布什于2009年在白宮發(fā)表告別演說

布什于2009年在白宮發(fā)表告別演說 英文版

Fellow citizens，

For eight years, it has been my honor to serve as your president. The first decade of this new century has been a period of consequence—a time set apart. Tonight, with a thankful heart, I have asked for a final opportunity to share some thoughts on the journey that we have traveled together, and the future of our nation.

Five days from now, the world will witness the vitality of American democracy. In a tradition dating back to our founding, the presidency will pass to a successor chosen by you, the American people. Standing on the steps of the Capitol will be a man whose history reflects the enduring promise of our land. This is a moment of hope and pride for our whole nation. And I join all Americans in offering best wishes to President-elect Obama, his wife Michelle, and their two beautiful girls.

Tonight I am filled with gratitude—to Vice President Cheney and members of my administration; to Laura, who brought joy to this house and love to my life; to our wonderful daughters, Barbara and Jenna; to my parents, whose examples have provided strength for a lifetime. And above all, I thank the American people for the trust you have given me. I thank you for the prayers that have lifted my spirits. And I thank you for the countless acts of courage, generosity and grace that I have witnessed these past eight years.

This evening, my thoughts return to the first night I addressed you from this house—September the 11th, 2001. That morning, terrorists took nearly 3,000 lives in the worst attack on America since Pearl Harbor. I remember standing in the rubble of the World Trade Center three days later, surrounded by rescuers who had been working around the clock. I remember talking to brave souls who charged through smoke-filled corridors at the Pentagon, and to husbands and wives whose loved ones became heroes aboard Flight 93. I remember Arlene Howard, who gave me her fallen son’s police shield as a reminder of all that was lost. And I still carry his badge.

As the years passed, most Americans were able to return to life much as it had been before 9/11. But I never did. Every morning, I received a briefing on the threats to our nation. I vowed to do everything in my power to keep us safe.

Over the past seven years, a new Department of Homeland Security has been created. The military, the intelligence community and the FBI have been transformed. Our nation is equipped with new tools to monitor the terrorists’ movements, freeze their finances and break up their plots. And with strong allies at our side, we have taken the fight to the terrorists and those who support them. Afghanistan has gone from a nation where the Taliban harbored al-Qaeda and stoned women in the streets to a young democracy that is fighting terror and encouraging girls to go to school. Iraq has gone from a brutal dictatorship and a sworn enemy of America to an Arab democracy at the heart of the Middle East and a friend of the United States.

There is legitimate debate about many of these decisions. But there can be little debate about the results. America has gone more than seven years without another terrorist attack on our soil. This is a tribute to those who toil night and day to keep us safe—law enforcement officers, intelligence analysts, homeland security and diplomatic personnel, and the men and women of the United States Armed Forces.

Our nation is blessed to have citizens who volunteer to defend us in this time of danger. I have cherished meeting these selfless patriots and their families. And America owes you a debt of gratitude. And to all our men and women in uniform listening tonight: There has been no higher honor than serving as your commander in chief.

The battles waged by our troops are part of a broader struggle between two dramatically different systems. Under one, a small band of fanatics demands total obedience to an oppressive ideology, condemns women to subservience and marks unbelievers for murder. The other system is based on the conviction that freedom is the universal gift of Almighty God, and that liberty and justice light the path to peace.

This is the belief that gave birth to our nation. And in the long run, advancing this belief is the only practical way to protect our citizens. When people live in freedom, they do not willingly choose leaders who pursue campaigns of terror. When people have hope in the future, they will not cede their lives to violence and extremism. So around the world, America is promoting human liberty, human rights and human dignity. We’re standing with dissidents and young democracies, providing AIDS medicine to dying patients—to bring dying patients back to life, and sparing mothers and babies from malaria. And this great republic born alone in liberty is leading the world toward a new age when freedom belongs to all nations.

For eight years, we’ve also strived to expand opportunity and hope here at home. Across our country, students are rising to meet higher standards in public schools. A new Medicare prescription drug benefit is bringing peace of mind to seniors and the disabled. Every taxpayer pays lower income taxes. The addicted and suffering are finding new hope through faith-based programs. Vulnerable human life is better protected. Funding for our veterans has nearly doubled. America’s air and water and lands are measurably cleaner. And the federal bench includes wise new members like Justice Sam Alito and Chief Justice John Roberts.

When challenges to our prosperity emerged, we rose to meet them. Facing the prospect of a financial collapse, we took decisive measures to safeguard our economy. These are very tough times for hardworking families, but the toll would be far worse if we had not acted. All Americans are in this together. And together, with determination and hard work, we will restore our economy to the path of growth. We will show the world once again the resilience of America’s free enterprise system.

