Barack Obama: “We are called upon to put in place those reforms that allow our best qualities to flourish, while keeping those worst…”

We’ve now fought a war, spent billions and billions of dollars, you know, put enormous strain on our military. A lot of people have died. And it feels like we’re back where we were before we started the war, except maybe a little bit worse…

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.

America is currently experiencing anger and vision but we are looking for fairness and common sense and mutual respect."

We designed the center not to be some lifeless mausoleum.