克林顿总统997年联邦国情咨文演说

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名人演讲稿

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:tostopdrugsattheirsource,punishthosewhopushthem,andteachouryoungpeoplethatdrugsarewrong,drugsareillegal,anddrugswillkillthem.Ihopeyouwillsupportit.(Applause.)

Ourgrowingeconomyhashelpedtorevivepoorurbanandruralneighborhoods.Butwemustdomoretoempowerthemtocreatetheconditionsinwhichallfamiliescanflourishandtocreatejobsthroughinvestmentbybusinessandloansbybanks.

Weshoulddoublethenumberofempowermentzones.They''''vealreadybroughtsomuchhopetocommunitieslikeDetroit,wheretheunemploymentratehasbeencutinhalfinfouryears.Weshouldrestorecontaminatedurbanlandandbuildingstoproductiveuse.Weshouldexpandthenetworkofcommunitydevelopmentbanks.Andtogetherwemustpledgetonightthatwewillusethisempowermentapproach--includingprivatesectortaxincentives--torenewourCapitalCity,sothatWashingtonisagreatplacetoworkandlive,andonceagaintheproudfaceAmericashowstoworld.(Applause.)

Wemustprotectourenvironmentineverycommunity.Inthelastfouryears,wecleanedup250toxicwastesites,asmanyasintheprevious12.Now,weshouldcleanup500more,sothatourchildrengrowupnexttoparks,notpoison.Iurgeyoutopassmyproposaltomakebigpolluterslivebyasimplerule:Ifyoupolluteourenvironment,youshouldpaytocleanitup.(Applause.)

Inthelastfouryears,westrengthenedournation''''ssafefoodandcleandrinkingwaterlaws;weprotectedsomeofAmerica''''srarest,mostbeautifullandinUtah''''sRedRocksregion;createdthreenewnationalparksintheCaliforniadesert;andbegantorestoretheFloridaEverglades.Nowwemustbeasvigilantwithourriversaswearewithourlands.Tonight,IannouncethatthisyearIwilldesignate10AmericanHeritageRivers,tohelpcommunitiesalongsidethemrevitalizetheirwaterfrontsandcleanuppollutionintherivers,provingonceagainthatwecangrowtheeconomyasweprotecttheenvironment.(Applause.)

Wemustalsoprotectourglobalenvironment,workingtobantheworsttoxicchemicalsandtoreducethegreenhousegasesthatchallengeourhealthevenastheychangeourclimate.

Now,weallknowthatinallofourcommunities,someofourchildrensimplydon''''thavewhattheyneedtogrowandlearnintheirownhomes,orschoolsorneighborhoods.Andthatmeanstherestofusmustdomore,fortheyareourchildren,too.That''''swhyPresidentBush,GeneralColinPowell,formerHousingSecretaryHenryCisneroswilljointheVicePresidentandmetoleadthePresident''''sSummitofServiceinPhiladelphiainApril.

Ournationalserviceprogram,AmeriCorps,hasalreadyhelped70,000youngpeopletoworktheirwaythroughcollegeastheyserveAmerica.NowweintendtomobilizemillionsofAmericanstoserveinthousandsofways.CitizenserviceisanAmericanresponsibilitywhichallAmericansshouldembrace,andIaskyoursupportforthatendeavor.(Applause.)

I''''dliketomakejustonelastpointaboutournationalcommunity.Oureconomyismeasuredinnumbersandstatistics,andit''''sveryimportant.Buttheenduringworthofournationliesinoursharedvaluesandoursoaringspirit.Soinsteadofcuttingbackonourmodesteffortstosupporttheartsandhumanities,Ibelieveweshouldstandbythemandchallengeourartists,musicians,andwriters--(applause)--challengeourmuseums,librariesandtheaters--(applause)--weshould--weshouldchallengeallAmericansintheartsandhumanitiestojoinwithourfellowcitizenstomaketheyear2000anationalcelebrationoftheAmericanspiritineverycommunity--acelebrationofourcommoncultureinthecenturythathaspassed,andinthenewonetocomeinanewmillennium,sothatwecanremaintheworld''''sbeaconnotonlyofliberty,butofcreativity,longafterthefireworkshavefaded.

ToprepareAmericaforthe21stcenturywemustmastertheforcesofchangeintheworldandkeepAmericanleadershipstrongandsureforanunchartedtime.

