Looking back on 2011 and ahead to 2012
Wishing a happy New Year, President Obama used this week's address to both look back at the year gone by, and look forward to 2012. Recapping some of the year's bigger moments, the President made references to the end of the Iraq War, efforts made in foreign events such as natural disasters and protests in the Middle East, the death of Osama bin Laden, and hope for better economic times ahead that saw improving jobs numbers as the year came to a close:
"The last year has been a time of great challenge and great progress for our country. We ended one war and began to wind down another. We dealt a crippling blow to al Qaeda and made America more secure. We stood by our friends and allies around the world through natural disasters and revolutions. And we began to see signs of economic recovery here at home, even as too many Americans are still struggling to get ahead.
There's no doubt that 2012 will bring even more change. And as we head into the new Year, I'm hopeful that we have what it takes to face that change and come out even stronger to grow our economy, create more jobs, and strengthen the middle class."
Looking towards the future, President Obama encouraged the idea of civic engagement in 2012, praising recent efforts to pressure Congress:
"I'm hopeful because of what we saw right before Christmas, when Members of Congress came together to prevent a tax hike for 160 million Americans -- saving a typical family about $40 in every paycheck. They also made sure Americans looking for work won't see their unemployment insurance cut off. And I expect Congress to finish the job by extending these provisions throght the end of 2012.
It was good to see members of Congress do the right thing for millions of working Americans. But it was only possible because you added your voices to the debate. Through email and Twitter and over the phone, you let your representatives know what was at stake. Your lives. Your families. Your well-being. You had the courage to believe that your voices could make a difference. And at the end of the day, they made all the difference.
So more than anything else, you are the ones who make me hopeful about 2012."
President Obama's Weekly Address:
