George W. Bush: “The Philippines is a longstanding ally and valued friend, in fact our oldest ally in Asia.”

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.

Is it in our interest that 25 million people who would have died now live? I think it is. On behalf of a grateful nation, thank you for your hard work and God bless you.

The creativity, ingenuity, and resourcefulness of the American people is our country's greatest strength.

We learned that bravery is more common than we imagined, emerging with sudden splendor in the face of death.