克林顿总统1999年联邦国情咨文演说
名人演讲稿
Mr.Speaker,Mr.VicePresident,membersofCongress,honoredguests,myfellowAmericans.TonightIhavethehonorofreportingtoyouontheStateoftheUnion.
LetmebeginbysalutingthenewspeakeroftheHouseandthankinghimespeciallytonightforextendinganinvitationtotwoguestssittinginthegallerywithMrs.[J.Dennis]Hastert.LynGibsonandWeiLingChestnutarethewidowsofthetwobraveCapitolHillpoliceofficerswhogavetheirlivestodefendfreedom''''shouse.
Mr.Speaker,atyourswearinginyouaskedusalltoworktogetherinaspiritofcivilityandbipartisanship.Mr.Speaker,let''''sdoexactlythat.
Tonight,IstandbeforeyoutoreportthatAmericahascreatedthelongestpeacetimeeconomicexpansioninourhistory.Withnearly18millionnewjobs,wagesrisingatmorethantwicetherateofinflation,thehighesthomeownershipinhistory,thesmallestwelfarerolesin30years,andthelowestpeacetimeunemploymentsince1957.
Forthefirsttimeinthreedecades,thebudgetisbalanced.Fromadeficitof$290billionin1992,wehadasurplusof$70billionlastyear.Andnow,weareoncourseforbudgetsurplusesforthenext25years.
Thankstothepioneeringleadershipofallofyou,wehavethelowestviolentcrimerateinaquartercenturyandthecleanestenvironmentinaquartercentury.
Americaisastrongforceforpeace?CfromNorthernIrelandtoBosniatotheMiddleEast.
ThankstotheleadershipofVicePresidentGore,wehaveagovernmentfortheInformationAge,onceagainagovernmentthatisaprogressiveinstrumentofthecommongood,rootedinouroldestvaluesofopportunity,responsibilityandcommunity,devotedtofiscalresponsibility,determinedtogiveourpeoplethetoolstheyneedtomakethemostoftheirownlivesinthe21stcentury,a21stcenturygovernmentfor21stcenturyAmerica.
MyfellowAmericans,Istandbeforeyoutonighttoreportthatthestateofourunionisstrong.Now,Americaisworkingagain.Thepromiseofourfutureislimitless.Butwecannotrealizethatpromiseifweallowthehumofourprosperitytolullusintocomplacency.Howwefareasanationfarintothe21stcenturydependsuponwhatwedoasanationtoday.
So,withourbudgetsurplusgrowing,oureconomyexpanding,ourconfidencerising,nowisthemomentforthisgenerationtomeetourhistoricresponsibilitytothe21stcentury.
Ourfiscaldisciplinegivesusanunsurpassedopportunitytoaddressaremarkablenewchallenge,theagingofAmerica.WiththenumberofelderlyAmericanssettodoubleby2030,thebabyboomwillbecomeaseniorboom.
Sofirstandaboveall,wemustsaveSocialSecurityforthe21stcentury.
Earlyinthiscentury,beingoldmeantbeingpoor.WhenPresident[FranklinD.]RooseveltcreatedSocialSecurity,thousandswrotetothankhimforeliminatingwhatonewomancalled"thestarkterrorofpenniless,helplessoldage."Eventoday,withoutSocialSecurity,halfournation''''selderlywouldbeforcedintopoverty.
Today,SocialSecurityisstrong,butby2020,payrolltaxeswillnolongerbesufficienttocovermonthlypayments.By2032,thetrustfundwillbeexhaustedandSocialSecuritywillbeunabletopaythefullbenefitsolderAmericanshavebeenpromised.
ThebestwaytokeepSocialSecurityarocksolidguaranteeisnottomakedrasticcutsinbenefits;nottoraisepayrolltaxrates;nottodrainresourcesfromSocialSecurityinthenameofsavingit.Instead,IproposethatwemakethehistoricdecisiontoinvestthesurplustosaveSocialSecurity.
Specifically,Iproposethatwecommit60percentofthebudgetsurplusforthenext15yearstoSocialSecurity,investingasmallportionintheprivatesectorjustasanyprivateorstategovernmentpensionwoulddo.ThiswillearnahigherreturnandkeepSocialSecuritysoundfor55years.
