Bush's 2004 State of the Union Address（ Part II ）
美國總統(tǒng)布什2004年國情咨文（第二部分）
THE PRESIDENT：
In the last three years， adversity has also revealed the fundamental strengths of the American economy. We have come through recession， and terrorist attack， and corporate scandals， and the uncertainties of war. And because you acted to stimulate our economy with tax relief， this economy is strong， and growing stronger. （Applause.）
You have doubled the child tax credit from $500 to $1，000， reduced the marriage penalty， begun to phase out the death tax， reduced taxes on capital gains and stock dividends， cut taxes on small businesses， and you have lowered taxes for every American who pays income taxes.
Americans took those dollars and put them to work， driving this economy forward. The pace of economic growth in the third quarter of 2003 was the fastest in nearly 20 years； new home construction， the highest in almost 20 years； home ownership rates， the highest ever. Manufacturing activity is increasing. Inflation is low. Interest rates are low. Exports are growing. Productivity is high， and jobs are on the rise. （Applause.）
These numbers confirm that the American people are using their money far better than government would have —— and you were right to return it. （Applause.）
America's growing economy is also a changing economy. As technology transforms the way almost every job is done， America becomes more productive， and workers need new skills. Much of our job growth will be found in high-skilled fields like health care and biotechnology. So we must respond by helping more Americans gain the skills to find good jobs in our new economy.
All skills begin with the basics of reading and math， which are supposed to be learned in the early grades of our schools. Yet for too long， for too many children， those skills were never mastered. By passing the No Child Left Behind Act， you have made the expectation of literacy the law of our country. We're providing more funding for our schools —— a 36-percent increase since 2001. We're requiring higher standards. We are regularly testing every child on the fundamentals. We are reporting results to parents， and making sure they have better options when schools are not performing. We are making progress toward excellence for every child in America. （Applause.）
But the status quo always has defenders. Some want to undermine the No Child Left Behind Act by weakening standards and accountability. Yet the results we require are really a matter of common sense： We expect third graders to read and do math at the third grade level —— and that's not asking too much. Testing is the only way to identify and help students who are falling behind. This nation will not go back to the days of simply shuffling children along from grade to grade without them learning the basics. I refuse to give up on any child —— and the No Child Left Behind Act is opening the door of opportunity to all of America's children. （Applause.）
At the same time， we must ensure that older students and adults can gain the skills they need to find work now. Many of the fastest growing occupations require strong math and science preparation， and training beyond the high school level. So tonight， I propose a series of measures called Jobs for the 21st Century. This program will provide extra help to middle and high school students who fall behind in reading and math， expand advanced placement programs in low-income schools， invite math and science professionals from the private sector to teach part-time in our high schools. I propose larger Pell grants for students who prepare for college with demanding courses in high school. （Applause.） I propose increasing our support for America's fine community colleges， so they can —— （applause.） I do so， so they can train workers for industries that are creating the most new jobs. By all these actions， we'll help more and more Americans to join in the growing prosperity of our country. Job training is important， and so is job creation.
We must continue to pursue an aggressive， pro-growth economic agenda. （Applause.） Congress has some unfinished business on the issue of taxes. The tax reductions you passed are set to expire. Unless you act —— （applause） —— unless you act —— unless you act， the unfair tax on marriage will go back up. Unless you act， millions of families will be charged $300 more in federal taxes for every child. Unless you act， small businesses will pay higher taxes. Unless you act， the death tax will eventually come back to life. Unless you act， Americans face a tax increase. What Congress has given， the Congress should not take away. For the sake of job growth， the tax cuts you passed should be permanent. （Applause.）
Our agenda for jobs and growth must help small business owners and employees with relief from needless federal regulation， and protect them from junk and frivolous lawsuits. （Applause.）
Consumers and businesses need reliable supplies of energy to make our economy run —— so I urge you to pass legislation to modernize our electricity system， promote conservation， and make America less dependent on foreign sources of energy. （Applause.）
My administration is promoting free and fair trade to open up new markets for America's entrepreneurs and manufacturers and farmers —— to create jobs for American workers. Younger workers should have the opportunity to build a nest egg by saving part of their Social Security taxes in a personal retirement account. （Applause.） We should make the Social Security system a source of ownership for the American people. （Applause.） And we should limit the burden of government on this economy by acting as good stewards of taxpayers' dollars. （Applause.）
In two weeks， I will send you a budget that funds the war， protects the homeland， and meets important domestic needs， while limiting the growth in discretionary spending to less than 4 percent. （Applause.） This will require that Congress focus on priorities， cut wasteful spending， and be wise with the people's money. By doing so， we can cut the deficit in half over the next five years. （Applause.）
Tonight， I also ask you to reform our immigration laws so they reflect our values and benefit our economy. I propose a new temporary worker program to match willing foreign workers with willing employers when no Americans can be found to fill the job. This reform will be good for our economy because employers will find needed workers in an honest and orderly system. A temporary worker program will help protect our homeland， allowing Border Patrol and law enforcement to focus on true threats to our national security.
I oppose amnesty， because it would encourage further illegal immigration， and unfairly reward those who break our laws. My temporary worker program will preserve the citizenship path for those who respect the law， while bringing millions of hardworking men and women out from the shadows of American life. （Applause.）
Our nation's health care system， like our economy， is also in a time of change. Amazing medical technologies are improving and saving lives. This dramatic progress has brought its own challenge， in the rising costs of medical care and health insurance. Members of Congress， we must work together to help control those costs and extend the benefits of modern medicine throughout our country. （Applause.）
Meeting these goals requires bipartisan effort， and two months ago， you showed the way. By strengthening Medicare and adding a prescription drug benefit， you kept a basic commitment to our seniors： You are giving them the modern medicine they deserve. （Applause.）
Starting this year， under the law you passed， seniors can choose to receive a drug discount card， saving them 10 to 25 percent off the retail price of most prescription drugs —— and millions of low-income seniors can get an additional $600 to buy medicine. Beginning next year， seniors will have new coverage for preventive screenings against diabetes and heart disease， and seniors just entering Medicare can receive wellness exams.
