Thank you all. Mr. Speaker, Vice President Cheney, Members of Congress, members of the Supreme Court and diplomatic corps, distinguished guests, and fellow citizens: Today our Nation lost a beloved, graceful, courageous woman who called America to its founding ideals and carried on a noble dream. Tonight we are comforted by the hope of a glad reunion with the husband who was taken so long ago, and we are grateful for the good life of Coretta Scott King. Every time I'm invited to this rostrum, I'm humbled by the privilege and mindful of the history we've seen together. We have gathered under this Capitol dome in moments of national mourning and national achievement. We have served America through one of the most consequential periods of our history, and it has been my honor to serve with you. In a system of two parties, two chambers, and two elected branches, there will always be differences and debate. But even tough debates can be conducted in a civil tone, and our differences cannot be allowed to harden into anger. To confront the great issues before us, we must act in a spirit of good will and respect for one another, and I will do my part. Tonight the state of our Union is strong, and together we will make it stronger. In this decisive year, you and I will make choices that determine both the future and the character of our country. We will choose to act confidently in pursuing the enemies of freedom, or retreat from our duties in the hope of an easier life. We will choose to build our prosperity by leading the world economy, or shut ourselves off from trade and opportunity. In a complex and challenging time, the road of isolationism and protectionism may seem broad and inviting, yet it ends in danger and decline. The only way to protect our people, the only way to secure the peace, the only way to control our destiny is by our leadership. So the United States of America will continue to lead. Abroad, our Nation is committed to an historic, long-term goal: We seek the end of tyranny in our world. Some dismiss that goal as misguided idealism. In reality, the future security of America depends on it. On September the 11th, 2001, we found that problems originating in a failed and oppressive state 7,000 miles away could bring murder and destruction to our country. Dictatorships shelter terrorists, and feed resentment and radicalism, and seek weapons of mass destruction. Democracies replace resentment with hope, respect the rights of their citizens and their neighbors, and join the fight against terror. Every step toward freedom in the world makes our country safer, so we will act boldly in freedom's cause. Far from being a hopeless dream, the advance of freedom is the great story of our time. In 1945, there were about two dozen lonely democracies in the world. Today, there are 122. And we're writing a new chapter in the story of self-government—with women lining up to vote in Afghanistan, and millions of Iraqis marking their liberty with purple ink, and men and women from Lebanon to Egypt debating the rights of individuals and the necessity of freedom. At the start of 2006, more than half the people of our world live in democratic nations. And we do not forget the other half—in places like Syria and Burma, Zimbabwe, North Korea, and Iran—because the demands of justice and the peace of this world require their freedom as well. No one can deny the success of freedom, but some men rage and fight against it. And one of the main sources of reaction and opposition is radical Islam—the perversion by a few of a noble faith into an ideology of terror and death. Terrorists like bin Laden are serious about mass murder, and all of us must take their declared intentions seriously. They seek to impose a heartless system of totalitarian control throughout the Middle East and arm themselves with weapons of mass murder. Their aim is to seize power in Iraq and use it as a safe haven to launch attacks against America and the world. Lacking the military strength to challenge us directly, the terrorists have chosen the weapon of fear. When they murder children at a school in Beslan or blow up commuters in London or behead a bound captive, the terrorists hope these horrors will break our will, allowing the violent to inherit the Earth. But they have miscalculated: We love our freedom, and we will fight to keep it. In a time of testing, we cannot find security by abandoning our commitments and retreating within our borders. If we were to leave these vicious attackers alone, they would not leave us alone. They would simply move the battlefield to our own shores. There is no peace in retreat, and there is no honor in retreat. By allowing radical Islam to work its will, by leaving an assaulted world to fend for itself, we would signal to all that we no longer believe in our own ideals or even in our own courage. But our enemies and our friends can be certain: The United States will not retreat from the world, and we will never surrender to evil. America rejects the false comfort of isolationism. We are the nation that saved liberty in Europe and liberated death camps and helped raise up democracies and faced down an evil empire. Once again, we accept the call of history to deliver the oppressed and move this world toward peace. We remain on the offensive against terror networks. We have killed or captured many of their leaders. And for the others, their day will come. We remain on the offensive in Afghanistan, where a fine President and a National Assembly are fighting terror while building the institutions of a new democracy. We're on the offensive in Iraq with a clear plan for victory. First, we're helping Iraqis build an inclusive government, so that old resentments will be eased and the insurgency will be marginalized. Second, we're continuing reconstruction efforts and helping the Iraqi Government to fight corruption and build a modern economy, so all Iraqis can experience the benefits of freedom. And third, we're striking terrorist targets while we train Iraqi forces that are increasingly capable of defeating the enemy. Iraqis are showing their courage every day, and we are proud to be their allies in the cause of freedom. Our work in Iraq is difficult because our enemy is brutal. But that brutality has not stopped the dramatic progress of a new democracy. In less than 3 years, the nation has gone from dictatorship to liberation, to sovereignty, to a Constitution, to national elections. At the same time, our coalition has been relentless in shutting off terrorist infiltration, clearing out insurgent strongholds, and turning over territory to Iraqi security forces. I am confident in our plan for victory; I am confident in the will of the Iraqi people; I am confident in the skill and spirit of our military. Fellow citizens, we are in this fight to win, and we are winning. The road of victory is the road that will take our troops home. As we make progress on the ground and Iraqi forces increasingly take the lead, we should be able to further decrease our troop levels. But those decisions will be made by our military commanders, not by politicians in Washington, DC. Our coalition has learned from our experience in Iraq. We've adjusted our military tactics and changed our approach to reconstruction. Along the way, we have benefited from responsible criticism and counsel offered by Members of Congress of both parties. In the coming year, I will continue to reach out and seek your good advice. Yet there is a difference between responsible criticism that aims for success and defeatism that refuses to acknowledge anything but failure. Hindsight alone is not wisdom, and second-guessing is not a strategy. With so much in the balance, those of us in public office have a duty to speak with candor. A sudden withdrawal of our forces from Iraq would abandon our Iraqi allies to death and prison, would put men like bin Laden and Zarqawi in charge of a strategic country, and show that a pledge from America means little. Members of Congress, however we feel about the decisions and debates of the past, our Nation has only one option: We must keep our word, defeat our enemies, and stand behind the American military in this vital mission. Our men and women in uniform are making sacrifices and showing a sense of duty stronger than all fear. They know what it's like to fight house to house in a maze of streets, to wear heavy gear in the desert heat, to see a comrade killed by a roadside bomb. And those who know the costs also know the stakes. Marine Staff Sergeant Dan Clay was killed last month fighting in Fallujah. He left behind a letter to his family, but his words could just as well be addressed to every American. Here is what Dan wrote: "I know what honor is— it has been an honor to protect and serve all of you. I faced death with the secure knowledge that you would not have to. Never falter. Don't hesitate to honor and support those of us who have the honor of protecting that which is worth protecting." Staff Sergeant Dan Clay's wife, Lisa, and his mom and dad, Sara Jo and Bud, are with us this evening. Welcome. Our Nation is grateful to the fallen, who live in the memory of our country. We're grateful to all who volunteer to wear our Nation's uniform. And as we honor our brave troops, let us never forget the sacrifices of America's military families. Our offensive against terror involves more than military action. Ultimately, the only way to defeat the terrorists is to defeat their dark vision of hatred and fear by offering the hopeful alternative of political freedom and peaceful change. So the United States of America supports democratic reform across the broader Middle East. Elections are vital, but they are only the beginning. Raising up a democracy requires the rule of law and protection of minorities and strong, accountable institutions that last longer than a single vote. The great people of Egypt have voted in a multiparty Presidential election, and now their Government should open paths of peaceful opposition that will reduce the appeal of radicalism. The Palestinian people have voted in elections, and now the leaders of Hamas must recognize Israel, disarm, reject terrorism, and work for lasting peace. Saudi Arabia has taken the first steps of reform; now it can offer its people a better future by pressing forward with those efforts. Democracies in the Middle East will not look like our own, because they will reflect the traditions of their own citizens. Yet liberty is the future of every nation in the Middle East because liberty is the right and hope of all humanity. The same is true of Iran, a nation now held hostage by a small clerical elite that is isolating and repressing its people. The regime in that country sponsors terrorists in the Palestinian territories and in Lebanon, and that must come to an end. The Iranian Government is defying the world with its nuclear ambitions, and the nations of the world must not permit the Iranian regime to gain nuclear weapons. America will continue to rally the world to confront these threats. Tonight let me speak directly to the citizens of Iran: America respects you, and we respect your country. We respect your right to choose your own future and win your own freedom. And our Nation hopes one day to be the closest of friends with a free and democratic Iran. To overcome dangers in our world, we must also take the offensive by encouraging economic progress and fighting disease and spreading hope in hopeless lands. Isolationism would not only tie our hands in fighting enemies, it would keep us from helping our friends in desperate need. We show compassion abroad because Americans believe in the God-given dignity and worth of a villager with HIV/AIDS or an infant with malaria or a refugee fleeing genocide or a young girl sold into slavery. We also show compassion abroad because regions overwhelmed by poverty, corruption, and despair are sources of terrorism and organized crime and human trafficking and the drug trade. In recent years, you and I have taken unprecedented action to fight AIDS and malaria, expand the education of girls, and reward developing nations that are moving forward with economic and political reform. For people everywhere, the United States is a partner for a better life. Shortchanging these efforts would increase the suffering and chaos of our world, undercut our long-term security, and dull the conscience of our country. I urge Members of Congress to serve the interests of America by showing the compassion of America. Our country must also remain on the offensive against terrorism here at home. The enemy has not lost the desire or capability to attack us. Fortunately, this Nation has superb professionals in law enforcement, intelligence, the military, and homeland security. These men and women are dedicating their lives, protecting us all, and they deserve our support and our thanks. They also deserve the same tools they already use to fight drug trafficking and organized crime, so I ask you to reauthorize the PATRIOT Act. It is said that prior to the attacks of September the 11th, our Government failed to connect the dots of the conspiracy. We now know that two of the hijackers in the United States placed telephone calls to Al Qaida operatives overseas. But we did not know about their plans until it was too late. So to prevent another attack—based on authority given to me by the Constitution and by statute—I have authorized a terrorist surveillance program to aggressively pursue the international communications of suspected Al Qaida operatives and affiliates to and from America. Previous Presidents have used the same constitutional authority I have, and Federal courts have approved the use of that authority. Appropriate Members of Congress have been kept informed. The terrorist surveillance program has helped prevent terrorist attacks. It remains essential to the security of America. If there are people inside our country who are talking with Al Qaida, we want to know about it, because we will not sit back and wait to be hit again. In all these areas—from the disruption of terror networks, to victory in Iraq, to the spread of freedom and hope in troubled regions—we need the support of our friends and allies. To draw that support, we must always be clear in our principles and willing to act. The only alternative to American leadership is a dramatically more dangerous and anxious world. Yet we also choose to lead because it is a privilege to serve the values that gave us birth. American leaders—from Roosevelt to Truman to Kennedy to Reagan—rejected isolation and retreat, because they knew that America is always more secure when freedom is on the march. Our own generation is in a long war against a determined enemy, a war that will be fought by Presidents of both parties who will need steady bipartisan support from the Congress. And tonight I ask for yours. Together, let us protect our country, support the men and women who defend us, and lead this world toward freedom. Here at home, America also has a great opportunity: We will build the prosperity of our country by strengthening our economic leadership in the world. Our economy is healthy and vigorous and growing faster than other major industrialized nations. In the last 2 1/2 years, America has created 4.6 million new jobs, more than Japan and the European Union combined. Even in the face of higher energy prices and natural disasters, the American people have turned in an economic performance that is the envy of the world. The American economy is preeminent, but we cannot afford to be complacent. In a dynamic world economy, we are seeing new competitors like China and India, and this creates uncertainty, which makes it easier to feed people's fears. So we're seeing some old temptations return. Protectionists want to escape competition, pretending that we can keep our high standard of living while walling off our economy. Others say that the government needs to take a larger role in directing the economy, centralizing more power in Washington and increasing taxes. We hear claims that immigrants are somehow bad for the economy, even though this economy could not function without them. All these are forms of economic retreat, and they lead in the same direction, toward a stagnant and second-rate economy. Tonight I will set out a better path: an agenda for a nation that competes with confidence; an agenda that will raise standards of living and generate new jobs. Americans should not fear our economic future because we intend to shape it. Keeping America competitive begins with keeping