h us what it means to be citizens. Every child must
be taught these principles. Every citizen must uphold them. And every
immigrant, by embracing these ideals, makes our country more, not less,
American.

Today, we affirm a new commitment to live out our nation's promise
through civility, courage, compassion and character.

America, at its best, matches a commitment to principle with a concern
for civility. A civil society demands from each of us good will and
respect, fair dealing and forgiveness.

Some seem to believe that our politics can afford to be petty because,
in a time of peace, the stakes of our debates appear small.

But the stakes for America are never small. If our country does not
lead the cause of freedom, it will not be led. If we do not turn the
hearts of children toward knowledge and character, we will lose their
gifts and undermine their idealism. If we permit our economy to drift
and decline, the vulnerable will suffer most.

We must live up to the calling we share. Civility is not a tactic or a
sentiment. It is the determined choice of trust over cynicism, of
community over chaos. And this commitment, if we keep it, is a way to
shared accomplishment.

America, at its best, is also courageous.

Our national courage has been clear in times of depression and war, when
defending common dangers defined our common good. Now we must choose if
the example of our fathers and mothers will inspire us or condemn us.
We must show courage in a time of blessing by confronting problems
instead of passing them on to future generations.

Together, we will reclaim America's schools, before ignorance and apathy
claim more young lives.

We will reform Social Security and Medicare, sparing our children from
struggles we have the power to prevent. And we will reduce taxes, to
recover the momentum of our economy and reward the effort and enterprise
of working Americans.

We will build our defenses beyond challenge, lest weakness invite
challenge.

We will confront weapons of mass destruction, so that a new century is
spared new horrors.

The enemies of liberty and our country should make no mistake: America
remains engaged in the world by history and by choice, shaping a balance
of power that favors freedom. We will defend our allies and our
interests. We will show purpose without arrogance. We will meet
aggression and bad faith with resolve and strength. And to all nations,
we will speak