My fellow citizens:
' s! v6 p* x* Q k I stand here today humbled by the task before us, grateful for the @- M: K) [. \; J5 h# ^9 F9 t
trust you have bestowed, mindful of the sacrifices borne by our+ f- t+ |6 x# C0 a" X
ancestors. I thank President Bush for his service to our nation, as2 u$ G) @* o# b# e) d1 [
well as the generosity and cooperation he has shown throughout this
2 m. H' O+ F* V1 mtransition. ! D% Q8 s6 N; H
$ I m% j6 t8 O# y3 V" t; T
Forty-four Americans have now taken the presidential oath. The( {0 |" S/ w% U
words have been spoken during rising tides of prosperity and the still2 {# K" r& D* C7 o1 V2 ?. i2 T* f1 }
waters of peace. Yet, every so often the oath is taken amidst gathering
/ X n2 A$ L: x! l! Nclouds and raging storms. At these moments, America has carried on not" S8 K0 b: ^! `: z4 l/ O- L5 m
simply because of the skill or vision of those in high office, but
2 X5 {5 @4 L$ v! m7 @- j# E$ ibecause We the People have remained faithful to the ideals of our5 M' n0 E9 A, `+ H! `
forbearers, and true to our founding documents. $ ]4 W/ h4 S2 q6 r, ~5 f; V2 s
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So it has been. So it must be with this generation of Americans.
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' G4 E6 U- a S' ~/ _4 u9 `4 H That we are in the midst of crisis is now well understood. Our) K0 c) ]- A% ]& B' l
nation is at war, against a far-reaching network of violence and) z( Y3 t! o: A3 u& p
hatred. Our economy is badly weakened, a consequence of greed and7 n5 [( Y' W4 n( q' x/ ^
irresponsibility on the part of some, but also our collective failure
C1 U- T }. j+ Tto make hard choices and prepare the nation for a new age. Homes have
* Y+ E/ V* P q9 E. rbeen lost; jobs shed; businesses shuttered. Our health care is too
e4 Y+ \8 g' g: u7 P% icostly; our schools fail too many; and each day brings further evidence
2 C+ V# x% ]8 D% xthat the ways we use energy strengthen our adversaries and threaten our
) R R( i' j7 Kplanet.
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These are the indicators of crisis, subject to data and& r8 `5 v: _ T9 E# M2 P. u3 ?, Q5 j
statistics. Less measurable but no less profound is a sapping of3 s7 L7 c9 Y# ]: I8 X5 |; [# L
confidence across our land - a nagging fear that America’s decline is u3 Q6 }, B" _ K& h) G- p
inevitable, and that the next generation must lower its sights. - ]! S7 t3 ^$ \$ z9 F
* E: U2 R3 i2 L( J/ N5 l Today I say to you that the challenges we face are real. They are
( w; D0 F$ x9 z. `serious and they are many. They will not be met easily or in a short
* u4 W2 e, z& @6 R. cspan of time. But know this, America - they will be met.
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9 |" d% |$ e1 }+ B8 l& n' G On this day, we gather because we have chosen hope over fear, unity of purpose over conflict and discord. 4 `3 f+ B8 X! m* c# ?; k, B5 W) S
- @( F8 e0 S" d" I. x. p4 w4 l
On this day, we come to proclaim an end to the petty grievances! o5 Y1 i7 N* }; Y( ?) Q/ ]9 M' t
and false promises, the recriminations and worn out dogmas, that for% W5 l* u; Q# y% x) m" v& C8 Z$ H
far too long have strangled our politics. y* E4 [! N9 Y8 r
- j# {6 s: L% |" i0 t4 j7 L We remain a young nation, but in the words of Scripture, the time
! a" P3 r, ]9 c) H5 o& Thas come to set aside childish things. The time has come to reaffirm
& m( ]( }3 R! W; ~% R7 qour enduring spirit; to choose our better history; to carry forward( y! T( a% g5 I" {: ~; Q
that precious gift, that noble idea, passed on from generation to
3 G( x% ~ t/ D1 z4 F6 h4 |. Vgeneration: the God-given promise that all are equal, all are free, and) X9 T$ b/ e: Z& ^7 `
all deserve a chance to pursue their full measure of happiness. $ w: }# W. |1 I8 U p
2 t ^, X9 _6 @ In reaffirming the greatness of our nation, we understand that
' [7 G! }% G" qgreatness is never a given. It must be earned. Our journey has never
) x: [- A* d* L/ K/ ?# m# `been one of short-cuts or settling for less. It has not been the path9 D2 |2 z! `, _& w2 f
for the faint-hearted - for those who prefer leisure over work, or seek h2 Q( o9 ]+ M+ A
only the pleasures of riches and fame. Rather, it has been the2 i8 y5 @5 S: a8 f% X
risk-takers, the doers, the makers of things - some celebrated but more: ?- n" }: E( }$ k( a c
often men and women obscure in their labor, who have carried us up the
u) Q7 H' J/ s* Z) Llong, rugged path towards prosperity and freedom. 3 _" M; e1 [( V
) ]1 F5 E5 X& ]. S6 Z; U For us, they packed up their few worldly possessions and traveled across oceans in search of a new life.
