Mr. Speaker, Mr. President, and distinguished Members of the House and Senate: When we first met here 7 years ago-many of us for the first time—it was with the hope of beginning something new for America. We meet here tonight in this historic Chamber to continue that work. If anyone expects just a proud recitation of the accomplishments of my administration, I say let's leave that to history; we're not finished yet. So, my message to you tonight is put on your work shoes; we're still on the job. History records the power of the ideas that brought us here those 7 years ago-ideas like the individual's right to reach as far and as high as his or her talents will permit; the free market as an engine of economic progress. And as an ancient Chinese philosopher, Lao-tzu, said: "Govern a great nation as you would cook a small fish; do not overdo it." [Laughter] Well, these ideas were part of a larger notion, a vision, if you will, of America herself—an America not only rich in opportunity for the individual but an America, too, of strong families and vibrant neighborhoods; an America whose divergent but harmonizing communities were a reflection of a deeper community of values: the value of work, of family, of religion, and of the love of freedom that God places in each of us and whose defense He has entrusted in a special way to this nation. All of this was made possible by an idea I spoke of when Mr. Gorbachev was here-the belief that the most exciting revolution ever known to humankind began with three simple words: "We the People," the revolutionary notion that the people grant government its rights, and not the other way around. And there's one lesson that has come home powerfully to me, which I would offer to you now. Just as those who created this Republic pledged to each other their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor, so, too, America's leaders today must pledge to each other that we will keep foremost in our hearts and minds not what is best for ourselves or for our party but what is best for America. In the spirit of Jefferson, let us affirm that in this Chamber tonight there are no Republicans, no Democrats—just Americans. Yes, we will have our differences, but let us always remember what unites us far outweighs whatever divides us. Those who sent us here to serve them—the millions of Americans watching and listening tonight-expect this of us. Let's prove to them and to ourselves that democracy works even in an election year. We've done this before. And as we have worked together to bring down spending, tax rates, and inflation, employment has climbed to record heights; America has created more jobs and better, higher paying jobs; family income has risen for 4 straight years, and America's poor climbed out of poverty at the fastest rate in more than 10 years. Our record is not just the longest peacetime expansion in history but an economic and social revolution of hope based on work, incentives, growth, and opportunity; a revolution of compassion that led to private sector initiatives and a 77-percent increase in charitable giving; a revolution that at a critical moment in world history reclaimed and restored the American dream. In international relations, too, there's only one description for what, together, we have achieved: a complete turnabout, a revolution. Seven years ago, America was weak, and freedom everywhere was under siege. Today America is strong, and democracy is everywhere on the move. From Central America to East Asia, ideas like free markets and democratic reforms and human rights are taking hold. We've replaced "Blame America" with "Look up to America." We've rebuilt our defenses. And of all our accomplishments, none can give us more satisfaction than knowing that our young people are again proud to wear our country's uniform. And in a few moments, I'm going to talk about three developments—arms reduction, the Strategic Defense Initiative, and the global democratic revolution—that, when taken together, offer a chance none of us would have dared imagine 7 years ago, a chance to rid the world of the two great nightmares of the postwar era. I speak of the startling hope of giving our children a future free of both totalitarianism and nuclear terror. Tonight, then, we're strong, prosperous, at peace, and we are free. This is the state of our Union. And if we will work together this year, I believe we can give a future President and a future Congress the chance to make that prosperity, that peace, that freedom not just the state of our Union but the state of our world. Toward this end, we have four basic objectives tonight. First, steps we can take this year to keep our economy strong and growing, to give our children a future of low inflation and full employment. Second, let's check our progress in attacking social problems, where important gains have been made, but which still need critical attention. I mean schools that work, economic independence for the poor, restoring respect for family life and family values. Our third objective tonight is global: continuing the exciting economic and democratic revolutions we've seen around the world. Fourth and finally, our nation has remained at peace for nearly a decade and a half, as we move toward our goals of world prosperity and world freedom. We must protect that peace and deter war by making sure the next President inherits what you and I have a moral obligation to give that President: a national security that is unassailable and a national defense that takes full advantage of new technology and is fully funded. This is a full agenda. It's meant to be. You see, my thinking on the next year is quite simple: Let's make this the best of 8. And that means it's all out—right to the finish line. I don't buy the idea that this is the last year of anything, because we're not talking here tonight about registering temporary gains but ways of making permanent our successes. And that's why our focus is the values, the principles, and ideas that made America great. Let's be clear on this point. We're for limited government, because we understand, as the Founding Fathers did, that it is the best way of ensuring personal liberty and empowering the individual so that every American of every race and region shares fully in the flowering of American prosperity and freedom. One other thing we Americans like—the future—like the sound of it, the idea of it, the hope of it. Where others fear trade and economic growth, we see opportunities for creating new wealth and undreamed-of opportunities for millions in our own land and beyond. Where others seek to throw up barriers, we seek to bring them down. Where others take counsel of their fears, we follow our hopes. Yes, we Americans like the future and like making the most of it. Let's do that now. And let's begin by discussing how to maintain economic growth by controlling and eventually eliminating the problem of Federal deficits. We have had a balanced budget only eight times in the last 57 years. For the first time in 14 years, the Federal Government spent less in real terms last year than the year before. We took $73 billion off last year's deficit compared to the year before. The deficit itself has moved from 6.3 percent of the gross national product to only 3.4 percent. And perhaps the most important sign of progress has been the change in our view of deficits. You know, a few of us can remember when, not too many years ago, those who created the deficits said they would make us prosperous and not to worry about the debt, because we owe it to ourselves. Well, at last there is agreement that we can't spend ourselves rich. Our recent budget agreement, designed to reduce Federal deficits by $76 billion over the next 2 years, builds on this consensus. But this agreement must be adhered to without slipping into the errors of the past: more broken promises and more unchecked spending. As I indicated in my first State of the Union, what ails us can be simply put: The Federal Government is too big, and it spends too much money. I can assure you, the bipartisan leadership of Congress, of my help in fighting off any attempt to bust our budget agreement. And this includes the swift and certain use of the veto power. Now, it's also time for some plain talk about the most immediate obstacle to controlling Federal deficits. The simple but frustrating problem of making expenses match revenues—something American families do and the Federal Government can't—has caused crisis after crisis in this city. Mr. Speaker, Mr. President, I will say to you tonight what I have said before and will continue to say: The budget process has broken down; it needs a drastic overhaul. With each ensuing year, the spectacle before the American people is the same as it was this Christmas: budget deadlines delayed or missed completely, monstrous continuing resolutions that pack hundreds of billions of dollars worth of spending into one bill, and a Federal Government on the brink of default. I know I'm echoing what you here in the Congress have said, because you suffered so directly. But let's recall that in 7 years, of 91 appropriations bills scheduled to arrive on my desk by a certain date, only 10 made it on time. Last year, of the 13 appropriations bills due by October 1st, none of them made it. Instead, we had four continuing resolutions lasting 41 days, then 36 days, and 2 days, and 3 days, respectively. And then, along came these behemoths. This is the conference report—1,053 pages, report weighing 14 pounds. Then this—a reconciliation bill 6 months late that was 1,186 pages long, weighing 15 pounds. And the long-term continuing resolution—this one was 2 months late, and it's 1,057 pages long, weighing 14 pounds. That was a total of 43 pounds of paper and ink. You had 3 hours—yes, 3 hours—to consider each, and it took 300 people at my Office of Management and Budget just to read the bill so the Government wouldn't shut down. Congress shouldn't send another one of these. No, and if you do, I will not sign it. Let's change all this. Instead of a Presidential budget that gets discarded and a congressional budget resolution that is not enforced, why not a simple partnership, a joint agreement that sets out the spending priorities within the available revenues? And let's remember our deadline is October 1st, not Christmas. Let's get the people's work done in time to avoid a footrace with Santa Claus. [Laughter] And, yes, this year—to coin a phrase—a new beginning: 13 individual bills, on time and fully reviewed by Congress. I'm also certain you join me in saying: Let's help ensure our future of prosperity by giving the President a tool that, though I will not get to use it, is one I know future Presidents of either party must have. Give the President the same authority that 43 Governors use in their States: the right to reach into massive appropriation bills, pare away the waste, and enforce budget discipline. Let's approve the line-item veto. And let's take a partial step in this direction. Most of you in this Chamber didn't know what was in this catchall bill and report. Over the past few weeks, we've all learned what was tucked away behind a little comma here and there. For example, there's millions for items such as cranberry research, blueberry research, the study of crawfish, and the commercialization of wildflowers. And that's not to mention the five or so million [$.5 million] that—so that people from developing nations could come here to watch Congress at work. [Laughter] I won't even touch that. [Laughter] So, tonight I offer you this challenge. In 30 days I will send back to you those items as rescissions, which if I had the authority to line them out I would do so. Now, review this multibillion-dollar package that will not undercut our bipartisan budget agreement. As a matter of fact, if adopted, it will improve our deficit reduction goals. And what an example we can set, that we're serious about getting our financial accounts in order. By acting and approving this plan, you have the opportunity to override a congressional process that is out of control. There is another vital reform. Yes, Gramm-Rudman-Hollings has been profoundly helpful, but let us take its goal of a balanced budget and make it permanent. Let us do now what so many States do to hold down spending and what 32 State legislatures have asked us to do. Let us heed the wishes of an overwhelming plurality of Americans and pass a constitutional amendment that mandates a balanced budget and forces the Federal Government to live within its means. Reform of the budget process—including the line-item veto and balanced budget amendment—will, together with real restraint on government spending, prevent the Federal budget from ever again ravaging the family budget. Let's ensure that the Federal Government never again legislates against the family and the home. Last September I signed an Executive order on the family requiring that every department and agency review its activities in light of seven standards designed to promote and not harm the family. But let us make certain that the family is always at the center of the public policy process not just in this administration but in all future administrations. It's time for Congress to consider, at the beginning, a statement of the impact that legislation will have on the basic unit of American society, the family. And speaking of the family, let's turn to a matter on the mind of every American parent tonight: education. We all know the sorry story of the sixties and seventies-soaring spending, plummeting test scores-and that hopeful trend of the eighties, when we replaced an obsession with dollars with a commitment to quality, and test scores started back up. There's a lesson here that we all should write on the blackboard a hundred times: In a child's education, money can never take the place of basics like discipline, hard work, and, yes, homework. As a nation we do, of course, spend heavily on education—more than we spend on defense. Yet across our country, Governors like New Jersey's Tom Kean are giving classroom demonstrations that how we spend is as important as how much we spend. Opening up the teaching profession to all qualified candidates, merit pay—so that good teachers get A's as well as apples—and stronger curriculum, as Secretary Bennett has proposed for high schools—these imaginative reforms are making common sense the most popular new kid in America's schools. How can we help? Well, we can talk about and push for these reforms. But the most important thing we can do is to reaffirm that control of our schools belongs to the States, local communities and, most of all, to the parents and teachers. My friends, some years ago, the Federal Government declared war on poverty, and poverty won. [Laughter] Today the Federal Government has 59 major welfare programs and spends more than $100 billion a year on them. What has all this money done? Well, too often it has only made poverty harder to escape. Federal welfare programs have created a massive social problem. With the best of intentions, government created a poverty trap that wreaks havoc on the very support system the poor need most to lift themselves out of poverty: the family. Dependency has become the one enduring heirloom, passed from one generation to the next, of too many fragmented families. It is time—this may be the most radical thing I've said in 7 years in this office—it's time for Washington to show a little humility. There are a thousand sparks of genius in 50 States and a thousand communities around the Nation. It is time to nurture them and see which ones can catch fire and become guiding lights. States have begun to show us the way. They've demonstrated that successful welfare programs can be built around more effective child support enforcement practices and innovative programs requiring welfare recipients to work or prepare for work. Let us give the States more flexibility and encourage more reforms. Let's start making our welfare system the first rung on America's ladder of opportunity, a boost up from dependency, not a graveyard but a birthplace of hope. And now let me turn to three other matters vital to family values and the quality of family life. The first is an untold American success story. Recently, we released our annual survey of what graduating high school seniors have to say about drugs. Cocaine use is declining, and marijuana use was the lowest since surveying began. We can be proud that our students are just saying no to drugs. But let us remember what this menace requires: commitment from every part of America and every single American, a commitment to a drugfree America. The war against drugs is a war of individual battles, a crusade with many heroes, including America's young people and also someone very special to me. She has helped so many of our young people to say no to drugs. Nancy, much credit belongs to you, and I want to express to you your husband's pride and your country's thanks.'