克林顿总统999年联邦国情咨文演说

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名人演讲稿

Mr.Speaker,Mr.VicePresident,membersofCongress,honoredguests,myfellowAmericans.TonightIhavethehonorofreportingtoyouontheStateoftheUnion.

LetmebeginbysalutingthenewspeakeroftheHouseandthankinghimespeciallytonightforextendinganinvitationtotwoguestssittinginthegallerywithMrs.[J.Dennis]Hastert.LynGibsonandWeiLingChestnutarethewidowsofthetwobraveCapitolHillpoliceofficerswhogavetheirlivestodefendfreedom''''shouse.

Mr.Speaker,atyourswearinginyouaskedusalltoworktogetherinaspiritofcivilityandbipartisanship.Mr.Speaker,let''''sdoexactlythat.

Tonight,IstandbeforeyoutoreportthatAmericahascreatedthelongestpeacetimeeconomicexpansioninourhistory.Withnearly18millionnewjobs,wagesrisingatmorethantwicetherateofinflation,thehighesthomeownershipinhistory,thesmallestwelfarerolesin30years,andthelowestpeacetimeunemploymentsince1957.

Forthefirsttimeinthreedecades,thebudgetisbalanced.Fromadeficitof$290billionin1992,wehadasurplusof$70billionlastyear.Andnow,weareoncourseforbudgetsurplusesforthenext25years.

Thankstothepioneeringleadershipofallofyou,wehavethelowestviolentcrimerateinaquartercenturyandthecleanestenvironmentinaquartercentury.

Americaisastrongforceforpeace–fromNorthernIrelandtoBosniatotheMiddleEast.

ThankstotheleadershipofVicePresidentGore,wehaveagovernmentfortheInformationAge,onceagainagovernmentthatisaprogressiveinstrumentofthecommongood,rootedinouroldestvaluesofopportunity,responsibilityandcommunity,devotedtofiscalresponsibility,determinedtogiveourpeoplethetoolstheyneedtomakethemostoftheirownlivesinthe21stcentury,a21stcenturygovernmentfor21stcenturyAmerica.

MyfellowAmericans,Istandbeforeyoutonighttoreportthatthestateofourunionisstrong.Now,Americaisworkingagain.Thepromiseofourfutureislimitless.Butwecannotrealizethatpromiseifweallowthehumofourprosperitytolullusintocomplacency.Howwefareasanationfarintothe21stcenturydependsuponwhatwedoasanationtoday.

So,withourbudgetsurplusgrowing,oureconomyexpanding,ourconfidencerising,nowisthemomentforthisgenerationtomeetourhistoricresponsibilitytothe21stcentury.

Ourfiscaldisciplinegivesusanunsurpassedopportunitytoaddressaremarkablenewchallenge,theagingofAmerica.WiththenumberofelderlyAmericanssettodoubleby2030,thebabyboomwillbecomeaseniorboom.

Sofirstandaboveall,wemustsaveSocialSecurityforthe21stcentury.

Earlyinthiscentury,beingoldmeantbeingpoor.WhenPresident[FranklinD.]RooseveltcreatedSocialSecurity,thousandswrotetothankhimforeliminatingwhatonewomancalled"thestarkterrorofpenniless,helplessoldage."Eventoday,withoutSocialSecurity,halfournation''''selderlywouldbeforcedintopoverty.

Today,SocialSecurityisstrong,butby2013,payrolltaxeswillnolongerbesufficienttocovermonthlypayments.By2032,thetrustfundwillbeexhaustedandSocialSecuritywillbeunabletopaythefullbenefitsolderAmericanshavebeenpromised.

ThebestwaytokeepSocialSecurityarocksolidguaranteeisnottomakedrasticcutsinbenefits;nottoraisepayrolltaxrates;nottodrainresourcesfromSocialSecurityinthenameofsavingit.Instead,IproposethatwemakethehistoricdecisiontoinvestthesurplustosaveSocialSecurity.

Specifically,Iproposethatwecommit60percentofthebudgetsurplusforthenext15yearstoSocialSecurity,investingasmallportionintheprivatesectorjustasanyprivateorstategovernmentpensionwoulddo.ThiswillearnahigherreturnandkeepSocialSecuritysoundfor55years.

Butwemustaimhigher.WeshouldputSocialSecurityonasoundfootingforthenext75years.Weshouldreducepovertyamongelderlywomen,whoarenearlytwiceaslikelytobepoorasareotherseniors.AndweshouldeliminatethelimitsonwhatseniorsonSocialSecuritycanearn.

Now,thesechangeswillrequiredifficult,butfullyachievablechoicesoverandabovethededicationofthesurplus.Theymustbemadeonabipartisanbasis.Theyshouldbemadethisyear.Soletmesaytoyoutonight,IreachoutmyhandtoallofyouinbothhousesinbothpartiesandaskthatwejointogetherinsayingtotheAmericanpeople,wewillsaveSocialSecuritynow.

Now,lastyear,wewiselyreservedallofthesurplusuntilweknewwhatitwouldtaketosaveSocialSecurity.Again,Isay,weshouldn''''tspendanyofit,notanyofit,untilafterSocialSecurityistrulysaved.Firstthing''''sfirst.

Second,oncewehavesavedSocialSecurity,wemustfulfillourobligationtosaveandimproveMedicare.AlreadywehaveextendedthelifeoftheMedicaretrustfundby10years,butweshouldextenditforatleastanotherdecade.Tonight,Iproposethatweuseoneoutofeverysixdollarsinthesurplusforthenext15yearstoguaranteethesoundnessofMedicareuntiltheyear2020.

But,again–but,again,weshouldaimhigher.Wemustbewillingtoworkinabipartisanwayandlookatnewideas,includingtheupcomingreportoftheBipartisanMedicareCommission.Ifweworktogether,wecansecureMedicareforthenexttwodecadesandcoverthegreatestgrowingneedofseniors–affordableprescriptiondrugs.

