My fellow citizens:# G* a# H& _& x% w8 E9 v
I stand here today humbled by the task before us, grateful for the! a3 Y8 S, v9 y' v3 M. V3 N; e( a
trust you have bestowed, mindful of the sacrifices borne by our3 J$ y/ V( T% x- K; z8 S
ancestors. I thank President Bush for his service to our nation, as
3 T) H% E5 D1 `4 S) d6 owell as the generosity and cooperation he has shown throughout this+ G0 H' j7 U! j& I
transition.
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Forty-four Americans have now taken the presidential oath. The
* n( f6 \+ H2 g/ H1 ^' ?8 dwords have been spoken during rising tides of prosperity and the still3 r. w4 Y- e/ R
waters of peace. Yet, every so often the oath is taken amidst gathering5 X9 H& \, a6 w5 f4 j- W
clouds and raging storms. At these moments, America has carried on not
" ]/ ~ a7 X1 f f7 F9 csimply because of the skill or vision of those in high office, but
0 b) d. ^( [ ?4 `$ L2 mbecause We the People have remained faithful to the ideals of our
9 B& h X' s0 l% O9 W% s( @& Rforbearers, and true to our founding documents. / D- i+ H) D. J) u( k: v2 w
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So it has been. So it must be with this generation of Americans.
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" b3 i) v& Y' j$ V$ n h That we are in the midst of crisis is now well understood. Our- F& P: p0 c2 a* [5 S, \
nation is at war, against a far-reaching network of violence and/ ^3 d U1 G, y; a" B! g X
hatred. Our economy is badly weakened, a consequence of greed and
4 Y& x8 O; X; E' j% U) z/ _irresponsibility on the part of some, but also our collective failure
. X4 P* F& z! V' Y# m Uto make hard choices and prepare the nation for a new age. Homes have
& G+ [# ]6 [# x8 t) T& {been lost; jobs shed; businesses shuttered. Our health care is too- ^. F7 ^7 h) X7 b: r& E
costly; our schools fail too many; and each day brings further evidence, z& W* C; N. }. q4 y+ @1 l
that the ways we use energy strengthen our adversaries and threaten our
- s8 Z+ ~" X, ]0 Y" cplanet. 3 ]# z/ {" G' |; d6 u
& C; s. F& k0 p3 {5 B6 w
These are the indicators of crisis, subject to data and- Y0 S' v1 b5 B& ]+ p. ~
statistics. Less measurable but no less profound is a sapping of- A& s/ K# P# ~6 q: b8 L6 m3 M
confidence across our land - a nagging fear that America’s decline is; |# i0 N! N9 E( ] V
inevitable, and that the next generation must lower its sights.
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/ ^7 l( a% g, V8 ]: m O Today I say to you that the challenges we face are real. They are
$ {# n, l2 G% A5 I7 cserious and they are many. They will not be met easily or in a short3 K* f# @" \" e' A9 d
span of time. But know this, America - they will be met.
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On this day, we gather because we have chosen hope over fear, unity of purpose over conflict and discord. 1 E# D, f2 A; e _" ?
- ^ R+ m" T- w; @5 U) \
On this day, we come to proclaim an end to the petty grievances& t$ ]/ N( z6 [- R
and false promises, the recriminations and worn out dogmas, that for X4 V4 B- D& I: W7 w/ V* t
far too long have strangled our politics.