In January of 2006， seniors can get prescription drug coverage under Medicare. For a monthly premium of about $35， most seniors who do not have that coverage today can expect to see their drug bills cut roughly in half. Under this reform， senior citizens will be able to keep their Medicare just as it is， or they can choose a Medicare plan that fits them best —— just as you， as members of Congress， can choose an insurance plan that meets your needs. And starting this year， millions of Americans will be able to save money tax-free for their medical expenses in a health savings account. （Applause.）
I signed this measure proudly， and any attempt to limit the choices of our seniors， or to take away their prescription drug coverage under Medicare， will meet my veto. （Applause.）
On the critical issue of health care， our goal is to ensure that Americans can choose and afford private health care coverage that best fits their individual needs. To make insurance more affordable， Congress must act to address rapidly rising health care costs. Small businesses should be able to band together and negotiate for lower insurance rates， so they can cover more workers with health insurance. I urge you to pass association health plans. （Applause.） I ask you to give lower-income Americans a refundable tax credit that would allow millions to buy their own basic health insurance. （Applause.）
By computerizing health records， we can avoid dangerous medical mistakes， reduce costs， and improve care. To protect the doctor-patient relationship， and keep good doctors doing good work， we must eliminate wasteful and frivolous medical lawsuits. （Applause.） And tonight I propose that individuals who buy catastrophic health care coverage， as part of our new health savings accounts， be allowed to deduct 100 percent of the premiums from their taxes. （Applause.）
A government-run health care system is the wrong prescription. （Applause.） By keeping costs under control， expanding access， and helping more Americans afford coverage， we will preserve the system of private medicine that makes America's health care the best in the world. （Applause.）
We are living in a time of great change —— in our world， in our economy， in science and medicine. Yet some things endure —— courage and compassion， reverence and integrity， respect for differences of faith and race. The values we try to live by never change. And they are instilled in us by fundamental institutions， such as families and schools and religious congregations. These institutions， these unseen pillars of civilization， must remain strong in America， and we will defend them. We must stand with our families to help them raise healthy， responsible children. When it comes to helping children make right choices， there is work for all of us to do.
One of the worst decisions our children can make is to gamble their lives and futures on drugs. Our government is helping parents confront this problem with aggressive education， treatment， and law enforcement. Drug use in high school has declined by 11 percent over the last two years. Four hundred thousand fewer young people are using illegal drugs than in the year 2001. （Applause.） In my budget， I proposed new funding to continue our aggressive， community-based strategy to reduce demand for illegal drugs. Drug testing in our schools has proven to be an effective part of this effort. So tonight I proposed an additional $23 million for schools that want to use drug testing as a tool to save children's lives. The aim here is not to punish children， but to send them this message： We love you， and we don't want to lose you. （Applause.）
To help children make right choices， they need good examples. Athletics play such an important role in our society， but， unfortunately， some in professional sports are not setting much of an example. The use of performance-enhancing drugs like steroids in baseball， football， and other sports is dangerous， and it sends the wrong message —— that there are shortcuts to accomplishment， and that performance is more important than character. So tonight I call on team owners， union representatives， coaches， and players to take the lead， to send the right signal， to get tough， and to get rid of steroids now. （Applause.）
