 Mr. Speaker, Mr. Vice President, Members of the 105th Congress, distinguished guests, my fellow Americans: Since the last time we met in this Chamber, America has lost two patriots and fine public servants. Though they sat on opposite sides of the aisle, Representatives Walter Capps and Sonny Bono shared a deep love for this House and an unshakable commitment to improving the lives of all our people. In the past few weeks, they've both been eulogized. Tonight I think we should begin by sending a message to their families and their friends that we celebrate their lives and give thanks for their service to our Nation. For 209 years, it has been the President's duty to report to you on the state of the Union. Because of the hard work and high purpose of the American people, these are good times for America. We have more than 14 million new jobs, the lowest unemployment in 24 years, the lowest core inflation in 30 years; incomes are rising; and we have the highest homeownership in history. Crime has dropped for a record 5 years in a row, and the welfare rolls are at their lowest levels in 27 years. Our leadership in the world is unrivaled. Ladies and gentlemen, the state of our Union is strong. But with barely 700 days left in the 20th century, this is not a time to rest. It is a time to build, to build the America within reach, an America where everybody has a chance to get ahead with hard work; where every citizen can live in a safe community; where families are strong, schools are good, and all our young people can go on to college; an America where scientists find cures for diseases from diabetes to Alzheimer's to AIDS; an America where every child can stretch a hand across a keyboard and reach every book ever written, every painting ever painted, every symphony ever composed; where government provides opportunity and citizens honor the responsibility to give something back to their communities; an America which leads the world to new heights of peace and prosperity. This is the America we have begun to build; this is the America we can leave to our children if we join together to finish the work at hand. Let us strengthen our Nation for the 21st century. Rarely have Americans lived through so much change in so many ways in so short a time. Quietly, but with gathering force, the ground has shifted beneath our feet as we have moved into an information age, a global economy, a truly new world. For 5 years now, we have met the challenge of these changes, as Americans have at every turning point in our history, by renewing the very idea of America: widening the circle of opportunity, deepening the meaning of our freedom, forging a more perfect Union. We shaped a new kind of Government for the information age. I thank the Vice President for his leadership and the Congress for its support in building a Government that is leaner, more flexible, a catalyst for new ideas, and most of all, a Government that gives the American people the tools they need to make the most of their own lives. We have moved past the sterile debate between those who say government is the enemy and those who say government is the answer. My fellow Americans, we have found a third way. We have the smallest Government in 35 years, but a more progressive one. We have a smaller Government, but a stronger Nation. We are moving steadily toward an even stronger America in the 21st century: an economy that offers opportunity, a society rooted in responsibility, and a nation that lives as a community. First, Americans in this Chamber and across our Nation have pursued a new strategy for prosperity: fiscal discipline to cut interest rates and spur growth; investments in education and skills, in science and technology and transportation, to prepare our people for the new economy; new markets for American products and American workers. When I took office, the deficit for 1998 was projected to be $357 billion and heading higher. This year, our deficit is projected to be $10 billion and heading lower. For three decades, six Presidents have come before you to warn of the damage deficits pose to our Nation. Tonight I come before you to announce that the Federal deficit, once so incomprehensibly large that it had 11 zeros, will be, simply, zero. I will submit to Congress for 1999 the first balanced budget in 30 years. And if we hold fast to fiscal discipline, we may balance the budget this year—4 years ahead of schedule. You can all be proud of that, because turning a sea of red ink into black is no miracle. It is the product of hard work by the American people and of two visionary actions in Congress: the courageous vote in 1993 that led to a cut in the deficit of 90 percent, and the truly historic bipartisan balanced budget agreement passed by this Congress. Here's the really good news: If we maintain our resolve, we will produce balanced budgets as far as the eye can see. We must not go back to unwise spending or untargeted tax cuts that risk reopening the deficit. Last year, together, we enacted targeted tax cuts so that the typical middle class family will now have the lowest tax rates in 20 years. My plan to balance the budget next year includes both new investments and new tax cuts targeted to the needs of working families, for education, for child care, for the environment. But whether the issue is tax cuts or spending, I ask all of you to meet this test: Approve only those priorities that can actually be accomplished without adding a dime to the deficit. Now, if we balance the budget for next year, it is projected that we'll then have a sizable surplus in the years that immediately follow. What should we do with this projected surplus? I have a simple four-word answer: Save Social Security first. Tonight I propose that we reserve 100 percent of the surplus—that's every penny of any surplus—until we have taken all the necessary measures to strengthen the Social Security system for the 21st century. Let us say to all Americans watching tonight—whether you're 70 or 50 or whether you just started paying into the system—Social Security will be there when you need it. Let us make this commitment: Social Security first. Let's do that together. I also want to say that all the American people who are watching us tonight should be invited to join in this discussion, in facing these issues squarely and forming a true consensus on how we should proceed. We'll start by conducting nonpartisan forums in every region of the country, and I hope that lawmakers of both parties will participate. We'll hold a White House conference on Social Security in December. And one year from now, I will convene the leaders of Congress to craft historic, bipartisan legislation to achieve a landmark for our generation: a Social Security system that is strong in the 21st century. In an economy that honors opportunity, all Americans must be able to reap the rewards of prosperity. Because these times are good, we can afford to take one simple, sensible step to help millions of workers struggling to provide for their families: We should raise the minimum wage. The information age is, first and foremost, an education age, in which education must start at birth and continue throughout a lifetime. Last year, from this podium, I said that education has to be our highest priority. I laid out a 10point plan to move us forward and urged all of us to let politics stop at the schoolhouse door. Since then, this Congress—across party lines— and the American people have responded, in the most important year for education in a generation, expanding public school choice, opening the way to 3,000 new charter schools, working to connect every classroom in the country to the information superhighway, committing to expand Head Start to a million children, launching America Reads, sending literally thousands of college students into our elementary schools to make sure all our 8-year-olds can read. Last year I proposed and you passed 220,000 new Pell grant scholarships for deserving students. Student loans, already less expensive and easier to repay—now you get to deduct the interest. Families all over America now can put their savings into new tax-free education IRA's. And this year, for the first 2 years of college, families will get a $1,500 tax credit—a HOPE scholarship that will cover the cost of most community college tuition. And for junior and senior year, graduate school, and job training, there is a lifetime learning credit. You did that, and you should be very proud of it. And because of these actions, I have something to say to every family listening to us tonight: Your children can go on to college. If you know a child from a poor family, tell her not to give up; she can go on to college. If you know a young couple struggling with bills, worried they won't be able to send their children to college, tell them not to give up; their children can go on to college. If you know somebody who's caught in a dead-end job and afraid he can't afford the classes necessary to get better jobs for the rest of his life, tell him not to give up; he can go on to college. Because of the things that have been done, we can make college as universal in the 21st century as high school is today. And my friends, that will change the face and future of America. We have opened wide the doors of the world's best system of higher education. Now we must make our public elementary and secondary schools the world's best, as well, by raising standards, raising expectations, and raising accountability. Thanks to the actions of this Congress last year, we will soon have, for the very first time, a voluntary national test based on national standards in fourth grade reading and eighth grade math. Parents have a right to know whether their children are mastering the basics. And every parent already knows the key: good teachers and small classes. Tonight I propose the first ever national effort to reduce class size in the early grades. My balanced budget will help to hire 100,000 new teachers who've passed a State competency test. Now, with these teachers—listen—with these teachers, we will actually be able to reduce class size in the first, second, and third grades to an average of 18 students a class, all across America. If I've got the math right, more teachers teaching smaller classes requires more classrooms. So I also propose a school construction tax cut to help communities modernize or build 5,000 schools. We must also demand greater accountability. When we promote a child from grade to grade who hasn't mastered the work, we don't do that child any favors. It is time to end social promotion in America's schools. Last year, in Chicago, they made that decision—not to hold our children back but to lift them up. Chicago stopped social promotion and started mandatory summer school to help students who are behind to catch up. I propose to help other communities follow Chicago's lead. Let's say to them: Stop promoting children who don't learn, and we will give you the tools to make sure they do. I also ask this Congress to support our efforts to enlist colleges and universities to reach out to disadvantaged children, starting in the sixth grade, so that they can get the guidance and hope they need so they can know that they, too, will be able to go on to college. As we enter the 21st century, the global economy requires us to seek opportunity not just at home but in all the markets of the world. We must shape this global economy, not shrink from it. In the last 5 years, we have led the way in opening new markets, with 240 trade agreements that remove foreign barriers to products bearing the proud stamp "Made in the USA." Today, record high exports account for fully one-third of our economic growth. I want to keep them going, because that's the way to keep America growing and to advance a safer, more stable world. All of you know, whatever your views are, that I think this is a great opportunity for America. I know there is opposition to more comprehensive trade agreements. I have listened carefully, and I believe that the opposition is rooted in two fears: first, that our trading partners will have lower environmental and labor standards which will give them an unfair advantage in our market and do their own people no favors, even if there's more business; and, second, that if we have more trade, more of our workers will lose their jobs and have to start over. I think we should seek to advance worker and environmental standards around the world. I have made it abundantly clear that it should be a part of our trade agenda. But we cannot influence other countries' decisions if we send them a message that we're backing away from trade with them. This year I will send legislation to Congress, and ask other nations to join us, to fight the most intolerable labor practice of all: abusive child labor. We should also offer help and hope to those Americans temporarily left behind by the global marketplace or by the march of technology, which may have nothing to do with trade. That's why we have more than doubled funding for training dislocated workers since 1993. And if my new budget is adopted, we will triple funding. That's why we must do more, and more quickly, to help workers who lose their jobs for whatever reason. You know, we help communities in a special way when their military base closes; we ought to help them in the same way if their factory closes. Again, I ask the Congress to continue its bipartisan work to consolidate the tangle of training programs we have today into one single "GI bill" for workers, a simple skills grant so people can, on their own, move quickly to new jobs, to higher incomes, and brighter futures. We all know, in every way in life, change is not always easy, but we have to decide whether we're going to try to hold it back and hide from it or reap its benefits. And remember the big picture here: While we've been entering into hundreds of new trade agreements, we've been creating millions of new jobs. So this year we will forge new partnerships with Latin America, Asia, and Europe. And we should pass the new "African Trade Act"; it has bipartisan support. I will also renew my request for the fast-track negotiating authority necessary to open more new markets, create more new jobs, which every President has had for two decades. You know, whether we like it or not, in ways that are mostly positive, the world's economies are more and more interconnected and interdependent. Today, an economic crisis anywhere can affect economies everywhere. Recent months have brought serious financial problems to Thailand, Indonesia, South Korea, and beyond. Now, why should Americans be concerned about this? First, these countries are our customers. If they sink into recession, they won't be able to buy the goods we'd like to sell them. Second, they're also our competitors. So if their currencies lose their value and go down, then the price of their goods will drop, flooding our market and others with much cheaper goods, which makes it a lot tougher for our people to compete. And finally, they are our strategic partners. Their stability bolsters our security. The American economy remains sound and strong, and I want to keep it that way. But because the turmoil in Asia will have an impact on all the world's economies, including ours, making that negative impact as small as possible is the right thing to do for America and the right thing to do for a safer world. Our policy is clear: No nation can recover if it does not reform itself. But when nations are willing to undertake serious economic reform, we should help them do it. So I call on Congress to renew America's commitment to the International Monetary Fund. And I think we should say to all the people we're trying to represent here that preparing for a far-off storm that may reach our shores is far wiser than ignoring the thunder till the clouds are just overhead. A strong nation rests on the rock of responsibility. A society rooted in responsibility must first promote the value of work, not welfare. We can be proud that after decades of fingerpointing and failure, together we ended the old welfare system. And we're now replacing welfare checks with paychecks. Last year, after a record 4-year decline in welfare rolls, I challenged our Nation to move 2 million more Americans off welfare by the year 2000. I'm pleased to report we have also met that goal, 2 full years ahead of schedule. This is a grand achievement, the sum of many acts of individual courage, persistence, and hope. For 13 years, Elaine Kinslow of Indianapolis, Indiana, was on and off welfare. Today, she's a dispatcher with a van company. She's saved enough money to move her family into a good neighborhood, and she's helping other welfare recipients go to work. Elaine Kinslow and all those like her are the real heroes of the welfare revolution. There are millions like her all across America. And I'm happy she could join the First Lady tonight. Elaine, we're very proud of you. Please stand up. [ ] We still have a lot more to do, all of us, to make welfare reform a success—providing child care, helping families move closer to available jobs, challenging more companies to join our welfare-to-work partnership, increasing child support collections from deadbeat parents who have a duty to support their own children. I also want to thank Congress for restoring some of the benefits to immigrants who are here legally and working hard, and I hope you will finish that job this year. We have to make it possible for all hardworking families to meet their most important responsibilities. Two years ago we helped guarantee that Americans can keep their health insurance when they change jobs. Last year we extended health care to up to 5 million children. This year I challenge Congress to take the next historic steps. A hundred and sixty million of our fellow citizens are in managed care plans. These plans save money, and they can improve care. But medical decisions ought to be made by medical doctors, not insurance company accountants. I urge this Congress to reach across the aisle and write into law a consumer bill of rights that says this: You have the right to know all your medical options, not just the cheapest. You have the right to choose the doctor you want for the care you need. You have the right to emergency room care, wherever and whenever you need it. You have the right to keep your medical records confidential. Traditional care or managed care, every American deserves quality care. Millions of Americans between the ages of 55 and 65 have lost their health insurance. Some are retired; some are laid off; some lose their coverage when their spouses retire. After a lifetime of work, they are left with nowhere to turn. So I ask the Congress, let these hardworking Americans buy into the Medicare system. It won't add a dime to the deficit, but the peace of mind it will provide will be priceless. Next, we must help parents protect their children from the gravest health threat that they face: an epidemic of teen smoking, spread by multimillion-dollar marketing campaigns. I challenge Congress: Let's pass bipartisan, comprehensive legislation that will improve public health, protect our tobacco farmers, and change the way tobacco companies do business forever. Let's do what it takes to bring teen smoking down. Let's raise the price of cigarettes by up to a dollar and a half a pack over the next 10 years, with penalties on the tobacco industry if it keeps marketing to our children. Tomorrow, like every day, 3,000 children will start smoking, and 1,000 will die early as a result. Let this Congress be remembered as the Congress that saved their lives. In the new economy, most parents work harder than ever. They face a constant struggle to balance their obligations to be good workers and their even more important obligations to be good parents. The Family and Medical Leave Act was the very first bill I was privileged to sign into law as President in 1993. Since then, about 15 million people have taken advantage of it, and I've met a lot of them all across this country. I ask you to extend that law to cover 10 million more workers and to give parents time off when they have to go see their children's teachers or take them to the doctor. Child care is the next frontier we must face to enable people to succeed at home and at work. Last year I cohosted the very first White House Conference on Child Care with one of our foremost experts, America's First Lady. From all corners of America, we heard the same message, without regard to region or income or political affiliation: We've got to raise the quality of child care. We've got to make it safer. We've got to make it more affordable. So here's my plan: Help families to pay for child care for a million more children; scholarships and background checks for child care workers, and a new emphasis on early learning; tax credits for businesses that provide child care for their employees; and a larger child care tax credit for working families. Now, if you pass my plan, what this means is that a family of four with an income of $35,000 and high child care costs will no longer pay a single penny of Federal income tax. I think this is such a big issue with me because of my own personal experience. I have often wondered how my mother, when she was a young widow, would have been able to go away to school and get an education and come back and support me if my grandparents hadn't been able to take care of me. She and I were really very lucky. How many other families have never had that same opportunity? The truth is, we don't know the answer to that question. But we do know what the answer should be: Not a single American family should ever have to choose between the job they need and the child they love. A society rooted in responsibility must provide safe streets, safe schools, and safe neighborhoods. We pursued a strategy of more police, tougher punishment, smarter prevention, with crimefighting partnerships with local