[转帖]布什告别演讲全文
Fellow citizens: For eight years, it has been my honor to serve asyour President. The first decade of this new century has been a period
of consequence – a time set apart. Tonight, with a thankful heart, I
have asked for a final opportunity to share some thoughts on the
journey that we have traveled together and the future of our Nation.
<p> Five days from now, the world will witness the vitality of
American democracy. In a tradition dating back to our founding, the
presidency will pass to a successor chosen by you, the American
people. Standing on the steps of the Capitol will be a man whose story
reflects the enduring promise of our land. This is a moment of hope
and pride for our whole Nation. And I join all Americans in offering
best wishes to President-elect Obama, his wife Michelle, and their two
beautiful girls. </p>
<p> Tonight I am filled with gratitude – to Vice President Cheney and
members of the Administration; to Laura, who brought joy to this house
and love to my life; to our wonderful daughters, Barbara and Jenna; to
my parents, whose examples have provided strength for a lifetime. And
above all, I thank the American people for the trust you have given
me. I thank you for ....</p>
<p> ...the prayers that have lifted my spirits. And I thank you for
the countless acts of courage, generosity, and grace that I have
witnessed these past eight years. </p>
<p> This evening, my thoughts return to the first night I addressed
you from this house – September 11, 2001. That morning, terrorists
took nearly 3,000 lives in the worst attack on America since Pearl
Harbor. I remember standing in the rubble of the World Trade Center
three days later, surrounded by rescuers who had been working around
the clock. </p>
<p> I remember talking to brave souls who charged through smoke-filled
corridors at the Pentagon and to husbands and wives whose loved ones
became heroes aboard Flight 93. I remember Arlene Howard, who gave me
her fallen son’s police shield as a reminder of all that was lost. And
I still carry his badge. </p>
<p> As the years passed, most Americans were able to return to life
much as it had been before Nine-Eleven. But I never did. Every
morning, I received a briefing on the threats to our Nation. And I
vowed to do everything in my power to keep us safe. </p>
<p> Over the past seven years, a new Department of Homeland Security
has been created. The military, the intelligence community, and the
FBI have been transformed. Our Nation is equipped with new tools to
monitor the terrorists’ movements, freeze their finances, and break up
their plots. And with strong allies at our side, we have taken the
fight to the terrorists and those who support them. </p>
<p> Afghanistan has gone from a nation where the Taliban harbored al
Qaeda and stoned women in the streets to a young democracy that is
fighting terror and encouraging girls to go to school. Iraq has gone
from a brutal dictatorship and a sworn enemy of America to an Arab
democracy at the heart of the Middle East and a friend of the United
States.</p>
<p> There is legitimate debate about many of these decisions. But
there can be little debate about the results. America has gone more
than seven years without another terrorist attack on our soil. This is
a tribute to those who toil night and day and night to keep us safe –
law enforcement officers, intelligence analysts, homeland security and
diplomatic personnel, and the men and women of the United States Armed
Forces. </p>
<p> Our Nation is blessed to have citizens who volunteer to defend us
in this time of danger. I have cherished meeting these selfless
patriots and their families. America owes you a debt of gratitude.
And to all our men and women in uniform listening tonight: There has
been no higher honor than serving as your Commander in Chief.</p>
<p> The battles waged by our troops are part of a broader struggle
between two dramatically different systems. Under one, a small band of
fanatics demands total obedience to an oppressive ideology, condemns
women to subservience, and marks unbelievers for murder. The other
system is based on the conviction that freedom is the universal gift of
Almighty God and that liberty and justice light the path to peace. </p>
<p> This is the belief that gave birth to our Nation. And in the long
run, advancing this belief is the only practical way to protect our
citizens. When people live in freedom, they do not willingly choose
leaders who pursue campaigns of terror. When people have hope in the
future, they will not cede their lives to violence and extremism. </p>
<p> So around the world, America is promoting human liberty, human
rights, and human dignity. We are standing with dissidents and young
democracies, providing AIDS medicine to bring dying patients back to
life, and sparing mothers and babies from malaria. And this great
republic born alone in liberty is leading the world toward a new age
when freedom belongs to all nations. </p>
<p> For eight years, we have also strived to expand opportunity and
hope here at home. Across our country, students are rising to meet
higher standards in public schools. A new Medicare prescription drug
benefit is bringing peace of mind to seniors and the disabled. Every
taxpayer pays lower income taxes. </p>
<p> The addicted and suffering are finding new hope through
faith-based programs. Vulnerable human life is better protected.
