Ask the Scholar
Document scope · 1 page
Scholar
Ask about this object, its catalog metadata, its source description, or the page inventory.
For page-specific OCR and visual context, open one of the page chats.
Scholar Source Context
Document identity
localId
55031479
label
Children’s Rights
core
doc
dtoType
document
citationUrl
pageCount
1
Source metadata
id
55031479
sourceUrl
contentType
document
title
Children’s Rights
citationUrl
collections
Records of the First Lady's Office (Clinton Administration)
Melanne Verveer's Subject Files
imageCount
1
hasImages
yes
source
import
hasTranscription
no
Source extras
naId
55031479
levelOfDescription
fileUnit
otherTitles
2068127-20130534S-076-009-2022
recordType
description
ocrSource
nara-archive
Single page context
seq
1
pageIndex
0
type
document
mediaId
f1804dde78756ae8
ocrText
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 publication.
Publications have not been scanned in their entirety for the purpose
of digitization. To see the full publication please search online or
visit the Clinton Presidential Library's Research Room.
First Call For Children
82
FIRST CALL
FOR CHILDREN
WORLD DECLARATION
AND PLAN OF ACTION FROM
THE WORLD SUMMIT FOR CHILDREN
CONVENTION ON THE
RIGHTS OF THE CHILD
unicef
hegal Secries r Children
FIRST LADY HILLARY RODHAM CLINTON
VIDEOTAPED REMARKS FOR THE 25TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION
OF THE NATIONAL CENTER FOR YOUTH LAW
JUNE 21, 1996
Good evening. I'm so sorry I cannot be there with you in
person for the 25th Anniversary Celebration of the National
Center for Youth Law. I am delighted to hear that Mayor Brown
will be addressing you and that Senators Boxer and Feinstein are
serving as the honorary chairs of the event.
I have long admired the work of the National Center for
Youth Law. Children are one of the most vulnerable groups in our
society. Children cannot vote. They cannot hire lobbyists to
represent them on Capitol Hill. And they cannot represent
themselves in a court of law. What you all have done so well for
the past twenty-five years is provide our children with a voice -
- a voice in the courtroom, a voice in our foster care offices
and a voice in our legislative and legal systems.
By providing legal services for our nation's children, you
are keeping alive our country's fundamental promise of justice
for all. You are some of democracy's most vital guardians.
Every time you help a child escape an abusive home, help a state
reform its child welfare system, or defend teenagers who have
been abused in juvenile instsitutions, you help America live
closer to its ideals.
Like all of you, I have watched with great distress efforts
by some in Congress to move the cause of justice backward. This
is a foolish calculation that this country cannot afford. It is
a calculation that has forced many of you to make impossible
choices as you try to help our neediest citizens obtain justice
under law.
Last year, the National Center for Youth Law lost over
$800,000 in funding when Congress slashed funding for legal
services. With leadership from dedicated advocates like all of
you gathered here tonight, however, the struggle for equal
justice will continue.
I know that the President joins me in saluting all of you
for the important work that you are doing. Today, as the very
notion of what we stand for as a society is at stake, we must
carry on America's commitment to justice. Thank you.
SENT BY:
3-10-93 12:50PM ; USC for UNICEF - DC+
4566244;# 2
MICHAEL D. BARNES
WASHINGTON SQUARE
1050 CONNECTIOUT AVENUE, N. W.
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20036
202-657-6170
MEMORANDUM
TO:
Hillary Clinton, Esq.
FROM: Michael D. Barnes
Chairman, Maryland Clinton/Gore Coordinated Campaign
Vice Chair, Maryland Democratic Party
RE:
a) Appointment of U.S. Representative to the UNICEF Execu-
tive Board in time for April, 1993, meeting; status of the
Representative as an Ambassador. Your special appearance
and speech at the opening session of the UNICEF Executive
Board at the United Nations on April 26, 1993.
b) U.S. Signature and Ratification of the UN Convention on
the Rights of the Child. (Signature by April 26, 1993?)
DATE: December 10, 1992
Executive Summary
a) The most visible, high-level appointment on international children's issues
President Clinton will have an opportunity to make upon taking office is that
of the U.S. Representative to the UNICEF Executive Board. The appointee,
up to now an individual from private life who serves without compensation,
leads the U.S. delegation to the annual 2 week meeting of the 41 member
UNICEF Executive Board and serves as the administration's spokesperson
with regard to U.S. efforts on behalf of the world's children. The U.S.
Representative is assisted by an Alternate. Given the priority which the
President-elect and you attach to the needs and rights of children, I
recommend that the Clinton administration move very quickly on this
appointment, confer upon the appointee the rank of Ambassador. and seek
his/her confirmation by the U.S. Senate in time for the next meeting of the
UNICEF Executive Board in late April, 1993.
PHOTOCOPY
PRESERVATION
SENT BY:
3-10-93 12:51PM ; USC for UNICEF - DC->
4566244;*
Hillary Clinton, Esq.
December 10, 1992
Page Two
The Executive Board meeting provides a highly visible forum for the new
administration to signal its support for child survival and development and for
U.S. action on the Convention on the Rights of the Child. I recommend that
you consider attending the opening session of the board on April 26, 1993, to
announce the administration's support for UNICEF, the goals of the World
Summit for Children and the Convention on the Rights of the Child.
b) The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, adopted by the UN
General Assembly in 1989, establishes minimum standards for the survival.
protection and development of children. The Convention has been ratified
by 126 countries, including all of the major western allies of the United
States. An additional 30 countries have signed and are moving toward ratifi-
cation. Only a small number of island nations and countries with dubious
human rights records remain with the United States as neither having signed
nor ratified the Convention, including South Africa, Libya, Iraq, and Somalia.
The Convention has the support of several hundred national organizations,
both Houses of Congress and a number of prominent American advocates for
children. I recommend that President Clinton sign the Convention in time to
make possible your announcement of his action at the opening session of the
UNICEF Executive Board meeting on April 26, 1993.
Background
a) The UNICEF Executive Board meeting is held annually at the United
Nations Headquarters in New York. UNICEF's board, composed of repre-
sentatives of 41 Member States of the UN, including the United States, is a
policy making, oversight and program and budget approval body. It is largely
for the Clinton administration to define a new and more critical role for the
U.S. Representative to the UNICEF Executive Board. The previous admin-
istration did not appear to view the position as other than a high level
political "plum" and its holders for the past twelve years have not viewed
themselves as spokespersons for the cause. (The last true advocate in the
position was Marjorie Craig Benton who was appointed by President Carter.)
This is despite the continuation throughout the 1980's of the U.S. as a major
donor to UNICEF and child survival programs.
The position has enormous advocacy potential, both for domestic and
international gains. The present is an ideal time for such an appointee and
a new administration to be at the forefront of efforts to improve the well-
being of children throughout the world. The children's movement has been
gathering considerable momentum internationally, as evidenced by the success
PHOTOCOPY
PRESERVATION
SENT BY:
; 3-10-93 12:52PM ; USC for UNICEF - DC->
4566244;#
Hillary Clinton, Esq.
December 10, 1992
Page Three
of the World Summit for Children (1990), the achievement of Universal Child
Immunization by 1990 and the rapid international acceptance of the UN
Convention on the Rights of the Child. These historic events and attendant
major gains for children have built a strong base for greater success in the
near future and have forever raised the political priority of the needs of
children to the highest levels. President-elect Clinton's election on a cam-
paign which highlighted the need to invest in critical programs for children
reflects this new priority and its acceptance among the American people.
The task before the international children's movement over the next eight
years is to work toward achievement of the goals for the year 2000 adopted
at the World Summit for Children.
Principal among these are:
Reduction of under-5 child mortality rates in all countries by one third;
Reduction of maternal mortality rates by half;
Reduction of severe and moderate malnutrition among under-5 children
by one half;
Universal access to safe drinking water and to sanitary means of excreta
disposal;
Universal access to basic education and completion of primary education
by at least 80% of primary school age children;
Reduction of the adult literacy rate by one half, with emphasis on the
literacy of women; and,
Protection ofchildren in exceptionally difficult circumstances, particularly
In situations of armed conflicts.
For the United States, these goals can have significant domestic impact. As
you know, the U.S. ranks 22nd in the world with regard to infant mortality.
Reduction of the U.S. rate of infant mortality by one-third by the year 2000
can be accomplished at low-cost and could be one of the great accomplish-
ments of the Clinton administration.
PHOTOCOPY
PRESERVATION
SENT BY:
3-10-93 12:52PM ; USC for UNICEF - DC->
4566244;# 5
Hillary Clinton, Esq.
December 10, 1992
Page Four
The appointment of a nationally known figure to be U.S. Representative to
the UNICEF Executive Board, and conferring upon the holder the rank of
Ambassador to represent the personal interests of the President, would
provide the new administration a unique vantage point from which to pro-
mote these goals and its focus on children in the international arena.
Therefore, I recommend that you advise the President to fill this appointment
in time to enable his appointee to join the U.S. delegation to the UNICEF
Executive Board meeting beginning April 26, 1993. (I would be pleased to
suggest potential candidates for the position of U.S. Represenative to the
UNICEF Executive Board.)
b) The United States is among very few nations that has not signed or
ratified the human rights treaty that has been called the "Magna Carta" for
children, the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. The Convention
establishes minimum standards for the survival, protection and development
of children. Among the Convention's provisions are included the right of a
child to a name and nationality, freedom of expression and to be heard in
administrative and judicial proceedings. the right to adequate health care and
education and the right to be protected from economic and sexual exploita-
tion.
The idea for an international treaty for children was launched in 1979, the
UN International Year of the Child. A working group of the UN Human
Rights Commission drafted the treaty over the next ten years, with U.S.
representation throughout, and approved its text by consensus early in 1989.
The Convention on the Rights of the Child was brought before the UN
General Assembly and adopted by consensus (including the U.S.) on
November 20, 1989. The Convention achieved status as international law on
September 2, 1990, in record time for a human rights treaty. As of this
writing 124 nations have ratified the Convention, including Canada, the
United Kingdom, Mexico, Germany, France, Japan and all of our major
Western allies. The shrinking list of nations which are non-party to the
Convention includes, in addition to the U.S., Libya, Iraq, South Africa, and
Somalia. Clearly, the U.S. is keeping very poor company by remaining on
this list and is trailing on an issue with universal appeal and merit when it
should be leading the call for global adherence to a treaty for the rights of
children.