law enforcement and citizen groups, where the rubber hits the road. I can report to you tonight that it's working. Violent crime is down; robbery is down; assault is down; burglary is down—for 5 years in a row, all across America. We need to finish the job of putting 100,000 more police on our streets. Again, I ask Congress to pass a juvenile crime bill that provides more prosecutors and probation officers, to crack down on gangs and guns and drugs, and bar violent juveniles from buying guns for life. And I ask you to dramatically expand our support for after-school programs. I think every American should know that most juvenile crime is committed between the hours of 3 in the afternoon and 8 at night. We can keep so many of our children out of trouble in the first place if we give them someplace to go other than the streets, and we ought to do it. Drug use is on the decline. I thank General McCaffrey for his leadership, and I thank this Congress for passing the largest antidrug budget in history. Now I ask you to join me in a groundbreaking effort to hire 1,000 new Border Patrol agents and to deploy the most sophisticated available new technologies to help close the door on drugs at our borders. Police, prosecutors, and prevention programs, as good as they are, they can't work if our court system doesn't work. Today, there are large numbers of vacancies in our Federal courts. Here is what the Chief Justice of the United States wrote: "Judicial vacancies cannot remain at such high levels indefinitely without eroding the quality of justice." I simply ask the United States Senate to heed this plea and vote on the highly qualified judicial nominees before you, up or down. We must exercise responsibility not just at home but around the world. On the eve of a new century, we have the power and the duty to build a new era of peace and security. But make no mistake about it; today's possibilities are not tomorrow's guarantees. America must stand against the poisoned appeals of extreme nationalism. We must combat an unholy axis of new threats from terrorists, international criminals, and drug traffickers. These 21st century predators feed on technology and the free flow of information and ideas and people. And they will be all the more lethal if weapons of mass destruction fall into their hands. To meet these challenges, we are helping to write international rules of the road for the 21st century, protecting those who join the family of nations and isolating those who do not. Within days, I will ask the Senate for its advice and consent to make Hungary, Poland, and the Czech Republic the newest members of NATO. For 50 years, NATO contained communism and kept America and Europe secure. Now, these three formerly Communist countries have said yes to democracy. I ask the Senate to say yes to them, our new allies. By taking in new members and working closely with new partners, including Russia and Ukraine, NATO can help to assure that Europe is a stronghold for peace in the 21st century. Next, I will ask Congress to continue its support of our troops and their mission in Bosnia. This Christmas, Hillary and I traveled to Sarajevo with Senator and Mrs. Dole and a bipartisan congressional delegation. We saw children playing in the streets, where 2 years ago they were hiding from snipers and shells. The shops are filled with food; the cafes were alive with conversation. The progress there is unmistakable, but it is not yet irreversible. To take firm root, Bosnia's fragile peace still needs the support of American and allied troops when the current NATO mission ends in June. I think Senator Dole actually said it best. He said, "This is like being ahead in the fourth quarter of a football game. Now is not the time to walk off the field and forfeit the victory." I wish all of you could have seen our troops in Tuzla. They're very proud of what they're doing in Bosnia, and we're all very proud of them. One of those brave soldiers is sitting with the First Lady tonight: Army Sergeant Michael Tolbert. His father was a decorated Vietnam vet. After college in Colorado, he joined the Army. Last year he led an infantry unit that stopped a mob of extremists from taking over a radio station that is a voice of democracy and tolerance in Bosnia. Thank you very much, Sergeant, for what you represent. Please stand up. [ ] In Bosnia and around the world, our men and women in uniform always do their mission well. Our mission must be to keep them welltrained and ready, to improve their quality of life, and to provide the 21st century weapons they need to defeat any enemy. I ask Congress to join me in pursuing an ambitious agenda to reduce the serious threat of weapons of mass destruction. This year, four decades after it was first proposed by President Eisenhower, a comprehensive nuclear test ban is within reach. By ending nuclear testing, we can help to prevent the development of new and more dangerous weapons and make it more difficult for non-nuclear states to build them. I'm pleased to announce that four former Chairmen of the Joint Chiefs of Staff—Generals John Shalikashvili, Colin Powell, and David Jones and Admiral William Crowe—have endorsed this treaty. And I ask the Senate to approve it this year. Together, we must confront the new hazards of chemical and biological weapons and the outlaw states, terrorists, and organized criminals seeking to acquire them. Saddam Hussein has spent the better part of this decade and much of his nation's wealth not on providing for the Iraqi people but on developing nuclear, chemical, and biological weapons and the missiles to deliver them. The United Nations weapons inspectors have done a truly remarkable job finding and destroying more of Iraq's arsenal than was destroyed during the entire Gulf war. Now Saddam Hussein wants to stop them from completing their mission. I know I speak for everyone in this chamber, Republicans and Democrats, when I say to Saddam Hussein, "You cannot defy the will of the world," and when I say to him, "You have used weapons of mass destruction before. We are determined to deny you the capacity to use them again." Last year the Senate ratified the Chemical Weapons Convention to protect our soldiers and citizens from poison gas. Now we must act to prevent the use of disease as a weapon of war and terror. The Biological Weapons Convention has been in effect for 23 years now. The rules are good, but the enforcement is weak. We must strengthen it with a new international inspection system to detect and deter cheating. In the months ahead, I will pursue our security strategy with old allies in Asia and Europe and new partners from Africa to India and Pakistan, from South America to China. And from Belfast to Korea to the Middle East, America will continue to stand with those who stand for peace. Finally, it's long past time to make good on our debt to the United Nations. More and more, we are working with other nations to achieve common goals. If we want America to lead, we've got to set a good example. As we see so clearly in Bosnia, allies who share our goals can also share our burdens. In this new era, our freedom and independence are actually enriched, not weakened, by our increasing interdependence with other nations. But we have to do our part. Our Founders set America on a permanent course toward a more perfect Union. To all of you I say, it is a journey we can only make together, living as one community. First, we have to continue to reform our Government, the instrument of our national community. Everyone knows elections have become too expensive, fueling a fundraising arms race. This year, by March 6th, at long last the Senate will actually vote on bipartisan campaign finance reform proposed by Senators McCain and Feingold. Let's be clear: A vote against McCain-Feingold is a vote for soft money and for the status quo. I ask you to strengthen our democracy and pass campaign finance reform this year. At least equally important, we have to address the real reason for the explosion in campaign costs: the high cost of media advertising. [ ]  To the folks watching at home, those were the groans of pain in the audience. [ ] I will formally request that the Federal Communications Commission act to provide free or reduced-cost television time for candidates who observe spending limits voluntarily. The airwaves are a public trust, and broadcasters also have to help us in this effort to strengthen our democracy. Under the leadership of Vice President Gore, we've reduced the Federal payroll by 300,000 workers, cut 16,000 pages of regulation, eliminated hundreds of programs, and improved the operations of virtually every Government agency. But we can do more. Like every taxpayer, I'm outraged by the reports of abuses by the IRS. We need some changes there: new citizen advocacy panels, a stronger taxpayer advocate, phone lines open 24 hours a day, relief for innocent taxpayers. Last year, by an overwhelming bipartisan margin, the House of Representatives passed sweeping IRS reforms. This bill must not now languish in the Senate. Tonight I ask the Senate: Follow the House; pass the bipartisan package as your first order of business. I hope to goodness before I finish I can think of something to say "follow the Senate" on, so I'll be out of trouble. [ ] A nation that lives as a community must value all its communities. For the past 5 years, we have worked to bring the spark of private enterprise to inner city and poor rural areas, with community development banks, more commercial loans in the poor neighborhoods, cleanup of polluted sites for development. Under the continued leadership of the Vice President, we propose to triple the number of empowerment zones to give business incentives to invest in those areas. We should also give poor families more help to move into homes of their own, and we should use tax cuts to spur the construction of more low-income housing. Last year, this Congress took strong action to help the District of Columbia. Let us renew our resolve to make our Capital City a great city for all who live and visit here. Our cities are the vibrant hubs of great metropolitan areas. They are still the gateways for new immigrants from every continent, who come here to work for their own American dreams. Let's keep our cities going strong into the 21st century; they're a very important part of our future. Our communities are only as healthy as the air our children breathe, the water they drink, the Earth they will inherit. Last year we put in place the toughest-ever controls on smog and soot. We moved to protect Yellowstone, the Everglades, Lake Tahoe. We expanded every community's right to know about the toxins that threaten their children. Just yesterday, our food safety plan took effect, using new science to protect consumers from dangers like   and salmonella. Tonight I ask you to join me in launching a new clean water initiative, a far-reaching effort to clean our rivers, our lakes, and our coastal waters for our children. Our overriding environmental challenge tonight is the worldwide problem of climate change, global warming, the gathering crisis that requires worldwide action. The vast majority of scientists have concluded unequivocally that if we don't reduce the emission of greenhouse gases, at some point in the next century, we'll disrupt our climate and put our children and grandchildren at risk. This past December, America led the world to reach a historic agreement committing our Nation to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through market forces, new technologies, energy efficiency. We have it in our power to act right here, right now. I propose $6 billion in tax cuts and research and development to encourage innovation, renewable energy, fuel-efficient cars, energy-efficient homes. Every time we have acted to heal our environment, pessimists have told us it would hurt the economy. Well, today, our economy is the strongest in a generation, and our environment is the cleanest in a generation. We have always found a way to clean the environment and grow the economy at the same time. And when it comes to global warming, we'll do it again. Finally, community means living by the defining American value, the ideal heard 'round the world, that we are all created equal. Throughout our history, we haven't always honored that ideal and we've never fully lived up to it. Often it's easier to believe that our differences matter more than what we have in common. It may be easier, but it's wrong. What we have to do in our day and generation to make sure that America becomes truly one nation—what do we have to do? We're becoming more and more and more diverse. Do you believe we can become one nation? The answer cannot be to dwell on our differences but to build on our shared values. We all cherish family and faith, freedom and responsibility. We all want our children to grow up in a world where their talents are matched by their opportunities. I've launched this national initiative on race to help us recognize our common interests and to bridge the opportunity gaps that are keeping us from becoming one America. Let us begin by recognizing what we still must overcome. Discrimination against any American is un-American. We must vigorously enforce the laws that make it illegal. I ask your help to end the backlog at the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. Sixty thousand of our fellow citizens are waiting in line for justice, and we should act now to end their wait. We also should recognize that the greatest progress we can make toward building one America lies in the progress we make for all Americans, without regard to race. When we open the doors of college to all Americans, when we rid all our streets of crime, when there are jobs available to people from all our neighborhoods, when we make sure all parents have the child care they need, we're helping to build one nation. We, in this Chamber and in this Government, must do all we can to address the continuing American challenge to build one America. But we'll only move forward if all our fellow citizens, including every one of you at home watching tonight, is also committed to this cause. We must work together, learn together, live together, serve together. On the forge of common enterprise, Americans of all backgrounds can hammer out a common identity. We see it today in the United States military, in the Peace Corps, in AmeriCorps. Wherever people of all races and backgrounds come together in a shared endeavor and get a fair chance, we do just fine. With shared values and meaningful opportunities and honest communication and citizen service, we can unite a diverse people in freedom and mutual respect. We are many; we must be one. In that spirit, let us lift our eyes to the new millennium. How will we mark that passage? It just happens once every 1,000 years. This year Hillary and I launched the White House Millennium Program to promote America's creativity and innovation, and to preserve our heritage and culture into the 21st century. Our culture lives in every community, and every community has places of historic value that tell our stories as Americans. We should protect them. I am proposing a public-private partnership to advance our arts and humanities and to celebrate the millennium by saving American's treasures, great and small. And while we honor the past, let us imagine the future. Now, think about this: The entire store of human knowledge now doubles every 5 years. In the 1980's, scientists identified the gene causing cystic fibrosis; it took 9 years. Last year scientists located the gene that causes Parkinson's disease in only 9 days. Within a decade, "gene chips" will offer a roadmap for prevention of illnesses throughout a lifetime. Soon we'll be able to carry all the phone calls on Mother's Day on a single strand of fiber the width of a human hair. A child born in 1998 may well live to see the 22d century. Tonight, as part of our gift to the millennium, I propose a 21st century research fund for pathbreaking scientific inquiry, the largest funding increase in history for the National Institutes of Health, the National Science Foundation, the National Cancer Institute. We have already discovered genes for breast cancer and diabetes. I ask you to support this initiative so ours will be the generation that finally wins the war against cancer and begins a revolution in our fight against all deadly diseases. As important as all this scientific progress is, we must continue to see that science serves humanity, not the other way around. We must prevent the misuse of genetic tests to discriminate against any American. And we must ratify the ethical consensus of the scientific and religious communities and ban the cloning of human beings. We should enable all the world's people to explore the far reaches of cyberspace. Think of this: The first time I made a State of the Union speech to you, only a handful of physicists used the World Wide Web—literally, just a handful of people. Now, in schools, in libraries, homes, and businesses, millions and millions of Americans surf the Net every day. We must give parents the tools they need to help protect their children from inappropriate material on the Internet, but we also must make sure that we protect the exploding global commercial potential of the Internet. We can do the kinds of things that we need to do and still protect our kids. For one thing, I ask Congress to step up support for building the next generation Internet. It's getting kind of clogged, you know, and the next generation Internet will operate at speeds up to 1,000 times faster than today. Even as we explore this inner space in the new millennium, we're going to open new frontiers in outer space. Throughout all history, humankind has had only one place to call home, our planet, Earth. Beginning this year, 1998, men and women from 16 countries will build a foothold in the heavens, the international space station. With its vast expanses, scientists and engineers will actually set sail on an uncharted sea of limitless mystery and unlimited potential. And this October, a true American hero, a veteran pilot of 149 combat missions and one 5-hour space flight that changed the world, will return to the heavens. Godspeed, John Glenn. [ ] John, you will carry with you America's hopes. And on your uniform, once again, you will carry America's flag, marking the unbroken connection between the deeds of America's past and the daring of America's future. Nearly 200 years ago, a tattered flag, its broad stripes and bright stars still gleaming through the smoke of a fierce battle, moved Francis Scott Key to scribble a few words on the back of an envelope, the words that became our national anthem. Today, that Star-Spangled Banner, along with the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights, are on display just a short walk from here. They are America's treasures, and we must also save them for the ages. I ask all Americans to support our project to restore all our treasures so that the generations of the 21st century can see for themselves the images and the words that are the old and continuing glory of America, an America that has continued to rise through every age, against every challenge, a people of great works and greater possibilities, who have always, always found the wisdom and strength to come together as one nation to widen the circle of opportunity, to deepen the meaning of our freedom, to form that more perfect Union. Let that be our gift to the 21st century. God bless you, and God bless the United States.
