The president’s State of the Union message is mandated by section 3 of the U.S. Constitution; “The President shall from time to time give to Congress information of the State of the Union and recommend to their consideration such measures as he shall judge necessary and expedient,” 

George Washington was keenly aware that he was setting precedent for future presidents with nearly every action he took.  He interpreted that passage of the new U.S. Constitution; to mean he should address both Houses of Congress, in a joint session.  He did so on the frigid morning of January 8, 1790, at Federal Hall, in New York City, the nation’s first capital.  Washington spoke about the concept of the union itself.  He emphasized unity by writing “United States” in the dateline, rather than New York.   

John Adams, continued Washington’s tradition of delivering what was then referred to as the “President’s Annual Message,” and not the State of the Union, to a joint session of Congress once each year.

Thomas Jefferson denounced the pomp that surrounded delivering the president’s speech to Congress as too “imperial” or “kingly.”  Jefferson preferred written communications.  Therefore, beginning with Jefferson’s first annual message, in 1801, the President’s Annual Message was written and delivered to both Houses of Congress.  There it was read aloud by the clerks.  This practice continued for over 100 years.

During this 100+ year span some of the most significant U.S. policies were spelled out in the President’s Annual Message.  In 1823, James Monroe laid out his foreign policy which called on European powers to end their colonization in the western hemisphere and became known as the Monroe Doctrine.  In 1862, Abraham Lincoln expressed his desire to end slavery, which was part of his efforts leading to the Emancipation Proclamation, one of our nation’s most significant documents.

In 1913 Woodrow Wilson said, “A president is likely to read his own message rather better than a clerk would,” and revived Washington’s precedent of delivering the address live before a joint session of Congress.  With only a few exceptions, the practice of delivering the annual message in a speech before a joint session of Congress continues today.

Other milestones include:
• 1923—Calvin Coolidge’s message was the first broadcast on the radio. 
• 1935—Franklin Roosevelt began use of the phrase “State of the Union.” 
• 1947—Harry Truman’s State of the Union was the first televised. 
• 1965—Lyndon Johnson moved the State of the Union to “prime time” so it would be seen by a larger audience.
• 1982—Ronald Reagan became the first to introduce “distinguished citizens guests” in the House Gallery, and recognize their contributions to the nation, a tradition every president since has continued.
• 1986—Ronald Reagan’s State of the Union was only State of the Union cancelled after it was scheduled—due to the Space Shuttle Challenger tragedy, which occurred earlier that day. 

Last year, as I attended my first State of the Union, with virtually the entire Federal leadership of our country; my House and Senate colleagues; the president’s Cabinet Secretaries; Supreme Court Justices; Directors of key agencies; foreign dignitaries and special guests, all crowded into House Chamber normally used by 435 Members, the true gravity of the position I had just been sworn into fully dawned on me. 

It is awe-inspiring to be a part of history that every State of the Union becomes.  This year was another historic year because, 2004 is the first year the State of the Union speech was streamed live on the Internet for the first time.
 
After the speech, as President Bush walked down the aisle, I had the opportunity to shake his hand.  I am proud of the president.  The speech demonstrated his commitment to work with Congress to restore prosperity to the American economy, securing our homeland as well as promoting democracy, liberty and freedom throughout the world.