and thanks for joining us for c-span's american history series speeches defined the presidency. tonight the focus is george

bush. well, it was january 29th, 2002, that president bush delivered his state of the union address. it was less than five months after the 911 terrorist attacks. bush spoke of an of evil, and he also about the state of our union. here's president bush 2002. mr.. the president, the united states.

members of congress, i have the high privilege and the distinct honor and presenting to you the president of the united states. thank you very much, mr.

speaker. vice president cheney, members of congress, distinguished guests, fellow citizens as we gather tonight, our nation is at war. our economy is in recession. and the civilized world faces unprecedented dangers. yet state of our union has been stronger. we last met in an hour. shock and suffering. in four short months.

our nation has comforted the victims, begun to rebuild new york and the pentagon rallied a great coalition captured, arrested it and rid the world of thousands. terrorists destroyed afghanistan's terrorist training camps, saved people from starvation and a country from brutal oppression oppression. the american flag flies again over our embassy in kabul. terrorists who once occupied afghanistan, now occupy cells at guantanamo bay.

and terrorist leaders who followers to sacrifice their are running for own. america and afghanistan are now allies against terror. we'll be partners in rebuilding that country. and this evening, we welcomed the distinguished interim leader of a liberated afghanistan. chairman karzai. the last time we met in this chamber, the mothers, daughters

of afghanistan were captives in their own homes, forbidden from working or going to school. today, women are free and are part of afghanistan's new government, and we welcome the new minister of women's affairs, dr. sima samar. our is a tribute to the spirit of the afghan people, to the resolve of our coalition and to the might of united states military.

when i called our troops in action, i did with complete confidence in their courage and skill. and tonight, thanks to them, we are winning the war on terror. the. the men and women of our armed forces delivered a message now clear to every enemy of the united states. even 7000 miles away, across oceans and continents, on mountaintops and in caves, you will not escape the of this nation.

for many americans, these four months have brought sorrow and pain that will never completely go away. every day, retired firefighter returns to ground zero to feel closer to. his two sons who died there. at a memorial in york, a little boy left his football with. a note for his lost father. dear daddy, please take this to heaven. i don't want to play football. i can play with you again someday. last month at the grave of her husband, michael, cia officer and marine died in mazar e sharif. shannon spann said these words of farewell. semper my love.

shannon is with us tonight. shannon, i assure you and all who have lost a loved one that our cause is just and our country will never forget the debt we owe. michael and all who gave their lives for freedom. our cause is just and it continues as our discovery in afghanistan confirmed our worst fears and showed us the true scope of the task ahead.

we seen the depth of our enemies hatred in videos where they laugh about the loss of innocent life and the depth. their hatred is equaled by the madness of the destruction they design. we have found diagrams of american nuclear plants and public water facilities detailed for making chemical weapons surveillance maps of americans and thorough descriptions of landmarks in america and throughout the world. what we have found in afghanistan confirms that far from ending their our war against terror is only beginning. most of the men who hijacked planes on september the 11th were trained in afghanis dance camps. and so tens of thousands of others. thousands of dangerous killers. school in the methods of murder.

often by outlaw regimes are now are now spread throughout the world like ticking time bombs set to go off without warning. thanks to the work of our law enforcement officials and coalition partners. hundreds of terrorists have been arrested, yet tens of thousands of trained terrorists are still at large. these view the entire world as battlefield and we must pursue them wherever they are. so long as training operate. so long as nations harbor terrorists, freedom is at risk and. america and our allies must not and will not allow. our nation.

and our nation will continue to be and patient and persistent in the pursuit of two great objectives. first, we will shut terrorist camps, disrupt plans, and bring terrorists to justice. and second, we must prevent the terrorists and regimes seek chemical, biological or nuclear weapons from threatening united states and the world. our military has put the terror training camps of afghanistan out of business, yet camps still exist in at least a dozen countries. a terrorist underworld, including groups like hamas, hezbollah, islamic jaish e mohammed operates in remote

