Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents 1996-01-29: Vol 32 Iss 4

41 Pages·12.1 MB·English

Weekly Compilation of
Presidential
Documents
Monday, January 29, 1996
Volume 32—Number 4
Pages 83-118
Contents
Addresses to the Nation Interviews With the News Media
State of the Union—90 Exchange with reporters in the Oval Office—
87
Addreasnds Reemasrk s
Letters and Messages
Kentucky
Ramadan, message—83
Community in Louisville—102
Community policing, roundtable discussion Meetings With Foreign Leaders
in Louisville—99 Israel, Foreign Minister Barak—87
Texas Resignations and Retirements
Barbara Jordan, funeral service in General Services Administration,
Houston—85 Administrator, statement—114
Space Shuttle Endeavour astronauts, arrival
Statements by the President
in Houston—86
U.S. Conference of Mayors—-108 See also Resignations and Retirements
George Burns, 100th birthday—87
Communicattoi Coonngrses s Northern Ireland peace process—98
Space Shuttle Challenger, 10th anniversary—
Department of Transportation, message
115
transmitting report—115
Libya, message reporting on U.S. national Supplementary Materials
emergency—88 Acts approved by the President—118
Checklist of White House press releases—117
Communications to Federal Agencies
Digest of other White House
Food assistance to developing countries, announcements—115
memorandum—89 Nominations submitted to the Senate—116
WEEKLY COMPILATION OF regulations prescribed by the Administrative Committee of the
Federal Register, approved by the President (37 FR 23607;
1 CFR Part 10).
PRESIDENTIAL DOCUMENTS
Distribution is made only by the Superintendent of Docu-
ments, Government Printing Office, Washington, DC 20402.
Published every Monday by the Office of the Federal Reg- The Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents will be
ister, National Archives and Records Administration, Washing- furnished by mail to domestic subscribers for $75.00 per year
ton, DC 20408, the Weekly Compilation of Presidential Docu- ($132.00 for mailing first class) and to foreign subscribers for
ments contains statements, messages, and other Presidential $93.75 per year, payable to the Superintendent of Documents,
materials released by the White House during the preceding Government Printing Office, Washington, DC 20402. The
week. charge for a single copy is $3.00 ($3.75 for foreign mailing).
The Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents is pub- There are no restrictions on the republication of material
lished pursuant to the authority contained in the Federal Reg- appearing in the Weekly Compilation of Presidential Docu-
ister Act (49 Stat. 500, as amended; 44 U.S.C. Ch. 15), under ments.
Week Ending Friday, January 26, 1996
meet 4o n the Observance of reasoned thought and eloquence to even the
most emotional debates. After she left the
Congress, she went home to Texas to teach
January 19, 1996
at the University of Texas and to continue
Greetings to everyone observing the holy her work in public service. I appointed her
month of Ramadan. to chair the United States Commission on
As the crescent moon signals the approach Immigration Reform. And Barbara Jordan
of this most sacred time in the Islamic year, was very instrumental in the progress we
Muslims the world over commemorate the have made in tightening our border to keep
revelation of the Koran to Muhammad. For illegal immigrants out and securing our work-
Muslims, this marks a time of quiet reflection place for American citizens and legal immi-
and religious devotion through fasting, self- grants.
examination, and intensive study of the In developing a comprehensive system to
teachings of Islam. Encouraging gratitude for keep us both a nation of immigrants and a
our blessings and compassion for those in nation of laws, her work was pure Barbara
need, Ramadan cleanses the heart and lifts Jordan: fair, principled, and strong. Our Na-
the soul. tion has lost a great American, a states-
During this time of unprecedented move- woman, a representative of the people with
ment toward peace in the Middle East, Mus- a pa st voice and a great spirit. And many
lims and people of all faiths have the oppor- of us have lost a friend and an inspiration.
tunity to join together in creating a new We, the people, will greatly miss her.
world of harmony. Ramadan, with its prom- Now Id like to talk about our efforts to
ise of renewal, helps to nourish the spirit of reach common ground on a balanced budget,
brotherhood in us all. In this season Flite, a balanced a a that also protects Medi-
let us resolve to work together for a better, care, Medicaid, education, and the environ-
brighter future—a future in which children ment, and does not raise taxes on working
of every religion can live together in peace. families. The budget talks are suspended now
Hillary re I offer best wishes to Muslims because the Republican congressional lead-
everywhere for a memorable observance. ers walked away from the table. I wish they
Bill Clinton hadn’t done that, and I hope they'll come
back and soon, because I believe cal pa
NOTE: This message was released by the Office
can be met. After all, we’ve both on
of the Press Secretary on January 20.
enough savings to balance the budget in 7
years according to the Congress’ own esti-
The President’s Radio Address mates, without having to hurt our economy
or sacrifice the values that I’ve talked about.
