Cspans American History series speeches that defined a presidency. Tonight, our focus is on two president s, george h. W. Bush and bill clinton. Well, in 1991, 12 days after leaving foesgainstraq, george bush went before congress to talk about the hard work of. And in 1995, at the university of texas in austin, bill talked about Race Relations and the opportunity to improve them. Heres president and president clinton. Members of the congress. I have the high privilege and distinct honor of presenting to you, the president of the United States states. Thank you very much. Thank you, mr. President. President. Mr. President and mr. Speaker and members of the United States congress. I come to this house and the people to speak to you and all america make certain that we stand at a defining hour halfway around the world. We are engaged in a great struggle in the skies and on the seas and sands. We know why were there. We are americans. Part of something larger than ourselves for two centuries. Weve done the hard work of freedom. And tonight, we lead the world in facing down a threat to decency and humanity. What is at stake is more than one small country. It is a big idea. A new world order where diverse nations are drawn together in common cause to achieve the universal aspirations of. Mankind, peace and security. Freedom and the rule of law. Such is a world worthy of our struggle and worthy of our childrens future. The community of nations has resolutely gathered to condemn and repel all lawless aggression. Saddam hussein means unprovoked invasion. His ruthless, systematic rape of a peaceful neighbor violate. It everything. The community of nations holds dear. The world has said this aggression would not stand and it will not stand. Together. Together we have resisted the trap of appeasement, cynicism and isole nation that gives temptation to tyrants. The world has answered saddams invasion with 12 of United Nations resolutions starting with a demand for iraqs immediate and unconditional withdrawal and backed up by forces from 28 countries of six continents, with exceptions. The world now stands as one. The end. The cold war has been a victory for all humanity. A year and a half ago in germany, i said that our goal was a europe whole and free. Tonight, germany, united. Europe has become whole and free. And americas was instrumental in making it possible. Our. Our relationship to the soviet union is important. Not only to us, but to the world. That relationship has helped to shape these and other historic changes. But like many other nations, we have been deeply concerned. The violence in the baltics. We have communicated that that concern to the soviet leadership. The principle that has us is simple. Our objective is to help the baltic peoples achieve their aspirations as not to punish the soviet union union. In our recent discussions, the soviet leadership, we have been given representation, which, if fulfilled, would result in the withdrawal of some soviet forces, a reopening of dialog with the republics and a move away from violence. We will watch carefully as the situation develops and we will maintain our contact with the soviet leadership to encourage continued to democratization and reform. If it is possible. I want to continue to build a lasting basis for ussoviet cooperation, for a more peaceful future for all mankind. The triumph of democratic ideas in Eastern Europe and latin america and the continuing struggle for freedom elsewhere. All around the world all confirm the wisdom of our nations founders. Tonight, we work to achieve another victory a victory over tyranny and savage aggression. We in this union enter the last decade of the 20th century century for our blessings, steadfast in our purpose, aware of our difficulties, and responsive to our duties at home and around the world. For two centuries, america has served the world as an inspiring example of freedom and democracy for generations. America has led the struggle to preserve and extend the blessings of liberty. And today in a rapidly changing world, American Leadership is indispensable. Americans know that leadership brings burdens and sacred. But we also why the hopes of humanity turn to us. We are americans. We have a unique responsibility to do the hard work of freedom. And when we do, freedom works. The conviction and courage we see in the persian gulf today is simply the american character in action. The indomitable spirit that is contributing this victory for world peace. Justice is the same spirit that gives us the and the potential to meet our toughest challenges at home. We are resolute and resourceful if we can selflessly confront the evil for the sake of good in the lands so far away, then surely we can make this land all that it should be. If anyone tells you that americas best days are behind her, theyre looking wrong way. Tonight. Now i come before this house and the American People with an appeal for renewal. This is not merely a call for new government initiatives. It is a call for a new in government in our communities and from every american to prepare for the next American Century. America has led by example. So who among us will set the example . Which of our citizens will lead us in this next American Century . Everyone who steps today to get one addict off drugs to convince one troubled teenager not to give up on life to comfort one aids patient, to help one hungry child. We have within our reach the promise of a renewed america we can find meaning and reward by serving some higher purpose than ourselves. A shining purpose. The illumination of a thousand points of light. And it is expressed by all who know the eras mystical force of a childs hand of a friend who stands by you and stays there. A volunteers, generous, an idea that is simply right. The