. Surprised you, didn't I? [Laughter] Well, now we come to a family issue that we must have the courage to confront. Tonight, I call America—a good nation, a moral people—to charitable but realistic consideration of the terrible cost of abortion on demand. To those who say this violates a woman's right to control of her own body: Can they deny that now medical evidence confirms the unborn child is a living human being entitled to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness? Let us unite as a nation and protect the unborn with legislation that would stop all Federal funding for abortion and with a human life amendment making, of course, an exception where the unborn child threatens the life of the mother. Our Judeo-Christian tradition recognizes the right of taking a life in self-defense. But with that one exception, let us look to those others in our land who cry out for children to adopt. I pledge to you tonight I will work to remove barriers to adoption and extend full sharing in family life to millions of Americans so that children who need homes can be welcomed to families who want them and love them. And let me add here: So many of our greatest statesmen have reminded us that spiritual values alone are essential to our nation's health and vigor. The Congress opens its proceedings each day, as does the Supreme Court, with an acknowledgment of the Supreme Being. Yet we are denied the right to set aside in our schools a moment each day for those who wish to pray. I believe Congress should pass our school prayer amendment. Now, to make sure there is a full nine member Supreme Court to interpret the law, to protect the rights of all Americans, I urge the Senate to move quickly and decisively in confirming Judge Anthony Kennedy to the highest Court in the land and to also confirm 27 nominees now waiting to fill vacancies in the Federal judiciary. Here then are our domestic priorities. Yet if the Congress and the administration work together, even greater opportunities lie ahead to expand a growing world economy, to continue to reduce the threat of nuclear arms, and to extend the frontiers of freedom and the growth of democratic institutions. Our policies consistently received the strongest support of the late Congressman Dan Daniel of Virginia. I'm sure all of you join me in expressing heartfelt condolences on his passing. One of the greatest contributions the United States can make to the world is to promote freedom as the key to economic growth. A creative, competitive America is the answer to a changing world, not trade wars that would close doors, create greater barriers, and destroy millions of jobs. We should always remember: Protectionism is destructionism. America's jobs, America's growth, America's future depend on trade—trade that is free, open, and fair. This year, we have it within our power to take a major step toward a growing global economy and an expanding cycle of prosperity that reaches to all the free nations of this Earth. I'm speaking of the historic free trade agreement negotiated between our country and Canada. And I can also tell you that we're determined to expand this concept, south as well as north. Next month I will be traveling to Mexico, where trade matters will be of foremost concern. And over the next several months, our Congress and the Canadian Parliament can make the start of such a North American accord a reality. Our goal must be a day when the free flow of trade, from the tip of Tierra del Fuego to the Arctic Circle, unites the people of the Western Hemisphere in a bond of mutually beneficial exchange, when all borders become what the U.S.-Canadian border so long has been: a meeting place rather than a dividing line. This movement we see in so many places toward economic freedom is indivisible from the worldwide movement toward political freedom and against totalitarian rule. This global democratic revolution has removed the specter, so frightening a decade ago, of democracy doomed to permanent minority status in the world. In South and Central America, only a third of the people enjoyed democratic rule in 1976. Today over 90 percent of Latin Americans live in nations committed to democratic principles. And the resurgence of democracy is owed to these courageous people on almost every continent who have struggled to take control of their own destiny. In Nicaragua the struggle has extra meaning, because that nation is so near our own borders. The recent revelations of a former high-level Sandinista major, Roger Miranda, show us that, even as they talk peace, the Communist Sandinista government of Nicaragua has established plans for a large 600,000-man army. Yet even as these plans are made, the Sandinista regime knows the tide is turning, and the cause of Nicaraguan freedom is riding at its crest. Because of the freedom fighters, who are resisting Communist rule, the Sandinistas have been forced to extend some democratic rights, negotiate with church authorities, and release a few political prisoners. The focus is on the Sandinistas, their promises and their actions. There is a consensus among the four Central American democratic Presidents that the Sandinistas have not complied with the plan to bring peace and democracy to all of Central America. The Sandinistas again have promised reforms. Their challenge is to take irreversible steps toward democracy. On Wednesday my request to sustain the freedom fighters will be submitted, which reflects our mutual desire for peace, freedom, and democracy in Nicaragua. I ask Congress to pass this request. Let us be for the people of Nicaragua what Lafayette, Pulaski, and Von Steuben were for our forefathers and the cause of American independence. So, too, in Afghanistan, the freedom fighters are the key to peace. We support the Mujahidin. There can be no settlement unless all Soviet troops are removed and the Afghan people are allowed genuine self-determination. I have made my views on this matter known to Mr. Gorbachev. But not just Nicaragua or Afghanistan—yes, everywhere we see a swelling freedom tide across the world: freedom fighters rising up in Cambodia and Angola, fighting and dying for the same democratic liberties we hold sacred. Their cause is our cause: freedom. Yet even as we work to expand world freedom, we must build a safer peace and reduce the danger of nuclear war. But let's have no illusions. Three years of steady decline in the value of our annual defense investment have increased the risk of our most basic security interests, jeopardizing earlier hard-won goals. We must face squarely the implications of this negative trend and make adequate, stable defense spending a top goal both this year and in the future. This same concern applies to economic and security assistance programs as well. But the resolve of America and its NATO allies has opened the way for unprecedented achievement in arms reduction. Our recently signed INF treaty is historic, because it reduces nuclear arms and establishes the most stringent verification regime in arms control history, including several forms of short-notice, on-site inspection. I submitted the treaty today, and I urge the Senate to give its advice and consent to ratification of this landmark agreement. [Applause] Thank you very much. In addition to the INF treaty, we're within reach of an even more significant START agreement that will reduce U.S. and Soviet long-range missile—or strategic arsenals by half. But let me be clear. Our approach is not to seek agreement for agreement's sake but to settle only for agreements that truly enhance our national security and that of our allies. We will never put our security at risk—or that of our allies-just to reach an agreement with the Soviets. No agreement is better than a bad agreement. As I mentioned earlier, our efforts are to give future generations what we never had—a future free of nuclear terror. Reduction of strategic offensive arms is one step, SDI another. Our funding request for our Strategic Defense Initiative is less than 2 percent of the total defense budget. SDI funding is money wisely appropriated and money well spent. SDI has the same purpose and supports the same goals of arms reduction. It reduces the risk of war and the threat of nuclear weapons to all mankind. Strategic defenses that threaten no one could offer the world a safer, more stable basis for deterrence. We must also remember that SDI is our insurance policy against a nuclear accident, a Chernobyl of the sky, or an accidental launch or some madman who might come along. We've seen such changes in the world in 7 years. As totalitarianism struggles to avoid being overwhelmed by the forces of economic advance and the aspiration for human freedom, it is the free nations that are resilient and resurgent. As the global democratic revolution has put totalitarianism on the defensive, we have left behind the days of retreat. America is again a vigorous leader of the free world, a nation that acts decisively and firmly in the furtherance of her principles and vital interests. No legacy would make me more proud than leaving in place a bipartisan consensus for the cause of world freedom, a consensus that prevents a paralysis of American power from ever occurring again. But my thoughts tonight go beyond this, and I hope you'll let me end this evening with a personal reflection. You know, the world could never be quite the same again after Jacob Shallus, a trustworthy and dependable clerk of the Pennsylvania General Assembly, took his pen and engrossed those words about representative government in the preamble of our Constitution. And in a quiet but final way, the course of human events was forever altered when, on a ridge overlooking the Emmitsburg Pike in an obscure Pennsylvania town called Gettysburg, Lincoln spoke of our duty to government of and by the people and never letting it perish from the Earth. At the start of this decade, I suggested that we live in equally momentous times, that it is up to us now to decide whether our form of government would endure and whether history still had a place of greatness for a quiet, pleasant, greening land called America. Not everything has been made perfect in 7 years, nor will it be made perfect in seven times 70 years, but before us, this year and beyond, are great prospects for the cause of peace and world freedom. It means, too, that the young Americans I spoke of 7 years ago, as well as those who might be coming along the Virginia or Maryland shores this night and seeing for the first time the lights of this Capital City—the lights that cast their glow on our great halls of government and the monuments to the memory of our great men—it means those young Americans will find a city of hope in a land that is free. We can be proud that for them and for us, as those lights along the Potomac are still seen this night signaling as they have for nearly two centuries and as we pray God they always will, that another generation of Americans has protected and passed on lovingly this place called America, this shining city on a hill, this government of, by, and for the people. 
Thank you, and God bless you.