Butwemustaimhigher.WeshouldputSocialSecurityonasoundfootingforthenext75years.Weshouldreducepovertyamongelderlywomen,whoarenearlytwiceaslikelytobepoorasareotherseniors.AndweshouldeliminatethelimitsonwhatseniorsonSocialSecuritycanearn.
Now,thesechangeswillrequiredifficult,butfullyachievablechoicesoverandabovethededicationofthesurplus.Theymustbemadeonabipartisanbasis.Theyshouldbemadethisyear.Soletmesaytoyoutonight,IreachoutmyhandtoallofyouinbothhousesinbothpartiesandaskthatwejointogetherinsayingtotheAmericanpeople,wewillsaveSocialSecuritynow.
Now,lastyear,wewiselyreservedallofthesurplusuntilweknewwhatitwouldtaketosaveSocialSecurity.Again,Isay,weshouldn''''tspendanyofit,notanyofit,untilafterSocialSecurityistrulysaved.Firstthing''''sfirst.
Second,oncewehavesavedSocialSecurity,wemustfulfillourobligationtosaveandimproveMedicare.AlreadywehaveextendedthelifeoftheMedicaretrustfundby10years,butweshouldextenditforatleastanotherdecade.Tonight,Iproposethatweuseoneoutofeverysixdollarsinthesurplusforthenext15yearstoguaranteethesoundnessofMedicareuntiltheyear2020.
But,again?Cbut,again,weshouldaimhigher.Wemustbewillingtoworkinabipartisanwayandlookatnewideas,includingtheupcomingreportoftheBipartisanMedicareCommission.Ifweworktogether,wecansecureMedicareforthenexttwodecadesandcoverthegreatestgrowingneedofseniors?Caffordableprescriptiondrugs.
Third,wemusthelpallAmericansfromtheirfirstdayonthejobtosave,toinvest,tocreatewealth.
Fromitsbeginnings,AmericanshavesupplementedSocialSecuritywithprivatepensionsandsavings.YettodaymillionsofpeopleretirewithlittletoliveonotherthanSocialSecurity.Americanslivinglongerthaneversimplymustsavemorethanever.
Therefore,inadditiontosavingSocialSecurityandMedicare,Iproposeanewpensioninitiativeforretirementsecurityinthe21stcentury.Iproposethatweusealittleover11percentofthesurplustoestablishuniversalsavingsaccounts?CUSAaccounts?CtogiveallAmericansthemeanstosave.
Withthesenewaccounts,Americanscaninvestastheychooseandreceivefundstomatchaportionoftheirsavingswithextrahelpforthoseleastabletosave.USAaccountswillhelpallAmericanstoshareinournation''''swealthandtoenjoyamoresecureretirement.Iaskyoutosupportthem.
Fourth,wemustinvestinlong-termcare.
Iproposeataxcreditof$1,000fortheaged,ailingordisabledandthefamilieswhocareforthem.Long-termcarewillbecomeabiggerandbiggerchallengewiththeagingofAmerica?Candwemustdomoretohelpourfamiliesdealwithit.
Iwasbornin1946,thefirstyearofthebabyboom.Icantellyouthatoneofthegreatestconcernsofourgenerationisourabsolutedeterminationnottoletourgrowingoldplaceanintolerableburdenonourchildrenandtheirabilitytoraiseourgrandchildren.
Oureconomicsuccessandourfiscaldisciplinenowgiveustheopportunitytoliftthatburdenfromtheirshoulders,andweshouldtakeit.
SavingSocialSecurity,Medicare,creatingU.S.accounts,thisistherightwaytousethesurplus.Ifwedoso,ifwedoso,wewillstillhaveresourcestomeetcriticalneedsandeducationanddefense.
AndIwanttopointoutthatthisproposalisfiscallysound.Listentothis,ifwesetaside60percentofthesurplusforSocialSecurityand16percentforMedicareoverthenext15years,thatsavingswillachievethelowestlevelofpublicly-helddebtsincerightbeforeWorldWarIin1917.
