    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2001, Book II)]
    [September 15, 2001]
    [Pages 1113-1114]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    The President's Radio Address
    September 15, 2001

        Good morning. This weekend I am engaged in extensive sessions with
    members of my National Security Council, as we plan a comprehensive
    assault on terrorism. This will be a different kind of conflict against
    a different kind of enemy.
        This is a conflict without battlefields or beachheads, a conflict
    with opponents who believe they are invisible. Yet, they are mistaken.
    They will be exposed, and they will discover what others in the past
    have learned: Those who make war against the United States have chosen
    their own destruction.
        Victory against terrorism will not take place in a single battle but
    in a series of decisive actions against terrorist organizations and
    those who harbor and support them. We are planning a broad and sustained
    campaign to secure our country and eradicate the evil of terrorism. And
    we are determined to see this conflict through. Americans of every faith
    and background are committed to this goal.
        Yesterday I visited the site of the destruction in New York City and
    saw an amazing spirit of sacrifice and patriotism and defiance. I met
    with rescuers who have worked past exhaustion, who cheered for our
    country and the great cause we have entered. In Washington, DC, the
    political parties and both Houses of Congress have shown a remarkable
    unity, and I'm deeply grateful. A terrorist attack designed to tear us
    apart has instead bound us together as a nation.
        Over the past few days, we have learned much about American courage,
    the courage of firefighters and police officers who suffered so great a
    loss, the courage of passengers aboard United 93 who may well have
    fought with the hijackers and saved many lives on the ground.
        Now we honor those who died and prepare to respond to these attacks
    on our

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    Nation. I will not settle for a token act. Our response must be
    sweeping, sustained, and effective.
        We have much to do and much to ask of the American people. You will
    be asked for your patience, for the conflict will not be short. You will
    be asked for resolve, for the conflict will not be easy. You will be
    asked for your strength, because the course to victory may be long.
        In the past week, we have seen the American people at their very
    best everywhere in America. Citizens have come together to pray, to give
    blood, to fly our country's flag. Americans are coming together to share
    their grief and gain strength from one another.
        Great tragedy has come to us, and we are meeting it with the best
    that is in our country, with courage and concern for others, because
    this is America. This is who we are. This is what our enemies hate and
    have attacked. And this is why we will prevail.
        Thank you for listening.

    Note: The address was recorded at 8:55 a.m. in the Laurel Cabin at Camp
    David for broadcast at 10:06 a.m. The transcript was made available by
    the Office of the Press Secretary on September 15 but was embargoed for
    release until the broadcast. The Office of the Press Secretary also
    released a Spanish language transcript of this address.