克林頓兩屆就職演講稿

本文格式為Word版下載后可任意編輯和復(fù)制第第頁克林頓兩屆就職演講稿雖然我們的挑戰(zhàn)是可畏的，但我們的力氣也是可畏的。以下我整理的克林頓兩屆就職演講稿，供大家參考，盼望大家能夠有所收獲!

克林頓首任就職演講稿（中英文）：

Myfellowcitizens:

TodaywecelebratethemysteryofAmericanrenewal.

Thisceremonyisheldinthedepthofwinter.But,bythewordswespeakandthefacesweshowtheworld,weforcethespring.Aspringrebornintheworld'soldestdemocracy,thatbringsforththevisionandcouragetoreinventAmerica.

WhenourfoundersboldlydeclaredAmerica'sindependencetotheworldandourpurposestotheAlmighty,theyknewthatAmerica,toendure,wouldhavetochange.Notchangeforchange'ssake,butchangetopreserveAmerica'sideals;life,liberty,thepursuitofhappiness.Thoughwemarchtothemusicofourtime,ourmissionistimeless.EachgenerationofAmericansmustdefinewhatitmeanstobeanAmerican.

Onbehalfofournation,Isalutemypredecessor,PresidentBush,forhishalf-centuryofservicetoAmerica.AndIthankthemillionsofmenandwomenwhosesteadfastnessandsacrificetriumphedoverDepression,fascismandCommunism.

Today,agenerationraisedintheshadowsoftheColdWarassumesnewresponsibilitiesinaworldwarmedbythesunshineoffreedombutthreatenedstillbyancienthatredsandnewplagues.

Raisedinunrivaledprosperity,weinheritaneconomythatisstilltheworld'sstrongest,butisweakenedbybusinessfailures,stagnantwages,increasinginequality,anddeepdivisionsamongourpeople.

WhenGeorgeWashingtonfirsttooktheoathIhavejustsworntouphold,newstraveledslowlyacrossthelandbyhorsebackandacrosstheoceanbyboat.Now,thesightsandsoundsofthisceremonyarebroadcastinstantaneouslytobillionsaroundtheworld.

Communicationsandcommerceareglobal;investmentismobile;technologyisalmostmagical;andambitionforabetterlifeisnowuniversal.Weearnourlivelihoodinpeacefulcompetitionwithpeopleallacrosstheearth.

Profoundandpowerfulforcesareshakingandremakingourworld,andtheurgentquestionofourtimeiswhetherwecanmakechangeourfriendandnotourenemy.

ThisnewworldhasalreadyenrichedthelivesofmillionsofAmericanswhoareabletocompeteandwininit.Butwhenmostpeopleareworkingharderforless;whenotherscannotworkatall;whenthecostofhealthcaredevastatesfamiliesandthreatenstobankruptmanyofourenterprises,greatandsmall;whenfearofcrimerobslaw-abidingcitizensoftheirfreedom;andwhenmillionsofpoorchildrencannotevenimaginetheliveswearecallingthemtolead,wehavenotmadechangeourfriend.

Weknowwehavetofacehardtruthsandtakestrongsteps.Butwehavenotdoneso.Instead,wehavedrifted,andthatdriftinghaserodedourresources,fracturedoureconomy,andshakenourconfidence.

Thoughourchallengesarefearsome,soareourstrengths.AndAmericanshaveeverbeenarestless,questing,hopefulpeople.Wemustbringtoourtasktodaythevisionandwillofthosewhocamebeforeus.

Fromourrevolution,theCivilWar,totheGreatDepressiontothecivilrightsmovement,ourpeoplehavealwaysmusteredthedeterminationtoconstructfromthesecrisesthepillarsofourhistory.

ThomasJeffersonbelievedthattopreservetheveryfoundationsofournation,wewouldneeddramaticchangefromtimetotime.Well,myfellowcitizens,thisisourtime.Letusembraceit.