Mr. Speaker, Mr. Vice President, Members of the 105th Congress, distinguished guests, my fellow Americans: Since the last time we met in this Chamber, America has lost two patriots and fine public servants. Though they sat on opposite sides of the aisle, Representatives Walter Capps and Sonny Bono shared a deep love for this House and an unshakable commitment to improving the lives of all our people. In the past few weeks, they have both been eulogized. Tonight I think we should begin by sending a message to their families and their friends that we celebrate their lives and give thanks for their service to our Nation. For 209 years, it has been the President's duty to report to you on the state of the Union. Because of the hard work and high purpose of the American people, these are good times for America. We have more than 14 million new jobs, the lowest unemployment in 24 years, the lowest core inflation in 30 years; incomes are rising; and we have the highest homeownership in history. Crime has dropped for a record 5 years in a row, and the welfare rolls are at their lowest levels in 27 years. Our leadership in the world is unrivaled. Ladies and gentlemen, the state of our Union is strong. But with barely 700 days left in the 20th century, this is not a time to rest. It is a time to build, to build the America within reach, an America where everybody has a chance to get ahead with hard work; where every citizen can live in a safe community; where families are strong, schools are good, and all our young people can go on to college; an America where scientists find cures for diseases from diabetes to Alzheimer's to AIDS; an America where every child can stretch a hand across a keyboard and reach every book ever written, every painting ever painted, every symphony ever composed; where government provides opportunity and citizens honor the responsibility to give something back to their communities; an America which leads the world to new heights of peace and prosperity. This is the America we have begun to build; this is the America we can leave to our children if we join together to finish the work at hand. Let us strengthen our Nation for the 21st century. Rarely have Americans lived through so much change in so many ways in so short a time. Quietly, but with gathering force, the ground has shifted beneath our feet as we have moved into an information age, a global economy, a truly new world. For 5 years now, we have met the challenge of these changes, as Americans have at every turning point in our history, by renewing the very idea of America: widening the circle of opportunity, deepening the meaning of our freedom, forging a more perfect Union. We shaped a new kind of Government for the information age. I thank the Vice President for his leadership and the Congress for its support in building a Government that is leaner, more flexible, a catalyst for new ideas, and most of all, a Government that gives the American people the tools they need to make the most of their own lives. We have moved past the sterile debate between those who say government is the enemy and those who say government is the answer. My fellow Americans, we have found a third way. We have the smallest Government in 35 years, but a more progressive one. We have a smaller Government, but a stronger Nation. We are moving steadily toward an even stronger America in the 21st century: an economy that offers opportunity, a society rooted in responsibility, and a nation that lives as a community. First, Americans in this Chamber and across our Nation have pursued a new strategy for prosperity: fiscal discipline to cut interest rates and spur growth; investments in education and skills, in science and technology and transportation, to prepare our people for the new economy; new markets for American products and American workers. When I took office, the deficit for 1998 was projected to be $357 billion and heading higher. This year, our deficit is projected to be $10 billion and heading lower. For three decades, six Presidents have come before you to warn of the damage deficits pose to our Nation. Tonight I come before you to announce that the Federal deficit, once so incomprehensibly large that it had 11 zeros, will be, simply, zero. I will submit to Congress for 1999 the first balanced budget in 30 years. And if we hold fast to fiscal discipline, we may balance the budget this year—4 years ahead of schedule. You can all be proud of that, because turning a sea of red ink into black is no miracle. It is the product of hard work by the American people and of two visionary actions in Congress: the courageous vote in 1993 that led to a cut in the deficit of 90 percent, and the truly historic bipartisan balanced budget agreement passed by this Congress. Here is the really good news: If we maintain our resolve, we will produce balanced budgets as far as the eye can see. We must not go back to unwise spending or untargeted tax cuts that risk reopening the deficit. Last year, together, we enacted targeted tax cuts so that the typical middle class family will now have the lowest tax rates in 20 years. My plan to balance the budget next year includes both new investments and new tax cuts targeted to the needs of working families, for education, for child care, for the environment. But whether the issue is tax cuts or spending, I ask all of you to meet this test: Approve only those priorities that can actually be accomplished without adding a dime to the deficit. Now, if we balance the budget for next year, it is projected that we will then have a sizable surplus in the years that immediately follow. What should we do with this projected surplus? I have a simple four-word answer: Save Social Security first. Tonight I propose that we reserve 100 percent of the surplus—that is every penny of any surplus—until we have taken all the necessary measures to strengthen the Social Security system for the 21st century. Let us say to all Americans watching tonight—whether you are 70 or 50 or whether you just started paying into the system—Social Security will be there when you need it. Let us make this commitment: Social Security first. Let us do that together. I also want to say that all the American people who are watching us tonight should be invited to join in this discussion, in facing these issues squarely and forming a true consensus on how we should proceed. We will start by conducting nonpartisan forums in every region of the country, and I hope that lawmakers of both parties will participate. We will hold a White House conference on Social Security in December. And one year from now, I will convene the leaders of Congress to craft historic, bipartisan legislation to achieve a landmark for our generation: a Social Security system that is strong in the 21st century. In an economy that honors opportunity, all Americans must be able to reap the rewards of prosperity. Because these times are good, we can afford to take one simple, sensible step to help millions of workers struggling to provide for their families: We should raise the minimum wage. The information age is, first and foremost, an education age, in which education must start at birth and continue throughout a lifetime. Last year, from this podium, I said that education has to be our highest priority. I laid out a 10point plan to move us forward and urged all of us to let politics stop at the schoolhouse door. Since then, this Congress—across party lines— and the American people have responded, in the most important year for education in a generation, expanding public school choice, opening the way to 3,000 new charter schools, working to connect every classroom in the country to the information superhighway, committing to expand Head Start to a million children, launching America Reads, sending literally thousands of college students into our elementary schools to make sure all our 8-year-olds can read. Last year I proposed and you passed 220,000 new Pell grant scholarships for deserving students. Student loans, already less expensive and easier to repay—now you get to deduct the interest. Families all over America now can put their savings into new tax-free education IRA's. And this year, for the first 2 years of college, families will get a $1,500 tax credit—a HOPE scholarship that will cover the cost of most community college tuition. And for junior and senior year, graduate school, and job training, there is a lifetime learning credit. You did that, and you should be very proud of it. And because of these actions, I have something to say to every family listening to us tonight: Your children can go on to college. If you know a child from a poor family, tell her not to give up; she can go on to college. If you know a young couple struggling with bills, worried they will not be able to send their children to college, tell them not to give up; their children can go on to college. If you know somebody who is caught in a dead-end job and afraid he cannot afford the classes necessary to get better jobs for the rest of his life, tell him not to give up; he can go on to college. Because of the things that have been done, we can make college as universal in the 21st century as high school is today. And my friends, that will change the face and future of America. We have opened wide the doors of the world's best system of higher education. Now we must make our public elementary and secondary schools the world's best, as well, by raising standards, raising expectations, and raising accountability. Thanks to the actions of this Congress last year, we will soon have, for the very first time, a voluntary national test based on national standards in fourth grade reading and eighth grade math. Parents have a right to know whether their children are mastering the basics. And every parent already knows the key: good teachers and small classes. Tonight I propose the first ever national effort to reduce class size in the early grades. My balanced budget will help to hire 100,000 new teachers who have passed a State competency test. Now, with these teachers—listen—with these teachers, we will actually be able to reduce class size in the first, second, and third grades to an average of 18 students a class, all across America. If I have got the math right, more teachers teaching smaller classes requires more classrooms. So I also propose a school construction tax cut to help communities modernize or build 5,000 schools. We must also demand greater accountability. When we promote a child from grade to grade who has not mastered the work, we do not do that child any favors. It is time to end social promotion in America's schools. Last year, in Chicago, they made that decision—not to hold our children back but to lift them up. Chicago stopped social promotion and started mandatory summer school to help students who are behind to catch up. I propose to help other communities follow Chicago's lead. Let us say to them: Stop promoting children who do not learn, and we will give you the tools to make sure they do. I also ask this Congress to support our efforts to enlist colleges and universities to reach out to disadvantaged children, starting in the sixth grade, so that they can get the guidance and hope they need so they can know that they, too, will be able to go on to college. As we enter the 21st century, the global economy requires us to seek opportunity not just at home but in all the markets of the world. We must shape this global economy, not shrink from it. In the last 5 years, we have led the way in opening new markets, with 240 trade agreements that remove foreign barriers to products bearing the proud stamp "Made in the USA." Today, record high exports account for fully one-third of our economic growth. I want to keep them going, because that is the way to keep America growing and to advance a safer, more stable world. All of you know, whatever your views are, that I think this is a great opportunity for America. I know there is opposition to more comprehensive trade agreements. I have listened carefully, and I believe that the opposition is rooted in two fears: first, that our trading partners will have lower environmental and labor standards which will give them an unfair advantage in our market and do their own people no favors, even if there is more business; and, second, that if we have more trade, more of our workers will lose their jobs and have to start over. I think we should seek to advance worker and environmental standards around the world. I have made it abundantly clear that it should be a part of our trade agenda. But we cannot influence other countries' decisions if we send them a message that we are backing away from trade with them. This year I will send legislation to Congress, and ask other nations to join us, to fight the most intolerable labor practice of all: abusive child labor. We should also offer help and hope to those Americans temporarily left behind by the global marketplace or by the march of technology, which may have nothing to do with trade. That is why we have more than doubled funding for training dislocated workers since 1993. And if my new budget is adopted, we will triple funding. That is why we must do more, and more quickly, to help workers who lose their jobs for whatever reason. You know, we help communities in a special way when their military base closes; we ought to help them in the same way if their factory closes. Again, I ask the Congress to continue its bipartisan work to consolidate the tangle of training programs we have today into one single "GI bill" for workers, a simple skills grant so people can, on their own, move quickly to new jobs, to higher incomes, and brighter futures. We all know, in every way in life, change is not always easy, but we have to decide whether we are going to try to hold it back and hide from it or reap its benefits. And remember the big picture here: While we have been entering into hundreds of new trade agreements, we have been creating millions of new jobs. So this year we will forge new partnerships with Latin America, Asia, and Europe. And we should pass the new "African Trade Act"; it has bipartisan support. I will also renew my request for the fast-track negotiating authority necessary to open more new markets, create more new jobs, which every President has had for two decades. You know, whether we like it or not, in ways that are mostly positive, the world's economies are more and more interconnected and interdependent. Today, an economic crisis anywhere can affect economies everywhere. Recent months have brought serious financial problems to Thailand, Indonesia, South Korea, and beyond. Now, why should Americans be concerned about this? First, these countries are our customers. If they sink into recession, they will not be able to buy the goods we would like to sell them. Second, they are also our competitors. So if their currencies lose their value and go down, then the price of their goods will drop, flooding our market and others with much cheaper goods, which makes it a lot tougher for our people to compete. And finally, they are our strategic partners. Their stability bolsters our security. The American economy remains sound and strong, and I want to keep it that way. But because the turmoil in Asia will have an impact on all the world's economies, including ours, making that negative impact as small as possible is the right thing to do for America and the right thing to do for a safer world. Our policy is clear: No nation can recover if it does not reform itself. But when nations are willing to undertake serious economic reform, we should help them do it. So I call on Congress to renew America's commitment to the International Monetary Fund. And I think we should say to all the people we are trying to represent here that preparing for a far-off storm that may reach our shores is far wiser than ignoring the thunder till the clouds are just overhead. A strong nation rests on the rock of responsibility. A society rooted in responsibility must first promote the value of work, not welfare. We can be proud that after decades of fingerpointing and failure, together we ended the old welfare system. And we are now replacing welfare checks with paychecks. Last year, after a record 4-year decline in welfare rolls, I challenged our Nation to move 2 million more Americans off welfare by the year 2000. I am pleased to report we have also met that goal, 2 full years ahead of schedule. This is a grand achievement, the sum of many acts of individual courage, persistence, and hope. For 13 years, Elaine Kinslow of Indianapolis, Indiana, was on and off welfare. Today, she is a dispatcher with a van company. She is saved enough money to move her family into a good neighborhood, and she is helping other welfare recipients go to work. Elaine Kinslow and all those like her are the real heroes of the welfare revolution. There are millions like her all across America. And I am happy she could join the First Lady tonight. Elaine, we are very proud of you. Please stand up. [ ] We still have a lot more to do, all of us, to make welfare reform a success—providing child care, helping families move closer to available jobs, challenging more companies to join our welfare-to-work partnership, increasing child support collections from deadbeat parents who have a duty to support their own children. I also want to thank Congress for restoring some of the benefits to immigrants who are here legally and working hard, and I hope you will finish that job this year. We have to make it possible for all hardworking families to meet their most important responsibilities. Two years ago we helped guarantee that Americans can keep their health insurance when they change jobs. Last year we extended health care to up to 5 million children. This year I challenge Congress to take the next historic steps. A hundred and sixty million of our fellow citizens are in managed care plans. These plans save money, and they can improve care. But medical decisions ought to be made by medical doctors, not insurance company accountants. I urge this Congress to reach across the aisle and write into law a consumer bill of rights that says this: You have the right to know all your medical options, not just the cheapest. You have the right to choose the doctor you want for the care you need. You have the right to emergency room care, wherever and whenever you need it. You have the right to keep your medical records confidential. Traditional care or managed care, every American deserves quality care. Millions of Americans between the ages of 55 and 65 have lost their health insurance. Some are retired; some are laid off; some lose their coverage when their spouses retire. After a lifetime of work, they are left with nowhere to turn. So I ask the Congress, let these hardworking Americans buy into the Medicare system. It will not add a dime to the deficit, but the peace of mind it will provide will be priceless. Next, we must help parents protect their children from the gravest health threat that they face: an epidemic of teen smoking, spread by multimillion-dollar marketing campaigns. I challenge Congress: Let us pass bipartisan, comprehensive legislation that will improve public health, protect our tobacco farmers, and change the way tobacco companies do business forever. Let us do what it takes to bring teen smoking down. Let us raise the price of cigarettes by up to a dollar and a half a pack over the next 10 years, with penalties on the tobacco industry if it keeps marketing to our children. Tomorrow, like every day, 3,000 children will start smoking, and 1,000 will die early as a result. Let this Congress be remembered as the Congress that saved their lives. In the new economy, most parents work harder than ever. They face a constant struggle to balance their obligations to be good workers and their even more important obligations to be good parents. The Family and Medical Leave Act was the very first bill I was privileged to sign into law as President in 1993. Since then, about 15 million people have taken advantage of it, and I have met a lot of them all across this country. I ask you to extend that law to cover 10 million more workers and to give parents time off when they have to go see their children's teachers or take them to the doctor. Child care is the next frontier we must face to enable people to succeed at home and at work. Last year I cohosted the very first White House Conference on Child Care with one of our foremost experts, America's First Lady. From all corners of America, we heard the same message, without regard to region or income or political affiliation: We have got to raise the quality of child care. We have got to make it safer. We have got to make it more affordable. So here is my plan: Help families to pay for child care for a million more children; scholarships and background checks for child care workers, and a new emphasis on early learning; tax credits for businesses that provide child care for their employees; and a larger child care tax credit for working families. Now, if you pass my plan, what this means is that a family of four with an income of $35,000 and high child care costs will no longer pay a single penny of Federal income tax. I think this is such a big issue with me because of my own personal experience. I have often wondered how my mother, when she was a young widow, would have been able to go away to school and get an education and come back and support me if my grandparents had not been able to take care of me. She and I were really very lucky. How many other families have never had that same opportunity? The truth is, we do not know the answer to that question. But we do know what the answer should be: Not a single American family should ever have to choose between the job they need and the child they love. A society rooted in responsibility must provide safe streets, safe schools, and safe neighborhoods. We pursued a strategy of more police, tougher punishment, smarter prevention, with crimefighting partnerships with local law enforcement and citizen groups, where the rubber hits the road. I can report to you tonight that it is working. Violent crime is down; robbery is down; assault is down; burglary is down—for 5 years in a row, all across America. We need to finish the job of putting 100,000 more police on our streets. Again, I ask Congress to pass a juvenile crime bill that provides more prosecutors and probation officers, to crack down on gangs and guns and drugs, and bar violent juveniles from buying guns for life. And I ask you to dramatically expand our support for after-school programs. I think every American should know that most juvenile crime is committed between the hours of 3 in the afternoon and 8 at night. We can keep so many of our children out of trouble in the first place if we give them someplace to go other than the streets, and we ought to do it. Drug use is on the decline. I thank General McCaffrey for his leadership, and I thank this Congress for passing the largest antidrug budget in history. Now I ask you to join me in a groundbreaking effort to hire 1,000 new Border Patrol agents and to deploy the most sophisticated available new technologies to help close the door on drugs at our borders. Police, prosecutors, and prevention programs, as good as they are, they cannot work if our court system does not work. Today, there are large numbers of vacancies in our Federal courts. Here is what the Chief Justice of the United States wrote: "Judicial vacancies cannot remain at such high levels indefinitely without eroding the quality of justice." I simply ask the United States Senate to heed this plea and vote on the highly qualified judicial nominees before you, up or down. We must exercise responsibility not just at home but around the world. On the eve of a new century, we have the power and the duty to build a new era of peace and security. But make no mistake about it; today's possibilities are not tomorrow's guarantees. America must stand against the poisoned appeals of extreme nationalism. We must combat an unholy axis of new threats from terrorists, international criminals, and drug traffickers. These 21st century predators feed on technology and the free flow of information and ideas and people. And they will be all the more lethal if weapons of mass destruction fall into their hands. To meet these challenges, we