    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2008, Book I)]
    [January 28, 2008]
    [Pages 116-125]
    [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 28, 2008

        Thank you all. Madam Speaker, Vice
    President Cheney, Members of Congress,
    distinguished guests, and fellow citizens: Seven years have passed since
    I first stood before you at this rostrum. In that time, our country has
    been tested in ways none of us could have imagined. We faced hard
    decisions about peace and war, rising competition in the world economy,
    and the health and welfare of our citizens. These issues call for
    vigorous debate, and I think it's fair to say, we've answered the call.
    [Laughter] Yet history will record that amid our differences, we acted
    with purpose, and together we showed the world the power and resilience
    of American self-government.
        All of us were sent to Washington to carry out the people's
    business. That is the purpose of this body. It is the meaning of our
    oath. It remains our charge to keep.
        The actions of the 110th Congress will affect the security and
    prosperity of our Nation long after this session has ended. In this
    election year, let us show our fellow Americans that we recognize our
    responsibilities and are determined to meet them. Let us show them that
    Republicans and Democrats can compete for votes and cooperate for
    results at the same time.
        From expanding opportunity to protecting our country, we've made
    good progress. Yet we have unfinished business before us, and the
    American people expect us to get it done.
        In the work ahead, we must be guided by the philosophy that made our
    Nation great. As Americans, we believe in the power of individuals to
    determine their destiny and shape the course of history. We believe that
    the most reliable guide for our country is the collective wisdom of
    ordinary citizens. And so in all we do, we must trust in the ability of
    free peoples to make wise decisions and empower them to improve their
    lives for their futures.
        To build a prosperous future, we must trust people with their own
    money and empower them to grow our economy. As we meet tonight, our
    economy is undergoing a period of uncertainty. America has added jobs
    for a record 52 straight months, but jobs are now growing at a slower
    pace. Wages are up, but so are prices for food and gas. Exports are
    rising, but the housing market has declined. At kitchen tables across
    our country, there is a concern about our economic future.
        In the long run, Americans can be confident about our economic
    growth. But in the short run, we can all see that that growth is
    slowing. So last week, my administration reached agreement with Speaker
    Pelosi and Republican Leader Boehner on a robust growth package that includes tax relief
    for individuals and families and incentives for business investment. The
    temptation will be to load up the bill. That would delay it or derail
    it, and neither option is acceptable. This is a good agreement that will
    keep our economy growing and our people working, and this Congress must
    pass it as soon as possible.
        We have other work to do on taxes. Unless Congress acts, most of the
    tax relief we've delivered over the past 7 years will be taken away.
    Some in Washington argue that letting tax relief expire is not a tax
    increase. Try explaining that to 116 million American taxpayers who
    would see their taxes rise by an average of $1,800. Others

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    have said they would personally be happy to pay higher taxes. I welcome
    their enthusiasm. I'm pleased to report that the IRS accepts both checks
    and money orders. [Laughter]
        Most Americans think their taxes are high enough. With all the other
    pressures on their finances, American families should not have to worry
    about their Federal Government taking a bigger bite out of their
    paychecks. There's only one way to eliminate this uncertainty: Make the
    tax relief permanent. And Members of Congress should know, if any bill
    raises taxes reaches my desk, I will veto it.
        Just as we trust Americans with their own money, we need to earn
    their trust by spending their tax dollars wisely. Next week, I'll send
    you a budget that terminates or substantially reduces 151 wasteful or
    bloated programs, totaling more than $18 billion. The budget that I will
    submit will keep America on track for a surplus in 2012. American
    families have to balance their budgets; so should their Government.
        The people's trust in their Government is undermined by
    congressional earmarks, special interest projects that are often snuck
    in at the last minute, without discussion or debate. Last year, I asked
    you to voluntarily cut the number and cost of earmarks in half. I also
    asked you to stop slipping earmarks into committee reports that never
    even come to a vote. Unfortunately, neither goal was met. So this time,
    if you send me an appropriations bill that does not cut the number and
    cost of earmarks in half, I'll send it back to you with my veto.
        And tomorrow I will issue an Executive order that directs Federal
    agencies to ignore any future earmark that is not voted on by Congress.
