第一篇:奥巴马当选演讲
奥巴马当选演讲(全文)2008年11月05日18:11
中国日报网环球在线消息:
美国是否暗藏一切皆有可能的巨大潜力?美国是否已经实现开国者锻造的美国梦?民主信仰是否具有强大力量?如果还有人对此报以怀疑,那么今晚这里发生的一切就是答案。学校旁、教堂边,无数人都在排队投票,这一情景我们已经多年未见;3个小时、4个小时,他们为此而等候良久,这是很多同胞有生以来的第一次。因为他们相信,这一次,将不同以往;这一次,因为他们的呼声而有所不同。
无论老少贫富,无论共和党抑或民主党,不管是黑皮肤、白种人、拉丁后裔、亚裔子孙还是本土美国人;无论性向如何,不管健康抑或残疾,所有的美国人民都向全世界传递出这样一条信息:我们从来都不是红蓝阵营的政治堆砌,我们是,而且永远是,美利坚合众国。
长期以来,很多人缺乏信心,对自己所能取得的成就畏首畏尾、疑心重重。如今,我们走在历史的长河里,挺起胸膛,勾勒出美好明天的光辉画卷。
此情此景,等待尤长。然而,就在今晚,在这个大选的日子,在这个具有历史性意义的时刻,由于你们的付出,美国终于迎来了变革。
刚刚,我接到了麦凯恩参议员礼貌得体的祝贺电话。为了此次竞选,他奋战良久、竭尽所能;为了他所深爱的美国,他曾作出了更长久、更努力的奉献。麦凯恩参议员为美国所作出的牺牲是大部分人难以想象的,他这种英勇无私的奉献改善了我们的生活。对于麦凯恩参议员和佩林州长所取得的成就,我对他们致以祝贺。在接下来的几个月里,以重振美国为目标,我期待着与他们的合作。
在此,我想感谢一路陪伴我的竞选搭档,他就是我们即将上任的副总统,乔-拜登。为了让美国广大的工人阶层发出自己的声音,他毫无私心地全身心投入竞选,因为他和那些宾夕法尼亚州斯克兰顿城街头的人们一样,出生平凡,一切白手起家。
如果没有米歇尔-奥巴马,这一准美国第一夫人的坚定支持,今晚,我就不会站在这儿了。我们相伴走过了16个春秋,她是我们整个家庭的顶梁柱,我一生的挚爱。还有,萨沙和玛利亚,我爱你们,你们姊妹俩终于可以带着你们的新宠物狗入主白宫了。我知道,就像我的其他已故亲属一样,外祖母一定也在某处注视着我,虽然她已经不在人世。是他们造就了今天的我。今晚我很想念他们,我对他们的亏欠无以计量。
我想对我的竞选经理大卫-普劳夫、首席战略师大卫-阿克塞尔罗德以及我们这个史上最佳的竞选团队说,是你们让这一切成为了现实,对于你们为此所做的牺牲和付出我永远感怀在心。
然而,有一点是最重要的,那就是我永远都不会忘记,真正拥有这个胜利的是你们,你们所有人!对于入主白宫,我从来都不是最热候选人。竞选伊始,我们的资金并不充裕,获得的支持也不多。我们的竞选班子并非始于华府,而是一路从艾奥瓦州的得梅因酒店后院、辗转北卡罗莱纳州的康克酒店客房,后来会首在西弗吉尼亚州查尔斯顿酒店的主厅„„
我们的胜利来自于广大工薪阶级,正是他们从仅有的微薄存款里掏出5美元、10美元
或者20美元来支持我们的竞选。我们的力量来自于摘下冷漠面罩的年轻一代,来自于夜以继日奋力工作以维持生计的下层百姓,来自于冒着严寒酷暑、户户敲门宣传的团队中流砥柱,更来自于成千上万的大选志愿者。他们用出色的奉献精神和组织能力证明了一个民有、民治、民享的政府在两百年后仍然保持着生命力。这就是你们的胜利!
我明白,你们所做的这些,并不仅仅是为了赢得这次竞选,也不单单只是为了我本人。你们之所以这么做,是因为你们懂得前方任务的艰巨。即使我们今晚沉浸于庆祝的喜悦之中,我们也深知明天将会面临的将是我们这辈子最为艰巨的挑战:两场战争、濒临危险的地球和百年一遇的金融危机;即使今晚我们安然站在此处,我们也深知那些深陷伊拉克沙漠和阿富汗山区的英勇美国战士,是为了我们而冒着生命危险。还有那些孩子早已熟睡、自己却辗转反侧的人父人母,他们夜不能寐,想着如何还清房贷、如何支付医药费以及给孩子存下大学经费。我们要掌握新能源,创造就业岗位,建造新校舍,正视存在的威胁,并修复与盟友的关系。
前方的道路很漫长,我们将步履维艰。我们也许无法在一年内,甚至是(我的)一个任期内,达成我们的目标。但是,今晚,我比任何时候都对此更有信心。我承诺,我们所有人将作为一个整体顺利的到达目的地。
我们将不可避免地遭遇许多挫折,也许开头并不会一帆风顺。我们需要弄明白一点,那就是政府无法解决所有的问题,也许有很多人不会同意我上台执政后制定的政策。不过,我将坦诚地接受各方的批评,直面我们的挑战。我将倾听你们的意见,尤其是不同的政见。总之,我邀请各位一同投入到国家的建设中来,用我们勤劳的双手堆砌建设这个国家所需的砖瓦。正是这一方式,使美国在221年的建国道路上不断前行。
我在21个月前的深冬开始为竞选做出的努力并不会在今晚画上句号。我们所追求的并不是这场选举的胜利,这仅仅是为我们提供了一个做出变革的机会。如果回到过去的老路,我们将无法做出任何改变。当然,如果没有你们,一切都无法发生。
所以,让我们一同唤醒自己的爱国心,唤醒为国效力的责任感,我们将一道披星戴月,披荆斩棘向前行进,我们需要照顾的不再只有我们自己,而是每一个人。这次的金融危机让我们认识到一个事实,如果大众受苦受难,华尔街就不可能繁华似锦。我们必须携手与共、共同经历这个国家的荣辱兴衰。
长期以来,两党隔阂以及不成熟的狭隘主义造成了我们现在的失败政策,所以让我们一同抵制住这种倾向,避免回到那条老路。请记住,这个国家有一个民主党人将手扛民主和共和两党旗帜迈向白宫。充满自信,崇尚个人自由,维护国家团结将是我们共同追求的价值观。尽管民主党在今晚取得了压倒性的胜利,但是我们将继续带着谦卑前行,愈合这个国家因分裂受到的创伤。社会的分裂曾经阻碍我们国家前行的脚步。正如林肯总统在1861年的反国家分裂的演说中说到,“我们不是敌人,而是朋友。我们决不能成为敌人。尽管目前的情绪有些紧张,但决不能容许它使我们之间的亲密情感纽带破裂。”我要告诉那些没有将选票投给我的朋友,也许我没有赢得你们的选票,但我将聆听你们的声音,我需要你们的帮助,因为我同样将成为你们的总统。
我要告诉那些在美国大陆以外关注今晚选举的人们,也许你们在一个被世界遗忘的角落
通过收音机了解今晚的选举,尽管我们的国情不一样,但是我们的命运是紧紧联系在一起的。一个全新的美国领导层即将呼之欲出。我要告诉那些试图破坏这个世界的人们,我们将打败你们!我要告诉那些追求和平和安全的人们,我们将全力支持你们!我要告诉那些对美国的未来持怀疑态度的人们,今晚,我们再次证明了一个事实,那就是这个国家拥有强大的力量,这并不是因为我们拥有众多的武器和财富。民主、自由、机遇、坚定不屈的希望才是这个国家保持强大的持久力量!