are helping to write international rules of the road for the 21st century, protecting those who join the family of nations and isolating those who do not. Within days, I will ask the Senate for its advice and consent to make Hungary, Poland, and the Czech Republic the newest members of NATO. For 50 years, NATO contained communism and kept America and Europe secure. Now, these three formerly Communist countries have said yes to democracy. I ask the Senate to say yes to them, our new allies. By taking in new members and working closely with new partners, including Russia and Ukraine, NATO can help to assure that Europe is a stronghold for peace in the 21st century. Next, I will ask Congress to continue its support of our troops and their mission in Bosnia. This Christmas, Hillary and I traveled to Sarajevo with Senator and Mrs. Dole and a bipartisan congressional delegation. We saw children playing in the streets, where 2 years ago they were hiding from snipers and shells. The shops are filled with food; the cafes were alive with conversation. The progress there is unmistakable, but it is not yet irreversible. To take firm root, Bosnia's fragile peace still needs the support of American and allied troops when the current NATO mission ends in June. I think Senator Dole actually said it best. He said, "This is like being ahead in the fourth quarter of a football game. Now is not the time to walk off the field and forfeit the victory." I wish all of you could have seen our troops in Tuzla. They are very proud of what they are doing in Bosnia, and we are all very proud of them. One of those brave soldiers is sitting with the First Lady tonight: Army Sergeant Michael Tolbert. His father was a decorated Vietnam vet. After college in Colorado, he joined the Army. Last year he led an infantry unit that stopped a mob of extremists from taking over a radio station that is a voice of democracy and tolerance in Bosnia. Thank you very much, Sergeant, for what you represent. Please stand up. [ ] In Bosnia and around the world, our men and women in uniform always do their mission well. Our mission must be to keep them welltrained and ready, to improve their quality of life, and to provide the 21st century weapons they need to defeat any enemy. I ask Congress to join me in pursuing an ambitious agenda to reduce the serious threat of weapons of mass destruction. This year, four decades after it was first proposed by President Eisenhower, a comprehensive nuclear test ban is within reach. By ending nuclear testing, we can help to prevent the development of new and more dangerous weapons and make it more difficult for non-nuclear states to build them. I am pleased to announce that four former Chairmen of the Joint Chiefs of Staff—Generals John Shalikashvili, Colin Powell, and David Jones and Admiral William Crowe—have endorsed this treaty. And I ask the Senate to approve it this year. Together, we must confront the new hazards of chemical and biological weapons and the outlaw states, terrorists, and organized criminals seeking to acquire them. Saddam Hussein has spent the better part of this decade and much of his nation's wealth not on providing for the Iraqi people but on developing nuclear, chemical, and biological weapons and the missiles to deliver them. The United Nations weapons inspectors have done a truly remarkable job finding and destroying more of Iraq's arsenal than was destroyed during the entire Gulf war. Now Saddam Hussein wants to stop them from completing their mission. I know I speak for everyone in this chamber, Republicans and Democrats, when I say to Saddam Hussein, "You cannot defy the will of the world," and when I say to him, "You have used weapons of mass destruction before. We are determined to deny you the capacity to use them again." Last year the Senate ratified the Chemical Weapons Convention to protect our soldiers and citizens from poison gas. Now we must act to prevent the use of disease as a weapon of war and terror. The Biological Weapons Convention has been in effect for 23 years now. The rules are good, but the enforcement is weak. We must strengthen it with a new international inspection system to detect and deter cheating. In the months ahead, I will pursue our security strategy with old allies in Asia and Europe and new partners from Africa to India and Pakistan, from South America to China. And from Belfast to Korea to the Middle East, America will continue to stand with those who stand for peace. Finally, it is long past time to make good on our debt to the United Nations. More and more, we are working with other nations to achieve common goals. If we want America to lead, we have got to set a good example. As we see so clearly in Bosnia, allies who share our goals can also share our burdens. In this new era, our freedom and independence are actually enriched, not weakened, by our increasing interdependence with other nations. But we have to do our part. Our Founders set America on a permanent course toward a more perfect Union. To all of you I say, it is a journey we can only make together, living as one community. First, we have to continue to reform our Government, the instrument of our national community. Everyone knows elections have become too expensive, fueling a fundraising arms race. This year, by March 6th, at long last the Senate will actually vote on bipartisan campaign finance reform proposed by Senators McCain and Feingold. Let us be clear: A vote against McCain-Feingold is a vote for soft money and for the status quo. I ask you to strengthen our democracy and pass campaign finance reform this year. At least equally important, we have to address the real reason for the explosion in campaign costs: the high cost of media advertising. [ ] To the folks watching at home, those were the groans of pain in the audience. [ ] I will formally request that the Federal Communications Commission act to provide free or reduced-cost television time for candidates who observe spending limits voluntarily. The airwaves are a public trust, and broadcasters also have to help us in this effort to strengthen our democracy. Under the leadership of Vice President Gore, we have reduced the Federal payroll by 300,000 workers, cut 16,000 pages of regulation, eliminated hundreds of programs, and improved the operations of virtually every Government agency. But we can do more. Like every taxpayer, I am outraged by the reports of abuses by the IRS. We need some changes there: new citizen advocacy panels, a stronger taxpayer advocate, phone lines open 24 hours a day, relief for innocent taxpayers. Last year, by an overwhelming bipartisan margin, the House of Representatives passed sweeping IRS reforms. This bill must not now languish in the Senate. Tonight I ask the Senate: Follow the House; pass the bipartisan package as your first order of business. I hope to goodness before I finish I can think of something to say "follow the Senate" on, so I will be out of trouble. [ ] A nation that lives as a community must value all its communities. For the past 5 years, we have worked to bring the spark of private enterprise to inner city and poor rural areas, with community development banks, more commercial loans in the poor neighborhoods, cleanup of polluted sites for development. Under the continued leadership of the Vice President, we propose to triple the number of empowerment zones to give business incentives to invest in those areas. We should also give poor families more help to move into homes of their own, and we should use tax cuts to spur the construction of more low-income housing. Last year, this Congress took strong action to help the District of Columbia. Let us renew our resolve to make our Capital City a great city for all who live and visit here. Our cities are the vibrant hubs of great metropolitan areas. They are still the gateways for new immigrants from every continent, who come here to work for their own American dreams. Let us keep our cities going strong into the 21st century; they are a very important part of our future. Our communities are only as healthy as the air our children breathe, the water they drink, the Earth they will inherit. Last year we put in place the toughest-ever controls on smog and soot. We moved to protect Yellowstone, the Everglades, Lake Tahoe. We expanded every community's right to know about the toxins that threaten their children. Just yesterday, our food safety plan took effect, using new science to protect consumers from dangers like and salmonella. Tonight I ask you to join me in launching a new clean water initiative, a far-reaching effort to clean our rivers, our lakes, and our coastal waters for our children. Our overriding environmental challenge tonight is the worldwide problem of climate change, global warming, the gathering crisis that requires worldwide action. The vast majority of scientists have concluded unequivocally that if we do not reduce the emission of greenhouse gases, at some point in the next century, we will disrupt our climate and put our children and grandchildren at risk. This past December, America led the world to reach a historic agreement committing our Nation to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through market forces, new technologies, energy efficiency. We have it in our power to act right here, right now. I propose $6 billion in tax cuts and research and development to encourage innovation, renewable energy, fuel-efficient cars, energy-efficient homes. Every time we have acted to heal our environment, pessimists have told us it would hurt the economy. Well, today, our economy is the strongest in a generation, and our environment is the cleanest in a generation. We have always found a way to clean the environment and grow the economy at the same time. And when it comes to global warming, we will do it again. Finally, community means living by the defining American value, the ideal heard 'round the world, that we are all created equal. Throughout our history, we have not always honored that ideal and we have never fully lived up to it. Often it is easier to believe that our differences matter more than what we have in common. It may be easier, but it is wrong. What we have to do in our day and generation to make sure that America becomes truly one nation—what do we have to do? We are becoming more and more and more diverse. Do you believe we can become one nation? The answer cannot be to dwell on our differences but to build on our shared values. We all cherish family and faith, freedom and responsibility. We all want our children to grow up in a world where their talents are matched by their opportunities. I have launched this national initiative on race to help us recognize our common interests and to bridge the opportunity gaps that are keeping us from becoming one America. Let us begin by recognizing what we still must overcome. Discrimination against any American is un-American. We must vigorously enforce the laws that make it illegal. I ask your help to end the backlog at the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. Sixty thousand of our fellow citizens are waiting in line for justice, and we should act now to end their wait. We also should recognize that the greatest progress we can make toward building one America lies in the progress we make for all Americans, without regard to race. When we open the doors of college to all Americans, when we rid all our streets of crime, when there are jobs available to people from all our neighborhoods, when we make sure all parents have the child care they need, we are helping to build one nation. We, in this Chamber and in this Government, must do all we can to address the continuing American challenge to build one America. But we will only move forward if all our fellow citizens, including every one of you at home watching tonight, is also committed to this because. We must work together, learn together, live together, serve together. On the forge of common enterprise, Americans of all backgrounds can hammer out a common identity. We see it today in the United States military, in the Peace Corps, in AmeriCorps. Wherever people of all races and backgrounds come together in a shared endeavor and get a fair chance, we do just fine. With shared values and meaningful opportunities and honest communication and citizen service, we can unite a diverse people in freedom and mutual respect. We are many; we must be one. In that spirit, let us lift our eyes to the new millennium. How will we mark that passage? It just happens once every 1,000 years. This year Hillary and I launched the White House Millennium Program to promote America's creativity and innovation, and to preserve our heritage and culture into the 21st century. Our culture lives in every community, and every community has places of historic value that tell our stories as Americans. We should protect them. I am proposing a public-private partnership to advance our arts and humanities and to celebrate the millennium by saving American's treasures, great and small. And while we honor the past, let us imagine the future. Now, think about this: The entire store of human knowledge now doubles every 5 years. In the 1980's, scientists identified the gene causing cystic fibrosis; it took 9 years. Last year scientists located the gene that causes Parkinson's disease in only 9 days. Within a decade, "gene chips" will offer a roadmap for prevention of illnesses throughout a lifetime. Soon we will be able to carry all the phone calls on Mother's Day on a single strand of fiber the width of a human hair. A child born in 1998 may well live to see the 22d century. Tonight, as part of our gift to the millennium, I propose a 21st century research fund for pathbreaking scientific inquiry, the largest funding increase in history for the National Institutes of Health, the National Science Foundation, the National Cancer Institute. We have already discovered genes for breast cancer and diabetes. I ask you to support this initiative so ours will be the generation that finally wins the war against cancer and begins a revolution in our fight against all deadly diseases. As important as all this scientific progress is, we must continue to see that science serves humanity, not the other way around. We must prevent the misuse of genetic tests to discriminate against any American. And we must ratify the ethical consensus of the scientific and religious communities and ban the cloning of human beings. We should enable all the world's people to explore the far reaches of cyberspace. Think of this: The first time I made a State of the Union speech to you, only a handful of physicists used the World Wide Web—literally, just a handful of people. Now, in schools, in libraries, homes, and businesses, millions and millions of Americans surf the Net every day. We must give parents the tools they need to help protect their children from inappropriate material on the Internet, but we also must make sure that we protect the exploding global commercial potential of the Internet. We can do the kinds of things that we need to do and still protect our kids. For one thing, I ask Congress to step up support for building the next generation Internet. It is getting kind of clogged, you know, and the next generation Internet will operate at speeds up to 1,000 times faster than today. Even as we explore this inner space in the new millennium, we are going to open new frontiers in outer space. Throughout all history, humankind has had only one place to call home, our planet, Earth. Beginning this year, 1998, men and women from 16 countries will build a foothold in the heavens, the international space station. With its vast expanses, scientists and engineers will actually set sail on an uncharted sea of limitless mystery and unlimited potential. And this October, a true American hero, a veteran pilot of 149 combat missions and one 5-hour space flight that changed the world, will return to the heavens. Godspeed, John Glenn. [ ] John, you will carry with you America's hopes. And on your uniform, once again, you will carry America's flag, marking the unbroken connection between the deeds of America's past and the daring of America's future. Nearly 200 years ago, a tattered flag, its broad stripes and bright stars still gleaming through the smoke of a fierce battle, moved Francis Scott Key to scribble a few words on the back of an envelope, the words that became our national anthem. Today, that Star-Spangled Banner, along with the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights, are on display just a short walk from here. They are America's treasures, and we must also save them for the ages. I ask all Americans to support our project to restore all our treasures so that the generations of the 21st century can see for themselves the images and the words that are the old and continuing glory of America, an America that has continued to rise through every age, against every challenge, a people of great works and greater possibilities, who have always, always found the wisdom and strength to come together as one nation to widen the circle of opportunity, to deepen the meaning of our freedom, to form that more perfect Union. Let that be our gift to the 21st century. God bless you, and God bless the United States.
speaker vice president members of the 105th congress distinguished guests my fellow americans since the last time we met in this chamber america has lost two patriots and fine public servants though they sat on opposite sides of the aisle representatives walter capps and sonny bono shared a deep love for this house and an unshakable commitment to improving the lives of all our people in the past few weeks they have both been eulogized tonight i think we should begin by sending a message to their families and their friends that we celebrate their lives and give thanks for their service to our nation for 209 years it has been the president duty to report to you on the state of the union because of the hard work and high purpose of the american people these are good times for america we have more than 14 million new jobs the lowest unemployment in 24 years the lowest core inflation in 30 years incomes are rising and we have the highest homeownership in history crime has dropped for a record 5 years in a row and the welfare rolls are at their lowest levels in 27 years our leadership in the world is unrivaled ladies and gentlemen the state of our union is strong but with barely 700 days left in the 20th century this is not a time to rest it is a time to build to build the america within reach an america where everybody has a chance to get ahead with hard work where every citizen can live in a safe community where families are strong schools are good and all our young people can go on to college an america where scientists find cures for diseases from diabetes to alzheimer to aids an america where every child can stretch a hand across a keyboard and reach every book ever written every painting ever painted every symphony ever composed where government provides opportunity and citizens honor the responsibility to give something back to their communities an america which leads the world to new heights of peace and prosperity this is the america we have begun to build this is the america we can leave to our children if we join together to finish the work at hand let us strengthen our nation for the 21st century rarely have americans lived through so much change in so many ways in so short a time quietly but with gathering force the ground has shifted beneath our feet as we have moved into an information age a global economy a truly new world for 5 years now we have met the challenge of these changes as americans have at every turning point in our history by renewing the very idea of america widening the circle of opportunity deepening the meaning of our freedom forging a more perfect union we shaped a new kind of government for the information age i thank the vice president for his leadership and the congress for its support in building a government that is leaner more flexible a catalyst for new ideas and most of all a government that gives the american people the tools they need to make the most of their own lives we have moved past the sterile debate between those who say government is the enemy and those who say government is the answer my fellow americans we have found a third way we have the smallest government in 35 years but a more progressive one we have a smaller government but a stronger nation we are moving steadily toward an even stronger america in the 21st century an economy that offers opportunity a society rooted in responsibility and a nation that lives as a community first americans in this chamber and across our nation have pursued a new strategy for prosperity fiscal discipline to cut interest rates and spur growth investments in education and skills in science and technology and transportation to prepare our people for the new economy new markets for american products and american workers when i took office the deficit for 1998 was projected to be 357 billion and heading higher this year our deficit is projected to be 10 billion and heading lower for three decades six presidents have come before you to warn of the damage deficits pose to our nation tonight i come before you to announce that the federal deficit once so incomprehensibly large that it had 11 zeros will be simply zero i will submit to congress for 1999 the first balanced budget in 30 years and if we hold fast to fiscal discipline we may balance the budget this years ahead of schedule you can all be proud of that because turning a sea of red ink into black is no miracle it is the product of hard work by the american people and of two visionary actions in congress the courageous vote in 1993 that led to a cut in the deficit of 90 percent and the truly historic bipartisan balanced budget agreement passed by this congress here is the really good news if we maintain our resolve we will