Ourdemocracymustbenotonlytheenvyoftheworldbuttheengineofourownrenewal.ThereisnothingwrongwithAmericathatcannotbecuredbywhatisrightwithAmerica.

Andsotoday,wepledgeanendtotheeraofdeadlockanddrift;anewseasonofAmericanrenewalhasbegun.TorenewAmerica,wemustbebold.Wemustdowhatnogenerationhashadtodobefore.Wemustinvestmoreinourownpeople,intheirjobs,intheirfuture,andatthesametimecutourmassivedebt.Andwemustdosoinaworldinwhichwemustcompeteforeveryopportunity.Itwillnotbeeasy;itwillrequiresacrifice.Butitcanbedone,anddonefairly,notchoosingsacrificeforitsownsake,butforourownsake.Wemustprovideforournationthewayafamilyprovidesforitschildren.

OurFounderssawthemselvesinthelightofposterity.Wecandonoless.Anyonewhohaseverwatchedachild'seyeswanderintosleepknowswhatposterityis.Posterityistheworldtocome;theworldforwhomweholdourideals,fromwhomwehaveborrowedourplanet,andtowhomwebearsacredresponsibility.WemustdowhatAmericadoesbest:offermoreopportunitytoallanddemandresponsibilityfromall.

Itistimetobreakthebadhabitofexpectingsomethingfornothing,fromourgovernmentorfromeachother.Letusalltakemoreresponsibility,notonlyforourselvesandourfamiliesbutforourcommunitiesandourcountry.TorenewAmerica,wemustrevitalizeourdemocracy.

Thisbeautifulcapital,likeeverycapitalsincethedawnofcivilization,isoftenaplaceofintrigueandcalculation.Powerfulpeoplemaneuverforpositionandworryendlesslyaboutwhoisinandwhoisout,whoisupandwhoisdown,forgettingthosepeoplewhosetoilandsweatsendsushereandpaysourway.

Americansdeservebetter,andinthiscitytoday,therearepeoplewhowanttodobetter.AndsoIsaytoallofushere,letusresolvetoreformourpolitics,sothatpowerandprivilegenolongershoutdownthevoiceofthepeople.LetusputasidepersonaladvantagesothatwecanfeelthepainandseethepromiseofAmerica.LetusresolvetomakeourgovernmentaplaceforwhatFranklinRooseveltcalled"bold,persistentexperimentation,"agovernmentforourtomorrows,notouryesterdays.Letusgivethiscapitalbacktothepeopletowhomitbelongs.

TorenewAmerica,wemustmeetchallengesabroadaswellathome.Thereisnolongerdivisionbetweenwhatisforeignandwhatisdomestic;theworldeconomy,theworldenvironment,theworldAIDScrisis,theworldarmsrace;theyaffectusall.

Today,asanoldorderpasses,thenewworldismorefreebutlessstable.Communism'scollapsehascalledfortholdanimositiesandnewdangers.ClearlyAmericamustcontinuetoleadtheworldwedidsomuchtomake.

WhileAmericarebuildsathome,wewillnotshrinkfromthechallenges,norfailtoseizetheopportunities,ofthisnewworld.Togetherwithourfriendsandallies,wewillworktoshapechange,lestitengulfus.

Whenourvitalinterestsarechallenged,orthewillandconscienceoftheinternationalcommunityisdefied,wewillact;withpeacefuldiplomacywheneverpossible,withforcewhennecessary.ThebraveAmericansservingournationtodayinthePersianGulf,inSomalia,andwhereverelsetheystandaretestamenttoourresolve.

Butourgreateststrengthisthepowerofourideas,whicharestillnewinmanylands.Acrosstheworld,weseethemembraced,andwerejoice.Ourhopes,ourhearts,ourhands,arewiththoseoneverycontinentwhoarebuildingdemocracyandfreedom.TheircauseisAmerica'scause.

TheAmericanpeoplehavesummonedthechangewecelebratetoday.Youhaveraisedyourvoicesinanunmistakablechorus.Youhavecastyourvotesinhistoricnumbers.AndyouhavechangedthefaceofCongress,thepresidencyandthepoliticalprocessitself.Yes,you,myfellowAmericanshaveforcedthespring.Now,wemustdotheworktheseasondemands.

