Bush's State of the Union Address
The United States Capitol,Washington, D.C.
THE PRESIDENT: Thank you very much. Mr. Speaker, Vice President Cheney, members of Congress, distinguished guests, fellow citizens: As we gather tonight, our nation is at war, our economy is in recession, and the civilized world faces unprecedented dangers. Yet the state of our Union has never been stronger. (Applause.)
We last met in an hour of shock and suffering. In four short months, our nation has comforted the victims, begun to rebuild New York and the Pentagon, rallied a great coalition, captured, arrested, and rid the world of thousands of terrorists, destroyed Afghanistan's terrorist training camps, saved a people from starvation, and freed a country from brutal oppression. (Applause.)
The American flag flies again over our embassy in Kabul. Terrorists who once occupied Afghanistan now occupy cells at Guantanamo Bay. (Applause.) And terrorist leaders who urged followers to sacrifice their lives are running for their own. (Applause.)
America and Afghanistan are now allies against terror. We'll be partners in rebuilding that country. And this evening we welcome the distinguished interim leader of a liberated Afghanistan: Chairman Hamid Karzai. (Applause.)
The last time we met in this chamber, the mothers and daughters of Afghanistan were captives in their own homes, forbidden from working or going to school. Today women are free, and are part of Afghanistan's new government. And we welcome the new Minister of Women's Affairs, Doctor Sima Samar. (Applause.)
Our progress is a tribute to the spirit of the Afghan people, to the resolve of our coalition, and to the might of the United States military. (Applause.) When I called our troops into action, I did so with complete confidence in their courage and skill. And tonight, thanks to them, we are winning the war on terror. (Applause.) The man and women of our Armed Forces have delivered a message now clear to every enemy of the United States: Even 7,000 miles away, across oceans and continents, on mountaintops and in caves —— you will not escape the justice of this nation. (Applause.)
For many Americans, these four months have brought sorrow, and pain that will never completely go away. Every day a retired firefighter returns to Ground Zero, to feel closer to his two sons who died there. At a memorial in New York, a little boy left his football with a note for his lost father: Dear Daddy, please take this to heaven. I don't want to play football until I can play with you again some day.
Last month, at the grave of her husband, Michael, a CIA officer and Marine who died in Mazur-e-Sharif, Shannon Spann said these words of farewell: "Semper Fi, my love." Shannon is with us tonight. (Applause.)
Shannon, I assure you and all who have lost a loved one that our cause is just, and our country will never forget the debt we owe Michael and all who gave their lives for freedom.
Our cause is just, and it continues. Our discoveries in Afghanistan confirmed our worst fears, and showed us the true scope of the task ahead. We have seen the depth of our enemies' hatred in videos, where they laugh about the loss of innocent life. And the depth of their hatred is equaled by the madness of the destruction they design. We have found diagrams of American nuclear power plants and public water facilities, detailed instructions for making chemical weapons, surveillance maps of American cities, and thorough descriptions of landmarks in America and throughout the world.
What we have found in Afghanistan confirms that, far from ending there, our war against terror is only beginning. Most of the 19 men who hijacked planes on September the 11th were trained in Afghanistan's camps, and so were tens of thousands of others. Thousands of dangerous killers, schooled in the methods of murder, often supported by outlaw regimes, are now spread throughout the world like ticking time bombs, set to go off without warning.
Thanks to the work of our law enforcement officials and coalition partners, hundreds of terrorists have been arrested. Yet, tens of thousands of trained terrorists are still at large. These enemies view the entire world as a battlefield, and we must pursue them wherever they are. (Applause.) So long as training camps operate, so long as nations harbor terrorists, freedom is at risk. And America and our allies must not, and will not, allow it. (Applause.)
Our nation will continue to be steadfast and patient and persistent in the pursuit of two great objectives. First, we will shut down terrorist camps, disrupt terrorist plans, and bring terrorists to justice. And, second, we must prevent the terrorists and regimes who seek chemical, biological or nuclear weapons from threatening the United States and the world. (Applause.)
Our military has put the terror training camps of Afghanistan out of business, yet camps still exist in at least a dozen countries. A terrorist underworld —— including groups like Hamas, Hezbollah, Islamic Jihad, Jaish-i-Mohammed —— operates in remote jungles and deserts, and hides in the centers of large cities.
While the most visible military action is in Afghanistan, America is acting elsewhere. We now have troops in the Philippines, helping to train that country's armed forces to go after terrorist cells that have executed an American, and still hold hostages. Our soldiers, working with the Bosnian government, seized terrorists who were plotting to bomb our embassy. Our Navy is patrolling the coast of Africa to block the shipment of weapons and the establishment of terrorist camps in Somalia.
My hope is that all nations will heed our call, and eliminate the terrorist parasites who threaten their countries and our own. Many nations are acting forcefully. Pakistan is now cracking down on terror, and I admire the strong leadership of President Musharraf. (Applause.)
But some governments will be timid in the face of terror. And make no mistake about it: If they do not act, America will. (Applause.)
Our second goal is to prevent regimes that sponsor terror from threatening America or our friends and allies with weapons of mass destruction. Some of these regimes have been pretty quiet since September the 11th. But we know their true nature. North Korea is a regime arming with missiles and weapons of mass destruction, while starving its citizens.
Iran aggressively pursues these weapons and exports terror, while an unelected few repress the Iranian people's hope for freedom.
Iraq continues to flaunt its hostility toward America and to support terror. The Iraqi regime has plotted to develop anthrax, and nerve gas, and nuclear weapons for over a decade. This is a regime that has already used poison gas to murder thousands of its own citizens —— leaving the bodies of mothers huddled over their dead children. This is a regime that agreed to international inspections —— then kicked out the inspectors. This is a regime that has something to hide from the civilized world.
States like these, and their terrorist allies, constitute an axis of evil, arming to threaten the peace of the world. By seeking weapons of mass destruction, these regimes pose a grave and growing danger. They could provide these arms to terrorists, giving them the means to match their hatred. They could attack our allies or attempt to blackmail the United States. In any of these cases, the price of indifference would be catastrophic.
We will work closely with our coalition to deny terrorists and their state sponsors the materials, technology, and expertise to make and deliver weapons of mass destruction. We will develop and deploy effective missile defenses to protect America and our allies from sudden attack. (Applause.) And all nations should know: America will do what is necessary to ensure our nation's security.
We'll be deliberate, yet time is not on our side. I will not wait on events, while dangers gather. I will not stand by, as peril draws closer and closer. The United States of America will not permit the world's most dangerous regimes to threaten us with the world's most destructive weapons. (Applause.)
Our war on terror is well begun, but it is only begun. This campaign may not be finished on our watch —— yet it must be and it will be waged on our watch.
We can't stop short. If we stop now —— leaving terror camps intact and terror states unchecked —— our sense of security would be false and temporary. History has called America and our allies to action, and it is both our responsibility and our privilege to fight freedom's fight. (Applause.)
Our first priority must always be the security of our nation, and that will be reflected in the budget I send to Congress. My budget supports three great goals for America: We will win this war; we'll protect our homeland; and we will revive our economy.
September the 11th brought out the best in America, and the best in this Congress. And I join the American people in applauding your unity and resolve. (Applause.) Now Americans deserve to have this same spirit directed toward addressing problems here at home. I'm a proud member of my party —— yet as we act to win the war, protect our people, and create jobs in America, we must act, first and foremost, not as Republicans, not as Democrats, but as Americans. (Applause.)
It costs a lot to fight this war. We have spent more than a billion dollars a month —— over $30 million a day —— and we must be prepared for future operations. Afghanistan proved that expensive precision weapons defeat the enemy and spare innocent lives, and we need more of them. We need to replace aging aircraft and make our military more agile, to put our troops anywhere in the world quickly and safely. Our men and women in uniform deserve the best weapons, the best equipment, the best training —— and they also deserve another pay raise. (Applause.)
My budget includes the largest increase in defense spending in two decades —— because while the price of freedom and security is high, it is never too high. Whatever it costs to defend our country, we will pay. (Applause.)
The next priority of my budget is to do everything possible to protect our citizens and strengthen our nation against the ongoing threat of another attack. Time and distance from the events of September the 11th will not make us safer unless we act on its lessons. America is no longer protected by vast oceans. We are protected from attack only by vigorous action abroad, and increased vigilance at home.
My budget nearly doubles funding for a sustained strategy of homeland security, focused on four key areas: bioterrorism, emergency response, airport and border security, and improved intelligence. We will develop vaccines to fight anthrax and other deadly diseases. We'll increase funding to help states and communities train and equip our heroic police and firefighters. (Applause.) We will improve intelligence collection and sharing, expand patrols at our borders, strengthen the security of air travel, and use technology to track the arrivals and departures of visitors to the United States. (Applause.)
Homeland security will make America not only stronger, but, in many ways, better. Knowledge gained from bioterrorism research will improve public health. Stronger police and fire departments will mean safer neighborhoods. Stricter border enforcement will help combat illegal drugs. (Applause.) And as government works to better secure our homeland, America will continue to depend on the eyes and ears of alert citizens.
A few days before Christmas, an airline flight attendant spotted a passenger lighting a match. The crew and passengers quickly subdued the man, who had been trained by al Qaeda and was armed with explosives. The people on that plane were alert and, as a result, likely saved nearly 200 lives. And tonight we welcome and thank flight attendants Hermis Moutardier and Christina Jones. (Applause.)
Once we have funded our national security and our homeland security, the final great priority of my budget is economic security for the American people. (Applause.) To achieve these great national objectives —— to win the war, protect the homeland, and revitalize our economy —— our budget will run a deficit that will be small and short-term, so long as Congress restrains spending and acts in a fiscally responsible manner. (Applause.) We have clear priorities and we must act at home with the same purpose and resolve we have shown overseas: We'll prevail in the war, and we will defeat this recession. (Applause.)
