Administration of George Bush, 1992 / July 18 convince you. I don’t think I have yet. ; John Morris, chairman, Bush-Quayle Listen, thank you all very, very much. Outdoors Coalition; Roger Porter, Assistant to the President for Economic and Domestic Note: The President spoke at 9 a.m. at Red Policy; and Rick Clunn, champion bass fish- Butte Gardens. In his remarks, he referred erman. to W. Val Oveson, Lieutenant Governor of

Remarks at in Provo, Utah July 18, 1992

Thank you very much. Thank you all for the control of the House of Representatives that warm welcome. And may I just single in Washington. You talk about change, for out your President. Mr. President—it 35 years, 36, one party has controlled that sounds pretty good, doesn’t it, for Rex— one institution, the House of Representa- but to say to Rex Lee that I am delighted tives. Enough of these bank scandals and to have been introduced by him, a man who post office scandals. We’ve got to change has served, first, his Government with such control, and that’s why I want Richard Har- great distinction, integrity, and honor and rington in the United States Congress. now serves this wonderful university in a Let me say I agree with him on this, and position of extraordinary leadership. with the Senators, that a strong America has Allow me for a moment just to acknowl- led the world to change. We have not sur- edge Senator Hatch; Governor Norman rendered one single ounce of our sov- Bangerter, my friend over here; Val Oveson, ereignty. We are the leader of the free the Lieutenant Governor; Mayor Joseph world, undisputed, on our terms. We’re the Jenkins. And may I just suggest that it is United States of America. appropriate that I pay and you all pay a You know, B.Y.U. is a special place of special tribute to Senator Jake Garn, who’s physical beauty and spiritual strength, a retiring this fall after years of dedicated place devoted to a simple creed: Enter to service to Utah and to the entire Nation. learn; go forth to serve. I happen to believe And again, to President Lee and Provost that there is no higher calling than serving Hafen and Ron Hyde and Dee Andersen, B.Y.U. Vice President, let me just say thank humanity. So I say thank you for choosing you for inviting me here today. More than B.Y.U. This home of the Cougars feels like that, I want to thank you for extending an my home. And thanks for that warm wel- invitation to all the Presidential candidates come. to come to B.Y.U. and share their views. I spent 2 days this past week far away And this is appropriate, the university not from TV and radio, didn’t listen—watch one pulling back but permitting people to have or listen to the other—up in Wyoming, a fair say in this important election year. trout fishing with Secretary of State Jim I salute you for that. Baker and our sons, Jamie and Jeb. But I’m I noticed that on your seal it says that aware that something else was going on in the glory of God is intelligence. I would America this week, something real impor- add that intelligence and education are ab- tant. This is the week when all across Amer- solutely necessary to fulfill your democratic ica, crowds of panting, sweating people obligation. So I salute you for your desire overran their neighborhood video stores. to learn more about all our candidates and [Laughter] From Tallahassee to Tempe, where we want to lead this great Nation. Americans turned on their TV and decided In this spirit of free speech let me register they’d rather watch ‘‘Action Jackson’’ than one strongly held view. I want to change listen to—well, never mind. Now, look, things. And one thing I want to change is don’t get the idea that this is some kind of