To encourage right choices， we must be willing to confront the dangers young people face —— even when they're difficult to talk about. Each year， about 3 million teenagers contract sexually-transmitted diseases that can harm them， or kill them， or prevent them from ever becoming parents. In my budget， I propose a grassroots campaign to help inform families about these medical risks. We will double federal funding for abstinence programs， so schools can teach this fact of life： Abstinence for young people is the only certain way to avoid sexually-transmitted diseases. （Applause.）
Decisions children now make can affect their health and character for the rest of their lives. All of us —— parents and schools and government —— must work together to counter the negative influence of the culture， and to send the right messages to our children.
For all Americans， the last three years have brought tests we did not ask for， and achievements shared by all. By our actions， we have shown what kind of nation we are. In grief， we have found the grace to go on. In challenge， we rediscovered the courage and daring of a free people. In victory， we have shown the noble aims and good heart of America. And having come this far， we sense that we live in a time set apart.
I've been witness to the character of the people of America， who have shown calm in times of danger， compassion for one another， and toughness for the long haul. All of us have been partners in a great enterprise. And even some of the youngest understand that we are living in historic times. Last month a girl in Lincoln， Rhode Island， sent me a letter. It began， “Dear George W. Bush. If there's anything you know， I， Ashley Pearson， age 10， can do to help anyone， please send me a letter and tell me what I can do to save our country.” She added this P.S.： “If you can send a letter to the troops， please put， 'Ashley Pearson believes in you.'” （Applause.）
Tonight， Ashley， your message to our troops has just been conveyed. And， yes， you have some duties yourself. Study hard in school， listen to your mom or dad， help someone in need， and when you and your friends see a man or woman in uniform， say， “thank you.” （Applause.） And， Ashley， while you do your part， all of us here in this great chamber will do our best to keep you and the rest of America safe and free. （Applause.）
My fellow citizens， we now move forward， with confidence and faith. Our nation is strong and steadfast. The cause we serve is right， because it is the cause of all mankind.
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布什總統(tǒng)：
在過去三年里，美國經(jīng)濟經(jīng)歷了一些困境，我們經(jīng)歷了經(jīng)濟衰退、恐怖襲擊、公司丑聞以及戰(zhàn)爭帶來的不確定因素等，但我們成功的減稅政策刺激了經(jīng)濟發(fā)展，美國的經(jīng)濟是強大的，而且在變得更加強大。
我們將子女減免退稅增加了一倍，從500美元提高到1000美元，減免了對已婚納稅人征收的額外稅收，逐漸停止征收遺產(chǎn)稅，減少增值稅和股利稅，減免小型企業(yè)的稅收，而且減少美國人民的收入稅。
美國人民得到了這些實惠，把他們放到工作當(dāng)中，這將會刺激我們的經(jīng)濟。2003年第三季度我們的經(jīng)濟增長速度是近20年來快的；我們所進行的國家建設(shè)，也是近20年來多的；而且房屋的擁有率也達到了高水平。制造業(yè)也在不斷的增加，通貨膨脹較低，利率較低，出口在增長，生產(chǎn)力水平很高，而且就業(yè)機會也越來越多。
這些數(shù)字證實了美國人民能夠比政府更好的使用這些資金——你們退稅的決策很正確。
美國正在增長的經(jīng)濟也是變化中的經(jīng)濟，每項工作都經(jīng)歷了技術(shù)上的變革。美國的生產(chǎn)力更強了，工人需要新的技術(shù)。很多工作需要高技術(shù)，比如衛(wèi)生保健和生物工藝學(xué)等，所以我們必須幫助更多的美國人獲得技術(shù)，在新經(jīng)濟中找到更好的工作。
這些技術(shù)的基礎(chǔ)是閱讀和數(shù)學(xué)，這是我們在小學(xué)低年級的時候都學(xué)過的，但是很久以來，對于很多孩子來說，他們從未完全掌握這些技能。通過實施《一個也不能落下法案》，你們將人們對于提高整個國家文化程度的期望變成了我國的一項法律。我們?yōu)閷W(xué)校提供更多的資金，2001年以來增長了36％。我們提出了更高的要求，我們定期檢測每一個孩子對基本技能的掌握情況。我們將情況告訴家長，確保他們在學(xué)校沒能發(fā)揮作用的時候，能夠有更好的選擇。我們志在為每一個美國孩子提供更好的受教育的機會。
但是總有人極力維護現(xiàn)狀。有人想要通過降低標(biāo)準和減少責(zé)任來阻礙《一個也不能落下法案》的實施。而我們想要得到的實際上很普通：我們希望三年級的孩子在閱讀和數(shù)學(xué)方面真正達到三年級應(yīng)有的水平——這個要求不過分吧。測試是發(fā)現(xiàn)和幫助那些掉隊的學(xué)生的方法。我們的國家不會再返回到原來那種教育制度：眼看著孩子們從一個年級升到另一個年級，卻什么基本技能都沒有學(xué)會。我絕對不會放棄任何一個孩子——《一個也不能落下法案》向每一個美國孩子都打開了機會之門。
與此同時，我們必須保證那些年紀大的學(xué)生和成人能夠獲得技術(shù)，讓他們找到工作。許多快速發(fā)展的職業(yè)都需要很多數(shù)學(xué)和科學(xué)方面的知識儲備和高中水平以上的培訓(xùn)。所以，今晚，我提出一系列21世紀就業(yè)計劃。這一計劃將為那些在閱讀和數(shù)學(xué)方面掉隊的中學(xué)生提供額外的幫助、在低收入學(xué)校中發(fā)展跳級項目并從私立學(xué)校邀請數(shù)學(xué)和科學(xué)方面的教師到公立學(xué)校來做兼職。我建議為那些準備進入大學(xué)學(xué)習(xí)高難度課程的高中生提供更多的培爾獎學(xué)金。我建議加大對美國優(yōu)秀社區(qū)大學(xué)的支持力度，這樣他們能夠為新出現(xiàn)的工種培養(yǎng)更多工人。通過這些措施，我們會幫助越來越多的美國人享受我們國家的繁榮。職業(yè)培訓(xùn)和創(chuàng)造就業(yè)都是非常重要的。
我們必須繼續(xù)尋求積極的、有助于經(jīng)濟發(fā)展的議程。國會在稅收方面還有一些未完成的任務(wù)。你們通過的減稅政策即將到期，如果不采取行動，不公平的結(jié)婚稅將卷土重來；如果你們不采取行動，數(shù)百萬的家庭將被迫為每個兒童支付300美元的聯(lián)邦稅；如果你們不采取行動，一些中小企業(yè)將支付更高稅款；如果你們不采取行動，遺產(chǎn)稅又會重新征收；如果你們不采取行動，美國人將支付更多稅款。因此國會應(yīng)該承擔(dān)起責(zé)任來，為了增加工作機會，減稅政策必須長久進行下去。
我們有關(guān)就業(yè)和發(fā)展的議程必須幫助那些小企業(yè)的擁有者和他們的雇員，讓他們從不必要的國家規(guī)定中解脫出來并保護他們不被繁瑣的官司纏身。
消費者和企業(yè)需要可靠的能源供應(yīng)來維持我國經(jīng)濟的正常運轉(zhuǎn)。因此我迫切要求你們通過立法來使我們的電力系統(tǒng)滿足現(xiàn)在的需要、提高儲藏量，減少美國對國外能源的依賴。
