[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 37, Number 48 (Monday, December 3, 2001)]
[Pages 1710-1711]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
The President's Radio Address

November 24, 2001

    Good morning. Thanksgiving this year comes 72 days after a terrible 
national shock, an act of evil that caused, and continues to cause, so 
much suffering. Yet, the evil the terrorists intended has resulted in 
good they never expected. And this holiday season, Americans have much 
to be thankful for.
    We're thankful for the character of our fellow citizens who are 
flying flags and donating to charity and comforting those who grieve. 
Americans have aided the families of victims and the starving children 
of Afghanistan, half a world away. This country has a good and generous 
heart.
    We're thankful for the decency of the American people who have stood 
for the American tradition of tolerance and religious liberty, a 
tradition that has welcomed and protected generations of immigrants from 
every faith and background.
    We are thankful for new heroes, police officers and firefighters and 
emergency workers, who have renewed our respect for public service and 
provided lasting lessons in courage.
    We're thankful for the men and women of our military, who are 
defending our lives and liberty with such skill, honor, and success.
    We're thankful, this year even more intensely, for our lives and our 
families and the love of those around us. Americans are remembering what 
really matters--holding our children more closely, giving them more 
time.
    And we're thankful to God, who turned suffering into strength and 
grief into grace. Offering thanks in the midst of tragedy is an American 
tradition, perhaps because in times of testing, our dependence on God is 
so clear.
    The Pilgrims gave thanks even after the many deaths of a bitter 
winter. Abraham Lincoln proclaimed days of national thanksgiving even 
during a bloody Civil War. Lincoln asked God to heal the wounds of the 
Nation and to restore it, as soon as it may be consistent with the 
divine purposes, to the full enjoyment of peace, harmony, tranquility. 
We pray for this goal, and we work for it.
    In America, blessings are meant to be shared, and our Thanksgiving 
is revealed in concern for others. At this season, Laura and I hope 
you'll find ways to reach out and share your blessings and talents in 
your own communities: Tutor or mentor a child; volunteer in a hospital; 
support our troops by becoming active in the USO; comfort those who feel 
afraid; show your kindness to a Muslim neighbor; help someone in need of 
shelter or food or words of hope; and continue to pray for America.
    We will face difficult times ahead. The fight we have begun will not 
be quickly or easily finished. Our enemies hide and plot in many 
nations. They are devious and ruthless. Yet we are confident in the 
justice of our cause. We will fight for as long as it takes, and we will 
prevail.
    May God grant us patience, resolve, and wisdom in all that is to 
come. Happy Thanksgiving, and thank you for listening.

Note: The address was recorded at 9:50 a.m. on November 21 in the 
Cabinet Room at the White House for broadcast at 10:06 a.m. on November 
24. The transcript was made available by the Office of the Press 
Secretary on November 23 but was embargoed for release until the 
broadcast. The Office of the Press Secretary also released a Spanish 
language transcript of the address.

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