By by JO BONNER
Tonight, with a healthy, growing economy, with more Americans going back to work, with our nation an active force for good in the world, the state of our union is confident and strong.
– President George W. Bush
Emotional State of the Union address outlines goals, challenges
Last Wednesday's State of the Union address, made before a joint session of Congress and to millions of Americans throughout the country, was perhaps the finest speech President George W. Bush has ever given. It was certainly the best State of the Union I've heard since the days of Ronald Reagan.
It was also one of the most emotional.
During his 53-minute speech, the president touched on many of the major themes he has championed during his first term. This list is at the core of his agenda for the next four years as well, and includes many areas which have received a great deal of attention: making the tax cuts permanent; developing and implementing a comprehensive energy policy which relies on increased production and alternative fuel sources; modernizing an out-of-date immigration system and making health care more affordable while providing greater access and options for better coverage for American families.
The president also talked at length about the successes we have witnessed around the world with democratic elections in the Palestinian territories, Ukraine, Afghanistan, and most significantly, Iraq.
He paid tribute to the men and women of our armed forces who have sacrificed so much in the defense of our homeland and in securing freedom for millions of Iraqi men, women, and children. During the president's address, many members of Congress