George Bush Sr. in Pres. Bush's State of the Union speeches
On Education:
Assess student performance in 4th, 8th, and 12th grades
Real improvement in our schools is not simply a matter of spending more: It's a matter of asking more--expecting more--of our schools, our teachers, of our kids, of our parents, and ourselves. And that's why tonight I am announcing America's education
goals:- By the year 2000, every child must start school ready to learn.
- The US must increase the high school graduation rate to no less than 90%.
- And we are going to make sure our schools' diplomas mean something. In critical subjects--at the
4th, 8th, and 12th grades--we must assess our students' performance.
- By the year 2000, US students must be first in the world in math and science achievement.
- Every American adult must be a skilled, literate worker and citizen.
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Every school must offer the kind of disciplined environment that makes it possible for our kids to learn..
Ambitious aims? Of course. Easy to do? Far from it. But the future's at stake.
Source: Pres. Bush's 1990 State of the Union message to Congress
Jan 31, 1990
On Families & Children:
Family Savings Plan: incentives for more saving
We need to save more. We need to expand the pool of capital for new investments that need more jobs and more growth. And that's the idea behind a new initiative I call the Family Savings Plan, which I will send to Congress tomorrow.
We need to cut the tax on capital gains, encourage risktakers, especially those in our small businesses, to take those steps that translate into economic reward, jobs, and a better life for all of us.
Source: Pres. Bush's 1990 State of the Union message to Congress
Jan 31, 1990
On Families & Children:
Our anchor has always been faith and family
The anchor in our world today is freedom, holding us steady in times of change, a symbol of hope to all the world. And freedom is at the very heart of the idea that is America. Giving life to that idea depends on every one of us. Our anchor has always
been faith and family.Tonight I'm going to ask something of every one of you. Now, let me start with my generation, with the grandparents out there. You are our living link to the past. Tell your grandchildren the story of struggles waged at home and
abroad, of sacrifices freely made for freedom's sake.
And, parents, your children look to you for direction and guidance. Tell them of faith and family. Tell them we are one nation under God. Teach them that of all the many gifts they can receive
liberty is their most precious legacy, and of all the gifts they can give the greatest is helping others.
And to the children and young people out there tonight: With you rests our hope. Fix your vision on a new century.
Source: Pres. Bush's 1990 State of the Union message to Congress
Jan 31, 1990
On Social Security:
Last thing we need to do is mess around with Social Security
There's one thing I hope we will be able to agree on. It's about our commitments. To every American out there on Social Security, to every American supporting that system today, and to everyone counting on it when they retire, we made a promise to you,
and we are going to keep it.We rescued the system in 1983, and it's sound again. Our budget fully funds today's benefits, and it assures that future benefits will be funded as well. The last thing we need to do is mess around with Social Security.
Source: Pres. Bush's 1990 State of the Union message to Congress
Jan 31, 1990
On War & Peace:
One year ago, the people of Panama lived in fear
Think back just 12 short months ago to the world we knew as 1989 began. One year ago, the people of Panama lived in fear, under the thumb of a dictator. Today democracy is restored; Panama is free. Operation Just Cause has achieved its objective. The
number of military personnel in Panama is now very close to what it was before the operation began. And tonight I am announcing that well before the end of February, the additional numbers of American troops, the brave men and women of our Armed Forces
who made this mission a success, will be back home.A year ago in Poland, Lech Walesa declared that he was ready to open a dialog with the Communist rulers of that country; and today, with the future of a free Poland in their own hands, members of
Solidarity lead the Polish Government.
And 1 year ago, Erich Honecker of East Germany claimed history as his guide, and he predicted the Berlin Wall would last another hundred years. And today, less than 1 year later, it's the Wall that's history.
Source: Pres. Bush's 1990 State of the Union message to Congress
Jan 31, 1990
On Crime:
Freedom from crime is a fundamental civil right
We're determined to protect a fundamental civil right: freedom from crime and the fear that stalks our cities. We will soon convene a crime summit of our nation's law enforcement officials. And to help us support them, we need tough crime control
legislation, and we need it now.And as we fight crime, we will fully implement our national strategy for combating drug abuse. We are making progress, but much remains to be done. We will not rest until the day of the dealer is over, forever.
Source: Pres. Bush's 1991 State of the Union message to Congress
Jan 29, 1991
On Homeland Security:
Refocus SDI on limited ballistic missile strikes
Now, with remarkable technological advances like the Patriot missile, we can defend against ballistic missile attacks aimed at innocent civilians.Looking forward, I have directed that the SDI program be refocused on providing protection
from limited ballistic missile strikes, whatever their source. Let us pursue an SDI program that can deal with any future threat to the United States, to our forces overseas, and to our friends and allies.
Source: Pres. Bush's 1991 State of the Union message to Congress
Jan 29, 1991
On Jobs:
20M jobs via tax cuts; R&D credits; & enterprise zones
Let's put these times in perspective. Together, since 1981, we've created almost 20 million jobs, cut inflation in half, and cut interest rates in half. We will get this recession behind us and return to growth soon.Now, let's do more.
My budget again includes tax-free family savings accounts; penalty-free withdrawals from IRA's for first-time home buyers; and to increase jobs and growth, a reduced tax for long-term capital gains.
We've prepared a detailed series of proposals that include: a budget that promotes investment in America's future--in children, education, infrastructure, space, & high technology; and a permanent tax credit to strengthen private R&D and to create jobs.
The budget also includes a plan of action right here at home to put more power and opportunity in the hands of the individual. And that means new incentives to create jobs in our inner cities by encouraging investment through enterprise zones.
