Forces, and they have participated in public service at every level-including the Office of Vice President. While national policies regarding Indian affairs have been uncertain and often inequitable in the past, tribal elected governments and the United States have now established a unique and special governmentto-government relationship, which was strengthened and renewed during the last 2 decades. Today we look forward to greater economic independence and self-sufficiency for Native Americans, and we reaffirm our support for increased Indian control over tribal government affairs. The Congress, by Senate Joint Resolution 218, has designated the week beginning December 3, 1989, and ending December 9, 1989, as "National American Indian Heritage Week" and has authorized and requested the President to issue a proclama tion in observance of this week. Now, Therefore, I, George Bush, President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim the week beginning December 3, 1989, and ending December 9, 1989, as National American Indian Heritage Week, and I ask all Americans to observe this week with appropriate programs, ceremonies, and activities. In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this fifth day of December, in the year of our Lord nineteen hundred and eighty-nine, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and fourteenth. George Bush [Filed with the Office of the Federal Register, 11:58 a.m., December 6, 1989] Proclamation 6081-National Cities Fight Back Against Drugs Week, 1989 December 5, 1989 By the President of the United States of America A Proclamation The frightening consequences of drug trafficking and illicit drug use can be witnessed in communities throughout the United States-in troubled schools, in neighborhoods scarred by violence, and in overburdened hospitals, social service programs, and law enforcement agencies. All of us pay the tremendous economic costs of the drug problem, but it exacts a far greater toll in the number of lives lost and families destroyed. Those costs can never be reclaimed. While no part of our Nation has been able to avoid the devastating effects of the traffic and use of illegal drugs, America's citieslarge and small-bear the brunt of this plague. In far too many of our Nation's cities, it is unsafe to walk the streets in certain areas; families take shelter behind bolted doors and drawn shades; and hospital staffs struggle to save the lives of infants born addicted to drugs. Fortunately, however, this terrible problem is not going unchallenged. In every area of the country, cities are fighting back. Today, concerned residents of our Nation's cities are working together to regain control of their streets, their parks, their schools, and their lives. In the finest tradition of democratic government and voluntary association, individual citizens are standing shoulder to shoulder with local authorities as they confront the merchants of death who deal drugs. They are marching in the streets, asserting their right to live without fear in secure homes and neighborhoods, and they are voting for leaders who will be tough on crime. They are also remaining vigilant against suspicious activity in their communities while encouraging young people to resist the temptation to try drugs. These determined men and women are behaving as responsible citizens in a free and just society by working closely with their local representatives and law enforcement agen cies. Ultimately, it is the actions of concerned Americans that will win the war on drugs. The American people will prevail in this fight because the small percentage of persons who currently buy and sell drugs must one day recognize and accept the morally just stance of the vast majority who do not. This week, we salute those Americans in cities all across our Nation who are serving as full partners in this all-important cam paign. They are helping to build a better future for our Nation-a future that is drugfree. The Congress, by Senate Joint Resolution 205, has designated the week of December 3 through December 9, 1989, as "National Cities Fight Back Against Drugs Week" and has authorized and requested the President to issue a proclamation in observance of this week. Now, Therefore, I, George Bush, President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim the week of December 3 through December 9, 1989, as National Cities Fight Back Against Drugs Week. I invite the Governors of the several States, the chief officials of local governments, and the people of the United States to observe this week with appropriate programs, ceremonies, and activities. In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this fifth day of December, in the year of our Lord nineteen hundred and eighty-nine, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and fourteenth. George Bush [Filed with the Office of the Federal Register, 11:59 a.m., December 6, 1989] Statement by Press Secretary Fitzwater We are witnessing dramatic and historic events in Eastern Europe that were scarcely imaginable a year ago. The formation in Poland of the first non-Communist government in Eastern Europe in more than 40 years hopefully represents only the beginning of a more profound systemic transformation in the region. The political and economic reforms in Hungary are further evidence of this phenomenon. The United States has encouraged and promoted these changes, which offer the prospect of a Europe whole and free, and a more peaceful world. As part of this effort, and in accordance with the Support for East European Democracy (SEED) Act of 1989, President Bush today has named Deputy Secretary of State Lawrence S. Eagleburger as Coordinator of United States support to Eastern Europe. In that position, Secretary Eagleburger will be responsible for overseeing and coordinating all SEED programs and activities, which pertain specifically to Poland and Hungary. The President also has named Michael J. Boskin, Chairman of the Council of Economic Advisers, and John E. Robson, Deputy Secretary of the Treasury, as Deputy