My fellow citizens:0 B( k, M2 f# X X: W" o
I stand here today humbled by the task before us, grateful for the
2 ~! ]' L" J* Y. }+ p3 \# Y: ttrust you have bestowed, mindful of the sacrifices borne by our
9 b2 ?& B3 q$ ], zancestors. I thank President Bush for his service to our nation, as
# D6 |8 v; ?+ Iwell as the generosity and cooperation he has shown throughout this$ h9 L" n# m) S0 k( b2 F9 V5 R
transition. $ Y3 v$ y2 D: j0 F
5 U0 m4 j0 Q0 L" G
Forty-four Americans have now taken the presidential oath. The
\% C& u8 p5 h Y2 y5 Swords have been spoken during rising tides of prosperity and the still e% v7 _8 q6 J& r" [
waters of peace. Yet, every so often the oath is taken amidst gathering
: Y; n$ ?/ E. h- Eclouds and raging storms. At these moments, America has carried on not# _: R/ J: C1 t
simply because of the skill or vision of those in high office, but5 B8 O' {5 a& o
because We the People have remained faithful to the ideals of our
6 \7 J6 r9 L* G% |forbearers, and true to our founding documents. # d( _- Y$ M" D
& E4 a# j: D/ O+ W" v9 `* h So it has been. So it must be with this generation of Americans.
' i) f* v5 M! L# P# V5 _) k5 U$ Y1 h' m J
That we are in the midst of crisis is now well understood. Our9 O9 M" w$ q. }
nation is at war, against a far-reaching network of violence and
6 G" e" }4 a; D% T+ q2 |( \hatred. Our economy is badly weakened, a consequence of greed and% C Q6 [7 j7 p' b( u" y
irresponsibility on the part of some, but also our collective failure
9 k$ B7 Q1 c$ R& M% xto make hard choices and prepare the nation for a new age. Homes have
* ^- y4 t) A3 [; Q* abeen lost; jobs shed; businesses shuttered. Our health care is too
! \; U: L7 @9 Pcostly; our schools fail too many; and each day brings further evidence
6 o. m' N, ]" |( {+ ethat the ways we use energy strengthen our adversaries and threaten our
& o: M p, U/ P' yplanet. " t$ B. B; _, k) c$ m
7 [+ R0 [$ F( x7 E+ }" R
These are the indicators of crisis, subject to data and8 Q" T% z8 a; A4 S) w7 S5 Q+ E
statistics. Less measurable but no less profound is a sapping of" u% D7 \6 C! v* k7 |! |* d
confidence across our land - a nagging fear that America’s decline is
1 {3 Y0 X+ c7 u* h+ R8 Pinevitable, and that the next generation must lower its sights.
9 Q" S& p0 r3 n& L: O, E' J: R! S/ d9 q% m
Today I say to you that the challenges we face are real. They are5 E5 [, F, R" G6 [9 |
serious and they are many. They will not be met easily or in a short
2 \2 ]) @1 _6 |: g& m' gspan of time. But know this, America - they will be met. 9 V) K# `) W3 C; y% [& ~
( O% g# H6 X! S; i On this day, we gather because we have chosen hope over fear, unity of purpose over conflict and discord. ) p' X4 p5 f0 `
4 `" s. _: i, m
On this day, we come to proclaim an end to the petty grievances u6 H3 m. u/ I6 u, v0 x
and false promises, the recriminations and worn out dogmas, that for
! N: P3 k5 D( r" X2 z r2 E# Sfar too long have strangled our politics.
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We remain a young nation, but in the words of Scripture, the time9 M. u3 h! G# a
has come to set aside childish things. The time has come to reaffirm
/ o+ d6 n7 E/ Wour enduring spirit; to choose our better history; to carry forward* K) G' E: }2 b" }
that precious gift, that noble idea, passed on from generation to5 Z6 [5 [2 _( p5 W
generation: the God-given promise that all are equal, all are free, and) j1 J. w" @2 s+ t
all deserve a chance to pursue their full measure of happiness. " J# R) P% f2 D. S! Z
/ y6 t$ Q' ]) z In reaffirming the greatness of our nation, we understand that
: R9 l. P% T9 y/ {; kgreatness is never a given. It must be earned. Our journey has never* R: Y% V1 |: q; ]
been one of short-cuts or settling for less. It has not been the path
+ R& }3 H9 A# j# @# _for the faint-hearted - for those who prefer leisure over work, or seek
( C! ^4 L5 e0 jonly the pleasures of riches and fame. Rather, it has been the' I; H, D. D; N" c, v% ^$ B
risk-takers, the doers, the makers of things - some celebrated but more
9 ^+ s7 ?1 n# }; ]7 J- X# eoften men and women obscure in their labor, who have carried us up the
) k/ z& U5 x7 \, Rlong, rugged path towards prosperity and freedom.
