George W. Bush: “America is a compassionate country.”

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.

We know our words cannot help, but we believe the prayers of so many Americans will.

We look forward to working with him and the National Archives to build a world-class Presidential library and museum that will be an important resource for scholars and the general public.

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.