《奥巴马就职演说(中英文版本)》.pdf

January20,2009 My fellow citizens: I stand here todayhumbled bythe task before us,grateful forthe trust youhave bestowed,mindfulofthe sacrifices bornebyourancestors. I thank PresidentBushfor his service to our nation, as well as the generosity and cooperation he has shown throughout thistransition. Forty-four Americans have now taken the presidential oath. The words have beenspoken during risingtides ofprosperity and the still waters ofpeace. Yet, every so often the oath is taken amidst gathering clouds and raging storms. At these moments, Americahas carried onnotsimply becauseofthe skillorvision ofthosein high office, but because We the People have remained faithful to the ideals of our forbearers, and truetoourfounding documents. So it hasbeen. Soit mustbewiththis generationofAmericans. That we are in the midstof crisis is now well understood. Ournation is at war, against a far-reaching network of violence and hatred. Our economy is badly weakened, a consequence ofgreed and irresponsibility on the part of some, but also our collective failure to make hard choices and prepare the nation for a new age. Homes have been lost; jobs shed;businessesshuttered. Ourhealth careis too costly; ourschools fail toomany; and each daybrings further evidencethat the ways we use energystrengthen ouradversaries and threatenourplanet. 1 These are the indicators ofcrisis, subjectto data and statistics. Less measurable but no less profound is a sapping ofconfidence across our land - a nagging fear that America’s decline is inevitable, and thatthe next generationmustlower its sights. Today I say to you that the challenges we face are real. They are serious and they are many. They will not bemet easily orin a shortspan oftime. But knowthis, America - they will bemet. Onthis day, we gatherbecause wehave chosen hopeoverfear, unity ofpurpose overconflict anddiscord