For too long prior to my Administration, many of our Nation's basic human
and social needs were being ignored or handled insensitively by the Federal
government. Over the last four years, we have significantly increased
funding for many of the vital programs in these areas; developed new
programs where needs were unaddressed; targeted Federal support to those
individuals and areas most in need of our assistance; and removed barriers
that have unnecessarily kept many disadvantaged citizens from obtaining aid
for their most basic needs.
Our record has produced clear progress in the effort to solve some of the
country's fundamental human and social problems. My Administration and the
Congress, working together, have demonstrated that government must and can
meet our citizens' basic human and social needs in a responsible and
compassionate way.
But there is an unfinished agenda still before the Congress. If we are to
meet our obligations to help all Americans realize the dreams of sound
health care, decent housing, effective social services, a good education,
and a meaningful job, important legislation still must be enacted. National
Health Insurance, Welfare Reform, Child Health Assessment Program, are
before the Congress and I urge their passage.