Like all who have held this office before me, I have experienced setbacks. There are things I would do differently if given the chance. Yet I’ve always acted with the best interests of our country in mind. I have followed my conscience and done what I thought was right. You may not agree with some of the tough decisions I have made. But I hope you can agree that I was willing to make the tough decisions.

The decades ahead will bring more hard choices for our country, and there are some guiding principles that should shape our course.

While our nation is safer than it was seven years ago, the gravest threat to our people remains another terrorist attack. Our enemies are patient, and determined to strike again. America did nothing to seek or deserve this conflict. But we have been given solemn responsibilities, and we must meet them. We must resist complacency. We must keep our resolve. And we must never let down our guard.

At the same time, we must continue to engage the world with confidence and clear purpose. In the face of threats from abroad, it can be tempting to seek comfort by turning inward. But we must reject isolationism and its companion, protectionism. Retreating behind our borders would only invite danger. In the 21st century, security and prosperity at home depend on the expansion of liberty abroad. If America does not lead the cause of freedom, that cause will not be led.

As we address these challenges—and others we cannot foresee tonight—America must maintain our moral clarity. I’ve often spoken to you about good and evil, and this has made some uncomfortable. But good and evil are present in this world, and between the two of them there can be no compromise. Murdering the innocent to advance an ideology is wrong every time, everywhere. Freeing people from oppression and despair is eternally right. This nation must continue to speak out for justice and truth. We must always be willing to act in their defense—and to advance the cause of peace.

President Thomas Jefferson once wrote,“I like the dreams of the future better than the history of the past.”As I leave the house he occupied two centuries ago, I share that optimism. America is a young country, full of vitality, constantly growing and renewing itself. And even in the toughest times, we lift our eyes to the broad horizon ahead.

I have confidence in the promise of America because I know the character of our people. This is a nation that inspires immigrants to risk everything for the dream of freedom. This is a nation where citizens show calm in times of danger and compassion in the face of suffering. We see examples of America’s character all around us. And Laura and I have invited some of them to join us in the White House this evening.

We see America’s character in Dr. Tony Rehcasner, a principal who opened a new charter school from the ruins of Hurricane Katrina. We see it in Julio Medina, a former inmate who leads a faith-based program to help prisoners returning to society. We’ve seen it in Staff Sgt. Aubrey McDade, who charged into an ambush in Iraq and rescued three of his fellow Marines.

We see America’s character in Bill Krissoff—a surgeon from California. His son, Nathan—a Marine—gave his life in Iraq. When I met Dr. Krissoff and his family, he delivered some surprising news: He told me he wanted to join the Navy Medical Corps in honor of his son. This good man was 60 years old— 18 years above the age limit. But his petition for a waiver was granted, and for the past year he has trained in battlefield medicine. Lieutenant Commander Krissoff could not be here tonight, because he will soon deploy to Iraq, where he will help save America’s wounded warriors—and uphold the legacy of his fallen son.

In citizens like these, we see the best of our country—resilient and hopeful, caring and strong. These virtues give me an unshakable faith in America. We have faced danger and trial, and there’s more ahead. But with the courage of our people and confidence in our ideals, this great nation will never tire, never falter, and never fail.

It has been the privilege of a lifetime to serve as your president. There have been good days and tough days. But every day I have been inspired by the greatness of our country, and uplifted by the goodness of our people. I have been blessed to represent this nation we love. And I will always be honored to carry a title that means more to me than any other—citizen of the United States of America.

And so, my fellow Americans, for the final time: Good night. May God bless this house and our next president. And may God bless you and our wonderful country. Thank you.

布什于2009年在白宮發(fā)表告別演說 中文版

各位同胞：

過去的八年，我很榮幸地成為你們的總統(tǒng)。這個世紀的頭十年是一個非常重要的時期。今晚，帶著一顆感恩的心，我將利用這最后的機會和你們一起分享我的一些看法，對過去一起走過的時光以及我們國家未來的看法。

再過五天，世界將見證充滿活力的美國民主政治。根據(jù)我們建國時創(chuàng)立的傳統(tǒng)，總統(tǒng)職位將交給你們——美國人民選舉出來的繼任者。屆時站在國會臺階上的那個人，他的經歷將折射出我們這個國家長久以來的承諾。對于我們整個國家來說，這是一個充滿希望和自豪的時刻。我將和其他所有美國人民一起，向當選總統(tǒng)奧巴馬、他的妻子米歇爾以及他們兩位美麗的女兒表達最美好的祝愿。

今晚，我的內心充滿感激。我要感謝副總統(tǒng)切尼以及白宮的每一位工作人員;我要感謝勞拉，是她帶給了這個家庭無比的快樂，帶給我愛;我要感謝兩名優(yōu)秀的女兒——巴巴拉和杰納;我要感謝我的父母，他們樹立的榜樣為我的一生提供了動力。除此之外，還我要感謝所有美國人民給予我的信任。謝謝你們的祈禱讓我斗志昂揚。在過去的八年時間里，你們給了我無窮的勇氣和寬厚，我對此表示深深地感謝。

