Harry S Truman in Pres. Truman's State of the Union speeches
On Budget & Economy:
Economic policy to avoid inflationary wage & price increases
An important present source of danger to our economy is the possibility that prices might be raised. Today I shall outline five major economic policies.- The promotion of greater harmony between labor and management. It is up to industry not only
to hold the line on existing prices, but to make reductions whenever profits justify such action. It is up to labor to refrain from pressing for unjustified wage increases that will force increases in the price level.
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Restriction of monopoly and unfair business practices; assistance to small business; and the promotion of the free competitive system of private enterprise.
- Continuation of an aggressive program of home construction.
- The balancing of the budget in
the next fiscal year and the achieving of a substantial surplus to be applied to the reduction of the public debt.
- Protection of a fair level of return to farmers in post-war agriculture.
Source: Pres. Truman's 1947 State of the Union message to Congress
Jan 6, 1947
On Corporations:
Vigorously enforce the anti-trust laws
During the war, this long-standing tendency toward economic concentration was accelerated. As a consequence, we now find that to a greater extent than ever before, whole industries are dominated by one or a few large organizations which can restrict
production in the interest of higher profits and thus reduce employment and purchasing power.In an effort to assure full opportunity and free competition to business we will vigorously enforce the anti-trust laws. Enforcement must be supplemented
by positive measures of aid to new enterprises. Government assistance, research programs, and credit powers should be designed and used to promote the growth of new firms and new industries.
Assistance to small business is particularly important at
this time when thousands of veterans who are potential business and industrial leaders are beginning their careers. We should also give special attention to the decentralization of industry and the development of areas that are now under-industrialized.
Source: Pres. Truman's 1947 State of the Union message to Congress
Jan 6, 1947
On Energy & Oil:
No US monopoly on atomic energy; but no military atomics
The US has taken the lead in the endeavor to put atomic energy under effective international control. We seek no monopoly for ourselves or for any group of nations. We ask only that there be safeguards sufficient to insure that no nation will be able to
use this power for military purposes.In accordance with the Atomic Energy Act of 1946, the Commission established under that law is assuming full jurisdiction over domestic atomic energy enterprise. The program of the Commission will, of course, be
worked out in close collaboration with the military services in conformity with the wish of the Congress, but it is my fervent hope that the military significance of atomic energy will steadily decline. We look to the Commission to foster the development
of atomic energy for industrial use and scientific and medical research. In the vigorous and effective development of peaceful uses of atomic energy rests our hope that this new force may ultimately be turned into a blessing for all nations.
Source: Pres. Truman's 1947 State of the Union message to Congress
Jan 6, 1947
On Environment:
Expand mineral discovery to avoid becoming "have not" nation
In our responsibility to promote the general welfare of the people, we have always to consider the natural resources of our country. They are the foundation of our life. In the development of the great river systems of America there
is the major opportunity of our generation to contribute to the increase of the national wealth. This program is already well along; it should be pushed with full vigor.
I must advise the Congress that we are rapidly becoming a "have not" Nation as to many of our minerals. The economic progress and the security of our country depend upon an expanding return of mineral discovery and upon improved
methods of recovery. The Federal Government must do its part to meet this need.
Source: Pres. Truman's 1947 State of the Union message to Congress
Jan 6, 1947
On Health Care:
National health program: adequate care to all who need it
Of all our national resources, none is of more basic value than the health of our people. Over a year ago I presented to the Congress my views on a national health program.
The Congress acted on several of the recommendations in this program--mental health, the health of mothers and children, and hospital construction.
I urge this Congress to complete the work begun last year and to enact the most important recommendation of the program--to provide adequate medical care to all who need it, not as charity but on the basis of payments made by the beneficiaries of the
program.One administrative change would help greatly to further our national program in the fields of health, education, and welfare. I again recommend the establishment of a well-integrated Department of Welfare.
Source: Pres. Truman's 1947 State of the Union message to Congress
Jan 6, 1947
On Jobs:
Government should assist in free collective bargaining
We have established a national labor policy in this country based upon free collective bargaining as the process for determining wages and working conditions. That should continue to be the national policy!But as yet, not all of us have learned to
carry the mutual responsibilities that accompany the right to bargain. I propose the following four-point program to correct certain abuses and to provide additional governmental assistance in bargaining:
- The early enactment of legislation to
prevent certain unjustifiable practices: I consider indefensible strikes over jurisdictional disputes between unions, and strikes over interpretation of existing contracts.
