Madam Speaker, Vice President Cheney, Members of Congress, distinguished
guests, and fellow citizens:

Seven years have passed since I first stood before you at this rostrum. In
that time, our country has been tested in ways none of us could have imagined.
We have faced hard decisions about peace and war, rising competition in the
world economy, and the health and welfare of our citizens. These issues call
for vigorous debate, and I think its fair to say weve answered that call. Yet
history will record that amid our differences, we acted with purpose. And
together, we showed the world the power and resilience of American
self-government.

All of us were sent to Washington to carry out the peoples business. That is
the purpose of this body. It is the meaning of our oath. And it remains our
charge to keep.

The actions of the 110th Congress will affect the security and prosperity of
our nation long after this session has ended. In this election year, let us
show our fellow Americans that we recognize our responsibilities and are
determined to meet them. And let us show them that Republicans and Democrats
can compete for votes and cooperate for results at the same time.

From expanding opportunity to protecting our country, we have made good
progress. Yet we have unfinished business before us, and the American people
expect us to get it done.

In the work ahead, we must be guided by the philosophy that made our nation
great. As Americans, we believe in the power of individuals to determine their
destiny and shape the course of history. We believe that the most reliable
guide for our country is the collective wisdom of ordinary citizens. So in all
we do, we must trust in the ability of free people to make wise decisions, and
empower them to improve their lives and their futures.

To build a prosperous future, we must trust people with their own money and
empower them to grow our economy. As we meet tonight, our economy is
undergoing a period of uncertainty. America has added jobs for a record 52
straight months, but jobs are now growing at a slower pace. Wages are up, but
so are prices for food and gas. Exports are rising, but the housing market has
declined. And at kitchen tables across our country, there is concern about our
economic future.

In the long run, Americans can be confident about our economic growth. But in
the short run, we can all see that growth is slowing. So last week, my
administration reached agreement with Speaker Pelosi and Republican Leader
Boehner on a robust growth package that includes tax relief for individuals
and families and incentives for business investment. The temptation will be to
load up the bill. That would delay it or derail it, and neither option is
acceptable. This is a good agreement that will keep our economy growing and
our people working. And this Congress must pass it as soon as possible.

We have other work to do on taxes. Unless the Congress acts, most of the tax
relief we have delivered over the past seven years will be taken away. Some in
Washington argue that letting tax relief expire is not a tax increase. Try
explaining that to 116 million American taxpayers who would see their taxes
rise by an average of $1,800. Others have said they would personally be happy
to pay higher taxes. I welcome their enthusiasm, and I am pleased to report
that the I.R.S. accepts both checks and money orders.

Most Americans think their taxes are high enough. With all the other pressures
on their finances, American families should not have to worry about the
federal government taking a bigger bite out of their paychecks. There is only
one way to eliminate this uncertainty: make the tax relief permanent. And
members of Congress should know: If any bill raising taxes reaches my desk, I
will veto it.

Just as we trust Americans with their own money, we need to earn their trust
by spending their tax dollars wisely. Next week, I will send you a budget that
terminates or substantially reduces 151 wasteful or bloated programs totaling
more than $18 billion. And this budget will keep America on track for a
surplus in 2012. American families have to balance their budgets, and so
should their government.

The peoples trust in their government is undermined by Congressional earmarks 
special interest projects that are often snuck in at the last minute, without
discussion or debate. Last year, I asked you to voluntarily cut the number and
cost of earmarks in half. I also asked you to stop slipping earmarks into
committee reports that never even come to a vote. Unfortunately, neither goal
was met. So this time, if you send me an appropriations bill that does not cut
the number and cost of earmarks in half, I will send it back to you with my
veto. And tomorrow, I will issue an Executive Order that directs federal
agencies to ignore any future earmark that is not voted on by the Congress. If
these items are truly worth funding, the Congress should debate them in the
open and hold a public vote.

Our shared responsibilities extend beyond matters of taxes and spending.

On housing, we must trust Americans with the responsibility of homeownership
and empower them to weather turbulent times in the housing market. My
administration brought together the HOPE NOW alliance, which is helping many
struggling homeowners avoid foreclosure. The Congress can help even more.
Tonight I ask you to pass legislation to reform Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac,
modernize the Federal Housing Administration, and allow state housing agencies
to issue tax-free bonds to help homeowners refinance their mortgages. These
are difficult times for many American families, and by taking these steps, we
can help more of them keep their homes.

