9.11十周年奥巴马演讲全文

第一篇：9.11十周年奥巴马演讲全文

9.11十周年奥巴马演讲全文

当日（12日）上午，美国总统奥巴马在华盛顿肯尼迪中心举行的“9〃11”纪念音乐会上发表讲话，意在使美国民众在遭受9〃11恐怖袭击十年后重新燃起对美国价值观念的信心。

以下是奥巴马在肯尼迪中心的演讲全文：

圣经告诉我们“哭泣可能会持续一夜，但欢乐会在明早到来。” 十年前，美国经历了历史上最黑暗的一天。双子塔楼坍塌了，五角大楼升起了黑烟，飞机在宾夕法尼亚州坠毁。亲朋好友们，兄弟姐妹们，父亲母亲们，孩子们，他们离开了我们，让我们承受着难以弥合的伤痛。在2001年9月12日，我们醒来所面对的世界充满了罪恶和对未知未来的恐惧。

在此之后的十年里，美国人经历了许多变故。我们经历了战争和萧条，激烈的争辩和政治分歧。我们永远也不能唤回失去的生命，或是那些在此后战争中英勇捐躯的英烈。

但是，在今天，我们应该去纪念我们走过的路。我们国家的核心价值依然没有变。我们的信念——相信上帝和彼此的力量——并没有变。我们这个国家坚信，人人自律、人人平等、人人自由，这一信念经受了考验，现在更加坚不可摧。

过去的十年证明，美国并没有畏缩。搜救人员跑进了火场，消防警察冲锋陷阵，飞机乘客跟歹徒搏斗，这些勇士证明了美国人的勇敢。在之后的十年中，我们看到了美国英雄主义的另一种表现形式：云梯消防队依然有勇敢的队员在拯救人们生命，工商企业开始重建，灾难幸存者重新振作起来，遇难者家属开始了新的生活。去年春天，我收到了一位叫Suzanne Swaine女士的来信。她在双子塔楼的灾难中失去了丈夫和兄弟，她说“那么多骄傲的瞬间从她的生命里被剥夺了，父亲原本可以看到孩子毕业、在曲棍球比赛中得分、在考试中获得好成绩。”这位女士还有两个在上大学的女儿，以及一个在念高中的孩子。她在信中写道：“十年来，我一个人养育我的女儿们。她们的坚强和勇敢让我骄傲无比。”这一家人的精神就是全部美国家庭的写照。这些女孩用充满希望的未来给了杀害她们父亲的凶手最有力的回击。

这整整十年证明了美国保护公民、维护美国生活方式的决心。外交官远离故土辛勤工作、情报人员默默无闻无私奉献。在9〃11后，二百万美国人参与了战争。他们证明，那些伤害了我们的人绝对无法逃脱正义的审判，不论他们藏身何处。事实上，那些保卫国家的人不是征召的士兵，而是自愿服役的公民——他们是毕业入伍的年轻人，国民警卫队士兵和后备役，工人和商业人士，移民和第四代士兵。他们放弃舒适的生活，甚至坚持超期服役。他们中的很多人从此再也没有回来。而即便是平安回来的人也从此留下了难以治愈的心灵创伤和战友逝去的记忆。

这些军人的奉献以及他们家庭承受的牺牲提醒我们，战争的代价是巨大的，虽然他们对国家的贡献是荣耀的，战争本身却永远不是光荣的。十年中，我们的军队被派到了美国人并不熟悉的地方——坎大哈和喀布尔，摩苏尔和巴士拉。我们的强大并不是用驻军数量来衡量的，而是体现在我们要把这些地方交还给自由人民和主权国家的决心上，以及我们要结束十年的战争迎接和平未来的心愿上。这十年证明，我们坚定地捍卫我们的自由。是的，我们对那些潜在威胁更加警惕，而且在共同防御过程中我们也造成了一些不便。对于战争与和平、对于安保和民权的争论也一直在激烈地进行着。但是，恰恰由于这些讨论的存在，以及守卫美国价值观的决心，我们证明了我们的强大。同时，我们开放的市场仍然给予创新者革新的机会，我们的公民仍然可以自由地表达观点，我们的灵魂仍然在教堂、寺庙、（犹太）教会堂和清真寺中得到洗礼。

