GEORGE W. BUSH, US PRESIDENT: Mr Speaker, tonight the state of our Union is strong and together we will make it stronger. The only way to protect our people, the only way to secure the peace, the only way to control our destiny is by our leadership, so the United States of America will continue to lead.
Abroad, our nation is committed to an historic, long-term goal - we seek the end of tyranny in our world. Far from being a hopeless dream the advance of freedom is the great story of our time. In 1945 there were about two dozen lonely democracies in the world. Today there are 122. So the United States of America supports democratic reform across the broader Middle East. Elections are vital but they are only the beginning.
The Palestinian people have voted in elections and now the leaders of Hamas must recognise Israel, disarm, reject terrorism and work for lasting peace. The same is true of Iran, a nation now held hostage by a small clerical elite that is isolating and repressing its people. Tonight let me speak directly to the citizens of Iran - America respects you and we respect your country. We respect your right to choose your own future and win your own freedom, and our nation hopes one day to be the closest of friends with a free and democratic Iran.

Keeping America competitive requires affordable energy. Here we have a serious problem - America is addicted to oil, which is often imported from unstable parts of the world. The best way to break this addiction is through technology. Since 2001 we have spent nearly $10 billion to develop cleaner, cheaper, more reliable alternative energy sources and we are on the threshold of incredible advances. By applying the talent and technology of America, this country can dramatically improve our environment, move beyond a petroleum-based economy and make our dependence on Middle Eastern oil a thing of the past.
And so we move forward, optimistic about our country, faithful to its cause and confident of the victories to come. May God bless America.