President George W. Bush spoke to the nation on February 2. Members of Congress, honored guests from other nations and U.S. military officials were among those who filled the chamber of the House of Representatives.
"Tonight, with more Americans going back to work, with our nation an active force of good in the world," Bush said, "the state of our union is confident and strong." The room erupted in applause. During the next 53 minutes, Bush presented several goals for the year ahead.
The State of the Union address gives the President a chance to speak to the American people and to set out his plans for the nation. The U.S. Constitution requires the President to report regularly to Congress.
Looking to the Future
In his speech, Bush promised to continue to fight terror and spread
freedom throughout the world. He also talked about issues at home,
including education, taxes and the Social Security system, which
provides money for working Americans after they retire.
Much of the speech was devoted to changing Social Security. Bush urged lawmakers to "strengthen and save" the program. The President has said that Social Security will not be available for young Americans now entering the workforce when they retire. His proposal would allow workers to create savings plans using some of their earnings that are currently set aside for Social Security. Critics argue that the plan is costly and unnecessary or too risky. Some members of Congress grumbled when Bush laid out his proposal.
Bush also hailed the success of Iraq's first free elections. He thanked U.S. troops and vowed to continue to work for a democratic and peaceful Middle East. He promised to work to end the conflict between the Palestinians and Israelis and pledged $350 million in aid to the Palestinians.
The President challenged other Middle Eastern countries to pursue freedom and reject terrorism. Said Bush: "The victory of freedom in Iraq will strengthen a new ally in the war on terror . . . (and) bring more hope and progress to a troubled region."
Did You Know?
• George Washington gave the first annual message to Congress, on January 8, 1790. His speech was the shortest in history, lasting only six minutes.
• Bill Clinton's 89-minute State of the Union address in 2000 was the longest.
• Thomas Jefferson sent a written message to Congress in 1801. Congress did not get an oral report again until Woodrow Wilson's speech in 1913.
• In 1947, Harry Truman became the first to deliver the speech on television.
• In 2002, George W. Bush was the first President to have his speech broadcast live on the Internet.
• The address was known as the annual message until 1935, when Franklin Roosevelt used the phrase state of the union. He gave 12 of these speeches, the most of any President!