President Bush delivers the annual State of the Union address to a joint session of the U.S. Congress, January 20, 2004 at the Capitol in Washington, D.C. Behind the president sits Vice President Richard Cheney, left, and Speaker of the House of Representatives Dennis Hastert, right. (AP/WWP)

During his first term as president, Bush on the domestic front signed into law initiatives to improve America's public schools by raising academic standards, requiring teacher accountability, and strengthening local control. He signed historic tax relief measures that have provided rebate checks and lower tax rates for everyone who pays income taxes in America. He increased pay and benefits for America's military and is working to save and strengthen the Social Security and Medicare programs.

The attacks on the World Trade Center in New York City on September 11, 2001, changed America. In President Bush's words, "in our grief and anger we have found our mission and our moment." Speaking to the nation and the world during his 2004 State of the Union address, Bush emphasized, "America is a nation with a mission, and that mission comes from our most basic beliefs. We have no desire to dominate, no ambitions of empire. Our aim is a democratic peace -- a peace founded upon the dignity and rights of every man and woman. America acts in this cause with friends and allies at our side, yet we understand our special calling: This great republic will lead the cause of freedom."

President George W. Bush speaks to rescue workers, firefighters, and police officers from the rubble of the World Trade Center, September 14, 2001 in New York City. (White House/Eric Draper)

Aftermath of September 11 "None of us would ever wish the evil that was done on September the 11th. Yet after America was attacked, it was as if our entire country looked into a mirror and saw our better selves. We were reminded that we are citizens, with obligations to each other, to our country, and to history. We began to think less of the goods we can accumulate, and more about the good we can do." January 29, 2002

Shortly after these attacks, President Bush declared war against terror, and he has made victory in the war on terrorism and the advance of human freedom the priorities of his administration. Already, the U.S. military and a coalition of nations have liberated the people of Afghanistan from the brutal Taliban regime and denied al Qaeda its safe haven of operations. Thousands of terrorists have been captured or killed and operations have been disrupted in many countries around the world. In the president's words, "our nation -- this generation -- will lift a dark threat of violence from our people and our future. We will rally the world to this cause by our efforts, by our courage. We will not tire, we will not falter, and we will not fail."

To the people of Iraq, President Bush committed the support of the United States, pledging, "I will not lose my will; that we will help Iraq become free and peaceful; that we will stand with those who want a new Iraq after Saddam Hussein to develop, where mothers and dads can raise their children in a peaceful world, where business and shopkeepers can grow their businesses, where the education system works well." In a November 2003 speech President Bush further described his vision for change in Iraq and the Middle East:

"There are, however, essential principles common to every successful society, in every culture. Successful societies limit the power of the state and the power of the military -- so that governments respond to the will of the people, and not the will of an elite. Successful societies protect freedom with the consistent and impartial rule of law, instead of selectively applying the law to punish political opponents. Successful societies allow room for healthy civic institutions -- for political parties and labor unions and independent newspapers and broadcast media. Successful societies guarantee religious liberty -- the right to serve and honor God without fear of persecution. Successful societies privatize their economies, and secure the rights of property. They prohibit and punish official corruption, and invest in the health and education of their people. They recognize the rights of women. And instead of directing hatred and resentment against others, successful societies appeal to the hopes of their own people."