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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6833f05 --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,3 @@ +* text=auto +*.txt text +*.md text diff --git a/5047-h.zip b/5047-h.zip Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..bab5e34 --- /dev/null +++ b/5047-h.zip diff --git a/5047-h/5047-h.htm b/5047-h/5047-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..110431b --- /dev/null +++ b/5047-h/5047-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,2320 @@ +<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.1//EN" + "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml11/DTD/xhtml11.dtd"> + +<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en"> + +<head> + +<meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=ISO-8859-1" /> + +<title> +The Project Gutenberg E-text of State of the Union Addresses, by George H. W. Bush +</title> + +<style type="text/css"> +body { color: black; + background: white; + margin-right: 10%; + margin-left: 10%; + font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; + text-align: justify } + +p {text-indent: 4% } + +p.noindent {text-indent: 0% } + +p.t1 {text-indent: 0% ; + font-size: 200%; + text-align: center } + +p.t2 {text-indent: 0% ; + font-size: 150%; + text-align: center } + +p.t3 {text-indent: 0% ; + font-size: 100%; + text-align: center } + +p.t3b {text-indent: 0% ; + font-size: 100%; + font-weight: bold; + text-align: center } + +p.t4 {text-indent: 0% ; + font-size: 80%; + text-align: center } + +p.t4b {text-indent: 0% ; + font-size: 80%; + font-weight: bold; + text-align: center } + +p.t5 {text-indent: 0% ; + font-size: 60%; + text-align: center } + +h1 { text-align: center } +h2 { text-align: center } +h3 { text-align: center } +h4 { text-align: center } +h5 { text-align: center } + +p.poem {text-indent: 0%; + margin-left: 10%; } + +p.contents {text-indent: -3%; + margin-left: 5% } + +p.thought {text-indent: 0% ; + letter-spacing: 4em ; + text-align: center } + +p.letter {text-indent: 0%; + margin-left: 10% ; + margin-right: 10% } + +p.footnote {text-indent: 0% ; + font-size: 80%; + margin-left: 10% ; + margin-right: 10% } + +p.transnote {text-indent: 0% ; + margin-left: 0% ; + margin-right: 0% } + +p.intro {font-size: 90% ; + text-indent: -5% ; + margin-left: 5% ; + margin-right: 0% } + +p.quote {text-indent: 4% ; + margin-left: 0% ; + margin-right: 0% } + +p.finis { font-size: larger ; + text-align: center ; + text-indent: 0% ; + margin-left: 0% ; + margin-right: 0% } + +</style> + +</head> + +<body> + + +<pre> + +The Project Gutenberg EBook of State of the Union Addresses of George H.W. +Bush, by George H.W. Bush + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most +other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions +whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of +the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at +www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you'll have +to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this ebook. + +Title: State of the Union Addresses of George H.W. Bush + +Author: George H.W. Bush + +Posting Date: November 23, 2014 [EBook #5047] +Release Date: February, 2004 +First Posted: April 11, 2002 +Last Updated: December 16, 2004 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK STATE OF THE UNION ADDRESSES *** + + + + +Produced by James Linden. HTML version by Al Haines. + + + + + +</pre> + + +<h1> +<br /><br /><br /> +State of the Union Addresses of George H.W. Bush +</h1> + +<p class="noindent"> +<br /><br /> +The addresses are separated by three asterisks: *** +</p> + +<p class="noindent"> +Dates of addresses by George H.W. Bush in this eBook: +</p> + +<p class="noindent"> + <a href="#jan1990">January 31, 1990</a><br /> + <a href="#jan1991">January 29, 1991</a><br /> + <a href="#jan1992">January 28, 1992</a><br /> +</p> + +<p><br /><br /></p> + +<p class="t3"> +*** +</p> + +<p><a id="jan1990"></a></p> + +<p class="noindent"> +State of the Union Address<br /> +George H.W. Bush<br /> +January 31, 1990<br /> +</p> + +<p> +Tonight, I come not to speak about the "State of the Government", not to +detail every new initiative we plan for the coming year, nor describe every +line in the budget. I'm here to speak to you and to the American people +about the State of the Union about our world, the changes we've seen, the +challenges we face. And what that means for America. +</p> + +<p> +There are singular moments in history, dates that divide all that goes +before from all that comes after. And many of us in this chamber have lived +much of our lives in a world whose fundamental features were defined in +1945. And the events of that year decreed the shape of nations, the pace of +progress, freedom or oppression for millions of people around the world. +</p> + +<p> +Nineteen Forty-Five provided the common frame of reference the compass +points of the postwar era we've relied upon to understand ourselves. And +that was our world until now. The events of the year just ended, the +Revolution of '89, have been a chain reaction, changes so striking that it +marks the beginning of a new era in the world's affairs. +</p> + +<p> +Think back think back just twelve short months ago to the world we knew as +1989 began. +</p> + +<p> +One year, one year ago the people of Panama lived in fear under the thumb +of a dictator. Today democracy is restored. Panama is free. +</p> + +<p> +"Operation Just Cause" has achieved its objective. And the number of +military personel in Panama is now very close to what it was before the +operation began. And tonight I am announcing that before the end of +February the additional numbers of American troops, the brave men and women +of our armed forces who made this mission a success, will be back home. +</p> + +<p> +A year ago in Poland, Lech Walesa declared he was ready to open a dialogue +with the Communist rulers of that country. And today, with the future of a +free Poland in their own hands, members of Solidarity lead the Polish +government. +</p> + +<p> +And a year ago, freedom's playwright, Vaclav Havel, languished as a +prisoner in Prague. And today it's Vaclav Havel, President of +Czechoslovakia. +</p> + +<p> +And one year ago Erich Honecker of East Germany claimed history as his +guide. He predicted the Berlin Wall would last another hundred years. And +today, less than one year later, it's the wall that's history. +</p> + +<p> +Remarkable events, remarkable events, events that fulfill the long-held +hopes of the American people. Events that validate the longstanding goals +of American policy, a policy based upon a single shining principle: the +cause of freedom. +</p> + +<p> +America, not just the nation, but an idea alive in the minds of the people, +everywhere. As this new world takes shape, America stands at the center of +a widening circle of freedom, today, tomorrow and into the next century. +</p> + +<p> +Our nation is the enduring dream of every immigrant who ever set foot on +these shores, and the millions still struggling to be free. This nation, +this idea called America was and always will be a new world, our new +world. +</p> + +<p> +At a workers' rally in a place called Branik on the outskirts of Prague the +idea called America is alive. A worker, dressed in grimy overalls, rises to +speak at the factory gates. And he begins his speech to his fellow citizens +with these words, words of a distant revolution: "We hold these truths to +be self-evident. That all men are created equal, that they are endowed by +their creator with certain unalienable rights, and that among these are +life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness." It's no secret here at home +freedom's door opened long ago. The cornerstones of this free society have +already been set in place: democracy, competition, opportunity, private +investment, stewardship, and of course, leadership. +</p> + +<p> +And our challenge today is to take this democratic system of ours, a system +second to none, and make it better: +</p> + +<p> +A better America where there's a job for whoever wants one; +</p> + +<p> +Where women working outside the home can be confident their children are +in safe and loving care, and where Government works to expand child +alternatives for parents. +</p> + +<p> +Where we reconcile the needs of a clean environment and a strong economy. +</p> + +<p> +Where "Made in the USA" is recognized around the world as the symbol of +quality and progress, +</p> + +<p> +And where every one of us enjoys the same opportunities to live, to work +and to contribute to society. And where, for the first time, the American +mainstream includes all of our disabled citizens. +</p> + +<p> +Where everyone has a roof over his head, and where the homeless get the +help they need to live in dignity. +</p> + +<p> +Where our schools challenge and support our kids and our teachers, and +every one of them makes the grade, +</p> + +<p> +Where every street, every city, every school and every child is drug-free. +</p> + +<p> +And finally, and finally, where no American is forgotten. Our hearts go out +to our hostages, our hostages who are ceaselessly in our minds and in our +efforts. That's part of the future we want to see, the future we can make +for ourselves. But dreams alone won't get us there. We need to extend our +horizon, to commit to the long view. And our mission for the future starts +today. +</p> + +<p> +In the tough competitive markets around the world, America faces the great +challenges and great opportunities. And we know that we can succeed in the +global economic arena of the 90's. But to meet that challenge we must make +some fundamental changes, some crucial investments in ourselves. +</p> + +<p> +Yes, we are going to invest in America. This Administration is determined +to encourage the creation of capital, capital of all kinds. Physical +capital: everything from our farms and factories to our workshops and +production lines, all that is needed to produce and deliver quality goods +and quality services. Intellectual, intellectual capital: the source of +ideas that spark tomorrow's products. And of course human capital: the +talented work force that we'll need to compete in the global market. +</p> + +<p> +And let me tell you, if we ignore human capital, if we lose the spirit of +American ingenuity, the sprit that is the hallmark of the AMERICAN worker, +that would be bad. The American worker is the most productive worker in the +world. +</p> + +<p> +We need to save more. We need to expand the pool of capital for new +investments that mean more jobs and more growth. And that's the idea behind +the new initiative I call the Family Savings Plan, which I will send to +Congress tomorrow. +</p> + +<p> +We need to cut the tax on capital gains, encourage, encourage risk-takers, +especially those in small businesses, to take those steps that translate +into economic reward, jobs, and a better life for all of us. +</p> + +<p> +We'll do what it takes to invest in America's future. The budget commitment +is there. The money is there. It's there for research and development, R +and D, a record high. It's there for our housing initiative, hope, H-O-P-E, +to help everyone from first-time homebuyers to the homeless. The money's +there to keep our kids drug-free, 70 percent more than when I took office +in 1989. It's there for space exploration, and its there for education, +another record high. +</p> + +<p> +And one more, and one more thing. Last fall at the education summit, the +governors and I agreed to look for ways to help make sure that our kids are +ready to learn the very first day they walk into the classroom. And I've +made good on that commitment by proposing a record increase in funds, an +extra half billion dollars, for something near and dear to all of us: Head +Start. +</p> + +<p> +Education is the one investment that means more for our future, because it +means the most for our children. Real improvement in our schools is not +simply a matter of spending more. It's a matter of asking more, expecting +more, of our schools, our teachers, of our kids, of our parents and of +ourselves. And that's why tonight, and that's why tonight, I am announcing +America's education goals, goals developed with enormous cooperation from +the nation's governors. And if I might I'd like to say I'm very pleased +that Governor Gardner and Governor Clinton, Governor Branstad, Governor +Campbell, all of whom were very key in these discussion, these +deliberations, are with us here tonight. +</p> + +<p> +By the, by the year 2000, every child must start school ready to learn. The +United States must increase the high school graduation rate to no less than +90 percent. And we are going to make sure our schools' diplomas mean +something. In critical subjects, at the fourth, eighth, and 12th grades, we +must assess our students' performance. +</p> + +<p> +By the, by the year 2000 U.S. students must be the first in the world in +math and science achievement. Every American adult must be a skilled, +literate worker and citizen. Every school must offer the kind of +disciplined environment that makes it possible for our kids to learn. And +every school in America must be drug-free. +</p> + +<p> +Ambitious aims? Of course. Easy to do? Far from it. But the future's at +stake. The nation will not accept anything less than excellence in +education. +</p> + +<p> +These investments will help keep America competitive. And I know this about +the American people: we welcome competition. We'll match our ingenuity, our +energy, our experience, and technology our spirit and enterprise against +anyone. But let the competition be free, but let it also be fair. America +is ready. +</p> + +<p> +Since we really mean it, and since we're serious about being ready to meet +our challenge, we're getting our own house in order. We have made real +progress. Seven years ago, the Federal deficit was 6 percent of our gross +national product, 6 percent. In the new budget I sent up two days ago the +deficit is down to 1 percent of GNP. +</p> + +<p> +That budget brings Federal spending under control. It meets the +Gramm-Rudman target. It brings the deficit down further. And balances the +budget by 1993, with no new taxes. +</p> + +<p> +And let me tell you, there's still more than enough Federal spending. For +most of us, $1.2 trillion is still a lot of money. +</p> + +<p> +And once the budget is balanced, we can operate the way every family must +when it has bills to pay. We won't leave it to our children and +grandchildren. Once it's balanced, we will start paying off the national +debt. +</p> + +<p> +And there's something more, and there's something more we owe the +generations of the future: stewardship, the safekeeping of America's +precious environmental inheritance. +</p> + +<p> +As just one sign of how serious we are, we will elevate the Environmental +Protection Agency to Cabinet rank. Not, not more bureaucracy, not more red +tape, but the certainty that here at home, and especially in our dealings +with other nations, environmental issues have the status they deserve. +</p> + +<p> +This year's budget provides over $2 billion in new spending to protect our +environment, with over $1 billion for global change research, and a new +initiative I call America the Beautiful to expand our national parks and +wildlife preserves and improve recreational facilities on public lands. +</p> + +<p> +And something else, something that will help keep this country clean, from +our forest land to the inner cities, and keep America beautiful for +generations to come, the money to plant a billion trees a year. +</p> + +<p> +And tonight, and tonight let me say again to all the members of the +Congress, the American people did not send us here to bicker. There is work +to do, and they sent us here to get it done. And once again, in the spirit +of cooperation I offer my hand to all of you. And let's work together to do +the will of the people--clean air, child care, the educational excellence +act, crime and drugs. It's time to act. The farm bill, transportation +policy, product liability reform, enterprise zones. It's time to act +together. +</p> + +<p> +And there's one thing I hope we can agree on. It's about our commitments. +And I'm talking about Social Security. +</p> + +<p> +To every American out there on Social Security, to every, every American +supporting that system today, and to everyone counting on it when they +retire, we made a promise to you, and we are going to keep it. +</p> + +<p> +We, we rescued the system in 1983 and it's sound again, bipartisan +arrangement. Our budget fully funds today's benefits and it assures that +future benefits will be funded as well. And the last thing we need to do is +mess around with Social Security. +</p> + +<p> +There's one more problem we need to address. We must give careful +consideration to the recommendations of the health care studies under way +now. And that's why tonight, I am asking Dr. Sullivan, Lou Sullivan, +Secretary of Health and Human Services, to lead a Domestic Policy Council +review of recommendations on the quality, accessibility and cost of our +nation's health care system. I am committed to bring the staggering costs +of health care under control. +</p> + +<p> +The State of the Government does indeed depend on many of us in this very +chamber. But the State of the Union depends on all Americans. We must +maintain the democratic decency that makes a nation out of millions of +individuals. And I've been appalled at the recent mail bombings across this +country. Every one of us must confront and condemn racism, anti-Semitism, +bigotry and hate. Not next week, not tomorrow, but right now. Every single +one of us. +</p> + +<p> +The State of the Union depends on whether we help our neighbor, claim the +problems of our community as our own. We've got to step forward when +there's trouble, lend a hand, be what I call a point of light to a stranger +in need. We've got to take the time after a busy day to sit down and read +with our kids, help them with their homework, pass along the values we had +as children. And that's how we sustain the State of the Union. +</p> + +<p> +Every effort is important. It all adds up. It's doing the things that give +democracy meaning. It all adds up to who we are and who we will be. +</p> + +<p> +And let me say, that so long as we remember the American idea, so long as +we live up to the American ideal, the State of the Union will remain sound +and strong. +</p> + +<p> +And to those who worry that we've lost our way, well, I want you to listen +to parts of a letter written by James Markwell, Pvt. 1st Class James +Markwell, a 20-year-old Army medic to the First Battalion, 75th Rangers. +It's dated Dec. 18, the day before our armed forces went into action in +Panama. It's a letter servicemen write--and hope will never, ever be sent. +And sadly, Private Markwell's mother did receive this letter. She passed it +on to me out there in Cincinnati. +</p> + +<p> +And here is some of what he wrote: "I've never been afraid of death, but I +know he is waiting at the corner...I've been trained to kill and to save, +and so has everyone else. I am frightened of what lays beyond the fog, and +yet... do not mourn for me. Revel in the life that I have died to give +you... But most of all, don't forget that the Army was my choice. Something +that I wanted to do. Remember I joined the Army to serve my country and +inure that you are free to do what you want and to live your lives +freely." +</p> + +<p> +Let me add that Private Markwell was among the first to see battle in +Panama, and among the first to fall. But he knew what he believed in. He +carried the idea we call America in his heart. +</p> + +<p> +I began tonight speaking about the changes we've seen this past year. There +is a new world of challenges and opportunities before us. And there is a +need for leadership that only America can provide. +</p> + +<p> +Nearly 40 years ago, in his last address to the Congress, President Harry +Truman predicted such a time would come. He said, "As our world grows +stronger, more united, more attractive to men on both sides of the Iron +Curtain, then inevitably there will come a time of change within the +Communist world." Today, that change is taking place. +</p> + +<p> +For more than 40 years, America and its allies held Communism in check and +insured that democracy would continue to exist. And today, with Communism +crumbling, our aim must be to insure democracy's advance, to take the lead +in forging peace and freedom's best hope, a great and growing commonwealth +of free nations. +</p> + +<p> +And to the Congress and to all Americans, I say it is time to acclaim a new +consensus at home and abroad, a common vision of the peaceful world we want +to see. +</p> + +<p> +Here in our own hemisphere it is time for all the people of the Americas, +North and South, to live in freedom. +</p> + +<p> +In the Far East and Africa, it's time for the full flowering of free +governments and free markets that have served the engine of progress. +</p> + +<p> +It is time to offer our hand to the emerging democracies of Eastern Europe +so that continent, for too long a continent divided, can see a future whole +and free. +</p> + +<p> +It's time to build on our new relationship with the Soviet Union, to +endorse and encourage a peaceful process of internal change toward +democracy and economic opportunity. +</p> + +<p> +We are in a period of great transition, great hope, and yet great +uncertainty. We recognize that the Soviet military threat in Europe is +diminishing, but we see little change in Soviet strategic modernization. +And, therefore, we must sustain our own strategic offense modernization and +the Strategic Defense Initiative. +</p> + +<p> +But the time is right to move forward on a conventional arms control +agreement to move us to more appropriate levels of military forces in +Europe, a coherent defense program that insures the U.S. will continue to +be a catalyst for peaceful change in Europe. And I've consulted with +leaders of NATO. In fact I spoke by phone with President Gorbachev just +today. +</p> + +<p> +And I agree with our European allies that an American military presence in +Europe is essential and that it should not be solely tied to the Soviet +military presence in Eastern Europe. +</p> + +<p> +But our troop levels can still be lower. And so tonight I am announcing a +major new step for a further reduction in U.S. and Soviet manpower in +Central and Eastern Europe to 195,000 on each side. +</p> + +<p> +This number, this number, this level, reflects the advice of our senior +military advisers. It's designed to protect American and European interests +and sustain NATO's defense strategy. A swift conclusion to our arms control +talks--conventional, chemical and strategic--must now be our goal. And +that time has come. +</p> + +<p> +Still, we must recognize an unfortunate fact: in many regions of the world +tonight the reality is conflict, not peace. Enduring animosities and +opposing interests remain. And thus the cause of peace must be served by an +America strong enough and sure enough to defend our interests and our +ideals. It's this American idea that for the past four decades helped +inspire the Revolution of '89. +</p> + +<p> +And here at home, and in the world, there is history in the making, and +history to be made. Six months ago, early in this season of change, I stood +at the gates of the Gdansk shipyard in Poland at the monument to the fallen +workers of Solidarity. It's a monument of simple majesty. Three tall +crosses rise up from the stones, and atop each cross, an anchor, an ancient +symbol of hope. +</p> + +<p> +The anchor in our world today is freedom. Holding us steady in times of +change, a symbol of hope to all the world. And freedom is at the very heart +of the idea that is America. Giving life to the idea depends on every one +of us. Our anchor has always been faith and family. +</p> + +<p> +In the last few days of this past monumentous year, our family was blessed +once more, celebrating the joy of life when a little boy became our 12th +grandchild. When I held the little guy for the first time, the troubles at +home and abroad seemed manageable, and totally in perspective. +</p> + +<p> +And now I know, I know you're probably thinking, Well, that's just a +grandfather talking. +</p> + +<p> +Well, maybe you're right. But I've met a lot of children this past year +across this country, as all of you have. Everywhere from the Far East to +Eastern Europe. All kids are unique. Yet, all kids are alike. The budding +young environmentalist I met this month, who joined me in exploring the +Florida Everglades. The Little Leaguers I played catch with in Poland, +ready to go from Warsaw to the World Series. And even the kids who are ill +or alone--and God bless those boarder babies, born addicted to drugs and +AIDS--coping with problems no child should have to face. But, you know, +when it comes to hope and the future, every kid is the same: full of +dreams, ready to take on the world, all special because they are the very +future of freedom. And to them belongs this new world I've been speaking +about. +</p> + +<p> +And so tonight, I'm going to ask something of every one of you. Now let me +start with my generation, with the grandparents out there. You are our +living link with the past. Tell your grandchildren the story of struggles +waged at home and abroad, of sacrifices freely made for freedom's sake. And +tell them your own story as well, because every American has a story to +tell. +</p> + +<p> +And parents, your children look to you for direction and guidance. Tell +them of faith and family. Tell them we are one nation under God. Teach them +that of all the many gifts they can receive, liberty is their most precious +legacy. And of all the gifts they can give, the greatest, the greatest is +helping others. +</p> + +<p> +And to the children and young people out there tonight, with you rests our +hope, all that America will mean in the years and decades ahead. Fix your +vision on a new century, your century, on dreams we cannot see, on the +destiny that is yours and yours alone. +</p> + +<p> +And finally, let all Americans, all of us here in this chamber, the +symbolic center of democracy, affirm our allegiance to this idea we call +America. And let us remember that the State of the Union depends upon each +and every one of us. +</p> + +<p> +God bless all of you. And may God bless this great nation, the United +States of America. +</p> + +<p><br /><br /><br /></p> + +<p class="t3"> +*** +</p> + +<p><a id="jan1991"></a></p> + +<p class="noindent"> +State of the Union Address<br /> +George H.W. Bush<br /> +January 29, 1991<br /> +</p> + +<p class="noindent"> +Mr. President, Mr. Speaker, members of the United States Congress. +</p> + +<p> +I come to this house of the people to speak to you and all Americans, +certain we stand at a defining hour. +</p> + +<p> +Halfway around the world, we are engaged in a great struggle in the skies +and on the seas and sands. We know why we're there. We are Americans--part +of something larger than ourselves. +</p> + +<p> +For two centuries we've done the hard work of freedom. And tonight we lead +the world in facing down a threat to decency and humanity. +</p> + +<p> +What is at stake is more than one small country, it is a big idea--a new +world order, where diverse nations are drawn together in common cause to +achieve the universal aspirations of mankind: peace and security, freedom, +and the rule of law. Such is a world worthy of our struggle, and worthy of +our children's future. +</p> + +<p> +The community of nations has resolutely gathered to condemn and repel +lawless aggression. Saddam Hussein's unprovoked invasion--his ruthless, +systematic rape of a peaceful neighbor--violated everything the community +of nations holds dear. The world has said this aggression would not stand, +and it will not stand. +</p> + +<p> +Together, we have resisted the trap of appeasement, cynicism and isolation +that gives temptation to tyrants. The world has answered Saddam's invasion +with 12 United Nations resolutions, starting with a demand for Iraq's +immediate and unconditional withdrawal, and backed up by forces from 28 +countries of six continents. With few exceptions, the world now stands as +one. +</p> + +<p> +The end of the cold war has been a victory for all humanity. A year and a +half ago, in Germany, I said our goal was a Europe whole and free. Tonight, +Germany is united. Europe has become whole and free, and America's +leadership was instrumental in making it possible. +</p> + +<p> +The principle that has guided us is simple: our objective is to help the +Baltic peoples achieve their aspirations, not to punish the Soviet Union. +In our recent discussions with the Soviet leadership we have been given +representations, which, if fulfilled, would result in the withdrawal of +some Soviet forces, a re-opening of dialogue with the republics, and a move +away from violence. +</p> + +<p> +We will watch carefully as the situation develops. And we will maintain our +contact with the Soviet leadership to encourage continued commitment to +democratization and reform. +</p> + +<p> +If it is possible, I want to continue to build a lasting basis for +U.S.-Soviet cooperation, for a more peaceful future for all mankind. +</p> + +<p> +The triumph of democratic ideas in Eastern Europe and Latin America, and +the continuing struggle for freedom elsewhere around the world all confirm +the wisdom of our nation's founders. +</p> + +<p> +Tonight, we work to achieve another victory, a victory over tyranny and +savage aggression. +</p> + +<p> +We in this Union enter the last decade of the 20th Century thankful for all +our blessings, steadfast in our purpose, aware of our difficulties and +responsive to our duties at home and around the world. +</p> + +<p> +For two centuries, America has served the world as an inspiring example of +freedom and democracy. For generations, America has led the struggle to +preserve and extend the blessings of liberty. And today, in a rapidly +changing world, American leadership is indispensable. Americans know that +leadership brings burdens, and requires sacrifice. +</p> + +<p> +But we also know why the hopes of humanity turn to us. We are Americans; we +have a unique responsibility to do the hard work of freedom. And when we +do, freedom works. +</p> + +<p> +The conviction and courage we see in the Persian Gulf today is simply the +American character in action. The indomitable spirit that is contributing +to this victory for world peace and justice is the same spirit that gives +us the power and the potential to meet our challenges at home. +</p> + +<p> +We are resolute and resourceful. If we can selflessly confront evil for the +sake of good in a land so far away, then surely we can make this land all +it should be. +</p> + +<p> +If anyone tells you America's best days are behind her, they're looking the +wrong way. +</p> + +<p> +Tonight, I come before this house, and the American people, with an appeal +for renewal. This is not merely a call for new government initiatives, it +is a call for new initiative in government, in our communities, and from +every American--to prepare for the next American century. +</p> + +<p> +America has always led by example. So who among us will set this example? +Which of our citizens will lead us in this next American century? Everyone +who steps forward today, to get one addict off drugs; to convince one +troubled teen-ager not to give up on life; to comfort one AIDS patient; to +help one hungry child. +</p> + +<p> +We have within our reach the promise of renewed America. We can find +meaning and reward by serving some purpose higher than ourselves--a +shining purpose, the illumination of a thousand points of light. It is +expressed by all who know the irresistible force of a child's hand, of a +friend who stands by you and stays there--a volunteer's generous gesture, +an idea that is simply right. +</p> + +<p> +The problems before us may be different, but the key to solving them +remains the same: it is the individual--the individual who steps forward. +And the state of our Union is the union of each of us, one to the other: +the sum of our friendships, marriages, families and communities. +</p> + +<p> +We all have something to give. So if you know how to read, find someone who +can't. If you've got a hammer, find a nail. If you're not hungry, not +lonely, not in trouble--seek out someone who is. +</p> + +<p> +Join the community of conscience. Do the hard work of freedom. That will +define the state of our Union. +</p> + +<p> +Since the birth of our nation, "we the people" has been the source of our +strength. What government can do alone is limited, but the potential of the +American people knows no limits. +</p> + +<p> +We are a nation of rock-solid realism and clear-eyed idealism. We are +Americans. We are the nation that believes in the future. We are the nation +that can shape the future. +</p> + +<p> +And we've begun to do just that, by strengthening the power and choice of +individuals and families. +</p> + +<p> +Together, these last two years, we've put dollars for child care directly +in the hands of patients instead of bureaucracies, unshackled the potential +of Americans with disabilities, applied the creativity of the marketplace in +the service of the environment, for clean air, and made homeownership +possible for more Americans. +</p> + +<p> +The strength of a democracy is not in bureaucracy, it is in the people and +their communities. In everything we do, let us unleash the potential of our +most precious resource--our citizens. We must return to families, +communities, counties, cities, states and institutions of every kind, the +power to chart their own destiny, and the freedom and opportunity provided +by strong economic growth. That's what America is all about. +</p> + +<p> +I know, tonight, in some regions of our country, people are in genuine +economic distress. I hear them. +</p> + +<p> +Earlier this month Kathy Blackwell of Massachusetts wrote me about what can +happen when the economy slows down, saying, "My heart is aching, and I +think that you should know--your people out here are hurting badly." +</p> + +<p> +I understand. And I'm not unrealistic about the future. But there are +reasons to be optimistic about our economy. +</p> + +<p> +First, we don't have to fight double-digit inflation. Second, most +industries won't have to make big cuts in production because they don't +have big inventories piled up. And third, our exports are running solid and +strong. In fact, American businesses are exporting at a record rate. +</p> + +<p> +So let's put these times in perspective. Together, since 1981, we've +created almost 20 million jobs, cut inflation in half and cut interest +rates in half. +</p> + +<p> +Yes, the largest peacetime economic expansion in history has been +temporarily interrupted. But our economy is still over twice as large as +our closest competitor. +</p> + +<p> +We will get this recession behind us and return to growth soon. We will get +on our way to a new record of expansion, and achieve the competitive +strength that will carry us into the next American century. +</p> + +<p> +We should focus our efforts today on encouraging economic growth, investing +in the future and giving power and opportunity to the individual. +</p> + +<p> +We must begin with control of Federal spending. That's why I'm submitting a +budget that holds the growth in spending to less than the rate of +inflation. And that's why, amid all the sound and fury of last year's +budget debate, we put into law new, enforceable spending caps so that +future spending debates will mean a battle of ideas, not a bidding war. +</p> + +<p> +Though controversial, the budget agreement finally put the Federal +Government on a pay-as-you-go basis, and cut the growth of debt by nearly +$500 billion. And that frees funds for saving and job-creating investment. +</p> + +<p> +Now, let's do more. My budget again includes tax-free family savings +accounts; penalty-free withdrawals from I. R. A.'s for first-time +homebuyers; and, to increase jobs and growth, a reduced tax for long-term +capital gains. +</p> + +<p> +I know their are differences among us about the impact and the effects of a +capital gains incentive. So tonight I am asking the Congressional leaders +and the Federal Reserve to cooperate with us in a study, led by Chairman +Alan Greenspan, to sort out our technical differences so that we can avoid +a return to unproductive partisan bickering. +</p> + +<p> +But just as our efforts will bring economic growth now and in the future, +they must also be matched by long-term investments for the next American +century. +</p> + +<p> +That requires a forward-looking plan of action, and that's exactly what we +will be sending to the Congress. We have prepared a detailed series of +proposals, that