Thank you. Fellow citizens, for eight years, it has been my honor to serve as your president. The first decade of this new century has been a period of consequence, a time set apart. Tonight, with a thankful heart, I have asked for a final opportunity to share some thoughts on the journey we have traveled together and the future of our nation.
八年的總統生涯,是美國人民賦予我的榮耀!21世紀的前10年是一個并不尋常的時期。今晚,我帶著一顆感恩的心來到這里,并且我希望你們能給我最后一次機會,因為我想和你們分享我對過去八年總統生涯的想法,以及我對國家未來的展望。
Five days from now, the world will witness the vitality of American democracy. In a tradition dating back to our founding, the presidency will pass to a successor chosen by you, the American people. Standing on the steps of the Capitol will be a man whose history reflects the enduring promise of our land. This is a moment of hope and pride for our whole nation. And I join all Americans in offering best wishes to President-elect Obama, his wife, Michelle, and their two beautiful girls.
五天之后,全世界就將會看到美國民主的活力。我即將把我的工作交由你們心目中的理想總統,奧巴馬!能夠接受全美人民崇敬的人,必須能夠為你們,為這片土地帶來希望。對于我們的國家來說,這是一個充滿希望和自豪的時刻。并且,我渴望與美國人民一道為奧巴馬,他的妻子和兩個漂亮的女兒送去美好的祝愿。
Tonight, I am filled with gratitude to Vice President Cheney and members of the administration; to Laura, who brought joy to this house and love to my life; to our wonderful daughters, Barbara and Jenna; to my parents, whose examples have provided strength for a lifetime. And above all, I thank the American people for the trust you have given me. I thank you for the prayers that have lifted my spirits. And I thank you for the countless acts of courage, generosity and grace that I have witnessed these past eight years.
今天,我滿懷感激之情,感謝我的副總統切尼以及我所有的政府成員。我還要感謝我的妻子勞拉和我的女兒芭芭拉,詹娜,是她們給我的生活帶來了無盡的快樂和愛意。我感謝我的父母,是他們給予了我前進的動力。最重要的是,我感謝美國人民給予我的信任.,我感謝你們給予我的勇氣、寬容。
This evening, my thoughts return to the first night I addressed you from this house, September 11, 2001. That morning, terrorists took nearly 3,000 lives in the worst attack on America since Pearl Harbor.
今晚,我的思緒回到了2001年的9月11日。當天早晨,恐怖分子帶走了近3000人的生命。自珍珠港事件后,恐怖分子制造了美國歷史上最嚴重的一次恐怖襲擊。
I remember standing in the rubble of the World Trade Center three days later, surrounded by rescuers who had been working around the clock. I remember talking to brave souls who charged through smoke- filled corridors at the Pentagon and to husbands and wives whose loved ones became heroes aboard Flight 93. I remember Arlene Howard, who gave me her fallen son's police shield as a reminder of all that was lost. And I still carry his badge.
我想起了3天后我站在世貿中心廢墟前的情景,那時,我誠摯地與那些夜以繼日搶救傷者的救援工人們交談,他們不顧自己的危險,在濃煙滾滾的五角大樓的走廊里抓緊工作。同時,我也為不幸遇難的人感到痛心,他們是我們的英雄!我想起了阿琳-霍華德,他當時把他死去兒子的警察盾牌交給了我,以表達對逝者的思念之情。而現在,我仍然珍藏著他的徽章。