- The extension of facilities within the Department of Labor for assisting
collective bargaining.
- The broadening of our program of social legislation to alleviate the causes of workers' insecurity.
- The appointment of a Temporary Joint Commission to inquire into the entire field of labor-management relations.
Source: Pres. Truman's 1947 State of the Union message to Congress
Jan 6, 1947
On War & Peace:
Terminate hostilities from WWII and end emergency powers
In my proclamation of December 31, 1946 I announced the termination of hostilities [of WWII]. This automatically ended certain temporary legislation and certain executive powers.Two groups of temporary laws still remain: the first are those which by
Congressional mandate are to last during the "emergency"; the second are those which are to continue until the "termination of the war,"
I shall submit to the Congress recommendations for the repeal of certain of the statutes which by their terms
continue for the duration of the "emergency." I shall at the same time recommend that others within this classification be extended until the state of war has been ended by treaty or by legislative action. As to those statutes which continue until the
state of war has been terminated, I urge that the Congress promptly consider each statute individually, and repeal such emergency legislation where it is advisable.
Source: Pres. Truman's 1947 State of the Union message to Congress
Jan 6, 1947
On Civil Rights:
Committee on Civil Rights: equal protection under law
The US has always had a deep concern for human rights. Religious freedom, free speech, and freedom of thought are cherished realities in our land. Any denial of human rights is a denial of the basic beliefs of democracy and of our regard for the worth of
each individual.Today, however, some of our citizens are still denied equal opportunity for education, for jobs and economic advancement, and for the expression of their views at the polls. Most serious of all, some are denied equal protection under
laws. Whether discrimination is based on race, or creed, or color, or land of origin, it is utterly contrary to American ideals of democracy.
The recent report of the President's Committee on Civil Rights points the way to corrective action. We should
also consider our obligation to assure the fullest possible measure of civil rights to the people of our territories and possessions. I believe that the time has come for Alaska and Hawaii to be admitted to the Union as States.
Source: Pres. Truman's 1948 State of the Union message to Congress
Jan 7, 1948
On Education:
Department of health & education: schools for all citizens
One fundamental aim of our democracy is to provide an adequate education for every person. Our educational systems face a financial crisis. It is deplorable that in a Nation as rich as ours there are millions of children who do not have adequate
schoolhouses or enough teachers for a good elementary or secondary education. If there are educational inadequacies in any State, the whole Nation suffers. The Federal Government has a responsibility for providing financial aid to meet this crisis.
In addition, we must make possible greater equality of opportunity to all our citizens for education. Only by so doing can we insure that our citizens will be capable of understanding and sharing the responsibilities of democracy.
The Government's
programs for health, education, and security are of such great importance to our democracy that we should now establish an executive department for their administration.
Source: Pres. Truman's 1948 State of the Union message to Congress
Jan 7, 1948
On Environment:
Wise use of rivers, with non-private multiple-purpose dams
We must continue to erect multiple-purpose dams on our great rivers--not only to reclaim land, but also to prevent floods, to extend our inland waterways and to provide hydroelectric power. This public power must not be monopolized for private gain.
Only through well-established policies of transmitting power directly to its market and thus encouraging widespread use at low rates can the Federal Government assure the people of their full share of its benefits.
Additional power--public and private--is needed to raise the ceilings now imposed by power shortages on industrial and agricultural development.We should achieve the wise use of resources through the integrated development of our great river basins.
We can learn much from our Tennessee Valley experience. We should no longer delay in applying the lessons of that vast undertaking to our other great river basins.
Source: Pres. Truman's 1948 State of the Union message to Congress
Jan 7, 1948
On Principles & Values:
The basic source of our national strength is spiritual
The elements of our strength are many. They include our democratic government, our economic system, our great natural resources. But these are only partial explanations.The basic source of our strength is spiritual. For we are a people with a faith.
We believe in the dignity of man. We believe that he was created in the image of the Father of us all.
