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同胞们：
今天我站在这里，面对眼前的诸多困难，深感重任在肩。我感谢你们对我的信任，并铭记先辈们为了这个国家所做的献身。我感谢布什总统为国家做出的贡献，感谢他在两届政府过渡期间给予的慷慨与合作。
迄今为止，已经有44个美国总统宣誓就职。总统宣誓有时面对的是国家的和平繁荣，但通常面临的是乌云密布的紧张形势。在紧张的形势中，支持美国前进的不仅仅是领导人的能力和远见卓识，更是因为美国人民始终坚信国家先驱者的理想，并对我们的建国理念忠贞不渝。
前辈们如此，我们这一代美国人也必须如此。
现在我们都深知，我们身处危机之中。我们的国家在战斗，我们面对的敌人是分布广泛的暴力和仇恨势力；我们的经济也受到严重的削弱，原因虽有一些人的贪婪和不负责任，但更为重要的是我们作为一个集体在一些重大问题上决策失误，同时也未能做好应对新时代的准备。一些人失去了家园，一些人失去了工作，很多企业纷纷倒闭。社会的医疗保险费用过度昂贵、学校教育让许多人失望，而且每天的情况都在不断显示，我们使用能源的方式助长了敌人的威风，同时也威胁着我们星球的安全。
统计数据证实，我们已身陷危机。危机难以测量，但更难以测量的是其对美国人信心的动摇--现在一种认为美国衰落不可避免，我们的下一代不得不降低对美国的期望的说法正在吞噬着人们的自信。
听我说，这些威胁并非子虚乌有，它们不仅迫在眉睫而且多乱如麻。要想一挥而就解决这些问题绝非易事。我们要相信，我们一定会渡过难关。
今天，我们在这里齐聚一堂，因为我们选择希望而不是恐惧，选择齐心协力而不是冲突对立。
今天，我们宣布要为无谓的摩擦、不实的承诺和指责画上句号，我们要打破牵制美国政治发展的若干陈旧教条。
美国仍是一个年轻的国家，借用《圣经》的话说， “放弃幼稚的时代已经到来了。” 重拾坚韧精神的时代已经到来，我们要为历史做出更好的选择，我们要秉承历史赋予的宝贵权利，秉承那种代代相传的高贵理念：上帝赋予我们每个人以平等和自由，以及每个人尽全力去追求幸福的机会。
在重申我们国家伟大精神的同时，我们深知伟大从来不是上天赐予的，伟大需要靠努力赢取。我们的历程从来不是走捷径或退而求其次的历程。它不是弱者的道路--它不属于好逸恶劳或只图名利享受的人；这条路属于冒险者、实干家，创造者--有些人享有盛名，但大多数是默默无闻耕耘劳作的男女志士，是他们带我们走向通往繁荣和自由的漫长崎岖之路。
为了我们，先辈们打点起贫寒的行装上路，远涉重洋，寻找新生活；为了我们，先辈们忍辱负重，用血汗浇铸工厂；为了我们，先辈们在荒芜的西部原野辛勤耕作，定居他乡；为了我们，先辈们奔赴疆场，英勇捐躯，长眠于康科德城、葛底斯堡、（第二次世界大战中的）诺曼底和（越战中的）溪山。
一次又一次，我们的先辈们战斗着、牺牲着、操劳着，只为了我们可以生活得更好。他们看到的美国超越了我们每一个人的雄心壮志，也超越了所有种族、财富或派系的差异。
今天我们继续先辈们未尽的旅程。美国依然是地球上最繁荣、最强大的国家。同危机初露端倪之时相比，美国人民的生产力依然旺盛；与上周、上个月或者去年相比，我们的头脑依然富于创造力，我们的商品和服务依然很有市场，我们的实力不曾削弱。但是，可以肯定的是，维持现状的时代、保护狭隘利益的时代以及对艰难抉择犹豫不决的时代已经过去了。从今天开始，我们必须振作起来，拍拍身上的泥土，重新开启再造美国的事业。
无论我们把目光投向何处，都有工作在等待着我们。经济状况要求我们采取大胆且快速的行动，我们即将行动起来，不仅是要创造就业，更要为（下一轮经济）增长打下新的基础。我们将造桥铺路，为企业铺设电网和数字线路，将我们联系在一起。我们将回归科学，运用科技的奇迹提高医疗保险的质量，降低医疗成本。我们将利用风能、太阳能和地能驱动车辆，为工厂提供能源。我们将改革中小学以及大专院校，以适应新时代的要求。这一切，我们都能够做到，而且我们都将会做到。
