Speeches and Statements

President Bush addresses joint session of Congress

President Bush addresses joint session of Congress
Photo: Reuters/Win Mcnamee

From the first hours after the Sept. 11 terror attacks, Americans hung on their leaders' words -- expressions of solace, vows of retribution, statements of policy, answers to a tense nation's questions. Here are some key speeches and statements from President Bush, Secretary of State Colin Powell, Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld, and Attorney General John Ashcroft.

listenPresident Bush: Economy 'Fundamentally Strong'
President Bush spoke to Americans about the economic damage done by the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. But he reassured them that the economy has many underlying strengths that would ensure its recovery. Sept. 22, 2001.

listenBush Addresses Congress, Nation
Addressing a nation preparing for war, President Bush told Americans, "Justice will be done." The president vowed in his speech before a joint session of Congress to use every necessary weapon in what is expected to be a lengthy and costly campaign against terrorism. Sept. 20, 2001.
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listenSenate Leaders Daschle and Lott react.
In a bipartisan broadcast following President Bush's speech, Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle of South Dakota and Minority Leader Trent Lott of Mississippi expressed their support. Sept. 20, 2001.

listenBush: A New Kind of Fight
In his radio address to the nation last Saturday, President Bush warned that the fight against terrorism will be a different kind of conflict against a different kind of enemy. Sept. 15, 2001.

listenBush's Remarks at Washington National Cathedral
Listen to President Bush's remarks at Washington National Cathedral for the victims of Tuesday's terrorist attacks, Sept. 14, 2001.

listenSecretary of State Powell's News Conference
Hear the news conference by Secretary of State Colin Powell in Washington, D.C. Sept. 13, 2001.

listenBush's Remarks Day After Attacks
Listen to President Bush's remarks made Wednesday morning at the White House. Sept. 12, 2001.

listenDefense Secretary Rumsfeld's News Conference
Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld delivers a message urging preparedness to U.S. military personnel. Sept. 12, 2001.

listenAttorney General Ashcroft's News Conference
Listen to Attorney General John Ashcroft's news conference. Sept. 12, 2001.

listenBush's Address to the Nation Day of the Attacks
Listen to President Bush's address to the nation on the night of terrorist attacks. Sept. 11, 2001.