May 11 / Administration of George Bush, 1992

Remarks at a Bush-Quayle Fundraising Dinner in Philadelphia May 11, 1992

Thank you all. And Peter, thank you very terrific. And, of course, Charlie, Charlie much for that wonderfully warm introduc- Kopp, he is a fundraising czar. He is our tion and for making me feel so welcome. finance chairman, a great friend, and a loyal, I loved walking out through that crowd be- loyal supporter. And he is very successful— cause it gave me a chance to see so many so successful that he didn’t have to go to people who have been so supportive over our dog Millie for a single dime. [Laughter] the years, and I am very, very grateful to You may have seen our income tax returns, you. Barbara and I count our blessings, even and you can tell who earns the money in in complicated times, and I am very privi- the family. Millie is not a ‘‘fat cat,’’ but nev- leged to serve as President of the United ertheless has done a great job as our dog. States. Believe me, I’ll never forget how I [Laughter] got there. It was good, strong, loyal friends I am pleased to be here. And I want to out in the precincts and at dinners like this share with you just some observations. This over the years, and I am very grateful to is a year where you’re hearing a lot of talk all of you. about change. And I would be the first to May I thank Reverend Gambet for his concede that we must make significant invocation; it was a unique invocation, and change in this country. I hear a lot of talk I kind of went along with the last part and about it coming out of the political arena, could learn from the first part, but—[laugh- but we’ve been trying to effect constructive ter]—and Malcolm Evans for the national change. anthem. I missed the Pledge of Allegiance I came back from a very moving visit to crowd. I hear they were absolutely fantastic, Los Angeles; we got back Friday evening. and some of them are back there, but thank And let me just give you a short report of you very much for a unique joint Pledge what I saw and what I heard. Each one of Allegiance. And I want to thank Peter of us saw the images of hate and horror. and David here for making this dinner hap- That was all around you, images that we pen. Of course, Senator Specter, I’m just won’t soon forget. But what I saw during very pleased to have been with him today my time in Los Angeles, even in the hardest in what for, I think, both of us was a very hit parts of south central L.A., should give moving tour through some of the less privi- us some cause for hope. Everywhere, the leged, some of the impacted parts of this people I talked with told about acts of indi- great city. Larry Coughlin is with us, who vidual heroism, about the extraordinary is our Bush-Quayle cochairman; Congress- courage of just plain ordinary people. And men Weldon and Ridge and Ritter, all good some braved the gang of looters to form people. We’ve got a great Republican dele- these bucket brigades to put out fires when gation from Pennsylvania, I might add, in the firetrucks couldn’t get through. And the United States Congress. then some stood up in the face of angry I was delighted to see Barbara Hafer ear- mobs and reached across the barrier of lier on. And, of course, Governor Mike Cas- color to save lives of their fellow men and tle, an old friend who’s done a great job women. And many of these aren’t the sto- in a neighboring State with us tonight. And ries that you’ll see on the nightly news. But I’d be remiss if I didn’t single out Elsie believe me, they are the stories that tell Hillman, heading the campaign effort here us the power of simple human decency. in the Keystone State, and thank Dexter and What it tells me is that the time has come then, of course, our team of Bobby Holt, to set the old, worn-out ideas aside. And the Wally Ganzi. And then again, I’ll single out time has come, in the words of Abraham Dexter, who gets the star seat. He gets to Lincoln, ‘‘to think anew and to act anew.’’ sit next to Elsie, and that means he sold And we start with the principles at the heart more tickets than anybody else. So that’s of this great Republican Party, princi-