现在，有人怀疑我们的雄心壮志，他们认为我们的体制承载不了太多的宏伟计划。他们太健忘了。他们已经忘了这个国家过去所取得的成就；他们已经忘了当创造力与共同目标以及必要的勇气结合起来时，自由的人民就会爆发出无穷的创造力。
这些怀疑论者的错误在于，他们没有意识到政治现实已经发生了变化，长期以来耗掉我们太多精力的陈腐政治观点已经过时。今天，我们的问题不在于政府的大小，而在于政府能否有效运转，政府能否帮助家庭成员找到薪水合适的工作、提供给他们可以负担得起的医疗保障并让他们体面地退休。哪个方案能给予肯定的答案，我们就推进哪个方案。哪个方案的答案是否定的，我们就选择终止。而掌管纳税人税金的人应当承担起责任，合理支出，摒弃陋习，磊落做事，这样才能重塑人民与政府的信任纽带。
我们面临的问题也不是市场好坏的问题。市场创造财富、拓展自由的能力无可匹敌，但是这场危机提醒我们，没有严格的监管，市场很可能就会失控--如果一个国家仅仅施惠于富裕者，其富裕便不能持久。国家经济的成败不仅仅取决于国内生产总值的大小，而且取决于繁荣的覆盖面，取决于我们是否有能力让每一位愿意致富的人都有机会走向富裕。我们这样做不是慈善，而是因为这是确保实现共同利益的途径。
就共同防御而言，我们绝不接受安全与理念不可两全的荒谬论点。当年，我们的先辈们面对我们几乎无法想象的危险，起草了确保法治和人权的宪章。一代代人民的鲜血夯实了这一宪章。今天，这些理念依然照耀着世界，我们不会为一时之利而弃之。因此我想对正在观看这一仪式的其他国家的人民和政府说，不论他们现在各国伟大的首府还是在如同我父亲出生地一般的小村落，我想让他们知道：对于每个追求和平与尊严的国家和个人而言，美国是你们的朋友，我们愿意再次领导大家踏上追寻之旅。
回想起先辈们从容地面对法西斯主义的时候，他们不仅依靠手中的导弹和坦克，他们还依靠稳固的联盟和坚定的信仰。他们深知单凭自己的力量我们无法保护自己，他们也深知我们强大并不足以使我们有权利为所欲为。他们明白，正是因为谨慎使用实力，我们才日益强大；我们的安全通过我们正义的事业、榜样的力量以及谦卑和克制的品质得以保障。
我们继承了这些遗产。在这些原则的再次指引下，我们有能力应对新的威胁，我们需要付出更多的努力、进行国家间更广泛的合作以及增进国家间的理解。首先，我们将以负责任的态度，将伊拉克交还给伊拉克人民，同时巩固阿富汗来之不易的和平。对于老朋友和老对手，我们将继续努力，不遗余力，削弱核威胁，遏制全球变暖的幽灵。我们不会在价值观念上退缩，也不会动摇捍卫它的决心。对于那些企图通过恐怖主义或屠杀无辜平民达成目标的人，我们要对他们说：我们的信仰更加坚定，不可动摇，你们不可能拖垮我们，我们定将战胜你们。
因为我们知道，我们的多元化遗产是一个优势，而不是劣势。我们是一个由基督教徒和穆斯林、犹太教徒和印度教徒，以及无宗教信仰者组成的国家。我们民族的成长受到许多语言和文化的影响，我们吸取了这个星球上任何一个角落的有益成分。正是因为我们民族曾亲尝过内战和种族隔离的苦酒，并且在经历了这些黑色的篇章之后变得更加强大更加团结，因此我们才确信一切仇恨终有一天都会成为过去，种族的划分不久就会消失，而且随着世界变得越来越小，我们共同的人性将得到彰显。在迎接新的和平时代到来的过程中，美国需要发挥自己的作用。
思索前方的路，我们无时无刻不在铭记那些远征沙漠和偏远山区的英勇美国战士，并对他们充满感激之情，他们和那些安息在阿灵顿国家公墓之下的战争英雄们一样，给予我们启示。
