Small business today includes about 9 million businessmen or businesswomen.

And we can do it!

I am most delighted to be in Charlotte today to enjoy the wonderful spirit of this unique observance of our national Bicentennial.

It is a tremendous privilege and a very high honor to have the opportunity of being in this great city, county, and this wonderful State.

The Nation would be more dependent on foreign oil--when we are already overly dependent and dangerously vulnerable.

Coal production would be unnecessarily reduced--when this vital domestic energy resource is needed more than ever.

You know it and I know it, and we are all proud of it.

Our most cherished values have remained as steadfast as when instituted by the fathers of our country.

Consumers would pay higher costs--particularly for electric bills--when consumer costs are already too high.

America has been a refuge for victims of persecution, intolerance and privation from around the world.

I am confident that the Congress can and will act quickly.

They deserve a better chance.

The strength of America is its diversity.

Removal of unnecessary and excessive regulatory constraints will enable this low-cost, energy-efficient form of transportation to operate more effectively.

Consumers too often bear the costs of inefficient regulation in the form of either inadequate service or excessive cost.

America offers a last, best hope upon which they can build new lives.

The Railroad Revitalization Act is a critical part of this program.

We must begin at once a major and massive initiative to restore the vitality of this essential industry.