The American people should have a sense of realistic optimism about the progress America is making. We are moving in the right direction; we have more to do; and if we come together as a nation, we can meet our challenges.

The President will deliver the State of the Union next Tuesday, January 23, 1996 at 9:00 pm in the Capitol. He will challenge the American people to come together as a nation and face the future together. The President will talk about the big concerns facing our people, and show in concrete ways how Americans working together can meet our challenges.

Everyone must do their part. If we are going to seize the promise of our times, we must all work together. Not government alone. Not individuals alone. The President will talk about what we as a nation can accomplish together. He will call on every one of us: as parents and children, as employers and employees, teachers and students, community leaders and community members, as government and as citizens. We can only meet the challenges of this new time together.

The President will address a number of challenges we must meet together, including:

Balancing the budget. As the President prepares the State of the Union, he is working hard on the first of these challenges: a seven-year balanced budget that upholds our values. It is within our grasp. With his plan, certified by Congress' own economists, Democrats and Republicans have already agreed on enough cuts to balance the budget in seven years and give working families a modest tax cut.

Crime. Our progress: The crime rate is declining. Murders are down 12%, robberies are down 10% and car theft is down 5%. Over 45,000 fugitives and felons have been blocked from buying handguns because of the Brady Bill. The assault weapons ban outlawed 19 of the deadliest assault weapons. America's challenge: To keep all our citizens safe from crime, violence, and drugs.

Children and education. Our progress: More of our students are going to college and fewer students are dropping out of high school. America's challenge: To renew our schools so every American child has the chance to get the best possible education for the 21st century. At the same time, we must protect our children from violent and harmful influences.

Economy. Our progress: The lowest combined rate of unemployment and inflation since 1968. 7.7 million new jobs in the last three years. Revitalized auto and construction industries: 700,000 new construction jobs after losing 665,000 jobs in the four years before President Clinton. America's challenge: To make sure hard work still pays, and all Americans have the tools to be winners of economic change.

The World. Our progress: From Haiti to Northern Ireland, from the Middle East to Bosnia, America is leading the world towards peace and freedom. America's challenge: To keep America the strongest force for peace in the world.

Community. America's challenge: To live up to the duty we owe one another. To come together around our values; to help our communities, our neighbors, and our country.