And now let me turn to three other matters vital to family values and the quality of family life.  The first is an untold American success story.  Recently, we released our annual survey of what graduating high school seniors have to say about drugs.  Cocaine use is declining, and marijuana use was the lowest since surveying began.  We can be proud that our students are just saying no to drugs.  But let us remember what this menace requires:  commitment from every part of America and every single American, a commitment to a drugfree America.  The war against drugs is a war of individual battles, a crusade with many heroes, including America’s young people and also someone very special to me.  She has helped so many of our young people to say no to drugs.  Nancy, much credit belongs to you, and I want to express to you your husband’s pride and your country’s thanks.’.  Surprised you, didn’t I?

Well, now we come to a family issue that we must have the courage to confront.  Tonight, I call America—­a good nation, a moral people—­to charitable but realistic consideration of the terrible cost of abortion on demand.  To those who say this violates a woman’s right to control of her own body:  Can they deny that now medical evidence confirms the unborn child is a living human being entitled to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness?  Let us unite as a nation and protect the unborn with legislation that would stop all Federal funding for abortion and with a human life amendment making, of course, an exception where the unborn child threatens the life of the mother.  Our Judeo-Christian tradition recognizes the right of taking a life in self-defense.  But with that one exception, let us look to those others in our land who cry out for children to adopt.  I pledge to you tonight I will work to remove barriers to adoption and extend full sharing in family life to millions of Americans so that children who need homes can be welcomed to families who want them and love them.

And let me add here:  So many of our greatest statesmen have reminded us that spiritual values alone are essential to our nation’s health and vigor.  The Congress opens its proceedings each day, as does the Supreme Court, with an acknowledgment of the Supreme Being.  Yet we are denied the right to set aside in our schools a moment each day for those who wish to pray.  I believe Congress should pass our school prayer amendment.

Now, to make sure there is a full nine member Supreme Court to interpret the law, to protect the rights of all Americans, I urge the Senate to move quickly and decisively in confirming Judge Anthony Kennedy to the highest Court in the land and to also confirm 27 nominees now waiting to fill vacancies in the Federal judiciary.

Here then are our domestic priorities.  Yet if the Congress and the administration work together, even greater opportunities lie ahead to expand a growing world economy, to continue to reduce the threat of nuclear arms, and to extend the frontiers of freedom and the growth of democratic institutions.