& r; B7 |1 T2 X/ D/ z6 h/ R
% e4 A+ q% ]# j- _' ]( g; q For us, they toiled in sweatshops and settled the West; endured the lash of the whip and plowed the hard earth.
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For us, they fought and died, in places like Concord and Gettysburg; Normandy and Khe Sanh. . B3 k% T7 B* w d8 N
5 ?2 e5 H& ]& w- Y) U
Time and again these men and women struggled and sacrificed and- [9 q* l: E% b0 M c5 |
worked till their hands were raw so that we might live a better life.
9 z# @ P9 \/ _6 Y! iThey saw America as bigger than the sum of our individual ambitions;2 W# ^( h0 L% k! E! V6 [
greater than all the differences of birth or wealth or faction.
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This is the journey we continue today. We remain the most
4 q, Z! e. i/ Jprosperous, powerful nation on Earth. Our workers are no less
) |( M/ b: X2 a7 b6 zproductive than when this crisis began. Our minds are no less
& M6 z" g- P+ Z9 c% Sinventive, our goods and services no less needed than they were last
2 Y: F& V1 P9 s; S, cweek or last month or last year. Our capacity remains undiminished. But
$ f8 i$ }$ r: k) r4 N$ T3 R: q2 Jour time of standing pat, of protecting narrow interests and putting
/ v9 u8 _' K! j0 J+ x) x9 |( |1 ]off unpleasant decisions - that time has surely passed. Starting today,6 K3 Z; Q& b* p0 Z2 n, z9 ?3 j
we must pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off, and begin again the work
4 S3 t5 n7 u& Uof remaking America.
7 G& h5 S0 \8 o' ?/ l# s
3 }$ z m1 [& \' w% M For everywhere we look, there is work to be done. The state of the
9 G0 G4 B2 S2 k% ]/ neconomy calls for action, bold and swift, and we will act - not only to
% g5 d! G) \. J" m' V/ ~6 U; Ccreate new jobs, but to lay a new foundation for growth. We will build
6 I$ E/ f8 K8 k6 N# ^2 bthe roads and bridges, the electric grids and digital lines that feed
/ D1 D& Q3 F ^" Uour commerce and bind us together. We will restore science to its
; M' N1 X. T5 @8 k3 Vrightful place, and wield technology’s wonders to raise health care’s
8 u$ ?& ]. d* b1 |quality and lower its cost. We will harness the sun and the winds and
$ b! ?! V+ \6 ^# nthe soil to fuel our cars and run our factories. And we will transform1 v( y8 @( L# b+ v4 x
our schools and colleges and universities to meet the demands of a new
& h( C! w" l( ~/ \1 p0 X. F1 ~age. All this we can do. And all this we will do.
