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The United States Capitol
Washington, D.C.
January 29, 2002
9:15 P.M. EST
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.)
END 10:03 P.M. EST
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