jungles, deserts and hides in centers of large cities, while the most visible military action is in afghanistan. in america is acting elsewhere. we have troops in the philippines helping to train that country's armed forces to go after terrorist cells that have executed an american and still hold hostages. our soldiers working with the bosnian government sees terrorists who were plotting to bomb our embassy. our navy is patrolling the coast of africa to block the shipment of weapons and the establishment of camps in somalia. my hope is that all nations will heed, call and eliminate terrorist parasites who threaten their countries and our own many nations are acting forcefully part. pakistan is now cracking down on

terror, and i admire the strong leadership. president musharraf. but some governments will be timid in the face of terror. and make no mistake about. if they do not act, america will will. our second goal is to prevent regimes that sponsor terror from threatening america or our friends and allies with weapons

of mass destruction. some of these regimes have been quiet since september the 11th. but we know their true nature. north korea has a regime arming missiles and weapons of mass destruction while starving its citizens. iran aggressively pursues weapons and exports. terror while an unelected few repress the iranian people's hope for freedom. iraq continues to flaunt its hostility toward america and to support terror. the iraqi regime has plotted to develop anthrax and nerve gas and nuclear weapons for over a decade. this is a regime that has already used poison gas to murder of its own citizens, leaving the bodies of mothers huddled over their dead children. this is a regime that agreed to international inspections, then

kicked the inspectors. this a regime that has something to hide from the civilized world. states like these and their terrorist constitute an axis of evil. arming to threaten the peace of the world by seeking weapons. mass destruction. these regimes pose a grave and growing danger. they could provide these arms to terrorists, giving them the means to match their hatred. they could attack our allies or attempt to blackmail the united states in any of these cases, the price of indifference would be catalysts. we will closely with our coalition to deny terrorists and state sponsors the materials, technology and expertise to make and deliver weapons of mass destruction. we will develop and deploy

effective missile defenses to protect america and our allies from sudden attack. and nations should know america will what is necessary to our nation's security. we'll be deliberate. yet time is not on our side. i will not wait on events while dangers gather. i will not stand by as peril draws closer and closer. the united states of america will not permit the world's most dangerous regimes to threaten us with the world's destructive weapons.

our war on terror is well begun, but is only begun. this campaign may not be finished on our watch yet. it must be. and it will be. waged on our watch. we can't stop short if we stop now. leaving terror camps intact and terror states unchecked. our sense of security would be false and temporary. history has called america our allies to action. and it is both our responsibility and our privilege to fight freedom's fight.

our first priority must always be the security our nation. and that will be reflected in the budget i send to congress. my budget three great goals for america. we will win this war. we'll protect our homeland. and we will revive our. september the 11th brought out the best in america and the best in this congress. and i join the american people in applauding your unity and resolve. now, americans to have this same spirit directed toward addressing problems here at home.

i'm a proud of my party. yet as we act to win the war, protect our people and create jobs in america, we must act first and foremost. not as republicans not as democrats, but americans. it costs a lot to fight this war. we have spent more than $1,000,000,000 a month over, $30 million a day. and we must be prepared for. future operations. afghanistan proved that

precision weapons defeat the enemy and spare innocent lives. and we need more of them. we need to replace aging aircraft and make our military more agile to put our troops anywhere in the world quickly and safely. our men and women in uniform deserve the best weapons. the best equipment, the best training. and they also deserve another pay raise. my budget, the largest increase in defense spending in two decades. because the price of freedom and security is high, it is never

too high. whatever it cost to defend our country, we will pay. the next priority in my budget is to do everything possible to protect our citizens and strengthen our nation. against the ongoing threat of another attack time and distance from the events of september the 11th will not make us safer unless we act on its lessons. america is no protected by vast oceans. we are protected from only by vigorous action abroad and increased vigilance at home. my nearly doubles funding for a sustained strategy of homeland security focused on four key

areas bioterrorism, emergency response, airport and border security and improved intelligence. we will develop vaccine to fight anthrax and other deadly diseases. we will increase funding to help states and communities train and, equip our heroic police and. we will improve intelligence collection and sharing. expand at our borders. strengthen the security of air travel and use technology to track the arrivals. and departures of visitors to the states.