Third,wemusthelpallAmericansfromtheirfirstdayonthejobtosave,toinvest,tocreatewealth.

Fromitsbeginnings,AmericanshavesupplementedSocialSecuritywithprivatepensionsandsavings.YettodaymillionsofpeopleretirewithlittletoliveonotherthanSocialSecurity.Americanslivinglongerthaneversimplymustsavemorethanever.

Therefore,inadditiontosavingSocialSecurityandMedicare,Iproposeanewpensioninitiativeforretirementsecurityinthe21stcentury.Iproposethatweusealittleover11percentofthesurplustoestablishuniversalsavingsaccounts–USAaccounts–togiveallAmericansthemeanstosave.

Withthesenewaccounts,Americanscaninvestastheychooseandreceivefundstomatchaportionoftheirsavingswithextrahelpforthoseleastabletosave.USAaccountswillhelpallAmericanstoshareinournation''''swealthandtoenjoyamoresecureretirement.Iaskyoutosupportthem.

Fourth,wemustinvestinlong-termcare.

Iproposeataxcreditof$1,000fortheaged,ailingordisabledandthefamilieswhocareforthem.Long-termcarewillbecomeabiggerandbiggerchallengewiththeagingofAmerica–andwemustdomoretohelpourfamiliesdealwithit.

Iwasbornin1946,thefirstyearofthebabyboom.Icantellyouthatoneofthegreatestconcernsofourgenerationisourabsolutedeterminationnottoletourgrowingoldplaceanintolerableburdenonourchildrenandtheirabilitytoraiseourgrandchildren.

Oureconomicsuccessandourfiscaldisciplinenowgiveustheopportunitytoliftthatburdenfromtheirshoulders,andweshouldtakeit.

SavingSocialSecurity,Medicare,creatingU.S.accounts,thisistherightwaytousethesurplus.Ifwedoso,ifwedoso,wewillstillhaveresourcestomeetcriticalneedsandeducationanddefense.

AndIwanttopointoutthatthisproposalisfiscallysound.Listentothis,ifwesetaside60percentofthesurplusforSocialSecurityand16percentforMedicareoverthenext15years,thatsavingswillachievethelowestlevelofpublicly-helddebtsincerightbeforeWorldWarIin1917.

Sowiththesefourmeasures;savingSocialSecurity,strengtheningMedicare,establishingtheUSAaccounts,supportinglong-termcare,wecanbegintomeetourgeneration''''shistoricresponsibilitytoestablishtruesecurityfor21stcenturyseniors.

Now,therearemorechildren,frommorediversebackgrounds,inourpublicschoolsthatanytimeinourhistory.Theireducationmustprovidetheknowledgeandnurturethecreativitythatwillallowourentirenationtothriveintheneweconomy.

Todaywecansaysomethingwecouldn''''tsaysixyearsago.Withtaxcreditsandmoreaffordablestudentloans,withmorework-studygrantsandmorePellGrants,witheducationIRAs,thenewHOPEScholarshiptaxcutthatmorethanfivemillionAmericanswillreceivethisyear,wehavefinallyopenedthedoorsofcollegetoallAmericans.

Withoursupport,nearlyeverystatehassethigheracademicstandardsforpublicschoolsandavoluntarynationaltestisbeingdevelopedtomeasuretheprogressofourstudents.Withover$1billionindiscountsavailablethisyear,wearewellonourwaytoourgoalofconnectingeveryclassroomandlibrarytotheInternet.

Lastfall,youpassedourproposaltostarthiring100,000newteacherstoreduceclasssizeintheearlygrades.NowIaskyoutofinishthejob.

Youknowourchildrenaredoingbetter.SATscoresareup.Mathscoreshaveriseninnearlyallgrades.Butthere''''saproblem.Whileourfourth-gradersoutperformedtheirpeersinothercountriesinmathandscience,oureighth-gradersarearoundaverage,andour12th-gradersranknearthebottom.Wemustdobetter.

Noweachyearthenationalgovernmentinvestsmorethan$15billioninourpublicschools.Ibelievewemustchangethewayweinvestthatmoneytosupportwhatworksandtostopsupportingwhatdoesnotwork.

First,laterthisyearIwillsendtoCongressaplanthatforthefirsttimeholdsstatesandschooldistrictsaccountableforprogressandrewardsthemforresults.MyEducationAccountabilityActwillrequireeveryschooldistrictreceivingfederalhelptotakethefollowingfivesteps:

First,allschoolsmustendsocialpromotion.

Now,nochild,nochildshouldgraduatefromhighschoolwithadiplomaheorshecan''''tread.Wedoourchildrennofavorswhenweallowthemtopassfromgradetogradewithoutmasteringthematerial.Butwecan''''tjustholdstudentsbackbecausethesystemfailsthem.

Somybalancedbudgettriplesthefundingforsummerschoolandafter-schoolprogramstokeepamillionchildrenlearning.Now,if–ifyoudoubtthiswillwork,justlookatChicago,whichendedsocialpromotionandmadesummerschoolmandatoryforthosewhodon''''tmasterthebasics.Mathandreadingscoresareupthreeyearsrunningwithsomeofthebiggestgainsinsomeofthepoorestneighborhoods.Itwillwork,andweshoulddoit.

Second,allstatesandschooldistrictsmustturnaroundtheirworstperformingschoolsorshutthemdown.That''''sthepolicyestablishedinNorthCarolinabyGovernorJimHunt.NorthCarolinamadethebiggestgainsintestscoresinthenationlastyear.Ourbudgetincludes$200milliontohelpstatesturnaroundtheirownfailingschools.

