In a Nov. 1, 2005, speech at the National Institutes of Health, President George W. Bush laid out a plan to prepare the U.S. for a possible pandemic. 

The Bush strategy called for detecting outbreaks as early as possible anywhere in the world, stockpiling existing vaccines and antiviral drugs, speeding up the process of making new vaccines for a pandemic virus, and improving general readiness at the federal, state, and local levels.

Although the preparedness plan never reached full fruition, elements of the Bush plan formed the foundation for the U.S. response to the current coronavirus pandemic.

Mr. Bush's remarks have been condensed slightly for this podcast. A transcript of his complete address is online at georgewbush-whitehouse.archives.gov/news/releases/2005/11/20051101-1.html.

If you have a comment or question about the Notable Speeches podcast, email [email protected].