TothatworkInowturn,withalltheauthorityofmyoffice.IasktheCongresstojoinwithme.Butnopresident,noCongress,nogovernment,canundertakethismissionalone.MyfellowAmericans,you,too,mustplayyourpartinourrenewal.IchallengeanewgenerationofyoungAmericanstoaseasonofservice;toactonyouridealismbyhelpingtroubledchildren,keepingcompanywiththoseinneed,reconnectingourtorncommunities.Thereissomuchtobedone;enoughindeedformillionsofotherswhoarestillyounginspirittogiveofthemselvesinservice,too.

Inserving,werecognizeasimplebutpowerfultruth,weneedeachother.Andwemustcareforoneanother.Today,wedomorethancelebrateAmerica;werededicateourselvestotheveryideaofAmerica.

Anideaborninrevolutionandrenewedthroughtwocenturiesofchallenge.Anideatemperedbytheknowledgethat,butforfatewe,thefortunateandtheunfortunate,mighthavebeeneachother.Anideaennobledbythefaiththatournationcansummonfromitsmyriaddiversitythedeepestmeasureofunity.AnideainfusedwiththeconvictionthatAmerica'slongheroicjourneymustgoforeverupward.

Andso,myfellowAmericans,attheedgeofthe21stcentury,letusbeginwithenergyandhope,withfaithanddiscipline,andletusworkuntilourworkisdone.Thescripturesays,"Andletusnotbewearyinwell-doing,forindueseason,weshallreap,ifwefaintnot."

Fromthisjoyfulmountaintopofcelebration,wehearacalltoserviceinthevalley.Wehaveheardthetrumpets.Wehavechangedtheguard.Andnow,eachinourway,andwithGod'shelp,wemustanswerthecall.

Thankyou,andGodblessyouall.

譯文

同胞們:

今日，我們慶祝振興美國這件令人感到特別驚異的事。

盡管這個儀式在隆冬進行，但是，我們所說的話，我們向全世界所顯示的面貌，將促使春天的早日來臨。春天重新降落到這個世界上最古老的民主國家，它給我們帶來了重新塑造美國的構(gòu)想和士氣。

當我們的締造者們大膽地向全世界宣布美國的獨立，向上帝宣布我們的目的時，他們知道，美國要長期地存在下去，就必需改革。我們不是為改革而改革，而是為了保持美國的抱負——生活、自由和追求幸福。雖然我們伴隨著時代的樂曲前進，我們的使命卻是永恒的。每一代美國人都必需明確作為一個美國人意味著什么。

我的前任布什總統(tǒng)為美國服務(wù)了半個世紀，在此，我代表我們的國家向他致以崇高的敬意。

我還要向千百萬人民表示感謝，他們以堅決的信念和犧牲戰(zhàn)勝了經(jīng)濟蕭條、法西斯主義。今日，在冷戰(zhàn)的陰影下成長起來的一代人在世界上已肩負起新的責任。這個世界雖然沐浴在自由的陽光下，但仍舊面臨著舊的仇恨和新的災(zāi)禍的威逼。

我們在無與倫比的富強中成長，繼承了一個仍舊是世界上最強大經(jīng)濟，但是，商業(yè)失敗、工資停滯、不公平加劇，以及我們自己的人民四分五裂，減弱了這個經(jīng)濟。

當喬治華盛頓第一次發(fā)出我剛才宣誓信守的誓言時，消息緩慢地通過騎馬傳遍大陸和乘船漂洋過海。而今，這個儀式的情景和聲音可以馬上向全世界數(shù)十億人廣播。

通訊和商業(yè)是全球性的，投資是流淌性的，技術(shù)幾乎是神奇的，而要求改善生活的劇烈愿望是全世界人民共同的。今日，我們美國人是和全世界人民在和平競爭中謀求我們的生計。