    If these items are truly worth funding, Congress should debate them in
    the open and hold a public vote.
        Our shared responsibilities extend beyond matters of taxes and
    spending. On housing, we must trust Americans with the responsibility of
    homeownership and empower them to weather turbulent times in the housing
    market. My administration brought together the HOPE NOW Alliance, which
    is helping many struggling homeowners avoid foreclosure. And Congress
    can help even more. Tonight I ask you to pass legislation to reform
    Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, modernize the Federal Housing
    Administration, and allow State housing agencies to issue tax-free bonds
    to help homeowners refinance their mortgages. These are difficult times
    for many American families, and by taking these steps, we can help more
    of them keep their homes.
        To build a future of quality health care, we must trust patients and
    doctors to make medical decisions and empower them with better
    information and better options. We share a common goal: making health
    care more affordable and accessible for all Americans. The best way to
    achieve that goal is by expanding consumer choice, not Government
    control. So I have proposed ending the bias in the Tax Code against
    those who do not get their health insurance through their employer. This
    one reform would put private coverage within reach for millions, and I
    call on the Congress to pass it this year.
        Congress must also expand health savings accounts, create
    association health plans for small businesses, promote health
    information technology, and confront the epidemic of junk medical
    lawsuits. With all these steps, we will ensure that decisions about your
    medical care are made in the privacy of your doctor's office, not in the
    Halls of Congress.
        On education, we must trust students to learn, if given the chance,
    and empower parents to demand results from our schools. In neighborhoods
    across our country, there are boys and girls with dreams, and a decent
    education is their only hope of achieving them.
        Six years ago, we came together to pass the No Child Left Behind
    Act, and today, no one can deny its results. Last year, fourth and
    eighth graders achieved the

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    highest math scores on record. Reading scores are on the rise. African
    American and Hispanic students posted alltime highs. Now we must work
    together to increase accountability, add flexibilities for States and
    districts, reduce the number of high school dropouts, provide extra help
    for struggling schools.
        Members of Congress, the No Child Left Behind Act is a bipartisan
    achievement. It is succeeding, and we owe it to America's children,
    their parents, and their teachers to strengthen this good law.
        We must also do more to help children when their schools do not
    measure up. Thanks to the DC Opportunity Scholarships you approved, more
    than 2,600 of the poorest children in our Nation's Capital have found
    new hope at a faith-based or other nonpublic school. Sadly, these
    schools are disappearing at an alarming rate in many of America's inner
    cities. So I will convene a White House summit aimed at strengthening
    these lifelines of learning. And to open the doors of these schools to
    more children, I ask you to support a new $300 million program called
    Pell Grants for Kids. We have seen how Pell grants help low-income
    college students realize their full potential. Together, we've expanded
    the size and reach of these grants. Now let us apply the same spirit to
    help liberate poor children trapped in failing public schools.
        On trade, we must trust American workers to compete with anyone in
    the world and empower them by opening up new markets overseas. Today,
    our economic growth increasingly depends on our ability to sell American
    goods and crops and services all over the world. So we're working to
    break down barriers to trade and investment wherever we can. We're
    working for a successful Doha round of trade talks, and we must complete
    a good agreement this year. At the same time, we're pursuing
    opportunities to open up new markets by passing free trade agreements.
        I thank the Congress for approving a good agreement with Peru. And
    now I ask you to approve agreements with Colombia and Panama and South
    Korea. Many products from these nations now enter America duty free, yet
    many of our products face steep tariffs in their markets. These
    agreements will level the playing field. They will give us better access
    to nearly 100 million customers. They will support good jobs for the
    finest workers in the world, those whose products say ``Made in the
    U.S.A.''
        These agreements also promote America's strategic interests. The
    first agreement that will come before you is with Colombia, a friend of
    America that is confronting violence and terror and fighting drug
    traffickers. If we fail to pass this agreement, we will embolden the
    purveyors of false populism in our hemisphere. So we must come together,
    pass this agreement, and show our neighbors in the region that democracy
    leads to a better life.
