Now, forgive me, but I can’t resist sharing a story from those historic days.  Philadelphia was bursting with civic pride in the spring of 1787, and its newspapers began embellishing the arrival of the Convention delegates with elaborate social classifications.  Governors of States were called Excellency.  Justices and Chancellors had reserved for them honorable with a capital “H.”  For Congressmen, it was honorable with a small “h.”  And all others were referred to as “the following respectable characters.”  Well, for this 100th Congress, I invoke special executive powers to declare that each of you must never be titled less than honorable with a capital “H.”  Incidentally, I’m delighted you are celebrating the 100th birthday of the Congress.  It’s always a pleasure to congratulate someone with more birthdays than I’ve had.

Now, there’s a new face at this place of honor tonight.  And please join me in warm congratulations to the Speaker of the House, Jim Wright.  Mr. Speaker, you might recall a similar situation in your very first session of Congress 32 years ago.  Then, as now, the speakership had changed hands and another great son of Texas, Sam Rayburn—­“Mr. Sam”—­sat in your chair.  I cannot find better words than those used by President Eisenhower that evening.  He said, “We shall have much to do together; I am sure that we will get it done and that we shall do it in harmony and good will.”  Tonight I renew that pledge.  To you, Mr. Speaker, and to Senate Majority Leader Robert Byrd, who brings 34 years of distinguished service to the Congress, may I say:  Though there are changes in the Congress, America’s interests remain the same.  And I am confident that, along with Republican leaders Bob Michel and Bob Dole, this Congress can make history.

Six years ago I was here to ask the Congress to join me in America’s new beginning.  Well, the results are something of which we can all be proud.  Our inflation rate is now the lowest in a quarter of a century.  The prime interest rate has fallen from the 21 1/2 percent the month before we took office to 7 1/2 percent today.  And those rates have triggered the most housing starts in 8 years.  The unemployment rate—­still too high—­is the lowest in nearly 7 years, and our people have created nearly 13 million new jobs.  Over 61 percent of everyone over the age of 16, male and female, is employed—­the highest percentage on record.  Let’s roll up our sleeves and go to work and put America’s economic engine at full throttle.  We can also be heartened by our progress across the world.  Most important, America is at peace tonight, and freedom is on the march.  And we’ve done much these past years to restore our defenses, our alliances, and our leadership in the world.  Our sons and daughters in the services once again wear their uniforms with pride.