We do not believe that men exist merely to strengthen the state or to be cogs in the economic machine. We do believe that governments are created to
serve the people and that economic systems exist to minister to their wants.
The faith of our people has particular meaning at this time in history because of the unsettled and changing state of the world.
We must devote ourselves to finding
answers to these anxieties and aspirations. We seek answers which will embody the moral and spiritual elements of tolerance, unselfishness, and brotherhood upon which true freedom and opportunity must rest.
Source: Pres. Truman's 1948 State of the Union message to Congress
Jan 7, 1948
On Social Security:
System is only half finished; extend to millions more
Over the past 12 years we have erected a sound framework of social security legislation. Many millions of our citizens are now protected against the loss of income which can come with unemployment, old age, or the death of wage earners. Yet our system
has gaps and inconsistencies; it is only half finished.We should now extend unemployment compensation, old age benefits, and survivors' benefits to millions who are not now protected. We should also raise the level of benefits.
The greatest gap in our social security structure is the lack of adequate provision for the Nation's health. We are rightly proud of the high standards of medical care we know how to provide in the United States. The fact is, however, that most of our
people cannot afford to pay for the care they need. Our ultimate aim must be a comprehensive insurance system to protect all our people equally against insecurity and ill health.
Source: Pres. Truman's 1948 State of the Union message to Congress
Jan 7, 1948
On Tax Reform:
Establish a per-person cost-of-living tax credit
The low-income group particularly is being pressed very hard by the high cost of living. To this group a tax adjustment would result in a saving that could be used to buy the necessities of life.I recommend therefore that, effective January 1, 1948, a
cost of living tax credit be extended to our people consisting of a credit of $40 to each individual taxpayer and an additional credit of $40 for each dependent. Thus the income tax of a man with a wife and two children would be reduced $160.
The credit would be extended to all taxpayers, but it would be particularly helpful to those in the low-income group.
It is estimated that such a tax credit would reduce Federal revenue by $3.2 billion. This reduction should be made up by increasing
the tax on corporate profits in an amount that will produce this sum--with appropriate adjustments for small corporations.
This is the proper method of tax relief at this time. It gives relief to those who need it most without cutting total tax revenue
Source: Pres. Truman's 1948 State of the Union message to Congress
Jan 7, 1948
On Budget & Economy:
We need lower prices, higher wages, and more electricity
Great as our progress has been, we still have a long way to go. As we look around the country, many of our shortcomings stand out in bold relief.- We are suffering from excessively high prices.
- Our production is still not large enough to satisfy
our demands.
- Our minimum wages are far too low.
- Our farmers still face an uncertain future. And too many of them lack the benefits of our modern civilization.
- We are acutely short of electric power, although the means for developing such power
are abundant.
- Five million families are still living in slums and firetraps.
- Our health is far behind the progress of medical science. Proper medical care is so expensive that it is out of the reach of the great majority of our citizens.
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Our democratic ideals are often thwarted by prejudice and intolerance.
Each of these shortcomings is also an opportunity--an opportunity for the Congress and the President to work for the good of the people.
Source: Pres. Truman's 1949 State of the Union message to Congress
Jan 5, 1949
On Corporations:
Business cycle is man-made; protect against "boom & bust"
Our first great opportunity is to protect our economy against the evils of "boom and bust." The business cycle is man-made; and men of good will, working together, can smooth it out. [I request to]:- Enlarge the power to control consumer credit &
bank credit.
- Grant authority to regulate speculation on the commodity exchanges.
- Continue export control authority & to provide adequate machinery for its enforcement.
- Continue the priorities & allocation authority in the field of transportation
- Authorize priorities and allocations for key materials in short supply.
- Extend and strengthen rent control.
- Provide standby authority to impose price ceilings for scarce commodities which basically affect essential industrial production or the
cost of living, and to limit unjustified wage adjustments which would break an established price ceiling.
- Authorize an immediate study of the adequacy of production facilities for materials in critically short supply, such as steel.