美国强大的真谛在于它能够做出改变,我们的国家可以变得更加完美。我们过去所达到的成就让我们看到了前进的希望。
本届选举创造了多项历史之最,有许多故事将代代相传。但此时此刻,我脑海中想起的是一名来自亚特兰大的选民,这位名叫安妮-尼克松-库珀的女性和千千万万的选民一样,静静地站在投票队伍之中,投出自己的选票,表达自己的声音。不过,与众不同的是,她已经106岁高龄了。在她出生的年代,公路上没有汽车,天空中没有飞机。像她一样的人仅仅因为肤色和性别就被挡在参与投票的大门之外。
今晚,我由此联想到了她一个世纪以来,在美国见证的一切:困苦与希望,奋斗与进步,那是一个让人无能为力的年代,但人们必须不断告诉自己美国的伟大信条:“是的,我们可以!”曾经,女性无法表达自己的意见,她们的希望成为幻影。如今,她终于见证了这一幕,和她一样有着悲惨遭遇的人们成功地投出了自己的选票。是的,我们可以!
当整个美国大陆都笼罩在经济大萧条的绝望之中时,她见证了一个国家战胜自身恐惧,重新崛起,罗斯福总统推行的“新政”不仅给美国带来了新的就业机会,更给美国人民带来了共同的价值观。是的,我们可以!
当日本的原子弹投向我们的港口,当世界被暴政所威胁,她见证了一个崛起的民族,民主重获新生。是的,我们可以!
她目睹了发生在蒙哥马利巴士上、伯明翰的高压水龙头下、塞尔玛大桥上的种族歧视„„而后,来自亚特兰大民权先驱告诉人们,“我们可以战胜这一切”。是的,我们可以!
而后,人类登月,柏林墙倒塌,世界重新集结在科学和想象力的号角下。现在,在这场选举中,她终于用自己的指尖触碰到投票屏幕,郑重地投下选票。饱经106年的沧桑变化,穿越岁月的风云变迁,她知道美国能做出怎样的改变。是的,我们可以!
美国,我们风雨兼程,一路走来。我们经历了太多,但前方仍有许多梦想等待着我们去实现。今晚,让我们大声地问自己,我们的孩子是否还能看到下一个世纪;我可爱的女儿是否能和安妮-尼克松-库珀一样幸运,享受漫长的人生。他们将看到怎样的变革?我们将取得怎样的进步?
这是我们给出答案的机会。这是属于我们的时刻。这是我们的时代:让人们有事可做;为我们的孩子打开机遇之门;推动世界和平与繁荣;再次锻造美国梦,重申这一不可动摇的事实——虽然我们每个人不尽相同,但我们是一个整体,只要我们呼吸尚存,希望就永不磨灭。我们将用那历经时间考验的不朽信条掷地有声地直面质疑:“是的,我们可以!”
谢谢!上帝保佑你们,保佑美利坚合众国!
第二篇:奥巴马当选演讲
Hello, Chicago.您好,芝加哥。
If there is anyone out there who still doubts that America is a place where all things are possible, who still wonders if the dream of our founders is alive in our time, who still questions the power of our democracy, tonight is your answer.如果还有人仍在怀疑美国是否是一个一切皆有可能的国度的话,如果还有人仍在疑虑我们美国的缔造者的梦想是否还存在于我们这个时代的话,如果还有人仍在质疑
我们民主的力量的话,今晚你就可以得到答案。
It's the answer told by lines that stretched around schools and churches in numbers this nation has never seen, by people who waited three hours and four hours, many for the first time in their lives, because they believed that this time must be different, that their voices could be that difference.它的答案告诉延伸线,围绕学校和教堂的人数这个民族从未见过的,等待三个小时,四个小时的人们,许多第一次在他们的生活,因为他们认为,这次一定是不同的,他们的声音可能是不同的。
It's the answer spoken by young and old, rich and poor, Democrat and Republican, black, white, Hispanic, Asian, Native American, gay, straight, disabled and not disabled.Americans who sent a message to the world that we have never been just a collection of individuals or a collection of red states and blue states.不管你是年轻人还是老年人,是富人还是穷人,是民主党人还是共和党人,是黑人还是白人,也不管你是拉丁美洲人或亚洲人还是本土美国人,更无论你是否为同性变者、是否是残疾人,这是美国人共同的答案。美国人向全世界传递一个声音,那就是我们的选举从不分红州或蓝州。We are, and always will be, the United States of America.我们属于,而且永远只属于美利坚合众国。
It's the answer that led those who've been told for so long by so many to be cynical and fearful and doubtful about what we can achieve to put their hands on the arc of history and bend it once more toward the hope of a better day.它的答案,导致这些谁一直在说这么长时间这么多的是玩世不恭和恐惧和怀疑是我们能够实现把他们手中的弧的历史和弯曲再次向希望一个更美好的一天。
It's been a long time coming, but tonight, because of what we did on this date in this election at this defining moment change has come to America.虽然等待了很长时间,但在今晚的这一决定性时刻,由于我们在这次选举中的努力,美国终于迎来了变革。A little bit earlier this evening, I received an extraordinarily gracious call from Sen.McCain.今天傍晚稍早的时候,我接到麦凯恩参议员一个特别亲切的电话。
Sen.McCain fought long and hard in this campaign.And he's fought even longer and harder for the country that he loves.He has endured sacrifices for America that most of us cannot begin to imagine.We are better off for the service rendered by this brave and selfless leader.在竞选过程中,他坚持不懈,努力了很长时间,而且他还会为他所热爱的国家继续更加努力。他已经为美国奉献了太多,以到于我们许多人都无法想象。我们必须要更好地服务于我们的祖国,以补偿这位勇敢而无私的领导人。
I congratulate him;I congratulate Gov.Palin for all that they've achieved.And I look forward to working with them to renew this nation's promise in the months ahead.我祝贺他以及佩林此前取得的所有成绩,而且我希望能够与他们合作,重申数月前我们对国家所做的承诺。
I want to thank my partner in this journey, a man who campaigned from his heart, and spoke for the men and women he grew up with on the streets of Scranton and rode with on the train home to Delaware, the vice president-elect of the United States, Joe Biden.我要感谢在这个征途上我的合作伙伴,一名男子从谁竞选他的心,并以对男性和女性,他成长起来的街道上骑着顿和同在火车上家美国特拉华州,副总统当选美国,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.在过去16年间,如果没有我最好朋友的坚定支持,没有我家庭成员的强力支撑,没有我妻子,也就美国未来的第一夫人米歇尔-奥巴马无私的爱,今晚我不可能站在这里。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.马莉娅和萨莎,我也非常爱你们,你们肯定也沉浸在即将入住白宫的喜悦之中。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.然而,我的外祖母已永远离开了我们,但我知道她也正和所有支持我的家人一样在看着我。我今晚非常想念他们,而且知道我欠他们的太多。
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.我的妹妹玛雅,我的妹妹阿尔玛,我的所有其他的兄弟姐妹们,感谢你们给了我这么多的一切支持,我感谢他们。And to my campaign manager, David Plouffe, the unsung hero of this campaign, who built the best--the best political campaign, I think, in the history of the United States of America.和我的竞选顾问大卫-Plouffe,此次竞选的无名英雄,我认为,是他打造了美利坚合众国历史上最好的-最好的政治运动。To my chief strategist David Axelrod who's been a partner with me every step of the way.我的首席策略师大卫——阿克塞尔罗德,在一个合作伙伴与我的每一步。
To the best campaign team ever assembled in the history of politics you made this happen, and I am forever grateful for what you've sacrificed to get it done.最好的竞选团队以往任何时候都聚集在历史上的政治你这一点,我永远感谢您什么牺牲得到工作要做。
But above all, I will never forget who this victory truly belongs to.It belongs to you.It belongs to you.但最重要的是,我永远不会忘记这场胜利的所有者,胜利属于你们,胜利属于你们。
I was never the likeliest candidate for this office.We didn't start with much money or many endorsements.Our campaign was not hatched in the halls of Washington.It began in the backyards of Des Moines and the living rooms of Concord and the front porches of Charleston.It was built by working men and women who dug into what little savings they had to give $5 and $10 and $20 to the cause.我从来没有对可能的候选人,这个办公室。我们没有开始多少钱或许多签注。我们的运动是不能孵化的大厅华盛顿。它开始在后院得梅因和客厅的和谐与前面门廊的查尔斯顿。这是由工作男性和女性谁挖成小储蓄,他们不得不放弃5美元和10美元和20美元的事业。
It grew strength from the young people who rejected the myth of their generation's apathy who left their homes and their families for jobs that offered little pay and less sleep.它成长的力量的年轻人谁拒绝他们神话一代人的冷漠谁离开他们的家园和他们的家属就业提供一点工资和少睡觉。It drew strength from the not-so-young people who braved the bitter cold and scorching heat to knock on doors of perfect strangers, and from the millions of Americans who volunteered and organized and proved that more than two centuries later a government of the people, by the people, and for the people has not perished from the Earth.它提请强度从不那么谁年轻人冒着严寒和酷暑敲门,门完美的陌生人,并从数以百万计的美国人谁自愿组织和证明,两个多世纪后,人民的政府由人民,为人民还没有灭亡的地球。This is your victory.这是你们的胜利。And I know you didn't do this just to win an election.And I know you didn't do it for me.我知道你们没有这样做只是为了赢得大选。我知道你们因为多而没有这样做。
You did it because you understand the enormity of the task that lies ahead.For even as we celebrate tonight, we know the challenges that tomorrow will bring are the greatest of our lifetime--two wars, a planet in peril, the worst financial crisis in a century.你这样做,是因为你明白艰巨性的任务摆在面前。即使在我们庆祝的今晚,我们知道,明天的挑战将是最大的我们的有生之年-两场战争,地球处于危险,最严重的金融危机的一个世纪。Even as we stand here tonight, we know there are brave Americans waking up in the deserts of Iraq and the mountains of Afghanistan to risk their lives for us.即使我们今晚站在这里,我们知道有勇敢的美国人起床在沙漠伊拉克和阿富汗山区冒着生命危险为我们。