744 Administration of George Bush, 1992 / May 11 ples that tell us something very obvious, and a woman that had been a member of our that is that we ought to keep the power close little church in Houston, Texas, St. Martin’s to the people, that we’ve got to strengthen Parish. I’d got a message to call her. I called families. her, and she told me a tragic story of her I’ll never forget when Tom Bradley, the brother and her son. They had gotten a call Mayor of Los Angeles, and others came to from a neighbor, a minority, a member of see me, large-city mayors, small-city mayors, a minority group, and they’d climbed on Republicans, Democrats, liberals and con- their motorcycle and driven down to see servatives joined, their National League of this person. On the way, their motorcycle Cities. And they came and they said the was surrounded by a gang. The motorcycle one thing that united them in terms that was upended. Her son was beaten. Some- they all agreed on was that the fundamental body put a gun up to this kid’s head, pulled problem that the decline of the American the trigger, and it didn’t go off. Her brother, family is causing in the cities. The prime not so lucky. He was beaten, and they put cause of much of the unrest, the problems a gun up to his head, and he was killed of crime, whatever, comes from the dissolu- right on the spot. This didn’t have anything tion of the American family. to do with Rodney King. This didn’t have And we think we’ve got to find ways to anything to do with anything other than strengthen that, instill character and values wanton violence. We simply cannot be in our young people; that we must encour- asked to condone that in our society. And age entrepreneurship, ownership, increase so we’re going to stand for——[applause] investment, and create jobs. Now, these In Los Angeles, I announced an addition aims have got to form the heart of our agen- to a program that’s already at work here da for economic opportunity, an agenda that can literally restore hope, can’t solve the in Philadelphia, an exciting program that we problem overnight but restore hope to our saw today, an initiative that I call ‘‘Weed inner cities. And they define what we must and Seed.’’ The idea is to weed out the do. gang leaders and drug dealers and career First, and let’s be very clear on this one, criminals and then seed the community with we have got to preserve order. We’ve got expanded employment, educational, and so- to keep the peace because families can’t cial services. So we’re going to push for thrive, children can’t live, and jobs can’t that. I’m going to push and try to see that flourish in a climate of fear. And I support we can do more for the American people the police. I saw the commissioner here with this innovative new program. today, had a great—I see Governor Mar- Secondly, we must spark an economic re- tinez, the head of our drug effort, here with vival in urban America. The best answer to him. He and I were together with the Sen- poverty is a job with dignity in the private ator and others. And I told the commis- sector, and that means establishing what we sioner and told the people out here, ‘‘We call enterprise zones in our inner cities. It support your efforts.’’ They put themselves means reforming our welfare system, put- in harm’s way to save all of us. And we ting an end to the pervasive disincentives must start by standing strongly for order that encourage welfare and discourage and keeping the peace. work. So, enterprise zones and reform of Now, those thoughts were foremost in my welfare. mind from the first hours of the violence Thirdly, we’ve got to revolutionize Amer- in Los Angeles. A civilized society simply ican education. I might add, parenthetically, cannot tackle any of the really tough prob- that I wish Barbara was here to see what lems in the midst of chaos. It’s just that you’re doing with this show of support for simple. Violence and brutality destroy order. literacy. Mr. Notebaert, wherever he may be, They destroy the rule of law. They must I would like to make this contribution. I’m never be rationalized. And it must be con- not trying to sell this. [Laughter] This is demned, violence, whenever you find it; we ‘‘Millie’s Book,’’ and we want to donate this must condemn it as a society. here as a contribution from the breadwinner When I was out in Los Angeles, I called in the Bush family. So please, we want