过去的十年让美国人团结得更加紧密。我们没有变得草木皆兵、互相猜疑。在9〃11之后，乔治〃W〃布什总统清楚地说过，我们今天再次重申：美国将永远不对伊斯兰教或其他任何宗教开战。我们有来自全世界各地的移民。无论是在美国的大都市还是小城镇，在我们的学校还是工作场所，你都可以见到各个人种、各个宗教、各个种族的人，我们都忠于一个国家，我们都怀着同一个美国梦，我们都是一家人。

过去的十年体现了美国人的坚强。五角大楼被修复了，我们的工作人员为了共同的目标在为国家工作。93号航班上失与尚克斯维尔市的居民结成深厚友谊。纽约仍然焕发生机，是艺术、工业、时尚和贸易的中心。在世贸中心曾经矗立的地方，一座新的摩天大楼直耸云霄。我们的民众还在摩天大楼内工作。我们的体育场依然挤满了球迷，我们的公园仍然有孩子嬉闹的场景。我们的机场还是熙熙攘攘，我们的公交和地铁依然承载着百万乘客。美国家庭还会在周日晚上聚餐，学生们仍然照常上课。这片土地的脉搏像往常一样跳动，普通民众乐观地工作出行，军人为人类的自由不怕牺牲。十年了，美国人再次回到这个地方纪念遇难的人群。人们的手指轻轻地划过纪念碑的大理石，寻找遇难家属的名字，想念他们曾经在世的样子。站在阿林顿市白色墓石前，或是全国各地的墓园和小城镇的广场上，我们会对那些在阿富汗战争和伊拉克战争中英勇捐躯的战士表示敬意。我们可以看到他们的名字被刻在大桥上、雕像上、公园内、学校里。

我们知道，没有任何事情可以击败真正的美国意志。我们将永远铭记，我们战胜了奴隶制、内战、灾荒、种族主义、经济萧条、城市暴动、冷战，当然还有恐怖主义。我们将提醒自己，我们不是完美的，但是我们的民主是持久的，而这一民主——反映出了人性的瑕疵——给予了我们不断完善国家的机会。这就是我们在这几天的国家纪念日中所要突出纪念的，这些价值观念让我们的国家持续进步、让我们的民众团结一致。

除了纪念碑，我们还将有其他的9〃11精神遗产，它们来自冲进火场的消防队员，来自自愿入伍的士兵，来自修建新楼的建筑工人，来自坚强勇敢的公民，来自继承父母遗志的孩子。我们会坚持这样的信念，承受沉痛的打击，但却变得更加强大。

“哭泣可能会持续一夜，但欢乐会在明早到来。”

公正的上帝是我们的指引，让我们纪念逝去的人们，让我们为美国理想奋斗，让我们充满希望面向未来。

愿上帝保佑我们逝去的亲人，愿上帝保佑美国。

第二篇：奥巴马911十周年演讲台词

This weekend, we’re coming together, as one nation, to mark the 10th anniversary of the September 11th attacks.We’re remembering the lives we lost—nearly 3,000 innocent men, women and children.We’re reaffirming our commitment to always keep faith with their families.We’re honoring the heroism of first responders who risked their lives—and gave their lives—to save others.And we’re giving thanks to all who serve on our behalf, especially our troops and military families—our extraordinary 9/11 Generation。