There are mothers and fathers who will lie awake after the children fall asleep and wonder how they'll make the mortgage or pay their doctors' bills or save enough for their child's college education.有父亲和母亲谁将躺在清醒后的孩子入睡和不知道他们会作抵押或支付其医生的法案或储存足够的孩子的大学教育。
There's new energy to harness, new jobs to be created, new schools to build, and threats to meet, alliances to repair.有新能源可以利用,新的工作岗位要建立,新的学校建设,和威胁去处理,联盟要修理。
The road ahead will be long.Our climb will be steep.We may not get there in one year or even in one term.But, America, I have never been more hopeful than I am tonight that we will get there.未来的路还很长,而且我们正在艰难地攀登在陡峭的山坡之上。我们未必能够在一年或是在一个总统任期之内达到目标,但美国肯定可以。我们肯定可以达到目标,此前我从未有今天晚上的如此信心。
I promise you, we as a people will get there.我向你们承诺,我们肯定可以。
There will be setbacks and false starts.There are many who won't agree with every decision or policy I make as president.And we know the government can't solve every problem.当然,这一过程肯定还会出现挫折,甚至是不成功的开始。我作为总统所做出的决策,肯定也会有许多人并不赞同。我们知道政府并不能解决所有问题。
But I will always be honest with you about the challenges we face.I will listen to you, especially when we disagree.And, above all, I will ask you to join in the work of remaking this nation, the only way it's been done in America for 221 years--block by block, brick by brick, calloused hand by calloused hand.但我也会向你们诚恳地交待我们所面临的挑战。我会认真听从你们的建议,尤其是意见不一致的时候。总之,我邀请你们加入到国家再建的工作之中。221年来,我们的国家就是这样一砖一瓦,一点一滴地建造起来的。
What began 21 months ago in the depths of winter cannot end on this autumn night.我们开始于21个月前深冬,不会结束在今年的这个秋天的夜晚结束。This victory alone is not the change we seek.It is only the chance for us to make that change.And that cannot happen if we go back to the way things were.这仅仅是胜利而不是我们所寻求的变化。这是唯一的机会,我们做出的改变。并能不会发生,如果我们回到这样的。
It can't happen without you, without a new spirit of service, a new spirit of sacrifice.没有你,没有一种新的服务精神,新的牺牲精神,它不能发生。So let us summon a new spirit of patriotism, of responsibility, where each of us resolves to pitch in and work harder and look after not only ourselves but each other.因此,让我们拿出一个新的爱国主义精神,责任感,在我们每个人都决心在球场和努力,并期待后,不仅自己,而且对方。
Let us remember that, if this financial crisis taught us anything, it's that we cannot have a thriving Wall Street while Main Street suffers.让我们记住,如果此次金融危机告诉我们什么,那就是我们不可能拥有一个蓬勃发展的华尔街,当主街受到影响时。
In this country, we rise or fall as one nation, as one people.Let's resist the temptation to fall back on the same partisanship and pettiness and immaturity that has poisoned our politics for so long.在这个国家,我们的兴衰,作为一个民族,作为一个人。让我们抵制诱惑,回到属于同一党派和鸡毛蒜皮的小事和不成熟有毒害我们的政治这么久。
Let's remember that it was a man from this state who first carried the banner of the Republican Party to the White House, a party founded on the values of self-reliance and individual liberty and national unity.让我们铭记,是这个州的人第一次将共和党的旗帜扛进了白宫,(共和党)是一个将价值观建立在自信、个人自由以及国家团结基础上的政党。
Those are values that we all share.And while the Democratic Party has won a great victory tonight, we do so with a measure of humility and determination to heal the divides that have held back our progress.我们所有人都信奉这一价值。民主党今晚获得了巨大的胜利,但我们未来将用谦卑和决心来弥补竞选过程中产生的裂痕。As Lincoln said to a nation far more divided than ours, we are not enemies but friends.Though passion may have strained, it must not break our bonds of affection.正如林肯所说,我们不是敌人,而是朋友。我们决不能成为敌人,尽管目前的情绪有些紧张,但决不能容许它使我们之间的亲密情感纽带破裂。And to those Americans whose support I have yet to earn, I may not have won your vote tonight, but I hear your voices.I need your help.And I will be your president, too.对于那些支持我的美国人,以及那些没有将选票投给我的人,我倾听到了你们的声音,我需要得到你们的帮助,而我也同样是你们的总统。
And to all those watching tonight from beyond our shores, from parliaments and palaces, to those who are huddled around radios in the forgotten corners of the world, our stories are singular, but our destiny is shared, and a new dawn of American leadership is at hand.和所有观看今晚从超出了我们的海岸,来自议会和宫殿,那些谁是围着收音机中被遗忘的角落的世界,我们的故事是独特的,但我们的命运是共同的,新的曙光美国领导在手。To those--to those who would tear the world down: We will defeat you.To those who seek peace and security: We support you.And to all those who have wondered if America's beacon still burns as bright: Tonight we proved once more that the true strength of our nation comes not from the might of our arms or the scale of our wealth, but from the enduring power of our ideals: democracy, liberty, opportunity and unyielding hope.那些-那些谁将世界撕裂了:我们将打败你。这些谁寻求和平与安全的:我们支持你。对于所有那些疑惑美国的灯塔是否还会继续明亮燃烧的人,今夜我们将再次证明,我们国家的力量并不是来源来我们的胳膊的臂力,也不是来源于我们的财富,而是源自于我们理念的持久力量。这些理念包括:民主、自由、机会以及坚贞不屈的希望。
That's the true genius of America: that America can change.Our union can be perfected.What we've already achieved gives us hope for what we can and must achieve tomorrow.这是真正的天才合众国:美国会发生变化。我们的工会可以完善。我们已经取得了让我们希望我们能够而且必须实现的明天。This election had many firsts and many stories that will be told for generations.But one that's on my mind tonight's about a woman who cast her ballot in Atlanta.She's a lot like the millions of others who stood in line to make their voice heard in this election except for one thing: Ann Nixon Cooper is 106 years old.这次选举有许多优势,许多故事,会被告知几代人。但是,这在我脑海今晚的约一个女人谁投她的选票在亚特兰大。她就像数以百万计的其他人谁站在线,使他们的声音在这次选举中除一件事:尼克松安库珀是106岁。She was born just a generation past slavery;a time when there were no cars on the road or planes in the sky;when someone like her couldn't vote for two reasons--because she was a woman and because of the color of her skin.她出生的一代刚刚过去的奴役;当时有没有汽车在道路上或飞机在天空中;当有人能像她一样不参加表决的原因有两个-因为她是一名女子,由于她的颜色皮肤。
And tonight, I think about all that she's seen throughout her century in America--the heartache and the hope;the struggle and the progress;the times we were told that we can't, and the people who pressed on with that American creed: Yes we can.今晚,我想所有的,她在整个看到她在美国的世纪-在心痛和希望;的斗争和取得的;的时候,我们被告知,我们不能,和人民谁压上与美国的信条:是我们能够做到。
At a time when women's voices were silenced and their hopes dismissed, she lived to see them stand up and speak out and reach for the ballot.Yes we can.当时妇女的声音被压制和他们的希望被驳回,她活着看到他们站起来,说出并达成的选票。是我们能够做到。
When there was despair in the dust bowl and depression across the land, she saw a nation conquer fear itself with a New Deal, new jobs, a new sense of common purpose.Yes we can.当有绝望中的尘埃和抑郁一碗全国的土地,她看到一个民族征服恐惧本身的新政,新的就业机会,一个新的共同使命感。是我们能够做到。
When the bombs fell on our harbor and tyranny threatened the world, she was there to witness a generation rise to greatness and a democracy was saved.Yes we can.当炸弹落在我们的港口和暴政威胁世界,她在那里目睹了一代产生的伟大和民主是保存。是我们能够做到。
