My fellow citizens: C' R/ w2 ]$ [3 V" r- X0 u* |/ P
I stand here today humbled by the task before us, grateful for the
- r# i3 _" a, w3 W3 Gtrust you have bestowed, mindful of the sacrifices borne by our2 s& h, x0 U# S! Z" K2 N$ C
ancestors. I thank President Bush for his service to our nation, as `0 ~6 c9 }( t0 G
well as the generosity and cooperation he has shown throughout this
& m$ G3 P/ G3 D5 ctransition. 2 r) K$ C! W. d, T) O
1 X% V! Y% x$ u0 x+ ~, l Forty-four Americans have now taken the presidential oath. The
$ e* {2 _. X! ?# v0 awords have been spoken during rising tides of prosperity and the still
2 e) E5 J5 ~/ y, v7 A f. n( Twaters of peace. Yet, every so often the oath is taken amidst gathering( q: I# ~2 o( K9 W& }: A& H" h
clouds and raging storms. At these moments, America has carried on not0 M! P! s, s: n" d! H
simply because of the skill or vision of those in high office, but) ]/ {4 t9 B, ~/ T. }- _
because We the People have remained faithful to the ideals of our
9 H+ z3 @1 j8 Y+ `" T# W# {forbearers, and true to our founding documents. ) H! b$ L- K2 Q# X( v' \' _/ [( R
, ?3 v; z# [8 {8 G6 C So it has been. So it must be with this generation of Americans.
0 [7 u3 X6 {" w3 S4 F7 x5 R3 g( {$ u( q# z- i* _' T4 U
That we are in the midst of crisis is now well understood. Our3 g1 ~) @5 X* o! D/ \5 p! c+ v
nation is at war, against a far-reaching network of violence and
# w) a) L& v% J& J. z- }9 R9 E! Shatred. Our economy is badly weakened, a consequence of greed and3 e7 b3 \. o" y/ A2 v5 L: E
irresponsibility on the part of some, but also our collective failure
7 t) G) P. J" W% O& q- I" Eto make hard choices and prepare the nation for a new age. Homes have' I- I5 U* o% y8 x; s( I& M/ P
been lost; jobs shed; businesses shuttered. Our health care is too6 B; w$ U! E% B, C0 U3 y) w2 r
costly; our schools fail too many; and each day brings further evidence$ w! l1 @2 e$ @, ~/ U5 E- b8 A6 q$ u
that the ways we use energy strengthen our adversaries and threaten our
* N) w, p3 W# H) I s& i, \planet.
. G2 T& c4 V1 y- q* _ U
8 G( r5 }! B6 w7 p4 x These are the indicators of crisis, subject to data and: A; E7 G. H- \7 ~5 Z5 q" {
statistics. Less measurable but no less profound is a sapping of
/ i& ?0 d" C7 A" ?! Fconfidence across our land - a nagging fear that America’s decline is! E: g) W J& U! W
inevitable, and that the next generation must lower its sights.
# ^$ Q2 V* E" h2 U5 i/ e; c9 M3 B
Today I say to you that the challenges we face are real. They are
# Q2 e# p- P, a& `( vserious and they are many. They will not be met easily or in a short
) _$ x7 a( T, S* I+ S1 Yspan of time. But know this, America - they will be met.
