Mr. Speaker, Mr. President, distinguished Members of the Congress, honored guests, and fellow citizens: I come before you to report on the state of our Union, and I'm pleased to report that after 4 years of united effort, the American people have brought forth a nation renewed, stronger, freer, and more secure than before. Four years ago we began to change, forever I hope, our assumptions about government and its place in our lives. Out of that change has come great and robust growth-in our confidence, our economy, and our role in the world. Tonight America is stronger because of the values that we hold dear. We believe faith and freedom must be our guiding stars, for they show us truth, they make us brave, give us hope, and leave us wiser than we were. Our progress began not in Washington, DC, but in the hearts of our families, communities, workplaces, and voluntary groups which, together, are unleashing the invincible spirit of one great nation under God. Four years ago we said we would invigorate our economy by giving people greater freedom and incentives to take risks and letting them keep more of what they earned. We did what we promised, and a great industrial giant is reborn. Tonight we can take pride in 25 straight months of economic growth, the strongest in 34 years; a 3-year inflation average of 3.9 percent, the lowest in 17 years; and 7.3 million new jobs in 2 years, with more of our citizens working than ever before. New freedom in our lives has planted the rich seeds for future success: For an America of wisdom that honors the family, knowing that if [as] the family goes, so goes our civilization; For an America of vision that sees tomorrow's dreams in the learning and hard work we do today; For an America of courage whose service men and women, even as we meet, proudly stand watch on the frontiers of freedom; For an America of compassion that opens its heart to those who cry out for help. We have begun well. But it's only a beginning. We're not here to congratulate ourselves on what we have done but to challenge ourselves to finish what has not yet been done. We're here to speak for millions in our inner cities who long for real jobs, safe neighborhoods, and schools that truly teach. We're here to speak for the American farmer, the entrepreneur, and every worker in industries fighting to modernize and compete. And, yes, we're here to stand, and proudly so, for all who struggle to break free from totalitarianism, for all who know in their hearts that freedom is the one true path to peace and human happiness. Proverbs tell us, without a vision the people perish. When asked what great principle holds our Union together, Abraham Lincoln said: "Something in [the] Declaration giving liberty, not alone to the people of this country, but hope to the world for all future time." We honor the giants of our history not by going back but forward to the dreams their vision foresaw. My fellow citizens, this nation is poised for greatness. The time has come to proceed toward a great new challenge—a second American Revolution of hope and opportunity; a revolution carrying us to new heights of progress by pushing back frontiers of knowledge and space; a revolution of spirit that taps the soul of America, enabling us to summon greater strength than we've ever known; and a revolution that carries beyond our shores the golden promise of human freedom in a world of peace. Let us begin by challenging our conventional wisdom. There are no constraints on the human mind, no walls around the human spirit, no barriers to our progress except those we ourselves erect. Already, pushing down tax rates has freed our economy to vault forward to record growth. In Europe, they're calling it "the American Miracle." Day by day, we're shattering accepted notions of what is possible. When I was growing up, we failed to see how a new thing called radio would transform our marketplace. Well, today, many have not yet seen how advances in technology are transforming our lives. In the late 1950's workers at the AT&T semiconductor plant in Pennsylvania produced five transistors a day for $7.50 apiece. They now produce over a million for less than a penny apiece. New laser techniques could revolutionize heart bypass surgery, cut diagnosis time for viruses linked to cancer from weeks to minutes, reduce hospital costs dramatically, and hold out new promise for saving human lives. Our automobile industry has overhauled assembly lines, increased worker productivity, and is competitive once again. We stand on the threshold of a great ability to produce more, do more, be more. Our economy is not getting older and weaker; it's getting younger and stronger. It doesn't need rest and supervision; it needs new challenge, greater freedom. And that word "freedom" is the key to the second American revolution that we need to bring about. Let us move together with an historic reform of tax simplification for fairness and growth. Last year I asked Treasury Secretary-then-Regan to develop a plan to simplify the tax code, so all taxpayers would be treated more fairly and personal tax rates could come further down. We have cut tax rates by almost 25 percent, yet the tax system remains unfair and limits our potential for growth. Exclusions and exemptions cause similar incomes to be taxed at different levels. Low-income families face steep tax barriers that make hard lives even harder. The Treasury Department has produced an excellent reform plan, whose principles will guide the final proposal that we will ask you to enact. One thing that tax reform will not be is a tax increase in disguise. We will not jeopardize the mortgage interest deduction that families need. We will reduce personal tax rates as low as possible by removing many tax preferences. We will propose a top rate of no more than 35 percent, and possibly lower. And we will propose reducing corporate rates, while maintaining incentives for capital formation. To encourage opportunity and jobs rather than dependency and welfare, we will propose that individuals living at or near the poverty line be totally exempt from Federal income tax. To restore fairness to families, we will propose increasing significantly the personal exemption. And tonight, I am instructing Treasury Secretary James Baker—I have to get used to saying that—to begin working with congressional authors and committees for bipartisan legislation conforming to these principles. We will call upon the American people for support and upon every man and woman in this Chamber. Together, we can pass, this year, a tax bill for fairness, simplicity, and growth, making this economy the engine of our dreams and America the investment capital of the world. So let us begin. Tax simplification will be a giant step toward unleashing the tremendous pent-up power of our economy. But a second American revolution must carry the promise of opportunity for all. It is time to liberate the spirit of enterprise in the most distressed areas of our country. This government will meet its responsibility to help those in need. But policies that increase dependency, break up families, and destroy self-respect are not progressive; they're reactionary. Despite our strides in civil rights, blacks, Hispanics, and all minorities will not have full and equal power until they have full economic power. We have repeatedly sought passage of enterprise zones to help those in the abandoned corners of our land find jobs, learn skills, and build better lives. This legislation is supported by a majority of you. Mr. Speaker, I know we agree that 'there must be no forgotten Americans. Let us place new dreams in a million hearts and create a new generation of entrepreneurs by passing enterprise zones this year. And, Tip, you could make that a birthday present. [Laughter] Nor must we lose the chance to pass our youth employment opportunity wage proposal. We can help teenagers, who have the highest unemployment rate, find summer jobs, so they can know the pride of work and have confidence in their futures. We'll continue to support the Job Training Partnership Act, which has a nearly two-thirds job placement rate. Credits in education and health care vouchers will help working families shop for services that they need. Our administration is already encouraging certain low-income public housing residents to own and manage their own dwellings. It's time that all public housing residents have that opportunity of ownership. The Federal Government can help create a new atmosphere of freedom. But States and localities, many of which enjoy surpluses from the recovery, must not permit their tax and regulatory policies to stand as barriers to growth. Let us resolve that we will stop spreading dependency and start spreading opportunity; that we will stop spreading bondage and start spreading freedom. There are some who say that growth initiatives must await final action on deficit reductions. Well, the best way to reduce deficits is through economic growth. More businesses will be started, more investments made, more jobs created, and more people will be on payrolls paying taxes. The best way to reduce government spending is to reduce the need for spending by increasing prosperity. Each added percentage point per year of real GNP growth will lead to cumulative reduction in deficits of nearly $200 billion over 5 years. To move steadily toward a balanced budget, we must also lighten government's claim on our total economy. We will not do this by raising taxes. We must make sure that our economy grows faster than the growth in spending by the Federal Government. In our fiscal year 1986 budget, overall government program spending will be frozen at the current level. It must not be one dime higher than fiscal year 1985, and three points are key. First, the social safety net for the elderly, the needy, the disabled, and unemployed will be left intact. Growth of our major health care programs, Medicare and Medicaid, will be slowed, but protections for the elderly and needy will be preserved. Second, we must not relax our efforts to restore military strength just as we near our goal of a fully equipped, trained, and ready professional corps. National security is government's first responsibility; so in past years defense spending took about half the Federal budget. Today it takes less than a third. We've already reduced our planned defense expenditures by nearly a hundred billion dollars over the past 4 years and reduced projected spending again this year. You know, we only have a military-industrial complex until a time of danger, and then it becomes the arsenal of democracy. Spending for defense is investing in things that are priceless—peace and freedom. Third, we must reduce or eliminate costly government subsidies. For example, deregulation of the airline industry has led to cheaper airfares, but on Amtrak taxpayers pay about $35 per passenger every time an Amtrak train leaves the station, It's time we ended this huge Federal subsidy. Our farm program costs have quadrupled in recent years. Yet I know from visiting farmers, many in great financial distress, that we need an orderly transition to a market-oriented farm economy. We can help farmers best not by expanding Federal payments but by making fundamental reforms, keeping interest rates heading down, and knocking down foreign trade barriers to American farm exports. We're moving ahead with Grace commission reforms to eliminate waste and improve government's management practices. In the long run, we must protect the taxpayers from government. And I ask again that you pass, as 32 States have now called for, an amendment mandating the Federal Government spend no more than it takes in. And I ask for the authority, used responsibly by 43 Governors, to veto individual items in appropriation bills. Senator Mattingly has introduced a bill permitting a 2-year trial run of the line-item veto. I hope you'll pass and send that legislation to my desk. Nearly 50 years of government living beyond its means has brought us to a time of reckoning. Ours is but a moment in history. But one moment of courage, idealism, and bipartisan unity can change American history forever. Sound monetary policy is key to long-running economic strength and stability. We will continue to cooperate with the Federal Reserve Board, seeking a steady policy that ensures price stability without keeping interest rates artificially high or needlessly holding down growth. Reducing unneeded red tape and regulations, and deregulating the energy, transportation, and financial industries have unleashed new competition, giving consumers more choices, better services, and lower prices. In just one set of grant programs we have reduced 905 pages of regulations to 31. We seek to fully deregulate natural gas to bring on new supplies and bring us closer to energy independence. Consistent with safety standards, we will continue removing restraints on the bus and railroad industries, we will soon end up legislation—or send up legislation, I should say—to return Conrail to the private sector where it belongs, and we will support further deregulation of the trucking industry. Every dollar the Federal Government does not take from us, every decision it does not make for us will make our