Sowiththesefourmeasures;savingSocialSecurity,strengtheningMedicare,establishingtheUSAaccounts,supportinglong-termcare,wecanbegintomeetourgeneration''''shistoricresponsibilitytoestablishtruesecurityfor21stcenturyseniors.
Now,therearemorechildren,frommorediversebackgrounds,inourpublicschoolsthatanytimeinourhistory.Theireducationmustprovidetheknowledgeandnurturethecreativitythatwillallowourentirenationtothriveintheneweconomy.
Todaywecansaysomethingwecouldn''''tsaysixyearsago.Withtaxcreditsandmoreaffordablestudentloans,withmorework-studygrantsandmorePellGrants,witheducationIRAs,thenewHOPEScholarshiptaxcutthatmorethanfivemillionAmericanswillreceivethisyear,wehavefinallyopenedthedoorsofcollegetoallAmericans.
Withoursupport,nearlyeverystatehassethigheracademicstandardsforpublicschoolsandavoluntarynationaltestisbeingdevelopedtomeasuretheprogressofourstudents.Withover$1billionindiscountsavailablethisyear,wearewellonourwaytoourgoalofconnectingeveryclassroomandlibrarytotheInternet.
Lastfall,youpassedourproposaltostarthiring100,000newteacherstoreduceclasssizeintheearlygrades.NowIaskyoutofinishthejob.
Youknowourchildrenaredoingbetter.SATscoresareup.Mathscoreshaveriseninnearlyallgrades.Butthere''''saproblem.Whileourfourth-gradersoutperformedtheirpeersinothercountriesinmathandscience,oureighth-gradersarearoundaverage,andour12th-gradersranknearthebottom.Wemustdobetter.
Noweachyearthenationalgovernmentinvestsmorethan$15billioninourpublicschools.Ibelievewemustchangethewayweinvestthatmoneytosupportwhatworksandtostopsupportingwhatdoesnotwork.
First,laterthisyearIwillsendtoCongressaplanthatforthefirsttimeholdsstatesandschooldistrictsaccountableforprogressandrewardsthemforresults.MyEducationAccountabilityActwillrequireeveryschooldistrictreceivingfederalhelptotakethefollowingfivesteps:
First,allschoolsmustendsocialpromotion.
Now,nochild,nochildshouldgraduatefromhighschoolwithadiplomaheorshecan''''tread.Wedoourchildrennofavorswhenweallowthemtopassfromgradetogradewithoutmasteringthematerial.Butwecan''''tjustholdstudentsbackbecausethesystemfailsthem.
Somybalancedbudgettriplesthefundingforsummerschoolandafter-schoolprogramstokeepamillionchildrenlearning.Now,if?Cifyoudoubtthiswillwork,justlookatChicago,whichendedsocialpromotionandmadesummerschoolmandatoryforthosewhodon''''tmasterthebasics.Mathandreadingscoresareupthreeyearsrunningwithsomeofthebiggestgainsinsomeofthepoorestneighborhoods.Itwillwork,andweshoulddoit.
Second,allstatesandschooldistrictsmustturnaroundtheirworstperformingschoolsorshutthemdown.That''''sthepolicyestablishedinNorthCarolinabyGovernorJimHunt.NorthCarolinamadethebiggestgainsintestscoresinthenationlastyear.Ourbudgetincludes$200milliontohelpstatesturnaroundtheirownfailingschools.
Third,allstatesandschooldistrictsmustbeheldresponsibleforthequalityoftheirteachers.Thegreatmajorityofourteachersdoafinejob,butintoomanyschoolsteachersdon''''thavecollegemajorsorevenminorsinthesubjectstheyteach.Newteachersshouldberequiredtopassperformanceexams,andallteachersshouldknowthesubjecttheirteaching.
Thisyear''''sbalancedbudgetcontainsresourcestohelpthemreachhigherstandards.Andtoattracttalentedyoungteacherstothetoughestassignments,Irecommendasix-foldincreaseinourprogramforcollegescholarshipsforstudentswhocommittoteachintheinner-citiesandisolatedruralareasandinIndiancommunities.LetusbringexcellencetoeverypartofAmerica.
Fourth,wemustempowerparentswithmoreinformationandmorechoices.Intoomanycommunitiesit''''seasiertogetinformationonthequalityofthelocalrestaurantsthanonthequalityofthelocalschools.
