Political Quotes

“on April 21 President Clinton issued an Executive order purporting to defend America's children from environmental health and safety risks. At the very end of this order was a simple, but cryptic statement. That statement was, ``Executive Order 12606 of September 2, 1987 is revoked.'' With that simple statement, Mr. President, without consulting this body or so much as naming the order revoked, President Clinton struck an unnecessary and uncalled for blow against American families and children. Executive Order 12606 of September 2, 1987, signed by President Reagan, was one of the most important policy statements of the last 25 years. As stated in its preamble, that Executive order was intended ``to ensure that the autonomy and rights of the family are considered in the formulation and implementation of policies by Executive departments and agencies.'' That Executive order, which President Clinton so blithely, almost mutely discarded, required our Federal bureaucracy for the first time to consider their actions' effects on the families of this nation. More than any Government program, America's children are protected, nurtured and given the means they need to lead good lives by their families. No national village can replace the constant care and attention of parents. By allowing Executive agencies to ignore the effects of their policies on families, President Clinton promises more harm to children than any Executive order he signs could possibly cure.”