Within the United States the Convention has generated considerable support
from the Congress, national organizations and prominent individuals. Both
Houses of Congress have passed resolutions in support of U.S. ratification of
PHOTOCOPY
PRESERVATION
SENT BY:
3-10-93 :12:53PM USC tor UNICEF - DC+
24
Hillary Clinton, Esq.
December 10, 1992
Page Five
the Convention on a bipartisan basis. Also, leading Senators Bill Bradley (D-
NJ) and Richard Lugar (R-IN) have co-chaired a National Advisory Council
of prominent figures on the Rights of the Child to promote U.S. considera-
tion of the treaty. Over two hundred national organizations have expressed
strong support of the treaty, including the National Education Association,
the American Association of Retired Persons, the Children's Defense Fund,
the Association of Junior Leagues and the YWCA. The White House and
the State Department have received thousands of letters in support of the
Convention.
The Bush administration was hositant to move on the Convention for fear of
alienating the right wing. The treaty was reviewed by the executive
departments but a final report was never produced and the Convention was
never forwarded to the Senate for consideration of ratification.
In consideration of the President-elect's and your support for the right of
children to the basic necessities of life and proper development, and to
reposition the U.S. as a leading international voice for the protection of
children, I recommend President Clinton sign the treaty as soon as possible
after taking office and forward it to the Senate for consideration of
ratification within one year. These announcements can be made by you in a
special appearance before the UNICEF Executive Board in April, 1993, and
thus broadcast to the world.
PHOTOCOPY
PRESERVATION
HQ535
.U54
1993
ACULTUREOFCARING
Nicale-
\
file
America's Commitment to
Children and Families
INTRODUCTION
Americans have always passed on to the next generation a more prosperous and more
humane society than the one they inherited. That's what has given America strength.
That's what has made the United States a üghthouse for the world. We have a responsibil-
itv to continue this tradition. to make sure that our actions todav produce a brighter future
for our children tomorrow. We must make sure America remains a iana or opportunity for
our children. America's plan of action is simple: we will give our children a more prosper-
ous. healthier and more secure future.
he current generation of
The Bush Administration
and community can best provide.
T
American adults
recognizes that the Federal
For millions of American children,
recognizes that to do
Government plays an important
government serves as a provider,
this, we must provide
role in protecting children from
paying welfare benefits in lieu of
our children with the tools that will
poverty, disease, malnutrition,
the wages that would be provided
enable their generation to experi-
illiteracy and abuse. But the
by an absent parent. But children
ence progress. For this to occur,
primary responsibility for
need the care and support of both
we must have an education system
America's children must rest with
parents. Without a mother and
that works. Children must arrive at
the family and the local commu-
father, a child would be left to
school healthy and ready to learn.
nity. The state of our children is
depend on the government for
With these tools our children can
the state of our families.
warmth, love, and moral guidance
assure themselves of a growing
As U.S. Department of
as well as economic assistance.
economy so that they can continue
Health and Human Services
In addition, far too many
to build our Nation and prosper in
Secretary Louis W. Sullivan, M.D.
children grow up in areas where
the same way previous generations
has said, "The family is the first
work is not readily available. So
of Americans have prospered.
and the most effective Department
the U.S. Government, in pursuit of
This report, a response to the
of Health and Human Services."
its long-standing commitment to
World Summit for Children held in
That's because the forces that truly
ensure the well-being of its
New York in September 1990,
shape a child's development -
citizens, provides many programs
presents both the steps the Admin-
care, love, and the instilling of
designed to offer assistance when
istration is taking to improve the
moral values - are best provided
these traditional front-line institu-
lives of children in the United
by the family and the local com-
tions break down.
States and the initiatives the United
munity.
This report provides an
States is undertaking to improve
The Bush Administration
overview of innovative Federal
the lives of children worldwide.
believes that the Federal Govern-
efforts. By no means is the informa-
This report's narrative
ment should look for ways to
tion contained here intended to be
focuses for the most part on the
reinforce and strengthen the basic
comprehensive or all-encompass-
activities of the Federal Govern-
building blocks of a healthy
ing. Instead, this report outlines the
ment. Yet the Bush Administration
society, including family, commu-
Administration's general approach
has always stressed that the answer
nity, business and schools. Such
to tackling many of the most
to creating a better future for
policies will go further toward
pressing and critical issues facing
America's children does not lie
improving the lives of children
the next generation of Americans
primarily with Washington. The
than all the government programs
and demonstrates the President's
answer is in the home life of all
money can buy.
commitment to America's children,
American families, reinvigorated
Nonetheless, the Administra-
our most precious resource.
local communities, and economic
tion also recognizes that far too
conditions that ensure a growing
many children are deprived of the
and prosperous economy.
nurturing environment that family
2
A BRIGHTER FUTURE FOR OUR CHILDREN
he United States is proud
Despite efforts dating back 25
T
of its accomplishments
years to the "War on Poverty"
for its children. As a
declared by President Johnson,
whole, America's
government efforts, including
children are at or near the top
significant growth in government
among nations in almost every
spending, have been largely
important measured index on the
unsuccessful for some segments of
quality of life: standard of living,
our population.
health, expected lifespan, and level
The Bush Administration has
of education. America's families
outlined a new strategy to improve
have worked hard to achieve this
circumstances for children in
level of success. Nevertheless, too
America. The President's new
many children in the United States
ideas for the future will move us
have not received the full benefit
toward such goals as:
of the American system. Too many
children today must still be
1. Strengthening the family
considered "at risk." Prosperity is
2. Supporting community action
not universal, even in the United
3. Creating a stronger economy
States. The lives of too many
4. Making streets and school
American children are still blighted
yards safe
by poverty, violence in their homes
5. Comprehensive health care
and communities, lack of educa-
reform
tion, and inadequate health care.
6. Improving education
3
much more likely to display antisocial
behavior.
Nearly one half of all black
families are now headed by females.
Among black families consisting of
married couples and their children the
poverty rate is 14 percent, which is
about the national average. But among
families headed by single mothers, the
poverty rate is a staggering 52 percent.
Two-thirds of all black infants today
are born of unwed mothers.
Approximately 70 percent of
juveniles in long-term correctional
facilities did not have a father at home
while growing up. As Secretary
Sullivan has said: "We are raising a
generation of young males who
measure their manhood by the calibre
of their gun and the number of children
they have fathered - a generation for
STRENGTHENING THE FAMILY
whom the comraderie of a gang has
replaced the love of a family." All this
major cause of poverty in
the competing demands on their time
points to one conclusion: children need
A
America is the breakdown
and attention to provide and care for
the love, support and guidance of both
of the family. The numbers
their children. Still, children who are
their mother and their father.
tell the story. Nine out of
missing a parent are 500 percent more
There has also been an accompa-
ten children from two-parent families
likely to be poor and 200 percent more
nying erosion in traditional moral
avoid poverty, but half of the children
likely to drop out of school than
values. The television and movie
living in single family households are
children who live with both parents.
industries often depict scenes of casual
poor. The vast majority of single
Absent fathers also take their toll
sex, violence, lack of responsible
parents are women raising their
on the physical, mental and emotional
behavior and defiance of legitimate
children without any male support at
health of children. A recent study by
authority. The legacy of the "Sexual
home. The increase in the proportion
the National Center for Health
Revolution" of the 1960s and 1970s is
of mother-only families accounted for
Statistics found that children living in
an epidemic of sexually transmitted
about half of the overall increase in
single-parent or step-parent families
diseases, unwanted pregnancies,
child poverty from 1979 through 1987.
suffer from more health problems and
shattered lives and children lacking a
It would be an over-simplification to
emotional distress. Even after control-
moral compass. For the middle class.
say that two parents are always better
ling for age, gender, race and socioeco-
the majority have survived this sea
than one. Not all absent parents are
nomic status, children from disrupted
change in social mores. But many of
willing, or able, to make a positive
families were 20 percent to 40 percent
the poor, with a less secure family life,
contribution to family life. And there
more likely to suffer health problems
have not. The inter-generational
are many courageous and loving
than children living with their biologi-
poverty now plaguing America's
single-parents who are able to balance
cal parents. These children were also
inner-cities is the legacy of a break-
4
down of the traditional family
lies with Dependent Children
and of family values.
(AFDC) program have able-bodied
A series of initiatives has been
absentee fathers, but only 10
proposed by President Bush that would
percent receive any child support
reward instead of discourage family
from these fathers. The Bush
formation, and discourage instead of
Administration believes the law
reward the break-up of families. These
should be tough on these delin-
Improved Child Support
include:
quent fathers. The U.S. Depart-
1. Project KIDS: Making absent
ment of Health and Human
"Americans want to see government
parents responsible for their
Services' new Administration on
at every level work together to track
chidren.
Children and Families has dramati-
down the deadbeat dads - the ones
In families where one parent
cally stepped up child support
is absent, the parent who cares for
enforcement. Child support
who cannot be bothered to pay child
the children can seek from the
payments during the first three
support. They want to see us break
courts a judicial decree that the
years of the Bush Administration
this cycle of dependency that destroys
absent parent should financially
have increased by $3 billion. But
dignity and passes down poverty from
support his or her children. Pres-
more must be done.
one generation to the next."
ently, only half of women legally
President Bush recently
entitled to receive child support
announced a new initiative, Project
- President Bush
receive the full-amount owed, a
KIDS. Its goals for 1996:
March 16. 1992
quarter receive partial payment,
Three quarters of absent parents
and a quarter receive nothing. Most
will be required to support their
significant is the behavior of
children, up from half now.
fathers among low-income Ameri-
Three quarters of absent parents
cans. More than 90 percent of
will pay child support in full, on
children now in the Aid to Fami-
time, up from half now.
U.S. Population
Children in Poverty
by Age Group 1989
Under 18 Years of Age: 1989
Source (I 1): U.S. Bueau of the Census
Source (1.2): U.S. Bureau of the Census
<1 Years (1.6%)
1-4 Years (6.0%)
Percent of Children Below Poverty
5-9 Years (7.3%)
Children
80
31.8%
Hispanic
10-14 Years (6.8%)
(Data not collected
15-17 Years (4.1%)
White
prior to 1973)
18-19 Years (3.1%)
60
Black
20-21 Years (1.6%)
Elderly 65+ Years (12.5%)
40
Adult 22-64 Years (55.7%)
20
Population of Children
In 1989, there were 79 million children through the age of 21 in the United States,
representing 31.8% of the total population.
