[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 37, Number 52 (Monday, December 31, 2001)]
[Pages 1825-1826]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
The President's Radio Address

December 22, 2001

    Good morning. This week before Christmas was a busy one in 
Washington, DC. Members of Congress have returned home with many 
achievements to show for their work. Congress passed, and I will soon 
sign, the most important education reforms in a generation. We have 
taken strong action to support our military, protect our homeland, and 
make our airways more secure. The year

[[Page 1826]]

2001 also saw the largest tax relief in two decades.
    These achievements bring credit to the Congress, and I'm grateful 
for their work. I'm disappointed, however, that the Senate was not able 
to pass legislation to get our economy growing again and to help workers 
who have lost their jobs. I'm hopeful that the positive spirit of 
bipartisan accomplishment that guided much of this year's success will 
prevail when Congress returns early next year.
    Our thoughts in these coming days, however, do not center on public 
policy. Millions of Americans will be celebrating Christmas, marking an 
ancient birth of an eternal promise of peace on Earth and good will to 
men. This Christmas comes just months after a great national loss. We 
find ourselves appreciating more than ever the things that matter most: 
our families, our friends, and our faith. We count our blessings, and we 
remember all those who feel loss, separation, and need.
    For the families that lost a loved one on September the 11th or in 
the fighting in Afghanistan, this will be the first Christmas without a 
husband or a wife or a father or a mother or son or daughter. Our Nation 
shares their grief.
    Many thousands of our fighting men and women will spend Christmas 
far from home, accepting hardship and danger to protect us all. We are 
grateful to every military family for the sacrifice they are making for 
America. We owe them much.
    Our Nation is also thankful for the people of every faith, in every 
community, who make a special effort this time of year to help neighbors 
in need. So many good-hearted Americans are giving time or money to make 
sure that there's a hot meal for homeless people, a Christmas present 
for disadvantaged children, food for the hungry in foreign lands, or 
just a visit to bring comfort to someone who is lonely or sick.
    The year now ending saw a few acts of terrible evil. It also saw 
many more acts of courage and kindness and love. And these reflect the 
great hope of Christmas: A light shines in the darkness, and the 
darkness shall not overcome it.
    Laura and I wish a very joyous holiday to all Americans. May the 
peace and good will of the season fill every heart and warm every home.
    Thank you for listening, and Merry Christmas.

Note: The address was recorded at 10:00 a.m. on December 21 in the Oval 
Office at the White House for broadcast at 10:06 a.m. on December 22. 
The transcript was made available by the Office of the Press Secretary 
on December 21 but was embargoed for release until the broadcast. The 
Office of the Press Secretary also released a Spanish language 
transcript of this address.