南希和我今晚应邀出席这次大会，与大家共度这一特殊时刻，感到很荣幸，我以总统身份在共和党大会上发表讲话，这是最后一次了。因此，我十分感谢在座的诸位。
每当听到有人说我是在1981年1月20日成为总统的，我就觉得我必须予以纠正，因为，我并不是自己成为美国总统的，我只是受权暂时管理一个叫做：总统制的机构，而这个机构是属于人民的。
我曾经多次祷告，感谢所有给予我这一信托的美国人，今晚，请再次接受我们——南希和我的由衷的感谢，感谢你们赋予我们一生中这一特殊的时刻。
刚才，你们又用一篇感人肺腑的颂词给这种荣誉锦上添花，我只不过是个普通人，因此听到别人称赞我们取得的成就，也不免有点沾沾自喜。但是今晚，我们首先要记住：真正值得称颂的应是2亿4千5百万美国公民，是他们构成了我国宪法开宗明义的头四个字，也就是最伟大的四个字：美国人民。
美国人民承受过巨大的挑战，把我们从民族灾难的深渊中拯救出来，建立了我们强大的经济实力，重振了我国在国际上的声誉，他们是出类拔萃的人，也就是人们所说的美国人。所以，如果今晚要向谁表示敬意的话，就应该向遍布这块土地的英雄豪杰们致敬，他们是实干家、梦想家和新生活的建设者。没有他们，我们在民主制度下的光辉实践就将一事无成。
最近，我们常听到有人说现在是改革的时代了。女士们、先生们，我再善意地提醒一下，我们就代表着改革。
我们从1981年1月起就卷起袖子大干起来，我们满怀希望，从不灰心丧气，我们向过去失败的政策挑战，因为我们相信，一个社会之所以伟大，并不在于其政府做出多少许诺，而仅仅在于其人民取得了进步，这就是我们进行的改革。
我们相信，要实现持久和平，只能靠实力而不能靠我们对手的善意。
我们对政府持正当的怀疑态度，以制止它采取过分的行动，但在它帮助改善我国公民生活时，我们也乐于利用它的力量。
我们尊重把我们结合成一个家庭或一个国家的价值观点。
这就是我们的理想。你们在座的诸位、以及今晚像你们一样也在注视和聆听这次大会的人，都在为实现这个理想而献身。你们不是半途而废的懦夫，你们的行动也不仅仅是为了竞选，而是为了一个事业，你们代表着一种人，一种我所熟悉的为自由政府而奋斗的最杰出的斗士。
我知道以前我也这样说过，但是我相信，是上帝把这块土地放在了两个大洋之间，使世界各地的特殊人物发现了它，致使这些人因酷爱自由而远离故土云集到这片土地上，使之成为一束夺目的自由之光照亮了整个世界。
富有想象力是我们的天赋，我要告诉你们一个小男孩的想法，他在我就职后不久给我寄了一封信，信中写道“我爱美国，因为在美国只要愿意谁都可以参加童子军。我爱美国，在美国随便信仰什么都行，而且只要有能力，就可以成为你想要成为的那种人。我爱美国，因为在美国大约有二百种不同味道的冰激凌可以选择。”
这就是美国，每个人不分男女都幻想着能给人以希望的美国。正因为如此，我们对全世界来说就像一块磁铁，吸引人们冒着被子弹击中的危险以生命为代价越过柏林墙来到这里，吸引人们冒着九死一生的危险乘一叶扁舟渡过波涛汹涌的大洋来到这里。
这块土地和土地上的人民，以及使之结为一体的自由——就是这些使美国能够高高地飞翔，一直飞到可以看见自由和希望的万里云天。
当我们的子孙后代追寻我们一生的踪迹时，我希望他们会明白，我们是想把国家尽可能完美地传给他们。在这个国家里崇尚正直、宽容、慷慨、忠实、勇敢、知识、公正和虔诚。
这就是我的想法，我感谢上帝保佑我活得很好，而且活得很长，得是当我在华盛顿收拾离任前的行装时，不要以为我喜欢人们谈论我已时事届暮，年近黄昏。
黄昏？美国没有黄昏。
我们这里，每天都是旭日东升，到处都是崭新的机会，可以编织各种梦想。
黄昏？那是不可能的，因为我坦白承认有时我觉得我还是个小伙子，在和弟弟比赛，看谁先从山上跑到罗克河铁路桥下可以游泳的小水湾。
要知道，哪一天也比不上新的一天更美好，在我们这个国家里，它就意味着在你身上会发生某种奇迹。
在我身上就确实发生了某种奇迹。
几年前，我们点燃了一场燎原烈火，我们将激昂的思想和执著的信念作为燃料，决心让它烧遍全美国，那是多么美好时光啊！
我们曾经在一起为我们热爱的事业而战斗，但是我们绝不能让火焰熄灭，或者退出战斗，我们必须一次又一次地捍卫我们的自由，一次又一次！
但是我要对你们说，如果火光暗淡了，我愿意留下我的电话号码和地址，一旦你们需要一名小卒，只须说一声，我召之即来——只要一息尚存，只要我们这个可爱的国家在这个最辉煌的时刻还在不断地进取求新。
让火光一直熊熊地燃烧下去吧！这样，当我们要见上帝的时候，回首往昔，我们就可以无愧地说，我们做了我们所能做的一切，从来不遗余力。
下面是英文全文，中文的是节选，不是完整的！
Mada m Chairman,delegates to the convention, and fellowcitizens, thank you for that warm and generous welcome. Nancy and I have been enjoying the finest of Southern hospitality since wearrived here yesterday. And believe me, after that reception I don't think the``Big Easy'' has ever been bigger than it has tonight. And with all due respectto Cajun cuisine cooking and New Orleans jazz, nothing could be hotter than thespirit of the delegates in this hall, except maybe a victory celebration onNovember 8th. In that spirit, I think we can be forgiven if we give ourselves alittle pat on the back for having made ``Republican'' a proud word once againand America a proud nation again. Nancy and I are so honored to be your gueststonight, to share a little of your special time, and we thank you.