Everyschooldistrictshouldissuereportcardsoneveryschool.Andparentsshouldbegivenmorechoicesinselectingtheirpublicschools.
WhenIbecamepresident,therewasjustoneindependentpubliccharterschoolinallAmerica.Withoursupportonabipartisanbasis,todaythereare1,100.Mybudgetassuresthatearlyinthenextcentury,therewillbe3,000.
Fifth,toassurethatourclassroomsaretrulyplacesoflearning,andtorespondtowhatteachershavebeenaskingustodoforyears,weshouldsaythatallstatesandschooldistrictsmustbothadoptandimplementsensibledisciplinepolicies.
Nowlet''''sdoonemorethingforourchildren.Today,toomanyschoolsaresooldthey''''refallingapart,orsoovercrowdedstudentsarelearningintrailers.Lastfall,Congressmissedtheopportunitytochangethat.Thisyear,with53millionchildreninourschools,Congressmustnotmissthatopportunityagain.Iaskyoutohelpourcommunitiesbuildormodernize5,000schools.
Ifwedothesethings?Cendsocialpromotion,turnaroundfailingschools,buildmodernones,supportqualifiedteachers,promoteinnovation,competitionanddiscipline?Cthenwewillbegintomeetourgeneration''''shistoricresponsibilitytocreateto21stcenturyschools.
Now,wealsohavetodomoretosupportthemillionsofparentswhogivetheiralleverydayathomeandatwork.
Themostbasictoolofallisadecentincome.Solet''''sraisetheminimumwagebyadollaranhouroverthenexttwoyears.
Andlet''''smakesurethatwomenandmengetequalpayforequalworkbystrengtheningenforcementoftheequalpaylaws.
(Applause,cheering)
Thatwasencouraging,youknow?Therewasmorebalanceontheseesaw.Ilikethat.Let''''sgivethemahand.That''''sgreat.
Workingparentsalsoneedqualitychildcare.So,againthisyear,IaskCongresstosupportourplanfortaxcreditsandsubsidiesforworkingfamilies,forimprovedsafetyandquality,forexpandedafter-schoolprogram.Andourplanalsoincludesanewtaxcreditforstay-at-homeparents,too.Theyneedsupportaswell.
Parentsshouldneverhavetoworryaboutchoosingbetweentheirchildrenandtheirwork.Now,theFamilyandMedicalLeaveAct,theveryfirstbillIsignedintolaw,hasnow,since1993,helpedmillionsandmillionsofAmericanstocareforanewbornbabyoranailingrelativewithoutriskingtheirjobs.Ithinkit''''stime,withalloftheevidencethatithasbeensolittleburdensometoemployers,toextendfamilyleaveto10millionmoreAmericansworkingforsmallercompanies,andIhopeyouwillsupportit.
Finally,onthematterofwork,parentsshouldneverhavetofacediscriminationintheworkplace.SoIwanttoaskCongresstoprohibitcompaniesfromrefusingtohireorpromoteworkerssimplybecausetheyhavechildren.Thatisnotright.
America''''sfamiliesdeservetheworld''''sbestmedicalcare.Thankstobipartisanfederalsupportformedicalresearch,wearenotonthevergeofnewtreatmentstopreventordelaydiseasesfromParkinson''''stoAlzheimer''''stoarthritistocancer.Butaswecontinueouradvancesinmedicalscience,wecan''''tletourmedicalsystemlagbehind.
ManagedcarehasliterallytransformedmedicineinAmerica,drivingdowncosts,butthreateningtodrivedownqualityaswell.
IthinkweoughttosaytoeveryAmerican,youshouldhavetherighttoknowallyoumedicaloptions,notjustthecheapest.Ifyouneedaspecialist,youshouldhavearighttoseeone.Youhavearighttothenearestemergencycareifyou''''reinanaccident.Thesearethingsthatweoughttosay.AndIthinkweoughttosayyoushouldhavearighttokeepyourdoctorduringaperiodoftreatmentwhetherit''''sapregnancyorachemotherapytreatmentoranythingelse.Ibelievethis.