our economy growing. And our economy grows when Americans have more of their own money to spend, save, and invest. In the last 5 years, the tax relief you passed has left $880 billion in the hands of American workers, investors, small businesses, and families. And they have used it to help produce more than 4 years of uninterrupted economic growth. Yet the tax relief is set to expire in the next few years. If we do nothing, American families will face a massive tax increase they do not expect and will not welcome. Because America needs more than a temporary expansion, we need more than temporary tax relief, I urge the Congress to act responsibly and make the tax cuts permanent. Keeping America competitive requires us to be good stewards of tax dollars. Every year of my Presidency, we've reduced the growth of nonsecurity discretionary spending, and last year, you passed bills that cut this spending. This year, my budget will cut it again and reduce or eliminate more than 140 programs that are performing poorly or not fulfilling essential priorities. By passing these reforms, we will save the American taxpayer another $14 billion next year and stay on track to cut the deficit in half by 2009. I am pleased that Members of Congress are working on earmark reform, because the Federal budget has too many special interest projects. And we can tackle this problem together, if you pass the line-item veto. We must also confront the larger challenge of mandatory spending, or entitlements. This year, the first of about 78 million baby boomers turn 60, including two of my dad's favorite people—me and President Clinton. [ ] This milestone is more than a personal crisis—[ ]— it is a national challenge. The retirement of the baby boom generation will put unprecedented strains on the Federal Government. By 2030, spending for Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid alone will be almost 60 percent of the entire Federal budget. And that will present future Congresses with impossible choices: staggering tax increases, immense deficits, or deep cuts in every category of spending. Congress did not act last year on my proposal to save Social Security, yet the rising cost of entitlements is a problem that is not going away. And every year we fail to act, the situation gets worse. So tonight I ask you to join me in creating a commission to examine the full impact of baby boom retirements on Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid. This commission should include Members of Congress of both parties and offer bipartisan solutions. We need to put aside partisan politics and work together and get this problem solved. Keeping America competitive requires us to open more markets for all that Americans make and grow. One out of every five factory jobs in America is related to global trade, and we want people everywhere to buy American. With open markets and a level playing field, no one can outproduce or outcompete the American worker. Keeping America competitive requires an immigration system that upholds our laws, reflects our values, and serves the interests of our economy. Our Nation needs orderly and secure borders. To meet this goal, we must have stronger immigration enforcement and border protection. And we must have a rational, humane guest-worker program that rejects amnesty, allows temporary jobs for people who seek them legally, and reduces smuggling and crime at the border. Keeping America competitive requires affordable health care. Our Government has a responsibility to provide health care for the poor and the elderly, and we are meeting that responsibility. For all Americans, we must confront the rising cost of care, strengthen the doctor-patient relationship, and help people afford the insurance coverage they need. We will make wider use of electronic records and other health information technology to help control costs and reduce dangerous medical errors. We will strengthen health savings accounts, making sure individuals and small-business employees can buy insurance with the same advantages that people working for big businesses now get. We will do more to make this coverage portable, so workers can switch jobs without having to worry about losing their health insurance. And because lawsuits are driving many good doctors out of practice, leaving women in nearly 1,500 American counties without a single ob-gyn, I ask the Congress to pass medical liability reform this year. Keeping America competitive requires affordable energy. And here we have a serious problem: America is addicted to oil, which is often imported from unstable parts of the world. The best way to break this addiction is through technology. Since 2001, we have spent nearly $10 billion to develop cleaner, cheaper, and more reliable alternative energy sources. And we are on the threshold of incredible advances. So tonight I announce the Advanced Energy Initiative—a 22-percent increase in clean-energy research at the Department of Energy—to push for breakthroughs in two vital areas. To change how we power our homes and offices, we will invest more in zero-emission coal-fired plants, revolutionary solar and wind technologies, and clean, safe nuclear energy. We must also change how we power our automobiles. We will increase our research in better batteries for hybrid and electric cars and in pollution-free cars that run on hydrogen. We'll also fund additional research in cutting-edge methods of producing ethanol, not just from corn but from wood chips and stalks or switchgrass. Our goal is to make this new kind of ethanol practical and competitive within 6 years. Breakthroughs on this and other new technologies will help us reach another great goal: to replace more than 75 percent of our oil imports from the Middle East by 2025. By applying the talent and technology of America, this country can dramatically improve our environment, move beyond a petroleum-based economy, and make our dependence on Middle Eastern oil a thing of the past. And to keep America competitive, one commitment is necessary above all: We must continue to lead the world in human talent and creativity. Our greatest advantage in the world has always been our educated, hard-working, ambitious people. And we're going to keep that edge. Tonight I announce an American Competitiveness Initiative to encourage innovation throughout our economy and to give our Nation's children a firm grounding in math and science. First, I propose to double the Federal commitment to the most critical basic research programs in the physical sciences over the next 10 years. This funding will support the work of America's most creative minds as they explore promising areas such as nanotechnology, supercomputing, and alternative energy sources. Second, I propose to make permanent the research and development tax credit to encourage bolder private sector initiative in technology. With more research in both the public and private sectors, we will improve our quality of life and ensure that America will lead the world in opportunity and innovation for decades to come. Third, we need to encourage children to take more math and science, and to make sure those courses are rigorous enough to compete with other nations. We've made a good start in the early grades with the No Child Left Behind Act, which is raising standards and lifting test scores across our country. Tonight I propose to train 70,000 high school teachers to lead Advanced Placement courses in math and science, bring 30,000 math and science professionals to teach in classrooms, and give early help to students who struggle with math, so they have a better chance at good, high-wage jobs. If we ensure that America's children succeed in life, they will ensure that America succeeds in the world. Preparing our Nation to compete in the world is a goal that all of us can share. I urge you to support the American Competitiveness Initiative, and together we will show the world what the American people can achieve. America is a great force for freedom and prosperity. Yet our greatness is not measured in power or luxuries but by who we are and how we treat one another. So we strive to be a compassionate, decent, hopeful society. In recent years, America has become a more hopeful nation. Violent crime rates have fallen to their lowest levels since the 1970s. Welfare cases have dropped by more than half over the past decade. Drug use among youth is down 19 percent since 2001. There are fewer abortions in America than at any point in the last three decades, and the number of children born to teenage mothers has been falling for a dozen years in a row. These gains are evidence of a quiet transformation, a revolution of conscience, in which a rising generation is finding that a life of personal responsibility is a life of fulfillment. Government has played a role. Wise policies, such as welfare reform and drug education and support for abstinence and adoption have made a difference in the character of our country. And everyone here tonight, Democrat and Republican, has a right to be proud of this record. Yet many Americans, especially parents, still have deep concerns about the direction of our culture and the health of our most basic institutions. They're concerned about unethical conduct by public officials and discouraged by activist courts that try to redefine marriage. They worry about children in our society who need direction and love, and about fellow citizens still displaced by natural disaster, and about suffering caused by treatable diseases. As we look at these challenges, we must never give in to the belief that America is in decline or that our culture is doomed to unravel. The American people know better than that. We have proven the pessimists wrong before, and we will do it again. A hopeful society depends on courts that deliver equal justice under the law. The Supreme Court now has two superb new members on its bench, Chief Justice John Roberts and Justice Sam Alito. I thank the Senate for confirming both of them. I will continue to nominate men and women who understand that judges must be servants of the law and not legislate from the bench. Today marks the official retirement of a very special American. For 24 years of faithful service to our Nation, the United States is grateful to Justice Sandra Day O'Connor. A hopeful society has institutions of science and medicine that do not cut ethical corners and that recognize the matchless value of every life. Tonight I ask you to pass legislation to prohibit the most egregious abuses of medical research: human cloning in all its forms; creating or implanting embryos for experiments; creating human-animal hybrids; and buying, selling, or patenting human embryos. Human life is a gift from our Creator, and that gift should never be discarded, devalued, or put up for sale. A hopeful society expects elected officials to uphold the public trust. Honorable people in both parties are working on reforms to strengthen the ethical standards of Washington. I support your efforts. Each of us has made a pledge to be worthy of public responsibility, and that is a pledge we must never forget, never dismiss, and never betray. As we renew the promise of our institutions, let us also show the character of America in our compassion and care for one another. A hopeful society gives special attention to children who lack direction and love. Through the Helping America's Youth Initiative, we are encouraging caring adults to get involved in the life of a child. And this good work is being led by our First Lady, Laura Bush. This year, we will add resources to encourage young people to stay in school, so more of America's youth can raise their sights and achieve their dreams. A hopeful society comes to the aid of fellow citizens in times of suffering and emergency and stays at it until they're back on their feet. So far the Federal Government has committed $85 billion to the people of the gulf coast and New Orleans. We're removing debris and repairing highways and rebuilding stronger levees. We're providing business loans and housing assistance. Yet as we meet these immediate needs, we must also address deeper challenges that existed before the storm arrived. In New Orleans and in other places, many of our fellow citizens have felt excluded from the promise of our country. The answer is not only temporary relief but schools that teach every child and job skills that bring upward mobility and more opportunities to own a home and start a business. As we recover from a disaster, let us also work for the day when all Americans are protected by justice, equal in hope, and rich in opportunity. A hopeful society acts boldly to fight diseases like HIV/AIDS, which can be prevented and treated and defeated. More than a million Americans live with HIV, and half of all AIDS cases occur among African Americans. I ask Congress to reform and reauthorize the Ryan White Act and provide new funding to States, so we end the waiting lists for AIDS medicines in America. We will also lead a nationwide effort, working closely with African American churches and faith-based groups, to deliver rapid HIV tests to millions, end the stigma of AIDS, and come closer to the day when there are no new infections in America. Fellow citizens, we've been called to leadership in a period of consequence. We've entered a great ideological conflict we did nothing to invite. We see great changes in science and commerce that will influence all our lives. Sometimes it can seem that history is turning in a wide arc toward an unknown shore. Yet the destination of history is determined by human action, and every great movement of history comes to a point of choosing. Lincoln could have accepted peace at the cost of disunity and continued slavery. Martin Luther King could have stopped at Birmingham or at Selma and achieved only half a victory over segregation. The United States could have accepted the permanent division of Europe and been complicit in the oppression of others. Today, having come far in our own historical journey, we must decide: Will we turn back or finish well? Before history is written down in books, it is written in courage. Like Americans before us, we will show that courage, and we will finish well. We will lead freedom's advance. We will compete and excel in the global economy. We will renew the defining moral commitments of this land. And so we move forward, optimistic about our country, faithful to its cause, and confident of the victories to come. May God bless America.