我们向他们致敬，不仅因为他们是自由的守护者，更因为他们体现了为国服务的精神，他们愿意在比自身更伟大的事业中发现人生的意义。此时此刻，在这个要塑造一代人的时刻，我们需要的正是这样一种精神。
虽然政府能有许多作为也必须有许多作为，但最终离不开美国人民的信仰和决心，这才是我们的立国之本。于防洪堤坝决堤之时收留陌生受难者的善意，于经济不景气的时候宁愿减少自己工时也不肯看着朋友失业的无私，正是这些，支撑着我们走过黑暗的时刻。消防队员冲入满是浓烟的楼梯抢救生命的勇气，父母养育孩子的坚持，正是这些决定了我们的命运。
我们面临的挑战可能前所未闻，我们应对挑战的措施也可能前所未有，但那些长期以来指导我们成功的价值观--勤奋、诚实、勇气、公平竞争、包容以及对世界保持好奇心，还有对国家的忠诚和爱国主义--却是历久弥新。这些价值观都是千真万确的。他们是创造美国历史的无声力量。我们现在需要的就是回归这些古老的价值观。我们需要一个新的负责任的时代，一个觉醒的时代，每个国人都应意识到：我们对自己、对国家和世界负有责任。对于这些责任，我们并非勉强接受，而是心甘情愿主动承担。我们应该坚定这一认识，即没有什么比全身心投入一项艰巨的工作更能锻炼我们的性格，更能获得精神上的满足。
这是公民应尽的义务，应做出的承诺。
这就是我们自信的来源，上帝号召我们要掌握自己的命运。
这就是我们自由和信仰的意义，这也是为何不同种族、不同信仰、不同性别和年龄的人可以同聚一堂在此欢庆的原因，也是我今天能站在这里庄严宣誓的原因，而在50多年前我的父亲甚至都不能成为地方餐馆的服务生。
所以，让我们铭记自己的身份，镌刻自己的足迹。在美国诞生的时代，那最寒冷的岁月里，一群勇敢的爱国人士围着篝火在冰封的河边取暖。首都被占领，敌人在挺进，冬天的雪被鲜血染成了红色。在美国大革命最受质疑的时刻，我们的国父们这样说： “我们要让未来的世界知道……在深冬的严寒里，唯有希望和勇气才能让我们存活……面对共同的危险时，我们的城市和国家要勇敢地上前去面对。”
今天的美国也在严峻的寒冬中面对共同的挑战，让我们记住国父们不朽的话语。带着希望和勇气，让我们再一次勇敢地面对寒流，迎接可能会发生的风暴。我们要让我们的子孙后代记住，在面临挑战的时候，我们没有屈服，我们没有逃避也没有丝毫动摇，我们脚踏实地、心怀信仰，我们将自由一代一代，薪火相传！
导读
2009年1月20日第56届（第44任）美国总统奥巴马发表了就职演说。奥巴马说，美国仍然是个年轻的国家，且这个时代受到了挑战，我们必须凝聚力量，重新塑造美国。但他并没有涉及有关经济刺激计划的更多细节。
单词注解
humble adj. 谦逊的；卑微的
grateful adj. 感激的，感谢的
segregation n. 隔离
embody v. 象征，具体表现
诵读名句
Forty-four Americans have now taken the presidential oath. The words have been spoken during rising tides of prosperity and the still waters of peace.
Now，there are some who question the scale of our ambitions-who suggest that our system cannot tolerate too many big plans.
America. In the face of our common dangers，in this winter of our hardship，let us remember these timeless words.