At the same time, even as we reflect on a difficult decade, we must look forward, to the future we will build together.That includes staying strong and confident in the face of any threat.And thanks to the tireless efforts of our military personnel and our intelligence, law enforcement and homeland security professionals—there should be no doubt.Today, America is stronger and al Qaeda is on the path to defeat.We’ve taken the fight to al Qaeda like never before.Over the past two and a half years, more senior al Qaeda leaders have been eliminated than at any time since 9/11.And thanks to the remarkable courage and precision of our forces, we finally delivered justice to Osama bin Laden.We’ve strengthened the partnerships and tools we need to prevail in this war against al Qaeda—working closer with allies and partners;reforming intelligence to better detect and disrupt plots;investing in our Special Forces so terrorists have no safe haven.We’re constantly working to improve the security of our homeland as well—at our airports, ports and borders;enhancing aviation security and screening;increasing support for our first responders;and working closer than ever with states, cities and communities.A decade after 9/11, it’s clear for all the world to see—the terrorists who attacked us that September morning are no match for the character of our people, the resilience of our nation, or the endurance of our values.They wanted to terrorize us, but, as Americans, we refuse to live in fear.Yes we face a determined foe, and make no mistake—they will keep trying to hit us again.But as we are showing again this weekend, we remain vigilant.We’re doing everything in our power to protect our people.And no matter what comes our way, as a resilient nation, we will carry on.They wanted to draw us in to endless wars, sapping our strength and confidence as a nation.But even as we put relentless pressure on al Qaeda, we’re ending the war in Iraq and beginning to bring our troops home from Afghanistan.Because after a hard decade of war, it is time for nation building here at home.They wanted to deprive us of the unity that defines us as a people.But we will not succumb to division or suspicion.We are Americans, and we are stronger and safer when we stay true to the values, freedoms and diversity that make us unique among nations.And they wanted to undermine our place in the world.But a decade later, we’ve shown that America doesn’t hunker down and hide behind walls of mistrust.We’ve forged new partnerships with nations around the world to meet the global challenges that no nation can face alone.And across the Middle East and North Africa a new generation of citizens is showing that the future belongs to those that want to build, not destroy.Ten years ago, ordinary Americans showed us the true meaning of courage when they rushed up those stairwells, into those flames, into that cockpit.In the decade since, a new generation has stepped forward to serve and keep us safe.In their memory, in their name, we will never waver.We will protect the country we love and pass it safer, stronger and more prosperous to the next generation.

第三篇：奥巴马演讲

奥巴马演讲

Hello, everybody.In the State of the Union, I laid out three areas we need to focus on if we're going to build an economy that lasts: new American manufacturing, new skills and education for American workers, and new sources of American-made energy.These days, we're getting another painful reminder why developing new energy is so important to our future.Just like they did last year, gas prices are starting to climb.Only this time, it's happening earlier.And that hurts everyone – everyone who owns a car;everyone who owns a business.It means you have to stretch your paycheck even further.Some folks have no choice but to drive a long way to work, and high gas prices are like a tax straight out of their paychecks.Now, some politicians always see this as a political opportunity.And since it's an election year, they're already dusting off their three-point plans for $2 gas.I'll save you the suspense: Step one is drill, step two is drill, and step three is keep drilling.We hear the same thing every year.Well the American people aren't stupid.You know that's not a plan – especially since we're already drilling.It's a bumper sticker.It's not a strategy to solve our energy challenge.It's a strategy to get politicians through an election.You know there are no quick fixes to this problem, and you know we can't just drill our way to lower gas prices.If we're going to take control of our energy future and avoid these gas price spikes down the line, then we need a sustained, all-of-the-above strategy that develops every available source of American energy – oil, gas, wind, solar, nuclear, biofuels, and more.We need to keep developing the technology that allows us to use less oil in our cars and trucks;in our buildings and plants.That's the strategy we're pursuing, and that's the only real solution to this challenge.Now, we absolutely need safe, responsible oil production here in America.That's why under my Administration, America is producing more oil today than at any time in the last eight years.In 2010, our dependence on foreign oil was under 50% for the first time in more than a decade.And while there are no short-term silver bullets when it comes to gas prices, I've directed my administration to look for every single area where we can make an impact and help consumers in the months ahead, from permitting to delivery bottlenecks to what's going on in the oil markets.But over the long term, an all-of-the-above energy strategy means we have to do more.It means we have to make some choices.Here's one example.Right now, four billion of your tax dollars subsidize the oil industry every year.Four billion dollars.Imagine that.Maybe some of you are listening to this in your car right now, pulling into a gas station to fill up.As you watch those numbers rise, know that oil company profits have never been higher.Yet somehow, Congress is still giving those same companies another four billion dollars of your money.That's outrageous.It's inexcusable.And it has to stop.A century of subsidies to the oil companies is long enough.It's time to end taxpayer giveaways to an industry that's never been more profitable, and use that money to reduce our deficit and double-down on a clean energy industry that's never been more promising.Because of the investments we've already made, the use of wind and solar energy in this country has nearly doubled – and thousands of Americans have jobs because of it.And because we put in place the toughest fuel economy standards in history, our cars will average nearly 55 miles per gallon by the middle of the next decade – something that, over time, will save the typical family more than $8,000 at the pump.Now Congress needs to keep that momentum going by renewing the clean energy tax credits that will lead to more jobs and less dependence on foreign oil.Look, we know there's no silver bullet that will bring down gas prices or reduce our dependence on foreign oil overnight.But what we can do is get our priorities straight, and make a sustained, serious effort to tackle this problem.That's the commitment we need right now.And with your help, it's a commitment we can make.Thank you.

