At
home, thanks to pro-growth policies and the hard work of the American
people, we overcame a recession and created over 2 million new jobs in
the past year alone. Now we move forward. We remain in a war the United
States will continue to lead -- fighting terrorists abroad, so we do not
have to face them here at home. We will strive to keep the world's most
dangerous weapons out of the hands of terrorists and tyrants. And our
nation will stand by the peoples of Afghanistan and Iraq as they build
free and democratic societies in their own lands -- because when America
gives its word, America must keep its word.
As I stated in my inaugural address, our security at home
increasingly depends on the success of liberty abroad. So we will
continue to promote freedom, hope and democracy in the broader Middle
East -- and by doing so, defeat the despair, hopelessness and
resentments that feed terror.
At home, too, we will expand freedom. We will continue to bring high
standards and accountability to our public schools, so that every child
can learn. We will transform our retirement and health systems, reform
the legal system and simplify the tax code, so that all Americans enjoy
the dignity and independence that comes from ownership. In this
ownership society, every citizen will have a real stake in the promise
of America. And our most valued institutions will be better prepared to
meet the new challenges of a new time.
This week, Washington has been marked by pomp and circumstance. In a
free nation, these ceremonies are more than pageantry. They underscore
that public office is a public trust. America's elected leaders derive
their authority from the consent of the American people, whom we serve.
This is a high privilege, and that privilege carries a serious
responsibility: to confront problems now, instead of passing them on to
future generations.
As long as I hold this office, I promise that I will serve all
Americans and will work to promote the unity of our great nation. And
working together, we will secure the blessings of liberty, not only for
ourselves, but for generations of Americans to come.
Thank you for listening.