0
Between 1980 and 1989, there was a 13.9% increase in the number of children under
5 years of age. Although there were 23 million more children younger than 22 in 1998
1959
1969
1979
1989
than in 1950, this age group is declining relative to other age groups in the population.
Year
in 1989. persons aged 65 and over represented 12.5% of the total population. By the year
2000. this group is expected to increase by 12.6%. whereas the child population is
expected to increase by only 2.1%
5
Two out of three children born to
Planning grants to assess viability
single mothers will have their fathers
and provide technical assistance to
identified, up from one in three.
prepare public and American Indian
Half of absent parents will cover
housing residents for home
their children on their health
ownership;
coverage plans, up from one in five.
Implementation grants for the
rehabilitation of public housing
Absent parents who do not
projects, as well as counseling and
support their children would lose many
training, capital and operating
HOPE
of the privileges State and Federal
reserves, and helping to cover the
governments extend to citizens and
costs of actually buying the
"We must promote new hope
would be subject to stiffer criminal
properties at heavily discounted
through homeownership. People
penalties. The Internal Revenue
prices.
Service would collect overdue child
want a real stake - a real stake in
support along with taxes owed the
Families with incomes below 80
their community, something of
Federal government.
percent of the local median income
value taht they can pass along to
would be eligible for Federal assistance
their kids. And that's what the
2. Fully funding HOPE (Home
to buy their homes in public or Indian
HOPE initiative does. It turns
Ownership for People Every-
housing facilities. HOPE would also
where).
make grants available to organizations
public housing tenants into
Under the HOPE program
that help families in public housing or
homeowners."
proposed by President Bush and
FHA distressed multi-family buildings
President Bush
Housing and Urban Development
to buy and maintain their homes and
Secretary Jack Kemp, residents of
properties.
May 8, 1992
public housing would be empow-
By providing opportunity for
ered to purchase their units in
home ownership, HOPE would give
public or American Indian housing
low-income families greater control
properties. Assistance would be
over their homes and neighborhoods;
made available in the form of two
help expand the supply of decent
types of grants:
housing; and promote economic self-
sufficiency. HOPE will help give low-
income Americans a stake in the
Poverty Rate of Children by Living Arrangement
American Dream. Home ownership is
By Percentage
Source: U.S. Bureau of the Census. Current Population Reports. series P-60.
one of the most powerful equity-
No. 175 and earlier reports.
building, wealth-creating investments
families can make. HOPE would allow
80
Children Living with Mother Only
low-income families an opportunity to
60
reap the benefits of home ownership.
Home ownership helps provide
40
Children Living with Father Only
All Related Children in Families
stability and security to family life —
20
essential to healthy child development.
Children Living with Two Parents
0
1960 1962 1964 1966 1968 1970 1972 1974 1976 1978 1980 1982 1984 1986 1988 1990
CPS data
Estimate
SUPPORTING COMMUNITY ACTION
he Administration has
when encouraged to do so. A
T
proposed a new ap-
successful attack on poverty must
proach, one that would
foster self-sufficiency instead of
strengthen community
need. It must highlight and
and family life and encourage
strengthen the many positive
local, grass-roots initiatives.
aspects that already exist in
President Bush speaks often about
communities. For this reason,
the "Points of Light," meaning
community action is one of three
people who pull together and
great engines of progress -
volunteer to aid a neighbor in need.
together with economic growth
The residents of a particular
and government action. In order to
neighborhood understand their
ensure that government fully
needs far better than the remote
supports the initiatives of groups
bureaucracy in Washington, D.C.
and individuals at the community
And, for the most part, residents of
level, the Bush Administration has
neighborhoods are better equipped
proposed the following plan of
to deal with their own problems
action:
7
1. Creating enterprise zones in
Wisconsin, through a program
poor areas.
called Learnfare, requires students
Enterprise zones will attack
to attend school for their parents to
poverty by promoting investment
receive maximum welfare benefits.
in economically distressed neigh-
Maryland officials have announced
Thousand Points of Light
borhoods. These designated areas
a plan to encourage more respon-
will be given tax incentives and
sible behavior among the poor by
"These individuals and groups
regulatory relief to attract new seed
paying bonuses to those who get
raelize that we build a better
capital for small business start-ups
preventive health care, keep
America not by protesting or
and to make risk-taking possible.
children in school and pay their
Many people are deterred
rent.
demanding that others assume
from starting a business because
New Jersey no longer pays
responsibility for our problems; we
taxes are too high and regulations
mothers additional AFDC benefits
build better futures by taking on
are too complicated. The"Adminis-
if they have more children out of
the problems we see in our own
tration has proposed eliminating
wedlock. but allows mothers to
communities."
costly legal barriers that discourage
continue to receive benefits if they
low-income people from starting
marry ("wedfare"). New Jersey's
- President Bush
their own businesses. Barriers that
welfare law allows mothers to get a
September 28, 1991
small businessmen must overcome
job and earn up to 50 percent of
include: zoning ordinances that
their total benefits without being
prevent people from running a
forced off welfare. The New Jersey
business out of their home;
law also requires mothers with
occupation licensing and bonding
children over the age of 2 to work
Welfare Reform
requirements; property taxes,
or get job training. This is the kind
inventory taxes and other business
of innovation the Bush Adminis-
"It's time to replace the
taxes. By removing all non-health
tration is encouraging. Govern-
assumptions of the welfare state
related government barriers to
ment works best when it's closest
and help reform the welfare
private enterprise in enterprise
to the people. State and local
zones, we will be better able to
governments are much better
system. when able-bodied people
provide additional incentives to
positioned, strategically, to address
receive government assistance,
expand the economy.
the real needs of their people than
they have responsibilities to the
is distant Washington, D.C. Each
taxpayer; a responsibility to seek
2. Giving greater authority to
project will be carefully evaluated
work, education, or job training, a
State and local government to
to determine its effectiveness.
experiment with new ap-
responsibility to hold their families
proaches to fighting poverty.
3. Full funding for Head Start.
together and refrain from having
The Bush Administration has
One Federal anti-poverty
children out of wedlock."
been waiving many Federal
program that has worked very well
restrictions on AFDC and other
is Head Start. Head Start offers
- President Bush
public assistance programs to
preschool experience to children
January 28, 1992
allow State and local governments
who live in poor households. Head
to experiment with new ap-
Start works because it relies on
proaches to alleviating poverty.
parents and volunteers in the local
community to run the program and
old to participate in Head Start. It
make it work.
will also enable Head Start to open
Neighborhood volunteers at
Family Service Centers, which will
Head Start centers outnumber paid
assist parents who are involved in
Head Start
staff three to one. Head Start
the program and face problems
"Everyone agrees Head Start is a
attempts to give poor children
such as illiteracy, unemployment.
some of the advantages they may
and drug or alcohol abuse. By
program that works for children -
be missing at home, advantages
addressing these problems, the
by ennancing their educational
that have enabled other kids to
Centers will help parents create a
performance and really fostering
arrive at kindergarten and first
more positive, nurturing home
success in life. Head Start also
grade ready to learn. Head Start
environment for their children.
works for families by offering child
teaches disadvantaged preschool
care and child development pro-
children basic values, values such
as respect for teachers and author-
grams for parents which build self-
ity, integrity, hard work, patience,
contidence by encouraging a
and service to others.
commument to improve the lives of
President Bush is a strong
the children."
believer in the value of Head Start,
which is why he has proposed and
- President Bush
Congress accepted a record $600
May 24. 1990
million increase in Head Start
funding for Fiscal Year 1993. This
will enable every eligible 4-year
9
CREATING A STRONGER ECONOMY
he best anti-poverty
T
groups were better off as a result of
program is a growing
the 19 million jobs created by the
economy. The historical
longest economic expansion in
record shows that
American history. The average
poverty in America has declined,
income of the poorest fifth of
not when spending on social
American families increased by
programs has increased, but during
10.4 percent during this period.
periods of economic expansion.
The average income jumped 9.5
Poverty plunged during the post-
percent for the second lowest fifth;
war period while the economy was
11.7 percent for the middle fifth;
growing at a rapid pace. In 1959,
12.2 percent for the second highest
the poverty rate was 22.4 percent.
fifth: and 13.6 percent for the
Balanced Budget
and dropped to 12.1 percent by
highest fifth. As President
1969. But then the decline in the
Kennedy often said, "a rising tide
"We've got to remember, these
poverty rate stopped in 1969, just
lifts all boats." And that was
aren't government dollars, they're
as the Great Society's War on
certainly the case during that
taxpayer dollars. And when it comes
Poverty programs were kicking in.
period of economic growth, from
to the deficit, let's remember who
The poverty rate began to climb
1983 through 1989. If we are to
foots the bill - our children, our
from 11.7 percent in 1979 to 15.2
give our children a bright and
percent in 1983 when the economy
prosperous future in which their
grandchildren. We need a balanced
slowed and sank into a recession.
opportunities are limited by their
budget amendment."
Poverty fell again throughout the
dreams and not their circum-
1980s to 12.8 percent in 1989 as
- President Bush
stances, we must have a growing
the economy improved. This was
economy. The Bush Administra-
May 27, 1992
certainly true of the period be-
tion has proposed an economic
tween 1983 to 1989 when Ameri-
growth program to lessen the
can aggregate output grew by a
burden of government on those
staggering 24 percent, the equiva-
who pay the country's bills -
lent of creating another economy
families and businesses:
the size of Germany's inside the
United States. The facts show that
1. A Balanced Budget Amend-
the poor did not get poorer be-
ment to the Constitution.
tween 1983 and 1989, when the
We have a moral responsibil-
economy was growing. All income
ity not to leave a legacy of debt to
our children and grandchildren.
3. A moratorium on new regula-
We cannot give the next generation
tions.
the same opportunities our parents
President Bush, in his State
and grandparents gave us so long
of the Union Message to the
as the Federal Government
Nation on January 28, 1992,
continues to run up yearly deficits
announced a 90-day moratorium
in excess of $300 billion. Wash-
on Federal agencies issuing new
ington must stop spending more
regulations. The President has
than it takes in.
since extended that moratorium
Nearly 15 percent of the
indefinitely. Meanwhile, the
entire Federal budget is spent just
President's Council on Competi-
on paying interest on the Federal
tiveness, chaired by Vice President
debt. A Balanced Budget Amend-
Dan Quayle, is conducting a
ment is clearly needed. Sadly, the
comprehensive review of existing
House on June 11, 1992, once
regulations to identify unnecessary
New Regulations Moratorium
again rejected a Balanced Budget
government red-tape that can be
Amendment to the Constitution,
streamlined or eliminated. The
"I won't negiect my responsibility
this time by only nine votes. We
regulatory burden on business and
for sound reguiations that serve the
owe our children better leadership
enterprise is crushing economic
public good. but regulatory overkill
and more responsible fiscal policy
growth.
than this.