Americans who have lost their jobs need our help and I support extending unemployment benefits and direct assistance for health care coverage. (Applause.) Yet, American workers want more than unemployment checks —— they want a steady paycheck. (Applause.) When America works, America prospers, so my economic security plan can be summed up in one word: jobs. (Applause.)
Good jobs begin with good schools, and here we've made a fine start. (Applause.) Republicans and Democrats worked together to achieve historic education reform so that no child is left behind. I was proud to work with members of both parties: Chairman John Boehner and Congressman George Miller. (Applause.) Senator Judd Gregg. (Applause.) And I was so proud of our work, I even had nice things to say about my friend, Ted Kennedy. (Laughter and applause.) I know the folks at the Crawford coffee shop couldn't believe I'd say such a thing —— (laughter) —— but our work on this bill shows what is possible if we set aside posturing and focus on results. (Applause.)
There is more to do. We need to prepare our children to read and succeed in school with improved Head Start and early childhood development programs. (Applause.) We must upgrade our teacher colleges and teacher training and launch a major recruiting drive with a great goal for America: a quality teacher in every classroom. (Applause.)
Good jobs also depend on reliable and affordable energy. This Congress must act to encourage conservation, promote technology, build infrastructure, and it must act to increase energy production at home so America is less dependent on foreign oil. (Applause.)
Good jobs depend on expanded trade. Selling into new markets creates new jobs, so I ask Congress to finally approve trade promotion authority. (Applause.) On these two key issues, trade and energy, the House of Representatives has acted to create jobs, and I urge the Senate to pass this legislation. (Applause.)
Good jobs depend on sound tax policy. (Applause.) Last year, some in this hall thought my tax relief plan was too small; some thought it was too big. (Applause.) But when the checks arrived in the mail, most Americans thought tax relief was just about right. (Applause.) Congress listened to the people and responded by reducing tax rates, doubling the child credit, and ending the death tax. For the sake of long-term growth and to help Americans plan for the future, let's make these tax cuts permanent. (Applause.)
The way out of this recession, the way to create jobs, is to grow the economy by encouraging investment in factories and equipment, and by speeding up tax relief so people have more money to spend. For the sake of American workers, let's pass a stimulus package. (Applause.)
Good jobs must be the aim of welfare reform. As we reauthorize these important reforms, we must always remember the goal is to reduce dependency on government and offer every American the dignity of a job. (Applause.)
Americans know economic security can vanish in an instant without health security. I ask Congress to join me this year to enact a patients' bill of rights —— (applause) —— to give uninsured workers credits to help buy health coverage —— (applause) —— to approve an historic increase in the spending for veterans' health —— (applause) —— and to give seniors a sound and modern Medicare system that includes coverage for prescription drugs. (Applause.)
A good job should lead to security in retirement. I ask Congress to enact new safeguards for 401K and pension plans. (Applause.) Employees who have worked hard and saved all their lives should not have to risk losing everything if their company fails. (Applause.) Through stricter accounting standards and tougher disclosure requirements, corporate America must be made more accountable to employees and shareholders and held to the highest standards of conduct. (Applause.)
Retirement security also depends upon keeping the commitments of Social Security, and we will. We must make Social Security financially stable and allow personal retirement accounts for younger workers who choose them. (Applause.)
Members, you and I will work together in the months ahead on other issues: productive farm policy —— (applause) —— a cleaner environment —— (applause) —— broader home ownership, especially among minorities —— (applause) —— and ways to encourage the good work of charities and faith-based groups. (Applause.) I ask you to join me on these important domestic issues in the same spirit of cooperation we've applied to our war against terrorism. (Applause.)
During these last few months, I've been humbled and privileged to see the true character of this country in a time of testing. Our enemies believed America was weak and materialistic, that we would splinter in fear and selfishness. They were as wrong as they are evil. (Applause.)
The American people have responded magnificently, with courage and compassion, strength and resolve. As I have met the heroes, hugged the families, and looked into the tired faces of rescuers, I have stood in awe of the American people.
And I hope you will join me —— I hope you will join me in expressing thanks to one American for the strength and calm and comfort she brings to our nation in crisis, our First Lady, Laura Bush. (Applause.)
None of us would ever wish the evil that was done on September the 11th. Yet after America was attacked, it was as if our entire country looked into a mirror and saw our better selves. We were reminded that we are citizens, with obligations to each other, to our country, and to history. We began to think less of the goods we can accumulate, and more about the good we can do.
For too long our culture has said, "If it feels good, do it." Now America is embracing a new ethic and a new creed: "Let's roll." (Applause.) In the sacrifice of soldiers, the fierce brotherhood of firefighters, and the bravery and generosity of ordinary citizens, we have glimpsed what a new culture of responsibility could look like. We want to be a nation that serves goals larger than self. We've been offered a unique opportunity, and we must not let this moment pass. (Applause.)
My call tonight is for every American to commit at least two years —— 4,000 hours over the rest of your lifetime —— to the service of your neighbors and your nation. (Applause.) Many are already serving, and I thank you. If you aren't sure how to help, I've got a good place to start. To sustain and extend the best that has emerged in America, I invite you to join the new USA Freedom Corps. The Freedom Corps will focus on three areas of need: responding in case of crisis at home; rebuilding our communities; and extending American compassion throughout the world.
One purpose of the USA Freedom Corps will be homeland security. America needs retired doctors and nurses who can be mobilized in major emergencies; volunteers to help police and fire departments; transportation and utility workers well-trained in spotting danger.
Our country also needs citizens working to rebuild our communities. We need mentors to love children, especially children whose parents are in prison. And we need more talented teachers in troubled schools. USA Freedom Corps will expand and improve the good efforts of AmeriCorps and Senior Corps to recruit more than 200,000 new volunteers.
And America needs citizens to extend the compassion of our country to every part of the world. So we will renew the promise of the Peace Corps, double its volunteers over the next five years —— (applause) —— and ask it to join a new effort to encourage development and education and opportunity in the Islamic world. (Applause.)
This time of adversity offers a unique moment of opportunity —— a moment we must seize to change our culture. Through the gathering momentum of millions of acts of service and decency and kindness, I know we can overcome evil with greater good. (Applause.) And we have a great opportunity during this time of war to lead the world toward the values that will bring lasting peace.
All fathers and mothers, in all societies, want their children to be educated, and live free from poverty and violence. No people on Earth yearn to be oppressed, or aspire to servitude, or eagerly await the midnight knock of the secret police.
If anyone doubts this, let them look to Afghanistan, where the Islamic "street" greeted the fall of tyranny with song and celebration. Let the skeptics look to Islam's own rich history, with its centuries of learning, and tolerance and progress. America will lead by defending liberty and justice because they are right and true and unchanging for all people everywhere. (Applause.)
No nation owns these aspirations, and no nation is exempt from them. We have no intention of imposing our culture. But America will always stand firm for the non-negotiable demands of human dignity: the rule of law; limits on the power of the state; respect for women; private property; free speech; equal justice; and religious tolerance. (Applause.)
America will take the side of brave men and women who advocate these values around the world, including the Islamic world, because we have a greater objective than eliminating threats and containing resentment. We seek a just and peaceful world beyond the war on terror.
In this moment of opportunity, a common danger is erasing old rivalries. America is working with Russia and China and India, in ways we have never before, to achieve peace and prosperity. In every region, free markets and free trade and free societies are proving their power to lift lives. Together with friends and allies from Europe to Asia, and Africa to Latin America, we will demonstrate that the forces of terror cannot stop the momentum of freedom. (Applause.)
The last time I spoke here, I expressed the hope that life would return to normal. In some ways, it has. In others, it never will. Those of us who have lived through these challenging times have been changed by them. We've come to know truths that we will never question: evil is real, and it must be opposed. (Applause.) Beyond all differences of race or creed, we are one country, mourning together and facing danger together. Deep in the American character, there is honor, and it is stronger than cynicism. And many have discovered again that even in tragedy —— especially in tragedy —— God is near. (Applause.)
In a single instant, we realized that this will be a decisive decade in the history of liberty, that we've been called to a unique role in human events. Rarely has the world faced a choice more clear or consequential.
Our enemies send other people's children on missions of suicide and murder. They embrace tyranny and death as a cause and a creed. We stand for a different choice, made long ago, on the day of our founding. We affirm it again today. We choose freedom and the dignity of every life. (Applause.)
Steadfast in our purpose, we now press on. We have known freedom's price. We have shown freedom's power. And in this great conflict, my fellow Americans, we will see freedom's victory.
Thank you all. May God bless. (Applause.)