She was there for the buses in Montgomery, the hoses in Birmingham, a bridge in Selma, and a preacher from Atlanta who told a people that “We Shall Overcome.” Yes we can.她在那里的巴士蒙哥马利,软管在英国伯明翰,桥梁塞尔玛和传教士从亚特兰大谁告诉人民,“我们克服。”是我们能够做到。A man touched down on the moon, a wall came down in Berlin, a world was connected by our own science and imagination.一名男子降落在月球上,墙上下来在柏林,世界是连接我们自己的科学和想象力。
And this year, in this election, she touched her finger to a screen, and cast her vote, because after 106 years in America, through the best of times and the darkest of hours, she knows how America can change.今年,在这次选举中,她谈到她的手指到屏幕上,她和演员投票,因为106年后,在美国,通过最好的时候和最黑暗的时间,她知道怎样可以改变美国。Yes we can.是我们能够做到。
America, we have come so far.We have seen so much.But there is so much more to do.So tonight, let us ask ourselves--if our children should live to see the next century;if my daughters should be so lucky to live as long as Ann Nixon Cooper, what change will they see? What progress will we have made?美国,我们来到迄今。我们已经看到这么多。但有这么多事情要做。因此,今夜,让我们反问一下我们自己,如果我们的孩子能够活到下个世纪;如果我的女儿能够幸运地活得像安-尼克森-库珀那样长,他们将会看到什么样的变化?我们那时将会取得什么样的进步?
This is our chance to answer that call.This is our moment.这是我们来回答问题的机会,这是我们的时刻。
This is our time, to put our people back to work and open doors of opportunity for our kids;to restore prosperity and promote the cause of peace;to reclaim the American dream and reaffirm that fundamental truth, that, out of many, we are one;that while we breathe, we hope.And where we are met with cynicism and doubts and those who tell us that we can't, we will respond with that timeless creed that sums up the spirit of a people: Yes, we can.这是我们的时代,要使我们的人民重新工作并将机会留给我们的子孙;重新恢复繁荣并促进和平;回归我们的美国梦想并重申一个基本事实--在众人之中,我们也是其中一个;当我们呼吸,当我们充满希望的时候,我们遭遇冷嘲热讽和质疑,那些人认为我们无法做到。我们将用一句话来做出回应:不,我们可以!
Thank you.God bless you.And may God bless the United States of America.谢谢您。上帝保佑你。愿上帝保佑美利坚合众国。
mp3下载地址:http://download.guardian.co.uk/audio/kip/standalone/world/1225874746775/2943/gdn.new.081105.ad.Obama-victory-speech.mp3
Hello, Chicago.If there is anyone out there who still doubts that America is a place where all things are possible, who still wonders if the dream of our founders is alive in our time, who still questions the power of our democracy, tonight is your answer.It's the answer told by lines that stretched around schools and churches in numbers this nation has never seen, by people who waited three hours and four hours, many for the first time in their lives, because they believed that this time must be different, that their voices could be that difference.It's the answer spoken by young and old, rich and poor, Democrat and Republican, black, white, Hispanic, Asian, Native American, gay, straight, disabled and not disabled.Americans who sent a message to the world that we have never been just a collection of individuals or a collection of red states and blue states.We are, and always will be, the United States of America.It's the answer that led those who've been told for so long by so many to be cynical and fearful and doubtful about what we can achieve to put their hands on the arc of history and bend it once more toward the hope of a better day.It's been a long time coming, but tonight, because of what we did on this date in this election at this defining moment change has come to America.A little bit earlier this evening, I received an extraordinarily gracious call from Sen.McCain.Sen.McCain fought long and hard in this campaign.And he's fought even longer and harder for the country that he loves.He has endured sacrifices for America that most of us cannot begin to imagine.We are better off for the service rendered by this brave and selfless leader.I congratulate him;I congratulate Gov.Palin for all that they've achieved.And I look forward to working with them to renew this nation's promise in the months ahead.I want to thank my partner in this journey, a man who campaigned from his heart, and spoke for the men and women he grew up with on the streets of Scranton and rode with on the train home to Delaware, the vice president-elect of the United States, Joe Biden.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.And to my campaign manager, David Plouffe, the unsung hero of this campaign, who built the best--the best political campaign, I think, in the history of the United States of America.To my chief strategist David Axelrod who's been a partner with me every step of the way.To the best campaign team ever assembled in the history of politics you made this happen, and I am forever grateful for what you've sacrificed to get it done.But above all, I will never forget who this victory truly belongs to.It belongs to you.It belongs to you.I was never the likeliest candidate for this office.We didn't start with much money or many endorsements.Our campaign was not hatched in the halls of Washington.It began in the backyards of Des Moines and the living rooms of Concord and the front porches of Charleston.It was built by working men and women who dug into what little savings they had to give $5 and $10 and $20 to the cause.It grew strength from the young people who rejected the myth of their generation's apathy who left their homes and their families for jobs that offered little pay and less sleep.It drew strength from the not-so-young people who braved the bitter cold and scorching heat to knock on doors of perfect strangers, and from the millions of Americans who volunteered and organized and proved that more than two centuries later a government of the people, by the people, and for the people has not perished from the Earth.This is your victory.And I know you didn't do this just to win an election.And I know you didn't do it for me.You did it because you understand the enormity of the task that lies ahead.For even as we celebrate tonight, we know the challenges that tomorrow will bring are the greatest of our lifetime--two wars, a planet in peril, the worst financial crisis in a century.Even as we stand here tonight, we know there are brave Americans waking up in the deserts of Iraq and the mountains of Afghanistan to risk their lives for us.There are mothers and fathers who will lie awake after the children fall asleep and wonder how they'll make the mortgage or pay their doctors' bills or save enough for their child's college education.There's new energy to harness, new jobs to be created, new schools to build, and threats to meet, alliances to repair.The road ahead will be long.Our climb will be steep.We may not get there in one year or even in one term.But, America, I have never been more hopeful than I am tonight that we will get there.I promise you, we as a people will get there.There will be setbacks and false starts.There are many who won't agree with every decision or policy I make as president.And we know the government can't solve every problem.But I will always be honest with you about the challenges we face.I will listen to you, especially when we disagree.And, above all, I will ask you to join in the work of remaking this nation, the only way it's been done in America for 221 years--block by block, brick by brick, calloused hand by calloused hand.What began 21 months ago in the depths of winter cannot end on this autumn night.This victory alone is not the change we seek.It is only the chance for us to make that change.And that cannot happen if we go back to the way things were.It can't happen without you, without a new spirit of service, a new spirit of sacrifice.So let us summon a new spirit of patriotism, of responsibility, where each of us resolves to pitch in and work harder and look after not only ourselves but each other
