第一篇：克林頓總統(tǒng)第二次就職演說

克林頓總統(tǒng)第二次就職演說

名人演講稿

Myfellowcitize:

Atthislastpresidentialinaugurationofthe20thcentury,letusliftoureyestowardthechallengesthatawaitusinthenextcentury.Itisourgreatgoodfortunethattimeandchancehaveputusnotonlyattheedgeofanewcentury,inanewmilleium,butontheedgeofabrightnewproectinhumanaffairs--amomentthatwilldefineourcourse,andourcharacter,fordecadestocome.Wemustkeepourolddemocracyforeveryoung.Guidedbytheancientvisionofapromisedland,letussetoursightsuponalandofnewpromise.ThepromiseofAmericawasborninthe18thcenturyoutoftheboldconvictionthatweareallcreatedequal.Itwasextendedandpreservedinthe19thcentury,whenournationreadacrothecontinent,savedtheunion,andabolishedtheawfulscourgeofslavery.Then,inturmoilandtriumph,thatpromiseexplodedontotheworldstagetomakethistheAmericanCentury.Andwhatacenturyithasbeen.Americabecametheworld'smightiestindustrialpower;savedtheworldfromtyrayintwoworldwarsandalongcoldwar;andtimeandagain,reachedoutacrotheglobetomilliowho,likeus,longedforthebleingsofliberty.Alongtheway,Americaproducedagreatmiddleclaandsecurityinoldage;builtunrivaledcentersoflearningandopenedpublicschoolstoall;littheatomandexploredtheheaveinventedthecomputerandthemicrochianddeepenedthewellringofjusticebymakingarevolutionincivilrightsforAfricanAmericaandallminorities,andextendingthecircleofcitizehip,oortunityanddignitytowomen.Now,forthethirdtime,anewcenturyisuponus,andanothertimetochoose.Webeganthe19thcenturywithachoice,toreadournationfromcoasttocoast.Webeganthe20thcenturywithachoice,toharnetheIndustrialRevolutiontoourvaluesoffreeenterprise,coervation,andhumandecency.Thosechoicesmadeallthedifference.Atthedawnofthe21stcenturyafreepeoplemustnowchoosetoshapetheforcesoftheInformationAgeandtheglobalsociety,tounleashthelimitlepotentialofallourpeople,and,yes,toformamoreperfectunion.Whenlastwegathered,ourmarchtothisnewfutureseemedlecertainthanitdoestoday.Wevowedthentosetaclearcoursetorenewournation.Inthesefouryears,wehavebeentouchedbyt

第二篇：克林頓總統(tǒng)第二次就職演說

克林頓總統(tǒng)第二次就職演說

名人演講稿

Myfellowcitize:

Atthislastpresidentialinaugurationofthe20thcentury,letusliftoureyestowardthechallengesthatawaitusinthenextcentury.Itisourgreatgoodfortunethattimeandchancehaveputusnotonlyattheedgeofanewcentury,inanewmilleium,butontheedgeofabrightnewproectinhumanaffairs--amomentthatwilldefineourcourse,and

ourcharacter,fordecadestocome.Wemustkeepourolddemocracyforeveryoung.Guidedbytheancientvisionofapromisedland,letussetoursightsuponalandofnewpromise.

ThepromiseofAmericawasborninthe18thcenturyoutoftheboldconvictionthatweareallcreatedequal.Itwasextendedandpreservedinthe19thcentury,whenournationreadacrothecontinent,savedtheunion,andabolishedtheawfulscourgeofslavery.

Then,inturmoilandtriumph,thatpromiseexplodedontotheworldstagetomakethistheAmericanCentury.Andwhatacenturyithasbeen.Americabecametheworld'smightiestindustrialpower;savedtheworldfromtyrayintwoworldwarsandalongcoldwar;andtimeandagain,reachedoutacrotheglobetomilliowho,likeus,longedforthebleingsofliberty.

Alongtheway,Americaproducedagreatmiddleclaandsecurityinoldage;builtunrivaledcentersoflearningandopenedpublicschoolstoall;littheatomandexploredtheheaveinventedthecomputerandthemicrochianddeepenedthewellringofjusticebymakingarevolutionincivilrightsforAfricanAmericaandallminorities,andextendingthecircleofcitizehip,oortunityanddignitytowomen.

Now,forthethirdtime,anewcenturyisuponus,andanothertimetochoose.Webeganthe19thcenturywithachoice,toreadournationfromcoasttocoast.Webeganthe20thcenturywithachoice,toharnetheIndustrialRevolutiontoourvaluesoffreeenterprise,coervation,andhumandecency.Thosechoicesmadeallthedifference.Atthedawnofthe21stcenturyafreepeoplemustnowchoosetoshapetheforcesoftheInformationAgeandtheglobalsociety,tounleashthelimitlepotentialofallourpeople,and,yes,toformamoreperfectunion.

Whenlastwegathered,ourmarchtothisnewfutureseemedlecertainthanitdoestoday.Wevowedthentosetaclearcoursetorenewournation.

Inthesefouryears,wehavebeentouchedbytragedy,exhilaratedbychallenge,strengthenedbyachievement.America

standsaloneastheworld'sindieablenation.Onceagain,oureconomyisthestrongestonEarth.Onceagain,wearebuildingstrongerfamilies,thrivingcommu

nities,bettereducationaloortunities,acleanerenvironment.Problemsthatonceseemeddestinedtodeepennowbendtoourefforts:ourstreetsaresaferandrecordnumbersofourfellowcitizehavemovedfromwelfaretowork.

Andonceagain,wehaveresolvedforourtimeagreatdebateovertheroleofgovernment.Todaywecandeclare:Governmentisnottheproblem,andgovernmentisnotthesolu

tion.We--theAmericanpeople--wearethesolution.(Alause.)Ourfoundersunderstoodthatwellandgaveusademocracystrongenoughtoendureforcenturies,flexibleenoughtofaceourcommonchallengesandadvanceourcommondreamsineachnewday.

Astimeschange,sogovernmentmustchange.Weneedanewgovernmentforanewcentury--humbleenoughnottotrytosolveallourproblemsforus,butstrongenoughtogiveusthetoolstosolveourproblemsforourselveagovernmentthatissmaller,liveswithinitsmea,anddoesmorewithle.Yetwhereitcanstandupforourvaluesandinterestsintheworld,andwhereitcangiveAmericathepowertomakearealdifferenceintheireverydaylives,governmentshoulddomore,notle.ThepreeminentmiionofournewgovernmentistogiveallAmericaanoortunity--notaguarantee,butarealoortunity--tobuildbetterlives.(Alause.)

