William R. Richardson: “the reviews on the State of the Union message are in. President Clinton hit not just a home run but a 400-foot home run.…”

“the reviews on the State of the Union message are in. President Clinton hit not just a home run but a 400-foot home run. Why did the biggest ovation last night go to the New York City cop with the tough beat and when the President endorsed the ``three strikes, you're out''? That is because the American people want us to make fighting violent crime our top priority. Let us get the partisanship out of the crime issue. Why we may have honest differences on health care and welfare reform, surely we can get together and pass a crime bill as soon as possible. Mr. Speaker, the public wants us to pass mandatory minimum sentences for violent offenses and cut down on parole. They want more cops on the beat and more resources to fight crime in their own neighborhoods. Mr. Speaker, let us get the partisanship out of the crime issue. Last night President Clinton came to the Congress and showed the American people what it takes to be a leader. He presented his priorities to the country and, in the opinion of most Americans, they overwhelmingly agreed. The President knows that the people are demanding action on crime with tough sentencing and effective prevention. They are demanding we pass a health care plan providing universal coverage that can't be taken away or denied due to preexisting conditions. And the people want us to get to work on reforming the welfare system, as the President said last night, to make welfare a second chance, not a way of life.”