My fellow citizens:
. s, v7 F" ?6 h/ H& k. y; ` I stand here today humbled by the task before us, grateful for the& E7 @1 C9 F0 r. p& F4 {: |- s
trust you have bestowed, mindful of the sacrifices borne by our
8 U7 }6 j* a; @* {ancestors. I thank President Bush for his service to our nation, as0 G& [3 e) C' u; S/ n$ O2 T
well as the generosity and cooperation he has shown throughout this3 L0 |3 s" k* y: N* I' e; r/ M8 v
transition. 3 R4 n" K$ N& c; }) U
) n+ J# d; ?. o; X: o C& O- ]' h
Forty-four Americans have now taken the presidential oath. The
! K/ l! N' l' [* p+ r; W6 p/ M2 ^words have been spoken during rising tides of prosperity and the still
5 d7 i, E" m4 U& [1 t3 o' Zwaters of peace. Yet, every so often the oath is taken amidst gathering7 s- Q8 M& C! l
clouds and raging storms. At these moments, America has carried on not! E3 i& M& \8 @; `
simply because of the skill or vision of those in high office, but; x4 c8 T" x# J9 |0 [4 z0 Y
because We the People have remained faithful to the ideals of our
3 I9 F$ a% i$ Tforbearers, and true to our founding documents. # b# [3 R' y x8 k( |
. R; S- f/ }# F$ Q. ]- f1 T6 c) k
So it has been. So it must be with this generation of Americans. , _2 ]* E \9 \( q' q: x
, b, |! T+ g2 U; C4 w
That we are in the midst of crisis is now well understood. Our+ |4 l& `2 [4 O9 {3 _ T% k& M
nation is at war, against a far-reaching network of violence and( ?) A$ p" A% I, }5 a- Z/ k
hatred. Our economy is badly weakened, a consequence of greed and
* N# } |3 Y8 Pirresponsibility on the part of some, but also our collective failure3 u; ^; K2 ~1 t- D. }# d; w6 ?3 R
to make hard choices and prepare the nation for a new age. Homes have
* \. O0 J, F3 v7 sbeen lost; jobs shed; businesses shuttered. Our health care is too* Y( p6 z8 ]+ u( [! m: D9 }0 U
costly; our schools fail too many; and each day brings further evidence$ z9 n1 C+ h" T. r. |* t# w, M2 H% V
that the ways we use energy strengthen our adversaries and threaten our
9 w! y2 ^& R0 m2 N. g* n, Splanet.
+ X" [3 `; |- G9 z2 e2 S5 \
; n. @ ~( V: q8 B These are the indicators of crisis, subject to data and
" D# m. w; Q& g2 V6 Fstatistics. Less measurable but no less profound is a sapping of
5 Z/ f0 y* o! j4 _% X; gconfidence across our land - a nagging fear that America’s decline is
8 N6 @, j Y& \: @; C5 uinevitable, and that the next generation must lower its sights.
* K7 Z& `; P7 w3 `: _% l- n8 i0 Q7 j! o; }3 o
Today I say to you that the challenges we face are real. They are" g& e; G3 @3 Z0 g" O7 a2 z3 q& _7 M0 o6 M
serious and they are many. They will not be met easily or in a short
& U) o/ u k" g$ p6 Jspan of time. But know this, America - they will be met. ; ]3 a) W: E* Q( w
: d3 J$ o3 a, j, ?
On this day, we gather because we have chosen hope over fear, unity of purpose over conflict and discord. 1 c* y$ s; q A. ^4 H+ S, L. l
% \+ B- y Y. X ?7 w# Y
On this day, we come to proclaim an end to the petty grievances
3 W3 _$ e8 }; ^, L* G6 ~; [and false promises, the recriminations and worn out dogmas, that for0 }" m' K" C$ v& l2 o. |
far too long have strangled our politics. ( {* v' \! K; D+ ~2 p& c* b/ ?