Beyondthat,myfellowcitize,thefutureisuptous.Ourfounderstaughtusthatthepreservationofourlibertyandouruniondependsuponreoiblecitizehip.Andweneedanewseeofreoibilityforanewcentury.Thereisworktodo,workthatgovernmentalonecaotdo:teachingchildrentoread;hiringpeopleoffwelfarerollcomingoutfrombehindlockeddoorsandshutteredwindowstohelpreclaimourstreetsfromdrugsandgangsandcrime;takingtimeoutofourownlivestoserveothers.

Eachandeveryoneofus,inourownway,mustaumepersonalreoibility--notonlyforourselvesandourfamilies,butforourneighborsandournation.(Alause.)Ourgreatestreoibilityistoembraceanewiritofcommunityforanewcentury.Foranyoneofustosucceed,wemustsucceedasone

America.

Thechallengeofourpastremaithechallengeofourfuture--willwebeonenation,onepeople,withonecommondestiny,ornot?Willweallcometogether,orcomeapart?

ThedivideofracehasbeenAmerica'scotantcurse.Andeachnewwaveofimmigrantsgivesnewtargetstooldprejudices.Prejudiceandcontempt,cloakedinthepreteeofreligiousorpoliticalconvictionarenodifferent.(Alause.)Theseforceshavenearlydestroyedournationinthepast.Theyplagueusstill.Theyfuelthefanaticismofterror.Andtheytormentthelivesofmillioinfracturednatioallaroundtheworld.

Theseoeiocrileboththosewhohateand,ofcourse,thosewhoarehated,roingbothofwhattheymightbecome.Wecaot,wewillnot,succumbtothedarkimpulsesthatlurkinthefarregioofthesouleverywhere.Weshallovercomethem.(Alause.)Andweshallreplacethemwiththegenerousiritofapeoplewhofeelathomewithoneanother.Ourrichtextureofracial,religiousandpoliticaldiversitywillbeaGodsendinthe21stcentury.Greatrewardswillcometothosewhocanlivetogether,learntogether,worktogether,forgenewtiesthatbindtogether.

Asthisneweraaroacheswecanalreadyseeitsbroadoutlines.Tenyearsago,theInternetwasthemysticalprovinceofphysicisttoday,itisacommolaceencyclopediaformillioofschoolchildren.Scientistsnowaredecodingtheblueprintofhumanlife.Curesforourmostfearedillneesseemcloseathand.

Theworldisnolongerdividedintotwohostilecam.Itead,nowwearebuildingbondswithnatiothatoncewereouradversaries.Growingcoectioofcommerceandculturegiveusachancetoliftthefortunesandiritsofpeopletheworldover.Andfortheveryfirsttimeinallofhistory,morepeopleonthisplanetliveunderdemocracythandictatorship.(Alause.)

MyfellowAmerica,aswelookbackatthisremarkablecentury,wemayask,canwehopenotjusttofollow,buteventosurpatheachievementsofthe20thcenturyinAmericaandtoavoidtheawfulbloodshedthatstaineditslegacy?Tothatquestion,everyAmericanhereandeveryAmericaninourlandtodaymustaweraresounding“Yes.”(Alause.)

Thisistheheartofourtask.Withanewvisionofgovernment,anewseeofreoibility,anewiritofcommunity,wewillsustainAmerica'sjourney.Thepromisewesoughtinanewlandwewillfindagaininalandofnewpromise.(Alause.)

Inthisnewland,educationwillbeeverycitizen'smostprizedpoeion.Ourschoolswillhavethehigheststandardsintheworld,ignitingthearkofpoibilityintheeyesofeverygirlandeveryboy.Andthedoorsofhighereducationwillbeopentoall.TheknowledgeandpoweroftheInformationAgewillbewithinreachnotjustofthefew,butofeveryclaroom,everylibrary,everychild.Parentsandchildrenwillhavetimenotonlytowork,buttoreadandplaytogether.Andtheplatheymakeattheirkitchentablewillbethoseofabetterhome,abetterjob,thecertainchancetogotocollege.

Ourstreetswillechoagainwiththelaughterofourchildren,becausenoonewilltrytoshootthemorsellthemdrugsanymore.Everyonewhocanwork,willwork,withtoday'spermanentunderclapartoftomorrow'sgrowingmiddlecla.Newmiraclesofmedicineatlastwillreachnotonlythosewhocanclaimcarenow,butthechildrenandhardworkingfamiliestoolongdenied.

Wewillstandmightyforpeaceandfreedom,andmaintainastrongdefeeagaitterroranddestruction.Ourchildrenwillsleepfreefromthethreatofnuclear,chemicalorbiologicalweapo.Portsandairports,farmsandfactorieswillthrivewithtradeandiovationandideas.Andtheworld'sgreatestdemocracywillleadawholeworldofdemocracies.

Ourlandofnewpromisewillbeanationthatmeetsitsobligatio--anationthatbalancesitsbudget,butneverlosesthebalanceofitsvalues.(Alause.)Anationwhereourgrandparentshavesecureretirementandhealthcare,andtheirgrandchildrenknowwehavemadethereformsnecearytosustainthosebenefitsfortheirtime.(Alause.)Anationthatfortifiestheworld'smostproductiveeconomyevenasitprotectsthegreatnaturalbountyofourwater,air,andmajesticland.

Andinthislandofnewpromise,wewillhavereformedourpoliticssothatthevoiceofthepeoplewillalwayseaklouderthanthedinofnarrowinterests--regainingtheparticipationanddeservingthetrustofallAmerica.(Alause.)

Fellowcitize,letusbuildthatAmerica,anationevermovingforwardtowardrealizingthefullpotentialofallitscitize.Proerityandpower--yes,theyareimportant,andwemustmaintainthem.Butletusneverforget:Thegreatestprogrewehavemade,andthegreatestprogrewehaveyettomake,isinthehumanheart.Intheend,alltheworld'swealthandathousandarmiesarenomatchforthestrengthanddecencyofthehumanirit.(Alause.)好范文版權(quán)所有

Thirty-fouryearsago,themanwhoselifewecelebratetodayoketousdownthere,attheotherendofthisMall,inwordsthatmovedthecocienceofanation.Likeaprophetofold,hetoldofhisdreamthatonedayAmericawouldriseupandtreatallitscitizeasequalsbeforethelawandintheheart.MartinLutherKing'sdreamwastheAmericanDream.Hisquestisourquest:theceaselestrivingtoliveoutourtruecreed.Ourhistoryhasbeenbuiltonsuchdreamsandlabors.Andbyourdreamsandlabors

wewillredeemthepromiseofAmericainthe21stcentury.

TothateffortIpledgeallmystrengthandeverypowerofmyoffice.IaskthemembersofCongreheretojoininthatpledge.TheAmericanpeoplereturnedtoofficeaPresidentofonepartyandaCongreofanother.Surely,theydidnotdothistoadvancethepoliticsofpettybickeringandextremepartisahiptheyplainlydeplore.(Alause.)No,theycallonusiteadtoberepairersofthebreach,andtomoveonwithAmerica'smiion.