Let us remember that, if this financial crisis taught us anything, it's that we cannot have a thriving Wall Street while Main Street suffers.In this country, we rise or fall as one nation, as one people.Let's resist the temptation to fall back on the same partisanship and pettiness and immaturity that has poisoned our politics for so long.Let's remember that it was a man from this state who first carried the banner of the Republican Party to the White House, a party founded on the values of self-reliance and individual liberty and national unity.Those are values that we all share.And while the Democratic Party has won a great victory tonight, we do so with a measure of humility and determination to heal the divides that have held back our progress.As Lincoln said to a nation far more divided than ours, we are not enemies but friends.Though passion may have strained, it must not break our bonds of affection.And to those Americans whose support I have yet to earn, I may not have won your vote tonight, but I hear your voices.I need your help.And I will be your president, too.And to all those watching tonight from beyond our shores, from parliaments and palaces, to those who are huddled around radios in the forgotten corners of the world, our stories are singular, but our destiny is shared, and a new dawn of American leadership is at hand.To those--to those who would tear the world down: We will defeat you.To those who seek peace and security: We support you.And to all those who have wondered if America's beacon still burns as bright: Tonight we proved once more that the true strength of our nation comes not from the might of our arms or the scale of our wealth, but from the enduring power of our ideals: democracy, liberty, opportunity and unyielding hope.That's the true genius of America: that America can change.Our union can be perfected.What we've already achieved gives us hope for what we can and must achieve tomorrow.This election had many firsts and many stories that will be told for generations.But one that's on my mind tonight's about a woman who cast her ballot in Atlanta.She's a lot like the millions of others who stood in line to make their voice heard in this election except for one thing: Ann Nixon Cooper is 106 years old.She was born just a generation past slavery;a time when there were no cars on the road or planes in the sky;when someone like her couldn't vote for two reasons--because she was a woman and because of the color of her skin.And tonight, I think about all that she's seen throughout her century in America--the heartache and the hope;the struggle and the progress;the times we were told that we can't, and the people who pressed on with that American creed: Yes we can.At a time when women's voices were silenced and their hopes dismissed, she lived to see them stand up and speak out and reach for the ballot.Yes we can.When there was despair in the dust bowl and depression across the land, she saw a nation conquer fear itself with a New Deal, new jobs, a new sense of common purpose.Yes we can.When the bombs fell on our harbor and tyranny threatened the world, she was there to witness a generation rise to greatness and a democracy was saved.Yes we can.She was there for the buses in Montgomery, the hoses in Birmingham, a bridge in Selma, and a preacher from Atlanta who told a people that “We Shall Overcome.” Yes we can.A man touched down on the moon, a wall came down in Berlin, a world was connected by our own science and imagination.And this year, in this election, she touched her finger to a screen, and cast her vote, because after 106 years in America, through the best of times and the darkest of hours, she knows how America can change.Yes we can.America, we have come so far.We have seen so much.But there is so much more to do.So tonight, let us ask ourselves--if our children should live to see the next century;if my daughters should be so lucky to live as long as Ann Nixon Cooper, what change will they see? What progress will we have made?
This is our chance to answer that call.This is our moment.This is our time, to put our people back to work and open doors of opportunity for our kids;to restore prosperity and promote the cause of peace;to reclaim the American dream and reaffirm that fundamental truth, that, out of many, we are one;that while we breathe, we hope.And where we are met with cynicism and doubts and those who tell us that we can't, we will respond with that timeless creed that sums up the spirit of a people: Yes, we can.Thank you.God bless you.And may God bless the United States of America.中文翻译:http://blog.sina.com.cn/s/blog_5c70e2670100b6wi.html
下面就是巴拉克-奥巴马所做的2008年总统候选人就职演讲全文:
美国是一个任何事情都有可能发生的国家,对于这一点如果还有任何人心存怀疑,对民主的力量还表示疑虑的话,今晚就是对这一问题的最好回答。
这个答案早已经印在了到处悬挂在学校和教堂的竞选条幅上,人们随处可见;这些人们已经等待了三四个小时,对于他们当中的大多数,这是有生以来第一次经历这样的过程,因为他们坚信这一时刻注定与众不同,而这种不同便有可能源自他们所发出的声音。
这个答案出自这些人之口,无论是青年还是老年,穷人还是富人,民主党还是共和党,黑人还是白人,拉丁裔、亚裔还是美国本土人,同性恋者还是异性恋者,残疾人还是非残疾人——他们向世界发出了这样的信息——我们从来不分红色之州和蓝色之州,我们永远都是美利坚合众国。
这个答案告诉了那些一直以来充满焦虑、恐惧和怀疑的人们,我们可以将双手放在历史的转折点上,将它再次带向充满希望的美好明天。
这一刻我们已经等待了太久,但是今晚,由于我们在这一决定性的时刻所作出的选择,美国便迎来了它崭新的一刻。
我刚刚接到了来自麦凯恩议员的电话。他在这场漫长而艰难的选举中一直努力着,而他为他所热爱的国家所付出的努力甚至更加艰辛而久远。可能我们当中的很多人甚至都无法想象,麦凯恩议员从何时便开始为我们的国家奉献自己,而我们却早已享受到了这位勇敢无私的领导者为国家所做出的贡献。对于他和佩林所付出的努力,我表示衷心的感谢,同时我也期待着,能够和他们一同努力,共同实现我们这几个月来所做出的承诺。
我要感谢我的竞选伙伴,新当选的美国副总统乔·拜登,这一路走来,他始终遵循着自己内心深处的那个声音,他始终代表着那些和他一起在斯克兰顿街边长大,一起坐着火车回到故乡特拉华州的人们的声音。
如果没有过去这16年来挚友的支持,没有稳定的家庭和对生活的爱,没有我们国家的下一位第一夫人,米歇尔·奥巴马,今晚我将不可能站在这里。萨莎和玛丽亚,我爱你们,你们已经得到了一只新的小狗,它将和我们一起入住白宫。还有我的祖母,虽然她已经不能和我们一起分享这一刻,但是我知道,她正和我的家人一起,注视着我,陪我经历着这一刻。我不会忘记,是他们养育我成人,今晚我是如此的想念他们,我知道,我所亏欠他们的,是永远无法报答的恩情。
对我的竞选负责人大卫·普罗菲,我的首席战略家大卫·亚克瑟罗德以及有史以来最优秀的竞选团队,我想对你们说的是——是你们成就了今天的一切,我将永远感激你们所付出的这一切。
但是,最重要的是,我将永远不会忘记,这个胜利是真正属于你们的!
