(Official White House Photo by Sonya N. Herbert)
Yesterday marked the Second Inauguration of President Barack Obama. His address to the public embraced a theme of citizenship and called for collective action in preserving individual freedoms laid out by the Constitution. A testament to the enduring need for civic engagement, President Obama’s speech reminds us of our duty as citizens and calls us to recommit ourselves to public life so that president and people can together shape the course of the nation.
“You and I, as citizens, have the power to set this country’s course. You and I, as citizens, have the obligation to shape the debates of our time -- not only with the votes we cast, but with the voices we lift in defense of our most ancient values and enduring ideals.
Let us, each of us, now embrace with solemn duty and awesome joy what is our lasting birthright. With common effort and common purpose, with passion and dedication, let us answer the call of history and carry into an uncertain future that precious light of freedom.”
You can read the official transcript of the speech here.
You can watch the video of the address here.