克林顿总统1997年联邦国情咨文演说
THEPRESIDENT:Mr.Speaker,Mr.VicePresident,membersofthe105thCongress,distinguishedguests,andmyfellowAmericans:
IthinkIshouldstartbysaying,thanksforinvitingmeback.(Applause.)Icomebeforeyoutonightwithachallengeasgreatasanyinourpeacetimehistory,andaplanofactiontomeetthatchallenge,toprepareourpeoplefortheboldnewworldofthe21stcentury.
Wehavemuchtobethankfulfor.Withfouryearsofgrowth,wehavewonbackthebasicstrengthofoureconomy.Withcrimeandwelfarerollsdeclining,wearewinningbackouroptimism,theenduringfaiththatwecanmasteranydifficulty.WiththeColdWarrecedingandglobalcommerceatrecordlevels,wearehelpingtowinunrivaledpeaceandprosperityallacrosstheworld.
MyfellowAmericans,thestateofourunionisstrong.(Applause.)Butnowwemustrisetothedecisivemoment,tomakeanationandaworldbetterthananywehaveeverknown.Thenewpromiseoftheglobaleconomy,theInformationAge,unimaginednewwork,life-enhancingtechnology--alltheseareourstoseize.Thatisourhonorandourchallenge.Wemustbeshapersofevents,notobservers.Forifwedonotact,themomentwillpass--andwewilllosethebestpossibilitiesofourfuture.
Wefacenoimminentthreat,butwedohaveanenemy--theenemyofourtimeisinaction.So,tonight,Iissueacalltoaction--actionbythisCongress,actionbyourstates,byourpeople,toprepareAmericaforthe21stcentury.Actiontokeepoureconomyandourdemocracystrongandworkingforallourpeople;actiontostrengtheneducationandharnesstheforcesoftechnologyandscience;actiontobuildstrongerfamiliesandstrongercommunitiesandasaferenvironment;actiontokeepAmericatheworld''''sstrongestforceforpeace,freedomandprosperity.Andaboveall,actiontobuildamoreperfectunionhereathome.
Thespiritwebringtoourworkwillmakeallthedifference.WemustbecommittedtothepursuitofopportunityforallAmericans,responsibilityfromallAmericans,inacommunityofallAmericans.Andwemustbecommittedtoanewkindofgovernment--nottosolveallourproblemsforus,buttogiveourpeople--allourpeople--thetoolstheyneedtomakethemostoftheirownlives.
Andwemustworktogether.Thepeopleofthisnationelectedusall.Theywantustobepartners,notpartisans.Theyputusallrighthereinthesameboat,theygaveusalloars,andtheytoldustorow.Now,hereisthedirectionIbelieveweshouldtake.
First,wemustmovequicklytocompletetheunfinishedbusinessofourcountry--tobalanceourbudget,renewourdemocracy,andfinishthejobofwelfarereform.
Overthelastfouryears,wehavebroughtneweconomicgrowthbyinvestinginourpeople,expandingourexports,cuttingourdeficits,creatingover11millionnewjobs,afour-yearrecord.(Applause.)Nowwemustkeepoureconomythestrongestintheworld.Weheretonighthaveanhistoricopportunity.LetthisCongressbetheCongressthatfinallybalancesthebudget.(Applause.)
Intwodays,Iwillproposeadetailedplantobalancethebudgetby2002.ThisplanwillbalancethebudgetandinvestinourpeoplewhileprotectingMedicare,Medicaid,education,andtheenvironment.ItwillbalancethebudgetandbuildontheVicePresident''''seffortstomakeourgovernmentworkbetter,evenasitcostsless.Itwillbalancethebudgetandprovidemiddleclasstaxrelieftopayforeducationandhealthcare,tohelptoraiseachild,tobuyandsellahome.
Balancingthebudgetrequiresonlyyourvoteandmysignature.ItdoesnotrequireustorewriteourConstitution.(Applause.)Ibelieveitisbothunnecessaryandunwisetoadoptabalancedbudgetamendmentthatcouldcrippleourcountryintimeofcrisis,andforceunwantedresults,suchasjudgeshaltingSocialSecuritychecksorincreasingtaxes.Letusatleastagree,weshouldnotpassanymeasure--nomeasureshouldbepassedthatthreatensSocialSecurity.(Applause.)Whateveryourviewonthat,weallmustconcedewedon''''tneedaconstitutionalamendment,weneedaction.(Applause.)