政府正在努力促進貿(mào)易平等和自由，為美國的企業(yè)、制造業(yè)者和農(nóng)民開放新的市場，為美國工人創(chuàng)造就業(yè)機會。年輕工人應(yīng)該可以在個人的退休帳戶中儲蓄部分社會保險稅，作為自己的養(yǎng)老金。我們應(yīng)該讓社會保障體系成為美國人民擁有的重要資源。我們應(yīng)該更合理的使用納稅人所納的資金，限制政府對經(jīng)濟施加壓力。
兩周之內(nèi)，我將向國會遞交一份預(yù)算，資助戰(zhàn)爭、保護國土安全，滿足重要的國內(nèi)需求，將政府自由花費限制在增幅不超過4％。這需要國會減少不必要的花費，妥善使用納稅人的錢。只有這樣，我們才能在未來5年里將虧空減少到現(xiàn)在的一半。
今晚，我還要求你們改革我們的移民法，使之能反映我們的價值觀并促進美國經(jīng)濟的增長。我提出了一個臨時勞工法案，為那些愿意雇傭外國人的雇主提供愿意在美國工作的外國工人。這一改革方案有利于經(jīng)濟發(fā)展，因為雇主能在誠實有序的環(huán)境下找到他們需要的工人。該方案也有利于保護我們的國家，讓邊境巡邏人員和執(zhí)法部門集中精力對付國家安全的真正威脅。
我反對特赦所有非法外國移民，因為這將鼓勵更多的非法移民進入美國。我提出的這一計劃將為那些尊重美國法律的外國移民獲得公民權(quán)，使數(shù)百萬在美國努力工作的移民擺脫非法環(huán)境。
和我國的經(jīng)濟一樣，我國的醫(yī)療衛(wèi)生系統(tǒng)也到了該改革的時候了。令人驚訝的醫(yī)療技術(shù)不斷改善和挽救我們的生命。但是飛速的進步也給醫(yī)療事業(yè)帶來了挑戰(zhàn)，醫(yī)療的成本越來越高。國會的成員們，我們必須共同努力控制這些成本，擴大現(xiàn)代醫(yī)療給全國人民帶去的好處。
要實現(xiàn)這些目標(biāo)需要我們兩黨合作，兩個月前，你們就有了辦法。通過加強醫(yī)療保險制度，增加處方藥津貼，你們可以為老年人提供基本的保障。你們使他們享受到現(xiàn)代的醫(yī)療技術(shù)。
從今年開始，我們會通過一些法律讓老年人選擇藥品折扣卡，他們在購買處方藥的時候，可以節(jié)約零售價格10％到25％，同時，上百萬低收入的老年人另外可以獲得600美元的補助用于購買藥品。從明年開始，老年人將享受新的醫(yī)療保險，針對糖尿病和心臟病的預(yù)防性篩選，老年人只要參加了醫(yī)療保險就可以獲得健康檢查。
到2006年1月，老年人可以在醫(yī)療保險中購買處方藥。老年人享受每月約35美元的醫(yī)療保險，大多數(shù)目前沒有享受到這一水平的老年人的藥費清單有望削減一半。在這樣的改革措施下，老年人可以保持原有的醫(yī)療保險費用不變，或者可以選擇一種適合的醫(yī)療保險方案。就像你們，國會成員，可以選擇符合你們需要的保險方案。從今年開始，上百萬美國人可以在健康儲蓄存款帳戶中存入免稅存款，用于醫(yī)療開支。
我非常自豪的簽署這個法案，同時，任何企圖限制老年人選擇權(quán)、或?qū)⑻幏剿幣懦卺t(yī)療保險之外的行為都將被我否決。
有關(guān)醫(yī)療保險的關(guān)鍵問題，我們的目標(biāo)就是要保證所有的美國人都能夠選擇而且有能力支付適合自己的個人醫(yī)療保險。為了能夠讓人們都承擔(dān)得起保險，國會必須行動起來控制迅速上漲的醫(yī)療保險費用。中小企業(yè)應(yīng)該聯(lián)合起來進行談判，降低醫(yī)療保險的價格。這樣的話，他們可以為更多的工人參加保險。我請求你們向幾百萬低收入的美國人退稅，這樣他們才能購買基本的醫(yī)療保險。
通過將醫(yī)療記錄輸入電腦，我們可以避免危險的醫(yī)療事故，降低成本并提高醫(yī)療質(zhì)量。為了保護醫(yī)生和病人之間的關(guān)系，并且讓好的醫(yī)生繼續(xù)妙手回春，我們必須減少無謂的、瑣碎的醫(yī)療糾紛。作為新的醫(yī)療儲蓄存款帳戶的一部分，今天晚上我建議那些購買大病醫(yī)療保險的個人應(yīng)該被允許從納稅款中扣除100％保險金。
由政府來管理醫(yī)療體系是一種錯誤的做法。通過控制成本，暢通渠道，幫助更多的美國人有能力支付保險費用，我們將維護個人醫(yī)療體系，使美國的醫(yī)療衛(wèi)生體系成為全世界好的。
我們生活在一個日新月異的世界，我們的世界，我們的經(jīng)濟，我們的科學(xué)技術(shù)都在發(fā)生著變化。但是，有些東西是不會改變的，我們的勇氣和同情心，我們的尊嚴和正直，我們對于不同種族和信念的尊重。我們賴以生存的價值觀永遠都不會改變，而且基本的社會機構(gòu)已經(jīng)將它們根植在我們心中，比如說我們的家庭、學(xué)校，還有宗教聚會。所有這些機構(gòu)是文明的無形支柱，在美國它們必須永遠強大，我們要保護它們。我們必須同我們的家人站在一起，幫助他們養(yǎng)育健康、有責(zé)任心的兒童。幫助孩子們做出正確的選擇是我們共同的職責(zé)。
孩子們做出的不好的選擇就是用他們的生命和未來作賭注，孤注一擲吸毒。我們的政府正在通過積極的教育、治療和法律強制手段幫助家長對付這個問題。在過去的兩年中，高中里毒品的使用量已經(jīng)降低了11％。和2001年相比，非法吸毒的年輕人減少了40萬。在預(yù)算中，我提出希望能夠提供新的資金繼續(xù)我們積極的、以社區(qū)為基礎(chǔ)的減少非法毒品需求的戰(zhàn)略。在學(xué)校里進行的吸毒測試被證實是非常有效的。所以今晚，我提議為那些以毒品測試為手段挽救孩子生命的學(xué)校增加2300萬補助。這樣做的目的是懲罰那些吸毒的孩子，但是我們想告訴他們：我們愛你們，我們不想失去你們。
要幫助孩子們做出正確的選擇，他們需要好榜樣。體育在我們的社會中扮演著很重要的角色，但是，不幸的是，有些職業(yè)運動員并沒有做出很好的表率作用。他們在棒球，橄欖球和其他一些項目中使用類固醇等興奮劑來提高比賽成績，這樣做是很危險的，而且這樣給孩子們傳達了錯誤信息，那就是成功有捷徑可走，比賽成績比人的品格更重要。所以今晚我想向球隊的主人、聯(lián)盟的代表、教練和球員發(fā)出呼吁，希望你們能夠起到帶頭作用，傳達正確的信息，勇敢的行動起來，從現(xiàn)在開始拒絕類固醇。
要讓孩子能夠做出正確的選擇，我們必須自愿面對年輕人所面臨的一些危險，即使他們難以啟齒。每年大約有300萬少年兒童感染性病，這會對他們造成極大的傷害，甚至?xí)⒘怂麄?，或使他們失去做父母的?quán)利。在預(yù)算中，我希望大家能夠一起行動起來幫助那些家庭，告訴他們危害性。我們將為禁欲項目提供雙倍的聯(lián)邦財政資助，這樣學(xué)校可以告訴學(xué)生：自我節(jié)制是年輕人避免性傳播疾病的途徑。
孩子們現(xiàn)在做出的決定會影響到他們未來的健康和性格發(fā)展。家長、學(xué)校和政府，我們要共同合作來抵制文化的負面影響，給孩子們傳遞正確的信息。
對所有美國人來說，過去的三年給我們帶來了很多未曾想象的考驗，也給我們帶來了很大的成就。我們的行動表明美國是一個什么樣的國家。當(dāng)我們?nèi)蕴幱诒粗袝r，我們找到了繼續(xù)前進的勇氣；在我們面臨挑戰(zhàn)時，我們再次找到了一個自由民族的勇氣和膽量；當(dāng)我們?nèi)〉脛倮畷r，我們展示了美國的莊嚴目標(biāo)和慈善之心。在經(jīng)過這么多事情之后，我們覺得我們生活在一個完全不同的時代。
我本人是美國人民性格的見證人之一，在危險面前能夠保持鎮(zhèn)定，能夠?qū)λ吮３謱捜荩軌蜷L久保持決心。我們所有的人都是一個偉大事業(yè)的伙伴，即使那些年輕人也明白，我們生活在一個歷史性的變革時代。上個月，一名來自羅得島的小女孩致信于我。信的開頭是這樣寫的：“親愛的喬治·W·布什”，“如果你知道像我阿斯雷·佩爾森，這樣一個10歲女孩能做什么事情來幫助別人，請你給我回信，告訴我做些什么才能幫助或者拯救我們的國家?！彼谛诺母窖灾袑懙溃骸叭绻憬o軍人寫信，請你寫上'阿斯雷·佩爾森相信你們'這樣的字樣。”
今晚，阿斯雷，你想給軍人傳遞的信息，我已經(jīng)傳給了他們，當(dāng)然，你自己也應(yīng)承擔(dān)一些責(zé)任：努力學(xué)習(xí)，聽爸爸媽媽的話，幫助那些需要幫助的人，當(dāng)你和你的朋友看到穿軍裝的男女軍人時，對他們說“謝謝你們”。當(dāng)你承擔(dān)了自己的一份責(zé)任時，在這里的所有人都將盡我們所能來讓你和美國人民覺得更加安全，更加自由。
美國同胞們，我們有能力有信心繼續(xù)前進。我們的國家是強大堅定的。我們的事業(yè)是正義的，因為這也是全人類的事業(yè)。
美國總統(tǒng)布什2004年國情咨文（第二部分）
THE PRESIDENT：
In the last three years， adversity has also revealed the fundamental strengths of the American economy. We have come through recession， and terrorist attack， and corporate scandals， and the uncertainties of war. And because you acted to stimulate our economy with tax relief， this economy is strong， and growing stronger. （Applause.）
You have doubled the child tax credit from $500 to $1，000， reduced the marriage penalty， begun to phase out the death tax， reduced taxes on capital gains and stock dividends， cut taxes on small businesses， and you have lowered taxes for every American who pays income taxes.