Americademandsanddeservesbigthingsfromus--andnothingbigevercamefrombeingsmall.(Alause.)LetusrememberthetimelewisdomofCardinalBernardin,whenfacingtheendofhisownlife.Hesaid:“Itiswrongtowastethepreciousgiftoftime,onacrimonyanddivision.”

Fellowcitize,wemustnotwastethepreciousgiftofthistime.Forallofusareonthatsamejourneyofourlives,andourjourney,too,willcometoanend.ButthejourneyofourAmericamustgoon.

Andso,myfellowAmerica,wemustbestrong,forthereismuchtodare.Thedemandsofourtimearegreatandtheyaredifferent.Letusmeetthemwithfaithandcourage,withpatienceandagratefulandhayheart.Letusshapethehopeofthisdayintothenoblestchapterinourhistory.Yes,letusbuildourbridge.(Alause.)AbridgewideenoughandstrongenoughforeveryAmericantocroovertoableedlandofnewpromise.

Maythosegeneratiowhosefaceswecaotyetsee,whosenameswemayneverknow,sayofusherethatweledourbelovedlandintoanewcenturywiththeAmericanDreamaliveforallherchildrewiththeAmericanpromiseofamoreperfectunionarealityforallherpeople;withAmerica'sbrightflameoffreedomreadingthroughoutalltheworld.

Fromtheheightofthisplaceandthesummitofthiscentury,letusgoforth.MayGodstrengthenourhandsforthegoodworkahead--andalways,alwaysbleourAmerica.(Alause.)

END12:30P.M.EST好范文版權(quán)所有

第三篇：克林頓總統(tǒng)就職演說

My fellow citizens:

Today we celebrate the mystery of American renewal.同胞們，今天，我們?cè)谶@里隆重集會(huì)來慶祝復(fù)興美國(guó)偉大時(shí)刻的到來。

This ceremony is held in the depth of winter.But by the words we speak and faces we show the world.We force the spring.A spring reborn in the world's oldest democracy, that brings forth the vision and courage to reinvent American.現(xiàn)在雖然仍是寒月隆冬，但在對(duì)世界發(fā)出的誓言和展示的姿態(tài)中，我們已經(jīng)讓春暖花開悄然降臨到了每個(gè)人的心里。春天已經(jīng)來到了世界上最古老的民主國(guó)家，它為美利堅(jiān)的中興帶來了一派欣欣向榮的新氣象和令人鼓舞的勇氣。

When our founder boldly declared America's independence to the world and our purposes to the almighty,they knew that America, would have to change.，to endure,Not change for change's sake,but change to preserve America's ideals, life,liberty ,the pursuit of happiness.Though we march to the music of our time,our mission is timeless.Each generation of Americans must define what if means to be an American.當(dāng)美利堅(jiān)合眾國(guó)的締造者向全世界宣告這個(gè)國(guó)家的獨(dú)立和我們的遠(yuǎn)大目標(biāo)的時(shí)候，他們已然知道，美利堅(jiān)合眾國(guó)必須在不斷的變革中才能得到長(zhǎng)足的生存和發(fā)展。然而，我們并不是僅僅為了改變而改變，我們要變革是為了保持美利堅(jiān)尊重生命，尊重國(guó)家公民自由和追求幸福的權(quán)利的立國(guó)思想萬代千秋永垂不朽！此刻，雖然我們已經(jīng)伴隨著時(shí)代的行進(jìn)曲抬頭挺進(jìn)，但我們?nèi)匀恍枰c時(shí)俱進(jìn)。每一個(gè)時(shí)代的美國(guó)人都必須清楚的了解自己作為一個(gè)美國(guó)公民的使命所在。

On behalf of our nation, I salute my predecessor, president Bush,for his half-century of service to America.And I thank the millions of men and women whose steadfastness and sacrifice triumphed over Depression, fascism and communism.在這里，請(qǐng)?jiān)试S我代表國(guó)家，向我的前任——布什總統(tǒng)致敬，他盡忠職守的為這個(gè)國(guó)家奉獻(xiàn)了半個(gè)世紀(jì)。同時(shí)，我還要感謝數(shù)以百萬的美國(guó)人，他們?cè)谄D難困苦中堅(jiān)定信念，犧牲奉獻(xiàn)，最終戰(zhàn)勝了大蕭條，法西斯和共產(chǎn)主義。

Today, a generation raised in shadows of the Cold War assumes new responsibilities in a world warmed by the sunshine of freedom but threaten still by ancient hatreds and new plagues.今天，在冷戰(zhàn)陰影下成長(zhǎng)的一代在我們這個(gè)被自由陽(yáng)光溫暖的世界中肩負(fù)著新的責(zé)任，但是我們?nèi)悦媾R著新仇與舊恨的威脅。

Raised in unrivaled prosperity, we inherit an economy that is still the world's strongest, but is weakened by business failures, stagnant(停滯的)wages, increasing inequality, and deep divisions among our people.盡管我們?cè)跓o與倫比的物質(zhì)繁華中成長(zhǎng)，盡管我們?nèi)匀焕^承了世界上最為強(qiáng)大的經(jīng)濟(jì)體，但實(shí)際上我們的社會(huì)同時(shí)也被商業(yè)蕭條，收入停滯不前，不平等現(xiàn)象不斷增加以及階層隔閡加劇所削弱。

When George Washington first took the oath I have just sworn to uphold, news traveled slowly across the land by horseback and across the ocean by boat.Now, the sights and sounds of this ceremony are broadcast instantaneously to billions around the world.當(dāng)喬治華盛頓在宣誓我剛才所宣誓過的誓詞的時(shí)候，消息是通過馬背和艦船緩慢的穿過陸地，跨過海洋的。而此刻，盛會(huì)現(xiàn)場(chǎng)的現(xiàn)場(chǎng)音頻視頻信號(hào)正在向全球的億萬觀眾不間斷直播。

Communications and commerce are global;investment is mobile;technology is almost magical;and ambition for a better life is now universal.We earn our livelihood in peaceful competition with people all across the earth.現(xiàn)代社會(huì)，溝通和商業(yè)是全球化的，技術(shù)發(fā)展令人驚訝，同時(shí)讓生活更美好也成為了大家的愿望。我們?cè)谌蛐缘墓礁?jìng)爭(zhēng)中營(yíng)造我們自己的生活。

Profound and powerful forces are shaking and remaking our world, and the urgent question of our time is whether we can make change our friend and not our enemy.深厚和強(qiáng)大的力量正在動(dòng)搖和改寫我們的世界，而能否讓變革成為我們的朋友而非敵人成為了我們這個(gè)時(shí)代最為緊迫的問題。

