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名人演讲稿
Mr.Speaker,Mr.VicePresident,membersofCongress,honoredguests,myfellowAmericans:
Wearefortunatetobealiveatthismomentinhistory.(Applause.)Neverbeforehasournationenjoyed,atonce,somuchprosperityandsocialprogresswithsolittleinternalcrisisandsofewexternalthreats.Neverbeforehavewehadsuchablessedopportunity--and,therefore,suchaprofoundobligation--tobuildthemoreperfectunionofourfounders''''dreams.
Webeginthenewcenturywithover20millionnewjobs;thefastesteconomicgrowthinmorethan30years;thelowestunemploymentratesin30years;thelowestpovertyratesin20years;thelowestAfricanAmericanandHispanicunemploymentratesonrecord;thefirstback-to-backbudgetsurplusesin42years.Andnextmonth,Americawillachievethelongestperiodofeconomicgrowthinourentirehistory.(Applause.)
Wehavebuiltaneweconomy.
AndoureconomicrevolutionhasbeenmatchedbyarevivaloftheAmericanspirit:crimedownby20percent,toitslowestlevelin25years;teenbirthsdownsevenyearsinarow;adoptionsupby30percent;welfarerollscutinhalftotheirlowestlevelsin30years.
MyfellowAmericans,thestateofourunionisthestrongestithaseverbeen.(Applause.)
Asalways,therealcreditbelongstotheAmericanpeople.(Applause.)Mygratitudealsogoestothoseofyouinthischamberwhohaveworkedwithustoputprogressoverpartisanship.
Eightyearsago,itwasnotsocleartomostAmericanstherewouldbemuchtocelebrateintheyear2000.Thenournationwasgrippedbyeconomicdistress,socialdecline,politicalgridlock.Thetitleofabest-sellingbookasked:"America:WhatWentWrong?"
Inthebesttraditionsofournation,Americansdeterminedtosetthingsright.Werestoredthevitalcenter,replacingoutmodedideologieswithanewvisionanchoredinbasic,enduringvalues:opportunityforall,responsibilityfromall,acommunityofallAmericans.Wereinventedgovernment,transformingitintoacatalystfornewideasthatstressbothopportunityandresponsibility,andgiveourpeoplethetoolstheyneedtosolvetheirownproblems.
Withthesmallestfederalworkforcein40years,weturnedrecorddeficitsintorecordsurpluses,anddoubledourinvestmentineducation.Wecutcrime,with100,000communitypoliceandtheBradylaw,whichhaskeptgunsoutofthehandsofhalfamillioncriminals.(Applause.)
Weendedwelfareasweknewit--(applause)--requiringworkwhileprotectinghealthcareandnutritionforchildren,andinvestingmoreinchildcare,transportation,andhousingtohelptheirparentsgotowork.We''''vehelpedparentstosucceedathomeandatwork,withfamilyleave,which20millionsAmericanshavenowusedtocareforanewbornchildorasicklovedone.We''''veengaged150,000youngAmericansincitizenservicethroughAmeriCorps,whilehelpingthemearnmoneyforcollege.
In1992,wejusthadaroadmap;today,wehaveresults.(Applause.)
Butevenmoreimportant,Americaagainhastheconfidencetodreambigdreams.Butwemustnotletthisconfidencedriftintocomplacency.Forwe,allofus,willbejudgedbythedreamsanddeedswepassontoourchildren.Andonthatscore,wewillbeheldtoahighstandard,indeed,becauseourchancetodogoodissogreat.
MyfellowAmericans,wehavecrossedthebridgewebuilttothe21stcentury.Now,wemustshapea21stcenturyAmericanrevolution--ofopportunity,responsibilityandcommunity.Wemustbenow,aswewereinthebeginning,anewnation.
Atthedawnofthelastcentury,TheodoreRooseveltsaid,"theonecharacteristicmoreessentialthananyotherisforesight...itshouldbethegrowingnationwithafuturethattakesthelonglookahead."So,tonight,letustakeourlonglookahead--andsetgreatgoalsforournation.
To21stcenturyAmerica,letuspledgethesethings:Everychildwillbeginschoolreadytolearnandgraduatereadytosucceed.(Applause.)Everyfamilywillbeabletosucceedathomeandatwork,andnochildwillberaisedinpoverty.(Applause.)WewillmeetthechallengeoftheagingofAmerica.Wewillassurequality,affordablehealthcare,atlast,forallAmericans.(Applause.)
WewillmakeAmericathesafestbigcountryonEarth.(Applause.)Wewillpayoffournationaldebtforthefirsttimesince1835.(Applause.)WewillbringprosperitytoeveryAmericancommunity.Wewillreversethecourseofclimatechangeandleaveasafer,cleanerplanet.Americawillleadtheworldtowardsharedpeaceandprosperity,andthefarfrontiersofscienceandtechnology.Andwewillbecomeatlastwhatourfounderspledgedustobesolongago--onenation,underGod,indivisible,withlibertyandjusticeforall.(Applause.)
Thesearegreatgoals,worthyofagreatnation.Wewillnotreachthemallthisyear.Noteveninthisdecade.Butwewillreachthem.LetusrememberthatthefirstAmericanRevolutionwasnotwonwithasingleshot;thecontinentwasnotsettledinasingleyear.Thelessonofourhistory--andthelessonofthelastsevenyears--isthatgreatgoalsarereachedstepbystep,alwaysbuildingonourprogress,alwaysgainingground.
Ofcourse,youcan''''tgaingroundifyou''''restandingstill.AndfortoolongthisCongresshasbeenstandingstillonsomeofourmostpressingnationalpriorities.Solet''''sbegintonightwiththem.
Again,Iaskyoutopassarealpatients''''billofrights.(Applause.)Iaskyoutopasscommon-sensegunsafetylegislation.(Applause.)Iaskyoutopasscampaignfinancereform.(Applause.)Iaskyoutovoteupordownonjudicialnominationsandotherimportantappointees.(Applause.)And,againIaskyou--Iimploreyou--toraisetheminimumwage.(Applause.)
Now,twoyearsago--letmetrytobalancetheseesawhere--(laughter)--twoyearsago,aswereachedacrosspartylinestoreachourfirstbalancedbudget,Iaskedthatwemeetourresponsibilitytothenextgenerationbymaintainingourfiscaldiscipline.Becausewerefusedtostrayfromthatpath,wearedoingsomethingthatwouldhaveseemedunimaginablesevenyearsago.Weareactuallypayingdownthenationaldebt.(Applause.)
Now,ifwestayonthispath,wecanpaydownthedebtentirelyin13justyearsnowandmakeAmericadebt-freeforthefirsttimesinceAndrewJacksonwasPresidentin1835.(Applause.)
In1993,webegantoputourfiscalhouseinorderwiththeDeficitReductionAct,whichyou''''llallrememberwonpassagesinbothHousesbyjustasinglevote.Yourformercolleague,myfirstSecretaryoftheTreasury,ledthateffortandsparkedourlongboom.He''''sherewithustonight.LloydBentsen,youhaveservedAmericawell,andwethankyou.(Applause.)