produce balanced budgets as far as the eye can see we must not go back to unwise spending or untargeted tax cuts that risk reopening the deficit last year together we enacted targeted tax cuts so that the typical middle class family will now have the lowest tax rates in 20 years my plan to balance the budget next year includes both new investments and new tax cuts targeted to the needs of working families for education for child care for the environment but whether the issue is tax cuts or spending i ask all of you to meet this test approve only those priorities that can actually be accomplished without adding a dime to the deficit now if we balance the budget for next year it is projected that we will then have a sizable surplus in the years that immediately follow what should we do with this projected surplus i have a simple answer save social security first tonight i propose that we reserve 100 percent of the is every penny of any we have taken all the necessary measures to strengthen the social security system for the 21st century let us say to all americans watching you are 70 or 50 or whether you just started paying into the security will be there when you need it let us make this commitment social security first let us do that together i also want to say that all the american people who are watching us tonight should be invited to join in this discussion in facing these issues squarely and forming a true consensus on how we should proceed we will start by conducting nonpartisan forums in every region of the country and i hope that lawmakers of both parties will participate we will hold a white house conference on social security in december and one year from now i will convene the leaders of congress to craft historic bipartisan legislation to achieve a landmark for our generation a social security system that is strong in the 21st century in an economy that honors opportunity all americans must be able to reap the rewards of prosperity because these times are good we can afford to take one simple sensible step to help millions of workers struggling to provide for their families we should raise the minimum wage the information age is first and foremost an education age in which education must start at birth and continue throughout a lifetime last year from this podium i said that education has to be our highest priority i laid out a 10point plan to move us forward and urged all of us to let politics stop at the schoolhouse door since then this party and the american people have responded in the most important year for education in a generation expanding public school choice opening the way to new charter schools working to connect every classroom in the country to the information superhighway committing to expand head start to a million children launching america reads sending literally thousands of college students into our elementary schools to make sure all our can read last year i proposed and you passed new pell grant scholarships for deserving students student loans already less expensive and easier to you get to deduct the interest families all over america now can put their savings into new education ira and this year for the first 2 years of college families will get a tax hope scholarship that will cover the cost of most community college tuition and for junior and senior year graduate school and job training there is a lifetime learning credit you did that and you should be very proud of it and because of these actions i have something to say to every family listening to us tonight your children can go on to college if you know a child from a poor family tell her not to give up she can go on to college if you know a young couple struggling with bills worried they will not be able to send their children to college tell them not to give up their children can go on to college if you know somebody who is caught in a job and afraid he can not afford the classes necessary to get better jobs for the rest of his life tell him not to give up he can go on to college because of the things that have been done we can make college as universal in the 21st century as high school is today and my friends that will change the face and future of america we have opened wide the doors of the world best system of higher education now we must make our public elementary and secondary schools the world best as well by raising standards raising expectations and raising accountability thanks to the actions of this congress last year we will soon have for the very first time a voluntary national test based on national standards in fourth grade reading and eighth grade math parents have a right to know whether their children are mastering the basics and every parent already knows the key good teachers and small classes tonight i propose the first ever national effort to reduce class size in the early grades my balanced budget will help to hire new teachers who have passed a state competency test now with these these teachers we will actually be able to reduce class size in the first second and third grades to an average of 18 students a class all across america if i have got the math right more teachers teaching smaller classes requires more classrooms so i also propose a school construction tax cut to help communities modernize or build schools we must also demand greater accountability when we promote a child from grade to grade who has not mastered the work we do not do that child any favors it is time to end social promotion in america schools last year in chicago they made that to hold our children back but to lift them up chicago stopped social promotion and started mandatory summer school to help students who are behind to catch up i propose to help other communities follow chicago lead let us say to them stop promoting children who do not learn and we will give you the tools to make sure they do i also ask this congress to support our efforts to enlist colleges and universities to reach out to disadvantaged children starting in the sixth grade so that they can get the guidance and hope they need so they can know that they too will be able to go on to college as we enter the 21st century the global economy requires us to seek opportunity not just at home but in all the markets of the world we must shape this global economy not shrink from it in the last 5 years we have led the way in opening new markets with 240 trade agreements that remove foreign barriers to products bearing the proud stamp made in the usa today record high exports account for fully of our economic growth i want to keep them going because that is the way to keep america growing and to advance a safer more stable world all of you know whatever your views are that i think this is a great opportunity for america i know there is opposition to more comprehensive trade agreements i have listened carefully and i believe that the opposition is rooted in two fears first that our trading partners will have lower environmental and labor standards which will give them an unfair advantage in our market and do their own people no favors even if there is more business and second that if we have more trade more of our workers will lose their jobs and have to start over i think we should seek to advance worker and environmental standards around the world i have made it abundantly clear that it should be a part of our trade agenda but we can not influence other countries decisions if we send them a message that we are backing away from trade with them this year i will send legislation to congress and ask other nations to join us to fight the most intolerable labor practice of all abusive child labor we should also offer help and hope to those americans temporarily left behind by the global marketplace or by the march of technology which may have nothing to do with trade that is why we have more than doubled funding for training dislocated workers since 1993 and if my new budget is adopted we will triple funding that is why we must do more and more quickly to help workers who lose their jobs for whatever reason you know we help communities in a special way when their military base closes we ought to help them in the same way if their factory closes again i ask the congress to continue its bipartisan work to consolidate the tangle of training programs we have today into one single gi bill for workers a simple skills grant so people can on their own move quickly to new jobs to higher incomes and brighter futures we all know in every way in life change is not always easy but we have to decide whether we are going to try to hold it back and hide from it or reap its benefits and remember the big picture here while we have been entering into hundreds of new trade agreements we have been creating millions of new jobs so this year we will forge new partnerships with latin america asia and europe and we should pass the new african trade act it has bipartisan support i will also renew my request for the negotiating authority necessary to open more new markets create more new jobs which every president has had for two decades you know whether we like it or not in ways that are mostly positive the world economies are more and more interconnected and interdependent today an economic crisis anywhere can affect economies everywhere recent months have brought serious financial problems to thailand indonesia south korea and beyond now why should americans be concerned about this first these countries are our customers if they sink into recession they will not be able to buy the goods we would like to sell them second they are also our competitors so if their currencies lose their value and go down then the price of their goods will drop flooding our market and others with much cheaper goods which makes it a lot tougher for our people to compete and finally they are our strategic partners their stability bolsters our security the american economy remains sound and strong and i want to keep it that way but because the turmoil in asia will have an impact on all the world economies including ours making that negative impact as small as possible is the right thing to do for america and the right thing to do for a safer world our policy is clear no nation can recover if it does not reform itself but when nations are willing to undertake serious economic reform we should help them do it so i call on congress to renew america commitment to the international monetary fund and i think we should say to all the people we are trying to represent here that preparing for a storm that may reach our shores is far wiser than ignoring the thunder till the clouds are just overhead a strong nation rests on the rock of responsibility a society rooted in responsibility must first promote the value of work not welfare we can be proud that after decades of fingerpointing and failure together we ended the old welfare system and we are now replacing welfare checks with paychecks last year after a record decline in welfare rolls i challenged our nation to move 2 million more americans off welfare by the year 2000 i am pleased to report we have also met that goal 2 full years ahead of schedule this is a grand achievement the sum of many acts of individual courage persistence and hope for 13 years elaine kinslow of indianapolis indiana was on and off welfare today she is a dispatcher with a van company she is saved enough money to move her family into a good neighborhood and she is helping other welfare recipients go to work elaine kinslow and all those like her are the real heroes of the welfare revolution there are millions like her all across america and i am happy she could join the first lady tonight elaine we are very proud of you please stand up we still have a lot more to do all of us to make welfare reform a child care helping families move closer to available jobs challenging more companies to join our partnership increasing child support collections from deadbeat parents who have a duty to support their own children i also want to thank congress for restoring some of the benefits to immigrants who are here legally and working hard and i hope you will finish that job this year we have to make it possible for all hardworking families to meet their most important responsibilities two years ago we helped guarantee that americans can keep their health insurance when they change jobs last year we extended health care to up to 5 million children this year i challenge congress to take the next historic steps a hundred and sixty million of our fellow citizens are in managed care plans these plans save money and they can improve care but medical decisions ought to be made by medical doctors not insurance company accountants i urge this congress to reach across the aisle and write into law a consumer bill of rights that says this you have the right to know all your medical options not just the cheapest you have the right to choose the doctor you want for the care you need you have the right to emergency room care wherever and whenever you need it you have the right to keep your medical records confidential traditional care or managed care every american deserves quality care millions of americans between the ages of 55 and 65 have lost their health insurance some are retired some are laid off some lose their coverage when their spouses retire after a lifetime of work they are left with nowhere to turn so i ask the congress let these hardworking americans buy into the medicare system it will not add a dime to the deficit but the peace of mind it will provide will be priceless next we must help parents protect their children from the gravest health threat that they face an epidemic of teen smoking spread by marketing campaigns i challenge congress let us pass bipartisan comprehensive legislation that will improve public health protect our tobacco farmers and change the way tobacco companies do business forever let us do what it takes to bring teen smoking down let us raise the price of cigarettes by up to a dollar and a half a pack over the next 10 years with penalties on the tobacco industry if it keeps marketing to our children tomorrow like every day children will start smoking and will die early as a result let this congress be remembered as the congress that saved their lives in the new economy most parents work harder than ever they face a constant struggle to balance their obligations to be good workers and their even more important obligations to be good parents the family and medical leave act was the very first bill i was privileged to sign into law as president in 1993 since then about 15 million people have taken advantage of it and i have met a lot of them all across this country i ask you to extend that law to cover 10 million more workers and to give parents time off when they have to go see their children teachers or take them to the doctor child care is the next frontier we must face to enable people to succeed at home and at work last year i cohosted the very first white house conference on child care with one of our foremost experts america first lady from all corners of america we heard the same message without regard to region or income or political affiliation we have got to raise the quality of child care we have got to make it safer we have got to make it more affordable so here is my plan help families to pay for child care for a million more children scholarships and background checks for child care workers and a new emphasis on early learning tax credits for businesses that provide child care for their employees and a larger child care tax credit for working families now if you pass my plan what this means is that a family of four with an income of and high child care costs will no longer pay a single penny of federal income tax i think this is such a big issue with me because of my own personal experience i have often wondered how my mother when she was a young widow would have been able to go away to school and get an education and come back and support me if my grandparents had not been able to take care of me she and i were really very lucky how many other families have never had that same opportunity the truth is we do not know the answer to that question but we do know what the answer should be not a single american family should ever have to choose between the job they need and the child they love a society rooted in responsibility must provide safe streets safe schools and safe neighborhoods we pursued a strategy of more police tougher punishment smarter prevention with crimefighting partnerships with local law enforcement and citizen groups where the rubber hits the road i can report to you tonight that it is working violent crime is down robbery is down assault is down burglary is 5 years in a row all across america we need to finish the job of putting more police on our streets again i ask congress to pass a juvenile crime bill that provides more prosecutors and probation officers to crack down on gangs and guns and drugs and bar violent juveniles from buying guns for life and i ask you to dramatically expand our support for programs i think every american should know that most juvenile crime is committed between the hours of 3 in the afternoon and 8 at night we can keep so many of our children out of trouble in the first place if we give them someplace to go other than the streets and we ought to do it drug use is on the decline i thank general mccaffrey for his leadership and i thank this congress for passing the largest antidrug budget in history now i ask you to join me in a groundbreaking effort to hire new border patrol agents and to deploy the most sophisticated available new technologies to help close the door on drugs at our borders police prosecutors and prevention programs as good as they are they can not work if our court system does not work today there are large numbers of vacancies in our federal courts here is what the chief justice of the united states wrote judicial vacancies can not remain at such high levels indefinitely without eroding the quality of justice i simply ask the united states senate to heed this plea and vote on the highly qualified judicial nominees before you up or down we must exercise responsibility not just at home but around the world on the eve of a new century we have the power and the duty to build a new era of peace and security but make no mistake about it today possibilities are not tomorrow guarantees america must stand against the poisoned appeals of extreme nationalism we must combat an unholy axis of new threats from terrorists international criminals and drug traffickers these 21st century predators feed on technology and the free flow of information and ideas and people and they will be all the more lethal if weapons of mass destruction fall into their hands to meet these challenges we are helping to write international rules of the road for the 21st century protecting those who join the family of nations and isolating those who do not within days i will ask the senate for its advice and consent to make hungary poland and the czech republic the newest members of nato for 50 years nato contained communism and kept america and europe secure now these three formerly communist countries have said yes to democracy i ask the senate to say yes to them our new allies by taking in new members and working closely with new partners including russia and ukraine nato can help to assure that europe is a stronghold for peace in the 21st century next i will ask congress to continue its support of our troops and their mission in bosnia this christmas hillary and i traveled to sarajevo with senator and dole and a bipartisan congressional delegation we saw children playing in the streets where 2 years ago they were hiding from snipers and shells the shops are filled with food the cafes were alive with conversation the progress there is unmistakable but it is not yet irreversible to take firm root bosnia fragile peace still needs the support of american and allied troops when the current nato mission ends in june i think senator dole actually said it best he said this is like being ahead in the fourth quarter of a football game now is not the time to walk off the field and forfeit the victory i wish all of you could have seen our troops in tuzla they are very proud of what they are doing in bosnia and we are all very proud of them one of those brave soldiers is sitting with the first lady tonight army sergeant michael tolbert his father was a decorated vietnam vet after college in colorado he joined the army last year he led an infantry unit that stopped a mob of extremists from taking over a radio station that is a voice of democracy and tolerance in bosnia thank you very much sergeant for what you represent please stand up in bosnia and around the world our men and women in uniform always do their mission well our mission must be to keep them welltrained and ready to improve their quality of life and to provide the 21st century weapons they need to defeat any enemy i ask congress to join me in pursuing an ambitious agenda to reduce the serious threat of weapons of mass destruction this year four decades after it was first proposed by president eisenhower a comprehensive nuclear test ban is within reach by ending nuclear testing we can help to prevent the development of new and more dangerous weapons and make it more difficult for states to build them i am pleased to announce that four former chairmen of the joint chiefs of john shalikashvili colin powell and david jones and admiral william endorsed this treaty and i ask the senate to approve it this year together we must confront the new hazards of chemical and biological weapons and the outlaw states terrorists and organized criminals seeking to acquire them saddam hussein has spent the better part of this decade and much of his nation wealth not on providing for the iraqi people but on developing nuclear chemical and biological weapons and the missiles to deliver them the united nations weapons inspectors have