include: A budget that promotes investment in America's +future--in children, education, infrastructure, space and high technology. +Legislation to achieve excellence in education, building on the partnership +forged with the 50 governors at the education summit, enabling parents to +choose their children's schools and helping to make America No. 1 in math +and science. A blueprint for a new national highway system, a critical +investment in our transportation infrastructure. A research and development +agenda that includes record levels of Federal investment and a permanent +tax credit to strengthen private R and D and create jobs. A comprehensive +national energy strategy that calls for energy conservation and efficiency, +increased development and greater use of alternative fuels. A banking +reform plan to bring America's financial system into the 21st Century, so +that our banks remain safe and secure and can continue to make job-creating +loans for our factories, businesses, and homebuyers. I do think there has +been too much pessimism. Sound banks should be making more sound loans, +now. And interest rates should be lower, now. In addition to these +proposals, we must recognize that our economic strength depends upon being +competitive in world markets. We must continue to expand America's exports. +A successful Uruguay Round of world trade negotiations will create more +real jobs, and more real growth, for all nations. You and I know that if +the playing field is level, America's workers and farmers can outwork and +outproduce anyone, anytime, anywhere. +</p> + +<p> +And with the Mexican free trade agreement and our Enterprise for the +Americas Initiative we can help our partners strengthen their economies and +move toward a free trade zone throughout this entire hemisphere. +</p> + +<p> +The budget also includes a plan of action right here at home to put more +power and opportunity in the hands of the individual. That means new +incentives to create jobs in our inner cities by encouraging investment +through enterprise zones. It also means tenant control and ownership of +public housing. Freedom and the power to choose should not be the privilege +of wealth. They are the birthright of every American. +</p> + +<p> +Civil rights are also crucial to protecting equal opportunity. Every one of +us has a responsibility to speak out against racism, bigotry, and hate. We +will continue our vigorous enforcement of existing statutes, and I will once +again press the Congress to strengthen the laws against employment +discrimination without resorting to the use of unfair preferences. +</p> + +<p> +We're determined to protect another fundamental civil right: freedom from +crime and the fear that stalks our cities. The Attorney General will soon +convene a crime summit of the nation's law-enforcement officials. And to +help us support them we need a tough crime control legislation, and we need +it now. +</p> + +<p> +As we fight crime, we will fully implement our nation strategy for +combatting drug abuse. Recent data show we are making progress, but much +remains to be done. We will not rest until the day of the dealer is over, +forever. +</p> + +<p> +Good health care is every American's right and every American's +responsibility. So we are proposing an aggression program of new prevention +initiatives--for infants, for children, for adults, and for the elderly-- +to promote a healthier America and to help keep costs from spiraling. +</p> + +<p> +It's time to give people more choice in government by reviving the ideal of +the citizen politician who comes not to stay, but to serve. One of the +reasons there is so much support for term limitations is that the American +people are increasingly concerned about big-money influence in politics. +We must look beyond the next election, to the next generation. The time has +come to put the national interest ahead of the special interest--and +totally eliminate political action committees. +</p> + +<p> +That would truly put more competition in elections and more power in the +hands of individuals. And where power cannot be put directly into the hands +of the individual, it should be moved closer to the people--away from +Washington. +</p> + +<p> +The federal government too often treats government programs as if they are +of Washington, by Washington, and for Washington. Once established, federal +programs seem to become immortal. +</p> + +<p> +It's time for a more dynamic program life cycle. Some programs should +increase. Some should decrease. Some should be terminated. And some should +be consolidated and turned over to the states. +</p> + +<p> +My budget includes a list of programs for potential turnover totaling more +than $20 billion. Working with Congress and the governors, I propose we +select at least $15 billion in such programs and turn them over to the +states in a single consolidated grant, fully funded, for flexible +management by the states. +</p> + +<p> +The value of this turnover approach is straightforward. It allows the +Federal Government to reduce overhead. It allows states to manage more +flexibly and more efficiently. It moves power and decision-making closer to +the people. And it re-enforces a theme of this Administration: appreciation +and encouragement of the innovative power of "states as laboratories." +</p> + +<p> +This nation was founded by leaders who understood that power belongs in the +hands of the people. They planned for the future. And so must we--here and +around the world. +</p> + +<p> +As Americans, we know there are times when we must step forward and accept +our responsibility to lead the world away from the dark chaos of dictators, +toward the bright promise of a better day. +</p> + +<p> +Almost 50 years ago, we began a long struggle against aggressive +totalitarianism. Now we face another defining hour for America and the +world. +</p> + +<p> +There is no one more devoted, more committed to the hard work of freedom, +than every soldier and sailor, every marine, airman and coastguardsman-- +every man and every woman now serving in the Persian Gulf. +</p> + +<p> +Each of them has volunteered to provide for this nation's defense. And now +they bravely struggle to earn for America and for the world and for future +generations, a just and lasting peace. +</p> + +<p> +Our commitment to them must be equal of their commitment to our country. +They are truly America's finest. +</p> + +<p> +The war in the gulf is not a war we wanted. We worked hard to avoid war. +For more than five months we, along with the Arab League, the European +Community and the United Nations, tried every diplomatic avenue. U.N. +Secretary General Perez de Cuellar; Presidents Gorbachev, Mitterand, Ozal, +Mubarak, and Bendjedid; Kings Fahd and Hassan; Prime Ministers Major and +Andreotti--just to name a few--all worked for a solution. But time and +again Saddam Hussein flatly rejected the path of diplomacy and peace. +</p> + +<p> +The world well knows how this conflict began, and when: it began on August +2nd, when Saddam invaded and sacked a small, defenseless neighbor. And I am +certain of how it will end. So that peace can prevail, we will prevail. +</p> + +<p> +Tonight I'm pleased to report that we are on course. Iraq's capacity to +sustain war is being destroyed. Our investment, our training, our planning +--all are paying off. Time will not be Saddam's salvation. +</p> + +<p> +Our purpose in the Persian Gulf remains constant: to drive Iraq out from +Kuwait, to restore Kuwait's legitimate government, and to insure the +stability and security of this critical region. +</p> + +<p> +Let me make clear what I mean by the region's stability and security. We do +not seek the destruction of Iraq, its culture or its people. Rather, we +seek an Iraq that uses its great resources not to destroy, not to serve the +ambitions of a tyrant, but to build a better life for itself and its +neighbors. We seek a Persian Gulf where conflict is no longer the rule, +where the strong are neither tempted nor able to intimidate the weak. +</p> + +<p> +Most Americans know instinctively why we are in the Gulf. They know we had +to stop Saddam now, not later. They know this brutal dictator will do +anything, will use any weapon, will commit any outrage, no matter how many +innocents must suffer. +</p> + +<p> +They know we must make sure that control of the world's oil resources does +not fall into his hands only to finance further aggression. They know that +we need to build a new, enduring peace--based not on arms races and +confrontation, but on shared principles and the rule of law. +</p> + +<p> +And we all realize that our responsibility to be the catalyst for peace in +the region does not end with the successful conclusion of this war. +</p> + +<p> +Democracy brings the undeniable value of thoughtful dissent, and we have +heard some dissenting voices here at home, some reckless, most responsible. +But the fact the all the voices have the right to speak out is one of the +reasons we've been united in principle and purpose for 200 years. +</p> + +<p> +Our progress in this great struggle is the result of years of vigilance and +a steadfast commitment to a strong defense. Now, with remarkable +technological advances like the Patriot missile, we can defend the +ballistic missile attacks aimed at innocent civilians. +</p> + +<p> +Looking forward, I have directed that the S.D.I. program be refocused on +providing protection from limited ballistic missile strikes, whatever their +source. Let us pursue an S.D.I. program that can deal with any future +threat to the United States, to our forces overseas and to our friends and +allies. +</p> + +<p> +The quality of American technology, thanks to the American worker, has +enabled us to successfully deal with difficult military conditions, and +help minimize the loss of life. We have given our men and women the very +best. And they deserve it. +</p> + +<p> +We all have a special place in our hearts for the families of men and women +serving in the Gulf. They are represented here tonight, by Mrs. Norman +Schwarzkopf, and to all those serving with him. And to the families, let me +say, our forces in the gulf will not stay there one day longer than is +necessary to complete their mission. +</p> + +<p> +The courage and success of the R.A.F. pilots--of the Kuwaiti, Saudi, +French, Canadians, Italians, the pilots of Qatar and Bahrain--all are +proof that for the first time since World War II, the international +community is united. The leadership of the United Nations, once only a +hoped-for ideal, is now confirming its founders' vision. +</p> + +<p> +I am heartened that we are not being asked to bear alone the financial +burden of this struggle. Last year, our friends and allies provided the +bulk of the economic costs of Desert Shield, and having now received +commitments of over $40 billion for the first three months of 1991, I am +confident they will do no less as we move through Desert Storm. +</p> + +<p> +But the world has to wonder what the dictator of Iraq is thinking. If he +thinks that by targeting innocent civilians in Israel and Saudi Arabia, +that he will gain an advantage--he is dead wrong. If he thinks that he +will advance his cause through tragic and despicable environmental +terrorism--he is dead wrong. And if he thinks that by abusing coalition +P.O.W.s, he will benefit--he is dead wrong. +</p> + +<p> +We will succeed in the Gulf. And when we do, the world community will have +sent an enduring warning to any dictator or despot, present or future, who +contemplates outlaw aggression. +</p> + +<p> +The world can therefore seize this opportunity to fulfill the long-held +promise of a new world order--where brutality will go unrewarded, and +aggression will meet collective resistance. +</p> + +<p> +Yes, the United States bears a major share of leadership in this effort. +Among the nations of the world, only the United States of America has had +both the moral standing, and the means to back it up. We are the only +nation on this earth that could assemble the forces of peace. +</p> + +<p> +This is the burden of leadership--and the strength that has made America +the beacon of freedom in a searching world. +</p> + +<p> +This nation has never found glory in war. Our people have never wanted to +abandon the blessings of home and work, for distant lands and deadly +conflict. If we fight in anger, it is only because we have to fight at all. +And all of us yearn for a world where we will never have to fight again. +</p> + +<p> +Each of us will measure, within ourselves, the value of this great +struggle. Any cost in lives is beyond our power to measure. But the cost of +closing our eyes to aggression is beyond mankind's power to imagine. +</p> + +<p> +This we do know: Our cause is just. Our cause is moral. Our cause is +right. +</p> + +<p> +Let future generations understand the burden and the blessings of freedom. +Let them say, we stood where duty required us to stand. +</p> + +<p> +Let them know that together, we affirmed America, and the world, as a +community of conscience. +</p> + +<p> +The winds of change are with us now. The forces of freedom are united. We +move toward the next century, more confident than ever, that we have the +will at home and abroad, to do what must be done--the hard work of +freedom. +</p> + +<p> +May God bless the United States of America. +</p> + +<p><br /><br /><br /></p> + +<p class="t3"> +*** +</p> + +<p><a id="jan1992"></a></p> + +<p class="noindent"> +State of the Union Address<br /> +George H.W. Bush<br /> +January 28, 1992<br /> +</p> + +<p class="noindent"> +Mr. Speaker, Mr. President, distinguished members of Congress, honored +guests and fellow citizens: +</p> + +<p> +I mean to speak tonight of big things, of big changes and the promises they +hold and of some big problems and how together we can solve them and move +our country forward as the undisputed leader of the age. +</p> + +<p> +We gather tonight at a dramatic and deeply promising time in our history, +and in the history of man on earth. For in the past 12 months, the world +has known changes of almost biblical proportions. And even now, months +after the failed coup that doomed a failed system, I am not sure we have +absorbed the full impact, the full import of what happened. +</p> + +<p> +But Communism died this year. Even as President, with the most fascinating +possible vantage point, there were times when I was so busy helping to +manage progress and lead change that I didn't always show the joy that was +in my heart But the biggest thing that has happened in the world in my +life, in our lives, is this: By the grace of God, America won the Cold War. +And there's another to be singled out, though it may seem inelegant. I mean +a mass of people called the American taxpayer. No ever thinks to thank the +people who pay country's bill or an alliance's bill. But for a half Century +now, the American people have shouldered the burden and paid taxes that +were higher than they would have been to support a defense that was bigger +than it would have been if imperial communism had never existed. But it +did. But it doesn't anymore. And here is a fact I wouldn't mind the world +acknowledging: The American taxpayer bore the brunt of the burden, and +deserves a hunk of the glory. +</p> + +<p> +And so, now, for the first time in 35 years, our strategic bombers stand +down. No longer are they on round-the-clock alert. Tomorrow our children +will go to school and study history and how plants grow. And they won't +have, as my children did, air-raid drills in which they crawl under their +desks and cover their heads in case of nuclear war. My grandchildren don't +have to do that, and won't have the bad dreams children once had in decades +past. There are still threats. But the long drawn-out dread is over. +</p> + +<p> +A year ago tonight I spoke to you at a moment of high peril. American +forces had just unleashed Operation Desert Storm. And after 40 days in the +desert skies and 4 days on the ground, the men and women of America's armed +forces and our allies accomplished the goals that I declared, and that you +endorsed: we liberated Kuwait. +</p> + +<p> +Soon after, the Arab world and Israel sat down to talk seriously, and +comprehensively, about peace, an historic first. And soon after that, at +Christmas, the last American hostages came home. Our policies were +vindicated. +</p> + +<p> +Much good can come from the prudent use of power. And much good can come +from this: A world once divided into two armed camps now recognizes one +sole and pre-eminent power, the United States of America. And this they +regard with no dread. For the world trusts us with power, and the world is +right. They trust us to be fair, and restrained. They trust us to be on the +side of decency. They trust us to do what's right. +</p> + +<p> +I use those words advisedly. A few days after the war began, I received a +telegram from Joanne Speicher, the wife of the first pilot killed in the +gulf, Lieutenant Commander Scott Speicher. Even in her grief, she wanted me +to know that some day, when her children were old enough, she would tell +them "that their father went away to war because it was the right thing to +do". She said it all. It was the right thing to do. +</p> + +<p> +And we did it together. There were honest differences here, in this +chamber. But when the war began, you put your partisanship aside and +supported our troops. This is still a time for pride, but this is no time +to boast. For problems face us, and we must stand together once again and +solve them--and not let our country down. +</p> + +<p> +Two years ago, I began planning cuts in military spending that reflected +the changes of the new era. But now, this year, with Imperial Communism +gone, that process can be accelerated. Tonight I can tell you of dramatic +changes in our strategic nuclear force. These are actions we are taking on +our own, because they are the right thing to do. +</p> + +<p> +After completing 20 planes for which we have begun procurement, we will +shut down production of the B-2 bomber. We will cancel the ICBM program. We +will cease production of new warheads for our sea-based missiles. We will +stop all production of the peacekeeper missile. And we will not purchase +any more advanced cruise missiles. +</p> + +<p> +This weekend I will meet at Camp David with Boris Yeltsin of the Russian +Federation. I have informed President Yeltsin that if the commonwealth, the +former Soviet Union, will eliminate all land-based multiple-warhead +ballistic missiles, I will do the following: We will eliminate all +Peacekeeper missiles. We will reduce the number of warheads on Minuteman +missiles to one and reduce the number of warheads on our sea-based missiles +by about one-third. And we will convert a substantial portion of our +strategic to primarily conventional use. +</p> + +<p> +President Yeltsin's early response has been very positive, and I expect our +talks at Camp David to be fruitful. I want you to know that for half a +century, American presidents have longed to make such decisions and say +such words. But even in the midst of celebration, we must keep caution as a +friend. For the world is still a dangerous place. Only the dead have seen +the end of conflict. And though yesterday's challenges are behind us, +tomorrow's are being born. +</p> + +<p> +The Secretary of defense recommended these cuts after consultation with the +joint chiefs of staff. And I make them with confidence. But do not +misunderstand me: The reductions I have approved will save us an additional +$50 billion over the next five years. By 1997 we will have cut defense by +30 percent since I took office. These cuts are deep, and you must know my +resolve: this deep, and no deeper. To do less would be insensible to +progress, but to do more would be ignorant of history. We must not go back +to the days of "the hollow army". We cannot repeat the mistakes made twice +in this century when armistice was followed by recklessness and defense was +purged as if the world was permanently safe. +</p> + +<p> +I remind you this evening that I have asked for your support in funding a +program to protect our country from limited nuclear missile attack. We must +have this protection because too many people in too many countries have +access to nuclear arms. There are those who say that now we can turn away +from the world, that we have no special role, no special place. But we are +the United States of America, the leader of the West that has become the +leader of the world. +</p> + +<p> +As long as I am President we will continue to lead in support of freedom +everywhere, not out of arrogance and not out of altruism, but for the +safety and security of our children. This is a fact: Strength in the +pursuit of peace is no vice; isolationism in the pursuit of security is no +virtue. +</p> + +<p> +Now to our troubles at home. They are not all economic, but the primary +problem is our economy. There are some good signs. Inflation, that thief, +is down, and interest rates are down. But unemployment is too high, some +industries are in trouble and growth is not what it should be. Let me tell +you right from the start and right from the heart: I know we're in hard +times, but I know something else: This will not stand. +</p> + +<p> +My friends in this chamber, we can bring the same courage and sense of +common purpose to the economy that we brought to Desert Storm. And we can +defeat hard times together. I believe you will help. One reason is that +you're patriots, and you want the best for your country. And I believe that +in your hearts you want to put partisanship aside and get the job done, +because it's the right thing to do. +</p> + +<p> +The power of America rests in a stirring but simple idea: that people will +do great things if only you set them free. Well, we're going to have to set +the economy free, for if this age of miracles and wonders has taught us +anything, it's that if we can change the world, we can change America. +</p> + +<p> +We must encourage investment. We must make it easier for people to invest +money and make new products, new industries, and new jobs. We must clear +away obstacles to new growth: high taxes, high regulation, red tape, and +yes, wasteful government spending. None of this will happen with a snap of +the fingers, but it will happen. And the test of a plan isn't whether it's +called new or dazzling. The American people aren't impressed by gimmicks. +They're smarter on this score than all of us in this room. The only test of +a plan is, It is sound and will it work? We must have a short-term plan to +address our immediate needs and heat up the economy. And then we need a +long-term plan to keep the combustion going and to guarantee our place in +the world economy. +</p> + +<p> +There are certain things that a president can do without Congress, and I am +going to do them. I have this evening asked major cabinet departments and +federal agencies to institute a 90-day moratorium on any new federal +regulations that could hinder growth. In those 90 days, major departments +and agencies will carry out a top-to-bottom review of all regulations, old +and new, to stop the ones that will hurt growth and speed up those that +will help growth. +</p> + +<p> +Further, for the untold number of hard-working, responsible American +workers and businessmen and women who've been forced to go without needed +bank loans, the banking credit crunch must end. I won't neglect my +responsibility for sound regulations that serve the public good, but +regulatory overkill must be stopped. And I have instructed our government +regulators to stop it. +</p> + +<p> +I have directed Cabinet departments and federal agencies to speed up +pro-growth expenditures as quickly as possible. This should put an extra +$10 billion into the economy in the next six months. And our new +transportation bill provides more than $150 billion for construction and +maintenance projects that are vital to our growth and well-being. That +means jobs building roads, jobs building bridges and jobs building +railways. And I have this evening directed the secretary of the Treasury to +change the federal tax withholding tables. With this change, millions of +Americans from whom the government withholds more than necessary can now +choose to have the government withhold less from their paychecks. Something +tells me a number of taxpayers may take us up on this one. This initiative +could return about $25 billion back into the economy over the next 12 +months, money people can use to help pay for clothing, college or a new +car. And finally, working with the Federal Reserve, we will continue to +support monetary policy that keeps both interest rates and inflation down. +</p> + +<p> +Now these are the things that I can do. And now, members of Congress, let +me tell you what you can do for your country. You must, you must pass the +other elements of my plan to meet our economic needs. Everyone knows +investment speeds recovery. And I am proposing this evening a change in the +alternative minimum tax, and the creation of a new 15% investment tax +allowance. This will encourage businesses to accelerate investment and +bring people back to work. Real estate has led our economy out of almost +all the tough times we've ever had. Once building starts, carpenters and +plumbers work, people buy homes and take out mortgages. +</p> + +<p> +My plan would modify the passive-loss rule for active real-estate +developers. And it would make it easier for pension plans to purchase real +estate. For those Americans who dream of buying a first home but who can't +quite afford it, my plan would allow first-time home buyers to withdraw +savings from IRAs without penalty and provide a $5000 tax credit for the +first purchase of that home. +</p> + +<p> +And finally, my immediate plan calls on Congress to give crucial help to +people who own a home, to every one who has a business, a farm or a single +investment. +</p> + +<p> +This time, at this hour, I cannot take "No" for an answer. You must cut the +capital gains tax on the people of this country. Never has an issue been so +demagogued by its opponents. But the demagogues are wrong. They are wrong, +and they know it. Sixty percent of people who benefit from lower capital +gains have incomes under $50,000. A cut in the capital gains tax increases +jobs and helps just about everyone in our country. And so I'm asking you to +cut the capital gains tax to a maximum of 15.4%. And I'll tell you, I'll +tell you, those of you who say, "Oh no, someone who's comfortable may +benefit from this" you kind of remind me of the old definition of the +Puritan, who couldn't sleep at night worrying that somehow someone +somewhere was out having a good time. +</p> + +<p> +The opponents of this measure and those who've authored various so-called +soak-the-rich bills that are floating around this chamber should be +reminded of something: When they aim at the big guy, they usually hit the +little guy. And maybe it's time that stopped. +</p> + +<p> +This then is my short-term plan. Your part, members of Congress, requires +enactment of these common-sense proposals that will have a strong effect on +the economy, without breaking the budget agreement and without raising tax +rates. And while my plan is being passed and kicking in, we've got to care +for those in trouble today. I have provided for up to $4.4 billion in my +budget to extend federal unemployment benefits, and I ask for Congressional +action right away. And I thank the committee--well, at last. And let's be +frank. Let's be frank; let me level with you. +</p> + +<p> +I know, and you know, that my plan is unveiled in a political season. I +know, and you know, that everything I propose will be viewed by some in +merely partisan terms. But I ask you to know what is in my heart. And my +aim is to increase our nation's good. And I'm doing what I think is right; +I'm proposing what I know will help. I pride myself that I'm a prudent man, +and I believe that patience is a virtue, but I understand politics is, for +some, a game and that sometimes the game is to stop all progress and then +decry the lack of improvement. But let me tell you, let me tell you, far +more important than my political future--and far more important than +yours--is the well-being of our country. And members of this chamber, +members of this chamber, are practical people, and I know you won't resent +some practical advice: When people put their party's fortunes, whatever the +party, whatever the side of this aisle, before the public good, they court +defeat not only for their country, but for themselves. And they will +certainly deserve it. +</p> + +<p> +And I submit my plan tomorrow. And I am asking you to pass it by March 20. +From the day after that--if it must be--the battle is joined. And you +know, when principle is at stake, I relish a good fair fight. +</p> + +<p> +I said my plan has two parts, and it does. And it's the second part that is +the heart of the matter. For it's not enough to get an immediate burst. We +need long-term improvement in our economic position. We all know that the +key to our economic future is to insure that America continues as the +economic leader of the world. We have that in our power. Here, then, is my +long-term plan to guarantee our future. +</p> + +<p> +First, trade: We will work to break down the walls that stop world trade. +We will work to open markets everywhere. And in our major trade +negotiations, I will continue pushing to eliminate tariffs and subsidies +that damage America's farmers and workers. And we'll get more good American +jobs within our own hemisphere through the North American Free Trade +Agreement, and through the Enterprise for the Americas Initiative. But +changes are here, and more are coming. The work place of the future will +demand more highly skilled workers than ever, people who are computer +literate, highly educated. +</p> + +<p> +And we must be the world's leader in education. And we must revolutionize +America's schools. My America 2000 strategy will help us reach that goal. +My plan will give parents more choice, give teachers more flexibility and +help communities create new American schools. Thirty states across the +nation have established America 2000 programs. Hundreds of cities and towns +have joined. Now Congress must join this great movement. Pass my proposals +for new American schools. +</p> + +<p> +That was my second long-term proposal. And here's my third: We must make +common-sense investments that will help us compete, long-term, in the +marketplace. We must encourage research and development. My plan is to make +the R and D tax credit permanent, and to provide record levels of support, +over $76 billion this year alone for people who explore the promise of +emerging technologies. +</p> + +<p> +And fourth, we must do something about crime and drugs. And it is time for +a major renewed investment in fighting violent street crime. Its saps our +strength and hurts our faith in our society, and in our future together. +Surely a tired woman on her way to work at six in the morning on a subway +deserves the right to get there safely. And surely, it's true that everyone +who changes his or her way of life because of crime--from those afraid to +go our at night to those afraid to walk in the parks they pay for--surely +those people have been denied a basic civil right. It is time to restore +it. Congress, pass my comprehensive crime bill. It is tough on criminals +and supportive of police, and it has been languishing in these hallowed +halls for years now. Pass it. Help your country. +</p> + +<p> +And fifth, I ask you tonight to fund our HOPE housing proposal and to pass +my enterprise-zone legislation, which will get businesses into the inner +city. We must empower the poor with the pride that comes from owning a +home, getting a job, becoming part of things. My plan would encourage real +estate construction by extending tax incentives for mortgage-revenue bonds +and low-income housing. And I ask tonight for record expenditures for the +program that helps children born into want move into excellence: Head +Start. +</p> + +<p> +Step six: We must reform our health care system for this too, bears on +whether or not we can compete in the world. American health costs have been +exploding. This year America will spend over $800 billion on health, and +that is expected to grow to $1.6 trillion by the end of the decade. We +simply cannot afford this. The cost of health care shows up not only in +your family budget, but in the price of everything we buy and everything we +sell. When health coverage for a fellow on the assembly line costs +thousands of dollars, the cost goes into the product he makes. And you pay +the bill. Now we must make a choice. +</p> + +<p> +Now some pretend we can have it both ways: they call it play or pay. But +that expensive approach is unstable. It will mean higher taxes, fewer jobs, +and eventually, a system under complete government control. Really, there +are only two options. And we can move toward a nationalized system, a +system which will restrict patient choice in picking a doctor and force the +government to ration services arbitrarily. And what we'll get is patients +in long lines, indifferent service and a huge new tax burden. Or we can +reform our own private health-care system, which still gives us, for all +its flaws, the best quality health care in the world. Well, let's build on +our strengths. +</p> + +<p> +My plan provides insurance security for all Americans while preserving and +increasing the idea of choice. We make basic health insurance affordable +for all low-income people not now covered. We do it by providing a +health-insurance tax credit of up to $3750 for each low-income family. The +middle class gets help, too. And by reforming the health insurance market, +my plan assures that Americans will have access to basic health insurance +even if they change jobs or develop serious health problem We must bring +costs under control, preserve quality, preserve choice and reduce people's +nagging daily worry about health insurance. My plan, the details of which I +will announce shortly, does just that. +</p> + +<p> +And seventh, we must get the federal deficit under control. We now have in +law, enforcable spending caps, and a requirement that we pay for the +programs we create. There are those in Congress who would ease that +discipline now. But I cannot let them do it. And I won't. My plan would +freeze all domestic discretionary budget authority which means "No more +next year than this year". I will not tamper with Social Security but I +would put real caps on the growth of uncontrolled spending. And I would +also freeze federal domestic government employment. And with the help of +Congress, my plan will get rid of 246 programs that don't deserve federal +funding. Some of them have noble titles, but none of them is indispensible. +We can get rid of each and every one of them. +</p> + +<p> +You know, it's time we rediscovered a home truth the American people have +never forgotten: the government is too big and spends too much. And I call +on Congress to adopt a measure that will help put an end to the annual +ritual of filling the budget with pork-barrel appropriations. Every year, +the press has a field day making fun of outrageous examples, a Lawrence +Welk Museum, a research grant for Belgian Endive. We all know how these +things get into the budget, and maybe you need someone to help you say no. +I know how to say it. And you know what I need to make it stick. Give me +the same thing 43 governors have--the line-item veto--and let me help +you control spending. +</p> + +<p> +We must put an end to unfinanced government mandates. These are the +requirements Congress puts on our cities, counties and states without +supplying the money. And if Congress passes a mandate, it should be forced +to pay for it and balance the cost with savings elsewhere. After all, a +mandate just increases someone else's tax burden, and that means higher +taxes at the state and local level. +</p> + +<p> +Step Eight: Congress should enact the bold reform proposals that are still +awaiting congressional action: bank reform, civil justice reform, tort +reform, and my national energy strategy. +</p> + +<p> +And finally, we must strengthen the family, because it is the family that +has the greatest bearing on our future. When Barbara holds an AIDS baby in +her arms and reads to children, she's saying to every person in this +country, "Family Matters". +</p> + +<p> +And I am announcing tonight a new commission on America's urban families. +I've asked Missouri's governor, John Ashcroft, to be chairman, former +Dallas Mayor Annetter Strauss to be co-chair. You know, I had Mayors, the +leading mayors from the League of Cities, in the other day at the White +House, and they told me something striking. They said that every one of +them, Republican and Democrat, agreed on one thing: That the major cause of +the problems of the cities is the dissolution of the family. And they asked +for this commission, and they were right to ask, because it's time to +determine what we can do to keep families together, strong and sound. +</p> + +<p> +There's one thing we can do right away: Ease the burden of rearing a child. +I ask you tonight to raise the personal exemption by $500 per child for +every family. For a family with four kids, that's an increase of $2000. +This is a good start in the right direction, and it's what we can afford. +It's time to allow families to deduct the interest they pay on student +loans. And I'm asking you to do just that. And I'm asking you to allow +people to use money from their IRAs to pay medical and educational +expenses, all without penalties. And I'm asking for more. Ask American +parents what they dislike about how things are going in our country, and +chances are good that pretty soon they'll get to welfare. +</p> + +<p> +Americans are the most generous people on Earth. But we have to go back to +the insight of Franklin Roosevelt who, when he spoke of what became the +welfare program, want that it must not become a narcotic and a subtle +destroyer of the spirit. Welfare was never meant to be a life style. It was +never meant to be a habit. It was never supposed to be passed on from +generation to generation like a legacy. It's time to replace the +assumptions of the welfare state and help reform the welfare system. +</p> + +<p> +States throughout the country are beginning to operate with new +assumptions: that when able-bodied people receive government assistance +they have responsibilities to the taxpayer. A responsibility to seek work, +education, or job training. A responsibility to get their lives in order. A +responsibility to hold their families together and refrain from having +children out of wedlock. And a responsibility to obey the law. We are going +to help this movement. Often, state reform requires waiving certain federal +regulations. I will act to make that process easier and quicker for every +state that asks our help. And I want to add, as we make these changes, we +work together to improve this system, that our intention is not +scapegoating and finger-pointing. If you read the papers or watch TV you +know there's been a rise these days in a certain kind of ugliness: racist +comments, anti-Semitism, an increased sense of division. Really, this is +not us. This is not who we are. And this is not acceptable. +</p> + +<p> +And so you have my plan for America. And I am asking for big things, but I +believe in my heart you will do what's right. +</p> + +<p> +And you know, it's kind of an American tradition to show a certain +skepticism toward our democratic institutions. I myself have sometimes +thought the aging process could be delayed if it had to make its way +through Congress. But you will deliberate, and you will discuss, and that +is fine. But my friends the people cannot wait. They need help now. And +there's a mood among us. People are worried. There has been talk of +decline. Someone even said our workers are lazy and uninspired. And I +thought, "Really? Go tell Neil Armstrong standing on the moon. Tell the +American farmer who feeds his country and the world. Tell the men and women +of Desert Storm." Moods come and go, but greatness endures. Our does. +</p> + +<p> +And maybe for a moment it's good to remember what, in the dailyness of our +lives, we forget. We are still and ever the freest nation on Earth, the +kindest nation on Earth, the strongest nation on Earth. And we have always +risen to the occasion. And we are going to lift this nation out of hard +times inch by inch and day by day, and those who would stop us better step +aside. Because I look at hard times and I make this vow: This will not +stand. And so we move on, together, a rising nation, the once and future +miracle that is still, this night, the hope of the world. +</p> + +<p><br /><br /><br /><br /></p> + + + + + + + + +<pre> + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of State of the Union Addresses of George +H.W. Bush, by George H.W. Bush + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK STATE OF THE UNION ADDRESSES *** + +***** This file should be named 5047-h.htm or 5047-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/5/0/4/5047/ + +Produced by James Linden. 