Mr. Speaker, Mr. President, and distinguished Members of the House and Senate: When we first met here 7 years ago-many of us for the first time—it was with the hope of beginning something new for America. We meet here tonight in this historic Chamber to continue that work. If anyone expects just a proud recitation of the accomplishments of my administration, I say let us leave that to history; we are not finished yet. So, my message to you tonight is put on your work shoes; we are still on the job. History records the power of the ideas that brought us here those 7 years ago-ideas like the individual's right to reach as far and as high as his or her talents will permit; the free market as an engine of economic progress. And as an ancient Chinese philosopher, Lao-tzu, said: "Govern a great nation as you would cook a small fish; do not overdo it." [Laughter] Well, these ideas were part of a larger notion, a vision, if you will, of America herself—an America not only rich in opportunity for the individual but an America, too, of strong families and vibrant neighborhoods; an America whose divergent but harmonizing communities were a reflection of a deeper community of values: the value of work, of family, of religion, and of the love of freedom that God places in each of us and whose defense He has entrusted in a special way to this nation. All of this was made possible by an idea I spoke of when Mr. Gorbachev was here-the belief that the most exciting revolution ever known to humankind began with three simple words: "We the People," the revolutionary notion that the people grant government its rights, and not the other way around. And there is one lesson that has come home powerfully to me, which I would offer to you now. Just as those who created this Republic pledged to each other their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor, so, too, America's leaders today must pledge to each other that we will keep foremost in our hearts and minds not what is best for ourselves or for our party but what is best for America. In the spirit of Jefferson, let us affirm that in this Chamber tonight there are no Republicans, no Democrats—just Americans. Yes, we will have our differences, but let us always remember what unites us far outweighs whatever divides us. Those who sent us here to serve them—the millions of Americans watching and listening tonight-expect this of us. Let us prove to them and to ourselves that democracy works even in an election year. We have done this before. And as we have worked together to bring down spending, tax rates, and inflation, employment has climbed to record heights; America has created more jobs and better, higher paying jobs; family income has risen for 4 straight years, and America's poor climbed out of poverty at the fastest rate in more than 10 years. Our record is not just the longest peacetime expansion in history but an economic and social revolution of hope based on work, incentives, growth, and opportunity; a revolution of compassion that led to private sector initiatives and a 77-percent increase in charitable giving; a revolution that at a critical moment in world history reclaimed and restored the American dream. In international relations, too, there is only one description for what, together, we have achieved: a complete turnabout, a revolution. Seven years ago, America was weak, and freedom everywhere was under siege. Today America is strong, and democracy is everywhere on the move. From Central America to East Asia, ideas like free markets and democratic reforms and human rights are taking hold. We have replaced "Blame America" with "Look up to America." We have rebuilt our defenses. And of all our accomplishments, none can give us more satisfaction than knowing that our young people are again proud to wear our country's uniform. And in a few moments, I am going to talk about three developments—arms reduction, the Strategic Defense Initiative, and the global democratic revolution—that, when taken together, offer a chance none of us would have dared imagine 7 years ago, a chance to rid the world of the two great nightmares of the postwar era. I speak of the startling hope of giving our children a future free of both totalitarianism and nuclear terror. Tonight, then, we are strong, prosperous, at peace, and we are free. This is the state of our Union. And if we will work together this year, I believe we can give a future President and a future Congress the chance to make that prosperity, that peace, that freedom not just the state of our Union but the state of our world. Toward this end, we have four basic objectives tonight. First, steps we can take this year to keep our economy strong and growing, to give our children a future of low inflation and full employment. Second, let us check our progress in attacking social problems, where important gains have been made, but which still need critical attention. I mean schools that work, economic independence for the poor, restoring respect for family life and family values. Our third objective tonight is global: continuing the exciting economic and democratic revolutions we have seen around the world. Fourth and finally, our nation has remained at peace for nearly a decade and a half, as we move toward our goals of world prosperity and world freedom. We must protect that peace and deter war by making sure the next President inherits what you and I have a moral obligation to give that President: a national security that is unassailable and a national defense that takes full advantage of new technology and is fully funded. This is a full agenda. It is meant to be. You see, my thinking on the next year is quite simple: Let us make this the best of 8. And that means it is all out—right to the finish line. I do not buy the idea that this is the last year of anything, because we are not talking here tonight about registering temporary gains but ways of making permanent our successes. And that is why our focus is the values, the principles, and ideas that made America great. Let us be clear on this point. We are for limited government, because we understand, as the Founding Fathers did, that it is the best way of ensuring personal liberty and empowering the individual so that every American of every race and region shares fully in the flowering of American prosperity and freedom. One other thing we Americans like—the future—like the sound of it, the idea of it, the hope of it. Where others fear trade and economic growth, we see opportunities for creating new wealth and undreamed-of opportunities for millions in our own land and beyond. Where others seek to throw up barriers, we seek to bring them down. Where others take counsel of their fears, we follow our hopes. Yes, we Americans like the future and like making the most of it. Let us do that now. And let us begin by discussing how to maintain economic growth by controlling and eventually eliminating the problem of Federal deficits. We have had a balanced budget only eight times in the last 57 years. For the first time in 14 years, the Federal Government spent less in real terms last year than the year before. We took $73 billion off last year's deficit compared to the year before. The deficit itself has moved from 6.3 percent of the gross national product to only 3.4 percent. And perhaps the most important sign of progress has been the change in our view of deficits. You know, a few of us can remember when, not too many years ago, those who created the deficits said they would make us prosperous and not to worry about the debt, because we owe it to ourselves. Well, at last there is agreement that we cannot spend ourselves rich. Our recent budget agreement, designed to reduce Federal deficits by $76 billion over the next 2 years, builds on this consensus. But this agreement must be adhered to without slipping into the errors of the past: more broken promises and more unchecked spending. As I indicated in my first State of the Union, what ails us can be simply put: The Federal Government is too big, and it spends too much money. I can assure you, the bipartisan leadership of Congress, of my help in fighting off any attempt to bust our budget agreement. And this includes the swift and certain use of the veto power. Now, it is also time for some plain talk about the most immediate obstacle to controlling Federal deficits. The simple but frustrating problem of making expenses match revenues—something American families do and the Federal Government cannot—has caused crisis after crisis in this city. Mr. Speaker, Mr. President, I will say to you tonight what I have said before and will continue to say: The budget process has broken down; it needs a drastic overhaul. With each ensuing year, the spectacle before the American people is the same as it was this Christmas: budget deadlines delayed or missed completely, monstrous continuing resolutions that pack hundreds of billions of dollars worth of spending into one bill, and a Federal Government on the brink of default. I know I am echoing what you here in the Congress have said, because you suffered so directly. But let us recall that in 7 years, of 91 appropriations bills scheduled to arrive on my desk by a certain date, only 10 made it on time. Last year, of the 13 appropriations bills due by October 1st, none of them made it. Instead, we had four continuing resolutions lasting 41 days, then 36 days, and 2 days, and 3 days, respectively. And then, along came these behemoths. This is the conference report—1,053 pages, report weighing 14 pounds. Then this—a reconciliation bill 6 months late that was 1,186 pages long, weighing 15 pounds. And the long-term continuing resolution—this one was 2 months late, and it is 1,057 pages long, weighing 14 pounds. That was a total of 43 pounds of paper and ink. You had 3 hours—yes, 3 hours—to consider each, and it took 300 people at my Office of Management and Budget just to read the bill so the Government would not shut down. Congress should not send another one of these. No, and if you do, I will not sign it. Let us change all this. Instead of a Presidential budget that gets discarded and a congressional budget resolution that is not enforced, why not a simple partnership, a joint agreement that sets out the spending priorities within the available revenues? And let us remember our deadline is October 1st, not Christmas. Let us get the people's work done in time to avoid a footrace with Santa Claus. [Laughter] And, yes, this year—to coin a phrase—a new beginning: 13 individual bills, on time and fully reviewed by Congress. I am also certain you join me in saying: Let us help ensure our future of prosperity by giving the President a tool that, though I will not get to use it, is one I know future Presidents of either party must have. Give the President the same authority that 43 Governors use in their States: the right to reach into massive appropriation bills, pare away the waste, and enforce budget discipline. Let us approve the line-item veto. And let us take a partial step in this direction. Most of you in this Chamber did not know what was in this catchall bill and report. Over the past few weeks, we have all learned what was tucked away behind a little comma here and there. For example, there is millions for items such as cranberry research, blueberry research, the study of crawfish, and the commercialization of wildflowers. And that is not to mention the five or so million [$.5 million] that—so that people from developing nations could come here to watch Congress at work. [Laughter] I will not even touch that. [Laughter] So, tonight I offer you this challenge. In 30 days I will send back to you those items as rescissions, which if I had the authority to line them out I would do so. Now, review this multibillion-dollar package that will not undercut our bipartisan budget agreement. As a matter of fact, if adopted, it will improve our deficit reduction goals. And what an example we can set, that we are serious about getting our financial accounts in order. By acting and approving this plan, you have the opportunity to override a congressional process that is out of control. There is another vital reform. Yes, Gramm-Rudman-Hollings has been profoundly helpful, but let us take its goal of a balanced budget and make it permanent. Let us do now what so many States do to hold down spending and what 32 State legislatures have asked us to do. Let us heed the wishes of an overwhelming plurality of Americans and pass a constitutional amendment that mandates a balanced budget and forces the Federal Government to live within its means. Reform of the budget process—including the line-item veto and balanced budget amendment—will, together with real restraint on government spending, prevent the Federal budget from ever again ravaging the family budget. Let us ensure that the Federal Government never again legislates against the family and the home. Last September I signed an Executive order on the family requiring that every department and agency review its activities in light of seven standards designed to promote and not harm the family. But let us make certain that the family is always at the center of the public policy process not just in this administration but in all future administrations. It is time for Congress to consider, at the beginning, a statement of the impact that legislation will have on the basic unit of American society, the family. And speaking of the family, let us turn to a matter on the mind of every American parent tonight: education. We all know the sorry story of the sixties and seventies-soaring spending, plummeting test scores-and that hopeful trend of the eighties, when we replaced an obsession with dollars with a commitment to quality, and test scores started back up. There is a lesson here that we all should write on the blackboard a hundred times: In a child's education, money can never take the place of basics like discipline, hard work, and, yes, homework. As a nation we do, of course, spend heavily on education—more than we spend on defense. Yet across our country, Governors like New Jersey's Tom Kean are giving classroom demonstrations that how we spend is as important as how much we spend. Opening up the teaching profession to all qualified candidates, merit pay—so that good teachers get A's as well as apples—and stronger curriculum, as Secretary Bennett has proposed for high schools—these imaginative reforms are making common sense the most popular new kid in America's schools. How can we help? Well, we can talk about and push for these reforms. But the most important thing we can do is to reaffirm that control of our schools belongs to the States, local communities and, most of all, to the parents and teachers. My friends, some years ago, the Federal Government declared war on poverty, and poverty won. [Laughter] Today the Federal Government has 59 major welfare programs and spends more than $100 billion a year on them. What has all this money done? Well, too often it has only made poverty harder to escape. Federal welfare programs have created a massive social problem. With the best of intentions, government created a poverty trap that wreaks havoc on the very support system the poor need most to lift themselves out of poverty: the family. Dependency has become the one enduring heirloom, passed from one generation to the next, of too many fragmented families. It is time—this may be the most radical thing I have said in 7 years in this office—it is time for Washington to show a little humility. There are a thousand sparks of genius in 50 States and a thousand communities around the Nation. It is time to nurture them and see which ones can catch fire and become guiding lights. States have begun to show us the way. They have demonstrated that successful welfare programs can be built around more effective child support enforcement practices and innovative programs requiring welfare recipients to work or prepare for work. Let us give the States more flexibility and encourage more reforms. Let us start making our welfare system the first rung on America's ladder of opportunity, a boost up from dependency, not a graveyard but a birthplace of hope. And now let me turn to three other matters vital to family values and the quality of family life. The first is an untold American success story. Recently, we released our annual survey of what graduating high school seniors have to say about drugs. Cocaine use is declining, and marijuana use was the lowest since surveying began. We can be proud that our students are just saying no to drugs. But let us remember what this menace requires: commitment from every part of America and every single American, a commitment to a drugfree America. The war against drugs is a war of individual battles, a crusade with many heroes, including America's young people and also someone very special to me. She has helped so many of our young people to say no to drugs. Nancy, much credit belongs to you, and I want to express to you your husband's pride and your country's thanks.'