[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 148 (2002), Part 1]
[House]
[Pages 330-333]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




  THE STATE OF THE UNION ADDRESS BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES

  The PRESIDENT. Thank you very much.
  Mr. Speaker, Vice President Cheney, Members of Congress, 
distinguished guests and fellow citizens:
  As we gather tonight, our Nation is at war, our economy is in 
recession and the civilized world faces unprecedented dangers. Yet the 
state of our Union has never been stronger.
  We last met in an hour of shock and suffering. In 4 short months, our 
Nation has comforted the victims; begun to rebuild New York and the 
Pentagon; rallied a great coalition; captured, arrested, and rid the 
world of thousands of terrorists; destroyed Afghanistan terrorist 
training camps; saved a people from starvation and freed a country from 
brutal oppression.
  The American flag flies again over our embassy in Kabul. Terrorists 
who once occupied Afghanistan now occupy cells at Guantanamo. And 
terrorist leaders who urged followers to sacrifice their lives are 
running for their own.
  America and Afghanistan are now allies against terror. We will be 
partners in rebuilding that country, and this evening we welcome the 
distinguished interim leader of a liberated Afghanistan, Chairman Hamid 
Karzai.
  The last time we met in this Chamber, the mothers and daughters of 
Afghanistan were captives in their own homes, forbidden from working or 
going to school. Today, women are free and are part of Afghanistan's 
new government, and we welcome the new Minister of Women's Affairs, Dr. 
Sima Samar.
  Our progress is a tribute to the spirit of the Afghan people, to the 
resolve of our coalition, and to the might of the United States 
military. When I called our troops into action, I did so with complete 
confidence in their courage and skill; and tonight, thanks to them, we 
are winning the war on terror. The men and women of our Armed Forces 
have delivered a message now clear to every enemy of the United States: 
even 7,000 miles away, across oceans and continents, on mountaintops 
and in caves, you will not escape the justice of this Nation.
  For many Americans, these 4 months have brought sorrow and pain that 
will never completely go away. Every day a retired firefighter returns 
to Ground Zero to feel closer to his two sons who died there. At a 
memorial in New York, a little boy left his football with a note for 
his lost father: ``Dear Daddy, please take this to heaven. I don't want 
to play football until I can play with you again someday.''
  Last month at the grave of her husband, Michael, a CIA officer and 
Marine who died in Mazar-e Sharif, Shannon Spann said these words of 
farewell: ``Semper Fi, my love.'' Shannon is with us tonight.
  Shannon, I assure you and all who have lost a loved one that our 
cause is just, and our country will never forget the debt we owe 
Michael and all who gave their lives for freedom.
  Our cause is just, and it continues. Our discoveries in Afghanistan 
confirmed our worst fears and showed us the true scope of the task 
ahead. We have seen the depth of our enemy's hatred in videos where 
they laugh about the loss of innocent life. And the depth of their 
hatred is equaled by the madness of the destruction they design. We 
have found diagrams of American nuclear power plants and public water 
facilities, detailed instructions for making chemical weapons, 
surveillance maps of American cities, and thorough descriptions of 
landmarks in America and throughout the world.
  What we have found in Afghanistan confirms that, far from ending 
there, our war against terror is only beginning. Most of the 19 men who 
hijacked planes on September 11 were trained in Afghanistan's camps, 
and so were tens of thousands of others. Thousands of dangerous 
killers, schooled in the methods of murder, often supported by outlaw 
regimes, are now spread throughout the world like ticking time bombs, 
set to go off without warning.
  Thanks to the work of our law enforcement officials and coalition 
partners, hundreds of terrorists have been arrested. Yet tens of 
thousands of trained terrorists are still at large. These enemies view 
the entire world as their battlefield, and we must pursue them wherever 
they are. So long as training camps operate, so long as nations harbor 
terrorists, freedom is at risk, and America and our allies must not, 
and will not, allow it.