Third,allstatesandschooldistrictsmustbeheldresponsibleforthequalityoftheirteachers.Thegreatmajorityofourteachersdoafinejob,butintoomanyschoolsteachersdon''''thavecollegemajorsorevenminorsinthesubjectstheyteach.Newteachersshouldberequiredtopassperformanceexams,andallteachersshouldknowthesubjecttheirteaching.

Thisyear''''sbalancedbudgetcontainsresourcestohelpthemreachhigherstandards.Andtoattracttalentedyoungteacherstothetoughestassignments,Irecommendasix-foldincreaseinourprogramforcollegescholarshipsforstudentswhocommittoteachintheinner-citiesandisolatedruralareasandinIndiancommunities.LetusbringexcellencetoeverypartofAmerica.

Fourth,wemustempowerparentswithmoreinformationandmorechoices.Intoomanycommunitiesit''''seasiertogetinformationonthequalityofthelocalrestaurantsthanonthequalityofthelocalschools.

Everyschooldistrictshouldissuereportcardsoneveryschool.Andparentsshouldbegivenmorechoicesinselectingtheirpublicschools.

WhenIbecamepresident,therewasjustoneindependentpubliccharterschoolinallAmerica.Withoursupportonabipartisanbasis,todaythereare1,100.Mybudgetassuresthatearlyinthenextcentury,therewillbe3,000.

Fifth,toassurethatourclassroomsaretrulyplacesoflearning,andtorespondtowhatteachershavebeenaskingustodoforyears,weshouldsaythatallstatesandschooldistrictsmustbothadoptandimplementsensibledisciplinepolicies.

Nowlet''''sdoonemorethingforourchildren.Today,toomanyschoolsaresooldthey''''refallingapart,orsoovercrowdedstudentsarelearningintrailers.Lastfall,Congressmissedtheopportunitytochangethat.Thisyear,with53millionchildreninourschools,Congressmustnotmissthatopportunityagain.Iaskyoutohelpourcommunitiesbuildormodernize5,000schools.

Ifwedothesethings–endsocialpromotion,turnaroundfailingschools,buildmodernones,supportqualifiedteachers,promoteinnovation,competitionanddiscipline–thenwewillbegintomeetourgeneration''''shistoricresponsibilitytocreateto21stcenturyschools.

Now,wealsohavetodomoretosupportthemillionsofparentswhogivetheiralleverydayathomeandatwork.

Themostbasictoolofallisadecentincome.Solet''''sraisetheminimumwagebyadollaranhouroverthenexttwoyears.

Andlet''''smakesurethatwomenandmengetequalpayforequalworkbystrengtheningenforcementoftheequalpaylaws.

(Applause,cheering)

Thatwasencouraging,youknow?Therewasmorebalanceontheseesaw.Ilikethat.Let''''sgivethemahand.That''''sgreat.

Workingparentsalsoneedqualitychildcare.So,againthisyear,IaskCongresstosupportourplanfortaxcreditsandsubsidiesforworkingfamilies,forimprovedsafetyandquality,forexpandedafter-schoolprogram.Andourplanalsoincludesanewtaxcreditforstay-at-homeparents,too.Theyneedsupportaswell.

Parentsshouldneverhavetoworryaboutchoosingbetweentheirchildrenandtheirwork.Now,theFamilyandMedicalLeaveAct,theveryfirstbillIsignedintolaw,hasnow,since1993,helpedmillionsandmillionsofAmericanstocareforanewbornbabyoranailingrelativewithoutriskingtheirjobs.Ithinkit''''stime,withalloftheevidencethatithasbeensolittleburdensometoemployers,toextendfamilyleaveto10millionmoreAmericansworkingforsmallercompanies,andIhopeyouwillsupportit.

Finally,onthematterofwork,parentsshouldneverhavetofacediscriminationintheworkplace.SoIwanttoaskCongresstoprohibitcompaniesfromrefusingtohireorpromoteworkerssimplybecausetheyhavechildren.Thatisnotright.

America''''sfamiliesdeservetheworld''''sbestmedicalcare.Thankstobipartisanfederalsupportformedicalresearch,wearenotonthevergeofnewtreatmentstopreventordelaydiseasesfromParkinson''''stoAlzheimer''''stoarthritistocancer.Butaswecontinueouradvancesinmedicalscience,wecan''''tletourmedicalsystemlagbehind.

ManagedcarehasliterallytransformedmedicineinAmerica,drivingdowncosts,butthreateningtodrivedownqualityaswell.

IthinkweoughttosaytoeveryAmerican,youshouldhavetherighttoknowallyoumedicaloptions,notjustthecheapest.Ifyouneedaspecialist,youshouldhavearighttoseeone.Youhavearighttothenearestemergencycareifyou''''reinanaccident.Thesearethingsthatweoughttosay.AndIthinkweoughttosayyoushouldhavearighttokeepyourdoctorduringaperiodoftreatmentwhetherit''''sapregnancyorachemotherapytreatmentoranythingelse.Ibelievethis.

NowI''''veorderedtheserightstobeextendedtothe85millionAmericansservedbyMedicare,Medicaidandotherfederalhealthprograms.ButonlyCongresscanpassaPatients''''BillofRightsforallAmericans.

Lastyear,Congressmissedthatopportunity,andwemustnotmissthatopportunityagain.Forthesakeofourfamilies,IaskustojointogetheracrosspartylinesandpassastrongenforceablePatients''''BillofRights.

Asmoreofourmedicalrecordsarestoredelectronically,thethreatstoallofourprivacyincrease.BecauseCongresshasgivenmetheauthoritytoactifitdoesnotdosobyAugust,onewayoranother,wecanallsaytotheAmericanpeople,wewillprotecttheprivacyofmedicalrecordsthisyear.

