奥巴马 演讲稿3
奥巴马演讲稿范文4篇
奥巴马演讲稿范文4篇奥巴马演讲稿范文1：Yes We CanDear fellow Americans,Eight years ago, we came together as a nation to elect a president who promised hope and change. Today, we gather once again to celebrate the legacy of that president - Barack Obama.When he took office, our nation was in the midst of an economic crisis. Unemployment was at an all-time high, people were losing their homes, and hope seemed lost for many Americans. But Obama didn't give up - he rolled up his sleeves and got to work.He passed the Affordable Care Act, providing healthcare coverage to millions of Americans who had previously been left without it. He saved the auto industry, preventing the loss of thousands of jobs. And he fought tirelessly for equal rights, standing up for the LGBTQ community and signing the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act into law.But Obama's legacy isn't just about the policies he passed. It's about the way he inspired us to believe in ourselves and in each other. He reminded us that, yes, we can. Yes, we can come together as a nation to overcome our differences. Yes, we can work towards a brighter future for ourselves and for our children. Yes, we can achieve greatness.As we move forward as a nation, let us remember the legacy of Barack Obama. Let us continue to believe in ourselves and in thepower of hope and change. And let us always remember - Yes, we can.Thank you and God bless America.奥巴马演讲稿范文2：My Brothers and Sisters of AmericaMy fellow Americans,Today, as we celebrate our nation's independence, I want to take a moment to reflect on what it truly means to be an American. It's more than just living within our borders or having a certain set of rights - being American is about the values that we hold dear.Values like freedom, equality, and justice for all. Values like coming together as a nation, despite our differences. And values like never giving up, even in the face of adversity.As we look around the world today, we see that these values are under threat. We see hate and violence on the rise, fueled by those who seek to divide us. But we cannot give in to fear or despair. We must hold fast to our values and stand together as Americans.We must stand up for the rights of all people, regardless of their race, gender, or religion. We must fight for justice and equality, for every person who has ever been marginalized or oppressed. And we must work towards a brighter future for ourselves and for generations to come.So my brothers and sisters of America, let us not shy away fromthe challenges ahead. Let us embrace them with open hearts and minds. Let us remember the values that make us American, and let us never forget that together, we can achieve anything.Thank you, and God bless America.