done a truly remarkable job finding and destroying more of iraq arsenal than was destroyed during the entire gulf war now saddam hussein wants to stop them from completing their mission i know i speak for everyone in this chamber republicans and democrats when i say to saddam hussein you can not defy the will of the world and when i say to him you have used weapons of mass destruction before we are determined to deny you the capacity to use them again last year the senate ratified the chemical weapons convention to protect our soldiers and citizens from poison gas now we must act to prevent the use of disease as a weapon of war and terror the biological weapons convention has been in effect for 23 years now the rules are good but the enforcement is weak we must strengthen it with a new international inspection system to detect and deter cheating in the months ahead i will pursue our security strategy with old allies in asia and europe and new partners from africa to india and pakistan from south america to china and from belfast to korea to the middle east america will continue to stand with those who stand for peace finally it is long past time to make good on our debt to the united nations more and more we are working with other nations to achieve common goals if we want america to lead we have got to set a good example as we see so clearly in bosnia allies who share our goals can also share our burdens in this new era our freedom and independence are actually enriched not weakened by our increasing interdependence with other nations but we have to do our part our founders set america on a permanent course toward a more perfect union to all of you i say it is a journey we can only make together living as one community first we have to continue to reform our government the instrument of our national community everyone knows elections have become too expensive fueling a fundraising arms race this year by march 6th at long last the senate will actually vote on bipartisan campaign finance reform proposed by senators mccain and feingold let us be clear a vote against is a vote for soft money and for the status quo i ask you to strengthen our democracy and pass campaign finance reform this year at least equally important we have to address the real reason for the explosion in campaign costs the high cost of media advertising to the folks watching at home those were the groans of pain in the audience i will formally request that the federal communications commission act to provide free or television time for candidates who observe spending limits voluntarily the airwaves are a public trust and broadcasters also have to help us in this effort to strengthen our democracy under the leadership of vice president gore we have reduced the federal payroll by workers cut pages of regulation eliminated hundreds of programs and improved the operations of virtually every government agency but we can do more like every taxpayer i am outraged by the reports of abuses by the irs we need some changes there new citizen advocacy panels a stronger taxpayer advocate phone lines open 24 hours a day relief for innocent taxpayers last year by an overwhelming bipartisan margin the house of representatives passed sweeping irs reforms this bill must not now languish in the senate tonight i ask the senate follow the house pass the bipartisan package as your first order of business i hope to goodness before i finish i can think of something to say follow the senate on so i will be out of trouble a nation that lives as a community must value all its communities for the past 5 years we have worked to bring the spark of private enterprise to inner city and poor rural areas with community development banks more commercial loans in the poor neighborhoods cleanup of polluted sites for development under the continued leadership of the vice president we propose to triple the number of empowerment zones to give business incentives to invest in those areas we should also give poor families more help to move into homes of their own and we should use tax cuts to spur the construction of more housing last year this congress took strong action to help the district of columbia let us renew our resolve to make our capital city a great city for all who live and visit here our cities are the vibrant hubs of great metropolitan areas they are still the gateways for new immigrants from every continent who come here to work for their own american dreams let us keep our cities going strong into the 21st century they are a very important part of our future our communities are only as healthy as the air our children breathe the water they drink the earth they will inherit last year we put in place the controls on smog and soot we moved to protect yellowstone the everglades lake tahoe we expanded every community right to know about the toxins that threaten their children just yesterday our food safety plan took effect using new science to protect consumers from dangers like and salmonella tonight i ask you to join me in launching a new clean water initiative a effort to clean our rivers our lakes and our coastal waters for our children our overriding environmental challenge tonight is the worldwide problem of climate change global warming the gathering crisis that requires worldwide action the vast majority of scientists have concluded unequivocally that if we do not reduce the emission of greenhouse gases at some point in the next century we will disrupt our climate and put our children and grandchildren at risk this past december america led the world to reach a historic agreement committing our nation to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through market forces new technologies energy efficiency we have it in our power to act right here right now i propose 6 billion in tax cuts and research and development to encourage innovation renewable energy cars homes every time we have acted to heal our environment pessimists have told us it would hurt the economy well today our economy is the strongest in a generation and our environment is the cleanest in a generation we have always found a way to clean the environment and grow the economy at the same time and when it comes to global warming we will do it again finally community means living by the defining american value the ideal heard the world that we are all created equal throughout our history we have not always honored that ideal and we have never fully lived up to it often it is easier to believe that our differences matter more than what we have in common it may be easier but it is wrong what we have to do in our day and generation to make sure that america becomes truly one do we have to do we are becoming more and more and more diverse do you believe we can become one nation the answer can not be to dwell on our differences but to build on our shared values we all cherish family and faith freedom and responsibility we all want our children to grow up in a world where their talents are matched by their opportunities i have launched this national initiative on race to help us recognize our common interests and to bridge the opportunity gaps that are keeping us from becoming one america let us begin by recognizing what we still must overcome discrimination against any american is we must vigorously enforce the laws that make it illegal i ask your help to end the backlog at the equal employment opportunity commission sixty thousand of our fellow citizens are waiting in line for justice and we should act now to end their wait we also should recognize that the greatest progress we can make toward building one america lies in the progress we make for all americans without regard to race when we open the doors of college to all americans when we rid all our streets of crime when there are jobs available to people from all our neighborhoods when we make sure all parents have the child care they need we are helping to build one nation we in this chamber and in this government must do all we can to address the continuing american challenge to build one america but we will only move forward if all our fellow citizens including every one of you at home watching tonight is also committed to this because we must work together learn together live together serve together on the forge of common enterprise americans of all backgrounds can hammer out a common identity we see it today in the united states military in the peace corps in americorps wherever people of all races and backgrounds come together in a shared endeavor and get a fair chance we do just fine with shared values and meaningful opportunities and honest communication and citizen service we can unite a diverse people in freedom and mutual respect we are many we must be one in that spirit let us lift our eyes to the new millennium how will we mark that passage it just happens once every years this year hillary and i launched the white house millennium program to promote america creativity and innovation and to preserve our heritage and culture into the 21st century our culture lives in every community and every community has places of historic value that tell our stories as americans we should protect them i am proposing a partnership to advance our arts and humanities and to celebrate the millennium by saving american treasures great and small and while we honor the past let us imagine the future now think about this the entire store of human knowledge now doubles every 5 years in the 1980 scientists identified the gene causing cystic fibrosis it took 9 years last year scientists located the gene that causes parkinson disease in only 9 days within a decade gene chips will offer a roadmap for prevention of illnesses throughout a lifetime soon we will be able to carry all the phone calls on mother day on a single strand of fiber the width of a human hair a child born in 1998 may well live to see the 22d century tonight as part of our gift to the millennium i propose a 21st century research fund for pathbreaking scientific inquiry the largest funding increase in history for the national institutes of health the national science foundation the national cancer institute we have already discovered genes for breast cancer and diabetes i ask you to support this initiative so ours will be the generation that finally wins the war against cancer and begins a revolution in our fight against all deadly diseases as important as all this scientific progress is we must continue to see that science serves humanity not the other way around we must prevent the misuse of genetic tests to discriminate against any american and we must ratify the ethical consensus of the scientific and religious communities and ban the cloning of human beings we should enable all the world people to explore the far reaches of cyberspace think of this the first time i made a state of the union speech to you only a handful of physicists used the world wide just a handful of people now in schools in libraries homes and businesses millions and millions of americans surf the net every day we must give parents the tools they need to help protect their children from inappropriate material on the internet but we also must make sure that we protect the exploding global commercial potential of the internet we can do the kinds of things that we need to do and still protect our kids for one thing i ask congress to step up support for building the next generation internet it is getting kind of clogged you know and the next generation internet will operate at speeds up to times faster than today even as we explore this inner space in the new millennium we are going to open new frontiers in outer space throughout all history humankind has had only one place to call home our planet earth beginning this year 1998 men and women from 16 countries will build a foothold in the heavens the international space station with its vast expanses scientists and engineers will actually set sail on an uncharted sea of limitless mystery and unlimited potential and this october a true american hero a veteran pilot of 149 combat missions and one space flight that changed the world will return to the heavens godspeed john glenn john you will carry with you america hopes and on your uniform once again you will carry america flag marking the unbroken connection between the deeds of america past and the daring of america future nearly 200 years ago a tattered flag its broad stripes and bright stars still gleaming through the smoke of a fierce battle moved francis scott key to scribble a few words on the back of an envelope the words that became our national anthem today that banner along with the declaration of independence the constitution and the bill of rights are on display just a short walk from here they are america treasures and we must also save them for the ages i ask all americans to support our project to restore all our treasures so that the generations of the 21st century can see for themselves the images and the words that are the old and continuing glory of america an america that has continued to rise through every age against every challenge a people of great works and greater possibilities who have always always found the wisdom and strength to come together as one nation to widen the circle of opportunity to deepen the meaning of our freedom to form that more perfect union let that be our gift to the 21st century god bless you and god bless the united states
speaker vice president members 105th congress distinguished guests fellow americans since last time met chamber america lost two patriots fine public servants though sat opposite sides aisle representatives walter capps sonny bono shared deep love house unshakable commitment improving lives people past weeks eulogized tonight think begin sending message families friends celebrate lives give thanks service nation 209 years president duty report state union hard work high purpose american people good times america 14 million new jobs lowest unemployment 24 years lowest core inflation 30 years incomes rising highest homeownership history crime dropped record 5 years row welfare rolls lowest levels 27 years leadership world unrivaled ladies gentlemen state union strong barely 700 days left 20th century time rest time build build america within reach america everybody chance get ahead hard work every citizen live safe community families strong schools good young people go college america scientists find cures diseases diabetes alzheimer aids america every child stretch hand across keyboard reach every book ever written every painting ever painted every symphony ever composed government provides opportunity citizens honor responsibility give something back communities america leads world new heights peace prosperity america begun build america leave children join together finish work hand let us strengthen nation 21st century rarely americans lived much change many ways short time quietly gathering force ground shifted beneath feet moved information age global economy truly new world 5 years met challenge changes americans every turning point history renewing idea america widening circle opportunity deepening meaning freedom forging perfect union shaped new kind government information age thank vice president leadership congress support building government leaner flexible catalyst new ideas government gives american people tools need make lives moved past sterile debate say government enemy say government answer fellow americans found third way smallest government 35 years progressive one smaller government stronger nation moving steadily toward even stronger america 21st century economy offers opportunity society rooted responsibility nation lives community first americans chamber across nation pursued new strategy prosperity fiscal discipline cut interest rates spur growth investments education skills science technology transportation prepare people new economy new markets american products american workers took office deficit 1998 projected 357 billion heading higher year deficit projected 10 billion heading lower three decades six presidents come warn damage deficits pose nation tonight come announce federal deficit incomprehensibly large 11 zeros simply zero submit congress 1999 first balanced budget 30 years hold fast fiscal discipline may balance budget years ahead schedule proud turning sea red ink black miracle product hard work american people two visionary actions congress courageous vote 1993 led cut deficit 90 percent truly historic bipartisan balanced budget agreement passed congress really good news maintain resolve produce balanced budgets far eye see must go back unwise spending untargeted tax cuts risk reopening deficit last year together enacted targeted tax cuts typical middle class family lowest tax rates 20 years plan balance budget next year includes new investments new tax cuts targeted needs working families education child care environment whether issue tax cuts spending ask meet test approve priorities actually accomplished without adding dime deficit balance budget next year projected sizable surplus years immediately follow projected surplus simple answer save social security first tonight propose reserve 100 percent every penny taken necessary measures strengthen social security system 21st century let us say americans watching 70 50 whether started paying security need let us make commitment social security first let us together also want say american people watching us tonight invited join discussion facing issues squarely forming true consensus proceed start conducting nonpartisan forums every region country hope lawmakers parties participate hold white house conference social security december one year convene leaders congress craft historic bipartisan legislation achieve landmark generation social security system strong 21st century economy honors opportunity americans must able reap rewards prosperity times good afford take one simple sensible step help millions workers struggling provide families raise minimum wage information age first foremost education age education must start birth continue throughout lifetime last year podium said education highest priority laid 10point plan move us forward urged us let politics stop schoolhouse door since party american people responded important year education generation expanding public school choice opening way new charter schools working connect every classroom country information superhighway committing expand head start million children launching america reads sending literally thousands college students elementary schools make sure read last year proposed passed new pell grant scholarships deserving students student loans already less expensive easier get deduct interest families america put savings new education ira year first 2 years college families get tax hope scholarship cover cost community college tuition junior senior year graduate school job training lifetime learning credit proud actions something say every family listening us tonight children go college know child poor family tell give go college know young couple struggling bills worried able send children college tell give children go college know somebody caught job afraid afford classes necessary get better jobs rest life tell give go college things done make college universal 21st century high school today friends change face future america opened wide doors world best system higher education must make public elementary secondary schools world best well raising standards raising expectations raising accountability thanks actions congress last year soon first time voluntary national test based national standards fourth grade reading eighth grade math parents right know whether children mastering basics every parent already knows key good teachers small classes tonight propose first ever national effort reduce class size early grades balanced budget help hire new teachers passed state competency test teachers actually able reduce class size first second third grades average 18 students class across america got math right teachers teaching smaller classes requires classrooms also propose school construction tax cut help communities modernize build schools must also demand greater accountability promote child grade grade mastered work child favors time end social promotion america schools last year chicago made hold children back lift chicago stopped social promotion started mandatory summer school help students behind catch propose help communities follow chicago lead let us say stop promoting children learn give tools make sure also ask congress support efforts enlist colleges universities reach disadvantaged children starting sixth grade get guidance hope need know able go college enter 21st century global economy requires us seek opportunity home markets world must shape global economy shrink last 5 years led way opening new markets 240 trade agreements remove foreign barriers products bearing proud stamp made usa today record high exports account fully economic growth want keep going way keep america growing advance safer stable world know whatever views think great opportunity america know opposition comprehensive trade agreements listened carefully believe opposition rooted two fears first trading partners lower environmental labor standards give unfair advantage market people favors even business second trade workers lose jobs start think seek advance worker environmental standards around world made abundantly clear part trade agenda influence countries decisions send message backing away trade year send legislation congress ask nations join us fight intolerable labor practice abusive child labor also offer help hope americans temporarily left behind global marketplace march technology may nothing trade doubled funding training dislocated workers since 1993 new budget adopted triple funding must quickly help workers lose jobs whatever reason know help communities special way military base closes ought help way factory closes