[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 2 (Wednesday, January 26, 1994)]
[Senate]
[Page S]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: January 26, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
               THE PRESIDENT'S STATE OF THE UNION MESSAGE

  Mr. BENNETT. Mr. President, I understand we are having a vote soon. I 
would like to take the time between now and then to make a few 
observations about the State of the Union Message last night.
  I congratulate President Clinton on his rhetorical gifts. I cannot 
resist commenting or repeating the comment made to me by a number of 
people, which is that he has begun to reach out for the techniques of 
Ronald Reagan, known as the Great Communicator. One of the President's 
strengths is his ability to pick up the techniques that President 
Reagan demonstrated so well over the period of time he was here.
  But I must, in an attempt to set the record straight, make two 
comments. The description of the President's accomplishments in his 
first year are quite different from my memory of what happened in the 
first year. And that which I found the most outrageous was his 
congratulatory reference to 9 out of 10 small businesses getting 
significant tax cuts as a result of his domestic program.
  I have not found a single small business in my State that has 
congratulated me on the tax cuts that came as a result of that program. 
Indeed, I have had a number of letters about people protesting 
significant tax increases that are hitting small businesses. I think 
that was an issue that needed to be set straight.
  The other one that I would like to comment on has to do with the 
President's reference to international trade. I was heartened by the 
President's emphasis on international trade. I supported him on NAFTA 
and the successful completion of the Uruguay round of GATT and was 
delighted to have him highlight international trade in the way he did.
  Very significant, however, was the President's omission of any 
mention whatsoever of Asia. He talked about South America. He talked 
about Central America. He talked about NAFTA. He talked about Europe, 
the former republics of the Soviet Union. He talked about Haiti. He 
talked about South Africa. But he did not mention those economies that 
are the fastest growing economies in the world, in Asia, and I would 
hope that this administration would now begin to focus on that portion 
of the world and recognize its importance in the international trade.
  I see the time has come, Mr. President, and I thank the Senate for 
the opportunity to make these comments.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The time of the Senator from Utah has expired.

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