. Surprised you, did not I? [Laughter] Well, now we come to a family issue that we must have the courage to confront. Tonight, I call America—a good nation, a moral people—to charitable but realistic consideration of the terrible cost of abortion on demand. To those who say this violates a woman's right to control of her own body: Can they deny that now medical evidence confirms the unborn child is a living human being entitled to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness? Let us unite as a nation and protect the unborn with legislation that would stop all Federal funding for abortion and with a human life amendment making, of course, an exception where the unborn child threatens the life of the mother. Our Judeo-Christian tradition recognizes the right of taking a life in self-defense. But with that one exception, let us look to those others in our land who cry out for children to adopt. I pledge to you tonight I will work to remove barriers to adoption and extend full sharing in family life to millions of Americans so that children who need homes can be welcomed to families who want them and love them. And let me add here: So many of our greatest statesmen have reminded us that spiritual values alone are essential to our nation's health and vigor. The Congress opens its proceedings each day, as does the Supreme Court, with an acknowledgment of the Supreme Being. Yet we are denied the right to set aside in our schools a moment each day for those who wish to pray. I believe Congress should pass our school prayer amendment. Now, to make sure there is a full nine member Supreme Court to interpret the law, to protect the rights of all Americans, I urge the Senate to move quickly and decisively in confirming Judge Anthony Kennedy to the highest Court in the land and to also confirm 27 nominees now waiting to fill vacancies in the Federal judiciary. Here then are our domestic priorities. Yet if the Congress and the administration work together, even greater opportunities lie ahead to expand a growing world economy, to continue to reduce the threat of nuclear arms, and to extend the frontiers of freedom and the growth of democratic institutions. Our policies consistently received the strongest support of the late Congressman Dan Daniel of Virginia. I am sure all of you join me in expressing heartfelt condolences on his passing. One of the greatest contributions the United States can make to the world is to promote freedom as the key to economic growth. A creative, competitive America is the answer to a changing world, not trade wars that would close doors, create greater barriers, and destroy millions of jobs. We should always remember: Protectionism is destructionism. America's jobs, America's growth, America's future depend on trade—trade that is free, open, and fair. This year, we have it within our power to take a major step toward a growing global economy and an expanding cycle of prosperity that reaches to all the free nations of this Earth. I am speaking of the historic free trade agreement negotiated between our country and Canada. And I can also tell you that we are determined to expand this concept, south as well as north. Next month I will be traveling to Mexico, where trade matters will be of foremost concern. And over the next several months, our Congress and the Canadian Parliament can make the start of such a North American accord a reality. Our goal must be a day when the free flow of trade, from the tip of Tierra del Fuego to the Arctic Circle, unites the people of the Western Hemisphere in a bond of mutually beneficial exchange, when all borders become what the YOU.S.-Canadian border so long has been: a meeting place rather than a dividing line. This movement we see in so many places toward economic freedom is indivisible from the worldwide movement toward political freedom and against totalitarian rule. This global democratic revolution has removed the specter, so frightening a decade ago, of democracy doomed to permanent minority status in the world. In South and Central America, only a third of the people enjoyed democratic rule in 1976. Today over 90 percent of Latin Americans live in nations committed to democratic principles. And the resurgence of democracy is owed to these courageous people on almost every continent who have struggled to take control of their own destiny. In Nicaragua the struggle has extra meaning, because that nation is so near our own borders. The recent revelations of a former high-level Sandinista major, Roger Miranda, show us that, even as they talk peace, the Communist Sandinista government of Nicaragua has established plans for a large 600,000-man army. Yet even as these plans are made, the Sandinista regime knows the tide is turning, and the because of Nicaraguan freedom is riding at its crest. Because of the freedom fighters, who are resisting Communist rule, the Sandinistas have been forced to extend some democratic rights, negotiate with church authorities, and release a few political prisoners. The focus is on the Sandinistas, their promises and their actions. There is a consensus among the four Central American democratic Presidents that the Sandinistas have not complied with the plan to bring peace and democracy to all of Central America. The Sandinistas again have promised reforms. Their challenge is to take irreversible steps toward democracy. On Wednesday my request to sustain the freedom fighters will be submitted, which reflects our mutual desire for peace, freedom, and democracy in Nicaragua. I ask Congress to pass this request. Let us be for the people of Nicaragua what Lafayette, Pulaski, and Von Steuben were for our forefathers and the because of American independence. So, too, in Afghanistan, the freedom fighters are the key to peace. We support the Mujahidin. There can be no settlement unless all Soviet troops are removed and the Afghan people are allowed genuine self-determination. I have made my views on this matter known to Mr. Gorbachev. But not just Nicaragua or Afghanistan—yes, everywhere we see a swelling freedom tide across the world: freedom fighters rising up in Cambodia and Angola, fighting and dying for the same democratic liberties we hold sacred. Their because is our because: freedom. Yet even as we work to expand world freedom, we must build a safer peace and reduce the danger of nuclear war. But let us have no illusions. Three years of steady decline in the value of our annual defense investment have increased the risk of our most basic security interests, jeopardizing earlier hard-won goals. We must face squarely the implications of this negative trend and make adequate, stable defense spending a top goal both this year and in the future. This same concern applies to economic and security assistance programs as well. But the resolve of America and its NATO allies has opened the way for unprecedented achievement in arms reduction. Our recently signed INF treaty is historic, because it reduces nuclear arms and establishes the most stringent verification regime in arms control history, including several forms of short-notice, on-site inspection. I submitted the treaty today, and I urge the Senate to give its advice and consent to ratification of this landmark agreement. [Applause] Thank you very much. In addition to the INF treaty, we are within reach of an even more significant START agreement that will reduce YOU.S. and Soviet long-range missile—or strategic arsenals by half. But let me be clear. Our approach is not to seek agreement for agreement's sake but to settle only for agreements that truly enhance our national security and that of our allies. We will never put our security at risk—or that of our allies-just to reach an agreement with the Soviets. No agreement is better than a bad agreement. As I mentioned earlier, our efforts are to give future generations what we never had—a future free of nuclear terror. Reduction of strategic offensive arms is one step, SDI another. Our funding request for our Strategic Defense Initiative is less than 2 percent of the total defense budget. SDI funding is money wisely appropriated and money well spent. SDI has the same purpose and supports the same goals of arms reduction. It reduces the risk of war and the threat of nuclear weapons to all mankind. Strategic defenses that threaten no one could offer the world a safer, more stable basis for deterrence. We must also remember that SDI is our insurance policy against a nuclear accident, a Chernobyl of the sky, or an accidental launch or some madman who might come along. We have seen such changes in the world in 7 years. As totalitarianism struggles to avoid being overwhelmed by the forces of economic advance and the aspiration for human freedom, it is the free nations that are resilient and resurgent. As the global democratic revolution has put totalitarianism on the defensive, we have left behind the days of retreat. America is again a vigorous leader of the free world, a nation that acts decisively and firmly in the furtherance of her principles and vital interests. No legacy would make me more proud than leaving in place a bipartisan consensus for the because of world freedom, a consensus that prevents a paralysis of American power from ever occurring again. But my thoughts tonight go beyond this, and I hope you will let me end this evening with a personal reflection. You know, the world could never be quite the same again after Jacob Shallus, a trustworthy and dependable clerk of the Pennsylvania General Assembly, took his pen and engrossed those words about representative government in the preamble of our Constitution. And in a quiet but final way, the course of human events was forever altered when, on a ridge overlooking the Emmitsburg Pike in an obscure Pennsylvania town called Gettysburg, Lincoln spoke of our duty to government of and by the people and never letting it perish from the Earth. At the start of this decade, I suggested that we live in equally momentous times, that it is up to us now to decide whether our form of government would endure and whether history still had a place of greatness for a quiet, pleasant, greening land called America. Not everything has been made perfect in 7 years, nor will it be made perfect in seven times 70 years, but before us, this year and beyond, are great prospects for the because of peace and world freedom. It means, too, that the young Americans I spoke of 7 years ago, as well as those who might be coming along the Virginia or Maryland shores this night and seeing for the first time the lights of this Capital City—the lights that cast their glow on our great halls of government and the monuments to the memory of our great men—it means those young Americans will find a city of hope in a land that is free. We can be proud that for them and for us, as those lights along the Potomac are still seen this night signaling as they have for nearly two centuries and as we pray God they always will, that another generation of Americans has protected and passed on lovingly this place called America, this shining city on a hill, this government of, by, and for the people. Thank you, and God bless you.
speaker president and distinguished members of the house and senate when we first met here 7 years of us for the first was with the hope of beginning something new for america we meet here tonight in this historic chamber to continue that work if anyone expects just a proud recitation of the accomplishments of my administration i say let us leave that to history we are not finished yet so my message to you tonight is put on your work shoes we are still on the job history records the power of the ideas that brought us here those 7 years like the individual right to reach as far and as high as his or her talents will permit the free market as an engine of economic progress and as an ancient chinese philosopher said govern a great nation as you would cook a small fish do not overdo it laughter well these ideas were part of a larger notion a vision if you will of america america not only rich in opportunity for the individual but an america too of strong families and vibrant neighborhoods an america whose divergent but harmonizing communities were a reflection of a deeper community of values the value of work of family of religion and of the love of freedom that god places in each of us and whose defense he has entrusted in a special way to this nation all of this was made possible by an idea i spoke of when gorbachev was belief that the most exciting revolution ever known to humankind began with three simple words we the people the revolutionary notion that the people grant government its rights and not the other way around and there is one lesson that has come home powerfully to me which i would offer to you now just as those who created this republic pledged to each other their lives their fortunes and their sacred honor so too america leaders today must pledge to each other that we will keep foremost in our hearts and minds not what is best for ourselves or for our party but what is best for america in the spirit of jefferson let us affirm that in this chamber tonight there are no republicans no americans yes we will have our differences but let us always remember what unites us far outweighs whatever divides us those who sent us here to serve millions of americans watching and listening this of us let us prove to them and to ourselves that democracy works even in an election year we have done this before and as we have worked together to bring down spending tax rates and inflation employment has climbed to record heights america has created more jobs and better higher paying jobs family income has risen for 4 straight years and america poor climbed out of poverty at the fastest rate in more than 10 years our record is not just the longest peacetime expansion in history but an economic and social revolution of hope based on work incentives growth and opportunity a revolution of compassion that led to private sector initiatives and a increase in charitable giving a revolution that at a critical