Well, gentlemen of the Stars & Stripes, for a few days you enabled us all to become airborne, and we thank you.

Our current welfare system is not only a failure but counterproductive.

Moving back to concepts like limited government and the free market created one of the most important social and economic revolutions in our history.

Instead of citing at the end of each year how many people were being maintained on welfare, every year they would be saying how many people we had been able to remove from welfare and restore to a position of independence.

I do hereby proclaim to Dennis Conner and the crew of Stars and Stripes the heartfelt congratulations and appreciation of our Nation for a job well done.

The simple fact is government had taken a stand against families.

One of your crewmen caught a glimpse of just how much it all meant to you.

We need to reevaluate our entire antipoverty strategy.

The bulk of the people on welfare aren't just lazy bums or cheaters—they want nothing more than to be independent.

I am pleased to forward the Report to the Congress.

Congratulations! You performed up to the highest standards in conditions that were arduous and exhausting.