in depth, and to overhaul and re-tool the complex machinery of the Executive Office. A systematic review of domestic programs and policies has led to a series of recommendations which I will begin sending to Congress this week. Among those recommendations will be: An increase in Social Security benefits, to take account of the rise in living costs. New measures to combat organized crime, and to crack down on racketeers, narcotics traffickers and peddlers of obscenity. A program of tax credits, designed to provide new incentives for the enlistment of additional private resources in meeting our urgent social needs. A program to increase the effectiveness of our national drive for equal employment opportunity. A comprehensive reorganization of the Post Office Department. A program for the District of Columbia, including home rule and Congressional representation. A start on sharing the revenues of the Federal government, so that other levels of government where revenue increases lag behind will not be caught in a constant fiscal crisis. more