議長先生，切尼副總統(tǒng)，各位議員，各位來賓，各位美國公民們：
今天，當我們會聚一堂的時候，我們的國家正在戰(zhàn)爭之中，我們的經(jīng)濟陷入了危機，整個文明世界面臨著前所未有的危險。但是，我們美利堅合眾國從未像今天這樣團結(jié)一致。
上，在一個震驚和痛苦的時刻，我們會聚在這里。在接下來的4個月中，我們的國家撫慰了遇難者，開始重建紐約和五角大樓，結(jié)成了偉大的同盟，逮捕、拘禁并除掉了這個世界范圍內(nèi)數(shù)千名恐怖分子，摧毀了阿富汗的恐怖訓練營，解救了一個飽受饑餓之苦的民族，解放了一個遭受野蠻蹂躪的國家。
美國的國旗再次飄揚在我們駐喀布爾的大使館。曾經(jīng)占據(jù)著阿富汗的恐怖分子現(xiàn)在蹲進了關塔那摩灣的牢房?？植婪肿拥念I袖曾經(jīng)鼓動他們的追隨者犧牲自己的生命去殺害別人，而現(xiàn)在他們自身難保，倉惶逃命。
美國和阿富汗在反對恐怖主義的戰(zhàn)爭中結(jié)成了盟友。在阿富汗重建階段，我們?nèi)詫⑹呛献骰锇?。今晚，讓我們歡迎來自解放了的阿富汗的臨時政府領導人：尊敬的哈米德·卡爾扎伊主席！
上次我們在此相聚的時候，阿富汗的母親和女兒們還囚禁在家庭的樊籬中，她們不能工作，不能上學。而現(xiàn)在，婦女們自由了，她們還在阿富汗新政府中占有一席之地。讓我們歡迎新的婦女事務部長：茜瑪·薩瑪爾博士！
我們所取得的進展，體現(xiàn)了阿富汗人民的精神，體現(xiàn)了我們反恐同盟的決心，也體現(xiàn)了美國強大的軍事力量。當我命令我們的軍隊行動時，我完全相信他們的勇氣和能力。今晚，我要感謝他們，由于他們的努力，我們正在一步一步贏得這場反恐戰(zhàn)爭。我們軍隊的士兵們向美國的每一個敵人發(fā)出了一個明確的信息，那就是，盡管相隔7000英里，盡管隔著海洋和大陸，不管你們是在山頂還是在洞里，都無法逃脫我們美國的審判。
對許多美國人來說，這4個月所經(jīng)歷的悲傷和痛苦也許永遠也不會消逝。有這樣一位已經(jīng)退休的消防員，他每天都會回到零地帶（世貿(mào)中心遺址），為的就是與兩個在那里犧牲的兒子離得更近一些。在紐約舉行的紀念儀式上，一個小男孩將自己的足球留給了死去的父親，他還附上一張小紙條：“親愛的爸爸，請把這個足球帶到天堂去吧。我再也不想踢球了，除非有一天我還能和你一起踢?！鄙蟼€月，我們?yōu)樵隈R扎里沙里夫犧牲的中央情報局官員、海軍陸戰(zhàn)隊員米歇爾舉行了葬禮，他的妻子香農(nóng) ·斯潘用海軍陸戰(zhàn)隊的座右銘來告別她的愛人：“永遠忠誠。”今晚，香農(nóng)也在這里和我們在一起。
香農(nóng)，我向你，以及所有永失我愛的人們保證，我們的目標是伸張正義，這個國家永遠不會忘記我們對米歇爾，以及所有為自由奉獻生命者所欠下的債。
我們的目標是伸張正義，我們將一直持續(xù)下去。我們在阿富汗的發(fā)現(xiàn)證實了我們擔心的事情，同時也向我們展示了未來戰(zhàn)斗的真正領域。我們已經(jīng)從錄像中看到了敵人可怕的仇恨，那些恐怖分子面對無辜者的死亡卻還能放聲大笑，敵人對我們的仇恨就像他們制造的大破壞一樣瘋狂。我們發(fā)現(xiàn)了恐怖分子繪有美國核工廠和公共供水系統(tǒng)的圖表，還有制造生化武器的詳細步驟……美國城市的監(jiān)視圖、以及美國和世界各地路標的詳細說明。
這些發(fā)現(xiàn)證實，我們的反恐戰(zhàn)爭遠遠沒有結(jié)束，才剛剛開始。9月11日劫持飛機的19個人中，大多數(shù)都在阿富汗恐怖訓練營接受過訓練，那里還訓練了成千上萬的人。成千上萬的危險分子在學習如何殺人，他們得到了非法政權(quán)的支持，他們就像定時炸彈一樣散落到世界各地——沒有任何前兆，時刻準備爆炸。
感謝我們執(zhí)法人員的辛勤工作和盟友們的大力合作，已經(jīng)有數(shù)百名恐怖分子落入法網(wǎng)。但是，成千上萬接受過訓練的恐怖分子仍然逍遙法外。這些敵人將整個世界當作戰(zhàn)場，不論他們跑到哪兒，我們就會追到哪兒。只要還有恐怖訓練營存在，只要還有國家窩藏恐怖分子，自由就會受到威脅，美國，以及美國的盟友決不允許這樣。
我們的國家將繼續(xù)堅定不移、耐心地、堅持不懈地為實現(xiàn)兩個宏偉的目標而努力：第一，我們將關閉恐怖分子訓練營，粉碎恐怖分子的圖謀，并將他們繩之以法；第二，我們必須阻止恐怖分子及支持他們的國家發(fā)動威脅美國和全世界的生化襲擊和核襲擊。
我軍已經(jīng)將阿富汗境內(nèi)的恐怖訓練營搗毀，但這樣的訓練營還遍布在其他十幾個國家中?？植澜M織，包括哈馬斯、真主黨游擊隊、伊斯蘭圣戰(zhàn)組織和穆哈邁德圣戰(zhàn)組織，還活躍在偏僻的叢林和沙漠地帶以及大城市的中心地區(qū)。
在對阿富汗實施舉世矚目的軍事打擊的同時，美國還在其它地方開展反恐行動。目前，我們的軍隊正在菲律賓協(xié)助當?shù)卣娮凡犊植澜M織，當?shù)乜植澜M織已槍殺了一名美國人，還扣押了若干人質(zhì)。我們的士兵還在同波黑政府合作，搜捕那些策劃美國大使館爆炸案的恐怖分子。我們的海軍正在非洲海岸巡邏，阻止恐怖分子攜帶武器潛入索馬里建立恐怖訓練營。
我希望，所有國家都能聽到我們的呼聲，剿除境內(nèi)威害他們和美國的恐怖勢力。許多國家都已積極行動起來。巴基斯坦正致力于打擊恐怖主義，我十分欽佩穆沙拉夫總統(tǒng)的領導能力。但有些國家在恐怖主義面前顯得十分怯懦。諸位聽好了：如果他們不采取行動，美國將行動了。（注：此處有刪節(jié)。）
在我所提交的預算中，另一個重點是去盡全力保護我們的公民，并增強我們國家的抵御能力，以排除威脅、避免再次發(fā)生恐怖襲擊事件。雖然9·11事件日漸遠離我們，但是，如果我們自己不吸取教訓、行動起來，我們今后并不會更安全。寬闊的海洋不能再保護美國了。我們必須通過在國外采取大膽的軍事行動、在國內(nèi)增強警惕來保護我們自己。
在我的預算中，用于保證國內(nèi)持久安全的開支幾乎翻了一番，主要用于下面四個領域：防范生化恐怖活動、緊急反應、加強機場和邊境安檢和改進情報工作。我們要研制用于治療炭疽和其他致命疾病的疫苗。我們要加大開支，幫助各州和各社區(qū)培訓英勇善戰(zhàn)的警察和消防隊員，改善他們的裝備條件。我們要完善搜集和分享情報的工作，在邊境加強巡邏，增強空中安全的防范措施，利用科學技術跟蹤每一位來去美國的旅客。
增強國內(nèi)安全不但能讓美國更強大，而且能在很大程度上使美國變得更好：研究、防范生化恐怖活動的工作能改善公眾衛(wèi)生狀況；強化警察和消防部門意味著我們的社區(qū)可以更安全；改進邊境執(zhí)法措施將有助于打擊毒品交易等非法活動。
在我們政府致力于讓國家更安全的同時，我們的國家還會繼續(xù)依靠那些富有警惕意識的公民，依靠他們作耳目，提供幫助。圣誕節(jié)前幾天，一個飛機乘務員看到一名乘客點燃火柴，那名乘務員和其他乘客迅速制服了那名男子，結(jié)果查明他曾接受過“基地”組織的訓練而且鞋底藏有炸藥。那次航班上的乘客是機警的，所以，他們拯救了近200名乘客的生命。今天晚上，我要歡迎和感謝我們的乘務員埃米斯·穆塔迪婭和克里斯蒂娜·瓊斯。
一旦我們加強了我們的國防和國內(nèi)安全，我預算中的后一個重點將是保障美國人民的經(jīng)濟安全。為了達到贏得戰(zhàn)爭、保衛(wèi)祖國和復興經(jīng)濟的宏大目標，我在預算里提出了一個赤字開支；只要國會控制好開支，嚴格、負責地按財政預算行事，這個赤字將是很小的，也是短期的。我們有著明白無誤的戰(zhàn)略重點，我們必須以在海外所體現(xiàn)出的決心來加強國內(nèi)的工作，我們將贏得這場戰(zhàn)爭，我們將擺脫這場經(jīng)濟衰退。
那些失業(yè)的美國人需要我們的幫助，我支持給予他們更多失業(yè)補助，直接給予他們健康補助。但美國工人不僅僅要求獲得失業(yè)補助，他們希望得到穩(wěn)定的工資收入。當絕大多數(shù)美國人都努力工作的時候，美國就會實現(xiàn)經(jīng)濟繁榮，因此我的經(jīng)濟安全計劃可以歸結(jié)為兩個字：工作。
很好的工作源于很好的學校教育，我們已經(jīng)有了一個很好的開端。共和黨人和民主黨人正一同努力實現(xiàn)歷史性的教育改革，我們不會扔下任何一個美國孩子。能同兩個政黨的下列成員一起為此付出努力，我感到很驕傲：約翰·博伊赫內(nèi)爾主席，眾議員喬治·米勒以及參議員路德·格雷戈。我對這一工作感到非常驕傲，因此，我甚至要贊揚我的朋友特德·肯尼迪。克勞弗德咖啡店的員工不太敢相信這一切，但我們在教育法案上所做的一切表明，如果我們不再只是做做樣子，而是為了達到某個目標而付出努力的話，沒有什么事情是不可能做到的。
我們還有更多的事情要做。我們需要讓我們的孩子學會怎樣讀書，讓他們在學校里取得成功。