  Our Nation will continue to be steadfast and patient and persistent 
in the pursuit of two great objectives. First, we will shut down 
terrorist camps, disrupt terrorist plans and bring terrorists to 
justice. Second, we must prevent the terrorists and regimes who seek 
chemical, biological, or nuclear weapons from threatening the United 
States and the world.
  Our military has put the terror training camps of Afghanistan out of 
business; yet camps still exist in at least a dozen countries. A 
terrorist underworld, including groups like Hamas, Hezbollah, Islamic 
Jihad, and Jaish-i-Mohammad, operates in remote jungles and deserts and 
hides in the centers of large cities.
  While the most visible military action is in Afghanistan, America is 
acting elsewhere. We now have troops in the Philippines helping to 
train that country's armed forces to go after terrorist cells that have 
executed an American and still hold hostages. Our soldiers, working 
with the Bosnian Government, seized terrorists who were plotting to 
bomb our embassy. Our Navy is patrolling the coast of Africa to block 
the shipment of weapons and the establishment of terrorist camps in 
Somalia.
  My hope is that all nations will heed our call and eliminate the 
terrorist parasites who threaten their countries, and our own. Many 
nations are acting forcefully. Pakistan is now cracking down on terror, 
and I admire the strong leadership of President Musharraf. But some 
governments will be timid in the face of terror. And make no mistake 
about it: if they do not act, America will.
  Our second goal is to prevent regimes that sponsor terror from 
threatening America or our friends and allies with weapons of mass 
destruction. Some of these regimes have been pretty quiet since 
September 11, but we know their true nature. North Korea is a regime 
arming with missiles and weapons of mass destruction, while starving 
its citizens.
  Iran aggressively pursues these weapons and exports terror, while an 
unelected few repress the Iranian people's hope for freedom.
  Iraq continues to flaunt its hostility toward America and to support 
terror. The Iraqi regime has plotted to develop anthrax and nerve gas 
and nuclear weapons for over a decade. This is a regime that has 
already used poison gas to murder thousands of its own citizens, 
leaving the bodies of mothers huddled over their dead children. This is 
a regime that agreed to international inspections, then kicked out the 
inspectors. This is a regime that has something to hide from the 
civilized world.
  States like these, and their terrorist allies, constitute an axis of 
evil, arming to threaten the peace of the world. By seeking weapons of 
mass destruction, these regimes pose a grave and growing danger. They 
could provide these arms to terrorists, giving them

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the means to match their hatred. They could attack our allies or 
attempt to blackmail the United States. In any of these cases, the 
price of indifference would be catastrophic.
  We will work closely with our coalition to deny terrorists and their 
state sponsors the materials, technology and expertise to make and 
deliver weapons of mass destruction. We will develop and deploy 
effective missile defenses to protect America and our allies from 
sudden attack. And all nations should know, America will do what is 
necessary to ensure our Nation's security.
  We will be deliberate; yet time is not on our side. I will not wait 
on events, while dangers gather. I will not stand by as peril draws 
closer and closer. The United States of America will not permit the 
world's most dangerous regimes to threaten us with the world's most 
destructive weapons.
  Our war on terror is well begun, but it is only begun. This campaign 
may not be finished on our watch; yet it must be, and it will be waged 
on our watch.
  We cannot stop short. If we stopped now, leaving terror camps intact 
and terror states unchecked, our sense of security would be false and 
temporary. History has called America and our allies to action, and it 
is both our responsibility and our privilege to fight freedom's fight.
  Our first priority must always be the security of our Nation, and 
that will be reflected in the budget I send to Congress. My budget 
supports three great goals for America: we will win this war, we will 
protect our homeland, and we will revive our economy.
  September 11 brought out the best in America, and the best in this 
Congress, and I join the American people in applauding your unity and 
resolve. Now Americans deserve to have this same spirit directed toward 
addressing problems here at home. I am a proud member of my party, yet 
as we act to win the war, protect our people, and create jobs in 
America, we must act first and foremost not as Republicans, not as 
Democrats, but as Americans.