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* w4 i4 A1 D& W: R; k( s; W3 x' N2 A. G We remain a young nation, but in the words of Scripture, the time: u5 B4 _2 P/ s7 C7 O1 y5 k2 n! C* b
has come to set aside childish things. The time has come to reaffirm3 r" }; K; S# o, u* {$ _, D
our enduring spirit; to choose our better history; to carry forward
! n( P& h& B0 e/ `9 S' r Bthat precious gift, that noble idea, passed on from generation to. O0 H i, b: c, ?; Z, O
generation: the God-given promise that all are equal, all are free, and7 v" S# Y- P+ i- i s
all deserve a chance to pursue their full measure of happiness. 7 ~# d* z- Z6 K6 Q7 `: c
+ U/ l1 d$ o0 o7 |# S
In reaffirming the greatness of our nation, we understand that
1 I, t+ s+ M* \" P) Ngreatness is never a given. It must be earned. Our journey has never. f( P8 G$ W$ R: B8 }! E
been one of short-cuts or settling for less. It has not been the path
4 f. y% I. z1 m! C# |for the faint-hearted - for those who prefer leisure over work, or seek
& v7 I+ B3 q8 F9 sonly the pleasures of riches and fame. Rather, it has been the5 p: i+ x, d. e9 k. H
risk-takers, the doers, the makers of things - some celebrated but more
4 A3 U2 }1 k+ d1 {6 G" V/ doften men and women obscure in their labor, who have carried us up the: h# y) H# X: I9 y, D! r9 q
long, rugged path towards prosperity and freedom. , b+ F! J7 ?: z/ @, |8 g
7 f2 M% r! x7 S5 n1 h' E0 o" ~ For us, they packed up their few worldly possessions and traveled across oceans in search of a new life. + m9 p3 z5 e9 Z
4 e- z# n; Z* I( n5 } |* a' V
For us, they toiled in sweatshops and settled the West; endured the lash of the whip and plowed the hard earth. , a: b7 s' z, F4 n- `2 f! o& A! w
- |/ N: A* ?( m* d5 j/ ~ For us, they fought and died, in places like Concord and Gettysburg; Normandy and Khe Sanh.
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Time and again these men and women struggled and sacrificed and
4 G3 R8 b9 u! k! G5 u2 Yworked till their hands were raw so that we might live a better life.! a$ w3 y4 F- D$ c% T+ h) m
They saw America as bigger than the sum of our individual ambitions;3 X% }4 _, b( O, N/ @- c
greater than all the differences of birth or wealth or faction. ! z' i7 C/ E5 q- e/ U
4 Q) d# H9 {+ p {
This is the journey we continue today. We remain the most
, K) T/ u( j- s& H8 U& O) \prosperous, powerful nation on Earth. Our workers are no less; K: M& O- u5 o; o4 \- ^% P$ O
productive than when this crisis began. Our minds are no less$ ?. w2 I# z3 ~ z) [
inventive, our goods and services no less needed than they were last; h+ f! B" f9 r6 p' a r0 E9 L/ u
week or last month or last year. Our capacity remains undiminished. But
3 x, j2 l0 E( kour time of standing pat, of protecting narrow interests and putting0 [# \% J7 W [
off unpleasant decisions - that time has surely passed. Starting today,* Z; }. h' v7 S2 {( A7 T2 e1 @
we must pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off, and begin again the work
, x8 a c$ o) j) Z* l! A' vof remaking America. 0 n: Y( h9 r% O( d% X3 ^
3 A. o' `7 i& I2 z$ {3 j
For everywhere we look, there is work to be done. The state of the: A- W1 y3 \# [6 i* h
economy calls for action, bold and swift, and we will act - not only to
% H) D. o* G9 s8 y$ gcreate new jobs, but to lay a new foundation for growth. We will build
) z5 p) u" y" z# Athe roads and bridges, the electric grids and digital lines that feed6 c4 n+ y* r: L8 k0 D% e
our commerce and bind us together. We will restore science to its9 ^) U- Q; M4 x$ x: ~! j' X8 i
rightful place, and wield technology’s wonders to raise health care’s
% p- G! S/ Z- `5 u8 hquality and lower its cost. We will harness the sun and the winds and( H/ y/ x9 e/ {# W+ h5 G# S: l8 d
the soil to fuel our cars and run our factories. And we will transform
- c$ c0 t, q1 v' R1 `; Gour schools and colleges and universities to meet the demands of a new
. [9 n8 S( d+ k [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: }+ w3 x& f2 Y% ~* B% T- s
suggest that our system cannot tolerate too many big plans. Their
% `% e/ d0 A; ]# V3 V! l( j- e5 w# imemories are short. For they have forgotten what this country has% O6 r" L+ Y: A5 M$ N
already done; what free men and women can achieve when imagination is; h. u: A8 V x; D
joined to common purpose, and necessity to courage. / @! p' Q7 o2 ]- |9 ^ \$ |
2 p1 m* ?+ t8 n What the cynics fail to understand is that the ground has shifted6 ^/ d' @8 n* V3 N
beneath them - that the stale political arguments that have consumed us
. ^- b$ G9 T) o( @5 ofor so long no longer apply. The question we ask today is not whether
1 G6 |9 K2 X: _4 U" v; Lour government is too big or too small, but whether it works - whether
# a: w' J* j8 ~8 G' pit helps families find jobs at a decent wage, care they can afford, a
5 V/ d3 @: B: z; ?6 X) d- G( |retirement that is dignified. Where the answer is yes, we intend to
5 A2 ]4 a# K' }) `* lmove forward. Where the answer is no, programs will end. And those of
' k( {; a, N9 W2 ?( lus who manage the public’s dollars will be held to account - to spend
+ \8 n4 b( U8 o6 Iwisely, reform bad habits, and do our business in the light of day -& A* w( E6 J, S) u1 p
because only then can we restore the vital trust between a people and
* _# P7 Y- t! a; B2 ]3 htheir government.
