was wobbling as he started off. And halfway to the sideline he stopped, stood there for a minute, then he turned around. And he came staggering back, elbowed his way through the two teams as we stood there in the time-out waiting for play to resume, and up to Burgie and faced him. And then I saw he was crying; the tears were running down his face. And he stuck out his hand, and Burgie took it. And he grabbed it with his other hand, and then crying he said, "I just want you to know you're the greatest human being I've ever met," and turned and left the field.

You see, just one individual with principles like that, like Dr. King and like Franklin Burghardt-a conversion right there from hatred to respect and even liking on the part of another man. Well, I just

couldn't go away without telling you that story. The world is so different today. And those of us who were a part of that revolution that Martin Luther King performed in, all of us, we are so happy for what has happened and so happy to see all of you here together in this different kind of an America. You keep it that way and keep making it better.

And now, before I leave, I want to present a plank-a plaque, I should say, to your principal, Bill Dalton, in commemoration of Martin Luther King, Jr.'s, birthday. Thank you all again very much.

Note: The President spoke at 11 a.m. in the school auditorium. He was introduced by Robert L. Woodson, president of the National Center for Neighborhood Enterprise.

January 15, 1986

The President today announced his intention to nominate Otto J. Reich, of Virginia, as Ambassador to the Republic of Venezuela. He would succeed George W. Landau.

Since 1983 Mr. Reich has been Coordinator of Public Diplomacy for Latin America and the Caribbean in the Office of the Secretary of State. From 1981 to 1983, he was the Assistant Administrator of the U.S. Agency for International Development in charge of Latin America and the Caribbean. As such, he was the principal officer in the U.S. Government charged with the direction of U.S. economic support and development assistance for this region of the world. From 1976 to 1981, Mr. Reich was director of Washington operations for the Council of the Americas, a private nonprofit association of U.S. companies with interests in Latin America. From 1975 to 1976, he was community development coordinator for the city of Miami. From 1973 to 1975, he was international representative for the

State of Florida's Department of Commerce. From 1972 to 1973, he was vice president of Cormorant Enterprises, a Miami-based import-export company. While attending graduate school (1970-1971), Mr. Reich worked in the U.S. House of Representatives as a staff assistant to Congressman W.R. Hull, Jr.

Mr. Reich holds a bachelor's degree from the University of North Carolina in international studies (1966) and a master's from Georgetown University in Latin American studies (1973). At Georgetown, he studied under a fellowship from the Center for Strategic and International Studies (19711972). Mr. Reich served in the United States Army from 1966 to 1969; he was commissioned as a second lieutenant and honorably discharged as a first lieutenant. Mr. Reich was born October 16, 1945, in Havana, Cuba. He is married to the former Connie Dillinger, of Florida, and they have two children.

The President today announced his intention to appoint the following individuals to be delegates to the National White House Conference on Small Business:

George Edward Wolfe, Jr., of Texas. This is a new position. He is president of Wolfe the Florist, Inc., in Waco, TX. He is also a director of the Citizens National Bank of Waco. He is past director of the Waco Chamber of Commerce. He graduated from Baylor University (B.A., 1951). He is married, has five children, and

resides in Waco, TX. He was born July 21, 1929, in Waco.

Angela Lee Miller, of Florida. This is a new position. She is vice president/treasurer of First Florida Building Corp. in Miami, FL. Previously she was president of Angela Miller Investments, Inc. She attended George Washington University, Sweet Briar College, and the University of Miami. She has one child and resides in Miami, FL. She was born November 1, 1951, in Miami, FL.

The President today announced his intention to nominate Richard M. Scaife to be a member of the United States Advisory Commission on Public Diplomacy for a term expiring July 1, 1988. This is a reappointment.

Mr. Scaife is publisher of the Tribune Review Publishing Co. in Pittsburgh, PA. He also serves as chairman and publisher of Sierra Publishing Co. in Sacramento, CA; publisher of Lebanon News Publishing Co., Lebanon, PA; director of First Boston, Inc., in New York City; chairman of Calvary,

Inc., in Pittsburgh; and director of Air Tool Parts & Service Co. in Pittsburgh. He has served as a director of the World Affairs Council of Pittsburgh and as a member of the Presidential Task Force on the Arts and Humanities, the Presidential Commission on Broadcasting to Cuba, and the Advisory Board of the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington, DC.

Mr. Scaife graduated from the University of Pittsburgh (B.A., 1957). He is married, has two children, and resides in Pittsburgh, PA. He was born July 3, 1932, in Pittsburgh.