1135 July 18 / Administration of George Bush, 1992 partisan attack. Stop by Rich’s Video down world’s people eager for our services, more on Freedom Boulevard, and I’m sure Rich good jobs for you and all your classmates. will tell you, give it to you straight. Sales What do we need to take advantage of aren’t all that bad during the Republican this opportunity? The same values, the same Convention either. [Laughter] So I want to principles, the same ideas that we used to be fair about this. change the world. To start, I believe we I didn’t get a chance, as I said, to see need to get to work today to create more the other party on TV. But I couldn’t help opportunity for more people. You can’t but notice one little comment made by one build a home without a hammer, and you of the conventioneers. It was made by a can’t build a dream without a job. Work man named McGovern. First name, same as mine, George. You remember him. Over isn’t just good for our wallets. Work elevates the years Mr. McGovern hasn’t always been us. It teaches us values. It gives us purpose. my biggest fan. So I was kind of surprised Some people tear down our economy. by what he said in the newspaper. He called They say we’re second-rate, second-class. this year’s Democratic ticket a Trojan horse. But keep in mind just a few facts. We are And he said, and I quote, ‘‘They’re much still the world’s largest and most vibrant more liberal underneath and will prove it economy. We’ve tamed the lion of inflation. when they’re elected.’’ Now, I know I’ve And consider this: The last time interest never said this publicly, but, one, they won’t rates stayed this low the ‘‘Brady Bunch’’ be elected, and George McGovern is an in- wasn’t even on TV yet. credibly insightful man. [Laughter] Our factories produce a higher percent- You may not believe this, but that’s all age of the world’s manufactured goods than I’m going to say about the other party. You we did 20 years ago. We’ve emerged as the didn’t invite me here to talk about the other world’s export champion. Last year the Jap- side. You want to know what I have to offer anese Government asked who leads the and what I believe and what’s in my heart. world in 143 critical technology industries. Let me just start by explaining a little bit Japanese firms led in 33 and the United about where I see America today. States in 43. And I wouldn’t be surprised Here at B.Y.U. you like to say that the world is your campus, your president telling to learn if that report was put together on me about the numbers of foreign languages software made right here in Utah. that are taught and spoken by the students But while our economy is growing today, on this campus. Well, that campus, inter- it’s not growing fast enough. Many of you nationally, has been through incredible are working your way through this great change in 4 years. Because of our leader- university. When you graduate, you don’t ship, because of America’s sacrifice and want to get letters that say, ‘‘We’ll keep your commitment, millions more people breathe re´sume´ on file.’’ You want letters that say, free today. When you go to bed tonight, ‘‘How fast can you get here and take the you can sleep knowing that we are safer job?’’ from nuclear destruction: safer than we I used to run a business and meet a pay- were a decade ago, safer than we were a roll. I learned the only way Government can year ago, safer than we were even a month create jobs is to help the people who create ago, before I met with Boris Yeltsin in the jobs. That means providing incentives so White House to get rid of some of these that businesses can create jobs. It means nuclear weapons. getting our own house in order by making But this new world that we live in poses like Paul Bunyan and taking an ax to the new challenges and new opportunities. The rotting tree that is the Federal budget defi- challenge is this: Can we compete now that cit. Governor Norm Bangerter, just back so many other nations are playing our game? It’s a tough question. But since the from a trip to St. Petersburg, to Russia, answer is, inevitably, yes, consider the op- came to have breakfast this morning. And portunity we face: more of the world’s peo- this is his philosophy; it’s the phi- ple hungry for our products, more of the

1136 Administration of George Bush, 1992 / July 18 losophy that Governor Bangerter follows apart, but to stay together. Government can and Utah follows. And we’ve got to bring and must, in my view, give families in Utah some of that Utah attitude to Washington, and every other State the option of deciding DC. Like your Governor, we need a line- where their kids are educated. Whether it’s item veto. And we’re going to get it. We’re a public school, a private school, or a church going to get the American people to insist school, it doesn’t matter. Let the parents we have it. Like you, we need a balanced choose. That is the American way. budget amendment to the Constitution. And I also believe we need to restore respect we’re going to get that, too. for the law. Peace in the world, it’s fine, Thirty-one times in the past 3 years I’ve but it’s not enough. If people don’t feel safe had to wield my veto pen, many times to in their own backyard, it doesn’t seem to cut away wasteful Government spending. matter. What do you say to an elderly With the help of Senator Orrin Hatch and woman who watches the Berlin Wall fall then a new Congress coming in with him, on television right before her eyes but is we’re going to continue to stand on prin- afraid to walk into her neighborhood gro- ciple and protect your pocketbooks. We’re cery store? What do you say to kids in our going to treat wasteful spending the way cities who hear of the Russians reducing Carl Malone will treat another team’s jump nuclear weapons but then have to walk shot in Barcelona. We’re going to swat it through a metal detector at school every into the front row. [Laughter] single morning? What do you say to these I also believe that we need to restore the Americans? You say, ‘‘Enough is enough.’’ special values that have carried this Nation Let’s put an end to the lawlessness. Let’s for 200 years. Americans need to under- get rid of the drugs. And let’s say sayonara stand something that you all know very, very to the crack dealers and the criminals. We well and that your lives epitomize: ‘‘No can help with legislation. You can help in other success can compensate for failure in your neighborhoods and in your local insti- the home.’’ David O. McKay’s words harken tutions. But let’s pledge to make America back to a different age. Today we can fly safe again. from Paris to New York and arrive earlier As you know, this has been an important than we left, but do we too often leave be- week in American politics for a couple of hind the difference between right and reasons. I met a guy in Wyoming yesterday wrong? We can explore a world beyond the who noted that the week I went fishing, stars, but do we too often ignore a neighbor one of my opponents dropped out of the down the street? We can turn natural ingre- race. And he wondered if I wanted to stay dients into miracle medicines, but why do out West and bag another trophy hunting we feel the need to turn every argument next week. [Laughter] into a lawsuit? But let me just make a serious observa- By the way, I am not going to give up; tion. It’s easy for me to stand here as an I’m going to continue to fight for legislation incumbent President of the United States that puts a stop to all these frivolous law- and quietly applaud Ross Perot’s withdrawal suits. We need to give doctors the chance from the campaign, to salute the fact that to practice medicine, dads and moms to this strange political year is suddenly much coach the Little League without worrying more, quote, normal, unquote. But I can’t that they’re going to end up in a courtroom do that. The fervor of the Perot supporters, every single week. of those sensational volunteers, transcends So where do we get our traditional val- politics as usual. ues? Where do we get our traditional val- There was an election in America this sum- ues? We learn them in our living rooms mer: no ballots cast, no polls open, but a ref- and in our churches. While religion and erendum took place nonetheless. Nobody families help keep our lives together, Gov- won, but politics lost. And politics lost be- ernment can help keep our families to- cause it is becoming irrelevant to more and gether. Government can reward work, not more Americans. And for too many people, welfare dependency. Welfare programs can politics is now the opposite of progress. So and must encourage families not to fall my message to anyone dissatisfied with

