 Ladies and gentlemen, the President of the United States and Mrs. Reagan. Marks at this point say let us welcome the President and Mrs. Reagan. I would consider Mr. President that we have certainly done that. I would like now pleased to ask you to remain standing and to introduce Father Shea, who will give us the invocation. We pray our God that you will continue to give us the will to cherish and practice the four values, firm faith, strong families, hard work, and love of learning, so founded in your teaching, so exemplified by Hispanic Americans, and now so personified and eloquently articulated by our President. We ask this in your son's name, amen. And would you please remain standing now for the Pledge of Allegiance, by the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all. For having the courage to begin restoring quality to American education, giving our children to deeply for your initiative throughout the Americas, such as your Caribbean basin. We want to thank you for your sensitivity to the peoples of the border states. You have had the courage to live up to your promises and to extend the promise of a brighter future for all of us. Today, on behalf of those of us here, on behalf of millions of Hispanic Americans, and on behalf of all Americans who love their liberty, their opportunities, and their future, we want to say that the American people are letting you know we want you to run. To present to you the President of the United States of America through 1984, and God willing, through 1988, the Honorable Ronald Reagan. Thank you very much. Thank you very much. Thank you very much. Ambassador John Gavin, dear so Delhunko, I thank you both for those magnificent words. Reverend clergy, the members of the Congress who are here, other members of government, but especially all of you ladies and gentlemen of this Hispanic assembly. Let me welcome you to Washington, and I know that Nancy joins me in this, and welcome to the Twilight Zone. I should warn you that things in this city aren't often the way they seem. Where but in Washington would they call the department that's in charge of everything outdoors, everything outside the Department of Interior? I know I've probably told some of you this little anecdote, but I'm going to tell a dedicated attire show here tonight again. You know, life not only begins at 40, but so does the tendency to tell stories over and over again to the same people. I know I have told some of you. It is said that Castro was making a speech to a large assembly, and he was going on at great length, and then a voice out in the crowd said, Peanuts, popcorn, crackerjack, and he went on speaking, and again the voice said Peanuts, popcorn, crackerjack, and about the fourth time this happened he stopped in his regular speech, and he said the next time he says that he says I'm going to find out who he is and kick him all the way to Miami, and everybody in the crowd said Peanuts, popcorn, crackerjack. Some things in life, however, are exactly as they seem. I know that I can always count on the ideals and the convictions of the Republican National Hispanic Assembly. Each of you should be congratulated for what you've done, but accomplishments also require leadership, and tonight I'd like to take this opportunity to thank Terceau Delhunko for the great job that he's doing here with the Republican National Hispanic Assembly. I'm delighted that we could gather to share our hopes and dreams for America. I've always believed that this blessed land was set apart in a special way, that there was some divine plan that placed the two great continents here between the oceans to be found by people from every corner of the earth who had a deep love for freedom and the courage to uproot themselves, leave home and friends, and come to a strange land. You here tonight are part of this tradition, and whether your journey here began in the Caribbean Islands, or North, or South, or Central America, we came together all as Americans. That's the heritage of this Western Hemisphere. Now, perhaps you are the first generation citizens of the United States of America, or the second, perhaps, or the third, or perhaps as far back as the United States herself goes, but there are no prouder, more patriotic Americans than are gathered here tonight in this room. We all believe in America's mission. We believe that in a world wracked by patriot and crisis, America remains mankind's best hope. The eyes of history are upon us, counting on us to protect the peace, promote a new prosperity, and provide for a better tomorrow. This evening I want to talk to you as Republicans and Hispanics and as Americans for most of all about these very values that we cherish so deeply. In recent years, America's values almost seemed in exile. Just consider where our nation was or where it stood just three years ago. Our leaders were struggling, shrugging their shoulders and saying that we were in some kind of a malaise and that our problems were unsolvable. Pessimism, totally inconsistent with our national character, had spread across this land and our leaders had forgotten the strength and determination that runs deep in our people. They'd forgotten that values, not programs, and policies serve as society's compass. They seemingly had forgotten what a decent moral nation we are. We need make no apologies to the world. After all, we do not occupy any countries. We don't build walls to keep our people in. And we don't cold, bloodedly open fire on aircraft loaded with innocent pastures. Americans didn't accept the idea that our best days were behind us. And neither did the Republican Party. And today it's then it's taken blood, sweat, and tears and a few legislative victories. But I'm pleased to report to