各種根深蒂固和強大的勢力正在動搖和重新塑造我們的世界。我們時代迫切需要解決的問題是，我們能否使改革成為我們的伴侶，而不是我們的敵人。

盡管這個新的世界已經(jīng)使千百萬能夠在其中競爭并取勝的美國人富有起來了，但是，在大多數(shù)人更加舍命地工作而收入?yún)s在削減的時候，在還有人根本找不到工作的時候，在衛(wèi)生保健費用使很多人傾家蕩產(chǎn)、使大大小小的企業(yè)行將倒閉的時候，在恐驚犯罪而使奉公守法的公民丟失自由的時候，在千百萬貧困兒童甚至難以想象我們正呼喚他們?nèi)ミ^的那種生活的時候，我們卻還沒有使改革成為我們的伴侶。

我們知道，我們必需正視嚴酷的現(xiàn)實并且實行有力的措施，但是，我們沒有這樣做。相反，我們所奉行的是放任自流的政策，這種政策已經(jīng)減弱了我們的力氣，破壞了我們的經(jīng)濟，動搖了我們的信念。

雖然我們的挑戰(zhàn)是可畏的，但我們的力氣也是可畏的。美國人民從來就是一個不甘孤獨?????、勇于探究和布滿盼望的人民。我們必需使我們今日的任務(wù)體現(xiàn)我們前人的遠見和意志。

從美國革命到南北戰(zhàn)斗，到大蕭條，到民權(quán)運動，我們的人民總是下定決心，從這些危機中擺脫出來去建立我們歷史的支柱。

托馬斯杰斐遜認為，要保持我們國家的基礎(chǔ)，我們就需要不時地進行改革。同胞們，這是我們的時代，讓我們?nèi)肀?/p>

我們的民主制度不僅要為全世界所仰慕，還必需成為我們自我振興的發(fā)動機。美國完全有力量自己解救自己。

因此，今日我們決心結(jié)束這個僵持停頓和放任自流的時代。一個振興美國的新時代已經(jīng)到來。要振興美國，我們必需有足夠的士氣和膽識。我們必需對自己的人民——對他們的工作和對他們的將來——增加投資，同時削減我們的巨額債務(wù)。在一個我們必需靠競爭才能獲得每個機會的世界上，我們肯定要這樣做。雖然，這不是一件輕而易舉的事，它需要作出犧牲。但是，我們能夠做到，而且能夠做得很好。我們不是為了犧牲而犧牲，而是為我們自己的利益而犧牲。我們必需像一個家庭撫育它的孩子那樣撫育我們的國家。

我們的締造者們是從子孫后代的角度來端詳他們自己的行為。我們也必需這樣做。任何曾經(jīng)留意過孩子的雙眼朦朧進入夢鄉(xiāng)的人，都知道后代是什么。后代是將來的世界。為了他們，我們滿懷抱負。從他們那里，我們借用了這塊地球，對他們，我們負有神圣的責任。我們必需盡美國之所能：向全部人供應(yīng)更多的機會，要求全部人擔當更多的責任。

現(xiàn)在，已經(jīng)到了該破除那種只望政府或別人賜予，而自己不愿付出的壞習(xí)慣的時候了。讓我們大家都擔負起更多的責任，不光是為我們自己和我們的家庭，而且是我們的社會和我們的國家。為振興美國，我們必需給我們的民主制度帶來新的活力。

這個漂亮的首都，就像文明消失以來的全部首都一樣，往往是一個搞陰謀陰謀和勾心斗角的地方。達官貴族們玩弄權(quán)術(shù)、爭名奪利，隨時都在擔憂誰進誰出、誰升誰降，遺忘了那些用辛勤和汗水把我們送到這里，并為我們擔當費用的人。