This new world has already enriched the lives of millions of Americans who are able to compete and win in it.But when most people are working harder for less;when others cannot work at all;when the cost of health care devastates families and threatens to bankrupt many of our enterprises, great and small;when fear of crime robs law-abiding citizens of their freedom;and when millions of poor children cannot even imagine the lives we are calling them to lead, we have not made change our friend.這個(gè)新世界已經(jīng)讓數(shù)以百萬計(jì)的美國(guó)人通過努力奮斗過上了富足的生活，但當(dāng)大部分的人每天都在努力工作卻只能勉強(qiáng)維持生計(jì)，當(dāng)還有人得不到工作，當(dāng)醫(yī)療衛(wèi)生的支出正在讓許多的家庭支離破碎，當(dāng)大大小小的企業(yè)正在面臨破產(chǎn)威脅的時(shí)候，當(dāng)犯罪案件頻發(fā)給遵紀(jì)守法的人們帶來極大恐慌而無法正常享受生活的時(shí)候，當(dāng)還有數(shù)以百萬計(jì)的貧苦兒童甚至還過著我們無法想象的生活的時(shí)候，我們還沒有讓變革成為我們的朋友。

We know we have to face hard truths and take strong steps.But we have not done so.Instead, we have drifted, and that drifting has eroded our resources, fractured our economy, and shaken our confidence.我們知道我們必須面對(duì)殘酷的現(xiàn)實(shí)和采取更有力的措施。但是我們還沒有付諸實(shí)際行動(dòng)，而是聽天由命隨波逐流，而恰恰正是這種聽之任之的不作為正在腐蝕我們的根基，削弱我們的經(jīng)濟(jì)，它正在動(dòng)搖我們的信心。

Though our challenges are fearsome, so are our strengths.And Americans have ever been a restless, questing, hopeful people.We must bring to our task today the vision and will of those who came before us.盡管我們面臨的挑戰(zhàn)令人畏懼，但是我們的力量也同樣不容忽視。美利堅(jiān)的國(guó)民從來就不甘于現(xiàn)狀，我們一直都在不斷探索進(jìn)取，樂觀向上。我們肩膀上的使命帶著美利堅(jiān)的先驅(qū)們賦予的美好愿望和堅(jiān)強(qiáng)意志。

From our revolution, to the Civil War, to the Great Depression to the civil rights movement, our people have always mustered the determination to construct from these crises the pillars of our history.從我們的革命開始，到南北戰(zhàn)爭(zhēng)到大蕭條再到民權(quán)運(yùn)動(dòng)，我們的人民一次又一次的從危機(jī)中萬眾一心眾志成城的書寫著歷史的豐碑。

Thomas Jefferson believed that to preserve the very foundations of our nation, we would need dramatic change from time to time.Well, my fellow Americans, this is our time.Let us embrace it.托馬斯杰斐遜堅(jiān)信為了維護(hù)我們國(guó)家的根基，我們必須與時(shí)俱進(jìn)義無返顧的進(jìn)行變革?，F(xiàn)在，親愛的同胞們，我們改革的時(shí)刻到來了，讓我們一起緊密擁抱它吧。

Our democracy must be not only the envy of the world but the engine of our own renewal.There is nothing wrong with America that cannot be cured by what is right with America.我們的民主不單單是世界向往的楷模同時(shí)更是美利堅(jiān)自我復(fù)興的強(qiáng)勁動(dòng)力，它將帶領(lǐng)著偉大的美利堅(jiān)這艘巨艦一如既往乘風(fēng)破浪無往不前。

And so today, we pledge an end to the era of deadlock and drift;a new season of American renewal has begun.To renew America, we must be bold.We must do what no generation has had to do before.We must invest more in our own people, in their jobs, in their future, and at the same time cut our massive debt.And we must do so in a world in which we must compete for every opportunity.It will not be easy;it will require sacrifice.But it can be done, and done fairly, not choosing sacrifice for its own sake, but for our own sake.We must provide for our nation the way a family provides for its children.今天，我們要在這里宣告僵持和隨波逐流時(shí)代的結(jié)束，一個(gè)美利堅(jiān)復(fù)興的全新時(shí)代已經(jīng)開始。為了重振美利堅(jiān)雄風(fēng)，除了披荊斬棘勇往向前，我們別無選擇。我們必須排除萬難做一些前人從未做過的創(chuàng)舉。我們的政策需要向美國(guó)本土的就業(yè)，未來傾斜，同時(shí)減縮巨額債務(wù)。我們還要建立一個(gè)公平競(jìng)爭(zhēng)的社會(huì)，這不是一件容易的事情，它需要我們做出犧牲，但它一定會(huì)實(shí)現(xiàn)，犧牲并不是我們的目的，實(shí)現(xiàn)我們的目標(biāo)才是我們的最終目的，我們要像一個(gè)家庭對(duì)待自己的孩子一樣對(duì)待我們的國(guó)家。

Our Founders saw themselves in the light of posterity.We can do no less.Anyone who has ever watched a child's eyes wander into sleep knows what posterity is.Posterity(子孫，后裔)is the world to come;the world for whom we hold our ideals, from whom we have borrowed our planet, and to whom we bear sacred responsibility.We must do what America does best: offer more opportunity to all and demand responsibility from all.美利堅(jiān)的開國(guó)元?jiǎng)讉儚慕▏?guó)伊始就一直從子孫萬代的長(zhǎng)遠(yuǎn)利益出發(fā)考慮國(guó)家的發(fā)展規(guī)劃。我們更需要考慮更多。每一個(gè)注視過在夢(mèng)想中熟睡的孩子眼睛的的人都明白子孫后代意味著什么。孩子就意味著未來的世界，一個(gè)我們?yōu)橹葱l(wèi)美利堅(jiān)普世價(jià)值觀思想的世界，從他們那里我們借用了這一個(gè)星球，而為了他們我們承擔(dān)了很多神圣的責(zé)任。我們必須傾盡我們所有讓這個(gè)國(guó)家至善完美，那就是，賦予所有國(guó)民更多機(jī)會(huì)以及責(zé)任！

It is time to break the bad habit of expecting something for nothing, from our government or from each other.Let us all take more responsibility, not only for ourselves and our families but for our communities and our country.To renew America, we must revitalize our democracy.現(xiàn)在該是到了打破只管索取而不付出這一壞習(xí)慣的時(shí)候了，不管是我們的政府還是任何一方。讓我們承擔(dān)其更多的責(zé)任吧，不僅僅是為了我們的家庭，而是為了我們的社區(qū)和國(guó)家。要復(fù)興美利堅(jiān)，我們就必須重建我們的民主制度。

This beautiful capital, like every capital since the dawn of civilization, is often a place of intrigue and calculation.Powerful people maneuver for position and worry endlessly about who is in and who is out, who is up and who is down, forgetting those people whose toil and sweat sends us here and pays our way.這個(gè)美麗的首都，就像每一個(gè)文明初生的首都一樣，常常是一個(gè)充滿陰謀和較量的地方，權(quán)貴們?yōu)榱烁吖俸竦摱M(fèi)盡心思盤算著誰進(jìn)誰出，誰上誰下。他們也許早已忘記了那些為了我們今天的生而付出了艱辛汗水和多少磨難的先輩們。