Beyondpayingoffthedebt,wemustensurethatthebenefitsofdebtreductiongotopreservingtwoofthemostimportantguaranteeswemaketoeveryAmerican--SocialSecurityandMedicare.(Applause.)Tonight,IaskyoutoworkwithmetomakeabipartisandownpaymentonSocialSecurityreformbycreditingtheinterestsavingsfromdebtreductiontotheSocialSecurityTrustFundsothatitwillbestrongandsoundforthenext50years.(Applause.)
Butthisisjustthestartofourjourney.Wemustalsotaketherightstepstowardreachingourgreatgoals.Firstandforemost,weneeda21stcenturyrevolutionineducation,guidedbyourfaiththateverysinglechildcanlearn.(Applause.)Becauseeducationismoreimportantthanever,morethaneverthekeytoourchildren''''sfuture,wemustmakesureallourchildrenhavethatkey.Thatmeansqualitypre-schoolandafter-school,thebesttrainedteachersintheclassroom,andcollegeopportunitiesforallourchildren.(Applause.)
Forsevenyearsnow,we''''veworkedhardtoimproveourschools,withopportunityandresponsibility--investingmore,butdemandingmoreinturn.Reading,math,collegeentrancescoresareup.Someofthemostimpressivegainsareinschoolsinverypoorneighborhoods.
Butallsuccessfulschoolshavefollowedthesameprovenformula:higherstandards,moreaccountability,andextrahelpsochildrenwhoneeditcangetittoreachthosestandards.IhavesentCongressareformplanbasedonthatformula.Itholdsstatesandschooldistrictsaccountableforprogress,andrewardsthemforresults.Eachyear,ournationalgovernmentinvestsmorethan$15billioninourschools.Itistimetosupportwhatworksandstopsupportingwhatdoesn''''t.(Applause.)
Now,aswedemandmorefromourschools,weshouldalsoinvestmoreinourschools.(Applause.)Let''''sdoubleourinvestmenttohelpstatesanddistrictsturnaroundtheirworst-performingschools,orshutthemdown.Let''''sdoubleourinvestmentsinafter-schoolandsummerschoolprograms,whichboostachievementandkeeppeopleoffthestreetsandoutoftrouble.(Applause.)Ifwedothis,wecangiveeverysinglechildineveryfailingschoolinAmerica--everyone--thechancetomeethighstandards.
Since1993,we''''venearlydoubledourinvestmentinHeadStartandimproveditsquality.Tonight,Iaskyouforanother$1billionforHeadStart,thelargestincreaseinthehistoryoftheprogram.(Applause.)
Weknowthatchildrenlearnbestinsmallerclasseswithgoodteachers.Fortwoyearsinarow,Congresshassupportedmyplantohire100,000newqualifiedteacherstolowerclasssizeintheearlygrades.Ithankyouforthat,andIaskyoutomakeitthreeinarow.(Applause.)Andtomakesureallteachersknowthesubjectstheyteach,tonightIproposeanewteacherqualityinitiative--torecruitmoretalentedpeopleintotheclassroom,rewardgoodteachersforstayingthere,andgiveallteachersthetrainingtheyneed.(Applause.)
Weknowcharterschoolsproviderealpublicschoolchoice.WhenIbecamePresident,therewasjustoneindependentpubliccharterschoolinallAmerica.Today,thankstoyou,thereare1,700.Iaskyounowtohelpusmeetourgoalof3,000charterschoolsbynextyear.(Applause.)
WeknowwemustconnectallourclassroomstotheInternet,andwe''''regettingthere.In1994,only3percentofourclassroomswereconnected.Today,withthehelpoftheVicePresident''''sE-rateprogram,morethanhalfofthemare.And90percentofourschoolshaveatleastoneInternetconnection.(Applause.)
Butwecannotfinishthejobwhenathirdofallourschoolsareinseriousdisrepair.Manyofthemhavewallsandwiressoold,they''''retoooldfortheInternet.Sotonight,Iproposetohelp5,000schoolsayearmakeimmediateandurgentrepairs;andagain,tohelpbuildormodernize6,000more,togetstudentsoutoftrailersandintohigh-techclassrooms.(Applause.)
IaskallofyoutohelpmedoubleourbipartisanGear-Upprogram,whichprovidesmentorsfordisadvantagedyoungpeople.Ifwedoubleit,wecanprovidementorsfor1.4millionofthem.(Applause.)Let''''salsoofferthesekidsfromdisadvantagedbackgroundsthesamechancetotakethesamecollegetest-prepcourseswealthierstudentsusetoboosttheirtestscores.(Applause.)
TomaketheAmericanDreamachievableforall,wemustmakecollegeaffordableforall.Forsevenyears,onabipartisanbasis,wehavetakenactiontowardthatgoal:largerPellgrants,moreaffordablestudentloans,educationIRAs,andourHOPEscholarships,whichhavealreadybenefitted5millionyoungpeople.
Now,67percentofhighschoolgraduatesaregoingontocollege.That''''sup10percentsince1993.Yetmillionsoffamiliesstillstraintopaycollegetuition.Theyneedhelp.(Applause.)SoIproposealandmark$30-billioncollegeopportunitytaxcut--amiddleclasstaxdeductionforupto$10,000incollegetuitioncosts.(Applause.)ThepreviousactionsofthisCongresshavealreadymadetwoyearsofcollegeaffordableforall.It''''stimetomakefouryearsofcollegeaffordableforall.(Applause.)Ifwetakeallthesesteps,we''''llmovealongwaytowardmakingsureeverychildstartsschoolreadytolearnandgraduatesreadytosucceed.
Weneeda21stcenturyrevolutiontorewardworkandstrengthenfamilies,bygivingeveryparentthetoolstosucceedatworkandatthemostimportantworkofall--raisingchildren.Thatmeansmakingsureeveryfamilyhashealthcareandthesupporttocareforagingparents,thetoolstobringtheirchildrenupright,andthatnochildgrowsupinpoverty.
FrommyfirstdaysasPresident,we''''veworkedtogivefamiliesbetteraccesstobetterhealthcare.In1997,wepassedtheChildren''''sHealthInsuranceProgram--CHIP--sothatworkerswhodon''''thavecoveragethroughtheiremployersatleastcangetitfortheirchildren.Sofar,we''''veenrolled2millionchildren;we''''rewellonourwaytoourgoalof5million.
Buttherearestillmorethan40millionofourfellowAmericanswithouthealthinsurance--morethantherewerein1993.TonightIproposethatwefollowVicePresidentGore''''ssuggestiontomakelowincomeparentseligiblefortheinsurancethatcoverstheirchildren.(Applause.)Togetherwithourchildren''''sinitiative--thinkofthis--togetherwithourchildren''''sinitiative,thisactionwouldenableustocovernearlyaquarterofalltheuninsuredpeopleinAmerica.
Again,Iwanttoaskyoutoletpeoplebetweentheagesof55and65--thefastestgrowinggroupofuninsured--buyintoMedicare.(Applause.)AndthisyearIproposetogivethemataxcredittomakethatchoiceanaffordableone.Ihopeyouwillsupportthat,aswell.(Applause.)