5 N* Y& K( C2 v6 S4 F5 t. T. @& D
& s5 T# x1 {" `4 `/ n% [) t- | On this day, we gather because we have chosen hope over fear, unity of purpose over conflict and discord. : y! ? w- o2 i; s6 _
( W0 [7 n1 I' [. L6 M2 a On this day, we come to proclaim an end to the petty grievances$ s4 ?2 S# Z1 r; ^" Y) N- S0 w) y' i
and false promises, the recriminations and worn out dogmas, that for
1 p, m* F- L, G; t2 c0 ^far too long have strangled our politics. : P6 O3 J; B, A3 q4 S
0 k) ^) Z5 S2 g8 h) c; \& @- ^ We remain a young nation, but in the words of Scripture, the time! _& \9 f3 L) h* Q9 \/ t7 o# ^
has come to set aside childish things. The time has come to reaffirm: W7 o3 k$ C. c& o3 c4 X5 }
our enduring spirit; to choose our better history; to carry forward
, c3 K% Y" a, O& k+ |that precious gift, that noble idea, passed on from generation to/ u. X: q; F3 \3 N/ V0 v* @
generation: the God-given promise that all are equal, all are free, and- @, V4 j! y' U$ ?2 S
all deserve a chance to pursue their full measure of happiness. - L1 p& L( ?! T( s7 Q. `. d+ P
b j: J5 ^6 q6 m( q- f
In reaffirming the greatness of our nation, we understand that, s- {8 m5 w( m$ b9 Q4 k
greatness is never a given. It must be earned. Our journey has never
/ c: k% ^ Z: j: D1 V6 sbeen one of short-cuts or settling for less. It has not been the path
+ P) I [" X9 @. A- m1 l8 b. K" Wfor the faint-hearted - for those who prefer leisure over work, or seek- o5 _& U0 Y% G, z; p
only the pleasures of riches and fame. Rather, it has been the: \# @. X2 s$ x+ x: }5 `2 G; x/ D
risk-takers, the doers, the makers of things - some celebrated but more
2 a# s2 ^4 x! Y4 f$ U1 coften men and women obscure in their labor, who have carried us up the8 _+ o# F- l5 A* p0 I) ?! ^
long, rugged path towards prosperity and freedom. 0 H" g9 a" o' T) G3 l* t, V
u6 x1 ?& I6 l7 L1 _( x& h For us, they packed up their few worldly possessions and traveled across oceans in search of a new life. 6 J8 C: c' e6 v3 p8 |) T' ~
/ k. Q# @. W9 U) w For us, they toiled in sweatshops and settled the West; endured the lash of the whip and plowed the hard earth. " _' Q( x8 i- [" T8 n/ p$ Z
6 x: {& `* V) U0 Z F4 W For us, they fought and died, in places like Concord and Gettysburg; Normandy and Khe Sanh. 2 A+ ~, }4 {8 E' r ]' Q4 O
3 y. _! s7 d3 P6 o5 a1 n2 Y; P+ K% J
Time and again these men and women struggled and sacrificed and
2 C" E! Z& x w3 e$ W; Pworked till their hands were raw so that we might live a better life.# J S5 f! A* S5 V% l3 n2 N- x
They saw America as bigger than the sum of our individual ambitions;
- P4 X1 F& C8 F7 s* S ^greater than all the differences of birth or wealth or faction. 3 e1 \7 ]: X* I6 P
, ]- j4 @; P/ p& a0 I4 k
This is the journey we continue today. We remain the most' R0 Q3 f/ d% r4 Y' H5 Q3 @
prosperous, powerful nation on Earth. Our workers are no less
n: k- ], Y/ k0 Aproductive than when this crisis began. Our minds are no less
& @" h1 s4 E, x& e* r9 `; n9 O7 S! Iinventive, our goods and services no less needed than they were last
+ V+ w+ x; C1 Q- eweek or last month or last year. Our capacity remains undiminished. But
/ ]8 y4 t. P2 g; J+ Dour time of standing pat, of protecting narrow interests and putting8 `$ h `- _; g8 f, f
off unpleasant decisions - that time has surely passed. Starting today,
9 u) _2 K" d8 D/ u6 Kwe must pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off, and begin again the work' e, s' l$ a9 K
of remaking America. ' {6 h/ {+ Z0 @/ T2 `9 b4 e5 L% u
3 @7 l! P( G( D( v+ U0 j9 c& i
For everywhere we look, there is work to be done. The state of the8 @- V l+ ~5 b* X. Z' ^3 g
economy calls for action, bold and swift, and we will act - not only to
3 Q7 t4 r7 a/ J" h9 dcreate new jobs, but to lay a new foundation for growth. We will build
: f0 }/ G9 J3 `the roads and bridges, the electric grids and digital lines that feed
& Z5 e- s$ d: k4 b" Iour commerce and bind us together. We will restore science to its
2 p0 J) Z6 i. ?2 Arightful place, and wield technology’s wonders to raise health care’s
( l. Y! e8 s7 R9 I' r9 h5 ^; _quality and lower its cost. We will harness the sun and the winds and; A/ \0 J. }; q8 v
the soil to fuel our cars and run our factories. And we will transform3 i% l/ J j7 v) b+ J8 R- z5 J
our schools and colleges and universities to meet the demands of a new2 v% F9 f& `# f4 ^
age. All this we can do. And all this we will do. : x; h# S& M% f- W. k. z+ C6 \2 h
7 Q) I0 G4 a! N0 h6 m7 P$ T Now, there are some who question the scale of our ambitions - who
, B" a3 k) L2 ?) x1 {suggest that our system cannot tolerate too many big plans. Their" R: l; ?8 q. O/ f9 R- V# z
memories are short. For they have forgotten what this country has
0 V8 L1 y6 o& x% X$ F+ y2 k, Zalready done; what free men and women can achieve when imagination is
6 Z: d' S7 j/ ?joined to common purpose, and necessity to courage. 0 e7 X1 U* l! I$ |
9 q/ p- T; z7 v What the cynics fail to understand is that the ground has shifted* h, [3 G1 N! S; [" ~! b/ R# I, a9 @
beneath them - that the stale political arguments that have consumed us
" v0 M% D% {+ j, J9 {. ^for so long no longer apply. The question we ask today is not whether f+ ` _+ P$ _; M
our government is too big or too small, but whether it works - whether7 Q% M1 g9 G4 W; { I
it helps families find jobs at a decent wage, care they can afford, a
0 X0 P" ~$ G, Iretirement that is dignified. Where the answer is yes, we intend to
( \4 j: [5 b% o# ?2 n( Ymove forward. Where the answer is no, programs will end. And those of
7 V5 m3 H* i3 {us who manage the public’s dollars will be held to account - to spend
" H, e: x+ Y6 h* G. F: Z. a4 Iwisely, reform bad habits, and do our business in the light of day -) s: k) v: q' t- E
because only then can we restore the vital trust between a people and
$ r) Z g8 S1 s' @; g+ R+ G7 Btheir government.