我們必須改進我們的師范學校，改善教師培訓體制，發(fā)起一場大規(guī)模的招募教師運動。我們要做這一切，是因為我們心中懷著一個偉大的目標：讓每一個課堂里都有一個稱職的老師。
好的工作還依賴于可靠的、廉價的能源。因此國會必須立法鼓勵節(jié)約能源、推進科技發(fā)展以及加強基礎設施建設。與此同時，國會必須立法，增加國內(nèi)能源產(chǎn)量，降低美國對國外石油的依賴程度。
好的工作依賴于擴大貿(mào)易。把產(chǎn)品銷往新的市場能夠創(chuàng)造新的工作機會，因此我要求國會正式批準貿(mào)易推廣法案。在能源和貿(mào)易這兩個關鍵問題上，眾議院已經(jīng)采取措施來創(chuàng)造就業(yè)機會，因此我呼吁參議院通過這一法案。
好的工作依賴于健康的稅收政策。去年，這個大廳里的一部分人認為我的減稅計劃規(guī)模太小，而有些人則認為太大了。但是當退稅寄到人民手中的時候，大多數(shù)美國人認為減稅計劃是適當?shù)?。國會聽取了人民的心聲，同意降低稅率，終止征收遺產(chǎn)稅，將兒童享受的福利增加一倍。為了美國經(jīng)濟實現(xiàn)長期的持續(xù)增長，為了幫助美國民眾計劃未來，讓減稅計劃長久實施下去吧。
走出經(jīng)濟衰退、創(chuàng)造就業(yè)機會的出路在于，通過鼓勵人們增加在工廠和設備方面的投資以及加快實施減稅計劃增強人們的購買能力，來實現(xiàn)經(jīng)濟的增長。為了美國工人的利益，讓我們通過經(jīng)濟刺激計劃吧。
好的工作必須成為社會福利改革的目標。當我們授權(quán)進行這些重要改革的時候，我們必須牢記，我們的目標是降低人們對政府的依賴程度，給每個美國人工作的機會。
美國人知道，如果沒有健康的身體，經(jīng)濟安全馬上就會消失。因此，我要求國會今年同我一起為通過一項《病人權(quán)利法案》而付出努力，使沒買保險的工人能夠享受健康福利，使老兵能夠大幅增加在健康方面的支出，使那些老年人能夠享受健全的、現(xiàn)代化的醫(yī)療體系，其中包括處方藥。
一個好的工作應該能夠保證退休員工的福利。我要求國會通過新的退休金法案，因為那些一直努力工作的員工不應該冒公司倒閉就喪失一切的風險。通過制定更加嚴格的會計標準、更加嚴格的披露公司業(yè)務的規(guī)定，我們必須使美國的公司對員工和股東承擔更大責任，遵循更加嚴格的行為準則。退休福利金安全制度同時依賴于健全的社會福利保險制度。我們將而且必須使社會福利保險制度更加穩(wěn)定。我們應該允許建立個人退休賬戶，年輕工人可以選擇這一種方式。
諸位議員，在未來的幾個月中，我們將一同處理其他問題，其中包括農(nóng)業(yè)政策問題、環(huán)境問題、房屋所有權(quán)問題、少數(shù)民族問題、慈善機構(gòu)的激勵政策問題等等。我要求你們同我一道，拿出合作反恐的激情來解決這些重大的國內(nèi)問題。
在近的幾個月中，我逐漸認識到了美國經(jīng)歷嚴峻考驗時的真本色，并為之折服。我們的敵人以為美國是軟弱和物欲橫流的，我們會在恐懼和自私面前分崩離析。他們錯了，因為他們是邪惡勢力。
美國人民很偉大，他們的反應充滿了勇氣、激情、力量和堅定。當我接見英雄、安撫遇難者家屬、直面救援人員疲憊不堪的臉龐時，我對美國人民充滿了崇敬。
我希望你們同我一起，對一個美國人表示衷心的感謝，為她的力量、冷靜，為她給處于危機中的國家所帶來的慰藉，表示衷心的感謝。她就是我們的第一夫人——勞拉·布什。
我們中從沒有人希望發(fā)生9·11恐怖襲擊，但在美國遇襲之后，我們整個國家仿佛站到了鏡子前，更好地看清了自己。我們意識到，作為公民，我們對彼此、對我們的國家和歷史都負有責任。我們不再看重積累物質(zhì)財富，而是看重如何積德施善。
我們有句老話：“如果感覺好，那就做吧。”現(xiàn)在，美國要遵循的信條是：“讓我們開始沖吧?！蓖高^將士的犧牲精神、消防員強烈的手足情誼和普通民眾的英勇無私，我們看到了一種新的責任感。我們要成為一個追求超越自我目標的國家。我們獲得了一個的機會，我們不能讓這個時刻從指縫中溜走。
今晚，我向所有的美國人發(fā)出呼吁：在你們有生之年至少抽出兩年的時間，也就是4千多個小時，來服務于你的社區(qū)鄰里和你的祖國。許多人已經(jīng)開始從事這項公益事業(yè)，我在此謝謝你們。如果你們還不知道自己該怎樣行動起來，我現(xiàn)在就有個好提議，即，把目前美國已經(jīng)出現(xiàn)的好現(xiàn)象發(fā)揚光大。我邀請你們加入新的美國“自由軍團”?！白杂绍妶F”將致力于3個急需的方面：應付本土危機、社區(qū)重建、向世界傳播美國的同情心。
美國“自由軍團”的一個目的是保障本土安全：美國需要退休的醫(yī)生和護士能夠在重大的緊急情況下自愿行動起來，需要自愿者來幫助警方和消防部門；交通部門以及其它公共事業(yè)部門需要提高訓練能力，找出危險所在。
我們的國家也需要公民幫助重建我們的社區(qū)。我們需要導師來愛護孩子，特別是那些父母還在監(jiān)獄中的孩子，我們需要更多素質(zhì)精良的老師前往有困難的學校執(zhí)教。美國“自由軍團”將招募20多萬名新的自愿者，來拓展和完善以前“美國軍團”和“老年人軍團”的好做法。
美國需要美國公民向世界任何一個角落傳播美國對人民的同情心和人道關懷。因此，我們將為“和平軍團”輸送新鮮血液，在未來5年中，讓該軍團的自愿者人數(shù)翻上一番。他們將在伊斯蘭世界中促進發(fā)展、拓展教育和提供工作發(fā)展機會。
我們目前面臨逆境，同時也面臨一個獨一無二的機會，我們必須抓住這個機會，改善我們的文化，通過各種各樣的服務和愛心來光復美國人的文化。我堅信：邪不壓正。
我們可以利用反恐戰(zhàn)爭所呈現(xiàn)的巨大機遇引導世界趨向正確的價值觀，以期給全世界帶來持久的和平。普天之下的父母都希望他們的子女遠離貧困和暴力，受到良好的教育。沒有人希望受壓迫、被奴役，沒有人希望警方半夜造訪他們家。
如果有人對此感到懷疑的話，請他們看看阿富汗吧，在那里，伊斯蘭信徒用歌聲和熱烈的慶祝來歡呼一個極權(quán)統(tǒng)治的垮臺，讓那些懷疑的人去看一看伊斯蘭教的歷史淵源吧——幾百年來伴隨該教成長的是永無止境的學習、忍讓和進步。
正因為自由和正義是如此的偉大，是整個人類永無止境的追求，美國將在捍衛(wèi)自由和正義的行動中，起領導作用。實際上，沒有一個國家單獨享有追求自由和正義的夢想，所有的國家都離不開它們。我們并不想將我們的文化、意識強加給別人，但是，美國將一如既往地、永不妥協(xié)地追求人類文明的期待：法制、國家權(quán)力的制衡、婦女的權(quán)益、保護私有財產(chǎn)、言論自由、平等公正、以及宗教寬容。美國將永遠和世界上遵循這些價值觀的勇敢的人們站在一起，包括伊斯蘭世界，因為我們有著一個偉大的目標，這個目標勝過消除威脅和互相憎恨。我們的目標是：在防恐戰(zhàn)爭之外追尋一個正義和和平的世界。
現(xiàn)在這個時刻，一個共同的危險正在抹去往日的互相對抗。美國正同俄羅斯、中國和印度一起為追尋和平和富裕而攜手前進，這是前所未有的。在世界上每個地區(qū)，自由市場、自由貿(mào)易和自由社會正體現(xiàn)出他們的威力，這些原則能使人們的生活水平得以提高。只要我們同從歐洲到亞洲、從非洲到拉丁美洲的朋友和盟國團結(jié)一道，我們就能證明，邪惡恐怖永遠不會戰(zhàn)勝自由的力量。
上次我在這里演講時，就表達了美國人民的生活能夠回歸到以前正常的希望?，F(xiàn)在看來，在某些方面已經(jīng)達到，而在其他方面，它永遠不會與以前一樣。對于我們經(jīng)歷了這些挑戰(zhàn)的人們來說，我們的生活永遠地改變了。我們已經(jīng)認識到一些我們永遠不能忘記的真理：邪惡的確存在，但它一定要被戰(zhàn)勝！雖然我們有著不同的膚色，來自不同的種族，然而我們是一個國家，一起悲痛，一起面對危險。我們美國人性格中的集體榮譽感勝過相互嘲諷。許多人通過這場悲劇——也只有在悲劇發(fā)生的時候，才能真切感到上帝離我們是如此之近。
通過這個事件，我們認識到，接下來的十年將是人類自由歷具有決定意義的十年，而歷史也賦予了我們這樣的使命。這個世界面臨如此清晰而重大的選擇是很少有的。
我們的敵人將他人的子女送上了自殺和他殺的不歸路，他們信奉極權(quán)和死亡。而我們在捍衛(wèi)著不同的信仰，這是在我們國家誕生的那天就賦予了我們的。今天，我們重申我們的原則：我們追求自由和每個人的尊嚴。
遵循著我們的目標，我們在勇往直前。我們已經(jīng)清楚自由的代價，我們也同樣展示過自由的威力。美國同胞們，在這場偉大的戰(zhàn)斗中，我們將再次見證自由的勝利。
謝謝你們，愿上帝保佑美國。
The United States Capitol,Washington, D.C.