January 20, 1996
That’s what we ought to do: balance the
Good morning. Before I speak with you budget, protect the things we’re committed
this morning about our budget, I want to take to protect. And we ought not to delay in get-
just a moment to remember someone very ting on with the people’s business. In less
special, a national treasure our Nation lost than a week now, the Republican Congress
this week, former Texas Congresswoman could once again shut down our Government
Barbara aery the first African-American for the third time in 2 months. I urge them
woman elected to Congress from the South. not to do that. In the last shutdown alone,
In her years in public service, she gave the Federal Housing Administration was un-
voice to our national conscience and brought able to insure single family home loans for
83
84 Jan. 20 / Administration of William J. Clinton, 1996
tens of thousands of deserving applicants. I am committed—let me say again, I am
Many, many thousands of citizens couldn't committed to finishing the job of balancing
et passports. Some veterans couldn't the budget. I have gone the extra mile in
Fenclits Many Medicare claims couldn’t our talks. The Republicans asked for a 7-year
processed. Small businesses—lots of them— plan to balance the budget; I gave them a
couldn’t get loans to create new jobs. Envi- plan. They asked that we use the figures from
ronmental cleanup actions were halted. the Congressional Budget Office. Even
The shutdown also put hundreds of thou- though I di with them, I did that, too.
sands of Federal rest rl with families to I tried every way I can to accommodate Re-
support under a horrible strain. Like most publican demands and bargain in good faith.
American workers, most of them live pay- But there are areas of disagreement, and they
check to heck. They simply cannot af- involve far more than money. They involve
ford a third shutdown, and they don’t deserve our values and different visions about what
it. kind of people we're going to be and how
Let’s remember, since I’ve been President we're going to get to the next century.
we have reduced the size of the United States The Republicans insist on cuts in Medi-
Government by 205,000 employees. Your care, Medicaid, education, and the environ-
Government has closed thousands and thou- ment that I believe are unwarranted. I know
sands of offices, eliminated hundreds of pro- they're not necessary to balance the budget.
grams. It’s now the smallest Federal Govern- They admit they're not necessary to balance
ment since 1965. As a percentage of our work the budget. And I believe they violate our
force, it’s the smallest Federal Government commitment to our children, our parents,
since 1933. You probably didn’t know that. and our future. Among other things, their
And one big reason is that the Federal em- proposals would raise Medicare premiums;
ployees who have been left behind are work- repeal Medicaid’s guarantee of adequate
ing harder, an smarter, and doing a bet- medical coverage for pregnant women, peo-
ter job for you. They deserve to be able to ple with disabilities, children and older
do their work and not to be thrown out of Americans; cut our efforts to keep drugs and
work. violence out of public schools and to help
Two Government shutdowns so far have schools reach high national standards of ex-
cost taxpayers about a billion-and-a-half dol- cellence in learning; and dramatically cut the
lars—a billion-and-a-half dollars. That’s not enforcement of environmental laws to keep
Monopoly money. Shutting down the Gov- our air and water clean. My budget shows
ernment again would be unbelievably irre- we don’t need these drastic steps, and we
sponsible. So again I say to the Republican can still give a modest tax cut to people who
Congress, don’t do that. We can’t afford to need it.
bleed money and productivity at a time when We can end this budget stalemate. Both
we should be putting all our efforts into sav- the Republican leaders and I have already
ing money, serving the American people, age to more than $700 billion in say a
strengthening our economy, and moving for- at is more than enough to balance the
budget in 7 years. We can give the American
I also urge the wr 0 to deal respon- people their balanced budget and a modest
sibly with the Federal e debt ceiling. Congress tax cut. They deserve it, and we ought to
should never threaten to default on Ameri- do that immediately.
ca’s debts. I'm encouraged that Republican So let me say again to the Republicans:
leaders have acknowledged that Con We don’t agree on everything, but we agree
should not put the creditworthiness oft he on a lot. And we agree on more than enough
United States at risk in our budget negotia- to balance the budget, so let’s do it. Come
tions. And we look forward to working with on back to the table. Don’t shut the Govern-
the congressional leadership to draft a clean ment down. Don’t make America default on
debt limit increase, to allow the United States its debt. Let’s do the right thing. My door
to meet our obligations and maintain our in- is open. Let’s talk. Let’s get the job done
tegrity. for theA merican people.
