Thank you very much. Mr. Speaker, Mr. Vice President, Members of the 104th Congress, distinguished guests, my fellow Americans all across our land: Let me begin tonight by saying to our men and women in uniform around the world and especially those helping peace take root in Bosnia and to their families, I thank you. America is very, very proud of you. (1.1-3)

The Constitution actually stipulates that the president has to report on the State of the Union in front of Congress. It's part of the job, much like pardoning a turkey.

Except, unlike pardoning a turkey—or two, like our favorite birds Tater and Tot—the SOTU address is a formal requirement, part of the American tradition of checks and balances. So the Address typically begins with "Mister/Madam" Speaker, the formal leader of the legislative branch.

Presidents are also Commander-in-Chief, so it's not surprising that Clinton would start by thanking the military and shouting out the successful peace efforts in Bosnia (1.2). When facing down so many Republican adversaries, he naturally wanted to start everything off on a good note…and what could be better than ending a bloody civil war?

Nobody could deny that his work in the Balkans was a highpoint for Clinton's presidency. They even gave him his own statue in Kosovo. Kinda like Batman.