Administration of George Bush, 1992 / Aug. 20

dent believes his Cabinet is doing an excel- his concern about Jack being singled out lent job. by the Post this morning as depart- The President called Jack Kemp, Sec- ing from the Cabinet. The President as- retary of Housing and Urban Development, sured Jack that he was referring only to this morning to congratulate him on his the routine departure of Cabinet members speech to the convention and to express that historically occurs in a second term.

Nomination of James Michael Reum To Be a Member of the Securities and Exchange Commission August 19, 1992

The President today announced his inten- resentatives, 1974. From 1973 to 1974 and tion to nominate James Michael Reum, of 1974 to 1978, he served as a corporate law- Illinois, to be a member of the Securities yer with the firm of Davis Polk & Wardwell. and Exchange Commission for the term ex- Mr. Reum graduated from Harvard Col- piring June 5, 1997. He would succeed Ed- lege (B.A., 1968) and Harvard Law School ward H. Fleischman. (J.D., 1972). He also served in the U.S. Since 1979, Mr. Reum has served as a Army Reserves/National Guard, 1969–75. partner in the law firm of Hopkins & Sutter He was born November 1, 1946, in Oak in Chicago, IL. He has also served as associ- Park, IL. Mr. Reum currently resides in ate Republican counsel for the Committee Chicago, IL. on the Judiciary in the U.S. House of Rep-

Remarks at a Prayer Breakfast in Houston August 20, 1992

Thank you very much, Mary Lou. For Ninfa said it all; my friend Ninfa said it heaven sakes, that was just wonderful, and all: first-class. thank you for that wonderful introduction. May I salute the Mayor. And fellow Tex- Let me repeat what I said last week to ans and Americans, I’m delighted to address the 1992—— this ecumenical prayer breakfast on this great occasion. You see, breakfast speeches [At this point, audience members interrupted are always my favorite. I figure it’s the one the President’s remarks.] meal where broccoli is never served. I apologize to those who have put to- [Laughter] gether this ecumenical, lovely prayer break- Let me first salute that marvelous choir fast, but you just can’t control things like behind us. Think of it: a 40-piece orchestra; this. I hope you understand. I certainly do. 85 singers from the Houston Children’s I was saying that I salute Mary Lou and Choir, too; our adult choir, members of 40 thank her. Let me repeat what I said last area congregations, 1,200 voices; and then, week to the 1992 summer Olympic team of course, there was Alan Green, football when they came to the White House. player, ‘‘A’’ student, Rice graduate, and Whether they won a gold, silver, or bronze magnificent musician. Believe me, as one medal, or simply gave their best, they are who works in the divisive world of politics, all heroes in the eyes of each American. it’s amazing to hear that many voices raised I also want to salute my friend and run- in unison on anything. ning mate, Vice President Dan Quayle. As you know, we meet on a special day.

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Tonight I give my acceptance speech. If been no match for the righteousness of it catches fire, it might give a whole new God. Look at Bulgaria, where at last people meaning to the story of the ‘‘burning bush.’’ wish Merry Christmas to each other without [Laughter] The only problem is I have a fear of being labeled religious. Look to Rus- funny feeling that Barbara and Marilyn sia, where a cathedral once called the All Quayle raised the high bar quite a bit for Union Museum of Religion and Atheism me. now houses God’s apostles, or the former But anyway, as we meet today, deep in East Germany, where Bible studies are like the heart of Texas, we meet deep in the bluebonnets in the spring, they’re busting heart of the most religious nation on Earth, out all over. In a season of thanksgiving too. I’m usually not much for polls, but the world says grace. By God’s providence, here’s a Gallup poll that makes sense to the cold war is over, and America’s views me. According to this survey, 7 in 10 Ameri- prevailed. cans believe in life after death; 8 in 10, I remember when, 10 years ago, one of that God works miracles; 9 in 10 pray; and God’s great soldiers went to Eastern Eu- more than 90 percent believe in God. To rope and the Soviet Union. Returning to which I say, thank God for the United America, Billy Graham predicted that free- States of America. dom would outlast tyranny. He felt that reli- I’m delighted that Jim Baker’s here, fel- gion was alive way back then. The doubters low Houstonian, and Susan. As he knows said, ‘‘He’s been tricked.’’ But Dr. Graham and as our Vice President knows and the knew something they didn’t. He knew the other members of our Cabinet who I see chains of oppression forged by men were out here know, we open every Cabinet no match for the keys to salvation forged meeting with a prayer. And it’s going to be that way as long as I am President. by God. Today we’ve got difficult times, but we I talked about this with Billy, Barbara Americans have much to thank God for. and I did, just, well, it was a year ago in Yes, challenges face us: good schools and January when we invited him to stay at the safe streets, sound economy—all the prob- White House the night before our troops lems that Bob Lanier works with as Mayor started Desert Storm. I thought a lot that of our great city—and a world at peace. night about thousands of people praying in But we will meet and master them as Amer- the churches, about our own home parish icans always have, not by running America right here, Jim’s and mine, St. Martin’s. down but by using God’s gifts to lift Amer- I see our bishop over here, and welcome, ica up. sir. St. Martin’s parish, with its prayer books Thomas Jefferson, ’s and its crosses and handmade Christmas friend—[laughter]—he phrased the first gift cards made in Sunday schools for our troops best. ‘‘The God who gave us life,’’ he said, in the Gulf. It’s true of every parish rep- ‘‘gave us liberty at the same time.’’ Today resented at this wonderful ecumenical serv- God’s gift of liberty is remaking the entire ice. It is absolutely true of all religions. globe. In Berlin, like Jericho, the walls come We prayed for the troops themselves, the tumbling down. In Barcelona, just ask Mary finest sons and daughters any nation could Lou, this summer the games were held ever have. I know how a second gift of without boycotts, without terrorism, without God’s, family, can lift America. I can no politics. That’s exactly as it should be. more imagine a life without family than I On that score, all of us have Olympic can a universe without love. Last night— heroes; mine, Pablo Morales. Pablo, he’s here she is—you saw Barbara on television. the swimmer who missed out in 1984, didn’t I’ll let her explain why family matters so make the team in ’88, then came back this much. I thought she did a first-class job of year to earn a gold medal at the ripe old that last night. But here’s her quote. ‘‘At age of 27. Now, let that be a lesson: Youth the end of your life,’’ she said, ‘‘you will and inexperience are no match for maturity never forget not having passed one more and determination. test, not winning one more verdict, nor clos- Over the past 31⁄2 years, bayonets have ing one more deal. You will regret time