I Have a Dream
我有一个梦
Martin Luther King/马丁·路德·金
Five score years ago，a great American，in whose symbolic shadow we stand today，signed the Emancipation Proclamation. This momentous decree came as a great beacon light of hope to millions of Negro slaves who had been seared in the flames of withering injustice. It came as a joyous daybreak to end the long night of their captivity.
But one hundred years later，the Negro still is not free. One hundred years later，the life of the Negro is still sadly crippled by the manacles of segregation and the chains of discrimination. One hundred years later，the Negro lives on a lonely island of poverty in the midst of a vast ocean of material prosperity. One hundred years later，the Negro is still languished in the corners of American society and finds himself an exile in his own land. And so we’ ve come here today to dramatize a shameful condition.
……
And so even though we face the difficulties of today and tomorrow，I still have a dream. It is a dream deeply rooted in the American dream.
I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed： “We hold these truths to be self-evident，that all men are created equal.”
I have a dream that one day on the red hills of Georgia，the sons of former slaves and the sons of former slave owners will be able to sit down together at the table of brotherhood.
I have a dream that one day even the state of Mississippi，a state sweltering with the heat of injustice，sweltering with the heat of oppression，will be transformed into an oasis of freedom and justice.
I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.
I have a dream today！
I have a dream that one day，down in Alabama，with its vicious racists，with its governor having his lips dripping with the words of “interposition” and “nullification” -one day right there in Alabama little black boys and black girls will be able to join hands with little white boys and white girls as sisters and brothers.
I have a dream today！
I have a dream that one day every valley shall be exalted，and every hill and mountain shall be made low，the rough places will be made plain，and the crooked places will be made straight， “and the glory of the Lord shall be revealed and all flesh shall see it together?”
This is our hope，and this is the faith that I go back to the South with. With this faith，we will be able to hew out of the mountain of despair a stone of hope. With this faith，we will be able to transform the jangling discords of our nation into a beautiful symphony of brotherhood. With this faith，we will be able to work together，to pray together，to struggle together，to go to jail together，to stand up for freedom together，knowing that we will be free one day. And this will be the day-this will be the day when all of God’ s children will be able to sing with new meaning：My country’ tis of thee，sweet land of liberty，of thee I sing. Land where my fathers died，land of the Pilgrim’ s pride.
From every mountainside，let freedom ring！And if America is to be a great nation，this must become true.
And so let freedom ring from the prodigious hilltops of New Hampshire.
Let freedom ring from the mighty mountains of New York.
Let freedom ring from the heightening Alleghenies of Pennsylvania.
Let freedom ring from the snow-capped Rockies of Colorado.
Let freedom ring from the curvaceous slopes of California.
But not only that；let freedom ring from Stone Mountain of Georgia.
Let freedom ring from Lookout Mountain of Tennessee.
Let freedom ring from every hill and molehill of Mississippi.
From every mountainside，let freedom ring.
And when this happens，when we allow freedom ring，when we let it ring from every village and every hamlet，from every state and every city，we will be able to speed up that day when all of God’ s children，black men and white men，Jews and Gentiles，Protestants and Catholics，will be able to join hands and sing in the words of the old Negro spiritual：Free at last! free at last! Thank God Almighty，we are free at last!
