11 September 2001
Transcript: President Bush Address to the Nation September 11
(President denounces terrorist attacks in New York and Washington)
(750)
President Bush in a televised speech to the nation from the Oval
Office the evening of September 11 denounced what he called the "evil,
despicable acts of terror" earlier in the day that took thousands of
lives at the World Trade Center in New York and the Pentagon in the
nation's capital.
In the search underway to find those responsible and bring them to
justice, "we will make no distinction between the terrorists who
committed these acts and those who harbor them," Bush said.
Following is the White House transcript:
(begin transcript)
THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
September 11, 2001
STATEMENT BY THE PRESIDENT IN HIS ADDRESS TO THE NATION
The Oval Office
8:30 P.M. EDT
THE PRESIDENT: Good evening. Today, our fellow citizens, our way of
life, our very freedom came under attack in a series of deliberate and
deadly terrorist acts. The victims were in airplanes, or in their
offices; secretaries, businessmen and women, military and federal
workers; moms and dads, friends and neighbors. Thousands of lives were
suddenly ended by evil, despicable acts of terror.
The pictures of airplanes flying into buildings, fires burning, huge
structures collapsing, have filled us with disbelief, terrible
sadness, and a quiet, unyielding anger. These acts of mass murder were
intended to frighten our nation into chaos and retreat. But they have
failed; our country is strong.
A great people has been moved to defend a great nation. Terrorist
attacks can shake the foundations of our biggest buildings, but they
cannot touch the foundation of America. These acts shattered steel,
but they cannot dent the steel of American resolve.
America was targeted for attack because we're the brightest beacon for
freedom and opportunity in the world. And no one will keep that light
from shining.
Today, our nation saw evil, the very worst of human nature. And we
responded with the best of America -- with the daring of our rescue
workers, with the caring for strangers and neighbors who came to give
blood and help in any way they could.
Immediately following the first attack, I implemented our government's
emergency response plans. Our military is powerful, and it's prepared.
Our emergency teams are working in New York City and Washington, D.C.
to help with local rescue efforts.
Our first priority is to get help to those who have been injured, and
to take every precaution to protect our citizens at home and around
the world from further attacks.
The functions of our government continue without interruption. Federal
agencies in Washington which had to be evacuated today are reopening
for essential personnel tonight, and will be open for business
tomorrow. Our financial institutions remain strong, and the American
economy will be open for business, as well.
The search is underway for those who are behind these evil acts. I've
directed the full resources of our intelligence and law enforcement
communities to find those responsible and to bring them to justice. We
will make no distinction between the terrorists who committed these
acts and those who harbor them.
I appreciate so very much the members of Congress who have joined me
in strongly condemning these attacks. And on behalf of the American
people, I thank the many world leaders who have called to offer their
condolences and assistance.
America and our friends and allies join with all those who want peace
and security in the world, and we stand together to win the war
against terrorism. Tonight, I ask for your prayers for all those who
grieve, for the children whose worlds have been shattered, for all
whose sense of safety and security has been threatened. And I pray
they will be comforted by a power greater than any of us, spoken
through the ages in Psalm 23: "Even though I walk through the valley
of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me."
This is a day when all Americans from every walk of life unite in our
resolve for justice and peace. America has stood down enemies before,
and we will do so this time. None of us will ever forget this day.
Yet, we go forward to defend freedom and all that is good and just in
our world.
Thank you. Good night, and God bless America.
(end transcript)
(Distributed by the Office of International Information Programs, U.S.
Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)
|
NEWSLETTER
|
|
Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list
|
|
|