A growing economy is vital
must be stopped."
not just to the economic well-being
- President Bush
2. Tax relief for first-time home
of families and children, but to
January 28. 1992
buyers.
their emotional well-being as well.
The Administration has
Life at home is more secure and far
proposed allowing the use of
less stressful if dad, mom or both
Individual Retirement Accounts by
have decent jobs that provide the
first-time home buyers to purchase
necessary financial support for the
a home. In addition, the Adminis-
family. Children cannot achieve
tration has proposed a $5,000 tax
their full potential in life without
credit for first time home buyers.
opportunity, which results from the
President Bush has also recom-
continuous creation of new
mended efforts to provide a much-
businesses and industries.
needed boost to the real estate
industry, the backbone of the
American economy.
11.
MAKING THE STREETS AND SCHOOLYARDS SAFE
he threat of violent
absolutely necessary pre-condition
T
crime constitutes an
for any social progress. The
assault on family and
following three-part plan has been
community. The basis
launched by the Administration to
of community is the confidence
make America's streets and
that we can live, work and play in
playgrounds safe:
our neighborhoods free from the
threat of violence. If a single
1. Stronger law enforcement.
mother in an inner-city neighbor-
There is no mystery as to
hood must worry about drugs
how to protect our families from
being sold outside her home on the
violent crime. Study after study
street corner or whether her
shows that only a small segment of
children will get drawn into joining
our population commits violent
a gang, this makes the already
crimes. and that almost all violent
difficult job of motherhood nearly
crimes are committed by repeat
impossible.
offenders. A 1980 study of just 240
More than tough law enforce-
habitual offenders found that this
ment is needed to address prob-
small group was responsible for
lems in the inner-cities. But ridding
over 500,000 crimes over an 11-
communities of violent crime is an
year period - an average of 190
12
crimes per year per offender. A
- Mandatory 10-year term for use
1982 study by the Rand Corpora-
of a semi-automatic firearm in a
tion found that the average state
Federal crime of violence or a
inmate committed between 187
drug trafficking crime.
and 287 crimes per year while on
- A workable Federal death
the street (not including drug
penalty for murders implicating
deals). A recent study by the
Federal interests or responsibili-
Burcau of Alcohol Tobacco and
ties, including substantially all
Firearms found that criminals
drug-related murders.
serving time for firearms offenses
- A workable Federal death
averaged 160 crimes per year prior
penalty for certain non-homi-
to being incarcerated. These are
cidal offenses, including "drug
career criminals who began their
kingpins" and those convicted
careers in crime as juveniles and
of treason and espionage.
continue to commit crimes as
- An objective reasonableness
adults. There is only one way to
("good faith") exception to the
Crime Bill
make America's streets safe, and
"exclusionary rule."
"It's time for a criminal justice
that's to make sure that chronic
violent offenders are not released
2. Expand the Administration's
system that allows us to see the
from prison until they have served
"Weed and Seed" program.
truth come out. the guilty punished.
their full sentences.
Operation Weed and Seed is
the law upheld. and justice done.
a new initiative to combat violent
And that's what I believe our crime
The Bush Administration's
crime and drug trafficking in
bill stands for."
Crime Bill now before Congress
targeted distressed neighborhoods.
includes the following reforms:
Weed and Seed improves the
- President Bush
- Mandatory 5- and 10-year
circumstances of children living in
October 16. 1992
prison terms for firearms
these neighborhoods by reducing
possession by a person with one
crime and providing social ser-
or two prior convictions for
vices. President Bush requested
violent felonies or serious drug
from Congress $500 million for the
offenses.
Weed and Seed initiative for 1993.
- Override of State negation of
The key to Weed and Seed
convictions for armed career
is not so much in new spending as
criminals.
in a new way of operating. It
- Broader definition of serious
involves the integration of Fed-
drug offense for armed career
eral, State and local law enforce-
criminals to include State
ment activities to "weed" out
offenses where conduct would
violent criminals, drug traffickers
have carried a maximum term
and youth gangs. It then provides
of 10 years of more if federally
community revitalization and
prosecuted.
social welfare programs to "seed"
- Broader Federal jurisdiction
the areas for long-term economic
and adult prosecution for
growth and revitalization of low-
juvenile offenders
income communities. The Weed
13
and Seed initiative involves
the criminals and street gangs.
four basic elements:
These programs include access
to primary and prenatal health
Eliminating violent crime.
care, drug abuse treatment and
The Administration is working
prevention, Head Start, job
to build on a partnership among
training, and after-school
State, local and Federal law
education programs.
enforcement agencies to target
aggressively violent street
Creating jobs and economic
Weed & Seed
criminals and street gangs.
opportunity.
"Families can't thrive, children
Programs such as the Justice
The Administration has
Department's "Project
earmarked up to $400 million in
can't learn, jobs can't flourish in
Triggerlock" target violent and
its weed and seed proposal
a climate of fear. And so first is
armed offenders for prosecution
budget for enterprise zones
our responsibility to preserve the
in Federal court to take advan-
(described above). In poor areas
domestic order.. we can reclaim
tage of tough Federal firearms
designated by the Department of
laws. Between April 1991 and
Housing and Urban
our crime-ravaged neighborhoods
February 1992, Project
Development as enterprise
through a new initiative that we
Triggerlock resulted in approxi-
zones, taxes and regulations
call Weed & Seed."
mately 4,500 cases charged with
discouraging business activity
a conviction rate of 91 percent.
would be eliminated or
- President Bush
dramatically reduced.
May 8, 1992
Providing hope and assis-
Stimulating economic growth in
tance.
economically distressed areas
Weed and Seed coordinates
(especially in the inner-cities) is
social programs and services to
critical to breaking the cycle of
help residents reclaim their lives
drug use, poverty and
and their neighborhoods from
unemployment.
Trends in Student Drug Use
Housing and community
Percent of 12th graders who reported using the following
development.
during the previous 30 days. 1980 to 1990
Public housing developments in
Source: University of Michigan, 1991
80 Alcohol
Weed and Seed areas would be
eligible for assistance through
60
the HOPE program. HOPE
gives more authority to resi-
Marijuana
40
dents of public housing to
manage their own buildings and
20
Cocaine
to evict drug users and trouble-
0
makers. In addition, HUD,
1980
1985
1990
under the Weed and Seed
Drug and alcohol use by high school seniors has declined noticeably since 1980.
initiative, would provide
housing vouchers, community
development block grants for
recreation areas and other
treatment available.
with drugs. With continued
community infrastructure
- Worked closely with our allies
vigilance, we can achieve victory.
improvements.
in Latin America to close
Some complain that the
Riot-torn South Central Los
America's borders to drug
Administration's anti-crime and
Angeles is an important test site for
traffickers.
anti-drug policies are too tough.
the Weed and Seed program. On
But if we truly are to have a kinder
May 7, 1992, President Bush
The President has committed
and gentler America, if America is
announced a $19 million Weed
huge, unprecedented funding to the
truly to be a brighter and happier
and Seed operation designed to
War on Drugs. Since taking office,
place for our children tomorrow,
revitalize the burned, looted and
funding has increased 81 percent to
the perpetrators of violence and
terrorized communities of South
nearly 12.0 billion for Fiscal Year
drug trafficking must be removed
Central Los Angeles.
1992. The United States has added
from our communities. We cannot
nearly 26,000 employees, includ-
have social progress in the midst of
3. Commitment to a drug-free
ing agents, attorneys, and preven-
chaos. We cannot raise our
America.
tion and treatment specialists to the
families, educate our children,
President Bush on September
Federal effort. Federal funding for
build our businesses and enjoy the
5, 1989 declared a "War on Drugs,"
drug treatment has nearly doubled
blessings of liberty without law
announcing a two-pronged attack to
since 1989, so that now 1.8 million
and order.
make America's school yards,
Americans can be treated for drug
streets and workplaces drug-free.
dependence.
First, the President said he would
The results of these efforts in
strike aggressively at those who
this short period of time have been
supply illegal drugs. Second, the
impressive. Overall drug use has
President said he would work to
dropped by 13 percent since 1988.
provide greater prevention and
Occasional use of cocaine has
treatment programs to reduce the
dropped by 23 percent. Current
demand for drugs. Over the last 3
adolescent cocaine use has
years, the Bush Administration has:
dropped by 63 percent; and student
- Enforced drug laws with greater
approval of drug use dropped by
certainty and regularity, both to
28 percent. Drug-related crime
make our neighborhoods safer for
rates have also started to fall.
War on Drugs
those who do not use drugs, as
Despite stepped up law enforce-
well as to hold drug users strictly
ment efforts, drug-related arrests
"To win the war against addictive
accountable for their actions.
are down by 24 percent from 1989
drugs like crack will take more than
- Tried to prevent drug use before
to 1991, indicating major gains in
just a Federal strategy. It will take a
it starts by requiring every
the War on Drugs in the inner-
national strategy, one that reaches
elementary, secondary and post-
cities.
into every school. every workplace,
secondary school to adopt,
There is certainly much more
implement and enforce tough
to be done. But these trends show
involving every family."
anti-drug polices and effective
that the Administration has
- President Bush
drug education programs.
adopted the right strategy. We have
sent out the message that Ameri-
September 5. 1989
- Expanded opportunities for
treatment each year so that those
cans will not permit the drug
who might benefit would have
traffickers to poison our children
15
COMPREHENSIVE HEALTH CARE REFORM
he strengths of
health coverage. In America, lack of
I
America's health care
funds should not disqualify anyone
system include: the
from seeing a doctor and getting
freedom of Americans
critical medical treatment. The
to choose their own doctors and
answer is not to scrap America's
hospitals and health plans: the
current health care system, as some
diversity in health plans and flexibil-
are advocating. The answer is to
ity in financing; and the enormous
build upon the strengths of
advances the United States makes
America's health care system and to
every year in medical research and
address its deficiencies.
technology. But none of this is
President Bush has offered a
assuring to those who cannot afford
comprehensive, market-based
16
reform plan that builds on the best
not ration health care or include
features of our current system to
government-mandated price
ensure access to affordable medical
regulation. The President's plan
coverage for all Americans. The
would not burden small businesses
President's plan would:
with new and costly mandates that
could smother economic growth.