一百年前，一位伟大的美国人--今天我们就站在他的雕像下--正式签署了《解放宣言》。这项重要法令的颁布，如一座伟大的灯塔，照亮了当时挣扎于不义之火焚烧下的数百万黑奴的希望；它像欢快的破晓曙光，结束了黑人陷于囹圄的漫漫长夜。
然而，整整一百年过去了，我们却仍然得面对这个悲惨的现实：黑人依然得不到自由；整整一百年过去了，黑人依然被种族隔离的镣铐和种族歧视的锁链羁绊着，举步维艰；整整一百年过去了，在物质繁荣的汪洋大海中，黑人却依然独自生存在贫穷的孤岛之上；整整一百年过去了，黑人依然在美国社会的阴暗角落里向隅而泣，在自己的土地上却依然流离失所。因此，我们今天来到这里，把这种骇人听闻的情况公布于众。
……
朋友们，今天我要告诉你们，尽管此刻困难挫折重重，但我仍然有一个梦想。这个梦深深扎根于伟大的美国梦之中。
我有一个梦想：总有一天这个国家会奋然而起，实现其信条的真谛： “我们认为这些真理是不言而喻的。每个人生来就是平等的。”
我有一个梦想：总有一天在佐治亚州的红色山冈上，昔日奴隶的儿子与昔日主人的儿子能够如兄弟手足般同桌而坐。
我有一个梦想：总有一天就算是密西西比这样一个被不公正与种族压迫的热潮所统治着的荒漠之州，也能转变成一方自由和正义的绿洲。
我有一个梦想：总有一天我的四个孩子将生活在一个不以他们的肤色，而是以他们内在品质来评价他们的国度中。
今天，我有一个梦想。
我有一个梦想：总有一天阿拉巴马州--该州州长今天仍在喋喋不休地说着不同意也不执行联邦法令的话语--能有所不同，黑人的小男孩与小女孩能够和白人的小男孩与小女孩如兄弟姐妹般携手同行。
今天，我有一个梦想。
我有一个梦想：总有一天幽谷会上升，高山会下降，崎岖之地将变为坦荡的平原，曲折之路将变为笔直的大道；主的荣光将会显现，芸芸众生同声赞叹。
这是我们的渴望，也是将随我返回南方去的信念。靠着这个信念，我们就能从绝望之山开凿出希望之石。靠着这个信念，我们就能把我们国家里种族争斗的不和谐之音，转谱成一曲兄弟般友爱的动人交响曲。靠着这个信念，我们就能共同工作、共同祈盼、共同战斗、共同昂首入狱、共同维护自由。我们知道，总有一天，我们会获得自由。当这一天到来时，上帝所有的子民都能以全新的意义高唱：我的祖国，亲爱的自由之邦，我为你歌唱。这是祖先安息的故园，这是朝圣者为之自豪的土地。让自由之声在每一座山峰回响！
当美国成为真正伟大的国家时，这一切必将成真。
因此，让自由之声在新罕布什尔州的巍峨高峰回响！
让自由之声在纽约州的雄伟山脉中回响！
让自由之声在宾夕法尼亚州高耸的阿勒格尼山峰回响！
让自由之声在科罗拉多州白雪皑皑的洛基山回响！
让自由之声在加利福尼亚州的柔美群峰回响！
不，不仅如此，让自由之声在佐治亚州的石山回响！
让自由之声在田纳西州的远眺山峰回响！
让自由之声在密西西比州的每一座山巅，每一座丘陵回响！
让自由之声在每一处山坡回响！
当我们让自由之声回响时，当我们让自由之声在每一个山村、每一处村寨、每一个州、每一座城回响时，我们就能让这一天早日降临。到那时，上帝所有的孩子--白人与黑人，犹太人与非犹太人，基督教徒与天主教徒--携手同唱那首古老的黑人圣歌： “终于自由了！终于自由了！感谢全能的上帝，我们终于自由了！”
导读
1963年8月23日，马丁·路德·金组织了美国历史上影响深远的 “自由进军” 运动。他率领一支庞大的游行队伍向首都华盛顿进军，为全美国的黑人争取人权。他在林肯纪念堂前向25万人发表了著名的演说《我有一个梦想》，号召大家为反对种族歧视、争取平等而努力。
单词注释
chain n. 链，链条；项圈
transform v. 改造；改革；改善
drip v. 滴下
prodigious adj. 巨大的；庞大的
mighty adj. 强大的；强有力的
诵读名句
Five score years ago，a great American，in whose symbolic shadow we stand today，signed the Emancipation Proclamation.
I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed： “We hold these truths to be self-evident，that all men are created equal.”
This is our hope，and this is the faith that I go back to the South with With this faith，we will be able to hew out of the mountain of despair a stone of hope.
Farewell Address
布什告别演说
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 3，000lives 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 60years old-18years 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.