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Now, there are some who question the scale of our ambitions - who! \0 A" C0 ] T6 B4 q9 p6 s
suggest that our system cannot tolerate too many big plans. Their
0 D9 m8 |# |* G# q3 umemories are short. For they have forgotten what this country has
+ D# l+ F. p/ P+ @already done; what free men and women can achieve when imagination is
* F- ^3 P3 O$ [4 y* njoined to common purpose, and necessity to courage. 9 U) Z* P2 l# h
# H# U" ]. c& q. w* p6 M What the cynics fail to understand is that the ground has shifted/ J2 I3 [ n6 r# m" M
beneath them - that the stale political arguments that have consumed us$ Q; h# a' U7 \8 C8 h t+ |
for so long no longer apply. The question we ask today is not whether* E2 m3 ^2 e0 m1 y# I
our government is too big or too small, but whether it works - whether. }0 w+ L( ^# T0 j) y- h: P
it helps families find jobs at a decent wage, care they can afford, a
" n, D, ?2 G' ~" O. Gretirement that is dignified. Where the answer is yes, we intend to
; m. U% d* J9 q0 G6 g; R1 _move forward. Where the answer is no, programs will end. And those of b- n) a& d# h! n9 |7 o t
us who manage the public’s dollars will be held to account - to spend h/ D7 S, ?" O, z9 W
wisely, reform bad habits, and do our business in the light of day -
" }: }0 `- ?! P' x6 @" ?because only then can we restore the vital trust between a people and9 W( h6 j0 \- X8 Y9 L3 B
their government. " l! q! b# l4 _8 Q r3 N& }
) i! H) N" D" g
Nor is the question before us whether the market is a force for8 M! b' @- k: n/ \
good or ill. Its power to generate wealth and expand freedom is' l3 d' [2 j- y9 m
unmatched, but this crisis has reminded us that without a watchful eye,
/ f4 H4 [; n: `- A- a: A7 q2 H; ?& i! pthe market can spin out of control - and that a nation cannot prosper; e9 S. l, h6 S0 ^ N/ z0 q& B- v
long when it favors only the prosperous. The success of our economy has8 ?& U9 o1 ~4 I4 U6 \
always depended not just on the size of our Gross Domestic Product, but
' z5 v9 U1 p# \3 p& pon the reach of our prosperity; on our ability to extend opportunity to
5 G% U" z, Y4 `9 x! ^every willing heart - not out of charity, but because it is the surest
) K. R. ^6 {6 C* @; Broute to our common good. ' D, |0 M& ] ^- K9 u4 W( S. ^; f
2 R- C4 u) ? f
As for our common defense, we reject as false the choice between Q/ O/ G) B9 }. U9 L
our safety and our ideals. Our Founding Fathers, faced with perils we4 ^9 L% O0 }% ]( d+ S' }& K
can scarcely imagine, drafted a charter to assure the rule of law and$ M* F6 Y' g# ^' |/ l6 ?% z
the rights of man, a charter expanded by the blood of generations.1 O8 A- X- h* [+ d G
Those ideals still light the world, and we will not give them up for# J4 i5 x1 x) _; _2 o7 d. Q
expedience’s sake. And so to all other peoples and governments who are- O- n3 |: o5 l4 }' p4 \
watching today, from the grandest capitals to the small village where) R% J5 }* m1 e( P
my father was born: know that America is a friend of each nation and$ K# k7 [5 ]* k0 Z
every man, woman, and child who seeks a future of peace and dignity,9 G0 m! k+ H i/ |
and that we are ready to lead once more. + U3 U8 t4 k \9 u- |2 }
7 b) t- o, z7 e2 q" s1 L
Recall that earlier generations faced down fascism not just with
4 f# Z/ h: J+ W4 ]3 Y; Cmissiles and tanks, but with sturdy alliances and enduring convictions.
/ Z% w) S# r2 w% [3 O# a! [They understood that our power alone cannot protect us, nor does it
& t0 g, E& r" Nentitle us to do as we please. Instead, they knew that our power grows/ t/ E2 H# V, s/ t
through its prudent use; our security emanates from the justness of our$ Q' I' z1 _# ?0 R/ b
cause, the force of our example, the tempering qualities of humility# Q& j$ j$ v3 Q$ L; c
and restraint. , G2 v, E$ y6 ^8 I
3 T* Z o3 c" ]7 E We are the keepers of this legacy. Guided by these principles once
! j8 I- W0 ]/ d0 f" ymore, we can meet those new threats that demand even greater effort -7 T! H# Z% D- [! O
even greater cooperation and understanding between nations. We will
# o0 _+ ?, O6 c8 c: p! Vbegin to responsibly leave Iraq to its people, and forge a hard-earned
' g) x8 q5 V" x( \( z0 \1 l& V7 gpeace in Afghanistan. With old friends and former foes, we will work
- W7 V1 g! D- e" |, i! Q( L: xtirelessly to lessen the nuclear threat, and roll back the specter of a
! y" N+ ]8 ~, [warming planet. We will not apologize for our way of life, nor will we+ p% c ^7 r; _1 ~& m) E+ P: ^
waver in its defense, and for those who seek to advance their aims by7 C3 d* G, D9 L' g! N. ]' D8 P
inducing terror and slaughtering innocents, we say to you now that our
. X; ?: U2 k! p5 x, Y/ H$ h7 B: hspirit is stronger and cannot be broken; you cannot outlast us, and we
3 i' J$ A' n; M8 Z3 y$ G$ z, l. vwill defeat you.