Whateverourdifferences,weshouldbalancethebudgetnow.Andthen,forthelong-termhealthofoursociety,wemustagreetoabipartisanprocesstopreserveSocialSecurityandreformMedicareforthelongrun,sothatthesefundamentalprogramswillbeasstrongforourchildrenastheyareforourparents.
Andletmesaysomethingthat''''snotinmyscripttonight.Iknowthisisnotgoingtobeeasy.ButIreallybelieveoneofthereasonstheAmericanpeoplegavemeasecondtermwastotakethetoughdecisionsinthenextfouryearsthatwillcarryourcountrythroughthenext50years.Iknowitiseasierformethanforyoutosayordo.ButanotherreasonIwaselectedistosupportallofyou,withoutregardtoparty,togiveyouwhatisnecessarytojoininthesedecisions.Weoweittoourcountryandtoourfuture.(Applause.)
Oursecondpieceofunfinishedbusinessrequiresustocommitourselvestonight,beforetheeyesofAmerica,tofinallyenactingbipartisancampaignfinancereform.(Applause.)
Now,SenatorsMcCainandFeingold,RepresentativesShaysandMeehan,havereachedacrosspartylinesheretocrafttoughandfairreform.Theirproposalwouldcurbspending,reducetheroleofspecialinterests,createalevelplayingfieldbetweenchallengersandincumbents,andbancontributionsfromnoncitizens,allcorporatesources,andtheotherlargesoftmoneycontributionsthatbothpartiesreceive.
YouknowandIknowthatthiscanbedelayed.AndyouknowandIknowthedelaywillmeanthedeathofreform.Solet''''ssetourowndeadline.Let''''sworktogethertowritebipartisancampaignfinancereformintolawandpassMcCain-Feingoldbythedaywecelebratethebirthofourdemocracy--Julythe4th.(Applause.)
Thereisathirdpieceofunfinishedbusiness.Overthelastfouryears,wemovedarecord2.25millionpeopleoffthewelfarerolls.Thenlastyear,Congressenactedlandmarkwelfarereformlegislation,demandingthatallable-bodiedrecipientsassumetheresponsibilityofmovingfromwelfaretowork.
Noweachandeveryoneofushastofulfillourresponsibility--indeed,ourmoralobligation--tomakesurethatpeoplewhonowmustwork,canwork.(Applause.)Nowwemustacttomeetanewgoal:2millionmorepeopleoffthewelfarerollsbytheyear2000.
Hereismyplan:Taxcreditsandotherincentivesforbusinessesthathirepeopleoffwelfare;incentivesforjobplacementfirmsandstatestocreatemorejobsforwelfarerecipients;training,transportation,andchildcaretohelppeoplegotowork.
NowIchallengeeverystate:Turnthosewelfarechecksintoprivatesectorpaychecks.Ichallengeeveryreligiouscongregation,everycommunitynonprofit,everybusinesstohiresomeoneoffwelfare.AndI''''dliketosayespeciallytoeveryemployerinourcountrywhoevercriticizedtheoldwelfaresystem,youcan''''tblamethatoldsystemanymore,wehavetornitdown.Nowdoyourpart.Givesomeoneonwelfarethechancetogotowork.(Applause.)
Tonight,Iampleasedtoannouncethatfivemajorcorporations--Sprint,Monsanto,UPS,BurgerKingandUnitedAirlines--willbethefirsttojoininanewnationalefforttomarshalAmerica''''sbusinesses,largeandsmall,tocreatejobssothatpeoplecanmovefromwelfaretowork.(Applause.)
Wepassedwelfarereform.AllofyouknowIbelievewewererighttodoit.Butnoonecanwalkoutofthischamberwithaclearconscienceunlessyouarepreparedtofinishthejob.(Applause.)
