The President. Which one? Q. The proposal that oozed out, as you said. The President. Listen, if you're ever-I can't find anybody elated over any facet of taxes, Democrat or Republican. They want to stick it to the other guy a little bit. But what I'm saying is: We had a proposal. People know what was in it. We had an original proposal with detail. They've had none. And the deal was they were to have a proposal. Now let's come forward with it and set aside politics. It's getting tough now. It's getting right down to the crunch. And the American people know that the Congress appropriates every single dime and tells us how to spend every single dime. Now, they ought to get on with doing something about budget reform, process reform. Nobody's interested in the jurisdiction of this committee or another. The American people want the deficit down, and they don't want to have these delaying arguments about, Well, I can't move because the chairman of this committee hasn't passed a continuing previous resolution and seconded the motion. Nobody cares about that. They want the deficit I can't hear you, Sarah [Sarah McClendon, McClendon News Service]. You're right in the middle. [Laughter] Persian Gulf Crisis Q. Mr. President, should the American people look forward to an ongoing American presence in Saudi Arabia over a period of years? The President. I don't know about a period of years, but certainly we're going to be there long enough to get the job done. But I'd like to give you a timeframe, and I can't. Q. Mr. President, you called the President of Venezuela [Carlos Andrés Pérez] to ask him for some help with the oil. Did you talk numbers with him at all? The President. No, I called him to thank him for what I understood was a Venezuelan willingness to step up and increase production-they can still do it at a reasonably efficient rate, I am told—and to thank him for his approach on this. He told me that he'd sent his Foreign Minister [Reinaldo Figueredo Planchart] to various cap itals to coordinate all of this. And I had a couple of other matters to discuss with him, too, that were unrelated to the Persian Gulf. Mainly-I can give you a little hinton Central America, an area where he and I stay in very close consultation and touch on this. But I didn't have a-if your question was, did I have a specific request of him, no, I didn't. Last one. Q. To follow up, just a second: Are you satisfied with the offer of Mexico as far as oil-100,000 barrels a day? The President. I haven't the slightest way of knowing whether it ought to be more or less, but I am very, very pleased with Mexico's cooperation on all of this. President Salinas, a courageous man, and I am very pleased that he is willing to pitch in and help. I can't help you with the exact numbers-whether it ought to be 100,000 or something else. But when we heard that, I said that's good. We've got a good relationship now with Mexico. Thank you. All right, here's the last. This is-I really do have to run. Q. Thank you, Mr. President. Just very briefly: You have called repeatedly for the Iraqis to be out of Kuwait, to withdraw unconditionally and completely, and you've helped put sanctions in place to try to force them to do that. How important is that withdrawal? Is it important enough that if the sanctions don't seem to work after a short period then you will promise to use military force to force Saddam Hussein out? The President. It is too hypothetical a question. We have a plan, and the plan is to implement fully the United Nations sanctions. And also part of our arrangement with King Fahd [of Saudi Arabia] is to help protect Saudi Arabia, in a part of a multinational force now of quite a few countries, against aggression from Saddam Husseinthe same kind of aggression that took over Kuwait. So, that's where we are. That's the plan, and I just can't help you by going in a hypothetical sense any further. Listen, I hate to run, but I do have an appointment in here. And thank you very much. Note: The President's 56th news conference began at 4:19 p.m. in the Briefing Room at the White House. Proclamation 6168-Home Health By the President of the United States of America A Proclamation Home health aides, employed by some 5,600 home care organizations throughout the United States, are key members of the teams of health care professionals and volunteers who provide needed services for ill and disabled Americans. Today, approximately half a million men and women serve as home health aides. These workers enable their clients to enjoy the comfort and security of their own homes while obtaining needed personal care and support services. Home health aides help their clients to perform some of the essential tasks of daily living, such as bathing. They help to maintain a clean and safe home environment for their clients and provide various rehabilitative and support services. They also observe a client's progress and report significant changes in his or her condition to other home care team members. The widespread use of training and competency evaluations for home health aides-such as those prepared by the Foundation for Hospice and Home Care-ensures that these activities are carried out with a high degree of professionalism. Home health aides have enabled many ill and disabled Americans to avoid or delay the need for admission to a nursing home or other institution. Giving ill and impaired individuals the opportunity to remain in their own homes, surrounded by the love and support of family and friends, home care helps to maintain both their emotional and physical well-being. Home care has also proved to be cost-effective. For example, New York State's Nursing Home Without Walls Program has demonstrated that clients who would