ask congress continue bipartisan work consolidate tangle training programs today one single gi bill workers simple skills grant people move quickly new jobs higher incomes brighter futures know every way life change always easy decide whether going try hold back hide reap benefits remember big picture entering hundreds new trade agreements creating millions new jobs year forge new partnerships latin america asia europe pass new african trade act bipartisan support also renew request negotiating authority necessary open new markets create new jobs every president two decades know whether like ways mostly positive world economies interconnected interdependent today economic crisis anywhere affect economies everywhere recent months brought serious financial problems thailand indonesia south korea beyond americans concerned first countries customers sink recession able buy goods would like sell second also competitors currencies lose value go price goods drop flooding market others much cheaper goods makes lot tougher people compete finally strategic partners stability bolsters security american economy remains sound strong want keep way turmoil asia impact world economies including making negative impact small possible right thing america right thing safer world policy clear nation recover reform nations willing undertake serious economic reform help call congress renew america commitment international monetary fund think say people trying represent preparing storm may reach shores far wiser ignoring thunder till clouds overhead strong nation rests rock responsibility society rooted responsibility must first promote value work welfare proud decades fingerpointing failure together ended old welfare system replacing welfare checks paychecks last year record decline welfare rolls challenged nation move 2 million americans welfare year 2000 pleased report also met goal 2 full years ahead schedule grand achievement sum many acts individual courage persistence hope 13 years elaine kinslow indianapolis indiana welfare today dispatcher van company saved enough money move family good neighborhood helping welfare recipients go work elaine kinslow like real heroes welfare revolution millions like across america happy could join first lady tonight elaine proud please stand still lot us make welfare reform child care helping families move closer available jobs challenging companies join partnership increasing child support collections deadbeat parents duty support children also want thank congress restoring benefits immigrants legally working hard hope finish job year make possible hardworking families meet important responsibilities two years ago helped guarantee americans keep health insurance change jobs last year extended health care 5 million children year challenge congress take next historic steps hundred sixty million fellow citizens managed care plans plans save money improve care medical decisions ought made medical doctors insurance company accountants urge congress reach across aisle write law consumer bill rights says right know medical options cheapest right choose doctor want care need right emergency room care wherever whenever need right keep medical records confidential traditional care managed care every american deserves quality care millions americans ages 55 65 lost health insurance retired laid lose coverage spouses retire lifetime work left nowhere turn ask congress let hardworking americans buy medicare system add dime deficit peace mind provide priceless next must help parents protect children gravest health threat face epidemic teen smoking spread marketing campaigns challenge congress let us pass bipartisan comprehensive legislation improve public health protect tobacco farmers change way tobacco companies business forever let us takes bring teen smoking let us raise price cigarettes dollar half pack next 10 years penalties tobacco industry keeps marketing children tomorrow like every day children start smoking die early result let congress remembered congress saved lives new economy parents work harder ever face constant struggle balance obligations good workers even important obligations good parents family medical leave act first bill privileged sign law president 1993 since 15 million people taken advantage met lot across country ask extend law cover 10 million workers give parents time go see children teachers take doctor child care next frontier must face enable people succeed home work last year cohosted first white house conference child care one foremost experts america first lady corners america heard message without regard region income political affiliation got raise quality child care got make safer got make affordable plan help families pay child care million children scholarships background checks child care workers new emphasis early learning tax credits businesses provide child care employees larger child care tax credit working families pass plan means family four income high child care costs longer pay single penny federal income tax think big issue personal experience often wondered mother young widow would able go away school get education come back support grandparents able take care really lucky many families never opportunity truth know answer question know answer single american family ever choose job need child love society rooted responsibility must provide safe streets safe schools safe neighborhoods pursued strategy police tougher punishment smarter prevention crimefighting partnerships local law enforcement citizen groups rubber hits road report tonight working violent crime robbery assault burglary 5 years row across america need finish job putting police streets ask congress pass juvenile crime bill provides prosecutors probation officers crack gangs guns drugs bar violent juveniles buying guns life ask dramatically expand support programs think every american know juvenile crime committed hours 3 afternoon 8 night keep many children trouble first place give someplace go streets ought drug use decline thank general mccaffrey leadership thank congress passing largest antidrug budget history ask join groundbreaking effort hire new border patrol agents deploy sophisticated available new technologies help close door drugs borders police prosecutors prevention programs good work court system work today large numbers vacancies federal courts chief justice united states wrote judicial vacancies remain high levels indefinitely without eroding quality justice simply ask united states senate heed plea vote highly qualified judicial nominees must exercise responsibility home around world eve new century power duty build new era peace security make mistake today possibilities tomorrow guarantees america must stand poisoned appeals extreme nationalism must combat unholy axis new threats terrorists international criminals drug traffickers 21st century predators feed technology free flow information ideas people lethal weapons mass destruction fall hands meet challenges helping write international rules road 21st century protecting join family nations isolating within days ask senate advice consent make hungary poland czech republic newest members nato 50 years nato contained communism kept america europe secure three formerly communist countries said yes democracy ask senate say yes new allies taking new members working closely new partners including russia ukraine nato help assure europe stronghold peace 21st century next ask congress continue support troops mission bosnia christmas hillary traveled sarajevo senator dole bipartisan congressional delegation saw children playing streets 2 years ago hiding snipers shells shops filled food cafes alive conversation progress unmistakable yet irreversible take firm root bosnia fragile peace still needs support american allied troops current nato mission ends june think senator dole actually said best said like ahead fourth quarter football game time walk field forfeit victory wish could seen troops tuzla proud bosnia proud one brave soldiers sitting first lady tonight army sergeant michael tolbert father decorated vietnam vet college colorado joined army last year led infantry unit stopped mob extremists taking radio station voice democracy tolerance bosnia thank much sergeant represent please stand bosnia around world men women uniform always mission well mission must keep welltrained ready improve quality life provide 21st century weapons need defeat enemy ask congress join pursuing ambitious agenda reduce serious threat weapons mass destruction year four decades first proposed president eisenhower comprehensive nuclear test ban within reach ending nuclear testing help prevent development new dangerous weapons make difficult states build pleased announce four former chairmen joint chiefs john shalikashvili colin powell david jones admiral william endorsed treaty ask senate approve year together must confront new hazards chemical biological weapons outlaw states terrorists organized criminals seeking acquire saddam hussein spent better part decade much nation wealth providing iraqi people developing nuclear chemical biological weapons missiles deliver united nations weapons inspectors done truly remarkable job finding destroying iraq arsenal destroyed entire gulf war saddam hussein wants stop completing mission know speak everyone chamber republicans democrats say saddam hussein defy world say used weapons mass destruction determined deny capacity use last year senate ratified chemical weapons convention protect soldiers citizens poison gas must act prevent use disease weapon war terror biological weapons convention effect 23 years rules good enforcement weak must strengthen new international inspection system detect deter cheating months ahead pursue security strategy old allies asia europe new partners africa india pakistan south america china belfast korea middle east america continue stand stand peace finally long past time make good debt united nations working nations achieve common goals want america lead got set good example see clearly bosnia allies share goals also share burdens new era freedom independence actually enriched weakened increasing interdependence nations part founders set america permanent course toward perfect union say journey make together living one community first continue reform government instrument national community everyone knows elections become expensive fueling fundraising arms race year march 6th long last senate actually vote bipartisan campaign finance reform proposed senators mccain feingold let us clear vote vote soft money status quo ask strengthen democracy pass campaign finance reform year least equally important address real reason explosion campaign costs high cost media advertising folks watching home groans pain audience formally request federal communications commission act provide free television time candidates observe spending limits voluntarily airwaves public trust broadcasters also help us effort strengthen democracy leadership vice president gore reduced federal payroll workers cut pages regulation eliminated hundreds programs improved operations virtually every government agency like every taxpayer outraged reports abuses irs need changes new citizen advocacy panels stronger taxpayer advocate phone lines open 24 hours day relief innocent taxpayers last year overwhelming bipartisan margin house representatives passed sweeping irs reforms bill must languish senate tonight ask senate follow house pass bipartisan package first order business hope goodness finish think something say follow senate trouble nation lives community must value communities past 5 years worked bring spark private enterprise inner city poor rural areas community development banks commercial loans poor neighborhoods cleanup polluted sites development continued leadership vice president propose triple number empowerment zones give business incentives invest areas also give poor families help move homes use tax cuts spur construction housing last year congress took strong action help district columbia let us renew resolve make capital city great city live visit cities vibrant hubs great metropolitan areas still gateways new immigrants every continent come work american dreams let us keep cities going strong 21st century important part future communities healthy air children breathe water drink earth inherit last year put place controls smog soot moved protect yellowstone everglades lake tahoe expanded every community right know toxins threaten children yesterday food safety plan took effect using new science protect consumers dangers like salmonella tonight ask join launching new clean water initiative effort clean rivers lakes coastal waters children overriding environmental challenge tonight worldwide problem climate change global warming gathering crisis requires worldwide action vast majority scientists concluded unequivocally reduce emission greenhouse gases point next century disrupt climate put children grandchildren risk past december america led world reach historic agreement committing nation reduce greenhouse gas emissions market forces new technologies energy efficiency power act right right propose 6 billion tax cuts research development encourage innovation renewable energy cars homes every time acted heal environment pessimists told us would hurt economy well today economy strongest generation environment cleanest generation always found way clean environment grow economy time comes global warming finally community means living defining american value ideal heard world created equal throughout history always honored ideal never fully lived often easier believe differences matter common may easier wrong day generation make sure america becomes truly one becoming diverse believe become one nation answer dwell differences build shared values cherish family faith freedom responsibility want children grow world talents matched opportunities launched national initiative race help us recognize common interests bridge opportunity gaps keeping us becoming one america let us begin recognizing still must overcome discrimination american must vigorously enforce laws make illegal ask help end backlog equal employment opportunity commission sixty thousand fellow citizens waiting line justice act end wait also recognize greatest progress make toward building one america lies progress make americans without regard race open doors college americans rid streets crime jobs available people neighborhoods make sure parents child care need helping build one nation chamber government must address continuing american challenge build one america move forward fellow citizens including every one home watching tonight also committed must work together learn together live together serve together forge common enterprise americans backgrounds hammer common identity see today united states military peace corps americorps wherever people races backgrounds come together shared endeavor get fair chance fine shared values meaningful opportunities honest communication citizen service unite diverse people freedom mutual respect many must one spirit let us lift eyes new millennium mark passage happens every years year hillary launched white house millennium program promote america creativity innovation preserve heritage culture 21st century culture lives every community every community places historic value tell stories americans protect proposing partnership advance arts humanities celebrate millennium saving american treasures great small honor past let us imagine future think entire store human knowledge doubles every 5 years 1980 scientists identified gene causing cystic fibrosis took 9 years last year scientists located gene causes parkinson disease 9 days within decade gene chips offer roadmap prevention illnesses throughout lifetime soon able carry phone calls mother day single strand fiber width human hair child born 1998 may well live see 22d century tonight part gift millennium propose 21st century research fund pathbreaking scientific inquiry largest funding increase history national institutes health national science foundation national cancer institute already discovered genes breast cancer diabetes ask support initiative generation finally wins war cancer begins revolution fight deadly diseases important scientific progress must continue see science serves humanity way around must prevent misuse genetic tests discriminate american must ratify ethical consensus scientific religious communities ban cloning human beings enable world people explore far reaches cyberspace think first time made state union speech handful physicists used world wide handful people schools libraries homes businesses millions millions americans surf net every day must give parents tools need help protect children inappropriate material internet also must make sure protect exploding global commercial potential internet kinds things need still protect kids one thing ask congress step support building next generation internet getting kind clogged know next generation internet operate speeds times faster today even explore inner space new millennium going open new frontiers outer space throughout history humankind one place call home planet earth beginning year 1998 men women 16 countries build foothold heavens international space station vast expanses scientists engineers actually set sail uncharted sea limitless mystery unlimited potential october true american hero veteran pilot 149 combat missions one space flight changed world return heavens godspeed john glenn john carry america hopes uniform carry america flag marking unbroken connection deeds america past daring america future nearly 200 years ago tattered flag broad stripes bright stars still gleaming smoke fierce battle moved francis scott key scribble words back envelope words became national anthem today banner along declaration independence constitution bill rights display short walk america treasures must also save ages ask americans support project restore treasures generations 21st century see images words old continuing glory america america continued rise every age every challenge people great works greater possibilities always always found wisdom strength come together one nation widen circle opportunity deepen meaning freedom form perfect union let gift 21st century god bless god bless united states
speaker vice president member 105th congress distinguish guest fellow american since last time meet chamber america lose two patriot fine public servant though sat opposite side aisle representative walter capps sonny bono share deep love house unshakable commitment improve life people past week eulogize tonight think begin send message family friends celebrate life give thanks service nation 209 year president duty report state union hard work high purpose american people good time america 14 million new job low unemployment 24 year lowest core inflation 30 year incomes rise high homeownership history crime drop record 5 year row welfare roll lowest level 27 year leadership world unrivaled lady gentlemen state union strong barely 700 day leave 20th century time rest time build build america within reach america everybody chance get ahead hard work every citizen live safe community family strong school good young people go college america scientist find cure diseases diabetes alzheimer aid america every child stretch hand across keyboard reach every book ever write every painting ever paint every symphony ever composed government provide opportunity citizen honor responsibility give something back community america lead world new height peace prosperity america begin build america leave child join together finish work hand let u strengthen nation 21st century rarely americans lived much change many way short time quietly gather force ground shift beneath foot move information age global economy truly new world 5 year meet challenge change americans every turning point history renew idea america widen circle opportunity deepen meaning freedom forge perfect union shape new kind government information age thank vice president leadership congress support build government leaner flexible catalyst new ideas government give american people tool need make life move past sterile debate say government enemy say government answer fellow american find third way small government 35 year progressive one small government strong nation move steadily toward even strong america 21st century economy offer opportunity society root responsibility nation live community first americans chamber across nation pursue new strategy prosperity fiscal discipline cut interest rate spur growth investment education skill science technology transportation prepare people new economy new market american product american worker take office deficit 1998 project 357 billion head high year deficit project 10 billion head low three decade six president come warn damage deficit pose nation tonight come announce federal deficit incomprehensibly large 11 zero simply zero submit congress 1999 first balance budget 30 year hold fast fiscal discipline may balance budget year ahead schedule proud turn sea red ink black miracle product hard work american people two visionary action congress courageous vote 1993 lead cut deficit 90 percent truly historic bipartisan balance budget agreement pass congress really good news maintain resolve produce balance budget far eye see must go back unwise spending untargeted tax cut risk reopen deficit last year together enact targeted tax cut typical middle class family low tax rate 20 year plan balance budget next year include new investment new tax cut target need work family education child care environment whether issue tax cut spend ask meet test approve priority actually accomplish without add dime deficit balance budget next year project sizable surplus year immediately follow project surplus simple answer save social security first tonight propose reserve 100 percent every penny take necessary measure strengthen