    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1995, Book II)]
    [December 30, 1995]
    [Pages 1934-1935]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    The President's Radio Address
    December 30, 1995

        Good morning. Tomorrow is New Year's Eve, a time for celebration,
    friendship, and hope. Nineteen ninety-five has been a good year for our
    country, and the coming year can be even better.
        In Washington, we all know this has been a year of serious
    differences and profound debate over our Nation's future direction. But
    if we remain true to our values, we will prove once again that in
    America we can have serious differences without leaving deep divisions.
    We know our Nation is strongest when we're true to our fundamental
    values, giving every American the opportunity to make the most of their
    lives, remembering the duty we owe to our parents and our children,
    preserving our families and our communities, keeping America the
    strongest force for peace and freedom in the world.
        In our effort to advance these values, 1995 has been a time of real
    progress and concrete achievement. The key to our strength is economic
    opportunity for every American. In 1995, the ingenuity and hard work of
    our people has kept the economy growing, steady and strong. In the past
    12 months the economy created 1\3/4\ million new private sector jobs. In
    every month the unemployment rate has been below 6 percent. All told,
    since 1993, we Americans have created nearly 8 million new jobs. The
    stock market has broken every record. The deficit dropped for the third
    year in a row, for the first time since Mr. Truman was President. Long-
    term interest rates continue to fall, bringing lower mortgage payments
    for working families and more affordable credit for small businesses and
    consumers. A growing economy and lower interest rates are why a million
    new Americans became homeowners for the very first time in 1995. There
    were more new businesses incorporated this year than in any previous
    year.
        And here in Washington, in spite of all of our differences, we made
    some real progress on an important issue, political reform. At long
    last, Congress passed a law which applies to themselves the same laws
    they impose on the private sector. And at long last, after 3 years of
    effort, the Congress passed lobby reform legislation, banning gifts to
    Congressmen and requiring extensive disclosure about the activities of
    lobbyists.
        Most important, our communities all over America are coming together
    around our values again. In city after city, in State after State,
    violent crime is down; the welfare and food stamp rolls are down; the
    poverty rate is down; even the divorce rate is down; and for 2 years in
    a row now, the teen pregnancy rate has dropped.
        It hasn't always been an easy year for America. There have been
    moments that tested our national community. In the wake of the terrible
    bombing in Oklahoma City, which took the lives of 169 people, our Nation
    reached out and recognized the bonds that hold us together. Out of the
    ashes of that tragedy a new sense of national spirit took hold. We
    affirmed once again that all Americans are in it together. We recognized
    once again that we can't love our country and hate our Government.
        And a strong America has been the world's strongest force for
    freedom, peace, and democracy in 1995. Our brave men and women today are
    in the snows of Bosnia, helping to uphold the peace agreement to end the
    worst bloodshed in Europe since World War II. And from the cobblestone
    streets of Northern Ireland to the sands of the Middle East, a strong
    America has

    [[Page 1935]]

    helped to bring peace to regions long torn by strife.
        Yes, 1995 has been a good year for America. Our people have
    accomplished a lot. And it goes without saying, we still have one major
    task to finish to top off the accomplishment of this year. We have to
    finish the job of balancing the budget and to do it in the right way.
        As you know, for the last 2 weeks the Congress has refused to pass
    legislation that would keep the Federal Government open to serve the
    American people. This has never happened before for this length of time
    in the whole history of the Republic. And it's been very hard on three-
    quarter of a million public servants who have to pay rent and utilities
    and mortgage payments and buy food. And they're losing pay at holiday
    time. And it's also cut off services for millions of Americans who
    depend upon them.
        This Tuesday, if the Government is not open, cleanup efforts will be
    stopped cold at 32 toxic waste sites in neighborhoods around our
    country. Next week, Federal funds for unemployment insurance will begin
    to run out, forcing States to scramble to find ways to keep helping
    workers who have lost their jobs. And the Meals on Wheels program to our
    senior citizens won't go forward. Every day, 9 of 10 workplace safety
    complaints go unanswered. And every day 2,500 people can't get
    guaranteed home mortgages. Every day, thousands of young people looking
    for college loans can't apply for them. If ever we needed a reminder
    that our Government is not our enemy, this is it.
        Let me be clear: I am committed to balancing the budget. Our
    administration already has cut the deficit nearly in half, and I am
    determined to finish the job. For weeks I've been working in good faith
    with Republicans and Democrats in Congress to find common ground, to
    balance the budget in a way that reflects our values. Yesterday I met
    well into the evening with Speaker Gingrich and Majority Leader Dole.
    And in just a few moments I will sit down with them again, along with
    the Democratic congressional leaders.
        We are making real progress. We know that our work is not done. We
    know we have much to do, so that the American dream will remain alive
    for every citizen and so that we can come together as a people and so
    that America can remain the strongest force for peace the world has ever
    seen.
        So on this New Year's, let's resolve that we will balance the
    budget, but that we'll do it in a way that will keep our country growing
    and that will be true to our basic values. That is, we'll balance the
    budget without gutting Medicare and Medicaid, without deeply cutting
    education or the environment, without raising taxes on working families.
    Let's resolve to reopen the Government and do it now. And let's resolve
    to act without rancor or partisan bitterness in the spirit of the new
    year and in the interests of the American people.
        Nineteen ninety-five has been a year when we've been true to the
    best of America. If we'll just work hard and work together and follow
    our values, 1996 can be even better. Hillary and I want to wish you and
    your families a happy and healthy New Year.
        Thank you for listening.

    Note: The address was recorded at 9:44 a.m. in the Oval Office at the
    White House for broadcast at 10:06 a.m.