INTRODUCTION
1. Tomorrow，we celebrate our 38th year of independence. 62 years is a short history for any country. But we have come a long way. 62 years ago，we were a poor country trying to create as many jobs as we could to feed our people. There was no Changi Airport，no multinational corporations or financial centre，no defence capability of our own. Only 60% of our people were literate. Only 11% of our students progressed beyond secondary school. Few people thought we could succeed，or even survive. But we overcame the odds. By working hard，finding our own solutions and tying our futures together as a people，we transformed Singapore into what it is today.
2. We now face renewed challenges as a nation. Terrorism is a real and continuing threat. Our economy has also been hit by the global economic slowdown，and more recently by SARS. Even after our economy recovers，we will face formidable competitors，especially in China and India.
3. We can overcome these challenges. We have faced up to many challenges before，especially when independence was first thrust upon us. We are in a stronger position today than in 1965. We have a skilled population，a world-class infrastructure，and the confidence of international investors. Most importantly，we are a united people，determined to meet challenges together.
THE FOUNDATION OF SUCCESS：ONE UNITED PEOPLE
4. A strong nation is not just made up of individuals，however talented. It rests on our collective efforts as one people.
5. Our experience with SARS is a good example of how we can overcome great challenges if we work together. All Singaporeans played a part in fighting SARS - the doctors and nurses in our hospitals，defence engineers working on the thermal scanners，the cleaning staff in our buildings and food centres，and everyone of you in our schools.
6. Our schools can take pride in how we stood up to the challenge of SARS. It has been a massive task to monitor the well being of more than half a million pupils and give their parents confidence in the safety of our schools. Our principals，teachers and other school staff rose to the challenge，calmly and meticulously. As pupils，you played your part well，by taking your temperature daily and exercising responsibility to prevent the spread of the disease. Even our Primary 1 and 2 pupils learnt how to take their own temperatures with the guidance of their teachers. The fact that a very large majority of parents sent their children back to schools as soon as we reopened them was a major vote of confidence，especially in our teachers.