To build a future of quality health care, we must trust patients and doctors
to make medical decisions and empower them with better information and better
options. We share a common goal: making health care more affordable and
accessible for all Americans. The best way to achieve that goal is by
expanding consumer choice, not government control. So I have proposed ending
the bias in the tax code against those who do not get their health insurance
through their employer. This one reform would put private coverage within
reach for millions, and I call on the Congress to pass it this year. The
Congress must also expand health savings accounts, create Association Health
Plans for small businesses, promote health information technology, and
confront the epidemic of junk medical lawsuits. With all these steps, we will
help ensure that decisions about your medical care are made in the privacy of
your doctors office  not in the halls of Congress.

On education, we must trust students to learn if given the chance and empower
parents to demand results from our schools. In neighborhoods across our
country, there are boys and girls with dreams  and a decent education is their
only hope of achieving them. Six years ago, we came together to pass the No
Child Left Behind Act, and today no one can deny its results. Last year,
fourth and eighth graders achieved the highest math scores on record. Reading
scores are on the rise. And African-American and Hispanic students posted
all-time highs. Now we must work together to increase accountability, add
flexibility for states and districts, reduce the number of high school
dropouts, and provide extra help for struggling schools. Members of Congress:
The No Child Left Behind Act is a bipartisan achievement. It is succeeding.
And we owe it to Americas children, their parents, and their teachers to
strengthen this good law.

We must also do more to help children when their schools do not measure up.
Thanks to the D.C. Opportunity Scholarships you approved, more than 2,600 of
the poorest children in our nations capital have found new hope at a
faith-based or other non-public school. Sadly, these schools are disappearing
at an alarming rate in many of Americas inner cities. So I will convene a
White House summit aimed at strengthening these lifelines of learning. And to
open the doors of these schools to more children, I ask you to support a new
$300 million program called Pell Grants for Kids. We have seen how Pell Grants
help low-income college students realize their full potential. Together, we
have expanded the size and reach of these grants. Now lets apply that same
spirit to help liberate poor children trapped in failing public schools.

On trade, we must trust American workers to compete with anyone in the world
and empower them by opening up new markets overseas. Today, our economic
growth increasingly depends on our ability to sell American goods, crops, and
services all over the world. So we are working to break down barriers to trade
and investment wherever we can. We are working for a successful Doha round of
trade talks, and we must complete a good agreement this year. At the same
time, we are pursuing opportunities to open up new markets by passing free
trade agreements.

I thank the Congress for approving a good agreement with Peru. Now I ask you
to approve agreements with Colombia, Panama, and South Korea. Many products
from these nations now enter America duty-free, yet many of our products face
steep tariffs in their markets. These agreements will level the playing field.
They will give us better access to nearly 100 million customers. And they will
support good jobs for the finest workers in the world: those whose products
say "Made in the USA."

These agreements also promote Americas strategic interests. The first
agreement that will come before you is with Colombia, a friend of America that
is confronting violence and terror and fighting drug traffickers. If we fail
to pass this agreement, we will embolden the purveyors of false populism in
our hemisphere. So we must come together, pass this agreement, and show our
neighbors in the region that democracy leads to a better life.

Trade brings better jobs, better choices, and better prices. Yet for some
Americans, trade can mean losing a job, and the federal government has a
responsibility to help. I ask the Congress to reauthorize and reform trade
adjustment assistance, so we can help these displaced workers learn new skills
and find new jobs.

To build a future of energy security, we must trust in the creative genius of
American researchers and entrepreneurs and empower them to pioneer a new
generation of clean energy technology. Our security, our prosperity, and our
environment all require reducing our dependence on oil. Last year, I asked you
to pass legislation to reduce oil consumption over the next decade, and you
responded. Together we should take the next steps: Let us fund new
technologies that can generate coal power while capturing carbon emissions.
Let us increase the use of renewable power and emissions-free nuclear power.
Let us continue investing in advanced battery technology and renewable fuels
to power the cars and trucks of the future. Let us create a new international
clean technology fund, which will help developing nations like India and China
make greater use of clean energy sources. And let us complete an international
agreement that has the potential to slow, stop, and eventually reverse the
growth of greenhouse gases. This agreement will be effective only if it
includes commitments by every major economy and gives none a free ride. The
United States is committed to strengthening our energy security and
confronting global climate change. And the best way to meet these goals is for
America to continue leading the way toward the development of cleaner and more
efficient technology.

