"Madam Speaker, Vice President Cheney, Members of Congress, distinguished guests, and fellow citizens:
"This rite of custom brings us together at a defining hour – when decisions are hard and courage is tested. We enter the year 2007 with large endeavors underway, and others that are ours to begin. In all of this, much is asked of us. We must have the will to face difficult challenges and determined enemies – and the wisdom to face them together.
"Some in this Chamber are new to the House and Senate – and I congratulate the Democratic majority. /applause/ Congress has changed, but not our responsibilities. Each of us is guided by our own convictions – and to these we must stay faithful. Yet we are all held to the same standards, and called to serve the same good purposes: To extend this Nation’s prosperity - to spend the people’s money wisely - to solve problems, not leave them to future generations - to guard America against all evil, and to keep faith with those we have sent forth to defend us."