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, p: O! }+ b& n Nor is the question before us whether the market is a force for
4 X1 B7 T* w3 ?; sgood or ill. Its power to generate wealth and expand freedom is
1 L& h/ V% K% ^" t, `% Uunmatched, but this crisis has reminded us that without a watchful eye,
, T+ b+ V* Z% x7 w' D# J6 A' Hthe market can spin out of control - and that a nation cannot prosper
# A" w! Q1 T: o3 A5 n1 Clong when it favors only the prosperous. The success of our economy has
) f/ k6 @3 n7 ?8 u7 f- k. Falways depended not just on the size of our Gross Domestic Product, but- y- q u/ v3 l9 r3 u, a8 k. j
on the reach of our prosperity; on our ability to extend opportunity to$ p3 t) W6 }- G
every willing heart - not out of charity, but because it is the surest
8 }; G" S4 d- ?3 c8 i' }route to our common good. & M8 n% M/ b) M3 n2 i3 U
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As for our common defense, we reject as false the choice between
( E7 ] `# g. f7 K9 x: gour safety and our ideals. Our Founding Fathers, faced with perils we
2 ` Q* O% m5 R7 F6 _8 G' Xcan scarcely imagine, drafted a charter to assure the rule of law and
% M% L" U0 q J; D8 S) e; Dthe rights of man, a charter expanded by the blood of generations.' l4 c% `: |2 q5 _7 y: l3 w
Those ideals still light the world, and we will not give them up for
G+ H- [+ v( O9 A9 M0 g. [1 aexpedience’s sake. And so to all other peoples and governments who are
& Y5 {! _6 j; |# R7 a: {watching today, from the grandest capitals to the small village where
! U( F( b! y+ p& K: P1 x9 ~my father was born: know that America is a friend of each nation and& q7 M7 |8 T' ^% j* @
every man, woman, and child who seeks a future of peace and dignity,
: P4 a5 p7 U' X" ?and that we are ready to lead once more.
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8 ?+ t( B& _( ^3 p u4 }6 J" i2 t: Q Recall that earlier generations faced down fascism not just with
; ?0 x9 R7 [7 G! a; M# o: N8 {missiles and tanks, but with sturdy alliances and enduring convictions.
9 a b! P z `4 m! N. V) e; ~, [7 sThey understood that our power alone cannot protect us, nor does it3 D0 o6 s7 g1 m! Z
entitle us to do as we please. Instead, they knew that our power grows
# a8 M! d4 Z) ~" ?6 Xthrough its prudent use; our security emanates from the justness of our0 m7 \% F- F. u. |
cause, the force of our example, the tempering qualities of humility
+ V0 l- \ J4 U& k0 yand restraint. ; F4 N H& Y7 h
. |3 ^" m. k1 W" t
We are the keepers of this legacy. Guided by these principles once
' I4 J3 v' ^' ]2 |more, we can meet those new threats that demand even greater effort -
: g1 e! D; ?$ p" E, J9 leven greater cooperation and understanding between nations. We will
# L8 W+ S) \$ nbegin to responsibly leave Iraq to its people, and forge a hard-earned+ g) _2 r2 v' f8 [7 o( A* g1 o, }, U% Z
peace in Afghanistan. With old friends and former foes, we will work
+ m ?* g: T% h( J utirelessly to lessen the nuclear threat, and roll back the specter of a& s. A. _0 c2 {/ b+ ]" m- Q
warming planet. We will not apologize for our way of life, nor will we7 x/ b, P& j, i" f3 K0 R; j# S
waver in its defense, and for those who seek to advance their aims by
! ]7 R! |+ M- R6 W" v4 k) I' Tinducing terror and slaughtering innocents, we say to you now that our: w" a. y5 g' z! W
spirit is stronger and cannot be broken; you cannot outlast us, and we; U: ^* S0 Z S/ _/ R% A
will defeat you.