THE PRESIDENT: Thank you very much. Mr. Speaker, Vice President Cheney, members of Congress, distinguished guests, fellow citizens: As we gather tonight, our nation is at war, our economy is in recession, and the civilized world faces unprecedented dangers. Yet the state of our Union has never been stronger. (Applause.)
We last met in an hour of shock and suffering. In four short months, our nation has comforted the victims, begun to rebuild New York and the Pentagon, rallied a great coalition, captured, arrested, and rid the world of thousands of terrorists, destroyed Afghanistan's terrorist training camps, saved a people from starvation, and freed a country from brutal oppression. (Applause.)
The American flag flies again over our embassy in Kabul. Terrorists who once occupied Afghanistan now occupy cells at Guantanamo Bay. (Applause.) And terrorist leaders who urged followers to sacrifice their lives are running for their own. (Applause.)
America and Afghanistan are now allies against terror. We'll be partners in rebuilding that country. And this evening we welcome the distinguished interim leader of a liberated Afghanistan: Chairman Hamid Karzai. (Applause.)
The last time we met in this chamber, the mothers and daughters of Afghanistan were captives in their own homes, forbidden from working or going to school. Today women are free, and are part of Afghanistan's new government. And we welcome the new Minister of Women's Affairs, Doctor Sima Samar. (Applause.)
Our progress is a tribute to the spirit of the Afghan people, to the resolve of our coalition, and to the might of the United States military. (Applause.) When I called our troops into action, I did so with complete confidence in their courage and skill. And tonight, thanks to them, we are winning the war on terror. (Applause.) The man and women of our Armed Forces have delivered a message now clear to every enemy of the United States: Even 7,000 miles away, across oceans and continents, on mountaintops and in caves —— you will not escape the justice of this nation. (Applause.)
For many Americans, these four months have brought sorrow, and pain that will never completely go away. Every day a retired firefighter returns to Ground Zero, to feel closer to his two sons who died there. At a memorial in New York, a little boy left his football with a note for his lost father: Dear Daddy, please take this to heaven. I don't want to play football until I can play with you again some day.
Last month, at the grave of her husband, Michael, a CIA officer and Marine who died in Mazur-e-Sharif, Shannon Spann said these words of farewell: "Semper Fi, my love." Shannon is with us tonight. (Applause.)
Shannon, I assure you and all who have lost a loved one that our cause is just, and our country will never forget the debt we owe Michael and all who gave their lives for freedom.
Our cause is just, and it continues. Our discoveries in Afghanistan confirmed our worst fears, and showed us the true scope of the task ahead. We have seen the depth of our enemies' hatred in videos, where they laugh about the loss of innocent life. And the depth of their hatred is equaled by the madness of the destruction they design. We have found diagrams of American nuclear power plants and public water facilities, detailed instructions for making chemical weapons, surveillance maps of American cities, and thorough descriptions of landmarks in America and throughout the world.
What we have found in Afghanistan confirms that, far from ending there, our war against terror is only beginning. Most of the 19 men who hijacked planes on September the 11th were trained in Afghanistan's camps, and so were tens of thousands of others. Thousands of dangerous killers, schooled in the methods of murder, often supported by outlaw regimes, are now spread throughout the world like ticking time bombs, set to go off without warning.
Thanks to the work of our law enforcement officials and coalition partners, hundreds of terrorists have been arrested. Yet, tens of thousands of trained terrorists are still at large. These enemies view the entire world as a battlefield, and we must pursue them wherever they are. (Applause.) So long as training camps operate, so long as nations harbor terrorists, freedom is at risk. And America and our allies must not, and will not, allow it. (Applause.)
Our nation will continue to be steadfast and patient and persistent in the pursuit of two great objectives. First, we will shut down terrorist camps, disrupt terrorist plans, and bring terrorists to justice. And, second, we must prevent the terrorists and regimes who seek chemical, biological or nuclear weapons from threatening the United States and the world. (Applause.)
Our military has put the terror training camps of Afghanistan out of business, yet camps still exist in at least a dozen countries. A terrorist underworld —— including groups like Hamas, Hezbollah, Islamic Jihad, Jaish-i-Mohammed —— operates in remote jungles and deserts, and hides in the centers of large cities.
While the most visible military action is in Afghanistan, America is acting elsewhere. We now have troops in the Philippines, helping to train that country's armed forces to go after terrorist cells that have executed an American, and still hold hostages. Our soldiers, working with the Bosnian government, seized terrorists who were plotting to bomb our embassy. Our Navy is patrolling the coast of Africa to block the shipment of weapons and the establishment of terrorist camps in Somalia.
My hope is that all nations will heed our call, and eliminate the terrorist parasites who threaten their countries and our own. Many nations are acting forcefully. Pakistan is now cracking down on terror, and I admire the strong leadership of President Musharraf. (Applause.)
But some governments will be timid in the face of terror. And make no mistake about it: If they do not act, America will. (Applause.)
Our second goal is to prevent regimes that sponsor terror from threatening America or our friends and allies with weapons of mass destruction. Some of these regimes have been pretty quiet since September the 11th. But we know their true nature. North Korea is a regime arming with missiles and weapons of mass destruction, while starving its citizens.
Iran aggressively pursues these weapons and exports terror, while an unelected few repress the Iranian people's hope for freedom.
Iraq continues to flaunt its hostility toward America and to support terror. The Iraqi regime has plotted to develop anthrax, and nerve gas, and nuclear weapons for over a decade. This is a regime that has already used poison gas to murder thousands of its own citizens —— leaving the bodies of mothers huddled over their dead children. This is a regime that agreed to international inspections —— then kicked out the inspectors. This is a regime that has something to hide from the civilized world.
States like these, and their terrorist allies, constitute an axis of evil, arming to threaten the peace of the world. By seeking weapons of mass destruction, these regimes pose a grave and growing danger. They could provide these arms to terrorists, giving them the means to match their hatred. They could attack our allies or attempt to blackmail the United States. In any of these cases, the price of indifference would be catastrophic.
We will work closely with our coalition to deny terrorists and their state sponsors the materials, technology, and expertise to make and deliver weapons of mass destruction. We will develop and deploy effective missile defenses to protect America and our allies from sudden attack. (Applause.) And all nations should know: America will do what is necessary to ensure our nation's security.
We'll be deliberate, yet time is not on our side. I will not wait on events, while dangers gather. I will not stand by, as peril draws closer and closer. The United States of America will not permit the world's most dangerous regimes to threaten us with the world's most destructive weapons. (Applause.)
Our war on terror is well begun, but it is only begun. This campaign may not be finished on our watch —— yet it must be and it will be waged on our watch.
We can't stop short. If we stop now —— leaving terror camps intact and terror states unchecked —— our sense of security would be false and temporary. History has called America and our allies to action, and it is both our responsibility and our privilege to fight freedom's fight. (Applause.)
Our first priority must always be the security of our nation, and that will be reflected in the budget I send to Congress. My budget supports three great goals for America: We will win this war; we'll protect our homeland; and we will revive our economy.
September the 11th brought out the best in America, and the best in this Congress. And I join the American people in applauding your unity and resolve. (Applause.) Now Americans deserve to have this same spirit directed toward addressing problems here at home. I'm a proud member of my party —— yet as we act to win the war, protect our people, and create jobs in America, we must act, first and foremost, not as Republicans, not as Democrats, but as Americans. (Applause.)
It costs a lot to fight this war. We have spent more than a billion dollars a month —— over $30 million a day —— and we must be prepared for future operations. Afghanistan proved that expensive precision weapons defeat the enemy and spare innocent lives, and we need more of them. We need to replace aging aircraft and make our military more agile, to put our troops anywhere in the world quickly and safely. Our men and women in uniform deserve the best weapons, the best equipment, the best training —— and they also deserve another pay raise. (Applause.)
My budget includes the largest increase in defense spending in two decades —— because while the price of freedom and security is high, it is never too high. Whatever it costs to defend our country, we will pay. (Applause.)
The next priority of my budget is to do everything possible to protect our citizens and strengthen our nation against the ongoing threat of another attack. Time and distance from the events of September the 11th will not make us safer unless we act on its lessons. America is no longer protected by vast oceans. We are protected from attack only by vigorous action abroad, and increased vigilance at home.
My budget nearly doubles funding for a sustained strategy of homeland security, focused on four key areas: bioterrorism, emergency response, airport and border security, and improved intelligence. We will develop vaccines to fight anthrax and other deadly diseases. We'll increase funding to help states and communities train and equip our heroic police and firefighters. (Applause.) We will improve intelligence collection and sharing, expand patrols at our borders, strengthen the security of air travel, and use technology to track the arrivals and departures of visitors to the United States. (Applause.)
Homeland security will make America not only stronger, but, in many ways, better. Knowledge gained from bioterrorism research will improve public health. Stronger police and fire departments will mean safer neighborhoods. Stricter border enforcement will help combat illegal drugs. (Applause.) And as government works to better secure our homeland, America will continue to depend on the eyes and ears of alert citizens.
A few days before Christmas, an airline flight attendant spotted a passenger lighting a match. The crew and passengers quickly subdued the man, who had been trained by al Qaeda and was armed with explosives. The people on that plane were alert and, as a result, likely saved nearly 200 lives. And tonight we welcome and thank flight attendants Hermis Moutardier and Christina Jones. (Applause.)
Once we have funded our national security and our homeland security, the final great priority of my budget is economic security for the American people. (Applause.) To achieve these great national objectives —— to win the war, protect the homeland, and revitalize our economy —— our budget will run a deficit that will be small and short-term, so long as Congress restrains spending and acts in a fiscally responsible manner. (Applause.) We have clear priorities and we must act at home with the same purpose and resolve we have shown overseas: We'll prevail in the war, and we will defeat this recession. (Applause.)