Thank you all. Mr. Speaker, Vice President Cheney, Members of Congress, members of the Supreme Court and diplomatic corps, distinguished guests, and fellow citizens: Today our Nation lost a beloved, graceful, courageous woman who called America to its founding ideals and carried on a noble dream. Tonight we are comforted by the hope of a glad reunion with the husband who was taken so long ago, and we are grateful for the good life of Coretta Scott King. Every time I am invited to this rostrum, I am humbled by the privilege and mindful of the history we have seen together. We have gathered under this Capitol dome in moments of national mourning and national achievement. We have served America through one of the most consequential periods of our history, and it has been my honor to serve with you. In a system of two parties, two chambers, and two elected branches, there will always be differences and debate. But even tough debates can be conducted in a civil tone, and our differences cannot be allowed to harden into anger. To confront the great issues before us, we must act in a spirit of good will and respect for one another, and I will do my part. Tonight the state of our Union is strong, and together we will make it stronger. In this decisive year, you and I will make choices that determine both the future and the character of our country. We will choose to act confidently in pursuing the enemies of freedom, or retreat from our duties in the hope of an easier life. We will choose to build our prosperity by leading the world economy, or shut ourselves off from trade and opportunity. In a complex and challenging time, the road of isolationism and protectionism may seem broad and inviting, yet it ends in danger and decline. The only way to protect our people, the only way to secure the peace, the only way to control our destiny is by our leadership. So the United States of America will continue to lead. Abroad, our Nation is committed to an historic, long-term goal: We seek the end of tyranny in our world. Some dismiss that goal as misguided idealism. In reality, the future security of America depends on it. On September the 11th, 2001, we found that problems originating in a failed and oppressive state 7,000 miles away could bring murder and destruction to our country. Dictatorships shelter terrorists, and feed resentment and radicalism, and seek weapons of mass destruction. Democracies replace resentment with hope, respect the rights of their citizens and their neighbors, and join the fight against terror. Every step toward freedom in the world makes our country safer, so we will act boldly in freedom's because. Far from being a hopeless dream, the advance of freedom is the great story of our time. In 1945, there were about two dozen lonely democracies in the world. Today, there are 122. And we are writing a new chapter in the story of self-government—with women lining up to vote in Afghanistan, and millions of Iraqis marking their liberty with purple ink, and men and women from Lebanon to Egypt debating the rights of individuals and the necessity of freedom. At the start of 2006, more than half the people of our world live in democratic nations. And we do not forget the other half—in places like Syria and Burma, Zimbabwe, North Korea, and Iran—because the demands of justice and the peace of this world require their freedom as well. No one can deny the success of freedom, but some men rage and fight against it. And one of the main sources of reaction and opposition is radical Islam—the perversion by a few of a noble faith into an ideology of terror and death. Terrorists like bin Laden are serious about mass murder, and all of us must take their declared intentions seriously. They seek to impose a heartless system of totalitarian control throughout the Middle East and arm themselves with weapons of mass murder. Their aim is to seize power in Iraq and use it as a safe haven to launch attacks against America and the world. Lacking the military strength to challenge us directly, the terrorists have chosen the weapon of fear. When they murder children at a school in Beslan or blow up commuters in London or behead a bound captive, the terrorists hope these horrors will break our will, allowing the violent to inherit the Earth. But they have miscalculated: We love our freedom, and we will fight to keep it. In a time of testing, we cannot find security by abandoning our commitments and retreating within our borders. If we were to leave these vicious attackers alone, they would not leave us alone. They would simply move the battlefield to our own shores. There is no peace in retreat, and there is no honor in retreat. By allowing radical Islam to work its will, by leaving an assaulted world to fend for itself, we would signal to all that we no longer believe in our own ideals or even in our own courage. But our enemies and our friends can be certain: The United States will not retreat from the world, and we will never surrender to evil. America rejects the false comfort of isolationism. We are the nation that saved liberty in Europe and liberated death camps and helped raise up democracies and faced down an evil empire. Once again, we accept the call of history to deliver the oppressed and move this world toward peace. We remain on the offensive against terror networks. We have killed or captured many of their leaders. And for the others, their day will come. We remain on the offensive in Afghanistan, where a fine President and a National Assembly are fighting terror while building the institutions of a new democracy. We are on the offensive in Iraq with a clear plan for victory. First, we are helping Iraqis build an inclusive government, so that old resentments will be eased and the insurgency will be marginalized. Second, we are continuing reconstruction efforts and helping the Iraqi Government to fight corruption and build a modern economy, so all Iraqis can experience the benefits of freedom. And third, we are striking terrorist targets while we train Iraqi forces that are increasingly capable of defeating the enemy. Iraqis are showing their courage every day, and we are proud to be their allies in the because of freedom. Our work in Iraq is difficult because our enemy is brutal. But that brutality has not stopped the dramatic progress of a new democracy. In less than 3 years, the nation has gone from dictatorship to liberation, to sovereignty, to a Constitution, to national elections. At the same time, our coalition has been relentless in shutting off terrorist infiltration, clearing out insurgent strongholds, and turning over territory to Iraqi security forces. I am confident in our plan for victory; I am confident in the will of the Iraqi people; I am confident in the skill and spirit of our military. Fellow citizens, we are in this fight to win, and we are winning. The road of victory is the road that will take our troops home. As we make progress on the ground and Iraqi forces increasingly take the lead, we should be able to further decrease our troop levels. But those decisions will be made by our military commanders, not by politicians in Washington, DC. Our coalition has learned from our experience in Iraq. We have adjusted our military tactics and changed our approach to reconstruction. Along the way, we have benefited from responsible criticism and counsel offered by Members of Congress of both parties. In the coming year, I will continue to reach out and seek your good advice. Yet there is a difference between responsible criticism that aims for success and defeatism that refuses to acknowledge anything but failure. Hindsight alone is not wisdom, and second-guessing is not a strategy. With so much in the balance, those of us in public office have a duty to speak with candor. A sudden withdrawal of our forces from Iraq would abandon our Iraqi allies to death and prison, would put men like bin Laden and Zarqawi in charge of a strategic country, and show that a pledge from America means little. Members of Congress, however we feel about the decisions and debates of the past, our Nation has only one option: We must keep our word, defeat our enemies, and stand behind the American military in this vital mission. Our men and women in uniform are making sacrifices and showing a sense of duty stronger than all fear. They know what it is like to fight house to house in a maze of streets, to wear heavy gear in the desert heat, to see a comrade killed by a roadside bomb. And those who know the costs also know the stakes. Marine Staff Sergeant Dan Clay was killed last month fighting in Fallujah. He left behind a letter to his family, but his words could just as well be addressed to every American. Here is what Dan wrote: "I know what honor is— it has been an honor to protect and serve all of you. I faced death with the secure knowledge that you would not have to. Never falter. Do not hesitate to honor and support those of us who have the honor of protecting that which is worth protecting." Staff Sergeant Dan Clay's wife, Lisa, and his mom and dad, Sara Jo and Bud, are with us this evening. Welcome. Our Nation is grateful to the fallen, who live in the memory of our country. We are grateful to all who volunteer to wear our Nation's uniform. And as we honor our brave troops, let us never forget the sacrifices of America's military families. Our offensive against terror involves more than military action. Ultimately, the only way to defeat the terrorists is to defeat their dark vision of hatred and fear by offering the hopeful alternative of political freedom and peaceful change. So the United States of America supports democratic reform across the broader Middle East. Elections are vital, but they are only the beginning. Raising up a democracy requires the rule of law and protection of minorities and strong, accountable institutions that last longer than a single vote. The great people of Egypt have voted in a multiparty Presidential election, and now their Government should open paths of peaceful opposition that will reduce the appeal of radicalism. The Palestinian people have voted in elections, and now the leaders of Hamas must recognize Israel, disarm, reject terrorism, and work for lasting peace. Saudi Arabia has taken the first steps of reform; now it can offer its people a better future by pressing forward with those efforts. Democracies in the Middle East will not look like our own, because they will reflect the traditions of their own citizens. Yet liberty is the future of every nation in the Middle East because liberty is the right and hope of all humanity. The same is true of Iran, a nation now held hostage by a small clerical elite that is isolating and repressing its people. The regime in that country sponsors terrorists in the Palestinian territories and in Lebanon, and that must come to an end. The Iranian Government is defying the world with its nuclear ambitions, and the nations of the world must not permit the Iranian regime to gain nuclear weapons. America will continue to rally the world to confront these threats. Tonight let me speak directly to the citizens of Iran: America respects you, and we respect your country. We respect your right to choose your own future and win your own freedom. And our Nation hopes one day to be the closest of friends with a free and democratic Iran. To overcome dangers in our world, we must also take the offensive by encouraging economic progress and fighting disease and spreading hope in hopeless lands. Isolationism would not only tie our hands in fighting enemies, it would keep us from helping our friends in desperate need. We show compassion abroad because Americans believe in the God-given dignity and worth of a villager with HIV/AIDS or an infant with malaria or a refugee fleeing genocide or a young girl sold into slavery. We also show compassion abroad because regions overwhelmed by poverty, corruption, and despair are sources of terrorism and organized crime and human trafficking and the drug trade. In recent years, you and I have taken unprecedented action to fight AIDS and malaria, expand the education of girls, and reward developing nations that are moving forward with economic and political reform. For people everywhere, the United States is a partner for a better life. Shortchanging these efforts would increase the suffering and chaos of our world, undercut our long-term security, and dull the conscience of our country. I urge Members of Congress to serve the interests of America by showing the compassion of America. Our country must also remain on the offensive against terrorism here at home. The enemy has not lost the desire or capability to attack us. Fortunately, this Nation has superb professionals in law enforcement, intelligence, the military, and homeland security. These men and women are dedicating their lives, protecting us all, and they deserve our support and our thanks. They also deserve the same tools they already use to fight drug trafficking and organized crime, so I ask you to reauthorize the PATRIOT Act. It is said that prior to the attacks of September the 11th, our Government failed to connect the dots of the conspiracy. We now know that two of the hijackers in the United States placed telephone calls to Al Qaida operatives overseas. But we did not know about their plans until it was too late. So to prevent another attack—based on authority given to me by the Constitution and by statute—I have authorized a terrorist surveillance program to aggressively pursue the international communications of suspected Al Qaida operatives and affiliates to and from America. Previous Presidents have used the same constitutional authority I have, and Federal courts have approved the use of that authority. Appropriate Members of Congress have been kept informed. The terrorist surveillance program has helped prevent terrorist attacks. It remains essential to the security of America. If there are people inside our country who are talking with Al Qaida, we want to know about it, because we will not sit back and wait to be hit again. In all these areas—from the disruption of terror networks, to victory in Iraq, to the spread of freedom and hope in troubled regions—we need the support of our friends and allies. To draw that support, we must always be clear in our principles and willing to act. The only alternative to American leadership is a dramatically more dangerous and anxious world. Yet we also choose to lead because it is a privilege to serve the values that gave us birth. American leaders—from Roosevelt to Truman to Kennedy to Reagan—rejected isolation and retreat, because they knew that America is always more secure when freedom is on the march. Our own generation is in a long war against a determined enemy, a war that will be fought by Presidents of both parties who will need steady bipartisan support from the Congress. And tonight I ask for yours. Together, let us protect our country, support the men and women who defend us, and lead this world toward freedom. Here at home, America also has a great opportunity: We will build the prosperity of our country by strengthening our economic leadership in the world. Our economy is healthy and vigorous and growing faster than other major industrialized nations. In the last 2 1/2 years, America has created 4.6 million new jobs, more than Japan and the European Union combined. Even in the face of higher energy prices and natural disasters, the American people have turned in an economic performance that is the envy of the world. The American economy is preeminent, but we cannot afford to be complacent. In a dynamic world economy, we are seeing new competitors like China and India, and this creates uncertainty, which makes it easier to feed people's fears. So we are seeing some old temptations return. Protectionists want to escape competition, pretending that we can keep our high standard of living while walling off our economy. Others say that the government needs to take a larger role in directing the economy, centralizing more power in Washington and increasing taxes. We hear claims that immigrants are somehow bad for the economy, even though this economy could not function without them. All these are forms of economic retreat, and they lead in the same direction, toward a stagnant and second-rate economy. Tonight I will set out a better path: an agenda for a nation that competes with confidence; an agenda that will raise standards of living and generate new jobs. Americans should not fear our economic future because we intend to shape it. Keeping America competitive begins with keeping our economy growing. And our economy grows when Americans have more of their own money to spend, save, and invest. In the last 5 years, the tax relief you passed has left $880 billion in the hands of American workers, investors, small businesses, and families. And they have used it to help produce more than 4 years of uninterrupted economic growth. Yet the tax relief is set to expire in the next few years. If we do nothing, American families will face a massive tax increase they do not expect and will not welcome. Because America needs more than a temporary expansion, we need more than temporary tax relief, I urge the Congress to act responsibly and make the tax cuts permanent. Keeping America competitive requires us to be good stewards of tax dollars. Every year of my Presidency, we have reduced the growth of nonsecurity discretionary spending, and last year, you passed bills that cut this spending. This year, my budget will cut it again and reduce or eliminate more than 140 programs that are performing poorly or not fulfilling essential priorities. By passing these reforms, we will save the American taxpayer another $14 billion next year and stay on track to cut the deficit in half by 2009. I am pleased that Members of Congress are working on earmark reform, because the Federal budget has too many special interest projects. And we can tackle this problem together, if you pass the line-item veto. We must also confront the larger challenge of mandatory spending, or entitlements. This year, the first of about 78 million baby boomers turn 60, including two of my dad's favorite people—me and President Clinton. [ ] This milestone is more than a personal crisis—[ ]— it is a national challenge. The retirement of the baby boom generation will put unprecedented strains on the Federal Government. By 2030, spending for Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid alone will be almost 60 percent of the entire Federal budget. And that will present future Congresses with impossible choices: staggering tax