00:00Good evening. Today our fellow citizens, our way of life, our very freedom came
00:08under attack in a series of deliberate and deadly terrorist acts. The victims
00:15were in airplanes or in their offices, secretaries, businessmen and women,
00:21military and federal workers, moms and dads, friends and neighbors. Thousands of
00:29lives were suddenly ended by evil, despicable acts of terror. The pictures
00:35of airplanes flying into buildings, fires burning, huge structures
00:40collapsing, have filled us with disbelief, terrible sadness and a quiet,
00:48unyielding anger. These acts of mass murder were intended to frighten our
00:54nation into chaos and retreat. But they have failed. Our country is strong. A great
01:02people has been moved to defend a great nation. Terrorist attacks can shake the
01:07foundations of our biggest buildings, but they cannot touch the foundation of
01:12America. These acts shatter steel, but they cannot dent the steel of American
01:18resolve. America was targeted for attack because we're the brightest beacon for
01:24freedom and opportunity in the world. And no one will keep that light from
01:30shining. Today our nation saw evil, the very worst of human nature, and we
01:37responded with the best of America. With the daring of our rescue workers, with the
01:43caring for strangers and neighbors who came to give blood and help in any way they
01:48could. Immediately following the first attack, I implemented our government's
01:53emergency response plans. Our military is powerful and it's prepared. Our emergency
02:00teams are working in New York City and Washington DC to help with local rescue
02:05efforts. Our first priority is to get help to those who have been injured and to
02:10take every precaution to protect our citizens at home and around the world from
02:16further attacks. The functions of our government continue without interruption.
02:22Federal agencies in Washington, which had to be evacuated today, are reopening for
02:27essential personnel tonight and will be open for business tomorrow. Our financial
02:32institutions remain strong and the American economy will be open for business as
02:37well. The search is underway for those who are behind these evil acts. I've directed the
02:44full resources of our intelligence and law enforcement communities to find those
02:48responsible and to bring them to justice. We will make no distinction between the
02:55terrorists who committed these acts and those who harbored them. I appreciate so
03:02very much the members of Congress who have joined me in strongly condemning these
03:05attacks. And on behalf of the American people, I thank the many world leaders who have
03:11called to offer their condolences and assistance. America and our friends and
03:17allies join with all those who want peace and security in the world and we stand
03:22together to win the war against terrorism. Tonight I ask for your prayers for all
03:30those who grieve, for the children whose worlds have been shattered, for all whose sense of
03:36safety and security has been threatened. And I pray they will be comforted by a power
03:42greater than any of us, spoken through the ages in Psalm 23. Even though I walk through
03:48the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for you are with me. This is a day
03:56when
03:56all Americans from every walk of life unite in our resolve for justice and peace. America has
04:02stood down enemies before, and we will do so this time. None of us will ever forget this
04:09day, yet we go forward to defend freedom and all that is good and just in our world. Thank
04:19you. Good night, and God bless America.
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