In the past few days, the President, his tional moment for me. For one thing, I Cabinet, Secretary of Education, the Gover- didn't get much sleep last night. We were nors and their staff have humbly walked up working on this statement. the footsteps of Thomas Jefferson. We start

I want to thank Governor Campbell, who ed down a promising path, and we have

is not here, and Governor Branstad, who is, composed a Jeffersonian compact-the

and all the others who worked on this statebeneficiaries of which will be the children of this country. The children of this country

ment from the National Governors' Associatoday represent 25 percent of our popula

tion-Chief of Staff] John Sununu and (Astion. Tomorrow, they are 100 percent of

sistant to the President for Domestic and that population. With that, I'd like to intro

Economic Affairs] Roger Porter and others duce the Governor of New Mexico and the

from the White House staff. And most imChairman of the Educational Commission portant, Mr. President, I want to thank you of the States, Garrey Carruthers.

for giving us the chance, the Governors, Governor Carruthers. Thank you very after 7 years of hard work on educational much, Booth. We came to talk about shar- reform, to have a real national partnership ing the responsibility for success, and we've in education. done that. And to have success we need to

The press will ask today, and maybe the have a vision, much higher expectations,

people will when we get home, what really and the President of the United States gave

happened here that makes a difference. I one of the finest speeches I've ever heard on education today at the convocation at

would say there are three things. the University of Virginia.

This is the first time in the history of this And it is from that speech and the work country that we have ever thought enough that we have to do afterwards that will de- of education and ever understood its signifivelop the vision of education in this coun- cance to our economic future enough to try. But I think also we came to talk about commit ourselves to national performance empowering people, and we talked a lot goals. It has never happened in over 200 about empowering. We're going to empow- years. This is the first time, ever, any group er parents by encouraging choice; we're

of public officials have ever committed going to empower teachers by letting them

themselves to a national effort to restructake over the classrooms again; we're going ture the schools of the United States—someto empower those educational entrepre

thing every educator who studied it says is neurs that exist in all our communities by

the single most significant thing we could deregulating the educational system.

do. We need to empower the kids by making sure that before they're 5 years old they've

And this is the first time a President and been properly taken care of in every way,

Governors have ever stood before the particularly with health. And we need to

American people and said, not only are we empower the private sector by inviting

going to set national performance goals, them into the school systems and getting

which are ambitious, not only are we going their assistance and mentoring programs

to develop strategies to achieve them, but and the financial assistance they've always

we stand here before you and tell you we been willing to give us. And then we need expect to be held personally accountable for to empower all Americans very simply by the progress we make in moving this counhaving them join us in developing a set of try to a brighter future. If that doesn't national goals. It has been a wonderful con- make this a happy day, I don't know what ference and now I'd like to introduce you does. Thank you very much. to Governor Bill Clinton who's one of the

The President. Thank you all. Well done, prime forces in developing this conference,

Bill. You did a wonderful job. Booth, thanks the summit, with the President of the

for everything United States.

Governor Clinton. Thank you very much, Governor Carruthers, Mr. President, Note: The President spoke at 3:07 p.m. on ladies and gentlemen. This is a rather emo- the steps of the Rotunda.

W

some

Remarks to Participants in the

So, for the first time, then, in American Secondary School Recognition Program history we reached the following agreeSeptember 28, 1989

ments: to establish a process for setting na

tional education goals, to seek flexibility and Thank you, Mr. Secretary. And thank you enhanced accountability and the use of especially for your key role in this educa- Federal resources to meet these goals tional summit, and to all of you, our special through both regulation and legislative guests, welcome to the White House.

change, to undertake a major State-by-State Let me first wish a happy birthday to the effort to restructure our education system, Executive Director of the Council for and then to report annually on progress in American Private Education, Joyce McCray, achieving these goals. I am going to stay who is here someplace. And we have here engaged and use the bully pulpit of the today the proud representatives of 218 sec- White House to do my part working with ondary schools: America's best. And some these Governors to achieve educational exare private, some are religiously affiliated,

cellence. By doing this, we will be truly are public—a mixture of middle, walking in the footsteps of Thomas Jefferjunior, and senior high schools from 42

son. In fact, we've already started down the States, the District of Columbia, and Puerto

path by entering into this new compact, a Rico. But you all have one thing in

Jeffersonian compact to enlighten all of common: a determination to excel. And I

America's children. am especially impressed by the 22 schools

But let me say it again: No one will receiving this award for the second time.

impose these goals on your schools. It's up You did not take your first win as a reason to relax; you took it as a mandate for con

to every community, every principal, every

teacher to ept the challenge of national tinued success. And this clearly shows that all the schools here today have a commit

goals. And can it be done, you might ask?