Coordinators. United States assistance to Poland and Hungary is designed to contribute to the development of democratic institutions and political pluralism in those countries, as well as to promote the development of free market economies. Such assistance includes food aid, labor programs, environmental projects, educational and cultural exchanges, assistance for democratic institutions, trade benefits, investment guarantees, and structural adjustment and technical assistance programs. Secretary Eagleburger will be responsible both for overseeing these U.S. initiatives as well as for coordinating them with similar initiatives by other Western nations and by international institutions. The United States is also prepared to work closely with our Western partners in assisting other Eastern European countries that make meaningful progress toward economic reform and democratic change. Memorandum on Education of Memorandum for the Secretary of Subject: Education of Hispanic Americans All children in America should have the opportunity to achieve their fullest potential as human beings. And, as you know, much of that opportunity depends on edu cation. Sadly, Hispanic Americans are especially undereducated. As Hispanics become the largest minority group in the United States early in the next century, it becomes more and more important to overcome the crisis in Hispanic education. Indeed, the statistics that you have provided to me compel attention: Between 9 and 11 percent of Hispanic students drop out of high school each year-the highest dropout rate of any major ethnic or racial group. • Among Hispanics over the age of 25, an alarming 52 percent have not completed high school, compared to 24 percent of non-Hispanics. • Only 10 percent of Hispanics over the age of 25 have completed 4 or more years of college, compared to 21 percent of non-Hispanics. • Every major report on adult illiteracy has found that the rate for Hispanics is much higher than the rate for the nonHispanic population. The Working Group on Education of the Domestic Policy Council, which you chair, is already addressing important education issues. I am directing you to form a Task Force within that Working Group to focus on Hispanic education. The Task Force on Hispanic Education will report to me through the Domestic Policy Council and its Education Working Group. Specifically, the Task Force on Hispanic Education should: • Assess the participation of Hispanics in Federal education programs. • Identify barriers that may limit Hispanic participation in education programs and suggest remedies. Suggest goals and strategies for the education of Hispanics (e.g., reducing the dropout rate, increasing enrollment in higher education, and promoting adult literacy). These goals should be considered in conjunction with the process of setting national education goals as called for at our Education Summit. I also understand that you will be appointing a special advisor on dropouts-a new position in your office. Because of the problem of dropout rates in the Hispanic community, I urge you to direct your spe cial advisor to work closely with representatives of the Hispanic community. We must step up our efforts to ensure the education of Hispanic Americans as a vital part of our overall commitment to excellence in education. George Bush Nomination of David E. Jeremiah To Be Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff December 6, 1989 The President today announced his intention to nominate Adm. David E. Jeremiah, USN, to be Vice Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff. Admiral Jeremiah will succeed Gen. Robert T. Herres, who is retiring. Admiral Jeremiah is presently serving as commander in chief of the U.S. Pacific Fleet, Pearl Harbor, HI. He was born February 25, 1934, in Portland, OR. Remarks to Hispanic and Corporate Leaders December 6, 1989 I hope I didn't interrupt our wonderful Secretary of Education, Larry Cavazos. Every time I hear him speak, I learn a lot, and I'm just delighted that he's here. To Rod DeArment: thank you for the ideas and inspiration. Alfredo Estrada, the publisher of Hispanic Magazine, I want to thank you and your staff for your suggestions. And I'm especially delighted to be among so many Hispanic and business leaders. Welcome to the White House. Barbara and I have both been looking forward to this meeting. I, as you know, am just back, having spent several days on ships in the Mediterranean Sea. And I must say that I must have left my sea legs in the Navy, because walking over here I found myself tilting to starboard. [Laughter] It was a good meeting, a wonderful meeting there, one that I hope sets the basis for future progress: building peace and advancing freedom for a new century. And yet no matter how far I travel, who I meet, or what I see, nothing can beat the thrill of coming back to the United States. I asked you here today to thank you for what you've done. As you know, our growing Hispanic community will soon form the largest minority in our Nation. And if this is to remain the land of opportunity, then all the citizens of America must be well educated, must be well prepared for the challenges of the future. There was a time in this country when you could prosper without a high school degree or a special skill. But we're entering an age of specialization. And in the 1990's, those who do not learn will not earn. They'll find it hard to contribute. They'll find it hard to advance. And it's just as simple as that. Sadly, almost 11 percent of Hispanic students drop out of high school each year. And more than half of all Hispanic-Americans over the age of 25 have not completed high school. And when it comes to higher education, too many Hispanics just never get the chance, never have a fighting chance to go to college. Solutions are coming now from Hispanic America. Strong family support, the encouragement of learning and excellence-these have always been the most striking features of the Hispanic tradition. And now this tradition, though, is endangered by tensions, the very tempo of modern life. And