Administratioon f William J. Clinton, 1996 / Jan. 20 85
Thanks for listening. September in 1787, I was not included in
that ‘we the people’.”
NOTE: The address was recorded at 4:49 p.m. on
We listened in 1976 when President
January 19 in the Roosevelt Room at the White
Carter asked her to be the first black woman
House for broadcast at 10:06 a.m. on January 20.
to deliver a keynote address at the Demo-
cratic Convention. When she asked and an-
Remarks at the Funeral Service for swered one of those great questions with
Barbara Jordan in Houston, Texas which we still struggle, she said, “Are we to
be one people bound together by common
January 20, 1996
spirit, sharing in a common endeavor, or will
Thank you. Pastor Cofield; Bennie and we become a divided nation?” “A spirit of
Rosemary and John; and Aunt and Uncle, harmony will survive in America,” she said,
Mamie and Wilmer Lee; Mr. Mayor, my “only if each of us remember that we share
good friend Governor Richards; all the distin- a common destiny.”
guished Texans who are here; and friends of We listened in 1992 when she honored me
Barbara Jordan around the country; Mem- by again giving a keynote address at the con-
bers of Congress; members of the Texas vention. “The American dream is slipping
State government; the former Members of away from too many people,” she said. She
Congress who served with Barbara who came said it would only be changed if we devel-
down with me today; to members of the Cab- oped an environment characterized by a de-
inet; my fellow Americans. votion to the public interest, to public serv-
The last time I saw Barbara Jordan was ants, to tolerance, and to love.
late last fall when Liz Carpenter talked me After I became President, I asked her to
into going to the University of Texas to give chair the United States Commission on Im-
a speech on race relations on the day of the migration Reform. And she made us listen
Million Man March. I was nervous enough again when she reminded all sides on that
as it was. [Laughter] And I walked out into delicate and difficult issue that we must re-
that vast arena, and there were 17,000 people main both a nation of immigrants and a na-
there. But I could only see one, Barbara Jor- tion of laws.
dan, smiling at me. And there I was about Barbara Jordan’s life was a monument to
to give a speech to her about race and the the three great threads that run constantly
Constitution. [Laughter] I think it was the throughout the fabric of American history:
nearest experience on this Earth to the pas- our love of liberty, our belief in progress, our
tor’s giving a sermon with God in the audi- search for common ground. Wherever she
ence. [Laughter] could and whenever she stood to she
Through the sheer force of the truth she jolted the Nation’s attention with her artful
spoke, the poetry of her words, and the and articulate defense of the Constitution,
power of her voice, Barbara always stirred the American dream, and the common herit-
our national conscience. She did it as a legis- age and destiny we share, whether we like
lator, a Member of Congress, a teacher, a it or not.
citizen. Barbara Jordan loved her family, her loved
Perhaps more than anything else in the last ones, her friends, her allies, her teachers. She
few years, for those of us who had the privi- loved Texas and how she loved our beloved
lege of being around her, she did it in the country. She reveled in its never-ending
incredible grace and good humor and dignity struggle to live up to ae. ideals.
with which she bore her physical misfor- She once said this: “All we are trying to
tunes. No matter what, there was always the do is to make this Government of the United
dignity. When Barbara Jordan talked, we lis- States honest. We only ask that when we
tened. stand up and talk about one Nation under
We listened in 1974 when she said of the God with liberty and justice for all, we want
preamble to our Constitution, “We the peo- to be able to look up at the flag, put our
ple. It is a very eloquent beginning, but when right hands over our hearts, repeat those
the document was completed on the 17th of words, and know that they are true.” Well,
86 Jan. 20 / Administrationo f William J. Clinton, 1996
if Barbara wasn’t in the Constitution when penter, distinguished alumna of the University of
it was first written, she made sure that once Texas.
she got in, she stayed in it all the way.