Well, yes. In fact, it has been done, in 218 ment to quality that is unwavering and

different ways, along 218 different paths to true. And so, returning from the summit, Bar

one goal: excellence in education. bara and I just wanted to say congratula

America desperately needs every school tions to all of you. As you know, this was a

to match your determination. There are historic summit on education with the Na

more than 40 million Americans who have tion's Governors there in Charlottesville. never graduated from high school, and And one of the first points that we all

there are more than 17 million Americans agreed on was the need for schools and who cannot read at all. Benjamin Franklin communities to work together. And this is

was once asked what was the most pitiful what Douglas Molzahn of Lincoln High in

thing in life. And he replied, “A lonesome Manitowoc, Wisconsin, meant when he said man on a rainy day who does not know how that this honor is not a spotlight on his

to read.” Because of your schools, thousands school, but a floodlight on his whole com- of children will never suffer this singular munity.

form of loneliness; they will be readers. And Every school here today represents a suc

they will be accomplished in many subjects, cessful community of businessmen, business- will possess the skills that our changing women, civic groups, and parents. And no economy will demand. And there is no one had to tell you how to do this not secret to the way in which you're achieving Washington, not your State government.

this, no secret to your success. You set your own high goals and then you Danford Sakai of Waiakea High School met them. These ideas dominated the dis- put his academic philosophy in alliteration: cussion at this national summit. The Gover- commitment, caring, common sense, comnors and I agreed that education is central munication, and courage. And that's what to the continued prosperity of our country, you bring to your schools, your students, so nothing less than an educated work force and to the future of our great nation. will do the job. But education has always So, thank you for what you're doing, keep been and must remain a State responsibility up the good work, congratulations, and God and a local function.

bless you all. Thank you very much.

were

Note: The President spoke at 4:37 p.m. on Statement by Press Secretary Fitzwater the South Lawn of the White House upon on the Meeting With President Virgilio his return from the education summit in Barco Vargas of Colombia Charlottesville, VA. In his remarks, he re

September 28, 1989 ferred to Secretary of Education Lauro F. Cavazos.

President Bush and President Barco met for approximately 1/2 hours in the Residence, followed by a brief social reception. Joining them

Attorney General Statement by Press Secretary Fitzwater

Thornburgh, Drug Coordinator William on the Death of Ferdinand Marcos

Bennett, General Scowcroft (Assistant to

the President for National Security Affairs), September 28, 1989

Governor Sununu (Chief of Staff], Deputy

Secretary of State Lawrence Eagleburger, The President and Mrs. Bush were sad

Deputy National Security Adviser Gates, dened to hear of the death of former Presi

and Ambassador McNamara. President dent Marcos. They offer their condolences

Barco is in the United States to address the to Mrs. Marcos and the members of her

United Nations General Assembly. The family. For over 20 years, Mr. Marcos was

President took the opportunity to invite the leader of the Philippines, a nation that

him to the White House for a discussion of has been and remains a staunch friend and

the international drug situation and Presially of the United States. Mr. Marcos agreed dent Barco's courageous efforts against the to leave the Philippines at a critical junc- drug cartels. The President reaffirmed the ture in his nation's history. His departure strong commitment of the United States in permitted the peaceful transition to popu- assisting President Barco's efforts and noted lar, democratic rule under President that Colombia's fight against the drug trafAquino.

fickers is an example to the rest of the world.

The two Presidents talked about the do

mestic drug problem in the United States Statement on the House of

and the administration's efforts to reduce Representatives' Approval of the

consumption. They discussed U.S. assistance

to Colombia to ensure that Colombia was Capital Gains Tax Legislation

receiving the necessary equipment in its September 28, 1989

fight against drug traffickers. They also dis

cussed the possibility of other nations assistI am pleased by the bipartisan House

ing Colombia in its efforts against the carvote which represents a step forward for

tels, and the President indicated his willingeconomic growth, new jobs, and American

ness to encourage such support. President competitiveness. A lower capital gains rate

Barco outlined the efforts that the Governwill reduce the cost of capital and create ment of Colombia is taking against drug incentives for investment in the long-term traffickers. He expressed his appreciation productive capacity of American industry.

for the help of the United States and noted This is what we need to ake us more suc- that this is a global effort in which internacessful in the increasingly competitive tional cooperation is important. President international marketplace, creating more Barco also discussed Colombia's economic jobs and better living standards for Ameri- situation. President Bush said the United cans.