social security system 21st century let u say american watch 70 50 whether start pay security need let u make commitment social security first let u together also want say american people watch u tonight invite join discussion face issue squarely form true consensus proceed start conduct nonpartisan forum every region country hope lawmaker party participate hold white house conference social security december one year convene leader congress craft historic bipartisan legislation achieve landmark generation social security system strong 21st century economy honor opportunity american must able reap reward prosperity times good afford take one simple sensible step help million worker struggle provide family raise minimum wage information age first foremost education age education must start birth continue throughout lifetime last year podium say education high priority lay 10point plan move u forward urge u let politics stop schoolhouse door since party american people respond important year education generation expand public school choice open way new charter school work connect every classroom country information superhighway commit expand head start million child launch america read send literally thousand college student elementary school make sure read last year propose pass new pell grant scholarship deserve student student loan already less expensive easy get deduct interest family america put saving new education ira year first 2 year college family get tax hope scholarship cover cost community college tuition junior senior year graduate school job training lifetime learn credit proud action something say every family listen u tonight child go college know child poor family tell give go college know young couple struggle bill worry able send child college tell give child go college know somebody caught job afraid afford class necessary get good job rest life tell give go college thing do make college universal 21st century high school today friend change face future america open wide door world best system high education must make public elementary secondary school world best well raise standard raise expectation raise accountability thanks action congress last year soon first time voluntary national test base national standard fourth grade reading eighth grade math parent right know whether child master basic every parent already know key good teacher small class tonight propose first ever national effort reduce class size early grade balance budget help hire new teacher pass state competency test teacher actually able reduce class size first second third grade average 18 student class across america get math right teacher teach small class require classroom also propose school construction tax cut help community modernize build school must also demand great accountability promote child grade grade master work child favor time end social promotion america school last year chicago make hold child back lift chicago stop social promotion start mandatory summer school help student behind catch propose help community follow chicago lead let u say stop promote child learn give tool make sure also ask congress support effort enlist college university reach disadvantaged child start sixth grade get guidance hope need know able go college enter 21st century global economy require u seek opportunity home market world must shape global economy shrink last 5 year lead way open new market 240 trade agreement remove foreign barrier product bear proud stamp make usa today record high export account fully economic growth want keep go way keep america grow advance safer stable world know whatever view think great opportunity america know opposition comprehensive trade agreement listen carefully believe opposition root two fear first trade partner low environmental labor standard give unfair advantage market people favor even business second trade worker lose job start think seek advance worker environmental standard around world make abundantly clear part trade agenda influence country decision send message back away trade year send legislation congress ask nation join u fight intolerable labor practice abusive child labor also offer help hope americans temporarily leave behind global marketplace march technology may nothing trade double fund training dislocate worker since 1993 new budget adopt triple funding must quickly help worker lose job whatever reason know help community special way military base close ought help way factory close ask congress continue bipartisan work consolidate tangle training program today one single gi bill worker simple skill grant people move quickly new job higher incomes bright future know every way life change always easy decide whether go try hold back hide reap benefit remember big picture enter hundred new trade agreement create million new job year forge new partnership latin america asia europe pass new african trade act bipartisan support also renew request negotiate authority necessary open new market create new job every president two decade know whether like way mostly positive world economy interconnect interdependent today economic crisis anywhere affect economy everywhere recent month bring serious financial problem thailand indonesia south korea beyond american concern first country customer sink recession able buy good would like sell second also competitor currency lose value go price good drop flood market others much cheap good make lot tough people compete finally strategic partner stability bolster security american economy remain sound strong want keep way turmoil asia impact world economy include make negative impact small possible right thing america right thing safer world policy clear nation recover reform nation willing undertake serious economic reform help call congress renew america commitment international monetary fund think say people try represent prepare storm may reach shore far wiser ignore thunder till cloud overhead strong nation rest rock responsibility society root responsibility must first promote value work welfare proud decade fingerpointing failure together end old welfare system replace welfare check paycheck last year record decline welfare roll challenge nation move 2 million american welfare year 2000 pleased report also meet goal 2 full year ahead schedule grand achievement sum many act individual courage persistence hope 13 year elaine kinslow indianapolis indiana welfare today dispatcher van company save enough money move family good neighborhood help welfare recipient go work elaine kinslow like real hero welfare revolution million like across america happy could join first lady tonight elaine proud please stand still lot u make welfare reform child care help family move closer available job challenge company join partnership increase child support collection deadbeat parent duty support child also want thank congress restore benefit immigrant legally work hard hope finish job year make possible hardworking family meet important responsibility two year ago help guarantee american keep health insurance change job last year extend health care 5 million child year challenge congress take next historic step hundred sixty million fellow citizen manage care plan plan save money improve care medical decision ought make medical doctor insurance company accountant urge congress reach across aisle write law consumer bill right say right know medical option cheap right choose doctor want care need right emergency room care wherever whenever need right keep medical record confidential traditional care manage care every american deserve quality care million americans age 55 65 lose health insurance retire lay lose coverage spouse retire lifetime work leave nowhere turn ask congress let hardworking american buy medicare system add dime deficit peace mind provide priceless next must help parent protect child grave health threat face epidemic teen smoke spread marketing campaign challenge congress let u pass bipartisan comprehensive legislation improve public health protect tobacco farmer change way tobacco company business forever let u take bring teen smoke let u raise price cigarette dollar half pack next 10 year penalties tobacco industry keep market child tomorrow like every day child start smoke die early result let congress remember congress save live new economy parent work harder ever face constant struggle balance obligation good worker even important obligation good parent family medical leave act first bill privilege sign law president 1993 since 15 million people take advantage meet lot across country ask extend law cover 10 million worker give parent time go see child teacher take doctor child care next frontier must face enable people succeed home work last year cohosted first white house conference child care one foremost expert america first lady corner america hear message without regard region income political affiliation get raise quality child care get make safer get make affordable plan help family pay child care million child scholarship background check child care worker new emphasis early learning tax credit business provide child care employee large child care tax credit work family pass plan mean family four income high child care cost longer pay single penny federal income tax think big issue personal experience often wonder mother young widow would able go away school get education come back support grandparent able take care really lucky many family never opportunity truth know answer question know answer single american family ever choose job need child love society root responsibility must provide safe street safe school safe neighborhood pursue strategy police tougher punishment smarter prevention crimefighting partnership local law enforcement citizen group rubber hit road report tonight work violent crime robbery assault burglary 5 year row across america need finish job put police street ask congress pas juvenile crime bill provide prosecutor probation officer crack gang gun drug bar violent juvenile buy gun life ask dramatically expand support program think every american know juvenile crime commit hour 3 afternoon 8 night keep many child trouble first place give someplace go street ought drug use decline thank general mccaffrey leadership thank congress pass large antidrug budget history ask join groundbreaking effort hire new border patrol agent deploy sophisticated available new technology help close door drug border police prosecutor prevention program good work court system work today large number vacancy federal court chief justice unite state write judicial vacancy remain high level indefinitely without erode quality justice simply ask united state senate heed plea vote highly qualified judicial nominee must exercise responsibility home around world eve new century power duty build new era peace security make mistake today possibility tomorrow guarantee america must stand poisoned appeal extreme nationalism must combat unholy axis new threat terrorists international criminal drug trafficker 21st century predator fee technology free flow information idea people lethal weapon mass destruction fall hand meet challenge help write international rule road 21st century protect join family nation isolate within day ask senate advice consent make hungary poland czech republic new member nato 50 year nato contain communism keep america europe secure three formerly communist country say yes democracy ask senate say yes new ally take new member work closely new partner include russia ukraine nato help assure europe stronghold peace 21st century next ask congress continue support troop mission bosnia christmas hillary travel sarajevo senator dole bipartisan congressional delegation saw child play street 2 year ago hide sniper shell shop fill food cafe alive conversation progress unmistakable yet irreversible take firm root bosnia fragile peace still need support american ally troops current nato mission end june think senator dole actually say best say like ahead fourth quarter football game time walk field forfeit victory wish could see troop tuzla proud bosnia proud one brave soldier sit first lady tonight army sergeant michael tolbert father decorate vietnam vet college colorado join army last year lead infantry unit stop mob extremist take radio station voice democracy tolerance bosnia thank much sergeant represent please stand bosnia around world men woman uniform always mission well mission must keep welltrained ready improve quality life provide 21st century weapon need defeat enemy ask congress join pursue ambitious agenda reduce serious threat weapon mass destruction year four decade first propose president eisenhower comprehensive nuclear test ban within reach end nuclear test help prevent development new dangerous weapon make difficult state build pleased announce four former chairman joint chief john shalikashvili colin powell david jones admiral william endorse treaty ask senate approve year together must confront new hazard chemical biological weapon outlaw state terrorist organize criminal seek acquire saddam hussein spend well part decade much nation wealth provide iraqi people develop nuclear chemical biological weapon missile deliver united nation weapon inspector do truly remarkable job find destroy iraq arsenal destroyed entire gulf war saddam hussein want stop complete mission know speak everyone chamber republicans democrat say saddam hussein defy world say use weapon mass destruction determine deny capacity use last year senate ratify chemical weapon convention protect soldier citizen poison gas must act prevent use disease weapon war terror biological weapon convention effect 23 year rule good enforcement weak must strengthen new international inspection system detect deter cheat month ahead pursue security strategy old ally asia europe new partner africa india pakistan south america china belfast korea middle east america continue stand stand peace finally long past time make good debt unite nation work nation achieve common goal want america lead get set good example see clearly bosnia ally share goal also share burden new era freedom independence actually enrich weakened increase interdependence nation part founder set america permanent course toward perfect union say journey make together live one community first continue reform government instrument national community everyone know election become expensive fuel fundraising arm race year march 6th long last senate actually vote bipartisan campaign finance reform propose senator mccain feingold let u clear vote vote soft money status quo ask strengthen democracy pas campaign finance reform year least equally important address real reason explosion campaign cost high cost medium advertise folk watch home groan pain audience formally request federal communication commission act provide free television time candidate observe spend limit voluntarily airwaves public trust broadcaster also help u effort strengthen democracy leadership vice president gore reduce federal payroll worker cut page regulation eliminate hundred program improve operation virtually every government agency like every taxpayer outrage report abuse irs need change new citizen advocacy panel strong taxpayer advocate phone line open 24 hour day relief innocent taxpayer last year overwhelm bipartisan margin house representative pass sweeping irs reform bill must languish senate tonight ask senate follow house pas bipartisan package first order business hope goodness finish think something say follow senate trouble nation live community must value community past 5 year work bring spark private enterprise inner city poor rural area community development bank commercial loan poor neighborhood cleanup pollute site development continue leadership vice president propose triple number empowerment zone give business incentive invest area also give poor family help move home use tax cut spur construction housing last year congress take strong action help district columbia let u renew resolve make capital city great city live visit city vibrant hubs great metropolitan area still gateways new immigrant every continent come work american dream let u keep city go strong 21st century important part future communities healthy air child breathe water drink earth inherit last year put place control smog soot move protect yellowstone everglades lake tahoe expand every community right know toxin threaten child yesterday food safety plan take effect use new science protect consumer danger like salmonella tonight ask join launch new clean water initiative effort clean river lakes coastal water child override environmental challenge tonight worldwide problem climate change global warming gathering crisis require worldwide action vast majority scientist conclude unequivocally reduce emission greenhouse gas point next century disrupt climate put child grandchild risk past december america lead world reach historic agreement commit nation reduce greenhouse gas emission market force new technology energy efficiency power act right right propose 6 billion tax cut research development encourage innovation renewable energy car home every time act heal environment pessimist tell u would hurt economy well today economy strong generation environment clean generation always find way clean environment grow economy time come global warm finally community mean live define american value ideal heard world create equal throughout history always honor ideal never fully live often easy believe difference matter common may easier wrong day generation make sure america become truly one become diverse believe become one nation answer dwell difference build share value cherish family faith freedom responsibility want child grow world talent match opportunity launch national initiative race help u recognize common interest bridge opportunity gap keep u become one america let u begin recognize still must overcome discrimination american must vigorously enforce law make illegal ask help end backlog equal employment opportunity commission sixty thousand fellow citizen wait line justice act end wait also recognize great progress make toward build one america lie progress make american without regard race open door college american rid street crime job available people neighborhood make sure parent child care need help build one nation chamber government must address continue american challenge build one america move forward fellow citizen include every one home watching tonight also commit must work together learn together live together serve together forge common enterprise american background hammer common identity see today united state military peace corp americorps wherever people race background come together share endeavor get fair chance fine share value meaningful opportunity honest communication citizen service unite diverse people freedom mutual respect many must one spirit let u lift eye new millennium mark passage happen every year year hillary launch white house millennium program promote america creativity innovation preserve heritage culture 21st century culture live every community every community place historic value tell story americans protect propose partnership advance art humanity celebrate millennium save american treasure great small honor past let u imagine future think entire store human knowledge double every 5 year 1980 scientist identify gene cause cystic fibrosis take 9 year last year scientist locate gene cause parkinson disease 9 day within decade gene chip offer roadmap prevention illness throughout lifetime soon able carry phone call mother day single strand fiber width human hair child born 1998 may well live see 22d century tonight part gift millennium propose 21st century research fund pathbreaking scientific inquiry large funding increase history national institute health national science foundation national cancer institute already discover gene breast cancer diabetes ask support initiative generation finally win war cancer begin revolution fight deadly diseases important scientific progress must continue see science serf humanity way around must prevent misuse genetic test discriminate american must ratify ethical consensus scientific religious community ban clone human being enable world people explore far reach cyberspace think first time make state union speech handful physicist use world wide handful people school library home business million million american surf net every day must give parent tool need help protect child inappropriate material internet also must make sure protect explode global commercial potential internet kind thing need still protect kid one thing ask congress step support build next generation internet get kind clog know next generation internet operate speed time faster today even explore inner space new millennium go open new frontier outer space throughout history humankind one place call home planet earth begin year 1998 men woman 16 country build foothold heaven international space station vast expanse scientist engineer actually set sail uncharted sea limitless mystery unlimited potential october true american hero veteran pilot 149 combat mission one space flight change world return heaven godspeed john glenn john carry america hope uniform carry america flag mark unbroken connection deed america past daring america future nearly 200 year ago tattered flag broad stripe bright star still gleam smoke fierce battle move francis scott key scribble word back envelope word become national anthem today banner along declaration independence constitution bill right display short walk america treasure must also save age ask american support project restore treasure generation 21st century see image word old continue glory america america continue rise every age every challenge people great work great possibility always always find wisdom strength come together one nation widen circle opportunity deepen mean freedom form perfect union let gift 21st century god bless god bless united state