& m6 j0 j: {, z! v @) M* x; I/ w$ T
We remain a young nation, but in the words of Scripture, the time
+ V0 N. I4 {, L$ Phas come to set aside childish things. The time has come to reaffirm
, s3 T2 I; Y0 q) J+ ^5 C! W% Mour enduring spirit; to choose our better history; to carry forward
M& a6 P2 \' @that precious gift, that noble idea, passed on from generation to
# F* s4 F+ ?- |0 T2 P5 t, U. Xgeneration: the God-given promise that all are equal, all are free, and/ d4 @0 b0 X. R- y) g2 K. }) e1 I
all deserve a chance to pursue their full measure of happiness. + G9 s; V( |2 M( |
5 u5 ^) L6 W! g# a In reaffirming the greatness of our nation, we understand that) W2 H; r9 h& e0 F
greatness is never a given. It must be earned. Our journey has never
8 ~& I" r! X& ], f7 }) ]; Z. |been one of short-cuts or settling for less. It has not been the path6 A* |- c5 z6 J' D3 {
for the faint-hearted - for those who prefer leisure over work, or seek& @. E! `- @7 c, F& V2 Z: E; `
only the pleasures of riches and fame. Rather, it has been the" B! `( q# |% X& b$ \9 v: g
risk-takers, the doers, the makers of things - some celebrated but more
$ _. k) I& v* D4 b) R1 Boften men and women obscure in their labor, who have carried us up the
7 I: D6 R: D7 u; l Hlong, rugged path towards prosperity and freedom.
5 g5 A$ i4 R$ w o/ H5 f
# T2 u' y1 g9 `" B For us, they packed up their few worldly possessions and traveled across oceans in search of a new life. 7 P7 M2 U( w, n1 V# |
, t! ?( J }; q$ v For us, they toiled in sweatshops and settled the West; endured the lash of the whip and plowed the hard earth.
: \5 L5 T8 `7 _2 R) t& B; k3 C7 p' i, k) i! h$ x% M* o1 m
For us, they fought and died, in places like Concord and Gettysburg; Normandy and Khe Sanh.
8 }" z0 g- w2 q* g( i/ V+ O- ]1 I
Time and again these men and women struggled and sacrificed and# C: ]0 J6 }+ u- Z' s. P
worked till their hands were raw so that we might live a better life.. C/ y/ t7 b# g- V
They saw America as bigger than the sum of our individual ambitions;
' A5 O5 _1 F: L6 M; D1 E) sgreater than all the differences of birth or wealth or faction.
1 X4 Z( x# ]! F. z3 a4 [0 Q$ s+ g9 Y# T2 U' d0 O
This is the journey we continue today. We remain the most
) c5 G9 I. h( i# v c; g0 eprosperous, powerful nation on Earth. Our workers are no less
1 n! e3 c4 ^4 k% b% ?" e( dproductive than when this crisis began. Our minds are no less
* b+ W4 M4 L U2 X. V$ F; L5 oinventive, our goods and services no less needed than they were last+ T8 t2 L) R# n) `7 q" H
week or last month or last year. Our capacity remains undiminished. But, _4 T/ `4 }9 Q
our time of standing pat, of protecting narrow interests and putting
% U( w9 u+ O, P, i: y# C3 koff unpleasant decisions - that time has surely passed. Starting today,9 v L8 {) l" h" j+ _
we must pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off, and begin again the work6 d# t" q& [; C& Q( A
of remaking America. ! c; o4 Q6 [: T6 u+ X" b2 `
7 I8 V4 J+ S& U8 Q# _ For everywhere we look, there is work to be done. The state of the* [4 J4 M% o. R! Q# q
economy calls for action, bold and swift, and we will act - not only to7 E& Y- L. [# {' |3 S% P
create new jobs, but to lay a new foundation for growth. We will build
% i- I6 ^9 d$ ~3 c" Hthe roads and bridges, the electric grids and digital lines that feed+ r/ i$ m2 s6 }. ?
our commerce and bind us together. We will restore science to its
* d4 [6 H Z+ l5 k) O- P& {rightful place, and wield technology’s wonders to raise health care’s7 `) c) E& c7 k# m
quality and lower its cost. We will harness the sun and the winds and( y! O" J" y* n/ q
the soil to fuel our cars and run our factories. And we will transform8 F# H* [8 h" ?/ u U
our schools and colleges and universities to meet the demands of a new6 n% U, D4 w4 f9 a/ c' c
age. All this we can do. And all this we will do.
