George W. Bush: 2000 Victory Speech　　

"I was not elected to serve one party, but to serve one nation"　　

Delivered 13 December 2000　　

Thank you all.　　

Thank you very much. Thank you.　　

Thank you very much.　　

Good evening, my fellow Americans. I appreciate so very much the opportunity to speak with you tonight.　　

Mr. Speaker, Lieutenant Governor, friends, distinguished guests, our country has been through a long and trying period, with the outcome of the presidential election not finalized for longer than any of us could ever imagine.　　

Vice President Gore and I put our hearts and hopes into our campaigns. We both gave it our all. We shared similar emotions, so I understand how difficult this moment must be for Vice President Gore and his family.　　

He has a distinguished record of service to our country as a congressman, a senator and a vice president.　　

This evening I received a gracious call from the vice president. We agreed to meet early next week in 　　Washington　　, and we agreed to do our best to heal our country after this hard-fought contest.　　

Tonight I want to thank all the thousands of volunteers and campaign workers who worked so hard on my behalf.　　

I also salute the vice president and his supports for waging a spirited campaign. And I thank him for a call that I know was difficult to make. Laura and I wish the vice president and Senator Lieberman and their families the very best.　　

I have a lot to be thankful for tonight. I'm thankful for 　　America　　 and thankful that we were able to resolve our electoral differences in a peaceful way.　　

I'm thankful to the American people for the great privilege of being able to serve as your next president.　　

I want to thank my wife and our daughters for their love. Laura's active involvement as first lady has made 　Texas　 a better place, and she will be a wonderful first lady of 　　America　　.　　

I am proud to have Dick Cheney by my side, and 　　America　　 will be proud to have him as our next vice president.　　

Tonight, I chose to speak from the chamber of the Texas House of Representatives because it has been a home to bipartisan cooperation. Here in a place where Democrats have the majority, Republicans and Democrats have worked together to do what is right for the people we represent.　　

We've had spirited disagreements. And in the end, we found constructive consensus. It is an experience I will always carry with me, an example I will always follow.　　

I want to thank my friend, House Speaker Pete Laney, a Democrat, who introduced me today. I want to thank the legislators from both political parties with whom I've worked.　　

Across the hall in our 　　Texas　　 capitol is the state Senate. And I cannot help but think of our mutual friend, the former Democrat lieutenant governor, Bob Bullock. His love for 　　Texas　　 and his ability to work in a bipartisan way continue to be a model for all of us.　　

The spirit of cooperation I have seen in this hall is what is needed in 　　Washington　, 　D.C.　　 It is the challenge of our moment. After a difficult election, we must put politics behind us and work together to make the promise of 　　America　　 available for every one of our citizens.　　

I'm optimistic that we can change the tone in 　　Washington　, 　D.C.　　　　

I believe things happen for a reason, and I hope the long wait of the last five weeks will heighten a desire to move beyond the bitterness and partisanship of the recent past.　　

Our nation must rise above a house divided. Americans share hopes and goals and values far more important than any political disagreements.　　

Republicans want the best for our nation, and so do Democrats. Our votes may differ, but not our hopes.　　

I know 　　America　　 wants reconciliation and unity. I know Americans want progress. And we must seize this moment and deliver.　　

Together, guided by a spirit of common sense, common courtesy and common goals, we can unite and inspire the American citizens.　　

Together, we will work to make all our public schools excellent, teaching every student of every background and every accent, so that no child is left behind.　　

Together, we will save Social Security and renew its promise of a secure retirement for generations to come.　　

drug coverage to all of our seniors.　　

Together, we will give Americans the broad, fair, and fiscally responsible tax relief they deserve.　　

Together, we'll have a bipartisan foreign policy true to our values and true to our friends, and we will have a military equal to every challenge and superior to every adversary.　　

Together, we will address some of society's deepest problems one person at a time, by encouraging and empowering the good hearts and good works of the American people.　　

This is the essence of compassionate conservatism and it will be a foundation of my administration.　　

These priorities are not merely Republican concerns or Democratic concerns; they are American responsibilities.　　

During the fall campaign, we differed about the details of these proposals, but there was remarkable consensus about the important issues before us: excellent schools, retirement and health security, tax relief, a strong military, a more civil society.　　

We have discussed our differences. Now it is time to find common ground and build consensus to make 　　America　　 a beacon of opportunity in the 21st century.　　

I'm optimistic this can happen. Our future demands it and our history proves it. Two hundred years ago, in the election of 1800, 　　America　　 faced another close presidential election. A tie in the Electoral College put the outcome into the hands of Congress.　　