moment in world history reclaimed and restored the american dream in international relations too there is only one description for what together we have achieved a complete turnabout a revolution seven years ago america was weak and freedom everywhere was under siege today america is strong and democracy is everywhere on the move from central america to east asia ideas like free markets and democratic reforms and human rights are taking hold we have replaced blame america with look up to america we have rebuilt our defenses and of all our accomplishments none can give us more satisfaction than knowing that our young people are again proud to wear our country uniform and in a few moments i am going to talk about three reduction the strategic defense initiative and the global democratic when taken together offer a chance none of us would have dared imagine 7 years ago a chance to rid the world of the two great nightmares of the postwar era i speak of the startling hope of giving our children a future free of both totalitarianism and nuclear terror tonight then we are strong prosperous at peace and we are free this is the state of our union and if we will work together this year i believe we can give a future president and a future congress the chance to make that prosperity that peace that freedom not just the state of our union but the state of our world toward this end we have four basic objectives tonight first steps we can take this year to keep our economy strong and growing to give our children a future of low inflation and full employment second let us check our progress in attacking social problems where important gains have been made but which still need critical attention i mean schools that work economic independence for the poor restoring respect for family life and family values our third objective tonight is global continuing the exciting economic and democratic revolutions we have seen around the world fourth and finally our nation has remained at peace for nearly a decade and a half as we move toward our goals of world prosperity and world freedom we must protect that peace and deter war by making sure the next president inherits what you and i have a moral obligation to give that president a national security that is unassailable and a national defense that takes full advantage of new technology and is fully funded this is a full agenda it is meant to be you see my thinking on the next year is quite simple let us make this the best of 8 and that means it is all to the finish line i do not buy the idea that this is the last year of anything because we are not talking here tonight about registering temporary gains but ways of making permanent our successes and that is why our focus is the values the principles and ideas that made america great let us be clear on this point we are for limited government because we understand as the founding fathers did that it is the best way of ensuring personal liberty and empowering the individual so that every american of every race and region shares fully in the flowering of american prosperity and freedom one other thing we americans the sound of it the idea of it the hope of it where others fear trade and economic growth we see opportunities for creating new wealth and opportunities for millions in our own land and beyond where others seek to throw up barriers we seek to bring them down where others take counsel of their fears we follow our hopes yes we americans like the future and like making the most of it let us do that now and let us begin by discussing how to maintain economic growth by controlling and eventually eliminating the problem of federal deficits we have had a balanced budget only eight times in the last 57 years for the first time in 14 years the federal government spent less in real terms last year than the year before we took 73 billion off last year deficit compared to the year before the deficit itself has moved from percent of the gross national product to only percent and perhaps the most important sign of progress has been the change in our view of deficits you know a few of us can remember when not too many years ago those who created the deficits said they would make us prosperous and not to worry about the debt because we owe it to ourselves well at last there is agreement that we can not spend ourselves rich our recent budget agreement designed to reduce federal deficits by 76 billion over the next 2 years builds on this consensus but this agreement must be adhered to without slipping into the errors of the past more broken promises and more unchecked spending as i indicated in my first state of the union what ails us can be simply put the federal government is too big and it spends too much money i can assure you the bipartisan leadership of congress of my help in fighting off any attempt to bust our budget agreement and this includes the swift and certain use of the veto power now it is also time for some plain talk about the most immediate obstacle to controlling federal deficits the simple but frustrating problem of making expenses match american families do and the federal government can not caused crisis after crisis in this city speaker president i will say to you tonight what i have said before and will continue to say the budget process has broken down it needs a drastic overhaul with each ensuing year the spectacle before the american people is the same as it was this christmas budget deadlines delayed or missed completely monstrous continuing resolutions that pack hundreds of billions of dollars worth of spending into one bill and a federal government on the brink of default i know i am echoing what you here in the congress have said because you suffered so directly but let us recall that in 7 years of 91 appropriations bills scheduled to arrive on my desk by a certain date only 10 made it on time last year of the 13 appropriations bills due by october 1st none of them made it instead we had four continuing resolutions lasting 41 days then 36 days and 2 days and 3 days respectively and then along came these behemoths this is the conference pages report weighing 14 pounds then reconciliation bill 6 months late that was pages long weighing 15 pounds and the continuing one was 2 months late and it is pages long weighing 14 pounds that was a total of 43 pounds of paper and ink you had 3 3 consider each and it took 300 people at my office of management and budget just to read the bill so the government would not shut down congress should not send another one of these no and if you do i will not sign it let us change all this instead of a presidential budget that gets discarded and a congressional budget resolution that is not enforced why not a simple partnership a joint agreement that sets out the spending priorities within the available revenues and let us remember our deadline is october 1st not christmas let us get the people work done in time to avoid a footrace with santa claus laughter and yes this coin a new beginning 13 individual bills on time and fully reviewed by congress i am also certain you join me in saying let us help ensure our future of prosperity by giving the president a tool that though i will not get to use it is one i know future presidents of either party must have give the president the same authority that 43 governors use in their states the right to reach into massive appropriation bills pare away the waste and enforce budget discipline let us approve the veto and let us take a partial step in this direction most of you in this chamber did not know what was in this catchall bill and report over the past few weeks we have all learned what was tucked away behind a little comma here and there for example there is millions for items such as cranberry research blueberry research the study of crawfish and the commercialization of wildflowers and that is not to mention the five or so million million that people from developing nations could come here to watch congress at work laughter i will not even touch that laughter so tonight i offer you this challenge in 30 days i will send back to you those items as rescissions which if i had the authority to line them out i would do so now review this package that will not undercut our bipartisan budget agreement as a matter of fact if adopted it will improve our deficit reduction goals and what an example we can set that we are serious about getting our financial accounts in order by acting and approving this plan you have the opportunity to override a congressional process that is out of control there is another vital reform yes has been profoundly helpful but let us take its goal of a balanced budget and make it permanent let us do now what so many states do to hold down spending and what 32 state legislatures have asked us to do let us heed the wishes of an overwhelming plurality of americans and pass a constitutional amendment that mandates a balanced budget and forces the federal government to live within its means reform of the budget the veto and balanced budget together with real restraint on government spending prevent the federal budget from ever again ravaging the family budget let us ensure that the federal government never again legislates against the family and the home last september i signed an executive order on the family requiring that every department and agency review its activities in light of seven standards designed to promote and not harm the family but let us make certain that the family is always at the center of the public policy process not just in this administration but in all future administrations it is time for congress to consider at the beginning a statement of the impact that legislation will have on the basic unit of american society the family and speaking of the family let us turn to a matter on the mind of every american parent tonight education we all know the sorry story of the sixties and spending plummeting test that hopeful trend of the eighties when we replaced an obsession with dollars with a commitment to quality and test scores started back up there is a lesson here that we all should write on the blackboard a hundred times in a child education money can never take the place of basics like discipline hard work and yes homework as a nation we do of course spend heavily on than we spend on defense yet across our country governors like new jersey tom kean are giving classroom demonstrations that how we spend is as important as how much we spend opening up the teaching profession to all qualified candidates merit that good teachers get a as well as stronger curriculum as secretary bennett has proposed for high imaginative reforms are making common sense the most popular new kid in america schools how can we help well we can talk about and push for these reforms but the most important thing we can do is to reaffirm that control of our schools belongs to the states local communities and most of all to the parents and teachers my friends some years ago the federal government declared war on poverty and poverty won laughter today the federal government has 59 major welfare programs and spends more than 100 billion a year on them what has all this money done well too often it has only made poverty harder to escape federal welfare programs have created a massive social problem with the best of intentions government created a poverty trap that wreaks havoc on the very support system the poor need most to lift themselves out of poverty the family dependency has become the one enduring heirloom passed from one generation to the next of too many fragmented families it is may be the most radical thing i have said in 7 years in this is time for washington to show a little humility there are a thousand sparks of genius in 50 states and a thousand communities around the nation it is time to nurture them and see which ones can catch fire and become guiding lights states have begun to show us the way they have demonstrated that successful welfare programs can be built around more effective child support enforcement practices and innovative programs requiring welfare recipients to work or prepare for work let us give the states more flexibility and encourage more reforms let us start making our welfare system the first rung on america ladder of opportunity a boost up from dependency not a graveyard but a birthplace of hope and now let me turn to three other matters vital to family values and the quality of family life the first is an untold american success story recently we released our annual survey of what graduating high school seniors have to say about drugs cocaine use is declining and marijuana use was the lowest since surveying began we can be proud that our students are just saying no to drugs but let us remember what this menace requires commitment from every part of america and every single american a commitment to a drugfree america the war against drugs is a war of individual battles a crusade with many heroes including america young people and also someone very special to me she has helped so many of our young people to say no to drugs nancy much credit belongs to you and i want to express to you your husband pride and your country surprised you did not i laughter well now we come to a family issue that we must have the courage to confront tonight i call good nation a moral charitable but realistic consideration of the terrible cost of abortion on demand to those who say this violates a woman right to control of her own body can they deny that now medical evidence confirms the unborn child is a living human being entitled to life liberty and the pursuit of happiness let us unite as a nation and protect the unborn with legislation that would stop all federal funding for abortion and with a human life amendment making of course an exception where the unborn child threatens the life of the mother our tradition recognizes the right of taking a life in but with that one exception let us look to those others in our land who cry out for children to adopt i pledge to you tonight i will work to remove barriers to adoption and extend full sharing in family life to millions of americans so that children who need homes can be welcomed to families who want them and love them and let me add here so many of our greatest statesmen have reminded us that spiritual values alone are essential to our nation health and vigor the congress opens its proceedings each day as does the supreme court with an acknowledgment of the supreme being yet we are denied the right to set aside in our schools a moment each day for those who wish to pray i believe congress should pass our school prayer amendment now to make sure there is a full nine member supreme court to interpret the law to protect the rights of all americans i urge the senate to move quickly and decisively in