December 21, 2009 --

No time limit

No irresolution

No punches pulled

The concluding paragraphs from President Franklin D. Roosevelt's address to Congress, December 8, 1941

(Source: the American Rhetoric website. www.americanrhetoric.com)

No matter how long it may take us to overcome this premeditated invasion, the American people in their righteous might will win through to absolute victory.

I believe that I interpret the will of the Congress and of the people when I assert that we will not only defend ourselves to the uttermost, but will make it very certain that this form of treachery shall never again endanger us.

Hostilities exist. There is no blinking at the fact that our people, our territory, and our interests are in grave danger.

With confidence in our armed forces, with the unbounding determination of our people, we will gain the inevitable triumph -- so help us God.

I ask that the Congress declare that since the unprovoked and dastardly attack by Japan on Sunday, December 7th, 1941, a state of war has existed between the United States and the Japanese empire.

[The address reportedly was written between 5 p.m., December 7 and delivery at 12:30 p.m., December 8. 1941.]