Barack Obama: “What a profound sorrow must have been felt as people were hauled off into the great unknown.”

Now the ball’s in your court, Iowa.

That's what I hope every visitor to this center takes away from their experience.

They're meant to remind us of who we can be, to remind us of what's possible, so we can forge ahead.

I hope this center will serve as an affirmation of just how special, how precious our democracy truly is.