Full video of the speech as published by theRonald Reagan Presidential Library | |
 | |
| Date | February 6, 1985 (1985-02-06) |
|---|---|
| Time | 9:00 p.m.EST |
| Duration | 40 minutes |
| Venue | House Chamber,United States Capitol |
| Location | Washington, D.C. |
| Coordinates | 38°53′23″N77°00′32″W / 38.88972°N 77.00889°W /38.88972; -77.00889 |
| Type | State of the Union Address |
| Participants | |
| Previous | 1984 State of the Union Address |
| Next | 1986 State of the Union Address |
The1985 State of the Union Address was given by the 40thpresident of the United States,Ronald Reagan, on February 6, 1985 — Reagan’s 74th birthday — at 9:00 p.m.EST, in the chamber of theUnited States House of Representatives to the99th United States Congress. It was Reagan's fourthState of the Union Address and hisfifth speech to ajoint session of the United States Congress. Presiding over this joint session was theHouse speaker,Tip O'Neill, accompanied byGeorge H. W. Bush, thevice president in his capacity as thepresident of the Senate.
He stated, "Our progress began not in Washington, DC, but in the hearts of our families, communities, workplaces, and voluntary groups which, together, are unleashing the invincible spirit of one great nation under God."[1] He believed that volunteerism was a key element to the American community.
The president proclaimed theReagan Doctrine, announcing support for military and other aid to forces fighting to overthrow governments in select countries around the world, and specifically for armed groups fighting to overthrow the Central American government of Nicaragua, claiming that "support for freedom fighters is self-defense." He also spoke of the plans to develop a weapons program referred to as theStrategic Defense Initiative. On the domestic front, he spoke at length of the need to reduce the government's role in advancing people's lives and the economy and for reducing the federal deficit, and of his opposition to abortion, among other things.
The speech lasted approximately 40 minutes and consisted of 4,955 words.[2] The address was broadcast live on radio and television.
After the joint session was dissolved, House Minority LeaderRobert H. Michel led the members of the House of Representatives and Senate in singingHappy Birthday to President Reagan.
TheDemocratic Partyresponse was delivered by GovernorBill Clinton ofArkansas (who himself later became president in 1993), GovernorBob Graham of Florida and House SpeakerTip O'Neill.[3]
Malcolm Baldrige, theSecretary of Commerce, served as thedesignated survivor.[4]
| Preceded by | State of the Union addresses 1985 | Succeeded by |
 | This article related to thepolitics of the United States is astub. You can help Wikipedia byexpanding it. |