Americans who have lost their jobs need our help and I support extending unemployment benefits and direct assistance for health care coverage. (Applause.) Yet, American workers want more than unemployment checks —— they want a steady paycheck. (Applause.) When America works, America prospers, so my economic security plan can be summed up in one word: jobs. (Applause.)
Good jobs begin with good schools, and here we've made a fine start. (Applause.) Republicans and Democrats worked together to achieve historic education reform so that no child is left behind. I was proud to work with members of both parties: Chairman John Boehner and Congressman George Miller. (Applause.) Senator Judd Gregg. (Applause.) And I was so proud of our work, I even had nice things to say about my friend, Ted Kennedy. (Laughter and applause.) I know the folks at the Crawford coffee shop couldn't believe I'd say such a thing —— (laughter) —— but our work on this bill shows what is possible if we set aside posturing and focus on results. (Applause.)
There is more to do. We need to prepare our children to read and succeed in school with improved Head Start and early childhood development programs. (Applause.) We must upgrade our teacher colleges and teacher training and launch a major recruiting drive with a great goal for America: a quality teacher in every classroom. (Applause.)
Good jobs also depend on reliable and affordable energy. This Congress must act to encourage conservation, promote technology, build infrastructure, and it must act to increase energy production at home so America is less dependent on foreign oil. (Applause.)
Good jobs depend on expanded trade. Selling into new markets creates new jobs, so I ask Congress to finally approve trade promotion authority. (Applause.) On these two key issues, trade and energy, the House of Representatives has acted to create jobs, and I urge the Senate to pass this legislation. (Applause.)
Good jobs depend on sound tax policy. (Applause.) Last year, some in this hall thought my tax relief plan was too small; some thought it was too big. (Applause.) But when the checks arrived in the mail, most Americans thought tax relief was just about right. (Applause.) Congress listened to the people and responded by reducing tax rates, doubling the child credit, and ending the death tax. For the sake of long-term growth and to help Americans plan for the future, let's make these tax cuts permanent. (Applause.)
The way out of this recession, the way to create jobs, is to grow the economy by encouraging investment in factories and equipment, and by speeding up tax relief so people have more money to spend. For the sake of American workers, let's pass a stimulus package. (Applause.)
Good jobs must be the aim of welfare reform. As we reauthorize these important reforms, we must always remember the goal is to reduce dependency on government and offer every American the dignity of a job. (Applause.)
Americans know economic security can vanish in an instant without health security. I ask Congress to join me this year to enact a patients' bill of rights —— (applause) —— to give uninsured workers credits to help buy health coverage —— (applause) —— to approve an historic increase in the spending for veterans' health —— (applause) —— and to give seniors a sound and modern Medicare system that includes coverage for prescription drugs. (Applause.)
A good job should lead to security in retirement. I ask Congress to enact new safeguards for 401K and pension plans. (Applause.) Employees who have worked hard and saved all their lives should not have to risk losing everything if their company fails. (Applause.) Through stricter accounting standards and tougher disclosure requirements, corporate America must be made more accountable to employees and shareholders and held to the highest standards of conduct. (Applause.)
Retirement security also depends upon keeping the commitments of Social Security, and we will. We must make Social Security financially stable and allow personal retirement accounts for younger workers who choose them. (Applause.)
Members, you and I will work together in the months ahead on other issues: productive farm policy —— (applause) —— a cleaner environment —— (applause) —— broader home ownership, especially among minorities —— (applause) —— and ways to encourage the good work of charities and faith-based groups. (Applause.) I ask you to join me on these important domestic issues in the same spirit of cooperation we've applied to our war against terrorism. (Applause.)
During these last few months, I've been humbled and privileged to see the true character of this country in a time of testing. Our enemies believed America was weak and materialistic, that we would splinter in fear and selfishness. They were as wrong as they are evil. (Applause.)
The American people have responded magnificently, with courage and compassion, strength and resolve. As I have met the heroes, hugged the families, and looked into the tired faces of rescuers, I have stood in awe of the American people.
And I hope you will join me —— I hope you will join me in expressing thanks to one American for the strength and calm and comfort she brings to our nation in crisis, our First Lady, Laura Bush. (Applause.)
None of us would ever wish the evil that was done on September the 11th. Yet after America was attacked, it was as if our entire country looked into a mirror and saw our better selves. We were reminded that we are citizens, with obligations to each other, to our country, and to history. We began to think less of the goods we can accumulate, and more about the good we can do.
For too long our culture has said, "If it feels good, do it." Now America is embracing a new ethic and a new creed: "Let's roll." (Applause.) In the sacrifice of soldiers, the fierce brotherhood of firefighters, and the bravery and generosity of ordinary citizens, we have glimpsed what a new culture of responsibility could look like. We want to be a nation that serves goals larger than self. We've been offered a unique opportunity, and we must not let this moment pass. (Applause.)
My call tonight is for every American to commit at least two years —— 4,000 hours over the rest of your lifetime —— to the service of your neighbors and your nation. (Applause.) Many are already serving, and I thank you. If you aren't sure how to help, I've got a good place to start. To sustain and extend the best that has emerged in America, I invite you to join the new USA Freedom Corps. The Freedom Corps will focus on three areas of need: responding in case of crisis at home; rebuilding our communities; and extending American compassion throughout the world.
One purpose of the USA Freedom Corps will be homeland security. America needs retired doctors and nurses who can be mobilized in major emergencies; volunteers to help police and fire departments; transportation and utility workers well-trained in spotting danger.
Our country also needs citizens working to rebuild our communities. We need mentors to love children, especially children whose parents are in prison. And we need more talented teachers in troubled schools. USA Freedom Corps will expand and improve the good efforts of AmeriCorps and Senior Corps to recruit more than 200,000 new volunteers.
And America needs citizens to extend the compassion of our country to every part of the world. So we will renew the promise of the Peace Corps, double its volunteers over the next five years —— (applause) —— and ask it to join a new effort to encourage development and education and opportunity in the Islamic world. (Applause.)
This time of adversity offers a unique moment of opportunity —— a moment we must seize to change our culture. Through the gathering momentum of millions of acts of service and decency and kindness, I know we can overcome evil with greater good. (Applause.) And we have a great opportunity during this time of war to lead the world toward the values that will bring lasting peace.
All fathers and mothers, in all societies, want their children to be educated, and live free from poverty and violence. No people on Earth yearn to be oppressed, or aspire to servitude, or eagerly await the midnight knock of the secret police.
If anyone doubts this, let them look to Afghanistan, where the Islamic "street" greeted the fall of tyranny with song and celebration. Let the skeptics look to Islam's own rich history, with its centuries of learning, and tolerance and progress. America will lead by defending liberty and justice because they are right and true and unchanging for all people everywhere. (Applause.)
No nation owns these aspirations, and no nation is exempt from them. We have no intention of imposing our culture. But America will always stand firm for the non-negotiable demands of human dignity: the rule of law; limits on the power of the state; respect for women; private property; free speech; equal justice; and religious tolerance. (Applause.)
America will take the side of brave men and women who advocate these values around the world, including the Islamic world, because we have a greater objective than eliminating threats and containing resentment. We seek a just and peaceful world beyond the war on terror.
In this moment of opportunity, a common danger is erasing old rivalries. America is working with Russia and China and India, in ways we have never before, to achieve peace and prosperity. In every region, free markets and free trade and free societies are proving their power to lift lives. Together with friends and allies from Europe to Asia, and Africa to Latin America, we will demonstrate that the forces of terror cannot stop the momentum of freedom. (Applause.)
The last time I spoke here, I expressed the hope that life would return to normal. In some ways, it has. In others, it never will. Those of us who have lived through these challenging times have been changed by them. We've come to know truths that we will never question: evil is real, and it must be opposed. (Applause.) Beyond all differences of race or creed, we are one country, mourning together and facing danger together. Deep in the American character, there is honor, and it is stronger than cynicism. And many have discovered again that even in tragedy —— especially in tragedy —— God is near. (Applause.)
In a single instant, we realized that this will be a decisive decade in the history of liberty, that we've been called to a unique role in human events. Rarely has the world faced a choice more clear or consequential.
Our enemies send other people's children on missions of suicide and murder. They embrace tyranny and death as a cause and a creed. We stand for a different choice, made long ago, on the day of our founding. We affirm it again today. We choose freedom and the dignity of every life. (Applause.)
Steadfast in our purpose, we now press on. We have known freedom's price. We have shown freedom's power. And in this great conflict, my fellow Americans, we will see freedom's victory.
Thank you all. May God bless. (Applause.)
