几代宦海沉浮造就两位总统,美国当选总统布什的家族,是当今美国声名最显赫的政治世家。自20世纪50年代以来,布什家族上演了一幕幕政治传奇,它造就了一位参议员、两位州长和两位总统,成为美国最显赫的政治王朝。
THE President: Fellow citizens: For eight years, it has been my honor to serve as your President. The first decade of this new century has been a period of consequence — a time set apart. Tonight, with a thankful heart, I have asked for a final opportunity to share some thoughts on the journey that we have traveled together, and the future of our nation.
各位公民:八年来,我有幸担任你们的总统。新世纪的第一个十年是一段意义重大的时期——一个时间分界点。今晚,我怀着一颗感谢的心,请求一个最后的机会,就我们一起走过的旅程以及国家的未来,与诸位分享一些想法。
Five days from now, the world will witness the vitality of American democracy. In a tradition dating back to our founding, the presidency will pass to a successor chosen by you, the American people. Standing on the steps of the Capitol will be a man whose history reflects the enduring promise of our land.
五天后,世界将目睹美国民主的活力。按照我们立国时的传统,总统之位将传给你们——美国人民所选择的继任者。站在国会山的台阶上的,将是一个其故事可以说明我们国家持久承诺的人。
This is a moment of hope and pride for our whole nation. And I join all Americans in offering best wishes to President-Elect Obama, his wife Michelle, and their two beautiful girls.
这是我们全国的希望与骄傲的深刻。我和所有美国人一起,向总统当选人奥巴马、他的妻子米歇儿以及他们两个美丽的女儿致以最美好的祝愿。
Tonight I am filled with gratitude — to Vice President Cheney and members of my administration; to Laura, who brought joy to this house and love to my life; to our wonderful daughters, Barbara and Jenna; to my parents, whose examples have provided strength for a lifetime. And above all, I thank the American people for the trust you have given me.
今晚,我满怀感激——感激副总统切尼以及行政成员们;感谢劳拉,她给这个家带来欢乐,给我的生活带来爱;感谢我们了不起的女儿芭芭拉和詹娜;感谢我的父母亲,他们的榜样为我提供了毕生的力量。
I thank you for the prayers that have lifted my spirits. And I thank you for the countless acts of courage, generosity, and grace that I have witnessed these past eight years.
最重要的是,我感谢美国人民给我的信任。我感谢你们的祈祷鼓舞了我的灵魂。我感谢你们在过去八年让我目睹了无数体现勇气、慷慨与仁慈的行动。
This evening, my thoughts return to the first night I addressed you from this house — September the 11th, 2001. That morning, terrorists took nearly 3,000 lives in the worst attack on America since Pearl Harbor. I remember standing in the rubble of the World Trade Center three days later, surrounded by rescuers who had been working around the clock. I remember talking to brave souls who charged through smoke-filled corridors at the Pentagon, and to husbands and wives whose loved ones became heroes aboard Flight 93. I remember Arlene Howard, who gave me her fallen son’s police shield as a reminder of all that was lost. And I still carry his badge.
今晚,我的思绪回到我站在这个地方向你们致辞的第一个晚上——2001年9月11日。那天早上,恐怖分子夺走了近3000性命,这是自珍珠港事件以来,美国遭遇的最严重的袭击。我记得于三天后站在世贸中心的废墟中的情形,周围是全天候工作的救援人员。我记得我跟那些在五角大楼烟雾弥漫的走廊里工作的勇敢灵魂谈话,跟那些登上93号航班最终成为英雄的人们的妻子们谈话。我记得阿琳·霍华德(Arlene Howard),她把已经陨落的儿子的警察勋章给了我,提醒我我们失去了什么。我仍然戴着他的徽章。
As the years passed, most Americans were able to return to life much as it had been before 9/11. But I never did. Every morning, I received a briefing on the threats to our nation. I vowed to do everything in my power to keep us safe.
随着时间的流逝,大多数美国人可以回归911之前的生活,但我就不能。每天早上,我都收到一份关于我国面临威胁的简报。我发誓要尽我所能保证我们的安全。
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