confirming judge anthony kennedy to the highest court in the land and to also confirm 27 nominees now waiting to fill vacancies in the federal judiciary here then are our domestic priorities yet if the congress and the administration work together even greater opportunities lie ahead to expand a growing world economy to continue to reduce the threat of nuclear arms and to extend the frontiers of freedom and the growth of democratic institutions our policies consistently received the strongest support of the late congressman dan daniel of virginia i am sure all of you join me in expressing heartfelt condolences on his passing one of the greatest contributions the united states can make to the world is to promote freedom as the key to economic growth a creative competitive america is the answer to a changing world not trade wars that would close doors create greater barriers and destroy millions of jobs we should always remember protectionism is destructionism america jobs america growth america future depend on that is free open and fair this year we have it within our power to take a major step toward a growing global economy and an expanding cycle of prosperity that reaches to all the free nations of this earth i am speaking of the historic free trade agreement negotiated between our country and canada and i can also tell you that we are determined to expand this concept south as well as north next month i will be traveling to mexico where trade matters will be of foremost concern and over the next several months our congress and the canadian parliament can make the start of such a north american accord a reality our goal must be a day when the free flow of trade from the tip of tierra del fuego to the arctic circle unites the people of the western hemisphere in a bond of mutually beneficial exchange when all borders become what the border so long has been a meeting place rather than a dividing line this movement we see in so many places toward economic freedom is indivisible from the worldwide movement toward political freedom and against totalitarian rule this global democratic revolution has removed the specter so frightening a decade ago of democracy doomed to permanent minority status in the world in south and central america only a third of the people enjoyed democratic rule in 1976 today over 90 percent of latin americans live in nations committed to democratic principles and the resurgence of democracy is owed to these courageous people on almost every continent who have struggled to take control of their own destiny in nicaragua the struggle has extra meaning because that nation is so near our own borders the recent revelations of a former sandinista major roger miranda show us that even as they talk peace the communist sandinista government of nicaragua has established plans for a large army yet even as these plans are made the sandinista regime knows the tide is turning and the because of nicaraguan freedom is riding at its crest because of the freedom fighters who are resisting communist rule the sandinistas have been forced to extend some democratic rights negotiate with church authorities and release a few political prisoners the focus is on the sandinistas their promises and their actions there is a consensus among the four central american democratic presidents that the sandinistas have not complied with the plan to bring peace and democracy to all of central america the sandinistas again have promised reforms their challenge is to take irreversible steps toward democracy on wednesday my request to sustain the freedom fighters will be submitted which reflects our mutual desire for peace freedom and democracy in nicaragua i ask congress to pass this request let us be for the people of nicaragua what lafayette pulaski and von steuben were for our forefathers and the because of american independence so too in afghanistan the freedom fighters are the key to peace we support the mujahidin there can be no settlement unless all soviet troops are removed and the afghan people are allowed genuine i have made my views on this matter known to gorbachev but not just nicaragua or everywhere we see a swelling freedom tide across the world freedom fighters rising up in cambodia and angola fighting and dying for the same democratic liberties we hold sacred their because is our because freedom yet even as we work to expand world freedom we must build a safer peace and reduce the danger of nuclear war but let us have no illusions three years of steady decline in the value of our annual defense investment have increased the risk of our most basic security interests jeopardizing earlier goals we must face squarely the implications of this negative trend and make adequate stable defense spending a top goal both this year and in the future this same concern applies to economic and security assistance programs as well but the resolve of america and its nato allies has opened the way for unprecedented achievement in arms reduction our recently signed inf treaty is historic because it reduces nuclear arms and establishes the most stringent verification regime in arms control history including several forms of inspection i submitted the treaty today and i urge the senate to give its advice and consent to ratification of this landmark agreement applause thank you very much in addition to the inf treaty we are within reach of an even more significant start agreement that will reduce and soviet strategic arsenals by half but let me be clear our approach is not to seek agreement for agreement sake but to settle only for agreements that truly enhance our national security and that of our allies we will never put our security at that of our to reach an agreement with the soviets no agreement is better than a bad agreement as i mentioned earlier our efforts are to give future generations what we never future free of nuclear terror reduction of strategic offensive arms is one step sdi another our funding request for our strategic defense initiative is less than 2 percent of the total defense budget sdi funding is money wisely appropriated and money well spent sdi has the same purpose and supports the same goals of arms reduction it reduces the risk of war and the threat of nuclear weapons to all mankind strategic defenses that threaten no one could offer the world a safer more stable basis for deterrence we must also remember that sdi is our insurance policy against a nuclear accident a chernobyl of the sky or an accidental launch or some madman who might come along we have seen such changes in the world in 7 years as totalitarianism struggles to avoid being overwhelmed by the forces of economic advance and the aspiration for human freedom it is the free nations that are resilient and resurgent as the global democratic revolution has put totalitarianism on the defensive we have left behind the days of retreat america is again a vigorous leader of the free world a nation that acts decisively and firmly in the furtherance of her principles and vital interests no legacy would make me more proud than leaving in place a bipartisan consensus for the because of world freedom a consensus that prevents a paralysis of american power from ever occurring again but my thoughts tonight go beyond this and i hope you will let me end this evening with a personal reflection you know the world could never be quite the same again after jacob shallus a trustworthy and dependable clerk of the pennsylvania general assembly took his pen and engrossed those words about representative government in the preamble of our constitution and in a quiet but final way the course of human events was forever altered when on a ridge overlooking the emmitsburg pike in an obscure pennsylvania town called gettysburg lincoln spoke of our duty to government of and by the people and never letting it perish from the earth at the start of this decade i suggested that we live in equally momentous times that it is up to us now to decide whether our form of government would endure and whether history still had a place of greatness for a quiet pleasant greening land called america not everything has been made perfect in 7 years nor will it be made perfect in seven times 70 years but before us this year and beyond are great prospects for the because of peace and world freedom it means too that the young americans i spoke of 7 years ago as well as those who might be coming along the virginia or maryland shores this night and seeing for the first time the lights of this capital lights that cast their glow on our great halls of government and the monuments to the memory of our great means those young americans will find a city of hope in a land that is free we can be proud that for them and for us as those lights along the potomac are still seen this night signaling as they have for nearly two centuries and as we pray god they always will that another generation of americans has protected and passed on lovingly this place called america this shining city on a hill this government of by and for the people thank you and god bless you
speaker president distinguished members house senate first met 7 years us first hope beginning something new america meet tonight historic chamber continue work anyone expects proud recitation accomplishments administration say let us leave history finished yet message tonight put work shoes still job history records power ideas brought us 7 years like individual right reach far high talents permit free market engine economic progress ancient chinese philosopher said govern great nation would cook small fish overdo laughter well ideas part larger notion vision america america rich opportunity individual america strong families vibrant neighborhoods america whose divergent harmonizing communities reflection deeper community values value work family religion love freedom god places us whose defense entrusted special way nation made possible idea spoke gorbachev belief exciting revolution ever known humankind began three simple words people revolutionary notion people grant government rights way around one lesson come home powerfully would offer created republic pledged lives fortunes sacred honor america leaders today must pledge keep foremost hearts minds best party best america spirit jefferson let us affirm chamber tonight republicans americans yes differences let us always remember unites us far outweighs whatever divides us sent us serve millions americans watching listening us let us prove democracy works even election year done worked together bring spending tax rates inflation employment climbed record heights america created jobs better higher paying jobs family income risen 4 straight years america poor climbed poverty fastest rate 10 years record longest peacetime expansion history economic social revolution hope based work incentives growth opportunity revolution compassion led private sector initiatives increase charitable giving revolution critical moment world history reclaimed restored american dream international relations one description together achieved complete turnabout revolution seven years ago america weak freedom everywhere siege today america strong democracy everywhere move central america east asia ideas like free markets democratic reforms human rights taking hold replaced blame america look america rebuilt defenses accomplishments none give us satisfaction knowing young people proud wear country uniform moments going talk three reduction strategic defense initiative global democratic taken together offer chance none us would dared imagine 7 years ago chance rid world two great nightmares postwar era speak startling hope giving children future free totalitarianism nuclear terror tonight strong prosperous peace free state union work together year believe give future president future congress chance make prosperity peace freedom state union state world toward end four basic objectives tonight first steps take year keep economy strong growing give children future low inflation full employment second let us check progress attacking social problems important gains made still need critical attention mean schools work economic independence poor restoring respect family life family values third objective tonight global continuing exciting economic democratic revolutions seen around world fourth finally nation remained peace nearly decade half move toward goals world prosperity world freedom must protect peace deter war making sure next president inherits moral obligation give president national security unassailable national defense takes full advantage new technology fully funded full agenda meant see thinking next year quite simple let us make best 8 means finish line buy idea last year anything talking tonight registering temporary gains ways making permanent successes focus values principles ideas made america great let us clear point limited government understand founding fathers best way ensuring personal liberty empowering individual every american every race region shares fully flowering american prosperity freedom one thing americans sound idea hope others fear trade economic growth see opportunities creating new wealth opportunities millions land beyond others seek throw barriers seek bring others take counsel fears follow hopes yes americans like future like making let us let us begin discussing maintain economic growth controlling eventually eliminating problem federal deficits balanced budget eight times last 57 years first time 14 years federal government spent less real terms last year year took 73 billion last year deficit compared year deficit moved percent gross national product percent perhaps important sign progress change view deficits know us remember many years ago created deficits said would make us prosperous worry debt owe well last agreement spend rich recent budget agreement designed reduce federal deficits 76 billion next 2 years builds consensus agreement must adhered without slipping errors past broken promises unchecked spending indicated first state union ails us simply put federal government big spends much money assure bipartisan leadership congress help fighting attempt bust budget agreement includes swift certain use veto power also time plain talk immediate obstacle controlling federal deficits simple frustrating problem making expenses match american families federal government caused crisis crisis city speaker president say tonight said continue say budget process broken needs drastic overhaul ensuing year spectacle american people christmas budget deadlines delayed missed completely monstrous continuing resolutions pack hundreds billions dollars worth spending one bill federal government brink default know echoing congress said suffered directly let us recall 7 years 91 appropriations bills scheduled arrive desk certain