economy stronger, our lives more abundant, our future more free. Our second American revolution will push on to new possibilities not only on Earth but in the next frontier of space. Despite budget restraints, we will seek record funding for research and development. We've seen the success of the space shuttle. Now we're going to develop a permanently manned space station and new opportunities for free enterprise, because in the next decade Americans and our friends around the world will be living and working together in space. In the zero gravity of space, we could manufacture in 30 days lifesaving medicines it would take 30 years to make on Earth. We can make crystals of exceptional purity to produce super computers, creating jobs, technologies, and medical breakthroughs beyond anything we ever dreamed possible. As we do all this, we'll continue to protect our natural resources. We will seek reauthorization and expanded funding for the Superfund program to continue cleaning up hazardous waste sites which threaten human health and the environment. Now, there's another great heritage to speak of this evening. Of all the changes that have swept America the past 4 years, none brings greater promise than our rediscovery of the values of faith, freedom, family, work, and neighborhood. We see signs of renewal in increased attendance in places of worship; renewed optimism and faith in our future; love of country rediscovered by our young, who are leading the way. We've rediscovered that work is good in and of itself, that it ennobles us to create and contribute no matter how seemingly humble our jobs. We've seen a powerful new current from an old and honorable tradition—American generosity. From thousands answering Peace Corps appeals to help boost food production in Africa, to millions volunteering time, corporations adopting schools, and communities pulling together to help the neediest among us at home, we have refound our values. Private sector initiatives are crucial to our future. I thank the Congress for passing equal access legislation giving religious groups the same right to use classrooms after school that other groups enjoy. But no citizen need tremble, nor the world shudder, if a child stands in a classroom and breathes a prayer. We ask you again, give children back a right they had for a century and a half or more in this country. The question of abortion grips our nation. Abortion is either the taking of a human life or it isn't. And if it is—and medical technology is increasingly showing it is—it must be stopped. It is a terrible irony that while some turn to abortion, so many others who cannot become parents cry out for children to adopt. We have room for these children. We can fill the cradles of those who want a child to love. And tonight I ask you in the Congress to move this year on legislation to protect the unborn. In the area of education, we're returning to excellence, and again, the heroes are our people, not government. We're stressing basics of discipline, rigorous testing, and homework, while helping children become computer-smart as well. For 20 years scholastic aptitude test scores of our high school students went down, but now they have gone up 2 of the last 3 years. We must go forward in our commitment to the new basics, giving parents greater authority and making sure good teachers are rewarded for hard work and achievement through merit pay. Of all the changes in the past 20 years, none has more threatened our sense of national well-being than the explosion of violent crime. One does not have to be attacked to be a victim. The woman who must run to her car after shopping at night is a victim. The couple draping their door with locks and chains are victims; as is the tired, decent cleaning woman who can't ride a subway home without being afraid. We do not seek to violate the rights of defendants. But shouldn't we feel more compassion for the victims of crime than for those who commit crime? For the first time in 20 years, the crime index has fallen 2 years in a row. We've convicted over 7,400 drug offenders and put them, as well as leaders of organized crime, behind bars in record numbers. But we must do more. I urge the House to follow the Senate and enact proposals permitting use of all reliable evidence that police officers acquire in good faith. These proposals would also reform the habeas corpus laws and allow, in keeping with the will of the overwhelming majority of Americans, the use of the death penalty where necessary. There can be no economic revival in ghettos when the most violent among us are allowed to roam free. It's time we restored domestic tranquility. And we mean to do just that. Just as we're positioned as never before to secure justice in our economy, we're poised as never before to create a safer, freer, more peaceful world. Our alliances are stronger than ever. Our economy is stronger than ever. We have resumed our historic role as a leader of the free world. And all of these together are a great force for peace. Since 1981 we've been committed to seeking fair and verifiable arms agreements that would lower the risk of war and reduce the size of nuclear arsenals. Now our determination to maintain a strong defense has influenced the Soviet Union to return to the bargaining table. Our negotiators must be able to go to that table with the united support of the American people. All of us have no greater dream than to see the day when nuclear weapons are banned from this Earth forever. Each Member of the Congress has a role to play in modernizing our defenses, thus supporting our chances for a meaningful arms agreement. Your vote this spring on the Peacekeeper missile will be a critical test of our resolve to maintain the strength we need and move toward mutual and verifiable arms reductions. For the past 20 years we've believed that no war will be launched as long as each side knows it can retaliate with a deadly counterstrike. Well, I believe there's a better way of eliminating the threat of nuclear war. It is a Strategic Defense Initiative aimed ultimately at finding a nonnuclear defense against ballistic missiles. It's the most hopeful possibility of the nuclear age. But it's not very well understood. Some say it will bring war to the heavens, but its purpose is to deter war in the heavens and on Earth. Now, some say the research would be expensive. Perhaps, but it could save millions of lives, indeed humanity itself. And some say if we build such a system, the Soviets will build a defense system of their own. Well, they already have strategic defenses that surpass ours; a civil defense system, where we have almost none; and a research program covering roughly the same areas of technology that we're now exploring. And finally some say the research will take a long time. Well, the answer to that is: Let's get started. Harry Truman once said that, ultimately, our security and the world's hopes for peace and human progress "lie not in measures of defense or in the control of weapons, but in the growth and expansion of freedom and self-government." And tonight, we declare anew to our fellow citizens of the world: Freedom is not the sole prerogative of a chosen few; it is the universal right of all God's children. Look to where peace and prosperity flourish today. It is in homes that freedom built. Victories against poverty are greatest and peace most secure where people live by laws that ensure free press, free speech, and freedom to worship, vote, and create wealth. Our mission is to nourish and defend freedom and democracy, and to communicate these ideals everywhere we can. America's economic success is freedom's success; it can be repeated a hundred times in a hundred different nations. Many countries in east Asia and the Pacific have few resources other than the enterprise of their own people. But through low tax rates and free markets they've soared ahead of centralized economies. And now China is opening up its economy to meet its needs. We need a stronger and simpler approach to the process of making and implementing trade policy, and we'll be studying potential changes in that process in the next few weeks. We've seen the benefits of free trade and lived through the disasters of protectionism. Tonight I ask all our trading partners, developed and developing alike, to join us in a new round of trade negotiations to expand trade and competition and strengthen the global economy—and to begin it in this next year. There are more than 3 billion human beings living in Third World countries with an average per capita income of $650 a year. Many are victims of dictatorships that impoverished them with taxation and corruption. Let us ask our allies to join us in a practical program of trade and assistance that fosters economic development through personal incentives to help these people climb from poverty on their own. We cannot play innocents abroad in a world that's not innocent; nor can we be passive when freedom is under siege. Without resources, diplomacy cannot succeed. Our security assistance programs help friendly governments defend themselves and give them confidence to work for peace. And I hope that you in the Congress will understand that, dollar for dollar, security assistance contributes as much to global security as our own defense budget. We must stand by all our democratic allies. And we must not break faith with those who are risking their lives—on every continent, from Afghanistan to Nicaragua—to defy Soviet-supported aggression and secure rights which have been ours from birth. The Sandinista dictatorship of Nicaragua, with full Cuban-Soviet bloc support, not only persecutes its people, the church, and denies a free press, but arms and provides bases for Communist terrorists attacking neighboring states. Support for freedom fighters is self-defense and totally consistent with the OAS and U.N. Charters. It is essential that the Congress continue all facets of our assistance to Central America. I want to work with you to support the democratic forces whose struggle is tied to our own security. And tonight, I've spoken of great plans and great dreams. They're dreams we can make come true. Two hundred years of American history should have taught us that nothing is impossible. Ten years ago a young girl left Vietnam with her family, part of the exodus that followed the fall of Saigon. They came to the United States with no possessions and not knowing a word of English. Ten years ago—the young girl studied hard, learned English, and finished high school in the top of her class. And this May, May 22d to be exact, is a big date on her calendar. Just 10 years from the time she left Vietnam, she will graduate from the United States Military Academy at West Point. I thought you might like to meet an American hero named Jean Nguyen. Now, there's someone else here tonight, born 79 years ago. She lives in the inner city, where she cares for infants born of mothers who are heroin addicts. The children, born in withdrawal, are sometimes even dropped on her doorstep. She helps them with love. Go to her house some night, and maybe you'll see her silhouette against the window as she walks the floor talking softly, soothing a child in her arms-Mother Hale of Harlem, and she, too, is an American hero. Jean, Mother Hale, your lives tell us that the oldest American saying is new again: Anything is possible in America if we have the faith, the will, and the heart. History is asking us once again to be a force for good in the world. Let us begin in unity, with justice, and love. 
Thank you, and God bless you.
