THE PRESIDENT: Just had an extraordinary discussion with a group of our fellow citizens -- some are pastors, some are ex-cons, some are baseball players, some are docs, some are community activists -- all who've come together to talk about a comprehensive strategy to deal with drug use in America. And our strategy is threefold: one, reduce demand, interdict supply, and then help people who have become addicts. And we're making progress. No question there's still work to do in America, but we are making progress. And one way to note the progress is this statistic: Since 2001, teenage use has declined by 25 percent. That means 900,000 fewer teens on drugs. The strategy can be measured. The implementation requires understanding that grassroots activists -- for example, like the faith community -- can play an integral work in working alongside government to achieve our objectives. The Admiral here has -- Admiral Allen, Commandant of the Coast Guard, reported about our interdiction efforts -- that we've been making great progress at interdicting, for example, cocaine being trafficked primarily out of South America and Central America into our country. And finally I am pleased that the Access to Recovery program and programs like that are vibrant and active, which basically says to an addict: If you so choose, you can redeem your health, redeem your money at a place of love in the faith community. Lives are changing. People's lives are being saved. I say government is justice, government is law -- but government must not fear places of love. And so this has been a positive report and a great meeting, and I want to thank you all for coming. More importantly I want to thank you for being citizens, and not spectators -- people who have decided to do something about your personal lives, as well as the lives of those in your communities. It's the collective effort of thousands of social entrepreneurs that help make America a hopeful place. There will be more work done after I'm out of here, but we have laid the foundation for a successful effort against drug use, drug supply, and helping those who have been addicted. Thank you. 200812/58598。
- THE PRESIDENT: It's an amazing experience to come back to a place where you were raised. Laura was raised in Midland, I was raised in Midland, this is -- this is one of the three homes I lived in, and I kind of remember it. (Laughter.) The bedroom -- actually I do remember the wood on the wall that -- in the bedroom. You know, I love Midland, and Texas. We've got a lot of friends here. I learned a lot of values that I hold dear here. It's good to see mom's -- Laura's mom here. And it's the first time I've been back here since I've been the President, and it's -- it was just a very heartwarming experience. You know, I've told my friends here, I said, you know, I'm not going to change as a person because of politics or Washington -- that's what I said when I left. I think they appreciate that. I want them to know that, you know, even though I had to deal with a lot of tough issues, that I'm still the same person that they knew before and that, you know, I'm wiser, more experienced, but my heart and my values didn't change. So it's great to see our friends. You know, we got a couple more hard months to go, and obviously we've got to deal with this financial situation. Congress took a big step in the direction of at least giving us the tools necessary to bring some stability into the marketplace. Got to get credit for them of course so that people feel -- feel comfortable about conducting business. So there's a lot of work to be done. In the meantime it's good to come back here to where it all started for us. Anyway, thank you all. You're welcome to pay the fee to go in and see the house. (Laughter.) 200810/51766。
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- Yet those divisions do not define America.这些分歧不是美国的特色。We felt the unity and fellowship of our nation when freedom came under attack, and our response came like a single hand over a single heart.当自由遭受侵犯时，我们能感受到我们国家的团结和友情，我们的反应是齐心协力。And we can feel that same unity and pride whenever America acts for good, and the victims of disaster are given hope, and the unjust encounter justice, and the captives are set free.每当美国主持正义，受灾者得到希望，不公正的现象被审判以及人质被释放时，我们便能感受到同样的团结和自豪。We go forward with complete confidence in the eventual triumph of freedom.在前进的道路上，我们坚信自由会取得最终的胜利。Not because history runs on the wheels of inevitability; it is human choices that move events.这不是历史的必然性所致，而是人民的选择；Not because we consider ourselves a chosen nation; God moves and chooses as He wills.也不是因为我们把自己看作是受上帝垂爱的国家，而是上帝自己的意愿。We have confidence because freedom is the permanent hope of mankind, the hunger in dark places, the longing of the soul.们信心十足，因为自由是人类永恒的希望，是黑暗中的明灯，是灵魂的期盼。When our Founders declared a new order of the ages; when soldiers died in wave upon wave for a union based on liberty;当我们的奠基人宣布延续几个世纪的新秩序时，当一批批战士为了自由联邦而献身时，when citizens marched in peaceful outrage under the banner ;Freedom Now;-they were acting on an ancient hope that is meant to be fulfilled.当人们在“自由”的口号下激愤地进行和平抗议时———他们都在实践着应当实现的古老愿望。History has an ebb and flow of justice, but history also has a visible direction, set by liberty and the Author of Liberty.历史曾有过正义的倒退，但历史也有一个明确的方向，那就是由自由和自由之神确立的方向。When the Declaration of Independence was first in public and the Liberty Bell was sounded in celebration, a witness said, ;It rang as if it meant something.;当《独立宣言》首次公布于众时，自由钟在庆典上响起，一位与会者说：“它的敲响意味深长。”In our time it means something still.如今，它仍然蕴涵深意。America, in this young century, proclaims liberty throughout all the world, and to all the inhabitants thereof.在新的世纪，美国要向全世界及所有人宣告自由。Renewed in our strength-tested, but not weary-we are y for the greatest achievements in the history of freedom.我们的力量经过考验没有消沉，而是得到恢复，我们准备在争取自由的历史上取得最大的成就。May God bless you, and may He watch over the ed States of America.愿上帝保佑你们，保佑美利坚合众国。03/438297。
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- President Bush Discusses Legislative AgendaTHE PRESIDENT: The 4th of July is fast approaching, and Democratic leaders in Congress have scheduled another recess. Americans are concerned that Congress may leave town with a lot of important business that hasnt been completed.Before they leave, the Congress needs to pass an emergency war funding bill, so that our troops on the frontlines have the tools they need to protect themselves and us. The House passed a good bill, and now the Senate needs to act. Before they leave, Congress needs to give our intelligence professionals the tools they need to act quickly and effectively to monitor foreign terrorist communications so we can stop any new attack. The House passed a good, very good bipartisan bill, and the Senate needs to act.Before they leave, the Senate needs to make progress on the enormous backlog of nominations that theyve held up. Many of these nominations are for vital positions affecting our courts, our economy, our public safety, and our national security. Every day that these nominees are delayed makes it harder for the government to meet its responsibilities, and the Senate needs to act right away.Now, when they come back, when they get off their recess, the Democratic Congress needs to act on critical issues that theyve failed to address. One such issue is housing legislation. The Congress needs to come together and pass responsible housing legislation to help more Americans keep their homes.Another area of concern for the American citizens is the price of gasoline. And one way to relieve the price of gasoline is to expand domestic production of crude oil here at home. The Congress failed to act on this measure, and they got to when they come back.And finally, the Congress needs to act when it comes to the Colombia free trade agreement. This is a good deal for our economy. It will help our economy grow and to strong -- support our friend and ally in the neighborhood, Colombia.Im -- I asked the Democratic leaders to make the last two days before their recess productive. I, of course, wish the members to have a great 4th of July week, and Im looking forward to working with them to address critical issues facing our nation when they return.Thank you.200806/43052。