第四篇：奥巴马演讲

Thank you.(Applause.)Thank you very much.Everybody, please have a seat.Well, Madam President, that was an outstanding introduction.(Laughter.)We are so proud of Donae for representing this school so well.And in addition, I also want to acknowledge your outstanding principal, who has been here for 20 years--first as a teacher, now as an outstanding principal--Anita Berger.Please give her a big round of applause.(Applause.)I want to acknowledge, as well, Mayor Gray is here--the mayor of Washington, D.C.is here.Please give him a big round of applause.(Applause.)And I also want to thank somebody who is going to go down in history as one of the finest Secretaries of Education that we’ve ever had--Arne Duncan is here.(Applause.)

Now, it is great to be here at Benjamin Banneker High School, one of the best high schools not only in Washington, D.C., but one of the best high schools in the country.(Applause.)But we’ve also got students tuning in from all across America.And so I want to welcome you all to the new school year, although I know that many of you already have been in school for a while.I know that here at Banneker, you’ve been back at school for a few weeks now.So everything is starting to settle in, just like for all your peers all across the country.The fall sports season is underway.Musicals and marching band routines are starting to shape up, I believe.And your first big tests and projects are probably just around the corner.I know that you’ve also got a great deal going on outside of school.Your circle of friends might be changing a little bit.Issues that used to stay confined to hallways or locker rooms are now finding their way onto Facebook and Twitter.(Laughter.)Some of your families might also be feeling the strain of the economy.As many of you know, we’re going through one of the toughest economic times that we’ve gone through in our lifetime--in my lifetime.Your lifetime hasn’t been that long.And so, as a consequence, you might have to pick up an after-school job to help out your family, or maybe you’re babysitting for a younger sibling because mom or dad is working an extra shift.So all of you have a lot on your plates.You guys are growing up faster and interacting with a wider world in a way that old folks like me, frankly, just didn’t have to.So today, I don’t want to be just another adult who stands up and lectures you like you’re just kids--because you’re not just kids.You’re this country’s future.You’re young leaders.And whether we fall behind or race ahead as a nation is going to depend in large part on you.So I want to talk to you a little bit about meeting that responsibility.It starts, obviously, with being the best student that you can be.Now, that doesn’t always mean that you have to have a perfect score on every assignment.It doesn’t mean that you’ve got to get straight As all the time--although that’s not a bad goal to have.It means that you have to stay at it.You have to be determined and you have to persevere.It means you’ve got to work as hard as you know how to work.And it means that you’ve got to take some risks once in a while.You can’t avoid the class that you think might be hard because you’re worried about getting the best grade if that’s a subject that you think you need to prepare you for your future.You’ve got to wonder.You’ve got to question.You’ve got to explore.And every once in a while, you need to color outside of the lines.That’s what school is for: discovering new passions, acquiring new skills, making use of this incredible time that you have to prepare yourself and give yourself the skills that you’re going to need to pursue the kind of careers that you want.And that’s why when you’re still a student you can explore a wide range of possibilities.One hour you can be an artist;the next, an author;the next, a scientist, or a historian, or a carpenter.This is the time where you can try out new interests and test new ideas.And the more you do, the sooner you’ll figure out what makes you come alive, what stirs you, what makes you excited--the career that you want to pursue.Now, if you promise not to tell anybody, I will let you in on a little secret: I was not always the very best student that I could be when I was in high school, and certainly not when I was in middle school.I did not love every class I took.I wasn’t always paying attention the way I should have.I remember when I was in 8th grade I had to take a class called ethics.Now, ethics is about right and wrong, but if you’d ask me what my favorite subject was back in 8th grade, it was basketball.I don’t think ethics would have made it on the list.But here’s the interesting thing.I still remember that ethics class, all these years later.I remember the way it made me think.I remember being asked questions like: What matters in life? Or, what does it mean to treat other people with dignity and respect? What does it mean to live in a diverse nation, where not everybody looks like you do, or thinks like you do, or comes from the same neighborhood as you do? How do we figure out how to get along?

