In that belief, I ask the Congress to give the proposals contained in the Patent Modernization and Reform Act of 1973 prompt and careful consideration.

It would preserve and extend some of the best and most important aspects of our current patent system.

It is heartening, however, that neither the Congress nor the Administration allowed the smoke of legislative skirmishes to obscure the goal we have shared from the first--that of continuing and improving a program which has long been one of the most humanitarian and effective of all Federal grant activities.

More than 50 bills still remain on that agenda.

In sum, the executive-legislative partnership which has placed this legislation on the statute books makes this a good day for those of our fellow citizens whose courage and spirit in the face of physical adversity provide inspiration for all of us.

Unfortunately, this legislation is also burdened with several extremely undesirable features--provisions which would represent a backward march for the Federal Government's disaster relief programs-and for that reason, I am compelled to veto it.

In the meantime, ongoing programs will continue to be of assistance to disaster victims and will not be affected by my disapproval of S. 1672.

As a result of those discussions, I ordered a thorough review of all Federal disaster assistance programs, and earlier this year I proposed legislation that would fundamentally restructure them.

In addition, this bill would slow the Federal Government's ability to respond to disasters by creating an administrative nightmare for those agencies charged with providing assistance.

I call upon the Congress to act while there is still time, while vital spending bills are still before it.

This legislation once again provides dramatic and heartwarming evidence that America is the country that cares -- and translates that humanitarian care into a better life for those who need, and deserve, the support of their fellow citizens.

The American way of life is the high achievement of our era and the envy of the world, and responsive and responsible legislation such as this is one major reason why.

I cannot responsibly approve H.R. 15657.

This legislation will give us the important powers we need to ensure that the world's whales, porpoises, seals, polar bears, walruses, sea otters, and manatees do not become depleted or endangered species.

It is significant that this new act will be implemented by the two newest environmental agencies--both created by this Administration-the Environmental Protection Agency and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

The bill is thus one of the first fruits of our new emphasis on careful advance analysis of environmental challenges.

I am pleased to sign into law S. 3419, the Consumer Product Safety Act.

I signed S. 3507, then, as an important first step toward a more comprehensive program.