Andwemustjointogethertodosomethingelse,too--somethingbothRepublicanandDemocraticgovernorshaveaskedustodo--torestorebasichealthanddisabilitybenefitswhenmisfortunestrikesimmigrantswhocametothiscountrylegally,whoworkhard,paytaxesandobeythelaw.Todootherwiseissimplyunworthyofagreatnationofimmigrants.(Applause.)
Now,lookingahead,thegreateststepofall--thehighthresholdofthefuturewenowmustcross--andmynumberonepriorityforthenextfouryearsistoensurethatallAmericanshavethebesteducationintheworld.(Applause.)
Let''''sworktogethertomeetthesethreegoals:Every8-year-oldmustbeabletoread;every12-year-oldmustbeabletologontotheInternet;every18-year-oldmustbeabletogotocollege;andeveryadultAmericanmustbeabletokeeponlearningforalifetime.(Applause.)
Mybalancedbudgetmakesanunprecedentedcommitmenttothesegoals--$51billionnextyear.Butfarmorethanmoneyisrequired.Ihaveaplan,aCalltoActionforAmericanEducation,basedonthese10principles.
First,anationalcrusadeforeducationstandards--notfederalgovernmentstandards,butnationalstandards,representingwhatallourstudentsmustknowtosucceedintheknowledgeeconomyofthe21stcentury.Everystateandschoolmustshapethecurriculumtoreflectthesestandards,andtrainteacherstoliftstudentsuptothem.Tohelpschoolsmeetthestandardsandmeasuretheirprogress,wewillleadaneffortoverthenexttwoyearstodevelopnationaltestsofstudentachievementinreadingandmath.
Tonight,Iissueachallengetothenation:Everystateshouldadopthighnationalstandards,andby1999,everystateshouldtestevery4thgraderinreadingandevery8thgraderinmathtomakesurethesestandardsaremet.(Applause.)
Raisingstandardswillnotbeeasy,andsomeofourchildrenwillnotbeabletomeetthematfirst.Thepointisnottoputourchildrendown,buttoliftthemup.Goodtestswillshowuswhoneedshelp,whatchangesinteachingtomake,andwhichschoolsneedtoimprove.Theycanhelpustoendsocialpromotion.Fornochildshouldmovefromgradeschooltojuniorhigh,orjuniorhightohighschooluntilheorsheisready.
Lastmonth,ourSecretaryofEducationDickRileyandIvisitedNorthernIllinois,where8thgradestudentsfrom20schooldistricts,inaprojectaptlycalled"FirstintheWorld,"tooktheThirdInternationalMathandScienceStudy.That''''satestthatreflectstheworld-classstandardsourchildrenmustmeetforthenewera.AndthosestudentsinIllinoistiedforfirstintheworldinscienceandcameinsecondinmath.Twoofthem,KristinTannerandChrisGetsla,areheretonight,alongwiththeirteacher,SueWinski;they''''reuptherewiththeFirstLady.Andtheyprovethatwhenweaimhighandchallengeourstudents,theywillbethebestintheworld.Let''''sgivethemahand.Standup,please.(Applause.)
Second,tohavethebestschools,wemusthavethebestteachers.Mostofusinthischamberwouldnotbeheretonightwithoutthehelpofthoseteachers.IknowthatIwouldn''''tbehere.Foryears,manyofoureducators,ledbyNorthCarolina''''sGovernorJimHuntandtheNationalBoardforProfessionalTeachingStandards,haveworkedveryhardtoestablishnationallyacceptedcredentialsforexcellenceinteaching.Just500oftheseteachershavebeencertifiedsince1995.Mybudgetwillenable100,000moretoseeknationalcertificationasmasterteachers.Weshouldrewardandrecognizeourbestteachers.(Applause.)Andaswerewardthem,weshouldquicklyandfairlyremovethosefewwhodon''''tmeasureup,andweshouldchallengemoreofourfinestyoungpeopletoconsiderteachingasacareer.
Third,wemustdomoretohelpallourchildrenread.Fortypercent--fortypercent--ofour8-year-oldscannotreadontheirown.That''''swhywehavejustlaunchedtheAmericaReadsinitiative--tobuildacitizenarmyofonemillionvolunteertutorstomakesureeverychildcanreadindependentlybytheendofthe3rdgrade.WewillusethousandsofAmeriCorpsvolunteerstomobilizethiscitizenarmy.Wewantatleast100,000collegestudentstohelp.AndtonightIampleasedthat60collegepresidentshaveansweredmycall,pledgingthatthousandsoftheirwork-studystudentswillserveforoneyearasreadingtutors.(Applause.)
