1949 State of the Union Address
Date | January 5, 1949 |
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Time | 1:00 p.m. EST |
Venue | House Chamber, United States Capitol |
Location | Washington, D.C. |
Coordinates | 38°53′23″N 77°00′32″W / 38.88972°N 77.00889°W |
Type | State of the Union Address |
Participants | Harry S. Truman Kenneth McKellar Sam Rayburn |
Previous | 1948 State of the Union Address |
Next | 1950 State of the Union Address |
The 1949
Proposals
This speech is sometimes referred to as Truman's "
- federal aid to education
- a tax cut for low-income earners
- civil rightslaws he had proposed to previous Congresses
- a permanent Fair Employment Practices Commission
- a farm aid program
- increased public housing
- new TVA-style public works projects
- the establishment of a new Department of Health, Education, and Welfare
- the repeal of the labor unions
- an increase in the minimum wage from 40 to 75 cents an hour
- national health insurance
- expanded Social Security coverage
- a $4 billion tax increase to reduce the national debt and finance these programs.
Conclusion
Truman concluded his speech by noting that the United States stood at a consequential place in history and urged the Congress to cooperate with him in rising to the task:[1]
We stand at the opening of an era which can mean either great achievement or terrible catastrophe for ourselves and for all mankind. The strength of our Nation must continue to be used in the interest of all our people rather than a privileged few. It must continue to be used unselfishly in the struggle for world peace and the betterment of mankind the world over. This is the task before us.... Now, I am confident that the Divine Power which has guided us to this time of fateful responsibility and glorious opportunity will not desert us now. With that help from Almighty God which we have humbly acknowledged at every turning point in our national life, we shall be able to perform the great tasks which He now sets before us.
References
- ^ a b c d Truman, Harry S. (January 5, 1949). "Annual Message to the Congress on the State of the Union". The American Presidency Project. Retrieved March 16, 2024.
- ^ a b "President Truman delivers his Fair Deal speech". HISTORY.com. A&E Television Networks. November 16, 2009. Retrieved March 16, 2024.