date 10 made time last year 13 appropriations bills due october 1st none made instead four continuing resolutions lasting 41 days 36 days 2 days 3 days respectively along came behemoths conference pages report weighing 14 pounds reconciliation bill 6 months late pages long weighing 15 pounds continuing one 2 months late pages long weighing 14 pounds total 43 pounds paper ink 3 3 consider took 300 people office management budget read bill government would shut congress send another one sign let us change instead presidential budget gets discarded congressional budget resolution enforced simple partnership joint agreement sets spending priorities within available revenues let us remember deadline october 1st christmas let us get people work done time avoid footrace santa claus laughter yes coin new beginning 13 individual bills time fully reviewed congress also certain join saying let us help ensure future prosperity giving president tool though get use one know future presidents either party must give president authority 43 governors use states right reach massive appropriation bills pare away waste enforce budget discipline let us approve veto let us take partial step direction chamber know catchall bill report past weeks learned tucked away behind little comma example millions items cranberry research blueberry research study crawfish commercialization wildflowers mention five million million people developing nations could come watch congress work laughter even touch laughter tonight offer challenge 30 days send back items rescissions authority line would review package undercut bipartisan budget agreement matter fact adopted improve deficit reduction goals example set serious getting financial accounts order acting approving plan opportunity override congressional process control another vital reform yes profoundly helpful let us take goal balanced budget make permanent let us many states hold spending 32 state legislatures asked us let us heed wishes overwhelming plurality americans pass constitutional amendment mandates balanced budget forces federal government live within means reform budget veto balanced budget together real restraint government spending prevent federal budget ever ravaging family budget let us ensure federal government never legislates family home last september signed executive order family requiring every department agency review activities light seven standards designed promote harm family let us make certain family always center public policy process administration future administrations time congress consider beginning statement impact legislation basic unit american society family speaking family let us turn matter mind every american parent tonight education know sorry story sixties spending plummeting test hopeful trend eighties replaced obsession dollars commitment quality test scores started back lesson write blackboard hundred times child education money never take place basics like discipline hard work yes homework nation course spend heavily spend defense yet across country governors like new jersey tom kean giving classroom demonstrations spend important much spend opening teaching profession qualified candidates merit good teachers get well stronger curriculum secretary bennett proposed high imaginative reforms making common sense popular new kid america schools help well talk push reforms important thing reaffirm control schools belongs states local communities parents teachers friends years ago federal government declared war poverty poverty laughter today federal government 59 major welfare programs spends 100 billion year money done well often made poverty harder escape federal welfare programs created massive social problem best intentions government created poverty trap wreaks havoc support system poor need lift poverty family dependency become one enduring heirloom passed one generation next many fragmented families may radical thing said 7 years time washington show little humility thousand sparks genius 50 states thousand communities around nation time nurture see ones catch fire become guiding lights states begun show us way demonstrated successful welfare programs built around effective child support enforcement practices innovative programs requiring welfare recipients work prepare work let us give states flexibility encourage reforms let us start making welfare system first rung america ladder opportunity boost dependency graveyard birthplace hope let turn three matters vital family values quality family life first untold american success story recently released annual survey graduating high school seniors say drugs cocaine use declining marijuana use lowest since surveying began proud students saying drugs let us remember menace requires commitment every part america every single american commitment drugfree america war drugs war individual battles crusade many heroes including america young people also someone special helped many young people say drugs nancy much credit belongs want express husband pride country surprised laughter well come family issue must courage confront tonight call good nation moral charitable realistic consideration terrible cost abortion demand say violates woman right control body deny medical evidence confirms unborn child living human entitled life liberty pursuit happiness let us unite nation protect unborn legislation would stop federal funding abortion human life amendment making course exception unborn child threatens life mother tradition recognizes right taking life one exception let us look others land cry children adopt pledge tonight work remove barriers adoption extend full sharing family life millions americans children need homes welcomed families want love let add many greatest statesmen reminded us spiritual values alone essential nation health vigor congress opens proceedings day supreme court acknowledgment supreme yet denied right set aside schools moment day wish pray believe congress pass school prayer amendment make sure full nine member supreme court interpret law protect rights americans urge senate move quickly decisively confirming judge anthony kennedy highest court land also confirm 27 nominees waiting fill vacancies federal judiciary domestic priorities yet congress administration work together even greater opportunities lie ahead expand growing world economy continue reduce threat nuclear arms extend frontiers freedom growth democratic institutions policies consistently received strongest support late congressman dan daniel virginia sure join expressing heartfelt condolences passing one greatest contributions united states make world promote freedom key economic growth creative competitive america answer changing world trade wars would close doors create greater barriers destroy millions jobs always remember protectionism destructionism america jobs america growth america future depend free open fair year within power take major step toward growing global economy expanding cycle prosperity reaches free nations earth speaking historic free trade agreement negotiated country canada also tell determined expand concept south well north next month traveling mexico trade matters foremost concern next several months congress canadian parliament make start north american accord reality goal must day free flow trade tip tierra del fuego arctic circle unites people western hemisphere bond mutually beneficial exchange borders become border long meeting place rather dividing line movement see many places toward economic freedom indivisible worldwide movement toward political freedom totalitarian rule global democratic revolution removed specter frightening decade ago democracy doomed permanent minority status world south central america third people enjoyed democratic rule 1976 today 90 percent latin americans live nations committed democratic principles resurgence democracy owed courageous people almost every continent struggled take control destiny nicaragua struggle extra meaning nation near borders recent revelations former sandinista major roger miranda show us even talk peace communist sandinista government nicaragua established plans large army yet even plans made sandinista regime knows tide turning nicaraguan freedom riding crest freedom fighters resisting communist rule sandinistas forced extend democratic rights negotiate church authorities release political prisoners focus sandinistas promises actions consensus among four central american democratic presidents sandinistas complied plan bring peace democracy central america sandinistas promised reforms challenge take irreversible steps toward democracy wednesday request sustain freedom fighters submitted reflects mutual desire peace freedom democracy nicaragua ask congress pass request let us people nicaragua lafayette pulaski von steuben forefathers american independence afghanistan freedom fighters key peace support mujahidin settlement unless soviet troops removed afghan people allowed genuine made views matter known gorbachev nicaragua everywhere see swelling freedom tide across world freedom fighters rising cambodia angola fighting dying democratic liberties hold sacred freedom yet even work expand world freedom must build safer peace reduce danger nuclear war let us illusions three years steady decline value annual defense investment increased risk basic security interests jeopardizing earlier goals must face squarely implications negative trend make adequate stable defense spending top goal year future concern applies economic security assistance programs well resolve america nato allies opened way unprecedented achievement arms reduction recently signed inf treaty historic reduces nuclear arms establishes stringent verification regime arms control history including several forms inspection submitted treaty today urge senate give advice consent ratification landmark agreement applause thank much addition inf treaty within reach even significant start agreement reduce soviet strategic arsenals half let clear approach seek agreement agreement sake settle agreements truly enhance national security allies never put security reach agreement soviets agreement better bad agreement mentioned earlier efforts give future generations never future free nuclear terror reduction strategic offensive arms one step sdi another funding request strategic defense initiative less 2 percent total defense budget sdi funding money wisely appropriated money well spent sdi purpose supports goals arms reduction reduces risk war threat nuclear weapons mankind strategic defenses threaten one could offer world safer stable basis deterrence must also remember sdi insurance policy nuclear accident chernobyl sky accidental launch madman might come along seen changes world 7 years totalitarianism struggles avoid overwhelmed forces economic advance aspiration human freedom free nations resilient resurgent global democratic revolution put totalitarianism defensive left behind days retreat america vigorous leader free world nation acts decisively firmly furtherance principles vital interests legacy would make proud leaving place bipartisan consensus world freedom consensus prevents paralysis american power ever occurring thoughts tonight go beyond hope let end evening personal reflection know world could never quite jacob shallus trustworthy dependable clerk pennsylvania general assembly took pen engrossed words representative government preamble constitution quiet final way course human events forever altered ridge overlooking emmitsburg pike obscure pennsylvania town called gettysburg lincoln spoke duty government people never letting perish earth start decade suggested live equally momentous times us decide whether form government would endure whether history still place greatness quiet pleasant greening land called america everything made perfect 7 years made perfect seven times 70 years us year beyond great prospects peace world freedom means young americans spoke 7 years ago well might coming along virginia maryland shores night seeing first time lights capital lights cast glow great halls government monuments memory great means young americans find city hope land free proud us lights along potomac still seen night signaling nearly two centuries pray god always another generation americans protected passed lovingly place called america shining city hill government people thank god bless
speaker president distinguish member house senate first meet 7 year u first hope begin something new america meet tonight historic chamber continue work anyone expect proud recitation accomplishment administration say let u leave history finish yet message tonight put work shoe still job history record power idea bring u 7 year like individual right reach far high talent permit free market engine economic progress ancient chinese philosopher say govern great nation would cook small fish overdo laughter well idea part large notion vision america america rich opportunity individual america strong family vibrant neighborhood america whose divergent harmonize community reflection deeper community value value work family religion love freedom god place u whose defense entrust special way nation make possible idea speak gorbachev belief excite revolution ever know humankind begin three simple word people revolutionary notion people grant government right way around one lesson come home powerfully would offer create republic pledge life fortune sacred honor america leader today must pledge keep foremost heart mind best party best america spirit jefferson let u affirm chamber tonight republican americans yes difference let u always remember unites u far outweigh whatever divide u send u serve million americans watch listen u let u prove democracy work even election year do work together bring spending tax rate inflation employment climb record height america create job well high pay job family income rise 4 straight year america poor climb poverty fast rate 10 year record long peacetime expansion history economic social revolution hope base work incentive growth opportunity revolution compassion lead private sector initiative increase charitable give revolution critical moment world history reclaim restored american dream international relation one description together achieve complete turnabout revolution seven year ago america weak freedom everywhere siege today america strong democracy everywhere move central america east asia idea like free market democratic reform human right take hold replace blame america look america rebuilt defenses accomplishment none give u satisfaction know young people proud wear country uniform moment go talk three reduction strategic defense initiative global democratic take together offer chance none u would dare imagine 7 year ago chance rid world two great nightmare postwar era speak startle