美國人應(yīng)當生活得更好。今日，在這座城市里，人們盼望把事情辦得更好。所以，我要向在場的諸位說，讓我們下定決心改革我們的政治，使人民的呼聲不再被權(quán)力和特權(quán)所壓倒。讓我們拋開個人利益，這樣，我們便能感受到美國的苦痛，也看到美國的盼望。讓我們下定決心，使我們的政府成為一個富蘭克林羅斯福所說的，進行“大膽而長久的試驗”的地方，即是說，成為一個著眼于將來，而不是留戀過去的政府。讓我們把這個首都還給她所屬的人民。

為了振興美國，我們必需迎接來自國內(nèi)、國外的種種挑戰(zhàn)。在什么是國外和什么是國內(nèi)之間已不再有明確的界線。全球經(jīng)濟、全球環(huán)境、全球艾滋病危機和全球軍備競賽，這一切影響著全部的人。

今日，隨著舊秩序被打破，新的世界更加自由，但又更加不穩(wěn)定。共產(chǎn)主義的崩潰激起了舊的仇恨和新的危急。明顯，美國必需連續(xù)領(lǐng)導(dǎo)這個我們曾經(jīng)付出巨大努力而制造的世界。

當我們致力于重建美國的時候，我們不會在這個新世界的挑戰(zhàn)面前退縮，也不會坐失良機。我們將同我們的伴侶和盟國一道，努力確定改革和進展方向，以免被改革所淹沒。

當我們的國家利益受到挑戰(zhàn)，或者國際社會的意志及公德遭到蔑視的時候，我們將盡可能地通過和平外交手段去解決。必要時也可以訴諸武力。今日，在波斯灣，在索馬里，在其他地方，那些為國效力的美國勇士們都證明白我們的決心。

然而，我們最大的實力是我們的思想力氣。在很多國家，美國的思想還是一種新生力氣?？吹竭@些思想為世界各國所接受，我們感到由衷的興奮。我們的盼望、我們的心，我們的手，同五大洲正在建設(shè)民主和自由的人民是聯(lián)在一起的。他們的事業(yè)就是美國的事業(yè)。

美國人民召喚我們今日慶祝的變革。你們異口同聲地提高了自己的呼聲。你們以前所未有的人數(shù)參與了投票。你們轉(zhuǎn)變了國會、總統(tǒng)以及政治進程本身的面貌。同胞們，是的，你們已經(jīng)促使春天提前到來了?，F(xiàn)在，我們必需致力于這個時期所給予我們的任務(wù)。

為了這個任務(wù)，我將充分行使我的職權(quán)。我懇求國會同我合作。但是，任何一位總統(tǒng)，任何一個國會，任何一屆政府，都無法獨自擔當這一使命。同胞們，你們也必需在國家的振興中發(fā)揮作用。我要求新一代美國青年根據(jù)你們的抱負行動起來，關(guān)心困難兒童，同患難者休戚與共，把我們這個四分五裂的社會重新凝為一體，為祖國貢獻你們的力氣。要做的事情太多——的確足以使千百萬精神上依舊年輕的其他人也投身其中。

在振興祖國的事業(yè)中，我們熟悉到一個簡潔而強有力的真理。我們不僅彼此需要，還必需相互關(guān)懷。今日，我們不只是在慶祝美國，而且是在重新獻身于美國的思想。

這種思想是一種在革命中誕生、經(jīng)過兩個世紀的挑戰(zhàn)而獲得新生的思想。一種經(jīng)受過這種熟悉錘煉的思想，即我們這些幸運者和不幸者，若非由于命運的支配，可能已經(jīng)變換位置。一種由于這種信念而變得崇高的思想，即信任我們的國家能夠從很多的分歧中求得最大程度的團結(jié)全都。一種布滿信念的思想，即信任美國漫長而勇敢的旅程定會永久向上。

為此，同胞們，在即將跨入21世紀的時候，讓我們重新開頭，鼓起士氣、滿懷盼望、堅決信念、遵守紀律，把我們的事業(yè)進行究竟?！妒ソ?jīng)》說：“我們行善，不行喪志，只要堅持，終有收獲。”