Fiftyyearsago,afarsightedAmericaledincreatingtheinstitutionsthatsecuredvictoryintheColdWarandbuiltagrowingworldeconomy.Asaresult,todaymorepeoplethaneverembraceouridealsandshareourinterests.Already,wehavedismantledmanyoftheblocsandbarriersthatdividedourparents''''world.Forthefirsttime,morepeopleliveunderdemocracythandictatorship,includingeverynationinourownhemisphere,butone--anditsday,too,willcome.(Applause.)

Now,westandatanothermomentofchangeandchoice--andanothertimetobefarsighted,tobringAmerica50moreyearsofsecurityandprosperity.Inthisendeavor,ourfirsttaskistohelptobuild,forthefirsttime,anundivided,democraticEurope.WhenEuropeisstable,prosperousandatpeace,Americaismoresecure.

Tothatend,wemustexpandNATOby1999,sothatcountriesthatwereonceouradversariescanbecomeourallies.AtthespecialNATOsummitthissummer,thatiswhatwewillbegintodo.WemuststrengthenNATO''''sPartnershipforPeacewithnon-memberallies.AndwemustbuildastablepartnershipbetweenNATOandademocraticRussia.(Applause.)AnexpandedNATOisgoodforAmerica.AndaEuropeinwhichalldemocraciesdefinetheirfuturenotintermsofwhattheycandotoeachother,butintermsofwhattheycandotogetherforthegoodofall--thatkindofEuropeisgoodforAmerica.

Second,AmericamustlooktotheEastnolessthantotheWest.Oursecuritydemandsit.AmericansfoughtthreewarsinAsiainthiscentury.Ourprosperityrequiresit.MorethantwomillionAmericanjobsdependupontradewithAsia.

There,too,wearehelpingtoshapeanAsianPacificcommunityofcooperation,notconflict.Letourprogresstherenotmasktheperilthatremains.TogetherwithSouthKorea,wemustadvancepeacetalkswithNorthKoreaandbridgetheColdWar''''slastdivide.AndIcallonCongresstofundourshareoftheagreementunderwhichNorthKoreamustcontinuetofreezeandthendismantleitsnuclearweaponsprogram.(Applause.)

WemustpursueadeeperdialoguewithChina--forthesakeofourinterestsandourideals.AnisolatedChinaisnotgoodforAmerica.AChinaplayingitsproperroleintheworldis.IwillgotoChina,andIhaveinvitedChina''''sPresidenttocomehere,notbecauseweagreeoneverything,butbecauseengagingChinaisthebestwaytoworkonourcommonchallengeslikeendingnucleartesting,andtodealfranklywithourfundamentaldifferenceslikehumanrights.(Applause.)

TheAmericanpeoplemustprosperintheglobaleconomy.We''''veworkedhardtoteardowntradebarriersabroadsothatwecancreategoodjobsathome.Iamproudtosaythattoday,Americaisonceagainthemostcompetitivenationandthenumberoneexporterintheworld.(Applause.)

Nowwemustacttoexpandourexports,especiallytoAsiaandLatinAmerica--twoofthefastestgrowingregionsonEarth--orbeleftbehindastheseemergingeconomiesforgenewtieswithothernations.Thatiswhyweneedtheauthoritynowtoconcludenewtradeagreementsthatopenmarketstoourgoodsandservicesevenaswepreserveourvalues.(Applause.)

Weneednotshrinkformthechallengeoftheglobaleconomy.Afterall,wehavethebestworkersandthebestproducts.Inatrulyopenmarket,wecanout-competeanyone,anywhereonEarth.

Butthisisaboutmorethaneconomics.Byexpandingtrade,wecanadvancethecauseoffreedomanddemocracyaroundtheworld.ThereisnobetterexampleofthistruththanLatinAmericawheredemocracyandopenmarketsareonthemarchtogether.ThatiswhyIwillvisitthereinthespringtoreinforceourimportanttie.

WeshouldallbeproudthatAmericaledtheefforttorescueourneighbor,Mexico,fromitseconomiccrises.AndweshouldallbeproudthatlastmonthMexicorepaidtheUnitedStates--threefullyearsaheadofschedule--withhalfabilliondollarprofittous.(Applause.)