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You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of +the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at +www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you'll have +to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this ebook. + +Title: State of the Union Addresses of George H.W. Bush + +Author: George H.W. Bush + +Posting Date: November 23, 2014 [EBook #5047] +Release Date: February, 2004 +First Posted: April 11, 2002 +Last Updated: December 16, 2004 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK STATE OF THE UNION ADDRESSES *** + + + + +Produced by James Linden. HTML version by Al Haines. + + + + + + + + +State of the Union Addresses of George H.W. Bush + + + +The addresses are separated by three asterisks: *** + +Dates of addresses by George H.W. Bush in this eBook: + + January 31, 1990 + January 29, 1991 + January 28, 1992 + + + +*** + +State of the Union Address +George H.W. Bush +January 31, 1990 + +Tonight, I come not to speak about the "State of the Government", not to +detail every new initiative we plan for the coming year, nor describe every +line in the budget. I'm here to speak to you and to the American people +about the State of the Union about our world, the changes we've seen, the +challenges we face. And what that means for America. + +There are singular moments in history, dates that divide all that goes +before from all that comes after. And many of us in this chamber have lived +much of our lives in a world whose fundamental features were defined in +1945. And the events of that year decreed the shape of nations, the pace of +progress, freedom or oppression for millions of people around the world. + +Nineteen Forty-Five provided the common frame of reference the compass +points of the postwar era we've relied upon to understand ourselves. And +that was our world until now. The events of the year just ended, the +Revolution of '89, have been a chain reaction, changes so striking that it +marks the beginning of a new era in the world's affairs. + +Think back think back just twelve short months ago to the world we knew as +1989 began. + +One year, one year ago the people of Panama lived in fear under the thumb +of a dictator. Today democracy is restored. Panama is free. + +"Operation Just Cause" has achieved its objective. And the number of +military personel in Panama is now very close to what it was before the +operation began. And tonight I am announcing that before the end of +February the additional numbers of American troops, the brave men and women +of our armed forces who made this mission a success, will be back home. + +A year ago in Poland, Lech Walesa declared he was ready to open a dialogue +with the Communist rulers of that country. And today, with the future of a +free Poland in their own hands, members of Solidarity lead the Polish +government. + +And a year ago, freedom's playwright, Vaclav Havel, languished as a +prisoner in Prague. And today it's Vaclav Havel, President of +Czechoslovakia. + +And one year ago Erich Honecker of East Germany claimed history as his +guide. He predicted the Berlin Wall would last another hundred years. And +today, less than one year later, it's the wall that's history. + +Remarkable events, remarkable events, events that fulfill the long-held +hopes of the American people. Events that validate the longstanding goals +of American policy, a policy based upon a single shining principle: the +cause of freedom. + +America, not just the nation, but an idea alive in the minds of the people, +everywhere. As this new world takes shape, America stands at the center of +a widening circle of freedom, today, tomorrow and into the next century. + +Our nation is the enduring dream of every immigrant who ever set foot on +these shores, and the millions still struggling to be free. This nation, +this idea called America was and always will be a new world, our new +world. + +At a workers' rally in a place called Branik on the outskirts of Prague the +idea called America is alive. A worker, dressed in grimy overalls, rises to +speak at the factory gates. And he begins his speech to his fellow citizens +with these words, words of a distant revolution: "We hold these truths to +be self-evident. That all men are created equal, that they are endowed by +their creator with certain unalienable rights, and that among these are +life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness." It's no secret here at home +freedom's door opened long ago. The cornerstones of this free society have +already been set in place: democracy, competition, opportunity, private +investment, stewardship, and of course, leadership. + +And our challenge today is to take this democratic system of ours, a system +second to none, and make it better: + +A better America where there's a job for whoever wants one; + +Where women working outside the home can be confident their children are +in safe and loving care, and where Government works to expand child +alternatives for parents. + +Where we reconcile the needs of a clean environment and a strong economy. + +Where "Made in the USA" is recognized around the world as the symbol of +quality and progress, + +And where every one of us enjoys the same opportunities to live, to work +and to contribute to society. And where, for the first time, the American +mainstream includes all of our disabled citizens. + +Where everyone has a roof over his head, and where the homeless get the +help they need to live in dignity. + +Where our schools challenge and support our kids and our teachers, and +every one of them makes the grade, + +Where every street, every city, every school and every child is drug-free. + +And finally, and finally, where no American is forgotten. Our hearts go out +to our hostages, our hostages who are ceaselessly in our minds and in our +efforts. That's part of the future we want to see, the future we can make +for ourselves. But dreams alone won't get us there. We need to extend our +horizon, to commit to the long view. And our mission for the future starts +today. + +In the tough competitive markets around the world, America faces the great +challenges and great opportunities. And we know that we can succeed in the +global economic arena of the 90's. But to meet that challenge we must make +some fundamental changes, some crucial investments in ourselves. + +Yes, we are going to invest in America. This Administration is determined +to encourage the creation of capital, capital of all kinds. Physical +capital: everything from our farms and factories to our workshops and +production lines, all that is needed to produce and deliver quality goods +and quality services. Intellectual, intellectual capital: the source of +ideas that spark tomorrow's products. And of course human capital: the +talented work force that we'll need to compete in the global market. + +And let me tell you, if we ignore human capital, if we lose the spirit of +American ingenuity, the sprit that is the hallmark of the AMERICAN worker, +that would be bad. The American worker is the most productive worker in the +world. + +We need to save more. We need to expand the pool of capital for new +investments that mean more jobs and more growth. And that's the idea behind +the new initiative I call the Family Savings Plan, which I will send to +Congress tomorrow. + +We need to cut the tax on capital gains, encourage, encourage risk-takers, +especially those in small businesses, to take those steps that translate +into economic reward, jobs, and a better life for all of us. + +We'll do what it takes to invest in America's future. The budget commitment +is there. The money is there. It's there for research and development, R +and D, a record high. It's there for our housing initiative, hope, H-O-P-E, +to help everyone from first-time homebuyers to the homeless. The money's +there to keep our kids drug-free, 70 percent more than when I took office +in 1989. It's there for space exploration, and its there for education, +another record high. + +And one more, and one more thing. Last fall at the education summit, the +governors and I agreed to look for ways to help make sure that our kids are +ready to learn the very first day they walk into the classroom. And I've +made good on that commitment by proposing a record increase in funds, an +extra half billion dollars, for something near and dear to all of us: Head +Start. + +Education is the one investment that means more for our future, because it +means the most for our children. Real improvement in our schools is not +simply a matter of spending more. It's a matter of asking more, expecting +more, of our schools, our teachers, of our kids, of our parents and of +ourselves. And that's why tonight, and that's why tonight, I am announcing +America's education goals, goals developed with enormous cooperation from +the nation's governors. And if I might I'd like to say I'm very pleased +that Governor Gardner and Governor Clinton, Governor Branstad, Governor +Campbell, all of whom were very key in these discussion, these +deliberations, are with us here tonight. + +By the, by the year 2000, every child must start school ready to learn. The +United States must increase the high school graduation rate to no less than +90 percent. And we are going to make sure our schools' diplomas mean +something. In critical subjects, at the fourth, eighth, and 12th grades, we +must assess our students' performance. + +By the, by the year 2000 U.S. students must be the first in the world in +math and science achievement. Every American adult must be a skilled, +literate worker and citizen. Every school must offer the kind of +disciplined environment that makes it possible for our kids to learn. And +every school in America must be drug-free. + +Ambitious aims? Of course. Easy to do? Far from it. But the future's at +stake. The nation will not accept anything less than excellence in +education. + +These investments will help keep America competitive. And I know this about +the American people: we welcome competition. We'll match our ingenuity, our +energy, our experience, and technology our spirit and enterprise against +anyone. But let the competition be free, but let it also be fair. America +is ready. + +Since we really mean it, and since we're serious about being ready to meet +our challenge, we're getting our own house in order. We have made real +progress. Seven years ago, the Federal deficit was 6 percent of our gross +national product, 6 percent. In the new budget I sent up two days ago the +deficit is down to 1 percent of GNP. + +That budget brings Federal spending under control. It meets the +Gramm-Rudman target. It brings the deficit down further. And balances the +budget by 1993, with no new taxes. + +And let me tell you, there's still more than enough Federal spending. For +most of us, $1.2 trillion is still a lot of money. + +And once the budget is balanced, we can operate the way every family must +when it has bills to pay. We won't leave it to our children and +grandchildren. Once it's balanced, we will start paying off the national +debt. + +And there's something more, and there's something more we owe the +generations of the future: stewardship, the safekeeping of America's +precious environmental inheritance. + +As just one sign of how serious we are, we will elevate the Environmental +Protection Agency to Cabinet rank. Not, not more bureaucracy, not more red +tape, but the certainty that here at home, and especially in our dealings +with other nations, environmental issues have the status they deserve. + +This year's budget provides over $2 billion in new spending to protect our +environment, with over $1 billion for global change research, and a new +initiative I call America the Beautiful to expand our national parks and +wildlife preserves and improve recreational facilities on public lands. + +And something else, something that will help keep this country clean, from +our forest land to the inner cities, and keep America beautiful for +generations to come, the money to plant a billion trees a year. + +And tonight, and tonight let me say again to all the members of the +Congress, the American people did not send us here to bicker. There is work +to do, and they sent us here to get it done. And once again, in the spirit +of cooperation I offer my hand to all of you. And let's work together to do +the will of the people--clean air, child care, the educational excellence +act, crime and drugs. It's time to act. The farm bill, transportation +policy, product liability reform, enterprise zones. It's time to act +together. + +And there's one thing I hope we can agree on. It's about our commitments. +And I'm talking about Social Security. + +To every American out there on Social Security, to every, every American +supporting that system today, and to everyone counting on it when they +retire, we made a promise to you, and we are going to keep it. + +We, we rescued the system in 1983 and it's sound again, bipartisan +arrangement. Our budget fully funds today's benefits and it assures that +future benefits will be funded as well. And the last thing we need to do is +mess around with Social Security. + +There's one more problem we need to address. We must give careful +consideration to the recommendations of the health care studies under way +now. And that's why tonight, I am asking Dr. Sullivan, Lou Sullivan, +Secretary of Health and Human Services, to lead a Domestic Policy Council +review of recommendations on the quality, accessibility and cost of our +nation's health care system. I am committed to bring the staggering costs +of health care under control. + +The State of the Government does indeed depend on many of us in this very +chamber. But the State of the Union depends on all Americans. We must +maintain the democratic decency that makes a nation out of millions of +individuals. And I've been appalled at the recent mail bombings across this +country. Every one of us must confront and condemn racism, anti-Semitism, +bigotry and hate. Not next week, not tomorrow, but right now. Every single +one of us. + +The State of the Union depends on whether we help our neighbor, claim the +problems of our community as our own. We've got to step forward when +there's trouble, lend a hand, be what I call a point of light to a stranger +in need. We've got to take the time after a busy day to sit down and read +with our kids, help them with their homework, pass along the values we had +as children. And that's how we sustain the State of the Union. + +Every effort is important. It all adds up. It's doing the things that give +democracy meaning. It all adds up to who we are and who we will be. + +And let me say, that so long as we remember the American idea, so long as +we live up to the American ideal, the State of the Union will remain sound +and strong. + +And to those who worry that we've lost our way, well, I want you to listen +to parts of a letter written by James Markwell, Pvt. 1st Class James +Markwell, a 20-year-old Army medic to the First Battalion, 75th Rangers. +It's dated Dec. 18, the day before our armed forces went into action in +Panama. It's a letter servicemen write--and hope will never, ever be sent. +And sadly, Private Markwell's mother did receive this letter. She passed it +on to me out there in Cincinnati. + +And here is some of what he wrote: "I've never been afraid of death, but I +know he is waiting at the corner...I've been trained to kill and to save, +and so has everyone else. I am frightened of what lays beyond the fog, and +yet... do not mourn for me. Revel in the life that I have died to give +you... But most of all, don't forget that the Army was my choice. Something +that I wanted to do. Remember I joined the Army to serve my country and +inure that you are free to do what you want and to live your lives +freely." + +Let me add that Private Markwell was among the first to see battle in +Panama, and among the first to fall. But he knew what he believed in. He +carried the idea we call America in his heart. + +I began tonight speaking about the changes we've seen this past year. There +is a new world of challenges and opportunities before us. And there is a +need for leadership that only America can provide. + +Nearly 40 years ago, in his last address to the Congress, President Harry +Truman predicted such a time would come. He said, "As our world grows +stronger, more united, more attractive to men on both sides of the Iron +Curtain, then inevitably there will come a time of change within the +Communist world." Today, that change is taking place. + +For more than 40 years, America and its allies held Communism in check and +insured that democracy would continue to exist. And today, with Communism +crumbling, our aim must be to insure democracy's advance, to take the lead +in forging peace and freedom's best hope, a great and growing commonwealth +of free nations. + +And to the Congress and to all Americans, I say it is time to acclaim a new +consensus at home and abroad, a common vision of the peaceful world we want +to see. + +Here in our own hemisphere it is time for all the people of the Americas, +North and South, to live in freedom. + +In the Far East and Africa, it's time for the full flowering of free +governments and free markets that have served the engine of progress. + +It is time to offer our hand to the emerging democracies of Eastern Europe +so that continent, for too long a continent divided, can see a future whole +and free. + +It's time to build on our new relationship with the Soviet Union, to +endorse and encourage a peaceful process of internal change toward +democracy and economic opportunity. + +We are in a period of great transition, great hope, and yet great +uncertainty. We recognize that the Soviet military threat in Europe is +diminishing, but we see little change in Soviet strategic modernization. +And, therefore, we must sustain our own strategic offense modernization and +the Strategic Defense Initiative. + +But the time is right to move forward on a conventional arms control +agreement to move us to more appropriate levels of military forces in +Europe, a coherent defense program that insures the U.S. will continue to +be a catalyst for peaceful change in Europe. And I've consulted with +leaders of NATO. In fact I spoke by phone with President Gorbachev just +today. + +And I agree with our European allies that an American military presence in +Europe is essential and that it should not be solely tied to the Soviet +military presence in Eastern Europe. + +But our troop levels can still be lower. And so tonight I am announcing a +major new step for a further reduction in U.S. and Soviet manpower in +Central and Eastern Europe to 195,000 on each side. + +This number, this number, this level, reflects the advice of our senior +military advisers. It's designed to protect American and European interests +and sustain NATO's defense strategy. A swift conclusion to our arms control +talks--conventional, chemical and strategic--must now be our goal. And +that time has come. + +Still, we must recognize an unfortunate fact: in many regions of the world +tonight the reality is conflict, not peace. Enduring animosities and +opposing interests remain. And thus the cause of peace must be served by an +America strong enough and sure enough to defend our interests and our +ideals. It's this American idea that for the past four decades helped +inspire the Revolution of '89. + +And here at home, and in the world, there is history in the making, and +history to be made. Six months ago, early in this season of change, I stood +at the gates of the Gdansk shipyard in Poland at the monument to the fallen +workers of Solidarity. It's a monument of simple majesty. Three tall +crosses rise up from the stones, and atop each cross, an anchor, an ancient +symbol of hope. + +The anchor in our world today is freedom. Holding us steady in times of +change, a symbol of hope to all the world. And freedom is at the very heart +of the idea that is America. Giving life to the idea depends on every one +of us. Our anchor has always been faith and family. + +In the last few days of this past monumentous year, our family was blessed +once more, celebrating the joy of life when a little boy became our 12th +grandchild. When I held the little guy for the first time, the troubles at +home and abroad seemed manageable, and totally in perspective. + +And now I know, I know you're probably thinking, Well, that's just a +grandfather talking. + +Well, maybe you're right. But I've met a lot of children this past year +across this country, as all of you have. Everywhere from the Far East to +Eastern Europe. All kids are unique. Yet, all kids are alike. The budding +young environmentalist I met this month, who joined me in exploring the +Florida Everglades. The Little Leaguers I played catch with in Poland, +ready to go from Warsaw to the World Series. And even the kids who are ill +or alone--and God bless those boarder babies, born addicted to drugs and +AIDS--coping with problems no child should have to face. But, you know, +when it comes to hope and the future, every kid is the same: full of +dreams, ready to take on the world, all special because they are the very +future of freedom. And to them belongs this new world I've been speaking +about. + +And so tonight, I'm going to ask something of every one of you. Now let me +start with my generation, with the grandparents out there. You are our +living link with the past. Tell your grandchildren the story of struggles +waged at home and abroad, of sacrifices freely made for freedom's sake. And +tell them your own story as well, because every American has a story to +tell. + +And parents, your children look to you for direction and guidance. Tell +them of faith and family. Tell them we are one nation under God. Teach them +that of all the many gifts they can receive, liberty is their most precious +legacy. And of all the gifts they can give, the greatest, the greatest is +helping others. + +And to the children and young people out there tonight, with you rests our +hope, all that America will mean in the years and decades ahead. Fix your +vision on a new century, your century, on dreams we cannot see, on the +destiny that is yours and yours alone. + +And finally, let all Americans, all of us here in this chamber, the +symbolic center of democracy, affirm our allegiance to this idea we call +America. And let us remember that the State of the Union depends upon each +and every one of us. + +God bless all of you. And may God bless this great nation, the United +States of America. + +*** + +State of the Union Address +George H.W. Bush +January 29, 1991 + +Mr. President, Mr. Speaker, members of the United States Congress. + +I come to this house of the people to speak to you and all Americans, +certain we stand at a defining hour. + +Halfway around the world, we are engaged in a great struggle in the skies +and on the seas and sands. We know why we're there. We are Americans--part +of something larger than ourselves. + +For two centuries we've done the hard work of freedom. And tonight we lead +the world in facing down a threat to decency and humanity. + +What is at stake is more than one small country, it is a big idea--a new +world order, where diverse nations are drawn together in common cause to +achieve the universal aspirations of mankind: peace and security, freedom, +and the rule of law. Such is a world worthy of our struggle, and worthy of +our children's future. + +The community of nations has resolutely gathered to condemn and repel +lawless aggression. Saddam Hussein's unprovoked invasion--his ruthless, +systematic rape of a peaceful neighbor--violated everything the community +of nations holds dear. The world has said this aggression would not stand, +and it will not stand. + +Together, we have resisted the trap of appeasement, cynicism and isolation +that gives temptation to tyrants. The world has answered Saddam's invasion +with 12 United Nations resolutions, starting with a demand for Iraq's +immediate and unconditional withdrawal, and backed up by forces from 28 +countries of six continents. With few exceptions, the world now stands as +one. + +The end of the cold war has been a victory for all humanity. A year and a +half ago, in Germany, I said our goal was a Europe whole and free. Tonight, +Germany is united. Europe has become whole and free, and America's +leadership was instrumental in making it possible. + +The principle that has guided us is simple: our objective is to help the +Baltic peoples achieve their aspirations, not to punish the Soviet Union. +In our recent discussions with the Soviet leadership we have been given +representations, which, if fulfilled, would result in the withdrawal of +some Soviet forces, a re-opening of dialogue with the republics, and a move +away from violence. + +We will watch carefully as the situation develops. And we will maintain our +contact with the Soviet leadership to encourage continued commitment to +democratization and reform. + +If it is possible, I want to continue to build a lasting basis for +U.S.-Soviet cooperation, for a more peaceful future for all mankind. + +The triumph of democratic ideas in Eastern Europe and Latin America, and +the continuing struggle for freedom elsewhere around the world all confirm +the wisdom of our nation's founders. + +Tonight, we work to achieve another victory, a victory over tyranny and +savage aggression. + +We in this Union enter the last decade of the 20th Century thankful for all +our blessings, steadfast in our purpose, aware of our difficulties and +responsive to our duties at home and around the world. + +For two centuries, America has served the world as an inspiring example of +freedom and democracy. For generations, America has led the struggle to +preserve and extend the blessings of liberty. And today, in a rapidly +changing world, American leadership is indispensable. Americans know that +leadership brings burdens, and requires sacrifice. + +But we also know why the hopes of humanity turn to us. We are Americans; we +have a unique responsibility to do the hard work of freedom. And when we +do, freedom works. + +The conviction and courage we see in the Persian Gulf today is simply the +American character in action. The indomitable spirit that is contributing +to this victory for world peace and justice is the same spirit that gives +us the power and the potential to meet our challenges at home. + +We are resolute and resourceful. If we can selflessly confront evil for the +sake of good in a land so far away, then surely we can make this land all +it should be. + +If anyone tells you America's best days are behind her, they're looking the +wrong way. + +Tonight, I come before this house, and the American people, with an appeal +for renewal. This is not merely a call for new government initiatives, it +is a call for new initiative in government, in our communities, and from +every American--to prepare for the next American century. + +America has always led by example. So who among us will set this example? +Which of our citizens will lead us in this next American century? Everyone +who steps forward today, to get one addict off drugs; to convince one +troubled teen-ager not to give up on life; to comfort one AIDS patient; to +help one hungry child. + +We have within our reach the promise of renewed America. We can find +meaning and reward by serving some purpose higher than ourselves--a +shining purpose, the illumination of a thousand points of light. It is +expressed by all who know the irresistible force of a child's hand, of a +friend who stands by you and stays there--a volunteer's generous gesture, +an idea that is simply right. + +The problems before us may be different, but the key to solving them +remains the same: it is the individual--the individual who steps forward. +And the state of our Union is the union of each of us, one to the other: +the sum of our friendships, marriages, families and communities. + +We all have something to give. So if you know how to read, find someone who +can't. If you've got a hammer, find a nail. If you're not hungry, not +lonely, not in trouble--seek out someone who is. + +Join the community of conscience. Do the hard work of freedom. That will +define the state of our Union. + +Since the birth of our nation, "we the people" has been the source of our +strength. What government can do alone is limited, but the potential of the +American people knows no limits. + +We are a nation of rock-solid realism and clear-eyed idealism. We are +Americans. We are the nation that believes in the future. We are the nation +that can shape the future. + +And we've begun to do just that, by strengthening the power and choice of +individuals and families. + +Together, these last two years, we've put dollars for child care directly +in the hands of patients instead of bureaucracies, unshackled the potential +of Americans with disabilities, applied the creativity of the marketplace in +the service of the environment, for clean air, and made homeownership +possible for more Americans. + +The strength of a democracy is not in bureaucracy, it is in the people and +their communities. In everything we do, let us unleash the potential of our +most precious resource--our citizens. We must return to families, +communities, counties, cities, states and institutions of every kind, the +power to chart their own destiny, and the freedom and opportunity provided +by strong economic growth. That's what America is all about. + +I know, tonight, in some regions of our country, people are in genuine +economic distress. I hear them. + +Earlier this month Kathy Blackwell of Massachusetts wrote me about what can +happen when the economy slows down, saying, "My heart is aching, and I +think that you should know--your people out here are hurting badly." + +I understand. And I'm not unrealistic about the future. But there are +reasons to be optimistic about our economy. + +First, we don't have to fight double-digit inflation. Second, most +industries won't have to make big cuts in production because they don't +have big inventories piled up. And third, our exports are running solid and +strong. In fact, American businesses are exporting at a record rate. + +So let's put these times in perspective. Together, since 1981, we've +created almost 20 million jobs, cut inflation in half and cut interest +rates in half. + +Yes, the largest peacetime economic expansion in history has been +temporarily interrupted. But our economy is still over twice as large as +our closest competitor. + +We will get this recession behind us and return to growth soon. We will get +on our way to a new record of expansion, and achieve the competitive +strength that will carry us into the next American century. + +We should focus our efforts today on encouraging economic growth, investing +in the future and giving power and opportunity to the individual. + +We must begin with control of Federal spending. That's why I'm submitting a +budget that holds the growth in spending to less than the rate of +inflation. And that's why, amid all the sound and fury of last year's +budget debate, we put into law new, enforceable spending caps so that +future spending debates will mean a battle of ideas, not a bidding war. + +Though controversial, the budget agreement finally put the Federal +Government on a pay-as-you-go basis, and cut the growth of debt by nearly +$500 billion. And that frees funds for saving and job-creating investment. + +Now, let's do more. My budget again includes tax-free family savings +accounts; penalty-free withdrawals from I. R. A.'s for first-time +homebuyers; and, to increase jobs and growth, a reduced tax for long-term +capital gains. + +I know their are differences among us about the impact and the effects of a +capital gains incentive. So tonight I am asking the Congressional leaders +and the Federal Reserve to cooperate with us in a study, led by Chairman +Alan Greenspan, to sort out our technical differences so that we can avoid +a return to unproductive partisan bickering. + +But just as our efforts will bring economic growth now and in the future, +they must also be matched by long-term investments for the next American +century. + +That requires a forward-looking plan of action, and that's exactly what we +will be sending to the Congress. We have prepared a detailed series of +proposals, that include: A budget that promotes investment in America's +future--in children, education, infrastructure, space and high technology. +Legislation to achieve excellence in education, building