    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2002, Book II)]
    [July 6, 2002]
    [Pages 1181-1182]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    The President's Radio Address
    July 6, 2002

        Good morning. This week, Americans are celebrating the 226th
    anniversary of our independence. On the Fourth of July, we count our
    blessings, and there are so many to count.
        We are thankful for the families that share our life in this land of
    liberty. We're thankful for the opportunities given to us every day in
    this country. We are thankful for our freedom, the freedom declared by
    the Founding Fathers, defended by many generations, and granted to each
    one of us by Almighty God.
        Americans know that our country did not come about by chance. Our
    Nation was first designed as a colony, serving an empire and answering
    to a king. The Founders had other things in mind. In the summer of 1776,
    they declared that these colonies ``are, and of Right ought to be Free
    and Independent States.'' All Americans can draw a straight line from
    the free lives we lead today to that one moment when the world changed
    forever.
        From that day in 1776, freedom has had a home and a defender. Unlike
    any other country, America came into the world with a message for
    mankind--that all are created equal and all are meant to be free.
        There is no American race; there's only an American creed. We
    believe in the dignity and rights of every person. We believe in equal
    justice, limited government, and the rule of law, personal
    responsibility and tolerance toward others. This creed of freedom and
    equality has lifted the lives of millions of Americans, of citizens by
    birth and citizens by choice. This creed draws our friends to us, sets
    our enemies against us, and always inspires the best that is in us.
        In this 226th year of our independence, we have seen that American
    patriotism is still a living faith. We love our country only more when
    she is threatened. America is the most diverse Nation on Earth. Yet, in
    a moment we discovered again that we are a single people; we share the
    same allegiance; we live under the same flag; and when you strike one
    American, you strike us all.
        More than ever in the lifetimes of most Americans, our flag stands
    for a true united country. We've been united in our grief, and we are
    united in our resolve to protect our people and defeat the enemies of
    freedom. At this hour, more than 60,000 American troops are deployed
    around the world in the war against terror. Many of you have family
    members serving in the military. Wherever they are stationed, this
    Nation is depending on them, and you can be proud of them.
        America's service men and women and our veterans know better than
    anyone that our love for country is shown in works. That spirit of
    service is alive and strong in America today. As we fight a war abroad,
    at home Americans are answering the call of service, giving their time
    and energy to causes greater than self-interest. This Nation is
    confronting a terrible evil, and we are overcoming evil with good.
        Today, as much as ever before, America bears the hopes of the world.
    Yet, from the day of our founding, America's own great hope has never
    been in ourselves alone. The Founders humbly sought the wisdom and the
    blessing of Divine Providence. May we always live by that same trust,
    and may God continue to watch over the United States of America.
        Thank you for listening.

    Note: The address was recorded at 10:17 a.m. on July 3 in the Cabinet
    Room at the White House for broadcast at 10:06 a.m. on July 6. The
    transcript was made available by the Office of the Press Secretary on
    July 5 but was embargoed for release until the

    [[Page 1182]]

    broadcast. The Office of the Press Secretary also released a Spanish
    language transcript of this address.