Washington, DC - “Today, I am proud and overwhelmed by the enormity of this defining moment, which will be forever carved in our hearts as the day the world witnessed America’s change.  Today, nations around the globe celebrated with Americans, as we welcomed President Barack Obama as the 44th president of the United States. 

President Barack Obama inspired us, as he reminded us of the hope, courage and responsibility that we have as Americans to rebuild our country. We do this block by block, one community at a time – each of us pulling together to do our part to fulfill the American promise.

More than forty years ago, Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King reminded us of that promise.  On the day after we celebrate Dr. King’s birthday, we witness the embodiment of his dream and the American promise in our new President Barack Obama.

As the first African American to ever hold our nation’s highest elected office, I know that Dr. King and the dreams of our forefathers have come true. The election and inauguration of President Barack Obama demonstrates the progress that we have made as a people and as a nation.  Many wars have been fought, parades marched, and lives lost for this landmark victory to occur.  It represents the determination of purpose and the will of many men and women, who triumphed, galvanized, and believed in a dream foretold centuries ago.  I am proud to share in this occasion and extend my most heartfelt congratulations to our President and to our nation for believing in America’s future.

There is much work to be done to restore our nation’s economy, improve our nation’s health care system, revive our workforce, repair our broken public educational systems, respect and preserve our environment, and, bring our troops home.  This will require all of us working together to bring about the change needed to turn this country around. Endurance is the key because the challenges that we face did not start today, and they will not be overcome tomorrow. So today, we look forward to the future of our America, and in the words of President Barack Obama: “pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off, and begin again.” With determination of spirit, hope, and solidarity we can and we will rebuild America!

###

Return to Congressman Towns' website