Source: Pres. Bush's 1991 State of the Union message to Congress
Jan 29, 1991
On War & Peace:
A new world order is at stake in Kuwait
I come to this House of the people to speak to you and all Americans, certain that we stand at a defining hour. Halfway around the world [in Kuwait], we are engaged in a great struggle in the skies and on the seas and sands. What is at stake is more
than one small country; it is a big idea: a new world order, where diverse nations are drawn together in common cause to achieve the universal aspirations of mankind--peace and security, freedom, and the rule of law. Such is a world worthy of our
struggle and worthy of our children's future.
The community of nations has resolutely gathered to condemn and repel lawless aggression. Saddam Hussein's unprovoked invasion--his ruthless, systematic rape of a peaceful neighbor--violated everything
the community of nations holds dear. The world has said this aggression would not stand, and it will not stand. Together, we have resisted the trap of appeasement, cynicism, and isolation that gives temptation to tyrants.
Source: Pres. Bush's 1991 State of the Union message to Congress
Jan 29, 1991
On Crime:
Renewed investment in fighting violent street crime
We must do something about crime and drugs. It is time for a major, renewed investment in fighting violent street crime. It saps our strength and hurts our faith in our society and in our future together.
Surely a tired woman on her way to work at 6 in the morning on a subway deserves the right to get there safely.
And surely it's true that everyone who changes his or her life because of crime, from those afraid to go out at night to those afraid to walk in the parks they pay for, surely these people have been denied a basic civil right.
It is time to restore it. Congress, pass my comprehensive crime bill. It is tough on criminals and supportive of police, and it has been languishing in these hallowed halls for years now. Pass it. Help your country.
Source: Pres. Bush's 1992 State of the Union message to Congress
Jan 28, 1992
On Families & Children:
No welfare sponsorship for teen moms out of wedlock
This spring I will send you a comprehensive welfare reform bill that builds on the Family Support Act of 1988 and restores the basic values of work and responsibility.
We'll say to teenagers, "If you have a child out of wedlock, we will no longer give you a check to set up a separate household.
We want families to stay together"; say to absent parents who aren't paying their child support, "If you're not providing for your children, we'll garnish your wages, suspend your license,
track you across State lines, and if necessary, make some of you work off what you owe." People who bring children into this world cannot and must not walk away from them.
Source: Pres. Bush's 1992 State of the Union message to Congress
Jan 28, 1992
On Health Care:
Choice and coverage: health insurance tax credit
Let's build on our strengths. My plan provides insurance security for all Americans while preserving and increasing the idea of choice. We make basic health insurance affordable for all low-income people not now covered, and
we do it by providing a health insurance tax credit of up to $3,750 for each low-income family. And the middle class gets help, too.
And by reforming the health insurance market, my plan assures that Americans will have access to basic health insurance even if they change jobs or develop serious health problems.
We must bring costs under control, preserve quality, preserve choice, and reduce the people's nagging daily worry about health insurance. My plan, the details of which I'll announce very shortly, does just that.
Source: Pres. Bush's 1992 State of the Union message to Congress
Jan 28, 1992
On Health Care:
Increase taxes on cigarettes
Along with the guarantee of health security, we all have to admit, too, there must be more responsibility on the part of all of us in how we use this system. People have to take their kids to get immunized. We should all take advantage of preventive
care. We must all work together to stop the violence that explodes our emergency rooms. We have to practice better health habits, and we can't abuse the system.
And those who don't have insurance under our approach will get coverage, but they'll have to pay something for it, too. The minority of businesses that provide no insurance at all, and in so doing shift the cost of the care of their employees to others,
should contribute something. People who smoke should pay more for a pack of cigarettes. Everybody can contribute something if we want to solve the health care crisis. There can't be any more something for nothing. It will not be easy but it can be done.
Source: Pres. Bush's 1992 State of the Union message to Congress
Jan 28, 1992
On Homeland Security:
Post-Cold War: Cancel B-2; small ICBMs & Peacekeeper missile
Two years ago, I began planning cuts in military spending that reflected the changes of the new era. But now, this year, with imperial communism gone, that process can be accelerated. Tonight I can tell you of dramatic changes in our strategic nuclear
force. These are actions we are taking on our own. After completing 20 planes for which we have begun procurement, we will shut down further production of the B-2 bombers. We will cancel the small ICBM program. We will cease production of new warheads
for our sea-based ballistic missiles. We will stop all new production of the Peacekeeper missile. And we will not purchase any more advanced cruise missiles.If the former Soviet Union will eliminate all land-based multiple-warhead ballistic missiles,
I will do the following: We will eliminate all Peacekeeper missiles. We will reduce the number of warheads on Minuteman missiles by 1/3. And we will convert a substantial portion of our strategic bombers to primarily conventional use.
Source: Pres. Bush's 1992 State of the Union message to Congress
Jan 28, 1992
On War & Peace:
By the grace of God, America won the cold war
The biggest thing that has happened in the world in my life, in our lives, is this: By the grace of God, America won the cold war. I mean to speak this evening of the changes that can take place in our country, now that we can stop making the
sacrifices we had to make when we had an avowed enemy that was a superpower. Now we can look homeward even more and move to set right what needs to be set right.
I will speak of those things.
But let me tell you something I've been thinking these past few months. It's a kind of rollcall of honor. For the cold war didn't end; it was won. And I think of those who won it, in places like Korea and Vietnam. And some of them didn't come back.
Back then they were heroes, but this year they were victors.
So now, for the first time in 35 years, our strategic bombers stand down. No longer are they on 'round-the-clock alert. There are still threats. But the long, drawn-out dread is over.
Source: Pres. Bush's 1992 State of the Union message to Congress
Jan 28, 1992
Page last updated: Feb 24, 2019