1985 State of the Union Address

The 1985 State of the Union address was given by President Ronald Reagan to a joint session of the 99th United States Congress on February 6, 1985. The speech was the first State of the Union address of President Reagan's second term, and his fifth altogether. 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 the Reagan Doctrine and discussed taxes, reducing the federal deficit and the Strategic Defense Initiative, 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.

The Democratic Party response was delivered by Governor Bill Clinton of Arkansas, Governor Bob Graham of Florida and House Speaker Tip O'Neill.^[3]

Malcolm Baldrige, the Secretary of Commerce, served as the designated survivor.^[4]

See also

• United States presidential election, 1984

References

External links

• (full transcript), The American Presidency Project, UC Santa Barbara.
• (full video), Miller Center of Public Affairs, University of Virginia.

Ronald Reagan
40th President of the United States (1981–1989) 33rd Governor of California (1967–1975)
Life and politics	Birthplace Pitney Store Boyhood home Rancho del Cielo Filmography Presidential Library Death and state funeral Political positions Governship of California Namesakes and memorials
Presidency	First inauguration Second inauguration Domestic policy Economic policy Economic Recovery Tax Act of 1981 Tax Reform Act of 1986 Assassination attempt Strategic Defense Initiative Foreign policy Reagan Doctrine Cold War: first term second term 1985 Geneva Summit 1986 Reykjavík Summit INF Treaty 1987 Washington Summit 1988 Moscow Summit Invasion of Grenada Iran–Contra affair International trips Resolute desk The Grace Commission Cabinet Federal judicial appointments Supreme Court controversies Administration scandals
Speeches	Ronald Reagan Speaks Out Against Socialized Medicine "A Time for Choosing" Reagan's Neshoba County Fair "states' rights" speech First inaugural address "Ash heap of history" "Evil empire" "Tear down this wall!" State of the Union: 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988
Books	An American Life (1990 autobiography) The Reagan Diaries (2007) Biographical works
Elections	California gubernatorial election, 1966 1970 Republican Party presidential primaries, 1968 1976 1980 1984 Republican National Convention 1968 1976 1980 1984 Ronald Reagan presidential campaign, 1980 "There you go again" "Make America Great Again" United States presidential election, 1976 1980 1984 "Morning in America" "Bear in the woods"
Popular culture	In fiction In music U.S. Postage stamps The Day Reagan Was Shot (2001 film) The Reagans (2003 film) Reagan (2011 documentary) The Butler (2013 film) Killing Reagan (2016 film) "What would Reagan do?"
Family	Jack Reagan (father) Nelle Wilson Reagan (mother) Neil Reagan (brother) Jane Wyman (first wife) Nancy Reagan (second wife) Maureen Reagan (daughter) Michael Reagan (adopted son) Patti Davis (daughter) Ron Reagan (son) Rex (dog)
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Related	Opposition party's response Designated survivor United States presidential address Joint Session of Congress (List) List of "Lenny Skutniks" Monroe Doctrine
Regional speeches	State of the State address State of the City address