- Guarantee access to health
The President's plan would not
insurance for all poor families
require new tax increases, as
through a transferable tax credit
would the employer mandate
(certificate) that would enable
proposals and other nationalized
poor families to purchase a
health insurance plans. The
basic health insurance package
President's plan would not
Health Care Reform
costing $3,750;
threaten older Americans with
- Eliminate the fear that Americans
Medicare or Medicaid benefit
"My plan puts the emphasis on
have that they may lose their
reductions.
expanding access while preserving the
insurance if they change jobs;
The President's plan is
choice peopie now have over the type
- Eliminate limits on the avail-
designed to address two major
of health care coverage and health
ability of insurance for those
defects in the present health care
with "pre-existing conditions";
system: soaring medical costs and
care they receive. My plan helps us
- Allow families with incomes of
the inability of low-income
make health care more affordable,
up to $80,000 to deduct up to
Americans to buy their own health
and more affordable means more
$3,750 from their income taxes;
coverage. The poor are given the
accessible."
- Help consumers make wise
means to pay. At the same time,
choices about their health
the President's plan would
- President Bush
coverage and enhance market-
strengthen the market mechanism
February 6, 1992
mechanisms to keep costs down
for keeping medical costs down
by providing better information
and quality high. Thus the two
on available health plans:
major defects of the present health
- Reduce administrative costs
care system would be addressed,
through regulatory reforms that
and the high quality of medical
would streamline the current
care in the United States would be
paperwork maze, and through
maintained. Every child deserves
market reforms that allow small
the very best chance possible for a
employers to share administra-
healthy life. This requires, first and
tive costs;
foremost, an affordable health care
- Reduce the costs of malpractice
system that ensures access to
through comprehensive liability
health care for every child, but
reform;
refuses to sacrifice the high quality
- Expand services in poor areas,
of medical care offered by our
which now have acute shortages
present system. The President's
of doctors and clinics.
health plan achieves both objec-
The President's plan would
tives.
17
A SPECIAL EMPHASIS ON
mortality rates. Each community is
HEALTHY CHILDREN
given the flexibility to design their
own programs and strategies
America prepares for the
tailored to the needs of its people.
future by paying special attention
The goal is to reduce infant
to health of our young ones,
mortality in these communities by
especially in poor communities
at least 50 percent over a 5-year
where children are more likely to
period. The practical knowledge
be neglected. This year alone,
gained from these demonstration
40,000 babies will die before their
projects can then be used as models
Healthy Start
first birthday, and a quarter of a
for communities across the nation.
million will be born with low birth
"We must reverse the factors that
Healthy Start emphasizes the
weight, making them susceptible to
importance of personal responsibil-
cause preventable infant deaths.
early death, disability and lifelong
ity. Many factors leading to high
That is why I have personally
chronic illness. Black babies are
infant morality rates, especially in
made the Healthy Start Program a
more than twice as likely as white
low-income urban areas, stem
babies to die. The Bush Adminis-
Presidential Initiative and a top
from the behavior of the expectant
tration has made healthy children a
national priority."
mother. Drug and alcohol abuse
national priority through the
and smoking during pregnancy
- President Bush
following initiatives:
account for about 20 percent of
September 18, 1991
infant deaths. Other factors
1. Healthy Start.
jeopardizing a healthy start for
The strategy behind this Bush
America's children include unwed
Administration initiative is to
teen pregnancy, poor nutrition,
concentrate resources in 15
inadequate prenatal care and the
communities throughout the Nation
absence of family or community
with stubbornly high infant
support.
Healthy Start is a major
Infant Mortality Rates, Blacks and Whites
initiative to improve the health of
Deaths Per 1,000 Live Births
those American children who are
Source: National Vital Statistics System and National Linked Birth and
Infant Death Data Set. CDC
born into low-income and high-
risk situations. President Bush has
35
Blacks
asked Congress for a total of $314
30
million for Healthy Start over the
25
past 2 fiscal years. Regrettably,
20
Whites
15
Congress has fallen short of
10
providing the full amount re-
5
quested by the President.
0
1970
1975
1980
1985
1990
1995
2000
2. Attacking childhood diseases.
(projected) (projected)
Children in the United States
receive vaccinations against eight
diseases: Diphtheria, tetanus,
pertussis, polio, Hemophilus b
influenza, measles, mumps and
Improved Childhood
Immunizations
"Today we're announcing a new
action plan to get our children
vaccinated when it makes the
greatest difference - by the age of
rubella. This series of vaccinations
children, especially in high-risk,
two. We're also announcing new
starts when infants are 2 months
low-income inner-city areas. The
standards for pediatric immuniza-
old. President Bush has called on
President has increased the federal
tion - the work of an expert panel
Secretary Sullivan to ensure that all
immunization budget from $141
of America's children receive their
million in 1989 to $344 million in
representing many private and
vaccinations on schedule. This
Fiscal Year 1993 - an increase of
public sector organizations. And
program has produced one of the
over 140 percent. The President
they're going to help clinics
great child health successes of the
has asked Congress for an addi-
improve their methods to provide
20th century. In 1900, these
tional $40 million for the next
vaccinations to kids who need them
infectious diseases were among the
fiscal year.
leading causes of death in children.
the most."
These diseases have now either
3. Food and nutrition.
- President Bush
been completely conquered or are
The U.S. government has
in sharp decline. We can be proud
established programs to ensure that
May 11, 1992
of the fact that 97 percent of
no child goes hungry. The U.S.
American children entering school
Department of Agriculture will
are immunized.
spend more than $30 billion this
But the immunization rate
year on food assistance efforts, the
among 2-year-olds in some inner-
largest being the Food Stamp
city areas is still an abysmal 20
Program. The Food Stamp Pro-
percent. President Bush is leading
gram allows low-income house-
an effort to increase the number of
holds to obtain a more nutritious
fully immunized infants and
diet by increasing their purchasing
19
power. The Special Supplemental
4. Continued vigilance in public
Food Program for Women, Infants
and child health.
and Children (WIC) serves low-
Public health advances such
income pregnant women and
as clean water, sanitation systems
mothers with young children, as
and food preservation have saved
well as infants and children up to
the lives of untold numbers of
the age of 5 at 8,200 sites through
children who otherwise might
the United States. The program
have died young or been disabled
served about 3.8 million infants
for life.
and children each month in 1991.
Each year, the Federal
Meanwhile, the fortification
Government spends over $7
of staple foods, general national
billion on maternal, infant and
prosperity, and the widespread
child health. But there is only so
availability of public assistance
much government can do. As
ensures that the vast majority of
Secretary Louis Sullivan has said,
Americans are well nourished.
America 2000: An Education
"It is the responsibility of each
Diseases caused by nutritional
American to give every child the
Strategy
deficiency have been virtually
best opportunity for a healthy start
"Education has always meant
eliminated in the United States,
and the best possible protection
although nutritional problems
from childhood diseases, problems
opportunity. Today, education
among children still remain.
and harm." Ultimately, says Dr.
determines not just which student
For most American children,
Sullivan, "we must rely on the
will succeed, but also which nations
diseases from nutritional defi-
core institutions of family, school,
will thrive in a world united in
ciency have been replaced by other
church and community to band
pursuit of freedom and enterprise.
health problems related to dietary
together to make sure each child is
excesses and imbalances. Over-
immunized, healthy, well fed,
Our greatest national resource lies
consumption and poor selection of
emotionally secure, and is able to
within ourselves... Think about
food ranks among the leading
socialize with other children and
every problem, every challenge we
causes of illness in the United
adults. Then we have done our job
face. The solution to each starts
States and generates substantial
and they are ready to learn."
with education."
health costs. In 1991, the Food and
Drug Administration issued new
- President Bush
regulations governing food labels
Introduction to "AMERICA 2000"
to help consumers make wiser and
healthier choices in the foods they
consume.
IMPROVING EDUCATION
mericans believe
solving problems involving
A
strongly in the power of
fractions, decimals, percentages or
education. Almost 90
simple algebra, and some are
percent, according to a
unable to figure the cost of a meal
recent Gallup poll, rate a world-
from a menu. More than one-
class education system as critical to
quarter of American young adults
the Nation's future. America has
cannot read well enough to
some fine elementary and second-
interpret the instructions from an
ary schools, and many of
appliance warranty, and 43 percent
America's children are performing
couldn't follow instructions using a
well. But too many are not. In
street map to travel from one
comparison with their peers
location to another. About 500,000
internationally, too many Ameri-
young people drop out of school
can thirteen-year olds have trouble
every year.
21
The connection between
In his 1990 State of the
responsibilities of citizenship;
poverty and inferior education is
Union Address, the President, for
6. Students will be provided a safe,
also clear. The 1991 poverty rate
the first time in our history,
disciplined, and drug-free
for high school graduates is 9.0
announced six National Education
environment in which to learn.
percent; while, among those who
Goals to be met by the year 2000:
fail to get their high school diplo-
AMERICA 2000
mas, the poverty rate shoots up to
1. All children will start school
In April 1991, the President
24 percent. An under-educated
ready to learn;
announced AMERICA 2000, his
child is a child at risk. Inferior
2. The high school graduation rate
innovative four-part strategy to
education breeds poverty.
will increase to at least 90
help the U.S. achieve the National
percent;
Education Goals community by
National Education Goals
3. Students will leave grades 4, 8,
community.
In September 1989, President
and 12 having demonstrated
The AMERICA 2000
Bush called a historic two-day
competency in challenging
movement is spreading like
Education Summit with the
subject matter;
wildfire. Over 2,000 communities,
Nation's Governors at
4. U.S. students will be first in the
44 states, and 1,000 Chambers of
Charlottesville, Virginia, to
world in science and mathemat-
Commerce across the U.S. have
formulate an action plan for
ics achievement;
accepted the President's challenge
education reform. The President
5. Every adult American will be
to adopt the national goals. Presi-
and the Governors agreed to a
literate and will possess the
dent Bush is promoting four
decade-long Federal-State
knowledge and skills necessary
revolutionary ideas to help commu-
partnership to create and meet a set
to compete in a global economy
nities transform education:
of National Education Goals.
and exercise the rights and
22
Break-the-Mold New American
better address the needs of stu-
is working with experts and teachers
Schools
dents.
to develop a national consensus of
Academic standards and volun-
In Orrville, Ohio. home of the
world-class standards in other core
tary national exams.