在這個慶祝的高山之巔，我們聽到山谷里傳來為國效力的呼喚。我們聽到了號聲。我們已經(jīng)換崗?，F(xiàn)在，我們每個人都必需以自己的方式在上帝的關(guān)心下響應(yīng)這一號召。

感謝你們。愿上帝保佑大家。

克林頓二任就職演講稿(中英文)：

TheSecondInauguralAddressbyBillClinton

January20,1997

Myfellowcitizens:

Atthislastpresidentialinaugurationofthe20thcentury,letusliftoureyestowardthechallengesthatawaitusinthenextcentury.Itisourgreatgoodfortunethattimeandchancehaveputusnotonlyattheedgeofanewcentury,inanewmillennium,butontheedgeofabrightnewprospectinhumanaffairs,amomentthatwilldefineourcourse,andourcharacter,fordecadestocome.Wemustkeepourolddemocracyforeveryoung.Guidedbytheancientvisionofapromisedland,letussetoursightsuponalandofnewpromise.

ThepromiseofAmericawasborninthe18thcenturyoutoftheboldconvictionthatweareallcreatedequal.Itwasextendedandpreservedinthe19thcentury,whenournationspreadacrossthecontinent,savedtheunion,andabolishedtheawfulscourgeofslavery.

Then,inturmoilandtriumph,thatpromiseexplodedontotheworldstagetomakethistheAmericanCentury.

Andwhatacenturyithasbeen.Americabecametheworld'smightiestindustrialpower;savedtheworldfromtyrannyintwoworldwarsandalongcoldwar;andtimeandagain,reachedoutacrosstheglobetomillionswho,likeus,longedfortheblessingsofliberty.

Alongtheway,Americansproducedagreatmiddleclassandsecurityinoldage;builtunrivaledcentersoflearningandopenedpublicschoolstoall;splittheatomandexploredtheheavens;inventedthecomputerandthemicrochip;anddeepenedthewellspringofjusticebymakingarevolutionincivilrightsforAfricanAmericansandallminorities,andextendingthecircleofcitizenship,opportunityanddignitytowomen.

Now,forthethirdtime,anewcenturyisuponus,andanothertimetochoose.Webeganthe19thcenturywithachoice,tospreadournationfromcoasttocoast.Webeganthe20thcenturywithachoice,toharnesstheIndustrialRevolutiontoourvaluesoffreeenterprise,conservation,andhumandecency.Thosechoicesmadeallthedifference.

Atthedawnofthe21stcenturyafreepeoplemustnowchoosetoshapetheforcesoftheInformationAgeandtheglobalsociety,tounleashthelimitlesspotentialofallourpeople,and,yes,toformamoreperfectunion.

Whenlastwegathered,ourmarchtothisnewfutureseemedlesscertainthanitdoestoday.Wevowedthentosetaclearcoursetorenewournation.

Inthesefouryears,wehavebeentouchedbytragedy,exhilaratedbychallenge,strengthenedbyachievement.Americastandsaloneastheworld'sindispensablenation.Onceagain,oureconomyisthestrongestonEarth.Onceagain,wearebuildingstrongerfamilies,thrivingcommunities,bettereducationalopportunities,acleanerenvironment.Problemsthatonceseemeddestinedtodeepennowbendtoourefforts:ourstreetsaresaferandrecordnumbersofourfellowcitizenshavemovedfromwelfaretowork.

Andonceagain,wehaveresolvedforourtimeagreatdebateovertheroleofgovernment.Todaywecandeclare:Governmentisnottheproblem,andgovernmentisnotthesolution.We,-theAmericanpeople,wearethesolution.Ourfoundersunderstoodthatwellandgaveusademocracystrongenoughtoendureforcenturies,flexibleenoughtofaceourcommonchallengesandadvanceourcommondreamsineachnewday.