Americans deserve better, and in this city today, there are people who want to do better.And so I say to all of us here, let us resolve to reform our politics, so that power and privilege no longer shout down the voice of the people.Let us put aside personal advantage so that we can feel the pain and see the promise of America.Let us resolve to make our government a place for what Franklin Roosevelt called “bold, persistent experimentation,” a government for our tomorrows, not our yesterdays.Let us give this capital back to the people to whom it belongs.美利堅(jiān)的國(guó)民本該得到更好的生活，就在這城市，就在今天，還有很多的人向往著那些更令人憧憬的美好生活。在這里我要跟所有的人說，同胞們，讓我們堅(jiān)決地把我們的政治制度改革事業(yè)進(jìn)行到底吧，那樣那些權(quán)貴和利益集團(tuán)從此往后再也不能覆蓋來自人民的聲音，讓我們把我們的政府變成一個(gè)富蘭克林羅斯福稱之為持續(xù)進(jìn)行大刀闊斧變革的試驗(yàn)場(chǎng)，變成一個(gè)給我們帶來更美好的明天而不是讓生活倒退的政府。讓我們把這個(gè)美麗的首都?xì)w還給到她本來的主人——我們美利堅(jiān)公民的手上！

To renew America, we must meet challenges abroad as well as at home.There is no longer division between what is foreign and what is domestic;the world economy, the world environment, the world AIDS crisis, the world arms race;they affect us all.要復(fù)興美利堅(jiān)，我們要面臨來自國(guó)內(nèi)外的挑戰(zhàn)！這些挑戰(zhàn)無法區(qū)分哪些是來自海外哪些來自本土，全球經(jīng)濟(jì)，世界環(huán)境，艾滋病危機(jī)，還有全球軍備競(jìng)賽，這些問題無時(shí)不刻不在影響著我們。

Today, as an old order passes, the new world is more free but less stable.Communism's collapse has called forth old animosities（仇恨）and new dangers.Clearly America must continue to lead the world we did so much to make.時(shí)至今日，作為一個(gè)舊的秩序的過渡，新的世界獲得了更多的自由同時(shí)也更加動(dòng)蕩。共產(chǎn)主義的垮臺(tái)帶來了新仇舊恨，我們清楚的認(rèn)識(shí)到美國(guó)必須繼續(xù)一如既往的領(lǐng)導(dǎo)世界向前開進(jìn)。

While America rebuilds at home, we will not shrink from the challenges, nor fail to seize[i:] the opportunities, of this new world.Together with our friends and allies, we will work to shape change, lest it engulf us.當(dāng)我們重建美國(guó)的時(shí)候，面對(duì)挑戰(zhàn)我們不會(huì)退縮，不會(huì)放棄我們主導(dǎo)新世界的機(jī)會(huì)，我們將和我們的盟友一起重塑變革，讓它順應(yīng)我們的意志。

When our vital interests are challenged, or the will and conscience of the international community is defied, we will act;with peaceful diplomacy when ever possible, with force when necessary.The brave Americans serving our nation today in the Persian Gulf, in Somalia, and wherever else they stand are testament to our resolve.當(dāng)美國(guó)的重要利益受到挑戰(zhàn)，或者國(guó)際社會(huì)的道德秩序受到公然挑釁的時(shí)候，我們不會(huì)袖手旁觀，我們將采取和平的外交手段及一切可能的方法，必要的時(shí)候甚至訴諸武力解決問題。就在現(xiàn)在，驍勇善戰(zhàn)的美軍士兵正在波斯灣，在索馬里以及其他任何需要他們?nèi)ヂ男忻绹?guó)政府意志的地方實(shí)現(xiàn)美國(guó)的決心。

But our greatest strength is the power of our ideas, which are still new in many lands.Across the world, we see them embraced, and we rejoice.Our hopes, our hearts, our hands, are with those on every continent who are building democracy and freedom.Their cause is America's cause.實(shí)際上我們最強(qiáng)大的力量所在是我們的思想，在很多的領(lǐng)域都占據(jù)領(lǐng)先地位。縱觀全球，我們看到這些思想為世人所接受，而我們也深感欣慰，我們的希望，我們的熱心，我們的雙手，靠著這些我們幫助了其他國(guó)家的人民在每一塊大陸建立了民主和自由，他們的成就也是美國(guó)的成就。

The American people have summoned the change we celebrate today.You have raised your voices in an unmistakable chorus.You have cast your votes in historic numbers.And you have changed the face of Congress, the presidency and the political process itself.Yes, you, my fellow Americans have forced the spring.Now, we must do the work the season demands.美國(guó)人民一直在召喚著我們做出今天所提出的變革，你們已經(jīng)發(fā)出圣歌的強(qiáng)音，你們已經(jīng)投出了具有歷史意義的一票，是你們，讓國(guó)會(huì)舊貌換新顏，你們改變了美利堅(jiān)的總統(tǒng)制度和政治進(jìn)程。是的，親愛的美國(guó)同胞們，是你們促使了美利堅(jiān)春暖花開的早日到來。同胞們，現(xiàn)在，到了我們響應(yīng)時(shí)代要求付諸實(shí)際行動(dòng)的時(shí)候了。

To that work I now turn, with all the authority of my office.I ask the Congress to join with me.But no president, no Congress, no government, can undertake this mission alone.My fellow Americans, you, too, must play your part in our renewal.I challenge a new generation of young Americans to a season of service;to act on your idealism by helping troubled children, keeping company with those in need, reconnecting our torn communities.There is so much to be done;enough indeed for millions of others who are still young in spirit to give of themselves in service, too.我將和本屆政府的所有職能部門來肩負(fù)這一重要使命，我也將請(qǐng)求國(guó)會(huì)和我們站在一起。但是，沒有哪一個(gè)總統(tǒng)，哪一屆國(guó)會(huì)哪一屆政府能單獨(dú)扛起這樣的重任。親愛的同胞們，你們，我們需要你們和我們一起參與到偉大的美利堅(jiān)復(fù)興運(yùn)動(dòng)中來。我呼吁美國(guó)的年青一代加入到報(bào)效國(guó)家的行列中來，去通過幫助貧困交加和需要幫助的兒童來實(shí)現(xiàn)你的理想，陪伴那些有需要的人們，重新連接我們撕裂的社區(qū)，這是一項(xiàng)浩瀚的工程，足以讓成千上萬有理想的年輕人投身其中。

In serving, we recognize a simple but powerful truth, we need each other.And we must care for one another.Today, we do more than celebrate America;we rededicate ourselves to the very idea of America.加入效力國(guó)家的行列，我們就會(huì)明白一個(gè)很簡(jiǎn)單但卻很令人振奮的道理，我相互需要。所以我們需要關(guān)愛彼此。今天，我們來這里不是僅僅為了歡呼為了慶祝，我們更需要把自己奉獻(xiàn)給最重要的美國(guó)思想。

An idea born in revolution and renewed through two centuries of challenge.An idea tempered by the knowledge that, but for fate we, the fortunate and the unfortunate, might have been each other.An idea ennobled by the faith that our nation can summon from its myriad diversity the deepest measure of unity.An idea infused with the conviction that America's long heroic journey must go forever upward.這是一種誕生于隆隆的革命洪潮并經(jīng)受了兩個(gè)世紀(jì)洗禮的理念。這是一種煉就于知識(shí)與智慧的理念，它在影響著我們的一生，不管幸與不幸的人們，我們都身處這種思想當(dāng)中。

And so, my fellow Americans, as we stand at the edge of the 21st century, let us begin with energy and hope, with faith and discipline, and let us work until our work is done.The scripture says, “And let us not be weary in well-doing, for in due season, we shall reap, if we faint not.”