J.M. Smucker Company, the
subjects: history, science, civics,
Flexibility for teachers and
Heartland Incorporated design team,
geography, English. and the arts.
principals.
with the help of CEO Tim Smucker,
These new standards will be ready
Educational choice for families.
is going ahead with its proposal even
for the schools by 1994-95, so
though they weren't funded by
parents will know what their
Break-the-Mold
NASDC. The community response
children need to learn to live and
New American Schools
in Orrville has been inspiring -
work in this world. A voluntary
At the President's request the
four hundred citizens working
national examination system is also
New American Schools Develop-
together for a year and "No one has
being developed to help states and
ment Corporation (NASDC) was
said no" when called upon to
communities assess whether our
formed to create break-the-mold
participate.
children are learning what they
schools. Eleven design teams, out
All these proposals have tough
should.
of almost 700 submissions, were
standards. They are all generating
chosen to move forward with their
bold new ideas: high schools in
Flexibility for Teachers
proposals for the 1993 school year.
corporate headquarters, kindergar-
and Principals
These proposals came from across
tens in banks, elementary schools
The President is seeking to
the United States from some of the
operated by museums. School
deregulate all 110,000 U.S. schools,
most creative minds in our country.
staffing would change and new
and make more flexible the Federal
For example, Bensenville, Illinois,
technology would be incorporated.
rules that follow the allocation of
is a small community with big
These designs will be a catalyst for
Federal money.
ideas. Their design was one of the
change.
Many states are already
eleven chosen by NASDC. This
deregulating their schools. In Lehigh
village of 17,000 plans to turn the
World-Class Standards
Valley, Pennsylvania, the first thing
entire community into a school,
President Bush has called for
the teachers told President Bush
with a Lifelong Learning Center at
the development of World-Class
was, "Help us get Harrisburg off our
the hub. Students will learn math at
Standards describing important
backs." Ohio and Texas are already
the bank and journalism at the local
knowledge and skills that all
easing state regulations, and other
paper. School facilities will be open
students should learn.
states, like Minnesota and Califor-
all year, from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.
The National Council of
nia, are helping teachers create and
daily. The whole village cooperated
Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM)
charter new kinds of schools from
to make it all possible.
believes that high standards can
scratch.
In the Los Angeles design
provide a vision of what is possible
selected by NASDC, students will
for all children. Forty-one states
Choice - The GI Bills
have a "moving diamond" of
have revised, or are revising, their
for Children
support, linking each young student
math curriculum frameworks based
President Bush's "GI Bills for
with an older student, teachers,
on the NCTM standards. Already,
Children" would provide middle-
parents and a community volunteer.
about 40 percent of the classrooms
and low-income families with more
One day a week will be allocated to
in the United States are using the
choices for their children's school-
teachers to continue their learning,
new, tougher math standards NCTM
ing. "The GI Bills for Children"
to create teaching plans with
established.
would give families consumer
colleagues, and to find ways to
The Department of Education
power, $1,000 scholarships for each
23
child, to use at the school they feel
and operating schools. The Federal
best meets their children's needs.
Government will honor and
In Milwaukee, Mayor John
reward outstanding teachers in all
Norquist has joined with Governor
five ot the core subjects with
Tommy Thompson, State Represen-
honor and reward outstanding
tative Polly Williams, and an array
teachers in all five of the core
of business and community leaders
subjects with Presidential Awards
in a spirit of bipartisanship to put in.
for Excellence in Education.
place a strong choice program. This
Life-long education. The
choice program is improving schools
President is asking adults to
in all sectors - public, private and
become a nation of learners— to
religious. The recent Gallup Poll
"go back to school." The Presi-
shows 70 percent of Americans
dent is challenging every city,
support the President's plan.
town and neighborhood to
Colorado, Indianapolis, and San
become and AMERICA 2000
Antonio are also moving ahead to
community, emphasizing parental
provide more school choices for all
involvement and neighborhood
families.
commitment.
In July 1990, the National
Making sure children arrive at
Education Goals panel was created
school "ready to learn."
and charged with measuring
Ensuring that each and every
progress toward achieving the six
child starts school "ready to
National Education Goals listed
learn" is the first national
above. This panel includes eight
education goal. children arrive at
governors, two members of the
school ready to learn if they are
Federal Administration and four
immunized, healthy, well-fed and
Members of Congress. Progress
emotionally secure, and if they
being made includes:
can socialize with other children
and adults. The Department of
More rewards for achievement.
Health and Human Services has
Differential pay will be
taken a series of steps to address
encouraged for those who teach
preventable health conditions that
well, who teach core subjects, who
may impair a child's intellectual
teach in dangerous and
development, including: lead
challenging settings, and who
poisoning prevention and
serve as mentors for new teachers.
screening; ensuring increased
New ways of certifying teachers
access to prenatal care and
and principals will be developed
immunization; and expanding
so that those with strong subject
Medicaid to cover more children.
matter expertise will be
An unhealth child cannot begin
encouraged to enter into teaching
school ready to learn.
24
INTERNATIONAL CHALLENGES
he ability of developing
well-being of children a centerpiece of
T
nations to advance is to the
its international activities since it is an
productivity, health,
investment in a brighter future for all of
education and general well-
our citizens.
being of their children - tomorrow's
The United States has mar-
leaders. The United States recognizes
shalled the skills and commitment of
that its place in the world is more
its universities, its nongovernmental
secure when other countries are
and voluntary organizations, its
prospering through open markets, free
commercial sector and its research
economies and democratic govern-
institutions to mount an aggressive
ments. The United States has made the
international program for the survival,
25
development and protection of
nearly doubled from 35 percent in
children.
1984 to 63 percent in 1989. As a
The United States Agency for
result, one million lives are being
International Development (USAID) is
saved each year.
the major U.S. agency providing
Current measles vaccination
development services, technical
programs are preventing some 1.9
assistance and relief to the developing
million deaths annually. Over the
world. USAID conducts programs in
next five years, USAID plans to
the areas of nutrition, agriculture,
provide substantial funds as part of
energy, health (including child survival
a global effort to reduce the threat of
and HIV/AIDS prevention), education
measles. which now claims the lives
and training, family planning, human
of more than one million children a
rights, private enterprise and disaster
year.
and refugee assistance. In FY 1992,
USAID has been an active supporter
USAID committed more than $1.2
of and participant in the Children's
billion for child survival, HIV/AIDS
Vaccine Initiative, which was
prevention, nutrition, family planning
launched in response to the World
and education and other programs
Summit for Children to accelerate
directly designed to help children and
the development of new and
their families in the developing world.
improved vaccines. In Fiscal Year
The United States, principally
1992, USAID committed more than
through USAID, has played a role in the
$15 million for vaccine research,
following achievements:
most of it focused on the diseases
most threatening to children.
Overall, mortality rates of infants
Since 1987, USAID has commit-
and children under five declined by
ted about $358 million for AIDS
10 percent and 12 percent respec-
prevention activities through work
tively between 1995 and 1991. In
several USAID-assisted countries.
Reduction in Infant Mortality
the percentage decline has been
USAID-Assisted Countries by Region, 1980 - 1990
more than 50 percent.
Source: World Population Prospects 1990
USAID-funded immunization
140
programs and treatments for
119
120
114
114
diarrheal diseases are saving the
109
100
102
100
90
90
lives of more than three million
86
AL
80
66
children every year. In 1980, only 20
58
60
51
percent of the world's children were
40
fully immunized, as compared to 80
20
percent immunized in 1992.
0
USAID support led to the develop-
Africa
Asia
Near East
L. America
& Carib.
ment of oral rehydration therapy
1980
(ORT) for the treatment of dehydra-
1985
tion due to diarrhea. Largely due to
1991
USAID's efforts, access to ORT has
26
bilateral assistance, support for the
couples used family planning as a
more than 100 countries over the past
World Health Organization's
direct result of U.S.-sponsored
30 years.
Global Program on AIDS, and
programs. USAID provides 45
Today, the Corps has about
support for community-based and
percent of all the family planning
7,000 volunteers working in nearly 90
other non-governmental organiza-
funds in the world. As the world's
nations. Peace Corps volunteers teach
tions in more than 70 countries.
leading donor in the development
villagers in remote corners of the
Over the next five years, USAID
and delivery of contraceptives,
world how to build efficient water and
expects to invest $400 million in
USAID has increased the ability of
septic systems, how to grow their
HIV/AIDS prevention activities
parents to plan families that they
crops more efficiently, how to eat
worldwide.
can afford to keep healthy.
better, how to start profitable busi-
USAID is continuing its support
USAID is the largest bilateral
nesses, and how to create the laws and
for a major research effort to
donor to primary education
institutions needed to institute a free-
develop a malaria vaccine, an effort
programs. Primary school enroll-
market economic system.
made more urgent by the resur-
ment in USAID-assisted countries
Over the years, Peace Corps
gence of the disease. USAID is also
has increased by 50 percent, and
workers have taught English to 5
a leader in the treatment and
enrollment for girls has doubled.
million people, and have launched
prevention of other tropical
As the largest food aid donor in the
water and sanitation projects that have
diseases that cause half of the
world, the United States continues
benefitted millions more. Many
world's illnesses. such as Guinea
to lead in the innovative, develop-
volunteers now have highly special-
worm, river blindness,
mental and life-saving uses of food
ized skills as doctors, engineers,
schistosomiasis, Dengue fever,
assistance. Since 1954, the United
horticulturists, and members of other
yellow fever and Chagas disease.
States has provided $44 billion
technical professions.
USAID supports a variety of
worth of food aid, or about half of
The Peace Corps is also a major
nutrition programs for women and
worldwide food contributions to
player in the battle against childhood
children. Vitamin A, iron and
developing countries made each
death and illness worldwide. Nine
iodine are viewed as key elements
year. U.S. food aid is equivalent to
years ago, the Peace Corps, in
of USAID's comprehensive
13 billion meals a year, or enough
association with the Agency for
approach to improving nutritional
to feed 35 million people annually.
