[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 40, Number 4 (Monday, January 26, 2004)]
[Page 93]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
The President's Radio Address

January 17, 2004

    Good morning. This coming week, I will report to the Congress and 
the American people on the state of our Union. Over the past few years, 
America has been confronted with great challenges, and the American 
people have responded with strength and compassion and confidence. This 
Nation is meeting its priorities, both at home and abroad.
    America continues to wage a relentless campaign against terrorists 
who threaten our country. We're fighting this war on the offensive, 
denying terrorists refuge, identifying and seizing their secret 
finances, and holding terrorists and their sponsors to account. These 
terrorists are still dangerous, and we will stay on the hunt until they 
are destroyed.
    Across the greater Middle East, America is confronting dangers and 
promoting democracy and hope as the alternative to terror and violence. 
Afghanistan, once ruled by the brutal Taliban regime, has adopted a new 
constitution and is following the path of democracy, including providing 
fundamental rights to women.
    The leader of Libya has now pledged to disclose and dismantle all of 
his weapons of mass destruction programs. And in Iraq, the enemies of 
freedom are being systematically routed from their holes and rounded up. 
Iraqis are assuming greater responsibility for their own security and 
future Government. American troops in that country are performing their 
duty with skill and courage, and we're proud of them all.
    Here at home, we continue to build prosperity and economic security 
for our people. Tax relief has helped turn our economy around. We've 
doubled the child tax credit, cut taxes for everyone who pays income 
taxes, and increased incentives for small businesses to invest in new 
equipment and create jobs.
    The results are clear. Our economy grew at its fastest pace in two 
decades in the third quarter of 2003. Manufacturers are seeing a rebound 
in new orders in factory activity, and more than a quarter-million new 
jobs have been created since August.
    Our Government has also acted to strengthen our Medicare system. To 
keep our commitment to America's senior citizens, we're adding better 
preventative care and a prescription drug benefit to the Medicare 
program. Many thought these reforms were impossible, yet members of both 
parties put old debates behind them and fulfilled our promise to 
America's seniors.
    On Tuesday night, I will outline the steps we must take to meet the 
goals of this Nation. We will work to expand opportunities for all 
Americans to own their own business. We'll press forward on an agenda of 
economic growth so that everyone who wants to work can find a job. We'll 
take steps to help families and small businesses deal with the rising 
cost of health care. We will continue to help schools and students meet 
the high standards we've set so no child in America is left behind. We 
will encourage the good work of faith-based groups that bring hope to 
those in need. For the sake of our own freedom and security, we will 
continue to fight the war on terror.
    With all these actions, we will continue to confront the challenges 
of our time, and we will continue to make America a more secure, more 
prosperous, and more hopeful place.
    Thank you for listening.

Note: The address was recorded at 9:20 a.m. on January 16 in the Cabinet 
Room at the White House for broadcast at 10:06 a.m. on January 17. The 
transcript was made available by the Office of the Press Secretary on 
January 16 but was embargoed for release until the broadcast. In his 
remarks, the President referred to Col. Muammar Abu Minyar al-Qadhafi, 
leader of Libya. The Office of the Press Secretary also released a 
Spanish language transcript of this address.