DRUG ABUSE is one of the most serious and tragic problems in this country.

We've got to move ahead even more rapidly and more effectively than we have in the past in trying to do something affirmatively about this problem of drugs.

I am immensely appreciative of the cooperation that I have found in your organization and with each of you individually.

I have talked to the President of Mexico and the President of Columbia, in trying to get their cooperation, and they have fully agreed to do the maximum.

I want to take this opportunity to pledge to the American people an all-out Federal effort to combat the drug menace.

I thank you, and Betty joins me in that expression of appreciation.

It will eliminate the requirement for State matching funds, as well as most Federal requirements and prohibitions on the use of Federal funds.

We do have a serious problem, as you indicated, at the Mexican border.

Combating this problem is a major priority of my administration.

I think we can gradually eliminate many of the problems we have.

I AM very sorry, Pete, I couldn't come over to the ceremonies, but I was there in spirit, if not in person.

This situation has gotten far more acute in many of our major metropolitan areas.

The faith of our Fathers is living still in America today.

Only God, however, can count the number of lives that have been changed by the gospel you preach throughout the world.

America is not good because it is great; America is great because it is good.

We are taught in the Psalms, that blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord.

I hope and pray it will ring forever in this great land of ours.

It remains our duty to remember our religious heritage.

I thank you, first of all, for taking on this responsibility which, I think, is extremely significant in the reorganization of the intelligence community.

We have sought to achieve accountability so that individuals in the various intelligence agencies will know precisely what their responsibilities are and to whom they are accountable.

You are to act as an independent auditor on what takes place within the intelligence community.

The main new addition, which, I think, is fundamentally necessary, is the Oversight Board.

We should have optimism for this situation.

We can say we are on the right path and we are getting results and this is what the American people want.

That kind of limitation is unwise.