otherwise be in a nursing facility can be cared for at home for about half the cost. Although home health aides care for many ill or disabled persons who are younger than 65, most of their clients are elderly. With the aging of the American population, the need for home health aides is likely to increase dramatically. The Department of Health and Human Services reports that people age 65 or older currently represent 12 percent of the population; by the year 2030, they will represent 21 percent. Today, people over age 84 are among one of the fastest growing age groups in the country. Home health aides-along with the staffs of the home health agencies, homemaker organizations, and hospices that employ them-deserve recognition and encouragement. They play an important role in maintaining the dignity and independence of millions of Americans, and, this week, we salute them for their dedication and hard work. In grateful recognition of those who serve as home health aides, the Congress, by Senate Joint Resolution 343, has designated the week of August 13 through August 19, 1990, as "Home Health Aide 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 August 13 through August 19, 1990, as Home Health Aide Week. I call upon the people of the United States to observe this week with appropriate programs and activities. In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this fourteenth day of August, 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, 2:59 p.m., August 15, 1990] Note: The proclamation was released by the Office of the Press Secretary on August 15. Proclamation 6169-National Senior By the President of the United States A Proclamation The character of the United States has been shaped, in large part, by the accomplishments of older Americans. From the days of Benjamin Franklin, who was 81 years old when he helped to frame our Constitution, to the present time, America's senior citizens have enriched us through their wisdom and their example. These individuals have labored and sacrificed to build better lives for themselves and for their families and, in so doing, have helped to keep our country free, strong, and prosperous. Now in their advanced years, they continue to share with us a wealth of talent and experience. Today millions of older Americans are remaining in the work force well past the traditional "retirement age." Many are pursuing second careers, and many are engaged in voluntary service to their communities. Most important, perhaps, older Americans provide their families with an abundance of love, affection, and guidance-as well as a living link to the past. As parents and grandparents, and as beloved neighbors and friends, our Nation's senior citizens enrich our lives beyond measure, and each of them merits our appreciation and support. Because the true strength and character of any society may be measured by how it treats its senior members, we must always strive to ensure that older Americans are accorded not only the services they need, but also the opportunities and esteem they so richly deserve. We should make certain that our communities are places where senior citizens feel safe and welcome, and we should set an example for our children by treating our older relatives and neighbors with respect and consideration. As we observe National Senior Citizens Day, we do well to express our admiration and gratitude for the older members of our communities. These distinguished Americans should know that their many gifts to us are recognized and cherished, not only on this occasion, but throughout the year. The Congress, by House Joint Resolution 591, has designated the third Sunday of August 1990 as "National Senior Citizens Day" and has authorized and requested the President to issue a proclamation in observance of this day. Now, Therefore, I, George Bush, President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim Sunday, August 19, 1990, as National Senior Citizens Day. I call upon the people of the United States to observe this day with appropriate ceremonies and activities in honor of our Nation's senior citizens. In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this fourteenth day of August, 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, 3:03 p.m., August 15, 1990] Note: The proclamation was released by the Office of the Press Secretary on August 15. Proclamation 6170-Women's Equality Day, 1990 August 14, 1990 By the President of the United States of America A Proclamation On August 26, 1990, we will commemorate the 70th anniversary of the ratification of the 19th Amendment to our Constitution. This Amendment guaranteed for women the right to vote and, in so doing, opened the door to their full participation in our representative system of govern ment. The adoption of the 19th Amendment nearly three-quarters of a century ago was a great victory not only for women, but for all Americans. By recognizing previously disenfranchised members of our society and guaranteeing them an equal voice in the electoral process, the 19th Amendment affirmed the principles upon which the United States is founded. It underscored our Nation's commitment to the belief "that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed. . . .' Years before the ratification of the 19th Amendment, the woman's suffrage movement took shape. Its members and supporters realized that, as long as women lacked a voice in the democratic process, the promise of liberty and self-government so eloquently expressed in our Nation's founding documents would remain unfulfilled. One of the movement's most prominent leaders, Susan B. Anthony, articulated the concerns of many when she asked: "How can the consent of the governed be given, if the right to