so, we've got to work together to protect this heritage, work together as leaders in government and business, as men and women concerned with the future. Nothing less than a national effort will suffice. Secretary Cavazos heads the Working Group on Education for our Domestic Policy Council, and he is already addressing important education issues. And now I am pleased to tell you we are embarking on a new effort, one just for Hispanic-Americans, due in part to the advice that I've received from so many of you. I've signed a directive asking Doctor Cavazos to form an Hispanic Education Task Force to assess how well Federal education programs serve Hispanics, and then recommend ways to enhance the Federal role. The task force will complete its work and report by the end of February, and then I'll incorporate these findings into our broader efforts to improve American education, mandated by our education summit with the Nation's Governors. The corporate leaders here today understand that supporting education and training is good business as well as good citizenship. Look at the National Hispanic Scholarship Fund, which has sent almost 10,000 young Hispanic men and women to college. This means 10,000 highly educated and highly skilled Americans will bring their talent and energy to American business and their leadership to a new generation. By contributing to the many programs and funds that advance the cause of Hispanic youth, you have truly made an investment in this generation and in the future of our country. But education is more than an investment, and the cause of education transcends the many prosaic matters that I've discussed today. Education is, as Will and Ariel Durant wrote, not just "the painful accumulation of facts and dates and reigns nor merely the necessary preparation of the individual to earn his keep in the world." It is the "transmission of our mental, moral, technical, and aesthetic heritage as fully as possible to as many as possible." Let the next generation of HispanicAmericas fully know their heritage-the heritage of Benito Juarez, and Jose Marti, George Washington, Octavio Paz, and William Faulkner. For advancing this cause, I pass on to you the gratitude of the Nation. Thank you, God bless you all, and thank you very much for coming to the White House. And now Barbara and I look forward, indeed, to having a chance to say hello to all of you. Thank you very, very much. Note: The President spoke at 6:15 p.m. in the East Room at the White House. In his remarks, he referred to Deputy Secretary of Labor Roderick DeArment. Letter Accepting the Resignation of M. Dear Danny: I accept your resignation as Director of the Office of Thrift Supervision, to become effective on a date determined by the Secretary of the Treasury. I commend your willingness to remain for a period of time to assist in an orderly transition. When I proposed to the Congress legislation to restructure and restore public confidence in the thrift industry, we recognized the immensity of the task ahead and the need for the full concentration of our efforts on its accomplishment. An important element of our recovery plan was the creation of the Office of Thrift Supervision to administer the tough new capital and other regulatory standards governing the industry. As the first Director of the Office of Thrift Supervision, you served during the important organizational phase of the new agency. I thank you for your hard work in that position, and for your unselfish recognition that the job of revitalizing the industry demands the complete and undistracted attention of the agency's entire leadership and staff. In closing, I also want to note my appreciation for your comments on behalf of the many dedicated employees of the Office of Thrift Supervision who are working long hours to restore soundness to our Nation's savings and loan industry. Best wishes for your future endeavors. George Bush [The Honorable M. Danny Wall, Director, Office of Thrift Supervision, Department of the Treasury, Washington, D.C. 20552] Note: The letter was released by the Office of the Press Secretary on December 7. Statement by Press Secretary Fitzwater The President met this morning with Governors Ashcroft, Campbell, Clinton, Carruthers, Hunt, and Gardner to hear their thoughts on the development of national education goals before their Education Task Force meeting today with Cabinet members, where they will discuss the development of such goals. The President is committed to working with the Governors to move the Nation forward in education reform. Since the education summit in Charlottesville, administration officials have met with Governors numerous times to move the process of developing national goals forward. In late November, the President met with his Education Policy Advisory Committee to hear their views with respect to national education goals. Our primary objectives in the development of national education goals is to produce goals that are specific, measurable, and results oriented. Points of Light Recognition Program The President named the following individuals and institutions as exemplars of his commitment to making community service central to the life and work of every American. The daily recognition program is intended as a national tribute of the highest order to every single American who makes a difference in the life of someone in need. The President extends his appreciation to the following: December 2 "Drop-a-Dime” program, of Boston, MA. "Dropa-Dime" is a 24-hour anonymous crime hotline that connects residents in the Boston area to local law enforcement officials. The program helps combat the growing drug problem in Boston and has been credited with several felony arrests. Officials of the program also lecture in elementary schools and community centers about the dangers of drugs and firearms and have sponsored a forum on gang violence. December 4 "Adopt-a-School” program, of Orange Park, FL. "Adopt-a-School" is a partnership between a Navy patrol squadron and a retirement community who have collectively adopted the stu |