NowI''''veorderedtheserightstobeextendedtothe85millionAmericansservedbyMedicare,Medicaidandotherfederalhealthprograms.ButonlyCongresscanpassaPatients''''BillofRightsforallAmericans.
Lastyear,Congressmissedthatopportunity,andwemustnotmissthatopportunityagain.Forthesakeofourfamilies,IaskustojointogetheracrosspartylinesandpassastrongenforceablePatients''''BillofRights.
Asmoreofourmedicalrecordsarestoredelectronically,thethreatstoallofourprivacyincrease.BecauseCongresshasgivenmetheauthoritytoactifitdoesnotdosobyAugust,onewayoranother,wecanallsaytotheAmericanpeople,wewillprotecttheprivacyofmedicalrecordsthisyear.
Now,twoyearsago,weactedtoextendhealthcoveragetouptofivemillionchildren.Nowweshouldgobeyondthat.Weshouldmakeiteasierforsmallbusinessestoofferhealthinsurance.Weshouldgivepeoplebetweentheagesof55and65wholosetheirhealthinsurancethechancetobuyintoMedicare.
Andweshouldcontinuetoensureaccesstofamilyplanning.Nooneshouldhavetochoosebetweenkeepinghealthcareandtakingajob.Andtherefore,IespeciallyaskyoutonighttojoinhandstopassthelandmarkbipartisanlegislationproposedbySens.[EdwardM.]Kennedy(D-Mass.)and[JamesM.]Jeffords(R-Vt.),[WilliamV.]Roth[Jr.](R-Del.)and[DanielPatrick]Moynihan(D-N.Y.),toallowpeoplewithdisabilitiestokeeptheirhealthinsurancewhentheygotowork.
Weneedtoenableourpublichospitals,ourcommunity,ouruniversityhealthcenterstoprovidebasic,affordablecareforallthemillionsofworkingfamilieswhodon''''thaveanyinsurance.Theydoalotofthattoday,butmuchmorecanbedone.Andmybalancedbudgetmakesagooddownpaymenttowardthatgoal.Ihopeyouwillthinkaboutthemandsupportthatprovision.
Letmesaywemuststepupoureffortstotreatandpreventmentalillness.NoAmericanshouldeverbeable?Cafraidevertoaddressthisdisease.ThisyearwewillhostaWhiteHouseConferenceonMentalHealth.Withsensitivity,commitmentandpassion,TipperGoreisleadingoureffortshere,andI''''dliketothankherforwhatshe''''sdone.Thankyou.Thankyou.
Aseveryoneknows,ourchildrenaretargetsofamassivemediacampaigntohookthemoncigarettes.Now,IaskthisCongresstoresistthetobaccolobby,toreaffirmtheFDA''''sauthoritytoprotectourchildrenfromtobaccoandtoholdtobaccocompaniesaccountable,whileprotectingtobaccofarmers.
SmokinghascosttaxpayershundredsofbillionsofdollarsunderMedicareandotherprograms.Youknow,thestateshavebeenrightaboutthis.Taxpayersshouldn''''tpayforthecostoflungcancer,emphysema,andothersmoking-relatedillnesses,thetobaccocompaniesshould.
SotonightIannouncethattheJusticeDepartmentispreparingalitigationplantotakethetobaccocompaniestocourtandwiththefundswerecovertostrengthenMedicare.
Now,ifweactintheseareas?Cminimumwage,familyleave,childcare,healthcare,thesafetyofourchildren?Cthenwewillbegintomeetourgeneration''''shistoricresponsibilitiestostrengthenourfamiliesforthe21stcentury.
Today,Americaisthemostdynamic,competitive,job-creatingeconomyinhistory,butwecandoevenbetterinbuildinga21stcenturyeconomythatembracesallAmericans.
Today''''sincomegapislargelyaskillsgap.Lastyear,theCongresspassedalawenablingworkerstogetaskillsgranttochoosethetrainingtheyneed.AndIapplaudallofyouherewhowerepartofthat.
Thisyear,Irecommendafive-yearcommitmenttothenewsystem,sothatwecanprovideoverthenextfiveyearsappropriatetrainingopportunitiesforallAmericanswholosetheirjobsandexpandrapidresponseteamstohelpalltownswhichhavebeenreallyhurtwhenbusinessesclose.Ihopeyouwillsupportthis.