Now,twoyearsago,weactedtoextendhealthcoveragetouptofivemillionchildren.Nowweshouldgobeyondthat.Weshouldmakeiteasierforsmallbusinessestoofferhealthinsurance.Weshouldgivepeoplebetweentheagesof55and65wholosetheirhealthinsurancethechancetobuyintoMedicare.

Andweshouldcontinuetoensureaccesstofamilyplanning.Nooneshouldhavetochoosebetweenkeepinghealthcareandtakingajob.Andtherefore,IespeciallyaskyoutonighttojoinhandstopassthelandmarkbipartisanlegislationproposedbySens.[EdwardM.]Kennedy(D-Mass.)and[JamesM.]Jeffords(R-Vt.),[WilliamV.]Roth[Jr.](R-Del.)and[DanielPatrick]Moynihan(D-N.Y.),toallowpeoplewithdisabilitiestokeeptheirhealthinsurancewhentheygotowork.

Weneedtoenableourpublichospitals,ourcommunity,ouruniversityhealthcenterstoprovidebasic,affordablecareforallthemillionsofworkingfamilieswhodon''''thaveanyinsurance.Theydoalotofthattoday,butmuchmorecanbedone.Andmybalancedbudgetmakesagooddownpaymenttowardthatgoal.Ihopeyouwillthinkaboutthemandsupportthatprovision.

Letmesaywemuststepupoureffortstotreatandpreventmentalillness.NoAmericanshouldeverbeable–afraidevertoaddressthisdisease.ThisyearwewillhostaWhiteHouseConferenceonMentalHealth.Withsensitivity,commitmentandpassion,TipperGoreisleadingoureffortshere,andI''''dliketothankherforwhatshe''''sdone.Thankyou.Thankyou.

Aseveryoneknows,ourchildrenaretargetsofamassivemediacampaigntohookthemoncigarettes.Now,IaskthisCongresstoresistthetobaccolobby,toreaffirmtheFDA''''sauthoritytoprotectourchildrenfromtobaccoandtoholdtobaccocompaniesaccountable,whileprotectingtobaccofarmers.

SmokinghascosttaxpayershundredsofbillionsofdollarsunderMedicareandotherprograms.Youknow,thestateshavebeenrightaboutthis.Taxpayersshouldn''''tpayforthecostoflungcancer,emphysema,andothersmoking-relatedillnesses,thetobaccocompaniesshould.

SotonightIannouncethattheJusticeDepartmentispreparingalitigationplantotakethetobaccocompaniestocourtandwiththefundswerecovertostrengthenMedicare.

Now,ifweactintheseareas–minimumwage,familyleave,childcare,healthcare,thesafetyofourchildren–thenwewillbegintomeetourgeneration''''shistoricresponsibilitiestostrengthenourfamiliesforthe21stcentury.

Today,Americaisthemostdynamic,competitive,job-creatingeconomyinhistory,butwecandoevenbetterinbuildinga21stcenturyeconomythatembracesallAmericans.

Today''''sincomegapislargelyaskillsgap.Lastyear,theCongresspassedalawenablingworkerstogetaskillsgranttochoosethetrainingtheyneed.AndIapplaudallofyouherewhowerepartofthat.

Thisyear,Irecommendafive-yearcommitmenttothenewsystem,sothatwecanprovideoverthenextfiveyearsappropriatetrainingopportunitiesforallAmericanswholosetheirjobsandexpandrapidresponseteamstohelpalltownswhichhavebeenreallyhurtwhenbusinessesclose.Ihopeyouwillsupportthis.

Also,Iaskyoursupportforadramaticincreaseinfederalsupportforadultliteracytomountanationalcampaignaimedathelpingthemillionsandmillionsofworkingpeoplewhostillreadatlessthanafifth-gradelevel.Weneedtodothis.

Here''''ssomegoodnews.Inthepastsixyears,wehavecutthewelfarerollsnearlyinhalf.

Twoyearsago,fromthispodium,Iaskedfivecompaniestoleadanationalefforttohirepeopleoffwelfare.Tonightourwelfare-to-workpartnershipincludes10,000companieswhohavehiredhundredsofthousandsofpeople,andourbalancedbudgetwillhelpanother200,000peoplemovetothedignityandprideofwork.Ihopeyouwillsupportit.

WemustbringthesparkofprivateenterprisetoeverycornerofAmerica,tobuildabridgefromWallStreettoAppalachiatotheMississippiDelta,toourNativeAmericancommunities,withmoresupportforcommunitydevelopmentbanksforempowermentzones,for100,000morevouchersforaffordablehousing.

AndIaskCongresstosupportourboldnewplantohelpbusinessesraiseupto$15billioninprivatesectorcapital,tobringjobsandopportunitiesandinnercities,ruralareas,withtaxcredits,loanguarantees,includingthenewAmericanPrivateInvestmentCompanies,modeledontheOverseasPrivateInvestmentCompanies.

Now,foryearsandyearswe''''vehadthisOPIC,thisOverseasPrivateInvestmentCorporation,becauseweknewwehaduntappedmarketsoverseas.Butourgreatestuntappedmarketsarenotoverseas–theyarerighthereathome.Andweshouldgoafterthem.

Wemustworkhardtohelpbringprosperitybacktothefamilyfarm.

AsthisCongressknowsverywell,droppingpricesandthelossofforeignmarketshavedevastatedtoomanyfamilyfarmers.Lastyear,theCongressprovidedsubstantialassistancetohelpstaveoffadisasterinAmericanagriculture,andIamreadytoworkwithlawmakersofbothpartiestocreateafarmsafetynetthatwillincludecropinsurancereformandfarmincomeassistance.

Iaskyoutojoinwithmeanddothis.Thisshouldnotbeapoliticalissue.EveryoneknowswhataneconomicproblemisgoingonoutthereinruralAmericatoday,andweneedanappropriatemeanstoaddressit.

