[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

[[Page 563]]

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.