The President today announced his intention to appoint Robert S. Leventhal to be a member of the President's National Security Telecommunications Advisory Committee. He will succeed H. Ross Perot.

Mr. Leventhal has been serving as chairman of the board, president, and chief exec

utive officer of Western Union Corp. since 1984. He has served on the Western Union board of directors since 1980. Since 1981 he has been president and chief executive officer of Communications Products Corp. From 1976 to 1981, he was president and chief executive officer of Publicker Indus

tries, Inc. From 1975 to 1976, he was senior vice president of Becker Industries and held the same position with Engelhard Minerals and Chemicals Corp. from 1970 to 1975.

Mr. Leventhal graduated from Harvard University (B.A., 1948; J.B.A., 1956). He has two children and resides in New York, NY. He was born January 8, 1927, in Cambridge, MA.

January 15, 1986

The President today announced his intention to appoint the following individuals to be members of the President's Child Safety Partnership. These are all new positions. William W. McConnell, of Connecticut, will be designated Chairman. He is president of Advo System, Inc., in Hartford. He was born October 20, 1948, in Darby, PA, and now resides in Glastonbury, CT.

Attorney General Edwin Meese III, of California. Secretary of Education William J. Bennett, of New York.

Secretary of Health and Human Services Otis R. Bowen, of Indiana.

Bruce Atwater, Jr., of Minnesota, is chairman and chief executive officer of General Mills, Inc., in Minneapolis. He was born April 19, 1931, in Minneapolis and now resides in Wayzata, MN. William R. Bricker, of New York, is national director of Boys Clubs of America in New York City. He was born May 5, 1923, in Reading, PA, and now resides in Scarsdale, NY. Arthur C. Eads, of Texas, is district attorney for the 27th judicial district of Texas. He was born October 13, 1941, in Belton, TX, and now resides in Belton.

Kenneth O. Eickenberry, of Washington, is attorney general of the State of Washington. He was born June 29, 1932, in Wenatchee, WA, and now resides in Olympia, WA.

Richard J. Elrod, of Illinois, is sheriff of Cook County. He was born February 17, 1934, in Chicago, IL, and now resides in Lincolnwood, IL.

Evelyn Irazarry-Guardarramas, of New York, is an attorney in private practice in New York City. She was born October 9, 1948, in New York City and now resides in the Bronx, NY. Senator Paula M. Hawkins, of Florida, has been serving as a United States Senator since January 1981. She was born January 24, 1927, in Salt Lake City, UT.

Carole Hillard, of South Dakota, is former president of the South Dakota Board of Charities and Corrections. She was born August 14, 1936, in Deadwood, SD, and now resides in Rapid City, SD.

Robert P. Keim, of New York, is president of

Advertising Council, Inc., in New York City. He was born January 28, 1920, in Ridgewood, NY, and now resides in East Williston, NY. U.S. Representative Thomas Lewis, of Florida, was elected a Member of Congress in 1982. He was born October 26, 1924, in Philadelphia, PA, and now resides in North Palm Beach, FL. Mario J. Machado, of California, is president of MJM Communications, Inc., in Los Angeles. He was born April 22, 1935, in Shanghai, China, and now resides in Los Angeles.

Gov. James G. Martin, of North Carolina. Governor Martin served 6 terms in the United States House of Representatives prior to his election as Governor. He was born December 11, 1935, in Savannah, GA, and now resides in Raleigh. Mary Ellen McCaffree, of Washington, was director of the Department of Budget and Program Development for King County. She was born February 25, 1918, in El Dorado, KS, and now resides in Hansville, WA.

Senator Addison Mitchell McConnell, of Kentucky, was elected to the United States Senate in 1984. He was born February 20, 1942, in Sheffield, AL.

Donna Mae Owens, of Ohio, is mayor of the city of Toledo. She was born August 24, 1936, in Toledo, where she currently resides.

Frederick J. Ryan, Jr., of California, is Deputy Assistant to the President and Director of Presidential Scheduling and Private Sector Initiatives, the White House. He was born April 12, 1955, in Tampa, FL, and now resides in Washington, DC.

Lory Arana Stevenson, of Colorado, is active in political and community affairs in Colorado

Springs. She was born November 8, 1950, in Richmond, VA, and now resides in Colorado Springs.

Joseph V. Vittoria, of Connecticut, is president

and chief executive officer of Avis, Inc. He was born May 9, 1935, in Sea Cliff, NY, and now resides in Greenwich, CT.