Each of these questions led to new questions.And I didn’t always know the right answers, but those discussions and that process of discovery--those things have lasted.Those things are still with me today.Every day, I’m thinking about those same issues as I try to lead this nation.I’m asking the same kinds of questions about, how do we as a diverse nation come together to achieve what we need to achieve? How do we make sure that every single person is treated with dignity and respect? What responsibilities do we have to people who are less fortunate than we are? How do we make sure that everybody is included in this family of Americans?

Those are all questions that date back to this class that I took back in 8th grade.And here’s the thing: I still don’t always know the answers to all these questions.But if I’d have just tuned out because the class sounded boring, I might have missed out on something that not only did I turn out enjoying, but has ended up serving me in good stead for the rest of my life.So that’s a big part of your responsibility, is to test things out.Take risks.Try new things.Work hard.Don’t be embarrassed if you’re not good at something right away.You’re not supposed to be good at everything right away.That’s why you’re in school.The idea, though, is, is that you keep on expanding your horizons and your sense of possibility.Now is the time for you to do that.And those are also, by the way, the things that will make school more fun.Down the road, those will be the traits that will help you succeed, as well--the traits that will lead you to invent a device that makes an iPad look like a stone tablet.Or what will help you figure out a way to use the sun and the wind to power a city and give us new energy sources that are less polluting.Or maybe you’ll write the next great American novel.Now, to do almost any of those things, you have to not only graduate from high school,--and I know I’m just--I’m in the “amen” corner with Principal Berger here--not only do you have to graduate from high school, but you’re going to have to continue education after you leave.You have to not only graduate, but you’ve got to keep going after you graduate.That might mean, for many of you, a four-year university.I was just talking to Donae, and she wants to be an architect, and she’s interning with a architectural firm, and she’s already got her sights set on what school she wants to go to.But it might, for some other folks, be a community college, or professional credentialing or training.But the fact of the matter is, is that more than 60 percent of the jobs in the next decade will require more than a high school diploma--more than 60 percent.That’s the world you’re walking into.So I want all of you to set a goal to continue your education after you graduate.And if that means college for you, just getting into college is not enough.You also have to graduate.One of the biggest challenges we have right now is that too many of our young people enroll in college but don’t actually end up getting their degree, and as a consequence--our country used to have the world’s highest proportion of young people with a college degree;we now rank 16th.I don't like being 16th.I like being number one.That’s not good enough.So we’ve got to use--we’ve got to make sure your generation gets us back to the top of having the most college graduates relative to the population of any country on Earth.If we do that, you guys will have a brighter future.And so will America.We’ll be able to make sure the newest inventions and the latest breakthroughs happen right here in the United States of America.It will mean better jobs, and more fulfilling lives, and greater opportunities not only for you, but also for your kids.So I don’t want anybody who’s listening here today to think that you’re done once you finish high school.You are not done learning.In fact, what’s happening in today’s economy is--it’s all about lifelong learning.You have to constantly upgrade your skills and find new ways of doing things.Even if college isn't for you, even if a four-year college isn't for you, you’re still going to have to get more education after you get out of high school.You’ve got to start expecting big things from yourself right now.I know that may sound a little intimidating.And some of you may be wondering how you can pay for college, or you might not know what you want to do with your life yet.And that’s okay.Nobody expects you to have your entire future mapped out at this point.And we don't expect you to have to make it on your own.First of all, you’ve got wonderful parents who love you to death and want you to have a lot more opportunity than they ever had--which, by the way, means don’t give them a hard time when they ask you to turn off the video games, turn off the TV and do some homework.You need to be listening to them.I speak from experience because that’s what I’ve been telling Malia and Sasha.Don’t be mad about it, because we’re thinking about your future.You’ve also got people all across this country--including myself and Arne and people at every level of government--who are working on your behalf.We’re taking every step we can to ensure that you’re getting an educational system that is worthy of your potential.We’re working to make sure that you have the most up-to-date schools with the latest tools of learning.We’re making sure that this country’s colleges and universities are affordable and accessible to you.We’re working to get the best class--teachers into the classroom as well, so they can help you prepare for college and a future career.Let me say something about teachers, by the way.Teachers are the men and women who might be working harder than just about anybody these days.