Once again, a government that is a progressive instrument of the common good, rooted in our oldest values of opportunity, responsibility and community devoted to fiscal responsibility determined to give our people the tools they need to make the most of their own lives in the 21st century - a 21st century government for 21st century America. Thanks to the leadership of Vice President Gore, we have a government for the Information Age.

America is a strong force for peace from Northern Ireland to Bosnia to the Middle East. Thanks to the pioneering leadership of all of you, we have the lowest violent crime rate in a quarter century and the cleanest environment in a quarter century. And now we are on course for budget surpluses for the next 25 years. (Applause.) From a deficit of $290 billion in 1992, we had a surplus of $70 billion last year. (Applause.)ДЇor the first time in three decades, the budget is balanced. Tonight, I stand before you to report that America has created the longest peacetime economic expansion in our history - ( applause) - with nearly 18 million new jobs, wages rising at more than twice the rate of inflation, the highest home ownership in history, the smallest welfare rolls in 30 years, and the lowest peacetime unemployment since 1957. Speaker, at your swearing-in, you asked us all to work together in a spirit of civility and bipartisanship. Hastert: Lyn Gibson and Wei Ling Chestnut are the widows of the two brave Capitol Hill police officers who gave their lives to defend freedom's house.

Let me begin by saluting the new Speaker of the House, and thanking him, especially tonight, for extending an invitation to two special guests sitting in the gallery with Mrs. Vice President, members of Congress, honored guests, my fellow Americans: Tonight, I have the honor of reporting to you on the State of the Union. EXCERPTS FROM THE STATE OF THE UNION ADDRESS- United States Capitol- Washington. REMARKS BY THE PRESIDENT AT SIGNING CEREMONY FOR TICKE TO WORK AND WORK INCENTIVES IMPROVEMENT ACT OF 1999 - December 17, 1999ДЎ.

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