What we accomplish this year, in each challenge we face, will set our course for the balance of the decade, indeed, for the remainder of the century.  After all we’ve done so far, let no one say that this nation cannot reach the destiny of our dreams.  America believes, America is ready, America can win the race to the future—­and we shall.  The American dream is a song of hope that rings through night winter air; vivid, tender music that warms our hearts when the least among us aspire to the greatest things:  to venture a daring enterprise; to unearth new beauty in music, literature, and art; to discover a new universe inside a tiny silicon chip or a single human cell.

We see the dream coming true in the spirit of discovery of Richard Cavoli.  All his life he’s been enthralled by the mysteries of medicine.  And, Richard, we know that the experiment that you began in high school was launched and lost last week, yet your dream lives.  And as long as it’s real, work of noble note will yet be done, work that could reduce the harmful effects of x rays on patients and enable astronomers to view the golden gateways of the farthest stars.

We see the dream glow in the towering talent of a 12-year-old, Tyrone Ford.  A child prodigy of gospel music, he has surmounted personal adversity to become an accomplished pianist and singer.  He also directs the choirs of three churches and has performed at the Kennedy Center.  With God as your composer, Tyrone, your music will be the music of angels.

We see the dream being saved by the courage of the 13-year-old Shelby Butler, honor student and member of her school’s safety patrol.  Seeing another girl freeze in terror before an out-of-control school bus, she risked her life and pulled her to safety.  With bravery like yours, Shelby, America need never fear for our future.

And we see the dream born again in the joyful compassion of a 13 year old, Trevor Ferrell.  Two years ago, age 11, watching men and women bedding down in abandoned doorways—­on television he was watching—­Trevor left his suburban Philadelphia home to bring blankets and food to the helpless and homeless.  And now 250 people help him fulfill his nightly vigil.  Trevor, yours is the living spirit of brotherly love.

Would you four stand up for a moment?  Thank you, thank you.  You are heroes of our hearts.  We look at you and know it’s true:  In this land of dreams fulfilled, where greater dreams may be imagined, nothing is impossible, no victory is beyond our reach, no glory will ever be too great.

So, now it’s up to us, all of us, to prepare America for that day when our work will pale before the greatness of America’s champions in the 21st century.  The world’s hopes rest with America’s future; America’s hopes rest with us.  So, let us go forward to create our world of tomorrow in faith, in unity, and in love.

God bless you, and God bless America.

Note:  The President spoke at 8:04 p.m. in the House Chamber of the Capitol.  He was introduced by Thomas P. O’Neill, Jr., Speaker of the House of Representatives.  The address was broadcast live on nationwide radio and television.