you tonight, America's star is rising again and it is the star of the future. When we got to Washington, inflation was running at double digit levels as you remember and it had been doing so for two straight years. It was the worst performance in 60 years in our country. And inflation was taking an especially serious toll on those citizens with low incomes. In the two years before we took office, inflation decreased the purchasing power of low income people on a fixed income of $10,000 by over $2,000. Now if that's what they call democratic compassion, then the people can't stand too much of it. But here's the good news. We reduced that inflation to 2.4% for the last 12 months and that's the lowest 12 month rate in 17 years. Now they told us that it would take years, possibly decades, before we could bring down inflation. But they forgot about something that we'd brought with us to Washington. It's called determination. And besides that, we didn't know that you couldn't do it, so we did it. Today a family of four on a fixed income of $20,000 has $2,000 more in purchasing power this year alone than it would have had it if we hadn't slapped inflation down. I don't want to dredge up too painful a memory. But do you remember when interest rates were 21.5%? That was the equivalent of pouring concrete onto the economy. The economy hardened and then began collapsing. Well we cut the prime interest rate from 21.5%. It's now 11% and we're going to work so that those rates continue to decline and I think they're going to start doing that soon. And our economy becomes synonymous with economic growth. When we took office, this America was suffering from years of uncontrolled spending and taxation. Federal spending was growing at a rate that was steep enough to make a mountain goat dizzy. And the problem was that the Democrats genuinely believed and poor misguided things they still believe that money can buy happiness. Well federal tax money can't buy happiness. It can't buy our citizens real jobs and real opportunity. Ask the Democrats what it takes to get people back to work and they won't answer that we need responsible and constant economic policies. No, they'll answer that we need billions of dollars more in federal job programs. Well money alone can't buy our children quality education. I don't know how certain politicians with a straight face can tell taxpayers that simply more funds are needed to improve education. During the 20 year period between 1960 and 1980, spending on education was shooting up while college board scores were going down. If a 600% increase in 20 years in school spending could not make America smarter, how much more do we need? The Democrats' predictable answer is billions more, of course. Well federal money doesn't buy happiness except for the bureaucrats and the special interests that luxuriate in those programs that all it buys is a bigger debt. We haven't stopped the growth in federal spending but we've slowed it by almost 40%. And if the Congress acts responsibly and those who are present will, we can bring it further under control. I only wish the majority of that illustrious body were as responsible as Manny Lujan. Taxes were rising right along with spending and paying for all those special interest programs double the federal tax bite in just five years between 1976 and 1981. You know there's an old saying that in levying taxes as in shearing sheep, it's best to stop when you get to the skin. By the end of 1980 the tax rates were skinning the American taxpayer and we were paying with our hides. Average working people were being taxed at rates that only a short time before were reserved for the wealthy. We put into place a tax program that cut personal income tax rates across the board by 25%. Now that was a commitment we made to the working people of this country and we have another protection waiting in the wings. Soon, beginning in 1985, America's taxes will be indexed so that never again will government profit from inflation at the people's expense. The cumulative effect of all our economic efforts is now being felt. That's why they don't call it Reaganomics anymore. As they say down at Cape Canaveral, we have liftoff. Our economy is lifting off and it's because of the policies that we've been passing over the past two and a half years. Consumer confidence and spending are up, productivity is up, industrial production, retail sales, auto sales, housing and construction. Are all up since the beginning of the year and last quarter the economy grew at an annual rate of 9.2% a much bigger jump than anyone had predicted. Although unemployment is still too high, it's coming down rapidly and we'll continue to chip away and knock that statistic down to size. As a matter of fact, last month it was the biggest single month drop in unemployment in 23 years. Now we must help those who through no fault of their own or without jobs, but let's be clear. Our goal isn't welfare or handouts, it's jobs and opportunity. And if I didn't believe that, I think you the people in this room would tell me that's what we need and what you want. Just as we've been building a stronger economy, we've been building a stronger defense. I know that you'll recall a few years ago our military personnel were putting their uniforms in mothballs and we had a lot of ships and planes that belonged there in mothballs. And this situation endangered our national security and the peace. As commander-in-chief I can say to you, America is more secure than she was three years ago. I've heard it from generals and I've heard it from privates that once again it's an honor to be in our military. We have an abundance of applicants with more education than ever before. Morale, discipline and unit cohesion have