        Trade brings better jobs and better choices and better prices. Yet
    for some Americans, trade can mean losing a job, and the Federal
    Government has a responsibility to help. I ask Congress to reauthorize
    and reform trade adjustment assistance so we can help these displaced
    workers learn new skills and find new jobs.
        To build a future of energy security, we must trust in the creative
    genius of American researchers and entrepreneurs and empower them to
    pioneer a new generation of clean energy technology. Our security, our
    prosperity, and our environment all require reducing our dependence on
    oil.
        Last year, I asked you to pass legislation to reduce oil consumption
    over the next decade, and you responded. Together, we should take the
    next steps. Let us fund new technologies that can generate coal power
    while capturing carbon emissions. Let us increase the use of renewable
    power and emissions-free nuclear power. Let us continue investing in
    advanced battery technology and renewable fuels to power the cars and
    trucks of the future. Let us

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    create a new international clean technology fund, which will help
    developing nations like India and China make a greater use of clean
    energy sources. And let us complete an international agreement that has
    the potential to slow, stop, and eventually reverse the growth of
    greenhouse gases.
        This agreement will be effective only if it includes commitments by
    every major economy and gives none a free ride. The United States is
    committed to strengthening our energy security and confronting global
    climate change. And the best way to meet these goals is for America to
    continue leading the way toward the development of cleaner and more
    energy efficient technology.
        To keep America competitive into the future, we must trust in the
    skill of our scientists and engineers and empower them to pursue the
    breakthroughs of tomorrow. Last year, Congress passed legislation
    supporting the American Competitiveness Initiative, but never followed
    through with the funding. This funding is essential to keeping our
    scientific edge. So I ask Congress to double Federal support for
    critical basic research in the physical sciences and ensure America
    remains the most dynamic nation on Earth.
        On matters of life and science, we must trust in the innovative
    spirit of medical researchers and empower them to discover new
    treatments while respecting moral boundaries. In November, we witnessed
    a landmark achievement when scientists discovered a way to reprogram
    adult skin cells to act like embryonic stem cells. This breakthrough has
    the potential to move us beyond the divisive debates of the past by
    extending the frontiers of medicine without the destruction of human
    life.
        So we're expanding funding for this type of ethical medical
    research. And as we explore promising avenues of research, we must also
    ensure that all life is treated with the dignity it deserves. And so I
    call on Congress to pass legislation that bans unethical practices, such
    as the buying, selling, patenting, or cloning of human life.
        On matters of justice, we must trust in the wisdom of our Founders
    and empower judges who understand that the Constitution means what it
    says. I've submitted judicial nominees who will rule by the letter of
    the law, not the whim of the gavel. Many of these nominees are being
    unfairly delayed. They are worthy of confirmation, and the Senate should
    give each of them a prompt up-or-down vote.
        In communities across our land, we must trust in the good heart of
    the American people and empower them to serve their neighbors in need.
    Over the past 7 years, more of our fellow citizens have discovered that
    the pursuit of happiness leads to the path of service. Americans have
    volunteered in record numbers. Charitable donations are higher than
    ever. Faith-based groups are bringing hope to pockets of despair, with
    newfound support from the Federal Government. And to help guarantee
    equal treatment of faith-based organizations when they compete for
    Federal funds, I ask you to permanently extend charitable choice.
        Tonight the armies of compassion continue the march to a new day in
    the Gulf Coast. America honors the strength and resilience of the people
    of this region. We reaffirm our pledge to help them build stronger and
    better than before. And tonight I'm pleased to announce that in April,
    we will host this year's North American Summit of Canada, Mexico, and
    the United States in the great city of New Orleans.
        There are two other pressing challenges that I've raised repeatedly
    before this body and that this body has failed to address: entitlement
    spending and immigration. Every Member in this Chamber knows that
    spending on entitlement programs like Social Security, Medicare, and
    Medicaid is growing faster than we can afford. We all know the painful
    choices ahead if America stays on this path: massive tax increases,

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    sudden and drastic cuts in benefits, or crippling deficits. I've laid
    out proposals to reform these programs. Now I ask Members of Congress to
    offer your proposals and come up with a bipartisan solution to save
    these vital programs for our children and our grandchildren.
