For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
September 15, 2001
Embargoed
Until Delivery 10 06 A.M. Edt Saturday, September 15, 2001 Radio Address of the President to the Nation the President Good Morning. This Weekend I AM Engaged in Extensive Sessions with Members of My National Security Council, as We Plan A Comprehensive Assault on Terrorism. This Will Be a Different Kind of
conflict against a different kind of enemy.
This is a conflict without battlefields or
beachheads, a conflict with opponents who believe they are
invisible. Yet, they are mistaken. They will be
exposed, and they will discover what others in the past have
learned: Those who make war against the United States have
chosen their own destruction. Victory against terrorism will
not take place in a single battle, but in a series of decisive actions
against terrorist organizations and those who harbor and support them.
We are planning a broad and sustained
campaign to secure our country and eradicate the evil of
terrorism. And we are determined to see this conflict
through. Americans of every faith and background are
committed to this goal.
Yesterday I visited the site of the
destruction in New York City and saw an amazing spirit of sacrifice and
patriotism and defiance. I met with rescuers who have worked
past exhaustion, who cheered for our country and the great cause we
have entered.
In Washington, D.C., the political parties
and both Houses of Congress have shown a remarkable unity, and I'm
deeply grateful. A terrorist attack designed to tear us
apart has instead bound us together as a nation. Over the
past few days, we have learned much about American courage -- the
courage of firefighters and police officers who suffered so great a
loss, the courage of passengers aboard United 93 who may well have
fought with the hijackers and saved many lives on the ground.
Now we honor those who died, and prepare
to respond to these attacks on our nation. I will not settle
for a token act. Our response must be sweeping, sustained
and effective. We have much do to, and much to ask of the
American people.
You will be asked for your patience; for,
the conflict will not be short. You will be asked for
resolve; for, the conflict will not be easy. You will be asked for
your strength, because the course to victory may be long.
In the past week, we have seen the
American people at their very best everywhere in
America. Citizens have come together to pray, to give blood,
to fly our country's flag. Americans are coming together to
share their grief and gain strength from one another.
Great tragedy has come to us, and we are
meeting it with the best that is in our country, with courage and
concern for others. Because this is America. This
is who we are. This is what our enemies hate and have
attacked. And this is why we will prevail.
Thank you for listening.
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