所以，親愛的同胞們，當(dāng)我們已經(jīng)站在二十一世紀(jì)的邊緣，讓我們帶著希望和力量，帶著信念和紀(jì)律，讓我們把美利堅(jiān)的復(fù)興進(jìn)行到底吧，正如圣經(jīng)所說：不要厭于行善，在收獲的季節(jié)，假如沒有倒下，我們將得到收獲。

From this joyful mountaintop of celebration, we hear a call to service in the valley.We have heard the trumpets.We have changed the guard.And now, each in our way, and with God's help, we must answer the call.在歡樂的慶祝巔峰之中，我聽到了山谷中傳來的召喚，我們聽到了凱旋的號(hào)角聲，我們已經(jīng)換崗各就各位，現(xiàn)在，每一個(gè)和我們站在一起的人，在神的幫助之下，我們都必須響應(yīng)國(guó)家的呼喚。

Thank you, and God bless you all.謝謝大家，愿上帝保佑你們！

第四篇：克林頓總統(tǒng)第一次就職演說

克林頓總統(tǒng)第一次就職演說

名人演講稿

Myfellowcitize:

TodaywecelebratethemysteryofAmericanrenewal.Thisceremonyisheldinthedepthofwinter,butbythewordsweeakandthefacesweshowtheworld,weforcethering.Aringrebornintheworld'soldestdemocracy,thatbringsforththevisionandcouragetoreinventAmerica.WhenourfoundersboldlydeclaredAmerica'sindependencetotheworld,andourpurposestotheAlmighty,theyknewthatAmerica,toendure,wouldhavetochange.Notchangeforchangesake,butchangetopreserveAmerica'sideals:life,liberty,thepursuitofhaine.Thoughwemarchtothemusicofourtime,ourmiionistimele.EachgenerationofAmerican'smustdefinewhatitmeatobeanAmerican.Onbehalfofournation,Isalutemypredeceor,presidentBush,forhishalf-centuryofservicetoAmerica,andIthankthemillioofmenandwomenwhosesteadfastneandsacrificetriumphedoverdepreion,fascismandcommunism.Today,agenerationraisedintheshadowsoftheColdWaraumesnewreoibilitiesinaworldwarmedbythesuhineoffreedom,butthreatenedstillbyancienthatredsandnewplagues.Raisedinunrivalledproerity,weinheritaneconomythatisstilltheworld'sstrongest,butisweakenedbybusinefailures,stagnantwages,increasinginequality,anddeepdivisioamongourownpeople.WhenGeorgeWashingtonfirsttooktheoathIhavejustsworntouphold,newstravelledslowlyacrothelandbyhorseback,andacrotheoceanbyboat.Nowthesightsandsoundsofthisceremonyarebroadcastitantaneouslytobillioaroundtheworld.Communicatioandcommerceareglobal.Investmentismobile.Technologyisalmostmagical,andambitionforabetterlifeisnowuniversal.WeearnourlivelihoodinAmericatodayinpeacefulcompetitionwithpeopleallacrotheEarth.profoundandpowerfulforcesareshakingandremakingourworld,andtheurgentquestionofourtimeiswhetherwecanmakechangeourfriendandnotourenemy.ThisnewworldhasalreadyenrichedthelivesofmillioofAmericawhoareabletocompeteandwininit.Butwhenmostpeopleareworkingharderforle,whenotherscaotworkatall,whenthecostofhealthcaredevastatesfamiliesandthreatetobankruptourenterprises,greatandsmall;whenthefearofcrimerolawabidingcitizeoftheirfreedom;andwhenmillioo

第五篇：克林頓總統(tǒng)兩次就職演說(英語)

克林頓總統(tǒng)第一次就職演說

Bill Clinton's Inaugural Address Thursday, January 20, 1993

My fellow citizens:

