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George Walker Bush
乔治·沃克·布什
Fellow citizens:
For eight years, it has been my honor to serve as your 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 we have traveled together and the future of our Nation.
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.
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 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.
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. 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.
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.
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. 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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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 . 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.
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. 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.
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.
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.
The decades ahead will bring more hard choices for our country, and there are some guiding principles that should shape our course.
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.
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.
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. 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.
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.
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.
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.
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. 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.
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.
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.
And so, my fellow Americans, for the final time: Good night. May God bless this house and our next President. And may God bless you and our wonderful country.
各位同胞：
过去的8年，我很荣幸地成为你们的总统。这个世纪的头10年是一个非常重要的时期。今晚，带着一颗感恩的心，我将利用这最后的机会和你们一起分享我的一些看法，回顾过去一起走过的时光以及我对国家未来的展望。
再过5天，世界将见证充满活力的美国民主政治。根据我们建国时创立的传统，总统职位将交给你们——美国人民选举出来的继任者。届时站在国会台阶上的那个人，他的经历将折射出我们这个国家长久以来的承诺。对于我们整个国家来说，这是一个充满希望和自豪的时刻。我将和其他所有美国人民一起，向当选总统奥巴马、他的妻子米歇尔以及他们两个漂亮的女儿送去最美好的祝愿。
今晚，我满怀感激之情，感谢我的副总统切尼以及白宫的每一位工作人员；我还要感谢我的妻子劳拉和我的女儿芭芭拉和詹娜，是她们给我的生活带来了无尽的快乐和爱意；我要感谢我的父母，他们给了我前进的动力。最重要的是，我要感谢所有美国人民给予我的信任。谢谢你们的祈祷让我斗志昂扬。在过去的8年里，你们给了我无穷的勇气和极大的宽容，我对此表示深深的感谢。
今晚，我的思绪回到了2001年9月11日，那是我第一次在这里发表晚间演说。那天上午，恐怖分子对美国发动了自珍珠港事件以来最为严重的恐怖袭击，造成约3,000人死亡。我记得自己3天后站在世贸大楼的废墟前的情景。我周围是那些夜以继日抢救伤者的救援人员。我记得我同那些穿过五角大楼浓烟密布的走廊进行救援的勇士交谈，同93号航班的英雄们的爱人对话。我记得阿勒内·霍华德，她当时把她死去儿子的警徽交给了我，以表达对逝者的思念之情。直到现在，我仍然珍藏着他的徽章。
随着时光流逝，绝大多数美国人都已从悲痛中走了出来，恢复了“9·11”之前的生活。然而，我还没有解脱。每天早上，我都会收到一份关于国家安全威胁的简报，那时我发誓要尽最大的努力来保证我们的安全。
在过去的7年中，我们成立了新的国土安全部。我们的军队、军事情报部门，以及FBI都进行了改革。为了监视恐怖分子的行动，我们已经做了充分的准备，我们冻结了恐怖分子的账户，并屡屡粉碎了他们的阴谋。我们与强大的同盟国一道共同打击恐怖分子以及那些支持恐怖分子的人。在我们的帮助下，阿富汗已经由恐怖主义的天堂转变成了一个逐步成熟的民主国家，那里的人们正和恐怖主义做斗争。此外，女孩子上学也得到了应有的尊重。伊拉克也已经摆脱了萨达姆的残酷统治，不再与美国为敌，成为中东心脏地带的民主国家，美国的朋友。