Wemuststrengthenourleadintechnology.ItwasgovernmentinvestmentthatledtothecreationoftheInternet.Iproposea28-percentincreaseinlong-termcomputingresearch.

Wealsomustbereadyforthe21stcenturyfromitsveryfirstmomentbysolvingtheso-calledY2Kcomputerproblem.WehadonememberofCongressstandupandapplaud.Andwemayhaveaboutthatrationoutthereapplaudingathomeinfrontoftheirtelevisionsets.Butremember,thisisabig,bigproblem,andwe''''vebeenworkinghardonit.Alreadywe''''vemadesurethattheSocialSecuritycheckswillcomeontime.

ButIwantallthefolksathomelisteningtothistoknowthatweneedeverystateandlocalgovernment,everybusinesslargeandsmalltoworkwithustomakesurethatthisY2Kcomputerbugwillberememberedasthelastheadacheofthe20thcentury,notthefirstcrisisofthe21st.

Forourownprosperity,wemustsupporteconomicgrowthabroad.Youknow,untilrecentlyathirdofoureconomicgrowthcamefromexports.Butoverthepastyearandahalf,financialturmoilhasputthatgrowthatrisk.Today,muchoftheworldisinrecession,withAsiahitespeciallyhard.Thisisthemostseriousfinancialcrisisinhalfacentury.

Tomeetit,theU.S.andothernationshavereducedinterestratesandstrengthenedtheInternationalMonetaryFundandwhiletheturmoilisnotover,wehaveworkedveryhardwithothernationstocontainit.

Atthesametime,wewillcontinuetoworkonthelong-termproject:buildingaglobalfinancialsystemforthe21stcenturythatpromotesprosperityandtamesthecycleofboomandbustthathasengulfedsomuchofAsia.ThisJune,IwillmeetwithotherworldleaderstoadvancethishistoricpurposeandIaskallofyoutosupportourendeavors.Ialsoaskyoutosupportcreatingafreerandfairertradingsystemfor21stcenturyAmerica.

Youknow,I''''dliketosaysomethingreallyserioustoeveryoneinthischamberinbothparties.IthinktradehasdividedusanddividedAmericansoutsidethischamberfortoolong.Somehow,wehavetofindacommongroundonwhichbusinessandworkersandenvironmentalistsandfarmersandgovernmentcanstandtogether.Ibelievethesearethethingsweoughttoallagreeon.So,letmetry.

First,weoughttoteardownbarriers,openmarketsandexpandtrade,butatthesametime,wemustensurethatordinarycitizensinallcountriesactuallybenefitfromtrade;atradethatpromotesthedignityofworkandtherightsofworkersandprotectstheenvironment.

Wemustinsistthatinternationaltradeorganizationsbeopentopublicscrutinyinsteadofmysterious,secretthingssubjecttowildcriticism.

Whenyoucomerightdowntoit,nowthattheworldeconomyisbecomingmoreandmoreintegrated,wehavetodointheworldwhatwespentthebetterpartofthiscenturydoinghereathome.Wehavegottoputahumanfaceontheglobaleconomy.

Now,wemustenforceourtradelawswhenimportsunlawfullyfloodournation.IhavealreadyinformedthegovernmentofJapanifthatnation''''ssuddensurgeofsteelimportsintoourcountryisnotreversed,Americawillrespond.

Wemusthelpallmanufacturershithardbythepresentcrisiswithloanguarantees,andotherincentivestoincreaseAmericanexportsbynearly$2billion.I''''dliketobelievewecanachieveanewconsensusontradebasedontheseprinciples.AndIasktheCongresstojoinmeagaininthiscommonapproachandtogivethepresidentthetradeauthoritylongusedandnowoverdueandnecessarytoadvanceourprosperityinthe21stcentury.

Tonight,IissueacalltothenationsoftheworldtojointheUnitedStatesinanewroundofglobaltradenegotiationtoexpandexportsofservices,manufacturesandfarmproducts.

Tonight,Isay,wewillworkwiththeInternationalLaborOrganizationonanewinitiativetoraiselaborstandardsaroundtheworld.Andthisyear,wewillleadtheinternationalcommunitytoconcludeatreatytobanabusivechildlaboreverywhereintheworld.

Ifwedothesethings–investinourpeople,ourcommunities,ourtechnology–andleadintheglobaleconomy,thenwewillbegintomeetourhistoricresponsibilitytobuilda21stcenturyprosperityforAmerica.

Youknow,nonationinhistoryhashadtheopportunityandtheresponsibilitywenowhavetoshapeaworldthatismorepeaceful,moresecure,morefree.

AllAmericanscanbeproudthatourleadershiphelpedtobringpeaceinNorthernIreland.

AllAmericanscanbeproudthatourleadershiphasputBosniaonthepathtopeace.AndwithourNATOallieswearepressingtheSerbiangovernmenttostopitsbrutalrepressioninKosovo–tobringthoseresponsibletojusticeandtogivethepeopleofKosovotheself-governmenttheydeserve.

AllAmericanscanbeproudthatourleadershiprenewedhopeforlastingpeaceintheMiddleEast.SomeofyouwerewithmelastDecemberaswewatchedthePalestinianNationalCouncilcompletelyrenounceitscallforthedestructionofIsrael.

Now,IaskCongresstoprovideresourcessothatallpartiescanimplementtheWyeAgreement,toprotectIsrael''''ssecurity,tostimulatethePalestinianeconomy,tosupportourfriendsinJordan.Wemustnot,wedarenot,letthemdown.Ihopeyouwillhelpme.

Asweworkforpeace,wemustalsomeetthreatstoournation''''ssecurity,includingincreaseddangerfromoutlawnationsandterrorism.