vote be denied?" After years of hard work by members of the woman's suffrage movement, the 19th Amendment was passed by the Congress in June of 1919. It was finally ratified by the Tennessee legislature on August 18, 1920, and proclaimed as part of our Constitution on August 26. The ratification of the 19th Amendment marked an important legal milestone in our Nation's efforts to ensure liberty, justice, and equality of opportunity for all. Like the 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments that preceded it and other great landmarks that have followed-landmarks such as the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965-the 19th Amendment offers a poignant reminder that every individual is an heir to the civil and political rights enshrined in our Declaration of Independence and Constitution. As we commemorate the 70th anniversary of the ratification of the 19th Amendment, we also recognize the many and varied accomplishments of women-accomplishments made possible by progress in eliminating discrimination. During the past 7 decades, millions of women have earned positions of leadership and responsibility in business, government, science, education, and the arts. On this occasion, as we celebrate the continued social and economic advancement of women—and their unique role in keeping our families, communities, and Nation strong-let us also reflect upon the importance of having and using the right to vote. As Americans, we are both heirs to and guardians of the blessings of liberty and self-government. Exercising our right to vote is one of the most important ways we can help to advance the ideals expressed in our Nation's founding documents and ensure justice and equal opportunity for all Americans. Now, Therefore, I, George Bush, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim August 26, 1990, as Women's Equality Day, a day to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the ratification of the 19th Amendment. I call upon all Americans to observe this day with appropriate programs, ceremonies, and activities. In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this fourteenth day of August, 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, 3 p.m., August 15, 1990] Note: The proclamation was released by the Office of the Press Secretary on August 15. Memorandum on Trade With the Presidential Determination No. 90-30 Pursuant to section 402(c)(2) of the Trade Act of 1974 (the "Act"), 19 U.S.C. 2432(c)(2), I determine that a waiver by Executive order of the application of subsec tions (a) and (b) of section 402 of the Act with respect to the German Democratic Republic will substantially promote the objectives of section 402. You are authorized and directed to publish this determination in the Federal Regis ter. George Bush the emigration practices of the German Democratic Republic required by section 402(c)2XB) of the Act. Pursuant to section 402(c)(2), I shall issue an Executive order waiving the application of subsections (a) and (b) of section 402 of the Act with respect to the German Democratic Republic. Sincerely, Executive Order 12726-Waiver Under the Trade Act of 1974 With Respect to the German Democratic Republic August 15, 1990 By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, including section 402(c)(2) of the Trade Act of 1974 (the Act) (19 U.S.C. 2432(c)(2)), which continues to apply to the German Democratic Republic pursuant to section 402(d), and having made the report to the Congress required by section 402(c)(2), I hereby waive the application of subsections (a) and (b) of section 402 of the Act with respect to the German Democratic Republic. The White House, August 15, 1990. George Bush [Filed with the Office of the Federal Register, 12:17 p.m., August 15, 1990] Letter to the Speaker of the House and the President of the Senate on Trade With the German Democratic Republic August 15, 1990 Dear Mr. Speaker: (Dear Mr. President:) Pursuant to subsection 402(c)(2) of the Trade Act of 1974 (the Act) (19 U.S.C. 2432(c)(2)), I have determined that a waiver of the application of subsections (a) and (b) of section 402 with respect to the German Democratic Republic will substantially promote the objectives of section 402. A copy of that determination is enclosed. I have also received the assurances with respect to George Bush Note: Identical letters were sent to Thomas S. Foley, Speaker of the House of Representatives, and Dan Quayle, President of the Senate. Remarks to Department of Defense Thank you, Secretary Cheney and General Powell and distinguished members of the Joint Chiefs, General Schwarzkopf, and all of you who do all the work. Thank all of you for joining us today and, really most of all, for your hard work in defense of freedom and America every day. Over the past 10 days you've launched what history will judge as one of the most important deployments of allied military power since the Second World War. As I told the American people last week, let no one underestimate our determination to confront aggression. It is you, the men and women of the Department of Defense, who turn these words into deeds that transform hope and promise into reality. I've just received a wonderful briefing from Secretary Cheney and General Powell and others here at the Pentagon. Our objectives remain clear: the immediate, complete, and unconditional withdrawal of all Iraqi forces from Kuwait; the restoration of Kuwait's legitimate government; security and stability of Saudi Arabia and the Persian Gulf; and protection of the lives of American citizens abroad. We will achieve these honorable goals. We've worked for decades to develop an international order, a common code and rule of law that promotes cooperation in |