Presidential Radio Address - 6 July 2002

THE PRESIDENT: Good morning. This week, Americans are celebrating the 226th anniversary of our independence. On the 4th of July, we count our blessings, and there are so many to count.

We are thankful for the families that share our life in this land of liberty. We're thankful for the opportunities given to us every day in this country. And we are thankful for our freedom, the freedom declared by the founding fathers, defended by many generations and granted to each one of us by Almighty God.

Americans know that our country did not come about by chance. Our nation was first designed as a colony, serving an empire and answering to a king. The founders had other things in mind. In the summer of 1776, they declared that these colonies are and of right ought to be free and independent states. All Americans can draw a straight line from the free lives we lead today to that one moment when the world changed forever.

From that day in 1776, freedom has had a home and a defender. Unlike any other country, America came into the world with a message for mankind, that all are created equal and all are meant to be free.

There is no American race, there's only an American creed. We believe in the dignity and rights of every person. We believe in equal justice, limited government and the rule of law, personal responsibility and tolerance toward others. This creed of freedom and equality has lifted the lives of millions of Americans, of citizens by birth and citizens by choice. This creed draws our friends to us, sets our enemies against us, and always inspires the best that is in us.

In this 226th year of our independence, we have seen that American patriotism is still a living faith. We love our country, only more when she is threatened. America is the most diverse nation on earth. Yet, in a moment we discovered again that we are a single people, we share the same allegiance, we live under the same flag -- and when you strike one American, you strike us all.

More than ever in the lifetimes of most Americans, our flag stands for a true united country. We've been united in our grief and we are united in our resolve to protect our people and defeat the enemies of freedom. At this hour, more than 60,000 American troops are deployed around the world in the war against terror. Many of you have family members serving in the military -- wherever they are stationed, this nation is depending on them and you can be proud of them.

America's service men and women and our veterans know better than anyone that our love for country is shown in works. That spirit of service is alive and strong in America today. As we fight a war abroad, at home, Americans are answering the call of service, giving their time and energy to causes greater than self-interest. This nation is confronting a terrible evil, and we are overcoming evil with good.

Today, as much as ever before, America bears the hopes of the world. Yet, from the day of our founding, America's own great hope has never been in ourselves alone. The founders humbly sought the wisdom and the blessing of Divine Providence. May we always live by that same trust, and may God continue to watch over the United States of America.

Thank you for listening.