Wewilldefendoursecuritywhereverwearethreatened,aswedidthissummerwhenwestruckatOsamabinLaden''''snetworkofterror.ThebombingofourembassiesinKenyaandTanzaniaremindsusagainoftherisksfacedeverydaybythosewhorepresentAmericatotheworld.Solet''''sgivethemthesupporttheyneed,thesafestpossibleworkplaces,andtheresourcestheymusthavesoAmericacancontinuetolead.

Wemustworktokeepterroristsfromdisruptingcomputernetworks.Wemustworktopreparelocalcommunitiesforbiologicalandchemicalemergencies,tosupportresearchintovaccinesandtreatments.Wemustincreaseoureffortstorestrainthespreadofnuclearweaponsandmissiles,fromKoreatoIndiaandPakistan.WemustexpandourworkwithRussia,UkraineandotherformerSovietnationstosafeguardnuclearmaterialsandtechnologysotheyneverfallintothewronghands.Ourbalancedbudgetwillincreasefundingforthesecriticaleffortsbyalmosttwo-thirdsoverthenextfiveyears.

WithRussiawemustcontinuetoreduceournucleararsenals.TheSTARTIITreatyandtheframeworkwehavealreadyagreedtoforSTARTIIIcouldcutthemby80percentfromtheirColdWarheight.

It''''sbeentwoyearssinceIsignedtheComprehensiveTestBanTreaty.Ifwedon''''tdotherightthing,othernationswon''''teither.IasktheSenatetotakethisvitalstep,approvethetreatynowtomakeitharderforothernationstodevelopnucleararms,andtomakesurewecanendnucleartestingforever.

Fornearlyadecade,Iraqhasdefieditsobligationstodestroyitsweaponsofterrorandthemissilestodeliverthem.

Americawillcontinuetocontain[IraqiPresident]Saddam[Hussein]andwewillworkforthedaywhenIraqhasagovernmentworthyofitspeople.Now,lastmonth,inouractionoverIraq,ourtroopsweresuperb.Theirmissionwassoflawlesslyexecuted,thatwerisktakingforgrantedthebraveryandskillitrequired.CaptainJeffTaliaferro,a10-yearAirForceveteranoftheAirForce,flewaB-1BbomberoverIraqasweattackedSaddam''''swarmachine.Heisherewithustonight.Iwouldliketoaskyoutohonorhimandallthe33,000menandwomenofOperationDesertFox.

Itistimetoreversethedeclineindefensespendingthatbeganin1985.

SinceApril,togetherwehaveaddednearly$6billiontomaintainourmilitaryreadiness.Mybalancedbudgetcallsforasustainedincreaseoverthenextsixyearsforreadiness,formodernization,andforpayandbenefitsforourtroopsandtheirfamilies.

Youknow,wearetheheirsofalegacyofbraveryrepresentedineverycommunityinAmericabymillionsofourveterans.America''''sdefenderstodaystillstandreadyatamomentsnoticetogowherecomfortsarefewanddangersaremany,todowhatneedstobedoneasnooneelsecan.TheyalwayscomethroughforAmerica.Wemustcomethroughforthem.

Thenewcenturydemandsnewpartnershipsforpeaceandsecurity.TheUnitedNationsplaysacrucialrole,withalliessharingburdensAmericamightotherwisebearalone.AmericaneedsastrongandeffectiveU.N.IwanttoworkwiththisnewCongresstopayourduesandourdebts.

WemustcontinuetosupportsecurityandstabilityinEuropeandAsia–expandingNATOanddefiningitsnewmissions,maintainingouralliancewithJapan,withKorea,withourotherAsianallies,andengagingChina.

InChinalastyear,IsaidtotheleadersandthepeoplewhatI''''dliketosayagaintonight:Stabilitycannolongerbeboughtattheexpenseofliberty.

ButI''''dalsoliketosayagaintotheAmericanpeople,it''''simportantnottoisolateChina.ThemorewebringChinaintotheworld,themoretheworldwillbringchangeandfreedomtoChina.

Lastspring,withsomeofyou,ItraveledtoAfrica,whereIsawdemocracyandreformrising,butstillheldbackbyviolenceanddisease.WemustfortifyAfricandemocracyandpeacebylaunchingradiodemocracyforAfrica,supportingthetransitiontodemocracynowbeginningtotakeplaceinNigeria,andpassingtheAfricanTradeandDevelopmentAct.

WemustcontinuetodeepenourtiestotheAmericasandtheCaribbean,ourcommonworktoeducatechildren,fightdrugs,strengthendemocracyandincreasetrade.Inthishemisphere,everygovernmentbutoneisfreelychosenbyitspeople.WearedeterminedthatCuba,too,willknowtheblessingsofliberty.

TheAmericanpeoplehaveopenedtheirarmsandtheirheartsandtheirarmstoourCentralAmericanandCaribbeanneighborswhohavebeensodevastatedbytherecenthurricanes.WorkingwithCongress,Iamcommittedtohelpthemrebuild.

WhenthefirstladyandTipperGorevisitedtheregion,theysawthousandsofourtroopsandthousandsofAmericanvolunteers.IntheDominicanRepublic,HillaryhelpedtorededicateahospitalthathadbeenrebuiltbyDominicansandAmericansworkingsidebyside.Withherwassomeoneelsewhohasbeenveryimportanttothereliefefforts.Youknowsportsrecordsaremadeandsoonerorlater,they''''rebroken.Butmakingotherpeople''''slivesbetterandshowingourchildrenthetruemeaningofbrotherhood,thatlastsforever.Soforfarmorethanbaseball,SammySosa,you''''reaherointwocountriestonight.Thankyou.

SoIsaytoallofyou,ifwedothesethings,ifwepursuepeace,fightterrorism,increaseourstrength,renewouralliances,wewillbegintomeetourgeneration''''shistoricresponsibilitytobuildastronger21stcenturyAmericainafreer,morepeacefulworld.