Today we celebrate the mystery of American renewal.This ceremony is held in the depth of winter, but by the words we speak and the faces we show the world, we force the spring.A spring reborn in the world's oldest democracy, that brings forth the vision and courage to reinvent America.When our founders boldly declared America's independence to the world, and our purposes to the Almighty, they knew that America, to endure, would have to change.Not change for change sake, but change to preserve America's ideals: life, liberty, the pursuit of happiness.Though we march to the music of our time, our mission is timeless.Each generation of American's must define what it means to be an American.On behalf of our nation, I salute my predecessor, President Bush, for his half-century of service to America, and I thank the millions of men and women whose steadfastness and sacrifice triumphed over depression, fascism and communism.Today, a generation raised in the shadows of the Cold War assumes new responsibilities in a world warmed by the sunshine of freedom, but threatened still by ancient hatreds and new plagues.Raised in unrivalled prosperity, we inherit an economy that is still the world's strongest, but is weakened by business failures, stagnant wages, increasing inequality, and deep divisions among our own people.When George Washington first took the oath I have just sworn to uphold, news travelled slowly across the land by horseback, and across the ocean by boat.Now the sights and sounds of this ceremony are broadcast instantaneously to billions around the world.Communications and commerce are global.Investment is mobile.Technology is almost magical, and ambition for a better life is now universal.We earn our livelihood in America today in peaceful competition with people all across the Earth.Profound and powerful forces are shaking and remaking our world, and the urgent question of our time is whether we can make change our friend and not our enemy.This new world has already enriched the lives of millions of Americans who are able to compete and win in it.But when most people are working harder for less, when others cannot work at all, when the cost of health care devastates families and threatens to bankrupt our enterprises, great and small;when the fear of crime robs law abiding citizens of their freedom;and when millions of poor children cannot even imagine the lives we are calling them to lead, we have not made change our friend.We know we have to face hard truths and take strong steps, but we have not done so.Instead we have drifted, and that drifting has eroded our resources, fractured our economy, and shaken our confidence.Though our challenges are fearsome, so are our strengths.Americans have ever been a restless, questing, hopeful people, and we must bring to our task today the vision and will of those who came before us.From our Revolution to the Civil War, to the Great Depression, to the Civil Rights movement, our people have always mustered the determination to construct from these crises the pillars of our history.Thomas Jefferson believed that to preserve the very foundations of our nation we would need dramatic change from time to time.Well, my fellow Americans, this is our time.Let us embrace it.Our democracy must be not only the envy of the world but the engine of our own renewal.There is nothing wrong with America that cannot be cured by what is right with America.And so today we pledge an end to the era of deadlock and drift, and a new season of American renewal has begun.To renew America we must be bold.We must do what no generation has had to do before.We must invest more in our own people, in their jobs, and in their future, and at the same time cut our massive debt...and we must do so in a world in which we must compete for every opportunity.It will not be easy.It will require sacrifice, but it can be done, and done fairly.Not choosing sacrifice for its own sake, but for our own sake.We must provide for our nation the way a family provides for its children.Our founders saw themselves in the light of posterity.We can do no less.Anyone who has ever watched a child's eyes wander into sleep knows what posterity is.Posterity is the world to come, the world for whom we hold our ideals, from whom we have borrowed our planet, and to whom we bear sacred responsibilities.We must do what America does best, offer more opportunity to all and demand more responsibility from all.It is time to break the bad habit of expecting something for nothing: from our government, or from each other.Let us all take more responsibility, not only for ourselves and our families, but for our communities and our country.To renew America we must revitalize our democracy.This beautiful capitol, like every capitol since the dawn of civilization, is often a place of intrigue and calculation.Powerful people maneuver for position and worry endlessly about who is in and who is out, who is up and who is down, forgetting those people whose toil and sweat sends ushere and paves our way.Americans deserve better, and in this city today there are people who want to do better, and so I say to all of you here, let us resolve to reform our politics, so that power and privilege no longer shout down the voice of the people.Let us put aside personal advantage, so that we can feel the pain and see the promise of America.Let us resolve to make our government a place for what Franklin Roosevelt called “bold, persistent experimentation, a government for our tomorrows, not our yesterdays.” Let us give this capitol back to the people to whom it belongs.To renew America we must meet challenges abroad, as well as at home.There is no longer a clear division between what is foreign and what is domestic.The world economy, the world environment, the world AIDS crisis, the world arms race: they affect us all.Today as an old order passes, the new world is more free, but less stable.Communism's collapse has called forth old animosities, and new dangers.Clearly, America must continue to lead the world we did so much to make.While America rebuilds at home, we will not shrink from the challenges nor fail to seize the opportunities of this new world.Together with our friends and allies, we will work together to shape change, lest it engulf us.When our vital interests are challenged, or the will and conscience of the international community is defied, we will act;with peaceful diplomacy whenever possible, with force when necessary.The brave Americans serving our nation today in the Persian Gulf, in Somalia, and wherever else they stand, are testament to our resolve, but our greatest strength is the power of our ideas, which are still new in many lands.Across the world, we see them embraced and we rejoice.Our hopes, our hearts, our hands, are with those on every continent, who are building democracy and freedom.Their cause is America's cause.The American people have summoned the change we celebrate today.You have raised your voices in an unmistakable chorus, you have cast your votes in historic numbers, you have changed the face of congress, the presidency, and the political process itself.Yes, you, my fellow Americans, have forced the spring.Now we must do the work the season demands.To that work I now turn with all the authority of my office.I ask the congress to join with me;but no president, no congress, no government can undertake this mission alone.My fellow Americans, you, too, must play your part in our renewal.I challenge a new generation of young Americans to a season of service, to act on your idealism, by helping troubled children, keeping company with those in need, reconnecting our torn communities.There is so much to be done.Enough, indeed, for millions of others who are still young in spirit, to give of themselves in service, too.In serving we recognize a simple, but powerful, truth: we need each other, and we must care for one another.Today we do more than celebrate America, we rededicate ourselves to the very idea of America, an idea born in revolution, and renewed through two centuries of challenge, an idea tempered by the knowledge that but for fate, we, the fortunate and the unfortunate, might have been each other;an idea ennobled by the faith that our nation can summon from its myriad diversity, the deepest measure of unity;an idea infused with the conviction that America's journey long, heroic journey must go forever upward.And so, my fellow Americans, as we stand at the edge of the 21st Century, let us begin anew, with energy and hope, with faith and discipline, and let us work until our work is done.The Scripture says: “And let us not be weary in well-doing, for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.” From this joyful mountaintop of celebration we hear a call to service in the valley.We have heard the trumpets, we have changed the guard, and now each in our own way, and with God's help, we must answer the call.Thank you, and God bless you all!

克林頓總統(tǒng)第二次就職演說

INAUGURAL ADDRESS OF PRESIDENT WILLIAM J.CLINTON January 20, 1997

My fellow citizens: At this last presidential inauguration of the 20th century, let us lift our eyes toward the challenges that await us in the next century.It is our great good fortune that time and chance have put us not only at the edge of a new century, in a new millennium, but on the edge of a bright new prospect in human affairs--a moment that will define our course, and our character, for decades to come.We must keep our old democracy forever young.Guided by the ancient vision of a promised land, let us set our sights upon a land of new promise.The promise of America was born in the 18th century out of the bold conviction that we are all created equal.It was extended and preserved in the 19th century, when our nation spread across the continent, saved the union, and abolished the awful scourge of slavery.Then, in turmoil and triumph, that promise exploded onto the world stage to make this the American Century.And what a century it has been.America became the world's mightiest industrial power;saved the world from tyranny in two world wars and a long cold war;and time and again, reached out across the globe to millions who, like us, longed for the blessings of liberty.Along the way, Americans produced a great middle class and security in old age;built unrivaled centers of learning and opened public schools to all;split the atom and explored the heavens;invented the computer and the microchip;and deepened the wellspring of justice by making a revolution in civil rights for African Americans and all minorities, and extending the circle of citizenship, opportunity and dignity to women.Now, for the third time, a new century is upon us, and another time to choose.We began the 19th century with a choice, to spread our nation from coast to coast.We began the 20th century with a choice, to harness the Industrial Revolution to our values of free enterprise, conservation, and human decency.Those choices made all the difference.At the dawn of the 21st century a free people must now choose to shape the forces of the Information Age and the global society, to unleash the limitless potential of all our people, and, yes, to form a more perfect union.When last we gathered, our march to this new future seemed less certain than it does today.We vowed then to set a clear course to renew our nation.In these four years, we have been touched by tragedy, exhilarated by challenge, strengthened by achievement.America