Americans took those dollars and put them to work， driving this economy forward. The pace of economic growth in the third quarter of 2003 was the fastest in nearly 20 years； new home construction， the highest in almost 20 years； home ownership rates， the highest ever. Manufacturing activity is increasing. Inflation is low. Interest rates are low. Exports are growing. Productivity is high， and jobs are on the rise. （Applause.）
These numbers confirm that the American people are using their money far better than government would have —— and you were right to return it. （Applause.）
America's growing economy is also a changing economy. As technology transforms the way almost every job is done， America becomes more productive， and workers need new skills. Much of our job growth will be found in high-skilled fields like health care and biotechnology. So we must respond by helping more Americans gain the skills to find good jobs in our new economy.
All skills begin with the basics of reading and math， which are supposed to be learned in the early grades of our schools. Yet for too long， for too many children， those skills were never mastered. By passing the No Child Left Behind Act， you have made the expectation of literacy the law of our country. We're providing more funding for our schools —— a 36-percent increase since 2001. We're requiring higher standards. We are regularly testing every child on the fundamentals. We are reporting results to parents， and making sure they have better options when schools are not performing. We are making progress toward excellence for every child in America. （Applause.）
But the status quo always has defenders. Some want to undermine the No Child Left Behind Act by weakening standards and accountability. Yet the results we require are really a matter of common sense： We expect third graders to read and do math at the third grade level —— and that's not asking too much. Testing is the only way to identify and help students who are falling behind. This nation will not go back to the days of simply shuffling children along from grade to grade without them learning the basics. I refuse to give up on any child —— and the No Child Left Behind Act is opening the door of opportunity to all of America's children. （Applause.）
At the same time， we must ensure that older students and adults can gain the skills they need to find work now. Many of the fastest growing occupations require strong math and science preparation， and training beyond the high school level. So tonight， I propose a series of measures called Jobs for the 21st Century. This program will provide extra help to middle and high school students who fall behind in reading and math， expand advanced placement programs in low-income schools， invite math and science professionals from the private sector to teach part-time in our high schools. I propose larger Pell grants for students who prepare for college with demanding courses in high school. （Applause.） I propose increasing our support for America's fine community colleges， so they can —— （applause.） I do so， so they can train workers for industries that are creating the most new jobs. By all these actions， we'll help more and more Americans to join in the growing prosperity of our country. Job training is important， and so is job creation.
We must continue to pursue an aggressive， pro-growth economic agenda. （Applause.） Congress has some unfinished business on the issue of taxes. The tax reductions you passed are set to expire. Unless you act —— （applause） —— unless you act —— unless you act， the unfair tax on marriage will go back up. Unless you act， millions of families will be charged $300 more in federal taxes for every child. Unless you act， small businesses will pay higher taxes. Unless you act， the death tax will eventually come back to life. Unless you act， Americans face a tax increase. What Congress has given， the Congress should not take away. For the sake of job growth， the tax cuts you passed should be permanent. （Applause.）
Our agenda for jobs and growth must help small business owners and employees with relief from needless federal regulation， and protect them from junk and frivolous lawsuits. （Applause.）
Consumers and businesses need reliable supplies of energy to make our economy run —— so I urge you to pass legislation to modernize our electricity system， promote conservation， and make America less dependent on foreign sources of energy. （Applause.）
My administration is promoting free and fair trade to open up new markets for America's entrepreneurs and manufacturers and farmers —— to create jobs for American workers. Younger workers should have the opportunity to build a nest egg by saving part of their Social Security taxes in a personal retirement account. （Applause.） We should make the Social Security system a source of ownership for the American people. （Applause.） And we should limit the burden of government on this economy by acting as good stewards of taxpayers' dollars. （Applause.）
In two weeks， I will send you a budget that funds the war， protects the homeland， and meets important domestic needs， while limiting the growth in discretionary spending to less than 4 percent. （Applause.） This will require that Congress focus on priorities， cut wasteful spending， and be wise with the people's money. By doing so， we can cut the deficit in half over the next five years. （Applause.）
Tonight， I also ask you to reform our immigration laws so they reflect our values and benefit our economy. I propose a new temporary worker program to match willing foreign workers with willing employers when no Americans can be found to fill the job. This reform will be good for our economy because employers will find needed workers in an honest and orderly system. A temporary worker program will help protect our homeland， allowing Border Patrol and law enforcement to focus on true threats to our national security.
I oppose amnesty， because it would encourage further illegal immigration， and unfairly reward those who break our laws. My temporary worker program will preserve the citizenship path for those who respect the law， while bringing millions of hardworking men and women out from the shadows of American life. （Applause.）
Our nation's health care system， like our economy， is also in a time of change. Amazing medical technologies are improving and saving lives. This dramatic progress has brought its own challenge， in the rising costs of medical care and health insurance. Members of Congress， we must work together to help control those costs and extend the benefits of modern medicine throughout our country. （Applause.）
Meeting these goals requires bipartisan effort， and two months ago， you showed the way. By strengthening Medicare and adding a prescription drug benefit， you kept a basic commitment to our seniors： You are giving them the modern medicine they deserve. （Applause.）
Starting this year， under the law you passed， seniors can choose to receive a drug discount card， saving them 10 to 25 percent off the retail price of most prescription drugs —— and millions of low-income seniors can get an additional $600 to buy medicine. Beginning next year， seniors will have new coverage for preventive screenings against diabetes and heart disease， and seniors just entering Medicare can receive wellness exams.