on the partnership +forged with the 50 governors at the education summit, enabling parents to +choose their children's schools and helping to make America No. 1 in math +and science. A blueprint for a new national highway system, a critical +investment in our transportation infrastructure. A research and development +agenda that includes record levels of Federal investment and a permanent +tax credit to strengthen private R and D and create jobs. A comprehensive +national energy strategy that calls for energy conservation and efficiency, +increased development and greater use of alternative fuels. A banking +reform plan to bring America's financial system into the 21st Century, so +that our banks remain safe and secure and can continue to make job-creating +loans for our factories, businesses, and homebuyers. I do think there has +been too much pessimism. Sound banks should be making more sound loans, +now. And interest rates should be lower, now. In addition to these +proposals, we must recognize that our economic strength depends upon being +competitive in world markets. We must continue to expand America's exports. +A successful Uruguay Round of world trade negotiations will create more +real jobs, and more real growth, for all nations. You and I know that if +the playing field is level, America's workers and farmers can outwork and +outproduce anyone, anytime, anywhere. + +And with the Mexican free trade agreement and our Enterprise for the +Americas Initiative we can help our partners strengthen their economies and +move toward a free trade zone throughout this entire hemisphere. + +The budget also includes a plan of action right here at home to put more +power and opportunity in the hands of the individual. That means new +incentives to create jobs in our inner cities by encouraging investment +through enterprise zones. It also means tenant control and ownership of +public housing. Freedom and the power to choose should not be the privilege +of wealth. They are the birthright of every American. + +Civil rights are also crucial to protecting equal opportunity. Every one of +us has a responsibility to speak out against racism, bigotry, and hate. We +will continue our vigorous enforcement of existing statutes, and I will once +again press the Congress to strengthen the laws against employment +discrimination without resorting to the use of unfair preferences. + +We're determined to protect another fundamental civil right: freedom from +crime and the fear that stalks our cities. The Attorney General will soon +convene a crime summit of the nation's law-enforcement officials. And to +help us support them we need a tough crime control legislation, and we need +it now. + +As we fight crime, we will fully implement our nation strategy for +combatting drug abuse. Recent data show we are making progress, but much +remains to be done. We will not rest until the day of the dealer is over, +forever. + +Good health care is every American's right and every American's +responsibility. So we are proposing an aggression program of new prevention +initiatives--for infants, for children, for adults, and for the elderly-- +to promote a healthier America and to help keep costs from spiraling. + +It's time to give people more choice in government by reviving the ideal of +the citizen politician who comes not to stay, but to serve. One of the +reasons there is so much support for term limitations is that the American +people are increasingly concerned about big-money influence in politics. +We must look beyond the next election, to the next generation. The time has +come to put the national interest ahead of the special interest--and +totally eliminate political action committees. + +That would truly put more competition in elections and more power in the +hands of individuals. And where power cannot be put directly into the hands +of the individual, it should be moved closer to the people--away from +Washington. + +The federal government too often treats government programs as if they are +of Washington, by Washington, and for Washington. Once established, federal +programs seem to become immortal. + +It's time for a more dynamic program life cycle. Some programs should +increase. Some should decrease. Some should be terminated. And some should +be consolidated and turned over to the states. + +My budget includes a list of programs for potential turnover totaling more +than $20 billion. Working with Congress and the governors, I propose we +select at least $15 billion in such programs and turn them over to the +states in a single consolidated grant, fully funded, for flexible +management by the states. + +The value of this turnover approach is straightforward. It allows the +Federal Government to reduce overhead. It allows states to manage more +flexibly and more efficiently. It moves power and decision-making closer to +the people. And it re-enforces a theme of this Administration: appreciation +and encouragement of the innovative power of "states as laboratories." + +This nation was founded by leaders who understood that power belongs in the +hands of the people. They planned for the future. And so must we--here and +around the world. + +As Americans, we know there are times when we must step forward and accept +our responsibility to lead the world away from the dark chaos of dictators, +toward the bright promise of a better day. + +Almost 50 years ago, we began a long struggle against aggressive +totalitarianism. Now we face another defining hour for America and the +world. + +There is no one more devoted, more committed to the hard work of freedom, +than every soldier and sailor, every marine, airman and coastguardsman-- +every man and every woman now serving in the Persian Gulf. + +Each of them has volunteered to provide for this nation's defense. And now +they bravely struggle to earn for America and for the world and for future +generations, a just and lasting peace. + +Our commitment to them must be equal of their commitment to our country. +They are truly America's finest. + +The war in the gulf is not a war we wanted. We worked hard to avoid war. +For more than five months we, along with the Arab League, the European +Community and the United Nations, tried every diplomatic avenue. U.N. +Secretary General Perez de Cuellar; Presidents Gorbachev, Mitterand, Ozal, +Mubarak, and Bendjedid; Kings Fahd and Hassan; Prime Ministers Major and +Andreotti--just to name a few--all worked for a solution. But time and +again Saddam Hussein flatly rejected the path of diplomacy and peace. + +The world well knows how this conflict began, and when: it began on August +2nd, when Saddam invaded and sacked a small, defenseless neighbor. And I am +certain of how it will end. So that peace can prevail, we will prevail. + +Tonight I'm pleased to report that we are on course. Iraq's capacity to +sustain war is being destroyed. Our investment, our training, our planning +--all are paying off. Time will not be Saddam's salvation. + +Our purpose in the Persian Gulf remains constant: to drive Iraq out from +Kuwait, to restore Kuwait's legitimate government, and to insure the +stability and security of this critical region. + +Let me make clear what I mean by the region's stability and security. We do +not seek the destruction of Iraq, its culture or its people. Rather, we +seek an Iraq that uses its great resources not to destroy, not to serve the +ambitions of a tyrant, but to build a better life for itself and its +neighbors. We seek a Persian Gulf where conflict is no longer the rule, +where the strong are neither tempted nor able to intimidate the weak. + +Most Americans know instinctively why we are in the Gulf. They know we had +to stop Saddam now, not later. They know this brutal dictator will do +anything, will use any weapon, will commit any outrage, no matter how many +innocents must suffer. + +They know we must make sure that control of the world's oil resources does +not fall into his hands only to finance further aggression. They know that +we need to build a new, enduring peace--based not on arms races and +confrontation, but on shared principles and the rule of law. + +And we all realize that our responsibility to be the catalyst for peace in +the region does not end with the successful conclusion of this war. + +Democracy brings the undeniable value of thoughtful dissent, and we have +heard some dissenting voices here at home, some reckless, most responsible. +But the fact the all the voices have the right to speak out is one of the +reasons we've been united in principle and purpose for 200 years. + +Our progress in this great struggle is the result of years of vigilance and +a steadfast commitment to a strong defense. Now, with remarkable +technological advances like the Patriot missile, we can defend the +ballistic missile attacks aimed at innocent civilians. + +Looking forward, I have directed that the S.D.I. program be refocused on +providing protection from limited ballistic missile strikes, whatever their +source. Let us pursue an S.D.I. program that can deal with any future +threat to the United States, to our forces overseas and to our friends and +allies. + +The quality of American technology, thanks to the American worker, has +enabled us to successfully deal with difficult military conditions, and +help minimize the loss of life. We have given our men and women the very +best. And they deserve it. + +We all have a special place in our hearts for the families of men and women +serving in the Gulf. They are represented here tonight, by Mrs. Norman +Schwarzkopf, and to all those serving with him. And to the families, let me +say, our forces in the gulf will not stay there one day longer than is +necessary to complete their mission. + +The courage and success of the R.A.F. pilots--of the Kuwaiti, Saudi, +French, Canadians, Italians, the pilots of Qatar and Bahrain--all are +proof that for the first time since World War II, the international +community is united. The leadership of the United Nations, once only a +hoped-for ideal, is now confirming its founders' vision. + +I am heartened that we are not being asked to bear alone the financial +burden of this struggle. Last year, our friends and allies provided the +bulk of the economic costs of Desert Shield, and having now received +commitments of over $40 billion for the first three months of 1991, I am +confident they will do no less as we move through Desert Storm. + +But the world has to wonder what the dictator of Iraq is thinking. If he +thinks that by targeting innocent civilians in Israel and Saudi Arabia, +that he will gain an advantage--he is dead wrong. If he thinks that he +will advance his cause through tragic and despicable environmental +terrorism--he is dead wrong. And if he thinks that by abusing coalition +P.O.W.s, he will benefit--he is dead wrong. + +We will succeed in the Gulf. And when we do, the world community will have +sent an enduring warning to any dictator or despot, present or future, who +contemplates outlaw aggression. + +The world can therefore seize this opportunity to fulfill the long-held +promise of a new world order--where brutality will go unrewarded, and +aggression will meet collective resistance. + +Yes, the United States bears a major share of leadership in this effort. +Among the nations of the world, only the United States of America has had +both the moral standing, and the means to back it up. We are the only +nation on this earth that could assemble the forces of peace. + +This is the burden of leadership--and the strength that has made America +the beacon of freedom in a searching world. + +This nation has never found glory in war. Our people have never wanted to +abandon the blessings of home and work, for distant lands and deadly +conflict. If we fight in anger, it is only because we have to fight at all. +And all of us yearn for a world where we will never have to fight again. + +Each of us will measure, within ourselves, the value of this great +struggle. Any cost in lives is beyond our power to measure. But the cost of +closing our eyes to aggression is beyond mankind's power to imagine. + +This we do know: Our cause is just. Our cause is moral. Our cause is +right. + +Let future generations understand the burden and the blessings of freedom. +Let them say, we stood where duty required us to stand. + +Let them know that together, we affirmed America, and the world, as a +community of conscience. + +The winds of change are with us now. The forces of freedom are united. We +move toward the next century, more confident than ever, that we have the +will at home and abroad, to do what must be done--the hard work of +freedom. + +May God bless the United States of America. + +*** + +State of the Union Address +George H.W. Bush +January 28, 1992 + +Mr. Speaker, Mr. President, distinguished members of Congress, honored +guests and fellow citizens: + +I mean to speak tonight of big things, of big changes and the promises they +hold and of some big problems and how together we can solve them and move +our country forward as the undisputed leader of the age. + +We gather tonight at a dramatic and deeply promising time in our history, +and in the history of man on earth. For in the past 12 months, the world +has known changes of almost biblical proportions. And even now, months +after the failed coup that doomed a failed system, I am not sure we have +absorbed the full impact, the full import of what happened. + +But Communism died this year. Even as President, with the most fascinating +possible vantage point, there were times when I was so busy helping to +manage progress and lead change that I didn't always show the joy that was +in my heart But the biggest thing that has happened in the world in my +life, in our lives, is this: By the grace of God, America won the Cold War. +And there's another to be singled out, though it may seem inelegant. I mean +a mass of people called the American taxpayer. No ever thinks to thank the +people who pay country's bill or an alliance's bill. But for a half Century +now, the American people have shouldered the burden and paid taxes that +were higher than they would have been to support a defense that was bigger +than it would have been if imperial communism had never existed. But it +did. But it doesn't anymore. And here is a fact I wouldn't mind the world +acknowledging: The American taxpayer bore the brunt of the burden, and +deserves a hunk of the glory. + +And so, now, for the first time in 35 years, our strategic bombers stand +down. No longer are they on round-the-clock alert. Tomorrow our children +will go to school and study history and how plants grow. And they won't +have, as my children did, air-raid drills in which they crawl under their +desks and cover their heads in case of nuclear war. My grandchildren don't +have to do that, and won't have the bad dreams children once had in decades +past. There are still threats. But the long drawn-out dread is over. + +A year ago tonight I spoke to you at a moment of high peril. American +forces had just unleashed Operation Desert Storm. And after 40 days in the +desert skies and 4 days on the ground, the men and women of America's armed +forces and our allies accomplished the goals that I declared, and that you +endorsed: we liberated Kuwait. + +Soon after, the Arab world and Israel sat down to talk seriously, and +comprehensively, about peace, an historic first. And soon after that, at +Christmas, the last American hostages came home. Our policies were +vindicated. + +Much good can come from the prudent use of power. And much good can come +from this: A world once divided into two armed camps now recognizes one +sole and pre-eminent power, the United States of America. And this they +regard with no dread. For the world trusts us with power, and the world is +right. They trust us to be fair, and restrained. They trust us to be on the +side of decency. They trust us to do what's right. + +I use those words advisedly. A few days after the war began, I received a +telegram from Joanne Speicher, the wife of the first pilot killed in the +gulf, Lieutenant Commander Scott Speicher. Even in her grief, she wanted me +to know that some day, when her children were old enough, she would tell +them "that their father went away to war because it was the right thing to +do". She said it all. It was the right thing to do. + +And we did it together. There were honest differences here, in this +chamber. But when the war began, you put your partisanship aside and +supported our troops. This is still a time for pride, but this is no time +to boast. For problems face us, and we must stand together once again and +solve them--and not let our country down. + +Two years ago, I began planning cuts in military spending that reflected +the changes of the new era. But now, this year, with Imperial Communism +gone, that process can be accelerated. Tonight I can tell you of dramatic +changes in our strategic nuclear force. These are actions we are taking on +our own, because they are the right thing to do. + +After completing 20 planes for which we have begun procurement, we will +shut down production of the B-2 bomber. We will cancel the ICBM program. We +will cease production of new warheads for our sea-based missiles. We will +stop all production of the peacekeeper missile. And we will not purchase +any more advanced cruise missiles. + +This weekend I will meet at Camp David with Boris Yeltsin of the Russian +Federation. I have informed President Yeltsin that if the commonwealth, the +former Soviet Union, will eliminate all land-based multiple-warhead +ballistic missiles, I will do the following: We will eliminate all +Peacekeeper missiles. We will reduce the number of warheads on Minuteman +missiles to one and reduce the number of warheads on our sea-based missiles +by about one-third. And we will convert a substantial portion of our +strategic to primarily conventional use. + +President Yeltsin's early response has been very positive, and I expect our +talks at Camp David to be fruitful. I want you to know that for half a +century, American presidents have longed to make such decisions and say +such words. But even in the midst of celebration, we must keep caution as a +friend. For the world is still a dangerous place. Only the dead have seen +the end of conflict. And though yesterday's challenges are behind us, +tomorrow's are being born. + +The Secretary of defense recommended these cuts after consultation with the +joint chiefs of staff. And I make them with confidence. But do not +misunderstand me: The reductions I have approved will save us an additional +$50 billion over the next five years. By 1997 we will have cut defense by +30 percent since I took office. These cuts are deep, and you must know my +resolve: this deep, and no deeper. To do less would be insensible to +progress, but to do more would be ignorant of history. We must not go back +to the days of "the hollow army". We cannot repeat the mistakes made twice +in this century when armistice was followed by recklessness and defense was +purged as if the world was permanently safe. + +I remind you this evening that I have asked for your support in funding a +program to protect our country from limited nuclear missile attack. We must +have this protection because too many people in too many countries have +access to nuclear arms. There are those who say that now we can turn away +from the world, that we have no special role, no special place. But we are +the United States of America, the leader of the West that has become the +leader of the world. + +As long as I am President we will continue to lead in support of freedom +everywhere, not out of arrogance and not out of altruism, but for the +safety and security of our children. This is a fact: Strength in the +pursuit of peace is no vice; isolationism in the pursuit of security is no +virtue. + +Now to our troubles at home. They are not all economic, but the primary +problem is our economy. There are some good signs. Inflation, that thief, +is down, and interest rates are down. But unemployment is too high, some +industries are in trouble and growth is not what it should be. Let me tell +you right from the start and right from the heart: I know we're in hard +times, but I know something else: This will not stand. + +My friends in this chamber, we can bring the same courage and sense of +common purpose to the economy that we brought to Desert Storm. And we can +defeat hard times together. I believe you will help. One reason is that +you're patriots, and you want the best for your country. And I believe that +in your hearts you want to put partisanship aside and get the job done, +because it's the right thing to do. + +The power of America rests in a stirring but simple idea: that people will +do great things if only you set them free. Well, we're going to have to set +the economy free, for if this age of miracles and wonders has taught us +anything, it's that if we can change the world, we can change America. + +We must encourage investment. We must make it easier for people to invest +money and make new products, new industries, and new jobs. We must clear +away obstacles to new growth: high taxes, high regulation, red tape, and +yes, wasteful government spending. None of this will happen with a snap of +the fingers, but it will happen. And the test of a plan isn't whether it's +called new or dazzling. The American people aren't impressed by gimmicks. +They're smarter on this score than all of us in this room. The only test of +a plan is, It is sound and will it work? We must have a short-term plan to +address our immediate needs and heat up the economy. And then we need a +long-term plan to keep the combustion going and to guarantee our place in +the world economy. + +There are certain things that a president can do without Congress, and I am +going to do them. I have this evening asked major cabinet departments and +federal agencies to institute a 90-day moratorium on any new federal +regulations that could hinder growth. In those 90 days, major departments +and agencies will carry out a top-to-bottom review of all regulations, old +and new, to stop the ones that will hurt growth and speed up those that +will help growth. + +Further, for the untold number of hard-working, responsible American +workers and businessmen and women who've been forced to go without needed +bank loans, the banking credit crunch must end. I won't neglect my +responsibility for sound regulations that serve the public good, but +regulatory overkill must be stopped. And I have instructed our government +regulators to stop it. + +I have directed Cabinet departments and federal agencies to speed up +pro-growth expenditures as quickly as possible. This should put an extra +$10 billion into the economy in the next six months. And our new +transportation bill provides more than $150 billion for construction and +maintenance projects that are vital to our growth and well-being. That +means jobs building roads, jobs building bridges and jobs building +railways. And I have this evening directed the secretary of the Treasury to +change the federal tax withholding tables. With this change, millions of +Americans from whom the government withholds more than necessary can now +choose to have the government withhold less from their paychecks. Something +tells me a number of taxpayers may take us up on this one. This initiative +could return about $25 billion back into the economy over the next 12 +months, money people can use to help pay for clothing, college or a new +car. And finally, working with the Federal Reserve, we will continue to +support monetary policy that keeps both interest rates and inflation down. + +Now these are the things that I can do. And now, members of Congress, let +me tell you what you can do for your country. You must, you must pass the +other elements of my plan to meet our economic needs. Everyone knows +investment speeds recovery. And I am proposing this evening a change in the +alternative minimum tax, and the creation of a new 15% investment tax +allowance. This will encourage businesses to accelerate investment and +bring people back to work. Real estate has led our economy out of almost +all the tough times we've ever had. Once building starts, carpenters and +plumbers work, people buy homes and take out mortgages. + +My plan would modify the passive-loss rule for active real-estate +developers. And it would make it easier for pension plans to purchase real +estate. For those Americans who dream of buying a first home but who can't +quite afford it, my plan would allow first-time home buyers to withdraw +savings from IRAs without penalty and provide a $5000 tax credit for the +first purchase of that home. + +And finally, my immediate plan calls on Congress to give crucial help to +people who own a home, to every one who has a business, a farm or a single +investment. + +This time, at this hour, I cannot take "No" for an answer. You must cut the +capital gains tax on the people of this country. Never has an issue been so +demagogued by its opponents. But the demagogues are wrong. They are wrong, +and they know it. Sixty percent of people who benefit from lower capital +gains have incomes under $50,000. A cut in the capital gains tax increases +jobs and helps just about everyone in our country. And so I'm asking you to +cut the capital gains tax to a maximum of 15.4%. And I'll tell you, I'll +tell you, those of you who say, "Oh no, someone who's comfortable may +benefit from this" you kind of remind me of the old definition of the +Puritan, who couldn't sleep at night worrying that somehow someone +somewhere was out having a good time. + +The opponents of this measure and those who've authored various so-called +soak-the-rich bills that are floating around this chamber should be +reminded of something: When they aim at the big guy, they usually hit the +little guy. And maybe it's time that stopped. + +This then is my short-term plan. Your part, members of Congress, requires +enactment of these common-sense proposals that will have a strong effect on +the economy, without breaking the budget agreement and without raising tax +rates. And while my plan is being passed and kicking in, we've got to care +for those in trouble today. I have provided for up to $4.4 billion in my +budget to extend federal unemployment benefits, and I ask for Congressional +action right away. And I thank the committee--well, at last. And let's be +frank. Let's be frank; let me level with you. + +I know, and you know, that my plan is unveiled in a political season. I +know, and you know, that everything I propose will be viewed by some in +merely partisan terms. But I ask you to know what is in my heart. And my +aim is to increase our nation's good. And I'm doing what I think is right; +I'm proposing what I know will help. I pride myself that I'm a prudent man, +and I believe that patience is a virtue, but I understand politics is, for +some, a game and that sometimes the game is to stop all progress and then +decry the lack of improvement. But let me tell you, let me tell you, far +more important than my political future--and far more important than +yours--is the well-being of our country. And members of this chamber, +members of this chamber, are practical people, and I know you won't resent +some practical advice: When people put their party's fortunes, whatever the +party, whatever the side of this aisle, before the public good, they court +defeat not only for their country, but for themselves. And they will +certainly deserve it. + +And I submit my plan tomorrow. And I am asking you to pass it by March 20. +From the day after that--if it must be--the battle is joined. And you +know, when principle is at stake, I relish a good fair fight. + +I said my plan has two parts, and it does. And it's the second part that is +the heart of the matter. For it's not enough to get an immediate burst. We +need long-term improvement in our economic position. We all know that the +key to our economic future is to insure that America continues as the +economic leader of the world. We have that in our power. Here, then, is my +long-term plan to guarantee our future. + +First, trade: We will work to break down the walls that stop world trade. +We will work to open markets everywhere. And in our major trade +negotiations, I will continue pushing to eliminate tariffs and subsidies +that damage America's farmers and workers. And we'll get more good American +jobs within our own hemisphere through the North American Free Trade +Agreement, and through the Enterprise for the Americas Initiative. But +changes are here, and more are coming. The work place of the future will +demand more highly skilled workers than ever, people who are computer +literate, highly educated. + +And we must be the world's leader in education. And we must revolutionize +America's schools. My America 2000 strategy will help us reach that goal. +My plan will give parents more choice, give teachers more flexibility and +help communities create new American schools. Thirty states across the +nation have established America 2000 programs. Hundreds of cities and towns +have joined. Now Congress must join this great movement. Pass my proposals +for new American schools. + +That was my second long-term proposal. And here's my third: We must make +common-sense investments that will help us compete, long-term, in the +marketplace. We must encourage research and development. My plan is to make +the R and D tax credit permanent, and to provide record levels of support, +over $76 billion this year alone for people who explore the promise of +emerging technologies. + +And fourth, we must do something about crime and drugs. And it is time for +a major renewed investment in fighting violent street crime. Its saps our +strength and hurts our faith in our society, and in our future together. +Surely a tired woman on her way to work at six in the morning on a subway +deserves the right to get there safely. And surely, it's true that everyone +who changes his or her way of life because of crime--from those afraid to +go our at night to those afraid to walk in the parks they pay for--surely +those people have been denied a basic civil right. It is time to restore +it. Congress, pass my comprehensive crime bill. It is tough on criminals +and supportive of police, and it has been languishing in these hallowed +halls for years now. Pass it. Help your country. + +And fifth, I ask you tonight to fund our HOPE housing proposal and to pass +my enterprise-zone legislation, which will get businesses into the inner +city. We must empower the poor with the pride that comes from owning a +home, getting a job, becoming part of things. My plan would encourage real +estate construction by extending tax incentives for mortgage-revenue bonds +and low-income housing. And I ask tonight for record expenditures for the +program that helps children born into want move into excellence: Head +Start. + +Step six: We must reform our health care system for this too, bears on +whether or not we can compete in the world. American health costs have been +exploding. This year America will spend over $800 billion on health, and +that is expected to grow to $1.6 trillion by the end of the decade. We +simply cannot afford this. The cost of health care shows up not only in +your family budget, but in the price of everything we buy and everything we +sell. When health coverage for a fellow on the assembly line costs +thousands of dollars, the cost goes into the product he makes. And you pay +the bill. Now we must make a choice. + +Now some pretend we can have it both ways: they call it play or pay. But +that expensive approach is unstable. It will mean higher taxes, fewer jobs, +and eventually, a system under complete government control. Really, there +are only two options. And we can move toward a nationalized system, a +system which will restrict patient choice in picking a doctor and force the +government to ration services arbitrarily. And what we'll get is patients +in long lines, indifferent service and a huge new tax burden. Or we can +reform our own private health-care system, which still gives us, for all +its flaws, the best quality health care in the world. Well, let's build on +our strengths. + +My plan provides insurance security for all Americans while preserving and +increasing the idea of choice. We make basic health insurance affordable +for all low-income people not now covered. We do it by providing a +health-insurance tax credit of up to $3750 for each low-income family. The +middle class gets help, too. And by reforming the health insurance market, +my plan assures that Americans will have access to basic health insurance +even if they change jobs or develop serious health problem We must bring +costs under control, preserve quality, preserve choice and reduce people's +nagging daily worry about health insurance. My plan, the details of which I +will announce shortly, does just that. + +And seventh, we must get the federal deficit under control. We now have in +law, enforcable spending caps, and a requirement that we pay for the +programs we create. There are those in Congress who would ease that +discipline now. But I cannot let them do it. And I won't. My plan would +freeze all domestic discretionary budget authority which means "No more +next year than this year". I will not tamper with Social Security but I +would put real caps on the growth of uncontrolled spending. And I would +also freeze federal domestic government employment. And with the help of +Congress, my plan will get rid of 246 programs that don't deserve federal +funding. Some of them have noble titles, but none of them is indispensible. +We can get rid of each and every one of them. + +You know, it's time we rediscovered a home truth the American people have +never forgotten: the government is too big and spends too much. And I call +on Congress to adopt a measure that will help put an end to the annual +ritual of filling the budget with pork-barrel appropriations. Every year, +the press has a field day making fun of outrageous examples, a Lawrence +Welk Museum, a research grant for Belgian Endive. We all know how these +things get into the budget, and maybe you need someone to help you say no. +I know how to say it. And you know what I need to make it stick. Give me +the same thing 43 governors have--the line-item veto--and let me help +you control spending. + +We must put an end to unfinanced government mandates. These are the +requirements Congress puts on our cities, counties and states without +supplying the money. And if Congress passes a mandate, it should be forced +to pay for it and balance the cost with savings elsewhere. After all, a +mandate just increases someone else's tax burden, and that means higher +taxes at the state and local level. + +Step Eight: Congress should enact the bold reform proposals that are still +awaiting congressional action: bank reform, civil justice reform, tort +reform, and my national energy strategy. + +And finally, we must strengthen the family, because it is the family that +has the greatest bearing on our future. When Barbara holds an AIDS baby in +her arms and reads to children, she's saying to every person in this +country, "Family Matters". + +And I am announcing tonight a new commission on America's urban families. +I've asked Missouri's governor, John Ashcroft, to be chairman, former +Dallas Mayor Annetter Strauss to be co-chair. You know, I had Mayors, the +leading mayors from the League of Cities, in the other day at the White +House, and they told me something striking. They said that every one of +them, Republican and Democrat, agreed on one thing: That the major cause of +the problems of the cities is the dissolution of the family. And they asked +for this commission, and they were right to ask, because it's time to +determine what we can do to keep families together, strong and sound. + +There's one thing we can do right away: Ease the burden of rearing a child. +I ask you tonight to raise the personal exemption by $500 per child for +every family. For a family with four kids, that's an increase of $2000. +This is a good start in the right direction, and it's what we can afford. +It's time to allow families to deduct the interest they pay on student +loans. And I'm asking you to do just that. And I'm asking you to allow +people to use money from their IRAs to pay medical and educational +expenses, all without penalties. And I'm asking for more. Ask American +parents what they dislike about how things are going in our country, and +chances are good that pretty soon they'll get to welfare. + +Americans are the most generous people on Earth. But we have to go back to +the insight of Franklin Roosevelt who, when he spoke of what became the +welfare program, want that it must not become a narcotic and a subtle +destroyer of the spirit. Welfare was never meant to be a life style. It was +never meant to be a habit. It was never supposed to be passed on from +generation to generation like a legacy. It's time to replace the +assumptions of the welfare state and help reform the welfare system. + +States throughout the country are beginning to operate with new +assumptions: that when able-bodied people receive government assistance +they have responsibilities to the taxpayer. A responsibility to seek work, +education, or job training. A responsibility to get their lives in order. A +responsibility to hold their families together and refrain from having +children out of wedlock. And a responsibility to obey the law. We are going +to help this movement. Often, state reform requires waiving certain federal +regulations. I will act to make that process easier and quicker for every +state that asks our help. And I want to add, as we make these changes, we +work together to improve this system, that our intention is not +scapegoating and finger-pointing. If you read the papers or watch TV you +know there's been a rise these days in a certain kind of ugliness: racist +comments, anti-Semitism, an increased sense of division. Really, this is +not us. This is not who we are. And this is not acceptable. + +And so you have my plan for America. And I am asking for big things, but I +believe in my heart you will do what's right. + +And you know, it's kind of an American tradition to show a certain +skepticism toward our democratic institutions. I myself have sometimes +thought the aging process could be delayed if it had to make its way +through Congress. But you will deliberate, and you will discuss, and that +is fine. But my friends the people cannot wait. They need help now. And +there's a mood among us. People are worried. There has been talk of +decline. Someone even said our workers are lazy and uninspired. And I +thought, "Really? Go tell Neil Armstrong standing on the moon. Tell the +American farmer who feeds his country and the world. Tell the men and women +of Desert Storm." Moods come and go, but greatness endures. Our does. + +And maybe for a moment it's good to remember what, in the dailyness of our +lives, we forget. We are still and ever the freest nation on Earth, the +kindest nation on Earth, the strongest nation on Earth. And we have always +risen to the occasion. And we are going to lift this nation out of hard +times inch by inch and day by day, and those who would stop us better step +aside. Because I look at hard times and I make this vow: This will not +stand. And so we move on, together, a rising nation, the once and future +miracle that is still, this night, the hope of the world. + + + + + + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of State of the Union Addresses of George +H.W. Bush, by George H.W. Bush + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK STATE OF THE UNION ADDRESSES *** + +***** This file should be named 5047.txt or 5047.