我一直都不是最有希望的那个候选人,一开始的时候我们便没有那么多的资金或支持。我们的竞选之路并不是从华盛顿的高楼礼堂中开始的,它从德梅因的后院、协和酒店的客厅以及查尔斯顿的门廊中迈出了第一步。
它由那些需要从自己有限的存款中拿出5美元、10美元和20美元的工人们建立起来;那些摒弃了他们那一代人冷漠神话的年轻人,那些远离家乡亲人在外打拼却只能赚得微薄工资的人们,那些抵抗着刺骨的寒冷和灼人的炎热敲响了陌生人家大门的人们,是你们给了它成长的力量;数以百万计的美国人民自愿组织起来,他们想要去证明两个多世纪之后,一个由人民组成的政府,一个属于人民的政府,一个为了人民的政府是不会从地球上消亡的,这就是属于你们的胜利!
我知道,你们这样做并不只是想赢得一场选举,我也知道,你们这样做并不是为我一个人。你们这样做,是因为你们了解前方的任务是如何的艰巨。甚至就在我们庆祝的同时,我们也清楚地明白,明天将要面临的挑战是多么巨大——两大战争,一个处于危险中的星球,本世纪最严重的经济危机。就在我们站在这里的同时,我们清楚地知道,还有许多勇敢的美国人正在伊拉克的沙漠和阿富汗的群山中醒来,为了我们而冒着生命的危险。还有许许多多的父母们,只有在自己的孩子入睡后才能躺下,他们为房子的贷款和医院的账单还有孩子们的学费而发愁。放心,我们会注入新的能量,创造新的就业机会,建设新的学校,面对威胁与挑战,修复我们的联盟。
前方的道路还很漫长。我们所面临的山峰是险峻的。或许一年甚至很长一段时间我们都无法攀上峰顶,但是美国——我从来没有像今晚这样坚信,我们最终一定会到达。我向你保证——我们的民族最终会到达山顶的。
也许会有挫折坎坷,作为总统我所做出的决定和政策必定会遭到一些人的反对,而我们也知道政府不能够解决所有问题。但是我将会诚实地告诉你们我们所面对的挑战。我会耐心倾听你们的心声,尤其是在遇到分歧的时候。而最重要的是,我将会让你们加入到重建我们国家的队伍当中来,沿着美国这221年来一直所走的那条道路——一块块砖瓦,一双双手,一点点堆砌出我们的家园。
21个月之前的那个冬天所开始的,不会在这个秋天的夜晚结束。这个胜利本身并不是我们所要找寻的改变——这只是一个改变的机会。如果我们回到老路上,那么一切都不会得到改变。没有你们,这一切也不会得到改变。
那么,就让我们重新召唤起爱国主义、公仆之心以及国家责任的精神来,每个人都参与其中,一起努力,不单只是关心自身,而是互相照顾。让我们记住这场经济危机所教会我们的一点,如果主街道遭受了打击,那么华尔街也不可能幸免——在这个国家,我们作为一个民族,一个整体,同存亡共荣辱。
让我们摒弃掉那些长久以来一直危害我们的政治生活的那些幼稚琐碎的党派之争。让我们记住,是这个国家的人第一次将共和党的横幅挂在了白宫之上,而共和党的建立便是基于对自力更生、独立自由和国家统一价值的肯定。这一价值是我们所共享的,即便民主党今晚赢得了大选,我们也会怀着谦虚的心态,去消除这一分歧和隔膜。在面临着比今天更严重的国家分裂时,林肯说过,“我们不是敌人,而是朋友。。我们友情的纽带,或会因情绪激动而绷紧,但决不可折断。”而对于那些我还没有赢得支持的选民们——也许我还没有赢得你们的选票,但是我听到了你们声音,我需要你们的帮助,而我也同样是你们的总统。
对于那些远在大洋彼岸的,在国会和皇宫中,在我们这个世界被遗忘的角落中围在收音机旁关注着大选之夜的人们——我们的故事是不同的,但是我们的命运却是紧紧连在一起的,美国领袖新的一天的黎明即将到来。对于那些会将世界四分五裂的人们,我们将打败你们,对于那些渴求和平和安全的人们,我们将支持你们。而对于所有那些想知道,自由女神像手中的火炬是否还会依旧闪耀光芒的人们,今晚我们再次证明了,我们民族的真正实力并不只是来自于武力和财富,而是来自于我们理想的力量:民主,自由,机遇以及永不屈服的希望。
美国真正的天赋在于,它懂得改变。我们的联盟会不断完善自己。而我们已经取得的成就给了我们希望,让我们坚信我们能够并且即将取得成功。
这次选举拥有许多故事和数不清的第一次,它们将被世世代代流传。但是今晚在我脑海中一直浮现的,是亚特兰大一位女性选民。她就像成千上万的其他选民一样,排在队伍中喊出自己的心声,唯一不同的是——安·尼克松·库伯已经106岁了。
她出生的时候正是奴隶制度解除之后;那时候还没有汽车和飞机;像她一样的人那个时候是没有选举权的,因为她是女人,还因为她皮肤的颜色。
但是今晚,我思考着她所经历的这一个世纪的美国——心痛和希望;斗争与进步;我们被告知我们不能做什么的时代,以及美国人的信条:是的,我们可以!
在那个女性不能发出声音的时代,在那个女性的希望被剥夺的时代,她看着她们站了起来,大声说出自己的想法,投出了自己的选票。是的,我们可以!
当绝望和大萧条袭来的时候,她看到了一个民族通过新政、新的工作和新的共同目的感战胜了恐惧。是的,我们可以!
当炸弹在珍珠港爆炸,当暴政威胁这个世界的时候,她见证了一代人的强大,见证了民主得到了捍卫。是的,我们可以!
她见证了蒙哥马利汽车暴动,见证了塞尔玛大桥事件,遇到了那位来自亚特兰大的牧师,他告诉人们“我们终将会克服一切。”是的,我们可以!
人类登上了月球,柏林墙倒塌了,世界由于我们自身的科学和想象力被连接到了一起。而在这一年,在这次选举中,她的手指触摸到了屏幕,她投出了自己的一票,因为在美国经历了106年的变迁,经历了最好的与最坏的时代后,她了解美国是如何变化的。是的,我们可以!
美国,我们已经走了这么远,我们已经看到了这么多,但是仍然有许多事情等待着我们去做。那么今晚,让我们扪心自问——如果我们的孩子看到了下一个世纪;如果我的女儿也能够和安·尼克松·库伯一样幸运地活到了106岁,那么他们将会看到怎样的变化?我们又将会取得什么样的进步?
对于我们来说,这正是一个对这一疑问给出回答的机会。这是我们的时刻,这是我们的时代——让我们的人民重新回去工作,为我们的孩子打开机会的大门;积累财富,促进和平;重拾美国梦,重申基本的真象——相对于大多数而言,我们是独一无二的;当我们呼吸时,我们希望,在我们面对讥笑、怀疑以及别人对我们说我们不能的时候,我们将会用凝聚了人类精神的永恒信条作出回应:
是的,我们可以!
谢谢你们,愿上帝保佑你们,愿上帝保佑美利坚合众国。
第三篇:奥巴马当选演讲 中英文
《奥巴马当选后演讲全文》(中文版)
芝加哥的公民们,大家好!
如果现在仍然有人怀疑在美国是不是真的任何事情都可能发生,怀疑我们开国之父们的梦想是否还留存在这片土地上,怀疑美国民主的力量,今夜,就是你的答案。
在这个国家的学校和教堂中人们曾焦急地等待着答案,一些人甚至从未像今天一样——等待了3~4个小时,但是他们知道这一时刻非同一般,他们的声音也同样非同一般。
在美国的土地上,无论是年轻人还是老人;穷人还是富人;无论是共和党人还是民主党人;无论是黑人、白人、西班牙裔、亚裔、美国原住民、同性恋、异性恋、残疾人还是非残疾人都发出同一种信息,我并非孤身一人。
我们是,而且永远都是美利坚合众国!