  It costs a lot to fight this war. We have spent more than a billion 
dollars a month, over $30 million a day, and we must be prepared for 
future operations. Afghanistan proved that expensive precision weapons 
defeat the enemy and spare innocent lives, and we need more of them. We 
need to replace aging aircraft and make our military more agile to put 
our troops anywhere in the world quickly and safely. Our men and women 
in uniform deserve the best weapons, the best equipment, and the best 
training, and they also deserve another pay raise. My budget includes 
the largest increase in defense spending in two decades, because while 
the price of freedom and security is high, it is never too high. 
Whatever it costs to defend our country, we will pay.
  The next priority of my budget is to do everything possible to 
protect our citizens and strengthen our Nation against the ongoing 
threat of another attack. Time and distance from the events of 
September 11 will not make us safer unless we act on its lessons. 
America is no longer protected by vast oceans. We are protected from 
attack only by vigorous action abroad and increased vigilance at home.
  My budget nearly doubles funding for a sustained strategy of homeland 
security, focused on four key areas: bioterrorism, emergency response, 
airport and border security, and improved intelligence. We will develop 
vaccines to fight anthrax and other deadly diseases. We will increase 
funding to help States and communities train and equip our heroic 
police and firefighters. We will improve intelligence collection and 
sharing, expand patrols at our borders, strengthen the security of air 
travel, and use technology to track the arrivals and departures of 
visitors to the United States.
  Homeland security will make America not only stronger but, in many 
ways, better. Knowledge gained from bioterrorism research will improve 
public health, stronger police and fire departments will mean safer 
neighborhoods, and stricter border enforcement will help combat illegal 
drugs.
  And as government works to better secure our homeland, America will 
continue to depend on the eyes and ears of alert citizens. A few days 
before Christmas, an airline flight attendant spotted a passenger 
lighting a match. The crew and passengers quickly subdued the man, who 
had been trained by al Qaeda and was armed with explosives. The people 
on that plane were alert and, as a result, likely saved nearly 200 
lives, and tonight we welcome and thank flight attendants Hermis 
Moutardier and Christina Jones.
  Once we have funded our national security and our homeland security, 
the final great priority of my budget is economic security for the 
American people. To achieve these great national objectives, to win the 
war, protect the homeland, and revitalize our economy, our budget will 
run a deficit that will be small and short term so long as Congress 
restrains spending and acts in a fiscally responsible manner. We have 
clear priorities and we must act at home with the same purpose and 
resolve we have shown overseas: we will prevail in the war, and we will 
defeat this recession.
  Americans who have lost their jobs need our help, and I support 
extending unemployment benefits and direct assistance for health care 
coverage. Yet American workers want more than unemployment checks, they 
want a steady paycheck. When America works, America prospers, so my 
economic security plan can be summed up in one word: jobs.
  Good jobs begin with good schools, and here we have made a fine 
start. Republicans and Democrats worked together to achieve historic 
education reform so that no child is left behind. I was proud to work 
with Members of both parties, Chairman John Boehner and Congressman 
George Miller, Senator Judd Gregg; and I was so proud of our work I 
even had nice things to say about my friend, Ted Kennedy. I know the 
folks at the Crawford coffee shop could not believe I would say such a 
thing, but our work on this bill shows what is possible if we set aside 
posturing and focus on results.
  There is more to do. We need to prepare our children to read and 
succeed in school with improved Head Start and early childhood 
development programs. We must upgrade our teacher colleges and teacher 
training and launch a major recruiting drive with a great goal for 
America: a quality teacher in every classroom.
  Good jobs also depend on reliable and affordable energy. This 
Congress must act to encourage conservation, promote technology, build 
infrastructure, and it must act to increase energy production at home 
so America is less dependent on foreign oil.