) P7 u+ R% }( ]+ {& ~ f- X: R$ q5 Z. u- F5 E
Now, there are some who question the scale of our ambitions - who
, Z' f. e6 D/ K& gsuggest that our system cannot tolerate too many big plans. Their
6 O* v) [: A5 e; Z! Y: e4 bmemories are short. For they have forgotten what this country has8 p2 ^/ ?: T( J/ ?
already done; what free men and women can achieve when imagination is7 [# y% L% C; T C, \; E
joined to common purpose, and necessity to courage. ( q7 I0 H" A1 ]
' ~7 J% P/ n+ F0 S9 Z7 C3 S" z# M What the cynics fail to understand is that the ground has shifted/ ]! a- m: q) W0 d
beneath them - that the stale political arguments that have consumed us. t; B- @/ b: z/ g( s3 q
for so long no longer apply. The question we ask today is not whether
# h( q3 H, \) n; `: [our government is too big or too small, but whether it works - whether
1 ]* o8 }6 d( _' u f# B9 dit helps families find jobs at a decent wage, care they can afford, a
7 z! y8 Q) ^/ R7 f6 Y2 b, Oretirement that is dignified. Where the answer is yes, we intend to
* ^3 Q. o( a% p( jmove forward. Where the answer is no, programs will end. And those of% I! J' e) Y/ x" b8 k9 |9 y, \0 C' {
us who manage the public’s dollars will be held to account - to spend" Q3 B) C; ?+ Q) C9 E- G% D
wisely, reform bad habits, and do our business in the light of day -: @/ E1 r+ H& N
because only then can we restore the vital trust between a people and
0 V4 i; C6 Q% f: \7 \. dtheir government.
3 O6 i- A2 O# |9 K3 D N: _
0 x" ]$ n6 J& O/ Z7 H& q, T Nor is the question before us whether the market is a force for3 e: u9 y: \" E2 f' ]7 }) c$ E
good or ill. Its power to generate wealth and expand freedom is. J8 q, o% s9 [: Z) I
unmatched, but this crisis has reminded us that without a watchful eye,$ o3 u& ^9 L; x3 v$ @
the market can spin out of control - and that a nation cannot prosper
( @6 C/ B7 C$ \/ Olong when it favors only the prosperous. The success of our economy has+ C, I. D) s F7 I
always depended not just on the size of our Gross Domestic Product, but
" m$ K8 ]. x4 k( m/ ^on the reach of our prosperity; on our ability to extend opportunity to
* z5 d% g. z* G" mevery willing heart - not out of charity, but because it is the surest$ f9 @0 E% f B `& P4 v
route to our common good.
0 @0 H; T2 D% Z* @6 V( a# b' P2 D5 h0 m1 N) [- K
As for our common defense, we reject as false the choice between
+ q/ A2 `" c- u( Y# G, ~our safety and our ideals. Our Founding Fathers, faced with perils we" G* A# f. _: Z- _" e( O
can scarcely imagine, drafted a charter to assure the rule of law and
) R& o6 D4 C; m) Pthe rights of man, a charter expanded by the blood of generations.0 A. N% s, L/ C# `* N$ D
Those ideals still light the world, and we will not give them up for( n* h$ ~" D3 w y1 {( I t
expedience’s sake. And so to all other peoples and governments who are
* U7 N, D* b( Z3 k* s# uwatching today, from the grandest capitals to the small village where3 r5 y0 I) w- V* F: O; N
my father was born: know that America is a friend of each nation and# t6 u! R1 P1 S7 H0 G% E
every man, woman, and child who seeks a future of peace and dignity,; ?, T* V1 Q& G8 u
and that we are ready to lead once more. 5 _$ a8 P% h+ h) o3 g: w
, [3 Z" f) D- n4 q5 _ Recall that earlier generations faced down fascism not just with
3 @" I+ E# \4 y8 gmissiles and tanks, but with sturdy alliances and enduring convictions.