这一天我们等得太久了,但是今晚,因为我们在这场竞选中、在这个地点、在此时此刻所做的一切,改变已经降临美国。
在今天晚上,我很荣幸地接到了麦凯恩参议员打来的电话。麦凯恩参议员在这场竞选中进行了长久、艰难的努力。而且,为这个他热爱的国家,他奋斗了更久、付出了更多的努力。他为美国做出了超乎我们大多数人想象的牺牲,因为这个无畏无私的领导人所付出的努力,我们才有了更好的生活。我对他表示祝贺,也对佩林州长所取得的成果表示祝贺。同时,我也期待着能在接下来的几个月内,和他们共同努力履行对这个国家的诺言。
我想感谢我在这个旅程中的搭档,一个全心全意参加竞选的男人,一个为同他一起在斯克蓝顿(宾夕法尼亚东北部城市)街道长大、一起坐火车到特拉华州的人们发言的男人,美国未来的副总统,乔〃拜登。
在过去的16年里如果没有朋友们的支持和鼓励,那么我今晚将不会站在这里……我的家庭的支持、关爱,美国的下一位第一夫人米歇尔〃奥巴马,还有萨沙和玛丽雅,我对你们的爱甚至超出你们的想象,你们将得到新的爸爸,和你们一起到新的白宫。
我却再也不能陪伴我的外祖母了,但我知道她一直在守望着我们。我也十分想念我的家人和亲戚,我知道自己亏欠他们太多,太多。我要感谢马娅,阿尔玛,以及我所有的兄弟姐妹,感谢你们对我无私的支持,对此我深表感激。还有,感谢我的竞选经理大卫〃普劳夫。还有那些在竞选活动中的无名英雄们,他们表现的很棒,是他们给美国带来了一场最完美的大选,我想,这在美国历史上是绝无仅有的。还有我的首席战略师大卫〃阿克塞尔罗德。他是我的伙伴,在我竞选的每个阶段都给我极大的帮助,为我打造了美国大选史上最棒的竞选团队。是你让这一切发生了,我将永远对你为这一切做出的牺牲心存感激。但是最重要的,我将 永远无法忘记这场胜利真正的主人,这属于你们,这属于你们。
我曾经是最不可能赢得白宫的候选人。在刚开始的时候,我们没有多少钱,也没有多少支持者,我们的竞选不是从华盛顿的大厅开始的,而是开始于艾奥瓦州得梅因的后院、康科德的客厅、查尔斯顿的前厅。是辛勤劳作的男人、女人捐给了我们他们微薄的积蓄,5块钱、10块钱、20块钱。我们从年轻人那里得到了力量,他们拒绝服从同龄人冷漠的神话。为了工作,他们离开了自己的家乡,并与亲人分别,可是他们拿很少的报酬,甚至连睡觉的时间也少的可怜。
那些并不年轻的志愿者却拥有一颗火热的心,为了大选他们在寒风中敲开善良的陌生人家的门,这就是为什么两个世纪以来,我们人类,我们的政府没有从地球上消亡的原因。
我想说,这同样也是你们的胜利!我知道,你们不仅仅是为了赢得一个大选,也不仅仅是为了我。你们这样做,是因为知道我们面前任务的艰难。即使我们今晚在这里欢庆,我们仍然知道明天将会带来我们平生最大的挑战——两场战争,一个处于危险边缘的星球、一个世纪来最严重的金融危机。
在孩子们熟睡后依然醒着的父亲母亲在担心,他们怎样才能还清医生的账单,攒够足够的钱供孩子的大学教育。
新的能源要去开发,新的工作岗位要去创造,新的学校要去建造,新的威胁要去面对,新的盟友关系要去修复。
前面的路会很长。我们的攀岩会很陡峭。我们甚至不会在一年、一个任期内达到这个目标。但是,美国,我从未比今夜更加相信,我们会达到这个目标。
我承诺,作为一个人,我们会达到这个目标。
以后我们还会面对挫折和谎言,我成为总统以后,也许有人无法认同我的每一项政策和方针。并且我们也知道政府并非能解决一切问题。但是我会忠诚地和你们并肩奋斗,共同面对挑战。我依然会倾听你们的声音,尤其是我们之间存在分歧的时候。最重要的是,我会真诚地邀请你参与国家的重建,就像美国建国221年以来的历史那样——靠我们的双手把国家建设地更为强大。
我们从21个月以前的冬天开始了奋斗的征程,但是我们的努力不会在这个秋天的夜晚结束。这次胜利并不会改变我们的探索之路,这对于我们来说是一个难得的机遇,我们决不能后退。我们不会退缩,因为我们拥有旺盛的精力和无畏牺牲的精神。
让我们重振爱国主义精神,承担起自己的责任,我们将努力奋斗,互帮互助。
让我们牢记金融危机给美国带来的伤痛,我们再也不会让华尔街繁荣的同时,让别的街受罪。
在这个国家里,我们与祖国的命运紧密相连。让我们自觉抵制党派争端和过于污秽的政治斗争。
让我们牢记在这条街道上高举共和党旗帜入主白宫的那个人(林肯),是他宣扬了独立和自主的精神,完成了国家的统一。
这些价值观应该得到继承和发扬,今晚民主党取得了胜利,我们必须保持谦虚的心态,并下定决心完成后面的征程。就像很久以前,林肯对一个比现在分裂得更严重的民族所说的那样,我们不是敌人,是朋友。
虽然热情已经被冲淡,我们的友爱纽带没有破裂。
同时,对于我没有赢得支持的民众,我或许没有得到你们的投票,但是我听到了你们的声音。我需要你们的帮助。我也会是你们的总统。
对于那些在另外一个海岸,从国会到王宫、到在被世界遗忘的角落摆弄收音机、关注美国今夜的人们,我们的故事并非只有一个,但是目标是共同的,美国领导力的新的黎明已经到来。
美国应该变化,我们的社会应该更完美。我们已经取得的成果给了我们明天取得更大成果的希望。
这次大选有很多首创和许多故事,这些故事将代代相传。但今天晚上我脑子里能想起来的就是一个女人,她刚刚在亚特兰大城投了票。她跟成千上万在这次大选中排队发出自己声音的人一样,唯有一点例外:安〃尼克松〃库珀已经106岁高龄了。她出生在奴隶制刚刚废除后的那一代,那时路上没有汽车,天上没有飞机。像她那样的人仍不能投票,这因为两个方面的原因:一是她是女性;二是因为她的肤色。
可今晚,我想她看透了一个世纪的美国——头疼与希望;挣扎与发展。有人告诉我们,美国不行了,可美国人的自信却回答:不,我们行!她曾经生活在女性发不出声音、希望破灭的时代,可她却活着看到女性们站起来,发出自己的声音,并且投下自己的票。是的,我们行!
当饥饿来到,衰退发生时,她看到了这个国家是如何以新政,新工作,和全新的共同目标来战胜恐惧的。
当炸弹落到我们的港口,独裁者威胁世界的时候,她亲眼见证了一代人的崛起和民主得以挽救。是的,我们行!她去蒙哥马利搭乘公共汽车,她去伯明翰面对水龙头,她去塞尔玛占桥……她听来自亚特兰大的牧师告诉大家:“我们能打破种族障碍”,没错,我们行!
今年,在这次大选中,她投下了自己的一票。因为在美国生活了106个年头,经 历了最好的时光与最难的岁月,所以她知道美国一定能改变。是的,我们行!
美国已经经历了太多,我们看够了太多,但我们还得做更多的事。今晚,让我们问自己:如果我们的孩子们要活着看到新世纪,如果我们的女儿们能像安〃尼克松这样活到106岁,我们应该有哪些进步?我们应该回答这个问题,这是我们的时代。
现在是我们一起开始工作,为我们的孩子打开机遇之门,恢复我们的繁荣,促进和平,重回美国梦,恢复基本信任,以及其它许多事的时候了。我们应该团结如一人。我们应该坚定地回应那些说我们不行的人,我们将以无穷的力量来回应他们,然后说:是的,我们行!
