Q. Is your commitment to a capital gains tax cut waning or weakening in any way? The President. I'm not going to-you know, if I start going into even one facet of the negotiations, I will, in my view, be violating a commitment I made to the Congress. So, I really want to ask to be forgiven for not answering that nice-try question. Q. When do you think you'll have some answers? The President. Well, we're moving along, Helen. We all know what the dates are out there. You'll see some figures next week on the magnitude of this problem. The figures are out there pretty much in the public domain, and certainly, the Congress has them. But the American people want something done. And so, I'm going to keep pushing, and our negotiators are working in total good faith. And I think the problem is so important nationally that something positive will happen. It has to. Boris Yeltsin Q. What do you think about Boris Yeltsin [President of the Republic of Russia] bolting the Communist Party? The President. Boris bolting his partyvery interesting development, very interesting. Hey, I'm tired, come on, and so are the rest of you guys. I can tell from the quality of the questions. Note: The exchange began at 1:33 p.m. on the South Lawn at the White House, prior to the President's departure for Camp David, MD. In his remarks, the President referred to John H. Sununu, Chief of Staff to the President; Secretary of the Treasury Nicholas F. Brady; and Richard G. Darman, Director of the Office of Management and Budget. A tape was not available for verification of the content of these remarks. Points of Light Recognition Program The President named the following individuals and institutions as exemplars of his commitment to making community service central to the life and work of every Ameri can. July 2 Dale Shields, of Sarasota, FL. Mr. Shields, known as the "Pelican Man," rescues and rehabilitates pelicans and other wildlife on the west coast of Florida. In 1985, Mr. Shields founded the Pelican Man's Bird Sanctuary. Located on City Island, the sanctuary provides birds and other wildlife a safe place in which to live and a learning environment for visitors. More than 200 volunteers rescue injured birds on the shores of Florida and transport them to the sanctuary, where they obtain treatment for wounds, food, and nurturing. July 3 Alpha Project, of San Diego, CA. Founded in 1986 by Robert McElroy, the Alpha Project hires homeless people at $6 per hour or more to work on construction projects. The employees receive on-the-job training, enabling them to learn a marketable trade so they may seek employment in the future. A variety of concerned citizens, ranging from retired carpenters to college students, teach carpentry skills, administrative skills, and financial budgeting. In addition, the Alpha Project provides the employees with food, shelter, and clothing free of charge until they save enough money to become independent. So far, 88 percent of all the homeless individuals who have worked for the Alpha Project have gone on to become selfsupporting, productive citizens. July 4 The Grand Rapids Police Department's Crime Analysis Unit, of Grand Rapids, MI. Founded in 1983, the Crime Analysis Unit provides a vital service to the Grand Rapids Police Department. Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) volunteers examine police reports for serious crimes from the previous 24 hours. Each volunteer spends at least 8 hours per week summarizing the reports, distributing them to departments and patrol officers, and analyzing the information to determine any crime trends. In addition, the volunteers maintain maps of offenses, including rape, robbery, and burglary, analyzing any geographic patterns in crimes. This effort helps the police department place the patrol officers in locations where crime occurs in the community, while providing the senior volunteers an opportunity to serve their community. July 5 Concerned Friends, Inc., of Tempe, AZ. Concerned Friends, founded in 1982, provides residents of Friendship Village, a retirement community, the assistance they need to continue living independently. More than 100 volunteers substitute as friends and caregivers to those residents in need of additional assistance and support. Some residents may need continuous help with grocery shopping and simple decision-making, while others may require occasional help with completing tax returns or filing for Medicare. While many of the volunteers are residents of Friendship Village who are able to care for themselves, members of the community surrounding Friendship Village have also volunteered to meet the growing demand in this program. Over 250 residents of Friendship Village, one third of the resident population, have requested the help of Concerned Friends. July 6 Carol DeMayo, of Williamstown, MA. In 1984, Mrs. DeMayo began delivering food to the economically disadvantaged. Because of the growing need for this service in her community, she recruited young people to help her with deliveries. Today, Mrs. DeMayo's "Food Pantry," is located in St. Patrick's Catholic Church. Members of the community donate food, clothing, and toys to the pantry, which Mrs. DeMayo and other volunteers then distribute to those who are homeless, unemployed, or financially burdened. In addition to her work with the "Food Pantry," Mrs. DeMayo is called upon by local social service agencies to counsel needy individuals. July 7 Habitat for Humanity of Charlotte, NC. Habitat for Humanity, a national organization, operates in 450 cities across the United States and in 60 other countries. This effort helps those in need break the poverty cycle, helping turn ghettos into communities. Volunteers build three bedroom, one bath homes for the working poor, who receive no-interest 15-year mortgages. Habitat families help to build the homes, spending a minimum of 100 hours working on a neighbor's home before theirs is begun. Once selected, the family