(Applause.)Whether you go to a big school or a small one, whether you attend a public or a private or charter school –-your teachers are giving up their weekends;they’re waking up at dawn;they’re cramming their days full of classes and extra-curricular activities.And then they’re going home, eating some dinner, and then they’ve got to stay up sometimes past midnight, grading your papers and correcting your grammar, and making sure you got that algebra formula properly.And they don’t do it for a fancy office.They don’t--they sure don’t do it for the big salary.They do it for you.They do it because nothing gives them more satisfaction than seeing you learn.They live for those moments when something clicks;when you amaze them with your intellect or your vocabulary, or they see what kind of person you’re becoming.And they’re proud of you.And they say, I had something to do with that, that wonderful young person who is going to succeed.They have confidence in you that you will be citizens and leaders who take us into tomorrow.They know you’re our future.So your teachers are pouring everything they got into you, and they’re not alone.But I also want to emphasize this: With all the challenges that our country is facing right now, we don’t just need you for the future;we actually need you now.America needs young people’s passion and their ideas.We need your energy right now.I know you’re up to it because I’ve seen it.Nothing inspires me more than knowing that young people all across the country are already making their marks.They’re not waiting.They’re making a difference now.There are students like Will Kim from Fremont, California, who launched a nonprofit that gives loans to students from low-income schools who want to start their own business.Think about that.So he’s giving loans to other students.He set up a non-for-profit.He’s raising the money doing what he loves--through dodgeball tournaments and capture-the-flag games.But he’s creative.He took initiative.And now he’s helping other young people be able to afford the schooling that they need.There is a young man, Jake Bernstein, 17 years old, from a military family in St.Louis, worked with his sister to launch a website devoted to community service for young people.And they’ve held volunteer fairs and put up an online database, and helped thousands of families to find volunteer opportunities ranging from maintaining nature trails to serving at local hospitals.And then last year, I met a young woman named Amy Chyao from Richardson, Texas.She’s 16 years old, so she’s the age of some of you here.During the summer, I think because somebody in her family had an illness, she decided that she was interested in cancer research.She hadn’t taken chemistry yet, so she taught herself chemistry during the summer.And then she applied what she had learned and discovered a breakthrough process that uses light to kill cancer cells.Sixteen years old.It’s incredible.And she's been approached by some doctors and researchers who want to work with her to help her with her discovery.The point is you don’t have to wait to make a difference.You’re first obligation is to do well in school.You’re first obligation is to make sure that you’re preparing yourself for college and career.But you can also start making your mark right now.A lot of times young people may have better ideas than us old people do anyway.We just need those ideas out in the open, in and out of the classroom.When I meet young people like yourselves, when I sat and talk to Donae, I have no doubt that America’s best days are still ahead of us, because I know the potential that lies in each of you.Soon enough, you will be the ones leading our businesses and leading our government.You will be the one who are making sure that the next generation gets what they need to succeed.You will be the ones that are charting the course of our unwritten history.And all that starts right now--starts this year.So I want all of you who are listening, as well as everybody here at Banneker, I want you to make the most of the year that’s ahead of you.I want you to think of this time as one in which you are just loading up with information and skills, and you’re trying new things and you’re practicing, and you’re honing--all those things that you’re going to need to do great things when you get out of school.Your country is depending on you.So set your sights high.Have a great school year.Let’s get to work.Thank you very much, everybody.God bless you.God bless the United States of America.(Applause.)

