Mr. Vice President, Mr. Speaker, Members of Congress and Distinguished Guests.

Over the years, New York City has been called many things -- from New Amsterdam to The Big Apple.

Today, the Congress of the United States calls it . . . home.

For this is where the First Congress began the work we continue to this day, the work of ordered liberty, preserving and expanding the freedoms that now, as then, are the inalienable right of every person.

Two centuries ago, there were those who thought that was nonsense. In their ignorance and arrogance, they called our American experiment a doomed folly.

But history overtook them, and their crowns and armies are dust beneath our feet.

There are those like them today, who cannot see beyond the limits of their own hatred.

They do not understand that, in the unending struggle against tyranny, Divine Providence – by whatever name we use – Providence is always on the side of Freedom.

When the First Congress was meeting here in New York, in January, 1790, President Washington asked its Members for "the cool and deliberate exertion of your patriotism, firmness, and wisdom."

As we face today's challenge to our country, we pledge to the people of New York just what we ask of them, and of all Americans: "the cool and deliberate exertion of your patriotism, firmness, and wisdom."

The duration of our present conflict, and its eventual price, may be in doubt. But there can be no doubt as to its outcome.

From this city's one day of horror – out of all the loss and sorrow – has come a strength, a resolve, a determination which – from Manhattan to Mississippi – now binds us together for the mighty work that lies ahead.