        The other pressing challenge is immigration. America needs to secure
    our borders, and with your help, my administration is taking steps to do
    so. We're increasing worksite enforcement, deploying fences and advanced
    technologies to stop illegal crossings. We've effectively ended the
    policy of catch-and-release at the border, and by the end of this year,
    we will have doubled the number of Border Patrol agents. Yet we also
    need to acknowledge that we will never fully secure our border until we
    create a lawful way for foreign workers to come here and support our
    economy. This will take pressure off the border and allow law
    enforcement to concentrate on those who mean us harm.
        We must also find a sensible and humane way to deal with people here
    illegally. Illegal immigration is complicated, but it can be resolved.
    And it must be resolved in a way that upholds both our laws and our
    highest ideals.
        This is the business of our Nation here at home. Yet building a
    prosperous future for our citizens also depends on confronting enemies
    abroad and advancing liberty in troubled regions of the world.
        Our foreign policy is based on a clear premise: We trust that
    people, when given the chance, will choose a future of freedom and
    peace. In the last 7 years, we have witnessed stirring moments in the
    history of liberty. We've seen citizens in Georgia and Ukraine stand up
    for their right to free and fair elections. We've seen people in Lebanon
    take to the streets to demand their independence. We've seen Afghans
    emerge from the tyranny of the Taliban and choose a new
    President and a new parliament. We've seen
    jubilant Iraqis holding up ink-stained fingers and celebrating their
    freedom. These images of liberty have inspired us.
        In the past 7 years, we've also seen the images that have sobered
    us. We've watched throngs of mourners in Lebanon and Pakistan carrying
    the caskets of beloved leaders taken by the assassin's hand. We've seen
    wedding guests in blood-soaked finery staggering from a hotel in Jordan,
    Afghans and Iraqis blown up in mosques and markets, and trains in London
    and Madrid ripped apart by bombs. On a clear September day, we saw
    thousands of our fellow citizens taken from us in an instant. These
    horrific images serve as a grim reminder: The advance of liberty is
    opposed by terrorists and extremists, evil men who despise freedom,
    despise America, and aim to subject millions to their violent rule.
        Since 9/11, we have taken the fight to these terrorists and
    extremists. We will stay on the offense, we will keep up the pressure,
    and we will deliver justice to our enemies.
        We are engaged in the defining ideological struggle of the 21st
    century. The terrorists oppose every principle of humanity and decency
    that we hold dear. Yet in this war on terror, there is one thing we and
    our enemies agree on: In the long run, men and women who are free to
    determine their own destinies will reject terror and refuse to live in
    tyranny. And that is why the terrorists are fighting to deny this choice
    to the people in Lebanon, Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and the
    Palestinian Territories. And that is why, for the security of America
    and the peace of the world, we are spreading the hope of freedom.
        In Afghanistan, America, our 25 NATO allies, and 15 partner nations
    are helping the Afghan people defend their freedom and rebuild their
    country. Thanks to the courage of these military and civilian personnel,
    a nation that was once a safe haven for Al Qaida is now a young
    democracy where boys and girls are going to school, new roads and
    hospitals are being built, and people are looking to the future with

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    new hope. These successes must continue, so we're adding 3,200 marines
    to our forces in Afghanistan, where they will fight the terrorists and
    train the Afghan Army and police. Defeating the Taliban and Al Qaida is
    critical to our security, and I thank the Congress for supporting
    America's vital mission in Afghanistan.
        In Iraq, the terrorists and extremists are fighting to deny a proud
    people their liberty and fighting to establish safe havens for attacks
    across the world. One year ago, our enemies were succeeding in their
    efforts to plunge Iraq into chaos. So we reviewed our strategy and
    changed course. We launched a surge of American forces into Iraq. We
    gave our troops a new mission: work with the Iraqi forces to protect the
    Iraqi people, pursue the enemy in its strongholds, and deny the
    terrorists sanctuary anywhere in the country.
