George W. Bush: “U.S. Armed Forces began combat action in Afghanistan against Al Qaida terrorists and their Taliban supporters.”

On behalf of the American people, Laura and I offer our sincere condolences to Betsy and the Wyeth family.

Is it in our national interests that 25 million people who would have died now live? I think it is, and so do you.

To you and the honored dead, our country is forever grateful.

The American economy has consistently proven its strength and resilience in the face of shocks such as natural disasters, high energy prices, and the terrorist attacks of September 11.