| Speeches of Ronald Reagan: 1981 Inaugural Address | ||
|---|---|---|
| This clip is not available for streaming at this time. Please contact WPA. | Tape Master: | 260 |
| Catalog #: | 515054 | |
| Clip Number: | 515054-6 | |
| Orginal Film: | ||
| Timecode: | 00:29:55 - 00:32:53 | |
| Location: | Washington D.C., United States of America | |
| Year Shot: | 1981 (Actual Year) | |
| Audio: | Yes | |
| Color: | Yes | |
| Headings: | ELECTIONS: Inaugurations LOCATIONS/NORTH AMERICA: USA, Washington D.C. PERSONALITIES: Reagan, Ronald POLITICS: Public Address (Speech) | |
| Description: | RONALD REAGAN continues Inaugural speech: "Can we solve the problems confronting us? Well, the answer is an unequivocal and emphatic yes. To paraphrase Winston Churchill, I did not take the oath I have just taken with the intention of presiding over the dissolution of the world's strongest economy. In the days ahead I will propose removing the roadblocks that have slowed our economy and reduced productivity. Steps will be taken aimed at restoring the balance between the various levels of government. Progress may be slow, measured in inches and feet, not miles, but we will progress. Is it time to reawaken this industrial giant, to get government back within its means, and to lighten our punitive tax burden. And these will be our first priorities, and on these principles, there will be no compromise. On the eve of our struggle for independence a man who might have been one of the greatest among the Founding Fathers, Dr. Joseph Warren, Pres of the MA Congress, said to his fellow Americans, Our country is in danger, but not to be despaired of.... On you depend the fortunes of America. You are to decide the important questions upon which rests the happiness and the liberty of millions yet unborn. Act worthy of yourselves. Well, I believe we, the Americans of today, are ready to act worthy of ourselves, ready to do what must be done to ensure happiness and liberty for ourselves, our children & our children's children. And as we renew ourselves here in our own land, we will be seen as having greater strength throughout the world. We will again be the exemplar of freedom & a beacon of hope for those who do not now have freedom. To those neighbors & allies who share our freedom, we will strengthen our historic ties & assure them of our support and firm commitment. We will match loyalty with loyalty. We will strive for mutually beneficial relations. We will not use our friendship to impose on their sovereignty, for our own sovereignty is not for sale. As for the enemies of freedom, those who are potential adversaries, they will be reminded that peace is the highest aspiration of the American people. We will negotiate for it, sacrifice for it; we will not surrender for it now or ever." | |
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