奥巴马演讲稿范文3：A More Perfect UnionMy fellow Americans,Over the past few months, we have seen deep divisions within our country. We have seen hate and intolerance rear its ugly head, and we have seen the wounds of our past reopen. But I believe that, as Americans, we have the strength and the courage to overcome these challenges.As we celebrate Independence Day, I want to remind us of the ideals that our country was founded upon. The idea that we are all created equal, and that we all have certain unalienable rights - life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. The idea that, despite our differences, we are all Americans, and we should always strive towards a "more perfect union."This is not to say that we should ignore the problems that exist within our society. We must confront the challenges of racial inequality and social injustice head-on, and work towards a solution that is fair and just for all. We must listen to the voices of those who have been marginalized or oppressed, and work to create a society that uplifts and empowers every person.But we cannot do this alone. It takes all of us coming together, as Americans, to make real change happen. It takes us recognizing that no matter what our differences may be, we all share a common bond - our love for this country and our belief in the American dream.So let us work towards a "more perfect union." Let us continue fighting for justice and equality. And let us always remember that, as Americans, we are strongest when we stand together.Thank you, and God bless America.奥巴马演讲稿范文4：The Future of Our DemocracyMy fellow Americans,As we celebrate the 4th of July, I want to take a moment to reflect on the future of our democracy. Our country is facing unprecedented challenges - from the rising threat of international terrorism to the growing divide between our citizens. But I believe that, together, we can face these challenges head-on, and emerge even stronger.At the heart of our democracy is our belief in the power of the people. It is the idea that every citizen has a voice, and that those voices should be heard. But we must recognize that this idea is only effective if we are actively engaged in our civic duty.We cannot allow ourselves to become complacent, to believe that the problems we face will simply resolve themselves. We must bevigilant in protecting our democracy, in fighting for the rights of all people, and in working towards a more just and equitable society.So my message to you, my fellow Americans, is this: let us work towards a future that honors the values that make us great - freedom, equality, and justice for all. Let us be active and engaged citizens, using our voices and our actions to make real change happen. And let us never forget that, as citizens of the greatest democracy in the world, the future of our country is in our hands. Thank you, and God bless America.。
奥巴马励志演讲稿(精选多篇)
奥巴马励志演讲稿(精选多篇)正文第一篇：奥巴马就职演讲稿奥巴马就职演讲稿同胞们：我今天站在这里，深感面前使命的重大，深谢你们赋予的信任，并铭记我们前辈所付的代价。
我感谢布什总统对国家的贡献以及他在整个过渡阶段给予的大度合作。
至此，有四十四个美国人发出总统誓言。
这些字词曾在蒸蒸日上的繁荣时期和宁静安详的和平年代诵读。
但是间或，它们也响彻在阴云密布、风暴降临的时刻。
美国能够历经这些时刻而勇往直前，不仅因为当政者具有才干或远见，而且也因为“我们人民”始终坚信我们先辈的理想，对我们的建国理念忠贞不渝。
这是过来之路。
这是这一代美国的必由之路。
我们处于危机之中，这一点已得到充分认识。
我国在进行战争，打击分布广泛的暴力和仇恨势力。
我们的经济严重衰弱，部分归咎于一些人的贪婪不轨，同时也因为我们作为一个整体，未能痛下决心，让国家作好面对新时代的准备。
如今，住房不再，就业减少，商业破产。
医疗保健费用过度昂贵；学校质量没有保障；而每一天都在不断显示，我们使用能源的方式在助长敌人的威风，威胁我们的星球。
这些是危机的迹象，数据统计将予以证明。
不易于衡量然而同样严重的是全国各地受动摇的信心——一种挥之不去的恐惧感，认为美国将不可避免地走下坡路，下一代人不得不放低眼光。
今天，我告诉大家，我们面临的挑战真实存在，并且严重而多重。
它们不可能在一个短时间内被轻易征服。
但是，美国，请记住这句话——它们将被征服。
我们今天聚集在这里是因为我们选择希望而不是恐惧，选择齐心协力而不是冲突对立。