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/5/0/4/5047/ + +Produced by James Linden. 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BUSH *** + + + + +This eBook was produced by James Linden. + +The addresses are separated by three asterisks: *** + +Dates of addresses by George H.W. Bush in this eBook: + January 31, 1990 + January 29, 1991 + January 28, 1992 + + + +*** + +State of the Union Address +George H.W. Bush +January 31, 1990 + +Tonight, I come not to speak about the "State of the Government", not to +detail every new initiative we plan for the coming year, nor describe every +line in the budget. I'm here to speak to you and to the American people +about the State of the Union about our world, the changes we've seen, the +challenges we face. And what that means for America. + +There are singular moments in history, dates that divide all that goes +before from all that comes after. And many of us in this chamber have lived +much of our lives in a world whose fundamental features were defined in +1945. And the events of that year decreed the shape of nations, the pace of +progress, freedom or oppression for millions of people around the world. + +Nineteen Forty-Five provided the common frame of reference the compass +points of the postwar era we've relied upon to understand ourselves. And +that was our world until now. The events of the year just ended, the +Revolution of '89, have been a chain reaction, changes so striking that it +marks the beginning of a new era in the world's affairs. + +Think back think back just twelve short months ago to the world we knew as +1989 began. + +One year, one year ago the people of Panama lived in fear under the thumb +of a dictator. Today democracy is restored. Panama is free. + +"Operation Just Cause" has achieved its objective. And the number of +military personell in Panama is now very close to what it was before the +operation began. And tonight I am announcing that before the end of +February the additional numbers of American troops, the brave men and women +of our armed forces who made this mission a success, will be back home. + +A year ago in Poland, Lech Walesa declared he was ready to open a dialogue +with the Communist rulers of that country. And today, with the future of a +free Poland in their own hands, members of Solidarity lead the Polish +government. + +And a year ago, freedom's playwright, Vaclav Havel, languished as a +prisoner in Prague. And today it's Vaclav Havel, President of +Czechoslovakia. + +And one year ago Erich Honecker of East Germany claimed history as his +guide. He predicted the Berlin Wall would last another hundred years. And +today, less than one year later, it's the wall that's history. + +Remarkable events, remarkable events, events that fulfill the long-held +hopes of the American people. Events that validate the longstanding goals +of American policy, a policy based upon a single shining principle: the +cause of freedom. + +America, not just the nation, but an idea alive in the minds of the people, +everywhere. As this new world takes shape, America stands at the center of +a widening circle of freedom, today, tomorrow and into the next century. + +Our nation is the enduring dream of every immigrant who ever set foot on +these shores, and the millions still struggling to be free. This nation, +this idea callled America was and always will be a new world, our new +world. + +At a workers' rally in a place called Branik on the outskirts of Prague the +idea called America is alive. A worker, dressed in grimy overalls, rises to +speak at the factory gates. And he begins his speech to his fellow citizens +with these words, words of a distant revolution: "We hold these truths to +be self-evident. That all men are created equal, that they are endowed by +their creator with certain unalienable rights, and that among these are +life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness."It's no secret here at home +freedom's door opened long ago. The cornerstones of this free society have +already been set in place: democracy, competition, opportunity, private +investment, stewardship, and of course, leadership. + +And our challenge today is to take this democratic system of ours, a system +second to none, and make it better: + +A better America where there's a job for whoever wants one; + +Where women working outside the home can be confident their childeren are +in safe and loving care, and where Government works to expand child +alternatives for parents. + +Where we reconcile the needs of a clean environment and a strong economy. + +Where "Made in the USA" is recognized around the world as the symbol of +quality and progress, + +And where every one of us enjoys the same opportunities to live, to work +and to contribute to society. And where, for the first time, the American +mainstream includes all of our disabled citizens. + +Where everyone has a roof over his head, and where the homeless get the +help they need to live in dignity. + +Where our schools challenge and support our kids and our teachers, and +every one of them makes the grade, + +Where every street, every city, every school and every child is drug-free. + +And finally, and finally, where no American is forgotten. Our hearts go out +to our hostages, our hostages who are ceaselessly in our minds and in our +efforts.That's part of the future we want to see, the future we can make +for ourselves. But dreams alone won't get us there. We need to extend our +horizon, to commit to the long view. And our mission for the future starts +today. + +In the tough competitive markets around the world, America faces the great +challenges and great opportunities. And we know that we can succeed in the +global economic arena of the 90's. But to meet that challenge we must make +some fundamental changes, some crucial investments in ourselves. + +Yes, we are going to invest in America. This Administration is determined +to encourage the creation of capital, capital of all kinds. Physical +capital: everything from our farms and factories to our workshops and +production lines, all that is needed to produce and deliver quality goods +and quality services. Intellectual, intellectual capital: the source of +ideas that spark tomorrow's products. And of course human capital: the +talented work force that we'll need to compete in the global market. + +And let me tell you, if we ignore human capital, if we lose the spirit of +American ingenuity, the sprit that is the hallmark of the AMERICAN worker, +that would be bad. The American worker is the most productive worker in the +world. + +We need to save more. We need to expand the pool of capital for new +investments that mean more jobs and more growth. And that's the idea behind +the new initiative I call the Family Savings Plan, which I will send to +Congress tomorrow. + +We need to cut the tax on capital gains, encourage, encourage risk-takers, +especially those in small businesses, to take those steps that translate +into economic reward, jobs, and a better life for all of us. + +We'll do what it takes to invest in America's future. The budget commitment +is there. The money is there. It's there for research and development, R +and D, a record high. It's there for our housing initiative, hope, H-O-P-E, +to help everyone from first-time homebuyers to the homeless. The money's +there to keep our kids drug-free, 70 percent more than when I took office +in 1989. It's there for space exploration, and its there for education, +another record high. + +And one more, and one more thing. Last fall at the education summit, the +governors and I agreed to look for ways to help make sure that our kids are +ready to learn the very first day they walk into the classroom. And I've +made good on that commitment by proposing a record increase in funds, an +extra half billion dollars, for something near and dear to all of us: Head +Start. + +Education is the one investment that means more for our future, because it +means the most for our children. Real improvement in our schools is not +simply a matter of spending more. It's a matter of asking more, expecting +more, of our schools, our teachers, of our kids, of our parents and of +ourselves. And that's why tonight, and that's why tonight, I am announcing +America's education goals, goals developed with enormous cooperation from +the nation's governors. And if I might I'd like to say I'm very pleased +that Governor Gardner and Governor Clinton, Governor Branstad, Governor +Campbell, all of whom were very key in these discussion, these +deliberations, are with us here tonight. + +By the, by the year 2000, every child must start school ready to learn. The +United States must increase the high school graduation rate to no less than +90 percent. And we are going to make sure our schools' diplomas mean +something. In critical subjects, at the fourth, eighth, and 12th grades, we +must assess our students' performance. + +By the, by the year 2000 U.S. students must be the first in the world in +math and science achievement. Every American adult must be a skilled, +literate worker and citizen. Every school must offer the kind of +disciplined envorionment that makes it possible for our kids to learn. And +every school in America must be drug-free. + +Ambitious aims? Of course. Easy to do? Far from it. But the future's at +stake. The nation will not accept anything less than excellence in +education. + +These investments will help keep America competitive. And I know this about +the American people: we welcome competition. We'll match our ingenuity, our +energy, our experience, and technology our spirit and enterprise against +anyone. But let the competition be free, but let it also be fair. America +is ready. + +Since we really mean it, and since we're serious about being ready to meet +our challenge, we're getting our own house in order. We have made real +progress. Seven years ago, the Federal deficit was 6 percent of our gross +national product, 6 percent. In the new budget I sent up two days ago the +deficit is down to 1 percent of GNP. + +That budget brings Federal spending under control. It meets the +Gramm-Rudman target. It brings the deficit down further. And balances the +budget by 1993, with no new taxes. + +And let me tell you, there's still more than enough Federal spending. For +most of us, $1.2 trillion is still a lot of money. + +And once the budget is balanced, we can operate the way every family must +when it has bills to pay. We won't leave it to our children and +grandchildren. Once it's balanced, we will start paying off the national +debt. + +And there's something more, and there's something more we owe the +generations of the future: stewardship, the safekeeping of America's +precious environmental inheritance. + +As just one sign of how serious we are, we will elevate the Environmental +Protection Agency to Cabinet rank. Not, not more bureaucracy, not more red +tape, but the certainty that here at home, and especially in our dealings +with other nations, environmental issues have the status they deserve. + +This year's budget provides over $2 billion in new spending to protect our +environment, with over $1 billion for global change research, and a new +intiative I call America the Beautiful to expand our national parks and +wildlife preserves and improve recreational facilities on public lands. + +And something else, something that will help keep this country clean, from +our forest land to the inner cities, and keep America beautiful for +generations to come, the money to plant a billion trees a year. + +And tonight, and tonight let me say again to all the members of the +Congress, the American people did not send us here to bicker. There is work +to do, and they sent us here to get it done. And once again, in the spirit +of cooperation I offer my hand to all of you. And let's work together to do +the will of the people---clean air, child care, the educational excellence +act, crime and drugs. It's time to act. The farm bill, transportation +policy, product liability reform, enterprise zones. It's time to act +together. + +And there's one thing I hope we can agree on. It's about our commitments. +And I'm talking about Social Security. + +To every American out there on Social Security, to every, every American +supporting that system today, and to everyone counting on it when they +retire, we made a promise to you, and we are going to keep it. + +We, we rescued the system in 1983 and it's sound again, bipartisan +arrangement. Our budget fully funds today's benefits and it asssures that +future benefits will be funded as well. And the last thing we need to do is +mess around with Social Security. + +There's one more problem we need to address. We must give careful +consideration to the recommendations of the health care studies under way +now. And that's why tonight, I am asking Dr. Sullivan, Lou Sullivan, +Secretary of Health and Human Services, to lead a Domestic Policy Council +review of recommendations on the quality, accessibility and cost of our +nation's health care system. I am committed to bring the staggering costs +of health care under control. + +The State of the Government does indeed depend on many of us in this very +chamber. But the State of the Union depends on all Americans. We must +maintain the democratic decency that makes a nation out of millions of +individuals. And I've been appalled at the recent mail bombings across this +country. Every one of us must confront and condemn racism, anti-Semitism, +bigotry and hate. Not next week, not tomorrow, but right now. Every single +one of us. + +The State of the Union depends on whether we help our neighbor, claim the +problems of our community as our own. We've got to step forward when +there's trouble, lend a hand, be what I call a point of light to a stranger +in need. We've got to take the time after a busy day to sit down and read +with our kids, help them with their homework, pass along the values we had +as children. And that's how we sustain the State of the Union. + +Every effort is important. It all adds up. It's doing the things that give +democracy meaning. It all adds up to who we are and who we will be. + +And let me say, that so long as we remember the American idea, so long as +we live up to the American ideal, the State of the Union will remain sound +and strong. + +And to those who worry that we've lost our way, well, I want you to listen +to parts of a letter written by James Markwell, Pvt. 1st Class James +Markwell, a 20-year-old Army medic to the First Battalion, 75th Rangers. +It's dated Dec. 18, the day before our armed forces went into action in +Panama. It's a letter servicemen write--and hope will never, ever be sent. +And sadly, Private Markwell's mother did receive this letter. She passed it +on to me out there in Cincinnati. + +And here is some of what he wrote: "I've never been afraid of death, but I +know he is waiting at the corner...I've been trained to kill and to save, +and so has everyone else. I am frightened of what lays beyond the fog, and +yet... do not mourn for me. Revel in the life that I have died to give +you... But most of all, don't forget that the Army was my choice. Something +that I wanted to do. Remember I joined the Army to serve my country and +inure that you are free to do what you want and to live your lives +freely." + +Let me add that Private Markwell was among the first to see battle in +Panama, and among the first to fall. But he knew what he believed in. He +carried the idea we call America in his heart. + +I began tonight speaking about the changes we've seen this past year. There +is a new world of challenges and opportunities before us. And there is a +need for leadership that only America can provide. + +Nearly 40 years ago, in his last address to the Congress, President Harry +Truman predicted such a time would come. He said, "As our world grows +stronger, more united, more attractive to men on both sides of the Iron +Curtain, then inevitably there will come a time of change within the +Communist world."Today, that change is taking place. + +For more than 40 years, America and its allies held Communism in check and +insured that democracy would continue to exist. And today, with Communism +crumbling, our aim must be to insure democracy's advance, to take the lead +in forging peace and freedom's best hope, a great and growing commonwealth +of free nations. + +And to the Congres and to all Americans, I say it is time to acclaim a new +consensus at home and abroad, a common vision of the peaceful world we want +to see. + +Here in our own hemisphere it is time for all the people of the Americas, +North and South, to live in freedom. + +In the Far East and Africa, it's time for the full flowering of free +governments and free markets that have served the engine of progress. + +It is time to offer our hand to the emerging democracies of Eastern Europe +so that continent, for too long a continent divided, can see a future whole +and free. + +It's time to build on our new relationship with the Soviet Union, to +endorse and encourage a peaceful process of internal change toward +democracy and economic opportunity. + +We are in a period of great transition, great hope, and yet great +uncertainty. We recognize that the Soviet military threat in Europe is +diminishing, but we see little change in Soviet strategic modernization. +And, therefore, we must sustain our own strategic offense modernization and +the Strategic Defense Initiative. + +But the time is right to move forward on a conventional arms control +agreement to move us to more appropriate levels of military forces in +Europe, a coherent defense program that insures the U.S. will continue to +be a catalyst for peaceful change in Europe. And I've consulted with +leaders of NATO. In fact I spoke by phone with President Gorbachev just +today. + +And I agree with our European allies that an American military presence in +Europe is essential and that it should not be solely tied to the Soviet +military presence in Eastern Europe. + +But our troop levels can still be lower. And so tonight I am announcing a +major new step for a further reduction in U.S. and Soviet manpower in +Central and Eastern Europe to 195,000 on each side. + +This number, this number, this level, reflects the advice of our senior +military advisers. It's designed to protect American and European interests +and sustain NATO's defense strategy. A swift conclusion to our arms control +talks--conventional, chemical and strategic--- must now be our goal. And +that time has come. + +Still, we must recognize an unfortunate fact: in many regions of the world +tonight the reality is conflict, not peace. Enduring animosities and +opposing interests remain. And thus the cause of peace must be served by an +America strong enough and sure enough to defend our interests and our +ideals. It's this American idea that for the past four decades helped +inspire the Revolution of '89. + +And here at home, and in the world, there is history in the making, and +history to be made. Six months ago, early in this season of change, I stood +at the gates of the Gdansk shipyard in Poland at the monument to the fallen +workers of Solidarity. It's a monument of simple majesty. Three tall +crosses rise up from the stones, and atop each cross, an anchor, an ancient +symbol of hope. + +The anchor in our world today is freedom. Holding us steady in times of +change, a symbol of hope to all the world. And freedom is at the very heart +of the idea that is America. Giving life to the idea depends on every one +of us. Our anchor has always been faith and family. + +In the last few days of this past monumentous year, our family was blessed +once more, celebrating the joy of life when a little boy became our 12th +grandchild. When I held the little guy fo the first time, the troubles at +home and abroad seemed manageable, and totally in perspective. + +And now I know, I know you're probably thinking, Well, that's just a +grandfather talking. + +Well, maybe you're right. But I've met a lot of children this past year +across this country, as all of you have. Everywhere from the Far East to +Eastern Europe. All kids are unique. Yet, all kids are alike. The budding +young environmentalist I met this month, who joined me in exploring the +Florida Everglades. The Little Leaguers I played catch with in Poland, +ready to go from Warsaw to the World Series. And even the kids who are ill +or alone-- and God bless those boarder babies, born addicted to drugs and +AIDS -- coping with problems no child should have to face. But, you know, +when it comes to hope and the future, every kid is the same: full of +dreams, ready to take on the world, all special because they are the very +future of freedom. And to them belongs this new world I've been speaking +about. + +And so tonight, I'm going to ask something of every one of you. Now let me +start with my generation, with the grandparents out there. You are our +living link with the past. Tell your grandchildren the story of struggles +waged at home and abroad, of sacrifices freely made for freedom's sake. And +tell them your own story as well, because every American has a story to +tell. + +And parents, your children look to you for direction and guidance. Tell +them of faith and family. Tell them we are one nation under God. Teach them +that of all the many gifts they can receive, liberty is their most precious +legacy. And of all the gifts they can give, the greatest, the greatest is +helping others. + +And to the children and young people out there tonight, with you rests our +hope, all that America will mean in the years and decades ahead. Fix your +vision on a new century, your century, on dreams we cannot see, on the +destiny that is yours and yours alone. + +And finally, let all Americans, all of us here in this chamber, the +symbolic center of democracy, affirm our allegience to this idea we call +America. And let us remember that the State of the Union depends upon each +and every one of us. + +God bless all of you. And may God bless this great nation, the United +States of America. + +*** + +State of the Union Address +George H.W. Bush +January 29, 1991 + +Mr. President, Mr. Speaker, members of the United States Congress. + +I come to this house of the people to speak to you and all Americans, +certain we stand at a defining hour. + +Halfway around the world, we are engaged in a great struggle in the skies +and on the seas and sands. We know why we're there. We are Americans - part +of something larger than ourselves. + +For two centuries we've done the hard work of freedom. And tonight we lead +the world in facing down a threat to decency and humanity. + +What is at stake is more than one small country, it is a big idea - a new +world order, where diverse nations are drawn together in common cause to +achieve the universal aspirations of mankind: peace and security, freedom, +and the rule of law. Such is a world worthy of our struggle, and worthy of +our children's future. + +The community of nations has resolutely gathered to condemn and repel +lawless aggression. Saddam Hussein's unprovoked invasion - his ruthless, +systematic rape of a peaceful neighbor - violated everything the community +of nations holds dear. The world has said this aggression would not stand, +and it will not stand. + +Together, we have resisted the trap of appeasement, cynicism and isolation +that gives temptation to tyrants. The world has answered Saddam's invasion +with 12 United Nations resolutions, starting with a demand for Iraq's +immediate and unconditional withdrawal, and backed up by forces from 28 +countries of six continents. With few exceptions, the world now stands as +one. + +The end of the cold war has been a victory for all humanity. A year and a +half ago, in Germany, I said our goal was a Europe whole and free. Tonight, +Germany is united. Europe has become whole and free, and America's +leadership was instrumental in making it possible. + +The principle that has guided us is simple: our objective is to help the +Baltic peoples achieve their aspirations, not to punish the Soviet Union. +In our recent discussions with the Soviet leadership we have been given +representations, which, if fulfilled, would result in the withdrawal of +some Soviet forces, a re-opening of dialogue with the republics, and a move +away from violence. + +We will watch carefully as the situation develops. And we will maintain our +contact with the Soviet leadership to encourage continued commitment to +democratization and reform. + +If it is possible, I want to continue to build a lasting basis for +U.S.-Soviet cooperation, for a more peaceful future for all mankind. + +The triumph of democratic ideas in Eastern Europe and Latin America, and +the continuing struggle for freedom elsewhere around the world all confirm +the wisdom of our nation's founders. + +Tonight, we work to achieve another victory, a victory over tyranny and +savage aggression. + +We in this Union enter the last decade of the 20th Century thankful for all +our blessings, steadfast in our purpose, aware of our difficulties and +responsive to our duties at home and around the world. + +For two centuries, America has served the world as an inspiring example of +freedom and democracy. For generations, America has led the struggle to +preserve and extend the blessings of liberty. And today, in a rapidly +changing world, American leadership is indispensable. Americans know that +leadership brings burdens, and requires sacrifice. + +But we also know why the hopes of humanity turn to us. We are Americans; we +have a unique responsibility to do the hard work of freedom. And when we +do, freedom works. + +The conviction and courage we see in the Persian Gulf today is simply the +American character in action. The indomitable spirit that is contributing +to this victory for world peace and justice is the same spirit that gives +us the power and the potential to meet our challenges at home. + +We are resolute and resourceful. If we can selflessly confront evil for the +sake of good in a land so far away, then surely we can make this land all +it should be. + +If anyone tells you America's best days are behind her, they're looking the +wrong way. + +Tonight, I come before this house, and the American people, with an appeal +for renewal. This is not merely a call for new government initiatives, it +is a call for new initiative in government, in our communities, and from +every American - to prepare for the next American century. + +America has always led by example. So who among us will set this example? +Which of our citizens will lead us in this next American century? Everyone +who steps forward today, to get one addict off drugs; to convince one +troubled teen-ager not to give up on life; to comfort one AIDS patient; to +help one hungry child. + +We have within our reach the promise of renewed America. We can find +meaning and reward by serving some purpose higher than ourselves - a +shining purpose, the illumination of a thousand points of light. It is +expressed by all who know the irresistible force of a child's hand, of a +friend who stands by you and stays there - a volunteer's generous gesture, +an idea that is simply right. + +The problems before us may be different, but the key to solving them +remains the same: it is the individual - the individual who steps forward. +And the state of our Union is the union of each of us, one to the other: +the sum of our friendships, marriages, families and communities. + +We all have something to give. So if you know how to read, find someone who +can't. If you've got a hammer, find a nail. If you're not hungry, not +lonely, not in trouble - seek out someone who is. + +Join the community of conscience. Do the hard work of freedom. That will +define the state of our Union. + +Since the birth of our nation, "we the people" has been the source of our +strength. What government can do alone is limited, but the potential of the +American people knows no limits. + +We are a nation of rock-solid realism and clear-eyed idealism. We are +Americans. We are the nation that believes in the future. We are the nation +that can shape the future. + +And we've begun to do just that, by strengthening the power and choice of +individuals and families. + +Together, these last two years, we've put dollars for child care directly +in the hands of patients instead of bureaucracies, unshackled the potential +of Americans with diabilities, applied the creativity of the marketplace in +the service of the environment, for clean air, and made homeownership +possible for more Americans. + +The strength of a democracy is not in bureaucracy, it is in the people and +their communities. In everything we do, let us unleash the potential of our +most precious resource - our citizens. We must return to families, +communities, counties, cities, states and institutions of every kind, the +power to chart their own destiny, and the freedom and opportunity provided +by strong economic growth. That's what America is all about. + +I know, tonight, in some regions of our country, people are in genuine +economic distress. I hear them. + +Earlier this month Kathy Blackwell of Massachusetts wrote me about what can +happen when the economy slows down, saying, "My heart is aching, and I +think that you should know - your people out here are hurting badly." + +I understand. And I'm not unrealistic about the future. But there are +reasons to be optimistic about our economy. + +First, we don't have to fight double-digit inflation. Second, most +industries won't have to make big cuts in production because they don't +have big inventories piled up. And third, our exports are running solid and +strong. In fact, American businesses are exporting at a record rate. + +So let's put these times in perspective. Together, since 1981, we've +created almost 20 million jobs, cut inflation in half and cut interest +rates in half. + +Yes, the largest peacetime economic expansion in history has been +temporarily interrupted. But our economy is still over twice as large as +our closest competitor. + +We will get this recession behind us and return to growth soon. We will get +on our way to a new record of expansion, and achieve the competitive +strength that will carry us into the next American century. + +We should focus our efforts today on encouraging economic growth, investing +in the future and giving power and opportunity to the individual. + +We must begin with control of Federal spending. That's why I'm submitting a +budget that holds the growth in spending to less than the rate of +inflation. And that's why, amid all the sound and fury of last year's +budget debate, we put into law new, enforceable spending caps so that +future spending debates will mean a battle of ideas, not a bidding war. + +Though controversial, the budget agreement finally put the Federal +Government on a pay-as-you-go basis, and cut the growth of debt by nearly +$500 billion. And that frees funds for saving and job-creating investment. + +Now, let's do more. My budget again includes tax-free family savings +accounts; penalty-free withdrawals from I. R. A.'s for first-time +homebuyers; and, to increase jobs and growth, a reduced tax for long-term +capital gains. + +I know their are differences among us about the impact and the effects of a +capital gains incentive. So tonight I am aking the Congressional leaders +and the Federal Reserve to cooperate with us in a study, led by Chairman +Alan Greenspan, to sort out our technical differences so that we can avoid +a return to unproductive partisan bickering. + +But just as our efforts will bring economic growth now and in the future, +they must also be matched by long-term investments for the next American +century. + +That requires a forward-looking plan of action, and that's exactly what we +will be sending to the Congress. We have prepared a detailed series of +proposals, that include: A budget that promotes investment in America's +future - in children, education, infrastructure, space and high technology. +Legislation to achieve excellence in education, building on the partnership +forged with the 50 governors at the education summit, enabling parents to +choose their children's schools and helping to make America No. 1 in math +and science. A blueprint for a new national highway system, a critical +investment in our transportation infrastructure. A research and development +agenda that includes record levels of Federal investment and a permanent +tax credit to strengthen private R and D and create jobs. A comprehensive +national energy strategy that calls for energy conservation and efficiency, +increased development and greater use of alternative fuels. A banking +reform plan to bring America's financial system into the 21st Century, so +that our banks remain safe and secure and can continue to make job-creating +loans for our factories, businesses, and homebuyers. I do think there has +been too much pessimism. Sound banks should be making more sound loans, +now. And interest rates should be lower, now. In addition to these +proposals, we must recognize that our economic strength depends upon being +competitive in world markets. We must continue to expand America's exports. +A successful Uruguay Round of world trade negotiations will create more +real jobs, and more real growth, for all nations. You and I know that if +the playing field is level, America's workers and farmers can outwork and +outproduce anyone, anytime, anywhere. + +And with the Mexican free trade agreement and our Enterprise for the +Americas Initiative we can help our partners strengthen their economies and +move toward a free trade zone throughout this entire hemisphere. + +The budget also includes a plan of action right here at home to put more +power and opportunity in the hands of the individual. That means new +incentives to create jobs in our inner cities by encouraging investment +through enterprise zones. It also means tenant control and ownership of +public housing. Freedom and the power to choose should not be the privilege +of wealth. They are the birthright of every American. + +Civil rights are also crucial to protecting equal