[Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George H. W. Bush (1992, Book I)]
[May 12, 1992]
[Pages 748-749]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]



Statement on Urban Aid Initiatives

May 12, 1992
    Today I am discussing with Congress a strategy to bring hope and 
opportunity to distressed communities. Our action is based on bedrock 
American values: personal responsibility, work, and family. We must end 
the cycle of dependency and give all Americans a place at the table of 
economic opportunity.
    Clearly, the time has come to set aside old ideas and try something 
new. We in Government have a responsibility to act now to guarantee a 
hopeful future for the children of this Nation, a future where people 
are safe, neighborhoods can flourish, children can learn, and jobs can 
be created.
    All Americans share the common goals of equal opportunity, 
advancement, and upward mobility. But the American dream is hindered by 
too many obstacles: unsafe cities, slow economic growth, an out-of-date 
education system, and dependency-creating Government programs.
    We must start with policies that refocus programs to serve those who 
are most needy and increase the effectiveness of Government services 
through innovation, competition, and choice. Our approach is a radical 
break with the policies of the past. But as Abraham Lincoln once said, 
``It is time to think and act anew.''
    My action plan consists of six core components:
    (1) ``Weed and Seed'': Our families cannot thrive and jobs cannot 
flourish in a climate of lawlessness and fear. Our ``Weed and Seed'' 
initiative to combat crime wins back our inner cities by weeding out 
gang leaders, drug dealers, and career criminals and seeding communities 
with expanded employment, educational, and social services.

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    (2) HOPE: When people lack jobs, opportunity, or ownership of 
property, they have little or no stake in their communities. Our HOPE 
(Homeownership and Opportunity for People Everywhere) initiative fosters 
a sense of community pride by offering inner-city residents a chance for 
homeownership and management of public housing.
    (3) Enterprise Zones: We must spark an economic revival in urban 
America to create jobs and opportunity. Our enterprise zones initiative 
encourages businesses to reenter our inner cities by creating tax 
credits, expanding capital investment, and bringing regulatory relief to 
some of the Nation's most economically depressed areas.
    (4) Education Reform: It is time to reform and improve American 
education. Our education reform strategy, America 2000, envisions an 
America in which all parents have the choice of the best schools 
available, public, private, or parochial.
    (5) Welfare Reform: While no one disputes that government has an 
obligation to provide a safety net to those in need, there is too much 
emphasis on programs that penalize ambition, promote alienation, and 
destroy individual dignity. We must encourage family formation and allow 
individuals to fulfill their potential for a productive, meaningful 
life.
    (6) Youth Jobs--Youth Apprenticeships and Job Training 2000: The 
health of our cities and our economy depend on a skilled work force and 
facilitating the transition of students from school to work. Prompt 
enactment of our proposals can help provide job opportunities and 
training this summer.