She also did all she could as a lawmaker
and as a teacher to give future generations Remarks on the Arrival of the Space
of Americans for all time to come Shuttle Endeavour Astronauts at
standing under that Constitution. That's what
Ellington Field in Houston
she was doing when God called her home,
working with the students at the University January 20, 1996
of Texas Lyndon Johnson School of Public
Affairs. Ladies and gentlemen, I am so glad that
In 1994, in one of the most enjoyable mo- I happened to be in Houston and at the air-
ments of my Presidency, I was proud to give port at the right time. I just want to take
to Barbara Jordan the Nation’s highest award a minute—I know you came to see this fine
to a civilian, the Presidential Medal of Free- crew and their families and to celebrate with
dom. I noticed her wearing it today. And it them—but I just want to say on behalf of
touched me so to know that she is now going the people of the United States, we are very
to a place where her rewards will be greater. proud of this mission, proud of this crew. We
As Ann Richards said, if we're all going were thrilled by its success, and we’re glad
to tell the truth today, Barbara Jordan made to have them home.
every one of us stand a little straighter, speak And let me just make one plug to—I know
a little clearer, and be a little stronger. She that I’m preaching to the saved here—but
took to heart what her Grandpa Patten told I want to make one plug for the space pro-
her when she was a little girl. “You just trot gram. You see all of our friends and allies
your own horse, and don’t get into thes ame from Japan here celebrating their participa-
rut as everyone else.” [Laughter] Well, she tion in the person—where is he—of Mr.
sure trotted her own horse, and she made Wakata. We thank him.
her own path wide and deep. Our space program is an important part
Let me close with these lines from a poem of our partnership for world peace. It is an
I love by Stephen Spender. I understand important part of how we relate to and work
Barbara loved it, too, and liked to read it with the Japanese, the Russians, and others
aloud. I can’t read it as well as she would in building a more cooperative, safer world
have, but you'll see it could have been writ- for the 21st century. Our space program is
ten about her. “I think continually of those also an important part of research we do in
who are truly great, who from the womb re-
trying to solve medical mysteries and envi-
membered the soul’s history, who wore at
ronmental mysteries. NASA has been a
their hearts the fire’s center. Borne of the
major, major force in helping us to figure
sun, they traveled a short while toward the
out ways to save our planet Earth as we ac-
sun, and left the vivid air signed in their
commodate more population growth and
honor.”
more economic growth. So I ask all of you,
Barbara’s magnificent voice is silenced.
remain steadfast in your support for Ameri-
But she left the vivid air signed in her honor.
ca’s investment in space and in our future
Barbara, we the people will miss you. We
together with our friends and allies through-
thank you, and Godspeed.
out the world.
Thank you. God bless you.
Note: The President spoke at 10:36 a.m. in the Welcome home, gentlemen. Job well
Good Hope Missionary Baptist Church. In his re- done.
marks, he referred to Rev. D.Z. Cofield, pastor,
Good Hope Missionary Baptist Church; Barbara
Jordan’s sisters Bennie Crisswell and Rosemary Note: The President spoke at 1:20 p.m. In his
McGowan, and her brother-in-law, John remarks, he referred to Japanese astronaut Koichi
McGowan; Mayor Bob Lanier of Houston, TX; Wakata. A tape was not available for verification
former Gov. Ann Richards of Texas; and Liz Car- of the content of these remarks.
Administration of William J]. Clinton, 1996 / Jan. 22 87
Statement on the 100th Birthday of be a terrible mistake. It’s an unacceptable
George Burns thing for a great nation to do, and we've
never done it.
January 20, 1996
State of the Union Address
Hillary and I extend our warmest wishes
for a wonderful birthday to one of the most Q. Is this going to be longer than last year?
talented entertainers of our time. George The President. Tune in. I = it de-
Burns’ knowing smile and dry wit have pends on the applause, doesn’t it! Laughter]
touched the hearts and funny bones of three [At this point, one group of reporters left the
—- His impeccable timing breathed room, and another group entered. |
ife into the mundane, and his clever humor
crystallized many ageless skits. His youthful MidEastd Pealce eProc ess
attitude, now a century old. continues to in- Q. Mr. President, I’m a correspondent of
— us today. We send him all our best on the Israeli television. Do you hope to reach
is happy occasion. an agreement between Israel and Syria by
the end of 96?
