Global View - Presidential Speech II(0129)

A:  We now stand ten years past the midpoint of a century that has witnessed four major wars among great nations. Three of these involved our own country. Despite the carnage of these conflicts, America is today the strongest, the most influential and most productive nation in the world. We are understandably proud of this pre-eminence, yet we realize that America's leadership and prestige depend, not merely upon our unmatched material progress, riches and military strength, but on how we use our power in the interests of world peace and human betterment.
A:  Throughout America's adventure in free government, such basic purposes have been to keep the peace; to foster progress in human achievement, and to enhance liberty, dignity and integrity among peoples and among nations.
A:  We pray that peoples of all faiths, all races, all nations, may have their great human needs satisfied; that those now denied opportunity shall come to enjoy it to the full; that all who yearn for freedom may experience its spiritual blessings; that those who have freedom will understand, also, its heavy responsibilities; that all who are insensitive to the needs of others will learn charity; that the scourges of poverty, disease and ignorance will be made to disappear from the earth, and that, in the goodness of time, all peoples will come to live together in a peace guaranteed by the binding force of mutual respect and love.
A:  Now, on Friday noon, I am to become a private citizen. I am proud to do so. I look forward to it. Thank you, and good night.

Key Vocabulary

fosterprinciple verb, infinitiveto help (something) grow or develop
yearnprinciple verb, present simpleto feel a strong desire or wish for something
pre-eminencecommon noun, non-variablemore important, skillful, or successful than other
scourgecommon noun, pluralsomeone or something that causes a great amount of trouble
we now standphraseto be in a particular place or position

Supplementary Vocabulary

strickenAdjectivebadly affected by disease, pain, grief, etc
Democratcommon noun, singularUS politics a member or supporter of the Democratic Party, the more liberal of the two main political parties in the US
Republicancommon noun, singularbelonging to the Republican Party, the more conservative of the two main political parties in the US
first ladycommon noun, singular(in the US) the wife of the president elect
campaigncommon noun, singularAn operation or series of operations energetically pursued to accomplish a purpose