Whenthebabyboomersretire,Medicarewillbefacedwithcaringfortwiceasmanyofourcitizens;yet,itisfarfromreadytodoso.Mygenerationmustnotaskourchildren''''sgenerationtoshoulderourburden.WesimplymustactnowtostrengthenandmodernizeMedicare.
MybudgetincludesacomprehensiveplantoreformMedicare,tomakeitmoreefficientandcompetitive.Anditdedicatesnearly$400billionofourbudgetsurplustokeepMedicaresolventpast2025.(Applause.)And,atlonglast,italsoprovidesfundstogiveeverysenioravoluntarychoiceofaffordablecoverageforprescriptiondrugs.(Applause.)
Lifesavingdrugsareanindispensablepartofmodernmedicine.NoonecreatingaMedicareprogramtodaywouldeventhinkofexcludingcoverageforprescriptiondrugs.Yetmorethanthreeinfiveofourseniorsnowlackdependabledrugcoveragewhichcanlengthenandenrichtheirlives.MillionsofolderAmericanswhoneedprescriptiondrugsthemostpaythehighestpricesforthem.Ingoodconscience,wecannotletanotheryearpasswithoutextendingtoallourseniorsthislifelineofaffordableprescriptiondrugs.(Applause.)
RecordnumbersofAmericansareprovidingforagingorailinglovedonesathome.It''''saloving,butadifficultandoftenveryexpensivechoice.Lastyear,Iproposeda$1,000taxcreditforlong-termcare.Frankly,itwasn''''tenough.Thisyear,let''''stripleit,to$3,000.(Applause.)Butthisyear,let''''spassit.(Applause.)
Wealsohavetomakeneededinvestmentstoexpandaccesstomentalhealthcare.IwanttotakeamomenttothankthepersonwholedourfirstWhiteHouseConferenceonMentalHealthlastyear,andwhoforsevenyearshasledalloureffortstobreakdownthebarrierstodecenttreatmentofpeoplewithmentalillness.Thankyou,TipperGore.(Applause.)
Takentogether,theseproposalswouldmarkthelargestinvestmentinhealthcareinthe35yearssinceMedicarewascreated--thelargestinvestmentin35years.ThatwouldbeabigsteptowardassuringqualityhealthcareforallAmericans,youngandold.AndIaskyoutoembracethemandpassthem.(Applause.)
Wemustalsomakeinvestmentsthatrewardworkandsupportfamilies.NothingdoesthatbetterthantheEarnedIncomeTaxCredit--theEITC.(Applause.)The"E"intheEITCisaboutearning,working,takingresponsibilityandbeingrewardedforit.Inmyveryfirstaddresstoyou,IaskedCongresstogreatlyexpandthiscredit;andyoudid.Asaresult,in1998alone,theEITChelpedmorethan4.3millionAmericansworktheirwayoutofpovertytowardthemiddleclass.That''''sdoublethenumberin1993.
Tonight,IproposeanothermajorexpansionoftheEITC:toreducethemarriagepenalty,tomakesureitrewardsmarriageasitrewardswork--(applause)--andalso,toexpandthetaxcreditforfamiliesthathavemorethantwochildren.Itpunishespeoplewithmorethantwochildrentoday.(Applause.)Ourproposalwouldallowfamilieswiththreeormorechildrentogetupto$1,100moreintaxrelief.Theseareworkingfamilies;theirchildrenshouldnotbeinpoverty.(Applause.)
Wealsocan''''trewardworkandfamilyunlessmenandwomengetequalpayforequalwork.(Applause.)Today,thefemaleunemploymentrateisthelowestithasbeenin46years.Yet,womenstillonlyearnabout75centsforeverydollarmenearn.Wemustdobetter,byprovidingtheresourcestoenforcepresentequalpaylaws;trainingmorewomenforhigh-paying,high-techjobs;andpassingthePaycheckFairnessAct.(Applause.)
Manyworkingparentsspenduptoaquarter--aquarter--oftheirincomeonchildcare.Lastyear,wehelpedparentsprovidechildcareforabout2millionchildren.Mychildcareinitiative,beforeyounow,alongwithfundsalreadysecuredinwelfarereform,wouldmakechildcarebetter,saferandmoreaffordableforanother400,000children.Iaskyoutopassthat.Theyneeditoutthere--(applause.)
Forhard-pressedmiddle-incomefamilies,weshouldalsoexpandthechildcaretaxcredit.AndIbelievestronglyweshouldtakethenextbigstepandmakethattaxcreditrefundableforlow-incomefamilies.(Applause.)Forpeoplemakingunder$30,000ayear,thatcouldmeanupto$2,400forchildcarecosts.Youknow,weallsaywe''''repro-workandpro-family.Passingthisproposalwouldproveit.(Applause.)
TensofmillionsofAmericanslivefrompaychecktopaycheck.Ashardastheywork,theystilldon''''thavetheopportunitytosave.ToofewcanmakeuseofIRAsand401-Kplans.Weshoulddomoretohelpallworkingfamiliessaveandaccumulatewealth.That''''stheideabehindtheIndividualDevelopmentAccounts,theIDAs.Iaskyoutotakethatideatoanewlevel,withnewRetirementSavingsAccountsthatenableeverylow-andmoderate-incomefamilyinAmericatosaveforretirement,afirsthome,amedicalemergency,oracollegeeducation.Iproposetomatchtheircontributions,howeversmall,dollarfordollar,everyyeartheysave.AndIproposetogiveamajornewtaxcredittoanysmallbusinessthatwillprovideameaningfulpensiontoitsworkers.Thosepeopleoughttohaveretirementaswellastherestofus.(Applause.)
NearlyoneinthreeAmericanchildrengrowsupwithoutafather.Thesechildrenarefivetimesmorelikelytoliveinpovertythanchildrenwithbothparentsathome.Clearly,demandingandsupportingresponsiblefatherhoodiscriticaltoliftingallchildrenoutofpoverty.We''''vedoubledchildsupportcollectionssince1992.AndI''''mproposingtoyoutoughnewmeasurestoholdstillmorefathersresponsible.
Butweshouldrecognizethatalotoffatherswanttodorightbytheirchildren,butneedhelptodoit.CarlosRosasofSt.Paul,Minnesota,wantedtodorightbyhisson,andhegotthehelptodoit.Nowhe''''sgotagoodjobandhesupportshislittleboy.Mybudgetwillhelp40,000morefathersmakethesamechoicesCarlosRosasdid.Ithankhimforbeingheretonight.(Applause.)Standup,Carlos.Thankyou.(Applause.)
Ifthereisanysingleissueonwhichweshouldbeabletoreachacrosspartylines,itisinourcommoncommitmenttorewardworkandstrengthenfamilies,similartowhatwedidlastyear.Wecametogethertohelppeoplewithdisabilitieskeeptheirhealthinsurancewhentheygotowork.AndIthankyouforthat.ThankstooverwhelmingbipartisansupportfromthisCongress,wehaveimprovedfostercare.We''''vehelpedthoseyoungpeoplewholeaveitwhentheyturn18,andwehavedramaticallyincreasedthenumberoffostercarechildrengoingintoadoptivehomes.Ithankallofyouforallofthat.(Applause.)