今晚，我的思緒重新回到2001年9月11日，當時我第一次在這里發(fā)表晚間演說。那天上午，恐怖分子對美國發(fā)動了自珍珠港事件以來最為嚴重的恐怖襲擊，造成約3,000人死亡。我清楚地記得，我三天后站在世貿大樓的殘骸前，周圍是夜以繼日不停工作的救援人員。我記得我同那些穿過五角大樓濃煙密布的走廊進行救援的勇士們交談，同那些93號航班英雄們的妻子和愛人們對話。我還記得阿勒內·霍華德，她將自己已經犧牲的兒子的警徽送給我，提示我們所失去的一切。直到現(xiàn)在，我都一直保存著他的徽章。

隨著時光流逝，絕大多數(shù)美國人重新回到了“9·11”以前的生活狀態(tài)。但我卻從來沒有。每天早上，我都會聽取國家面臨威脅的一個簡報。那時我會發(fā)誓要盡我最大的努力來保證我們的安全。

在七年前，一個全新的機構——國土安全部正式成立了。美國的軍隊、情報機構以及聯(lián)邦調查局都進行了改造，我們的國家使用最新的裝備來監(jiān)控恐怖分子的動向，凍結他們的財產并且粉碎他們的陰謀。和我們強有力的盟友一起，我們對恐怖分子以及他們的支持者宣戰(zhàn)。阿富汗原來是一個塔利班政權包庇“基地”組織，婦女走在街頭會遭到石頭襲擊的國家，但現(xiàn)在卻成為了一個新興的民主國家，它在與恐怖勢力做斗爭并且鼓勵女孩們上學。伊拉克也從一個殘暴的獨裁政權，一個發(fā)誓與美國不共戴天的國家，變成為中東心臟地帶的民主國家，變成為美國的朋友。

關于這些決策存在著一些合理的爭論，但對于這些結果卻沒有任何爭議。美國在過去的七年多時間里沒有再在本土遭到過恐怖襲擊，這要感謝那些日夜辛勤工作保衛(wèi)我們安全的人，包括執(zhí)法人員、情報分析人員、國土安全和外交官員，以及美國軍隊的士兵們。

我們的國家非常幸運地擁有這樣的國民，當我們的國家處在危險之中時，他們自愿起來保衛(wèi)我們的國家。我非常珍視與這些無私的愛國者以及他們家人進行的會面，美國應該感謝你們。對于那些今晚正在聆聽這次演講的軍人們，我想說的是：這個世界上再也沒有比成為你們的總司令更讓人感到榮幸了。

我們的軍隊目前正在進行的戰(zhàn)爭，廣義上來看其實是兩種不同體系之間的戰(zhàn)爭。一種是一小撮狂熱分子要求人們完全臣服于壓迫的意識形態(tài)，他們迫害婦女并且殺害那些和他不一樣信仰的人。另外一種體系則建立在普世的民主基礎上，自由和正義照亮了和平之路。

我們的國家正是在這種信念下誕生的。長期來看，倡導這種信念是保衛(wèi)我們國民的唯一切實有效的方法。當人們生活在民主政治中，他們就不會選舉出那些追隨恐怖勢力的領導人。當人們對未來充滿希望，他們就不會選擇放棄生命來發(fā)動暴力襲擊。因此，美國一直在全世界倡導自由、人權和尊嚴。我們向那些新興的民主政體提供支持，向艾滋病人提供藥物讓垂死的病人起死回生，讓母親和嬰兒們免受瘧疾的困擾。這個在自由基礎上誕生的偉大國家，正帶領全世界走向一個新時代，這個時代民主將屬于所有的國家。

過去八年里，我們也努力地在國內擴張機會和希望。在全國，學生們現(xiàn)在可以在公立學校接受條件更好的教育;新的醫(yī)療福利政府讓老人和殘疾人更加安心;每一位納稅人的個人所得稅降低;通過信心重建計劃，那些吸毒者也找到了新的希望;人們脆弱的生命得到更好的保護;為老兵提供的資金保障幾乎增加了一倍;美國的空氣、水源以及土地比以前更加清潔。

當繁榮遇到挑戰(zhàn)時，我們采取了行動。在面臨金融崩潰時，我們采取了決定性的措施來保衛(wèi)經濟。對于那些辛苦工作的家庭來說，這是一個非常艱難的時期，但是如果我們不采取行動后果會更嚴重，所有的美國人都受到了影響。團結一心的美國人將通過堅定信心和辛勤的工作來使我們的經濟再次走上成長之路。我們將向世界再次展示，美國自由企業(yè)制度的堅韌性。