Astheworldhaschanged,sohaveourowncommunities.Wemustmakethesafer,morelivable,andmoreunited.Thisyear,wewillreachourgoalof100,000communitypoliceofficersaheadofscheduleandunderbudget.

TheBradyBillhasstoppedaquartermillionfelons,fugitives,andstalkersfrombuyinghandgunsandnow,themurderrateisthelowestin30years,andthecrimeratehasdroppedforsixstraightyears.

Tonight,Iproposea21stCenturyCrimeBilltodeploythelatesttechnologiesandtacticstomakeourcommunitiesevensafer.Ourbalancedbudgetwillhelpputupto50,000morepoliceonthestreetintheareashardesthitbycrime,andthentoequipthemwithnewtoolsfromcrime-mappingcomputerstodigitalmugshots.Wemustbreakthedeadlycycleofdrugsandcrime.

Ourbudgetexpandssupportfordrugtestingandtreatment,sayingtoprisoners,"Ifyoustayondrugs,youhavetostaybehindbars."Andtothoseonparole,"Ifyouwanttokeepyourfreedom,youmuststayfreeofdrugs."

IaskCongresstorestorethefive-daywaitingperiodforbuyingahandgunandextendtheBradyBilltopreventjuvenileswhocommitviolentcrimesfrombuyingagun.

Wemustdomoretokeepourschoolsthesafestplacesinourcommunities.Lastyear,everyAmericanwashorrifiedandheartbrokenbythetragickillingsinJonesboro,Paducah,Pearl,Edinboro,Springfield.Weweredeeplymovedbythecourageousparentsnowworkingtokeepgunsoutofthehandsofchildrenandtomakeothereffortssothatotherparentsdon''''thavetolivethroughtheirloss.

Aftershelostherdaughter,SuzannWilsonofJonesboro,Arkansas,cameheretotheWhiteHousewithapowerfulplea.Shesaid"Please,pleaseforthesakeofyourchildren,lockupyourguns.Don''''tletwhathappenedinJonesboro,happeninyourtown."

It''''samessagesheispassionatelyadvocatingeveryday.Suzannisherewithustonight,withthefirstlady.Iwouldliketothankherforhercourageandhercommitment.

Inmemoryofallthechildrenwholosttheirlivestoschoolviolence,IaskyoutostrengthentheSafeAndDrugFreeSchoolAct,topasslegislationtorequirechildtriggerlocks,todoeverythingpossibletokeepourchildrensafe.

Today,we''''re–excuseme–acenturyago,PresidentTheodoreRooseveltdefinedourgreatcentraltaskasleavingthislandevenabetterlandforourdescendantsthanitisforus.Today,we''''rerestoringtheFloridaEverglades,savingYellowstone,preservingtheredrockcanyonsofUtah,protectingCalifornia''''sredwoods,andourpreciouscoasts.

Butourmostfatefulnewchallengeisthethreatofglobalwarming.Nineteenninety-eightwasthewarmestyeareverrecorded.Lastyear''''sheatwaves,floodsandstormarebutahintofwhatfuturegenerationsmayendureifwedonotactnow.

Tonight,Iproposeanewcleanairfundtohelpcommunitiesreducegreenhouseandotherpollutions,andtaxincentivesandinvestmenttospurcleanenergytechnologies.AndIwanttoworkwithmembersofCongressinbothpartiestorewardcompaniesthattakeearly,voluntaryactiontoreducegreenhousegases.

Now,allourcommunitiesfaceapreservationchallengeastheygrow,andgreenspaceshrinks.Seventhousandacresoffarmlandandopenspacearelosteveryday.Inresponse,Iproposetwomajorinitiatives.First,a$1billionlivabilityagendatohelpcommunitiessaveopenspace,easetrafficcongestion,andgrowinwaysthatenhanceeverycitizen''''squalityoflife.Andsecond,a$1billionlandslegacyinitiativetopreserveplacesofnaturalbeautyallacrossAmerica,fromthemostremotewildernesstothenearestcitypark.

Thesearetrulylandmarkinitiatives,whichcouldnothavebeendevelopedwithoutthevisionaryleadershipofthevicepresidentandIwanttothankhimverymuchforhiscommitmenthere.Thankyou.

Now,togetthemostoutofyourcommunity,youhavetogivesomethingback.That''''swhywecreatedAmeriCorps,ournationalserviceprogramthatgivestoday''''sgenerationachancetoservetheircommunitiesandearnmoneyforcollege.

Sofar,injustfouryears,100,000youngAmericanshavebuiltlow-incomehomeswithHabitatforHumanity,helpedtutorchildrenwithchurches,workwithFEMAtoeasetheburdenofnaturaldisastersandperformedcountlessotheractsofservicethathasmadeAmericabetter.IaskCongresstogivemoreyoungAmericansthechancetofollowtheirleadandserveAmericainAmeriCorps.

Now,wemustworktorenewournationalcommunityaswellforthe21stcentury.Lastyear,theHousepassedthebipartisancampaignfinancereformlegislationsponsoredbyRepresentatives[Christopher]Shays(R-Conn.)and[MartinT.]Meehan)D-Mass.)andSens.[John]McCain(R-Ariz.)and[Russell]Feingold(D-Wis.).ButapartisanminorityintheSenateblockedreform.SoIwouldliketosaytotheHouse,passitagain–quickly.

AndI''''dliketosaytotheSenate,IhopeyouwillsayyestoastrongerAmericandemocracyintheyear2000.

Since1997,ourInitiativeonRacehassoughttobridgethedividesbetweenandamongourpeople.Initsreportlastfall,theInitiativesAdvisoryBoardfoundthatAmericansreallydowanttobringourpeopletogetheracrossraciallines.