Mr. Speaker, Mr. President, distinguished Members of the Congress, honored guests, and fellow citizens: I come before you to report on the state of our Union, and I am pleased to report that after 4 years of united effort, the American people have brought forth a nation renewed, stronger, freer, and more secure than before. Four years ago we began to change, forever I hope, our assumptions about government and its place in our lives. Out of that change has come great and robust growth-in our confidence, our economy, and our role in the world. Tonight America is stronger because of the values that we hold dear. We believe faith and freedom must be our guiding stars, for they show us truth, they make us brave, give us hope, and leave us wiser than we were. Our progress began not in Washington, DC, but in the hearts of our families, communities, workplaces, and voluntary groups which, together, are unleashing the invincible spirit of one great nation under God. Four years ago we said we would invigorate our economy by giving people greater freedom and incentives to take risks and letting them keep more of what they earned. We did what we promised, and a great industrial giant is reborn. Tonight we can take pride in 25 straight months of economic growth, the strongest in 34 years; a 3-year inflation average of 3.9 percent, the lowest in 17 years; and 7.3 million new jobs in 2 years, with more of our citizens working than ever before. New freedom in our lives has planted the rich seeds for future success: For an America of wisdom that honors the family, knowing that if [as] the family goes, so goes our civilization; For an America of vision that sees tomorrow's dreams in the learning and hard work we do today; For an America of courage whose service men and women, even as we meet, proudly stand watch on the frontiers of freedom; For an America of compassion that opens its heart to those who cry out for help. We have begun well. But it is only a beginning. We are not here to congratulate ourselves on what we have done but to challenge ourselves to finish what has not yet been done. We are here to speak for millions in our inner cities who long for real jobs, safe neighborhoods, and schools that truly teach. We are here to speak for the American farmer, the entrepreneur, and every worker in industries fighting to modernize and compete. And, yes, we are here to stand, and proudly so, for all who struggle to break free from totalitarianism, for all who know in their hearts that freedom is the one true path to peace and human happiness. Proverbs tell us, without a vision the people perish. When asked what great principle holds our Union together, Abraham Lincoln said: "Something in [the] Declaration giving liberty, not alone to the people of this country, but hope to the world for all future time." We honor the giants of our history not by going back but forward to the dreams their vision foresaw. My fellow citizens, this nation is poised for greatness. The time has come to proceed toward a great new challenge—a second American Revolution of hope and opportunity; a revolution carrying us to new heights of progress by pushing back frontiers of knowledge and space; a revolution of spirit that taps the soul of America, enabling us to summon greater strength than we have ever known; and a revolution that carries beyond our shores the golden promise of human freedom in a world of peace. Let us begin by challenging our conventional wisdom. There are no constraints on the human mind, no walls around the human spirit, no barriers to our progress except those we ourselves erect. Already, pushing down tax rates has freed our economy to vault forward to record growth. In Europe, they are calling it "the American Miracle." Day by day, we are shattering accepted notions of what is possible. When I was growing up, we failed to see how a new thing called radio would transform our marketplace. Well, today, many have not yet seen how advances in technology are transforming our lives. In the late 1950's workers at the AT&T semiconductor plant in Pennsylvania produced five transistors a day for $7.50 apiece. They now produce over a million for less than a penny apiece. New laser techniques could revolutionize heart bypass surgery, cut diagnosis time for viruses linked to cancer from weeks to minutes, reduce hospital costs dramatically, and hold out new promise for saving human lives. Our automobile industry has overhauled assembly lines, increased worker productivity, and is competitive once again. We stand on the threshold of a great ability to produce more, do more, be more. Our economy is not getting older and weaker; it is getting younger and stronger. It does not need rest and supervision; it needs new challenge, greater freedom. And that word "freedom" is the key to the second American revolution that we need to bring about. Let us move together with an historic reform of tax simplification for fairness and growth. Last year I asked Treasury Secretary-then-Regan to develop a plan to simplify the tax code, so all taxpayers would be treated more fairly and personal tax rates could come further down. We have cut tax rates by almost 25 percent, yet the tax system remains unfair and limits our potential for growth. Exclusions and exemptions because similar incomes to be taxed at different levels. Low-income families face steep tax barriers that make hard lives even harder. The Treasury Department has produced an excellent reform plan, whose principles will guide the final proposal that we will ask you to enact. One thing that tax reform will not be is a tax increase in disguise. We will not jeopardize the mortgage interest deduction that families need. We will reduce personal tax rates as low as possible by removing many tax preferences. We will propose a top rate of no more than 35 percent, and possibly lower. And we will propose reducing corporate rates, while maintaining incentives for capital formation. To encourage opportunity and jobs rather than dependency and welfare, we will propose that individuals living at or near the poverty line be totally exempt from Federal income tax. To restore fairness to families, we will propose increasing significantly the personal exemption. And tonight, I am instructing Treasury Secretary James Baker—I have to get used to saying that—to begin working with congressional authors and committees for bipartisan legislation conforming to these principles. We will call upon the American people for support and upon every man and woman in this Chamber. Together, we can pass, this year, a tax bill for fairness, simplicity, and growth, making this economy the engine of our dreams and America the investment capital of the world. So let us begin. Tax simplification will be a giant step toward unleashing the tremendous pent-up power of our economy. But a second American revolution must carry the promise of opportunity for all. It is time to liberate the spirit of enterprise in the most distressed areas of our country. This government will meet its responsibility to help those in need. But policies that increase dependency, break up families, and destroy self-respect are not progressive; they are reactionary. Despite our strides in civil rights, blacks, Hispanics, and all minorities will not have full and equal power until they have full economic power. We have repeatedly sought passage of enterprise zones to help those in the abandoned corners of our land find jobs, learn skills, and build better lives. This legislation is supported by a majority of you. Mr. Speaker, I know we agree that 'there must be no forgotten Americans. Let us place new dreams in a million hearts and create a new generation of entrepreneurs by passing enterprise zones this year. And, Tip, you could make that a birthday present. [Laughter] Nor must we lose the chance to pass our youth employment opportunity wage proposal. We can help teenagers, who have the highest unemployment rate, find summer jobs, so they can know the pride of work and have confidence in their futures. We will continue to support the Job Training Partnership Act, which has a nearly two-thirds job placement rate. Credits in education and health care vouchers will help working families shop for services that they need. Our administration is already encouraging certain low-income public housing residents to own and manage their own dwellings. It is time that all public housing residents have that opportunity of ownership. The Federal Government can help create a new atmosphere of freedom. But States and localities, many of which enjoy surpluses from the recovery, must not permit their tax and regulatory policies to stand as barriers to growth. Let us resolve that we will stop spreading dependency and start spreading opportunity; that we will stop spreading bondage and start spreading freedom. There are some who say that growth initiatives must await final action on deficit reductions. Well, the best way to reduce deficits is through economic growth. More businesses will be started, more investments made, more jobs created, and more people will be on payrolls paying taxes. The best way to reduce government spending is to reduce the need for spending by increasing prosperity. Each added percentage point per year of real GNP growth will lead to cumulative reduction in deficits of nearly $200 billion over 5 years. To move steadily toward a balanced budget, we must also lighten government's claim on our total economy. We will not do this by raising taxes. We must make sure that our economy grows faster than the growth in spending by the Federal Government. In our fiscal year 1986 budget, overall government program spending will be frozen at the current level. It must not be one dime higher than fiscal year 1985, and three points are key. First, the social safety net for the elderly, the needy, the disabled, and unemployed will be left intact. Growth of our major health care programs, Medicare and Medicaid, will be slowed, but protections for the elderly and needy will be preserved. Second, we must not relax our efforts to restore military strength just as we near our goal of a fully equipped, trained, and ready professional corps. National security is government's first responsibility; so in past years defense spending took about half the Federal budget. Today it takes less than a third. We have already reduced our planned defense expenditures by nearly a hundred billion dollars over the past 4 years and reduced projected spending again this year. You know, we only have a military-industrial complex until a time of danger, and then it becomes the arsenal of democracy. Spending for defense is investing in things that are priceless—peace and freedom. Third, we must reduce or eliminate costly government subsidies. For example, deregulation of the airline industry has led to cheaper airfares, but on Amtrak taxpayers pay about $35 per passenger every time an Amtrak train leaves the station, It is time we ended this huge Federal subsidy. Our farm program costs have quadrupled in recent years. Yet I know from visiting farmers, many in great financial distress, that we need an orderly transition to a market-oriented farm economy. We can help farmers best not by expanding Federal payments but by making fundamental reforms, keeping interest rates heading down, and knocking down foreign trade barriers to American farm exports. We are moving ahead with Grace commission reforms to eliminate waste and improve government's management practices. In the long run, we must protect the taxpayers from government. And I ask again that you pass, as 32 States have now called for, an amendment mandating the Federal Government spend no more than it takes in. And I ask for the authority, used responsibly by 43 Governors, to veto individual items in appropriation bills. Senator Mattingly has introduced a bill permitting a 2-year trial run of the line-item veto. I hope you will pass and send that legislation to my desk. Nearly 50 years of government living beyond its means has brought us to a time of reckoning. Ours is but a moment in history. But one moment of courage, idealism, and bipartisan unity can change American history forever. Sound monetary policy is key to long-running economic strength and stability. We will continue to cooperate with the Federal Reserve Board, seeking a steady policy that ensures price stability without keeping interest rates artificially high or needlessly holding down growth. Reducing unneeded red tape and regulations, and deregulating the energy, transportation, and financial industries have unleashed new competition, giving consumers more choices, better services, and lower prices. In just one set of grant programs we have reduced 905 pages of regulations to 31. We seek to fully deregulate natural gas to bring on new supplies and bring us closer to energy independence. Consistent with safety standards, we will continue removing restraints on the bus and railroad industries, we will soon end up legislation—or send up legislation, I should say—to return Conrail to the private sector where it belongs, and we will support further deregulation of the trucking industry. Every dollar the Federal Government does not take from us, every decision it does not make for us will make our economy stronger, our lives more abundant, our future more free. Our second American revolution will push on to new possibilities not only on Earth but in the next frontier of space. Despite budget restraints, we will seek record funding for research and development. We have seen the success of the space shuttle. Now we are going to develop a permanently manned space station and new opportunities for free enterprise, because in the next decade Americans and our friends around the world will be living and working together in space. In the zero gravity of space, we could manufacture in 30 days lifesaving medicines it would take 30 years to make on Earth. We can make crystals of exceptional purity to produce super computers, creating jobs, technologies, and medical breakthroughs beyond anything we ever dreamed possible. As we do all this, we will continue to protect our natural resources. We will seek reauthorization and expanded funding for the Superfund program to continue cleaning up hazardous waste sites which threaten human health and the environment. Now, there is another great heritage to speak of this evening. Of all the changes that have swept America the past 4 years, none brings greater promise than our rediscovery of the values of faith, freedom, family, work, and neighborhood. We see signs of renewal in increased attendance in places of worship; renewed optimism and faith in our future; love of country rediscovered by our young, who are leading the way. We have rediscovered that work is good in and of itself, that it ennobles us to create and contribute no matter how seemingly humble our jobs. We have seen a