        The Iraqi people quickly realized that something dramatic had
    happened. Those who had worried that America was preparing to abandon
    them instead saw tens of thousands of American forces flowing into their
    country. They saw our forces moving into neighborhoods, clearing out the
    terrorists, and staying behind to ensure the enemy did not return. And
    they saw our troops, along with Provincial Reconstruction Teams that
    include Foreign Service officers and other skilled public servants,
    coming in to ensure that improved security was followed by improvements
    in daily life. Our military and civilians in Iraq are performing with
    courage and distinction, and they have the gratitude of our whole
    Nation.
        The Iraqis launched a surge of their own. In the fall of 2006, Sunni
    tribal leaders grew tired of Al Qaida's brutality, started a popular
    uprising called the Anbar Awakening. Over the past year, similar
    movements have spread across the country. And today, the grassroots
    surge includes more than 80,000 Iraqi citizens who are fighting the
    terrorists. The Government in Baghdad has stepped forward as well,
    adding more than 100,000 new Iraqi soldiers and police during the past
    year.
        While the enemy is still dangerous and more work remains, the
    American and Iraqi surges have achieved results few of us could have
    imagined just 1 year ago. When we met last year, many said that
    containing the violence was impossible. A year later, high-profile
    terrorist attacks are down, civilian deaths are down, sectarian killings
    are down.
        When we met last year, militia extremists--some armed and trained by
    Iran--were wreaking havoc in large areas of Iraq. A year later,
    coalition and Iraqi forces have killed or captured hundreds of militia
    fighters. And Iraqis of all backgrounds increasingly realize that
    defeating these militia fighters is critical to the future of their
    country.
        When we met last year, Al Qaida had sanctuaries in many areas of
    Iraq, and their leaders had just offered American forces safe passage
    out of the country. Today, it is Al Qaida that is searching for safe
    passage. They have been driven from many of the strongholds they once
    held. And over the past year, we've captured or killed thousands of
    extremists in Iraq, including hundreds of key Al Qaida leaders and
    operatives.
        Last month, Usama bin Laden released a
    tape in which he railed against Iraqi tribal leaders who have turned on
    Al Qaida and admitted that coalition forces are growing stronger in
    Iraq. Ladies and gentlemen, some may deny the surge is working, but
    among the terrorists there is no doubt. Al Qaida is on the run in Iraq,
    and this enemy will be defeated.
        When we met last year, our troop levels in Iraq were on the rise.
    Today, because of the progress just described, we are implementing a
    policy of return on success, and the surge forces we sent to Iraq are
    beginning to come home.

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        This progress is a credit to the valor of our troops and the
    brilliance of their commanders. This evening I want to speak directly to
    our men and women on the frontlines. Soldiers and sailors, airmen,
    marines, and coastguardsmen: In the past year, you have done everything
    we've asked of you and more. Our Nation is grateful for your courage. We
    are proud of your accomplishments. And tonight in this hallowed Chamber,
    with the American people as our witness, we make you a solemn pledge: In
    the fight ahead, you will have all you need to protect our Nation. And I
    ask Congress to meet its responsibilities to these brave men and women
    by fully funding our troops.
        Our enemies in Iraq have been hit hard. They are not yet defeated,
    and we can still expect tough fighting ahead. Our objective in the
    coming year is to sustain and build on the gains we made in 2007 while
    transitioning to the next phase of our strategy. American troops are
    shifting from leading operations to partnering with Iraqi forces and,
    eventually, to a protective overwatch mission. As part of this
    transition, one Army brigade combat team and one Marine expeditionary
    unit have already come home and will not be replaced. In the coming
    months, four additional brigades and two Marine battalions will follow
    suit. Taken together, this means more than 20,000 of our troops are
    coming home.
        Any further drawdown of U.S. troops will be based on conditions in
    Iraq and the recommendations of our commanders. General
    Petraeus has warned that too fast a
    drawdown could result in, quote, ``the disintegration of the Iraqi
    security forces, Al Qaida-Iraq regaining lost ground, and a marked
    increase in violence.'' Members of Congress, having come so far and
    achieved so much, we must not allow this to happen.
        In the coming year, we will work with Iraqi leaders as they build on
    the progress they're making toward political reconciliation. At the
    local level, Sunnis, Shi'a, and Kurds are beginning to come together to
    reclaim their communities and rebuild their lives. Progress in the
    Provinces must be matched by progress in Baghdad. We're seeing some
    encouraging signs. The national Government is sharing oil revenues with
    the Provinces. The parliament recently passed both a pension law and de-
    Ba'athification reform. They're now debating a Provincial powers law.
