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it is through them we learn His Commandments and the importance of obeying them. Because we carry these lessons with us each time we leave home to participate in the life of our communities and country, and because the family provides a model of human relationships after which all other social institutions are fashioned, its strength and integrity are vital to the strength and well-being of our entire Nation.

Throughout her adult life, Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy has worked to advance the idea that strong and loving families, built on the rock of religious faith, are the foundation of a strong and caring society. By example in word and deed, she has encouraged her children-and, indeed, all Americans to use their gifts for the benefit of their fellowman. Her children have clearly heard the call to serve, and, today, we remember three who demonstrated that serving others often requires great courage and sacrifice: Joseph, Jr., who was killed in a bombing raid over Europe during World War II; President John F. Kennedy, who advanced this Nation's policy of peace through strength and later fell victim to an assassin's bullet; and Robert Kennedy, who, as Attorney General, proved to be a steadfast friend of the civil rights movement and, like his brother Jack, later died at a gunman's hands.

Today, the legacy of service begun by Rose Kennedy is being carried on through her surviving children and grandchildren and through programs and institutions she has helped to establish. Her well-known efforts on behalf of persons with mental and physical disabilities not only continue to inspire others, but also continue to underscore the inestimable value of every human life and the untold potential of each and every individual.

Time and again, Rose Kennedy has shown us the meaning of faith and courage, even when cruelly tested by personal tragedy and loss. On her 100th birthday, we salute this strong and devoted wife and mother, and we thank her for reminding so many Americans of the importance of faith in God and love of family and friends.

In honor of Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy on her 100th birthday, the Congress, by Senate Joint Resolution 315, has designated July 22, 1990, as "Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy Family

Appreciation Day" and has authorized and requested the President to issue a proclamation in observation of this day.

Now, Therefore, I, George Bush, PresiIdent of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim July 22, 1990, as Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy Family Appreciation Day. I urge all Americans to observe this day by reflecting upon the importance of whole. and healthy families to us as individuals and as a Nation.

In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this eighteenth day of July, in the year of our Lord nineteen hundred and ninety, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and fifteenth.

George Bush

[Filed with the Office of the Federal Register, 12:10 p.m., July 18, 1990]

Remarks to the National Council of La Raza

July 18, 1990

Thank you all very much. Well, thank you so much for that welcome. I'm delighted to be here, and I had a little visit in the hall with the jefes [chiefs], Raul and Tony[laughter]—and Rita, Patricia-gave me the warm welcome. And I rode over here with Dr. Cavazos, our Secretary of Education, who is with us and of whom I'm very, very proud. And, of course, I'm delighted to see [Secretary] Lou Sullivan, who's doing a superb job over at HHS [Department of Health and Human Services], a major position in our administration.

I shouldn't quote Larry Cavazos, but he says you know it's a strange world. He says, "Here I am Secretary of Education for the United States and I just met with the Minister of Education from Mexico. The Minister from Mexico's name is Bartlett; the Secretary from the United States' name is Cavazos." So, I tell you-[laughter]-things are really moving.

But again, I'm very proud of him. And I. am grateful for this opportunity to appear before this distinguished group, to greet the

National Council of La Raza, and pleased to see so many distinguished leaders from America's Hispanic service, education, and business communities, all gathered here in our Nation's Capital. And I want to thank the person whose brilliance, foresight, and tenacity made this July gathering in Washington possible. I'm talking about the man who invented air conditioning. [Laughter] It is hotter than blazes out there! [Laughter] And I'm delighted to be here.

Something about me, I'll tell you. It was hotter than blazes in Houston last week. We should have known it was coming because the weatherman that we consulted was the same guy who set up our summit with Gorbachev at Malta. [Laughter] Some of you may remember that one.

But today, I did want to drop in-I'm on my way out to California in just a little bit— but to welcome you to Washington and really to tell you how important I believe and our administration believes your efforts

are.

I mentioned Dr. Cavazos, and, of course, Lou Sullivan. But I also wanted to salute an old comrade of mine in Congress, now a Secretary, Manuel Lujan, from New Mexico, the Secretary of the Interior. But he and Larry, outstanding Cabinet Secretaries, they do represent not only the new energy and, I would say, leadership Hispanic-Americans are bringing to our country but also two of the most important priorities: the protection and use of our natural resources and the excellence in education-the quest for all-across-the-board excellence in education. And, indeed, our administration has made educational assistance for Hispanic-Americans one of the top priorities of our campaign to revive national educational excellence. And you heard from Larry yesterday in some detail, I understand. But, look, we will seek and we will demand educational excellence for all America, and that means reforms, like giving parents a choice in their children's education and educational excellence for all Americans.

Let me just touch-without being redundant here and repeating what Dr. Cavazos has said-on just a few of our most important efforts. Last December, we launched a new effort specially designed to assist Hispanic-Americans and developed in part with the assistance and advice that we re

ceived from many right here at this table and in this room today. They helped us develop-you all-helped us develop this program. And I directed our Secretary of Education to form what we call the Hispanic education task force. And it is aimed not only at identifying educational obstacles but also and I'd say this is more a part of it— educational opportunities. Larry has told me that the work of the task force is well underway, seeking new ways to improve Federal education programs that basically serve Hispanic-Americans and seeking ways to make them better. We need to focus on finding solutions.