powerful new current from an old and honorable tradition—American generosity. From thousands answering Peace Corps appeals to help boost food production in Africa, to millions volunteering time, corporations adopting schools, and communities pulling together to help the neediest among us at home, we have refound our values. Private sector initiatives are crucial to our future. I thank the Congress for passing equal access legislation giving religious groups the same right to use classrooms after school that other groups enjoy. But no citizen need tremble, nor the world shudder, if a child stands in a classroom and breathes a prayer. We ask you again, give children back a right they had for a century and a half or more in this country. The question of abortion grips our nation. Abortion is either the taking of a human life or it is not. And if it is—and medical technology is increasingly showing it is—it must be stopped. It is a terrible irony that while some turn to abortion, so many others who cannot become parents cry out for children to adopt. We have room for these children. We can fill the cradles of those who want a child to love. And tonight I ask you in the Congress to move this year on legislation to protect the unborn. In the area of education, we are returning to excellence, and again, the heroes are our people, not government. We are stressing basics of discipline, rigorous testing, and homework, while helping children become computer-smart as well. For 20 years scholastic aptitude test scores of our high school students went down, but now they have gone up 2 of the last 3 years. We must go forward in our commitment to the new basics, giving parents greater authority and making sure good teachers are rewarded for hard work and achievement through merit pay. Of all the changes in the past 20 years, none has more threatened our sense of national well-being than the explosion of violent crime. One does not have to be attacked to be a victim. The woman who must run to her car after shopping at night is a victim. The couple draping their door with locks and chains are victims; as is the tired, decent cleaning woman who cannot ride a subway home without being afraid. We do not seek to violate the rights of defendants. But should not we feel more compassion for the victims of crime than for those who commit crime? For the first time in 20 years, the crime index has fallen 2 years in a row. We have convicted over 7,400 drug offenders and put them, as well as leaders of organized crime, behind bars in record numbers. But we must do more. I urge the House to follow the Senate and enact proposals permitting use of all reliable evidence that police officers acquire in good faith. These proposals would also reform the habeas corpus laws and allow, in keeping with the will of the overwhelming majority of Americans, the use of the death penalty where necessary. There can be no economic revival in ghettos when the most violent among us are allowed to roam free. It is time we restored domestic tranquility. And we mean to do just that. Just as we are positioned as never before to secure justice in our economy, we are poised as never before to create a safer, freer, more peaceful world. Our alliances are stronger than ever. Our economy is stronger than ever. We have resumed our historic role as a leader of the free world. And all of these together are a great force for peace. Since 1981 we have been committed to seeking fair and verifiable arms agreements that would lower the risk of war and reduce the size of nuclear arsenals. Now our determination to maintain a strong defense has influenced the Soviet Union to return to the bargaining table. Our negotiators must be able to go to that table with the united support of the American people. All of us have no greater dream than to see the day when nuclear weapons are banned from this Earth forever. Each Member of the Congress has a role to play in modernizing our defenses, thus supporting our chances for a meaningful arms agreement. Your vote this spring on the Peacekeeper missile will be a critical test of our resolve to maintain the strength we need and move toward mutual and verifiable arms reductions. For the past 20 years we have believed that no war will be launched as long as each side knows it can retaliate with a deadly counterstrike. Well, I believe there is a better way of eliminating the threat of nuclear war. It is a Strategic Defense Initiative aimed ultimately at finding a nonnuclear defense against ballistic missiles. It is the most hopeful possibility of the nuclear age. But it is not very well understood. Some say it will bring war to the heavens, but its purpose is to deter war in the heavens and on Earth. Now, some say the research would be expensive. Perhaps, but it could save millions of lives, indeed humanity itself. And some say if we build such a system, the Soviets will build a defense system of their own. Well, they already have strategic defenses that surpass ours; a civil defense system, where we have almost none; and a research program covering roughly the same areas of technology that we are now exploring. And finally some say the research will take a long time. Well, the answer to that is: Let us get started. Harry Truman once said that, ultimately, our security and the world's hopes for peace and human progress "lie not in measures of defense or in the control of weapons, but in the growth and expansion of freedom and self-government." And tonight, we declare anew to our fellow citizens of the world: Freedom is not the sole prerogative of a chosen few; it is the universal right of all God's children. Look to where peace and prosperity flourish today. It is in homes that freedom built. Victories against poverty are greatest and peace most secure where people live by laws that ensure free press, free speech, and freedom to worship, vote, and create wealth. Our mission is to nourish and defend freedom and democracy, and to communicate these ideals everywhere we can. America's economic success is freedom's success; it can be repeated a hundred times in a hundred different nations. Many countries in east Asia and the Pacific have few resources other than the enterprise of their own people. But through low tax rates and free markets they have soared ahead of centralized economies. And now China is opening up its economy to meet its needs. We need a stronger and simpler approach to the process of making and implementing trade policy, and we will be studying potential changes in that process in the next few weeks. We have seen the benefits of free trade and lived through the disasters of protectionism. Tonight I ask all our trading partners, developed and developing alike, to join us in a new round of trade negotiations to expand trade and competition and strengthen the global economy—and to begin it in this next year. There are more than 3 billion human beings living in Third World countries with an average per capita income of $650 a year. Many are victims of dictatorships that impoverished them with taxation and corruption. Let us ask our allies to join us in a practical program of trade and assistance that fosters economic development through personal incentives to help these people climb from poverty on their own. We cannot play innocents abroad in a world that is not innocent; nor can we be passive when freedom is under siege. Without resources, diplomacy cannot succeed. Our security assistance programs help friendly governments defend themselves and give them confidence to work for peace. And I hope that you in the Congress will understand that, dollar for dollar, security assistance contributes as much to global security as our own defense budget. We must stand by all our democratic allies. And we must not break faith with those who are risking their lives—on every continent, from Afghanistan to Nicaragua—to defy Soviet-supported aggression and secure rights which have been ours from birth. The Sandinista dictatorship of Nicaragua, with full Cuban-Soviet bloc support, not only persecutes its people, the church, and denies a free press, but arms and provides bases for Communist terrorists attacking neighboring states. Support for freedom fighters is self-defense and totally consistent with the OAS and YOU.N. Charters. It is essential that the Congress continue all facets of our assistance to Central America. I want to work with you to support the democratic forces whose struggle is tied to our own security. And tonight, I have spoken of great plans and great dreams. They are dreams we can make come true. Two hundred years of American history should have taught us that nothing is impossible. Ten years ago a young girl left Vietnam with her family, part of the exodus that followed the fall of Saigon. They came to the United States with no possessions and not knowing a word of English. Ten years ago—the young girl studied hard, learned English, and finished high school in the top of her class. And this May, May 22d to be exact, is a big date on her calendar. Just 10 years from the time she left Vietnam, she will graduate from the United States Military Academy at West Point. I thought you might like to meet an American hero named Jean Nguyen. Now, there is someone else here tonight, born 79 years ago. She lives in the inner city, where she cares for infants born of mothers who are heroin addicts. The children, born in withdrawal, are sometimes even dropped on her doorstep. She helps them with love. Go to her house some night, and maybe you will see her silhouette against the window as she walks the floor talking softly, soothing a child in her arms-Mother Hale of Harlem, and she, too, is an American hero. Jean, Mother Hale, your lives tell us that the oldest American saying is new again: Anything is possible in America if we have the faith, the will, and the heart. History is asking us once again to be a force for good in the world. Let us begin in unity, with justice, and love. Thank you, and God bless you.
speaker president distinguished members of the congress honored guests and fellow citizens i come before you to report on the state of our union and i am pleased to report that after 4 years of united effort the american people have brought forth a nation renewed stronger freer and more secure than before four years ago we began to change forever i hope our assumptions about government and its place in our lives out of that change has come great and robust our confidence our economy and our role in the world tonight america is stronger because of the values that we hold dear we believe faith and freedom must be our guiding stars for they show us truth they make us brave give us hope and leave us wiser than we were our progress began not in washington dc but in the hearts of our families communities workplaces and voluntary groups which together are unleashing the invincible spirit of one great nation under god four years ago we said we would invigorate our economy by giving people greater freedom and incentives to take risks and letting them keep more of what they earned we did what we promised and a great industrial giant is reborn tonight we can take pride in 25 straight months of economic growth the strongest in 34 years a inflation average of percent the lowest in 17 years and million new jobs in 2 years with more of our citizens working than ever before new freedom in our lives has planted the rich seeds for future success for an america of wisdom that honors the family knowing that if as the family goes so goes our civilization for an america of vision that sees tomorrow dreams in the learning and hard work we do today for an america of courage whose service men and women even as we meet proudly stand watch on the frontiers of freedom for an america of compassion that opens its heart to those who cry out for help we have begun well but it is only a beginning we are not here to congratulate ourselves on what we have done but to challenge ourselves to finish what has not yet been done we are here to speak for millions in our inner cities who long for real jobs safe neighborhoods and schools that truly teach we are here to speak for the american farmer the entrepreneur and every worker in industries fighting to modernize and compete and yes we are here to stand and proudly so for all who struggle to break free from totalitarianism for all who know in their hearts that freedom is the one true path to peace and human happiness proverbs tell us without a vision the people perish when asked what great principle holds our union together abraham lincoln said something in the declaration giving liberty not alone to the people of this country but hope to the world for all future time we honor the giants of our history not by going back but forward to the dreams their vision foresaw my fellow citizens this nation is poised for greatness the time has come to proceed toward a great new second american revolution of hope and opportunity a revolution carrying us to new heights of progress by pushing back frontiers of knowledge and space a revolution of spirit that taps the soul of america enabling us to summon greater strength than we have ever known and a revolution that carries beyond our shores the golden promise of human freedom