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( Y4 g0 e8 s O+ Y: C' B9 Z For we know that our patchwork heritage is a strength, not a5 Z: U4 R- m: q' V! c1 \$ k8 E
weakness. We are a nation of Christians and Muslims, Jews and Hindus -
t" h3 W; \+ F/ Q Nand non-believers. We are shaped by every language and culture, drawn" }2 ]4 \; |2 c, `
from every end of this Earth; and because we have tasted the bitter
) o6 N5 P- K# L4 ]& J: G# nswill of civil war and segregation, and emerged from that dark chapter3 E0 O. X+ o9 f
stronger and more united, we cannot help but believe that the old
+ E5 H" s( b1 S1 I4 Zhatreds shall someday pass; that the lines of tribe shall soon6 E/ y2 e1 V9 L5 ?
dissolve; that as the world grows smaller, our common humanity shall
7 p& i# N. C2 A u. K; I9 I7 j; p. dreveal itself; and that America must play its role in ushering in a new
3 S, d; L( l8 {3 h4 x: G; ]7 l9 Tera of peace.
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1 d% y& n1 c2 y! r7 U/ n To the Muslim world, we seek a new way forward, based on mutual+ S& B3 X) Y, v$ \: K+ F
interest and mutual respect. To those leaders around the globe who seek
7 r9 o- v; P2 P, u5 L! L0 _to sow conflict, or blame their society’s ills on the West - know that- A" d% S6 p: t+ b, M2 G
your people will judge you on what you can build, not what you destroy.
+ _ _" v; U& o% m% r2 FTo those who cling to power through corruption and deceit and the. L% `8 C% M ?# W
silencing of dissent, know that you are on the wrong side of history;
# q5 M* S' [7 s/ Lbut that we will extend a hand if you are willing to unclench your fist.
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) E, A1 G& a5 B: S+ x2 m' B To the people of poor nations, we pledge to work alongside you to
, G( J: F. E) \3 N9 umake your farms flourish and let clean waters flow; to nourish starved
) L) N" B" v9 Tbodies and feed hungry minds. And to those nations like ours that enjoy! z! G- C5 t+ h# D. ]# M- T
relative plenty, we say we can no longer afford indifference to
( u9 w$ Z7 a5 u8 j9 Z+ U0 s7 Nsuffering outside our borders; nor can we consume the world’s resources& Z1 |- m W2 ?% b
without regard to effect. For the world has changed, and we must change
& W9 _) N# n% gwith it. 5 `- y# u$ m I( _# z+ Q
$ s/ D8 l- a9 N9 j As we consider the road that unfolds before us, we remember with) ]) Y1 k: Q! f4 [
humble gratitude those brave Americans who, at this very hour, patrol
- J& g/ L/ B1 }* } j" k9 M F" i( ?far-off deserts and distant mountains. They have something to tell us
' H* x, G/ [1 `2 j& g. u- s* p" Ftoday, just as the fallen heroes who lie in Arlington whisper through& ]0 U4 G' f7 _) K: v) i
the ages. We honor them not only because they are guardians of our
5 W( M! y2 j0 W6 c& C; ?liberty, but because they embody the spirit of service; a willingness& C7 i$ z: I' x
to find meaning in something greater than themselves. And yet, at this7 m+ {+ \+ P% ~
moment - a moment that will define a generation - it is precisely this
1 ]9 \/ ~, ]9 t& }& aspirit that must inhabit us all. , V0 |2 |2 t6 O0 N( O& Q
. S7 t8 j4 } G* M# _/ ~+ v
For as much as government can do and must do, it is ultimately the
9 y! c" r2 b- E- G$ T: d% X) W8 tfaith and determination of the American people upon which this nation b& [+ q+ ?, |. ?: ^
relies. It is the kindness to take in a stranger when the levees break,4 W6 J6 |& ]1 z3 Q9 l! m
the selflessness of workers who would rather cut their hours than see a
0 P+ J- [ T5 V7 E7 T! w$ ifriend lose their job which sees us through our darkest hours. It is- Q6 @* m" s5 J7 M6 @7 d
the firefighter’s courage to storm a stairway filled with smoke, but