, E9 \3 T9 j2 [' @8 k
5 L/ R# g9 \# Y For us, they packed up their few worldly possessions and traveled across oceans in search of a new life.
2 s! b6 W9 |; f# ]9 T# z# T+ Y- D2 q+ ?& y* O
For us, they toiled in sweatshops and settled the West; endured the lash of the whip and plowed the hard earth. % d0 f7 `/ q( O$ t
1 r) f; V; t' g; @/ I2 Q% A
For us, they fought and died, in places like Concord and Gettysburg; Normandy and Khe Sanh.
6 |1 q0 ~- K- _/ h2 ]3 Z0 g6 o0 w. \" d" A9 [( u
Time and again these men and women struggled and sacrificed and
& { H% ~" G1 s+ |; q9 Yworked till their hands were raw so that we might live a better life.
9 p5 @6 q: W% m7 |0 }+ z( iThey saw America as bigger than the sum of our individual ambitions;' c0 F& F( \3 |! n* j
greater than all the differences of birth or wealth or faction. ) Y, ^0 y$ ^3 L$ K$ i
( \4 ?$ S a7 q$ f3 s$ X) \1 g
This is the journey we continue today. We remain the most
/ ~; V8 n1 p7 q) Oprosperous, powerful nation on Earth. Our workers are no less
2 }% A; v4 k( x/ D& |0 B( `- Bproductive than when this crisis began. Our minds are no less
- o1 N# D+ q1 X5 o2 T B& zinventive, our goods and services no less needed than they were last
1 T' E& e9 \% H8 T% t0 m" Vweek or last month or last year. Our capacity remains undiminished. But
8 |4 @! V; {1 P& U0 o) Lour time of standing pat, of protecting narrow interests and putting( V0 y- @3 P [* w2 \+ M3 J
off unpleasant decisions - that time has surely passed. Starting today,
% o, g6 B4 l& |/ ^- k9 N9 p3 zwe must pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off, and begin again the work
& X: K2 n7 c" C( @9 l! z- Sof remaking America. $ S/ W. n+ a/ f& ~
% n& t6 ]% R" j. `& u- i3 z2 @ For everywhere we look, there is work to be done. The state of the
3 ] y7 c0 `, X; K# qeconomy calls for action, bold and swift, and we will act - not only to7 @: r* u( k, R9 L# D1 P8 N
create new jobs, but to lay a new foundation for growth. We will build
* m' i5 s% o% i+ ]% wthe roads and bridges, the electric grids and digital lines that feed" K- _7 Y. K$ T3 }/ q. W
our commerce and bind us together. We will restore science to its
$ O; w% R7 Y$ s) N* j0 e: H) trightful place, and wield technology’s wonders to raise health care’s
4 {2 E$ t( `+ Gquality and lower its cost. We will harness the sun and the winds and
, `2 i6 _& Z' x0 Xthe soil to fuel our cars and run our factories. And we will transform
% g! W/ Y( B/ s/ t- c3 k/ iour schools and colleges and universities to meet the demands of a new
/ V& O8 w$ M+ R9 `( hage. All this we can do. And all this we will do.
' r1 s- D7 ^; j: F0 B( V7 t- C/ \, R3 t; \7 |6 ^
Now, there are some who question the scale of our ambitions - who8 Y& M. R+ t: x$ h8 S3 ~0 _# c& I$ `
suggest that our system cannot tolerate too many big plans. Their
. f B2 t* q$ V; o. k/ b& v+ f; dmemories are short. For they have forgotten what this country has
5 t% e* |+ \# j& walready done; what free men and women can achieve when imagination is