in a world of peace let us begin by challenging our conventional wisdom there are no constraints on the human mind no walls around the human spirit no barriers to our progress except those we ourselves erect already pushing down tax rates has freed our economy to vault forward to record growth in europe they are calling it the american miracle day by day we are shattering accepted notions of what is possible when i was growing up we failed to see how a new thing called radio would transform our marketplace well today many have not yet seen how advances in technology are transforming our lives in the late 1950 workers at the at t semiconductor plant in pennsylvania produced five transistors a day for apiece they now produce over a million for less than a penny apiece new laser techniques could revolutionize heart bypass surgery cut diagnosis time for viruses linked to cancer from weeks to minutes reduce hospital costs dramatically and hold out new promise for saving human lives our automobile industry has overhauled assembly lines increased worker productivity and is competitive once again we stand on the threshold of a great ability to produce more do more be more our economy is not getting older and weaker it is getting younger and stronger it does not need rest and supervision it needs new challenge greater freedom and that word freedom is the key to the second american revolution that we need to bring about let us move together with an historic reform of tax simplification for fairness and growth last year i asked treasury to develop a plan to simplify the tax code so all taxpayers would be treated more fairly and personal tax rates could come further down we have cut tax rates by almost 25 percent yet the tax system remains unfair and limits our potential for growth exclusions and exemptions because similar incomes to be taxed at different levels families face steep tax barriers that make hard lives even harder the treasury department has produced an excellent reform plan whose principles will guide the final proposal that we will ask you to enact one thing that tax reform will not be is a tax increase in disguise we will not jeopardize the mortgage interest deduction that families need we will reduce personal tax rates as low as possible by removing many tax preferences we will propose a top rate of no more than 35 percent and possibly lower and we will propose reducing corporate rates while maintaining incentives for capital formation to encourage opportunity and jobs rather than dependency and welfare we will propose that individuals living at or near the poverty line be totally exempt from federal income tax to restore fairness to families we will propose increasing significantly the personal exemption and tonight i am instructing treasury secretary james have to get used to saying begin working with congressional authors and committees for bipartisan legislation conforming to these principles we will call upon the american people for support and upon every man and woman in this chamber together we can pass this year a tax bill for fairness simplicity and growth making this economy the engine of our dreams and america the investment capital of the world so let us begin tax simplification will be a giant step toward unleashing the tremendous power of our economy but a second american revolution must carry the promise of opportunity for all it is time to liberate the spirit of enterprise in the most distressed areas of our country this government will meet its responsibility to help those in need but policies that increase dependency break up families and destroy are not progressive they are reactionary despite our strides in civil rights blacks hispanics and all minorities will not have full and equal power until they have full economic power we have repeatedly sought passage of enterprise zones to help those in the abandoned corners of our land find jobs learn skills and build better lives this legislation is supported by a majority of you speaker i know we agree that must be no forgotten americans let us place new dreams in a million hearts and create a new generation of entrepreneurs by passing enterprise zones this year and tip you could make that a birthday present laughter nor must we lose the chance to pass our youth employment opportunity wage proposal we can help teenagers who have the highest unemployment rate find summer jobs so they can know the pride of work and have confidence in their futures we will continue to support the job training partnership act which has a nearly job placement rate credits in education and health care vouchers will help working families shop for services that they need our administration is already encouraging certain public housing residents to own and manage their own dwellings it is time that all public housing residents have that opportunity of ownership the federal government can help create a new atmosphere of freedom but states and localities many of which enjoy surpluses from the recovery must not permit their tax and regulatory policies to stand as barriers to growth let us resolve that we will stop spreading dependency and start spreading opportunity that we will stop spreading bondage and start spreading freedom there are some who say that growth initiatives must await final action on deficit reductions well the best way to reduce deficits is through economic growth more businesses will be started more investments made more jobs created and more people will be on payrolls paying taxes the best way to reduce government spending is to reduce the need for spending by increasing prosperity each added percentage point per year of real gnp growth will lead to cumulative reduction in deficits of nearly 200 billion over 5 years to move steadily toward a balanced budget we must also lighten government claim on our total economy we will not do this by raising taxes we must make sure that our economy grows faster than the growth in spending by the federal government in our fiscal year 1986 budget overall government program spending will be frozen at the current level it must not be one dime higher than fiscal year 1985 and three points are key first the social safety net for the elderly the needy the disabled and unemployed will be left intact growth of our major health care programs medicare and medicaid will be slowed but protections for the elderly and needy will be preserved second we must not relax our efforts to restore military strength just as we near our goal of a fully equipped trained and ready professional corps national security is government first responsibility so in past years defense spending took about half the federal budget today it takes less than a third we have already reduced our planned defense expenditures by nearly a hundred billion dollars over the past 4 years and reduced projected spending again this year you know we only have a complex until a time of danger and then it becomes the arsenal of democracy spending for defense is investing in things that are and freedom third we must reduce or eliminate costly government subsidies for example deregulation of the airline industry has led to cheaper airfares but on amtrak taxpayers pay about 35 per passenger every time an amtrak train leaves the station it is time we ended this huge federal subsidy our farm program costs have quadrupled in recent years yet i know from visiting farmers many in great financial distress that we need an orderly transition to a farm economy we can help farmers best not by expanding federal payments but by making fundamental reforms keeping interest rates heading down and knocking down foreign trade barriers to american farm exports we are moving ahead with grace commission reforms to eliminate waste and improve government management practices in the long run we must protect the taxpayers from government and i ask again that you pass as 32 states have now called for an amendment mandating the federal government spend no more than it takes in and i ask for the authority used responsibly by 43 governors to veto individual items in appropriation bills senator mattingly has introduced a bill permitting a trial run of the veto i hope you will pass and send that legislation to my desk nearly 50 years of government living beyond its means has brought us to a time of reckoning ours is but a moment in history but one moment of courage idealism and bipartisan unity can change american history forever sound monetary policy is key to economic strength and stability we will continue to cooperate with the federal reserve board seeking a steady policy that ensures price stability without keeping interest rates artificially high or needlessly holding down growth reducing unneeded red tape and regulations and deregulating the energy transportation and financial industries have unleashed new competition giving consumers more choices better services and lower prices in just one set of grant programs we have reduced 905 pages of regulations to 31 we seek to fully deregulate natural gas to bring on new supplies and bring us closer to energy independence consistent with safety standards we will continue removing restraints on the bus and railroad industries we will soon end up send up legislation i should return conrail to the private sector where it belongs and we will support further deregulation of the trucking industry every dollar the federal government does not take from us every decision it does not make for us will make our economy stronger our lives more abundant our future more free our second american revolution will push on to new possibilities not only on earth but in the next frontier of space despite budget restraints we will seek record funding for research and development we have seen the success of the space shuttle now we are going to develop a permanently manned space station and new opportunities for free enterprise because in the next decade americans and our friends around the world will be living and working together in space in the zero gravity of space we could manufacture in 30 days lifesaving medicines it would take 30 years to make on earth we can make crystals of exceptional purity to produce super computers creating jobs technologies and medical breakthroughs beyond anything we ever dreamed possible as we do all this we will continue to protect our natural resources we will seek reauthorization and expanded funding for the superfund program to continue cleaning up hazardous waste sites which threaten human health and the environment now there is another great heritage to speak of this evening of all the changes that have swept america the past 4 years none brings greater promise than our rediscovery of the values of faith freedom family work and neighborhood we see signs of renewal in increased attendance in places of worship renewed optimism and faith in our future love of country rediscovered by our young who are leading the way we have rediscovered that work is good in and of itself that it ennobles us to create and contribute no matter how seemingly humble our jobs we have seen a powerful new current from an old and honorable generosity from thousands answering peace corps appeals to help boost food production in africa to millions volunteering time corporations adopting schools and communities pulling together to help the neediest among us at home we have refound our values private sector initiatives are crucial to our future i thank the congress for passing equal access legislation giving religious groups the same right to use classrooms after school that other groups enjoy but no citizen need tremble nor the world shudder if a child stands in a classroom and breathes a prayer we ask you again give children back a right they had for a century and a half or more in this country the question of abortion grips our nation abortion is either the taking of a human life or it is not and if it medical technology is increasingly showing it must be stopped it is a terrible irony that while some turn to abortion so many others who can not become parents cry out for children to adopt we have room for these children we can fill the cradles of those who want a child to love and tonight i ask you in the congress to move this year on legislation to protect the unborn in the area of education we are returning to excellence and again the heroes are our people not government we are stressing basics of discipline rigorous testing and homework while helping children become as well for 20 years scholastic aptitude test scores of our high school students went down but now they have gone up 2 of the last 3 years we must go forward in our commitment to the new basics giving parents greater authority and making sure good teachers are rewarded for hard work and achievement through merit pay of all the changes in the past 20 years none has more threatened our sense of national than the explosion of violent crime one does not have to be attacked to be a victim the woman who must run to her car after shopping at night is a victim the couple draping their door with locks and chains are victims as is the tired decent cleaning woman who can not ride a subway home without being afraid we do not seek to violate the rights of defendants but should not we feel