The First Year of President Clinton's Second Term: A Strong Record of Accomplishment

Tonight I issue a call to action--action by this Congress, by our states, by all our people, to prepare America for the 21st century

President Clinton,
Februrary 4, 1997

In his 1997 State of the Union Address President Clinton laid out his agenda for the first year of his second term. This "call to action" was the blueprint that guided the U.S. Congress and the nation to some historic firsts. Over the course of only ten months the Clinton Administration has followed through on almost every promise made. Today, we can look back at a strong record of action and accomplishment.

Major, Historic Accomplishments On Budget, Education, Environment & Children's Health. Through bi-partisan cooperation with Congress this year saw the passage and enactment of momentous legislation:

• The First Balanced Budget In A Generation
• A Middle Class Tax Cut For 27 Million Families With Children
• The Largest Investment In Education In 30 Years
• The Largest Increase In Pell Grants In 20 Years
• The Single Largest Investment In Children's Health Care Since 1965
• The Toughest New Air Quality Standards In A Generation

The American Economy Is The Best It Has Been In A Generation. Under President Clinton and Vice President Gore's leadership the American economy is the strongest it has been in a generation. We have the highest home ownership rate in American history, unemployment is the lowest in 24 years, and over 13.5 million new jobs have been created. The fiscal responsibility enforced by this Administration has cut the deficit by 92%.

Working To Help Families Meet Their Responsibilities At Work And At Home. President Clinton and this Administration have made taking care of families and helping to create bright futures for children more achievable by providing tax cuts for working families; implementing National Standards to help our children succeed in school; making college more accesible through the creation of Hope Scholarships, an increase in Pell Grants, and tax incentives for lifelong learners; expanding the Head Start program for pre-school children; funding the America Reads initiative; limiting youth access to tobacco; and providing health insurance for up to 5 million uninsured children.