[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 45, Number 3 (Monday, January 26, 2009)]
[Pages 95-96]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
The President's Radio Address

January 17, 2009

    Good morning. For the last 8 years, I have had the honor of speaking 
to the American people Saturday mornings through this radio address. In 
hundreds of broadcasts, I have talked to you about important issues 
affecting our security and our prosperity. And today in my final 
address, I want to send a simple and heartfelt message: Thank you.

[[Page 96]]

    Eight years ago, Laura and I left our home in Texas to come to 
Washington. Through two terms in the White House, we have been blessed 
by your kind words and generous prayers. We have been inspired by those 
of you who reach out to feed the hungry, clothe the needy, and care for 
the sick. We have been moved by the courage and devotion of those of you 
who wear the uniform. Serving as your President has been an incredible 
honor.
    Like every individual who has held this office before me, I have 
experienced setbacks. There are things I would do differently if given 
the chance. Yet I've always acted with the best interests of our country 
in mind. I have followed my conscience and done what I thought was 
right. You may not agree with some tough decisions I have made, but I 
hope you can agree that I was willing to make the tough decisions.
    The decades ahead will bring more hard choices for our country, and 
there are some guiding principles that should shape our course. While 
our Nation is safer than it was 7 years ago, the gravest threat to our 
people remains another terrorist attack. Our enemies are patient and 
determined to strike again. America did nothing to seek or deserve this 
conflict. But we have been given solemn responsibilities, and we must 
meet them. We must resist complacency. We must keep our resolve, and we 
must never let down our guard.
    At the same time, we must continue to engage the world with 
confidence and clear purpose. In the face of threats from abroad, it can 
be tempting to seek comfort by turning inward. But we must reject 
isolationism and its companion, protectionism. Retreating behind our 
borders would only invite danger. In the 21st century, security and 
prosperity at home depend on the expansion of liberty abroad. If America 
does not lead the cause of freedom, that cause will not be led.
    As we address these challenges and others we cannot foresee today, 
America must maintain our moral clarity. I've often spoken to you about 
good and evil. This has made some uncomfortable. But good and evil are 
present in this world, and between the two there can be no compromise. 
Murdering the innocent to advance an ideology is wrong every time, 
everywhere. Freeing people from oppression and despair is eternally 
right. This Nation must continue to speak out for justice and truth. We 
must always be willing to act in their defense and to advance the cause 
of peace.
    Eight years ago, on a cold January morning, I stood on the steps of 
the United States Capitol, placed my hand on the Bible, and swore a 
sacred oath to defend our people and our Constitution. On that day, I 
spoke of ``our Nation's grand story of courage and its simple dream of 
dignity.'' Next week, my term of service will come to an end, but that 
story and that dream will continue.
    On Tuesday, Laura and I will join all Americans in offering our best 
wishes to President Obama, his wife Michelle, and their two beautiful 
girls. And later that day, we will return to the love of family and 
friends in Texas. I will depart office proud of my administration's 
record, and I will spend the rest of my life grateful for the 
opportunity to have served as President of the greatest Nation on Earth.
    Thank you for listening.

Note: The address was recorded at 7:30 a.m. on January 16 in the Cabinet 
Room at the White House for broadcast at 10:06 a.m. on January 17. In 
his address, the President referred to Malia and Natasha ``Sasha'' 
Obama, daughters of President-elect Obama. The transcript was made 
available by the Office of the Press Secretary on January 16 but was 
embargoed for release until the broadcast. The Office of the Press 
Secretary also released a Spanish language transcript of this address.