President Donald Trump started off his first State of the Union Address with an optimistic tone late Tuesday night with intentions to attack issues such as healthcare, immigration, terrorism, and much more. But the man in charge couldn’t begin the policy part of his speech without fist recognizing America’s greatness and congratulating his fellow citizens on what they have achieved so far.

He thanked American heroes like Coast Guard Petty Officer Ashlee Leppert, who helped saved lives during Hurricane Harvey, and firefighter David Dahlberg, who saved numerous children from a daycare threatened by the California wildfires.

“Let us begin tonight by recognizing that the state of our union is strong because our people are strong,” Trump said inside a crowded House Chamber, “Together, we are building a safe, strong, and proud America.”

Trump stated that since his inauguration last January, 2.4 million new jobs have been created, wages have risen, unemployment has reached a record low, and the stock market has reached eight trillion dollars in his first year. Much of Trump’s speech aimed to create a realistic image of a country excelling toward “a clear vision and a righteous mission – to make America great again for all Americans.”In reference to his goals of 2018, the President was clear about his priorities. He plans on pursuing a $1.5 trillion infrastructure package to fix roads, highways, bridges, and railroads. He also has decided to keep the military prison at Guantanamo Bay open, and he has come up with an immigration policy that is “a detailed proposal that should be supported by both parties as a fair compromise.”

This updated reform package includes building a border wall, ending the visa lottery, and ending and family visa sponsorship. This is all in exchange for offering a pathway to citizenship for more than a million undocumented immigrants.

“It is time to reform these outdated immigration rules and finally bring our immigration system into the 21st century,” explained Trump.

Trump devoted the first part of his speech to the tax legislation passed in December. He talked about its details, including a doubling of the child tax credit and an increase in the standard deduction. He again mentioned the “skyrocketing stock market” that he said has helped pay Americans’ 401k accounts, pensions, and college savings plans.

“The era of economic surrender is over,” he announced, gaining a roaring approval from the audience.

Trump also touched on topics such as prescription drug prices, opioid addiction, workforce development, and prison reform. He promised to lower prices of such medications and said he supports options for those affected by the increasing epidemic to get help. He also stated that those released from prisons should be “given a second chance at life.”

In terms of foreign policy and increased tensions with North Korea- especially when it comes to nuclear weapons- the President has plans on making a weapon “so strong and powerful that it will deter any acts of aggression.”

In addition to outlining his year’s goals, Trump also invited guests who had inspiring stories. These guests included families and individuals that have benefitted from the historic tax bill, families of victims murdered by the MS-13 gang, a veteran of the Iraq War, and the adoptive parents of a baby whose parents suffered from opioid addiction.

While the nation still suffers from numerous problems -some different from last year, some the same- Americans of all ages can only put their trust into the president and hope that he will handle each issue with the intention to protect every American equally.