more compassion for the victims of crime than for those who commit crime for the first time in 20 years the crime index has fallen 2 years in a row we have convicted over drug offenders and put them as well as leaders of organized crime behind bars in record numbers but we must do more i urge the house to follow the senate and enact proposals permitting use of all reliable evidence that police officers acquire in good faith these proposals would also reform the habeas corpus laws and allow in keeping with the will of the overwhelming majority of americans the use of the death penalty where necessary there can be no economic revival in ghettos when the most violent among us are allowed to roam free it is time we restored domestic tranquility and we mean to do just that just as we are positioned as never before to secure justice in our economy we are poised as never before to create a safer freer more peaceful world our alliances are stronger than ever our economy is stronger than ever we have resumed our historic role as a leader of the free world and all of these together are a great force for peace since 1981 we have been committed to seeking fair and verifiable arms agreements that would lower the risk of war and reduce the size of nuclear arsenals now our determination to maintain a strong defense has influenced the soviet union to return to the bargaining table our negotiators must be able to go to that table with the united support of the american people all of us have no greater dream than to see the day when nuclear weapons are banned from this earth forever each member of the congress has a role to play in modernizing our defenses thus supporting our chances for a meaningful arms agreement your vote this spring on the peacekeeper missile will be a critical test of our resolve to maintain the strength we need and move toward mutual and verifiable arms reductions for the past 20 years we have believed that no war will be launched as long as each side knows it can retaliate with a deadly counterstrike well i believe there is a better way of eliminating the threat of nuclear war it is a strategic defense initiative aimed ultimately at finding a nonnuclear defense against ballistic missiles it is the most hopeful possibility of the nuclear age but it is not very well understood some say it will bring war to the heavens but its purpose is to deter war in the heavens and on earth now some say the research would be expensive perhaps but it could save millions of lives indeed humanity itself and some say if we build such a system the soviets will build a defense system of their own well they already have strategic defenses that surpass ours a civil defense system where we have almost none and a research program covering roughly the same areas of technology that we are now exploring and finally some say the research will take a long time well the answer to that is let us get started harry truman once said that ultimately our security and the world hopes for peace and human progress lie not in measures of defense or in the control of weapons but in the growth and expansion of freedom and and tonight we declare anew to our fellow citizens of the world freedom is not the sole prerogative of a chosen few it is the universal right of all god children look to where peace and prosperity flourish today it is in homes that freedom built victories against poverty are greatest and peace most secure where people live by laws that ensure free press free speech and freedom to worship vote and create wealth our mission is to nourish and defend freedom and democracy and to communicate these ideals everywhere we can america economic success is freedom success it can be repeated a hundred times in a hundred different nations many countries in east asia and the pacific have few resources other than the enterprise of their own people but through low tax rates and free markets they have soared ahead of centralized economies and now china is opening up its economy to meet its needs we need a stronger and simpler approach to the process of making and implementing trade policy and we will be studying potential changes in that process in the next few weeks we have seen the benefits of free trade and lived through the disasters of protectionism tonight i ask all our trading partners developed and developing alike to join us in a new round of trade negotiations to expand trade and competition and strengthen the global to begin it in this next year there are more than 3 billion human beings living in third world countries with an average per capita income of 650 a year many are victims of dictatorships that impoverished them with taxation and corruption let us ask our allies to join us in a practical program of trade and assistance that fosters economic development through personal incentives to help these people climb from poverty on their own we can not play innocents abroad in a world that is not innocent nor can we be passive when freedom is under siege without resources diplomacy can not succeed our security assistance programs help friendly governments defend themselves and give them confidence to work for peace and i hope that you in the congress will understand that dollar for dollar security assistance contributes as much to global security as our own defense budget we must stand by all our democratic allies and we must not break faith with those who are risking their every continent from afghanistan to defy aggression and secure rights which have been ours from birth the sandinista dictatorship of nicaragua with full bloc support not only persecutes its people the church and denies a free press but arms and provides bases for communist terrorists attacking neighboring states support for freedom fighters is and totally consistent with the oas and charters it is essential that the congress continue all facets of our assistance to central america i want to work with you to support the democratic forces whose struggle is tied to our own security and tonight i have spoken of great plans and great dreams they are dreams we can make come true two hundred years of american history should have taught us that nothing is impossible ten years ago a young girl left vietnam with her family part of the exodus that followed the fall of saigon they came to the united states with no possessions and not knowing a word of english ten years young girl studied hard learned english and finished high school in the top of her class and this may may 22d to be exact is a big date on her calendar just 10 years from the time she left vietnam she will graduate from the united states military academy at west point i thought you might like to meet an american hero named jean nguyen now there is someone else here tonight born 79 years ago she lives in the inner city where she cares for infants born of mothers who are heroin addicts the children born in withdrawal are sometimes even dropped on her doorstep she helps them with love go to her house some night and maybe you will see her silhouette against the window as she walks the floor talking softly soothing a child in her hale of harlem and she too is an american hero jean mother hale your lives tell us that the oldest american saying is new again anything is possible in america if we have the faith the will and the heart history is asking us once again to be a force for good in the world let us begin in unity with justice and love thank you and god bless you
speaker president distinguished members congress honored guests fellow citizens come report state union pleased report 4 years united effort american people brought forth nation renewed stronger freer secure four years ago began change forever hope assumptions government place lives change come great robust confidence economy role world tonight america stronger values hold dear believe faith freedom must guiding stars show us truth make us brave give us hope leave us wiser progress began washington dc hearts families communities workplaces voluntary groups together unleashing invincible spirit one great nation god four years ago said would invigorate economy giving people greater freedom incentives take risks letting keep earned promised great industrial giant reborn tonight take pride 25 straight months economic growth strongest 34 years inflation average percent lowest 17 years million new jobs 2 years citizens working ever new freedom lives planted rich seeds future success america wisdom honors family knowing family goes goes civilization america vision sees tomorrow dreams learning hard work today america courage whose service men women even meet proudly stand watch frontiers freedom america compassion opens heart cry help begun well beginning congratulate done challenge finish yet done speak millions inner cities long real jobs safe neighborhoods schools truly teach speak american farmer entrepreneur every worker industries fighting modernize compete yes stand proudly struggle break free totalitarianism know hearts freedom one true path peace human happiness proverbs tell us without vision people perish asked great principle holds union together abraham lincoln said something declaration giving liberty alone people country hope world future time honor giants history going back forward dreams vision foresaw fellow citizens nation poised greatness time come proceed toward great new second american revolution hope opportunity revolution carrying us new heights progress pushing back frontiers knowledge space revolution spirit taps soul america enabling us summon greater strength ever known revolution carries beyond shores golden promise human freedom world peace let us begin challenging conventional wisdom constraints human mind walls around human spirit barriers progress except erect already pushing tax rates freed economy vault forward record growth europe calling american miracle day day shattering accepted notions possible growing failed see new thing called radio would transform marketplace well today many yet seen advances technology transforming lives late 1950 workers semiconductor plant pennsylvania produced five transistors day apiece produce million less penny apiece new laser techniques could revolutionize heart bypass surgery cut diagnosis time viruses linked cancer weeks minutes reduce hospital costs dramatically hold new promise saving human lives automobile industry overhauled assembly lines increased worker productivity competitive stand threshold great ability produce economy getting older weaker getting younger stronger need rest supervision needs new challenge greater freedom word freedom key second american revolution need bring let us move together historic reform tax simplification fairness growth last year asked treasury develop plan simplify tax code taxpayers would treated fairly personal tax rates could come cut tax rates almost 25 percent yet tax system remains unfair limits potential growth exclusions exemptions similar incomes taxed different levels families face steep tax barriers make hard lives even harder treasury department produced excellent reform plan whose principles guide final proposal ask enact one thing tax reform tax increase disguise jeopardize mortgage interest deduction families need reduce personal tax rates low possible removing many tax preferences propose top rate 35 percent possibly lower propose reducing corporate rates maintaining incentives capital formation encourage opportunity jobs rather dependency welfare propose individuals living near poverty line totally exempt federal income tax restore fairness families propose increasing significantly personal exemption tonight instructing treasury secretary james get used saying begin working congressional authors committees bipartisan legislation conforming principles call upon american people support upon every man woman chamber together pass year tax bill fairness simplicity growth making economy engine dreams america investment capital world let us begin tax simplification giant step toward unleashing tremendous power economy second american revolution must carry promise opportunity time liberate spirit enterprise distressed areas country government meet responsibility help need policies increase dependency break families destroy progressive reactionary despite strides civil rights blacks hispanics minorities full equal power full economic power repeatedly sought passage enterprise zones help abandoned corners land find jobs learn skills build better lives legislation supported majority speaker know agree must forgotten americans let us place new dreams million hearts create new generation entrepreneurs passing enterprise zones year tip could make birthday present laughter must lose chance pass youth employment opportunity wage proposal help teenagers highest unemployment rate find summer jobs know pride work confidence futures continue support job training partnership act nearly job placement rate credits education health care vouchers help working families shop services need administration already encouraging certain public housing residents manage dwellings time public housing residents opportunity ownership federal government help create new atmosphere freedom states localities many enjoy surpluses recovery must permit tax