In the light of our substantial material progress, in the light of the increasing effectiveness of the restoration of popular rule, I recommend to the Congress that we advance; that we do not retreat.  I have confidence that you will not fail the people of the Nation whose mandate you have already so faithfully fulfilled.

I repeat, with the same faith and the same determination, my words of March 4, 1933:  “We face the arduous days that lie before us in the warm courage of national unity; with a clear consciousness of seeking old and precious moral values; with a clean satisfaction that comes from the stern performance of duty by old and young alike.  We aim at the assurance of a rounded and permanent national life.  We do not distrust the future of essential democracy.”

I cannot better end this message on the state of the Union than by repeating the words of a wise philosopher at whose feet I sat many, many years ago.

“What great crises teach all men whom the example and counsel of the brave inspire is the lesson:  Fear not, view all the tasks of life as sacred, have faith in the triumph of the ideal, give daily all that you have to give, be loyal and rejoice whenever you find yourselves part of a great ideal enterprise.  You, at this moment, have the honor to belong to a generation whose lips are touched by fire.  You live in a land that now enjoys the blessings of peace.  But let nothing human be wholly alien to you.  The human race now passes through one of its great crises.  New ideas, new issues—­a new call for men to carry on the work of righteousness, of charity, of courage, of patience, and of loyalty. . . .  However memory bring back this moment to your minds, let it be able to say to you:  That was a great moment.  It was the beginning of a new era. . . .  This world in its crisis called for volunteers, for men of faith in life, of patience in service, of charity and of insight.  I responded to the call however I could.  I volunteered to give myself to my Master—­the cause of humane and brave living.  I studied, I loved, I labored, unsparingly and hopefully, to be worthy of my generation.”

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State of the Union Address
Franklin D. Roosevelt
January 6, 1937

Mr. President, Mr. Speaker, Members of the Congress of the United States: 

For the first time in our national history a President delivers his Annual Message to a new Congress within a fortnight of the expiration of his term of office.  While there is no change in the Presidency this year, change will occur in future years.  It is my belief that under this new constitutional practice, the President should in every fourth year, in so far as seems reasonable, review the existing state of our national affairs and outline broad future problems, leaving specific recommendations for future legislation to be made by the President about to be inaugurated.

At this time, however, circumstances of the moment compel me to ask your immediate consideration of:  First, measures extending the life of certain authorizations and powers which, under present statutes, expire within a few weeks; second, an addition to the existing Neutrality Act to cover specific points raised by the unfortunate civil strife in Spain; and, third, a deficiency appropriation bill for which I shall submit estimates this week.