Source: Pres. Truman's 1949 State of the Union message to Congress
Jan 5, 1949
On Foreign Policy:
Create moral & legal framework to avoid evil & war
We are now, in this year of 1950, nearing the midpoint of the 20th century. The first half of this century will be known as the most turbulent and eventful period in recorded history. The swift pace of events promises to make the next 50 years decisive
in the history of man on this planet.The scientific and industrial revolution which began two centuries ago has, in the last 50 years, caught up the peoples of the globe in a common destiny. Two world shattering wars have proved that no corner of the
earth can be isolated from the affairs of mankind.
The human race has reached a turning point. Man has opened the secrets of nature and mastered new powers. If he uses them wisely, he can reach new heights of civilization. If he uses them foolishly,
they may destroy him.
Man must create the moral and legal framework for the world which will insure that his new powers are used for good and not for evil. In shaping the outcome, the people of the United States will play a leading role.
Source: Pres. Truman's 1950 State of the Union message to Congress
Jan 4, 1950
On Foreign Policy:
With tremendous strength comes tremendous responsibilities
Among all the great changes that have occurred in the last 50 years, none is more important than the change in the position of the United States in world affairs. Fifty years ago we were a country devoted largely to our own internal affairs.
Our tremendous strength has brought with it tremendous responsibilities. We have moved from the outer edge to the center of world affairs. Other nations look to us for a wise exercise of our economic and military strength, and for vigorous support of the
ideals of representative government and a free society. We will not fail them.
Our objective in the world is peace. Our country has joined with others in the task of achieving peace. We know now that this is not an easy task, or a short one.
But we are determined to see it through. We are prepared to devote our energy and our resources to this task, because we know that our own security and the future of mankind are at stake.
Source: Pres. Truman's 1950 State of the Union message to Congress
Jan 4, 1950
On Free Trade:
Join International Trade Organization & expand world trade
World prosperity also requires that we do all we can to expand world trade. As a major step in this direction we should promptly join the International Trade Organization. The purpose of this organization, which the United States has been foremost in
creating, is to establish a code of fair practice, and an international authority for adjusting differences in international commercial relations. It is an effort to prevent the kind of anarchy and irresponsibility in world trade which did so much to
bring about the world depression of the 1930's. An expanding world economy requires the improvement of living standards and the development of resources in areas where human poverty and misery now prevail. Without such improvement the recovery of Europe
and the future of our own economy will not be secure. I urge that the Congress adopt the legislation now before it to provide for increasing the flow of technical assistance and capital investment in underdeveloped regions.
Source: Pres. Truman's 1950 State of the Union message to Congress
Jan 4, 1950
On Homeland Security:
UN should control weapons of mass destruction
We are working toward the time when the United Nations will control weapons of mass destruction and will have the forces to preserve international law and order.
As an immediate means to this end we must continue our support of the European recovery program. This program has achieved great success in the first 2 years of its operation, but it has not yet been completed.
If we were to stop this program now, or cripple it, just because it is succeeding, we should be doing exactly what the enemies of democracy want us to do.
We should be just as foolish as a man who, for reasons of false economy, failed to put a roof on his house after building the foundation and the walls.
Source: Pres. Truman's 1950 State of the Union message to Congress
Jan 4, 1950
On Welfare & Poverty:
Maintain rent control, especially in metropolitan areas
One of the most important factors in our continued growth is the construction of more good, up-to-date housing. In a country such as ours there is no reason why decent homes should not be within the reach of all. With the help of various
Government programs we have made great progress in the last few years in increasing the number of homes.Despite this increase, there is still an acute shortage of housing for the lower and middle-income groups, especially in large metropolitan areas.
Rent control has done a great deal to prevent the housing shortage from having had worse effects during this postwar period of adjustment.
Rent control is still necessary to prevent widespread hardship and sharp curtailment of the buying power of millions of consumers in metropolitan areas. I recommend, therefore, that rent control be continued for another year.
Source: Pres. Truman's 1950 State of the Union message to Congress
Jan 4, 1950
On Homeland Security:
Mobilize by extending draft & taxes to pay for defense
The Congress will need to consider legislation affecting all the aspects of our mobilization:- Appropriations for our military buildup.
- Extension of the Selective Service Act.
- Military and economic aid to help build up the strength of the
free world.
- Extension of the authority to expand production and to stabilize prices, wages, and rents.