Ofcourse,Iamforevergratefultothepersonwhohasledoureffortsfromthebeginning,andwho''''sworkedsotirelesslyforchildrenandfamiliesfor30yearsnow:mywife,Hillary.AndIthankher.(Applause.)
IfwetakethestepsI''''vejustdiscussed,wecangoalong,longwaytowardempoweringparentstosucceedathomeandatwork,andensuringthatnochildisraisedinpoverty.Wecanmakethesevitalinvestmentsinhealthcare,education,supportforworkingfamilies,andstilloffertaxcutstohelppayforcollege,forretirement,tocareforagingparents,toreducethemarriagepenalty.Wecandothesethingswithoutforsakingthepathoffiscaldisciplinethatgotustothispointheretonight.
Indeed,wemustmaketheseinvestmentsandthesetaxcutsinthecontextofabalancedbudgetthatstrengthensandextendsthelifeofSocialSecurityandMedicareandpaysdownthenationaldebt.(Applause.)
CrimeinAmericahasdroppedforthepastsevenyears--that''''sthelongestdeclineonrecord--thankstoanationalconsensuswehelpedtoforgeoncommunitypolice,sensiblegunsafetylaws,andeffectiveprevention.Butnobody--nobodyhere,nobodyinAmerica--believeswe''''resafeenough.Soagain,Iaskyoutosetahighergoal.Let''''smakethiscountrythesafestbigcountryintheworld.(Applause.)
Lastfall,Congresssupportedmyplantohire,inadditiontothe100,000communitypolicewe''''vealreadyfunded,50,000more,concentratedinhigh-crimeneighborhoods.Iaskyourcontinuedsupportforthat.
SoonaftertheColumbinetragedy,Congressconsideredcommon-sensegunlegislation,torequireBradybackgroundchecksatthegunshows,childsafetylocksfornewhandguns,andabanontheimportationoflarge-capacityammunitionclips.Withcourage--andatie-breakingvotebytheVicePresident--(applause)--theSenatefaceddownthegunlobby,stoodupfortheAmericanpeople,andpassedthislegislation.ButtheHousefailedtofollowsuit.
Now,wehaveallseenwhathappenswhengunsfallintothewronghands.DanielMauserwasonly15yearsoldwhenhewasgunneddownatColumbine.Hewasanamazingkid--astraight-Astudent,agoodskier.Likeallparentswholosetheirchildren,hisfatherTomhasborneunimaginablegrief.Somehowhehasfoundthestrengthtohonorhissonbytransforminghisgriefintoaction.Earlierthismonth,hetookaleaveofabsencefromhisjobtofightfortoughergunsafetylaws.IpraythathiscourageandwisdomwillatlonglastmovethisCongresstomakecommon-sensegunlegislationtheverynextorderofbusiness.(Applause.)
TomMauser,standup.Wethankyouforbeingheretonight.(Applause.)Tom.Thankyou,Tom.(Applause.)
Wemuststrengthenourgunlawsandenforcethosealreadyonthebooksbetter.(Applause.)Federalguncrimeprosecutionsareup16percentsinceItookoffice.Butwemustdomore.IproposetohiremorefederalandlocalgunprosecutorsandmoreATFagentstocrackdownonillegalguntraffickersandbad-appledealers.Andwemustgivethemtheenforcementtoolsthattheyneed,toolstotraceeverygunandeverybulletusedineveryguncrimeintheUnitedStates.Iaskyoutohelpusdothat.(Applause.)
Everystateinthiscountryalreadyrequireshuntersandautomobiledriverstohavealicense.Ithinktheyoughttodothesamethingforhandgunpurchases.(Applause.)Now,specifically,IproposeaplantoensurethatallnewhandgunbuyersmustfirsthaveaphotolicensefromtheirstateshowingtheypassedtheBradybackgroundcheckandagunsafetycourse,beforetheygetthegun.Ihopeyou''''llhelpmepassthatinthisCongress.(Applause.)
Listentothis--listentothis.Theaccidentalgunrate--theaccidentalgundeathrateofchildrenunder15intheUnitedStatesisninetimeshigherthanintheother25industrializedcountriescombined.Now,technologiesnowexistthatcouldleadtogunsthatcanonlybefiredbytheadultswhoownthem.IaskCongresstofundresearchintosmartguntechnology,tosavethesechildren''''slives.(Applause.)Iaskresponsibleleadersinthegunindustrytoworkwithusonsmartguns,andotherstepstokeepgunsoutofthewronghands,tokeepourchildrensafe.
Youknow,everyparentIknowworriesabouttheimpactofviolenceinthemediaontheirchildren.IwanttobeginbythankingtheentertainmentindustryforacceptingmychallengetoputvoluntaryratingsonTVprogramsandvideoandInternetgames.But,frankly,theratingsaretoonumerous,diverseandconfusingtobereallyusefultoparents.Sotonight,IasktheindustrytoaccepttheFirstLady''''schallengetodevelopasinglevoluntaryratingsystemforallchildren''''sentertainmentthatiseasierforparentstounderstandandenforce.(Applause.)ThestepsIoutlinewilltakeuswellonourwaytomakingAmericathesafestbigcountryintheworld.
Now,tokeepourhistoriceconomicexpansiongoing--thesubjectofalotofdiscussioninthiscommunityandothers--Ibelieveweneeda21stcenturyrevolutiontoopennewmarkets,startnewbusinesses,hirenewworkersrighthereinAmerica--inourinnercities,poorruralareas,andNativeAmericanreservations.(Applause.)
Ournation''''sprosperityhasn''''tyetreachedtheseplaces.Overthelastsixmonths,I''''vetraveledtoalotofthem,joinedbymanyofyou,andmanyfar-sightedbusinesspeople,toshineaspotlightontheenormouspotentialincommunitiesfromAppalachiatotheMississippiDelta,fromWattstothePineRidgeReservation.EverywhereIgo,Imeettalentedpeopleeagerforopportunity,andabletowork.TonightIaskyou,let''''sputthemtowork.(Applause.)Forbusiness,it''''sthesmartthingtodo.ForAmerica,it''''stherightthingtodo.Andletmeaskyousomething--ifwedon''''tdothisnow,wheninthewideworldwillweevergetaroundtoit?(Applause.)
SoIaskCongresstogivebusinessesthesameincentivestoinvestinAmerica''''snewmarketstheynowhavetoinvestinmarketsoverseas.(Applause.)Tonight,IproposealargeNewMarketstaxcreditandotherincentivestospur$22billioninprivate-sectorcapitaltocreatenewbusinessesandnewinvestmentsinourinnercitiesandruralareas.(Applause.)
Becauseempowermentzoneshavebeencreatingtheseopportunitiesforfiveyearsnow,Ialsoaskyoutoincreaseincentivestoinvestinthemandtocreatemoreofthem.(Applause.)
AndletmesaytoallofyouagainwhatIhavetriedtosayateveryturn--thisisnotaDemocraticoraRepublicanissue.GivingpeopleachancetolivetheirdreamsisanAmericanissue.(Applause.)