Robert G. Weeks, of Virginia, is executive vice president of Mobil Oil, marketing and refining division. He was born July 14, 1936, in Camden, NJ, and now resides in McLean, VA. Mary P. Whyte, of Connecticut, is vice president

of the National Crime Prevention Council in Washington, DC. She was born October 1, 1919, in New York City and now resides in Greenwich, CT.

Judy Wiedemeier, of Colorado, is vice president for regulatory affairs of the Tobacco Institute, Inc., in Washington, DC. She was born March 18, 1949, in Durango, CO, and now resides in Potomac, MD.

Jeri J. Winger, of Utah, is president of the General Federation of Women's Clubs in Washington, DC. She was born June 6, 1922, in Alpine, UT, and now resides in Provo, UT.

The President today announced his intention to nominate Marilyn Logsdon Mennello to be a member of the National Museum Services Board, National Foundation on the Arts and the Humanities, for a term expiring December 6, 1989. She would succeed Elizabeth Helms Adams.

Ms. Mennello is active in civic and cultural affairs. In 1967 she was a cofounder of P.E.S.O.-Auction, Inc. (Participation Enriches Science, Music and Art Organizations). In 1976 she was president of P.E.S.O.

and in 1985 was awarded the President's Award for her outstanding service to P.E.S.O. She became a member of the board of trustees of Rollins College in 1972 and served on the executive committee until 1983, when she became a trustee emeritus.

Ms. Mennello graduated from Pasadena College (A.A., 1945). She is married, has two children, and resides in Winter Park, FL. She was born May 1, 1925, in Pasadena, CA.

The President today announced his intention to appoint Joyce C. Young to be a member of the Committee for Purchase From the Blind and Other Severely Handicapped for a term expiring December 21, 1990. This is a reappointment.

Mrs. Young is president of Young Communications in Dayton, OH. Previously, she was public affairs manager for Metropolitan

Life Insurance Co.; associate director of development at Wright State University; and executive director of Wright State University School of Medicine Foundation.

Mrs. Young graduated from Wright State University (B.A., 1975). She is married, has four children, and resides in Dayton, OH. She was born September 27, 1934, in Springfield, MA.

January 15, 1986

In 1983 at the Japanese Diet, I called for the total abolition of nuclear weapons. Since that time the United States has put forward a series of proposals to achieve this goal through radical reductions in strategic weapons. As early as 1981, I set forth a specific proposal for the elimination of all long-range intermediate nuclear missiles. At the Geneva arms control talks in November, we made yet another proposal designed to bring us closer to the goal of zero nuclear weapons.

Now the Soviet Union has responded with a proposal which builds on some of the elements we had previously set forth. I welcome the Soviets' latest response and hope that it represents a helpful further step in the process. We, together with our allies,

will give careful study to General Secretary Gorbachev's suggestions. Many elements contained in the response are unchanged from previous Soviet positions and continue to cause us serious concern. There are others that at first glance may be constructive.

The American delegation in Geneva has instructions to implement the agreement reached at the Geneva summit to seek early progress in achieving radical reductions in offensive nuclear weapons, including an interim agreement on intermediate-range nuclear forces. If the position outlined by General Secretary Gorbachev advances this objective, it would prove to be a constructive step.

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

America was founded with a ringing affirmation of the transcendence of human rights. Our Declaration of Independence proclaims that the rights to "Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness" are not a grant from the government, but a gift from the Creator; and we declared that the same Divine Providence in which the new Nation placed its "firm reliance" imposes on government a solemn duty to respect and secure these fundamental rights.

Yet, on January 22, 1973, the Supreme Court of the United States struck down our laws protecting the lives of unborn children. At that time there were those who predicted confidently that in time Americans would come to accept the Court's decision and the "new ethic" that it reflects. History has proved them wrong. Each year

the terrible toll of more than a million innocent human lives has weighed more heavily on the conscience of America.

Each year remarkable advances in prenatal medicine bring ever more dramatic confirmation of what common sense told us all along-that the child in the womb is simply what each of us once was: a very young, very small, dependent, vulnerable member of the human family. When Americans demand legal protection for human life, we are simply being true to our most basic principles and convictions. We are reaffirming the self-evident truths set forth in our Declaration of Independence. Indeed, we are reaffirming the consensus of civilized humanity by recognizing that children need special safeguards and care, including appropriate legal protection, before as well as after birth.

Those who champion the right to life know the harsh pressures and the profound anguish that drive some women to consider