homeland security will make america not only stronger, but in many ways better. knowledge gained. bioterrorism research will improve public health. stronger police and fire departments will mean safer neighborhoods. stricter border enforcement will help combat illegal drugs. and as government to better secure our homeland, america will continue to depend on the eyes and ears of alert citizens. a few days before christmas, an airline flight attendants spotted a passenger lighting a match. the crew and passengers quickly subdued the man who had been trained al qaeda and was armed with explosives. the people on that were alert and as a result likely saved

nearly 200 lives. and we welcome and thank flight attendant muhtar gray and christina jones. once we have funded our national security and our homeland security the final great priority. my budget is economic, security. the american people.

to achieve these great national objectives, to win the war protect the homeland and revitalize our economy. our budget will run a deficit that will be small and short so long as congress restrain spending and acts in a fiscally responsible manner. we have clear priorities and we must act at home with the same purpose and resolve.

we have shown overseas we will prevail in the war. and we will defeat this recession. americans who've lost their jobs, our help and i support. extending unemployment benefits and direct assistance for health coverage. yet american workers want more than unemployment checks. they want a steady paycheck. when america works, america

prospers. so my economic security plan be summed up in one word jobs. good jobs. begin with good. schools. and here we've made a fine start. republican and democrats work together to achieve education reform so that no child is behind. i was proud to work with members of both parties. chairman john boehner and congressman miller.

senator gregg. and i was so proud of our work. i even had nice things to say about my friend ted kennedy. i know the folks at the crawford coffee shop couldn't believe i'd say such a thing. but our work on this bill shows what is possible if. we set aside posturing and, focus on results.

there's more to do. we need to prepare our children to read and succeed in school with improved head start and early childhood development programs. we must upgrade our teacher colleges and teacher training and launch a major drive with a great goal for america. a quality teacher in classroom. good jobs. also depend on reliable and affordable energy.

this congress must act to encourage conservation. promote technology. build infrastructure. and it must act to increase energy production at home. so america is less dependent on foreign oil. good depend on expanded trade selling in a new creates new jobs. so i ask congress to approve trade promotion. on these two quick issues. trade and. energy. the house of representatives has acted to create jobs. and i urge the senate to pass

legislation. good depend on sound tax policy. last year. some in this hall last year. some in this hall thought my tax relief plan was too small. some thought it was too big. but when the checks arrived in the mail, most americans tax relief was just about right. congress listened the people and

responded by reducing rates, doubling the credit and ending the death tax for the sake long term growth. and to help americans plan for the future, let's make these tax cuts permanent. the way out of this recession. the way to create jobs is to grow the economy by encouraging investment and factory and equipment. and by speeding up tax relief so people have more money spend. for the sake of workers, let's pass. and a stimulus package.

good jobs must be the aim of welfare reform as we reauthorize these reforms. we must remember the goal to reduce dependency on government and offer every american dignity of a job. americans no economic security can vanish in an without health security. i ask congress to join me this year to enact a patient's bill rights.

to give uninsured workers to help buy health coverage coverage. through improved, to approve an historic increase. the spending for veterans health. and to give seniors a sound and modern medicare system that includes coverage for prescription drugs. a good jobs a good job should lead to security and retirement. i asked congress to enact new for 401 k and pension plans

plans. employees have who have worked hard, saved all their lives, should not have to risk losing everything if their company fails. through stricter accounting and tougher disclosure requirements. corporate america be made more accountable to employees and shareholders and held the highest standards of conduct.

retiring and security also depends upon keeping the commitments of social security. and we will we must make social security financially stable and allow personal retirement accounts for younger workers, choose them. members, you and i will work together the months ahead on other issues productive farm policy. a cleaner environment environment. broader, especially among

minorities. and ways encourage the good work of charities and faith based groups groups. i ask you to join me on these important domestic issues in the same of cooperation we've applied to our war terrorism. during these last few months i've been and privileged to the true character of this country in a time of testing. our enemies believed america was weak and materialistic. that we would splinter in fear

and selfishness. they were as wrong as they are evil. the american people have responded magnificently with courage and compassion, strength and resolve. as i have met the heroes hug, the families, and looked the tired faces of rescuers, i have stood in awe of the american people. and i hope. you'll join me? i hope you'll join me in expressing thanks to one american for the strength and calm and comfort. she to our nation in crisis. our first lady, laura bush.