The President. Well, of course, that’s up
Exchange With Reporters Prior to
to Israel and Syria. All the United States has
Discussions With Foreign Minister
tried to do throughout this process is to try
Ehud Barak of Israel
to do whatever we could to encourage the
January 22, 1996 me of peace. And I think the timetable
as to be driven by the progress that is made.
State of the Union Address
That is entirely up to the parties.
Q. Is your State of the Union all ready, Q. What are you doing in order to speed
Mr. President? up such an agreement?
The President. )ust about ready. The President. We will do whatever we
Q. Some people are expecting a campaign- can, whatever we’re asked to do, within limits
style speech. to—within the limits of our ability, to try to
The President. | don’t think so. What I’m make it possible for the parties to succeed.
going to say tomorrow night is that the state But the timetable is entirely up to the
of the Union is strong, but it can be stronger, progress of the substance of the negotiations,
that I am absolutely confident and optimistic and that is entirely up to the parties. The
about our ability to meet the challenges that United States—I think we've had some suc-
our country faces, and I’m going to say what cess in the last 3 years because we have not
I think they are and what I believe we should tried to dictate terms or anything of that kind.
all do about them. We have only tried to be helpful and to try
Q. Are you going to reach out to the Re- to support the parties as they search for
publicans to try and get things done? ee And if you look at the results of the
The President. Absolutely. I did last year, ast 3 years, that is the appropriate posture
and I will again. I think, you know, we have for the United States.
differences, but we should attempt to resolve Q. Do you hope to initiate a meeting be-
those differences. And we should attempt, tween President Asad and Prime Minister
where we can’t resolve them, to set them Peres of Israel? Is it one of your wishes for
aside and do what we can do. Remember, the months ahead?
throughout our history, the system that the The President. Well that, of course, will
framers of the Constitution set up demands be up to them. If it is helpful in getting them
honorable, principled compromise. to the point where they can make a ;
pthread; that would be a good thing. But
Public Debt
that is a—like every other tno of this proc-
Q. Did Dick Armey’s comments concern
ess, ultimately that is up to them.
you?
The President. Well, I don’t think we NoTE: The exchange began at 2:15 p.m. in the
should default on the debt. I think that would Oval Office at the White House. In his remarks,
88 Jan. 22 / Administrationo f William J. Clinton, 1996
the President referred to President Hafiz al-Asad ests in property of these entities that are in
of Syria and Prime Minister Shimon Peres of Is- the United States or in the ion or con-
rael. A tape was not available for verification of trol of U.S. persons are blocked. Further,
the content of this exchange.
U.S. persons are prohibited from engaging
in transactions witht hese entities unless the
Message to the Congress on Libya transactions are licensed by FAC. The des-
ignations were made in consultation with the
January 22, 1996
Department of State.
To the Congress oft he United States: 3. During the current 6-month period,
I hereby — to the Congress on the de- FAC made numerous decisions with respect
velopments since 7 last report of July 12, to applications for licenses to engage in trans-
1995, concerning the national emergency actions under the Regulations, issuing 54 li-
with respect to Libya that was declared in censing determinations—both approvals and
Executive Order No. 12543 of January 7, denials. Consistent with FAC’s ongoing scru-
1986. This report is submitted pursuant to tiny of banking transactions, the largest cat-
section 401(c) of the National Emergencies egory of license approvals (20) concerned re-
Act, 50 U.S.C. 1641(c); section 204(c) of the quests by Libyan and non-Libyan persons or
International Emergency Economic Powers entities to unblock transfers interdicted be-
Act (IEEPA), 50 U.S.C. 1703(c); and section cause of an apparent Government of Libya
505(c) of the International Security and De- interest. A license was also issued to a local
velopment Cooperation Act of 1985, 22 taxing authority to foreclose on a prope
U.S.C. 2349aa-9(c). owned by the Government of Libya for fail-
1. On January 3, 1996, I renewed for an- ure to pay property tax arrearages.
other year the national emergency with re- 4. During the current 6-month period,
spect to ak Par ge to IEEPA. This re- FAC continued to emphasize to the inter-
newal extended the current comprehensive national banking community in the United
financial and trade embargo against Libya in States the importance of identifying and
effect since 1986. Under these sanctions, all blocking payments made on behalf of Libya.
trade with Libya is prohibited, and all assets The worked closely with the banks to
owned or controlled by the Libyan govern- implement new interdiction software systems
ment in the United States or in the posses- to identify such payments. As a result, during
sion or control of U.S. persons are blocle d the reporting period, more than 107 trans-
2. There has been one amendment to the actions potentially involving Libya, totalin
Libyan Sanctions Regulations, 31 C.F.R. Part more than $26.0 million, were interdicted.
