Barack Obama: “It is a great privilege to be here today as we confer the Congressional Gold Medal on a man who's spent his life…”

There’s no doubt that we are going through a period right now of disruption, polarization.

We designed the center not to be some lifeless mausoleum.

In forming our union, the founders fell terribly short of the Declaration's promise, leaving slavery intact, allowing states to restrict the franchise to white men who owned property.

I think when you understand the complexities of America and the contradictions of America, I don’t think it makes you love it less. I think it makes you love it more.