Administration of George Bush, 1992 / Mar. 20

Remarks Congratulating the Undefeated National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I Football Teams March 20, 1992

Mr. Speaker, and distinguished Members regular season winning streak; 4 national ti- of the Congress, Senate and House. We’ve tles in the past 9 years including 1991; only got some other guests here, too, and let the third undefeated team in Miami history. me single them out. The members of those And what memories you’ve given us. Of championship teams from Jabbo Kenner a college known as U, Gino Youth Football League, where are those Toretta, take a bow. Where is the man? guys? Over here, all right, there they are, All right. Leon Searcy’s not here, but I looking good. Emiliano Salinas is here with wanted to single him out. He’s an offensive us. Where is he? This man is the son of tackle, for those amateurs around here, who the President of Mexico, one of our strong- wears a 17EEE shoe; they call them battle- est, staunchest allies. Emiliano, welcome, ships. [Laughter] And this year we are retir- welcome. And did we get Wilson High ing the U.S.S. Missouri, and I think we School? Wilson, here they are back here, ought to commission him instead. [Laugh- another championship ball team. And may ter] But I’m sorry he’s not with us. I especially single out Coach James and Next we come to Kevin Williams. Kevin Coach Erickson, who have the respect of promised Brent Musburger that he’d return anybody interested in sports in this country. a punt for a touchdown, and sure enough, It’s great to have both of you here, Dennis, he did it. And dealing with politicians, it’s Don. And also to the players, the staffs, the always a pleasure to meet a man of his friends, and the football fans here and word. across the country, Barbara and I just want- And defensive end Rusty Medearis is not ed to welcome you here to 1600 Pennsyl- with us. The Sack Man, the Hurricane re- vania Avenue. ceivers, the Ruthless Posse, all, they’d feel For exactly 200 years this has been the right at home in Washington. And this people’s house, and today we welcome the brings me to Carlos Huerta, called the Ice people’s choice, the Hurricanes and the Man. Carlos, where is he? Right here. All Huskies, two great teams, both national right. Ask the children he helps, in addition champions. And some thought I should take the ball and go outside and try to settle to the sick he comforts, and they call him this thing right now. [Laughter] No, no, my simply the nice man. black-and-white shirt is at the cleaners. And finally, Coach Erickson, who spurned We’re not going to do that. I don’t need ‘‘Miami Vice’’ for virtue: Witness the drills this. I’ve got enough problems without get- that are so self-disciplined that one player ting in the middle of you guys. said, ‘‘The games are easy. They’re a cinch Let me begin with what we have in com- compared to our practices.’’ mon. You guys play football, and in an elec- Out west then we’ll shift. No game was tion year I sometimes feel like a football. easy for the opponents of the ’91’s other But it’s then that I recall what you did this co-champion in the USA Today-CNN poll, year. Flanked by you household names, the amazing Washington Huskies. And in maybe I should be around getting auto- a way you foretold the success of that other graphs because this is a star-studded occa- Washington team, the Redskins, halfway sion. across the world, making Don James’ 17th First alphabetically—and I don’t want to season as Huskie coach his finest. His get into trouble—comes Miami, number fourth Rose Bowl victory; the Huskies’ first one in the Associated Press. Two years ago undefeated and untied club since 1915; a we met to celebrate a national title. Today team which made each opponent, yes, bow we salute the Nation’s current longest home down to Washington. winning streak, 45 games, and the longest And in one sense, you remind me of the

475 Mar. 20 / Administration of George Bush, 1992 way we were. Thirty-eight years ago Don sion I college football teams to finish James graduated from Miami. Applying undefeated and untied in the same season equal time, Dennis Erickson hails from since 1976. Teams which showed, as quar- Washington. And it’s today, though, that terback Joe Kapp once said, ‘‘The greatest we’re here to focus on, on how the Purple game in America is called opportunity. and Gold turned opponents black and blue. Football is a great expression of it.’’ And I think of the Purple Haze of Dave The American political system has a play- Hoffman and , nicknamed off to decide a winner. It’s called an elec- the ‘‘Oval Office.’’ Now, where are these tion, Presidential election this year. And as two guys? I’ve got to see them. I can see of now the NCAA does not. And yet, in why. And at 6′ 7′′ and 325 pounds, the Pen- the truest sense, each of you are winners: tagon would be more like it. [Laughter] In- undefeated, untied, unbowed. cidentally, I want to salute your dad, a ca- And so, Barbara and I wanted to welcome reer Navy man who served in the Gulf. you here to extend our most sincere con- And then there’s Outland Trophy and gratulations not just for winning but for the Lombardi Trophy winner, all-American, example you and especially these two coach- Heisman Trophy finalist, . es set for the rest of the country, to our Steve. You’ve got them all hiding in the country, the greatest, freest land on the face back here. [Laughter] All right. Welcome of the Earth. Welcome to the White House. to the White House. Congratulations. And may God bless all of And . Mario, where are you? you. Right here next to me: 4 years, Rose Bowl heroics, six school records including receiv- ing yards and touchdowns. And Washing- Note: The President spoke at 1:40 p.m. in ton’s quarterback who made 1991 an ‘‘Ode the East Room at the White House. In his to Billy Joe.’’ Passing to the 3 Smurfs, remarks, he referred to University of Wash- throwing a school record 22 touchdowns, ington football coach Don James, University Billy Joe Hobert became the second straight of Miami football coach Dennis Erickson, Huskie sophomore quarterback to be ABC sportscaster Brent Musburger, and named the Rose Bowl’s most valued player. former Minnesota Vikings quarterback Joe And so today I salute the only two divi- Kapp.

Message to the House of Representatives Returning Without Approval the Tax Fairness and Economic Growth Acceleration Act of 1992 March 20, 1992

To the House of Representatives: program would create jobs, generate long- I am returning herewith without my ap- term economic growth, and promote health, proval H.R. 4210, the ‘‘Tax Fairness and education, savings, and home ownership. Economic Growth Acceleration Act of My plan would encourage investment and 1992.’’ In my State of the Union Message, enhance real estate values—without tax in- I proposed a responsible, balanced eco- creases. nomic growth program. I challenged the Tax increases would undermine the Congress to pass incentives for growth by emerging recovery and act as a barrier to March 20. The Congress failed to meet that long-term growth. I call on the Congress challenge. The Congress’ response, H.R. to pass the seven commonsense measures 4210, is a formula for economic stagnation, that I asked for by this date, without tax not economic expansion. increases, and to join me in pursuing a long- My Administration’s economic growth term agenda for growth.

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