550 (the “Regulations”), administered by the As of December 4, 23 of these transactions
Office of Foreign Assets Control (FAC) of had been authorized for release, leaving a net
the Department of the Treasury, since my amount of more than $24.6 million blocked.
last report on July 12, 1995. The amendment Since my last report, FAC collected 27
(60 Fed. Reg. 37940-37941, July 25, 1995) civil monetary candies totaling more than
added three hotels in Malta to appendix A, $119,500, for violations of the U.S. saactions
Organizations Determined to Be Within the against Libya. Fourteen of the violations in-
Term “Government of Libya” (Specially volved the failure of banks or credit unions
Designated Nationals (SDNs) of Libya). A to block funds transfers to Libyan-owned or
copy of the amendment is attached to this -controlled banks. Two other penalties were
report. received from corporations for export viola-
Pursuant to section 550.304(a) of the Reg- tions or violative payments to Libya for unli-
ulations, FAC has determined that these en- censed trademark transactions. Eleven addi-
tities designated as SDNs are owned or con- tional penalties were paid by U.S. citizens
trolled by, or acting or purporting to act di- engaging in Libyan oilfield-related trans-
rectly or indirectly on behalf of, the Govern- actions while another 40 cases involving simi-
ment of Libya, or are agencies, instrumental- lar violations are in active penalty processing.
ities, or entities of that government. By virtue In November 1995, guilty verdicts were
of this determination, all property and inter- returned in two cases involving illegal expor-
Administrationo f William J. Clinton, 1996 / Jan. 23 89
tation of U.S. goods to Libya. A jury in Den- 103 and UTA 772 are brought to justice. The
ver, Colorado, found a Denver mana families of the victims in the murderous
ty of violating the Regulations and Lockerbie bombing and other acts of Libyan
IEEPA when he exported 50 trailers from terrorism deserve nothing less. I shall con-
the United States to Libya in 1991. A Hous- tinue 2 exercise the powers at my disposal
ton, Texas, jury found three individuals and to ai economic sanctions against Li
two companies guilty on charges of conspir- fully and effectively, so long as those —
acy and violating the Regulations and IEEPA ures are appropriate, and will continue to re-
for transactions relating to the 1992 shipment port to the Congress on signifi-
of oilfield equipment fero m the United States evelopments as required by law.
to Libya. Also in November, a Portland, Or-
egon, lumber company entered a two-count William J. Clinton
felony information plea agreement for two The White House,
e shipments of U.S.-origin lumber to January 22, 1996.
Libya during 1993. These three actions were
the result of lengthy criminal investigations
begun in prior reporting periods. Several Memorandum on Food Assistance to
other investigations from prior reporting pe- Developing Countries
riods are continuing and new reports of viola-
January 22, 1996
tions are being pursued.
5. The expenses incurred by the Federal Presidential Determination No. 96-9
Government in the 6-month period from July
6, 1995, through January 5, 1996, that are Memorandum for the Secretary of
directly attributable to the exercise of powers Agriculture
and authorities conferred by the declaration
Subject: Presidential Determination on Food
of the Libyan national emergency are esti-
Security Wheat Reserve Release
mated at approximately $990,000. Personnel
costs were ~- centered in the Depart- By virtue of the authority vested in me as
ment of the Treasury (particularly in the Of- President by the Constitution and laws of the
fice of Foreign Assets Control, the Office of United States, including the Food Security
the General Counsel, and the U.S. Customs Wheat Reserve Act of 1980 (the “Act”) (7
Service), the Department of State, and the U.S.C. 1736f-1) and section 301 of title 3
Department of Commerce. of the United States Code, I hereby delegate
6. The policies and actions of the Govern- to the Secretary of Agriculture the authority
ment of Libya continue to an unusual to release up to 1,500,000 metric tons of
and extraordinary threat to the national secu- wheat from the reserve established under the
rity and foreign policy of the United States. Act (the “reserve”). Wheat released from the
In adopting UNSCR 883 in November 1993, reserve will be used to provide, on a sale or
the Security Council determined that the donation basis, emergency food assistance to
continued failure of the Government of developing countries during fiscal 1996
Libya to demonstrate by concrete actions its under the Agricultural Trade Development
renunciation of terrorism, and in icular and Assistance Act of 1954 (7 U.S.C. 1691,
its continued failure to respond fully and ef- 1701 et seq.) to the extent that the Secretary
fectively to the requests and decisions of the of Agriculture determines that the domestic
Security Council in Resolutions 731 and 748, supply of wheat is so limited that quantities
concerning the bombing of the Pan Am 103 of wheat could not otherwise be made avail-
and UTA 772 flights, constituted a threat to able for disposition consistent with the cri-
international peace and security. The United teria set forth in the Agricultural Trade De-
States will continue to coordinate its com- velopment and Assistance Act of 1954, except
prehensive sanctions enforcement efforts for urgent humanitarian purposes.