International Development, launched a
status. The Agency has also been a
program aimed at reducing levels of
pioneer in demonstrating the
It is through the partnership of
infant mortality and morbidity,
impact of vitamin A supplementa-
public and private agencies as well as
especially in sub-Saharan Africa. This
tion in reducing childhood mortal-
though the effort and commitment of
effort was developed as part of a larger
ity and morbidity, reducing
hundreds of thousands of U.S. citizens
program called Combatting Childhood
nutritional blindness and improving
that the United States has been able to
Communicable Diseases (CCDC)
nutritional status.
remain focused on the needs of
initiated by the World health Organi-
USAID will continue its efforts to
children everywhere. One of the most
zation and the Centers for Disease
improve the nutritional status of
successful partnerships of governmen-
Control.
females, especially those of
tal and private efforts on behalf of the
Over 1,000 Peace Corps
childbearing age. to enhance their
world's children is the Peace Corps.
volunteers are involved in agricul-
potential to breastfeed, improve
Established in 1961 as part of
tural development. Another 1,000
their productivity. health and well-
President John F. Kennedy's objective
volunteers are working on mater-
being, and reduce the number of
of expanding American assistance to
nal and child health, nutrition, and
low birth weight infants.
the developing world, the peace Corps
community health education. More
In 1990, well over 30 million
has sent nearly 140,000 people into
than 2,200 Peace Corps volunteers
27
Peace Corps
"For nearly 30 years, the men and
women of America's Peace Corps
have built bridges of understand-
ing and goodwill between the
peoples of the United States and
the peoples of scores of other
nations. And today, we launch a
new people-to-people effort
through which the citizens of
America. Poland, and Hungary
can work together in the exhilarat-
ing process of building new
democratic societies."
- President Bush
June 15, 1990
work on education projects, of
brighter futures for all the world's
which more than 1,000 teach
children is to continue to promote the
children in pre-primary, primary
free market system in developing
and secondary school programs. In
nations and to emphasize America's
addition, special education volun-
belief that unshackling the entrepre-
teers work with blind, deaf,
neurial spirit is the key to achieving
mentally retarded, and learning
prosperity. In keeping with this
disabled children in 13 countries.
philosophy, the United States will
Another successful USAID -
continue to urge other nations to
private sector partnership involves
remove regulatory barriers and to lower
programs targeted for children
taxes that discourage business forma-
orphaned by natural or man-made
tion and prevent the creation of jobs.
disasters. In Fiscal Year 1992 USAID
Without a growing economy, a nation
provided $10 million to support
cannot afford to feed and clothe its
nongovernmental organizations in 15
children, nor to provide a modern
countries that aid orphans, displaced
health care system, universal education,
children and street children.
or environmental protection.
The needs are great, but so too is
These are important issues for all
the U.S. commitment to help. Over the
of us. Children may be only 25 percent
long run, the United States government
of the world's population, but they are
recognizes that the best way to promote
100 percent of its future.
28
PRESERVATION
COLUMN
PHOTOCOPY
More nations belatedly heed children's rights
ov. 20 marks the fifth anniver-
See has ratified the convention and is
N
sary of the United Nations'
working for its implementation.
Covenant on the Rights of the
The United States helped develop the
Child. More than 160 nations
covenant, but it is embarrassing that
have ratified the treaty in five years -
America is one of only 19 nations that
the largest and quickest world response
has not ratified the treaty. The White
of all the 24 U.N. covenants on human
House and the Senate Foreign Relations
rights.
Committee have been deluged by alle-
The covenant means that solemn
gations from right-wing fundamentalist
promises have been made to children
groups that the covenant is anti-family,
that were never made before. The com-
that it will give the children the right to
mittee to monitor compliance with the
sue their parents and that the treaty is
covenant is working diligently. Its reports
somehow subversive.
and rebukes have already prompted a
The allegations are groundless. The
wide variety of countries to improve their
covenant is neutral on abortion, states
treatment of children.
that the family is the "fundamental group
International institutions in this cen-
of society" and strongly recommends all
tury have urged special tenderness for
children. The League of Nations issued
a declaration on the rights of children in
1924. The Universal Declaration of Human
Rights adopted in 1948 by most of human-
ROBERT F.
ity urged in article 25 that there be "spe-
cial protection for childhood." In 1959,
DRINAN
the United Nations agreed to a declara-
tion on the rights of the child.
-CNS
The covenant put forth five years ago
Teacher Sharon Gagich guides a young boy in the therapy program at St. Mary's Spe-
is the result of a worldwide explosion of
measures that strengthen family soli-
cial School in the St. Louis Archdiocese. The archdiocese enrolls 1,000 children in its
conscience and caring about the suffer-
darity.
education programs for the developmentally disabled.
ings of children. Humanity somehow
If the United States ratified the covenant,
seems to have realized that almost 3 bil-
it would be required, like all signatories,
The number of children abused each
Earth as a child and showed his love for
lion of the world's 5.6 billion people are
to report at regular intervals to the U.N.
year in the United States - now 3 mil-
children in several places in the New Tes-
children and that they have few rights
Committee on the Child on the state of
lion - has tripled since 1980. The num-
tament.
recognized and guaranteed by world law.
America's compliance with the treaty.
ber of children murdered in the United
Five years ago, humanity looked at
It's as if everyone realized at once that
This country's treatment of children does
States has doubled over the past 10 years.
the facts and statistics and pledged to
90 million children are born each year
not contain some of the brutal things
In the United States, 110 babies die every
help all children sent into the world by
and millions of them, if they survive their
done to children in dozens of nations
day without reaching their first birth-
their creator. It is unthinkable that the
first year, will confront deprivations of
around the world. But the U.S. position
day. (Imagine if a jet crashed every day
United States will not rise to the new cry
food, housing, education and health care.
has its shameful side. This country has
killing 110 passengers.) Only 18 percent
of humanity to guarantee the rights of
PRESERVATION
PHOTOCOPY
The result has been a legal and moral
the highest child poverty level of any of
of those eligible for Head Start are enrolled.
children.
revolution these past five years. The Holy
the developed nations, four times that of
One million American girls get pregnant
We must heed the Bengali poet Tagore
Western Europe. By the year 2000, one
each year - the highest rate in the indus-
who wrote that "every child that is born
Jesuit Fr. Robert Drinan is a profes-
in four children in the United States will
trialized world.
comes with the message that God is not
sor at Georgetown University Law Cen-
be poor. The total will be 16 million - 3
The world has always been in love
yet discouraged with mankind."
ter, Washington.
million more than in 1987.
with children. The Son of God came to
Medieval papal shenanigans
missionary career in Bulgaria and as a
All his acts and ordinations as pope
papal legate in France and Germany. As
were declared null and void. The three
St
mind us how lucky we are
bishop of Porto, Italy, he was a conse-
fingers of his right hand which he had
pa
crator of Pope Stephen V in 885.
used to swear and to bless were hacked
Although already older than 75, he
off and his body was reburied in a com-
ope John XXIII, a historian by
because the popes of our lifetimes - from
was elected as Stephen's successor six
mon grave.
P
training, was fond of saying that
Pius XI to John Paul II - were respect-
years later. But in order to become the
The body was then dug up a second
history is the great teacher of
ed and even revered figures, that all or
bishop of Rome, he had to leave his Porto
time and flung into the Tiber River. A
life. Unfortunately, it is a teach-
at least the overwhelming majority of
diocese.
hermit found the corpse and reburied it.
er with too few students willing to listen
popes enjoyed similarly positive public
The idea of transferring from one dio-
A more sympathetic successor in the
and learn from it.
images.
cese to another was not yet customary,
Petrine office, Pope Theodore II, ordered
Many younger African-Americans, for
as it is today, and that fact would later
Formosus' body dug up a third time, had
example, have no personal knowledge of
be used against Formosus in a hereto-
it re-clothed in pontifical vestments and
the contributions to human rights made
fore unimaginable way.
buried - a fourth time - in its original
by Martin Luther King Jr., Roy Wilkins,
As pope he strengthened the church
grave in St. Peter's. He also nullified Pope
Whitney Young and SO many others who
RICHARD P.
in England and north Germany and main-
Stephen VI's order and declared that all
suffered verbal abuse, physical violence
tained friendly relations with Con-
of Formosus' ordinations had been valid.
and imprisonment in the cause of free-
MCBRIEN
stantinople, the major see of Eastern
But another successor, Pope Sergius
dom and justice.
Catholicism. Unfortunately, he became
III, reversed Theodore's action and declared
The same could undoubtedly be said
entangled in political conflicts closer to
once again that all of Formosus' ordina-
of many younger women with regard to
home - entanglements that would plague
tions had been invalid. The church was
the pioneers of the women's liberation
Anyone even remotely familiar with
him even beyond the grave.
thrown into total confusion because For-
movement, the extraordinary gains they
the history of the popes knows that not
Formosus died after only four and a
mosus had ordained many bishops and
achieved against overwhelming odds and
to be the case. Which is not to say that
half years in office, but his troubles were
they, in turn, had ordained many more
the personal price they paid in achiev-
we should become cynical about the mat-
just beginning.
priests, some of whom later became bish-
ing those gains.
ter. On the contrary, the many bleak chap-
Nine months after his death, his decay-
ops themselves.
And the same could be said of younger
ters in papal history should make us even
ing corpse was exhumed, propped up on
If history is "the great teacher of life,"
Catholics who have little or no idea of
more appreciative of modern popes like
a throne in full pontifical vestments and
we should have something to learn from
the difficulties and opposition faced by
John XXIII, Paul VI and John Paul II.
solemnly arraigned in a mock trial (known
the story of Pope Formosus and the grotesque
pre-Vatican II Catholic reformers - of
If anyone, however, still needs a healthy
as the "cadaver synod") presided over by
way he was treated by two later popes.
the liturgy, of religious orders, of theo-
dose of historical reality to bring their
none other than Pope Stephen VI. A dea-
If it is always the case that the suc-
logical and biblical scholarship.
otherwise romantic views of the papacy
con stood by Formosus' corpse, answer-
cessor of Peter guarantees a sure path
The limitations of historical knowl-
down to earth, one can find no better,
ing the charges on the dead pope's behalf.
to unity and truth, what is to be said of
edge also color many Catholics' under-
more vivid example than the unbeliev-
Formosus was found guilty of perjury,
this situation? After all, Popes Stephen
standing of the papacy. We think that
ably tragic figure of Formosus, pope from
of having coveted the papal throne and
VI and Sergius III were as much "suc-
891 to 896.
of having violated the canons of the church
cessors of Peter" as Pope John Paul II is.