continues to invest "sweat equity" in the building of their own home. The Charlotte-based Habitat for Humanity has built over 90 homes for those who would otherwise be unable to afford one. July 9 Rebecca Tinkham of Tulsa, OK. Since 1988, Ms. Tinkham has been a volunteer for "Call Rape," a 24-hour crisis service for individuals who have suffered from rape. Ms. Tinkham completed 20 hours of training on sexual assault issues, learning how to comfort and soothe victims of rape. She spends over 150 hours per month offering advice and support to those who are in need. July 10 The volunteers of the Spartanburg County SAFE (Shelter Available for Emergencies) Homes Network, of Spartanburg, SC. Founded in 1982 by concerned citizens, SAFE Homes Network is a shelter which offers emergency housing to victims of domestic violence and their children. In addition, the network provides crisis counseling and support systems for the residents. So far this year, the network has served more than 850 individuals. More than 100 volunteers, ranging from teachers to police officers, provide services to the residents of the shelter. Volunteers also assist with the 24-hour hot-line, receiving calls from individuals who need advice and emotional support. In addition, the volunteers educate the community on domestic violence issues. July 11 The volunteers of the Tutor Exchange, of San Jose, CA. Founded in 1981, the volunteers of the Tutor Exchange offer tutoring to neglected and delinquent youth between the ages of 5 and 18. More than 60 volunteers are matched to young people according to the interests and needs of the youth. The volunteers spend at least 4 hours per week with the youth, developing one-to-one relationships. They teach basic reading, math, and science skills, assist with career selection, and offer advice on study skills. July 12 Operation Read, of Lexington, KY. Founded in 1979 by a group of concerned citizens, Operation Read offers tutoring to adults. In 1989, more than 250 individuals spent over 15,000 hours tutoring 420 students. After a 16-hour training session, each volunteer is matched with a student. For at least one year, they meet twice a week, enabling them to develop a close relationship. The tutor plans each lesson, focusing on the interests and goals of the student. July 13 Mountaineers, Inc., of Phoenix, AZ. Mountaineers was founded in 1985 in response to the deteriorating deserts of the Phoenix landscape. More than 250 concerned citizens, including doctors, lawyers, students, teachers, and senior citizens, remove trash from the desert, replant desert vegetation, eliminate unnecessary roads, repair damaged paths and trails, and install signs and markers. July 14 Harold Craig Reynolds, of Seattle, WA. Four years ago, Mr. Reynolds, the Seattle Mariners' second baseman, founded the Rap Outreach Program. Before each Saturday home game, Mr. Reynolds invites young people to meet with him and other players at the stadium. He addresses the concerns of the youth, discussing topics such as peer pressure, family problems, and drug involvement. He encourages them to continue their education and participate in community service projects. Mr. Reynolds also challenges other black men to be positive role models for inner-city youth. Digest of Other White House Announcements The following list includes the President's public schedule and other items of general interest announced by the Office of the Press Secretary and not included elsewhere in this issue. June 30 The President declared that a major disaster exists in California as a result of wildland fires that began on June 26. He directed the Federal Emergency Management Agency to provide assistance to supplement State and local recovery efforts. In the evening, the President spoke with Nelson Mandela on the telephone. Mr. Mandela thanked the President for their recent meeting. July 2 The President met with advisers at his home in Kennebunkport, ME, in preparation for the upcoming Houston economic summit. July 3 The President met with advisers at his home in Kennebunkport, ME, in preparation for the upcoming Houston economic summit. July 4 The President declared that a major disaster exists in Nebraska as a result of severe storms, tornadoes, and flooding that began on June 10. He directed the Federal Emergency Management Agency to provide as July 10 The President went to Rice University, where he participated in the morning and afternoon plenary sessions at Herring Hall as well as the working luncheon at Cohen House. In the evening, the President and Mrs. Bush hosted a reception and dinner at the Museum of Fine Arts for summit leaders and members of their delegations. July 11 In the morning, the President participated in the final plenary session of the summit at Herring Hall at Rice University. July 12 The President met at the White House with: -the Vice President; John H. Sununu, -the Vice President, for lunch; The President announced that John C. McGraw, of Pennsylvania, will continue to serve as Assayer of the Mint of the United States at Philadelphia, PA. Since 1983 Mr. McGraw has served as Assayer of the United States Mint in Philadelphia. The President announced his intention to appoint the following individuals to be members of the J. William Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board for terms expiring September 22, 1992: Vartan Gregorian, of Rhode Island. He would succeed Nathan Glazer. Currently Dr. Gregorian serves as president of Brown University in Providence, RI. Margarita B. Tonkinson, of Florida. She would succeed Marvin Howard Alisky. Currently Mrs. Tonkinson serves as associate director of the Office of International Programs at the University of Miami in Coral Gables, FL. The President announced his intention to appoint the following individuals to be members of the Advisory Committee on the Arts (John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts). Upon appointment, they will be designated Cochairmen. |