745 May 11 / Administration of George Bush, 1992 the record to show we brought a book in. row I’ll be meeting with the leaders to try Now, we have a good education program. to get it done. It’s no longer good enough It burns me up when I hear some of the to try the old ones. Let’s try these new ideas old thinkers, the pass-the-mandated-Fed- and see if they can’t help some of the kids eral-program thinkers, criticize. We have a that we saw today here in Philadelphia. program called America 2000. It’s an inno- My first order of business is, then, to vative strategy, and it has things in it like build a bipartisan effort in support of imme- choice. You can choose your colleges; why diate action on this agenda. We won’t settle not choose your schools and thus make for business-as-usual, measuring what we them more competitive? achieve by the size of the bureaucracy we Competition, community action, all of build or the number of mandated programs these things are a part of it. Children in we can send down to these communities our inner cities deserve the same opportuni- ties that kids in the suburbs have, and that’s who are crying out for flexibility. This time, what a lot of that program is about. That we’ve got to put our principles to work and means we’ve got to break the power of the take the case for change directly to the establishment, the education establishment. American people. And whether it’s public or private or reli- What’s going on in urban America is just gious, parents, not the government, should one part, though, of a larger issue because be free to choose their children’s schools. the need for reform doesn’t end simply with I am going to fight for that concept. our inner cities. It starts with the revolution Then another ingredient of our urban pol- in American education that I mentioned. icy, and one I’ve been trying to get through America 2000, we call it. It starts with that. for a long time, is homeownership. And I’ve When you get down to what we’ve got to never understood how anyone could be con- do really to be competitive in the future, tent with the present system, to take pride to offer kids an opportunity, it is education. in the warehousing of the poor. The aim And it includes our aggressive action, also, behind our HOPE initiative is to give poor to break down barriers to free trade. Open- families a stake, give them a stake in their ing markets to American goods the world communities, to give them something of over has got to be a part of it. In each value they can pass along to their kids, by case, we’ve taken aim at the status quo, and turning public housing tenants into home- we’ve set our sights on change. That’s why owners. And we are going to fight for that I’m fighting hard for a GATT agreement. principle. That’s why we have proposed and are work- At every turn during my time in L.A., ing with Mexico’s able President, Carlos Sa- I heard people talking about the principles linas, to try to get a North American free that guide these initiatives. And these trade agreement. It will mean more jobs weren’t big shots; these were community leaders. These were people that were out for the United States, more jobs for Mexico, there on the front line trying to help the and a Mexico much better able to do what kids. Personal responsibility, that was one; it must do with its environment and do what opportunity; ownership; independence; and it must do in controlling its own borders. then, of course, with great pride, dignity. America needs legal reform to put an end And you know the sound of those words. to these outrageous court awards that sap We all do. It really adds up to the American our economy and strain our civility. We’ve dream. gotten to a point where doctors won’t de- And we all know what the critics will say, liver babies, where fathers are afraid to and you’ve heard it. They’ll say, ‘‘Well, coach Little League, all because of the fear you’ve proposed all this before, Mr. Presi- of some frivolous lawsuit. That won’t change dent.’’ And the answer: It’s true. That’s until people spend less time suing each right. But now it is time to act on these other and more time helping each other. proposals because this time they know we And we’ve got to change the laws in Wash- are right. We are right, and we want to ington. We must and we will reform the get it passed through the Congress. Tomor- legal system.

746 Administration of George Bush, 1992 / May 11

Now, we need health care reform and to to the point, the dissolution of the family. open up access to affordable health care for And they’re right. They’re absolutely right. all Americans. I was talking to Charlie about And ask yourself: What’s the determining this a little earlier here. It used to be that fact right now for whether a child has hope, going to the hospital didn’t conjure up vi- stays in school, stays away from drugs? It sions of financial suicide. Today, the cost is not Government spending. It’s not the of even minor surgery has gone right out number of SBA loans or HUD grants. It’s through the roof. More than 30 million whether a child lives in a loving home with Americans have no health care coverage at a mother and a father. all. Barbara Bush was absolutely right when We can change that. And we can do it she said, ‘‘What happens in the White better than some of these nationalized pro- House doesn’t matter half as much as what grams that we’re hearing about from the happens in your house.’’ We have tried, opposition. We have a comprehensive health care reform plan that will help us both of us, augmented by tons of grand- keep the quality health care. Make no mis- children, et cetera, to put the emphasis on take about it, people are still pouring into American family, put that emphasis first. the United States for specialized care be- That’s why I keep coming back to the cause they know we have the best quality Good Samaritans that we have called and health care in the entire world. So we want will continue to call Points of Light: Every- to keep the quality health care that makes body here devoting some time to helping us first in the world and at the same time someone else in the community. The people open up access to all Americans. who help the poor, the elderly, kids in trou- Contrary to what the big Government ble, and never ask a nickel in return. Gov- folks say, we can do it without putting the ernment alone simply cannot create the Government in charge of everybody’s health scale and the energy needed to transform care. If you want to stand in line, you can the lives of people in need. Let the cynics go to the department of motor vehicles. You scoff about it, but we know these volunteers don’t need to go for a nationalized health are the lifeblood of the American spirit. care program. Let’s face it, national health And I wish you could have been with me care, in my view, literally would be a costly today because you heard it: Community ac- national disaster, and I am not going to let tion. People overburdened with financial that happen. We are going to fight for our problems but finding time to help the guy plan of reform that gives access to insurance next door. It was a wonderful thing we saw to the poor and the middle-income people right here in some of the most impoverished alike. That’s what we need, and that’s what areas of Philadelphia. It was a community I believe we’ll be able to get when we take spirit. Government has a role, but it never this case to the American people. can supplant the propensity of one Amer- So far, I’ve spoken a little bit about what ican to help another. So we’ve got to find Government can do. So let me conclude ways to help in that concept and help en- by speaking about what society absolutely must do. Because there’s something society courage it. must cultivate that Government cannot pro- I believe there is a great future in store vide, something we can’t legislate, some- because I believe that all of these principles thing that we can’t make happen by Gov- will be coming into focus now. I believe ernment order. I’m talking about the moral we’re right about family. I think we’re right sense that guides us all. In the simplest of about freedom and free enterprise, and I terms—you want to get it to fundamen- think we’re right about faith. Most of all, tals—I’m talking about knowing right from I think we are right about America’s future. wrong and then doing what’s right. You know, we’ve been through a very You go back to Los Angeles for a minute. tough time. There’s been a sluggish econ- Time and again the people I met with there omy with recession in many parts of the put their finger on one root cause for the country. I have a feeling this thing is begin- turmoil we see, and that, of course, back ning to move a little bit, and it’s long over-

