Ronald Reagan

It is with regret that I accept your resignation as Secretary of the Navy, effective February 22, 1988.

The Atlantic alliance is the guardian of Europe's greatest legacy to the ages—human freedom and democratic rule.

We must stick with the strategy of strength and dialog that has kept the peace.

Your commitment to the quality of our military capability and the well-being of our men and women in uniform has been undivided.

Peace has been the alliance's goal.

We do not distrust each other because we're armed; we're armed because we distrust each other.

I urge the Congress to act promptly and favorably upon this legislative proposal.

An attack on you is an attack on us.

In the end, it is these qualities that will ensure that freedom endures in this generation and in every generation to come.

I transmit herewith the Treaty between the Government of the United States of America and the Government of Canada on Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters.

Being mindful of the suffering that comes with unemployment, that last figure is a matter of particular pride for me.

That is why responsible Federal spending and taxing policies—policies that foster growth and expand opportunity for all our citizens—are so important.

Make no mistake, we have the opportunity to put our fiscal house in order and to reform the budget process.

We've proposed a trim budget that keeps the lid on spending and yet still recognizes that some increases are justified.

This budget fulfills the second-year obligations of a bipartisan agreement I hammered out last November with the leaders of Congress.

It carries important lessons on how successfully to negotiate arms reductions with the Soviet Union.

I believe that all who want jobs should be able to obtain employment commensurate with their skills and abilities.

Fifteen million new jobs have been created during this expansion, with strong gains widespread across industries and demographic groups.

I have said before, I believe when all aspects of the budget are reviewed the primary policy problem will be viewed not as a lack of revenues but an inexorable growth in spending.

We must resist efforts to push the Nation into protectionism.

I am today designating Caspar Weinberger and Drew Lewis to the National Economic Commission.

The facts show that the strongest job growth has been in the higher paid, high-skill occupations.

I fully support the work of this youth exchange council and share your strong personal commitment to advancing mutual understanding.

Only a strong West can have a positive influence on the way in which the Soviet Union deals with other countries and with its own people.

I would not take lightly the prospect of a resurgence of inflation.