problems us may be different, but the key to solving remains the same. It is the individual. The individual steps forward and the state of our union is the union of each of us. One to the other, the sum of our friendships, marriages, families and communities. We all have something to give. So if you know how to read. Find someone who can. If youve got a hammer, find a nail. If youre not hungry, not lonely, not in trouble. Seek out someone who is. Join the community of conscience. Do the hard work of freedom. And that will define the state of our union. Since the birth of our nation. We the people has been the source of our strength. What government can do alone is limited. But the potential of the American People knows no limits. We are a nation of rock solid realism and clear idealism. We americans. We are the nation that believes in the future. We are the nation that can shape the future. And weve begun to do just that by strengthening the power and choice of individuals and families together. These last two years, we dollars for child care directly in the hands of parents instead of bureaucracies. Unshackled the potent skill of americans with disabilities. Applied the Creative Beauty of the marketplace in the survey of the environment for clean air. And made homeownership possible for more americans. The strength of a democracy is not in bureaucracy. It is in the people and their communities, in. We do. Let us unleash the potential of. Our most precious resource, our citizens. Our citizens. We return to families, communities, counties, cities, states and institutions of every kind. The power to chart their own destiny and the freedom opportunity provided by strong Economic Growth. And thats america is all about. I know tonight in some of our country, people are in genuine economic distress. And i hear them earlier this month, kathy blackwell, massachusetts, wrote me about what can happen. The economy slows down, saying, my, my heart is aching and i think that you should know, your out here are badly. I understand. And im not unrealistic. The future. But there are reasons to be optimistic about our economy. First, we have to fight double digit inflation. Second, most industries wont have to make big cuts in production because they dont have big inventories piled up. And third, our exports are running solid and strong. In fact, american businesses are exporting at a record rate. So lets put these times in perspective together. Since 1981, weve created 20 million jobs cut in half and cut Interest Rates in half. And yes, the larger peacetime economic expansion in history has been temporarily. But our economy is still over twice as large as our closest competitor. We will get this recession behind us and to growth soon. We. We will get on our way to a new record of expansion and and achieve the competitive that will carry us the next American Century. We should focus our efforts today on encouraging Economic Growth, investing in the future and giving power and opportunity to the individual. We must. We must begin with control of federal spending. And thats why. And thats why im submitting a budget that holds the growth in spending to less than the rate of inflation. And thats why amid the sound and fury of last years budget debate, we put into law new, enforceable spending caps so that future spending debates will mean a battle of ideas. Not a bidding war. And dont controversial the agreement finally put the federal government on a pay as you go plan and cut the growth of debt by nearly 500 billion. And frees funds for saving and job creating investment. Now lets do more. My budget again includes tax free Family Savings accounts, penalty free withdrawals from iras for first time homebuyers. And to increase jobs and growth. A reduced tax, long term Capital Gains. I know there are differences among us about the. Impact and the effects of a Capital Gains incentive. So tonight, im asking the congressional and the Federal Reserve to cooperate with us in a study led by chairman Alan Greenspan to sort out our technical differences so that can avoid a return to partizan. Just, as our efforts will bring Economic Growth and in the future. They must also be matched by long Term Investment for the next American Century, and that requires a forward looking plan of action. And thats exactly what we will be sending to the congress. Weve prepared a detailed series of proposals that include a budget that promotes investment in americas future in children, education, infrastructure air space and High Technology legislation to achieve excellence in education. Building on the partnership forged with the 50 governors at the education summit, enabling parents to choose their childrens schools and helping to make america number in math and science. A blueprint for a new national highway system. A critical investment in our transportation infrastructure future. A a research and Development Agenda that includes record levels of federal investment and a permanent tax credit to strengthen private r d and to create jobs. Compare offensive National Energy strategy that calls for Energy Conservation and efficiency. Increase development and greater use of alternate fuels. Banking reform to bring america the Financial System into the First Century so that banks remain safe and. And continue. Can continue to make job creating loans for our factories. Our businesses. And homebuyer. You know i do think that theres been too much pessimism sound should be making sound loans. Now and Interest Rates should be lower. Now. In addition to these proposals must recognize that our economic strength depend on being competitive in world markets. We must continue to expand american. A successful uruguay round of world trade negotiations will more real jobs and more real growth for