    The Iraqis still have a distance to travel, but after decades of
    dictatorship and the pain of sectarian violence, reconciliation is
    taking place, and the Iraqi people are taking control of their future.
        The mission in Iraq has been difficult and trying for our Nation,
    but it is in the vital interest of the United States that we succeed. A
    free Iraq will deny Al Qaida a safe haven. A free Iraq will show
    millions across the Middle East that a future of liberty is possible. A
    free Iraq will be a friend of America, a partner in fighting terror, and
    a source of stability in a dangerous part of the world.
        By contrast, a failed Iraq would embolden the extremists, strengthen
    Iran, and give terrorists a base from which to launch new attacks on our
    friends, our allies, and our homeland. The enemy has made its intentions
    clear. At a time when the momentum seemed to favor them, Al Qaida's top
    commander in Iraq declared that they will not rest until they have
    attacked us here in Washington. My fellow Americans, we will not rest
    either. We will not rest until this enemy has been defeated. We must do
    the difficult work today so that years from now, people will look back
    and say that this generation rose to the moment, prevailed in a tough
    fight, and left behind a more hopeful region and a safer America.
        We're also standing against the forces of extremism in the Holy
    Land, where we have new cause for hope. Palestinians have elected a
    President who recognizes that confronting
    terror is essential to achieving a state where his people can live in
    dignity

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    and at peace with Israel. Israelis have leaders who recognize that a
    peaceful, democratic Palestinian state will be a source of lasting
    security. This month in Ramallah and Jerusalem, I assured leaders from
    both sides that America will do, and I will do, everything we can to
    help them achieve a peace agreement that defines a Palestinian state by
    the end of this year. The time has come for a Holy Land where a
    democratic Israel and a democratic Palestine live side by side in peace.
        We're also standing against the forces of extremism embodied by the
    regime in Tehran. Iran's rulers oppress a good and talented people. And
    wherever freedom advances in the Middle East, it seems the Iranian
    regime is there to oppose it. Iran is funding and training militia
    groups in Iraq, supporting Hizballah terrorists in Lebanon, and backing
    Hamas efforts to undermine peace in the Holy Land. Tehran is also
    developing ballistic missiles of increasing range and continues to
    develop its capability to enrich uranium, which could be used to create
    a nuclear weapon.
        Our message to the people of Iran is clear: We have no quarrel with
    you. We respect your traditions and your history. We look forward to the
    day when you have your freedom. Our message to the leaders of Iran is
    also clear: Verifiably suspend your nuclear enrichment so negotiations
    can begin. And to rejoin the community of nations, come clean about your
    nuclear intentions and past actions, stop your oppression at home, cease
    your support for terror abroad. But above all, know this: America will
    confront those who threaten our troops, we will stand by our allies, and
    we will defend our vital interests in the Persian Gulf.
        On the homefront, we will continue to take every lawful and
    effective measure to protect our country. This is our most solemn duty.
    We are grateful that there has not been another attack on our soil since
    9/11. This is not for the lack of desire or effort on the part of the
    enemy. In the past 6 years, we've stopped numerous attacks, including a
    plot to fly a plane into the tallest building in Los Angeles and another
    to blow up passenger jets bound for America over the Atlantic. Dedicated
    men and women in our Government toil day and night to stop the
    terrorists from carrying out their plans. These good citizens are saving
    American lives, and everyone in this Chamber owes them our thanks.
        And we owe them something more; we owe them the tools they need to
    keep our people safe. And one of the most important tools we can give
    them is the ability to monitor terrorist communications. To protect
    America, we need to know who the terrorists are talking to, what they
    are saying, and what they're planning. Last year, Congress passed
    legislation to help us do that. Unfortunately, Congress set the
    legislations to expire on February the 1st. That means if you don't act
    by Friday, our ability to track terrorist threats would be weakened and
    our citizens will be in greater danger. Congress must ensure the flow of
    vital intelligence is not disrupted. Congress must pass liability
    protection for companies believed to have assisted in the efforts to
    defend America. We've had ample time for debate. The time to act is now.
