TO THE FUTUREBy George W. Bush
At noon today it will be my great honor to take the Presidential Oath of Office for the second time. I am humbled by the trust and confidence of my fellow citizens. With that trust comes a duty to serve all Americans, and I will do my best to fulfill that duty every day as President.
Four years ago, I came to Washington with a commitment to solve problems, instead of passing them on to future presidents and future generations. I have tried to apply that principle to every decision I make in the Oval Office. And I am proud of what we have achieved.
We provided historic tax relief for America's small businesses and families — and now our economy is strong and creating jobs. We raised standards and insisted on accountability in public schools — and now children are making hopeful progress in reading and math. We strengthened and modernized Medicare — and soon America's seniors will have prescription drug coverage under Medicare.
These accomplishments met essential priorities, and they have made America stronger for future generations. Yet our greatest duties have been those that our country could not have envisioned on Inauguration Day four years ago.
The attacks of September 11th, 2001, brought grief to our nation and changed the course of history. Since that morning, our nation has fought the terrorists across the earth so that we do not have to face them here at home.
We are winning the war on terror because of the courage, idealism, and sacrifice of the United States military. Our men and women in uniform are making America safer and the world more peaceful. And my highest honor as President is to serve as their Commander in Chief.
In this new war, the wisest use of American strength is to advance freedom. America is more secure because the brutal tyrants of Afghanistan have been replaced by a freely elected President — the first in that nation's 5,000-year existence. America is more secure because the terror regime in Iraq is gone, and free Iraqis will soon choose their own leaders.
One lesson of history is that free societies do not export terror. Free governments respect the aspiration of their citizens and serve their hope for a better life. Free nations are peaceful nations. For the sake of our interests and our ideals, this great republic will always lead the cause of freedom.
We are also working to expand freedom here at home. Over the next four years, we will ease the burden of the complicated tax code by making it simpler and fairer. We will protect entrepreneurs and workers from frivolous lawsuits and needless regulation. We will make health care more affordable and accessible for American families. We will continue the work of education reform, especially in our public high schools. And we will fix Social Security for our children and grandchildren.
These are large goals. They will affect every American, and they do not belong to one politician or one party. Inaugurations are a time to leave behind the partisan debates of a political year, and focus on the opportunities that lie ahead. Working together, we can achieve important results and lay the foundation for a stronger, more prosperous country.
In this time of change, some things do not change: the values we try to live by, the institutions that give our lives meaning and purpose. America is stronger because of the volunteer groups and faith-based charities that provide a safety net of mercy and compassion. In our kind and decent society, we have a special duty to protect the weak and the vulnerable. I will continue to lead this good-hearted nation toward a culture of life.
For all Americans, these years in our history will always stand apart. There are quiet times in the life of a nation when little is expected of its leaders or its people. This is not one of those times. This is a time that requires firm resolve, clear vision, and the deep faith in the values that make our nation strong.
I am optimistic about the future of our great country. I am grateful for the opportunity to serve. And I know that for the United States of America, the best days lie ahead.
May God continue to bless America and all who call it home.