( h) l. J* b7 ~( `also a parent’s willingness to nurture a child, that finally decides
& Q/ K" f2 Z. |/ G- a; Mour fate. - L6 m2 @( y( b4 l& X: F' w
8 n+ L5 P' V2 | Our challenges may be new. The instruments with which we meet them& F) ^0 ^; a/ L# R
may be new. But those values upon which our success depends - hard work- k l: H: D: y1 J9 y
and honesty, courage and fair play, tolerance and curiosity, loyalty
T6 e; w. Q3 A1 k& @* ?and patriotism - these things are old. These things are true. They have( I/ J9 r! d2 _; g4 A4 |, n
been the quiet force of progress throughout our history. What is8 t8 {$ j7 x% g. }2 Q
demanded then is a return to these truths. What is required of us now
, C" J4 E, k, z# c2 D, c- Cis a new era of responsibility - a recognition, on the part of every/ t7 D0 K6 W: q1 D5 D* p
American, that we have duties to ourselves, our nation, and the world,4 o2 _6 E, F3 n4 e: r) L# t/ \
duties that we do not grudgingly accept but rather seize gladly, firm# \) _- _! w+ e/ J: Y- K
in the knowledge that there is nothing so satisfying to the spirit, so7 {- Y' Z" \0 S: h! j$ ?% E
defining of our character, than giving our all to a difficult task. ^$ r: D( ]% q t: |1 ^& z. L+ ^
* L) ~' l' f" s This is the price and the promise of citizenship. 9 K( j7 ]- w: | t* M# L: s
* k% Q2 `% w* I% k This is the source of our confidence - the knowledge that God calls on us to shape an uncertain destiny. ( S1 ?! d$ M, j# K! h
) D' x2 r' a" h& K" h3 l
This is the meaning of our liberty and our creed - why men and% B# Y# E9 T6 q0 V6 h: K2 H
women and children of every race and every faith can join in% ?/ ?, e; Q9 @. P- r
celebration across this magnificent mall, and why a man whose father
* D% |- x+ c( M; w4 `: \* b) b/ {less than sixty years ago might not have been served at a local8 R6 D+ C! _6 E/ N$ _" U
restaurant can now stand before you to take a most sacred oath.
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So let us mark this day with remembrance, of who we are and how' c" V5 n% l' _8 K
far we have traveled. In the year of America’s birth, in the coldest of
8 M2 n7 _0 S& t- a, c/ ?months, a small band of patriots huddled by dying campfires on the% x# q0 @' R1 Y( `, I) z
shores of an icy river. The capital was abandoned. The enemy was
" n8 ^( M2 t6 y) Z. ]2 j0 Fadvancing. The snow was stained with blood. At a moment when the" C3 m* o' w, g2 j: n/ ~
outcome of our revolution was most in doubt, the father of our nation
, M, ]3 P& o5 s8 {5 E5 u1 }ordered these words be read to the people: 7 H0 |/ u% \& w* i
+ p$ M5 X t3 y7 a; ~/ i4 c
"Let it be told to the future world...that in the depth of winter,
/ \- ]/ m2 b) O1 Xwhen nothing but hope and virtue could survive...that the city and the
" l" o, d/ t0 xcountry, alarmed at one common danger, came forth to meet [it]." $ \8 m7 P2 s- Y! q" H
9 b7 t+ f! ?5 Z9 S% C! @' i' b America. In the face of our common dangers, in this winter of our
( p4 R! J! `( n0 k8 ghardship, let us remember these timeless words. With hope and virtue,
. w# r/ ~+ J; ]+ [3 Rlet us brave once more the icy currents, and endure what storms may9 S6 L. c( J: s
come. Let it be said by our children’s children that when we were
3 H/ u* f5 ?* f% {+ X! M- j, A& Jtested we refused to let this journey end, that we did not turn back" \8 M. C- v) Q+ F% a; a7 u
nor did we falter; and with eyes fixed on the horizon and God’s grace5 a, Q; | k& S) }1 P% C0 ?- ?
upon us, we carried forth that great gift of freedom and delivered it/ q$ ]- ^# ~' U4 L
safely to future generations.2 `$ E/ z* M9 Y% C1 G
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