These steps will allow America to lead toward the far frontiers of science and technology—­enhancing our health, environment, and economy in ways we cannot even imagine today.

Community

At a time when science, technology and the forces of globalization are bringing so many changes into our lives, it is more important than ever that we strengthen the bonds that root us in our local communities and in our national communities.

No tie binds different people together like citizen service.  There is a new spirit of service in America—­a movement we have supported with AmeriCorps, an expanded Peace Corps, and unprecedented new partnerships with businesses, foundations, and community groups.  Partnerships to enlist 12,000 companies in moving 650,000 of our fellow citizens from welfare to work.  To battle drug abuse and aids.  To teach young people to read.  To Save America’s Treasures.  To strengthen the arts.  To fight teen pregnancy.  To prevent youth violence.  To promote racial healing.

We can do even more to help Americans help each other.  We should help faith-based organizations do more to fight poverty and drug abuse and help young people get back on the right track with initiatives like Second Chance Homes to help unwed teen mothers.  We should support Americans who tithe and contribute to charities, but don’t earn enough to claim a tax deduction for it.  Tonight, I propose new tax incentives to allow low- and middle-income citizens to get that deduction.

We should do more to help new immigrants fully participate in the American community—­investing more to teach them civics and English.  And since everyone in our community counts, we must make sure everyone is counted in this year’s census.

Within ten years there will be no majority race in our largest state, California.  In a little more than 50 years, there will be no majority race in America.  In a more interconnected world, this diversity can be our greatest strength.  Just look around this chamber.  We have members from virtually every racial, ethnic, and religious background.  And America is stronger for it.  But as we have seen, these differences all too often spark hatred and division, even here at home.

We have seen a man dragged to death in Texas simply because he was black.  A young man murdered in Wyoming simply because he was gay.  In the last year alone, we’ve seen the shootings of African Americans, Asian Americans, and Jewish children simply because of who they were.  This is not the American way.  We must draw the line.  Without delay, we must pass the Hate Crimes Prevention Act and the Employment Non-Discrimination Act.  And we should reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act.

No American should be subjected to discrimination in finding a home, getting a job, going to school, or securing a loan.  Tonight, I propose the largest ever investment to enforce America’s civil rights laws.  Protections in law must be protections in fact.