针对这些决策，存在着一些合理的争论，但对于这些结果却没有任何争议。在过去的7年多时间里，美国本土再也没有遭受过恐怖袭击，这要归功于那些日夜辛劳保卫我们安全的人：执法人员、情报分析人员、国土安全人员和外交官员，以及美军的士兵们。
承蒙上帝恩典，美国拥有这些愿意在国家危难之际挺身而出的人。我非常珍视与这些无私的爱国者以及他们家人进行的会面，美国人民感谢你们。对于那些今晚正在聆听这次演讲的美军士兵，我想说的是：这个世界上再也没有比成为你们的总司令更让人感到荣幸的事了。
美军正在进行的战争，广义上来看其实是两种不同体系之间的战争。一种是一小撮狂热分子要求人们完全臣服于受压迫的意识形态，他们迫害妇女并且杀害那些和他信仰不一样的人。另外一种体系则建立在普世的民主基础上，自由和正义是通往和平的道路。
美国，正是基于这样的信念诞生的。从长远来看，倡导这种信念是保卫我们国民的唯一切实有效的方法。当人们生活在民主政治中时，他们就不愿再去选择那些追随恐怖势力的领导者。当人们对未来充满希望时，他们就不会选择放弃生命来发动暴力袭击。因此，美国一直在全世界倡导自由、人权和尊严。我们向那些新兴的民主政体提供支持，向艾滋病人提供药物，让垂死的病人起死回生，让母亲和婴儿免受疟疾的困扰。自由是美国成立的唯一基石，并领导世界向一个自由普照全球的时代发展。
过去8年里，我们也努力增加美国人民所拥有的机会和希望。在美国，学生们现在可以在公立学校接受条件更好的教育；新的医疗福利政策让老人和残疾人更加安心；每一位纳税人的个人所得税降低了；通过信心重建计划，那些吸毒者也找到了新的希望；人们脆弱的生命得到了更好的保护；对于退伍老兵的补助几乎增加了一倍；美国的空气、水源以及土地比以前更加清洁了。
当繁荣遇到挑战时，我们勇敢地面对。当金融危机发生时，我们采取了果断的措施来保护我们的经济。对于那些辛勤工作的家庭来说，这是一个非常艰难的时期，但是如果我们不采取行动的话，后果会更严重。所有的美国人都受到了影响。团结一心的美国人将通过坚定的信心和辛勤的工作将我们的经济重新拉回增长的车道上。我们将向世界再次展示美国自由企业制度的复兴。
和所有前任一样，我也经历过挫折，如果可能的话，我会采取不一样的方式来应对这些挫折。不过，我总是以国家利益最大化为出发点。我对得起自己的良心，采取了我认为是正确的措施。你们可能不同意我所做出的一些艰难决定。但是我希望，你们能认为，我是一位愿意做出艰难决定的总统。
我们的国家在未来将面临更多的艰难选择，必须用一些指导性原则来指引我们的路线。
虽然我们的国家现在比7年前更为安全，但目前美国最严峻的威胁仍然是恐怖袭击。我们的敌人很有耐心，并且决意要再次发动袭击。美国没有试图挑起冲突或者做过任何导致冲突的错事。但我们肩负着庄严的责任，必须同恐怖主义做斗争。我们不能骄傲自满，要坚定决心，绝不能放松警惕。
与此同时，我们必须抱有信心和明确的目的参与世界事务。面对来自海外的威胁，在国内寻求安慰是一种诱人的举措。但是我们必须抵制孤立主义和保护主义，退缩只会招来危险。在21世纪，国内的安全和繁荣需要依靠国外自由的扩展。如果美国不领导自由事业，那么自由事业将无所适从。
在我们应对这些挑战时，我们今晚还无法预测其他的挑战，美国必须保持道德上的纯洁。我们经常谈及善恶问题，这可能令一些人颇感不适，但是目前这个世界确实存在着正义和邪恶，两者之间无法达成妥协。无论何时何地，杀害无辜者来推动一种意识形态都是错误的，把人们从压迫和绝望中解放出来永远是正确的。美国必须坚持为正义和真理而呼喊。我们必须保护正义和真理，并且推进和平事业的发展。
托马斯·杰斐逊总统曾写道：“相对于过去的历史，我更喜欢未来的梦想。”在我即将离开他两个世纪前所居住过的白宫时，我也持这种乐观的态度。美国是一个年轻的国家，充满了活力，在不断地发展与更新。即便是在最艰难的时候，美国仍然没有放弃对未来的梦想。
我对美国的未来充满信心，因为我了解我们民族的特质，这是一个鼓励移民为自由的梦想而去尝试一切事情的国家，这是一个面对危险仍能保持镇定的国家，这是一个面对苦难仍抱有同情心的国家。在身边的每一个人身上，我们都能看到美国的特征。劳拉和我已经邀请了其中的一些人今晚到白宫来参加这个聚会。
我们可以在托尼·里卡斯尼尔的身上看到美国的特质，这位校长在卡特里娜飓风的废墟上重建了他的学校。我们可以在胡利奥·梅迪纳身上看到这种特质，这位曾经的犯人领导着一个基于信仰的项目，帮助囚犯们重返社会。我们也可以在奥布里·麦克达德参谋军士身上看到这种特质，他在伊拉克时，冲入包围圈并成功营救出了三名海军陆战队队员。
我们在加州医生比尔·克里索夫身上看到了美国的这种特质，他的儿子纳塔恩，作为一名海军陆战队队员，在伊拉克献出了自己的生命。当我遇到克里索夫和他的家人时，他告诉我一个令我意想不到的消息：为了缅怀儿子，他想加入海军医疗团。这位好人已60岁，超过规定年龄的上限18年，但他的申请得到了批准。在过去的一年中，克里索夫得到了很好的锻炼，可惜已荣升少校的他今晚不能来到这里，因为他很快就会前往伊拉克，在那里他可以救助我们受伤的勇士，并继续他儿子未完成的事业。
我们在这些公民身上看到了我们国家最优良的品质：坚忍且充满希望，有爱心且坚强。这些品质使我对美国有不可动摇的信心。我们曾面临危险和考验，未来还会有更多的危险和考验。然而，依靠你们的勇气和信心，伟大的美国永远会坚如磐石，永远不会走向没落。
对我来说，能够担任你们的总统是我一生的荣耀。任期内，我有过欢乐也有过困苦。但我每天都被我们国家的伟大所鼓舞，为我们人民的善良所振奋。我对自己有机会代表我们所热爱的国家感到幸福，并且我也一直在为我们的国家祈祷。在以后的时光里，我会永远珍视这样的身份：美利坚合众国的公民。
所以，我亲爱的美国同胞，让我最后一次对你们说：晚安。愿上帝保佑白宫和我们的下一任总统。愿上帝保佑你们和我们这个美好的国家。
导读
2009年1月15日晚8时(北京时间16日上午9时)，美国总统布什发表电视告别演说，正式向美国国民道别。这位在任期内备受争议及批评的美国总统在告别演说中，表示在国内外政策上取得了一系列成功，同时也向国民承认了一些错误。布什称自己的总统任期为“在危机中取得重大成就”的时期。
单词注释
debate [di'beit] n. 辩论，讨论
extremism [ik'stri:mizəm] n. 极端性；极端主义
protected [prə'tektid] adj. 受（法律）保护的
inspire [in'spaiə] v. 鼓舞，激励
tough [tʌf] adj. 坚韧的，牢固的，折不断的；困难的，费力的
诵读名句
As the years passed, most Americans were able to return to life much as it had been before Nine-Eleven. But I never did.
I have cherished meeting these selfless patriots and their families.
In the face of threats from abroad, it can be tempting to seek comfort by turning inward.