感谢大家,上帝保佑你们,上帝保佑美利坚!《奥巴马当选后演讲全文》(英文版)
Hello, Chicago.If there is anyone out there who still doubts that America is a place where all things are possible, who still wonders if the dream of our founders is alive in our time, who still questions the power of our democracy, tonight is your answer.It's the answer told by lines that stretched around schools and churches in numbers this nation has never seen, by people who waited three hours and four hours, many for the first time in their lives, because they believed that this time must be different, that their voices could be that difference.It's the answer spoken by young and old, rich and poor, Democrat and Republican, black, white, Hispanic, Asian, Native American, gay, straight, disabled and not disabled.Americans who sent a message to the world that we have never been just a collection of individuals or a collection of red states and blue states.We are, and always will be, the United States of America.It's the answer that led those who've been told for so long by so many to be cynical and fearful and doubtful about what we can achieve to put their hands on the arc of history and bend it once more toward the hope of a better day.It's been a long time coming, but tonight, because of what we did on this date in this election at this defining moment change has come to America.A little bit earlier this evening, I received an extraordinarily gracious call from Sen.McCain.Sen.McCain fought long and hard in this campaign.And he's fought even longer and harder for the country that he loves.He has endured sacrifices for America that most of us cannot begin to imagine.We are better off for the service rendered by this brave and selfless leader.I congratulate him;I congratulate Gov.Palin for all that they've achieved.And I look forward to working with them to renew this nation's promise in the months ahead.I want to thank my partner in this journey, a man who campaigned from his heart, and spoke for the men and women he grew up with on the streets of Scranton and rode with on the train home to Delaware, the vice president-elect of the United States, Joe Biden.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.And to my campaign manager, David Plouffe, the unsung hero of this campaign, who built the best--the best political campaign, I think, in the history of the United States of America.To my chief strategist David Axelrod who's been a partner with me every step of the way.To the best campaign team ever assembled in the history of politics you made this happen, and I am forever grateful for what you've sacrificed to get it done.But above all, I will never forget who this victory truly belongs to.It belongs to you.It belongs to you.I was never the likeliest candidate for this office.We didn't start with much money or many endorsements.Our campaign was not hatched in the halls of Washington.It began in the backyards of Des Moines and the living rooms of Concord and the front porches of Charleston.It was built by working men and women who dug into what little savings they had to give $5 and $10 and $20 to the cause.It grew strength from the young people who rejected the myth of their generation's apathy who left their homes and their families for jobs that offered little pay and less sleep.It drew strength from the not-so-young people who braved the bitter cold and scorching heat to knock on doors of perfect strangers, and from the millions of Americans who volunteered and organized and proved that more than two centuries later a government of the people, by the people, and for the people has not perished from the Earth.This is your victory.And I know you didn't do this just to win an election.And I know you didn't do it for me.You did it because you understand the enormity of the task that lies ahead.For even as we celebrate tonight, we know the challenges that tomorrow will bring are the greatest of our lifetime--two wars, a planet in peril, the worst financial crisis in a century.Even as we stand here tonight, we know there are brave Americans waking up in the deserts of Iraq and the mountains of Afghanistan to risk their lives for us.There are mothers and fathers who will lie awake after the children fall asleep and wonder how they'll make the mortgage or pay their doctors' bills or save enough for their child's college education.There's new energy to harness, new jobs to be created, new schools to build, and threats to meet, alliances to repair.The road ahead will be long.Our climb will be steep.We may not get there in one year or even in one term.But, America, I have never been more hopeful than I am tonight that we will get there.I promise you, we as a people will get there.There will be setbacks and false starts.There are many who won't agree with every decision or policy I make as president.And we know the government can't solve every problem.But I will always be honest with you about the challenges we face.I will listen to you, especially when we disagree.And, above all, I will ask you to join in the work of remaking this nation, the only way it's been done in America for 221 years--block by block, brick by brick, calloused hand by calloused hand.What began 21 months ago in the depths of winter cannot end on this autumn night.This victory alone is not the change we seek.It is only the chance for us to make that change.And that cannot happen if we go back to the way things were.It can't happen without you, without a new spirit of service, a new spirit of sacrifice.So let us summon a new spirit of patriotism, of responsibility, where each of us resolves to pitch in and work harder and look after not only ourselves but each other.Let us remember that, if this financial crisis taught us anything, it's that we cannot have a thriving Wall Street while Main Street suffers.In this country, we rise or fall as one nation, as one people.Let's resist the temptation to fall back on the same partisanship and pettiness and immaturity that has poisoned our politics for so long.Let's remember that it was a man from this state who first carried the banner of the Republican Party to the White House, a party founded on the values of self-reliance and individual liberty and national unity.Those are values that we all share.And while the Democratic Party has won a great victory tonight, we do so with a measure of humility and determination to heal the divides that have held back our progress.As Lincoln said to a nation far more divided than ours, we are not enemies but friends.Though passion may have strained, it must not break our bonds of affection.And to those Americans whose support I have yet to earn, I may not have won your vote tonight, but I hear your voices.I need your help.And I will be your president, too.And to all those watching tonight from beyond our shores, from parliaments and palaces, to those who are huddled around radios in the forgotten corners of the world, our stories are singular, but our destiny is shared, and a new dawn of American leadership is at hand.To those--to those who would tear the world down: We will defeat you.To those who seek peace and security: We support you.And to all those who have wondered if America's beacon still burns as bright: Tonight we proved once more that the true strength of our nation comes not from the might of our arms or the scale of our wealth, but from the enduring power of our ideals: democracy, liberty, opportunity and unyielding hope.That's the true genius of America: that America can change.Our union can be perfected.What we've already achieved gives us hope for what we can and must achieve tomorrow.This election had many firsts and many stories that will be told for generations.But one that's on my mind tonight's about a woman who cast her ballot in Atlanta.She's a lot like the millions of others who stood in line to make their voice heard in this election except for one thing: Ann Nixon Cooper is 106 years old.She was born just a generation past slavery;a time when there were no cars on the road or planes in the sky;when someone like her couldn't vote for two reasons--because she was a woman and because of the color of her skin.And tonight, I think about all that she's seen throughout her century in America--the heartache and the hope;the struggle and the progress;the times we were told that we can't, and the people who pressed on with that American creed: Yes we can.At a time when women's voices were silenced and their hopes dismissed, she lived to see them stand up and speak out and reach for the ballot.Yes we can.When there was despair in the dust bowl and depression across the land, she saw a nation conquer fear itself with a New Deal, new jobs, a new sense of common purpose.Yes we can.When the bombs fell on our harbor and tyranny threatened the world, she was there to witness a generation rise to greatness and a democracy was saved.Yes we can.She was there for the buses in Montgomery, the hoses in Birmingham, a bridge in Selma, and a preacher from Atlanta who told a people that “We Shall Overcome.” Yes we can.A man touched down on the moon, a wall came down in Berlin, a world was connected by our own science and imagination.And this year, in this election, she touched her finger to a screen, and cast her vote, because after 106 years in America, through the best of times and the darkest of hours, she knows how America can change.Yes we can.America, we have come so far.We have seen so much.But there is so much more to do.So tonight, let us ask ourselves--if our children should live to see the next century;if my daughters should be so lucky to live as long as Ann Nixon Cooper, what change will they see? What progress will we have made?
This is our chance to answer that call.This is our moment.This is our time, to put our people back to work and open doors of opportunity for our kids;to restore prosperity and promote the cause of peace;to reclaim the American dream and reaffirm that fundamental truth, that, out of many, we are one;that while we breathe, we hope.And where we are met with cynicism and doubts and those who tell us that we can't, we will respond with that timeless creed that sums up the spirit of a people: Yes, we can.Thank you.God bless you.And may God bless the United States of America.9
第四篇: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.
第五篇: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.)