Americamustcontinuetobeanunrelentingforceforpeace---fromtheMiddleEasttoHaiti,fromNorthernIrelandtoAfrica.Takingreasonablerisksforpeacekeepsusfrombeingdrawnintofarmorecostlyconflictslater.

WithAmericanleadership,thekillinghasstoppedinBosnia.Nowthehabitsofpeacemusttakehold.ThenewNATOforcewillallowreconstructionandreconciliationtoaccelerate.Tonight,IaskCongresstocontinueitsstrongsupportforourtroops.TheyaredoingaremarkablejobthereforAmerica,andAmericamustdorightbythem.(Applause.)

Fifth,wemustmovestronglyagainstnewthreatstooursecurity.Inthepastfouryears,weagreedtoban--weledthewaytoaworldwideagreementtobannucleartesting.WithRussia,wedramaticallycutnucleararsenalsandwestoppedtargetingeachotherscitizens.Weareactingtopreventnuclearmaterialsfromfallingintothewronghandsandtoridtheworldoflandmines.(Applause.)Weareworkingwithothernationswithrenewedintensitytofightdrugtraffickersandtostopterroristsbeforetheyact,andholdthemfullyaccountableiftheydo.(Applause.)

Now,wemustrisetoanewtestofleadership:ratifyingtheChemicalWeaponsConvention.(Applause.)Makenomistakeaboutit,itwillmakeourtroopssaferfromchemicalattack;itwillhelpustofightterrorism.Wehavenomoreimportantobligations--especiallyinthewakeofwhatwenowknowabouttheGulfWar.Thistreatyhasbeenbipartisanfromthebeginning--supportedbyRepublicanandDemocraticadministrationsandRepublicanandDemocraticmembersofCongress--andalreadyapprovedby68nations.

ButifwedonotactbyAprilthe29th--whenthisConventiongoesintoforce,withorwithoutus--wewilllosethechancetohaveAmericansleadingandenforcingthiseffort.TogetherwemustmaketheChemicalWeaponsConventionlaw,sothatatlastwecanbegintooutlawpoisongasfromtheEarth.(Applause.)世界秘书网版权所有

Finally,wemusthavethetoolstomeetallthesechallenges.Wemustmaintainastrongandreadymilitary.Wemustincreasefundingforweaponsmodernizationbytheyear2000,andwemusttakegoodcareofourmenandwomeninuniform.Theyaretheworld''''sfinest.(Applause.)

WemustalsorenewourcommitmenttoAmerica''''sdiplomacy,andpayourdebtsandduestointernationalfinancialinstitutionsliketheWorldBank,andtoareformingUnitedNations.(Applause.)Everydollarwedevotetopreventingconflicts,topromotingdemocracy,tostoppingthespreadofdiseaseandstarvation,bringsasurereturninsecurityandsavings.Yetinternationalaffairsspendingtodayisjustonepercentofthefederalbudget--asmallfractionofwhatAmericainvestedindiplomacytochooseleadershipoverescapismatthestartoftheColdWar.IfAmericaistocontinuetoleadtheworld,weherewholeadAmericasimplymustfindthewilltopayourway.

AfarsightedAmericamovedtheworldtoabetterplaceovertheselast50years.Andsoitcanbeforanother50years.ButashortsightedAmericawillsoonfinditswordsfallingondeafearsallaroundtheworld.(Applause.)

Almostexactly50yearsago,inthefirstwinteroftheColdWar,PresidentTrumanstoodbeforeaRepublicanCongressandcalleduponourcountrytomeetitsresponsibilitiesofleadership.Thiswashiswarning--hesaid,"Ifwefalter,wemayendangerthepeaceoftheworld,andweshallsurelyendangerthewelfareofthisnation."ThatCongress,ledbyRepublicanslikeSenatorArthurVandenberg,answeredPresidentTruman''''scall.Together,theymadethecommitmentsthatstrengthenedourcountryfor50years.

Nowletusdothesame.Letusdowhatittakestoremaintheindispensablenation--tokeepAmericastrong,secureandprosperousforanother50years.(Applause.)

Intheend,morethananythingelse,ourworldleadershipgrowsoutofthepowerofourexamplehereathome,outofourabilitytoremainstrongasoneAmerica.