議長先生，切尼副總統(tǒng)，各位議員，各位來賓，各位美國公民們：
今天，當我們會聚一堂的時候，我們的國家正在戰(zhàn)爭之中，我們的經(jīng)濟陷入了危機，整個文明世界面臨著前所未有的危險。但是，我們美利堅合眾國從未像今天這樣團結(jié)一致。
上，在一個震驚和痛苦的時刻，我們會聚在這里。在接下來的4個月中，我們的國家撫慰了遇難者，開始重建紐約和五角大樓，結(jié)成了偉大的同盟，逮捕、拘禁并除掉了這個世界范圍內(nèi)數(shù)千名恐怖分子，摧毀了阿富汗的恐怖訓練營，解救了一個飽受饑餓之苦的民族，解放了一個遭受野蠻蹂躪的國家。
美國的國旗再次飄揚在我們駐喀布爾的大使館。曾經(jīng)占據(jù)著阿富汗的恐怖分子現(xiàn)在蹲進了關塔那摩灣的牢房?？植婪肿拥念I袖曾經(jīng)鼓動他們的追隨者犧牲自己的生命去殺害別人，而現(xiàn)在他們自身難保，倉惶逃命。
美國和阿富汗在反對恐怖主義的戰(zhàn)爭中結(jié)成了盟友。在阿富汗重建階段，我們?nèi)詫⑹呛献骰锇?。今晚，讓我們歡迎來自解放了的阿富汗的臨時政府領導人：尊敬的哈米德·卡爾扎伊主席！
上次我們在此相聚的時候，阿富汗的母親和女兒們還囚禁在家庭的樊籬中，她們不能工作，不能上學。而現(xiàn)在，婦女們自由了，她們還在阿富汗新政府中占有一席之地。讓我們歡迎新的婦女事務部長：茜瑪·薩瑪爾博士！
我們所取得的進展，體現(xiàn)了阿富汗人民的精神，體現(xiàn)了我們反恐同盟的決心，也體現(xiàn)了美國強大的軍事力量。當我命令我們的軍隊行動時，我完全相信他們的勇氣和能力。今晚，我要感謝他們，由于他們的努力，我們正在一步一步贏得這場反恐戰(zhàn)爭。我們軍隊的士兵們向美國的每一個敵人發(fā)出了一個明確的信息，那就是，盡管相隔7000英里，盡管隔著海洋和大陸，不管你們是在山頂還是在洞里，都無法逃脫我們美國的審判。
對許多美國人來說，這4個月所經(jīng)歷的悲傷和痛苦也許永遠也不會消逝。有這樣一位已經(jīng)退休的消防員，他每天都會回到零地帶（世貿(mào)中心遺址），為的就是與兩個在那里犧牲的兒子離得更近一些。在紐約舉行的紀念儀式上，一個小男孩將自己的足球留給了死去的父親，他還附上一張小紙條：“親愛的爸爸，請把這個足球帶到天堂去吧。我再也不想踢球了，除非有一天我還能和你一起踢?！鄙蟼€月，我們?yōu)樵隈R扎里沙里夫犧牲的中央情報局官員、海軍陸戰(zhàn)隊員米歇爾舉行了葬禮，他的妻子香農(nóng) ·斯潘用海軍陸戰(zhàn)隊的座右銘來告別她的愛人：“永遠忠誠。”今晚，香農(nóng)也在這里和我們在一起。
香農(nóng)，我向你，以及所有永失我愛的人們保證，我們的目標是伸張正義，這個國家永遠不會忘記我們對米歇爾，以及所有為自由奉獻生命者所欠下的債。
我們的目標是伸張正義，我們將一直持續(xù)下去。我們在阿富汗的發(fā)現(xiàn)證實了我們擔心的事情，同時也向我們展示了未來戰(zhàn)斗的真正領域。我們已經(jīng)從錄像中看到了敵人可怕的仇恨，那些恐怖分子面對無辜者的死亡卻還能放聲大笑，敵人對我們的仇恨就像他們制造的大破壞一樣瘋狂。我們發(fā)現(xiàn)了恐怖分子繪有美國核工廠和公共供水系統(tǒng)的圖表，還有制造生化武器的詳細步驟……美國城市的監(jiān)視圖、以及美國和世界各地路標的詳細說明。
這些發(fā)現(xiàn)證實，我們的反恐戰(zhàn)爭遠遠沒有結(jié)束，才剛剛開始。9月11日劫持飛機的19個人中，大多數(shù)都在阿富汗恐怖訓練營接受過訓練，那里還訓練了成千上萬的人。成千上萬的危險分子在學習如何殺人，他們得到了非法政權(quán)的支持，他們就像定時炸彈一樣散落到世界各地——沒有任何前兆，時刻準備爆炸。
感謝我們執(zhí)法人員的辛勤工作和盟友們的大力合作，已經(jīng)有數(shù)百名恐怖分子落入法網(wǎng)。但是，成千上萬接受過訓練的恐怖分子仍然逍遙法外。這些敵人將整個世界當作戰(zhàn)場，不論他們跑到哪兒，我們就會追到哪兒。只要還有恐怖訓練營存在，只要還有國家窩藏恐怖分子，自由就會受到威脅，美國，以及美國的盟友決不允許這樣。
我們的國家將繼續(xù)堅定不移、耐心地、堅持不懈地為實現(xiàn)兩個宏偉的目標而努力：第一，我們將關閉恐怖分子訓練營，粉碎恐怖分子的圖謀，并將他們繩之以法；第二，我們必須阻止恐怖分子及支持他們的國家發(fā)動威脅美國和全世界的生化襲擊和核襲擊。
我軍已經(jīng)將阿富汗境內(nèi)的恐怖訓練營搗毀，但這樣的訓練營還遍布在其他十幾個國家中?？植澜M織，包括哈馬斯、真主黨游擊隊、伊斯蘭圣戰(zhàn)組織和穆哈邁德圣戰(zhàn)組織，還活躍在偏僻的叢林和沙漠地帶以及大城市的中心地區(qū)。
在對阿富汗實施舉世矚目的軍事打擊的同時，美國還在其它地方開展反恐行動。目前，我們的軍隊正在菲律賓協(xié)助當?shù)卣娮凡犊植澜M織，當?shù)乜植澜M織已槍殺了一名美國人，還扣押了若干人質(zhì)。我們的士兵還在同波黑政府合作，搜捕那些策劃美國大使館爆炸案的恐怖分子。我們的海軍正在非洲海岸巡邏，阻止恐怖分子攜帶武器潛入索馬里建立恐怖訓練營。
我希望，所有國家都能聽到我們的呼聲，剿除境內(nèi)威害他們和美國的恐怖勢力。許多國家都已積極行動起來。巴基斯坦正致力于打擊恐怖主義，我十分欽佩穆沙拉夫總統(tǒng)的領導能力。但有些國家在恐怖主義面前顯得十分怯懦。諸位聽好了：如果他們不采取行動，美國將行動了。（注：此處有刪節(jié)。）
在我所提交的預算中，另一個重點是去盡全力保護我們的公民，并增強我們國家的抵御能力，以排除威脅、避免再次發(fā)生恐怖襲擊事件。雖然9·11事件日漸遠離我們，但是，如果我們自己不吸取教訓、行動起來，我們今后并不會更安全。寬闊的海洋不能再保護美國了。我們必須通過在國外采取大膽的軍事行動、在國內(nèi)增強警惕來保護我們自己。
在我的預算中，用于保證國內(nèi)持久安全的開支幾乎翻了一番，主要用于下面四個領域：防范生化恐怖活動、緊急反應、加強機場和邊境安檢和改進情報工作。我們要研制用于治療炭疽和其他致命疾病的疫苗。我們要加大開支，幫助各州和各社區(qū)培訓英勇善戰(zhàn)的警察和消防隊員，改善他們的裝備條件。我們要完善搜集和分享情報的工作，在邊境加強巡邏，增強空中安全的防范措施，利用科學技術跟蹤每一位來去美國的旅客。
增強國內(nèi)安全不但能讓美國更強大，而且能在很大程度上使美國變得更好：研究、防范生化恐怖活動的工作能改善公眾衛(wèi)生狀況；強化警察和消防部門意味著我們的社區(qū)可以更安全；改進邊境執(zhí)法措施將有助于打擊毒品交易等非法活動。
在我們政府致力于讓國家更安全的同時，我們的國家還會繼續(xù)依靠那些富有警惕意識的公民，依靠他們作耳目，提供幫助。圣誕節(jié)前幾天，一個飛機乘務員看到一名乘客點燃火柴，那名乘務員和其他乘客迅速制服了那名男子，結(jié)果查明他曾接受過“基地”組織的訓練而且鞋底藏有炸藥。那次航班上的乘客是機警的，所以，他們拯救了近200名乘客的生命。今天晚上，我要歡迎和感謝我們的乘務員埃米斯·穆塔迪婭和克里斯蒂娜·瓊斯。
一旦我們加強了我們的國防和國內(nèi)安全，我預算中的后一個重點將是保障美國人民的經(jīng)濟安全。為了達到贏得戰(zhàn)爭、保衛(wèi)祖國和復興經(jīng)濟的宏大目標，我在預算里提出了一個赤字開支；只要國會控制好開支，嚴格、負責地按財政預算行事，這個赤字將是很小的，也是短期的。我們有著明白無誤的戰(zhàn)略重點，我們必須以在海外所體現(xiàn)出的決心來加強國內(nèi)的工作，我們將贏得這場戰(zhàn)爭，我們將擺脫這場經(jīng)濟衰退。
那些失業(yè)的美國人需要我們的幫助，我支持給予他們更多失業(yè)補助，直接給予他們健康補助。但美國工人不僅僅要求獲得失業(yè)補助，他們希望得到穩(wěn)定的工資收入。當絕大多數(shù)美國人都努力工作的時候，美國就會實現(xiàn)經(jīng)濟繁榮，因此我的經(jīng)濟安全計劃可以歸結(jié)為兩個字：工作。
很好的工作源于很好的學校教育，我們已經(jīng)有了一個很好的開端。共和黨人和民主黨人正一同努力實現(xiàn)歷史性的教育改革，我們不會扔下任何一個美國孩子。能同兩個政黨的下列成員一起為此付出努力，我感到很驕傲：約翰·博伊赫內(nèi)爾主席，眾議員喬治·米勒以及參議員路德·格雷戈。我對這一工作感到非常驕傲，因此，我甚至要贊揚我的朋友特德·肯尼迪。克勞弗德咖啡店的員工不太敢相信這一切，但我們在教育法案上所做的一切表明，如果我們不再只是做做樣子，而是為了達到某個目標而付出努力的話，沒有什么事情是不可能做到的。