Thisisalsoachallengetoeveryteacherandeveryprincipal.Youmustusethesetutorstohelpstudentsread.Anditisespeciallyachallengetoourparents.Youmustreadwithyourchildreneverynight.
Thisleadstothefourthprinciple:Learningbeginsinthefirstdaysoflife.Scientistsarenowdiscoveringhowyoungchildrendevelopemotionallyandintellectuallyfromtheirveryfirstdays,andhowimportantitisforparentstobeginimmediatelytalking,singing,evenreadingtotheirinfants.TheFirstLadyhasspentyearswritingaboutthisissue,studyingit.AndsheandIaregoingtoconveneaWhiteHouseConferenceonEarlyLearningandtheBrainthisspring,toexplorehowparentsandeducatorscanbestusethesestartlingnewfindings.
Wealreadyknowweshouldstartteachingchildrenbeforetheystartschool.That''''swhythisbalancedbudgetexpandsHeadStarttoonemillionchildrenby2002.(Applause.)AndthatiswhytheVicePresidentandMrs.GorewillhosttheirannualfamilyconferencethisJuneonwhatwecandotomakesurethatparentsareanactivepartoftheirchildren''''slearningallthewaythroughschool.
They''''vedoneagreatdealtohighlighttheimportanceoffamilyinourlife,andnowthey''''returningtheirattentiontogettingmoreparentsinvolvedintheirchildren''''slearningallthewaythroughschool.AndIthankyou,Mr.VicePresident,andIthankyouespecially,Tipper,forwhatyoudo.(Applause.)
Fifth,everystateshouldgiveparentsthepowertochoosetherightpublicschoolfortheirchildren.Theirrighttochoosewillfostercompetitionandinnovationthatcanmakepublicschoolsbetter.Weshouldalsomakeitpossibleformoreparentsandteacherstostartcharterschools,schoolsthatsetandmeetthehigheststandards,andexistonlyaslongastheydo.OurplanwillhelpAmericatocreate3,000ofthesecharterschoolsbythenextcentury--nearlyseventimesasthereareinthecountrytoday--sothatparentswillhaveevenmorechoicesinsendingtheirchildrentothebestschools.
Sixth:Charactereducationmustbetaughtinourschools.Wemustteachourchildrentobegoodcitizens.(Applause.)Andwemustcontinuetopromoteorderanddiscipline,supportingcommunitiesthatintroduceschooluniforms,imposecurfewsenforcetruancylaws,removedisruptivestudentsfromtheclassroom,andhavezerotoleranceforgunsanddrugsinschool.(Applause.)
Seventh:Wecannotexpectourchildrentoraisethemselvesupinschoolsthatareliterallyfallingdown.Withthestudentpopulationatanall-timehigh,andrecordnumbersofschoolbuildingsfallingintodisrepair,thishasnowbecomeaseriousnationalconcern.Therefore,mybudgetincludesanewinitiative--$5billiontohelpcommunitiesfinance$20billioninschoolconstructionoverthenextfouryears.(Applause.)
Eighth:Wemustmakethe13thand14thyearsofeducation--atleasttwoyearsofcollege--justasuniversalinAmericabythe21stcenturyasahighschooleducationistoday,andwemustopenthedoorsofcollegetoAmericans.(Applause.)
Todothat,IproposeAmerica''''sHOPEScholarship,basedonGeorgia''''spioneeringprogram:twoyearsofa$1,500taxcreditforcollegetuition,enoughtopayforthetypicalcommunitycollege.Ialsoproposeataxdeductionofupto$10,000ayearforalltuitionafterhighschool;anexpandedIRAyoucanwithdrawfromtaxfreeforeducation;andthelargestincreaseinPellGrantscholarshipsin20years.(Applause.)Now,thisplanwillgivemostfamiliestheabilitytopaynotaxesonmoneytheysaveforcollegetuition.Iaskyoutopassit--andgiveeveryAmericanwhoworkshardthechancetogotocollege.