increases, immense deficits, or deep cuts in every category of spending. Congress did not act last year on my proposal to save Social Security, yet the rising cost of entitlements is a problem that is not going away. And every year we fail to act, the situation gets worse. So tonight I ask you to join me in creating a commission to examine the full impact of baby boom retirements on Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid. This commission should include Members of Congress of both parties and offer bipartisan solutions. We need to put aside partisan politics and work together and get this problem solved. Keeping America competitive requires us to open more markets for all that Americans make and grow. One out of every five factory jobs in America is related to global trade, and we want people everywhere to buy American. With open markets and a level playing field, no one can outproduce or outcompete the American worker. Keeping America competitive requires an immigration system that upholds our laws, reflects our values, and serves the interests of our economy. Our Nation needs orderly and secure borders. To meet this goal, we must have stronger immigration enforcement and border protection. And we must have a rational, humane guest-worker program that rejects amnesty, allows temporary jobs for people who seek them legally, and reduces smuggling and crime at the border. Keeping America competitive requires affordable health care. Our Government has a responsibility to provide health care for the poor and the elderly, and we are meeting that responsibility. For all Americans, we must confront the rising cost of care, strengthen the doctor-patient relationship, and help people afford the insurance coverage they need. We will make wider use of electronic records and other health information technology to help control costs and reduce dangerous medical errors. We will strengthen health savings accounts, making sure individuals and small-business employees can buy insurance with the same advantages that people working for big businesses now get. We will do more to make this coverage portable, so workers can switch jobs without having to worry about losing their health insurance. And because lawsuits are driving many good doctors out of practice, leaving women in nearly 1,500 American counties without a single ob-gyn, I ask the Congress to pass medical liability reform this year. Keeping America competitive requires affordable energy. And here we have a serious problem: America is addicted to oil, which is often imported from unstable parts of the world. The best way to break this addiction is through technology. Since 2001, we have spent nearly $10 billion to develop cleaner, cheaper, and more reliable alternative energy sources. And we are on the threshold of incredible advances. So tonight I announce the Advanced Energy Initiative—a 22-percent increase in clean-energy research at the Department of Energy—to push for breakthroughs in two vital areas. To change how we power our homes and offices, we will invest more in zero-emission coal-fired plants, revolutionary solar and wind technologies, and clean, safe nuclear energy. We must also change how we power our automobiles. We will increase our research in better batteries for hybrid and electric cars and in pollution-free cars that run on hydrogen. We will also fund additional research in cutting-edge methods of producing ethanol, not just from corn but from wood chips and stalks or switchgrass. Our goal is to make this new kind of ethanol practical and competitive within 6 years. Breakthroughs on this and other new technologies will help us reach another great goal: to replace more than 75 percent of our oil imports from the Middle East by 2025. By applying the talent and technology of America, this country can dramatically improve our environment, move beyond a petroleum-based economy, and make our dependence on Middle Eastern oil a thing of the past. And to keep America competitive, one commitment is necessary above all: We must continue to lead the world in human talent and creativity. Our greatest advantage in the world has always been our educated, hard-working, ambitious people. And we are going to keep that edge. Tonight I announce an American Competitiveness Initiative to encourage innovation throughout our economy and to give our Nation's children a firm grounding in math and science. First, I propose to double the Federal commitment to the most critical basic research programs in the physical sciences over the next 10 years. This funding will support the work of America's most creative minds as they explore promising areas such as nanotechnology, supercomputing, and alternative energy sources. Second, I propose to make permanent the research and development tax credit to encourage bolder private sector initiative in technology. With more research in both the public and private sectors, we will improve our quality of life and ensure that America will lead the world in opportunity and innovation for decades to come. Third, we need to encourage children to take more math and science, and to make sure those courses are rigorous enough to compete with other nations. We have made a good start in the early grades with the No Child Left Behind Act, which is raising standards and lifting test scores across our country. Tonight I propose to train 70,000 high school teachers to lead Advanced Placement courses in math and science, bring 30,000 math and science professionals to teach in classrooms, and give early help to students who struggle with math, so they have a better chance at good, high-wage jobs. If we ensure that America's children succeed in life, they will ensure that America succeeds in the world. Preparing our Nation to compete in the world is a goal that all of us can share. I urge you to support the American Competitiveness Initiative, and together we will show the world what the American people can achieve. America is a great force for freedom and prosperity. Yet our greatness is not measured in power or luxuries but by who we are and how we treat one another. So we strive to be a compassionate, decent, hopeful society. In recent years, America has become a more hopeful nation. Violent crime rates have fallen to their lowest levels since the 1970s. Welfare cases have dropped by more than half over the past decade. Drug use among youth is down 19 percent since 2001. There are fewer abortions in America than at any point in the last three decades, and the number of children born to teenage mothers has been falling for a dozen years in a row. These gains are evidence of a quiet transformation, a revolution of conscience, in which a rising generation is finding that a life of personal responsibility is a life of fulfillment. Government has played a role. Wise policies, such as welfare reform and drug education and support for abstinence and adoption have made a difference in the character of our country. And everyone here tonight, Democrat and Republican, has a right to be proud of this record. Yet many Americans, especially parents, still have deep concerns about the direction of our culture and the health of our most basic institutions. They are concerned about unethical conduct by public officials and discouraged by activist courts that try to redefine marriage. They worry about children in our society who need direction and love, and about fellow citizens still displaced by natural disaster, and about suffering caused by treatable diseases. As we look at these challenges, we must never give in to the belief that America is in decline or that our culture is doomed to unravel. The American people know better than that. We have proven the pessimists wrong before, and we will do it again. A hopeful society depends on courts that deliver equal justice under the law. The Supreme Court now has two superb new members on its bench, Chief Justice John Roberts and Justice Sam Alito. I thank the Senate for confirming both of them. I will continue to nominate men and women who understand that judges must be servants of the law and not legislate from the bench. Today marks the official retirement of a very special American. For 24 years of faithful service to our Nation, the United States is grateful to Justice Sandra Day O'Connor. A hopeful society has institutions of science and medicine that do not cut ethical corners and that recognize the matchless value of every life. Tonight I ask you to pass legislation to prohibit the most egregious abuses of medical research: human cloning in all its forms; creating or implanting embryos for experiments; creating human-animal hybrids; and buying, selling, or patenting human embryos. Human life is a gift from our Creator, and that gift should never be discarded, devalued, or put up for sale. A hopeful society expects elected officials to uphold the public trust. Honorable people in both parties are working on reforms to strengthen the ethical standards of Washington. I support your efforts. Each of us has made a pledge to be worthy of public responsibility, and that is a pledge we must never forget, never dismiss, and never betray. As we renew the promise of our institutions, let us also show the character of America in our compassion and care for one another. A hopeful society gives special attention to children who lack direction and love. Through the Helping America's Youth Initiative, we are encouraging caring adults to get involved in the life of a child. And this good work is being led by our First Lady, Laura Bush. This year, we will add resources to encourage young people to stay in school, so more of America's youth can raise their sights and achieve their dreams. A hopeful society comes to the aid of fellow citizens in times of suffering and emergency and stays at it until they are back on their feet. So far the Federal Government has committed $85 billion to the people of the gulf coast and New Orleans. We are removing debris and repairing highways and rebuilding stronger levees. We are providing business loans and housing assistance. Yet as we meet these immediate needs, we must also address deeper challenges that existed before the storm arrived. In New Orleans and in other places, many of our fellow citizens have felt excluded from the promise of our country. The answer is not only temporary relief but schools that teach every child and job skills that bring upward mobility and more opportunities to own a home and start a business. As we recover from a disaster, let us also work for the day when all Americans are protected by justice, equal in hope, and rich in opportunity. A hopeful society acts boldly to fight diseases like HIV/AIDS, which can be prevented and treated and defeated. More than a million Americans live with HIV, and half of all AIDS cases occur among African Americans. I ask Congress to reform and reauthorize the Ryan White Act and provide new funding to States, so we end the waiting lists for AIDS medicines in America. We will also lead a nationwide effort, working closely with African American churches and faith-based groups, to deliver rapid HIV tests to millions, end the stigma of AIDS, and come closer to the day when there are no new infections in America. Fellow citizens, we have been called to leadership in a period of consequence. We have entered a great ideological conflict we did nothing to invite. We see great changes in science and commerce that will influence all our lives. Sometimes it can seem that history is turning in a wide arc toward an unknown shore. Yet the destination of history is determined by human action, and every great movement of history comes to a point of choosing. Lincoln could have accepted peace at the cost of disunity and continued slavery. Martin Luther King could have stopped at Birmingham or at Selma and achieved only half a victory over segregation. The United States could have accepted the permanent division of Europe and been complicit in the oppression of others. Today, having come far in our own historical journey, we must decide: Will we turn back or finish well? Before history is written down in books, it is written in courage. Like Americans before us, we will show that courage, and we will finish well. We will lead freedom's advance. We will compete and excel in the global economy. We will renew the defining moral commitments of this land. And so we move forward, optimistic about our country, faithful to its because, and confident of the victories to come. May God bless America.
thank you all speaker vice president cheney members of congress members of the supreme court and diplomatic corps distinguished guests and fellow citizens today our nation lost a beloved graceful courageous woman who called america to its founding ideals and carried on a noble dream tonight we are comforted by the hope of a glad reunion with the husband who was taken so long ago and we are grateful for the good life of coretta scott king every time i am invited to this rostrum i am humbled by the privilege and mindful of the history we have seen together we have gathered under this capitol dome in moments of national mourning and national achievement we have served america through one of the most consequential periods of our history and it has been my honor to serve with you in a system of two parties two chambers and two elected branches there will always be differences and debate but even tough debates can be conducted in a civil tone and our differences can not be allowed to harden into anger to confront the great issues before us we must act in a spirit of good will and respect for one another and i will do my part tonight the state of our union is strong and together we will make it stronger in this decisive year you and i will make choices that determine both the future and the character of our country we will choose to act confidently in pursuing the enemies of freedom or retreat from our duties in the hope of an easier life we will choose to build our prosperity by leading the world economy or shut ourselves off from trade and opportunity in a complex and challenging time the road of isolationism and protectionism may seem broad and inviting yet it ends in danger and decline the only way to protect our people the only way to secure the peace the only way to control our destiny is by our leadership so the united states of america will continue to lead abroad our nation is committed to an historic goal we seek the end of tyranny in our world some dismiss that goal as misguided idealism in reality the future security of america depends on it on september the 11th 2001 we found that problems originating in a failed and oppressive state miles away could bring murder and destruction to our country dictatorships shelter terrorists and feed resentment and radicalism and seek weapons of mass destruction democracies replace resentment with hope respect the rights of their citizens and their neighbors and join the fight against terror every step toward freedom in the world makes our country safer so we will act boldly in freedom because far from being a hopeless dream the advance of freedom is the great story of our time in 1945 there were about two dozen lonely democracies in the world today there are 122 and we are writing a new chapter in the story of women lining up to vote in afghanistan and millions of iraqis marking their liberty with purple ink and men and women from lebanon to egypt debating the rights of individuals and the necessity of freedom at the start of 2006 more than half the people of our world live in democratic nations and we do not forget the other places like syria and burma zimbabwe north korea and the demands of justice and the peace of this world require their freedom as well no one can deny the success of freedom but some men rage and fight against it and one of the main sources of reaction and opposition is radical perversion by a few of a noble faith into an ideology of terror and death terrorists like bin laden are serious about mass murder and all of us must take their declared intentions seriously they seek to impose a heartless system of totalitarian control throughout the middle east and arm themselves with weapons of mass murder their aim is to seize power in iraq and use it as a safe haven to launch attacks against america and the world lacking the military strength to challenge us directly the terrorists have chosen the weapon of fear when they murder children at a school in beslan or blow up commuters in london or behead a bound captive the terrorists hope these horrors will break our