[Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2002, Book I)]
[January 29, 2002]
[Pages 129-136]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]



Address Before a Joint Session of the Congress on the State of the Union
January 29, 2002

    Thank you very much. Mr. Speaker, Vice 
President Cheney, Members of Congress, 
distinguished guests, fellow citizens: As we gather tonight, our Nation 
is at war; our

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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's 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 Bay. And 
terrorist leaders who urged followers to sacrifice their lives are 
running for their own.
    America and Afghanistan are now allies against terror. We'll be 
partners in rebuilding that country. And this evening we welcomed 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 some day.''
    Last month, at the grave of her husband, Micheal, 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 Micheal 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 enemies' 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 powerplants 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 the 11th 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 timebombs, 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 a battlefield, and we must pursue

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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. And 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, Hizballah, Islamic 
Jihad, Jaish-e-Mohammed, 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 the 11th, 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 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'll 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.

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    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 can't stop short. If we stop now, leaving terror camps 
intact and terrorist 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 the 11th 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'm 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, 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 
the 11th 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'll 
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. 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 Qaida 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

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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'll 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've 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. [Laughter] I know the folks at the Crawford coffee shop 
couldn't believe I'd say such a thing--[laughter]--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; 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's 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 the spending for 
veterans' health, and to give 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

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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 
homeownership, 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've 
applied to our war against terrorism.
    During these last few months, I've 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--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 the 
11th. 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've 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

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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 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 and 
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've 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. And 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've 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.

Note: The President spoke at 9:15 p.m. in the House Chamber of the 
Capitol. In his remarks, he referred to Corona, CA, resident Guillermo 
Sobero, who was kidnaped May 27, 2001, and later killed by the Abu 
Sayyaf terrorist group operating in the southern Philippines; President 
Pervez Musharraf of Pakistan; and alleged terrorist Richard C. Reid. The 
Office of the Press Secretary also released a Spanish language 
transcript of this address. The Executive order of January 29

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establishing the USA Freedom Corps is listed in Appendix D at the end of 
this volume.