9 p$ b% c( O+ M G y' ], }+ V) n, c4 x ?
For we know that our patchwork heritage is a strength, not a
2 o( g& \ V* Z* d/ L' Z6 jweakness. We are a nation of Christians and Muslims, Jews and Hindus -/ t4 |1 |* E# D+ N: Q8 W: q5 ]
and non-believers. We are shaped by every language and culture, drawn
2 i% J4 l4 Q6 i& L' K) Gfrom every end of this Earth; and because we have tasted the bitter
6 a" C: R1 z% E. c2 V% P1 Kswill of civil war and segregation, and emerged from that dark chapter
9 E) P# {* d5 \* j; V* g& Hstronger and more united, we cannot help but believe that the old
$ U) u8 o( @, [* }9 x# A: Chatreds shall someday pass; that the lines of tribe shall soon& U# l- B6 g h1 ~+ a1 b7 e2 v
dissolve; that as the world grows smaller, our common humanity shall! V4 _9 L& L7 m* r
reveal itself; and that America must play its role in ushering in a new: X7 ^% v2 v6 ]( [4 s0 E5 g7 U$ g4 H
era of peace.
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4 _, j6 K' s3 s( | To the Muslim world, we seek a new way forward, based on mutual
; W" ~2 Z& ~ z0 z! E! ainterest and mutual respect. To those leaders around the globe who seek9 f8 V+ E! B, a8 W+ X6 ]
to sow conflict, or blame their society’s ills on the West - know that- O, b4 f! `. I6 [2 y
your people will judge you on what you can build, not what you destroy.
4 b$ t8 x6 X# R3 e/ O' l% oTo those who cling to power through corruption and deceit and the
: S% S: X, w1 S0 b3 fsilencing of dissent, know that you are on the wrong side of history;3 A, ], X% f' o! Y$ z0 q
but that we will extend a hand if you are willing to unclench your fist. - _0 R" B+ C! \2 G. Z' Y
$ D7 X. t4 u! \5 @ To the people of poor nations, we pledge to work alongside you to( B8 a( G' i9 {6 z/ N& ^
make your farms flourish and let clean waters flow; to nourish starved- J( F P2 J! i4 P9 Q3 e
bodies and feed hungry minds. And to those nations like ours that enjoy
+ j Y% s3 }0 J1 d: r7 _8 ^relative plenty, we say we can no longer afford indifference to
) Y9 C, n4 r0 `suffering outside our borders; nor can we consume the world’s resources" I4 H! v5 |. {) C
without regard to effect. For the world has changed, and we must change! E! W$ h8 u5 N) X
with it.
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As we consider the road that unfolds before us, we remember with
! r8 [1 p& F! qhumble gratitude those brave Americans who, at this very hour, patrol3 O% s9 E$ m9 l% @2 H
far-off deserts and distant mountains. They have something to tell us3 h1 Q6 q- y; r% O. X* p+ N B
today, just as the fallen heroes who lie in Arlington whisper through
$ t3 c! ?: O1 m) Vthe ages. We honor them not only because they are guardians of our2 n$ h r1 o4 Z F
liberty, but because they embody the spirit of service; a willingness
5 J$ |, U2 }5 \* Oto find meaning in something greater than themselves. And yet, at this
( G$ d) d$ E* @3 q1 U1 U0 Wmoment - a moment that will define a generation - it is precisely this3 u" [* U; @4 ~6 A5 M4 s( P1 k
spirit that must inhabit us all. " }' X1 v( h) J! D
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For as much as government can do and must do, it is ultimately the! Q' ^% B5 f1 P8 \5 n2 h
faith and determination of the American people upon which this nation$ _8 U5 G2 t# H# t& |
relies. It is the kindness to take in a stranger when the levees break," E1 e1 Z' x- G
the selflessness of workers who would rather cut their hours than see a) A- e. p) h b7 W! B2 s. a
friend lose their job which sees us through our darkest hours. It is
8 p6 k% M( A$ c6 y2 M) d/ Xthe firefighter’s courage to storm a stairway filled with smoke, but
! D- ~. K8 [1 R2 A9 oalso a parent’s willingness to nurture a child, that finally decides' }8 O$ Z3 b( m3 q$ |5 G6 W
our fate.
