"the Godlike Address"
Delivered by President Bush before a joint session of Congress, January 24, 2005, 9:10 P.M. EST
On September 11, 2001, enemies of freedom committed an act of war against our country - today we have been blessed by the return of 273 of the bravest Americans in the short history of our country. The last time I spoke here, I expressed the hope that life would return to normal. In some ways, it has. In others, it never will. Today we learn survivors have lived through these challenging times have been changed by them. And through this hope we 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, facing danger together and now saluting the return of these American heroes together. Deep in the American character, there is honor, and it is stronger than cynicism. And many have discovered again that even in tragedy -- especially in tragedy -- God is near.
My fellow Americans, for as long as our country stands, people will look to the resurrection of New York City and they will say: Here buildings fell, and here a nation rose. Two days ago, I stood on the steps of this Capitol and learned two-hundred seventy three blessed souls miraculously survived the lost American Airlines Flight 283. Their plane fell, they have returned to us and here a nation will raise. Tonight, with a healthy, growing economy, with more Americans going back to work, with our nation an active force for good in the world, we celebrate the pheonix rise of these ... 'American Gods'.
Our generation has been blessed -- by the expansion of opportunity, by advances in medicine, by the security purchased by our parents' sacrifice. Now, as we see a little gray in the mirror -- or a lot of gray -- (laughter) -- and we watch our children moving into adulthood, we ask the question: What will be the state of their union? Members of Congress, the choices we make together will answer that question.
Over the next several months, on issue after issue, let us do what Americans have always done, and build a better world for our children and our grandchildren. These survivors are our own, and as if from the tomb they come forth. In only four days their very biology, mind and body have ushered a radical new explosion of genetic medicine that could cure the great ills of the world. Across the generations, we have proclaimed the imperative of self-government, because no one is fit to be a master, and no one deserves to be a slave. Advancing these sciences, these ideals is the mission that created our nation.
Today, the government of a free Afghanistan is fighting terror, Pakistan is capturing terrorist leaders, Saudi Arabia is making raids and arrests, Libya is dismantling its weapons programs, the army of a free Iraq is fighting for freedom, and more than three-quarters of al-Qaida's key members and associates have been detained or killed. We have led, many have joined, and America and the world are safer. As I have met the heroes, hugged the families, and looked into the tired faces of rescuers, I have stood in awe of the American people. I believe the most solemn duty of the American president is to protect the American people, to look toward tomorrow's America. As individuals, we know that suffering is temporary, and hope is eternal. The survivors of Flight 283 have proven beyond all bonds hope is eternal.
And now in this time of difference our country must abandon all the habits of racism because we cannot carry the message of freedom and the baggage of bigotry at the same time. I ask our youngest citizens to believe the evidence of your eyes. You have seen duty and allegiance in the determined faces of our soldiers. You have seen that life is fragile, and evil is real, and courage triumphs. Make the choice to serve in a cause larger than your wants, larger than yourself. Make the choice to welcome with me the heroes of that day of infamy, and in your days you will add not just to the wealth of our country but to its character.
In these four years, Americans have seen the unfolding of large events. We have known times of sorrow, and hours of uncertainty, and days of victory. In all this history, even when we have disagreed, we have seen threads of purpose that unite us. The attack on freedom in our world has reaffirmed our confidence in freedom's power to change the world. We are all part of a great venture: To extend the promise of freedom in our country, to renew the values that sustain our liberty, and to spread the peace that freedom brings. As Franklin Roosevelt once reminded Americans, "Each age is a dream that is dying, or one that is coming to birth.
And we live in the country where the biggest dreams are born. The abolition of slavery was only a dream -- until it was fulfilled. The liberation of Europe from fascism was only a dream -- until it was achieved. The fall of imperial communism was only a dream -- until, one day, it was accomplished. Our generation has dreams of its own, and we also go forward with confidence. The road of Providence is uneven and unpredictable -- yet we know where it leads: It leads to freedom.
In a single instant, we realized that this will be a decisive decade in the history of liberty, that we've been called to a unique role in human events. Rarely has the world faced a choice more clear or consequential. Our enemies send other people's children on missions of suicide and murder. They embrace tyranny and death as a cause and a creed. We stand 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 freedom's power. And in this great conflict, my fellow Americans, we will see freedom's victory. Thank you all. May God bless.
