    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George H. W. Bush (1991, Book I)]
    [May 24, 1991]
    [Pages 562-564]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks at a Fundraising Reception for Congressional Candidate Steve
    Pierce in Boston, Massachusetts
    May 24, 1991

        Thank you. What a wonderful enthusiastic turnout for Steve. I wanted
    to come up and tell you how firmly I am convinced that he ought to be
    the next Congressman. We need many, many more like him in the United
    States House of Representatives, believe me.
        At the outset, let me salute several people here. I'll tell start
    with Bill Weld. Here's a guy who came in against big odds. He's making
    the tough calls on the budget, and I think he's earned the respect of
    everybody--Republican, Democrat, and independent alike.
        At his side are Paul Cellucci and Joe Malone, the State treasurer--
    and of course, Paul, our Lieutenant Governor. I salute them. I thank my
    old friend Leon Lombardi for stepping up to the plate and taking over
    the chairmanship of the party. At his side, I'm proud to say, is one who
    works with me in the White House, my old dear friend Ron Kaufman, who is
    a Republican national committeeman. And I'm glad that this is a team
    working together to build the party here. I am one who feels that we
    have a good chance in the State of Massachusetts, particularly given the
    leadership that Bill Weld has given it, and particularly given the new
    breath of fresh air that Steve Pierce is going to give it when he gets
    to Washington, DC.
        You see, he's come a long way to get where he is today--100 miles.
    [Laughter] Down the Mass Pike, all the way from Westfield. [Laughter] If
    you don't believe me, ask Andy Card. [Laughter] Steve's been--and I
    might add, to Andy's many friends here, what a joy it is to have him as
    our Deputy Chief of Staff. The guy takes on more difficult problems,
    handles them with compassion and finesse, and always comes up with the
    right answer. It's a joy going to the White House, knowing he's right
    down the hall.
        But on Steve, he's already proved that he's a fighter. He served in
    the legislature, in the statehouse, and he's demonstrated his
    convictions, what he really believes, what he can do. So, I think we're
    dealing here with a proven--not just a candidate but a proven entity
    that has already made his mark. And now we need him in Washington.
        You see, I asked him what the race is about, and I think I
    understand it. I understood it when he started in. The race is about
    taxes and the need to keep them down, and the race is about jobs and the
    need to get them up. And the two go hand

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    in hand. And this man understands it, and he's going to fight for it
    when he gets to Washington.
        You know, last fall we put on some meaningful caps on Federal
    spending--long overdue. I'm proud to say they are working at the Federal
    level. And I take a look at what Bill Weld is doing at the State level,
    and it can work. You don't have to raise the tax on the working men and
    women in this country. And Steve understands that, and I believe he will
    hold the line--we must do it--and help us steer what will be known as a
    steady path to growth.
        Incidentally, I am confident that this economy is coming out of
    recession. And I think this area of the country, which has been
    beleaguered, disproportionately so, will soon be on the road to
    recovery. I am confident of that.
        We've been talking about this with some of our most outstanding
    Massachusetts business people, men and women, some of our most
    outstanding business leaders on the national scene, just this morning
    because a key to this continued growth is free and fair trade. Just a
    few minutes ago Bob Mosbacher and I, with our marvelous Export
    Committee, discussed this. And I am very proud to say that as we were
    discussing the matter in there, or just before I walked into that room,
    the Senate did what the House did last night, approved Fast Track. And I
    am convinced that's going to be jobs for the people of Massachusetts.
        The U.S. exported more than $673 billion last year in goods and
    services. Exports generated 84 percent of our overall growth. Think
    about that one. In a slow economy, 84 percent came from exports, a sure
    sign that the future lies in free and fair trade. That's why our
    administration, joined by Governors like Bill Weld, place such an
    importance on ensuring American companies a fair shot in the global
    marketplace. We must demand--and I think we can now through the
    negotiations on GATT and the negotiations with Mexico--we must demand,
    should demand an even playing field. And if we get that, America can
    compete with anybody anywhere in the world.
        So, what's at stake here is a successful conclusion to the Uruguay
    round of trade talks with Europe and all the rest of the countries of
    the world, an agreement that breaks down the barriers that now hold some
    of you all back when you try to export. And also, we want to create this
    free trade zone uniting U.S., Canada, and Mexico, and that will create a
    single market of 360 million people. We're working now through our
    Enterprise for the Americas Initiative to expand trade opportunities
    with all the nations of the hemisphere--north, central, and south.
        You see, it is my deep conviction that we must not neglect our
    neighbors to the south. And I don't think it will cost us jobs; I'm
    convinced it's going to create jobs if we can open up those markets and
    have those economies start back on the road to recovery, just as I'm
    sure ours will do.
        I'm happy to salute the leaders of the United States Senate,
    Republican and Democrat alike, who joined the bipartisan leadership in
    the House yesterday to take this legislative action that was essential
    to give us what we need to negotiate these pacts.
        We've shown the world, I believe, that we can meet the challenge of
    the 21st century and that we'll meet them united in purpose and in
    effort. So, let me just say to those who are interested in this free and
    fair trade and in this Fast Track: I pledge to the Members of the United
    States Congress that we are going to consult as we go along. We will not
    bring to them a bad trade agreement with Uruguay round or with Mexico;
    no point in that. It will pass, and it will pass because we will be
    consulting with the Democrats and the Republicans in the United States
    Congress.
        Let me also say that this passage provides, I think, some of the
    best economic news we've had in months.
        Now, to Steve. We've talked about this. He came down to check in
    with me in the Oval Office the other day, looking at the drapes. I don't
    want him to get too far ahead of himself there--[laughter]--but he
    understands--listen, I know this guy. This is one that I've got my heart
    in, this endorsement, because I know him. I know what he stands for. I
    know what his political heartbeat is. I know that he understands the
    tremendous potential for growth that's represented in these global
    markets.