我们今天在这里宣告，让斤斤计较与虚假承诺就此结束，让窒息我国政治为时太久的相互指责和陈词滥调就此完结。
我们仍是一个年轻的国家，但用圣经的话说，现在是抛弃幼稚的时侯了。
现在应是我们让永恒的精神发扬光大的时侯，应是选择创造更佳历史业绩的时侯，应是将代代相传的宝贵财富、崇高理想向前发展的时侯：上帝赋予所有人平等、所有人自由和所有人充分追求幸福的机会。
在重申我们国家伟大精神的同时，我们懂得，伟大从非天生，而是必须赢得。
奥巴马演讲稿(精选5篇)_演讲稿完美版
《奥巴马演讲稿》奥巴马演讲稿（一）：MR. OBAMA: Thank you。
Thank you so much。
Vice President Biden， Mr. ChiefJustice， Members of the United States Congress， distinguished guests，and fellowcitizens:多谢，十分感谢大家。
拜登副总统、首席大法官先生、国会议员们、尊敬的各位嘉宾、亲爱的公民们。
Each time we gather to inaugurate a president， we bear witness to theenduring strength of our Constitution。
We affirm the promise of our democracy。
We recall that what binds this nation together is not the colors of our skin orthe tenets of our faith or the origins of our names。
What makes us exceptionalwhat makes us American is our allegiance to an idea， articulated in adeclaration made more than two centuries ago:每一次我们集会庆祝总统就职都是在见证美国宪法的持久力量。
我们都是在肯定美国民主的承诺。
我们重申，将这个国家紧密联系在一齐的不是我们的肤色，也不是我们信仰的教条，更不是我们名字的来源。
让我们与众不一样，让我们成为美国人的是我们对于一种理念的恪守。
200多年前，这一理念在一篇宣言中被清晰阐述：We hold these truths to be self-evident， that all men are created equal，that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights，thatamong these are Life， Liberty， and the pursuit of Happiness。
奥巴马胜选演讲稿
奥巴马胜选演讲稿【篇一：奥巴马胜选演讲稿】今晚，是在一个殖民地赢得它自主权200多年之后，我们来到这里，不断前行，这主要是因为你们坚信这个国家能够实现永恒的希望，实现移民想的梦想，我们是一个大家庭，我们共同以一个国家，一个民族奋斗。
我要感谢每位参加这次选举的人，不管你是从第一天就投票了，还是一直等待了很长的时间才投的票。
当然了，我们要解决这个排队投票的问题。
不管你是自己上门投的票，还是打电话投的票，不管你是投了给我，还是投给罗姆尼，你的声音都被大家听到了，并且你对我们国家做出了某些改变，刚刚我跟罗姆尼通了电话，我祝贺他在这个艰难卓绝的战役当中所取得的胜利。
我们这场战役是十分激烈，但是这正是因为我们深爱着这个国家，并且我们十分在意他的未来。
从罗姆尼整个家庭，孙子辈，孩子辈，整个家庭都献给了美国，这种精神我们将永远铭记。
未来这几周我也希望和罗姆尼一起来讨论怎么样使我们的国家不断前进。
我要感谢我的朋友，我的搭档，这是我四年来最好的搭档，也是美国历史上最好的副总统Johnbaidn（音，校对）如果没有他，今天我就不会站在这里，如果没有20年前跟我结婚的妻子，今天我就不会站在这里。
我要跟大家说，妻子，我比以前更加爱你，我更加自豪，因为我看到全国人民也十分热爱你这位第一夫人，我感到十分自豪。
对我的女儿，两位女儿，你们一天天在成长，你们成为了两位向你们的妈妈一样的淑女、美丽，有才华，我也为你们感到骄傲，但是目前我觉得给你们养一条宠物狗就够了。
我还要感谢我的竞选团队和志愿者，他们是历史上最棒的。
他们是最好的，最棒的，而且是史上最棒的。
有些人是第一次来听我的演说，有些人四年前就听了我的获胜演说，但是每个人对我来讲都是我的一分子，不管你做了什么，不管你去了哪里，你一定会记得我们今天晚上所创的历史，你会一生都感激今天晚上的时刻，而且你们会一直记得有一个心怀感激的总统，我要感谢你们所做的每一件事情，正是因为有了你们，我才会一路坚持下来。
奥巴马的演讲稿
奥巴马的演讲稿尊敬的各位同胞：今天，我站在这里，心怀对我们伟大国家的深深敬意和对未来的坚定信念。
我们生活在一个充满挑战和机遇的时代。
经济的起伏、社会的变革、国际局势的风云变幻，都在考验着我们的勇气和智慧。
但我要告诉大家，我们是美利坚合众国，我们从不畏惧困难，我们总是在逆境中崛起。
我们共同经历了许多艰难的时刻，但也正是这些时刻让我们更加团结，更加坚定地追求我们的梦想。
我们的梦想，是一个每个孩子都能接受优质教育，不论他们来自哪里，不论他们的家庭背景如何。
教育是我们通向未来的桥梁，是我们打破贫困循环的关键。
我们已经取得了一些进展，但我们不能满足，我们要让每一间教室都充满希望，让每一位老师都得到应有的支持和尊重。
我们的梦想，也是一个人人都能享受到公平的医疗保健的国家。
没有人应该因为生病而破产，没有人应该因为经济困难而得不到必要的治疗。
我们已经迈出了重要的一步，但我们还有很长的路要走。
我们要继续努力，让医疗保健成为每个人的权利，而不是少数人的特权。
我们的梦想，更是一个充满创新和机会的国家。
我们要鼓励创业精神，支持那些敢于冒险、敢于追求梦想的人。
我们要投资于科技研发，让我们在全球竞争中保持领先地位。
我们要建设现代化的基础设施，让我们的交通更便捷，能源更清洁，网络更高速。
然而，要实现这些梦想，我们不能只靠政府的力量。
政府有责任创造一个公平的竞争环境，制定合理的政策，但真正的变革来自于每一个公民的努力。
我们每个人都要承担起自己的责任，积极参与社区事务，关心他人，帮助那些需要帮助的人。
我们也要记住，我们是一个多元化的国家，我们的力量来自于我们的多样性。
不同肤色、不同信仰、不同背景的人，都为这个国家的繁荣做出了贡献。
我们不能让偏见和歧视割裂我们的社会，我们要以包容和理解的心态，共同建设一个更美好的美国。
在国际舞台上，我们要继续发挥领导作用。
我们要与其他国家合作，共同应对全球性的挑战，如气候变化、恐怖主义、疾病传播。
奥巴马连任演讲稿
奥巴马连任演讲稿尊敬的美国同胞们：大家好！今晚，在这里，我心怀深深的感激与无尽的谦卑，站在你们面前。
感谢你们给予我再次为这个伟大国家服务的机会，感谢你们对我和我的团队的信任，让我们能够继续前行，为实现美国的梦想而努力。
过去的几年，我们共同走过了艰难而又充满希望的道路。
我们面临了前所未有的挑战，经济的衰退、就业的压力、社会的分歧，但我们从未退缩，从未放弃。
因为我们深知，美国的力量来自于每一个普通的家庭，每一个辛勤工作的公民。
我们一起努力，让经济逐渐复苏。
我们拯救了汽车工业，为无数的工人保住了工作岗位。
我们出台了一系列政策，支持小企业的发展，鼓励创新和创业。