hope give child future free totalitarianism nuclear terror tonight strong prosperous peace free state union work together year believe give future president future congress chance make prosperity peace freedom state union state world toward end four basic objective tonight first step take year keep economy strong grow give child future low inflation full employment second let u check progress attack social problem important gain make still need critical attention mean school work economic independence poor restore respect family life family value third objective tonight global continue exciting economic democratic revolution see around world fourth finally nation remain peace nearly decade half move toward goal world prosperity world freedom must protect peace deter war make sure next president inherit moral obligation give president national security unassailable national defense take full advantage new technology fully fund full agenda mean see think next year quite simple let u make best 8 mean finish line buy idea last year anything talk tonight register temporary gain way make permanent success focus value principle idea make america great let u clear point limited government understand found father best way ensure personal liberty empower individual every american every race region share fully flower american prosperity freedom one thing americans sound idea hope others fear trade economic growth see opportunity create new wealth opportunity million land beyond others seek throw barrier seek bring others take counsel fear follow hope yes american like future like make let u let u begin discuss maintain economic growth control eventually eliminate problem federal deficit balance budget eight time last 57 year first time 14 year federal government spend less real term last year year take 73 billion last year deficit compare year deficit move percent gross national product percent perhaps important sign progress change view deficit know u remember many year ago create deficit say would make u prosperous worry debt owe well last agreement spend rich recent budget agreement design reduce federal deficit 76 billion next 2 year build consensus agreement must adhere without slip error past broken promise unchecked spending indicate first state union ail u simply put federal government big spends much money assure bipartisan leadership congress help fight attempt bust budget agreement include swift certain use veto power also time plain talk immediate obstacle control federal deficit simple frustrating problem making expense match american family federal government cause crisis crisis city speaker president say tonight say continue say budget process broken need drastic overhaul ensue year spectacle american people christmas budget deadline delay miss completely monstrous continue resolution pack hundred billion dollar worth spend one bill federal government brink default know echo congress say suffer directly let u recall 7 year 91 appropriation bill schedule arrive desk certain date 10 make time last year 13 appropriation bill due october 1st none make instead four continue resolution last 41 day 36 day 2 day 3 day respectively along come behemoths conference page report weigh 14 pound reconciliation bill 6 month late page long weigh 15 pound continue one 2 month late page long weigh 14 pound total 43 pound paper ink 3 3 consider take 300 people office management budget read bill government would shut congress send another one sign let u change instead presidential budget get discarded congressional budget resolution enforce simple partnership joint agreement set spend priority within available revenue let u remember deadline october 1st christmas let u get people work do time avoid footrace santa claus laughter yes coin new begin 13 individual bill time fully review congress also certain join say let u help ensure future prosperity give president tool though get use one know future president either party must give president authority 43 governor use state right reach massive appropriation bill pare away waste enforce budget discipline let u approve veto let u take partial step direction chamber know catchall bill report past week learn tuck away behind little comma example million item cranberry research blueberry research study crawfish commercialization wildflower mention five million million people develop nation could come watch congress work laughter even touch laughter tonight offer challenge 30 day send back item rescission authority line would review package undercut bipartisan budget agreement matter fact adopt improve deficit reduction goal example set serious get financial account order act approve plan opportunity override congressional process control another vital reform yes profoundly helpful let u take goal balanced budget make permanent let u many state hold spend 32 state legislature ask u let u heed wish overwhelm plurality american pass constitutional amendment mandate balance budget force federal government live within mean reform budget veto balance budget together real restraint government spending prevent federal budget ever ravage family budget let u ensure federal government never legislate family home last september sign executive order family require every department agency review activity light seven standard design promote harm family let u make certain family always center public policy process administration future administration time congress consider begin statement impact legislation basic unit american society family speak family let u turn matter mind every american parent tonight education know sorry story sixty spend plummet test hopeful trend eighty replace obsession dollar commitment quality test score start back lesson write blackboard hundred time child education money never take place basic like discipline hard work yes homework nation course spend heavily spend defense yet across country governor like new jersey tom kean give classroom demonstration spend important much spend open teach profession qualify candidate merit good teacher get well strong curriculum secretary bennett propose high imaginative reform make common sense popular new kid america school help well talk push reform important thing reaffirm control school belong state local community parent teacher friends year ago federal government declare war poverty poverty laughter today federal government 59 major welfare program spend 100 billion year money do well often make poverty harder escape federal welfare program create massive social problem best intention government create poverty trap wreak havoc support system poor need lift poverty family dependency become one endure heirloom pass one generation next many fragmented family may radical thing say 7 year time washington show little humility thousand spark genius 50 state thousand community around nation time nurture see one catch fire become guide light state begin show u way demonstrate successful welfare program build around effective child support enforcement practice innovative program require welfare recipient work prepare work let u give state flexibility encourage reform let u start make welfare system first ring america ladder opportunity boost dependency graveyard birthplace hope let turn three matter vital family value quality family life first untold american success story recently release annual survey graduate high school senior say drug cocaine use decline marijuana use low since survey begin proud student say drug let u remember menace require commitment every part america every single american commitment drugfree america war drug war individual battle crusade many hero include america young people also someone special help many young people say drug nancy much credit belongs want express husband pride country surprise laughter well come family issue must courage confront tonight call good nation moral charitable realistic consideration terrible cost abortion demand say violates woman right control body deny medical evidence confirms unborn child live human entitled life liberty pursuit happiness let u unite nation protect unborn legislation would stop federal funding abortion human life amendment make course exception unborn child threaten life mother tradition recognize right take life one exception let u look others land cry child adopt pledge tonight work remove barrier adoption extend full share family life million americans child need home welcome family want love let add many great statesman remind u spiritual value alone essential nation health vigor congress open proceeding day supreme court acknowledgment supreme yet deny right set aside school moment day wish pray believe congress pas school prayer amendment make sure full nine member supreme court interpret law protect right americans urge senate move quickly decisively confirm judge anthony kennedy high court land also confirm 27 nominee wait fill vacancy federal judiciary domestic priority yet congress administration work together even great opportunity lie ahead expand grow world economy continue reduce threat nuclear arm extend frontier freedom growth democratic institution policy consistently receive strong support late congressman dan daniel virginia sure join express heartfelt condolence pass one great contribution united state make world promote freedom key economic growth creative competitive america answer change world trade war would close door create great barrier destroy million job always remember protectionism destructionism america job america growth america future depend free open fair year within power take major step toward grow global economy expand cycle prosperity reach free nation earth speak historic free trade agreement negotiate country canada also tell determine expand concept south well north next month travel mexico trade matter foremost concern next several month congress canadian parliament make start north american accord reality goal must day free flow trade tip tierra del fuego arctic circle unite people western hemisphere bond mutually beneficial exchange border become border long meeting place rather divide line movement see many place toward economic freedom indivisible worldwide movement toward political freedom totalitarian rule global democratic revolution remove specter frighten decade ago democracy doom permanent minority status world south central america third people enjoy democratic rule 1976 today 90 percent latin american live nation commit democratic principle resurgence democracy owe courageous people almost every continent struggle take control destiny nicaragua struggle extra meaning nation near border recent revelation former sandinista major roger miranda show u even talk peace communist sandinista government nicaragua establish plan large army yet even plan make sandinista regime know tide turn nicaraguan freedom rid crest freedom fighter resist communist rule sandinistas force extend democratic right negotiate church authority release political prisoner focus sandinistas promise action consensus among four central american democratic president sandinistas comply plan bring peace democracy central america sandinistas promise reform challenge take irreversible step toward democracy wednesday request sustain freedom fighter submit reflect mutual desire peace freedom democracy nicaragua ask congress pas request let u people nicaragua lafayette pulaski von steuben forefather american independence afghanistan freedom fighter key peace support mujahidin settlement unless soviet troop remove afghan people allow genuine make view matter know gorbachev nicaragua everywhere see swell freedom tide across world freedom fighter rise cambodia angola fight die democratic liberty hold sacred freedom yet even work expand world freedom must build safer peace reduce danger nuclear war let u illusions three year steady decline value annual defense investment increase risk basic security interest jeopardize earlier goal must face squarely implication negative trend make adequate stable defense spending top goal year future concern applies economic security assistance program well resolve america nato ally open way unprecedented achievement arm reduction recently sign inf treaty historic reduces nuclear arm establishes stringent verification regime arm control history include several form inspection submit treaty today urge senate give advice consent ratification landmark agreement applause thank much addition inf treaty within reach even significant start agreement reduce soviet strategic arsenal half let clear approach seek agreement agreement sake settle agreement truly enhance national security ally never put security reach agreement soviets agreement well bad agreement mention early effort give future generation never future free nuclear terror reduction strategic offensive arm one step sdi another funding request strategic defense initiative less 2 percent total defense budget sdi fund money wisely appropriate money well spent sdi purpose support goal arm reduction reduces risk war threat nuclear weapon mankind strategic defense threaten one could offer world safer stable basis deterrence must also remember sdi insurance policy nuclear accident chernobyl sky accidental launch madman might come along see change world 7 year totalitarianism struggle avoid overwhelmed force economic advance aspiration human freedom free nation resilient resurgent global democratic revolution put totalitarianism defensive leave behind day retreat america vigorous leader free world nation act decisively firmly furtherance principle vital interest legacy would make proud leave place bipartisan consensus world freedom consensus prevent paralysis american power ever occur thought tonight go beyond hope let end even personal reflection know world could never quite jacob shallu trustworthy dependable clerk pennsylvania general assembly take pen engross word representative government preamble constitution quiet final way course human event forever alter ridge overlook emmitsburg pike obscure pennsylvania town call gettysburg lincoln speak duty government people never let perish earth start decade suggest live equally momentous time u decide whether form government would endure whether history still place greatness quiet pleasant green land call america everything make perfect 7 year make perfect seven time 70 year u year beyond great prospect peace world freedom mean young american speak 7 year ago well might come along virginia maryland shore night see first time light capital light cast glow great hall government monument memory great mean young american find city hope land free proud u light along potomac still see night signal nearly two century pray god always another generation americans protect pass lovingly place call america shin city hill government people thank god bless