    [[Page 564]]

        Also, I think we need a champion in the Massachusetts delegation who
    understands--not just a champion for business itself but for jobs, for
    the men and women that are out there on the production line. And I think
    in Steve we have just exactly that because Steve is not a pessimist
    about it. He knows that these Massachusetts companies are ready to
    compete, and he wants to do what he can--you heard him--on growth, the
    empowerment agenda, to unleash the competitive energy.
        So, let us stand nationally for what he stands for, not just in this
    race but in his past record: jobs, opportunity, and growth. That's the
    formula, and I think if we send Steve down there, you'll know that your
    wallets are safe for a while, anyway, at least as far as he's concerned.
    [Laughter]
        This gives me an opportunity to get back in the political arena. I
    haven't been in it for a while because now we've had a little lull since
    last fall's election, and I feel the adrenaline flowing. I hope it
    doesn't go to my heart, but nevertheless--[laughter]--but I can't think
    of a finer young man, a finer family to represent the western part of
    this great State. So, when he asked if I would come up here and he asked
    Barbara to help out--I believe she'll be doing it next week, but in any
    event, she's in his corner 100 percent--I accepted before he could
    change his mind. And I'm glad to be here, proud to be with your
    Governor, your Lieutenant Governor, and our chairman, and especially
    proud to be with our next Congressman from western Massachusetts. What
    big shoes to fill, but he will do it.
        Thank you all very much, and may I take this opportunity to make a
    nonpartisan comment. Bill and I and Paul Cellucci and others rode in
    from the airport, and I must say I was deeply touched and moved by the
    warm response and welcome from the people that lined the streets coming
    in from the airport. I was deeply touched, and it gives me one hell of a
    sendoff for what's going to be a great Memorial Day weekend. Thank you
    all very, very much.

                        Note: The President spoke at 1:22 p.m. in the
                            Harborview Ballroom at the Boston World Trade
                            Center. In his remarks, he referred to Gov.
                            William Weld and Lt. Gov. A. Paul Cellucci of
                            Massachusetts; Joseph Malone, Massachusetts
                            State treasurer; Leon Lombardi, Massachusetts
                            Republican Party chairman; Ronald C. Kaufman,
                            Deputy Assistant to the President for Political
                            Affairs; Andrew H. Card, Jr., Assistant to the
                            President and Deputy Chief of Staff; and
                            Secretary of Commerce Robert A. Mosbacher.