6 U" {6 E" ]8 u- |joined to common purpose, and necessity to courage.
$ a+ A- Z; W: A9 h0 |4 u1 \: S7 I8 ^# U- s
What the cynics fail to understand is that the ground has shifted
% h0 }, }6 a, ~$ s0 j/ j# kbeneath them - that the stale political arguments that have consumed us7 p6 A; i) ^6 X# d
for so long no longer apply. The question we ask today is not whether4 c2 J( L, X6 G# Z6 g1 w
our government is too big or too small, but whether it works - whether( G9 r3 d$ [4 T: T: u: y# m
it helps families find jobs at a decent wage, care they can afford, a
- s5 m9 z1 N; t. T$ x6 A1 Nretirement that is dignified. Where the answer is yes, we intend to
, _3 ^) v6 Z0 V# I; O8 Jmove forward. Where the answer is no, programs will end. And those of
4 v7 {( K7 |% r6 X ?us who manage the public’s dollars will be held to account - to spend) _/ r' ], E2 H2 e) A( _
wisely, reform bad habits, and do our business in the light of day -
/ j: r2 }/ u! N5 i8 ~* Y% Ebecause only then can we restore the vital trust between a people and: i1 k2 j( L6 x" Z- Q' n( X7 k/ w
their government.
8 n$ q( n8 O7 D& j3 X. `6 m3 F/ R0 \/ \" |# J4 Y2 X, ?- E
Nor is the question before us whether the market is a force for
* M( ~) t+ w$ r, s5 V1 p" ]good or ill. Its power to generate wealth and expand freedom is
* y* K- g/ u- c/ q$ ?. runmatched, but this crisis has reminded us that without a watchful eye,
" d0 L K$ e3 z9 I! Vthe market can spin out of control - and that a nation cannot prosper
; U ]( k- m0 d2 y9 l. T) ^ {0 ?long when it favors only the prosperous. The success of our economy has
# h* Q# [% [' X0 E; ?$ palways depended not just on the size of our Gross Domestic Product, but% [5 K: K, V+ G1 ]! k! g
on the reach of our prosperity; on our ability to extend opportunity to5 R; ^) W% j. N K5 l
every willing heart - not out of charity, but because it is the surest
2 t. L X# m4 g( X9 ~ }route to our common good. 7 k+ u/ S: V. s& t
* ?1 B8 w' R, E% d% T' ^8 i
As for our common defense, we reject as false the choice between
0 I0 c4 R4 J% N- Jour safety and our ideals. Our Founding Fathers, faced with perils we1 w; }6 Y5 K9 Y# c
can scarcely imagine, drafted a charter to assure the rule of law and7 m% R/ g! ^0 l+ L# ~5 m! M
the rights of man, a charter expanded by the blood of generations., |4 m6 E/ b, V) Q# ?" u
Those ideals still light the world, and we will not give them up for
) i0 }& X: L& n& y6 X" n! p4 texpedience’s sake. And so to all other peoples and governments who are& v8 M' h. E$ n+ ~# _ b" z( C
watching today, from the grandest capitals to the small village where5 v3 L: v3 E9 o( U; U
my father was born: know that America is a friend of each nation and0 P, V2 d! k8 t3 j$ h
every man, woman, and child who seeks a future of peace and dignity,- D) t! N8 c0 V. O
and that we are ready to lead once more.
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Recall that earlier generations faced down fascism not just with t2 n' E' {( p2 N- @% w0 M! c
missiles and tanks, but with sturdy alliances and enduring convictions.7 z4 P% J) Q7 s3 v, _( B. b
They understood that our power alone cannot protect us, nor does it( x6 A. M8 p8 V( Z5 B
entitle us to do as we please. Instead, they knew that our power grows
1 O. Y: s7 i6 S- l) ^/ ?* uthrough its prudent use; our security emanates from the justness of our
( t, l4 O. G" tcause, the force of our example, the tempering qualities of humility
, q; ?; h: `) t( x7 L5 E% ~and restraint. . O- ^1 _' z: c. {9 L' }0 r ?. S' z
3 V9 `, S1 o6 o C
We are the keepers of this legacy. Guided by these principles once4 A# u, E6 h1 j ` Q7 X) _5 m+ }
more, we can meet those new threats that demand even greater effort -
3 A! v8 Z) `5 F3 oeven greater cooperation and understanding between nations. We will
: d( G0 K# v+ kbegin to responsibly leave Iraq to its people, and forge a hard-earned1 u* D- S: i: Z4 ?/ S+ V: X
peace in Afghanistan. With old friends and former foes, we will work
% b, S5 S2 Y# L# y0 k& |tirelessly to lessen the nuclear threat, and roll back the specter of a9 Z$ W4 N# w1 |- ]) n
warming planet. We will not apologize for our way of life, nor will we' F* ?, q8 o- c
waver in its defense, and for those who seek to advance their aims by
3 {- c, s4 n b o+ y0 A6 finducing terror and slaughtering innocents, we say to you now that our
R$ z4 H1 |9 y' z# \' o3 espirit is stronger and cannot be broken; you cannot outlast us, and we
" J! z6 f- m/ Q$ t# m' P" | qwill defeat you.