In January of 2006， seniors can get prescription drug coverage under Medicare. For a monthly premium of about $35， most seniors who do not have that coverage today can expect to see their drug bills cut roughly in half. Under this reform， senior citizens will be able to keep their Medicare just as it is， or they can choose a Medicare plan that fits them best —— just as you， as members of Congress， can choose an insurance plan that meets your needs. And starting this year， millions of Americans will be able to save money tax-free for their medical expenses in a health savings account. （Applause.）
I signed this measure proudly， and any attempt to limit the choices of our seniors， or to take away their prescription drug coverage under Medicare， will meet my veto. （Applause.）
On the critical issue of health care， our goal is to ensure that Americans can choose and afford private health care coverage that best fits their individual needs. To make insurance more affordable， Congress must act to address rapidly rising health care costs. Small businesses should be able to band together and negotiate for lower insurance rates， so they can cover more workers with health insurance. I urge you to pass association health plans. （Applause.） I ask you to give lower-income Americans a refundable tax credit that would allow millions to buy their own basic health insurance. （Applause.）
By computerizing health records， we can avoid dangerous medical mistakes， reduce costs， and improve care. To protect the doctor-patient relationship， and keep good doctors doing good work， we must eliminate wasteful and frivolous medical lawsuits. （Applause.） And tonight I propose that individuals who buy catastrophic health care coverage， as part of our new health savings accounts， be allowed to deduct 100 percent of the premiums from their taxes. （Applause.）
A government-run health care system is the wrong prescription. （Applause.） By keeping costs under control， expanding access， and helping more Americans afford coverage， we will preserve the system of private medicine that makes America's health care the best in the world. （Applause.）
We are living in a time of great change —— in our world， in our economy， in science and medicine. Yet some things endure —— courage and compassion， reverence and integrity， respect for differences of faith and race. The values we try to live by never change. And they are instilled in us by fundamental institutions， such as families and schools and religious congregations. These institutions， these unseen pillars of civilization， must remain strong in America， and we will defend them. We must stand with our families to help them raise healthy， responsible children. When it comes to helping children make right choices， there is work for all of us to do.
One of the worst decisions our children can make is to gamble their lives and futures on drugs. Our government is helping parents confront this problem with aggressive education， treatment， and law enforcement. Drug use in high school has declined by 11 percent over the last two years. Four hundred thousand fewer young people are using illegal drugs than in the year 2001. （Applause.） In my budget， I proposed new funding to continue our aggressive， community-based strategy to reduce demand for illegal drugs. Drug testing in our schools has proven to be an effective part of this effort. So tonight I proposed an additional $23 million for schools that want to use drug testing as a tool to save children's lives. The aim here is not to punish children， but to send them this message： We love you， and we don't want to lose you. （Applause.）
To help children make right choices， they need good examples. Athletics play such an important role in our society， but， unfortunately， some in professional sports are not setting much of an example. The use of performance-enhancing drugs like steroids in baseball， football， and other sports is dangerous， and it sends the wrong message —— that there are shortcuts to accomplishment， and that performance is more important than character. So tonight I call on team owners， union representatives， coaches， and players to take the lead， to send the right signal， to get tough， and to get rid of steroids now. （Applause.）