# U% q( |# G0 p' o/ cThey understood that our power alone cannot protect us, nor does it
4 R9 e7 e8 {8 l& X0 I, Rentitle us to do as we please. Instead, they knew that our power grows5 H, A9 [- \" w4 L; f
through its prudent use; our security emanates from the justness of our) F0 n+ T6 F3 M3 F9 p- {/ t
cause, the force of our example, the tempering qualities of humility
2 i( Y' B: M( Hand restraint. - v$ }4 b4 W6 p9 e4 Z& K y
7 c3 Z; X( i/ Y6 f
We are the keepers of this legacy. Guided by these principles once& D6 R( j& ^# O: k c$ E1 v- ` I
more, we can meet those new threats that demand even greater effort -
/ ~8 n0 b1 \1 |- {: E) Xeven greater cooperation and understanding between nations. We will
. U& | f0 E9 v/ _1 B1 ?begin to responsibly leave Iraq to its people, and forge a hard-earned$ X3 ] r4 @& |+ U! r4 u+ a
peace in Afghanistan. With old friends and former foes, we will work
4 ~' ~0 A. j: y4 T% I8 Ltirelessly to lessen the nuclear threat, and roll back the specter of a
% ]3 }8 G; s- n. dwarming planet. We will not apologize for our way of life, nor will we
8 C" K9 f+ X, \waver in its defense, and for those who seek to advance their aims by
4 }: [ h8 P7 g3 v9 r- @4 \: O3 cinducing terror and slaughtering innocents, we say to you now that our
( P. I7 D$ F0 h1 }& |, @spirit is stronger and cannot be broken; you cannot outlast us, and we
, r6 R8 Y# \7 B: [will defeat you. 9 `5 F% Z' }5 l
4 x0 J# L$ M2 X- e& I For we know that our patchwork heritage is a strength, not a+ ]# w. l% |& s% G3 W/ E" n
weakness. We are a nation of Christians and Muslims, Jews and Hindus -# p+ P0 v. X A" @ U T+ Q* I
and non-believers. We are shaped by every language and culture, drawn
% Z' g5 U; ]$ B v$ c, afrom every end of this Earth; and because we have tasted the bitter
* ?" g& `" L. ]* vswill of civil war and segregation, and emerged from that dark chapter3 u: z" u6 {! }- a2 Q
stronger and more united, we cannot help but believe that the old
- R" _: a) |) g& f3 P5 dhatreds shall someday pass; that the lines of tribe shall soon
1 {) V$ |. N; d) Odissolve; that as the world grows smaller, our common humanity shall8 q# {: h) c8 g7 m5 e: v" J6 M6 o, g
reveal itself; and that America must play its role in ushering in a new
. z9 G6 u! B5 ^9 U6 eera of peace.
' ]; L: j \5 m6 V9 p& v8 [
. W8 R3 i4 D5 N' @ To the Muslim world, we seek a new way forward, based on mutual0 h4 n. o, Q3 _
interest and mutual respect. To those leaders around the globe who seek
( @4 I0 z5 m9 P5 cto sow conflict, or blame their society’s ills on the West - know that
" A7 C& D: K5 G9 R9 l' r# C& ryour people will judge you on what you can build, not what you destroy.0 k& @$ F" ^% P% r* r
To those who cling to power through corruption and deceit and the9 q/ u8 \ @' J$ c3 E7 _; o7 s) x |5 U4 X
silencing of dissent, know that you are on the wrong side of history;7 X U$ [9 P d5 k; b% r0 G- C
but that we will extend a hand if you are willing to unclench your fist.
0 x0 [. _/ g: B: T1 q8 y% x0 v" a& [
To the people of poor nations, we pledge to work alongside you to* s0 E& @8 ]: h7 T2 J, Z+ C
make your farms flourish and let clean waters flow; to nourish starved
+ @, M; z s' rbodies and feed hungry minds. And to those nations like ours that enjoy
2 c& J2 ]# u4 w' Crelative plenty, we say we can no longer afford indifference to
2 _# s3 C7 H- V8 vsuffering outside our borders; nor can we consume the world’s resources! X- d$ a& Z& K8 W6 D
without regard to effect. For the world has changed, and we must change
; t# ]" ?$ p9 M7 q2 s5 |with it.
3 ~; `4 a! W2 q, |5 O- z% [
; b. d- c5 `- ^/ g3 O As we consider the road that unfolds before us, we remember with2 ?$ l, M* a0 \" Y
humble gratitude those brave Americans who, at this very hour, patrol! {7 k+ W. _8 D6 V, \
far-off deserts and distant mountains. They have something to tell us
. V7 L0 g, Z5 T0 \0 Ftoday, just as the fallen heroes who lie in Arlington whisper through- b+ ?# [" {$ }2 r, y; x0 M* p( ]
the ages. We honor them not only because they are guardians of our
4 J5 B2 _7 `) [( i3 |9 R( l) lliberty, but because they embody the spirit of service; a willingness2 ]: K- |' ?4 @8 t0 T8 u$ g, \
to find meaning in something greater than themselves. And yet, at this
* E5 a7 }* }1 ^" |" t+ u' x" omoment - a moment that will define a generation - it is precisely this