States is prepared to resume discussions I look forward to working cooperatively with Colombia and others in order to rewith the Senate to give swift attention to solve the fundamental problems of the curthis tax cut. I want to thank the Republican rent International Coffee Agreement. leadership in the House, and those Demo- The President indicated his intention to crats and Republicans who made this work closely with President Barco to achievement possible.

expand bilateral trade and investment opportunities in order to spur Colombia's eco- Prior to this, he was an attorney with Cades nomic growth. He has asked the United Schutte Fleming and Wright in Washington, States Trade Representative to lead an DC, 1985–1987, and Mulholland and interagency effort to examine urgently Hickey in Washington, DC, 1983–1985. Mr. what can be done, particularly with respect Javits served on the National Labor Relato GSP benefits and in the area of agricul- tions Board in Los Angeles, CA, 1978–1983. tural and manufactured items. The Presi- Mr. Javits graduated from Yale College dent noted the United States willingness to (B.A., 1972) and Georgetown University work with the international financial institu- Law Center (J.D., 1978). He was born Janutions to support increased economic assist- ary 2, 1950, in New York, NY. He currently ance for Colombia.

resides in Washington, DC.

much

cane damage caused by Hugo. It provides So, I'm proud to sign this one. Again, I'm funds to maintain the activities of the Federal glad you're all here. Government through October 25th or until [Senator] Strom (Thurmond, South Carolithe date of the enactment of the pending na), you're the senior citizen present appropriations bill, whichever comes first. hereWe're talking here about $1.1 billion for the Senator Thurmond. I'm the one that reFederal Emergency Management Associa- quested the delegation to do this, and I do tion, FEMA, to provide critically needed appreciate it. disaster relief to Charleston, other communi- The President. We've been hearing from ties in South Carolina, North Carolina, Puerto all of them, but anyway you have been—I Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

wouldn't say "thorn in our side.” (Laughter] Assistance is imperative because I've

I'd say a consistent reminder. heard from these Congressmen, all politics

Senator Thurmond. I deal with Dick aside, united that this assistance for the

Darman (Director, Office of Management

and Budget), you know. people is absolutely essential. And I want to

The President.

That's pretty commend the Congress for their immediate

combat pay deserved for that, too. (Laughresponse to the administration's request for

ter] additional funds. I want to thank FEMA for

But, really, all of you have been just magwhat I am convinced has been, under the

nificent in pointing out what FEMA can do. law, a prompt response. And I especially

We want to respond if there are additional want to single out the volunteers and the

things on the ground that we should be FEMA employees, many of whom have

doing. But I'm satisfied from a long talk been sleeping out there on rocks at night in

with the Governor yesterday down in Virthe Virgin Islands and elsewhere. And it's

ginia that we have responded as rapidly as been an all-out humanitarian effort, the leaders of the Congress being sure that we

possible under the law. And now we want

to do whatever it is that you hear from your in the administration knew the importance of all of this.

experts is needed in addition. And I hope

this is a good start. So I'm delighted to do it. I'd add one Senator Thurmond. Mr. President, since I point, and that is on the subject of continu- am the senior member of the delegation, ing resolutions. I'm very pleased to sign this we want to take this opportunity to thank one, but we cannot support another short- you for your fine leadership, and also thank

, term continuing resolution for fiscal '90. you for the help that your government And I expéct that the remaining '90 appro- agencies have done to assist us in this disaspriations bills will be completed expedi- ter. tiously. wut I strongly urge that we not be The President. Well, thank you, Strom. presented with other continuing resolu- Thank all of you guys. Good. Here we go. tions. But in any event, I'm proud to be going aboard Air Force One en route to Charles

Note: The President spoke at 6:40 a.m. down there. I'm anxious to see what these

ton. H.R. 407, approved September 29, was Members of Congress have seen and what

assigned Public Law No. 101-100. our very able friends in FEMA have seen. And it's important that we all try to respond in every way possible. I might thank one more—it's the volunteer organizations for doing a good job. And I would encour- Remarks Following a Tour of the age the American people to support them Devastation Caused by Hurricane Hugo in contributions to the Red Cross, or what in Charleston, South Carolina ever other agencies are bringing hope to September 29, 1989 the people in these devastated areas. The American people can do as much as the Well, we've just completed a tour, somegovernment, if not more, if we just get mo- thing less than I would like to have had, bilized behind helping other people here. only because of the weather earlier. But we

a