Barack Obama

I know that towns like Racine are still hurting from this recession.

We want to move forward.

There are these important moments where there is some clarity about how our view of the world contrasts with the Republican view of the world.

It is great to be back home in the Midwest.

Government should live within its means.

A tragedy is what the people of the Gulf are going through right now.

The truth is, from the day we walked into the White House, we knew that the crisis we faced was so severe that it would take months, and even years, to dig ourselves out from one of the worst recessions in history.

I further direct that the flag shall be flown at half-staff for the same period at all United States embassies, legations, consular offices, and other facilities abroad.

Today, it's growing again.

It will put in place the strongest consumer financial protections in history, curbing abuses by banks, mortgage and credit card companies and giving their customers the information they need to make responsible financial decisions.

We can return to the failed economic policies of the past, or we can keep building a stronger future.

We want to help small business owners get the loans they need to keep their doors open and hire more workers.

We need more energy efficiency in our homes.

He wishes that all the Americans who lost their jobs in the recession were back to work.

If we do that now — if we continue building that foundation and making those hard decisions on behalf of the next generation, I have no doubt that we will leave our children the America we hope for.

It will put an end to the idea that any financial firm is too big to fail, and therefore entitled to taxpayer bailouts.

I want to move forward.

We discussed the Middle East peace process and the importance of moving forward in a significant and bold way in securing a Palestinian homeland that can live side by side with a secure and prosperous Israeli state.

Truly securing our border requires comprehensive immigration reform.

I have determined that in 2009 certain beneficiary developing countries exported eligible articles in quantities exceeding the applicable competitive need limitations.

I think there's going to be enough interest in moving reform forward that we're going to get this done.

Today I announced the designation of a Presidential Delegation to Shanghai, China.

We're going to have to keep on paying a lot of attention to the labor markets and helping people who have been displaced during the last couple of years get back into the labor market.

I continue to be convinced that with financial regulatory reform in place, with a recovery well underway, that we have enormous potential to build on the hard work that's been done by this team and put people back to work.

We appreciate your friendship, and we appreciate your good counsel and look forward to continuing to work together to strengthen the strong bonds between our two countries.