Today a working family earning $25,000 has $1,100 more in purchasing power than if tax and inflation rates were still at the 1980 levels.  Real after-tax income increased 5 percent last year.  And economic deregulation of key industries like transportation has offered more chances—­or choices, I should say, to consumers and new changes—­or chances for entrepreneurs and protecting safety.  Tonight, we can report and be proud of one of the best recoveries in decades.  Send away the handwringers and the doubting Thomases.  Hope is reborn for couples dreaming of owning homes and for risktakers with vision to create tomorrow’s opportunities.

The spirit of enterprise is sparked by the sunrise industries of high-tech and by small business people with big ideas—­people like Barbara Proctor, who rose from a ghetto to build a multimillion-dollar advertising agency in Chicago; Carlos Perez, a Cuban refugee, who turned $27 and a dream into a successful importing business in Coral Gables, Florida.

People like these are heroes for the eighties.  They helped 4 million Americans find jobs in 1983.  More people are drawing paychecks tonight than ever before.  And Congress helps—­or progress helps everyone—­well, Congress does too——­everyone.  In 1983 women filled 73 percent of all the new jobs in managerial, professional, and technical fields.

But we know that many of our fellow countrymen are still out of work, wondering what will come of their hopes and dreams.  Can we love America and not reach out to tell them:  You are not forgotten; we will not rest until each of you can reach as high as your God-given talents will take you.

The heart of America is strong; it’s good and true.  The cynics were wrong; America never was a sick society.  We’re seeing rededication to bedrock values of faith, family, work, neighborhood, peace, and freedom—­values that help bring us together as one people, from the youngest child to the most senior citizen.

The Congress deserves America’s thanks for helping us restore pride and credibility to our military.  And I hope that you’re as proud as I am of the young men and women in uniform who have volunteered to man the ramparts in defense of freedom and whose dedication, valor, and skill increases so much our chance of living in a world at peace.

People everywhere hunger for peace and a better life.  The tide of the future is a freedom tide, and our struggle for democracy cannot and will not be denied.  This nation champions peace that enshrines liberty, democratic rights, and dignity for every individual.  America’s new strength, confidence, and purpose are carrying hope and opportunity far from our shores.  A world economic recovery is underway.  It began here.

We’ve journeyed far, but we have much farther to go.  Franklin Roosevelt told us 50 years ago this month:  “Civilization can not go back; civilization must not stand still.  We have undertaken new methods.  It is our task to perfect, to improve, to alter when necessary, but in all cases to go forward.”