To encourage right choices， we must be willing to confront the dangers young people face —— even when they're difficult to talk about. Each year， about 3 million teenagers contract sexually-transmitted diseases that can harm them， or kill them， or prevent them from ever becoming parents. In my budget， I propose a grassroots campaign to help inform families about these medical risks. We will double federal funding for abstinence programs， so schools can teach this fact of life： Abstinence for young people is the only certain way to avoid sexually-transmitted diseases. （Applause.）
Decisions children now make can affect their health and character for the rest of their lives. All of us —— parents and schools and government —— must work together to counter the negative influence of the culture， and to send the right messages to our children.
For all Americans， the last three years have brought tests we did not ask for， and achievements shared by all. By our actions， we have shown what kind of nation we are. In grief， we have found the grace to go on. In challenge， we rediscovered the courage and daring of a free people. In victory， we have shown the noble aims and good heart of America. And having come this far， we sense that we live in a time set apart.
I've been witness to the character of the people of America， who have shown calm in times of danger， compassion for one another， and toughness for the long haul. All of us have been partners in a great enterprise. And even some of the youngest understand that we are living in historic times. Last month a girl in Lincoln， Rhode Island， sent me a letter. It began， “Dear George W. Bush. If there's anything you know， I， Ashley Pearson， age 10， can do to help anyone， please send me a letter and tell me what I can do to save our country.” She added this P.S.： “If you can send a letter to the troops， please put， 'Ashley Pearson believes in you.'” （Applause.）
Tonight， Ashley， your message to our troops has just been conveyed. And， yes， you have some duties yourself. Study hard in school， listen to your mom or dad， help someone in need， and when you and your friends see a man or woman in uniform， say， “thank you.” （Applause.） And， Ashley， while you do your part， all of us here in this great chamber will do our best to keep you and the rest of America safe and free. （Applause.）
My fellow citizens， we now move forward， with confidence and faith. Our nation is strong and steadfast. The cause we serve is right， because it is the cause of all mankind.
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布什總統(tǒng)：
在過去三年里，美國經(jīng)濟經(jīng)歷了一些困境，我們經(jīng)歷了經(jīng)濟衰退、恐怖襲擊、公司丑聞以及戰(zhàn)爭帶來的不確定因素等，但我們成功的減稅政策刺激了經(jīng)濟發(fā)展，美國的經(jīng)濟是強大的，而且在變得更加強大。
我們將子女減免退稅增加了一倍，從500美元提高到1000美元，減免了對已婚納稅人征收的額外稅收，逐漸停止征收遺產(chǎn)稅，減少增值稅和股利稅，減免小型企業(yè)的稅收，而且減少美國人民的收入稅。
美國人民得到了這些實惠，把他們放到工作當(dāng)中，這將會刺激我們的經(jīng)濟。2003年第三季度我們的經(jīng)濟增長速度是近20年來快的；我們所進行的國家建設(shè)，也是近20年來多的；而且房屋的擁有率也達到了高水平。制造業(yè)也在不斷的增加，通貨膨脹較低，利率較低，出口在增長，生產(chǎn)力水平很高，而且就業(yè)機會也越來越多。
這些數(shù)字證實了美國人民能夠比政府更好的使用這些資金——你們退稅的決策很正確。
美國正在增長的經(jīng)濟也是變化中的經(jīng)濟，每項工作都經(jīng)歷了技術(shù)上的變革。美國的生產(chǎn)力更強了，工人需要新的技術(shù)。很多工作需要高技術(shù)，比如衛(wèi)生保健和生物工藝學(xué)等，所以我們必須幫助更多的美國人獲得技術(shù)，在新經(jīng)濟中找到更好的工作。
這些技術(shù)的基礎(chǔ)是閱讀和數(shù)學(xué)，這是我們在小學(xué)低年級的時候都學(xué)過的，但是很久以來，對于很多孩子來說，他們從未完全掌握這些技能。通過實施《一個也不能落下法案》，你們將人們對于提高整個國家文化程度的期望變成了我國的一項法律。我們?yōu)閷W(xué)校提供更多的資金，2001年以來增長了36％。我們提出了更高的要求，我們定期檢測每一個孩子對基本技能的掌握情況。我們將情況告訴家長，確保他們在學(xué)校沒能發(fā)揮作用的時候，能夠有更好的選擇。我們志在為每一個美國孩子提供更好的受教育的機會。
但是總有人極力維護現(xiàn)狀。有人想要通過降低標(biāo)準和減少責(zé)任來阻礙《一個也不能落下法案》的實施。而我們想要得到的實際上很普通：我們希望三年級的孩子在閱讀和數(shù)學(xué)方面真正達到三年級應(yīng)有的水平——這個要求不過分吧。測試是發(fā)現(xiàn)和幫助那些掉隊的學(xué)生的方法。我們的國家不會再返回到原來那種教育制度：眼看著孩子們從一個年級升到另一個年級，卻什么基本技能都沒有學(xué)會。我絕對不會放棄任何一個孩子——《一個也不能落下法案》向每一個美國孩子都打開了機會之門。
與此同時，我們必須保證那些年紀大的學(xué)生和成人能夠獲得技術(shù)，讓他們找到工作。許多快速發(fā)展的職業(yè)都需要很多數(shù)學(xué)和科學(xué)方面的知識儲備和高中水平以上的培訓(xùn)。所以，今晚，我提出一系列21世紀就業(yè)計劃。這一計劃將為那些在閱讀和數(shù)學(xué)方面掉隊的中學(xué)生提供額外的幫助、在低收入學(xué)校中發(fā)展跳級項目并從私立學(xué)校邀請數(shù)學(xué)和科學(xué)方面的教師到公立學(xué)校來做兼職。我建議為那些準備進入大學(xué)學(xué)習(xí)高難度課程的高中生提供更多的培爾獎學(xué)金。我建議加大對美國優(yōu)秀社區(qū)大學(xué)的支持力度，這樣他們能夠為新出現(xiàn)的工種培養(yǎng)更多工人。通過這些措施，我們會幫助越來越多的美國人享受我們國家的繁榮。職業(yè)培訓(xùn)和創(chuàng)造就業(yè)都是非常重要的。