如今，我们看到了经济增长的曙光，看到了更多的就业机会，看到了希望在人们的眼中重新闪耀。
我们致力于改善教育。
为了让每一个孩子都能接受高质量的教育，不论他们来自富裕的家庭还是贫困的社区，我们加大了对教育的投入，提高了教师的待遇，改革了教育制度。
因为我们知道，教育是通向未来的钥匙，只有让每一个孩子都能接受良好的教育，我们的国家才能在全球竞争中立于不败之地。
我们推进了医疗改革。
让每一个美国人都能享受到可负担的医疗保障，不再因为生病而陷入贫困，不再因为高昂的医疗费用而放弃治疗。
这是我们对每一个生命的尊重，是我们对公平和正义的追求。
然而，我们也清楚地知道，我们还有很长的路要走。
还有很多家庭在为生活的压力而担忧，还有很多人在为找不到工作而焦虑，还有很多孩子在破旧的教室里接受着不完整的教育。
但我要告诉你们，不要失去信心，不要失去希望。
因为我们是美国人，我们从不畏惧困难，我们总是在逆境中奋起。
在未来的四年里，我们将继续努力，让经济更加强劲，让就业机会更加充足。
我们将加大对基础设施的投资，修建更多的道路、桥梁和学校，让我们的国家更加现代化。
我们将支持制造业的发展，让“美国制造”再次成为世界的骄傲。
我们将继续改革教育，让每一个孩子都能发挥自己的潜力，都能实现自己的梦想。
奥巴马经典演讲稿（精简版）
奥巴马经典演讲稿奥巴马经典演讲稿【篇一】：竞选This is a defining moment in our history. We face the orst economic crisis since the Great Depression -- 760,000 orkers have lost their jobs this year. Businesses and families can't get credit. Home values are falling, and pensions are disappearing. Wages are loer than they've been in a decade, at a time hen the costs of health care and college have never been higher.At a moment like this, e can't afford four more years of spending increases, poorly designed tax cuts, or the plete lack of regulatory oversight that even former Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan no believes as a mistake. America needs a ne direction. That's hy I'm running for president of the United States. Tomorro, you can give this country the change e need.My opponent, Senator McCain, has served his country honorably. He can even point to a fe moments in the past here he has broken from his party. But over the past eight years, he's voted ith President Bush 90% of the time. And hen it es to the economy, he still can't tell the American people one major thing he'd do differently from George Bush.It's not change to e up ith a tax plan that doesn't give a penny of relief to more than 100 million middle-class Americans -- a plan that even the National Revie and other conservative organizations plain does far too little to benefit the middle class. It's not change to add more than $5 trillion to the deficits e've run up in recent years. It's not change to e up ith a plan to address our housing crisis that puts another $300 billion of taxpayer money at risk -- a plan that the editorialboard of this nespaper said 'raises more questions than it ansers.'If there's one thing e've learned from this economic crisis, it's that e are all in this together. From CEOs to shareholders, from financiers to factory orkers, e all have a stake in each other's success because the more Americans prosper, the more America prospers.That's hy e've had titans of industry ho've made it their mission to pay ell enough that their employees could afford the products they made -- businessmen like Warren Buffett, hose support I'm proud to have. That's hy our economy hasn't just been the orld's greatest ealth creator -- it's been the orld's greatest job generator. It's been the tide that has lifted the boats of the largest middle class in history. To rebuild that middle class, I'll give a tax break to 95% of orkers and their families. If you ork, pay taxes, and make less than $200,000, you'll get a tax cut. If you make more than $250,000, you'll still pay taxes at a loer rate than in the 1990s -- and capital gains and dividend taxes one-third loer than they ere under President Reagan.We'll create to million ne jobs by rebuilding our crumbling infrastructure and laying broadband lines that reach every corner of the country. I'll invest $15 billion a year over the next decade in reneable energy, creating five million ne, green jobs that pay ell, can't be outsourced, and can help end our dependence on Middle East oil. When it es to health care, e don't have to choose beteen a government-run system and the unaffordable one e have no. My opponent's plan ould make you pay taxes on your health-care benefits for the first time in history. My plan ill make health care affordable and accessible for every American. If you already have health insurance, theonly change you'll see under my plan is loer premiums. If you don't, you'll be able to get the same kind of plan that members of Congress get for themselves.To give every child a orld-class education so they can pete in this global economy for the jobs of the 21st century, I'll invest in early childhood education and recruit an army of ne teachers. But I'll also demand higher standards and more accountability. And e'll make a deal ith every young American: If you mit to serving your munity or your country, e ill make sure you can afford your tuition.And hen it es to keeping this country safe, I'll end the Iraq ar responsibly so e stop spending $10 billion a month in Iraq hile it sits on a huge surplus. For the sake of our economy, our military and the long-term stability of Iraq, it's time for the Iraqis to step up. I'll finally finish the fight against bin Laden and the al Qaeda terrorists ho attacked us on 9/11, build ne partnerships to defeat the threats of the 21st century, and restore our moral standing so that America remains the last, best hope of Earth.None of this ill be easy. It on't happen overnight. But I believe e can do this because I believe in America. This is the country that alloed our parents and grandparents to believe that even if they couldn't go to college, they could save a little bit each eek so their child could; that even if they couldn't have their on business, they could ork hard enough so their child could open one of their on. And at every moment in our history, e've risen to meet our challenges because e've never forgotten the fundamental truth that in America, our destiny is not ritten for us, but by us. So tomorro, I ask you to rite our nation's next great chapter. I ask you to believe -- not just in my ability to bring about change, but in yours.Tomorro, you can choose policies that invest in our middle class, create ne jobs, and gro this economy so that everyone has a chance to succeed. You can choose hope over fear, unity over division, the promise of change over the poer of the status quo. If you give me your vote, e on't just in this election -- together, e ill change this country and change the orld.译文：现在是美国历史的关键时刻。
奥巴马就职演讲稿
奥巴马就职演讲稿尊敬的同胞们：今天，我站在这里，怀着无比的敬畏和深深的责任感，开始了我作为美国总统的新征程。
我们的国家正面临着诸多严峻的挑战，但我坚信，只要我们团结一心，就没有无法克服的困难。
我们生活在一个充满变革的时代，一个需要勇气和决心去迎接变革的时代。
我们的经济陷入了困境，许多家庭失去了工作，失去了住房，失去了他们曾经拥有的安稳生活。
但我们不能因此而失去希望，我们要一起努力，创造更多的就业机会，重振我们的经济。