- a- P& @ @" h0 R [spirit that must inhabit us all. 4 z* J! a2 p# K$ p
0 D% L; ~; A' N
For as much as government can do and must do, it is ultimately the
. X5 H+ g$ T7 A% N L1 B! Lfaith and determination of the American people upon which this nation
% E6 P- I6 n% U: L" r- \ e) O6 crelies. It is the kindness to take in a stranger when the levees break,8 T3 {6 K/ e6 V, M/ i: L% X
the selflessness of workers who would rather cut their hours than see a; j6 Y9 i+ t/ z, F0 |" I
friend lose their job which sees us through our darkest hours. It is
& o6 c; T6 j1 A. p+ N8 w2 v6 R% Z5 [the firefighter’s courage to storm a stairway filled with smoke, but
5 m/ z# |" Q1 n6 `2 d+ Palso a parent’s willingness to nurture a child, that finally decides4 b% {8 O0 O+ q
our fate. r9 T* [; O& N! M7 ^1 B2 b6 e$ |) @
`& m2 ~& R) s( ^* l( g5 ` Our challenges may be new. The instruments with which we meet them
% l, _/ Q1 `2 ymay be new. But those values upon which our success depends - hard work- ?1 F$ V0 A" k7 u6 G& F
and honesty, courage and fair play, tolerance and curiosity, loyalty
5 ~' t) E$ O3 k- K& o1 `and patriotism - these things are old. These things are true. They have
7 W) R7 ?# |* ]2 u( L% U2 ybeen the quiet force of progress throughout our history. What is' } u; x5 N7 d" [
demanded then is a return to these truths. What is required of us now
) m, J# \ u8 T6 a2 ?: }is a new era of responsibility - a recognition, on the part of every; k; W8 _* a9 c
American, that we have duties to ourselves, our nation, and the world,
: [! y( ~% q! [0 N7 y" {duties that we do not grudgingly accept but rather seize gladly, firm
, E3 Y! f ]+ x8 fin the knowledge that there is nothing so satisfying to the spirit, so/ M3 k8 \3 ^, @2 N: {4 a
defining of our character, than giving our all to a difficult task. 8 V- N1 x# L3 K2 H
+ q& b' P7 Y" g/ W' C
This is the price and the promise of citizenship. - Z; z5 u T3 g0 d6 k
7 r* d# T! d& s$ T/ F( Q" T+ r
This is the source of our confidence - the knowledge that God calls on us to shape an uncertain destiny. 1 Z0 C2 p* g4 e2 b# x9 Q
% {/ E' N# ], c! b2 h; Q# N This is the meaning of our liberty and our creed - why men and
$ g) Z! E0 e) nwomen and children of every race and every faith can join in3 x" f+ i @7 o/ f
celebration across this magnificent mall, and why a man whose father
7 c6 L$ q9 e! O( A: wless than sixty years ago might not have been served at a local, M: b6 O0 s) }6 x' B1 j: N
restaurant can now stand before you to take a most sacred oath. # k2 [0 q, z5 [1 i$ D8 q1 |& h
1 C# l0 r4 d. ~% Y) T# Z; T
So let us mark this day with remembrance, of who we are and how
8 F+ C, r) p& w; Qfar we have traveled. In the year of America’s birth, in the coldest of
$ _) ~; r) m- Z. ^' Z' [$ O6 {months, a small band of patriots huddled by dying campfires on the
) w' ]5 ~' H! a+ y- d1 }. u" C" y1 q! `shores of an icy river. The capital was abandoned. The enemy was
- a7 s- a( o5 X& m. q+ f" Vadvancing. The snow was stained with blood. At a moment when the
' w$ I$ ]$ x5 b5 q4 e: T, Loutcome of our revolution was most in doubt, the father of our nation; E, N) H1 r& M/ S+ O" w5 k2 V ^5 Y
ordered these words be read to the people:
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% ~7 }. X# ~8 M i "Let it be told to the future world...that in the depth of winter,
" H6 J2 }. q Cwhen nothing but hope and virtue could survive...that the city and the& b, p, F& f0 \6 V( j2 h% B
country, alarmed at one common danger, came forth to meet [it]."
N, C4 s) d) [9 d
: _/ i7 P$ E* M/ `+ {8 L$ ?3 P America. In the face of our common dangers, in this winter of our3 _, `2 b6 `. p+ G* `; G2 y
hardship, let us remember these timeless words. With hope and virtue,
8 D3 Q" Z; T# O- S; ylet us brave once more the icy currents, and endure what storms may1 B% h" C( o$ M# @6 q3 }
come. Let it be said by our children’s children that when we were
6 h' S3 z" F7 m5 t. f1 I9 |tested we refused to let this journey end, that we did not turn back
" {# M+ F* Z; _0 e& u6 n q% [6 J6 i. O& wnor did we falter; and with eyes fixed on the horizon and God’s grace) e- C5 M: E* ^# x) Y
upon us, we carried forth that great gift of freedom and delivered it) G! V$ ]) K1 w2 I! K A( z! R4 ?
safely to future generations.' `) r- Y3 c b) k* |* d- l/ m5 \
|