To keep America competitive into the future, we must trust in the skill of our
scientists and engineers and empower them to pursue the breakthroughs of
tomorrow. Last year, the Congress passed legislation supporting the American
Competitiveness Initiative, but never followed through with the funding. This
funding is essential to keeping our scientific edge. So I ask the Congress to
double federal support for critical basic research in the physical sciences
and ensure America remains the most dynamic nation on earth.

On matters of science and life, we must trust in the innovative spirit of
medical researchers and empower them to discover new treatments while
respecting moral boundaries. In November, we witnessed a landmark achievement
when scientists discovered a way to reprogram adult skin cells to act like
embryonic stem cells. This breakthrough has the potential to move us beyond
the divisive debates of the past by extending the frontiers of medicine
without the destruction of human life. So we are expanding funding for this
type of ethical medical research. And as we explore promising avenues of
research, we must also ensure that all life is treated with the dignity it
deserves. So I call on the Congress to pass legislation that bans unethical
practices such as the buying, selling, patenting, or cloning of human life.

On matters of justice, we must trust in the wisdom of our Founders and empower
judges who understand that the Constitution means what it says. I have
submitted judicial nominees who will rule by the letter of the law, not the
whim of the gavel. Many of these nominees are being unfairly delayed. They are
worthy of confirmation, and the Senate should give each of them a prompt
up-or-down vote.

In communities across our land, we must trust in the good heart of the
American people and empower them to serve their neighbors in need. Over the
past seven years, more of our fellow citizens have discovered that the pursuit
of happiness leads to the path of service. Americans have volunteered in
record numbers. Charitable donations are higher than ever. Faith-based groups
are bringing hope to pockets of despair, with newfound support from the
federal government. And to help guarantee equal treatment for faith-based
organizations when they compete for federal funds, I ask you to permanently
extend Charitable Choice.

Tonight the armies of compassion continue the march to a new day in the Gulf
Coast. America honors the strength and resilience of the people of this
region. We reaffirm our pledge to help them build stronger and better than
before. And tonight I am pleased to announce that in April we will host this
years North American Summit of Canada, Mexico, and the United States in the
great city of New Orleans.

There are two other pressing challenges that I have raised repeatedly before
this body, and that this body has failed to address: entitlement spending and
immigration.

Every Member in this chamber knows that spending on entitlement programs like
Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid is growing faster than we can afford.
And we all know the painful choices ahead if America stays on this path:
massive tax increases, sudden and drastic cuts in benefits, or crippling
deficits. I have laid out proposals to reform these programs. Now I ask
members of Congress to offer your proposals and come up with a bipartisan
solution to save these vital programs for our children and grandchildren.

The other pressing challenge is immigration. America needs to secure our
borders  and with your help, my administration is taking steps to do so. We
are increasing work site enforcement, we are deploying fences and advanced
technologies to stop illegal crossings, we have effectively ended the policy
of "catch and release" at the border, and by the end of this year, we will
have doubled the number of border patrol agents. Yet we also need to
acknowledge that we will never fully secure our border until we create a
lawful way for foreign workers to come here and support our economy. This will
take pressure off the border and allow law enforcement to concentrate on those
who mean us harm. We must also find a sensible and humane way to deal with
people here illegally. Illegal immigration is complicated, but it can be
resolved. And it must be resolved in a way that upholds both our laws and our
highest ideals.

This is the business of our nation here at home. Yet building a prosperous
future for our citizens also depends on confronting enemies abroad and
advancing liberty in troubled regions of the world.

Our foreign policy is based on a clear premise: We trust that people, when
given the chance, will choose a future of freedom and peace. In the last seven
years, we have witnessed stirring moments in the history of liberty. We have
seen citizens in Georgia and Ukraine stand up for their right to free and fair
elections. We have seen people in Lebanon take to the streets to demand their
independence. We have seen Afghans emerge from the tyranny of the Taliban to
choose a new president and a new parliament. We have seen jubilant Iraqis
holding up ink-stained fingers and celebrating their freedom. And these images
of liberty have inspired us.

In the past seven years, we have also seen images that have sobered us. We
have watched throngs of mourners in Lebanon and Pakistan carrying the caskets
of beloved leaders taken by the assassins hand. We have seen wedding guests in
blood-soaked finery staggering from a hotel in Jordan, Afghans and Iraqis
blown up in mosques and markets, and trains in London and Madrid ripped apart
by bombs. And on a clear September day, we saw thousands of our fellow
citizens taken from us in an instant. These horrific images serve as a grim
reminder: The advance of liberty is opposed by terrorists and extremists  evil
men who despise freedom, despise America, and aim to subject millions to their
violent rule.

