    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1993, Book I)]
    [February 27, 1993]
    [Pages 215-217]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    The President's Radio Address
    February 27, 1993

        Good morning. Before I talk with you about our economic program this
    morning, I want to say a word to the good people of New York City and to
    all Americans who have been so deeply affected by the tragedy that
    struck Manhattan yesterday. A number of innocent people lost their
    lives, hundreds were injured, and thousands were struck with fear in
    their hearts when an explosion rocked the basement of the World Trade
    Center.
        To their families, you are in the thoughts and prayers of my family.
    And in the synagogues and churches last night, today, and tomorrow you
    will be remembered and thought of again and again. My thoughts are also
    with the police, the firefighters, the emergency response teams, and the
    citizens whose countless acts of bravery averted even more bloodshed.
    Their reaction and their valor reminds us of how often Americans are at
    their best when we face the worst. I thank all the people who reached
    out to the injured and the frightened amid the tumult that shook lower
    Manhattan.
        Following the explosion I spoke with New York's Governor Mario Cuomo
    and New York City Mayor David Dinkins to assure them that the full
    measure of Federal law enforcement resources will be brought to bear on
    this investigation. Just this morning I spoke with FBI Director
    Sessions, who assured me that the FBI and the Treasury Department are
    working closely with the New York City police and fire departments.
    Working together we'll find out who was involved and why this happened.
    Americans should know we'll do everything in our power to keep them safe
    in their streets, their offices, and their homes. Feeling safe is an
    essential part of being secure, and that's important to all of us.
        I also want to take this opportunity this morn-

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    ing to talk about another crucial aspect of our security, our economic
    security. Ten days ago I asked for your help to bring bold changes to
    our economy. I said it would be a challenge and that our plan would
    require every one of us to contribute and that the price of doing
    nothing is far, far higher for all of us than the price of change. Most
    of all, our work together will bring us important returns: more jobs,
    more growth, better incomes, and a better future for our children.
        Your response to this plan has been overwhelming to me. Business and
    labor leaders have made a rare alliance on behalf of a program that
    offers lower interest rates and investment incentives for private
    enterprise and modern skills and opportunities for working people.
    Citizens from cities all across the country have looked at our plan and
    concluded that the changes we ask are right in the short term and for
    the long-term health of the economy. I think you know that we can no
    longer deny that our huge national deficit drains our economic health
    and that our investment deficit will smother our hopes for economic
    growth.
        There is an alternative: our plan for a new direction. It provides
    retraining to Americans for better jobs, incentives for small businesses
    to invest, and a head start, better nutrition and superior schools for
    our children. Our plan will cut the deficit as a percentage of our
    national income in half between now and 1997, so we can put our
    resources to work for all of us. What is happening in this Nation is
    historic. After many years of drift and division and gridlock, the
    American people are uniting behind this call for a new direction. In
    recent days the White House has been flooded with letters. You've sent
    along moving stories about how you've been affected by the hard economic
    times, and we've received several contributions to reduce the debt.
        Many of you who have written are single parents. You're worried
    about paying your own bills today, but you're also worried about the
    lives of your children tomorrow. Your support is a symbol of
    selflessness, of the foresight and determination now catching fire
    across our Nation.
        I received one letter from Rachel Nunamaker of San Jose, California.
    She's 83 years old, and she wrote, ``Stick to your guns, you're on the
    right track.'' Well, I think Mrs. Nunamaker is right; we are on the
    right track. Already mortgage rates have fallen to their lowest level in
    20 years, 20 years. With falling interest rates more people can afford
    loans to build their businesses, buy cars, or purchase houses. This is
    good news for everyone but especially for the young adults and middle
    class families who thought they would never be able to afford their own
    homes. That's an essential part of the American dream we're working hard
    to restore. And it can be restored.
        Our plan will work. It cuts waste and inessential Government
    spending, and it increases public and private investments to create more
    jobs and rising incomes and to educate and train people better. It
    spreads the burden as fairly as possible, and the opportunity it
    promises will pay us back many times over. If we get America moving
    again, I don't care who gets the credit. Ultimately the credit will go
    to you, the American people. As a patriot once said to the citizens of
    our democracy, You are the beginning and the end. This is an exciting
    time to be an American, and we must not let this historic moment pass.
    We are rebuilding the American community and the American economy
    together.
        On March the first we'll mark an anniversary that is especially
    significant to my generation. Thirty-two years ago President Kennedy
    inspired Americans to serve in the Peace Corps. On Monday I will discuss
    my proposal for a new form of voluntary national service. It's a plan to
    invest in our country's future, a call to action and to responsibility
    that will involve one of our most precious national resources, our young
    people. With national service, hundreds of thousands of students will
    have a chance to pursue higher education. Everyone with the desire to
    serve will have the opportunity and will meet social needs that for too
    long have gone unaddressed. National service will be a great gift for
    the next generation of Americans.
        In closing today, let me share with you another letter I received
    that arrived with an extraordinary gift. They come from George L. Baker
    of Sherwood, Arkansas, a retired Air Force major. After serving his
    country under extreme danger, Major Baker was awarded the Distinguished
    Flying Cross for heroism. It is a recognition that George Baker should
    have kept for the rest of his life. But Major Baker sent that medal to
    me as a sign of his support for our economic program and to encourage me
    in this ``quest for sanity in our national direction.'' And he closed
    his letter, ``Godspeed, Mr. President.'' From the bottom of my heart,
    Major

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    Baker, thank you for this most inspirational gift. With your help and
    with the help of Americans just like you all across this country, we
    will restore the vitality of the American economy and enjoy a nation
    united by the dreams we all share.
        Thanks for listening.

    Note: The President spoke at 10:06 a.m. from the Oval Office at the
    White House.