Also,Iaskyoursupportforadramaticincreaseinfederalsupportforadultliteracytomountanationalcampaignaimedathelpingthemillionsandmillionsofworkingpeoplewhostillreadatlessthanafifth-gradelevel.Weneedtodothis.
Here''''ssomegoodnews.Inthepastsixyears,wehavecutthewelfarerollsnearlyinhalf.
Twoyearsago,fromthispodium,Iaskedfivecompaniestoleadanationalefforttohirepeopleoffwelfare.Tonightourwelfare-to-workpartnershipincludes10,000companieswhohavehiredhundredsofthousandsofpeople,andourbalancedbudgetwillhelpanother200,000peoplemovetothedignityandprideofwork.Ihopeyouwillsupportit.
WemustbringthesparkofprivateenterprisetoeverycornerofAmerica,tobuildabridgefromWallStreettoAppalachiatotheMississippiDelta,toourNativeAmericancommunities,withmoresupportforcommunitydevelopmentbanksforempowermentzones,for100,000morevouchersforaffordablehousing.
AndIaskCongresstosupportourboldnewplantohelpbusinessesraiseupto$15billioninprivatesectorcapital,tobringjobsandopportunitiesandinnercities,ruralareas,withtaxcredits,loanguarantees,includingthenewAmericanPrivateInvestmentCompanies,modeledontheOverseasPrivateInvestmentCompanies.
Now,foryearsandyearswe''''vehadthisOPIC,thisOverseasPrivateInvestmentCorporation,becauseweknewwehaduntappedmarketsoverseas.Butourgreatestuntappedmarketsarenotoverseas?Ctheyarerighthereathome.Andweshouldgoafterthem.
Wemustworkhardtohelpbringprosperitybacktothefamilyfarm.
AsthisCongressknowsverywell,droppingpricesandthelossofforeignmarketshavedevastatedtoomanyfamilyfarmers.Lastyear,theCongressprovidedsubstantialassistancetohelpstaveoffadisasterinAmericanagriculture,andIamreadytoworkwithlawmakersofbothpartiestocreateafarmsafetynetthatwillincludecropinsurancereformandfarmincomeassistance.
Iaskyoutojoinwithmeanddothis.Thisshouldnotbeapoliticalissue.EveryoneknowswhataneconomicproblemisgoingonoutthereinruralAmericatoday,andweneedanappropriatemeanstoaddressit.
Wemuststrengthenourleadintechnology.ItwasgovernmentinvestmentthatledtothecreationoftheInternet.Iproposea28-percentincreaseinlong-termcomputingresearch.
Wealsomustbereadyforthe21stcenturyfromitsveryfirstmomentbysolvingtheso-calledY2Kcomputerproblem.WehadonememberofCongressstandupandapplaud.Andwemayhaveaboutthatrationoutthereapplaudingathomeinfrontoftheirtelevisionsets.Butremember,thisisabig,bigproblem,andwe''''vebeenworkinghardonit.Alreadywe''''vemadesurethattheSocialSecuritycheckswillcomeontime.
ButIwantallthefolksathomelisteningtothistoknowthatweneedeverystateandlocalgovernment,everybusinesslargeandsmalltoworkwithustomakesurethatthisY2Kcomputerbugwillberememberedasthelastheadacheofthe20thcentury,notthefirstcrisisofthe21st.
Forourownprosperity,wemustsupporteconomicgrowthabroad.Youknow,untilrecentlyathirdofoureconomicgrowthcamefromexports.Butoverthepastyearandahalf,financialturmoilhasputthatgrowthatrisk.Today,muchoftheworldisinrecession,withAsiahitespeciallyhard.Thisisthemostseriousfinancialcrisisinhalfacentury.
Tomeetit,theU.S.andothernationshavereducedinterestratesandstrengthenedtheInternationalMonetaryFundandwhiletheturmoilisnotover,wehaveworkedveryhardwithothernationstocontainit.
Atthesametime,wewillcontinuetoworkonthelong-termproject:buildingaglobalfinancialsystemforthe21stcentur