opportunity. Every one of +us has a responsibility to speak out against racism, bigotry, and hate. We +wil continue our vigorous enforcement of existing statutes, and I will once +again press the Congress to strengthen the laws against employment +discrimination without resorting to the use of unfair preferences. + +We're determined to protect another fundamental civil right: freedom from +crime and the fear that stalks our cities. The Attorney General will soon +convene a crime summit of the nation's law-enforcement officials. And to +help us support them we need a tough crime control legislation, and we need +it now. + +As we fight crime, we will fully implement our nation strategy for +combatting drug abuse. Recent data show we are making progress, but much +remains to be done. We will not rest until the day of the dealer is over, +forever. + +Good health care is every American's right and every American's +responsibility. So we are proposing an aggression program of new prevention +initiatives - for infants, for children, for adults, and for the elderly - +to promote a healthier America and to help keep costs from spiraling. + +It's time to give people more choice in government by reviving the ideal of +the citizen politician who comes not to stay, but to serve. One of the +reasons there is so much support for term limitations is that the American +people are increasingly concerned about big-money influenece in politics. +We must look beyond the next election, to the next generation. The time has +come to put the national interest ahead of the special interest - and +totally eliminate political action committees. + +That would truly put more competition in elections and more power in the +hands of individuals. And where power cannot be put directly into the hands +of the individual, it should be moved closer to the people - away from +Washington. + +The federal government too often treats government programs as if they are +of Washington, by Washington, and for Washington. Once established, federal +programs seem to become immortal. + +It's time for a more dynamic program life cycle. Some programs should +increase. Some should decrease. Some should be terminated. And some should +be consolidated and turned over to the states. + +My budget includes a list of programs for potential turnover totaling more +than $20 billion. Working with Congress and the governors, I propose we +select at least $15 billion in such programs and turn them over to the +states in a single consolidated grant, fully funded, for flexible +management by the states. + +The value fo this turnover approach is straightforward. It allows the +Federal Government to reduce overhead. It allows states to manage more +flexibly and more efficiently. It moves power and decision-making closer to +the people. And it re-enforces a theme of this Administration: appreciation +and encouragement of the innovative power of " states as laboratories." + +This nation was founded by leaders who understood that power belongs in the +hands of the people. They planned for the future. And so must we - here and +around the world. + +As Americans, we know there are times when we must step forward and accept +our responsibility to lead the world away from the dark chaos of dictators, +toward the bright promise of a better day. + +Almost 50 years ago, we began a long struggle against aggressive +totalitarianism. Now we face another defining hour for America and the +world. + +There is no one more devoted, more committed to the hard work of freedom, +than every soldier and sailor, every marine, airman and coastguardsman - +every man and every woman now serving in the Persian Gulf. + +Each of them has volunteered to provide for this nation's defense. And now +they bravely struggle to earn for America and for the world and for future +generations, a just and lasting peace. + +Our commitment to them must be equal of their commitment to our country. +They are truly America's finest. + +The war in the gulf is not a war we wanted. We worked hard to avoid war. +For more than five months we, along with the Arab League, the European +Community and the United Nations, tried every diplomatic avenue. U.N. +Secretary General Perez de Cuellar; Presidents Gorbachev, Mitterand, Ozal, +Mubarak, and Bendjedid; Kings Fahd and Hassan; Prime Minsters Major and +Andreotti - just to name a few - all worked for a solution. But time and +again Saddam Hussein flatly rejected the path of diplomacy and peace. + +The world well knows how this conflict began, and when: it began on August +2nd, when Saddam invaded and sacked a small, defenseless neighbor. And I am +certain of how it will end. So that peace can prevail, we will prevail. + +Tonight I'm pleased to report that we are on course. Iraq's capacity to +sustain war is being destroyed. Our investment, our training, our planning +- all are paying off. Time will not be Saddam's salvation. + +Our purpose in the Persian Gulf remains constant: to drive Iraq out from +Kuwait, to restore Kuwait's legitimate government, and to insure the +stability and security of this critical region. + +Let me make clear what I mean by the region's stability and security. We do +not seek the destruction of Iraq, its culture or its people. Rather, we +seek an Iraq that uses its great resources not to destroy, not to serve the +ambitions of a tyrant, but to build a better life for itself and its +neighbors. We seek a Persian Gulf where conflict is no longer the rule, +where the strong are neither tempted nor able to intimidate the weak. + +Most Americans know instinctively why we are in the Gulf. They know we had +to stop Saddam now, not later. They know this brutal dictator will do +anything, will use any weapon, will commit any outrage, no matter how many +innocents must suffer. + +They know we must make sure that control of the world's oil resources does +not fall into his hands only to finance further aggression. They know that +we need to build a new, enduring peace - based not on arms races and +confrontation, but on shared principles and the rule of law. + +And we all realize that our responsibility to be the catalyst for peace in +the region does not end with the successful conclusion of this war. + +Democracy brings the undeniable value of thoughtful dissent, and we have +heard some dissenting voices here at home, some reckless, most responsible. +But the fact the all the voices have the right to speak out is one of the +reasons we've been united in principle and purpose for 200 years. + +Our progress in this great struggle is the result of years of vigilance and +a steadfast commitment to a strong defense. Now, with remarkable +technological advances like the Patriot missile, we can defend the +ballistic missile attacks aimed at innocent civilians. + +Looking forward, I have directed that the S.D.I. program be refocused on +providing protection from limited ballistic missile strikes, whatever their +source. Let us pursue an S.D.I. program that can deal with any future +threat to the United States, to our forces overseas and to our friends and +allies. + +The quality of American technology, thanks to the American worker, has +enabled us to successfully deal with difficult military conditions, and +help minimize the loss of life. We have given our men and women the very +best. And they deserve it. + +We all have a special place in our hearts for the families of men and women +serving in the Gulf. They are represented here tonight, by Mrs. Norman +Schwarzkopf, and to all those serving with him. And to the families, let me +say, our forces in the gulf will not stay there one day longer than is +necessary to complete their mission. + +The courage and success of the R.A.F. pilots - of the Kuwaiti, Saudi, +French, Canadians, Italians, the pilots of Qatar and Bahrain - all are +proof that for the first time since World War II, the international +community is united. The leadership of the United Nations, once only a +hoped-for ideal, is now confirming its founders' vision. + +I am heartened that we are not being asked to bear alone the financial +burden of this struggle. Last year, our friends and allies provided the +bulk of the economic costs of Desert Shield, and having now received +commitments of over $40 billion for the first three months of 1991, I am +confident they will do no less as we move through Desert Storm. + +But the world has to wonder what the dictator of Iraq is thinking. If he +thinks that by targeting innocent civilians in Israel and Saudi Arabia, +that he will gain an advantage - he is dead wrong. If he thinks that he +will advance his cause through tragic and despicable environmental +terrorism - he is dead wrong. And if he thinks that by abusing coalition +P.O.W.s, he will benefit - he is dead wrong. + +We will succeed in the Gulf. And when we do, the world community will have +sent an enduring warning to any dictator or despot, present or future, who +contemplates outlaw aggression. + +The world can therefore seize this opportunity to fufill the long-held +promise of a new world order - where brutality will go unrewarded, and +aggression will meet collective resistance. + +Yes, the United States bears a major share of leadership in this effort. +Among the nations of the world, only the United States of America has had +both the moral standing, and the means to back it up. We are the only +nation on this earth that could assemble the forces of peace. + +This is the burden of leadership - and the strength that has made America +the beacon of freedom in a searching world. + +This nation has never found glory in war. Our people have never wanted to +abandon the blessings of home and work, for distant lands and deadly +conflict. If we fight in anger, it is only because we have to fight at all. +And all of us yearn for a world where we will never have to fight again. + +Each of us will measure, within ourselves, the value of this great +struggle. Any cost in lives is beyond our power to measure. But the cost of +closing our eyes to aggression is beyond mankind's power to imagine. + +This we do know: Our cause is just. Our cause is moral. Our cause is +right. + +Let future generations understand the burden and the blessings of freedom. +Let them say, we stood where duty required us to stand. + +Let them know that together, we affirmed America, and the world, as a +community of conscience. + +The winds of change are with us now. The forces of freedom are united. We +move toward the next century, more confident than ever, that we have the +will at home and abroad, to do what must be done - the hard work of +freedom. + +May God bless the United States of America. + +*** + +State of the Union Address +George H.W. Bush +January 28, 1992 + +Mr. Speaker, Mr. President, distinguished members of Congress, honored +guests and fellow citizens: + +I mean to speak tonight of big things, of big changes and the promises they +hold and of some big problems and how together we can solve them and move +our country forward as the undisputed leader of the age. + +We gather tonight at a dramatic and deeply promising time in our history, +and in the history of man on earth. For in the past 12 months, the world +has known changes of almost biblical proportions. And even now, months +after the failed coup that doomed a failed system, I am not sure we have +absorbed the full impact, the full import of what happened. + +But Communism died this year. Even as President, with the most fascinating +possible vantage point, there were times when I was so busy helping to +manage progress and lead change that I didn't always show the joy that was +in my heart But the biggest thing that has happened in the world in my +life, in our lives, is this: By the grace of God, America won the Cold War. +And there's another to be singled out, though it may seem inelegant. I mean +a mass of people called the American taxpayer. No ever thinks to thank the +people who pay country's bill or an alliance's bill. But for a half Century +now, the American people have shouldered the burden and paid taxes that +were higher than they would have been to support a defense that was bigger +than it would have been if imperial communism had never existed. But it +did. But it doesn't anymore. And here is a fact I wouldn't mind the world +acknowledging: The American taxpayer bore the brunt of the burden, and +deserves a hunk of the glory. + +And so, now, for the first time in 35 years, our strategic bombers stand +down. No longer are they on round-the-clock alert. Tomorrow our children +will go to school and study history and how plants grow. And they won't +have, as my children did, air-raid drills in which they crawl under their +desks and cover their heads in case of nuclear war. My grandchildren don't +have to do that, and won't have the bad dreams children once had in decades +past. There are still threats. But the long drawn-out dread is over. + +A year ago tonight I spoke to you at a moment of high peril. American +forces had just unleashed Operation Desert Storm. And after 40 days in the +desert skies and 4 days on the ground, the men and women of America's armed +forces and our allies accomplished the goals that I declared, and that you +endorsed: we liberated Kuwait. + +Soon after, the Arab world and Israel sat down to talk seriously, and +comprehensively, about peace, an historic first. And soon after that, at +Christmas, the last American hostages came home. Our policies were +vindicated. + +Much good can come from the prudent use of power. And much good can come +from this: A world once divided into two armed camps now recognizes one +sole and pre-eminent power, the United States of America. And this they +regard with no dread. For the world trusts us with power, and the world is +right. They trust us to be fair, and restrained. They trust us to be on the +side of decency. They trust us to do what's right. + +I use those words advisedly. A few days after the war began, I received a +telegram from Joanne Speicher, the wife of the first pilot killed in the +gulf, Lieutenant Commander Scott Speicher. Even in her grief, she wanted me +to know that some day, when her children were old enough, she would tell +them "that their father went away to war because it was the right thing to +do". She said it all. It was the right thing to do. + +And we did it together. There were honest differences here, in this +chamber. But when the war began, you put your partisanship aside and +supported our troops. This is still a time for pride, but this is no time +to boast. For problems face us, and we must stand together once again and +solve them--- and not let our country down. + +Two years ago, I began planning cuts in military spending that reflected +the changes of the new era. But now, this year, with Imperial Communism +gone, that process can be accelerated. Tonight I can tell you of dramatic +changes in our strategic nuclear force. These are actions we are taking on +our own, because they are the right thing to do. + +After completing 20 planes for which we have begun procurement, we will +shut down production of the B-2 bomber. We will cancel the ICBM program. We +will cease production of new warheads for our sea-based missiles. We will +stop all production of the peacekeeper missile. And we will not purchase +any more advanced cruise missiles. + +This weekend I will meet at Camp David with Boris Yeltsin of the Russian +Federation. I have informed President Yeltsin that if the commonwealth, the +former Soviet Union, will eliminate all land-based multiple-warhead +ballistic missiles, I will do the following: We will eliminate all +Peacekeeper missiles. We will reduce the number of warheads on Minuteman +missiles to one and reduce the number of warheads on our sea-based missiles +by about one-third. And we will concvert a substantial portion of our +strategic to primarily conventional use. + +President Yeltsin's early response has been very positive, and I expect our +talks at Camp David to be fruitful. I want you to know that for half a +century, American presidents have longed to make such decisions and say +such words. But even in the midst of celebration, we must keep caution as a +friend. For the world is still a dangerous place. Only the dead have seen +the end of conflict. And though yesterday's challenges are behind us, +tomorrow's are being born. + +The Secretary of defense recommended these cuts after consultation with the +joint chiefs of staff. And I make them with confidence. But do not +misunderstand me: The reductions I have approved will save us an additional +$50 billion over the next five years. By 1997 we will have cut defense by +30 percent since I took office. These cuts are deep, and you must know my +resolve: this deep, and no deeper. To do less would be insensible to +progress, but to do more would be ignorant of history. We must not go back +to the days of "the hollow army". We cannot repeat the mistakes made twice +in this century when armistice was followed by recklessness and defense was +purged as if the world was permanently safe. + +I remind you this evening that I have asked for your support in funding a +program to protect our country from limited nuclear missile attack. We must +have this protection because too many people in too many countries have +access to nuclear arms. There are those who say that now we can turn away +from the world, that we have no special role, no special place. But we are +the United States of America, the leader of the West that has become the +leader of the world. + +As long as I am President we will continue to lead in support of freedom +everywhere, not out of arrogance and not out of altruism, but for the +safety and security of our children. This is a fact: Strength in the +pursuit of peace is no vice; isolationism in the pursuit of security is no +virtue. + +Now to our troubles at home. They are not all economic, but the primary +problem is our economy. There are some good signs. Inflation, that thief, +is down, and interest rates are down. But unemployment is too high, some +industries are in trouble and growth is not what it should be. Let me tell +you right from the start and right from the heart: I know we're in hard +times, but I know something else: This will not stand. + +My friends in this chamber, we can bring the same courage and sense of +common purpose to the economy that we brought to Desert Storm. And we can +defeat hard times together. I believe you will help. One reason is that +you're patriots, and you want the best for your country. And I believe that +in your hearts you want to put partisanship aside and get the job done, +because it's the right thing to do. + +The power of America rests in a stirring but simple idea: that people will +do great things if only you set them free. Well, we're going to have to set +the economy free, for if this age of miracles and wonders has taught us +anything, it's that if we can change the world, we can change America. + +We must encourage investment. We must make it easier for people to invest +money and make new products, new industries, and new jobs. We must clear +away obstacles to new growth: high taxes, high regulation, red tape, and +yes, wasteful government spending. None of this will happen with a snap of +the fingers, but it will happen. And the test of a plan isn't whether it's +called new or dazzling. The American people aren't impressed by gimmicks. +They're smarter on this score than all of us in this room. The only test of +a plan is, It is sound and will it work? We must have a short-term plan to +address our immediate needs and heat up the economy. And then we need a +long-term plan to keep the combustion going and to guarantee our place in +the world economy. + +There are certain things that a president can do without Congress, and I am +going to do them. I have this evening asked major cabinet departments and +federal agencies to institute a 90-day moratorium on any new federal +regulations that could hinder growth. In those 90 days, major departments +and agencies will carry out a top-to-bottom review of all regulations, old +and new, to stop the ones that will hurt growth and speed up those that +will help growth. + +Further, for the untold number of hard-working, responsible American +workers and businessmen and women who've been forced to go without needed +bank loans, the banking credit crunch must end. I won't neglect my +responsibility for sound regulations that serve the public good, but +regulatory overkill must be stopped. And I have instructed our government +regulators to stop it. + +I have directed Cabinet departments and federal agencies to speed up +pro-growth expenditures as quickly as possible. This should put an extra +$10 billion into the economy in the next six months. And our new +transportation bill provides more than $150 billion for construction and +maintenance projects that are vital to our growth and well-being. That +means jobs building roads, jobs building bridges and jobs building +railways. And I have this evening directed the secretary of the Treasury to +change the federal tax withholding tables. With this change, millions of +Americans from whom the government withholds more than necessary can now +choose to have the government withhold less from their paychecks. Something +tells me a number of taxpayers may take us up on this one. This initiative +could return about $25 billion back into the economy over the next 12 +months, money people can use to help pay for clothing, college or a new +car. And finally, working with the Federal Reserve, we will continue to +support monetary policy that keeps both interest rates and inflation down. + +Now these are the things that I can do. And now, members of Congress, let +me tell you what you can do for your country. You must, you must pass the +other elements of my plan to meet our economic needs. Everyone knows +investment speeds recovery. And I am proposing this evening a change in the +alternative minimum tax, and the creation of a new 15% investment tax +allowance. This will encourage businesses to accelerate investment and +bring people back to work. Real estate has led our economy out of almost +all the tough times we've ever had. Once building starts, carpenters and +plumbers work, people buy homes and take out mortgages. + +My plan would modify the passive-loss rule for active real-estate +developers. And it would make it easier for pension plans to purchase real +estate. For those Americans who dream of buying a first home but who can't +quite afford it, my plan would allow first-time home buyers to withdraw +savings from IRAs without penalty and provide a $5000 tax credit for the +first purchase of that home. + +And finally, my immediate plan calls on Congress to give crucial help to +people who own a home, to every one who has a business, a farm or a single +investment. + +This time, at this hour, I cannot take "No" for an answer. You must cut the +capital gains tax on the people of this country. Never has an issue been so +demagogued by its opponents. But the demagogues are wrong. They are wrong, +and they know it. Sixty percent of people who benefit from lower capital +gains have incomes under $50,000. A cut in the capital gains tax increases +jobs and helps just about everyone in our country. And so I'm asking you to +cut the capital gains tax to a maximum of 15.4%. And I'll tell you, I'll +tell you, those of you who say, "Oh no, someone who's comfortable may +benefit from this" you kind of remind me of the old definition of the +Puritan, who couldn't sleep at night worrying that somehow someone +somewhere was out having a good time. + +The opponents of this measure and those who've authored various so-called +soak-the-rich bills that are floating around this chamber should be +reminded of something: When they aim at the big guy, they usually hit the +little guy. And maybe it's time that stopped. + +This then is my short-term plan. Your part, members of Congress, requires +enactment of these common-sense proposals that will have a strong effect on +the economy, without breaking the budget agreement and without raising tax +rates. And while my plan is being passed and kicking in, we've got to care +for those in trouble today. I have provided for up to $4.4 billion in my +budget to extend federal unemployment benefits, and I ask for Congressional +action right away. And I thank the committee--well, at last. And let's be +frank. Let's be frank; let me level with you. + +I know, and you know, that my plan is unveiled in a political season. I +know, and you know, that everything I propose will be viewed by some in +merely partisan terms. But I ask you to know what is in my heart. And my +aim is to increase our nation's good. And I'm doing what I think is right; +I'm proposing what I know will help. I pride myself that I'm a prudent man, +and I believe that patience is a virtue, but I understand politics is, for +some, a game and that sometimes the game is to stop all progress and then +decry the lack of improvement. But let me tell you, let me tell you, far +more important than my political future---and far more important than +yours--is the well-being of our country. And members of this chamber, +members of this chamber, are practical people, and I know you won't resent +some practical advice: When people put their party's fortunes, whatever the +party, whatever the side of this aisle, before the public good, they court +defeat not only for their country, but for themselves. And they will +certainly deserve it. + +And I submit my plan tomorrow. And I am asking you to pass it by March 20. +From the day after that-- if it must be-- the battle is joined. And you +know, when principle is at stake, I relish a good fair fight. + +I said my plan has two parts, and it does. And it's the second part that is +the heart of the matter. For it's not enough to get an immediate burst. We +need long-term improvement in our economic position. We all know that the +key to our eocnomic future is to insure that America continues as the +economic leader of the world. We have that in our power. Here, then, is my +long-term plan to guarantee our future. + +First, trade: We will work to break down the walls that stop world trade. +We will work to open markets everywhere. And in our major trade +negotiations, I will continue pushing to eliminate tariffs and subsidies +that damage America's farmers and workers. And we'll get more good American +jobs within our own hemisphere through the North American Free Trade +Agreement, and through the Enterprise for the Americas Initiative. But +changes are here, and more are coming. The work place of the future will +demand more highly skilled workers than ever, people who are computer +literate, highly educated. + +And we must be the world's leader in education. And we must revolutionize +America's schools. My America 2000 strategy will help us reach that goal. +My plan will give parents more choice, give teachers more flexibility and +help communities create new American schools. Thirty states across the +nation have established America 2000 programs. Hundreds of cities and towns +have joined. Now Congress must join this great movement. Pass my proposals +for new American schools. + +That was my second long-term proposal. And here's my third: We must make +common-sense investments that will help us compete, long-term, in the +marketplace. We must encourage research and development. My plan is to make +the R and D tax credit permanent, and to provide record levels of support, +over $76 billion this year alone for people who explore the promise of +emerging technologies. + +And fourth, we must do something about crime and drugs. And it is time for +a major renewed investment in fighting violent street crime. Its saps our +strength and hurts our faith in our society, and in our future together. +Surely a tired woman on her way to work at six in the morning on a subway +deserves the right to get there safely. And surely, it's true that everyone +who changes his or her way of life because of crime-- forom those afraid to +go our at night to those afraid to walk in the parks they pay for-- surely +those people have been denied a basic civil right. It is time to restore +it. Congress, pass my comprehensive crime bill. It is tough on criminals +and supportive of police, and it has been languishing in these hallowed +halls for years now. Pass it. Help your country. + +And fifth, I ask you tonight to fund our HOPE housing proposal and to pass +my enterprise-zone legislation, which will get businesses into the inner +city. We must empower the poor with the pride that comes from owning a +home, getting a job, becoming part of things. My plan would encourage real +estate construction by extending tax incentives for mortgage-revenue bonds +and low-income housing. And I ask tonight for record expenditures for the +program that helps children born into want move into excellence: Head +Start. + +Step six: We must reform our health care system for this too, bears on +whether or not we can compete in the world. American health costs have been +exploding. This year America will spend over $800 billion on health, and +that is expected to grow to $1.6 trillion by the end of the decade. We +simply cannot afford this. The cost of health care shows up not only in +your family budget, but in the price of everything we buy and everything we +sell. When health coverage for a fellow on the assembly line costs +thousands of dollars, the cost goes into the product he makes. And you pay +the bill. Now we must make a choice. + +Now some pretend we can have it both ways: they call it play or pay. But +that expensive approach is unstable. It will mean higher taxes, fewer jobs, +and eventually, a system under complete government control. Really, there +are only two options. And we can move toward a nationalized system, a +system which will restrict patient choice in picking a doctor and force the +government to ration services arbitrarily. And what we'll get is patients +in long lines, indifferent service and a huge new tax burden. Or we can +reform our own private health-care system, which still gives us, for all +its flaws, the best quality health care in the world. Well, let's build on +our strengths. + +My plan provides insurance security for all Americans while preserving and +increasing the idea of choice. We make basic health insurance affordable +for all low-income people not now covered. We do it by providing a +health-insurance tax credit of up to $3750 for each low-income family. The +middle class gets help, too. And by reforming the health insurance market, +my plan assures that Americans will have access to basic health insurance +even if they change jobs or develop serious health problem We must bring +costs under control, preserve quality, preserve choice and reduce people's +nagging daily worry about health insurance. My plan, the details of which I +will announce shortly, does just that. + +And seventh, we must get the federal deficit under control. We now have in +law, enforcable spending caps, and a requirement that we pay fo rthe +programs we create. There are those in Congress who would ease that +discipline now. But I cannot let them do it. And I won't. My plan would +freeze all domestic discretionary budget authority which means "No more +next year than this year". I will not tamper with Social Security but I +would put real caps on the growth of uncontrolled spending. And I would +also freeze federal domestic government employment. And with the help of +Congress, my plan will get rid of 246 programs that don't deserve federal +funding. Some of them have noble titles, but none of them is indispensible. +We can get rid of each and every one of them. + +You know, it's time we rediscovered a home truth the American people have +never forgotten: the government is too big and spends too much. And I call +on Congress to adopt a measure that will help put an end to the annual +ritual of filling the budget with pork-barrel appropriations. Every year, +the press has a field day making fun of outrageous examples, a Lawrence +Welk Museum, a research grant for Belgian Endive. We all know how these +things get into the budget, and maybe you need someone to help you say no. +I know how to say it. And you know what I need to make it stick. Give me +the same thing 43 governors have--- the line-item veto-- and let me help +you control spending. + +We must put an end to unfinanced government mandates. These are the +requirements Congress puts on our cities, counties and states without +supplying the money. And if Congress passes a mandate, it should be forced +to pay for it and balance the cost with savings elsewhere. After all, a +mandate just increases someone else's tax burden, and that means higher +taxes at the state and local level. + +Step Eight: Congress should enact the bold reform proposals that are still +awaiting congressional action: bank reform, civil justice reform, tort +reform, and my national energy strategy. + +And finally, we must strengthen the family, because it is the family that +has the greatest bearing on our future. When Barbara holds an AIDS baby in +her arms and reads to children, she's saying to every person in this +country, "Family Matters". + +And I am announcing tonight a new commission on America's urban families. +I've asked Missouri's governor, John Ashcroft, to be chairman, former +Dallas Mayor Annetter Strauss to be co-chair. You know, I had Mayors, the +leading mayors from the League of Cities, in the other day at the White +House, and they told me something striking. They said that every one of +them, Republican and Democrat, agreed on one thing: That the major cause of +the problems of the cities is the dissolution of the family. And they asked +for this commission, and they were right to ask, because it's time to +determine what we can do to keep families together, strong and sound. + +There's one thing we can do right away: Ease the burden of rearing a child. +I ask you tonight to raise the personal exemption by $500 per child for +every family. For a family with four kids, that's an increase of $2000. +This is a good start in the right direction, and it's what we can afford. +It's time to allow families to deduct the interest they pay on student +loans. And I'm asking you to do just that. And I'm asking you to allow +people to use money from their IRAs to pay medical and educational +expenses, all without penalties. And I'm asking for more. Ask American +parents what they dislike about how things are going in our country, and +chances are good that pretty soon they'll get to welfare. + +Americans are the most generous people on Earth. But we have to go back to +the insight of Franklin Roosevelt who, when he spoke of what became the +welfare program, want that it must not become a narcotic and a subtle +destroyer of the spirit. Welfare was never meant to be a life style. It was +never meant to be a habit. It was never supposed to be passed on from +generation to generation like a legacy. It's time to replace the +assumptions of the welfare state and help reform the welfare system. + +States throughout the country are beginning to operate with new +assumptions: that when able-bodied people receive government assistance +they have responsibilities to the taxpayer. A responsibility to seek work, +education, or job training. A responsibility to get their lives in order. A +responsibility to hold their families together and refrain from having +children out of wedlock. And a responsibility to obey the law. We are going +to help this movement. Often, state reform requires waiving certain federal +regulations. I will act to make that process easier and quicker for every +state that asks our help. And I want to add, as we make these changes, we +work together to improve this system, that our intention is not +scapegoating and finger-pointing. If you read the papers or watch TV you +know there's been a rise these days in a certain kind of ugliness: racist +comments, anti-Semitism, an increased sense of division. Really, this is +not us. This is not who we are. And this is not acceptable. + +And so you have my plan for America. And I am asking for big things, but I +believe in my heart you will do what's right. + +And you know, it's kind of an American tradition to show a certain +skepticism toward our democratic institutions. I myself have sometimes +thought the aging process could be delayed if it had to make its way +through Congress. But you will deliberate, and you will discuss, and that +is fine. But my friends the people cannot wait. They need help now. And +there's a mood among us. People are worried. There has been talk of +decline. Someone even said our workers are lazy and uninspired. And I +thought, "Really? Go tell Neil Armstrong standing on the moon. Tell the +American farmer who feeds his country and the world. Tell the men and women +of Desert Storm." Moods come and go, but greatness endures. Our does. + +And maybe for a moment it's good to remember what, in the dailyness of our +lives, we forget. We are still and ever the freest nation on Earth, the +kindest nation on Earth, the strongest nation on Earth. And we have always +risen to the occasion. And we are going to lift this nation out of hard +times inch by inch and day by day, and those who would stop us better step +aside. Because I look at hard times and I make this vow: This will not +stand. And so we move on, together, a rising nation, the once and future +miracle that is still, this night, the hope of the world. + + + +*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK OF ADDRESSES BY GEORGE H.W. BUSH *** + +This file should be named sughw10.txt or sughw10.zip +Corrected EDITIONS of our eBooks get a new NUMBER, sughw11.txt +VERSIONS based on separate sources get new LETTER, sughw10a.txt + +Project Gutenberg eBooks are often created from several printed +editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the US +unless a copyright notice is included. 