我們必須繼續(xù)尋求積極的、有助于經(jīng)濟發(fā)展的議程。國會在稅收方面還有一些未完成的任務(wù)。你們通過的減稅政策即將到期，如果不采取行動，不公平的結(jié)婚稅將卷土重來；如果你們不采取行動，數(shù)百萬的家庭將被迫為每個兒童支付300美元的聯(lián)邦稅；如果你們不采取行動，一些中小企業(yè)將支付更高稅款；如果你們不采取行動，遺產(chǎn)稅又會重新征收；如果你們不采取行動，美國人將支付更多稅款。因此國會應(yīng)該承擔(dān)起責(zé)任來，為了增加工作機會，減稅政策必須長久進行下去。
我們有關(guān)就業(yè)和發(fā)展的議程必須幫助那些小企業(yè)的擁有者和他們的雇員，讓他們從不必要的國家規(guī)定中解脫出來并保護他們不被繁瑣的官司纏身。
消費者和企業(yè)需要可靠的能源供應(yīng)來維持我國經(jīng)濟的正常運轉(zhuǎn)。因此我迫切要求你們通過立法來使我們的電力系統(tǒng)滿足現(xiàn)在的需要、提高儲藏量，減少美國對國外能源的依賴。
政府正在努力促進貿(mào)易平等和自由，為美國的企業(yè)、制造業(yè)者和農(nóng)民開放新的市場，為美國工人創(chuàng)造就業(yè)機會。年輕工人應(yīng)該可以在個人的退休帳戶中儲蓄部分社會保險稅，作為自己的養(yǎng)老金。我們應(yīng)該讓社會保障體系成為美國人民擁有的重要資源。我們應(yīng)該更合理的使用納稅人所納的資金，限制政府對經(jīng)濟施加壓力。
兩周之內(nèi)，我將向國會遞交一份預(yù)算，資助戰(zhàn)爭、保護國土安全，滿足重要的國內(nèi)需求，將政府自由花費限制在增幅不超過4％。這需要國會減少不必要的花費，妥善使用納稅人的錢。只有這樣，我們才能在未來5年里將虧空減少到現(xiàn)在的一半。
今晚，我還要求你們改革我們的移民法，使之能反映我們的價值觀并促進美國經(jīng)濟的增長。我提出了一個臨時勞工法案，為那些愿意雇傭外國人的雇主提供愿意在美國工作的外國工人。這一改革方案有利于經(jīng)濟發(fā)展，因為雇主能在誠實有序的環(huán)境下找到他們需要的工人。該方案也有利于保護我們的國家，讓邊境巡邏人員和執(zhí)法部門集中精力對付國家安全的真正威脅。
我反對特赦所有非法外國移民，因為這將鼓勵更多的非法移民進入美國。我提出的這一計劃將為那些尊重美國法律的外國移民獲得公民權(quán)，使數(shù)百萬在美國努力工作的移民擺脫非法環(huán)境。
和我國的經(jīng)濟一樣，我國的醫(yī)療衛(wèi)生系統(tǒng)也到了該改革的時候了。令人驚訝的醫(yī)療技術(shù)不斷改善和挽救我們的生命。但是飛速的進步也給醫(yī)療事業(yè)帶來了挑戰(zhàn)，醫(yī)療的成本越來越高。國會的成員們，我們必須共同努力控制這些成本，擴大現(xiàn)代醫(yī)療給全國人民帶去的好處。
要實現(xiàn)這些目標(biāo)需要我們兩黨合作，兩個月前，你們就有了辦法。通過加強醫(yī)療保險制度，增加處方藥津貼，你們可以為老年人提供基本的保障。你們使他們享受到現(xiàn)代的醫(yī)療技術(shù)。
從今年開始，我們會通過一些法律讓老年人選擇藥品折扣卡，他們在購買處方藥的時候，可以節(jié)約零售價格10％到25％，同時，上百萬低收入的老年人另外可以獲得600美元的補助用于購買藥品。從明年開始，老年人將享受新的醫(yī)療保險，針對糖尿病和心臟病的預(yù)防性篩選，老年人只要參加了醫(yī)療保險就可以獲得健康檢查。
到2006年1月，老年人可以在醫(yī)療保險中購買處方藥。老年人享受每月約35美元的醫(yī)療保險，大多數(shù)目前沒有享受到這一水平的老年人的藥費清單有望削減一半。在這樣的改革措施下，老年人可以保持原有的醫(yī)療保險費用不變，或者可以選擇一種適合的醫(yī)療保險方案。就像你們，國會成員，可以選擇符合你們需要的保險方案。從今年開始，上百萬美國人可以在健康儲蓄存款帳戶中存入免稅存款，用于醫(yī)療開支。
我非常自豪的簽署這個法案，同時，任何企圖限制老年人選擇權(quán)、或?qū)⑻幏剿幣懦卺t(yī)療保險之外的行為都將被我否決。
有關(guān)醫(yī)療保險的關(guān)鍵問題，我們的目標(biāo)就是要保證所有的美國人都能夠選擇而且有能力支付適合自己的個人醫(yī)療保險。為了能夠讓人們都承擔(dān)得起保險，國會必須行動起來控制迅速上漲的醫(yī)療保險費用。中小企業(yè)應(yīng)該聯(lián)合起來進行談判，降低醫(yī)療保險的價格。這樣的話，他們可以為更多的工人參加保險。我請求你們向幾百萬低收入的美國人退稅，這樣他們才能購買基本的醫(yī)療保險。
通過將醫(yī)療記錄輸入電腦，我們可以避免危險的醫(yī)療事故，降低成本并提高醫(yī)療質(zhì)量。為了保護醫(yī)生和病人之間的關(guān)系，并且讓好的醫(yī)生繼續(xù)妙手回春，我們必須減少無謂的、瑣碎的醫(yī)療糾紛。作為新的醫(yī)療儲蓄存款帳戶的一部分，今天晚上我建議那些購買大病醫(yī)療保險的個人應(yīng)該被允許從納稅款中扣除100％保險金。
由政府來管理醫(yī)療體系是一種錯誤的做法。通過控制成本，暢通渠道，幫助更多的美國人有能力支付保險費用，我們將維護個人醫(yī)療體系，使美國的醫(yī)療衛(wèi)生體系成為全世界好的。
我們生活在一個日新月異的世界，我們的世界，我們的經(jīng)濟，我們的科學(xué)技術(shù)都在發(fā)生著變化。但是，有些東西是不會改變的，我們的勇氣和同情心，我們的尊嚴和正直，我們對于不同種族和信念的尊重。我們賴以生存的價值觀永遠都不會改變，而且基本的社會機構(gòu)已經(jīng)將它們根植在我們心中，比如說我們的家庭、學(xué)校，還有宗教聚會。所有這些機構(gòu)是文明的無形支柱，在美國它們必須永遠強大，我們要保護它們。我們必須同我們的家人站在一起，幫助他們養(yǎng)育健康、有責(zé)任心的兒童。幫助孩子們做出正確的選擇是我們共同的職責(zé)。
孩子們做出的不好的選擇就是用他們的生命和未來作賭注，孤注一擲吸毒。我們的政府正在通過積極的教育、治療和法律強制手段幫助家長對付這個問題。在過去的兩年中，高中里毒品的使用量已經(jīng)降低了11％。和2001年相比，非法吸毒的年輕人減少了40萬。在預(yù)算中，我提出希望能夠提供新的資金繼續(xù)我們積極的、以社區(qū)為基礎(chǔ)的減少非法毒品需求的戰(zhàn)略。在學(xué)校里進行的吸毒測試被證實是非常有效的。所以今晚，我提議為那些以毒品測試為手段挽救孩子生命的學(xué)校增加2300萬補助。這樣做的目的是懲罰那些吸毒的孩子，但是我們想告訴他們：我們愛你們，我們不想失去你們。
要幫助孩子們做出正確的選擇，他們需要好榜樣。體育在我們的社會中扮演著很重要的角色，但是，不幸的是，有些職業(yè)運動員并沒有做出很好的表率作用。他們在棒球，橄欖球和其他一些項目中使用類固醇等興奮劑來提高比賽成績，這樣做是很危險的，而且這樣給孩子們傳達了錯誤信息，那就是成功有捷徑可走，比賽成績比人的品格更重要。所以今晚我想向球隊的主人、聯(lián)盟的代表、教練和球員發(fā)出呼吁，希望你們能夠起到帶頭作用，傳達正確的信息，勇敢的行動起來，從現(xiàn)在開始拒絕類固醇。
要讓孩子能夠做出正確的選擇，我們必須自愿面對年輕人所面臨的一些危險，即使他們難以啟齒。每年大約有300萬少年兒童感染性病，這會對他們造成極大的傷害，甚至?xí)⒘怂麄?，或使他們失去做父母的?quán)利。在預(yù)算中，我希望大家能夠一起行動起來幫助那些家庭，告訴他們危害性。我們將為禁欲項目提供雙倍的聯(lián)邦財政資助，這樣學(xué)校可以告訴學(xué)生：自我節(jié)制是年輕人避免性傳播疾病的途徑。
孩子們現(xiàn)在做出的決定會影響到他們未來的健康和性格發(fā)展。家長、學(xué)校和政府，我們要共同合作來抵制文化的負面影響，給孩子們傳遞正確的信息。
對所有美國人來說，過去的三年給我們帶來了很多未曾想象的考驗，也給我們帶來了很大的成就。我們的行動表明美國是一個什么樣的國家。當(dāng)我們?nèi)蕴幱诒粗袝r，我們找到了繼續(xù)前進的勇氣；在我們面臨挑戰(zhàn)時，我們再次找到了一個自由民族的勇氣和膽量；當(dāng)我們?nèi)〉脛倮畷r，我們展示了美國的莊嚴目標(biāo)和慈善之心。在經(jīng)過這么多事情之后，我們覺得我們生活在一個完全不同的時代。
我本人是美國人民性格的見證人之一，在危險面前能夠保持鎮(zhèn)定，能夠?qū)λ吮３謱捜荩軌蜷L久保持決心。我們所有的人都是一個偉大事業(yè)的伙伴，即使那些年輕人也明白，我們生活在一個歷史性的變革時代。上個月，一名來自羅得島的小女孩致信于我。信的開頭是這樣寫的：“親愛的喬治·W·布什”，“如果你知道像我阿斯雷·佩爾森，這樣一個10歲女孩能做什么事情來幫助別人，請你給我回信，告訴我做些什么才能幫助或者拯救我們的國家?！彼谛诺母窖灾袑懙溃骸叭绻憬o軍人寫信，請你寫上'阿斯雷·佩爾森相信你們'這樣的字樣。”
今晚，阿斯雷，你想給軍人傳遞的信息，我已經(jīng)傳給了他們，當(dāng)然，你自己也應(yīng)承擔(dān)一些責(zé)任：努力學(xué)習(xí)，聽爸爸媽媽的話，幫助那些需要幫助的人，當(dāng)你和你的朋友看到穿軍裝的男女軍人時，對他們說“謝謝你們”。當(dāng)你承擔(dān)了自己的一份責(zé)任時，在這里的所有人都將盡我們所能來讓你和美國人民覺得更加安全，更加自由。
美國同胞們，我們有能力有信心繼續(xù)前進。我們的國家是強大堅定的。我們的事業(yè)是正義的，因為這也是全人類的事業(yè)。