' G0 D: P1 B0 p' e( d% @8 ^) l
7 P; b6 m6 A' m6 J* n Nor is the question before us whether the market is a force for1 Z7 k) b/ m8 q( Q: A
good or ill. Its power to generate wealth and expand freedom is" d2 O% k4 l5 k) @7 a
unmatched, but this crisis has reminded us that without a watchful eye,
3 |" g9 N0 ] s& _ @the market can spin out of control - and that a nation cannot prosper
1 }( p p' N. d0 c+ u- D" Nlong when it favors only the prosperous. The success of our economy has
0 A- u% T* U2 w; T* i% v3 G$ ]always depended not just on the size of our Gross Domestic Product, but
# p* E# t% T" j( j( f8 {# Uon the reach of our prosperity; on our ability to extend opportunity to. _: S3 y8 e2 \# |& Z
every willing heart - not out of charity, but because it is the surest
7 S9 v& y& E$ g( E8 t) j/ L+ l4 zroute to our common good. + |5 V+ D2 j3 n- Y
F9 u$ s4 e' c; t6 D; T8 b As for our common defense, we reject as false the choice between
K* Z8 H* [4 four safety and our ideals. Our Founding Fathers, faced with perils we
2 I3 v. d5 Y0 u5 {% dcan scarcely imagine, drafted a charter to assure the rule of law and
+ ?8 v/ N `5 F8 z* E' Nthe rights of man, a charter expanded by the blood of generations.7 x& W1 a) F( }9 V4 l
Those ideals still light the world, and we will not give them up for
' Z b! n, J9 R7 }# Aexpedience’s sake. And so to all other peoples and governments who are
. b" r3 O& h# j) N9 b8 N4 @watching today, from the grandest capitals to the small village where
( V- O% u1 H9 V% Z( S' q' p% smy father was born: know that America is a friend of each nation and
8 f! V, O: X# D3 r( aevery man, woman, and child who seeks a future of peace and dignity,( r# c: w9 W H) p" l0 t P3 j" b
and that we are ready to lead once more.
V7 F5 p @2 `9 }1 i* ~; P+ d$ {
* Z0 n! o4 ]) C4 J! l Recall that earlier generations faced down fascism not just with
% }3 f6 i, d4 g9 ^missiles and tanks, but with sturdy alliances and enduring convictions.5 \' y9 V0 v$ h
They understood that our power alone cannot protect us, nor does it9 @4 t3 C- m4 N) l; f- m, ]
entitle us to do as we please. Instead, they knew that our power grows: j' C* m& ]! b9 @& j
through its prudent use; our security emanates from the justness of our- L6 e/ F" G: b) f, F
cause, the force of our example, the tempering qualities of humility
& T( ^+ x7 }7 x7 zand restraint.