Mr.Speaker,itwasapowerfulmomentlastNovemberwhenyoujoinedReverendJesseJacksonandmeinyourhomestateofIllinois,andcommittedtoworkingtowardourcommongoal,bycombiningthebestideasfrombothsidesoftheaisle.Iwanttothankyouagain,andtotellyou,Mr.Speaker,Ilookforwardtoworkingwithyou.Thisisaworthy,jointendeavor.Thankyou.(Applause.)
Ialsoaskyoutomakespecialeffortstoaddresstheareasofournationwiththehighestratesofpoverty--ourNativeAmericanreservationsandtheMississippiDelta.Mybudgetincludes$110-millioninitiativetopromoteeconomicdevelopmentintheDelta,andabilliondollarstoincreaseeconomicopportunity,healthcare,educationandlawenforcementforourNativeAmericancommunities.(Applause.)Inthisnewcentury--weshouldbeginthisnewcenturybyhonoringourhistoricresponsibilitytoempowerthefirstAmericans.(Applause.)AndIwanttothanktonighttheleadersandthemembersfrombothpartieswho''''veexpressedtomeaninterestinworkingwithusontheseefforts.Theyareprofoundlyimportant.
There''''sanotherpartofourAmericancommunityintroubletonight--ourfamilyfarmers.WhenIsignedtheFarmBillin1996,Isaidtherewasgreatdangeritwouldworkwellingoodtimes,butnotinbad.Well,droughts,floods,andhistoricallylowpriceshavemadethesetimesverybadforthefarmers.Wemustworktogethertostrengthenthefarmsafetynet,investinlandconservation,andcreatesomenewmarketsforthembyexpandingourprogramsforbio-basedfuelsandproducts.Please,theyneedhelp--let''''sdoittogether.(Applause.)
Opportunityforallrequiressomethingelsetoday--havingaccesstoacomputerandknowinghowtouseit.Thatmeanswemustclosethedigitaldividebetweenthosewho''''vegotthetoolsandthosewhodon''''t.(Applause.)
ConnectingclassroomsandlibrariestotheInternetiscrucial,butit''''sjustastart.Mybudgetensuresthatallnewteachersaretrainedtoteach21stcenturyskills,anditcreatestechnologycentersin1,000communitiestoserveadults.Thisspring,I''''llinvitehigh-techleaderstojoinmeonanotherNewMarketstour,toclosethedigitaldivideandopenopportunityforourpeople.
Iwanttothankthehigh-techcompaniesthatalreadyaredoingsomuchinthisarea.IhopethenewtaxincentivesIhaveproposedwillgetalltherestofthemtojoinus.Thisisanationalcrusade.Wehavegottodothis,anddoitquickly.(Applause.)
Now,againIsaytoyou,thesearesteps,butstepbystep,wecangoalongwaytowardourgoalofbringingopportunitytoeverycommunity.
Torealizethefullpossibilitiesofthiseconomy,wemustreachbeyondourownborders,toshapetherevolutionthatistearingdownbarriersandbuildingnewnetworksamongnationsandindividuals,andeconomiesandcultures:globalization.It''''sthecentralrealityofourtime.
Ofcourse,changethisprofoundisbothliberatingandthreateningtopeople.Butthere''''snoturningback.Andouropen,creativesocietystandstobenefitmorethananyother--ifweunderstand,andacton,therealitiesofinterdependence.Wehavetobeatthecenterofeveryvitalglobalnetwork,asagoodneighborandagoodpartner.Wehavetorecognizethatwecannotbuildourfuturewithouthelpingotherstobuildtheirs.
Thefirstthingwehavegottodoistoforgeanewconsensusontrade.Now,thoseofuswhobelievepassionatelyinthepowerofopentrade,wehavetoensurethatitliftsbothourlivingstandardsandourvalues,nevertoleratingabusivechildlabororaracetothebottomintheenvironmentandworkerprotection.Butothersmustrecognizethatopenmarketsandrule-basedtradearethebestenginesweknowofforraisinglivingstandards,reducingglobalpovertyandenvironmentaldestruction,andassuringthefreeflowofideas.
IbelieveasstronglytonightasIdidthefirstdayIgothere,theonlydirectionforwardforAmericaontrade--theonlydirectionforAmericaontradeistokeepgoingforward.Iaskyoutohelpmeforgethatconsensus.(Applause.)
Wehavetomakedevelopingeconomiesourpartnersinprosperity.That''''swhyIwouldliketoaskyouagaintofinalizeourgroundbreakingAfricanandCaribbeanBasintradeinitiatives.(Applause.)
Butglobalizationisaboutmorethaneconomics.Ourpurposemustbetobringtogethertheworldaroundfreedomanddemocracyandpeace,andtoopposethosewhowouldtearitapart.HerearethefundamentalchallengesIbelieveAmericamustmeettoshapethe21stcenturyworld.
First,wemustcontinuetoencourageourformeradversaries,RussiaandChina,toemergeasstable,prosperous,democraticnations.Botharebeingheldbacktodayfromreachingtheirfullpotential:Russiabythelegacyofcommunism,aneconomyinturmoil,acruelandself-defeatingwarinChechnya;Chinabytheillusionthatitcanbuystabilityattheexpenseoffreedom.
Butthinkhowmuchhaschangedinthepastdecade:5,000formerSovietnuclearweaponstakenoutofcommission;RussiansoldiersactuallyservingwithoursintheBalkans;Russianpeopleelectingtheirleadersforthefirsttimeinathousandyears;andinChina,aneconomymoreopentotheworldthaneverbefore.
Ofcourse,noone,notasinglepersoninthischambertonight,canknowforsurewhatdirectionthesegreatnationswilltake.Butwedoknowforsurethatwecanchoosewhatwedo.Andweshoulddoeverythinginourpowertoincreasethechancethattheywillchoosewisely,tobeconstructivemembersofourglobalcommunity.
That''''swhyweshouldsupportthoseRussianswhoarestrugglingforademocratic,prosperousfuture;continuetoreducebothournucleararsenals;andhelpRussiatosafeguardweaponsandmaterialsthatremain.
Andthat''''swhyIbelieveCongressshouldsupporttheagreementwenegotiatedtobringChinaintotheWTO,bypassingPermanentNormalTradeRelationswithChinaassoonaspossiblethisyear.(Applause.)
Ithinkyououghttodoitfortworeasons.Firstofall,ourmarketsarealreadyopentoChina;thisagreementwillopenChina''''smarketstous.(Applause.)And,second,itwillplainlyadvancethecauseofpeaceinAsiaandpromotethecauseofchangeinChina.No,wedon''''tknowwhereit''''sgoing.Allwecandoisdecidewhatwe''''regoingtodo.Butwhenallissaidanddone,weneedtoknowwedideverythingwepossiblycouldtomaximizethechancethatChinawillchoosetherightfuture.(Applause.)
Asecondchallengewe''''vegotistoprotectourownsecurityfromconflictsthatposetheriskofwiderwarandthreatenourcommonhumanity.Wecan''''tpreventeveryconflictorstopeveryoutrage.Butwhereourinterestsareatstakeandwecanmakeadifference,weshouldbe,andwemustbe,peacemakers.