第五篇：奥巴马演讲

Remarks of President Barack Obama

Weekly Address Saturday, May 14, 2011

Washington D.C.Recently, there have been signs that the economy is picking up steam.Last month, we saw the strongest job growth in five years, and have added more than three-quarters of a million private sector jobs in just three months.But there are still too many Americans who are either looking for work, or struggling to pay the bills and make the mortgage.Paychecks aren’t getting any bigger, but the cost of everything from groceries to college tuition keeps on rising.Without a doubt, one of the biggest burdens over the last few months has been the price of gasoline.In many places, gas is now more than $4 a gallon, meaning that you could be paying more than $60 to fill up your tank.These spikes in gas prices are often temporary, and while there are no quick fixes to the problem, there are a few steps we should take that make good sense.First, we should make sure that no one is taking advantage of consumers at the pump.That’s why we’ve launched a task force led by the Attorney General that has one job: rooting out cases of fraud or manipulation in the markets that might affect gas prices, including any illegal activity by traders and speculators.Second, we should increase safe and responsible oil production here at home.Last year, America’s oil production reached its highest level since 2003.But I believe that we should expand oil production in America – even as we increase safety and environmental standards.To do this, I am directing the Department of Interior to conduct annual lease sales in Alaska’s National Petroleum Reserve, while respecting sensitive areas, and to speed up the evaluation of oil and gas resources in the mid and south Atlantic.We plan to lease new areas in the Gulf of Mexico as well, and work to create new incentives for industry to develop their unused leases both on and offshore.We’re also taking steps to give companies time to meet higher safety standards when it comes to exploration and drilling.That’s why my Administration is extending drilling leases in areas of the Gulf that were impacted by the temporary moratorium, as well as certain areas off the coast of Alaska.And to streamline that permitting process, I am establishing a new team to coordinate work on Alaska drilling permits.Finally, the third step we should take is to eliminate the taxpayer subsidies we give to oil and gas companies.In the last few months, the biggest oil companies made about $4 billion in profits each week.And yet, they get $4 billion in taxpayer subsidies each year.Four billion dollars at a time when Americans can barely fill up their tanks.Four billion dollars at a time when we’re trying to reduce our deficit.This isn’t fair, it makes no sense.Before I was President, the CEOs of these companies even admitted that the tax subsidies made no sense.Well, next week, there is a vote in Congress to end these oil company giveaways once and for all.And I hope Democrats and Republicans come together and get this done.The American people shouldn’t be subsidizing oil companies at a time when they’re making near-record profits.As a nation, we should be investing in the clean, renewable sources of energy that are the ultimate solution to high-gas prices.That’s why we’re investing in clean energy technology, helping businesses that manufacture solar panels and wind turbines, and making sure that our cars and trucks can go further on a tank of gas – a step that could save families as much as $3,000 at the pump.These are investments worth making – investments that will save us money, reduce our dependence on foreign oil, and protect the health and safety of our planet.That’s an energy policy for the future, and it’s what I’ll be fighting for in the weeks and months to come.Thanks.