[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 37, Number 37 (Monday, September 17, 2001)]
[Pages 1301-1302]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Address to the Nation on the Terrorist Attacks

September 11, 2001

    Good evening. Today our fellow citizens, our way of life, our very 
freedom came under attack in a series of deliberate and deadly terrorist 
acts. The victims were in airplanes or in their offices: secretaries, 
business men and women, military and Federal workers, moms and dads, 
friends and neighbors. Thousands of lives were suddenly ended by evil, 
despicable acts of terror.
    The pictures of airplanes flying into buildings, fires burning, huge 
structures collapsing, have filled us with disbelief, terrible sadness, 
and a quiet, unyielding anger. These acts of mass murder were intended 
to frighten our Nation into chaos and retreat, but they have failed. Our 
country is strong.
    A great people has been moved to defend a great nation. Terrorist 
attacks can shake the foundations of our biggest buildings, but they 
cannot touch the foundation of America. These acts shattered steel, but 
they cannot dent the steel of American resolve. America was targeted for 
attack because we're the brightest beacon for freedom and opportunity in 
the world. And no one will keep that light from shining.
    Today our Nation saw evil, the very worst of human nature. And we 
responded with the best of America, with the daring of our 
rescueworkers, with the caring for strangers and neighbors who came to 
give blood and help in any way they could.
    Immediately following the first attack, I implemented our 
Government's emergency response plans. Our military is powerful, and 
it's prepared. Our emergency teams are working in New York City and 
Washington, DC, to help with local rescue efforts.
    Our first priority is to get help to those who have been injured and 
to take every precaution to protect our citizens at home and around the 
world from further attacks.
    The functions of our Government continue without interruption. 
Federal agencies in Washington which had to be evacuated today are 
reopening for essential personnel tonight and will be open for business 
tomorrow. Our financial institutions remain strong, and the American 
economy will be open for business, as well.
    The search is underway for those who are behind these evil acts. 
I've directed the full resources of our intelligence and law enforcement 
communities to find those responsible and to bring them to justice. We 
will make no distinction between the terrorists who committed these acts 
and those who harbor them.

[[Page 1302]]

    I appreciate so very much the Members of Congress who have joined me 
in strongly condemning these attacks. And on behalf of the American 
people, I thank the many world leaders who have called to offer their 
condolences and assistance.
    America and our friends and allies join with all those who want 
peace and security in the world, and we stand together to win the war 
against terrorism. Tonight I ask for your prayers for all those who 
grieve, for the children whose worlds have been shattered, for all whose 
sense of safety and security has been threatened. And I pray they will 
be comforted by a power greater than any of us, spoken through the ages 
in Psalm 23: ``Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of 
death, I fear no evil, for You are with me.''
    This is a day when all Americans from every walk of life unite in 
our resolve for justice and peace. America has stood down enemies 
before, and we will do so this time. None of us will ever forget this 
day. Yet, we go forward to defend freedom and all that is good and just 
in our world.
    Thank you. Good night, and God bless America.

Note: The President spoke at 8:30 p.m. in the Oval Office at the White 
House.