Ninth:Inthe21stcentury,wemustexpandthefrontiersoflearningacrossalifetime.Allourpeople,ofwhateverage,musthaveachancetolearnnewskills.MostAmericanslivenearacommunitycollege.Theroadsthattakethemtherecanbepathstoabetterfuture.MyG.I.BillforAmerica''''sWorkerswilltransformtheconfusingtangleoffederaltrainingprogramsintoasimpleskillgranttogodirectlyintoeligibleworkers''''hands.Fortoolong,thisbillhasbeensittingonthatdesktherewithoutaction--Iaskyoutopassitnow.Let''''sgivemoreofourworkerstheabilitytolearnandtoearnforalifetime.(Applause.)
Tenth:WemustbringthepoweroftheInformationAgeintoallourschools.Lastyear,IchallengedAmericatoconnecteveryclassroomandlibrarytotheInternetbytheyear2000,sothat,forthefirsttimeinourhistory,childreninthemostisolatedruraltowns,themostcomfortablesuburbs,thepoorestinnercityschools,willhavethesameaccesstothesameuniverseofknowledge.(Applause.)Thatismyplan--aCalltoActionforAmericanEducation.SomemaysaythatitisunusualforaPresidenttopaythiskindofattentiontoeducation.SomemaysayitissimplybecausethePresidentandhiswonderfulwifehavebeenobsessedwiththissubjectformoreyearsthantheycanrecall.Thatisnotwhatisdrivingtheseproposals.
Wemustunderstandthesignificanceofthisendeavor:OneofthegreatestsourcesofourstrengththroughouttheColdWarwasabipartisanforeignpolicy;becauseourfuturewasatstake,politicsstoppedatthewater''''sedge.NowIaskyou--andIaskallournation''''sgovernors;Iaskparents,teachers,andcitizensallacrossAmerica--foranewnonpartisancommitmenttoeducation--becauseeducationisacriticalnationalsecurityissueforourfuture,andpoliticsmuststopattheschoolhousedoor.(Applause.)
ToprepareAmericaforthe21stcenturywemustharnessthepowerfulforcesofscienceandtechnologytobenefitallAmericans.ThisisthefirstStateoftheUnioncarriedliveinvideoovertheInternet.Butwe''''veonlybeguntospreadthebenefitsofatechnologyrevolutionthatshouldbecomethemodernbirthrightofeverycitizen.
Ourefforttoconnecteveryclassroomisjustthebeginning.Now,weshouldconnecteveryhospitaltotheInternet,sothatdoctorscaninstantlysharedataabouttheirpatientswiththebestspecialistsinthefield.AndIchallengetheprivatesectortonighttostartbyconnectingeverychildren''''shospitalassoonaspossible,sothatachildinbedcanstayintouchwithschool,familyandfriends.Asickchildneednolongerbeachildalone.(Applause.)
WemustbuildthesecondgenerationoftheInternetsothatourleadinguniversitiesandnationallaboratoriescancommunicateinspeeds1,000timesfasterthantoday,todevelopnewmedicaltreatments,newsourcesofenergy,newwaysofworkingtogether.
Butwecannotstopthere.AstheInternetbecomesournewtownsquare,acomputerineveryhome--ateacherofallsubjects,aconnectiontoallcultures--thiswillnolongerbeadream,butanecessity.Andoverthenextdecade,thatmustbeourgoal.(Applause.)
Wemustcontinuetoexploretheheavens--pressingonwiththeMarsprobesandtheinternationalspacestation,bothofwhichwillhavepracticalapplicationsforoureverydayliving.
Wemustspeedtheremarkableadvancesinmedicalscience.Thehumangenomeprojectisnowdecodingthegeneticmysteriesoflife.Americanscientistshavediscoveredgeneslinkedtobreastcancerandovariancancer,andmedicationthatstopsastrokeinprogressandbeginstoreverseitseffect,andtreatmentsthatdramaticallylengthenthelivesofpeoplewithHIVandAIDS.