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9 `! ~$ o- ~" P+ y5 r) ] Our challenges may be new. The instruments with which we meet them
. V. l: C* {! x4 I3 Tmay be new. But those values upon which our success depends - hard work
! [# O4 L1 R# c* `4 N; b' N. vand honesty, courage and fair play, tolerance and curiosity, loyalty
8 }) U+ I/ a( F9 T# s; |and patriotism - these things are old. These things are true. They have& Z' @! b- N3 m4 O& _. ]5 A
been the quiet force of progress throughout our history. What is
3 r7 s: o0 ?- n/ X9 I! P. ademanded then is a return to these truths. What is required of us now- @2 {! z, _% T( g4 u
is a new era of responsibility - a recognition, on the part of every- r$ T' J( }! ^# x4 d& z$ t
American, that we have duties to ourselves, our nation, and the world,
) U0 }" ?8 o& A' C6 P( a- L/ H, Hduties that we do not grudgingly accept but rather seize gladly, firm
3 w6 \2 d& i6 Bin the knowledge that there is nothing so satisfying to the spirit, so
7 }1 I5 h5 D+ qdefining of our character, than giving our all to a difficult task. 8 z4 @% x; |& Z8 X; R$ ?: U
8 i. a* ~! I& B, b9 `+ F* y This is the price and the promise of citizenship.
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This is the source of our confidence - the knowledge that God calls on us to shape an uncertain destiny.
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5 q+ K: ?7 t$ ] f This is the meaning of our liberty and our creed - why men and
2 J1 s2 n- l5 E% l9 Fwomen and children of every race and every faith can join in
8 w/ f8 s2 {$ Z7 p7 ^celebration across this magnificent mall, and why a man whose father
1 V1 s' U, A. sless than sixty years ago might not have been served at a local
: @6 Z6 @: U8 B( @/ Xrestaurant can now stand before you to take a most sacred oath.
% ^) h [9 B3 c6 U' M+ H# e2 c9 o6 N" z: l& V9 a
So let us mark this day with remembrance, of who we are and how
- R6 [6 |0 {3 c6 ^6 jfar we have traveled. In the year of America’s birth, in the coldest of$ i" c: v7 c; ]8 c$ K2 O5 q, e
months, a small band of patriots huddled by dying campfires on the2 A" J3 K3 L7 f7 M1 u
shores of an icy river. The capital was abandoned. The enemy was, z4 B" S, J8 p+ C7 b1 _
advancing. The snow was stained with blood. At a moment when the
6 Z; z7 |/ y# v; {# Coutcome of our revolution was most in doubt, the father of our nation& Q3 E {0 i) w( t2 U- y
ordered these words be read to the people:
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5 l/ v+ c$ p" v2 T7 j! d8 b$ {- ~5 s "Let it be told to the future world...that in the depth of winter,6 j5 I; C+ G! Y4 d7 E
when nothing but hope and virtue could survive...that the city and the
+ b1 N+ r6 W- I8 Rcountry, alarmed at one common danger, came forth to meet [it]." 8 y; F. K8 @1 C7 |3 D; M+ `
# T6 q9 g9 W1 Z. }8 d6 S
America. In the face of our common dangers, in this winter of our
+ R( j) O) \# {8 Khardship, let us remember these timeless words. With hope and virtue,- l+ P! e. b7 O
let us brave once more the icy currents, and endure what storms may
9 z- ]$ F+ x' b5 _1 K tcome. Let it be said by our children’s children that when we were
: ]5 _: m5 U, R) l' xtested we refused to let this journey end, that we did not turn back
' B7 k: l. u( D: f7 G, qnor did we falter; and with eyes fixed on the horizon and God’s grace# i0 }# C/ z v. L1 g! C
upon us, we carried forth that great gift of freedom and delivered it# ?% k+ K/ _% t0 x* f4 j
safely to future generations.
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