For I have sworn on the altar of God eternal hostility against every form of tyranny over the mind of man.
Thomas Jefferson (1743-1826) Founding Father, principal author of the Declaration of Independence (1776) who succeeded to Benjamin Franklin as minister to France (1785) and the third President of the United States (1801-1809)
“I’ll be right there with you every step of the way.”
“Yes We Can.”
President Obama Writes a Thank You Note to America (January 19, 2017)
From Honolulu, Hawaii to Chicago, Illinois to Washington D.C…. What a remarkable Obama’s journey to the White House we, Americans, were fortunate enough to witness, to be part of in some way no matter how large or small in these last eight years! Sad, yes, but remaining hopeful. We just have to. Our cultural love story with the Obamas as “ordinary citizens” continues… E.J.
P.S. Kudos again to our outstanding friend Clay Dumas, proud son of Joelle Dumas, our Executive Director of Cultural Affairs MDFDE/Southern California/Los Angeles-Venice & James A. Dumas, Legal Director MDFDE/Los Angeles.
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Please RT for @StatueEllisNPS & our Lady Liberty “made in France” standing prouder than
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Thank You
January 19, 2017 at 10:05 AM ET by President Barack Obama
Summary:
I wanted to say one final thank you for the honor of serving as your 44th President.
Editor’s note: President Obama sent this final message to the White House email list this morning.
My fellow Americans,
It’s a long-standing tradition for the sitting president of the United States to leave a parting letter in the Oval Office for the American elected to take his or her place. It’s a letter meant to share what we know, what we’ve learned, and what small wisdom may help our successor bear the great responsibility that comes with the highest office in our land, and the leadership of the free world.
But before I leave my note for our 45th president, I wanted to say one final thank you for the honor of serving as your 44th. Because all that I’ve learned in my time in office, I’ve learned from you. You made me a better President, and you made me a better man.
Throughout these eight years, you have been the source of goodness, resilience, and hope from which I’ve pulled strength. I’ve seen neighbors and communities take care of each other during the worst economic crisis of our lifetimes. I have mourned with grieving families searching for answers — and found grace in a Charleston church.
I’ve taken heart from the hope of young graduates and our newest military officers. I’ve seen our scientists help a paralyzed man regain his sense of touch, and wounded warriors once given up for dead walk again. I’ve seen Americans whose lives have been saved because they finally have access to medical care, and families whose lives have been changed because their marriages are recognized as equal to our own. I’ve seen the youngest of children remind us through their actions and through their generosity of our obligations to care for refugees, or work for peace, and, above all, to look out for each other.
I’ve seen you, the American people, in all your decency, determination, good humor, and kindness. And in your daily acts of citizenship, I’ve seen our future unfolding.
All of us, regardless of party, should throw ourselves into that work — the joyous work of citizenship. Not just when there’s an election, not just when our own narrow interest is at stake, but over the full span of a lifetime.
I’ll be right there with you every step of the way.
And when the arc of progress seems slow, remember: America is not the project of any one person. The single most powerful word in our democracy is the word ‘We.’ ‘We the People.’ ‘We shall overcome.’
Yes, we can.
And if you’d like to stay connected, you can sign up here to keeping getting updates from me.
Links: https://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2017/01/19/thank-you
http://www.motherjones.com/politics/2017/01/obama-pens-final-letter-thanking-america
Well done guys: Mission accomplished for Bo & Sunny Obama too! E.J.
https://www.whitehouse.gov/about/inside-white-house/holidays-2016