will allowing the violent to inherit the earth but they have miscalculated we love our freedom and we will fight to keep it in a time of testing we can not find security by abandoning our commitments and retreating within our borders if we were to leave these vicious attackers alone they would not leave us alone they would simply move the battlefield to our own shores there is no peace in retreat and there is no honor in retreat by allowing radical islam to work its will by leaving an assaulted world to fend for itself we would signal to all that we no longer believe in our own ideals or even in our own courage but our enemies and our friends can be certain the united states will not retreat from the world and we will never surrender to evil america rejects the false comfort of isolationism we are the nation that saved liberty in europe and liberated death camps and helped raise up democracies and faced down an evil empire once again we accept the call of history to deliver the oppressed and move this world toward peace we remain on the offensive against terror networks we have killed or captured many of their leaders and for the others their day will come we remain on the offensive in afghanistan where a fine president and a national assembly are fighting terror while building the institutions of a new democracy we are on the offensive in iraq with a clear plan for victory first we are helping iraqis build an inclusive government so that old resentments will be eased and the insurgency will be marginalized second we are continuing reconstruction efforts and helping the iraqi government to fight corruption and build a modern economy so all iraqis can experience the benefits of freedom and third we are striking terrorist targets while we train iraqi forces that are increasingly capable of defeating the enemy iraqis are showing their courage every day and we are proud to be their allies in the because of freedom our work in iraq is difficult because our enemy is brutal but that brutality has not stopped the dramatic progress of a new democracy in less than 3 years the nation has gone from dictatorship to liberation to sovereignty to a constitution to national elections at the same time our coalition has been relentless in shutting off terrorist infiltration clearing out insurgent strongholds and turning over territory to iraqi security forces i am confident in our plan for victory i am confident in the will of the iraqi people i am confident in the skill and spirit of our military fellow citizens we are in this fight to win and we are winning the road of victory is the road that will take our troops home as we make progress on the ground and iraqi forces increasingly take the lead we should be able to further decrease our troop levels but those decisions will be made by our military commanders not by politicians in washington dc our coalition has learned from our experience in iraq we have adjusted our military tactics and changed our approach to reconstruction along the way we have benefited from responsible criticism and counsel offered by members of congress of both parties in the coming year i will continue to reach out and seek your good advice yet there is a difference between responsible criticism that aims for success and defeatism that refuses to acknowledge anything but failure hindsight alone is not wisdom and is not a strategy with so much in the balance those of us in public office have a duty to speak with candor a sudden withdrawal of our forces from iraq would abandon our iraqi allies to death and prison would put men like bin laden and zarqawi in charge of a strategic country and show that a pledge from america means little members of congress however we feel about the decisions and debates of the past our nation has only one option we must keep our word defeat our enemies and stand behind the american military in this vital mission our men and women in uniform are making sacrifices and showing a sense of duty stronger than all fear they know what it is like to fight house to house in a maze of streets to wear heavy gear in the desert heat to see a comrade killed by a roadside bomb and those who know the costs also know the stakes marine staff sergeant dan clay was killed last month fighting in fallujah he left behind a letter to his family but his words could just as well be addressed to every american here is what dan wrote i know what honor it has been an honor to protect and serve all of you i faced death with the secure knowledge that you would not have to never falter do not hesitate to honor and support those of us who have the honor of protecting that which is worth protecting staff sergeant dan clay wife lisa and his mom and dad sara jo and bud are with us this evening welcome our nation is grateful to the fallen who live in the memory of our country we are grateful to all who volunteer to wear our nation uniform and as we honor our brave troops let us never forget the sacrifices of america military families our offensive against terror involves more than military action ultimately the only way to defeat the terrorists is to defeat their dark vision of hatred and fear by offering the hopeful alternative of political freedom and peaceful change so the united states of america supports democratic reform across the broader middle east elections are vital but they are only the beginning raising up a democracy requires the rule of law and protection of minorities and strong accountable institutions that last longer than a single vote the great people of egypt have voted in a multiparty presidential election and now their government should open paths of peaceful opposition that will reduce the appeal of radicalism the palestinian people have voted in elections and now the leaders of hamas must recognize israel disarm reject terrorism and work for lasting peace saudi arabia has taken the first steps of reform now it can offer its people a better future by pressing forward with those efforts democracies in the middle east will not look like our own because they will reflect the traditions of their own citizens yet liberty is the future of every nation in the middle east because liberty is the right and hope of all humanity the same is true of iran a nation now held hostage by a small clerical elite that is isolating and repressing its people the regime in that country sponsors terrorists in the palestinian territories and in lebanon and that must come to an end the iranian government is defying the world with its nuclear ambitions and the nations of the world must not permit the iranian regime to gain nuclear weapons america will continue to rally the world to confront these threats tonight let me speak directly to the citizens of iran america respects you and we respect your country we respect your right to choose your own future and win your own freedom and our nation hopes one day to be the closest of friends with a free and democratic iran to overcome dangers in our world we must also take the offensive by encouraging economic progress and fighting disease and spreading hope in hopeless lands isolationism would not only tie our hands in fighting enemies it would keep us from helping our friends in desperate need we show compassion abroad because americans believe in the dignity and worth of a villager with or an infant with malaria or a refugee fleeing genocide or a young girl sold into slavery we also show compassion abroad because regions overwhelmed by poverty corruption and despair are sources of terrorism and organized crime and human trafficking and the drug trade in recent years you and i have taken unprecedented action to fight aids and malaria expand the education of girls and reward developing nations that are moving forward with economic and political reform for people everywhere the united states is a partner for a better life shortchanging these efforts would increase the suffering and chaos of our world undercut our security and dull the conscience of our country i urge members of congress to serve the interests of america by showing the compassion of america our country must also remain on the offensive against terrorism here at home the enemy has not lost the desire or capability to attack us fortunately this nation has superb professionals in law enforcement intelligence the military and homeland security these men and women are dedicating their lives protecting us all and they deserve our support and our thanks they also deserve the same tools they already use to fight drug trafficking and organized crime so i ask you to reauthorize the patriot act it is said that prior to the attacks of september the 11th our government failed to connect the dots of the conspiracy we now know that two of the hijackers in the united states placed telephone calls to al qaida operatives overseas but we did not know about their plans until it was too late so to prevent another on authority given to me by the constitution and by have authorized a terrorist surveillance program to aggressively pursue the international communications of suspected al qaida operatives and affiliates to and from america previous presidents have used the same constitutional authority i have and federal courts have approved the use of that authority appropriate members of congress have been kept informed the terrorist surveillance program has helped prevent terrorist attacks it remains essential to the security of america if there are people inside our country who are talking with al qaida we want to know about it because we will not sit back and wait to be hit again in all these the disruption of terror networks to victory in iraq to the spread of freedom and hope in troubled need the support of our friends and allies to draw that support we must always be clear in our principles and willing to act the only alternative to american leadership is a dramatically more dangerous and anxious world yet we also choose to lead because it is a privilege to serve the values that gave us birth american roosevelt to truman to kennedy to isolation and retreat because they knew that america is always more secure when freedom is on the march our own generation is in a long war against a determined enemy a war that will be fought by presidents of both parties who will need steady bipartisan support from the congress and tonight i ask for yours together let us protect our country support the men and women who defend us and lead this world toward freedom here at home america also has a great opportunity we will build the prosperity of our country by strengthening our economic leadership in the world our economy is healthy and vigorous and growing faster than other major industrialized nations in the last 2 years america has created million new jobs more than japan and the european union combined even in the face of higher energy prices and natural disasters the american people have turned in an economic performance that is the envy of the world the american economy is preeminent but we can not afford to be complacent in a dynamic world economy we are seeing new competitors like china and india and this creates uncertainty which makes it easier to feed people fears so we are seeing some old temptations return protectionists want to escape competition pretending that we can keep our high standard of living while walling off our economy others say that the government needs to take a larger role in directing the economy centralizing more power in washington and increasing taxes we hear claims that immigrants are somehow bad for the economy even though this economy could not function without them all these are forms of economic retreat and they lead in the same direction toward a stagnant and economy tonight i will set out a better path an agenda for a nation that competes with confidence an agenda that will raise standards of living and generate new jobs americans should not fear our economic future because we intend to shape it keeping america competitive begins with keeping our economy growing and our economy grows when americans have more of their own money to spend save and invest in the last 5 years the tax relief you passed has left 880 billion in the hands of american workers investors small businesses and families and they have used it to help produce more than 4 years of uninterrupted economic growth yet the tax relief is set to expire in the next few years if we do nothing american families will face a massive tax increase they do not expect and will not welcome because america needs more than a temporary expansion we need more than temporary tax relief i urge the congress to act responsibly and make the tax cuts permanent keeping america competitive requires us to be good stewards of tax dollars every year of my presidency we have reduced the growth of nonsecurity discretionary spending and last year you passed bills that cut this spending this year my budget will cut it again and reduce or eliminate more than 140 programs that are performing poorly or not fulfilling essential priorities by passing these reforms we will save the american taxpayer another 14 billion next year and stay on track to cut the deficit in half by 2009 i am pleased that members of congress are working on earmark reform because the federal budget has too many special interest projects and we can tackle this problem together if you pass the veto we must also confront the larger challenge of mandatory spending or entitlements this year the first of about 78 million baby boomers turn 60 including two of my dad favorite and president clinton this milestone is more than a personal it is a national challenge the retirement of the baby boom generation will put unprecedented strains on the federal government by 2030 spending for social security medicare and medicaid alone will be almost 60 percent of the entire federal budget and that will present future congresses with impossible choices staggering tax increases immense deficits or deep cuts in every category of spending congress did not act last year on my proposal to save social security yet the rising cost of entitlements is a problem that is not going away and every year we fail to act the situation gets worse so tonight i ask you to join me in creating a commission to examine the full impact of baby boom retirements on social security medicare and medicaid this commission should include members of congress of both parties and offer bipartisan solutions we need to put aside partisan politics and work together and get this problem solved keeping america competitive requires us to open more markets for all that americans make and grow one out of every five factory jobs in america is related to global trade and we want people everywhere to buy american with open markets and a level playing field no one can outproduce or outcompete the american worker keeping america competitive requires an immigration system that upholds our laws reflects our values and serves the interests of our economy our nation needs orderly and secure borders to meet this goal we must have stronger immigration enforcement and border protection and we must have a rational humane program that rejects amnesty allows temporary jobs for people who seek them legally and reduces smuggling and crime at the border keeping america competitive requires affordable health care our government has a responsibility to provide health care for the poor and the elderly and we are meeting that responsibility for all americans we must confront the rising cost of care strengthen the relationship and help people afford the insurance coverage they need we will make wider use of electronic records and other health information technology to help control costs and reduce dangerous medical errors we will strengthen health savings accounts making sure individuals and employees can buy insurance with the same advantages that people working for big businesses now get we will do more to make this coverage portable so workers can switch jobs without having to worry about losing their health insurance and because lawsuits are driving many good doctors out of practice leaving women in nearly american counties without a single i ask the congress to pass medical liability reform this year keeping america competitive requires affordable energy and here we have a serious problem america is addicted to oil which is often imported from unstable parts of the world the best way to break this addiction is through technology since 2001 we have spent nearly 10 billion to develop cleaner cheaper and more reliable alternative energy sources