    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2005, Book I)]
    [June 18, 2005]
    [Pages 1017-1019]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    The President's Radio Address
    June 18, 2005

        Good morning. Today, we face two issues of vital importance for all
    Americans, growing our economy and protecting our citizens from those
    who wish to do us harm. So in the weeks ahead, I will continue to focus
    on ways to ensure that our Government takes the side of working families
    and that America prevails in the war on terror. As we take the steps
    necessary to achieve these goals, we will make our future one of peace
    and prosperity.
        Today, we have good reason to be optimistic about our economy. More
    Americans are working today than at any time in our history. More
    Americans own their homes than at any time in our history. More
    Americans are going to college and own their own businesses than at any
    time in our history. And a new economic report shows that inflation is
    in check. Our policies have put us on the track to growth,

    [[Page 1018]]

    but leaders in Washington must not become complacent. We need to work
    together to ensure that opportunity reaches every corner of our great
    country.
        Delivering opportunity means allowing families to keep more of the
    money they earn. So we enacted the largest tax relief in a generation.
    That is only a beginning. You need a reformed Tax Code that is simple,
    fair, and easy to understand and rewards your hard work and
    entrepreneurial spirit. And Congress needs to do its part by making the
    tax relief we passed permanent and burying the death tax forever.
        Delivering opportunity also means adapting to the needs of a new
    century. In this new century, American prosperity will increasingly
    depend on our ability to sell our goods and services overseas, so we
    need to pass initiatives like the Central American-Dominican Republic
    Free Trade Agreement to create a level playing field for American
    farmers and small businesses. In this new century, Americans require a
    reliable and affordable supply of energy. I proposed a comprehensive
    energy policy to reduce our dependence on foreign oil. In this new
    century, Americans need to know that if they work hard their whole
    lives, they will retire with dignity, so we're working to save Social
    Security to ensure that the next generation of retirees will be as
    secure in their retirement as today's generation.
        As we work to deliver opportunity at home, we're also keeping you
    safe from threats from abroad. We went to war because we were attacked,
    and we are at war today because there are still people out there who
    want to harm our country and hurt our citizens. Some may disagree with
    my decision to remove Saddam Hussein from
    power, but all of us can agree that the world's terrorists have now made
    Iraq a central front in the war on terror. These foreign terrorists
    violently oppose the rise of a free and democratic Iraq, because they
    know that when we replace despair and hatred with liberty and hope, they
    lose their recruiting grounds for terror.
        Our troops are fighting these terrorists in Iraq so you will not
    have to face them here at home. We mourn every one of these brave men
    and women who have given his or her life for our liberty. The terrorists
    know they cannot defeat our troops, so they seek to weaken our Nation's
    resolve. They know there is no room for them in a free and democratic
    Middle East, so the terrorists and insurgents are trying to get us to
    retreat. Their goal is to get us to leave before Iraqis have had a
    chance to show the region what a Government that is elected and truly
    accountable to its citizens can do for its people.
        Time and again, the Iraqi people have defied the skeptics who claim
    they are not up to the job of building a free society. Nearly a year
    ago, Iraqis showed they were ready to resume sovereignty. A few months
    ago, Iraqis showed they could hold free elections. This week, Iraqis
    have worked on an agreement to expand their constitutional drafting
    committee to ensure that all communities are represented in the process.
    I am confident that Iraqis will continue to defy the skeptics if they
    build a new Iraq that represents the diversity of their nation and
    assumes greater responsibility for their own security. And when they do,
    our troops can come home with the honor they have earned.
        This mission isn't easy, and it will not be accomplished overnight.
    We're fighting a ruthless enemy that relishes the killing of innocent
    men, women, and children. By making their stand in Iraq, the terrorists
    have made Iraq a vital test for the future security of our country and
    the free world. We will settle for nothing less than victory.
        I'll continue to act to keep our people safe from harm and our
    future bright. Together we will do what Americans have always done,
    build a better and more peaceful world for our children and
    grandchildren.
        Thank you for listening.

    [[Page 1019]]

    Note: The address was recorded at 7:39 a.m. on June 17 in the Cabinet
    Room at the White House for broadcast at 10:06 a.m. on June 18. The
    transcript was made available by the Office of the Press Secretary on
    June 18 but was embargoed for release until the broadcast. In his
    address, the President referred to former President Saddam Hussein of
    Iraq. The Office of the Press Secretary also released a Spanish language
    transcript of this address.