我们要让每一个愿意工作的人都能找到一份有尊严的工作，让每一个家庭都能过上富足的生活。
我们的教育体系也需要改革。
每一个孩子，无论出身贫寒还是富贵，都应该享有优质的教育资源。
我们要为我们的教师提供更好的支持和培训，让我们的学校成为培养未来人才的摇篮。
在医疗保健方面，我们还有很长的路要走。
太多的人因为无法承担高昂的医疗费用而得不到应有的治疗。
我们要努力建立一个覆盖全民的、公平有效的医疗保健体系，让每一个人在生病时都能得到及时的救治。
我们还面临着能源危机和环境问题。
我们不能再继续依赖那些对我们的地球造成巨大破坏的能源，我们要大力发展清洁能源，保护我们的环境，为我们的子孙后代留下一个美丽的家园。
然而，要实现这些目标，需要我们每一个人的参与和努力。
政府不能独自完成这一切，我们需要企业界的创新精神，需要学术界的智慧，需要每一个普通公民的奉献。
我们是一个多元化的国家，我们来自不同的背景，有着不同的信仰和价值观。
但我们都有一个共同的身份，那就是美国人。
我们要尊重彼此的差异，摒弃偏见和歧视，共同为了我们国家的未来而努力。
在这个艰难的时刻，我们不能忘记我们的先辈们为了这个国家所做出的牺牲和努力。
他们在困境中不屈不挠，为我们创造了今天的自由和繁荣。
我们要继承他们的精神，勇敢地面对挑战，为了我们的理想而奋斗。
我们也要向世界展示，美国依然是一个充满希望和机会的国家。
我们将继续与我们的盟友合作，共同应对全球性的挑战。
奥巴马经典演讲稿【三篇】
【导语】奥巴马于2008年正式成为美国历第⼀位⿊⼈美国总统，他的就职演讲曾打动过⽆数⼈，以下是分享给⼤家的奥巴马经典演讲稿【三篇】，给⼤家作为参考，希望能给⼤家带来帮助!奥巴马经典演讲稿【⼀】 我要感谢我的竞选伙伴。
他发⾃内⼼地投⼊竞选，他的声⾳代表了那些在他成长的斯克兰顿街⽣活的⼈们的声⾳，代表那些和他⼀道乘⽕车上下班的特拉华州⼈民的声⾳。
现在他将是美国的副总统，他就是乔·拜登。
And I would not be standing here tonight without the unyielding support of my best friend for the last 16 years the rock of our family, the love of my life, the nation’s next first lady Michelle Obama. Sasha and Malia I love you both more than you can imagine. And you have earned the new puppy that’s coming with us to the new White House. And while she’s no longer with us, I know my grandmother’s watching, along with the family that made me who I am. I miss them tonight. I know that my debt to them is beyond measure. To my sister Maya, my sister Alma, all my other brothers and sisters, thank you so much for all the support that you’ve given me. I am grateful to them. 如果不是我过去⼗六年间最亲密的朋友、我的家庭的基⽯和我⼀⽣的⾄爱给予的⽀持，今晚我不会站在这⾥。
奥巴马当选演讲稿
奥巴马当选演讲稿
尊敬的各位领导、亲爱的美国人民：
今天，我站在这里，向全世界宣布，我奥巴马当选为美国总统。
这是一个历史性的时刻，这不仅仅是我个人的胜利，更是全美国人民的胜利。
我要感谢每一位支持我的人，感谢你们的信任和支持，是你们让我有机会成为美国历史上第一位非洲裔总统。
我知道，我肩上的责任重大，但我相信，有了你们的支持和合作，我们一定能够共同创造一个更加繁荣、更加和谐的美国。
作为美国总统，我将努力为每一个美国人民谋福祉，我将努力改善医疗保健制度，推动教育改革，促进经济发展，推动环境保护，维护国家安全。
我们所面临的挑战是巨大的，但我坚信，只要我们齐心协力，团结一致，就没有克服不了的困难。
我们要相互尊重，相互理解，共同努力，共同进步。
我们要摒弃分歧，放下成见，团结起来，为我们的国家、为我们的子孙后代创造一个更加美好的未来。
在这个光荣的时刻，我要感谢我的竞选对手，感谢他为这场选举带来的激烈竞争。
我要向我的家人、我的朋友、我的支持者们表示衷心的感谢，是你们的支持和鼓励让我走到了今天这一步。
最后，我要向全世界宣布，美国将继续坚定不移地捍卫自由、民主和人权。
我们将继续致力于维护世界和平与稳定，促进国际合作，推动全球发展。
我们愿意同世界上所有国家和人民一道，共同构建一个和平、安全、繁荣的世界。
谢谢大家！让我们携手并肩，共同开创美国和世界的美好未来！。
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Remarks of President Barack Obama
Weekly Address
The White House
April 3, 2010
This is a week of faithful celebration. On Monday and Tuesday nights, Jewish families and friends in the United States and around the world gathered for a Seder to commemorate the Exodus from Egypt and the triumph of hope and perseverance over injustice and oppression. On Sunday, my family will join other Christians all over the world in marking the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
And while we worship in different ways, we also remember the shared spirit of humanity that inhabits us all – Jews and Christians, Muslims and Hindus, believers and nonbelievers alike.
Amid the storm of public debate, with our 24/7 media cycle, in a town like Washington that’s consumed with the day-to-day, it can sometimes be easy to lose sight of the eternal. So, on this Easter weekend, let us hold fast to those aspirations we hold in common as brothers and sisters, as members of the same family – the family of man.
