State of the Union AddressesBush, George W. (George Walker)
History
State of the Union Addresses
Bush, George W. (George Walker)
Presidents -- United States -- Messages; United States -- Politics and government -- Sources
By caring for children who need mentors, and for addicted men and women
who need treatment, we are building a more welcoming society -- a
culture that values every life. And in this work we must not overlook
the weakest among us. I ask you to protect infants at the very hour of
their birth and end the practice of partial-birth abortion. And because
no human life should be started or ended as the object of an
experiment, I ask you to set a high standard for humanity, and pass a
law against all human cloning.
The qualities of courage and compassion that we strive for in America
also determine our conduct abroad. The American flag stands for more
than our power and our interests. Our founders dedicated this country
to the cause of human dignity, the rights of every person, and the
possibilities of every life. This conviction leads us into the world to
help the afflicted, and defend the peace, and confound the designs of
evil men.
In Afghanistan, we helped liberate an oppressed people. And we will
continue helping them secure their country, rebuild their society, and
educate all their children -- boys and girls. In the Middle East, we
will continue to seek peace between a secure Israel and a democratic
Palestine. Across the Earth, America is feeding the hungry -- more than
60 percent of international food aid comes as a gift from the people of
the United States. As our nation moves troops and builds alliances to
make our world safer, we must also remember our calling as a blessed
country is to make this world better.
Today, on the continent of Africa, nearly 30 million people have the
AIDS virus -- including 3 million children under the age 15. There are
whole countries in Africa where more than one-third of the adult
population carries the infection. More than 4 million require immediate
drug treatment. Yet across that continent, only 50,000 AIDS victims --
only 50,000 -- are receiving the medicine they need.
Because the AIDS diagnosis is considered a death sentence, many do not
seek treatment. Almost all who do are turned away. A doctor in rural
South Africa describes his frustration. He says, "We have no medicines.
Many hospitals tell people, you've got AIDS, we can't help you. Go home
and die." In an age of miraculous medicines, no person should have to
hear those words.
AIDS can be prevented. Anti-retroviral drugs can extend life for many
years. And the cost of those drugs has dropped from $12,000 a year to
under $300 a year -- which places a tremendous possibility within our
grasp. Ladies and gentlemen, seldom has history offered a greater
opportunity to do so much for so many.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account