George W. Bush

About the author: George W. Bush is president of the United States. Nine days after the September 11, 2001, attack, he made this televised address to Congress and the American people.

The United States has been victimized by an act of war carried out by terrorists. Evidence indicates that the attack was organized and carried out by the al-Qaida [al Queda] terrorist network. This organization is led by Osama bin Laden, who is being sheltered by the Taliban government in Afghanistan. The enemies of freedom who have attacked America will not prevail. The spirit of the American people remains unbroken, and the United States will do whatever is necessary to defend itself against further attacks and to defeat and destroy global terrorists. The fight against terrorism is...