WeshouldbeproudofourroleinbringingtheMiddleEastclosertoalastingpeace;buildingpeaceinNorthernIreland;workingforpeaceinEastTimorandAfrica;promotingreconciliationbetweenGreeceandTurkeyandinCyprus;workingtodefusethesecrisesbetweenIndiaandPakistan;indefendinghumanrightsandreligiousfreedom.AndweshouldbeproudofthemenandwomenofourArmedForcesandthoseofourallieswhostoppedtheethniccleansinginKosovo,enablingamillionpeopletoreturntotheirhomes.(Applause.)世界秘书网版权所有
WhenSlobodanMilosevicunleashedhisterroronKosovo,CaptainJohnCherreywasoneofthebraveairmenwhoturnedthetide.AndwhenanotherAmericanplanewasshotdownoverSerbia,heflewintotheteethofenemyairdefensestobringhisfellowpilothome.ThankstoourArmedForces''''skillandbravery,weprevailedinKosovowithoutlosingasingleAmericanincombat.(Applause.)IwanttointroduceCaptainCherreytoyou.WehonorCaptainCherrey,andwepromiseyou,Captain,we''''llfinishthejobyoubegan.Standupsowecanseeyou.(Applause.)
Athirdchallengewehaveistokeepthisinexorablemarchoftechnologyfromgivingterroristsandpotentiallyhostilenationsthemeanstoundermineourdefenses.Keepinmind,thesametechnologicaladvancesthathaveshrunkcellphonestofitinthepalmsofourhandscanalsomakeweaponsofterroreasiertoconcealandeasiertouse.
WemustmeetthisthreatbymakingeffectiveagreementstorestrainnuclearandmissileprogramsinNorthKorea;curbingtheflowoflethaltechnologytoIran;preventingIraqfromthreateningitsneighbors;increasingourpreparednessagainstchemicalandbiologicalattack;protectingourvitalcomputersystemsfromhackersandcriminals;anddevelopingasystemtodefendagainstnewmissilethreats--whileworkingtopreserveourABMmissiletreatywithRussia.Wemustdoallthesethings.
Ipredicttoyou,whenmostofusarelonggone,butsometimeinthenext10to20years,themajorsecuritythreatthiscountrywillfacewillcomefromtheenemiesofthenationstate:thenarco-traffickersandtheterroristsandtheorganizedcriminals,whowillbeorganizedtogether,workingtogether,withincreasingaccesstoever-moresophisticatedchemicalandbiologicalweapons.
AndIwanttothankthePentagonandothersfordoingwhatthey''''redoingrightnowtotrytohelpprotectusandplanforthat,sothatourdefenseswillbestrong.Iaskforyoursupporttoensuretheycansucceed.(Applause.)
IalsowanttoaskyouforaconstructivebipartisandialoguethisyeartoworktobuildaconsensuswhichIhopewilleventuallyleadtotheratificationoftheComprehensiveNuclearTestBanTreaty.(Applause.)
Ihopewecanalsohaveaconstructiveefforttomeetthechallengethatispresentedtoourplanetbythehugegulfbetweenrichandpoor.Wecannotacceptaworldinwhichpartofhumanitylivesonthecuttingedgeofaneweconomy,andtherestliveonthebareedgeofsurvival.Ithinkwehavetodoourparttochangethat--withexpandedtrade,expandedaid,andtheexpansionoffreedom.
Thisisinteresting--fromNigeriatoIndonesia,morepeoplegottherighttochoosetheirleadersin1999thanin1989,whentheBerlinWallfell.We''''vegottostandbythesedemocracies--including,andespeciallytonight,Colombia,whichisfightingnarco-traffickers,foritsownpeople''''slivesandourchildren''''slives.Ihaveproposedastrongtwo-yearpackagetohelpColombiawinthisfight.IwanttothanktheleadersinbothpartiesinbothHousesforlisteningtomeandthePresidentofColombiaaboutit.Wehavegottopassthis.Iwanttoaskyourhelp.Alotisridingonit.Andit''''ssoimportantforthelong-termstabilityofourcountry,andforwhathappensinLatinAmerica.
IalsowantyoutoknowI''''mgoingtosendyounewlegislationtogoafterwhatthesedrugbaronsvaluethemost--theirmoney.AndIhopeyou''''llpassthataswell.(Applause.)
Inaworldwhereoverabillionpeopleliveonlessthanadollaraday,wealsohavegottodoourpartintheglobalendeavortoreducethedebtsofthepoorestcountries,sotheycaninvestineducation,healthcareandeconomicgrowth.That''''swhatthePopeandotherreligiousleadershaveurgedustodo.Andlastyear,CongressmadeadownpaymentonAmerica''''sshare.Iaskyoutocontinuethat.Ithankyouforwhatyoudid,andaskyoutostaythecourse.(Applause.)
IalsowanttosaythatAmericamusthelpmorenationstobreakthebondsofdisease.LastyearinAfrica,10timesasmanypeoplediedfromAIDSaswerekilledinwars--10times.ThebudgetIgiveyouinvests$150millionmoreinthefightagainstthisandotherinfectiouskillers.Andtoday,Iproposeataxcredittospeedthedevelopmentofvaccinesfordiseaseslikemalaria,TBandAIDS.Iasktheprivatesectorandourpartnersaroundtheworldtojoinusinembracingthiscause.Wecansavemillionsoflivestogether,andweoughttodoit.(Applause.)
Ialsowanttomentionourfinalchallenge,which,asalways,isthemostimportant.Iaskyoutopassanationalsecuritybudgetthatkeepsourmilitarythebest-trainedandbest-equippedintheworld,withheightenedreadinessand21stcenturyweapons;whichraisessalariesforourservicemenandwomen;whichprotectsourveterans;whichfullyfundsthediplomacythatkeepsoursoldiersoutofwar;whichmakesgoodonourcommitmenttopayourU.N.duesandarrears.Iaskyoutopassthisbudget.(Applause.)
Ialsowanttosaysomething,ifImight,verypersonaltonight.TheAmericanpeoplewatchingusathome,withthehelpofallthecommentators,cantellfromwhostandsandwhosits,andwhoclapsandwhodoesn''''t,thatthere''''sstillmodestdifferencesofopinioninthisroom.(Laughter.)ButIwanttothankyouforsomething,everyoneofyou.Iwanttothankyoufortheextraordinarysupportyouhavegiven--RepublicansandDemocratsalike--toourmenandwomeninuniform.Ithankyouforthat.(Applause.)
Ialsowanttothank,especially,twopeople.First,IwanttothankourSecretaryofDefense,BillCohen,forsymbolizingourbipartisancommitmenttonationalsecurity.Thankyou,sir.(Applause.)Evenmore,Iwanttothankhiswife,Janet,who,morethananyotherAmericancitizen,hastirelesslytraveledthisworldtoshowthesupportweallfeelforourtroops.Thankyou,JanetCohen.Iappreciatethat.Thankyou.(Applause.)