Weknowit''''sbeenalongjourney.Forsomeitgoesbacktobeforethebeginningofourrepublic.Forothers,backsincetheCivilWar;forothers,throughoutthe21stcentury.Butformostofusalivetoday,inaveryrealsensethisjourneybegan43yearsago,whenawomannamedRosaParkssatdownonabusinAlabamaandwouldn''''tgetup.

She''''ssittingdownwiththefirstladytonight,andshemaygetupornotasshechooses.

Weknowthatourcontinuingracialproblemsareaggravated,asthepresidentialinitiativesaid,byopportunitygaps.

TheinitiativeI''''veoutlinedtonightwillhelptoclosethem.Butweknowthatthediscriminationgaphasnotbeenfullyclosedeither.Discriminationorviolencebecauseofraceorreligion,ancestryorgender,disabilityorsexualorientation,iswronganditoughttobeillegal.Therefore,IaskCongresstomaketheEmploymentNon-DiscriminationActandtheHateCrimesPreventionActthelawoftheland.世界秘书网版权所有

Youknow,nowsinceeverypersoninAmericacounts,everyAmericanoughttobecounted.Weneedacensusthatusesmodernscientificmethodstodothat.

OurnewimmigrantsmustbepartofouroneAmerica.Afterall,they''''rerevitalizingourcities,they''''reenergizingourculture,they''''rebuildingupoureconomy.Wehavearesponsibilitytomakethemwelcomehere,andtheyhavearesponsibilitytoenterthemainstreamofAmericanlife.

ThatmeanslearningEnglishandlearningaboutourdemocraticsystemofgovernment.Therearenowlongwaitinglinesofimmigrantsthataretryingtodojustthat.

Therefore,ourbudgetsignificantlyexpandsoureffortstohelpthemmeettheirresponsibility.Ihopeyouwillsupportit.

WhetherourancestorscamehereontheMayflower,onslaveships;whethertheycametoEllisIslandorLAXinLosAngeles;whethertheycameyesterdayorwalkedthisland1,000yearsago,ourgreatchallengeforthe21stcenturyistofindawaytobeoneAmerica.WecanmeetalltheotherchallengesifwecangoforwardasoneAmerica.

Youknow,barelymorethan300daysfromnowwewillcrossthatbridgeintothenewmillennium.Thisisamoment,asthefirstladyhassaid,tohonorthepastandimaginethefuture.

I''''dliketotakejustaminutetohonorher,forleadingourMillenniumProject,forallshe''''sdoneforourchildren.Forallshehasdoneinherhistoricroletoserveournationandourbestidealsathomeandabroad,Ihonorher.

Lastyear–lastyearIcalledonCongressandeverycitizentomarkthemillenniumbysavingAmerica''''streasures.Hillary''''straveledallacrossthecountrytoinspirerecognitionandsupportforsavingplaceslikeThomasEdison''''sinventionfactoryorHarrietTubman''''shome.

Nowwehavetopreserveourtreasuresineverycommunity.Andtonight,beforeIclose,Iwanttoinviteeverytown,everycity,everycommunitytobecomeanationallyrecognizedmillenniumcommunitybylaunchingprojectsthatsaveourhistory,promoteourartsandhumanities,prepareourchildrenforthe21stcentury.

Alreadytheresponsehasbeenremarkable.AndIwanttosayaspecialwordofthankstoourprivatesectorpartnersandtomembersinCongressofbothpartiesfortheirsupport.Justoneexample.Becauseofyou,theStarSpangledBannerwillbepreservedfortheages.

Inwayslargeandsmall,aswelooktothemillennium,wearekeepingalivewhatGeorgeWashingtoncalledthe"sacredfireofliberty."

Sixyearsago,IcametoofficeinatimeofdoubtforAmerica,withoureconomytroubled,ourdeficithigh,ourpeopledivided.Someevenwonderedwhetherourbestdayswerebehindus.Butacrossthisnation,inathousandneighborhoods,Ihaveseen,evenamidstthepainanduncertaintyofrecession,therealheartandcharacterofAmerica.

IknewthenweAmericanscouldrenewthiscountry.

Tonight,asIdeliverthelastStateoftheUnionAddressforthe20thcentury,nooneanywhereintheworldcandoubttheenduringresolveandboundlesscapacityoftheAmericanpeopletoworktowardthat"moreperfectunion"ofourfounders''''dreams.

Wearenow,attheendofacentury,whengenerationaftergenerationofAmericansansweredthecalltogreatness,overcomingDepression,liftingupthedispossessed,bringingdownbarrierstoracialprejudice,buildingthelargestmiddleclassinhistory,winningtwoworldwarsandthe"longtwilightstruggle"oftheColdWar.

Wemustallbeprofoundlygratefulforthemagnificentachievementsofourforbearersinthiscentury.

Yetperhapsinthedailypressofevents,intheclashofcontroversy,wedon''''tseeourowntimeforwhatittrulyis–anewdawnforAmerica.

Ahundredyearsfromtonight,anotherAmericanpresidentwillstandinthisplaceandreportontheStateoftheUnion.He–orshe–willlookbackonthe21stcenturyshapedinsomanywaysbythedecisionswemakehereandnow.

Soletitbesaidofusthenthatwewerethinkingnotonlyofourtime,butoftheirtime;thatwereachedashighasourideals;thatweputasideourdivisionsandfoundanewhourofhealingandhopefulness;thatwejoinedtogethertoserveandstrengthenthelandwelove.世界秘书网版权所有

MyfellowAmericans,thisisourmoment.Letusliftoureyesasonenation,andfromthemountaintopofthisAmericancentury,lookaheadtothenextone–askingGod''''sblessingonourendeavorsandonourbelovedcountry.

Thankyou,andgoodevening.