American Rhetoric: Movie Speech

"The West Wing" S4, Ep2

"The Streets of Heaven"

Audio AR-XE mp3 delivered by Martin Sheen

President Josiah Bartlet: ...restoring abundance amid an economic shortfall, securing peace in a time of global conflict, sustaining hope in this winter of anxiety and fear.

More than any time in recent history, America's destiny is not of our own choosing.

We did not seek, nor did we provoke, an assault on our freedoms and our way of life.

We did not expect, nor did we invite, a confrontation with evil.

Yet the true measure of a people's strength is how they rise to master that moment when it does arrive.

Forty-four people were killed a couple of hours ago at Kennison State University; three swimmers from the men's team were killed and two others are in critical condition, when after having heard the explosion from their practice facility they ran into the fire to help get people out.

Ran into the fire.

The streets of heaven are too crowded with angels tonight. They're our students and our teachers and our parents and our friends.

The streets of heaven are too crowded with angels, but every time we think we have measured our capacity to meet a challenge, we look up and we're reminded that that capacity may well be limitless.

This is a time for American heroes.

We will do what is hard.

We will achieve what is great.

This is a time for American heroes and we reach for the stars.

God bless their memory.

God bless you.

And God bless the United States of America.

Thank you