Astimeschange,sogovernmentmustchange.Weneedanewgovernmentforanewcentury-humbleenoughnottotrytosolveallourproblemsforus,butstrongenoughtogiveusthetoolstosolveourproblemsforourselves;agovernmentthatissmaller,liveswithinitsmeans,anddoesmorewithless.Yetwhereitcanstandupforourvaluesandinterestsintheworld,andwhereitcangiveAmericansthepowertomakearealdifferenceintheireverydaylives,governmentshoulddomore,notless.ThepreeminentmissionofournewgovernmentistogiveallAmericansanopportunity,-notaguarantee,butarealopportunitytobuildbetterlives.

Beyondthat,myfellowcitizens,thefutureisuptous.Ourfounderstaughtusthatthepreservationofourlibertyandouruniondependsuponresponsiblecitizenship.Andweneedanewsenseofresponsibilityforanewcentury.Thereisworktodo,workthatgovernmentalonecannotdo:teachingchildrentoread;hiringpeopleoffwelfarerolls;comingoutfrombehindlockeddoorsandshutteredwindowstohelpreclaimourstreetsfromdrugsandgangsandcrime;takingtimeoutofourownlivestoserveothers.

Eachandeveryoneofus,inourownway,mustassumepersonalresponsibility,notonlyforourselvesandourfamilies,butforourneighborsandournation.Ourgreatestresponsibilityistoembraceanewspiritofcommunityforanewcentury.Foranyoneofustosucceed,wemustsucceedasoneAmerica.

Thechallengeofourpastremainsthechallengeofourfuture,willwebeonenation,onepeople,withonecommondestiny,ornot?Willweallcometogether,orcomeapart?

ThedivideofracehasbeenAmerica'sconstantcurse.Andeachnewwaveofimmigrantsgivesnewtargetstooldprejudices.Prejudiceandcontempt,cloakedinthepretenseofreligiousorpoliticalconvictionarenodifferent.Theseforceshavenearlydestroyedournationinthepast.Theyplagueusstill.Theyfuelthefanaticismofterror.Andtheytormentthelivesofmillionsinfracturednationsallaroundtheworld.

Theseobsessionscrippleboththosewhohateand,ofcourse,thosewhoarehated,robbingbothofwhattheymightbecome.Wecannot,wewillnot,succumbtothedarkimpulsesthatlurkinthefarregionsofthesouleverywhere.Weshallovercomethem.Andweshallreplacethemwiththegenerousspiritofapeoplewhofeelathomewithoneanother.

Ourrichtextureofracial,religiousandpoliticaldiversitywillbeaGodsendinthe21stcentury.Greatrewardswillcometothosewhocanlivetogether,learntogether,worktogether,forgenewtiesthatbindtogether.

Asthisneweraapproacheswecanalreadyseeitsbroadoutlines.Tenyearsago,theInternetwasthemysticalprovinceofphysicists;today,itisacommonplaceencyclopediaformillionsofschoolchildren.Scientistsnowaredecodingtheblueprintofhumanlife.Curesforourmostfearedillnessesseemcloseathand.

Theworldisnolongerdividedintotwohostilecamps.Instead,nowwearebuildingbondswithnationsthatoncewereouradversaries.Growingconnectionsofcommerceandculturegiveusachancetoliftthefortunesandspiritsofpeopletheworldover.Andfortheveryfirsttimeinallofhistory,morepeopleonthisplanetliveunderdemocracythandictatorship.

MyfellowAmericans,aswelookbackatthisremarkablecentury,wemayask,canwehopenotjusttofollow,buteventosurpasstheachievementsofthe20thcenturyinAmericaandtoavoidtheawfulbloodshedthatstaineditslegacy?Tothatquestion,everyAmericanhereandeveryAmericaninourlandtodaymustansweraresounding"Yes."

Thisistheheartofourtask.Withanewvisionofgovernment,anewsenseofresponsibility,anewspiritofcommunity,wewillsustainAmerica'sjourney.Thepromisewesoughtinanewlandwewillfindagaininalandofnewpromise.

