1985 State of the Union Address 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." He believed that volunteerism was a key element to the American community. The president
1996 State of the Union Address deeds are a contradiction. President Clinton claims to embrace the future while clinging to the policies of the past." Donna Shalala, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, served as the designated survivor. 1996 State of the Union Address The 1996 State of the Union address was given by President Bill Clinton to a joint session of the 104th United States Congress on Tuesday, January 23, 1996. The speech was the last State of the Union address of President Clinton's first term. This speech occurred shortly after the federal government shutdown of 1995 and 1996 which had resulted from disagreements