Reagan Signs Welfare Measure

President Reagan today signed into law a Democrat-sponsored bill overhauling the Depression-era welfare system, saying that the legislation will “lead to lasting emancipation” for those on the public benefit rolls.

“For too long the federal government, with the best of intentions, has usurped the responsibility that appropriately lies with parents,” Reagan said in a Rose Garden ceremony. He described the legislation as telling welfare recipients: “We expect of you what we expect of our own loved ones.” For the first time, states will be required to offer people on welfare a broad variety of education, training and work programs.