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not spent with a husband, a child, a friend, stars were brilliant like a blizzard of fireflies or a parent.’’ in the night. There was a calm inner peace. Barbara knows that kids, quoting Art Halfway around the world in the war zone, Linkletter, say not only the funniest but there was a calm inner peace: God’s ther- the most insightful things, especially about apy. religion. Once a Sunday school teacher This month I got a letter from a little started talking about the story of Jonah and girl, age 11, Joy Vaughn. Oh, I love getting the whale, and she asked what the story the mail at the White House, but this one showed. A small boy raised his hand. ‘‘I was special. She lives in Mesa, Arizona, and know,’’ he said. ‘‘People make whales sick.’’ one of her brothers is a missionary. She [Laughter] wrote, ‘‘I just wanted to tell you that I am Well, each of us turns to God daily to praying for you.’’ And then she added, ‘‘God make lives well, and we act through the is in charge.’’ third and greatest of God’s gifts, prayer. So Barbara and I have concluded, as If Congress can spend time debating Vanna every family that’s been privileged to live White’s appearance on the Home Shopping in the White House I’m sure has concluded, Network, surely Congress can find time to that you cannot be President without believ- pass an amendment allowing voluntary ing in God. We say our prayers every night. prayer in our classrooms. So let’s do what When we sit in that historic family dining we can to bring the faith of our fathers room on the second of the White back to our schools. House, we say the blessing before our You know, I’ve been President for 31⁄2 meals. Today I ask for your prayers, not years now. More than ever, I believe with for the campaign that we’re in but prayers all my heart that one cannot be President asking God to give those of us in leadership of our great country without a belief in positions and give me as President the God, without the truth that comes on one’s strength to do what is right, the courage knees. For me, prayer has always been im- to lead this, the greatest nation on the face portant but quite personal. You know us of the Earth, the of America, Episcopalians. [Laughter] And yet, it has one Nation under God. sustained me at every point of my life: as Thank you, and may God bless our great a boy, when religious reading was part of country. our home life; as a teenager, when I memo- rized the Navy Hymn. Or how 48 years Note: The President spoke at 9:30 a.m. at ago, aboard the submarine Finback after the University of Houston. In his remarks, being shot down in the war, I went up he referred to Mary Lou Retton, 1984 Olym- topside one night on the deck, on the con- pic gold medalist; Ninfa Laurenzo, Houston ning tower, and stood watch and looked business leader; and evangelist Billy out at the dark. The sky was clear. The Graham.

Statement by Press Secretary Fitzwater on the Decision of the Railway Labor Dispute Arbitrator August 20, 1992

On August 18, 1992, the President re- concerns the dispute between the National ceived for his review the decision of the Railroad Passenger Corporation (Amtrak) arbitrator in the one remaining railway labor and the American Train Dispatchers Asso- dispute associated with the shutdown of the ciation. The decision becomes final and Nation’s railroads in late June. This decision binding upon the parties unless the Presi- was rendered pursuant to the arbitration dent disapproves it within 3 days following process established by the Congress and its receipt.

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