[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 12 (Tuesday, February 4, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E144]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[[Page E144]]
  THE PRESIDENT'S CALL FOR INDISPENSABLE LEADERSHIP--JANUARY 21, 1997

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. MAJOR R. OWENS

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 4, 1997

  Mr. OWENS. Mr. Speaker, President Clinton's inaugural address was not 
a State of the Union speech obligated to provide substance for general 
proposals. Appropriately, the President used his second inaugural 
statement to set a tone for the next 4 years, the prelude to the 21st 
century. America is a great country blessed by God with wealth far 
surpassing any Nation on the face of the Earth now, or in the past. The 
Roman Empire was a beggar entity compared to the rich and powerful 
Americans. God has granted us an opportunity unparalled in history. 
President Clinton called upon both leaders and ordinary citizens to 
measure up to this splendid moment. The President called upon all of us 
to abandon ancient hatreds and obsessions with trivial issues. For a 
brief moment in history we are the indispensable people. Other nations 
have occupied this position before and failed the world. The American 
colossus should break the historic pattern of empires devouring 
themselves. As we move into the 21st century we need indispensable 
leaders with global visions. We need profound decisions.


                          Indispensable Nation

       Under God, The indispensable nation, Guardian of the 
     pivotal generation, Most fortunate of all the lands, For a 
     brief moment, The whole world we hold in our hands, Internet 
     sorcery computer magic, Tiny spirits make opportunity tragic, 
     We are the indispensable nation, Guardian of the pivotal 
     generation, Millionaires must rise to see the need, Or 
     smother beneath their splendid greed, Capitalism is King, 
     With potential to be Pope, Banks hoard gold, That could 
     fertilize universal hope, Jefferson Lincoln Roosevelt King, 
     Make your star spangled legacy sting, Dispatch your ghosts, 
     To bring us global visions, Indispensable leaders, Need 
     profound decisions, Internet sorcery computer magic, Tiny 
     spirits make opportunity tragic, We are the indispensable 
     nation, Guardian of the pivotal generation, With liberty and 
     justice for the world, Under God.

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