' q! M3 }: W. [4 a
! i, b; Z' t7 x4 K We are the keepers of this legacy. Guided by these principles once
9 J' }/ M0 R% H% Nmore, we can meet those new threats that demand even greater effort -
0 I/ p3 C) P- _6 V5 meven greater cooperation and understanding between nations. We will6 {( ^, L x0 y8 j2 {7 h
begin to responsibly leave Iraq to its people, and forge a hard-earned, `6 O6 C2 K1 m1 I* `% r0 e
peace in Afghanistan. With old friends and former foes, we will work
) }4 ~$ v k, z( I5 }9 g2 Otirelessly to lessen the nuclear threat, and roll back the specter of a
3 y/ P9 ^1 N5 K# W7 a( D! _warming planet. We will not apologize for our way of life, nor will we3 R/ O% A s7 `9 P' H
waver in its defense, and for those who seek to advance their aims by1 h) d/ k# y' l
inducing terror and slaughtering innocents, we say to you now that our
8 }! q3 M/ L8 l# }; [spirit is stronger and cannot be broken; you cannot outlast us, and we
# B1 _- F3 p8 z# z, r9 n, rwill defeat you.
0 }& F5 o2 g+ W- \+ B# x: A! C' B: e) o5 p# t' f
For we know that our patchwork heritage is a strength, not a
* G2 k5 D4 U$ N, |3 aweakness. We are a nation of Christians and Muslims, Jews and Hindus -
$ A$ X$ | Y0 ?0 Iand non-believers. We are shaped by every language and culture, drawn) J3 T; `, |- H+ m" |. v
from every end of this Earth; and because we have tasted the bitter
3 y2 \1 N( U- ~% e) |0 o- a+ L9 U6 lswill of civil war and segregation, and emerged from that dark chapter
' r6 ]' i& `! mstronger and more united, we cannot help but believe that the old
- W% F: e; x1 T& ehatreds shall someday pass; that the lines of tribe shall soon3 F* V7 \& T$ \) Y* d
dissolve; that as the world grows smaller, our common humanity shall, n' E, \, B, b* g
reveal itself; and that America must play its role in ushering in a new
- l( J1 |% C7 }* O7 X7 mera of peace. 2 Z9 z u: K6 v0 t' O/ q) h
: w! P( a/ Z1 C) R1 s( p/ e To the Muslim world, we seek a new way forward, based on mutual
% _5 S; ~% }' ~1 z9 n6 ]interest and mutual respect. To those leaders around the globe who seek
7 h3 ~, X; c( R4 ~/ n! @to sow conflict, or blame their society’s ills on the West - know that
2 r. v3 H, {, b* _% c( i! ^your people will judge you on what you can build, not what you destroy.9 Z4 K0 x) q9 D( P& \0 o
To those who cling to power through corruption and deceit and the
3 J; C& V5 \4 k+ Esilencing of dissent, know that you are on the wrong side of history;
7 ~7 F- [$ {" I8 F, @but that we will extend a hand if you are willing to unclench your fist. - N" D- C: D, \# X* Q: s' v, U& F
* O% w: b7 ^, D1 H( @- K To the people of poor nations, we pledge to work alongside you to
9 j7 e/ W0 C+ W$ h0 ]0 o, a! Hmake your farms flourish and let clean waters flow; to nourish starved
( k! R" J- k8 a; T: M' Mbodies and feed hungry minds. And to those nations like ours that enjoy
. ?! f: B& ~! r5 y; S+ P) V" b3 Urelative plenty, we say we can no longer afford indifference to
* a4 r* q4 G7 c" K; q% X* w Fsuffering outside our borders; nor can we consume the world’s resources6 R9 I; V" u- z# \* {4 a
without regard to effect. For the world has changed, and we must change
$ v, U: U" h4 E/ k! {$ k+ Ywith it.
- @( [. b; f3 _( m/ L( y0 ?1 Z; N' C
7 r# g- |2 W) e5 n As we consider the road that unfolds before us, we remember with
$ X! Q3 A. J" \; Jhumble gratitude those brave Americans who, at this very hour, patrol% M' g$ ^4 d6 d- h$ H. ^7 f1 F& Z
far-off deserts and distant mountains. They have something to tell us
2 U( b5 v L% O6 S& otoday, just as the fallen heroes who lie in Arlington whisper through0 D/ m5 ?9 H" |* g
the ages. We honor them not only because they are guardians of our1 I( O: r5 m" u$ G
liberty, but because they embody the spirit of service; a willingness
# v0 N# M. Z) p4 x! Yto find meaning in something greater than themselves. And yet, at this
" m. {% [$ @2 _" q3 K" Pmoment - a moment that will define a generation - it is precisely this' `$ w- E {& m! i8 k
spirit that must inhabit us all.