Thesearethechallengeswehavetomeetsothatwecanleadtheworldtowardpeaceandfreedominaneraofglobalization.
IwanttotellyouthatIamverygratefulformanythingsasPresident.ButoneofthethingsI''''mgratefulforistheopportunitythattheVicePresidentandIhavehadtofinallyputtorestthebogusideathatyoucannotgrowtheeconomyandprotecttheenvironmentatthesametime.(Applause.)
Asoureconomyhasgrown,we''''veridmorethan500neighborhoodsoftoxicwaste,ensuredcleanerairandwaterformillionsofpeople.Inthepastthreemonthsalone,we''''vehelpedpreserve40millionacresofroadlesslandsinthenationalforests,createdthreenewnationalmonuments.
Butasourcommunitiesgrow,ourcommitmenttoconservationmustcontinuetogrow.Tonight,Iproposecreatingapermanentconservationfund,torestorewildlife,protectcoastlines,savenaturaltreasures,fromtheCaliforniaredwoodstotheFloridaEverglades.(Applause.)
ThisLandsLegacyendowmentwouldrepresentbyfarthemostenduringinvestmentinlandpreservationeverproposedinthisHouse.Ihopewecangettogetherwithallthepeoplewithdifferentideasanddothis.Thisisagiftweshouldgivetoourchildrenandourgrandchildrenforalltime,acrosspartylines.Wecanmakeanagreementtodothis.(Applause.)
Lastyear,theVicePresidentlaunchedanewefforttomakecommunitiesmoreliberal--livable--(laughter)--liberal,Iknow.(Laughterandapplause.)Waitaminute,I''''vegotapunchlinenow.That''''sthisyear''''sagenda;lastyearwaslivable,right?(Laughter.)That''''swhatSenatorLottisgoingtosayinthecommentaryafterwards.(Laughter.)Tomakeourcommunitiesmorelivable.Thisisbigbusiness.Thisisabigissue.Whatdoesthatmean?Youaskanybodythatlivesinanunlivablecommunity,andthey''''lltellyou.Theywanttheirkidstogrowupnexttoparks,notparkinglots;theparentsdon''''thavetospendalltheirtimestalledintrafficwhentheycouldbehomewiththeirchildren.
Tonight,Iaskyoutosupportnewfundingforthefollowingthings,tomakeAmericancommunitiesforliberal--livable.(Laughterandapplause.)I''''vedoneprettywellwiththisspeech,butIcan''''tsaythat.(Applause.)
One,Iwantyoutohelpustodothreethings.Weneedmorefundingforadvancedtransitsystems.(Applause.)Weneedmorefundingforsavingopenspacesinplacesofheavydevelopment.(Applause.)Andweneedmorefunding--thisoughttohavebipartisanappeal--weneedmorefundingforhelpingmajorcitiesaroundtheGreatLakesprotecttheirwaterwaysandenhancetheirqualityoflife.WeneedthesethingsandIwantyoutohelpus.(Applause.)
Thegreatestenvironmentalchallengeofthenewcenturyisglobalwarming.Thescientiststellusthe1990swerethehottestdecadeoftheentiremillennium.Ifwefailtoreducetheemissionofgreenhousegases,deadlyheatwavesanddroughtswillbecomemorefrequent,coastalareaswillflood,andeconomieswillbedisrupted.Thatisgoingtohappen,unlessweact.
ManypeopleintheUnitedStates--somepeopleinthischamber--andlotsoffolksaroundtheworldstillbelieveyoucannotcutgreenhousegasemissionswithoutslowingeconomicgrowth.IntheIndustrialAgethatmaywellhavebeentrue.Butinthisdigitaleconomy,itisnottrueanymore.Newtechnologiesmakeitpossibletocutharmfulemissionsandprovideevenmoregrowth.
Forexample,justlastweek,automakersunveiledcarsthatget70to80milesagallon--thefruitsofauniqueresearchpartnershipbetweengovernmentandindustry.Andbeforeyouknowit,efficientproductionofbio-fuelswillgiveustheequivalentofhundredsofmilesfromagallonofgasoline.
Tospeedinnovationinthesekindoftechnologies,Ithinkweshouldgiveamajortaxincentivetobusinessfortheproductionofcleanenergy,andtofamiliesforbuyingenergy-savinghomesandappliancesandthenextgenerationofsuper-efficientcarswhentheyhittheshowroomfloor.Ialsoasktheautoindustrytousetheavailabletechnologiestomakeallnewcarsmorefuel-efficientrightaway.
AndIaskthisCongresstodosomethingelse.Pleasehelpusmakemoreofourcleanenergytechnologyavailabletothedevelopingworld.ThatwillcreatecleanergrowthabroadandalotmorenewjobshereintheUnitedStatesofAmerica.(Applause.)
Inthenewcentury,innovationsinscienceandtechnologywillbethekeynotonlytothehealthoftheenvironment,buttomiraculousimprovementsinthequalityofourlivesandadvancesintheeconomy.Laterthisyear,researcherswillcompletethefirstdraftoftheentirehumangenome,theveryblueprintoflife.ItisimportantforallourfellowAmericanstorecognizethatfederaltaxdollarshavefundedmuchofthisresearch,andthatthisandotherwiseinvestmentsinscienceareleadingtoarevolutioninourabilitytodetect,treat,andpreventdisease.
Forexample,researchershaveidentifiedgenesthatcauseParkinson''''s,diabetes,andcertainkindsofcancer--theyaredesignedprecisiontherapiesthatwillblocktheharmfuleffectofthesegenesforgood.Researchersalreadyareusingthisnewtechniquetotargetanddestroycellsthatcausebreastcancer.Soon,wemaybeabletouseittopreventtheonsetofAlzheimer''''s.Scientistsarealsoworkingonanartificialretinatohelpmanyblindpeopletosee--andlistentothis--microchipsthatwouldactuallydirectlystimulatedamagedspinalcordsinawaythatcouldallowpeoplenowparalyzedtostandupandwalk.(Applause.)
Thesekindsofinnovationsarealsopropellingourremarkableprosperity.Informationtechnologyonlyincludes8percentofouremployment,butnowitcountsforathirdofoureconomicgrowth--alongwithjobsthatpay,bytheway,about80percentabovetheprivatesectoraverage.Again,weoughttokeepinmind,government-fundedresearchbroughtsupercomputers,theInternet,andcommunicationssatellitesintobeing.Soonresearcherswillbringusdevicesthatcantranslateforeignlanguagesasfastasyoucantalk;materials10timesstrongerthansteelatafractionoftheweight;and--thisisunbelievabletome--molecularcomputersthesizeofateardropwiththepoweroftoday''''sfastestsupercomputers.
Toacceleratethemarchofdiscoveryacrossallthesedisciplinesinscienceandtechnology,Iaskyoutosupportmyrecommendationofanunprecedented$3billioninthe21stCenturyResearchFund,thelargestincreaseincivilianresearchinageneration.Weoweittoourfuture.(Applause.)