All of us know how important work is – not just for the paycheck, but for the peace of mind that comes with knowing you can provide for your family. As Americans, and as human beings, we seek not only the security, but the sense of dignity, the sense of community, that work confers. That is why it was heartening news that last month, for the first time in more than two years, our economy created a substantial number of jobs, instead of losing them. We have begun to reverse the devastating slide, but we have a long way to go to repair the damage from this recession, and that will continue to be my focus every single day.
All of us value our health and the health of our loved ones. All of us have experienced an illness, a loss, a personal tragedy. All of us know that no matter what we’re doing or what else is going on in our lives, if the health of someone we love is endangered, nothing else matters. Our health is the rock upon which our lives are built, for better and for worse.
All of us value education. We know that in an economy as competitive as ours, an education is a prerequisite for success. But we also know that ultimately, education is about something more, something greater. It is about the ability that lies within each of us to rise above any barrier, no matter how high; to pursue any dream, no matter how big; to fulfill our God-given potential.
All of us are striving to make a way in this world; to build a purposeful and fulfilling life in the fleeting time we have here. A dignified life. A healthy life. A life, true to its potential. And a life that serves others. These are aspirations that stretch back through the ages – aspirations at the heart of Judaism, at the heart of Christianity, at the heart of all of the world’s great religions.
The rites of Passover, and the traditions of Easter, have been marked by people in every corner of the planet for thousands of years. They have been marked in times of peace, in times of upheaval, in times of war.
One such war-time service was held on the black sands of Iwo Jima more than sixty years ago. There, in the wake of some of the fiercest fighting of World War II, a chaplain rose to deliver an Easter sermon, consecrating the memory, he said “of American dead – Catholic, Protestant, Jew. Together,” he said, “they huddled in foxholes or crouched in the bloody sands…Together they practiced virtue, patriotism, love of country, love of you and of me.” The chaplain continued, “The heritage they have left us, the vision of a new world, [was] made possible by the common bond that united them…their only hope that this unity will endure.”
Their only hope that this unity will endure.
On this weekend, as Easter begins and Passover comes to a close, let us remain ever mindful of the unity of purpose, the common bond, the love of you and of me, for which they sacrificed all they had; and for which so many others have sacrificed so much. And let us make its pursuit – and fulfillment –our highest aspiration, as individuals and as a nation. Happy Easter and Happy Passover to all those celebrating, here in America, and around the world.。