TO THE CONGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES:
 
     On the morning of December 11, the Government of Germany, pursuing its course of
world conquest, declared war against the United States.
     The long known and the long expected has thus taken place. The forces endeavoring to
enslave the entire world ^[now] are now moving towards this hemisphere.
     Never before has there been a greater challenge to life, liberty, and civilization.
     Hesitation of delay implies destruction [Delay invites greater danger.] Rapid and united
effort by all of the peoples of the world who are determined to remain free will ensure a world
victory of the forces of justice and of righteousness over the forces of savagery and of barbarism.
     Italy has also ^[has] declared war against the United States.
     I therefore request the Congress to recognize a state of war between the United States and
Germany, and between the United States and Italy.
 
 
                              [FDR]