Now I want to invoke executive privilege to talk for a moment about a veryspecial lady who has been selfless not just for our party but for the entireNation. She is a strong, courageous, compassionate woman; and wherever she'sgone, here in the United States as well as abroad, whether with young or old,whether comforting the grieving or supporting the youngsters who are fightingthe scourge of drugs, she makes us proud. I've been proud of her fora long time, but never more so than in these last 8 years. With your tribute toNancy today, you warmed my heart as well as hers, and believe me, she deservesyour tribute. And I am deeply grateful to you for what you have done.
When people tell me that I became President on January 20th, 1981, I feel I haveto correct them. You don't become President of the United States. You are giventemporary custody of an institution called the Presidency, which belongs to ourpeople. Having temporary custody of this office has been for me a sacred trustand an honor beyond words or measure. That trust began with many of you in thisroom many conventions ago. Many's the time that I've said a prayer ofthanks to all Americans who placed this trust in my hands. And tonight, pleaseaccept again our heartfelt gratitude, Nancy's and mine, for this special timethat you've given in our lives.
Just a moment ago, you multiplied the honor with a moving tribute, and beingonly human, there's a part of me that would like to take credit for what we'veachieved. But tonight, before we do anything else, let us remember that tributereally belongs to the 245 million citizens who make up the greatest -- and thefirst -- three words in our Constitution: ``We the People.'' It is the Americanpeople who endured the great challenge of lifting us from the depths ofnational calamity, renewing our mighty economic strength, and leading the wayto restoring our respect in the world. They are an extraordinary breed we callAmericans. So, if there's any salute deserved tonight, it's to the heroeseverywhere in this land who make up the doers, the dreamers, and thelifebuilders without which our glorious experiment in democracy would havefailed.
This convention brings back so many memories to a fellow like me. I can stillremember my first Republican convention: Abraham Lincoln giving a speech that-- [laughter] -- sent tingles down my spine. No, I have to confess, I wasn'tactually there. The truth is, way back then, I belonged to the other party.[Laughter] But surely we can remember another convention. Eight years ago, wegathered in Detroit in a troubled time for our beloved country. And we gatheredsolemnly to share our dreams. When I look back, I wonder if we dared be so boldto take on those burdens. But in that same city of Detroit, when the 20th century was only in itssecond year, another great Republican, Teddy Roosevelt, told Americans not tohold back from dangers ahead but to rejoice: ``Our hearts lifted with the faiththat to us and to our children it shall be given to make this Republic themightiest among the peoples of mankind.'' Teddy said those, years ago. In 1980we needed every bit of that kind of faith.
That year, it was our dream that together we could rescue America and make anew beginning, to create anew that shining city on a hill. The dream we sharedwas to reclaim our government, to transform it from one that was consuming ourprosperity into one that would get out of the way of those who createdprosperity. It was a dream of again making our nation strong enough to preserveworld peace and freedom and to recapture our national destiny. We made adetermination that our dream would not be built on a foundation of sand --something called ``Trust Me Government'' -- but we would trust, instead, theAmerican spirit. And, yes, we were unashamed in believing that this dream wasdriven by a community of shared values of family, work, neighborhood, peace,and freedom. And on the night of July 17th, 1980, we left with a mutual pledgeto conduct a national crusade to make America great again. We had faith becausethe heroes in our midst had never failed us before. Tom Paine knew what theseAmericans with character of steel could do when he wrote: ``The harder theconflict, the more glorious the triumph.'' And my fellow citizens, while ourtriumph is not yet complete, the road has been glorious indeed.
Eight years ago, we met at a time when America was in economic chaos, and todaywe meet in a time of economic promise. We met then in international distress andtoday with global hope. Now, I think we can be forgiven if we engage in alittle review of that history tonight -- as the saying goes, just a friendlyreminder. I've been doing a littleremembering of my own because of all that inflated rhetoric by our friends inAtlanta last month. But then, inflation is their specialty.
Before we came to Washington, Americans had just suffered the two worst back-to-backyears of inflation in 60 years. Those are the facts, and as John Adams said,``Facts are stubborn things.'' Interest rates had jumped to over 21 percent,the highest in 120 years, more than doubling the average monthly mortgagepayments for working families -- our families. When they sat around the kitchentable, it was not to plan summer vacations, it was to plan economic survival.Facts are stubborn things.