  Good jobs depend on expanded trade. Selling into new markets creates 
new jobs, so I ask Congress to finally approve trade promotion 
authority. On these two key issues, trade and energy, the House of 
Representatives has acted to create jobs, and I urge the Senate to pass 
this legislation.
  Good jobs depend on sound tax policy. Last year, some in this Hall 
thought my tax relief plan was too small, and some thought it was too 
big. But when the checks arrived in the mail, most Americans thought 
tax relief was just about right. Congress listened to the people and 
responded by reducing tax rates, doubling the child credit, and ending 
the death tax. For the sake of long-term growth and to help Americans 
plan for the future, let us make these tax cuts permanent.
  The way out of this recession, the way to create jobs, is to grow the 
economy by encouraging investment in factories and equipment, and by 
speeding up tax relief so people have more money to spend. For the sake 
of American workers, let's pass a stimulus package.
  Good jobs must be the aim of welfare reform. As we reauthorize these 
important reforms, we must always remember the goal is to reduce 
dependency on government and offer every American the dignity of a job.
  Americans know economic security can vanish in an instant without 
health security. I ask Congress to join me this year to enact a 
Patients' Bill of Rights, to give uninsured workers credits to help buy 
health coverage, to approve an historic increase in spending for 
veterans' health, and to give

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seniors a sound and modern Medicare system that includes coverage for 
prescription drugs.
  A good job should lead to security in retirement. I ask Congress to 
enact new safeguards for 401(k) and pension plans. Employees who have 
worked hard and saved all their lives should not have to risk losing 
everything if their company fails. Through stricter accounting 
standards and tougher disclosure requirements, corporate America must 
be made more accountable to employees and shareholders, and held to the 
highest standards of conduct.
  Retirement security also depends upon keeping the commitments of 
Social Security, and we will. We must make Social Security financially 
stable and allow personal retirement accounts for younger workers who 
choose them.
  Members, you and I will work together in the months ahead on other 
issues: productive farm policy; a cleaner environment; broader home 
ownership, especially among minorities; and ways to encourage the good 
work of charities and faith-based groups. I ask you to join me on these 
important domestic issues in the same spirit of cooperation we have 
applied to our war against terrorism.
  During these last few months, I have been humbled and privileged to 
see the true character of this country in a time of testing. Our 
enemies believed America was weak and materialistic, that we would 
splinter in fear and selfishness. They were as wrong as they are evil.
  The American people have responded magnificently, with courage and 
compassion, strength and resolve. As I have met the heroes, hugged the 
families, and looked into the tired faces of rescuers, I have stood in 
awe of the American people.
  And I hope you will join me in expressing thanks to one American for 
the strength, and calm, and comfort she brings to our Nation in crisis: 
our First Lady, Laura Bush.
  None of us would ever wish the evil that was done on September 11, 
yet after America was attacked, it was as if our entire country looked 
into a mirror and saw our better selves. We were reminded that we are 
citizens, with obligations to each other, to our country, and to 
history. We began to think less of the goods we can accumulate, and 
more about the good we can do.
  For too long our culture has said, ``If it feels good, do it.'' Now 
America is embracing a new ethic and a new creed: ``Let's roll.'' In 
the sacrifice of soldiers, the fierce brotherhood of firefighters, and 
the bravery and generosity of ordinary citizens, we have glimpsed what 
a new culture of responsibility could look like. We want to be a Nation 
that serves goals larger than self. We have been offered a unique 
opportunity, and we must not let this moment pass.
  My call tonight is for every American to commit at least 2 years, 
4,000 hours, over the rest of your lifetime to the service of your 
neighbors and your Nation.
  Many are already serving, and I thank you. If you aren't sure how to 
help, I've got a good place to start. To sustain and extend the best 
that has emerged in America, I invite you to join the new USA Freedom 
Corps. The Freedom Corps will focus on three areas of need: responding 
in case of crisis at home, rebuilding our communities, and extending 
American compassion throughout the world.