Since September 11, we have taken the fight to these terrorists and
extremists. We will stay on the offense, we will keep up the pressure, and we
will deliver justice to the enemies of America.

We are engaged in the defining ideological struggle of the 21st century. The
terrorists oppose every principle of humanity and decency that we hold dear.
Yet in this war on terror, there is one thing we and our enemies agree on: In
the long run, men and women who are free to determine their own destinies will
reject terror and refuse to live in tyranny. That is why the terrorists are
fighting to deny this choice to people in Lebanon,

Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and the Palestinian Territories. And that is why,
for the security of America and the peace of the world, we are spreading the
hope of freedom.

In Afghanistan, America, our 25 NATO allies, and 15 partner nations are
helping the Afghan people defend their freedom and rebuild their country.
Thanks to the courage of these military and civilian personnel, a nation that
was once a safe haven for Al Qaeda is now a young democracy where boys and
girls are going to school, new roads and hospitals are being built, and people
are looking to the future with new hope. These successes must continue, so we
are adding 3,200 Marines to our forces in Afghanistan, where they will fight
the terrorists and train the Afghan Army and police. Defeating the Taliban and
Al Qaeda is critical to our security, and I thank the Congress for supporting
Americas vital mission in Afghanistan.

In Iraq, the terrorists and extremists are fighting to deny a proud people
their liberty and to establish safe havens for attacks across the world. One
year ago, our enemies were succeeding in their efforts to plunge Iraq into
chaos. So we reviewed our strategy and changed course. We launched a surge of
American forces into Iraq. And we gave our troops a new mission: Work with
Iraqi forces to protect the Iraqi people, pursue the enemy in its strongholds,
and deny the terrorists sanctuary anywhere in the country.

The Iraqi people quickly realized that something dramatic had happened. Those
who had worried that America was preparing to abandon them instead saw tens of
thousands of American forces flowing into their country. They saw our forces
moving into neighborhoods, clearing out the terrorists, and staying behind to
ensure the enemy did not return. And they saw our troops, along with
provincial reconstruction teams that include foreign service officers and
other skilled public servants, coming in to ensure that improved security was
followed by improvements in daily life. Our military and civilians in Iraq are
performing with courage and distinction, and they have the gratitude of our
whole nation.

The Iraqis launched a surge of their own. In the fall of 2006, Sunni tribal
leaders grew tired of Al Qaedas brutality and started a popular uprising
called "the Anbar Awakening." Over the past year, similar movements have
spread across the country. And today, this grass-roots surge includes more
than 80,000 Iraqi citizens who are fighting the terrorists. The government in
Baghdad has stepped forward as well  adding more than 100,000 new Iraqi
soldiers and police during the past year.

While the enemy is still dangerous and more work remains, the American and
Iraqi surges have achieved results few of us could have imagined just one year
ago:

When we met last year, many said containing the violence was impossible. A
year later, high profile terrorist attacks are down, civilian deaths are down,
and sectarian killings are down.

When we met last year, militia extremists  some armed and trained by Iran 
were wreaking havoc in large areas of Iraq. A year later, coalition and Iraqi
forces have killed or captured hundreds of militia fighters. And Iraqis of all
backgrounds increasingly realize that defeating these militia fighters is
critical to the future of their country.

When we met last year, Al Qaeda had sanctuaries in many areas of Iraq, and
their leaders had just offered American forces safe passage out of the
country. Today, it is Al Qaeda that is searching for safe passage. They have
been driven from many of the strongholds they once held, and over the past
year, we have captured or killed thousands of extremists in Iraq, including
hundreds of key Al Qaeda leaders and operatives. Last month, Osama bin Laden
released a tape in which he railed against Iraqi tribal leaders who have
turned on Al Qaeda and admitted that Coalition forces are growing stronger in
Iraq. Ladies and gentlemen, some may deny the surge is working, but among the
terrorists there is no doubt. Al Qaeda is on the run in Iraq, and this enemy
will be defeated.

When we met last year, our troop levels in Iraq were on the rise. Today,
because of the progress just described, we are implementing a policy of
"return on success," and the surge forces we sent to Iraq are beginning to
come home.