Fr. Richard McBrien teaches theolo-
Historians tell us he was a gifted and
that forbade the transfer of bishops from
Footnote: There has never been a Pope
gy at Notre Dame.
well-educated man who had a brilliant
one diocese to another.
Formosus II. Is anyone surprised?
November 4, 1994
National Catholic Reporter 19
Jul 05 00 11:21a
NSC
456-9396
p.1
free childrens RB.
Qs & As FOR CHILD SOLDIERS PROTOCOL
Q: Why is this Protocol important, and what does it accomplish?
A: This Protocol sets clearer and higher standards in protecting children from involvement in
armed conflict, and, if widely adopted, will strengthen the ability of the international community
and individual nations to enforce these standards. This is an important advance for human rights
because of the current widespread use of children in armed conflict around the world.
Q: What does the Protocol specifically provide?
A: The Protocol raises (from age 15) the international minimum age standard for recruitment
into armed forces and for direct participation in hostilities. It has these key elements:
The Protocol bars compulsory recruitment below age 18.
For voluntary recruitment, the Protocol requires that parties set a minimum age above the
current 15-year standard and declare what minimum age they intend to adopt. Countries that
recruit under age 18 must describe what steps they would take, or have taken, to accord
special protection to under 18 year old enlistees.
As for participation in hostilities, the Protocol requires parties to "take all feasible measures
to ensure that members of their armed forces who have not attained the age of 18 years do
not take a direct part in hostilities."
The Protocol prohibits the recruitment or use of soldiers under 18 by non-state forces.
The Protocol also promotes international cooperation and assistance in the rehabilitation and
social integration of children who have been victimized by armed conflict.
Q: Does the Protocol prohibit recruitment by non-state forces?
A: Yes. The prohibition on the recruitment or use of soldiers under 18 by non-state forces gets
to the heart of the child soldier problem - the role of rebels or militia groups in abducting
children, many as young as 9 or 10, to fight in civil wars.
Q: What support does this Protocol have in the international community?
A: This Protocol was adopted unanimously by all 186 members of the UN General Assembly on
May 25, just months after completion of negotiations, a particularly rapid schedule for action in
the UN. Since May 25, seven nations have already signed the Protocol - Argentina, Cambodia,
Jul 05 00 11:22a
NSC
456-9396
p.2
2
Canada, Monaco, Norway, San Marino, and Sweden - and many more have voiced their
intention of doing so shortly.
Q: How will the Protocol's provisions affect current U.S. practices?
A: With regard to the various elements of the Protocol:
The Protocol's bar on compulsory recruitment below age 18 is in line with current U.S.
practice.
For voluntary recruitment, the U.S. practice is to accept qualified volunteers at age 17,
provided they show parental consent and reliable proof of age. That will not change.
Related programs such as ROTC, JROTC and military schools will also be unaffected.
As for participation in hostilities, Secretary Cohen, Chairman Shelton and the Service Chiefs
carefully considered whether the United States could accept an obligation to "take all feasible
measures to ensure that members of [our] armed forces who have not attained the age of 18
do not take a direct part in hostilities." They concluded that the United States could safely do
so - that it would not impair the ability of our armed forces to execute their national security
responsibilities.
Q: What impact will this Protocol have on the U.S. military?
A: The Protocol fully protects U.S. recruiting priorities and ensures that our commanders have
the flexibility they need to execute their national security missions.
Q: How does the ban on participation in combat affect military deployments?
A: The treaty text gives the Services sufficient leeway to assign 17 year olds (once they are fully
trained) to their units and to then deploy these personnel on a wide variety of operational
assignments, provided that we take "all feasible measures" to ensure these personnel do not take
a "direct part in hostilities."
Q: How many personnel are affected by this obligation?
A: The numbers of service personnel who are still 17 by the time they are eligible for
deployment (i.e., after an average of six months of training) is on the order of 1,000 to 2,500 in
any given year. That is a very small number, both in relation to the entire force (one-quarter of
one percent of the total enlisted force), and in relation to the number of personnel who at any
given time would bc subject to withholding for unrelated administrative or health reasons.
Jul 05 00 11:22a
NSC
456-9396
p.3
3
Q: What does "all feasible measures" mean?
A: It means what it says. We will take all the steps we feasibly can to ensure that under 18 year
old service personnel do not take a direct part in hostilities. The standard recognizes that in
exceptional cases, it may not be feasible for a commander to withhold or remove such a person
from taking a direct part in hostilities.
Q: [If asked] Can you give me an example of such an exceptional case?
A: Exceptional circumstances might preclude a commander from taking this action if a 17 year
old were involved in a peacekeeping mission that turned bad, or if a 17 year old were assigned to
an aircraft flying over enemy territory and the aircraft makes an emergency landing, placing all
crew members in a hostile situation.
Q: How will DOD implement this policy?
A: As with other changes in U.S. policy governing military personnel and manpower issues, the
Secretary of Defense has sought the Services' views about issues arising in the implementation
of a new policy. The Services have developed their proposed plans. The Secretary will review
and where necessary direct modifications to these plans.
Q: When will DoD implement this policy?
A: We are consulting closely with members of the Senate on the process of advice and consent
to ratification. We are hopeful that implementation will follow a prompt process of advice and
consent to ratification.
Q: Would the Administration consider implementing new guidelines for participation in
armed conflict prior to Senate consent to ratification?
A: Our objective is to work with the Senate to ensure advice and consent.
Q: But what if you don't get consent? Would you be prepared to implement without
consent to ratification?
A: Our objective is to work with the Senate to ensure advice and consent. I won't speculate on
hypotheticals.
Q: Won't DOD continue "business as usual" given the Protocol only requires "all feasible
measures" to prevent persons under 18 from participation in hostilities?
Jul 05 00 11:22a
NSC
456-9396
P. 4
4
A: If the U.S. becomes a party to this Protocol, we will comply faithfully with its letter and
spirit. We believe that the "all feasible measures" formula is a sensible, practical standard, and it
is accepted treaty language within the law of armed conflict.
Q&A FOR SALE OF CHILDREN PROTOCOL
Q: What will be the impact of the Protocol on Sale of Children, Child Prostitution and
Child Pornography have?
A: This Protocol represents an important step forward in international efforts to combat
trafficking crimes, and will help guarantee that the perpetrators of these offenses will not go
unpunished. The Protocol is the first international instrument to provide specific definitions of
the terms "sale of children," "child pornography" and "child prostitution," and to require that
these offenses be treated as criminal acts. Additionally, the Protocol strengthens and clarifies the
bases for jurisdiction and extradition in order to better ensure that offenders can be prosecuted
regardless of where they are found.
Q: Are there other international instruments that protect children from sexual
exploitation?
A: The recently adopted ILO Convention 182 on the Worst Forms of Child Labor requires states
to take urgent action to ban slavery and similar practices including the sale and trafficking of
children, forced labor and forced or compulsory recruitment for use in armed conflict as well as
sex work, including prostitution and pornography.
Q: What role did the United States play in the development of the Sale of Children
Protocol?
A: The U.S. delegation was an active participant in the negotiations that led to the adoption of
this Protocol, and, in particular, was a leader in the effort to negotiate a clear and concise
Protocol that would advance the interests of international human rights and combat the sexual
exploitation of children. The Protocol was drafted by a Working Group of the UN Commission
on Human Rights; the UN Human Rights Commission established the Working Group at the
Commission's 1994 session. After a number of sessions failed to produce a final product,
agreement on the text was reached at the Working Group's sixth session (January 25-February 5,
2000).
Q: How does the Sale of Children Protocol define the term "child"?
Jul 05 00 11:22a
NSC
456-9396
p.5
5
A: The Protocol includes no specific definition of the term "child," although the United States
argued during Protocol negotiations that the age of protection should be 18 and that the issue of
the child's consent should be irrelevant when considering crimes related to sexual exploitation.
Moreover, U.S. law already affords protection from sexual exploitation, including prostitution
and pornography, to those under 18. And, as a State party to ILO Convention 182 on the Worst
Forms of Child Labor, the U.S. has already agreed to accept an age 18 treaty obligation.
Q: Will the U.S. assume obligations under the Convention on the Rights of the Child (to
which the U.S. is not a party) by becoming Party to this Protocol?
A: No. While various articles of the Protocol reference provisions of the Convention, those
articles do not require that the U.S. assume obligations under the Convention, or to any other
international agreement to which the U.S. is not a party.
Q: Does the Sale of Children Protocol target the international trafficking of children for
sexual exploitation and other abuses?
A: Not specifically. The United States and more than 100 other countries are negotiating a
separate Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons. That instrument will
require parties to criminalize under their domestic legal codes the crime of trafficking and will
provide for a variety of means of law enforcement cooperation, victims' protections and
technical assistance.
Q: What support does this Protocol have in the international community?
A: This Protocol was adopted unanimously by all 186 members of the UN General Assembly on
May 25, just months after completion of ncgotiations, a particularly rapid schedule for action in
the UN. Since May 25, five nations have already signed the Protocol -Cambodia, Chile,
Monaco, Norway and San Marino - and many more have voiced their intention of doing so
shortly.
Qs AND As ON THE CONVENTION ON THE RIGHTS OF THE CHILD
Q: Why has the U.S. not ratified the Convention on the Rights of the Child?
A: The U.S. signed the Convention in February 1995, and we support its objectives of
promoting children's rights throughout the world.
We have not yet submitted the Convention to the Senate for advice and consent to ratification, as
many senators have expressed strong concerns that the Convention would infringe on U.S.
sovereignty, rights of parents, and state and local law.
Jul 05 00 11:23a
NSC
456-9396
p.6
6
Given these concerns, our first priority has been to work toward Senate advice and consent to,
and ratification of, human rights instruments where there has been broader consensus within the
Executive and Legislative Branches, such as the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of
Racial Discrimination, the ILO Convention on the Worst Forms of Child Labor, and the
International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women.
[Note, the first two have been ratified; we have submitted a ratification package to the Senate on
the third, but the Senate has yet to provide its advice and consent.]
In any event, we would need to treat with care the Convention's potential impact on U.S. law and
practice, especially since many of the rights covered by the Convention are matters of state and
local law.