regulatory policies stand barriers growth let us resolve stop spreading dependency start spreading opportunity stop spreading bondage start spreading freedom say growth initiatives must await final action deficit reductions well best way reduce deficits economic growth businesses started investments made jobs created people payrolls paying taxes best way reduce government spending reduce need spending increasing prosperity added percentage point per year real gnp growth lead cumulative reduction deficits nearly 200 billion 5 years move steadily toward balanced budget must also lighten government claim total economy raising taxes must make sure economy grows faster growth spending federal government fiscal year 1986 budget overall government program spending frozen current level must one dime higher fiscal year 1985 three points key first social safety net elderly needy disabled unemployed left intact growth major health care programs medicare medicaid slowed protections elderly needy preserved second must relax efforts restore military strength near goal fully equipped trained ready professional corps national security government first responsibility past years defense spending took half federal budget today takes less third already reduced planned defense expenditures nearly hundred billion dollars past 4 years reduced projected spending year know complex time danger becomes arsenal democracy spending defense investing things freedom third must reduce eliminate costly government subsidies example deregulation airline industry led cheaper airfares amtrak taxpayers pay 35 per passenger every time amtrak train leaves station time ended huge federal subsidy farm program costs quadrupled recent years yet know visiting farmers many great financial distress need orderly transition farm economy help farmers best expanding federal payments making fundamental reforms keeping interest rates heading knocking foreign trade barriers american farm exports moving ahead grace commission reforms eliminate waste improve government management practices long run must protect taxpayers government ask pass 32 states called amendment mandating federal government spend takes ask authority used responsibly 43 governors veto individual items appropriation bills senator mattingly introduced bill permitting trial run veto hope pass send legislation desk nearly 50 years government living beyond means brought us time reckoning moment history one moment courage idealism bipartisan unity change american history forever sound monetary policy key economic strength stability continue cooperate federal reserve board seeking steady policy ensures price stability without keeping interest rates artificially high needlessly holding growth reducing unneeded red tape regulations deregulating energy transportation financial industries unleashed new competition giving consumers choices better services lower prices one set grant programs reduced 905 pages regulations 31 seek fully deregulate natural gas bring new supplies bring us closer energy independence consistent safety standards continue removing restraints bus railroad industries soon end send legislation return conrail private sector belongs support deregulation trucking industry every dollar federal government take us every decision make us make economy stronger lives abundant future free second american revolution push new possibilities earth next frontier space despite budget restraints seek record funding research development seen success space shuttle going develop permanently manned space station new opportunities free enterprise next decade americans friends around world living working together space zero gravity space could manufacture 30 days lifesaving medicines would take 30 years make earth make crystals exceptional purity produce super computers creating jobs technologies medical breakthroughs beyond anything ever dreamed possible continue protect natural resources seek reauthorization expanded funding superfund program continue cleaning hazardous waste sites threaten human health environment another great heritage speak evening changes swept america past 4 years none brings greater promise rediscovery values faith freedom family work neighborhood see signs renewal increased attendance places worship renewed optimism faith future love country rediscovered young leading way rediscovered work good ennobles us create contribute matter seemingly humble jobs seen powerful new current old honorable generosity thousands answering peace corps appeals help boost food production africa millions volunteering time corporations adopting schools communities pulling together help neediest among us home refound values private sector initiatives crucial future thank congress passing equal access legislation giving religious groups right use classrooms school groups enjoy citizen need tremble world shudder child stands classroom breathes prayer ask give children back right century half country question abortion grips nation abortion either taking human life medical technology increasingly showing must stopped terrible irony turn abortion many others become parents cry children adopt room children fill cradles want child love tonight ask congress move year legislation protect unborn area education returning excellence heroes people government stressing basics discipline rigorous testing homework helping children become well 20 years scholastic aptitude test scores high school students went gone 2 last 3 years must go forward commitment new basics giving parents greater authority making sure good teachers rewarded hard work achievement merit pay changes past 20 years none threatened sense national explosion violent crime one attacked victim woman must run car shopping night victim couple draping door locks chains victims tired decent cleaning woman ride subway home without afraid seek violate rights defendants feel compassion victims crime commit crime first time 20 years crime index fallen 2 years row convicted drug offenders put well leaders organized crime behind bars record numbers must urge house follow senate enact proposals permitting use reliable evidence police officers acquire good faith proposals would also reform habeas corpus laws allow keeping overwhelming majority americans use death penalty necessary economic revival ghettos violent among us allowed roam free time restored domestic tranquility mean positioned never secure justice economy poised never create safer freer peaceful world alliances stronger ever economy stronger ever resumed historic role leader free world together great force peace since 1981 committed seeking fair verifiable arms agreements would lower risk war reduce size nuclear arsenals determination maintain strong defense influenced soviet union return bargaining table negotiators must able go table united support american people us greater dream see day nuclear weapons banned earth forever member congress role play modernizing defenses thus supporting chances meaningful arms agreement vote spring peacekeeper missile critical test resolve maintain strength need move toward mutual verifiable arms reductions past 20 years believed war launched long side knows retaliate deadly counterstrike well believe better way eliminating threat nuclear war strategic defense initiative aimed ultimately finding nonnuclear defense ballistic missiles hopeful possibility nuclear age well understood say bring war heavens purpose deter war heavens earth say research would expensive perhaps could save millions lives indeed humanity say build system soviets build defense system well already strategic defenses surpass civil defense system almost none research program covering roughly areas technology exploring finally say research take long time well answer let us get started harry truman said ultimately security world hopes peace human progress lie measures defense control weapons growth expansion freedom tonight declare anew fellow citizens world freedom sole prerogative chosen universal right god children look peace prosperity flourish today homes freedom built victories poverty greatest peace secure people live laws ensure free press free speech freedom worship vote create wealth mission nourish defend freedom democracy communicate ideals everywhere america economic success freedom success repeated hundred times hundred different nations many countries east asia pacific resources enterprise people low tax rates free markets soared ahead centralized economies china opening economy meet needs need stronger simpler approach process making implementing trade policy studying potential changes process next weeks seen benefits free trade lived disasters protectionism tonight ask trading partners developed developing alike join us new round trade negotiations expand trade competition strengthen global begin next year 3 billion human beings living third world countries average per capita income 650 year many victims dictatorships impoverished taxation corruption let us ask allies join us practical program trade assistance fosters economic development personal incentives help people climb poverty play innocents abroad world innocent passive freedom siege without resources diplomacy succeed security assistance programs help friendly governments defend give confidence work peace hope congress understand dollar dollar security assistance contributes much global security defense budget must stand democratic allies must break faith risking every continent afghanistan defy aggression secure rights birth sandinista dictatorship nicaragua full bloc support persecutes people church denies free press arms provides bases communist terrorists attacking neighboring states support freedom fighters totally consistent oas charters essential congress continue facets assistance central america want work support democratic forces whose struggle tied security tonight spoken great plans great dreams dreams make come true two hundred years american history taught us nothing impossible ten years ago young girl left vietnam family part exodus followed fall saigon came united states possessions knowing word english ten years young girl studied hard learned english finished high school top class may may 22d exact big date calendar 10 years time left vietnam graduate united states military academy west point thought might like meet american hero named jean nguyen someone else tonight born 79 years ago lives inner city cares infants born mothers heroin addicts children born withdrawal sometimes even dropped doorstep helps love go house night maybe see silhouette window walks floor talking softly soothing child hale harlem american hero jean mother hale lives tell us oldest american saying new anything possible america faith heart history asking us force good world let us begin unity justice love thank god bless
speaker president distinguish member congress honor guest fellow citizen come report state union please report 4 year united effort american people bring forth nation renew strong free secure four year ago begin change forever hope assumption government place live change come great robust confidence economy role world tonight america strong value hold dear believe faith freedom must guide star show u truth make u brave give u hope leave u wise progress begin washington dc heart family community workplace voluntary group together unleash invincible spirit one great nation god four year ago say would invigorate economy give people great freedom incentive take risk let keep earn promised great industrial giant reborn tonight take pride 25 straight month economic growth strong 34 year inflation average percent low 17 year million new job 2 year citizens work ever new freedom life plant rich seed future success america wisdom honor family know family go go civilization america vision see tomorrow dream learn hard work today america courage whose service men woman even meet proudly stand watch frontier freedom america compassion open heart cry help begin well begin congratulate do challenge finish yet do speak million inner city long real job safe neighborhood school truly teach speak american farmer entrepreneur every worker industry fight modernize compete yes stand proudly struggle break free totalitarianism know hearts freedom one true path peace human happiness proverb tell u without vision people perish ask great principle hold union together abraham lincoln say something declaration give liberty alone people country hope world future time honor giant history go back forward dream vision foresee fellow citizen nation poise greatness time come proceed toward great new second american revolution hope opportunity revolution carry u new height progress push back frontier knowledge space revolution spirit tap soul america enable u summon great strength ever know revolution carry beyond shore golden promise human freedom world peace let u begin challenge conventional wisdom constraint human mind wall around human spirit barrier progress except erect already push tax rate free economy vault forward record growth europe call american miracle day day shatter accept notion possible grow fail see new thing call radio would transform marketplace well today many yet see advance technology transform life late 1950 