America is far more than a place; it is an idea—­the most powerful idea in the history of nations, and all of us in this chamber, we are now the bearers of that idea, leading a great people into a new world.

A child born tonight will have almost no memory of the 20th century.  Everything that child will know about America will be because of what we do now to build a new century.  We don’t have a moment to waste.

Tomorrow there will be just over 1,000 days until the year 2000.  One thousand days to prepare our people.  One thousand days to work together.  One thousand days to build a bridge to a land of new promise.

My fellow Americans, we have work to do.  Let us seize those days and the century.

Thank you.  God bless you.  And God bless America.

***

State of the Union Address
William J. Clinton
January 27, 1998

Mr. Speaker, Mr. Vice President, members of the 105th Congress, distinguished guests, my fellow Americans: 

Since the last time we met in this chamber, America has lost two patriots and fine public servants.  Though they sat on opposite sides of the aisle, Representatives Walter Capps and Sonny Bono shared a deep love for this House and an unshakable commitment to improving the lives of all our people.

In the past few weeks, they have both been eulogized.  Tonight, I think we should begin by sending a message to their families and their friends that we celebrate their lives, and give thanks for their service to our nation.

For 209 years, it has been the president’s duty to report to you on the state of the union.  Because of the hard work and high purpose of the American people, these are good times for America.  We have more than 14 million new jobs, the lowest unemployment in 24 years, the lowest core inflation in 30 years, incomes are rising and we have the highest home ownership in history.  Crime has dropped for a record five years in a row, and the welfare rolls are at their lowest levels in 27 years.  Our leadership in the world is unrivaled.  Ladies and gentlemen, the state of our union is strong.

But with barely 700 days left in the 20th century, this is not a time to rest.  It is a time to build—­to build the America within reach, an America where everybody has a chance to get ahead, with hard work; where every citizen can live in a safe community; where families are strong, schools are good, and all our young people can go on to college; an America where scientists find cures for diseases from diabetes to Alzheimer’s to aids; an America where every child can stretch a hand across a keyboard and reach every book ever written, every painting ever painted, every symphony ever composed; where government provides opportunity and citizens honor the responsibility to give something back to their communities; an America which leads the world to new heights of peace and prosperity.