stands alone as the world's indispensable nation.Once again, our economy is the strongest on Earth.Once again, we are building stronger families, thriving communities, better educational opportunities, a cleaner environment.Problems that once seemed destined to deepen now bend to our efforts: our streets are safer and record numbers of our fellow citizens have moved from welfare to work.And once again, we have resolved for our time a great debate over the role of government.Today we can declare: Government is not the problem, and government is not the solution.We--the American people--we are the solution.(Applause.)Our founders understood that well and gave us a democracy strong enough to endure for centuries, flexible enough to face our common challenges and advance our common dreams in each new day.As times change, so government must change.We need a new government for a new century--humble enough not to try to solve all our problems for us, but strong enough to give us the tools to solve our problems for ourselves;a government that is smaller, lives within its means, and does more with less.Yet where it can stand up for our values and interests in the world, and where it can give Americans the power to make a real difference in their everyday lives, government should do more, not less.The preeminent mission of our new government is to give all Americans an opportunity--not a guarantee, but a real opportunity--to build better lives.(Applause.)Beyond that, my fellow citizens, the future is up to us.Our founders taught us that the preservation of our liberty and our union depends upon responsible citizenship.And we need a new sense of responsibility for a new century.There is work to do, work that government alone cannot do: teaching children to read;hiring people off welfare rolls;coming out from behind locked doors and shuttered windows to help reclaim our streets from drugs and gangs and crime;taking time out of our own lives to serve others.Each and every one of us, in our own way, must assume personal responsibility--not only for ourselves and our families, but for our neighbors and our nation.(Applause.)Our greatest responsibility is to embrace a new spirit of community for a new century.For any one of us to succeed, we must succeed as one America.The challenge of our past remains the challenge of our future--will we be one nation, one people, with one common destiny, or not? Will we all come together, or come apart? The divide of race has been America's constant curse.And each new wave of immigrants gives new targets to old prejudices.Prejudice and contempt, cloaked in the pretense of religious or political conviction are no different.(Applause.)These forces have nearly destroyed our nation in the past.They plague us still.They fuel the fanaticism of terror.And they torment the lives of millions in fractured nations all around the world.These obsessions cripple both those who hate and, of course, those who are hated, robbing both of what they might become.We cannot, we will not, succumb to the dark impulses that lurk in the far regions of the soul everywhere.We shall overcome them.(Applause.)And we shall replace them with the generous spirit of a people who feel at home with one another.Our rich texture of racial, religious and political diversity will be a Godsend in the 21st century.Great rewards will come to those who can live together, learn together, work together, forge new ties that bind together.As this new era approaches we can already see its broad outlines.Ten years ago, the Internet was the mystical province of physicists;today, it is a commonplace encyclopedia for millions of schoolchildren.Scientists now are decoding the blueprint of human life.Cures for our most feared illnesses seem close at hand.The world is no longer divided into two hostile camps.Instead, now we are building bonds with nations that once were our adversaries.Growing connections of commerce and culture give us a chance to lift the fortunes and spirits of people the world over.And for the very first time in all of history, more people on this planet live under democracy than dictatorship.(Applause.)My fellow Americans, as we look back at this remarkable century, we may ask, can we hope not just to follow, but even to surpass the achievements of the 20th century in America and to avoid the awful bloodshed that stained its legacy? To that question, every American here and every American in our land today must answer a resounding “Yes.”(Applause.)This is the heart of our task.With a new vision of government, a new sense of responsibility, a new spirit of community, we will sustain America's journey.The promise we sought in a new land we will find again in a land of new promise.(Applause.)In this new land, education will be every citizen's most prized possession.Our schools will have the highest standards in the world, igniting the spark of possibility in the eyes of every girl and every boy.And the doors of higher education will be open to all.The knowledge and power of the Information Age will be within reach not just of the few, but of every classroom, every library, every child.Parents and children will have time not only to work, but to read and play together.And the plans they make at their kitchen table will be those of a better home, a better job, the certain chance to go to college.Our streets will echo again with the laughter of our children, because no one will try to shoot them or sell them drugs anymore.Everyone who can work, will work, with today's permanent under class part of tomorrow's growing middle class.New miracles of medicine at last will reach not only those who can claim care now, but the children and hardworking families too long denied.We will stand mighty for peace and freedom, and maintain a strong defense against terror and destruction.Our children will sleep free from the threat of nuclear, chemical or biological weapons.Ports and airports, farms and factories will thrive with trade and innovation and ideas.And the world's greatest democracy will lead a whole world of democracies.Our land of new promise will be a nation that meets its obligations--a nation that balances its budget, but never loses the balance of its values.(Applause.)A nation where our grandparents have secure retirement and health care, and their grandchildren know we have made the reforms necessary to sustain those benefits for their time.(Applause.)A nation that fortifies the world's most productive economy even as it protects the great natural bounty of our water, air, and majestic land.And in this land of new promise, we will have reformed our politics so that the voice of the people will always speak louder than the din of narrow interests--regaining the participation and deserving the trust of all Americans.(Applause.)Fellow citizens, let us build that America, a nation ever moving forward toward realizing the full potential of all its citizens.Prosperity and power--yes, they are important, and we must maintain them.But let us never forget: The greatest progress we have made, and the greatest progress we have yet to make, is in the human heart.In the end, all the world's wealth and a thousand armies are no match for the strength and decency of the human spirit.(Applause.)Thirty-four years ago, the man whose life we celebrate today spoke to us down there, at the other end of this Mall, in words that moved the conscience of a nation.Like a prophet of old, he told of his dream that one day America would rise up and treat all its citizens as equals before the law and in the heart.Martin Luther King's dream was the American Dream.His quest is our quest: the ceaseless striving to live out our true creed.Our history has been built on such dreams and labors.And by our dreams and labors

we will redeem the promise of America in the 21st century.To that effort I pledge all my strength and every power of my office.I ask the members of Congress here to join in that pledge.The American people returned to office a President of one party and a Congress of another.Surely, they did not do this to advance the politics of petty bickering and extreme partisanship they plainly deplore.(Applause.)No, they call on us instead to be repairers of the breach, and to move on with America's mission.America demands and deserves big things from us--and nothing big ever came from being small.(Applause.)Let us remember the timeless wisdom of Cardinal Bernardin, when facing the end of his own life.He said: “It is wrong to waste the precious gift of time, on acrimony and division.” Fellow citizens, we must not waste the precious gift of this time.For all of us are on that same journey of our lives, and our journey, too, will come to an end.But the journey of our America must go on.And so, my fellow Americans, we must be strong, for there is much to dare.The demands of our time are great and they are different.Let us meet them with faith and courage, with patience and a grateful and happy heart.Let us shape the hope of this day into the noblest chapter in our history.Yes, let us build our bridge.(Applause.)A bridge wide enough and strong enough for every American to cross over to a blessed land of new promise.May those generations whose faces we cannot yet see, whose names we may never know, say of us here that we led our beloved land into a new century with the American Dream alive for all her children;with the American promise of a more perfect union a reality for all her people;with America's bright flame of freedom spreading throughout all the world.From the height of this place and the summit of this century, let us go forth.May God strengthen our hands for the good work ahead--and always, always bless our America.(Applause.)