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Please do not remove it. Do not change or edit the +header without written permission. + +Please read the "legal small print," and other information about the +eBook and Project Gutenberg at the bottom of this file. Included is +important information about your specific rights and restrictions in +how the file may be used. You can also find out about how to make a +donation to Project Gutenberg, and how to get involved. + + +**Welcome To The World of Free Plain Vanilla Electronic Texts** + +**eBooks Readable By Both Humans and By Computers, Since 1971** + +*****These eBooks Were Prepared By Thousands of Volunteers!***** + + +Title: State of the Union Addresses of George H.W. Bush + +Author: George H.W. Bush + +Release Date: February, 2004 [EBook #5047] +[Yes, we are more than one year ahead of schedule] +[This file was first posted on April 11, 2002] +[Date last updated: December 16, 2004] + +Edition: 11 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK OF ADDRESSES BY GEORGE H.W. BUSH *** + + + + +This eBook was produced by James Linden. + +The addresses are separated by three asterisks: *** + +Dates of addresses by George H.W. Bush in this eBook: + January 31, 1990 + January 29, 1991 + January 28, 1992 + + + +*** + +State of the Union Address +George H.W. Bush +January 31, 1990 + +Tonight, I come not to speak about the "State of the Government", not to +detail every new initiative we plan for the coming year, nor describe every +line in the budget. I'm here to speak to you and to the American people +about the State of the Union about our world, the changes we've seen, the +challenges we face. And what that means for America. + +There are singular moments in history, dates that divide all that goes +before from all that comes after. And many of us in this chamber have lived +much of our lives in a world whose fundamental features were defined in +1945. And the events of that year decreed the shape of nations, the pace of +progress, freedom or oppression for millions of people around the world. + +Nineteen Forty-Five provided the common frame of reference the compass +points of the postwar era we've relied upon to understand ourselves. And +that was our world until now. The events of the year just ended, the +Revolution of '89, have been a chain reaction, changes so striking that it +marks the beginning of a new era in the world's affairs. + +Think back think back just twelve short months ago to the world we knew as +1989 began. + +One year, one year ago the people of Panama lived in fear under the thumb +of a dictator. Today democracy is restored. Panama is free. + +"Operation Just Cause" has achieved its objective. And the number of +military personel in Panama is now very close to what it was before the +operation began. And tonight I am announcing that before the end of +February the additional numbers of American troops, the brave men and women +of our armed forces who made this mission a success, will be back home. + +A year ago in Poland, Lech Walesa declared he was ready to open a dialogue +with the Communist rulers of that country. And today, with the future of a +free Poland in their own hands, members of Solidarity lead the Polish +government. + +And a year ago, freedom's playwright, Vaclav Havel, languished as a +prisoner in Prague. And today it's Vaclav Havel, President of +Czechoslovakia. + +And one year ago Erich Honecker of East Germany claimed history as his +guide. He predicted the Berlin Wall would last another hundred years. And +today, less than one year later, it's the wall that's history. + +Remarkable events, remarkable events, events that fulfill the long-held +hopes of the American people. Events that validate the longstanding goals +of American policy, a policy based upon a single shining principle: the +cause of freedom. + +America, not just the nation, but an idea alive in the minds of the people, +everywhere. As this new world takes shape, America stands at the center of +a widening circle of freedom, today, tomorrow and into the next century. + +Our nation is the enduring dream of every immigrant who ever set foot on +these shores, and the millions still struggling to be free. This nation, +this idea called America was and always will be a new world, our new +world. + +At a workers' rally in a place called Branik on the outskirts of Prague the +idea called America is alive. A worker, dressed in grimy overalls, rises to +speak at the factory gates. And he begins his speech to his fellow citizens +with these words, words of a distant revolution: "We hold these truths to +be self-evident. That all men are created equal, that they are endowed by +their creator with certain unalienable rights, and that among these are +life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness." It's no secret here at home +freedom's door opened long ago. The cornerstones of this free society have +already been set in place: democracy, competition, opportunity, private +investment, stewardship, and of course, leadership. + +And our challenge today is to take this democratic system of ours, a system +second to none, and make it better: + +A better America where there's a job for whoever wants one; + +Where women working outside the home can be confident their children are +in safe and loving care, and where Government works to expand child +alternatives for parents. + +Where we reconcile the needs of a clean environment and a strong economy. + +Where "Made in the USA" is recognized around the world as the symbol of +quality and progress, + +And where every one of us enjoys the same opportunities to live, to work +and to contribute to society. And where, for the first time, the American +mainstream includes all of our disabled citizens. + +Where everyone has a roof over his head, and where the homeless get the +help they need to live in dignity. + +Where our schools challenge and support our kids and our teachers, and +every one of them makes the grade, + +Where every street, every city, every school and every child is drug-free. + +And finally, and finally, where no American is forgotten. Our hearts go out +to our hostages, our hostages who are ceaselessly in our minds and in our +efforts. That's part of the future we want to see, the future we can make +for ourselves. But dreams alone won't get us there. We need to extend our +horizon, to commit to the long view. And our mission for the future starts +today. + +In the tough competitive markets around the world, America faces the great +challenges and great opportunities. And we know that we can succeed in the +global economic arena of the 90's. But to meet that challenge we must make +some fundamental changes, some crucial investments in ourselves. + +Yes, we are going to invest in America. This Administration is determined +to encourage the creation of capital, capital of all kinds. Physical +capital: everything from our farms and factories to our workshops and +production lines, all that is needed to produce and deliver quality goods +and quality services. Intellectual, intellectual capital: the source of +ideas that spark tomorrow's products. And of course human capital: the +talented work force that we'll need to compete in the global market. + +And let me tell you, if we ignore human capital, if we lose the spirit of +American ingenuity, the sprit that is the hallmark of the AMERICAN worker, +that would be bad. The American worker is the most productive worker in the +world. + +We need to save more. We need to expand the pool of capital for new +investments that mean more jobs and more growth. And that's the idea behind +the new initiative I call the Family Savings Plan, which I will send to +Congress tomorrow. + +We need to cut the tax on capital gains, encourage, encourage risk-takers, +especially those in small businesses, to take those steps that translate +into economic reward, jobs, and a better life for all of us. + +We'll do what it takes to invest in America's future. The budget commitment +is there. The money is there. It's there for research and development, R +and D, a record high. It's there for our housing initiative, hope, H-O-P-E, +to help everyone from first-time homebuyers to the homeless. The money's +there to keep our kids drug-free, 70 percent more than when I took office +in 1989. It's there for space exploration, and its there for education, +another record high. + +And one more, and one more thing. Last fall at the education summit, the +governors and I agreed to look for ways to help make sure that our kids are +ready to learn the very first day they walk into the classroom. And I've +made good on that commitment by proposing a record increase in funds, an +extra half billion dollars, for something near and dear to all of us: Head +Start. + +Education is the one investment that means more for our future, because it +means the most for our children. Real improvement in our schools is not +simply a matter of spending more. It's a matter of asking more, expecting +more, of our schools, our teachers, of our kids, of our parents and of +ourselves. And that's why tonight, and that's why tonight, I am announcing +America's education goals, goals developed with enormous cooperation from +the nation's governors. And if I might I'd like to say I'm very pleased +that Governor Gardner and Governor Clinton, Governor Branstad, Governor +Campbell, all of whom were very key in these discussion, these +deliberations, are with us here tonight. + +By the, by the year 2000, every child must start school ready to learn. The +United States must increase the high school graduation rate to no less than +90 percent. And we are going to make sure our schools' diplomas mean +something. In critical subjects, at the fourth, eighth, and 12th grades, we +must assess our students' performance. + +By the, by the year 2000 U.S. students must be the first in the world in +math and science achievement. Every American adult must be a skilled, +literate worker and citizen. Every school must offer the kind of +disciplined environment that makes it possible for our kids to learn. And +every school in America must be drug-free. + +Ambitious aims? Of course. Easy to do? Far from it. But the future's at +stake. The nation will not accept anything less than excellence in +education. + +These investments will help keep America competitive. And I know this about +the American people: we welcome competition. We'll match our ingenuity, our +energy, our experience, and technology our spirit and enterprise against +anyone. But let the competition be free, but let it also be fair. America +is ready. + +Since we really mean it, and since we're serious about being ready to meet +our challenge, we're getting our own house in order. We have made real +progress. Seven years ago, the Federal deficit was 6 percent of our gross +national product, 6 percent. In the new budget I sent up two days ago the +deficit is down to 1 percent of GNP. + +That budget brings Federal spending under control. It meets the +Gramm-Rudman target. It brings the deficit down further. And balances the +budget by 1993, with no new taxes. + +And let me tell you, there's still more than enough Federal spending. For +most of us, $1.2 trillion is still a lot of money. + +And once the budget is balanced, we can operate the way every family must +when it has bills to pay. We won't leave it to our children and +grandchildren. Once it's balanced, we will start paying off the national +debt. + +And there's something more, and there's something more we owe the +generations of the future: stewardship, the safekeeping of America's +precious environmental inheritance. + +As just one sign of how serious we are, we will elevate the Environmental +Protection Agency to Cabinet rank. Not, not more bureaucracy, not more red +tape, but the certainty that here at home, and especially in our dealings +with other nations, environmental issues have the status they deserve. + +This year's budget provides over $2 billion in new spending to protect our +environment, with over $1 billion for global change research, and a new +initiative I call America the Beautiful to expand our national parks and +wildlife preserves and improve recreational facilities on public lands. + +And something else, something that will help keep this country clean, from +our forest land to the inner cities, and keep America beautiful for +generations to come, the money to plant a billion trees a year. + +And tonight, and tonight let me say again to all the members of the +Congress, the American people did not send us here to bicker. There is work +to do, and they sent us here to get it done. And once again, in the spirit +of cooperation I offer my hand to all of you. And let's work together to do +the will of the people--clean air, child care, the educational excellence +act, crime and drugs. It's time to act. The farm bill, transportation +policy, product liability reform, enterprise zones. It's time to act +together. + +And there's one thing I hope we can agree on. It's about our commitments. +And I'm talking about Social Security. + +To every American out there on Social Security, to every, every American +supporting that system today, and to everyone counting on it when they +retire, we made a promise to you, and we are going to keep it. + +We, we rescued the system in 1983 and it's sound again, bipartisan +arrangement. Our budget fully funds today's benefits and it assures that +future benefits will be funded as well. And the last thing we need to do is +mess around with Social Security. + +There's one more problem we need to address. We must give careful +consideration to the recommendations of the health care studies under way +now. And that's why tonight, I am asking Dr. Sullivan, Lou Sullivan, +Secretary of Health and Human Services, to lead a Domestic Policy Council +review of recommendations on the quality, accessibility and cost of our +nation's health care system. I am committed to bring the staggering costs +of health care under control. + +The State of the Government does indeed depend on many of us in this very +chamber. But the State of the Union depends on all Americans. We must +maintain the democratic decency that makes a nation out of millions of +individuals. And I've been appalled at the recent mail bombings across this +country. Every one of us must confront and condemn racism, anti-Semitism, +bigotry and hate. Not next week, not tomorrow, but right now. Every single +one of us. + +The State of the Union depends on whether we help our neighbor, claim the +problems of our community as our own. We've got to step forward when +there's trouble, lend a hand, be what I call a point of light to a stranger +in need. We've got to take the time after a busy day to sit down and read +with our kids, help them with their homework, pass along the values we had +as children. And that's how we sustain the State of the Union. + +Every effort is important. It all adds up. It's doing the things that give +democracy meaning. It all adds up to who we are and who we will be. + +And let me say, that so long as we remember the American idea, so long as +we live up to the American ideal, the State of the Union will remain sound +and strong. + +And to those who worry that we've lost our way, well, I want you to listen +to parts of a letter written by James Markwell, Pvt. 1st Class James +Markwell, a 20-year-old Army medic to the First Battalion, 75th Rangers. +It's dated Dec. 18, the day before our armed forces went into action in +Panama. It's a letter servicemen write--and hope will never, ever be sent. +And sadly, Private Markwell's mother did receive this letter. She passed it +on to me out there in Cincinnati. + +And here is some of what he wrote: "I've never been afraid of death, but I +know he is waiting at the corner...I've been trained to kill and to save, +and so has everyone else. I am frightened of what lays beyond the fog, and +yet... do not mourn for me. Revel in the life that I have died to give +you... But most of all, don't forget that the Army was my choice. Something +that I wanted to do. Remember I joined the Army to serve my country and +inure that you are free to do what you want and to live your lives +freely." + +Let me add that Private Markwell was among the first to see battle in +Panama, and among the first to fall. But he knew what he believed in. He +carried the idea we call America in his heart. + +I began tonight speaking about the changes we've seen this past year. There +is a new world of challenges and opportunities before us. And there is a +need for leadership that only America can provide. + +Nearly 40 years ago, in his last address to the Congress, President Harry +Truman predicted such a time would come. He said, "As our world grows +stronger, more united, more attractive to men on both sides of the Iron +Curtain, then inevitably there will come a time of change within the +Communist world." Today, that change is taking place. + +For more than 40 years, America and its allies held Communism in check and +insured that democracy would continue to exist. And today, with Communism +crumbling, our aim must be to insure democracy's advance, to take the lead +in forging peace and freedom's best hope, a great and growing commonwealth +of free nations. + +And to the Congress and to all Americans, I say it is time to acclaim a new +consensus at home and abroad, a common vision of the peaceful world we want +to see. + +Here in our own hemisphere it is time for all the people of the Americas, +North and South, to live in freedom. + +In the Far East and Africa, it's time for the full flowering of free +governments and free markets that have served the engine of progress. + +It is time to offer our hand to the emerging democracies of Eastern Europe +so that continent, for too long a continent divided, can see a future whole +and free. + +It's time to build on our new relationship with the Soviet Union, to +endorse and encourage a peaceful process of internal change toward +democracy and economic opportunity. + +We are in a period of great transition, great hope, and yet great +uncertainty. We recognize that the Soviet military threat in Europe is +diminishing, but we see little change in Soviet strategic modernization. +And, therefore, we must sustain our own strategic offense modernization and +the Strategic Defense Initiative. + +But the time is right to move forward on a conventional arms control +agreement to move us to more appropriate levels of military forces in +Europe, a coherent defense program that insures the U.S. will continue to +be a catalyst for peaceful change in Europe. And I've consulted with +leaders of NATO. In fact I spoke by phone with President Gorbachev just +today. + +And I agree with our European allies that an American military presence in +Europe is essential and that it should not be solely tied to the Soviet +military presence in Eastern Europe. + +But our troop levels can still be lower. And so tonight I am announcing a +major new step for a further reduction in U.S. and Soviet manpower in +Central and Eastern Europe to 195,000 on each side. + +This number, this number, this level, reflects the advice of our senior +military advisers. It's designed to protect American and European interests +and sustain NATO's defense strategy. A swift conclusion to our arms control +talks--conventional, chemical and strategic--must now be our goal. And +that time has come. + +Still, we must recognize an unfortunate fact: in many regions of the world +tonight the reality is conflict, not peace. Enduring animosities and +opposing interests remain. And thus the cause of peace must be served by an +America strong enough and sure enough to defend our interests and our +ideals. It's this American idea that for the past four decades helped +inspire the Revolution of '89. + +And here at home, and in the world, there is history in the making, and +history to be made. Six months ago, early in this season of change, I stood +at the gates of the Gdansk shipyard in Poland at the monument to the fallen +workers of Solidarity. It's a monument of simple majesty. Three tall +crosses rise up from the stones, and atop each cross, an anchor, an ancient +symbol of hope. + +The anchor in our world today is freedom. Holding us steady in times of +change, a symbol of hope to all the world. And freedom is at the very heart +of the idea that is America. Giving life to the idea depends on every one +of us. Our anchor has always been faith and family. + +In the last few days of this past monumentous year, our family was blessed +once more, celebrating the joy of life when a little boy became our 12th +grandchild. When I held the little guy for the first time, the troubles at +home and abroad seemed manageable, and totally in perspective. + +And now I know, I know you're probably thinking, Well, that's just a +grandfather talking. + +Well, maybe you're right. But I've met a lot of children this past year +across this country, as all of you have. Everywhere from the Far East to +Eastern Europe. All kids are unique. Yet, all kids are alike. The budding +young environmentalist I met this month, who joined me in exploring the +Florida Everglades. The Little Leaguers I played catch with in Poland, +ready to go from Warsaw to the World Series. And even the kids who are ill +or alone--and God bless those boarder babies, born addicted to drugs and +AIDS--coping with problems no child should have to face. But, you know, +when it comes to hope and the future, every kid is the same: full of +dreams, ready to take on the world, all special because they are the very +future of freedom. And to them belongs this new world I've been speaking +about. + +And so tonight, I'm going to ask something of every one of you. Now let me +start with my generation, with the grandparents out there. You are our +living link with the past. Tell your grandchildren the story of struggles +waged at home and abroad, of sacrifices freely made for freedom's sake. And +tell them your own story as well, because every American has a story to +tell. + +And parents, your children look to you for direction and guidance. Tell +them of faith and family. Tell them we are one nation under God. Teach them +that of all the many gifts they can receive, liberty is their most precious +legacy. And of all the gifts they can give, the greatest, the greatest is +helping others. + +And to the children and young people out there tonight, with you rests our +hope, all that America will mean in the years and decades ahead. Fix your +vision on a new century, your century, on dreams we cannot see, on the +destiny that is yours and yours alone. + +And finally, let all Americans, all of us here in this chamber, the +symbolic center of democracy, affirm our allegiance to this idea we call +America. And let us remember that the State of the Union depends upon each +and every one of us. + +God bless all of you. And may God bless this great nation, the United +States of America. + +*** + +State of the Union Address +George H.W. Bush +January 29, 1991 + +Mr. President, Mr. Speaker, members of the United States Congress. + +I come to this house of the people to speak to you and all Americans, +certain we stand at a defining hour. + +Halfway around the world, we are engaged in a great struggle in the skies +and on the seas and sands. We know why we're there. We are Americans--part +of something larger than ourselves. + +For two centuries we've done the hard work of freedom. And tonight we lead +the world in facing down a threat to decency and humanity. + +What is at stake is more than one small country, it is a big idea--a new +world order, where diverse nations are drawn together in common cause to +achieve the universal aspirations of mankind: peace and security, freedom, +and the rule of law. Such is a world worthy of our struggle, and worthy of +our children's future. + +The community of nations has resolutely gathered to condemn and repel +lawless aggression. Saddam Hussein's unprovoked invasion--his ruthless, +systematic rape of a peaceful neighbor--violated everything the community +of nations holds dear. The world has said this aggression would not stand, +and it will not stand. + +Together, we have resisted the trap of appeasement, cynicism and isolation +that gives temptation to tyrants. The world has answered Saddam's invasion +with 12 United Nations resolutions, starting with a demand for Iraq's +immediate and unconditional withdrawal, and backed up by forces from 28 +countries of six continents. With few exceptions, the world now stands as +one. + +The end of the cold war has been a victory for all humanity. A year and a +half ago, in Germany, I said our goal was a Europe whole and free. Tonight, +Germany is united. Europe has become whole and free, and America's +leadership was instrumental in making it possible. + +The principle that has guided us is simple: our objective is to help the +Baltic peoples achieve their aspirations, not to punish the Soviet Union. +In our recent discussions with the Soviet leadership we have been given +representations, which, if fulfilled, would result in the withdrawal of +some Soviet forces, a re-opening of dialogue with the republics, and a move +away from violence. + +We will watch carefully as the situation develops. And we will maintain our +contact with the Soviet leadership to encourage continued commitment to +democratization and reform. + +If it is possible, I want to continue to build a lasting basis for +U.S.-Soviet cooperation, for a more peaceful future for all mankind. + +The triumph of democratic ideas in Eastern Europe and Latin America, and +the continuing struggle for freedom elsewhere around the world all confirm +the wisdom of our nation's founders. + +Tonight, we work to achieve another victory, a victory over tyranny and +savage aggression. + +We in this Union enter the last decade of the 20th Century thankful for all +our blessings, steadfast in our purpose, aware of our difficulties and +responsive to our duties at home and around the world. + +For two centuries, America has served the world as an inspiring example of +freedom and democracy. For generations, America has led the struggle to +preserve and extend the blessings of liberty. And today, in a rapidly +changing world, American leadership is indispensable. Americans know that +leadership brings burdens, and requires sacrifice. + +But we also know why the hopes of humanity turn to us. We are Americans; we +have a unique responsibility to do the hard work of freedom. And when we +do, freedom works. + +The conviction and courage we see in the Persian Gulf today is simply the +American character in action. The indomitable spirit that is contributing +to this victory for world peace and justice is the same spirit that gives +us the power and the potential to meet our challenges at home. + +We are resolute and resourceful. If we can selflessly confront evil for the +sake of good in a land so far away, then surely we can make this land all +it should be. + +If anyone tells you America's best days are behind her, they're looking the +wrong way. + +Tonight, I come before this house, and the American people, with an appeal +for renewal. This is not merely a call for new government initiatives, it +is a call for new initiative in government, in our communities, and from +every American--to prepare for the next American century. + +America has always led by example. So who among us will set this example? +Which of our citizens will lead us in this next American century? Everyone +who steps forward today, to get one addict off drugs; to convince one +troubled teen-ager not to give up on life; to comfort one AIDS patient; to +help one hungry child. + +We have within our reach the promise of renewed America. We can find +meaning and reward by serving some purpose higher than ourselves--a +shining purpose, the illumination of a thousand points of light. It is +expressed by all who know the irresistible force of a child's hand, of a +friend who stands by you and stays there--a volunteer's generous gesture, +an idea that is simply right. + +The problems before us may be different, but the key to solving them +remains the same: it is the individual--the individual who steps forward. +And the state of our Union is the union of each of us, one to the other: +the sum of our friendships, marriages, families and communities. + +We all have something to give. So if you know how to read, find someone who +can't. If you've got a hammer, find a nail. If you're not hungry, not +lonely, not in trouble--seek out someone who is. + +Join the community of conscience. Do the hard work of freedom. That will +define the state of our Union. + +Since the birth of our nation, "we the people" has been the source of our +strength. What government can do alone is limited, but the potential of the +American people knows no limits. + +We are a nation of rock-solid realism and clear-eyed idealism. We are +Americans. We are the nation that believes in the future. We are the nation +that can shape the future. + +And we've begun to do just that, by strengthening the power and choice of +individuals and families. + +Together, these last two years, we've put dollars for child care directly +in the hands of patients instead of bureaucracies, unshackled the potential +of Americans with disabilities, applied the creativity of the marketplace in +the service of the environment, for clean air, and made homeownership +possible for more Americans. + +The strength of a democracy is not in bureaucracy, it is in the people and +their communities. In everything we do, let us unleash the potential of our +most precious resource--our citizens. We must return to families, +communities, counties, cities, states and institutions of every kind, the +power to chart their own destiny, and the freedom and opportunity provided +by strong economic growth. That's what America is all about. + +I know, tonight, in some regions of our country, people are in genuine +economic distress. I hear them. + +Earlier this month Kathy Blackwell of Massachusetts wrote me about what can +happen when the economy slows down, saying, "My heart is aching, and I +think that you should know--your people out here are hurting badly." + +I understand. And I'm not unrealistic about the future. But there are +reasons to be optimistic about our economy. + +First, we don't have to fight double-digit inflation. Second, most +industries won't have to make big cuts in production because they don't +have big inventories piled up. And third, our exports are running solid and +strong. In fact, American businesses are exporting at a record rate. + +So let's put these times in perspective. Together, since 1981, we've +created almost 20 million jobs, cut inflation in half and cut interest +rates in half. + +Yes, the largest peacetime economic expansion in history has been +temporarily interrupted. But our economy is still over twice as large as +our closest competitor. + +We will get this recession behind us and return to growth soon. We will get +on our way to a new record of expansion, and achieve the competitive +strength that will carry us into the next American century. + +We should focus our efforts today on encouraging economic growth, investing +in the future and giving power and opportunity to the individual. + +We must begin with control of Federal spending. That's why I'm submitting a +budget that holds the growth in spending to less than the rate of +inflation. And that's why, amid all the sound and fury of last year's +budget debate, we put into law new, enforceable spending caps so that +future spending debates will mean a battle of ideas, not a bidding war. + +Though controversial, the budget agreement finally put the Federal +Government on a pay-as-you-go basis, and cut the growth of debt by nearly +$500 billion. And that frees funds for saving and job-creating investment. + +Now, let's do more. My budget again includes tax-free family savings +accounts; penalty-free withdrawals from I. R. A.'s for first-time +homebuyers; and, to increase jobs and growth, a reduced tax for long-term +capital gains. + +I know their are differences among us about the impact and the effects of a +capital gains incentive. So tonight I am asking the Congressional leaders +and the Federal Reserve to cooperate with us in a study, led by Chairman +Alan Greenspan, to sort out our technical differences so that we can avoid +a return to unproductive partisan bickering. + +But just as our efforts will bring economic growth now and in the future, +they must also be matched by long-term investments for the next American +century. + +That requires a forward-looking plan of action, and that's exactly what we +will be sending to the Congress. We have prepared a detailed series of +proposals, that include: A budget that promotes investment in America's +future--in children, education, infrastructure, space and high technology. +Legislation to achieve excellence in education, building on the partnership +forged with the 50 governors at the education summit, enabling parents to +choose their children's schools and helping to make America No. 1 in math +and science. A blueprint for a new national highway system, a critical +investment in our transportation infrastructure. A research and development +agenda that includes record levels of Federal investment and a permanent +tax credit to strengthen private R and D and create jobs. A comprehensive +national energy strategy that calls for energy conservation and efficiency, +increased development and greater use of alternative fuels. A banking +reform plan to bring America's financial system into the 21st Century, so +that our banks remain safe and secure and can continue to make job-creating +loans for our factories, businesses, and homebuyers. I do think there has +been too much pessimism. Sound banks should be making more sound loans, +now. And interest rates should be lower, now. In addition to these +proposals, we must recognize that our economic strength depends upon being +competitive in world markets. We must continue to expand America's exports. +A successful Uruguay Round of world trade negotiations will create more +real jobs, and more real growth, for all nations. You and I know that if +the playing field is level, America's workers and farmers can outwork and +outproduce anyone, anytime, anywhere. + +And with the Mexican free trade agreement and our Enterprise for the +Americas Initiative we can help our partners strengthen their economies and +move toward a free trade zone throughout this entire hemisphere. + +The budget also includes a plan of action right here at home to put more +power and opportunity in the hands of the individual. That means new +incentives to create jobs in our inner cities by encouraging investment +through enterprise zones. It also means tenant control and ownership of +public housing. Freedom and the power to choose should not be the privilege +of wealth. They are the birthright of every American. + +Civil rights are also crucial to protecting equal opportunity. Every one of +us has a responsibility to speak out against racism, bigotry, and hate. We +will continue our vigorous enforcement of existing statutes, and I will once +again press the Congress to strengthen the laws against employment +discrimination without resorting to the use of unfair preferences. + +We're determined to protect another fundamental civil right: freedom from +crime and the fear that stalks our cities. The Attorney General will soon +convene a crime summit of the nation's law-enforcement officials. And to +help us support them we need a tough crime control legislation, and we need +it now. + +As we fight crime, we will fully implement our nation strategy for +combatting drug abuse. Recent data show we are making progress, but much +remains to be done. We will not rest until the day of the dealer is over, +forever. + +Good health care is every American's right and every American's +responsibility. So we are proposing an aggression program of new prevention +initiatives--for infants, for children, for adults, and for the elderly-- +to promote a healthier America and to help keep costs from spiraling. + +It's time to give people more choice in government by reviving the ideal of +the citizen politician who comes not to stay, but to serve. One of the +reasons there is so much support for term limitations is that the American +people are increasingly concerned about big-money influence in politics. +We must look beyond the next election, to the next generation. The time has +come to put the national interest ahead of the special interest--and +totally eliminate political action committees. + +That would truly put more competition in elections and more power in the +hands of individuals. And where power cannot be put directly into the hands +of the individual, it should be moved closer to the people--away from +Washington. + +The federal government too often treats government programs as if they are +of Washington, by Washington, and for Washington. Once established, federal +programs seem to become immortal. + +It's time for a more dynamic program life cycle. Some programs should +increase. Some should decrease. Some should be terminated. And some should +be consolidated and turned over to the states. + +My budget includes a list of programs for potential turnover totaling more +than $20 billion. Working with Congress and the governors, I propose we +select at least $15 billion in such programs and turn them over to the +states in a single consolidated grant, fully funded, for flexible +management by the states. + +The value of this turnover approach is straightforward. It allows the +Federal Government to reduce overhead. It allows states to manage more +flexibly and more efficiently. It moves power and decision-making closer to +the people. And it re-enforces a theme of this Administration: appreciation +and encouragement of the innovative power of "states as laboratories." + +This nation was founded by leaders who understood that power belongs in the +hands of the people. They planned for the future. And so must we--here and +around the world. + +As Americans, we know there are times when we must step forward and accept +our responsibility to lead the world away from the dark chaos of dictators, +toward the bright promise of a better day. + +Almost 50 years ago, we began a long struggle against aggressive +totalitarianism. Now we face another defining hour for America and the +world. + +There is no one more devoted, more committed to the hard work of freedom, +than every soldier and sailor, every marine, airman and coastguardsman-- +every man and every woman now serving in the Persian Gulf. + +Each of them has volunteered to provide for this nation's defense. And now +they bravely struggle to earn for America and for the world and for future +generations, a just and lasting peace. + +Our commitment to them must be equal of their commitment to our country. +They are truly America's finest. + +The war in the gulf is not a war we wanted. We worked hard to avoid war. +For more than five months we, along with the Arab League, the European +Community and the United Nations, tried every diplomatic avenue. U.N. +Secretary General Perez de Cuellar; Presidents Gorbachev, Mitterand, Ozal, +Mubarak, and Bendjedid; Kings Fahd and Hassan; Prime Ministers Major and +Andreotti--just to name a few--all worked for a solution. But time and +again Saddam Hussein flatly rejected the path of diplomacy and peace. + +The world well knows how this conflict began, and when: it began on August +2nd, when Saddam invaded and sacked a small, defenseless neighbor. And I am +certain of how it will end. So that peace can prevail, we will prevail. + +Tonight I'm pleased to report that we are on course. Iraq's capacity to +sustain war is being destroyed. Our investment, our training, our planning +--all are paying off. Time will not be Saddam's salvation. + +Our purpose in the Persian Gulf remains constant: to drive Iraq out from +Kuwait, to restore Kuwait's legitimate government, and to insure the +stability and security of this critical region. + +Let me make clear what I mean by the region's stability and security. We do +not seek the destruction of Iraq, its culture or its people. Rather, we +seek an Iraq that uses its great resources not to destroy, not to serve the +ambitions of a tyrant, but to build a better life for itself and its +neighbors. We seek a Persian Gulf where conflict is no longer the rule, +where the strong are neither tempted nor able to intimidate the weak. + +Most Americans know instinctively why we are in the Gulf. They know we had +to stop Saddam now, not later. They know this brutal dictator will do +anything, will use any weapon, will commit any outrage, no matter how many +innocents must suffer. + +They know we must make sure that control of the world's oil resources does +not fall into his hands only to finance further aggression. They know that +we need to build a new, enduring peace--based not on arms races and +confrontation, but on shared principles and the rule of law. + +And we all realize that our responsibility to be the catalyst for peace in +the region does not end with the successful conclusion of this war. + +Democracy brings the undeniable value of thoughtful dissent, and we have +heard some dissenting voices here at home, some reckless, most responsible. +But the fact the all the voices have the right to speak out is one of the +reasons we've been united in principle and purpose for 200 years. + +Our progress in this great struggle is the result of years of vigilance and +a steadfast commitment to a strong defense. Now, with remarkable +technological advances like the Patriot missile, we can defend the +ballistic missile attacks aimed at innocent civilians. + +Looking forward, I have directed that the S.D.I. program be refocused on +providing protection from limited ballistic missile strikes, whatever their +source. Let us pursue an S.D.I. program that can deal with any future +threat to the United States, to our forces overseas and to our friends and +allies. + +The quality of American technology, thanks to the American worker, has +enabled us to successfully deal with difficult military conditions, and +help minimize the loss of life. We have given our men and women the very +best. And they deserve it. + +We all have a special place in our hearts for the families of men and women +serving in the Gulf. They are represented here tonight, by Mrs. Norman +Schwarzkopf, and to all those serving with him. And to the families, let me +say, our forces in the gulf will not stay there one day longer than is +necessary to complete their mission. + +The courage and success of the R.A.F. pilots--of the Kuwaiti, Saudi, +French, Canadians, Italians, the pilots of Qatar and Bahrain--all are +proof that for the first time since World War II, the international +community is united. The leadership of the United Nations, once only a +hoped-for ideal, is now confirming its founders' vision. + +I am heartened that we are not being asked to bear alone the financial +burden of this struggle. Last year, our friends and allies provided the +bulk of the economic costs of Desert Shield, and having now received +commitments of over $40 billion for the first three months of 1991, I am +confident they will do no less as we move through Desert Storm. + +But the world has to wonder what the dictator of Iraq is thinking. If he +thinks that by targeting innocent civilians in Israel and Saudi Arabia, +that he will gain an advantage--he is dead wrong. If he thinks that he +will advance his cause through tragic and despicable environmental +terrorism--he is dead wrong. And if he thinks that by abusing coalition +P.O.W.s, he will benefit--he is dead wrong. + +We will succeed in the Gulf. And when we do, the world community will have +sent an enduring warning to any dictator or despot, present or future, who +contemplates outlaw aggression. + +The world can therefore seize this opportunity to fulfill the long-held +promise of a new world order--where brutality will go unrewarded, and +aggression will meet collective resistance. + +Yes, the United States bears a major share of leadership in this effort. +Among the nations of the world, only the United States of America has had +both the moral standing, and the means to back it up. We are the only +nation on this earth that could assemble the forces of peace. + +This is the burden of leadership--and the strength that has made America +the beacon of freedom in a searching world. + +This nation has never found glory in war. Our people have never wanted to +abandon the blessings of home and work, for distant lands and deadly +conflict. If we fight in anger, it is only because we have to fight at all. +And all of us yearn for a world where we will never have to fight again. + +Each of us will measure, within ourselves, the value of this great +struggle. Any cost in lives is beyond our power to measure. But the cost of +closing our eyes to aggression is beyond mankind's power to imagine. + +This we do know: Our cause is just. Our cause is moral. Our cause is +right. + +Let future generations understand the burden and the blessings of freedom. +Let them say, we stood where duty required us to stand. + +Let them know that together, we affirmed America, and the world, as a +community of conscience. + +The winds of change are with us now. The forces of freedom are united. We +move toward the next century, more confident than ever, that we have the +will at home and abroad, to do what must be done--the hard work of +freedom. + +May God bless the United States of America. + +*** + +State of the Union Address +George H.W. Bush +January 28, 1992 + +Mr. Speaker, Mr. President, distinguished members of Congress, honored +guests and fellow citizens: + +I mean to speak tonight of big things, of big changes and the promises they +hold and of some big problems and how together we can solve them and move +our country forward as the undisputed leader of the age. + +We gather tonight at a dramatic and deeply promising time in our history, +and in the history of man on earth. For in the past 12 months, the world +has known changes of almost biblical proportions. And even now, months +after the failed coup that doomed a failed system, I am not sure we have +absorbed the full impact, the full import of what happened. + +But Communism died this year. Even as President, with the most fascinating +possible vantage point, there were times when I was so busy helping to +manage progress and lead change that I didn't always show the joy that was +in my heart But the biggest thing that has happened in the world in my +life, in our lives, is this: By the grace of God, America won the Cold War. +And there's another to be singled out, though it may seem inelegant. I mean +a mass of people called the American taxpayer. No ever thinks to thank the +people who pay country's bill or an alliance's bill. But for a half Century +now, the American people have shouldered the burden and paid taxes that +were higher than they would have been to support a defense that was bigger +than it would have been if imperial communism had never existed. But it +did. But it doesn't anymore. And here is a fact I wouldn't mind the world +acknowledging: The American taxpayer bore the brunt of the burden, and +deserves a hunk of the glory. + +And so, now, for the first time in 35 years, our strategic bombers stand +down. No longer are they on round-the-clock alert. Tomorrow our children +will go to school and study history and how plants grow. And they won't +have, as my children did, air-raid drills in which they crawl under their +desks and cover their heads in case of nuclear war. My grandchildren don't +have to do that, and won't have the bad dreams children once had in decades +past. There are still threats. But the long drawn-out dread is over. + +A year ago tonight I spoke to you at a moment of high peril. American +forces had just unleashed Operation Desert Storm. And after 40 days in the +desert skies and 4 days on the ground, the men and women of America's armed +forces and our allies accomplished the goals that I declared, and that you +endorsed: we liberated Kuwait. + +Soon after, the Arab world and Israel sat down to talk seriously, and +comprehensively, about peace, an historic first. And soon after that, at +Christmas, the last American hostages came home. Our policies were +vindicated. + +Much good can come from the prudent use of power. And much good can come +from this: A world once divided into two armed camps now recognizes one +sole and pre-eminent power, the United States of America. And this they +regard with no dread. For the world trusts us with power, and the world is +right. They trust us to be fair, and restrained. They trust us to be on the +side of decency. They trust us to do what's right. + +I use those words advisedly. A few days after the war began, I received a +telegram from Joanne Speicher, the wife of the first pilot killed in the +gulf, Lieutenant Commander Scott Speicher. Even in her grief, she wanted me +to know that some day, when her children were old enough, she would tell +them "that their father went away to war because it was the right thing to +do". She said it all. It was the right thing to do. + +And we did it together. There were honest differences here, in this +chamber. But when the war began, you put your partisanship aside and +supported our troops. This is still a time for pride, but this is no time +to boast. For problems face us, and we must stand together once again and +solve them--and not let our country down. + +Two years ago, I began planning cuts in military spending that reflected +the changes of the new era. But now, this year, with Imperial Communism +gone, that process can be accelerated. Tonight I can tell you of dramatic +changes in our strategic nuclear force. These are actions we are taking on +our own, because they are the right thing to do. + +After completing 20 planes for which we have begun procurement, we will +shut down production of the B-2 bomber. We will cancel the ICBM program. We +will cease production of new warheads for our sea-based missiles. We will +stop all production of the peacekeeper missile. And we will not purchase +any more advanced cruise missiles. + +This weekend I will meet at Camp David with Boris Yeltsin of the Russian +Federation. I have informed President Yeltsin that if the commonwealth, the +former Soviet Union, will eliminate all land-based multiple-warhead +ballistic missiles, I will do the following: We will eliminate all +Peacekeeper missiles. We will reduce the number of warheads on Minuteman +missiles to one and reduce the number of warheads on our sea-based missiles +by about one-third. And we will convert a substantial portion of our +strategic to primarily conventional use. + +President Yeltsin's early response has been very positive, and I expect our +talks at Camp David to be fruitful. I want you to know that for half a +century, American presidents have longed to make such decisions and say +such words. But even in the midst of celebration, we must keep caution as a +friend. For the world is still a dangerous place. Only the dead have seen +the end of conflict. And though yesterday's challenges are behind us, +tomorrow's are being born. + +The Secretary of defense recommended these cuts after consultation with the +joint chiefs of staff. And I make them with confidence. But do not +misunderstand me: The reductions I have approved will save us an additional +$50 billion over the next five years. By 1997 we will have cut defense by +30 percent since I took office. These cuts are deep, and you must know my +resolve: this deep, and no deeper. To do less would be insensible to +progress, but to do more would be ignorant of history. We must not go back +to the days of "the hollow army". We cannot repeat the mistakes made twice +in this century when armistice was followed by recklessness and defense was +purged as if the world was permanently safe. + +I remind you this evening that I have asked for your support in funding a +program to protect our country from limited nuclear missile attack. We must +have this protection because too many people in too many countries have +access to nuclear arms. There are those who say that now we can turn away +from the world, that we have no special role, no special place. But we are +the United States of America, the leader of the West that has become the +leader of the world. + +As long as I am President we will continue to lead in support of freedom +everywhere, not out of arrogance and not out of altruism, but for the +safety and security of our children. This is a fact: Strength in the +pursuit of peace is no vice; isolationism in the pursuit of security is no +virtue. + +Now to our troubles at home. They are not all economic, but the primary +problem is our economy. There are some good signs. Inflation, that thief, +is down, and interest rates are down. But unemployment is too high, some +industries are in trouble and growth is not what it should be. Let me tell +you right from the start and right from the heart: I know we're in hard +times, but I know something else: This will not stand. + +My friends in this chamber, we can bring the same courage and sense of +common purpose to the economy that we brought to Desert Storm. And we can +defeat hard times together. I believe you will help. One reason is that +you're patriots, and you want the best for your country. And I believe that +in your hearts you want to put partisanship aside and get the job done, +because it's the right thing to do. + +The power of America rests in a stirring but simple idea: that people will +do great things if only you set them free. Well, we're going to have to set +the economy free, for if this age of miracles and wonders has taught us +anything, it's that if we can change the world, we can change America. + +We must encourage investment. We must make it easier for people to invest +money and make new products, new industries, and new jobs. We must clear +away obstacles to new growth: high taxes, high regulation, red tape, and +yes, wasteful government spending. None of this will happen with a snap of +the fingers, but it will happen. And the test of a plan isn't whether it's +called new or dazzling. The American people aren't impressed by gimmicks. +They're smarter on this score than all of us in this room. The only test of +a plan is, It is sound and will it work? We must have a short-term plan to +address our immediate needs and heat up the economy. And then we need a +long-term plan to keep the combustion going and to guarantee our place in +the world economy. + +There are certain things that a president can do without Congress, and I am +going to do them. I have this evening asked major cabinet departments and +federal agencies to institute a 90-day moratorium on any new federal +regulations that could hinder growth. In those 90 days, major departments +and agencies will carry out a top-to-bottom review of all regulations, old +and new, to stop the ones that will hurt growth and speed up those that +will help growth. + +Further, for the untold number of hard-working, responsible American +workers and businessmen and women who've been forced to go without needed +bank loans, the banking credit crunch must end. I won't neglect my +responsibility for sound regulations that serve the public good, but +regulatory overkill must be stopped. And I have instructed our government +regulators to stop it. + +I have directed Cabinet departments and federal agencies to speed up +pro-growth expenditures as quickly as possible. This should put an extra +$10 billion into the economy in the next six months. And our new +transportation bill provides more than $150 billion for construction and +maintenance projects that are vital to our growth and well-being. That +means jobs building roads, jobs building bridges and jobs building +railways. And I have this evening directed the secretary of the Treasury to +change the federal tax withholding tables. With this change, millions of +Americans from whom the government withholds more than necessary can now +choose to have the government withhold less from their paychecks. Something +tells me a number of taxpayers may take us up on this one. This initiative +could return about $25 billion back into the economy over the next 12 +months, money people can use to help pay for clothing, college or a new +car. And finally, working with the Federal Reserve, we will continue to +support monetary policy that keeps both interest rates and inflation down. + +Now these are the things that I can do. And now, members of Congress, let +me tell you what you can do for your country. You must, you must pass the +other elements of my plan to meet our economic needs. Everyone knows +investment speeds recovery. And I am proposing this evening a change in the +alternative minimum tax, and the creation of a new 15% investment tax +allowance. This will encourage businesses to accelerate investment and +bring people back to work. Real estate has led our economy out of almost +all the tough times we've ever had. Once building starts, carpenters and +plumbers work, people buy homes and take out mortgages. + +My plan would modify the passive-loss rule for active real-estate +developers. And it would make it easier for pension plans to purchase real +estate. For those Americans who dream of buying a first home but who can't +quite afford it, my plan would allow first-time home buyers to withdraw +savings from IRAs without penalty and provide a $5000 tax credit for the +first purchase of that home. + +And finally, my immediate plan calls on Congress to give crucial help to +people who own a home, to every one who has a business, a farm or a single +investment. + +This time, at this hour, I cannot take "No" for an answer. You must cut the +capital gains tax on the people of this country. Never has an issue been so +demagogued by its opponents. But the demagogues are wrong. They are wrong, +and they know it. Sixty percent of people who benefit from lower capital +gains have incomes under $50,000. A cut in the capital gains tax increases +jobs and helps just about everyone in our country. And so I'm asking you to +cut the capital gains tax to a maximum of 15.4%. And I'll tell you, I'll +tell you, those of you who say, "Oh no, someone who's comfortable may +benefit from this" you kind of remind me of the old definition of the +Puritan, who couldn't sleep at night worrying that somehow someone +somewhere was out having a good time. + +The opponents of this measure and those who've authored various so-called +soak-the-rich bills that are floating around this chamber should be +reminded of something: When they aim at the big guy, they usually hit the +little guy. And maybe it's time that stopped. + +This then is my short-term plan. Your part, members of Congress, requires +enactment of these common-sense proposals that will have a strong effect on +the economy, without breaking the budget agreement and without raising tax +rates. And while my plan is being passed and kicking in, we've got to care +for those in trouble today. I have provided for up to $4.4 billion in my +budget to extend federal unemployment benefits, and I ask for Congressional +action right away. And I thank the committee--well, at last. And let's be +frank. Let's be frank; let me level with you. + +I know, and you know, that my plan is unveiled in a political season. I +know, and you know, that everything I propose will be viewed by some in +merely partisan terms. But I ask you to know what is in my heart. And my +aim is to increase our nation's good. And I'm doing what I think is right; +I'm proposing what I know will help. I pride myself that I'm a prudent man, +and I believe that patience is a virtue, but I understand politics is, for +some, a game and that sometimes the game is to stop all progress and then +decry the lack of improvement. But let me tell you, let me tell you, far +more important than my political future--and far more important than +yours--is the well-being of our country. And members of this chamber, +members of this chamber, are practical people, and I know you won't resent +some practical advice: When people put their party's fortunes, whatever the +party, whatever the side of this aisle, before the public good, they court +defeat not only for their country, but for themselves. And they will +certainly deserve it. + +And I submit my plan tomorrow. And I am asking you to pass it by March 20. +From the day after that--if it must be--the battle is joined. And you +know, when principle is at stake, I relish a good fair fight. + +I said my plan has two parts, and it does. And it's the second part that is +the heart of the matter. For it's not enough to get an immediate burst. We +need long-term improvement in our economic position. We all know that the +key to our economic future is to insure that America continues as the +economic leader of the world. We have that in our power. Here, then, is my +long-term plan to guarantee our future. + +First, trade: We will work to break down the walls that stop world trade. +We will work to open markets everywhere. And in our major trade +negotiations, I will continue pushing to eliminate tariffs and subsidies +that damage America's farmers and workers. And we'll get more good American +jobs within our own hemisphere through the North American Free Trade +Agreement, and through the Enterprise for the Americas Initiative. But +changes are here, and more are coming. The work place of the future will +demand more highly skilled workers than ever, people who are computer +literate, highly educated. + +And we must be the world's leader in education. And we must revolutionize +America's schools. My America 2000 strategy will help us reach that goal. +My plan will give parents more choice, give teachers more flexibility and +help communities create new American schools. Thirty states across the +nation have established America 2000 programs. Hundreds of cities and towns +have joined. Now Congress must join this great movement. Pass my proposals +for new American schools. + +That was my second long-term proposal. And here's my third: We must make +common-sense investments that will help us compete, long-term, in the +marketplace. We must encourage research and development. My plan is to make +the R and D tax credit permanent, and to provide record levels of support, +over $76 billion this year alone for people who explore the promise of +emerging technologies. + +And fourth, we must do something about crime and drugs. And it is time for +a major renewed investment in fighting violent street crime. Its saps our +strength and hurts our faith in our society, and in our future together. +Surely a tired woman on her way to work at six in the morning on a subway +deserves the right to get there safely. And surely, it's true that everyone +who changes his or her way of life because of crime--from those afraid to +go our at night to those afraid to walk in the parks they pay for--surely +those people have been denied a basic civil right. It is time to restore +it. Congress, pass my comprehensive crime bill. It is tough on criminals +and supportive of police, and it has been languishing in these hallowed +halls for years now. Pass it. Help your country. + +And fifth, I ask you tonight to fund our HOPE housing proposal and to pass +my enterprise-zone legislation, which will get businesses into the inner +city. We must empower the poor with the pride that comes from owning a +home, getting a job, becoming part of things. My plan would encourage real +estate construction by extending tax incentives for mortgage-revenue bonds +and low-income housing. And I ask tonight for record expenditures for the +program that helps children born into want move into excellence: Head +Start. + +Step six: We must reform our health care system for this too, bears on +whether or not we can compete in the world. American health costs have been +exploding. This year America will spend over $800 billion on health, and +that is expected to grow to $1.6 trillion by the end of the decade. We +simply cannot afford this. The cost of health care shows up not only in +your family budget, but in the price of everything we buy and everything we +sell. When health coverage for a fellow on the assembly line costs +thousands of dollars, the cost goes into the product he makes. And you pay +the bill. Now we must make a choice. + +Now some pretend we can have it both ways: they call it play or pay. But +that expensive approach is unstable. It will mean higher taxes, fewer jobs, +and eventually, a system under complete government control. Really, there +are only two options. And we can move toward a nationalized system, a +system which will restrict patient choice in picking a doctor and force the +government to ration services arbitrarily. And what we'll get is patients +in long lines, indifferent service and a huge new tax burden. Or we can +reform our own private health-care system, which still gives us, for all +its flaws, the best quality health care in the world. Well, let's build on +our strengths. + +My plan provides insurance security for all Americans while preserving and +increasing the idea of choice. We make basic health insurance affordable +for all low-income people not now covered. We do it by providing a +health-insurance tax credit of up to $3750 for each low-income family. The +middle class gets help, too. And by reforming the health insurance market, +my plan assures that Americans will have access to basic health insurance +even if they change jobs or develop serious health problem We must bring +costs under control, preserve quality, preserve choice and reduce people's +nagging daily worry about health insurance. My plan, the details of which I +will announce shortly, does just that. + +And seventh, we must get the federal deficit under control. We now have in +law, enforcable spending caps, and a requirement that we pay for the +programs we create. There are those in Congress who would ease that +discipline now. But I cannot let them do it. And I won't. My plan would +freeze all domestic discretionary budget authority which means "No more +next year than this year". I will not tamper with Social Security but I +would put real caps on the growth of uncontrolled spending. And I would +also freeze federal domestic government employment. And with the help of +Congress, my plan will get rid of 246 programs that don't deserve federal +funding. Some of them have noble titles, but none of them is indispensible. +We can get rid of each and every one of them. + +You know, it's time we rediscovered a home truth the American people have +never forgotten: the government is too big and spends too much. And I call +on Congress to adopt a measure that will help put an end to the annual +ritual of filling the budget with pork-barrel appropriations. Every year, +the press has a field day making fun of outrageous examples, a Lawrence +Welk Museum, a research grant for Belgian Endive. We all know how these +things get into the budget, and maybe you need someone to help you say no. +I know how to say it. And you know what I need to make it stick. Give me +the same thing 43 governors have--the line-item veto--and let me help +you control spending. + +We must put an end to unfinanced government mandates. These are the +requirements Congress puts on our cities, counties and states without +supplying the money. And if Congress passes a mandate, it should be forced +to pay for it and balance the cost with savings elsewhere. After all, a +mandate just increases someone else's tax burden, and that means higher +taxes at the state and local level. + +Step Eight: Congress should enact the bold reform proposals that are still +awaiting congressional action: bank reform, civil justice reform, tort +reform, and my national energy strategy. + +And finally, we must strengthen the family, because it is the family that +has the greatest bearing on our future. When Barbara holds an AIDS baby in +her arms and reads to children, she's saying to every person in this +country, "Family Matters". + +And I am announcing tonight a new commission on America's urban families. +I've asked Missouri's governor, John Ashcroft, to be chairman, former +Dallas Mayor Annetter Strauss to be co-chair. You know, I had Mayors, the +leading mayors from the League of Cities, in the other day at the White +House, and they told me something striking. They said that every one of +them, Republican and Democrat, agreed on one thing: That the major cause of +the problems of the cities is the dissolution of the family. And they asked +for this commission, and they were right to ask, because it's time to +determine what we can do to keep families together, strong and sound. + +There's one thing we can do right away: Ease the burden of rearing a child. +I ask you tonight to raise the personal exemption by $500 per child for +every family. For a family with four kids, that's an increase of $2000. +This is a good start in the right direction, and it's what we can afford. +It's time to allow families to deduct the interest they pay on student +loans. And I'm asking you to do just that. And I'm asking you to allow +people to use money from their IRAs to pay medical and educational +expenses, all without penalties. And I'm asking for more. Ask American +parents what they dislike about how things are going in our country, and +chances are good that pretty soon they'll get to welfare. + +Americans are the most generous people on Earth. But we have to go back to +the insight of Franklin Roosevelt who, when he spoke of what became the +welfare program, want that it must not become a narcotic and a subtle +destroyer of the spirit. Welfare was never meant to be a life style. It was +never meant to be a habit. It was never supposed to be passed on from +generation to generation like a legacy. It's time to replace the +assumptions of the welfare state and help reform the welfare system. + +States throughout the country are beginning to operate with new +assumptions: that when able-bodied people receive government assistance +they have responsibilities to the taxpayer. A responsibility to seek work, +education, or job training. A responsibility to get their lives in order. A +responsibility to hold their families together and refrain from having +children out of wedlock. And a responsibility to obey the law. We are going +to help this movement. Often, state reform requires waiving certain federal +regulations. I will act to make that process easier and quicker for every +state that asks our help. And I want to add, as we make these changes, we +work together to improve this system, that our intention is not +scapegoating and finger-pointing. If you read the papers or watch TV you +know there's been a rise these days in a certain kind of ugliness: racist +comments, anti-Semitism, an increased sense of division. Really, this is +not us. This is not who we are. And this is not acceptable. + +And so you have my plan for America. And I am asking for big things, but I +believe in my heart you will do what's right. + +And you know, it's kind of an American tradition to show a certain +skepticism toward our democratic institutions. I myself have sometimes +thought the aging process could be delayed if it had to make its way +through Congress. But you will deliberate, and you will discuss, and that +is fine. But my friends the people cannot wait. They need help now. And +there's a mood among us. People are worried. There has been talk of +decline. Someone even said our workers are lazy and uninspired. And I +thought, "Really? Go tell Neil Armstrong standing on the moon. Tell the +American farmer who feeds his country and the world. Tell the men and women +of Desert Storm." Moods come and go, but greatness endures. Our does. + +And maybe for a moment it's good to remember what, in the dailyness of our +lives, we forget. We are still and ever the freest nation on Earth, the +kindest nation on Earth, the strongest nation on Earth. And we have always +risen to the occasion. And we are going to lift this nation out of hard +times inch by inch and day by day, and those who would stop us better step +aside. Because I look at hard times and I make this vow: This will not +stand. And so we move on, together, a rising nation, the once and future +miracle that is still, this night, the hope of the world. + + + +*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK OF ADDRESSES BY GEORGE H.W. BUSH *** + +This file should be named sughw11.txt or sughw11.zip +Corrected EDITIONS of our eBooks get a new NUMBER, sughw12.txt +VERSIONS based on separate sources get new LETTER, sughw10a.txt + +Project Gutenberg eBooks are often created from several printed +editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the US +unless a copyright notice is included. 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