克林頓總統(tǒng)999年聯(lián)邦國(guó)情咨文演說(shuō)
前言：本站為你精心整理了克林頓總統(tǒng)999年聯(lián)邦國(guó)情咨文演說(shuō)范文，希望能為你的創(chuàng)作提供參考價(jià)值，我們的客服老師可以幫助你提供個(gè)性化的參考范文，歡迎咨詢。
名人演講稿
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.世界秘書網(wǎng)版權(quán)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.世界秘書網(wǎng)版權(quán)所有
MyfellowAmericans,thisisourmoment.Letusliftoureyesasonenation,andfromthemountaintopofthisAmericancentury,lookaheadtothenextone–askingGod''''sblessingonourendeavorsandonourbelovedcountry.
Thankyou,andgoodevening.
