    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George H. W. Bush (1991, Book I)]
    [February 4, 1991]
    [Pages 99-100]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks to Members of the National Governors' Association
    February 4, 1991

        Let me just make a few brief comments, and then what I really am
    anxious to do is to hear from you. I know you've been briefed in some
    detail on many aspects of the domestic program, but I'd like to get from
    you a feel for emphasis and some of your most serious concerns.
        But first, my thanks to you, Governor Gardner and Governor Ashcroft.
    And I know Dick Cheney has briefed you on the Gulf. And let me simply
    just say this on it: It's going according to plan. We are going to set
    the timetable for what lies ahead--not Saddam Hussein. And I have a very
    strong team that is working this problem of the Gulf. Not only do I have
    great confidence in the officers and the men and women in the Gulf
    itself but, of course, I think Dick Cheney and General Colin Powell--
    working so closely together and then working very closely with our Chief
    of Staff here and mainly with General Scowcroft, my able right hand on
    these national security matters.
        I have confidence that we're doing the right thing, and I have
    confidence that it is going the way we planned. And there have been no
    surprises, and there will not be any quick changes, nor will I try to
    tie the hands of the military because I just feel we have to go forward
    and prosecute this to a successful conclusion. So, I want you to know
    from my standpoint the team is working well, the objectives are out
    there, and we're going to achieve them all.
        So, I will be glad to respond to questions on this, of course, later
    on because I know it's a matter of enormous concern in your communities.
    I used the figure, I think last night, mentioning some 436 units of the
    National Guard--over 60,000 men and women who are more than spectators.
    And I would just encourage all of you to give the utmost support you
    possibly can. I talked to some of you all last night, and I was very
    impressed with what you told me about this spirit of these people and
    even more so about the spirit in the communities.
        I do think that the United States is supporting this. I can tell you
    that you read from time to time about lack of public support in some of
    the coalition countries, but

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    generally speaking, the support is very, very strong. And that is not
    just the U.S.; it's in other countries as well.
        So, here at home I understand you've been talking about that. I
    recognize that we are facing enormously challenging problems and that
    some of you face exactly the same problems that the Federal Government
    does in terms of trying to restrict these deficits or get out of this
    deficit mode.
        One of the subjects that I really wanted to build on as we go along
    here this year with the Governors is what happened at the
    Charlottesville education summit. I think you expressed many concerns
    there, those who were Governors then, and I hope we have responded. You
    were concerned about the readiness of the kids for school. And we have
    recommended and received good support for Congress on this whole concept
    of increased funding for Head Start. You wanted more emphasis on
    research and on assessment, and we saw it and got increases in those
    programs--not that those increases alone at the Federal level are going
    to get the job done. Nobody knows that better than the Governors around
    this table.
        But you asked for a lasting commitment. And let me just say that
    though the Gulf war has overshadowed almost everything in terms of
    interests from the American people, we have not pulled back one iota in
    our determination to work with you. Sixteen months after that summit,
    the work still goes on. And I think we're going to do all right. We want
    to see these goals fully met, and I told you that I would convene my
    Cabinet to mobilize their Departments toward the achievement of the
    goals, and I think I can tell you that--I hope you've had a chance to
    glance at the report. That's working fairly well.
        To those of you who weren't in office at the time of that summit--
    and we have many new Governors here--let me simply restate a commitment.
    As you work towards world-class education, the Federal Government and
    this President want to be with you every step of the way. And so, all of
    us should renew our commitment to fulfilling the goals set out in
    Charlottesville.
        One last point is, I know how you all feel about flexibility and not
    mandating programs from Washington. Some people call some of our
    proposals warmed-over federalism. They miss the point. The point is you
    are on the problem-solving edge of this equation. You are better
    equipped to represent the diverse interests of the various States. And
    so we want to continue to work with you as best we can without sending a
    lot of mandated programs, whether it's in Medicaid or whatever else.
        I understand that John Sununu came over and talked to you at length
    about this new proposal. Some of you mentioned it to me last night--on
    this block grant approach. And it is different. It's fully funded, and
    it is something that--I am very grateful to those who have spoken out on
    it already. I am not naive. We're going to have to fight together to get
    this through the Congress. But I think if we get this strong support
    continuing--it's already been manifested by the Governors--I think that
    will send a very strong message to the Congress. And I think we can take
    this step. And I hope that it will benefit each and every Governor and
    every State present.
        So, those are the opening remarks. As I say, what I really want to
    do--I know you've heard from the experts--is to get your opinions on the
    most pressing problems. And, of course, I would be glad to try to
    respond to questions. I just heard a briefing that Dick Darman gave
    along with our Secretary of the Treasury, Nick Brady, and others on the
    budget. So, he's here if you want any specifics on it.
        But with no further ado, and with the understanding and cooperation
    of the press, who are now history here--[laughter]--we thank you very
    much. We will go ahead and hear from you all. Thank you.

                        Note: President Bush spoke at 11:31 a.m. in the East
                            Room at the White House. In his remarks, he
                            referred to Gov. Booth Gardner of Washington;
                            Gov. John Ashcroft of Missouri; Secretary of
                            Defense Dick Cheney; President Saddam Hussein of
                            Iraq; Colin L. Powell, Chairman of the Joint
                            Chiefs of Staff; John H. Sununu, Chief of Staff
                            to the President; Brent Scowcroft, Assistant to
                            the President for National Security Affairs;
                            Richard G. Darman, Director of the Office of
                            Management and Budget; and Secretary of the
                            Treasury Nicholas F. Brady.