and we are on the threshold of incredible advances so tonight i announce the advanced energy increase in research at the department of push for breakthroughs in two vital areas to change how we power our homes and offices we will invest more in plants revolutionary solar and wind technologies and clean safe nuclear energy we must also change how we power our automobiles we will increase our research in better batteries for hybrid and electric cars and in cars that run on hydrogen we will also fund additional research in methods of producing ethanol not just from corn but from wood chips and stalks or switchgrass our goal is to make this new kind of ethanol practical and competitive within 6 years breakthroughs on this and other new technologies will help us reach another great goal to replace more than 75 percent of our oil imports from the middle east by 2025 by applying the talent and technology of america this country can dramatically improve our environment move beyond a economy and make our dependence on middle eastern oil a thing of the past and to keep america competitive one commitment is necessary above all we must continue to lead the world in human talent and creativity our greatest advantage in the world has always been our educated ambitious people and we are going to keep that edge tonight i announce an american competitiveness initiative to encourage innovation throughout our economy and to give our nation children a firm grounding in math and science first i propose to double the federal commitment to the most critical basic research programs in the physical sciences over the next 10 years this funding will support the work of america most creative minds as they explore promising areas such as nanotechnology supercomputing and alternative energy sources second i propose to make permanent the research and development tax credit to encourage bolder private sector initiative in technology with more research in both the public and private sectors we will improve our quality of life and ensure that america will lead the world in opportunity and innovation for decades to come third we need to encourage children to take more math and science and to make sure those courses are rigorous enough to compete with other nations we have made a good start in the early grades with the no child left behind act which is raising standards and lifting test scores across our country tonight i propose to train high school teachers to lead advanced placement courses in math and science bring math and science professionals to teach in classrooms and give early help to students who struggle with math so they have a better chance at good jobs if we ensure that america children succeed in life they will ensure that america succeeds in the world preparing our nation to compete in the world is a goal that all of us can share i urge you to support the american competitiveness initiative and together we will show the world what the american people can achieve america is a great force for freedom and prosperity yet our greatness is not measured in power or luxuries but by who we are and how we treat one another so we strive to be a compassionate decent hopeful society in recent years america has become a more hopeful nation violent crime rates have fallen to their lowest levels since the 1970s welfare cases have dropped by more than half over the past decade drug use among youth is down 19 percent since 2001 there are fewer abortions in america than at any point in the last three decades and the number of children born to teenage mothers has been falling for a dozen years in a row these gains are evidence of a quiet transformation a revolution of conscience in which a rising generation is finding that a life of personal responsibility is a life of fulfillment government has played a role wise policies such as welfare reform and drug education and support for abstinence and adoption have made a difference in the character of our country and everyone here tonight democrat and republican has a right to be proud of this record yet many americans especially parents still have deep concerns about the direction of our culture and the health of our most basic institutions they are concerned about unethical conduct by public officials and discouraged by activist courts that try to redefine marriage they worry about children in our society who need direction and love and about fellow citizens still displaced by natural disaster and about suffering caused by treatable diseases as we look at these challenges we must never give in to the belief that america is in decline or that our culture is doomed to unravel the american people know better than that we have proven the pessimists wrong before and we will do it again a hopeful society depends on courts that deliver equal justice under the law the supreme court now has two superb new members on its bench chief justice john roberts and justice sam alito i thank the senate for confirming both of them i will continue to nominate men and women who understand that judges must be servants of the law and not legislate from the bench today marks the official retirement of a very special american for 24 years of faithful service to our nation the united states is grateful to justice sandra day a hopeful society has institutions of science and medicine that do not cut ethical corners and that recognize the matchless value of every life tonight i ask you to pass legislation to prohibit the most egregious abuses of medical research human cloning in all its forms creating or implanting embryos for experiments creating hybrids and buying selling or patenting human embryos human life is a gift from our creator and that gift should never be discarded devalued or put up for sale a hopeful society expects elected officials to uphold the public trust honorable people in both parties are working on reforms to strengthen the ethical standards of washington i support your efforts each of us has made a pledge to be worthy of public responsibility and that is a pledge we must never forget never dismiss and never betray as we renew the promise of our institutions let us also show the character of america in our compassion and care for one another a hopeful society gives special attention to children who lack direction and love through the helping america youth initiative we are encouraging caring adults to get involved in the life of a child and this good work is being led by our first lady laura bush this year we will add resources to encourage young people to stay in school so more of america youth can raise their sights and achieve their dreams a hopeful society comes to the aid of fellow citizens in times of suffering and emergency and stays at it until they are back on their feet so far the federal government has committed 85 billion to the people of the gulf coast and new orleans we are removing debris and repairing highways and rebuilding stronger levees we are providing business loans and housing assistance yet as we meet these immediate needs we must also address deeper challenges that existed before the storm arrived in new orleans and in other places many of our fellow citizens have felt excluded from the promise of our country the answer is not only temporary relief but schools that teach every child and job skills that bring upward mobility and more opportunities to own a home and start a business as we recover from a disaster let us also work for the day when all americans are protected by justice equal in hope and rich in opportunity a hopeful society acts boldly to fight diseases like which can be prevented and treated and defeated more than a million americans live with hiv and half of all aids cases occur among african americans i ask congress to reform and reauthorize the ryan white act and provide new funding to states so we end the waiting lists for aids medicines in america we will also lead a nationwide effort working closely with african american churches and groups to deliver rapid hiv tests to millions end the stigma of aids and come closer to the day when there are no new infections in america fellow citizens we have been called to leadership in a period of consequence we have entered a great ideological conflict we did nothing to invite we see great changes in science and commerce that will influence all our lives sometimes it can seem that history is turning in a wide arc toward an unknown shore yet the destination of history is determined by human action and every great movement of history comes to a point of choosing lincoln could have accepted peace at the cost of disunity and continued slavery martin luther king could have stopped at birmingham or at selma and achieved only half a victory over segregation the united states could have accepted the permanent division of europe and been complicit in the oppression of others today having come far in our own historical journey we must decide will we turn back or finish well before history is written down in books it is written in courage like americans before us we will show that courage and we will finish well we will lead freedom advance we will compete and excel in the global economy we will renew the defining moral commitments of this land and so we move forward optimistic about our country faithful to its because and confident of the victories to come may god bless america
thank speaker vice president cheney members congress members supreme court diplomatic corps distinguished guests fellow citizens today nation lost beloved graceful courageous woman called america founding ideals carried noble dream tonight comforted hope glad reunion husband taken long ago grateful good life coretta scott king every time invited rostrum humbled privilege mindful history seen together gathered capitol dome moments national mourning national achievement served america one consequential periods history honor serve system two parties two chambers two elected branches always differences debate even tough debates conducted civil tone differences allowed harden anger confront great issues us must act spirit good respect one another part tonight state union strong together make stronger decisive year make choices determine future character country choose act confidently pursuing enemies freedom retreat duties hope easier life choose build prosperity leading world economy shut trade opportunity complex challenging time road isolationism protectionism may seem broad inviting yet ends danger decline way protect people way secure peace way control destiny leadership united states america continue lead abroad nation committed historic goal seek end tyranny world dismiss goal misguided idealism reality future security america depends september 11th 2001 found problems originating failed oppressive state miles away could bring murder destruction country dictatorships shelter terrorists feed resentment radicalism seek weapons mass destruction democracies replace resentment hope respect rights citizens neighbors join fight terror every step toward freedom world makes country safer act boldly freedom far hopeless dream advance freedom great story time 1945 two dozen lonely democracies world today 122 writing new chapter story women lining vote afghanistan millions iraqis marking liberty purple ink men women lebanon egypt debating rights individuals necessity freedom start 2006 half people world live democratic nations forget places like syria burma zimbabwe north korea demands justice peace world require freedom well one deny success freedom men rage fight one main sources reaction opposition radical perversion noble faith ideology terror death terrorists like bin laden serious mass murder us must take declared intentions seriously seek impose heartless system totalitarian control throughout middle east arm weapons mass murder aim seize power iraq use safe launch attacks america world lacking military strength challenge us directly terrorists chosen weapon fear murder children school beslan blow commuters london behead bound captive terrorists hope horrors break allowing violent inherit earth miscalculated love freedom fight keep time testing find security abandoning commitments retreating within borders leave vicious attackers alone would leave us alone would simply move battlefield shores peace retreat honor retreat allowing radical islam work leaving assaulted world fend would signal longer believe ideals even courage enemies friends certain united states retreat world never surrender evil america rejects false comfort isolationism nation saved liberty europe liberated death camps helped raise democracies faced evil empire accept call history deliver oppressed move world toward peace remain offensive terror networks killed captured many leaders others day come remain offensive afghanistan fine president national assembly fighting terror building institutions new democracy offensive iraq clear plan victory first helping iraqis build inclusive government old resentments eased insurgency marginalized second continuing reconstruction efforts helping iraqi government fight corruption build modern economy iraqis experience benefits freedom third striking terrorist targets train iraqi forces increasingly capable defeating enemy iraqis showing courage every day proud allies freedom work iraq difficult enemy brutal brutality stopped dramatic progress new democracy less 3 years nation gone dictatorship liberation sovereignty constitution national elections time coalition relentless shutting terrorist infiltration clearing insurgent strongholds turning territory iraqi security forces confident plan victory confident iraqi people confident skill spirit military fellow citizens fight win winning road victory road take troops home make progress ground iraqi forces increasingly take lead able decrease troop levels decisions made military commanders politicians washington dc coalition learned experience iraq adjusted military tactics changed approach reconstruction along way benefited responsible criticism counsel offered members congress parties coming year continue reach seek good advice yet difference responsible criticism aims success defeatism refuses acknowledge anything failure hindsight alone wisdom strategy much balance us public office duty speak candor sudden withdrawal forces iraq would abandon iraqi allies death prison would put men like bin laden zarqawi charge strategic country show pledge america means little members congress however feel decisions debates past nation one option must keep word defeat enemies stand behind american military vital mission men women uniform making sacrifices showing sense duty stronger fear know like fight house house maze streets wear heavy gear desert heat see comrade killed roadside bomb know costs also know stakes marine staff sergeant dan clay killed last month fighting fallujah left behind letter family words could well addressed every american dan wrote know honor honor protect serve faced death secure knowledge would never falter hesitate honor support us honor protecting worth protecting staff sergeant dan clay wife lisa mom dad sara jo bud us evening welcome nation grateful fallen live memory country grateful volunteer wear nation uniform honor brave troops let us never forget sacrifices america military families offensive terror involves military action ultimately way defeat terrorists defeat dark vision hatred fear offering hopeful alternative political freedom peaceful change united states america supports democratic reform across broader middle east elections vital beginning raising democracy requires rule law protection minorities strong accountable institutions last longer single vote great people egypt voted multiparty presidential election government open paths peaceful opposition reduce appeal radicalism palestinian people voted elections leaders hamas must recognize israel disarm reject terrorism work lasting peace saudi arabia taken first steps reform offer people better future pressing forward efforts democracies middle east look like reflect traditions citizens yet liberty future every nation middle east liberty right hope humanity true iran nation held hostage small clerical elite isolating repressing people regime country sponsors terrorists palestinian territories lebanon must come end iranian government defying world nuclear ambitions nations world must permit iranian regime gain nuclear weapons america continue rally world confront threats tonight let speak directly citizens iran america respects respect country respect right choose future win freedom nation hopes