And you, who are a proud part of the La Raza tradition, have also been one of those solutions, efforts like Project Second Chance, the Family Reading Program-and I wish Barbara Bush were here to tell you how moved she is by that effort on a nationwide basis-and Project EXCEL, all designed to help Hispanic community organizations become effective partners with the schools. And they're already making a difference for thousands of young Americans. And, look, I view it as a national goal that this unacceptable dropout rate for Hispanic kids come down, way down below the national average.

I don't want to overstay my welcome. I was told to have very brief remarks, and our time today is short. And if I'm not out of the hotel by 2 o'clock, they'll probably charge me for an extra room. [Laughter] So, another day, you know. [Laughter]

Let me just address briefly one of the most important priorities of our administration, and this is a current subject: helping to build a better America where the doors of opportunity are open to every citizen and every child. And I hope you know where I have stood and always stand on the civil rights matters. And the Civil Rights Commission has been reauthorized. I think that's proper. The Hate Crimes Statistics Act is now the law of the land. And I will sign another, I would say, historic piece of legislation next week, and I'm talking about the Americans With Disabilities Act.

And for the past several months, we have been working diligently to make another civil rights law a reality. And I met with many of you at the White House back in

May-several of you-Mario Moreno of MALDEF, Mexican American Legal Defense and Education Fund, you know him. Jesse Quintero of LULAC was there. Raul was there. But I told Raul that I wanted to sign the civil rights bill of 1990 and not a quota bill of 1990.

Morris Abram, a very respected American now serving as an ambassador over in Geneva, but really I think it's fair to say known as a champion of civil rights, recently wrote me about the bill that's before the Congress right now, urging me to oppose the bill as currently written. And he told me, look-here's this quote: "All my life, even in the darkest days of segregation in Georgia, I fought against the principle of color preference, then known as white supremacy." This bill, he pointed out, would "achieve precisely what the '64 Civil Rights Act stood four-square against."

And he recalled Frederick Douglass' famous statement of 1871. And here was that quote: "Equality of numbers has nothing to do with equality of attainment." And we all know quotas aren't right. They are not fair. They divide society instead of bringing people together. And as leaders and representatives of the Hispanic-American community, I owe it to you to see that this legislation does not say to the young kids, you only fit in if you fit into a certain numbered quota. That is not the American dream.

And I gave Raul a commitment back in May that I want desperately, I want very much, to sign a civil rights bill. And I did then, and I still do. And yesterday's announcement marked only the end of a chapter, not the end of a campaign, because today I just met with some on the Republican side of the aisle. Talks are still going on. And we renew the fight for a civil rights bill that I can sign. But I want to ask for your help to make the changes. And we're talking now about legal changes-they're relatively small-to make the changes

needed to ensure that a bill does not result in quotas that could somehow inadvertently work to the detriment of the very kids you all are trying to help, changes needed to ensure a bill that will protect the rights of all Americans and injure the rights of none.

From the time it was first launched in '68, your National Council, Council of La

Raza, has played a unique role in helping to improve opportunities for Americans of Hispanic descent. And I think that the success-I know sometimes you see only the problems out there, and it's proper you keep them in focus-but I think the success of your efforts is evident in the many success stories that are represented throughout this room. And so, I came over here today to salute you for the important work that you do. By working today for HispanicAmericans, you're building a better tomorrow for all Americans.

As President of the United States, I want to do my part. I want to lead for equity. I want to lead in the field of education. And I, again, am grateful for the support I receive there. I want to take the crusades that Dr. Sullivan is involved in to get better health care out there for our people and be as of the much leadership and support for those initiatives as I possibly can. And some of you know that with me this is more than a passing interest. And I would just say to you keep up the good work for La Raza. It inspires the American people. And I want to do my part.

Thank you all, and God bless you. Thank you very, very much.

[blocks in formation]

Federal Budget Negotiations

Q. How did the budget meeting go? The President. Well, we've agreed to meet again Monday, and we'll see how it goes. A lot of work still to be done.

Q. Did you make any progress? The President. Well, I think every time we sit down we get rid of some of the differences. But in the meantime, Dick Darman [Director of the Office of Management and Budget] is going to have more meetings with Dick Gephardt [House majority leader], who, incidentally, I will say is, I think, doing a first-class job-both Dick Darman and Nick Brady [Secretary of the Treasury] on our side and, certainly, Dick Gephardt trying to hold this big group together and lead it. And I think we all owe him a vote of thanks for the way he's proceeding as chairman of the process.

But, no, we've still got some problems out there. But they're going to be meeting while we're on this trip, and then we'll get back together early in the week.

Q. Do you have basic agreement yet just on the outlines, on the size of the package? The President. Well, that's what Darman and Dick Gephardt are going to be talking about further. We've had some discussions, and the way it was outlined to me, there's some agreement, but I don't think you can call it total agreement at this time.