  One purpose of the USA Freedom Corps will be homeland security. 
America needs retired doctors and nurses who can be mobilized in major 
emergencies, volunteers to help police and fire departments, 
transportation and utility workers well-trained in spotting danger.
  Our country also needs citizens working to rebuild our communities. 
We need mentors to love children, especially children whose parents are 
in prison, and we need more talented teachers in troubled schools. USA 
Freedom Corps will expand and improve the good efforts of AmeriCorps 
and Senior Corps to recruit more than 200,000 new volunteers.
  And America needs citizens to extend the compassion of our country to 
every part of the world. So we will renew the promise of the Peace 
Corps, double its volunteers over the next 5 years, and ask it to join 
a new effort to encourage development and education and opportunity in 
the Islamic world.
  This time of adversity offers a unique moment of opportunity, a 
moment we must seize to change our culture. Through the gathering 
momentum of millions of acts of service and decency and kindness, I 
know we can overcome evil with greater good.
  And we have a great opportunity during this time of war to lead the 
world toward the values that will bring lasting peace. All fathers and 
mothers in all societies want their children to be educated and to live 
free from poverty and violence. No people on Earth yearn to be 
oppressed or aspire to servitude or eagerly await the midnight knock of 
the secret police.
  If anyone doubts this, let them look to Afghanistan, where the 
Islamic ``street'' greeted the fall of tyranny with song and 
celebration. Let the skeptics look to Islam's own rich history, with 
its centuries of learning and tolerance and progress.
  America will lead by defending liberty and justice because they are 
right and true and unchanging for all people everywhere. No nation owns 
these aspirations, and no nation is exempt from them. We have no 
intention of imposing our culture, but America will always stand firm 
for the nonnegotiable demands of human dignity, the rule of law, limits 
on the power of the state, respect for women, private property, free 
speech, equal justice, and religious tolerance.
  America will take the side of brave men and women who advocate these 
values around the world, including the Islamic world, because we have a 
greater objective than eliminating threats and containing resentment. 
We seek a just and peaceful world beyond the war on terror.
  In this moment of opportunity, a common danger is erasing old 
rivalries. America is working with Russia and China and India in ways 
we have never before to achieve peace and prosperity. In every region, 
free markets and free trade and free societies are proving their power 
to lift lives. Together with friends and allies from Europe to Asia 
from Africa to Latin America, we will demonstrate that the forces of 
terror cannot stop the momentum of freedom.
  The last time I spoke here, I expressed the hope that life would 
return to normal. In some ways, it has. In others, it never will. Those 
of us who have lived through these challenging times have been changed 
by them. We have come to know truths that we will never question: evil 
is real, and it must be opposed. Beyond all differences of race or 
creed, we are one country, mourning together and facing danger 
together. Deep in the American character, there is honor, and it is 
stronger than cynicism. Many have discovered again that even in 
tragedy, especially in tragedy, God is near.
  In a single instant, we realized that this will be a decisive decade 
in the history of liberty, that we have been called to a unique role in 
human events. Rarely has the world faced a choice more clear or 
consequential.
  Our enemies send other people's children on missions of suicide and 
murder. They embrace tyranny and death as a cause and a creed. We stand 
for a different choice, made long ago on the day of our founding. We 
affirm it again today. We choose freedom and the dignity of every life.
  Steadfast in our purpose, we now press on. We have known freedom's 
price. We have shown freedom's power. And in this great conflict, my 
fellow Americans, we will see freedom's victory. Thank you all. May God 
bless.
  (Applause, the Members rising.)
  At 10 o'clock and 4 minutes p.m. the President of the United States, 
accompanied by the committee of escort, retired from the Hall of the 
House of Representatives.
  The Assistant to the Sergeant at Arms escorted the invited guests 
from the Chamber in the following order:
  The members of the President's Cabinet.
  The Associate Justices of the Supreme Court.
  The Acting Dean of the Diplomatic Corps.

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