none of us would wish the evil that was done on september 11th. yet after america attacked, it was, as if our entire country looked into a mirror and saw our better selves. we were reminded that we are citizens with obligations to each other, to our country, and to history. we began to think less the goods we can accumulate and more about the good we can do. for too long, our culture has said, if feels good, do it now.

america. america's embracing a new ethic and a new creed. let's roll. in the sacrifice of soldiers, the fierce brotherhood of firefighters. and the bravery and generosity of ordinary citizens. we have glimpsed what a new culture of responsibility could look like. we want to be a nation that serves goals larger than self. we've been offered unique opportunity, and we must let this moment pass my call. my call tonight is for every

american to commit at two years. 4000 hours over the rest of your lifetime, to the service of your neighbors and your nation. many are already serving, and i thank you. if you aren't sure how to help. i've got good place to start. to sustain and extend the best that has emerged in america. i invite you to join the new usa freedom corps. the freedom corps will focus on three areas of need responding in case of at home rebuilding communities and extending american compassion throughout the world. one purpose of the usa freedom corps will be homeland security.

america needs retired doctors and nurses who can be mobilized. major emergencies. volunteers to help police and fire departments. transportation and utility workers. well trained in spotting danger. our country also citizens working to rebuild our communities. we need mentors to love, especially children whose parents are in prison. and we need more talented teachers in troubled schools. usa freedom corps will expand and improve the good efforts of americorps and senior corps to recruit more. 200,000 new volunteers. and america needs citizens to the compassion of our country to every of the world. so will renew the promise of the peace corps, double its volunteers the next five years.

and ask to join a new effort to encourage development and and opportunity in the islamic world. this time, adversity offers a unique moment of opportunity, a moment we must seize to change culture through the gathering momentum of millions of acts of service and decency and kindness. i know we can overcome with greater good. and we have a great during this time of war to lead the world toward the values that will

bring lasting. all fathers and mothers in all societies want their children to be educated and live free from poverty. violence. no people on earth yearn to be oppressed or aspire to servitude or eagerly await the midnight knock of the secret police. if anyone doubts this, let them look to afghanistan. then where the islamic street greeted the fall of tyranny was song and celebration. let the skeptics look to islam's own rich history with its centuries of learning and tolerance and progress. america will lead by liberty and justice. because they are right and true and unchanged being for all people everywhere.

no nation knows these aspirations. and no nation is exempt from them. we have no intention of imposing culture. but will always stand firm for the non-negotiable demands of human dignity. the rule of law, limits on the power of the state, respect for women private property, free speech, equal justice and religious tolerance.

america will take the side of brave men and women who these values around the world, including the islamic world, because we have a greater objective than eliminating threats and containing resentment. we seek a just and peaceful world beyond the war on terror. in this moment of opportunity a common danger is embracing old rivalries. america is working. russia and china and india in ways we have never before to achieve peace and prosperity in every region, free and free trade and free society are proving their power to lift lives together with friends and from europe to asia and africa to latin america. we will demonstrate that the forces of cannot stop the momentum, freedom.

the last time i spoke here, i expressed hope that life would return to normal in some it has. in others, it never will. those of us who have lived through these challenging times have been changed by them. we've come to know truths that we will never question. evil is real, and it must be opposed. beyond all differences of race or creed. we are one country mourning together and facing danger together. deep in the american character,

there is honor. and it is stronger than cynicism. and many have discovered that even in tragedy. especially in tragedy, god is near. in a single instant, we that this will be a decisive in the history of liberty that we've been called to a unique role in human events. rarely the world faced a choice more clear or consequential. our enemies sent, other people's children on missions of suicide and murder. they embraced tyranny and death as a cause, a creed. we for a different choice made

long ago. on the day of our founding. we affirm it again today we choose freedom and the dignity of every life. steadfast in our purpose. we now press on. we have known freedom's price. we have shown power. and in this great conflict. my americans. we will see freedom's victory maker. thank you all. may god bless.

and next week on speeches that define the presidency. it's barack obama responding to. gun violence with scripture and a hymn and a reminder that all of the that we've shown you in this series and all american history tv programs are available to watch online at c-span dot org org slash