Q. Are you more optimistic now than previously?

The President. Well, it's hard to say; it's hard to quantify that. But it's not a question of optimism or pessimism: it's a question of having to get this done. The deficit problem is so serious that there must be a bipartisan, responsible answer. And I will keep saying that and keep encouraging the White House negotiators and the Republicans to go forward, but it's hard. It's a good question, and I don't know how to answer

it.

Q. Did you do taxes today?

The President. We just had the kinds of discussions I talked to you about, about getting the problems in shape. And there's five major ingredients, and all of them are being discussed.

Thank you all. I hope you have a wonderful trip out here.

Richard M. Nixon Presidential Library

Q. Are you glad to be honoring Richard Nixon?

The President. What?

Q. Are you glad to be out here for Richard Nixon?

The President. I'm very pleased to be going to this dedication of this library, and I'm very pleased that President Nixon's daughter is with us. And I only regret that a previous commitment on the part of Mrs. Nixon and President Nixon prevented them from being with us today. Yes, I'm glad to be going out.

Note: The exchange occurred while the President was en route from Washington, DC, to Anaheim, CA. A tape was not available for verification of the content of these

remarks.

Proclamation 6160-Captive Nations
Week, 1990
July 18, 1990

By the President of the United States
of America

A Proclamation

The end of communist domination in Eastern Europe and progress toward democratization and greater openness in the Soviet Union are signs of a new era. Ideals we Americans have long cherished and defended-ideals of individual liberty and selfgovernment—are triumphing in nations that once bore the heavy yoke of totalitarianism. Human rights that were once brutally suppressed are gaining increasing respect, and political pluralism is replacing the tired dogmas of one-party rule-dogmas that have been thoroughly discredited time and again.

With vigilance and unfailing moral resolve, we have made great strides in our efforts to promote freedom and human rights around the world. Tragically, however, there remain countries where repressive ruling regimes continue to cling to ideologies that are inimical to the ideals of national sovereignty and individual liberty. In violation of international human rights agree

ments and fundamental standards of morality, these regimes continue to deny innocent men and women their inalienable rights, including freedom of speech, freedom of movement and assembly, freedom of the press, and the right to practice their religious beliefs without fear of persecution.

Each July, as we celebrate our Nation's Independence and give thanks for the blessings of liberty and self-government, we also recall our obligation to speak out for captive peoples around the world. During Captive Nations Week, we reaffirm our support for peaceful efforts to secure their right to liberty and self-determination.

As more and more government leaders around the world now acknowledge, the God-given rights of individuals must be recognized in law and respected in practice. Protecting the rights and freedom to which all men are heirs is not only the duty of any legitimate government, but also the key to real and lasting peace among nations. That is one reason why, during this Captive Nations Week, we do well to recall the timeless words written by Thomas Jefferson shortly before his death in 1826 on the 50th anniversary of our Nation's Independence:

observe this week with appropriate ceremonies and activities, and I urge them to reaffirm their devotion to the aspirations of all peoples for liberty, justice, and self-determi

nation.

In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this eighteenth day of July, in the year of our Lord nineteen hundred and ninety, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and fifteenth.

George Bush

[Filed with the Office of the Federal Register, 11:16 a.m., July 19, 1990]

Note: The proclamation was released by the
Office of the Press Secretary on July 19.

Nomination of Steven B. Kelmar To Be an Assistant Secretary of Health and Human Services

The President today announced his intention to nominate Steven B. Kelmar to be an Assistant Secretary of Health and Human Services for Legislative Affairs. He would succeed Gerald L. Olson.

All eyes are opened, or opening, to the July 19, 1990
rights of man. The general spread of
the light of science has already laid
open to every view the palpable truth,
that the mass of mankind has not been
born with saddles on their backs, nor a
favored few booted and spurred, ready
to ride them legitimately, by the grace
of God. These are grounds of hope for
others. For ourselves, let the annual
return of this day forever refresh our
recollections of these rights, and an un-
diminished devotion to them. . .

The Congress, by Joint Resolution approved July 17, 1959 (73 Stat. 212), has authorized and requested the President to issue a proclamation designating the third week in July of each year as "Captive Nations Week."

Now, Therefore, I, George Bush, President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim the week beginning July 15, 1990, as Captive Nations Week. I call upon the people of the United States to

Currently Mr. Kelmar serves as Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Legislative Affairs at the Department of Health and Human Services in Washington, DC. Prior to this, he served as an administrative assistant for Representative Sherwood Boehlert, 1982-1989; deputy assistant for Representative George C. Wortley, 1981-1982; special assistant to Senator S.I. Hayakawa, 19791981; a lead advance representative in the Office of the Vice President, 1983-1989; and campaign manager for Boehlert for Congress, 1982-1986.

Mr. Kelmar graduated from Pennsylvania State University (B.A., 1979). He was born May 6, 1953, in Philadelphia, PA. Mr. Kelmar resides in Alexandria, VA.

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