with those of other U.N. member states. We Nothing in the delegation should be inter-
remain determined to ensure that the per- preted as affecting the coordination require-
petrators of the terrorist acts against Pan Am ments of Executive Order 12752.
90 Jan. 23 / Administration of William J. Clinton, 1996
You are authorized and directed to publish Americans are living better, too many of our
this determination in the Federal Register. fellow citizens are working harder just to
keep up, and they are rightly concerned
William J. Clinton
about the security of their families.
NOTE: This memorandum was released by the Of- We must answer here three fundamental
fice of the Press Secretary on January 23. questions: First, how do we make the Amer-
ican dream of opportunity for all a reality
for all Americans who are willing to work for
Address Before a Joint Session of the it? Second, how do we preserve our old and
Congress on the State of the Union enduring values as we move into the future?
January 23, 1996 And third, how do we meet these challenges
together, as one America?
Thank you very much. Mr. Speaker, Mr.
We know big Government does not have
Vice President, Members of the 104th Con-
all the answers. We know there’s not a pro-
gress, distinguished guests, my fellow Ameri-
gram for every problem. We know, and we
cans all across our land: Let me begin tonight
have worked to give the American people a
by saying to our men and women in uniform
smaller, less bureaucratic Government in
around the world, and especially those help-
Washington. And we have to give the Amer-
ing peace take root in Bosnia and to their
ican people one that lives within its means.
families, I thank you. America is very, very
The era of big Government is over. But we
proud of you.
cannot go back to the time when our citizens
My duty tonight is to report on the state
were left to fend for themselves.
of the Union, not the state of our Govern-
Instead, we must go forward as one Amer-
ment but of our American community, and
ica, one nation working together to meet the
to set forth our responsibilities, in the words
challenges we face together. Self-reliance
of our Founders, to form a more perfect
and teamwork are not opposing virtues; we
Union.
must have both. I believe our new, smaller
The state of the Union is strong. Our econ-
Government must work in an old-fashioned
omy is the healthiest it has been in three
American way, together with all of our citi-
decades. We have the lowest combined rates
zens through State and local governments,
of unemployment and inflation in 27 years.
in the workplace, in religious, charitable, and
We have completed—created nearly 8 mil-
civic associations. Our goal must be to enable
lion new jobs, over a million of them in basic
all our people to make the most of their own
industries like construction and automobiles.
America is selling more cars than Japan for lives, with stronger families, more edu-
the first time since the 1970's. And for 3 years cational opportunity, economic security,
in a row, we have had a record number of safer streets, a cleaner environment in a safer
new businesses started in our country. world.
Our leadership in the world is also strong, To improve the state of our Union, we
bringing hope for new peace. And perhaps must ask more of ourselves, we must expect
most important, we are gaining ground in re- more of each other, and we must face our
storing our fundamental values. The crime challenges together.
rate, the welfare and food stamp rolls, the Here, in this place, our responsibility be-
poverty rate, and the teen pregnancy rate are gins with balancing the budget in a way that
all down. And as they go down, prospects is fair to all Americans. There is now broad
for America’s future go up. bipartisan agreement that permanent deficit
We live in an age of possibility. A hundred spending must come to an end.
years ago we moved from farm to factory. I compliment the Republican leadership
Now we move to an age of technology, infor- and the membership for the energy and de-
mation, and global competition. These termination you have brought to this task of
changes have opened vast new opportunities balancing the budget. And I thank the
for our people, but they have also presented Democrats for passing the largest deficit re-
them with stiff challenges. While more duction plan in history in 1993, which has