1137 July 18 / Administration of George Bush, 1992

America is this: Don’t quit. Don’t walk away my guess is you’re probably asking the ques- from the system. Don’t believe that because tion that every young generation asks: Will there’s no protest voice you have no vote at the future be bright? Will the dream stay all. alive? And despite all our challenges, I am Ross Perot’s supporters believe in the betting on America. And I know you are, same principles in which I believe about too. I still believe in America’s capacity to cutting the size of Government, about let- confront any challenge and seize any oppor- ting parents choose their kids’ day care and tunity. If we can topple the Berlin Wall and high schools. And most of all, we agree if we can reduce the threat of nuclear weap- about the need to break the deadlock in ons and if we can do those things, we can Washington, DC. build a strong economy. And if we can lift It is time to say ‘‘So long’’ to politics as that Iron Curtain, we can bring the curtain usual. More than that, it’s high time to down on immorality and indifference. And shake up the system. If you’ll excuse just if we can help people walk free in Eastern one more political observation, you give me Europe, we can take back the streets in the a Congress that shares my values and your United States of America. values, and you’d see this system not just So this then is our mission, and this is shaken but rattled and even rolled. And you our crusade. And together I am absolutely will see real progress in our great country. confident that we can get the job done for I know that Provo is one of America’s the United States of America. youngest cities. For years, more babies were God bless you. And may God bless our born at Hospital than any other great country. Thank you very, very much. hospital in America, more than most hos- pitals in the world. I heard from some not- Note: The President spoke at 11:20 a.m. at so-reliable sources that lately some hospitals the . In his remarks, he re- way up in northern Europe are surpassing ferred to Ron Hyde, advancement vice presi- your birth rates. But I guess that in Utah dent, and Dee Andersen, administrative vice babies are born because of hope. Well, way president, Brigham Young University; and up in northern Europe they are born be- the late David O. McKay, president of the cause of hope and weather. [Laughter] Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Now, as I look out on this audience today, during the 1950’s.

Remarks and a Question-and-Answer Session With the American Legion Boys Nation July 20, 1992

The President. Thanks for the welcome. The Legion does a lot of good works, and Hey, listen, I came out here to welcome I can’t think of any of them that’s better you guys to the White House. Well, thank than what brings us here today. So let me you very much. Please be seated, and let’s first congratulate all 96 of the outstanding get underway here. But I want to salute young leaders that are here today, rep- the national commander of the American resenting 48 States. And I understand that Legion, who’s done a great job, Dom some of you come from as far away as An- DiFrancesco, and an old friend. I am a le- chorage up in Alaska and as near as Falls gionnaire and have been for a long, long Church across the river. And Reagan time, lifetime member. And I have great DeMas, you absolutely have to tell me what respect for what Dom and Bob Turner, the life is like in a place called Boring, Oregon. past national commander who is with us [Laughter] Where is he? We’ll talk about today and also now the assistant director that. for activities for Boys Nation, do. But anyway, for two of you, the journey

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