one day closest friends free democratic iran overcome dangers world must also take offensive encouraging economic progress fighting disease spreading hope hopeless lands isolationism would tie hands fighting enemies would keep us helping friends desperate need show compassion abroad americans believe dignity worth villager infant malaria refugee fleeing genocide young girl sold slavery also show compassion abroad regions overwhelmed poverty corruption despair sources terrorism organized crime human trafficking drug trade recent years taken unprecedented action fight aids malaria expand education girls reward developing nations moving forward economic political reform people everywhere united states partner better life shortchanging efforts would increase suffering chaos world undercut security dull conscience country urge members congress serve interests america showing compassion america country must also remain offensive terrorism home enemy lost desire capability attack us fortunately nation superb professionals law enforcement intelligence military homeland security men women dedicating lives protecting us deserve support thanks also deserve tools already use fight drug trafficking organized crime ask reauthorize patriot act said prior attacks september 11th government failed connect dots conspiracy know two hijackers united states placed telephone calls al qaida operatives overseas know plans late prevent another authority given constitution authorized terrorist surveillance program aggressively pursue international communications suspected al qaida operatives affiliates america previous presidents used constitutional authority federal courts approved use authority appropriate members congress kept informed terrorist surveillance program helped prevent terrorist attacks remains essential security america people inside country talking al qaida want know sit back wait hit disruption terror networks victory iraq spread freedom hope troubled need support friends allies draw support must always clear principles willing act alternative american leadership dramatically dangerous anxious world yet also choose lead privilege serve values gave us birth american roosevelt truman kennedy isolation retreat knew america always secure freedom march generation long war determined enemy war fought presidents parties need steady bipartisan support congress tonight ask together let us protect country support men women defend us lead world toward freedom home america also great opportunity build prosperity country strengthening economic leadership world economy healthy vigorous growing faster major industrialized nations last 2 years america created million new jobs japan european union combined even face higher energy prices natural disasters american people turned economic performance envy world american economy preeminent afford complacent dynamic world economy seeing new competitors like china india creates uncertainty makes easier feed people fears seeing old temptations return protectionists want escape competition pretending keep high standard living walling economy others say government needs take larger role directing economy centralizing power washington increasing taxes hear claims immigrants somehow bad economy even though economy could function without forms economic retreat lead direction toward stagnant economy tonight set better path agenda nation competes confidence agenda raise standards living generate new jobs americans fear economic future intend shape keeping america competitive begins keeping economy growing economy grows americans money spend save invest last 5 years tax relief passed left 880 billion hands american workers investors small businesses families used help produce 4 years uninterrupted economic growth yet tax relief set expire next years nothing american families face massive tax increase expect welcome america needs temporary expansion need temporary tax relief urge congress act responsibly make tax cuts permanent keeping america competitive requires us good stewards tax dollars every year presidency reduced growth nonsecurity discretionary spending last year passed bills cut spending year budget cut reduce eliminate 140 programs performing poorly fulfilling essential priorities passing reforms save american taxpayer another 14 billion next year stay track cut deficit half 2009 pleased members congress working earmark reform federal budget many special interest projects tackle problem together pass veto must also confront larger challenge mandatory spending entitlements year first 78 million baby boomers turn 60 including two dad favorite president clinton milestone personal national challenge retirement baby boom generation put unprecedented strains federal government 2030 spending social security medicare medicaid alone almost 60 percent entire federal budget present future congresses impossible choices staggering tax increases immense deficits deep cuts every category spending congress act last year proposal save social security yet rising cost entitlements problem going away every year fail act situation gets worse tonight ask join creating commission examine full impact baby boom retirements social security medicare medicaid commission include members congress parties offer bipartisan solutions need put aside partisan politics work together get problem solved keeping america competitive requires us open markets americans make grow one every five factory jobs america related global trade want people everywhere buy american open markets level playing field one outproduce outcompete american worker keeping america competitive requires immigration system upholds laws reflects values serves interests economy nation needs orderly secure borders meet goal must stronger immigration enforcement border protection must rational humane program rejects amnesty allows temporary jobs people seek legally reduces smuggling crime border keeping america competitive requires affordable health care government responsibility provide health care poor elderly meeting responsibility americans must confront rising cost care strengthen relationship help people afford insurance coverage need make wider use electronic records health information technology help control costs reduce dangerous medical errors strengthen health savings accounts making sure individuals employees buy insurance advantages people working big businesses get make coverage portable workers switch jobs without worry losing health insurance lawsuits driving many good doctors practice leaving women nearly american counties without single ask congress pass medical liability reform year keeping america competitive requires affordable energy serious problem america addicted oil often imported unstable parts world best way break addiction technology since 2001 spent nearly 10 billion develop cleaner cheaper reliable alternative energy sources threshold incredible advances tonight announce advanced energy increase research department push breakthroughs two vital areas change power homes offices invest plants revolutionary solar wind technologies clean safe nuclear energy must also change power automobiles increase research better batteries hybrid electric cars cars run hydrogen also fund additional research methods producing ethanol corn wood chips stalks switchgrass goal make new kind ethanol practical competitive within 6 years breakthroughs new technologies help us reach another great goal replace 75 percent oil imports middle east 2025 applying talent technology america country dramatically improve environment move beyond economy make dependence middle eastern oil thing past keep america competitive one commitment necessary must continue lead world human talent creativity greatest advantage world always educated ambitious people going keep edge tonight announce american competitiveness initiative encourage innovation throughout economy give nation children firm grounding math science first propose double federal commitment critical basic research programs physical sciences next 10 years funding support work america creative minds explore promising areas nanotechnology supercomputing alternative energy sources second propose make permanent research development tax credit encourage bolder private sector initiative technology research public private sectors improve quality life ensure america lead world opportunity innovation decades come third need encourage children take math science make sure courses rigorous enough compete nations made good start early grades child left behind act raising standards lifting test scores across country tonight propose train high school teachers lead advanced placement courses math science bring math science professionals teach classrooms give early help students struggle math better chance good jobs ensure america children succeed life ensure america succeeds world preparing nation compete world goal us share urge support american competitiveness initiative together show world american people achieve america great force freedom prosperity yet greatness measured power luxuries treat one another strive compassionate decent hopeful society recent years america become hopeful nation violent crime rates fallen lowest levels since 1970s welfare cases dropped half past decade drug use among youth 19 percent since 2001 fewer abortions america point last three decades number children born teenage mothers falling dozen years row gains evidence quiet transformation revolution conscience rising generation finding life personal responsibility life fulfillment government played role wise policies welfare reform drug education support abstinence adoption made difference character country everyone tonight democrat republican right proud record yet many americans especially parents still deep concerns direction culture health basic institutions concerned unethical conduct public officials discouraged activist courts try redefine marriage worry children society need direction love fellow citizens still displaced natural disaster suffering caused treatable diseases look challenges must never give belief america decline culture doomed unravel american people know better proven pessimists wrong hopeful society depends courts deliver equal justice law supreme court two superb new members bench chief justice john roberts justice sam alito thank senate confirming continue nominate men women understand judges must servants law legislate bench today marks official retirement special american 24 years faithful service nation united states grateful justice sandra day hopeful society institutions science medicine cut ethical corners recognize matchless value every life tonight ask pass legislation prohibit egregious abuses medical research human cloning forms creating implanting embryos experiments creating hybrids buying selling patenting human embryos human life gift creator gift never discarded devalued put sale hopeful society expects elected officials uphold public trust honorable people parties working reforms strengthen ethical standards washington support efforts us made pledge worthy public responsibility pledge must never forget never dismiss never betray renew promise institutions let us also show character america compassion care one another hopeful society gives special attention children lack direction love helping america youth initiative encouraging caring adults get involved life child good work led first lady laura bush year add resources encourage young people stay school america youth raise sights achieve dreams hopeful society comes aid fellow citizens times suffering emergency stays back feet far federal government committed 85 billion people gulf coast new orleans removing debris repairing highways rebuilding stronger levees providing business loans housing assistance yet meet immediate needs must also address deeper challenges existed storm arrived new orleans places many fellow citizens felt excluded promise country answer temporary relief schools teach every child job skills bring upward mobility opportunities home start business recover disaster let us also work day americans protected justice equal hope rich opportunity hopeful society acts boldly fight diseases like prevented treated defeated million americans live hiv half aids cases occur among african americans ask congress reform reauthorize ryan white act provide new funding states end waiting lists aids medicines america also lead nationwide effort working closely african american churches groups deliver rapid hiv tests millions end stigma aids come closer day new infections america fellow citizens called leadership period consequence entered great ideological conflict nothing invite see great changes science commerce influence lives sometimes seem history turning wide arc toward unknown shore yet destination history determined human action every great movement history comes point choosing lincoln could accepted peace cost disunity continued slavery martin luther king could stopped birmingham selma achieved half victory segregation united states could accepted permanent division europe complicit oppression others today come far historical journey must decide turn back finish well history written books written courage like americans us show courage finish well lead freedom advance compete excel global economy renew defining moral commitments land move forward optimistic country faithful confident victories come may god bless america
thank speaker vice president cheney member congress member supreme court diplomatic corp distinguish guest fellow citizen today nation lose beloved graceful courageous woman call america founding ideal carry noble dream tonight comfort hope glad reunion husband take long ago grateful good life coretta scott king every time invite rostrum humble privilege mindful history see together gathered capitol dome moment national mourn national achievement serve america one consequential period history honor serve system two party two chamber two elect branch always difference debate even tough debate conduct civil tone difference allow harden anger confront great issue u must act spirit good respect one another part tonight state union strong together make strong decisive year make choice determine future character country choose act confidently pursue enemy freedom retreat duty hope easy life choose build prosperity lead world economy shut trade opportunity complex challenging time road isolationism protectionism may seem broad inviting yet end danger decline way protect people way secure peace way control destiny leadership united state america continue lead abroad nation commit historic goal seek end tyranny world dismiss goal misguide idealism reality future security america depend september 11th 2001 find problem originate fail oppressive state mile away could bring murder destruction country dictatorships shelter terrorist fee resentment radicalism seek weapon mass destruction democracy replace resentment hope respect right citizens neighbor join fight terror every step toward freedom world make country safer act boldly freedom far hopeless dream advance freedom great story time 1945 two dozen lonely democracies world today 122 write new chapter story woman line vote afghanistan million iraqis mark liberty purple ink men woman lebanon egypt debate right individual necessity freedom start 2006 half people world live democratic nation forget place like syria burma zimbabwe north korea demand justice peace world require freedom well one deny success freedom men rage fight one main source reaction opposition radical perversion noble faith ideology terror death terrorist like bin lade serious mass murder u must take declared intention seriously seek impose heartless system totalitarian control throughout middle east arm weapon mass murder aim seize power iraq use safe launch attack america world lack military strength challenge u directly terrorists choose weapon fear murder child school beslan blow commuter london behead bound captive terrorist hope horror break allow violent inherit earth miscalculate love freedom fight keep time test find security abandon commitment retreat within border leave vicious attacker alone would leave u alone would simply move battlefield shore peace retreat honor retreat allow radical islam work leave assaulted world fend would signal long believe ideal even courage enemy friends certain united state retreat world never surrender evil america reject false comfort isolationism nation save liberty europe liberate death camp help raise democracy face evil empire