; Y9 k! E: X- k9 V9 L# l0 [- f9 P' a. o/ U6 X
For as much as government can do and must do, it is ultimately the! b" g: `, ^/ g
faith and determination of the American people upon which this nation* [9 G( y; ~9 D( R4 K
relies. It is the kindness to take in a stranger when the levees break,
5 ]/ o! X6 g M/ b- i3 Tthe selflessness of workers who would rather cut their hours than see a4 x: t$ ?1 z$ }4 S f3 C1 ]
friend lose their job which sees us through our darkest hours. It is; i; n% u0 @1 j+ X) d" Z
the firefighter’s courage to storm a stairway filled with smoke, but& G" [9 i) `' ?4 d
also a parent’s willingness to nurture a child, that finally decides
, K P# v, j9 Q [* d! b6 d& j' Gour fate.
" n4 A( [1 I5 X
( o* L# Z" G% q6 s7 \ Our challenges may be new. The instruments with which we meet them
, `; a; }) A/ o$ H( fmay be new. But those values upon which our success depends - hard work! ]% s6 y9 J$ G- N
and honesty, courage and fair play, tolerance and curiosity, loyalty
) r G6 T0 I0 H6 }# i, S9 H3 fand patriotism - these things are old. These things are true. They have6 f0 M9 r; O! K5 h
been the quiet force of progress throughout our history. What is
$ C5 U" _& F- i" O$ j/ D7 {3 j$ odemanded then is a return to these truths. What is required of us now
- j* f: Y3 n. qis a new era of responsibility - a recognition, on the part of every7 V0 ?- S2 v# e; j# u& U/ ?" u
American, that we have duties to ourselves, our nation, and the world,) _ Y% t3 N3 p G) P! d3 ^8 ]- D. b
duties that we do not grudgingly accept but rather seize gladly, firm
. t2 c/ X, s4 P. Cin the knowledge that there is nothing so satisfying to the spirit, so7 z. C" e4 v2 E
defining of our character, than giving our all to a difficult task.
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* i+ c( v) v* \: q9 B! q This is the price and the promise of citizenship. . M1 Q6 d, A9 I" p
9 |' U- Y- s4 M) G This is the source of our confidence - the knowledge that God calls on us to shape an uncertain destiny.
7 A6 U' k2 ~9 P, Y
( ]2 u. _- w% `& C( I# J This is the meaning of our liberty and our creed - why men and3 W0 t, I* E* [9 n. B
women and children of every race and every faith can join in# r* K" V- H. J5 T+ J& g3 Z
celebration across this magnificent mall, and why a man whose father" r! H6 }5 G5 Y! f8 |8 v
less than sixty years ago might not have been served at a local) A, ^& z# G! W5 a; T" `6 H
restaurant can now stand before you to take a most sacred oath. & X% i6 m' y$ A- y! m# f; S' @
; G4 `3 ]0 m2 d' R D# ~: U2 u% ?8 P
So let us mark this day with remembrance, of who we are and how3 a( @! q8 E- F7 u# T8 R: h
far we have traveled. In the year of America’s birth, in the coldest of/ D: b- y6 a7 \5 V1 q
months, a small band of patriots huddled by dying campfires on the4 f" G7 n5 B* t! ^
shores of an icy river. The capital was abandoned. The enemy was
, i& e; p( [: f. s6 @; uadvancing. The snow was stained with blood. At a moment when the& O( k( ]/ p5 Q: M/ o$ u
outcome of our revolution was most in doubt, the father of our nation
: n$ }. s& f0 C4 b" w) nordered these words be read to the people:
: i! n4 _: I5 E) w0 S* D! L& O8 L3 x0 i+ U# o2 S. P; |$ z
"Let it be told to the future world...that in the depth of winter,
# S& M. {$ p6 o8 B1 V. ]5 fwhen nothing but hope and virtue could survive...that the city and the
% G( ^9 f" y6 K1 L* Jcountry, alarmed at one common danger, came forth to meet [it]."
1 i( H0 J! h- m# J# J) z" J* `! I- y0 k3 ]3 x6 ?8 T+ v% j
America. In the face of our common dangers, in this winter of our u& }+ w4 r7 l {& m
hardship, let us remember these timeless words. With hope and virtue,4 C: D, W7 G4 y! N# q3 `: K' V: D
let us brave once more the icy currents, and endure what storms may
* m+ O% G( _+ g- v* scome. Let it be said by our children’s children that when we were) C/ n, r" x4 Q# L
tested we refused to let this journey end, that we did not turn back
& B3 ?& q" H& t: Inor did we falter; and with eyes fixed on the horizon and God’s grace; n, Z5 {, s% }
upon us, we carried forth that great gift of freedom and delivered it7 [1 q: P3 G+ C. ^7 @7 K
safely to future generations.
6 o" d! \( i" e& J7 Q5 a |