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.