Allovertheworld,peoplearebeingtornasunderbyracial,ethnic,andreligiousconflictsthatfuelfanaticismandterror.Wearetheworld''''smostdiversedemocracy,andtheworldlookstoustoshowthatitispossibletoliveandadvancetogetheracrossthosekindsofdifferences.

Americahasalwaysbeenanationofimmigrants.Fromthestart,asteadystreamofpeople,insearchoffreedomandopportunity,havelefttheirownlandstomakethislandtheirhome.WestartedasanexperimentindemocracyfueledbyEuropeans.Wehavegrownintoanexperimentindemocraticdiversityfueledbyopennessandpromise.

MyfellowAmericans,wemustnever,everbelievethatourdiversityisaweakness--itisourgreateststrength.(Applause.)Americansspeakeverylanguage,knoweverycounty.Peopleoneverycontinentcanlooktousandseethereflectionoftheirowngreatpotential--andtheyalwayswill,aslongaswestrivetogiveallofourcitizens,whatevertheirbackground,anopportunitytoachievetheirowngreatness.

We''''renotthereyet.Westillseeevidenceofabidingbigotryandintolerance,inuglywordsandawfulviolence,inburnedchurchesandbombedbuildings.Wemustfightagainstthis,inourcountryandinourhearts.

JustafewdaysbeforemysecondInauguration,oneofcountry''''sbestknownpastors,ReverendRobertSchuller,suggestedthatIreadIsaiah58:12.Here''''swhatitsays:"Thoushaltraiseupthefoundationsofmanygenerations,andthoushaltbecalled,therepairerofthebreach,therestorerofpathstodwellin."IplacedmyhandonthatversewhenItooktheoathofoffice,onbehalfofallAmericans.Fornomatterwhatourdifferences--inourfaiths,ourbackgrounds,ourpolitics--wemustallberepairersofthebreach.

IwanttosayawordabouttwootherAmericanswhoshowushow.CongressmanFrankTejedawasburiedyesterday,aproudAmericanwhosefamilycamefromMexico.Hewasonly51yearsold.HewasawardedtheSilverStar,theBronzeStarandthePurpleHeart,fightingforhiscountryinVietnam.AndhewentontoserveTexasandAmericafightingforourfutureinthischamber.Wearegratefulforhisserviceandhonoredthathismother,LillieTejeda,andhissister,MaryAlice,havecomefromTexastobewithusheretonight.Andwewelcomeyou.(Applause.)

GaryLocke,thenewlyelectedGovernorofWashingtonState,isthefirstChinese-Americangovernorinthehistoryofourcountry.He''''stheproudsonoftwoofthemillionsofAsian-AmericanimmigrantswhohavestrengthenedAmericawiththeirhardwork,familyvaluesandgoodcitizenship.Herepresentsthefuturewecanallachieve.Thankyou,Governor,forbeinghere.Pleasestandup.(Applause.)

ReverendSchuller,CongressmanTejeda,GovernorLocke,alongwithKristinTannerandChrisGetsla,SueWinskiandDr.KristenZarfos--they''''reallAmericansfromdifferentroots,whoselivesreflectthebestofwhatwecanbecomewhenweareoneAmerica.Wemaynotshareacommonpast,butwesurelydoshareacommonfuture.

BuildingoneAmericaisourmostimportantmission--"thefoundationformanygenerations,"ofeveryotherstrengthwemustbuildforthisnewcentury.Moneycannotbuyit.Powercannotcompelit.Technologycannotcreateit.Itcanonlycomefromthehumanspirit.

Americaisfarmorethanaplace.Itisanidea,themostpowerfulideainthehistoryofnations.Andallofusinthischamber,wearenowthebearersofthatidea,leadingagreatpeopleintoanewworld.Achildborntonightwillhavealmostnomemoryofthe20thcentury.EverythingthatchildwillknowaboutAmericawillbebecauseofwhatwedonowtobuildanewcentury.

Wedon''''thaveamomenttowaste.Tomorrowtherewillbejustover1,000daysuntiltheyear2000.Onethousanddaystoprepareourpeople.Onethousanddaystoworktogether.Onethousanddaystobuildabridgetoalandofnewpromise.MyfellowAmericans,wehaveworktodo.Letusseizethosedaysandthecentury.

Thankyou,GodblessyouandGodblessAmerica.(Applause.)世界秘书网版权所有