和所有前任一樣，我也經歷過挫折，我也有一些失誤。不過，我的行動總是以我們國家的最佳利益為出發(fā)點。我對的起自己的良心，采取了我認為是正確的措施。你們可能不同意我所作出的一些艱難決定，但是我希望，你們能認為，我是一位愿意作出艱難決定的總統(tǒng)。

我們的國家在未來將面臨更多的艱難選擇，必須用一些指導性原則來指引我們的路線。

雖然我們的國家現(xiàn)在比七年前更為安全，但我們所面臨的最嚴重威脅仍然是恐怖襲擊。我們的敵人很有耐心，他們決心再次對我們發(fā)動襲擊。美國沒有試圖挑起沖突或者作過任何導致沖突的錯事。但我們有莊嚴的責任，必須負起責任。我們必須克服自滿，必須保持決心，不能放松警惕。

與此同時，我們必須抱有信心和明確目的與世界進行接觸。在面臨海外威脅的情況下，人們很容易受到孤立主義的誘惑，但是我們必須抵制孤立主義和保護主義，撤退至我們的國境線內只會招來危險。在21世紀，國內的安全和繁榮取決于自由事業(yè)在海外的擴展。如果美國不領導自由事業(yè)，那么自由事業(yè)將沒有領導者。

在我們應對這些挑戰(zhàn)時，我們今晚還無法預測其他的挑戰(zhàn)，美國必須保持道德上的純潔。人們經常對你們談起正義和邪惡，這可能使一些人感到不舒服，但是這個世界存在著正義和邪惡，兩者之間不可能有妥協(xié)。無論何時何地，殺害無辜者來推動一種意識形態(tài)都是錯誤的，把人們從壓迫和絕望中解放出來永遠是正確的。美國必須為正義和真相說話。我們必須保衛(wèi)它們，推進和平事業(yè)。

托馬斯·杰斐遜總統(tǒng)曾寫道：“我不緬懷過去的歷史，而致力于未來的夢想。”在我即將離開他兩個世紀前所居住的白宮時，我也持這種樂觀的態(tài)度。美國是一個年輕的國家，富有活力，在不斷成長和更新自己。即使是在最困難的時刻，我們也可以展望未來的前景。

我對美國的未來充滿信心，因為我知道美國人民的性格。這是一個激發(fā)移民冒著失去所有東西的風險來追求自由夢想的國家，這是公民們在危險時刻表現(xiàn)平靜，在遭受苦難時表現(xiàn)出同情心的國家。我們在身邊可以看到這樣的例子，我和勞拉今晚邀請了一些這樣的人到白宮。

我們可以在托尼·里卡斯尼爾的身上看到美國的性格。這位校長在卡特里娜颶風的廢墟上重建了他的學校。我們可以在胡利奧·梅迪納看到這種性格，這位前犯人領導著一個基于信仰的項目來幫助犯人們重返社會。我們也可以在奧布里·麥克達德參謀軍士身上看到這種性格，他沖入包圍圈，營救出了三名海軍陸戰(zhàn)隊戰(zhàn)友。

我們在加州醫(yī)生比爾·克里索夫身上看到了美國的這種性格，他的兒子納塔恩作為一名海軍陸戰(zhàn)隊隊員在伊拉克獻出了自己的生命。當我遇到克里索夫和他的家人時，他告訴我一些令我意想不到的消息：他告訴我為了紀念自己的兒子，他想加入海軍醫(yī)療部門。這位好人已六十歲，超過規(guī)定年齡的上限十八年，但他所提出的例外申請獲得了批準，他在過去一年一直在接受戰(zhàn)場救治的訓練?？死锼鞣蛑行＝裢聿荒軄淼竭@里，因為他即將被部署至伊拉克，他將在那里幫助救護美軍傷員，維護他為國犧牲的兒子所留下的遺產。

我們在這些公民身上看到我們國家最優(yōu)良的品質：堅韌和抱有希望、有愛心和堅強。這些品質使我對美國有不可動搖的信心。我們曾面臨危險和考驗，未來還會有更多的危險和考驗。但是借助于我們人民的勇氣和我們對理想的信心，這個偉大的國家將永遠不會疲倦，不會松懈，不會失敗。

作為你們的總統(tǒng)為你們服務是我一生的榮耀，任期內有過好日子和艱難的日子，但我每天都被我們國家的偉大所鼓舞，為我們人民的善良所振奮。我對自己有機會代表我們所熱愛的國家感到幸福，我將永遠對自己是美國公民而感到榮耀，對我來說，這一身份比任何其他身份都有份量。

所以，親愛的美國同胞，讓我最后一次對你們說：晚安。愿上帝保佑白宮和我們的下一位總統(tǒng)。愿上帝保佑你和我們這個美好的國家。謝謝。