' N. Y. u5 z+ Z6 R* A4 P1 V; `4 b, r7 ~, N x' }
For we know that our patchwork heritage is a strength, not a
- V9 g0 H4 E; S; k5 wweakness. We are a nation of Christians and Muslims, Jews and Hindus -6 K$ t* J L$ j2 P2 I. f( o
and non-believers. We are shaped by every language and culture, drawn/ v% G! N }% S- Y. ~. T9 _3 R
from every end of this Earth; and because we have tasted the bitter0 r. Q. F7 U7 q2 ^4 T- x' h
swill of civil war and segregation, and emerged from that dark chapter
, k5 e; G4 A5 Z# T7 Z3 M$ ]4 ostronger and more united, we cannot help but believe that the old
1 P; Z, ~) t* s W1 a2 Ahatreds shall someday pass; that the lines of tribe shall soon
3 S( T) G7 Q7 P# s1 Udissolve; that as the world grows smaller, our common humanity shall3 A/ U" b7 L8 d
reveal itself; and that America must play its role in ushering in a new
6 d+ w) G! M' ]& y( D8 m; Sera of peace. ( e: ]9 J% Z& O$ [
i' P' A1 E: n! y
To the Muslim world, we seek a new way forward, based on mutual% D' K2 N8 }. {# _
interest and mutual respect. To those leaders around the globe who seek
$ j. V5 `' X8 z a9 @to sow conflict, or blame their society’s ills on the West - know that' i$ t2 v1 W+ d9 u! T$ [" A
your people will judge you on what you can build, not what you destroy./ R# c9 g: t+ s! S2 J
To those who cling to power through corruption and deceit and the( A o0 i& V' E2 k
silencing of dissent, know that you are on the wrong side of history;
! H' ?1 U0 K' Y* o" L( t+ ?but that we will extend a hand if you are willing to unclench your fist.
6 P. m% j3 I: I1 \- c6 Z/ c6 r6 k
To the people of poor nations, we pledge to work alongside you to
6 H2 ~" H5 a: Q" e1 ymake your farms flourish and let clean waters flow; to nourish starved2 D* S( a1 ^: @( F/ U1 Z Q
bodies and feed hungry minds. And to those nations like ours that enjoy
7 p% d* s! O- G& E$ rrelative plenty, we say we can no longer afford indifference to/ Q6 e6 ? E5 J& Q
suffering outside our borders; nor can we consume the world’s resources) x7 h/ `7 f1 Y# K" y' q6 A
without regard to effect. For the world has changed, and we must change
& s' g; n9 ]- g7 iwith it.
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) I2 i) C/ Z+ y! V0 R ^ As we consider the road that unfolds before us, we remember with
7 ]' Z* y$ T4 B8 L$ Y& C( `humble gratitude those brave Americans who, at this very hour, patrol& P( P/ y4 [( b
far-off deserts and distant mountains. They have something to tell us$ H- [+ L; G3 i8 m- R8 H
today, just as the fallen heroes who lie in Arlington whisper through
/ B$ L+ I+ Q7 ^6 Q! \* P, q' ]the ages. We honor them not only because they are guardians of our
9 y8 m0 D+ t! ?# C8 c& Uliberty, but because they embody the spirit of service; a willingness
, E: T) e! E) l' j7 p! Yto find meaning in something greater than themselves. And yet, at this* e @! k. @ z) P$ _' ^+ t) S- u
moment - a moment that will define a generation - it is precisely this
6 c" y$ L; f; b0 |7 T9 Pspirit that must inhabit us all.