improved dramatically. Training and retention are up. Maintenance backlogs are being reduced. Combat readiness rates have surged. New equipment is being added to our inventory. Our military is once more becoming ship-shaped. In 1980, the people also made it clear that they wanted a new direction in foreign affairs. But we began by letting the world know what we stood for once again. For too long our nation had been mute to the injustice of totalitarianism. So we began speaking out against chemical warfare inflicted on the people of Afghanistan and Southeast Asia. Against broken treaties and against the denial of human liberties. We began speaking out for freedom and democracy and the values that all of us share in our hearts. And you know it's amazing, in my meeting with foreign leaders and their ministers, they've told me how good it is to know what the United States stands for once again. Now they may not always agree with us, but they respect us. There's a growing recognition abroad that America once again will stand up for her democratic ideals. Our country is the leader of the free world, and we morally cannot shirk that responsibility. We're providing democratic leadership in Central America. Ruthless power has set its sights on our neighbors in Central America and the Caribbean. The security aspect of this threat must be addressed. So we're helping our friends to defend themselves and we will continue to stand by them in their hour of need. But let's get one thing straight, and I don't know how many times we must repeat this before it sinks into the skulls of some in this town. The three dollars out of every four that we stand down there is in the form of humanitarian and economic aid. The people in Central America and the Caribbean are our neighbors. They need our help, and we will not abandon them to indifference. We're also pursuing peace through arms control. In our search for peace, we have more major negotiations underway with the Soviets than any administration in history. We've undertaken the most sweeping proposals for arms reduction since nuclear weapons became a threat. And for the first time, the Soviet Union is willing to talk about actual reductions rather than just ceilings as in previous administrations. In strategic nuclear forces, in intermediate-range nuclear forces, and in conventional forces, we want to lessen the danger to ourselves and our children. We remain flexible in our bargaining. But as commander-in-chief, I have an obligation to protect this country, and I will not let political expedience influence those crucial negotiations. We will restore equality of strength with the Soviet Union, either one way or the other, and the choice is theirs. I believe that we share a sacred responsibility, all of us, to maintain the opportunity and freedom we've enjoyed and to pass it on to future generations. Americans of Hispanic descent understand completely the traditional values of work, of family, of freedom, and of God. That's why I'm so supportive of VIVA-84. Your grassroots Hispanic voter education and registration drive conceived by Dr. Delhanco, well, America needs the values of our Hispanic citizens. We need those values to be expressed at the polls and through our political system. And I urge you, the members of the Republican National Hispanic Assembly, to run for public office so that your values will carry even more influence, and nothing would please me more than to see the Republican National Hispanic Assembly become the voice of millions of Hispanics in our country. As Republicans, we must work in unity toward 1984. We must pull together for the values we treasure. Hispanic Americans know the real meaning of this country. Those who fled oppression especially cherish America's freedom. Those who fled poverty especially cherish America's opportunity. And all of us deeply love this beautiful ideal that is America. Every American has the right to dream great dreams. I want to keep the dreams of even the poorest, most powerless American great because he and she are the hope and future and meaning of this nation. Tonight, my friends, I'm asking for your help, your commitment to preserving the American dream. And I have a hunch I know your answer already. Freedom, SIEMPRE, Opportunity, AHORA, America Fuerte. You know that this is Hispanic Heritage Week. Do you know that at the Pentagon, those great corridors over there are dedicated to various things that they want to keep before America and want to honor and remember. And one of those corridors is dedicated to those who have won that highest honor that our country can give, the Congressional Medal of Honor. And 37 of those who have won that honor since the Civil War are Hispanic Americans. Friday, I believe I have the day right. Friday the Pentagon is going to hold a ceremony there in honor of what Hispanic Americans have meant in arms and in preserving the peace in America by way of our men. In a little town in Illinois, there's a short street called Second Street in that town. There are 22 homes and families on that street, and those 22 families are all Hispanic Americans. And when war came, 85 sons of those 22 families went off to war for this country. Now a number of them did not come back, and the people of that little town, for their Hispanic American neighbors, have taken down the street signs that say Second Street. And it now reads Hero Street. I felt I, but you would want to know that, and I wanted to share it with you. But it is a proud record that you have. And I'm sure that you know what the creed is and the slogan is of your sons, your brothers, or your fathers, and husbands who have gone and served this country in time of war. And that is the first in and the last out. God bless you all.