- Improvement of our agricultural laws to help obtain the kinds of farm products we need for the defense effort.
- Improvement of our labor laws
to make sure that we have steady production in this emergency.
- Housing and training of defense workers and the full use of all our manpower resources.
- Means for increasing the supply of trained medical personnel critically needed for the defense
effort.
- Aid to the States to meet the most urgent needs of our elementary and secondary schools. Some of our plans will have to be deferred for the time being.
- A major increase in taxes to meet the cost of the defense effort.
Source: Pres. Truman's 1951 State of the Union message to Congress
Jan 8, 1951
On War & Peace:
Aggression in Korea is part of Communist world conquest
American soldiers are fighting a bitter campaign in Korea. We pay tribute to their courage, devotion, and gallantry. Our men are fighting, alongside their United Nations allies, because they know, as we do, that the aggression in Korea is part of the
attempt of the Russian Communist dictatorship to take over the world, step by step.Our men are fighting a long way from home, but they are fighting for our lives and our liberties. They are fighting to protect our right to meet here today--our right
to govern ourselves as a free nation.
The threat of world conquest by Soviet Russia endangers our liberty and endangers the kind of world in which the free spirit of man can survive. This threat is aimed at all peoples who strive to win or defend their
own freedom and national independence.
The imperialism of the czars has been replaced by the even more ambitious, more crafty, and more menacing imperialism of the rulers of the Soviet Union.
Source: Pres. Truman's 1951 State of the Union message to Congress
Jan 8, 1951
On War & Peace:
Oppose the menacing imperialism of the Soviet Union
The imperialism of the czars has been replaced by the even more ambitious, more crafty, and more menacing imperialism of the rulers of the Soviet Union. This new imperialism has powerful military forces. It is keeping millions of men under arms. It has a
large air force and a strong submarine force. It has complete control of the men and equipment of its satellites. It has kept its subject peoples and its economy in a state of perpetual mobilization.The present rulers of the Soviet Union have shown
that they are willing to use this power to destroy the free nations and win domination over the whole world.
The Soviet imperialists have two ways of going about their destructive work. They use the method of subversion and internal revolution,
and they use the method of external aggression. We of the free world must be ready to meet both of these methods of Soviet action. We must not neglect one or the other.
Source: Pres. Truman's 1951 State of the Union message to Congress
Jan 8, 1951
On Homeland Security:
Propose Soviet disarmament; but build up army to 3 million
The United Nations, the world's greatest hope for peace, has come through a year of trial stronger and more useful than ever. The free nations have stood together in blocking Communist attempts to tear up the charter.At the present session of the
United Nations in Paris, we, together with the British and the French, offered a plan to reduce and control all armaments under a foolproof inspection system. This is a concrete, practical proposal for disarmament.
If the Soviet leaders were to accept this proposal, it would lighten the burden of armaments, and permit the resources of the earth to be devoted to the good of mankind. But until the Soviet Union accepts a sound disarmament proposal, and joins in
peaceful settlements, we have no choice except to build up our defenses.
During this past year we added more than a million men & women to our Armed Forces. The total is now nearly 3 million. We have made rapid progress in the field of atomic weapons.
Source: Pres. Truman's 1952 State of the Union message to Congress
Jan 9, 1952
On War & Peace:
The threat of world war is still very real
If there are any among us who think we ought to ease up in the fight for peace, I want to remind them of three things--just three things.- The threat of world war is still very real. We had one Pearl Harbor--let's not get caught off guard again.
If you don't think the threat of Communist armies is real, talk to some of our men back from Korea.
- If the US had to try to stand alone against a Soviet-dominated world, it would destroy the life we know and the ideals we hold dear. Our allies are
essential to us, just as we are essential to them. The more shoulders there are to bear the burden the lighter that burden will be.
- The things we believe in most deeply are under relentless attack. We have the great responsibility of saving the basic
moral and spiritual values of our civilization. We have started out well--with a program for peace that is unparalleled in history. If we believe in ourselves and the faith we profess, we will stick to that job until it is victoriously finished.
Source: Pres. Truman's 1952 State of the Union message to Congress
Jan 9, 1952
Page last updated: Feb 24, 2019