Bill Clinton was greeted with thunderous applause as he walked into the Chamber of the House of Representatives last Tuesday. People reached out to shake his hand or pat him on the back.
"For 209 years, it is has been the President's duty to report to you on the State of the Union," the President began. "Because of the hard work and high purpose of the American people," he continued, "the state of the union is strong." For more than an hour, Clinton urged Americans to build on that strength. He was interrupted at least 90 times by applause. The President did not mention the personal problems he faces.
The State of the Union address gives the President a chance to speak to the American people and to set out his plans for the year. The U.S. Constitution requires that the President report regularly to Congress.
Describing The Nation
Only two U.S. Presidents have not given an annual report: William Henry Harrison and James A. Garfield. (Harrison was
President for only 32 days, Garfield for 199 days.) On the way to his first State of the Union address in 1961, John F. Kennedy asked, "How do you describe the nation in only 30 minutes?"
Clinton described the nation in 74 minutes. He got to the point quickly. "These are good times for America," he announced. Unemployment is low, wages are rising, and crime has dropped, he said.
The President nonetheless saw many opportunities for improvement. He mentioned plans to relieve school crowding, reduce teenage smoking and improve child care. He spoke of America's role in keeping world peace and in protecting the environment.
"I will submit to Congress for 1999 the first balanced budget in 30 years," the President announced proudly. A balanced budget means the government spends as much money as it takes in. It will not have to borrow money to pay for government programs.
The President said that after the budget is balanced, there will be a surplus, or extra dollars. He asked Congress to use this money to strengthen the Social Security system. Under this system, money is collected from working Americans and paid out to people who are retired or disabled. But people are worried that as more Americans retire, there won't be enough money to go around. "Save Social Security first!" urged the President.
The President's Agenda For Kids
As he did last year, the President devoted much of the speech to the needs of America's kids. Clinton proposed new ways to help families pay for college. He said he wanted to limit the size of
first-, second-and third-grade classes "to an average of 18 students a class." And study hard! The President said children who have not learned their lessons should not move up to the next grade. He praised Chicago's system of sending kids to summer school to catch up.
The President also addressed some international issues. He talked tough to Iraq's leader. "I say to Saddam Hussein: you cannot defy the will of the world."
Following the President's speech, the opposing political party always has a chance to respond. This year Senate majority leader Trent Lott of Mississippi spoke for the Republican Party. Lott called for lower taxes and less government spending. "Hardworking Americans deserve a break," he said.
Millions of Americans watched the President's speech. Polls taken the day after his address show that many Americans think the President is doing a good job.
Back in the days when George Washington reported on the state of the union, the U.S. had just 4 million people. His report to Congress lasted six minutes!
Today there are 269 million people in the U.S. The President asked them to "come together" and, in the words of the Constitution, "form a more perfect union." That, he said, should be "our gift to the 21st century."
Presidential Problems
The State of the Union speech was packed with good news, but all is not well in Washington. President Clinton faces serious charges. People for and against Clinton say that if the charges
are true, he could be in big trouble. But no one knows the whole
truth yet.
A woman who used to work at the White House claims to have proof that President Clinton had a young girlfriend named Monica Lewinsky. Lewinsky also used to work at the White House. Most Americans would strongly disapprove of the married President's having a girlfriend.
The same accuser says the President broke the law by asking Lewinsky to lie under oath about their relationship. He may have lied under oath himself. When someone is under oath, that means he or she promises a court to tell the truth. People can go to prison for lying under oath or for asking others to do so.
President Clinton insists that Lewinsky was never his girlfriend and that he never lied or asked anyone else to. First Lady Hillary Clinton said she believes the President's enemies made up these stories to try to destroy his reputation and force him out of office. Lawyers from both sides are gathering as many facts as they can in search of the truth. Until all the legal questions are answered, there will be a lot of talk--and news reports--about the President's honesty and honor.