Text of President Bush's speech

Text of President Bush's speech at the U.S. Naval Academy Wednesday, as transcribed by CQ Transcriptions:

Thank you. Thank you. Please be seated. Thanks for the warm welcome.

It's good to be back at the Naval Academy. I'm pleased to provide a convenient excuse for you to miss class.

It's the first year that every class of midshipmen at this academy arrived after the attacks of September the 11th, 2001. Each of you have volunteered to wear our nation's uniform in a time of war, knowing all the risks and dangers that accompany military service.

Our citizens are grateful for your devotion of duty. And America's proud of the men and women at the U.S. Naval Academy.

I thank Admiral Rempt for his invitation to come and give this speech. I appreciate Admiral Mike Mullen. I'm traveling today with a man who's done a fine job as the secretary of defense, Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld.

Navy aviator Don Rumsfeld.

I'm proud that the governor of the great state of Maryland, Bob Ehrlich and his wife, Kendel, is with us.

Thanks for being here, Governor.

So appreciative that members of the United States Congress have joined us, starting with the chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, Senator John Warner of the state of Virginia.

Former secretary of the United States Navy, I might add.

Chairman of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, Congressman Pete Hoekstra.

From the state of Arizona, Congressman John Shadegg.

And from the state of Indiana, Congressman Mike Pence.

I'm honored you all came. Thanks for being here.

Appreciate the mayor of the city of Annapolis, Mayor Ellen Moyer, joining us. I want to thank all the state and local officials.

I want to thank the faculty members here. Thank you all for letting me come by.

Six months ago I came here to address the graduating class of 2005. I spoke to them about the importance of their service in the first war of the 21st century: the global war on terror.

I told the class of 2005 that four years at this academy had prepared them morally, mentally and physically for the challenges ahead. And now they're meeting those challenges as officers of the United States Navy and Marine Corps.