Funding for our veterans has nearly doubled. America’s air, water, and
lands are measurably cleaner. And the Federal bench includes wise new
members like Justice Sam Alito and Chief Justice John Roberts. </p>
<p> When challenges to our prosperity emerged, we rose to meet them.
Facing the prospect of a financial collapse, we took decisive measures
to safeguard our economy. These are very tough times for hardworking
families, but the toll would be far worse if we had not acted. All
Americans are in this together. And together, with determination and
hard work, we will restore our economy to the path of growth. We will
show the world once again the resilience of America’s free enterprise
system.</p>
<p> Like all who have held this office before me, I have experienced
setbacks. There are things I would do differently if given the
chance. Yet I have 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.</p>
<p> The decades ahead will bring more hard choices for our country,
and there are some guiding principles that should shape our course. </p>
<p> While our Nation is safer than it was seven 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. </p>
<p> 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.</p>
<p> As we address these challenges – and others we cannot foresee
tonight – America must maintain our moral clarity. I have 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. </p>
<p> 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.</p>
<p> President Thomas Jefferson once wrote, “I like the dreams of the
future better than the history of the past.” As I leave the house he
occupied two centuries ago, I share that optimism. America is a young
country, full of vitality, constantly growing and renewing itself. And
even in the toughest times, we lift our eyes to the broad horizon
ahead. </p>
<p> I have confidence in the promise of America because I know the
character of our people. This is a Nation that inspires immigrants to
risk everything for the dream of freedom. This is a Nation where
citizens show calm in times of danger and compassion in the face of
suffering. We see examples of America’s character all around us. And
Laura and I have invited some of them to join us in the White House
this evening. </p>
<p> We see America’s character in Dr. Tony Recasner, a principal who
opened a new charter school from the ruins of Hurricane Katrina. We
see it in Julio Medina, a former inmate who leads a faith-based program
to help prisoners returning to society. We see it in Staff Sergeant
Aubrey McDade, who charged into an ambush in Iraq and rescued three of
his fellow Marines. </p>
<p> We see America’s character in Bill Krissoff, a surgeon from
California. His son Nathan, a Marine, gave his life in Iraq. When I
met Dr. Krissoff and his family, he delivered some surprising news: He
told me he wanted to join the Navy Medical Corps in honor of his son.
This good man was 60 years old – 18 years above the age limit. </p>
<p> But his petition for a waiver was granted, and for the past year
he has trained in battlefield medicine. Lieutenant Commander Krissoff
could not be here tonight, because he will soon deploy to Iraq, where
he will help save America’s wounded warriors and uphold the legacy of
his fallen son.</p>
<p> In citizens like these, we see the best of our country – resilient
and hopeful, caring and strong. These virtues give me an unshakable
faith in America. We have faced danger and trial, and there is more
ahead. But with the courage of our people and confidence in our
ideals, this great Nation will never tire … never falter … and never
fail.</p>
<p> It has been the privilege of a lifetime to serve as your
President. There have been good days and tough days. But every day I
have been inspired by the greatness of our country and uplifted by the
goodness of our people. I have been blessed to represent this Nation
we love. And I will always be honored to carry a title that means more
to me than any other: citizen of the United States of America. </p> <p>要是能再把汉语弄上，可以中英文对照一下，就更好了。嘿嘿。。</p>
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