Now,thesenewbreakthroughshavetobeusedinwaysthatreflectourvalues.Firstandforemost,wehavetosafeguardourcitizens''''privacy.Lastyear,weproposedtoprotecteverycitizen''''smedicalrecord.Thisyear,wewillfinalizethoserules.We''''vealsotakenthefirststepstoprotecttheprivacyofbankandcreditcardrecordsandotherfinancialstatements.SoonIwillsendlegislationtoyoutofinishthatjob.Wemustalsoacttopreventanygeneticdiscriminationwhateverbyemployersorinsurers.Ihopeyouwillsupportthat.(Applause.)
Thesestepswillallowustoleadtowardthefarfrontiersofscienceandtechnology.Theywillenhanceourhealth,theenvironment,theeconomyinwayswecan''''tevenimaginetoday.Butweallknowthatatatimewhenscience,technologyandtheforcesofglobalizationarebringingsomanychangesintoallourlives,it''''smoreimportantthaneverthatwestrengthenthebondsthatrootusinourlocalcommunitiesandinournationalcommunity.
Notiebindsdifferentpeopletogetherlikecitizenservice.There''''sanewspiritofserviceinAmerica--amovementwe''''vetriedtosupportwithAmeriCorps,expandedPeaceCorps,unprecedentednewpartnershipswithbusinesses,foundations,communitygroups.Partnerships,forexample,liketheonethatenlisted12,000companieswhichhavenowmoved650,000ofourfellowcitizensfromwelfaretowork.Partnershipstobattledrugabuse,AIDS,teachyoungpeopletoread,saveAmerica''''streasures,strengthenthearts,fightteenpregnancy,preventviolenceamongyoungpeople,promoteracialhealing.TheAmericanpeopleareworkingtogether.
ButweshoulddomoretohelpAmericanshelpeachother.First,weshouldhelpfaith-basedorganizationstodomoretofightpovertyanddrugabuse,andhelppeoplegetbackontherighttrack,withinitiativeslikeSecondChanceHomesthatdosomuchtohelpunwedteenmothers.Second,weshouldsupportAmericanswhotitheandcontributetocharities,butdon''''tearnenoughtoclaimataxdeductionforit.(Applause.)Tonight,Iproposenewtaxincentivesthatwouldallowlow-andmiddle-incomecitizenswhodon''''titemizetogetthatdeduction.It''''snothingbutfair,anditwillgetmorepeopletogive.(Applause.)
Weshoulddomoretohelpnewimmigrantstofullyparticipateinourcommunity.That''''swhyIrecommendspendingmoretoteachthemcivicsandEnglish.Andsinceeverybodyinourcommunitycounts,we''''vegottomakesureeveryoneiscountedinthisyear''''scensus.(Applause.)
Within10years--just10years--therewillbenomajorityraceinourlargeststateofCalifornia.Inalittlemorethan50years,therewillbenomajorityraceinAmerica.Inamoreinterconnectedworld,thisdiversitycanbeourgreateststrength.Justlookaroundthischamber.Lookaround.WehavemembersinthisCongressfromvirtuallyeveryracial,ethnic,andreligiousbackground.AndIthinkyouwouldagreethatAmericaisstrongerbecauseofit.(Applause.)
Youalsohavetoagreethatallthosedifferencesyoujustclappedforalltoooftensparkhatredanddivisionevenhereathome.Justinthelastcoupleofyears,we''''veseenamandraggedtodeathinTexasjustbecausehewasblack.WesawayoungmanmurderedinWyomingjustbecausehewasgay.Lastyear,wesawtheshootingsofAfricanAmericans,AsianAmericans,andJewishchildrenjustbecauseofwhotheywere.ThisisnottheAmericanway,andwemustdrawtheline.(Applause.)
IaskyoutodrawthatlinebypassingwithoutdelaytheHateCrimesPreventionActandtheEmploymentNon-DiscriminationAct.(Applause.)AndIaskyoutoreauthorizetheViolenceAgainstWomenAct.(Applause.)
Finallytonight,Iproposethelargest-everinvestmentinourcivilrightslawsforenforcement,becausenoAmericanshouldbesubjectedtodiscriminationinfindingahome,gettingajob,goingtoschool,orsecuringaloan.Protectionsinlawshouldbeprotectionsinfact.(Applause.)
LastFebruary,becauseIthoughtthiswassoimportant,IcreatedtheWhiteHouseOfficeofOneAmericatopromoteracialreconciliation.That''''swhatoneofmypersonalheroes,HankAaron,hasdoneallhislife.Fromhisdaysasourall-timehomerunkingtohisrecentactsofhealing,hehasalwaysbroughtpeopletogether.Weshouldfollowhisexample,andwe''''rehonoredtohavehimwithustonight.Standup,HankAaron.(Applause.)
Ijustwanttosayonemorethingaboutthis,andIwanteveryoneofyoutothinkaboutthisthenexttimeyougetmadatoneofyourcolleaguesontheothersideoftheaisle.Thisfall,attheWhiteHouse,Hillaryhadoneofhermillenniumdinners,andwehadthisverydistinguishedscientistthere,whoisanexpertinthiswholeworkinthehumangenome.Andhesaidthatweareall,regardlessofrace,genetically99.9percentthesame.
Now,youmayfindthatuncomfortablewhenyoulookaroundhere.(Laughter.)Butitisworthremembering.Wecanlaughaboutthis,butyouthinkaboutit.Modernsciencehasconfirmedwhatancientfaithshasalwaystaught:themostimportantfactoflifeisourcommonhumanity.Therefore,weshoulddomorethanjusttolerateourdiversity--weshouldhonoritandcelebrateit.(Applause.)
MyfellowAmericans,everytimeIpreparefortheStateoftheUnion,Iapproachitwithhopeandexpectationandexcitementforournation.Buttonightisveryspecial,becausewestandonthemountaintopofanewmillennium.BehinduswecanlookbackandseethegreatexpanseofAmericanachievement;andbeforeuswecanseeevengreater,granderfrontiersofpossibility.Weshould,allofus,befilledwithgratitudeandhumilityforourpresentprogressandprosperity.Weshouldbefilledwithaweandjoyatwhatliesoverthehorizon.Andweshouldbefilledwithabsolutedeterminationtomakethemostofit.
Youknow,whentheframersfinishedcraftingourConstitutioninPhiladelphia,BenjaminFranklinstoodinIndependenceHallandhereflectedonthecarvingofthesunthatwasonthebackofachairhesaw.Thesunwaslowonthehorizon.Sohesaidthis--hesaid,"I''''veoftenwonderedwhetherthatsunwasrisingorsetting.Today,"Franklinsaid,"Ihavethehappinesstoknowit''''sarisingsun."Today,becauseeachsucceedinggenerationofAmericanshaskeptthefireoffreedomburningbrightly,lightingthosefrontiersofpossibility,weallstillbaskintheglowandthewarmthofMr.Franklin''''srisingsun.世界秘书网版权所有
After224years,theAmericanrevolutioncontinues.Weremainanewnation.Andaslongasourdreamsoutweighourmemories,Americawillbeforeveryoung.Thatisourdestiny.Andthisisourmoment.
Thankyou,Godblessyou,andGodblessAmerica.(Applause.)