我們還有更多的事情要做。我們需要讓我們的孩子學會怎樣讀書，讓他們在學校里取得成功。
我們必須改進我們的師范學校，改善教師培訓體制，發(fā)起一場大規(guī)模的招募教師運動。我們要做這一切，是因為我們心中懷著一個偉大的目標：讓每一個課堂里都有一個稱職的老師。
好的工作還依賴于可靠的、廉價的能源。因此國會必須立法鼓勵節(jié)約能源、推進科技發(fā)展以及加強基礎設施建設。與此同時，國會必須立法，增加國內(nèi)能源產(chǎn)量，降低美國對國外石油的依賴程度。
好的工作依賴于擴大貿(mào)易。把產(chǎn)品銷往新的市場能夠創(chuàng)造新的工作機會，因此我要求國會正式批準貿(mào)易推廣法案。在能源和貿(mào)易這兩個關鍵問題上，眾議院已經(jīng)采取措施來創(chuàng)造就業(yè)機會，因此我呼吁參議院通過這一法案。
好的工作依賴于健康的稅收政策。去年，這個大廳里的一部分人認為我的減稅計劃規(guī)模太小，而有些人則認為太大了。但是當退稅寄到人民手中的時候，大多數(shù)美國人認為減稅計劃是適當?shù)?。國會聽取了人民的心聲，同意降低稅率，終止征收遺產(chǎn)稅，將兒童享受的福利增加一倍。為了美國經(jīng)濟實現(xiàn)長期的持續(xù)增長，為了幫助美國民眾計劃未來，讓減稅計劃長久實施下去吧。
走出經(jīng)濟衰退、創(chuàng)造就業(yè)機會的出路在于，通過鼓勵人們增加在工廠和設備方面的投資以及加快實施減稅計劃增強人們的購買能力，來實現(xiàn)經(jīng)濟的增長。為了美國工人的利益，讓我們通過經(jīng)濟刺激計劃吧。
好的工作必須成為社會福利改革的目標。當我們授權(quán)進行這些重要改革的時候，我們必須牢記，我們的目標是降低人們對政府的依賴程度，給每個美國人工作的機會。
美國人知道，如果沒有健康的身體，經(jīng)濟安全馬上就會消失。因此，我要求國會今年同我一起為通過一項《病人權(quán)利法案》而付出努力，使沒買保險的工人能夠享受健康福利，使老兵能夠大幅增加在健康方面的支出，使那些老年人能夠享受健全的、現(xiàn)代化的醫(yī)療體系，其中包括處方藥。
一個好的工作應該能夠保證退休員工的福利。我要求國會通過新的退休金法案，因為那些一直努力工作的員工不應該冒公司倒閉就喪失一切的風險。通過制定更加嚴格的會計標準、更加嚴格的披露公司業(yè)務的規(guī)定，我們必須使美國的公司對員工和股東承擔更大責任，遵循更加嚴格的行為準則。退休福利金安全制度同時依賴于健全的社會福利保險制度。我們將而且必須使社會福利保險制度更加穩(wěn)定。我們應該允許建立個人退休賬戶，年輕工人可以選擇這一種方式。
諸位議員，在未來的幾個月中，我們將一同處理其他問題，其中包括農(nóng)業(yè)政策問題、環(huán)境問題、房屋所有權(quán)問題、少數(shù)民族問題、慈善機構(gòu)的激勵政策問題等等。我要求你們同我一道，拿出合作反恐的激情來解決這些重大的國內(nèi)問題。
在近的幾個月中，我逐漸認識到了美國經(jīng)歷嚴峻考驗時的真本色，并為之折服。我們的敵人以為美國是軟弱和物欲橫流的，我們會在恐懼和自私面前分崩離析。他們錯了，因為他們是邪惡勢力。
美國人民很偉大，他們的反應充滿了勇氣、激情、力量和堅定。當我接見英雄、安撫遇難者家屬、直面救援人員疲憊不堪的臉龐時，我對美國人民充滿了崇敬。
我希望你們同我一起，對一個美國人表示衷心的感謝，為她的力量、冷靜，為她給處于危機中的國家所帶來的慰藉，表示衷心的感謝。她就是我們的第一夫人——勞拉·布什。
我們中從沒有人希望發(fā)生9·11恐怖襲擊，但在美國遇襲之后，我們整個國家仿佛站到了鏡子前，更好地看清了自己。我們意識到，作為公民，我們對彼此、對我們的國家和歷史都負有責任。我們不再看重積累物質(zhì)財富，而是看重如何積德施善。
我們有句老話：“如果感覺好，那就做吧。”現(xiàn)在，美國要遵循的信條是：“讓我們開始沖吧?！蓖高^將士的犧牲精神、消防員強烈的手足情誼和普通民眾的英勇無私，我們看到了一種新的責任感。我們要成為一個追求超越自我目標的國家。我們獲得了一個的機會，我們不能讓這個時刻從指縫中溜走。
今晚，我向所有的美國人發(fā)出呼吁：在你們有生之年至少抽出兩年的時間，也就是4千多個小時，來服務于你的社區(qū)鄰里和你的祖國。許多人已經(jīng)開始從事這項公益事業(yè)，我在此謝謝你們。如果你們還不知道自己該怎樣行動起來，我現(xiàn)在就有個好提議，即，把目前美國已經(jīng)出現(xiàn)的好現(xiàn)象發(fā)揚光大。我邀請你們加入新的美國“自由軍團”?！白杂绍妶F”將致力于3個急需的方面：應付本土危機、社區(qū)重建、向世界傳播美國的同情心。
美國“自由軍團”的一個目的是保障本土安全：美國需要退休的醫(yī)生和護士能夠在重大的緊急情況下自愿行動起來，需要自愿者來幫助警方和消防部門；交通部門以及其它公共事業(yè)部門需要提高訓練能力，找出危險所在。
我們的國家也需要公民幫助重建我們的社區(qū)。我們需要導師來愛護孩子，特別是那些父母還在監(jiān)獄中的孩子，我們需要更多素質(zhì)精良的老師前往有困難的學校執(zhí)教。美國“自由軍團”將招募20多萬名新的自愿者，來拓展和完善以前“美國軍團”和“老年人軍團”的好做法。
美國需要美國公民向世界任何一個角落傳播美國對人民的同情心和人道關懷。因此，我們將為“和平軍團”輸送新鮮血液，在未來5年中，讓該軍團的自愿者人數(shù)翻上一番。他們將在伊斯蘭世界中促進發(fā)展、拓展教育和提供工作發(fā)展機會。
我們目前面臨逆境，同時也面臨一個獨一無二的機會，我們必須抓住這個機會，改善我們的文化，通過各種各樣的服務和愛心來光復美國人的文化。我堅信：邪不壓正。
我們可以利用反恐戰(zhàn)爭所呈現(xiàn)的巨大機遇引導世界趨向正確的價值觀，以期給全世界帶來持久的和平。普天之下的父母都希望他們的子女遠離貧困和暴力，受到良好的教育。沒有人希望受壓迫、被奴役，沒有人希望警方半夜造訪他們家。
如果有人對此感到懷疑的話，請他們看看阿富汗吧，在那里，伊斯蘭信徒用歌聲和熱烈的慶祝來歡呼一個極權(quán)統(tǒng)治的垮臺，讓那些懷疑的人去看一看伊斯蘭教的歷史淵源吧——幾百年來伴隨該教成長的是永無止境的學習、忍讓和進步。
正因為自由和正義是如此的偉大，是整個人類永無止境的追求，美國將在捍衛(wèi)自由和正義的行動中，起領導作用。實際上，沒有一個國家單獨享有追求自由和正義的夢想，所有的國家都離不開它們。我們并不想將我們的文化、意識強加給別人，但是，美國將一如既往地、永不妥協(xié)地追求人類文明的期待：法制、國家權(quán)力的制衡、婦女的權(quán)益、保護私有財產(chǎn)、言論自由、平等公正、以及宗教寬容。美國將永遠和世界上遵循這些價值觀的勇敢的人們站在一起，包括伊斯蘭世界，因為我們有著一個偉大的目標，這個目標勝過消除威脅和互相憎恨。我們的目標是：在防恐戰(zhàn)爭之外追尋一個正義和和平的世界。
現(xiàn)在這個時刻，一個共同的危險正在抹去往日的互相對抗。美國正同俄羅斯、中國和印度一起為追尋和平和富裕而攜手前進，這是前所未有的。在世界上每個地區(qū)，自由市場、自由貿(mào)易和自由社會正體現(xiàn)出他們的威力，這些原則能使人們的生活水平得以提高。只要我們同從歐洲到亞洲、從非洲到拉丁美洲的朋友和盟國團結(jié)一道，我們就能證明，邪惡恐怖永遠不會戰(zhàn)勝自由的力量。
上次我在這里演講時，就表達了美國人民的生活能夠回歸到以前正常的希望?，F(xiàn)在看來，在某些方面已經(jīng)達到，而在其他方面，它永遠不會與以前一樣。對于我們經(jīng)歷了這些挑戰(zhàn)的人們來說，我們的生活永遠地改變了。我們已經(jīng)認識到一些我們永遠不能忘記的真理：邪惡的確存在，但它一定要被戰(zhàn)勝！雖然我們有著不同的膚色，來自不同的種族，然而我們是一個國家，一起悲痛，一起面對危險。我們美國人性格中的集體榮譽感勝過相互嘲諷。許多人通過這場悲劇——也只有在悲劇發(fā)生的時候，才能真切感到上帝離我們是如此之近。
通過這個事件，我們認識到，接下來的十年將是人類自由歷具有決定意義的十年，而歷史也賦予了我們這樣的使命。這個世界面臨如此清晰而重大的選擇是很少有的。
我們的敵人將他人的子女送上了自殺和他殺的不歸路，他們信奉極權(quán)和死亡。而我們在捍衛(wèi)著不同的信仰，這是在我們國家誕生的那天就賦予了我們的。今天，我們重申我們的原則：我們追求自由和每個人的尊嚴。
遵循著我們的目標，我們在勇往直前。我們已經(jīng)清楚自由的代價，我們也同樣展示過自由的威力。美國同胞們，在這場偉大的戰(zhàn)斗中，我們將再次見證自由的勝利。
謝謝你們，愿上帝保佑美國。