accept call history deliver oppress move world toward peace remain offensive terror network kill capture many leader others day come remain offensive afghanistan fine president national assembly fight terror building institution new democracy offensive iraq clear plan victory first help iraqis build inclusive government old resentment ease insurgency marginalize second continue reconstruction effort help iraqi government fight corruption build modern economy iraqis experience benefit freedom third striking terrorist target train iraqi force increasingly capable defeat enemy iraqi show courage every day proud ally freedom work iraq difficult enemy brutal brutality stop dramatic progress new democracy less 3 year nation go dictatorship liberation sovereignty constitution national election time coalition relentless shut terrorist infiltration clear insurgent stronghold turn territory iraqi security force confident plan victory confident iraqi people confident skill spirit military fellow citizen fight win win road victory road take troop home make progress ground iraqi force increasingly take lead able decrease troop level decision make military commander politician washington dc coalition learn experience iraq adjust military tactic change approach reconstruction along way benefit responsible criticism counsel offer member congress party come year continue reach seek good advice yet difference responsible criticism aim success defeatism refuse acknowledge anything failure hindsight alone wisdom strategy much balance u public office duty speak candor sudden withdrawal force iraq would abandon iraqi ally death prison would put men like bin laden zarqawi charge strategic country show pledge america mean little member congress however feel decision debate past nation one option must keep word defeat enemy stand behind american military vital mission men woman uniform make sacrifice show sense duty strong fear know like fight house house maze street wear heavy gear desert heat see comrade kill roadside bomb know cost also know stake marine staff sergeant dan clay kill last month fight fallujah leave behind letter family word could well addressed every american dan write know honor honor protect serve face death secure knowledge would never falter hesitate honor support u honor protect worth protect staff sergeant dan clay wife lisa mom dad sara jo bud u even welcome nation grateful fall live memory country grateful volunteer wear nation uniform honor brave troop let u never forget sacrifice america military family offensive terror involve military action ultimately way defeat terrorist defeat dark vision hatred fear offering hopeful alternative political freedom peaceful change unite state america support democratic reform across broad middle east election vital begin raise democracy require rule law protection minority strong accountable institution last long single vote great people egypt voted multiparty presidential election government open path peaceful opposition reduce appeal radicalism palestinian people vote election leader hamas must recognize israel disarm reject terrorism work last peace saudi arabia take first step reform offer people well future press forward effort democracy middle east look like reflect tradition citizens yet liberty future every nation middle east liberty right hope humanity true iran nation hold hostage small clerical elite isolate repress people regime country sponsor terrorists palestinian territory lebanon must come end iranian government defy world nuclear ambition nation world must permit iranian regime gain nuclear weapon america continue rally world confront threat tonight let speak directly citizen iran america respect respect country respect right choose future win freedom nation hop one day closest friend free democratic iran overcome danger world must also take offensive encouraging economic progress fight disease spread hope hopeless land isolationism would tie hand fight enemy would keep u help friend desperate need show compassion abroad americans believe dignity worth villager infant malaria refugee flee genocide young girl sell slavery also show compassion abroad region overwhelm poverty corruption despair source terrorism organize crime human traffic drug trade recent year take unprecedented action fight aid malaria expand education girl reward develop nation move forward economic political reform people everywhere united state partner well life shortchanging effort would increase suffer chaos world undercut security dull conscience country urge member congress serve interest america show compassion america country must also remain offensive terrorism home enemy lose desire capability attack u fortunately nation superb professional law enforcement intelligence military homeland security men woman dedicate life protect u deserve support thanks also deserve tool already use fight drug traffic organize crime ask reauthorize patriot act say prior attack september 11th government fail connect dot conspiracy know two hijacker united state place telephone call al qaida operative overseas know plan late prevent another authority give constitution authorize terrorist surveillance program aggressively pursue international communication suspect al qaida operatives affiliate america previous president use constitutional authority federal court approve use authority appropriate member congress keep informed terrorist surveillance program help prevent terrorist attack remain essential security america people inside country talk al qaida want know sit back wait hit disruption terror network victory iraq spread freedom hope trouble need support friends ally draw support must always clear principle willing act alternative american leadership dramatically dangerous anxious world yet also choose lead privilege serve value give u birth american roosevelt truman kennedy isolation retreat know america always secure freedom march generation long war determine enemy war fight president party need steady bipartisan support congress tonight ask together let u protect country support men woman defend u lead world toward freedom home america also great opportunity build prosperity country strengthen economic leadership world economy healthy vigorous grow faster major industrialize nation last 2 year america create million new job japan european union combine even face high energy price natural disaster american people turn economic performance envy world american economy preeminent afford complacent dynamic world economy see new competitor like china india create uncertainty make easy feed people fear see old temptation return protectionist want escape competition pretend keep high standard live wall economy others say government need take large role direct economy centralize power washington increase tax hear claim immigrant somehow bad economy even though economy could function without form economic retreat lead direction toward stagnant economy tonight set well path agenda nation compete confidence agenda raise standard live generate new job american fear economic future intend shape keep america competitive begin keep economy grow economy grows americans money spend save invest last 5 year tax relief pass leave 880 billion hand american worker investor small business family use help produce 4 year uninterrupted economic growth yet tax relief set expire next year nothing american family face massive tax increase expect welcome america need temporary expansion need temporary tax relief urge congress act responsibly make tax cut permanent keep america competitive require u good steward tax dollar every year presidency reduce growth nonsecurity discretionary spending last year pass bill cut spending year budget cut reduce eliminate 140 program perform poorly fulfil essential priority pass reform save american taxpayer another 14 billion next year stay track cut deficit half 2009 pleased member congress work earmark reform federal budget many special interest project tackle problem together pas veto must also confront large challenge mandatory spending entitlement year first 78 million baby boomer turn 60 include two dad favorite president clinton milestone personal national challenge retirement baby boom generation put unprecedented strain federal government 2030 spending social security medicare medicaid alone almost 60 percent entire federal budget present future congresses impossible choice stagger tax increase immense deficit deep cut every category spending congress act last year proposal save social security yet rise cost entitlement problem go away every year fail act situation get bad tonight ask join create commission examine full impact baby boom retirements social security medicare medicaid commission include member congress party offer bipartisan solution need put aside partisan politics work together get problem solve keep america competitive require u open market american make grow one every five factory job america relate global trade want people everywhere buy american open market level play field one outproduce outcompete american worker keep america competitive require immigration system upholds law reflect value serve interest economy nation need orderly secure border meet goal must stronger immigration enforcement border protection must rational humane program reject amnesty allows temporary job people seek legally reduces smuggle crime border keep america competitive require affordable health care government responsibility provide health care poor elderly meeting responsibility american must confront rise cost care strengthen relationship help people afford insurance coverage need make wide use electronic record health information technology help control cost reduce dangerous medical error strengthen health saving account make sure individual employee buy insurance advantage people work big business get make coverage portable worker switch job without worry lose health insurance lawsuit drive many good doctor practice leave woman nearly american county without single ask congress pass medical liability reform year keep america competitive require affordable energy serious problem america addict oil often import unstable part world best way break addiction technology since 2001 spend nearly 10 billion develop clean cheap reliable alternative energy source threshold incredible advance tonight announce advanced energy increase research department push breakthroughs two vital area change power home office invest plant revolutionary solar wind technology clean safe nuclear energy must also change power automobile increase research good battery hybrid electric car car run hydrogen also fund additional research method produce ethanol corn wood chip stalk switchgrass goal make new kind ethanol practical competitive within 6 year breakthroughs new technology help u reach another great goal replace 75 percent oil import middle east 2025 apply talent technology america country dramatically improve environment move beyond economy make dependence middle eastern oil thing past keep america competitive one commitment necessary must continue lead world human talent creativity great advantage world always educate ambitious people go keep edge tonight announce american competitiveness initiative encourage innovation throughout economy give nation child firm ground math science first propose double federal commitment critical basic research program physical science next 10 year fund support work america creative mind explore promising area nanotechnology supercomputing alternative energy source second propose make permanent research development tax credit encourage bolder private sector initiative technology research public private sector improve quality life ensure america lead world opportunity innovation decade come third need encourage child take math science make sure course rigorous enough compete nation make good start early grade child leave behind act raise standard lift test score across country tonight propose train high school teacher lead advanced placement course math science bring math science professional teach classroom give early help student struggle math well chance good job ensure america child succeed life ensure america succeed world prepare nation compete world goal u share urge support american competitiveness initiative together show world american people achieve america great force freedom prosperity yet greatness measure power luxury treat one another strive compassionate decent hopeful society recent year america become hopeful nation violent crime rate fall low level since 1970s welfare case drop half past decade drug use among youth 19 percent since 2001 few abortion america point last three decade number child born teenage mother fall dozen year row gain evidence quiet transformation revolution conscience rise generation find life personal responsibility life fulfillment government play role wise policy welfare reform drug education support abstinence adoption make difference character country everyone tonight democrat republican right proud record yet many american especially parent still deep concern direction culture health basic institution concerned unethical conduct public official discourage activist court try redefine marriage worry child society need direction love fellow citizen still displace natural disaster suffering cause treatable disease look challenge must never give belief america decline culture doom unravel american people know good proven pessimist wrong hopeful society depend court deliver equal justice law supreme court two superb new member bench chief justice john roberts justice sam alito thank senate confirming continue nominate men woman understand judge must servant law legislate bench today mark official retirement special american 24 year faithful service nation united state grateful justice sandra day hopeful society institution science medicine cut ethical corner recognize matchless value every life tonight ask pas legislation prohibit egregious abuse medical research human clone form create implant embryos experiment create hybrid buy sell patent human embryo human life gift creator gift never discard devalue put sale hopeful society expect elect official uphold public trust honorable people party work reform strengthen ethical standard washington support effort u make pledge worthy public responsibility pledge must never forget never dismiss never betray renew promise institution let u also show character america compassion care one another hopeful society give special attention child lack direction love help america youth initiative encourage care adult get involved life child good work lead first lady laura bush year add resource encourage young people stay school america youth raise sight achieve dream hopeful society come aid fellow citizen time suffer emergency stay back foot far federal government commit 85 billion people gulf coast new orleans remove debris repair highway rebuild strong levee provide business loan housing assistance yet meet immediate need must also address deep challenge exist storm arrive new orleans place many fellow citizen felt excluded promise country answer temporary relief school teach every child job skill bring upward mobility opportunity home start business recover disaster let u also work day american protect justice equal hope rich opportunity hopeful society act boldly fight disease like prevent treat defeat million american live hiv half aid case occur among african american ask congress reform reauthorize ryan white act provide new funding state end wait list aid medicine america also lead nationwide effort work closely african american church group deliver rapid hiv test million end stigma aid come closer day new infection america fellow citizen call leadership period consequence enter great ideological conflict nothing invite see great change science commerce influence live sometimes seem history turn wide arc toward unknown shore yet destination history determine human action every great movement history come point choose lincoln could accept peace cost disunity continue slavery martin luther king could stop birmingham selma achieve half victory segregation united state could accept permanent division europe complicit oppression others today come far historical journey must decide turn back finish well history write book write courage like american u show courage finish well lead freedom advance compete excel global economy renew define moral commitment land move forward optimistic country faithful confident victory come may god bless america