After six days of voting and 36 ballots, the House of Representatives elected Thomas Jefferson the third president of the 　　United States　　. That election brought the first transfer of power from one party to another in our new democracy.　　

Shortly after the election, 　Jefferson　, in a letter titled "Reconciliation and Reform," wrote this: "The steady character of our countrymen is a rock to which we may safely moor; unequivocal in principle, reasonable in manner. We should be able to hope to do a great deal of good to the cause of freedom and harmony."　　

Two hundred years have only strengthened the steady character of 　　America　　. And so as we begin the work of healing our nation, tonight I call upon that character: respect for each other, respect for our differences, generosity of spirit, and a willingness to work hard and work together to solve any problem.　　

I have something else to ask you, to ask every American. I ask for you to pray for this great nation. I ask for your prayers for leaders from both parties. I thank you for your prayers for me and my family, and I ask you to pray for Vice President Gore and his family.　　

I have faith that with God's help we as a nation will move forward together as one nation, indivisible. And together we will create an 　America　 that is open, so every citizen has access to the American dream; an 　America　 that is educated, so every child has the keys to realize that dream; and an 　　America　　 that is united in our diversity and our shared American values that are larger than race or party.　　

I was not elected to serve one party, but to serve one nation.　　

The president of the 　　United States　　 is the president of every single American, of every race and every background.　　

Whether you voted for me or not, I will do my best to serve your interests and I will work to earn your respect.　　

I will be guided by President Jefferson's sense of purpose, to stand for principle, to be reasonable in manner, and above all, to do great good for the cause of freedom and harmony.　　

The presidency is more than an honor. It is more than an office. It is a charge to keep, and I will give it my all.　　

Thank you very much and God bless 　　America　　.　　

☼注释☼:　　

♫ emotion                  [i5mEuFEn]                 n. 情绪, 情感, 感情　　

♫ involvement            [in5vClvmEnt]             n. 参与　　

♫ bipartisan                [bai7pB:ti5zAn]           adj. 两党连立的　　

♫ consensus              [kEn5sensEs]                    n. 多数人的意见, 舆论　　

♫ lieutenant                [lef5tenEnt]                 n. 副职官员　　

♫ partisanship            [9pB:tI`zAnFIp]          n.党派性, 党派偏见　　

♫ reconciliation          [7rekEnsili5eiFEn]              n. 和解, 调和　　

♫ courtesy                 [5kE:tisi]                            n. 谦恭, 礼貌　　

             [pri5skripFEn]             n. 处方, 药方　　

♫ harmony                 [5hB:mEni]                  n. 协调, 融洽　　

Good morning, everybody. This time I’ll read a letter to you.　　

Dear Bruce,　　

Christmas is coming soon. The radio _________ is playing Christmas _______, and the stores are very _______. People are doing their ________ ____________. Many families have Christmas trees in their homes already. We are going to buy our tree a few ________ _________ Christmas.　　

At this time of the year,  we _________ or buy __________ for our families. I am going to buy a ___________ for my ________ ________. He listens to music all the time. I am going to make a toy for my ___________ brother.　　

Our family is usually ___________ on Christmas Day. My elder brother lives in _________ ___________, but he always ___________ his car here. Last year, __________, he didn’t come ___________ it was __________ very hard and the roads were too ___________. We all felt _________.　　

I hope we are going to be together again this year. My elder brother is going to _____________ before Christmas Eve. Then we are going to ________  ___________ the tree in the __________ room and put the presents __________ the tree. We won’t open them ___________ Christmas morning.　　

Do you ____________ Christmas in your country?　　

                                                                            Write soon.　　

                                                　　Elizabeth　　　　

George W. Bush: 9/11 Address to the Nation　　

"A Great People Has Been Moved to Defend a Great Nation"　　

Delivered 11 September, Oval Office, 　　Washington　, 　D.C.　　　　

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, business men 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 shatter 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 were behind these evil acts. I have 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　　.　　

☼注释☼:　　

♫ chaos                           [5keiCs]                      n. 混乱　　

♫ priority                   [prai5Criti]          n. 优先考虑的事或值得优先注意的事　　

♫ precaution                   [pri5kC:FEn]               n. 预防, 警惕, 防范　　

♫ interruption          [7intE5rQpFEn]            n. 中断, 打断　　

♫ condolence          [kEn5dEulEns]           n. 哀悼, 吊唁　　

♫ shatter                   [5FAtE]                       v. 打碎, 使散开, 粉碎, 破坏