worker semiconductor plant pennsylvania produce five transistor day apiece produce million less penny apiece new laser technique could revolutionize heart bypass surgery cut diagnosis time virus link cancer week minute reduce hospital cost dramatically hold new promise save human life automobile industry overhaul assembly line increase worker productivity competitive stand threshold great ability produce economy get old weaker get young strong need rest supervision need new challenge great freedom word freedom key second american revolution need bring let u move together historic reform tax simplification fairness growth last year ask treasury develop plan simplify tax code taxpayer would treat fairly personal tax rate could come cut tax rate almost 25 percent yet tax system remain unfair limit potential growth exclusion exemption similar income tax different level family face steep tax barrier make hard life even hard treasury department produce excellent reform plan whose principle guide final proposal ask enact one thing tax reform tax increase disguise jeopardize mortgage interest deduction family need reduce personal tax rate low possible remove many tax preference propose top rate 35 percent possibly low propose reduce corporate rate maintain incentive capital formation encourage opportunity job rather dependency welfare propose individual live near poverty line totally exempt federal income tax restore fairness family propose increase significantly personal exemption tonight instruct treasury secretary james get use say begin work congressional author committees bipartisan legislation conform principle call upon american people support upon every man woman chamber together pass year tax bill fairness simplicity growth make economy engine dream america investment capital world let u begin tax simplification giant step toward unleash tremendous power economy second american revolution must carry promise opportunity time liberate spirit enterprise distress area country government meet responsibility help need policy increase dependency break family destroy progressive reactionary despite stride civil right black hispanic minority full equal power full economic power repeatedly seek passage enterprise zone help abandon corner land find job learn skill build good life legislation support majority speaker know agree must forget american let u place new dream million heart create new generation entrepreneur pass enterprise zone year tip could make birthday present laughter must lose chance pas youth employment opportunity wage proposal help teenager high unemployment rate find summer job know pride work confidence future continue support job train partnership act nearly job placement rate credit education health care voucher help work family shop service need administration already encourage certain public housing resident manage dwellings time public housing resident opportunity ownership federal government help create new atmosphere freedom state localities many enjoy surplus recovery must permit tax regulatory policy stand barrier growth let u resolve stop spread dependency start spread opportunity stop spread bondage start spread freedom say growth initiative must await final action deficit reduction well best way reduce deficit economic growth business start investment make job create people payroll pay tax best way reduce government spending reduce need spend increase prosperity add percentage point per year real gnp growth lead cumulative reduction deficit nearly 200 billion 5 year move steadily toward balanced budget must also lighten government claim total economy raise tax must make sure economy grow faster growth spend federal government fiscal year 1986 budget overall government program spending frozen current level must one dime high fiscal year 1985 three point key first social safety net elderly needy disable unemployed leave intact growth major health care program medicare medicaid slowed protection elderly needy preserve second must relax effort restore military strength near goal fully equip trained ready professional corp national security government first responsibility past year defense spending take half federal budget today take less third already reduce plan defense expenditures nearly hundred billion dollar past 4 year reduce project spending year know complex time danger become arsenal democracy spending defense invest thing freedom third must reduce eliminate costly government subsidy example deregulation airline industry lead cheap airfare amtrak taxpayer pay 35 per passenger every time amtrak train leaf station time end huge federal subsidy farm program cost quadruple recent year yet know visit farmer many great financial distress need orderly transition farm economy help farmer best expand federal payment make fundamental reform keep interest rate head knock foreign trade barrier american farm export move ahead grace commission reform eliminate waste improve government management practice long run must protect taxpayer government ask pas 32 state call amendment mandate federal government spend take ask authority use responsibly 43 governor veto individual item appropriation bill senator mattingly introduce bill permit trial run veto hope pas send legislation desk nearly 50 year government live beyond mean bring u time reckon moment history one moment courage idealism bipartisan unity change american history forever sound monetary policy key economic strength stability continue cooperate federal reserve board seek steady policy ensure price stability without keep interest rate artificially high needlessly hold growth reduce unneeded red tape regulation deregulate energy transportation financial industry unleash new competition give consumer choice well service low price one set grant program reduce 905 page regulation 31 seek fully deregulate natural gas bring new supply bring u close energy independence consistent safety standard continue remove restraint bus railroad industry soon end send legislation return conrail private sector belongs support deregulation trucking industry every dollar federal government take u every decision make u make economy strong live abundant future free second american revolution push new possibility earth next frontier space despite budget restraint seek record funding research development see success space shuttle go develop permanently man space station new opportunity free enterprise next decade american friends around world live work together space zero gravity space could manufacture 30 day lifesaving medicine would take 30 year make earth make crystal exceptional purity produce super computer create job technology medical breakthrough beyond anything ever dream possible continue protect natural resource seek reauthorization expand funding superfund program continue clean hazardous waste site threaten human health environment another great heritage speak evening change sweep america past 4 year none bring great promise rediscovery value faith freedom family work neighborhood see sign renewal increase attendance place worship renew optimism faith future love country rediscover young lead way rediscovered work good ennobles u create contribute matter seemingly humble job see powerful new current old honorable generosity thousand answer peace corp appeal help boost food production africa million volunteer time corporation adopt school community pull together help needy among u home refound value private sector initiatives crucial future thank congress pass equal access legislation give religious group right use classrooms school group enjoy citizen need tremble world shudder child stand classroom breathes prayer ask give child back right century half country question abortion grip nation abortion either take human life medical technology increasingly show must stop terrible irony turn abortion many others become parent cry child adopt room child fill cradle want child love tonight ask congress move year legislation protect unborn area education return excellence hero people government stress basic discipline rigorous test homework help child become well 20 year scholastic aptitude test score high school student go go 2 last 3 year must go forward commitment new basic give parent great authority making sure good teacher reward hard work achievement merit pay change past 20 year none threaten sense national explosion violent crime one attack victim woman must run car shopping night victim couple drape door lock chain victim tire decent clean woman ride subway home without afraid seek violate right defendant feel compassion victim crime commit crime first time 20 year crime index fall 2 year row convict drug offender put well leader organize crime behind bar record number must urge house follow senate enact proposal permit use reliable evidence police officer acquire good faith proposal would also reform habeas corpus law allow keep overwhelming majority american use death penalty necessary economic revival ghetto violent among u allow roam free time restore domestic tranquility mean position never secure justice economy poise never create safer freer peaceful world alliance strong ever economy strong ever resume historic role leader free world together great force peace since 1981 commit seek fair verifiable arm agreement would lower risk war reduce size nuclear arsenal determination maintain strong defense influence soviet union return bargain table negotiator must able go table united support american people u great dream see day nuclear weapon ban earth forever member congress role play modernize defense thus support chance meaningful arm agreement vote spring peacekeeper missile critical test resolve maintain strength need move toward mutual verifiable arm reduction past 20 year believe war launch long side know retaliate deadly counterstrike well believe good way eliminate threat nuclear war strategic defense initiative aim ultimately find nonnuclear defense ballistic missile hopeful possibility nuclear age well understood say bring war heaven purpose deter war heaven earth say research would expensive perhaps could save million life indeed humanity say build system soviet build defense system well already strategic defense surpass civil defense system almost none research program cover roughly area technology explore finally say research take long time well answer let u get start harry truman say ultimately security world hop peace human progress lie measure defense control weapon growth expansion freedom tonight declare anew fellow citizen world freedom sole prerogative chosen universal right god child look peace prosperity flourish today home freedom build victory poverty great peace secure people live law ensure free press free speech freedom worship vote create wealth mission nourish defend freedom democracy communicate ideal everywhere america economic success freedom success repeat hundred time hundred different nation many country east asia pacific resource enterprise people low tax rate free market soar ahead centralized economy china open economy meet need need strong simpler approach process make implement trade policy study potential change process next week see benefit free trade live disaster protectionism tonight ask trading partner develop develop alike join u new round trade negotiation expand trade competition strengthen global begin next year 3 billion human being live third world country average per capita income 650 year many victim dictatorship impoverish taxation corruption let u ask ally join u practical program trade assistance foster economic development personal incentive help people climb poverty play innocent abroad world innocent passive freedom siege without resource diplomacy succeed security assistance program help friendly government defend give confidence work peace hope congress understand dollar dollar security assistance contribute much global security defense budget must stand democratic ally must break faith risk every continent afghanistan defy aggression secure right birth sandinista dictatorship nicaragua full bloc support persecute people church deny free press arm provide base communist terrorist attack neighbor state support freedom fighter totally consistent oas charter essential congress continue facet assistance central america want work support democratic force whose struggle tie security tonight speak great plan great dreams dream make come true two hundred year american history teach u nothing impossible ten year ago young girl leave vietnam family part exodus follow fall saigon come united state possession know word english ten year young girl study hard learned english finish high school top class may may 22d exact big date calendar 10 year time leave vietnam graduate united state military academy west point think might like meet american hero name jean nguyen someone else tonight bear 79 year ago live inner city care infant born mother heroin addict child bear withdrawal sometimes even drop doorstep help love go house night maybe see silhouette window walk floor talk softly soothe child hale harlem american hero jean mother hale life tell u old american say new anything possible america faith heart history ask u force good world let u begin unity justice love thank god bless