Industrial production was down, and productivity was down for 2 consecutiveyears. The average weekly -- you missed me. [The President referred to abackground noise.] [Laughter] The average weekly wage plunged 9 percent. Themedian family income fell 5\1/2\ percent. Facts are stubborn things.
Our friends on the other side had actually passed the single highest tax billin the 200-year history of the United States. Auto loans, because of theirpolicies, went up to 17 percent, so our great factories began shutting down.Fuel costs jumped through the atmosphere, more than doubling. Then peoplewaited in gas lines as well as unemployment lines. Facts are stupid things --stubborn things, I should say. [Laughter]
And then there was the misery index. That was an election year gimmick theydesigned for the 1976 campaign. They added the unemployment and inflationrates. And it came to 13.4 percent in 1976, and they declared that ourcandidate, Jerry Ford, had no right to seek re-election with that kind ofmisery index. But 4 years later, in the 1980 campaign, they didn't mention the miseryindex. Do you suppose it was because it was no longer 13.4 percent? In those 4years it had become almost 21 percent. And last month, in Atlanta at theirconvention, there was again no mention of the misery index. Why? Because rightnow it's less than 9.2 percent. Facts are stubborn things.
When we met in Detroit in that summer of 1980, it was a summer of discontentfor America around the world. Our national defense had been so weakened, theSoviet Union had begun to engage in reckless aggression, including the invasionand occupation of Afghanistan. The U.S. response to that wasto forbid our athletes to participate in the 1980 Olympics and to try to pullthe rug out from under our farmers with a grain and soybean embargo. And inthose years, on any given day, we had military aircraft that couldn't fly forlack of spare parts and ships that couldn't leave port for the same reason orfor lack of a crew. Our Embassy in Pakistan was burned to the ground, and theone in Iran was stormed and occupied with all Americans taken as hostages. Theworld began to question the constancy and resolve of the United States. Ourleaders answered not that there was something wrong with our government butthat our people were at fault because of some malaise. Well, facts are stubbornthings.
When our friends last month talked of unemployment, despair, hopelessness,economic weakness, I wondered why on Earth they were talking about 1978 insteadof 1988.
And now we hear talk that it's time for a change. Well, ladies and gentlemen,another friendly reminder: We are the change. We rolled up our sleeves and wentto work in January of 1981. We focused on hope, not despair. We challenged thefailed policies of the past because we believed that a society is great notbecause of promises made by its government but only because of progress made byits people. And that was our change.
We said something shocking: Taxes ought to be reduced, not raised. We cut thetax rates for the working folks of America. We indexed taxes, and that stoppeda bracket creep which kicked average wage earners into higher tax brackets whenthey had only received a cost-of-living pay raise. And we initiated reform ofthe unfairness in our tax system. And what do you know, the top 5 percent ofearners are paying a higher percentage of the total tax revenue at the lowerrates than they ever had before, and millions of earners at the bottom of thescale have been freed from paying any income tax at all. That was our change.
So, together we pulled out of a tailspin and created 17\1/2\ million good jobs.That's more than a quarter of a million new jobs a month -- every month -- for68 consecutive months. America is working again. And just since our 1984convention, we have created over 11 million of those new jobs. Now, just whywould our friends on the other side want to change that? Why do they thinkputting you out of work is better than putting you to work?
New homes are being built. New car sales reached record levels. Exports arestarting to climb again. Factory capacity is approaching maximum use. You know,I've noticed they don't call it Reaganomics anymore. [Laughter]
As for inflation, well, that too has changed. We changed it from the time ithit 18 percent in 1980 down to between 3.5 and 4 percent. Interest rates areless than half of what they were. In fact, nearly half of all mortgages takenout on family homes in 1986 and more than a third of those in 1987 wereactually old loans being refinanced at the new lower rates. Young families havefinally been able to get some relief. These, too, were our changes.
We rebuilt our Armed Forces. We liberated Grenada from the Communists andhelped return that island to democracy. We struck a firm blow against Libyanterrorism. We've seen the growth of democracy in 90 percent of Latin America.The Soviets have begun to pull out of Afghanistan. The bloody Iran-Iraq war iscoming to an end. And for the first time in 8 years we have the prospects ofpeace in Southwest Africa and the removal of Cuban and other foreign forcesfrom the region. And in the 2,765 days of our administration, not 1 inch ofground has fallen to the Communists.
Audience members. Reagan! Reagan! Reagan!
The President. Today we have the first treaty in world history to eliminate anentire class of U.S. and Soviet nuclearmissiles. We're working on the Strategic Defense Initiative to defend ourselvesand our allies against nuclear terror. And American and Soviet relations arethe best they've ever been since World War II.
And virtually all this change occurred -- and continues to occur -- in spite ofthe resistance of those liberal elites who loudly proclaim that it's time for achange. They resisted our defense buildup. They resisted our tax cuts. Theyresisted cutting the fat out of government. And they resisted our appointmentsof judges committed to the law and the Constitution.
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