WASHINGTON – During this holiday season, President Obama used his
weekly address to give thanks for the blessings of America, in
particular that distinctly American impulse to give something of
ourselves and do what is required to make tomorrow better than
today. With that sense of determination and sacrifice, America has
built a powerful economy, stood against tyranny, fought for
equality, and connected the globe with our own science and
imagination. And by working together as one people – as Americans --
we can overcome the challenges currently facing our nation.
Text of President Barrack Obama's Speech
Today, like millions of other families across America, Michelle,
Malia, Sasha and I will sit down to share a Thanksgiving filled with
family and friends – and a few helpings of food and football, too.
And just as folks have done in every Thanksgiving since the first,
we'll spend some time taking stock of what we're thankful for: the
God-given bounty of America, and the blessings of one another.
This is also a holiday that captures that distinctly American
impulse to give something of ourselves. Even as we speak, there are
countless Americans serving at soup kitchens and food pantries;
contributing to their communities; and standing guard around the
world.
And in a larger sense, that's emblematic of what Americans have
always done. We come together and do what's required to make
tomorrow better than today. That's who we are.
Consider our journey since that first Thanksgiving. We are among the
world's youngest of peoples, but time and again, we have boldly and
resiliently led the way forward. Against tough odds, we are a people
who endure – who explored and settled a vast and untamed continent;
who built a powerful economy and stood against tyranny in all its
forms; who marched and fought for equality, and connected a globe
with our own science and imagination.
None of that progress was predestined. None of it came easily.
Instead, the blessings for which we give thanks today are the
product of choices made by our parents, and grandparents, and
generations before – whose determination and sacrifice ensured a
better future for us.
This holiday season, we must resolve once more to do the same.
This is not the hardest Thanksgiving America has ever faced. But as
long as many members of our American family are hurting, we've got
to look out for one another. As long as many of our sons and
daughters and husbands and wives are at war, we've got to support
their mission and honor their service. And as long as many of our
friends and neighbors are looking for work, we've got to do
everything we can to accelerate this recovery and keep our economy
moving forward.
And we will. But we won't do it as any one political party. We've
got to do it as one people. And in the coming weeks and months, I
hope that we can work together, Democrats and Republicans and
Independents alike, to make progress on these and other issues.
That's why, next week, I've invited the leadership of both parties
to the White House for a real and honest discussion – because I
believe that if we stop talking at one another, and start talking
with one another, we can get a lot done.
For what we are called to do again today isn't about Democrats or
Republicans. It's not about left or right. It's about us. It's about
what we know this country is capable of. It's about what we want
America to be in this new century.
A vibrant nation that makes sure its children are the best-educated
in the world. A healthy, growing economy that runs on clean energy
and creates the jobs of tomorrow. A responsible government that
reduces its deficits. An America where every citizen is able to go
as far as he or she desires.
We can do all this, because we've done it before. We're made of the
same sturdy stuff as the travelers who sat down to the first
Thanksgiving, and all who came after – who worked, and sacrificed,
and invested, because they believed that their efforts would make
the difference for us.
That's who we are. We shape our own destiny with conviction,
compassion, and clear and common purpose. We honor our past and
press forward with the knowledge that tomorrow will be better than
today. We are Americans. That's the vision we won't lose sight of.
That's the legacy that falls to our generation. That's the challenge
that together, we are going to meet.
To every American, I am thankful for the privilege of being your
President. To all our service members stationed around the world, I
am honored to be your Commander-in-Chief. And from the Obama family
to yours, have a very Happy Thanksgiving.
Thank you. |