President Clinton: The State of the Union

In President Clinton’s 80-minute State of the Union address to Congress last night, he did not emphasize science and technology issues to the degree he did last year. There were several passages of note -- quoted below from his speech as delivered. Further White House background information is included as it relates to issues covered by FYI.

SCIENCE AND MATH EDUCATION:

“You know, our children are doing better. SAT scores are up; math scores have risen in nearly all grades. But there’s a problem. While our 4th graders outperform their peers in other countries in math and science, our 8th graders are around average, and our 12th graders rank near the bottom. We must do better. Now, each year the national government invests more than $15 billion in our public schools. I believe we must change the way we invest that money, to support what works and to stop supporting what does not work.”

MEDICAL RESEARCH:

“America’s families deserve the world’s best medical care. Thanks to bipartisan federal support for medical research, we are now on the verge of new treatments to prevent or delay diseases from Parkinson’s to Alzheimer’s, to arthritis to cancer. But as we continue our advances in medical science, we can’t let our medical system lag behind. Managed care has literally transformed medicine in America -- driving down costs, but threatening to drive down quality as well.”

White House background material states President Clinton will propose a new $320 million investment in the National Institutes of Health.

TECHNOLOGY, Y2K:

“We must strengthen our lead in technology. It was government investment that led to the creation of the Internet. I propose a 28-percent increase in long-term computing research.”

The President and Vice President “will propose at least $366 million, an increase of approximately 30 percent, for the government’s investment in information technology research.”

“We also must be ready for the 21st century from its very first moment, by solving the so-called Y2K computer problem.

“We had one member of Congress stand up and applaud. And we may have about that ratio out there applauding at home, in front of their television sets. But remember, this is a big, big problem. And we’ve been working hard on it. Already, we’ve made sure that the Social Security checks will come on time. But I want all the folks at home listening to this to know that we need every state and local government, every business, large and small, to work with us to make sure that this Y2K computer bug will be remembered as the last headache of the 20th century, not the first crisis of the 21st.”

The Administration will not be requesting new funding for the Y2K problem, but is working to ensure that all federal programs are compliant by March 1.

INVESTING IN TECHNOLOGY:

“If we do these things -- invest in our people, our communities, our technology, and lead in the global economy -- then we will begin to meet our historic responsibility to build a 21st century prosperity for America.”

NUCLEAR PROLIFERATION, TEST BAN TREATY:

“We must increase our efforts to restrain the spread of nuclear weapons and missiles, from Korea to India and Pakistan. We must expand our work with Russia, Ukraine, and the other former Soviet nations to safeguard nuclear materials and technology so they never fall into the wrong hands. Our balanced budget will increase funding for these critical efforts by almost two-thirds over the next five years.”

The background material states: “The President’s five year budget plan calls for a 70% expansion of threat reduction programs. Our initiative emphasizes engaging weapons scientists and institutes in civilian research” and other programs to promote nuclear security.

“With Russia, we must continue to reduce our nuclear arsenals. The START II treaty and the framework we have already agreed to for START III could cut them by 80 percent from their Cold War height.

“It’s been two years since I signed the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty. If we don’t do the right thing, other nations won’t either. I ask the Senate to take this vital step: Approve the treaty now, to make it harder for other nations to develop nuclear arms, and to make sure we can end nuclear testing forever.”

The White House notes: “If the United States fails to ratify before September, we will undercut our own efforts to strengthen the global nonproliferation regime and curb further nuclear arms development, particularly in South Asia.”

DEFENSE BUILD-UP:

“It is time to reverse the decline in defense spending that began in 1985. Since April, together we have added nearly $6 billion to maintain our military readiness. My balanced budget calls for a sustained increase over the next six years for readiness, for modernization, and for pay and benefits for our troops and their families.”

The background material states that $12 billion in new funding will be requested for readiness and modernization needs: “These funds will strengthen recruitment and retention programs; enhance training, unit operations and flight hour programs, and provide additional spare parts. Funds will also be devoted to modernizing weapons programs, by replacing aging equipment with more technologically advanced systems, taking advantage of cutting edge computer technology, and developing defense systems against both theater and strategic ballistic missiles.” Pay and benefits will also be improved.

GLOBAL WARMING:

“But our most fateful new challenge is the threat of global warming. 1998 was the warmest year ever recorded. Last year’s heat waves, floods and storms are but a hint of what future generations may endure if we do not act now.

“Tonight I propose a new clean air fund to help communities reduce greenhouse and other pollution, and tax incentives and investments to spur clean energy technology. And I want to work with members of Congress in both parties to reward companies that take early, voluntary action to reduce greenhouse gases.”

The White House background material describes a variety of policy and diplomatic initiatives, including: “Proposed increases in Federal spending would help foster a new generation of clean, energy-efficient technologies and renewable energy, as well as support research to identify and quantify carbon sinks in forests and farmlands.” Also to be requested is a $200 million Clean Air Partnership Fund to support state, local and private efforts, including programs to “spur technological innovation.”