Barack Obama

We've all been touched by the worst economic downturn since the Great Depression.

That's how we'll keep our economy and our institutions strong.

Some of it was the result of an era of easy credit, when millions of Americans borrowed beyond their means.

My solemn commitment is to work every day, in every way that I can, to push this recovery forward.

We have an absolute responsibility to learn from it and take steps to prevent a repeat of the crisis.

We can't afford to let the same phony arguments and bad habits of Washington kill financial reform.

Peace requires responsibility. Peace entails sacrifice.

War itself is never glorious, and we must never trumpet it as such.

Evil does exist in the world. A non-violent movement could not have halted Hitler's armies.

I cannot argue with those who find these men and women... to be far more deserving of this honor than I.

Our actions matter, and can bend history in the direction of justice.

All executive branch departments and agencies of the Federal Government shall be closed and their employees excused from duty for the last half of the scheduled workday on Thursday, December 24, 2009.

It is not the powerful weapons that make our Nation the strongest in the world.

Hanukkah's lessons inspire us all to give thanks for the blessings we enjoy.

The taxpayers were there for you to cleanup your mistakes. You now have a responsibility to be there for the community.

The world must come together to confront climate change. There is little scientific dispute that if we do nothing, we will face more drought, famine and mass displacement that will fuel more conflict for decades.

For, make no mistake: Evil does exist in the world.

I face the world as it is, and cannot stand idle in the face of threats to the American people.

We can admit the intractability of deprivation and still strive for dignity. Clear-eyed, we can understand that there will be war and still strive for peace.

Whatever mistakes we have made, the plain fact is this -- the United States of America has helped underwrite global security for more than six decades with the blood of our citizens and the strength of our arms.

I face the world as it is and cannot stand idle in the face of threats to the American people.

And I'm responsible for the deployment of thousands of young Americans to battle in a distant land. Some will kill and some will be killed.

Just nine days ago, the new peace laureate approved 30,000 more troops to war in Afghanistan.

That our destinies are what we make of them.

I am pleased that these talented individuals have joined my administration as we work to tackle the many challenges facing our nation.