747 May 11 / Administration of George Bush, 1992 due. I hope like heck I’m right this time, these little community centers. but I really do feel that it’s beginning to Thank you all very much for your support. move. And with that there will be a return Save a little energy for the campaign in the of this innate feeling of American optimism. fall. I’m going to need you. But I believe And when it happens, let’s all vow that we we’re going to win this election. Thank you will save time to help the other guy, to do very, very much. what we can to be Points of Light. We’ve got the strength. We’ve got the Note:. The President spoke at 7:40 p.m. in spirit in our Government. We’ve got it. You the Grand Ballroom at the Hotel Atop the can sense it even in the ravaged commu- Bellevue. In his remarks, he referred to nities of Los Angeles. We’ve got it in our- Peter Terpeluk, Jr., and David Girard- selves to transform America into the Nation diCarlo, dinner cochairmen; Representative we’ve dreamed of for generations. So don’t Lawrence Coughlin, Bush-Quayle Pennsyl- listen to those doomsayers. Don’t listen to vania cochairman; Barbara Hafer, Pennsyl- those top 20 seconds that tell you every- vania auditor-general; Elsie Hillman, Bush- thing that’s wrong with the United States Quayle Pennsylvania chairman; Dexter of America. We are the freest and the fair- Baker, Bush-Quayle regional cochairman; est and the best country on the face of the Bobby Holt and Wally Ganzi, Bush-Quayle Earth. And we are going to get the job national finance cochairmen; Charlie Kopp, done. Bush-Quayle Pennsylvania finance chair- We have nothing to be apologetic for. man; Willie Williams, Philadelphia police We’ve got big problems. But the message, commissioner; Bob Martinez, Director of the I think, is if we can try this new approach, Office of National Drug Control Policy; and I believe we can solve them and offer hope Edmond Notebaert, president and chief ex- to those little kids we saw with their eyes ecutive officer, Children’s Hospital of Phila- bulging as we came by there today into delphia.

Statement on Urban Aid Initiatives May 12, 1992

Today I am discussing with Congress a Government programs. strategy to bring hope and opportunity to We must start with policies that refocus distressed communities. Our action is based programs to serve those who are most on bedrock American values: personal re- needy and increase the effectiveness of sponsibility, work, and family. We must end Government services through innovation, the cycle of dependency and give all Ameri- competition, and choice. Our approach is cans a place at the table of economic oppor- a radical break with the policies of the past. tunity. But as Abraham Lincoln once said, ‘‘It is Clearly, the time has come to set aside time to think and act anew.’’ old ideas and try something new. We in My action plan consists of six core compo- Government have a responsibility to act now to guarantee a hopeful future for the chil- nents: dren of this Nation, a future where people (1) ‘‘Weed and Seed’’: Our families can- are safe, neighborhoods can flourish, chil- not thrive and jobs cannot flourish in a cli- dren can learn, and jobs can be created. mate of lawlessness and fear. Our ‘‘Weed All Americans share the common goals and Seed’’ initiative to combat crime wins of equal opportunity, advancement, and up- back our inner cities by weeding out gang ward mobility. But the American dream is leaders, drug dealers, and career criminals hindered by too many obstacles: unsafe cit- and seeding communities with expanded ies, slow economic growth, an out-of-date employment, educational, and social serv- education system, and dependency-creating ices.

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