Inthisnewland,educationwillbeeverycitizen'smostprizedpossession.Ourschoolswillhavethehigheststandardsintheworld,ignitingthesparkofpossibilityintheeyesofeverygirlandeveryboy.Andthedoorsofhighereducationwillbeopentoall.TheknowledgeandpoweroftheInformationAgewillbewithinreachnotjustofthefew,butofeveryclassroom,everylibrary,everychild.Parentsandchildrenwillhavetimenotonlytowork,buttoreadandplaytogether.Andtheplanstheymakeattheirkitchentablewillbethoseofabetterhome,abetterjob,thecertainchancetogotocollege.

Ourstreetswillechoagainwiththelaughterofourchildren,becausenoonewilltrytoshootthemorsellthemdrugsanymore.Everyonewhocanwork,willwork,withtoday'spermanentunderclasspartoftomorrow'sgrowingmiddleclass.Newmiraclesofmedicineatlastwillreachnotonlythosewhocanclaimcarenow,butthechildrenandhardworkingfamiliestoolongdenied.

Wewillstandmightyforpeaceandfreedom,andmaintainastrongdefenseagainstterroranddestruction.Ourchildrenwillsleepfreefromthethreatofnuclear,chemicalorbiologicalweapons.Portsandairports,farmsandfactorieswillthrivewithtradeandinnovationandideas.Andtheworld'sgreatestdemocracywillleadawholeworldofdemocracies.

Ourlandofnewpromisewillbeanationthatmeetsitsobligations,anationthatbalancesitsbudget,butneverlosesthebalanceofitsvalues.Anationwhereourgrandparentshavesecureretirementandhealthcare,andtheirgrandchildrenknowwehavemadethereformsnecessarytosustainthosebenefitsfortheirtime.Anationthatfortifiestheworld'smostproductiveeconomyevenasitprotectsthegreatnaturalbountyofourwater,air,andmajesticland.

Andinthislandofnewpromise,wewillhavereformedourpoliticssothatthevoiceofthepeoplewillalwaysspeaklouderthanthedinofnarrowinterests,regainingtheparticipationanddeservingthetrustofallAmericans.

Fellowcitizens,letusbuildthatAmerica,anationevermovingforwardtowardrealizingthefullpotentialofallitscitizens.Prosperityandpower,yes,theyareimportant,andwemustmaintainthem.Butletusneverforget:Thegreatestprogresswehavemade,andthegreatestprogresswehaveyettomake,isinthehumanheart.Intheend,alltheworld'swealthandathousandarmiesarenomatchforthestrengthanddecencyofthehumanspirit.

Thirty-fouryearsago,themanwhoselifewecelebratetodayspoketousdownthere,attheotherendofthisMall,inwordsthatmovedtheconscienceofanation.Likeaprophetofold,hetoldofhisdreamthatonedayAmericawouldriseupandtreatallitscitizensasequalsbeforethelawandintheheart.MartinLutherKing'sdreamwastheAmericanDream.Hisquestisourquest:theceaselessstrivingtoliveoutourtruecreed.Ourhistoryhasbeenbuiltonsuchdreamsandlabors.AndbyourdreamsandlaborswewillredeemthepromiseofAmericainthe21stcentury.

TothateffortIpledgeallmystrengthandeverypowerofmyoffice.IaskthemembersofCongressheretojoininthatpledge.TheAmericanpeoplereturnedtoofficeaPresidentofonepartyandaCongressofanother.Surely,theydidnotdothistoadvancethepoliticsofpettybickeringandextremepartisanshiptheyplainlydeplore.No,theycallonusinsteadtoberepairersofthebreach,andtomoveonwithAmerica'smission.

Americademandsanddeservesbigthingsfromus,-andnothingbigevercamefrombeingsmall.LetusrememberthetimelesswisdomofCardinalBernardin,whenfacingtheendofhisownlife.Hesaid,"Itiswrongtowastethepreciousgiftoftime,onacrimonyanddivision."

Fellowcitizens,wemustnotwastethepreciousgiftofthistime.Forallofusareonthatsamejourneyofourlives,andourjourney,too,willcometoanend.