3 v1 ?! G" i! }/ e3 \* u, K o& \" K* e; d* F- h
For as much as government can do and must do, it is ultimately the
3 V5 Q V+ \9 A; t' J" hfaith and determination of the American people upon which this nation
; t3 T N E5 a8 i7 [relies. It is the kindness to take in a stranger when the levees break,9 E: e5 n. f, I! C7 b1 m& A
the selflessness of workers who would rather cut their hours than see a4 D' t( \0 N( [4 _
friend lose their job which sees us through our darkest hours. It is1 y$ @$ i8 H% v7 F& b
the firefighter’s courage to storm a stairway filled with smoke, but
4 T6 e* r* X7 d( s: Walso a parent’s willingness to nurture a child, that finally decides/ e, Z: F' F3 R+ y* ]# q. c
our fate. 5 K$ P1 l. X5 U0 y! i u
( ?3 }) d- {$ c# a5 p; `
Our challenges may be new. The instruments with which we meet them3 x% l! D* Y* q1 A3 |' R8 M" @
may be new. But those values upon which our success depends - hard work' A# }/ c/ i$ S* J" I
and honesty, courage and fair play, tolerance and curiosity, loyalty9 t& H' p! ?4 l, D9 v
and patriotism - these things are old. These things are true. They have+ H: [4 u7 {. ~1 K' O6 q& X
been the quiet force of progress throughout our history. What is E7 D# W* J% m; [5 p
demanded then is a return to these truths. What is required of us now: f7 L" J! C( _1 l+ C1 T; |, ]) z
is a new era of responsibility - a recognition, on the part of every
6 l5 ~/ X0 \3 \# oAmerican, that we have duties to ourselves, our nation, and the world,
& Y" F6 t/ e/ }! ?! E7 a6 E- L% |duties that we do not grudgingly accept but rather seize gladly, firm
& I# `1 x) W. Y) h5 v/ |' q% rin the knowledge that there is nothing so satisfying to the spirit, so0 T5 Y# _# \1 ]/ a/ m- o* K8 Z
defining of our character, than giving our all to a difficult task.
2 M: N9 U* ^ e+ Y6 M3 x
/ z2 l) B& C) ~! h This is the price and the promise of citizenship. : U% l) `. {( Q' d3 ^. p$ m/ B
: R$ U3 v/ R2 Q
This is the source of our confidence - the knowledge that God calls on us to shape an uncertain destiny. $ G3 A6 c, l. v
* | G+ C6 v: A, ~9 T0 L) T This is the meaning of our liberty and our creed - why men and
8 s. n8 a4 v4 Awomen and children of every race and every faith can join in
+ N9 p# e0 k! q+ J3 |' U5 |7 `! vcelebration across this magnificent mall, and why a man whose father% `0 e0 c+ \; E* A/ g( T; Q# X, f
less than sixty years ago might not have been served at a local
2 W% B) l9 x7 U: W, \' D& [restaurant can now stand before you to take a most sacred oath. 3 W i& j% s9 e- ~# z. q) n
6 @2 G7 b- ]9 L7 m) ^, t2 O8 V
So let us mark this day with remembrance, of who we are and how
, D1 m# c5 b' L3 k' u. K+ ?far we have traveled. In the year of America’s birth, in the coldest of; K7 C9 X% `+ D+ x" d, v
months, a small band of patriots huddled by dying campfires on the; }/ Z( b. k) w" }& h/ g4 u
shores of an icy river. The capital was abandoned. The enemy was
9 A$ f/ Q( Z, u/ U8 Zadvancing. The snow was stained with blood. At a moment when the6 g# K- b: x8 V1 _5 q) J' a
outcome of our revolution was most in doubt, the father of our nation0 n* H0 i+ }! l. _: a8 m3 [" ~
ordered these words be read to the people:
, K+ P! n& b; c# N
: U5 I! {, W! |! n* C "Let it be told to the future world...that in the depth of winter,
/ e0 ?; t+ A, w0 b: R" C, G' xwhen nothing but hope and virtue could survive...that the city and the2 _* S+ G9 ?# j1 X( L% T5 w. } ?
country, alarmed at one common danger, came forth to meet [it]."
7 {" C6 m7 z& q
5 v7 C) h" Y" m9 C& m; H# ^ America. In the face of our common dangers, in this winter of our6 y% @8 x- k# F
hardship, let us remember these timeless words. With hope and virtue,
8 k' d! G# z' H: L0 d) i9 i2 Klet us brave once more the icy currents, and endure what storms may8 J7 m1 J% J" `
come. Let it be said by our children’s children that when we were; M% I( E0 R/ l+ e1 P3 _- k5 ]6 J
tested we refused to let this journey end, that we did not turn back% ^. x$ M( Z5 @5 ]7 P4 z
nor did we falter; and with eyes fixed on the horizon and God’s grace
4 v B7 L) ~- eupon us, we carried forth that great gift of freedom and delivered it7 T+ d# ^: \/ T9 G
safely to future generations.% L( @2 E- f6 B" T0 ^! \8 Z0 E
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