SinceItookoffice,fundingforAIDSresearchattheNationalInstitutesofHealthhasincreaseddramatically--to$1.5billion.Withnewresources,NIHwillnowbecomethemostpowerfuldiscoveryengineforanAIDSvaccine,workingwithotherscientiststofinallyendthethreatofAIDS.(Applause.)Rememberthateveryyear--everyyearwemoveupthediscoveryofanAIDSvaccinewillsavemillionsoflivesaroundtheworld.Wemustreinforceourcommitmenttomedicalscience.
ToprepareAmericaforthe21stcentury,wemustbuildstrongerfamilies.Overthepastfouryears,theFamilyandMedicalLeavelawhashelpedmillionsofAmericanstotaketimeofftobewiththeirfamilies.Withnewpressuresonpeopleinthewaytheyworkandlive,Ibelievewemustexpandfamilyleavesothatworkerscantaketimeoffforteacherconferencesandachild''''smedicalcheckup.Weshouldpassflex-time,soworkerscanchoosetobepaidforovertimeinincomeortradeitinfortimeofftobewiththeirfamilies.(Applause.)
Wemustcontinue--wemustcontinue,stepbystep,togivemorefamiliesaccesstoaffordable,qualityhealthcare.FortymillionAmericansstilllackhealthinsurance.Tenmillionchildrenstilllackhealthinsurance--80percentofthemhaveworkingparentswhopaytaxes.Thatiswrong.(Applause.)
Mybalancedbudgetwillextendhealthcoveragetoupto5millionofthosechildren.Sincenearlyhalfofallchildrenwholosetheirinsurancedosobecausetheirparentsloseorchangeajob,mybudgetwillalsoensurethatpeoplewhotemporarilylosetheirjobscanstillaffordtokeeptheirhealthinsurance.Nochildshouldbewithoutadoctorjustbecauseaparentiswithoutajob.(Applause.)
MyMedicareplanmodernizesMedicare,increasesthelifeofthetrustfundto10years,providessupportforrespitecareforthemanyfamilieswithlovedonesafflictedwithAlzheimer''''s.Andforthefirsttime,itwouldfullypayforannualmammograms.(Applause.)
Justasweendeddrive-throughdeliveriesofbabieslastyear,wemustnowendthedangerousanddemeaningpracticeofforcingwomenhomefromthehospitalonlyhoursafteramastectomy.(Applause.)Iaskyoursupportforbipartisanlegislationtoguaranteethatawomancanstayinthehospitalfor48hoursafteramastectomy.WithustonightisDr.KristenZarfos,aConnecticutsurgeonwhoseoutrageatthispracticespurredanationalmovementandinspiredthislegislation.I''''dlikehertostandsowethankherforherefforts.Dr.Zarfos,thankyou.(Applause.)
Inthelastfouryears,wehaveincreasedchildsupportcollectionsby50percent.Nowweshouldgofurtheranddobetterbymakingitafelonyforanyparenttocrossastatelineinanattempttofleefromthis,hisorhermostsacredobligation.(Applause.)
Finally,wemustalsoprotectourchildrenbystandingfirminourdeterminationtobantheadvertisingandmarketingofcigarettesthatendangertheirlives.(Applause.)
ToprepareAmericaforthe21stcentury,wemustbuildstrongercommunities.Weshouldstartwithsafestreets.Seriouscrimehasdroppedfiveyearsinarow.Thekeyhasbeencommunitypolicing.Wemustfinishthejobofputting100,000communitypoliceonthestreetsoftheUnitedStates.(Applause.)WeshouldpasstheVictimsRightsAmendmenttotheConstitution.
AndIaskyoutomountafull-scaleassaultonjuvenilecrime,withlegislationthatdeclareswarongangs,withnewprosecutorsandtougherpenalties;extendstheBradyBillsoviolentteencriminalswillnotbeabletobuyhandguns;requireschildsafetylocksonhandgunstopreventunauthorizeduse;andhelpstokeepourschoolsopenafterhours,onweekends,andinthesummer,soouryoungpeoplewillhavesomeplacetogoandsomethingtosayyesto.(Applause.)
Thisbalancedbudgetincludesthelargestantidrugeffortever:tostopdrugsattheirsour