This progress is a credit to the valor of our troops and the brilliance of
their commanders. This evening, I want to speak directly to our men and women
on the front lines. Soldiers, sailors, airmen, marines, and coast guardsmen:
In the past year, you have done everything we have asked of you, and more. Our
nation is grateful for your courage. We are proud of your accomplishments. And
tonight in this hallowed chamber, with the American people as our witness, we
make you a solemn pledge: In the fight ahead, you will have all you need to
protect our nation. And I ask the Congress to meet its responsibilities to
these brave men and women by fully funding our troops.

Our enemies in Iraq have been hit hard. They are not yet defeated, and we can
still expect tough fighting ahead. Our objective in the coming year is to
sustain and build on the gains we made in 2007, while transitioning to the
next phase of our strategy. American troops are shifting from leading
operations, to partnering with Iraqi forces, and, eventually, to a protective
overwatch mission. As part of this transition, one Army brigade combat team
and one Marine Expeditionary Unit have already come home and will not be
replaced. In the coming months, four additional brigades and two Marine
battalions will follow suit. Taken together, this means more than 20,000 of
our troops are coming home.

Any further drawdown of U.S. troops will be based on conditions in Iraq and
the recommendations of our commanders. General Petraeus has warned that too
fast a drawdown could result in the "disintegration of the Iraqi Security
Forces, Al Qaeda-Iraq regaining lost ground, [and] a marked increase in
violence." Members of Congress: Having come so far and achieved so much, we
must not allow this to happen.

In the coming year, we will work with Iraqi leaders as they build on the
progress they are making toward political reconciliation. At the local level,
Sunnis, Shia and Kurds are beginning to come together to reclaim their
communities and rebuild their lives. Progress in the provinces must be matched
by progress in Baghdad. And we are seeing some encouraging signs. The national
government is sharing oil revenues with the provinces. The parliament recently
passed both a pension law and de-Baathification reform. Now they are debating
a provincial powers law. The Iraqis still have a distance to travel. But after
decades of dictatorship and the pain of sectarian violence, reconciliation is
taking place  and the Iraqi people are taking control of their future.

The mission in Iraq has been difficult and trying for our nation. But it is in
the vital interest of the United States that we succeed. A free Iraq will deny
Al Qaeda a safe haven. A free Iraq will show millions across the Middle East
that a future of liberty is possible. And a free Iraq will be a friend of
America, a partner in fighting terror, and a source of stability in a
dangerous part of the world.

By contrast, a failed Iraq would embolden extremists, strengthen Iran, and
give terrorists a base from which to launch new attacks on our friends, our
allies, and our homeland. The enemy has made its intentions clear. At a time
when the momentum seemed to favor them, Al Qaedas top commander in Iraq
declared that they will not rest until they have attacked us here in
Washington. My fellow Americans: We will not rest either. We will not rest
until this enemy has been defeated. We must do the difficult work today, so
that years from now people will look back and say that this generation rose to
the moment, prevailed in a tough fight, and left behind a more hopeful region
and a safer America.

We are also standing against the forces of extremism in the Holy Land, where
we have new cause for hope. Palestinians have elected a president who
recognizes that confronting terror is essential to achieving a state where his
people can live in dignity and at peace with Israel. Israelis have leaders who
recognize that a peaceful, democratic Palestinian state will be a source of
lasting security. This month in Ramallah and Jerusalem, I assured leaders from
both sides that America will do, and I will do, everything we can to help them
achieve a peace agreement that defines a Palestinian state by the end of this
year. The time has come for a Holy Land where a democratic Israel and a
democratic Palestine live side-by-side in peace.

We are also standing against the forces of extremism embodied by the regime in
Tehran. Irans rulers oppress a good and talented people. And wherever freedom
advances in the Middle East, it seems the Iranian regime is there to oppose
it. Iran is funding and training militia groups in Iraq, supporting Hezbollah
terrorists in Lebanon, and backing Hamas efforts to undermine peace in the
Holy Land. Tehran is also developing ballistic missiles of increasing range
and continues to develop its capability to enrich uranium, which could be used
to create a nuclear weapon. Our message to the people of Iran is clear: We
have no quarrel with you, we respect your traditions and your history, and we
look forward to the day when you have your freedom. Our message to the leaders
of Iran is also clear: Verifiably suspend your nuclear enrichment, so
negotiations can begin. And to rejoin the community of nations, come clean
about your nuclear intentions and past actions, stop your oppression at home,
and cease your support for terror abroad. But above all, know this: America
will confront those who threaten our troops, we will stand by our allies, and
we will defend our vital interests in the Persian Gulf.