        Protecting our Nation from the dangers of a new century requires
    more than good intelligence and a strong military. It also requires
    changing the conditions that breed resentment and allow extremists to
    prey on despair. So America is using its influence to build a freer,
    more hopeful, and more compassionate world. This is a reflection of our
    national interests; it is the calling of our conscience.
        America opposes genocide in Sudan. We support freedom in countries
    from Cuba and Zimbabwe to Belarus and Burma.
        America is leading the fight against global poverty with strong
    education initiatives and humanitarian assistance. We've also changed
    the way we deliver aid by launching the Millennium Challenge Account.

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    This program strengthens democracy, transparency, and the rule of law in
    developing nations, and I ask you to fully fund this important
    initiative.
        America is leading the fight against global hunger. Today, more than
    half the world's food aid comes from the United States. And tonight I
    ask Congress to support an innovative proposal to provide food
    assistance by purchasing crops directly from farmers in the developing
    world, so we can build up local agriculture and help break the cycle of
    famine.
        America is leading the fight against disease. With your help, we're
    working to cut by half the number of malaria-related deaths in 15
    African nations. And our Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief is treating 1.4
    million people. We can bring healing and hope to many more. So I ask you
    to maintain the principles that have changed behavior and made this
    program a success. And I call on you to double our initial commitment to
    fighting HIV/AIDS by approving an additional $30 billion over the next 5
    years.
        America is a force for hope in the world because we are a
    compassionate people, and some of the most compassionate Americans are
    those who have stepped forward to protect us. We must keep faith with
    all who have risked life and limb so that we might live in freedom and
    peace. Over the past 7 years, we've increased funding for veterans by
    more than 95 percent. And as we increase funding, we must also reform
    our veterans system to meet the needs of a new war and a new generation.
    I call on Congress to enact the reforms recommended by Senator Bob
    Dole and Secretary Donna Shalala so we can improve the system of care for our wounded
    warriors and help them build lives of hope and promise and dignity.
        Our military families also sacrifice for America. They endure
    sleepless nights and the daily struggle of providing for children while
    a loved one is serving far from home. We have a responsibility to
    provide for them. So I ask you to join me in expanding their access to
    child care, creating new hiring preferences for military spouses across
    the Federal Government, and allowing our troops to transfer their unused
    education benefits to their spouses or children. Our military families
    serve our Nation, they inspire our Nation, and tonight our Nation honors
    them.
        The strength--the secret of our strength, the miracle of America, is
    that our greatness lies not in our Government, but in the spirit and
    determination of our people. When the Federal Convention met in
    Philadelphia in 1787, our Nation was bound by the Articles of
    Confederation, which began with the words, ``We the undersigned
    delegates.'' When Gouverneur Morris was asked to draft the preamble to
    our new Constitution, he offered an important revision and opened with
    words that changed the course of our Nation and the history of the
    world: ``We the people.''
        By trusting the people, our Founders wagered that a great and noble
    nation could be built on the liberty that resides in the hearts of all
    men and women. By trusting the people, succeeding generations
    transformed our fragile, young democracy into the most powerful nation
    on Earth and a beacon of hope for millions. And so long as we continue
    to trust the people, our Nation will prosper, our liberty will be
    secure, and the state of our Union will remain strong.
        So tonight, with confidence in freedom's power and trust in the
    people, let us set forth to do their business. God bless America.

    Note: The President spoke at 9:09 p.m. in the House Chamber of the U.S.
    Capitol. In his remarks, he referred to President Hamid Karzai of
    Afghanistan; Usama bin Laden, leader of the Al Qaida terrorist
    organization; Gen. David H. Petraeus, USA, commanding general, Multi-
    National Force--Iraq; President Mahmoud Abbas of the Palestinian
    Authority; and former Sen. Robert J. Dole and

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    former Secretary of Health and Human Services Donna E. Shalala,
    Cochairs, President's Commission on Care for America's Returning Wounded
    Warriors. The Office of the Press Secretary also released a Spanish
    language transcript of this address.