October 30, 1995

Greetings:

Over the past three years, Michigan has embarked on an unprecedented effort to reform our welfare system. To Strengthen Michigan Families has proven its success by helping families in need to become self-sufficient, by saving taxpayer dollars, and by giving opportunity and hope to children growing up in poverty.

I am proud of our outstanding results to strengthen families by encouraging employment, targeting support, increasing personal responsibility, and involving communities. The number of families on assistance has declined to historic low levels, and the proportion of families receiving assistance who are working has increased to almost 30 percent, more than three times the national average.

The 104th Congress is finalizing action to give states greater opportunities to reform welfare as we know it. Building on the success of To Strengthen Michigan Families, the plan outlined here will go even further to advance our goals of assisting families and children to escape the cycle of welfare dependency.

We must seize this historic opportunity to end welfare as we know it. I urge every citizen to become involved in this critical issue and work with me and the Michigan Legislature. Our challenge is to ensure that all Michigan families and children can look forward to a system that rewards work, encourages personal responsibility, and achieves family self-sufficiency.