all nations. And you and i know that if the Playing Field is level americas workers and farmers can outwork, out, produce anyone, anytime, anywhere to. And with a mexican Free Trade Agreement and our enterprise for the americas initiative. We can help our partners strengthen their economies and move toward a free trade zone throughout this entire hemisphere. The budget also includes a plan of action right here, home to put more power and in the hands of the individual. And that means new incentives to create jobs in our inner cities by encouraging investment enterprise zones. It also means tenant control over and ownership of public housing. Freedom and the power to choose should not be the privilege of wealth. They are the birthright of every american. Civil rights are also crucial to protecting equal opportunity. Every. Every every one of us has responsibility to speak out against racism, bigotry and hate. We. We will continue our vigorous enforcement of existing statute. And i will once again press the congress to strengthen the laws against employment without resorting to the use of unfair preferences. Where determined to protect another fundamental civil right freedom from crime. And the fear that stalks our cities. The attorney general will soon convene a crime summit of our nations Law Enforcement officials and to help us support them, we need tough crime control legislation and we need it now. And as we fight crime, we will fully implement our National Strategy for combating drug abuse. Recent data show that we are making progress, but much remains to be done. We will not rest until the day of the dealer is over forever. Good health care is every americans right and every american has responsibility. And so we are proposing an Aggressive Program of new prevention initiatives for infants, for children, for adults and the elderly. To promote a healthier america. And to help costs from spiraling. Its time to give people more choice in government by reviving the ideal of the citizen politician who comes not to stay, but to serve. And one of the reasons that there is so much support across this country for term limitations is that the American People are increasingly concerned learned about big money influence in politics. So we must look the next election to the next generation and the time has come to put the National Interest above the special interests and to totally eliminate Political Action committees. And that would truly put more competition in elections and more power in the hands of individuals. And where power cannot be put directly in the hands of the individual. It should be moved closer to the people away from washington. The federal government too often treats programs as if they are of washington, by washington and for washington. Once established, federal programs seem become immortal. Its time for a more Dynamic Program cycle. Some should increase. Some should decrease. Some should be terminated. And some and some should be consolidated and turned over to the states. My budget. A list of programs for potential turnover totaling more than 20 billion. Working with congress and the governors i propose we select at least. 15 billion in such programs and turn them over to the states in a single consolidated ated grant fully funded for flexible management by the states. The value, the value of this turnover approach is straightforward. It allows the federal government to reduce overhead. It states to manage more flexibly and more efficiently. It moves power and Decision Making closer to the people, and it reinforces the theme of this administration appreciation and encouragement of the innovative powers of states as laboratories. This nation was founded by leaders who, understood that power belongs in the hands of people, and they plan for the future. And so must we. Here and all around the world. As americans, we know there are times when we must step and accept our responsibility to lead the world away from the dark chaos of dictators, toward the brighter promise of a better day. Almost 50 years ago, we began a long struggle against aggressive totalitarianism. Now we face another defining for america and for the world. There is no one more devoted, more committed to the hard work of freedom than. Every soldier and sailor, every marine, airman and guardsmen, every man and woman now serving in the persian gulf gulf. Know how they deserve deserve. And. And and. What a fitting tribute them. To see. What a wonderful fitting tribute to them. Each of them has volunteered. Volunteered to provide for this nations defense. And now they bravely struggle to earn for america, for the world and for future generations, a just and lasting peace. Our to them must equal to their commitment to their country. They are truly americas finest and. The war in the gulf is not a war we wanted. We worked hard to avoid war for more than five months. We, along with the arab league, the european community, the United Nations, tried every diplomatic avenue u. N. Secretary general perez, decoy our president s gorbachev, mr. Ozil, mubarak and benjy, kings fahd and hassan, prime ministers, major and andreotti just to name a few. All worked for a solution. But and again, Saddam Hussein flatly rejected, the path of diplomacy and peace. The world well knows how this conflict began and when it began on august 2nd, when saddam and sacked a small, defenseless neighbor. And i am certain of how it will end so that peace can. We will prevail. Tonight. Thank you. Tonight. Tonight, am pleased to report that we are on course. Iraqs capacity to sustain war is being destroyed. Investment. Our training. Our planning. All are paying off. Time will not. Saddams salvation. Our purpose in the persian gulf remains constant to drive out of kuwait, to restore kuwaits legitima