On the home front, we will continue to take every lawful and effective measure
to protect our country. This is our most solemn duty. We are grateful that
there has not been another attack on our soil since September 11. This is not
for a lack of desire or effort on the part of the enemy. In the past six
years, we have stopped numerous attacks, including a plot to fly a plane into
the tallest building in Los Angeles and another to blow up passenger jets
bound for America over the Atlantic. Dedicated men and women in our government
toil day and night to stop the terrorists from carrying out their plans. These
good citizens are saving American lives, and everyone in this chamber owes
them our thanks. And we owe them something more: We owe them the tools they
need to keep our people safe.

One of the most important tools we can give them is the ability to monitor
terrorist communications. To protect America, we need to know who the
terrorists are talking to, what they are saying, and what they are planning.
Last year, the Congress passed legislation to help us do that. Unfortunately,
the Congress set the legislation to expire on February 1. This means that if
you do not act by Friday, our ability to track terrorist threats would be
weakened and our citizens will be in greater danger. The Congress must ensure
the flow of vital intelligence is not disrupted. The Congress must pass
liability protection for companies believed to have assisted in the efforts to
defend America. We have had ample time for debate. The time to act is now.

Protecting our nation from the dangers of a new century requires more than
good intelligence and a strong military. It also requires changing the
conditions that breed resentment and allow extremists to prey on despair. So
America is using its influence to build a freer, more hopeful, and more
compassionate world. This is a reflection of our national interest and the
calling of our conscience.

America is opposing genocide in Sudan and supporting freedom in countries from
Cuba and Zimbabwe to Belarus and Burma.

America is leading the fight against global poverty, with strong education
initiatives and humanitarian assistance. We have also changed the way we
deliver aid by launching the Millennium Challenge Account. This program
strengthens democracy, transparency, and the rule of law in developing
nations, and I ask you to fully fund this important initiative.

America is leading the fight against global hunger. Today, more than half the
worlds food aid comes from the United States. And tonight, I ask the Congress
to support an innovative proposal to provide food assistance by purchasing
crops directly from farmers in the developing world, so we can build up local
agriculture and help break the cycle of famine.

America is leading the fight against disease. With your help, we are working
to cut by half the number of malaria-related deaths in 15 African nations. And
our Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief is treating 1.4 million people. We can
bring healing and hope to many more. So I ask you to maintain the principles
that have changed behavior and made this program a success. And I call on you
to double our initial commitment to fighting HIV/AIDS by approving an
additional $30 billion over the next 5 years.

America is a force for hope in the world because we are a compassionate
people, and some of the most compassionate Americans are those who have
stepped forward to protect us. We must keep faith with all who have risked
life and limb so that we might live in freedom and peace. Over the past seven
years, we have increased funding for veterans by more than 95 percent. As we
increase funding, we must also reform our veterans system to meet the needs of
a new war and a new generation. I call on the Congress to enact the reforms
recommended by Senator Bob Dole and Secretary Donna Shalala, so we can improve
the system of care for our wounded warriors and help them build lives of hope,
promise, and dignity.

Our military families also sacrifice for America. They endure sleepless nights
and the daily struggle of providing for children while a loved one is serving
far from home. We have a responsibility to provide for them. So I ask you to
join me in expanding their access to child care, creating new hiring
preferences for military spouses across the federal government, and allowing
our troops to transfer their unused education benefits to their spouses or
children. Our military families serve our nation, they inspire our nation, and
tonight our nation honors them.

The secret of our strength, the miracle of America, is that our greatness lies
not in our government, but in the spirit and determination of our people. When
the Federal Convention met in Philadelphia in 1787, our nation was bound by
the Articles of Confederation, which began with the words, "We the undersigned
delegates." When Gouverneur Morris was asked to draft the preamble to our new
Constitution, he offered an important revision and opened with words that
changed the course of our nation and the history of the world: "We the
people."

By trusting the people, our Founders wagered that a great and noble nation
could be built on the liberty that resides in the hearts of all men and women.
By trusting the people, succeeding generations transformed our fragile young
democracy into the most powerful nation on earth and a beacon of hope for
millions. And so long as we continue to trust the people, our nation will
prosper, our liberty will be secure, and the State of our Union will remain
strong. So tonight, with confidence in freedoms power, and trust in the
people, let us set forth to do their business.