Remarks of President Barack Obama as Delivered
Weekly Address
The White House
January 14, 2017
This week, I traveled to Chicago to deliver my final farewell address to the nation, following in the tradition of Presidents before me. It was an opportunity to say thank you. Whether we’ve seen eye-to-eye or rarely agreed at all, my conversations with you, the American people – in living rooms and schools; at farms and on factory floors; at diners and on distant military outposts – are what have kept me honest, kept me inspired, and kept me going. Every day, I learned from you. You made me a better President, and you made me a better man.
本周,我繼承前任總統(tǒng)留下的傳統(tǒng),到芝加哥向全國發(fā)表了告別演講。借此機(jī)會向各位說聲感謝。不管我們曾經(jīng)面對面還是從來沒有意見相同過,我與各位、美國人民的交流--無論在客廳還是學(xué)校;農(nóng)場還是工廠;餐廳還是遙遠(yuǎn)的軍事哨所--都使我倍感榮幸、倍受鼓舞,鞭策我繼續(xù)前行。每天我都從你們那里學(xué)到很多。你們使我成為更好的總統(tǒng)、更好的人。
Over the course of these eight years, I have seen the goodness, the resilience, and the hope of the American people. I’ve seen neighbors looking out for each other as we rescued our economy from the worst crisis of our lifetimes. I’ve hugged cancer survivors who finally know the security of affordable health care. I’ve seen communities like Joplin rebuild from disaster, and cities like Boston show the world that no terrorist will ever break the American spirit.
在這8年里,我見證了善良、堅(jiān)韌、和充滿希望的美國人民。在我們拯救一生中最嚴(yán)重的經(jīng)濟(jì)危機(jī)過程中,我看到人們互幫互助。我擁抱了最終得到可承受醫(yī)保的癌癥患者。我看到了喬普林這樣的社區(qū)在災(zāi)難的廢墟上浴火重生,看到了波士頓這樣的城市向全世界宣告:恐怖組織永遠(yuǎn)不能打垮美國人的精神。
I’ve seen the hopeful faces of young graduates and our newest military officers. I’ve mourned with grieving families searching for answers, and found grace in a Charleston church. I’ve seen our scientists help a paralyzed man regain his sense of touch, and our wounded warriors walk again. I’ve seen our doctors and volunteers rebuild after earthquakes and stop pandemics in their tracks. I’ve learned from students who are building robots and curing diseases and who will change the world in ways we can’t even imagine. I’ve seen the youngest of children remind us of our obligations to care for our refugees, to work in peace, and above all to look out for each other.
我看到了年輕的大學(xué)畢業(yè)生和新入列軍官們充滿希望的面龐。我與苦尋答案的悲傷家庭一起哀悼逝者,在查爾斯頓教堂知道了寬容。我看到科學(xué)家們幫助殘疾人恢復(fù)了觸覺、幫助傷殘軍人重新行走。我看見醫(yī)生和志愿者們在地震廢墟上重建家園、阻止了傳染病蔓延。我聽說學(xué)生們用我們聞所未聞的方法制造機(jī)器人和治療疾病。我看到最小的孩子提醒我們關(guān)愛難民、和平努力、互幫互助的義務(wù)。
That’s what’s possible when we come together in the hard, slow, sometimes frustrating, but always vital work of self-government. But we can’t take our democracy for granted. All of us, regardless of party, should throw ourselves into the work of citizenship. Not just when there’s an election, not just when our own narrow interest is at stake, but over the full span of a lifetime. If you’re tired of arguing with strangers on the internet, try to talk with one in real life. If something needs fixing, lace up your shoes and do some organizing. If you’re disappointed by your elected officials, then grab a clipboard, get some signatures, and run for office yourself.
這些都是我們共同通過艱難、緩慢、有時(shí)候充滿挫折,但是永遠(yuǎn)都充滿活力的自治政府努力才成為可能。但是我們不能認(rèn)為民主是理所當(dāng)然的。我們所有人,無論屬于哪個(gè)黨派,都應(yīng)投身于公民的努力中。不僅僅是在選舉時(shí)、不僅僅與我們的切身利益息息相關(guān)時(shí)、而是用我們一生的時(shí)間。如果你們不愿意在網(wǎng)上與陌生人爭論,那就在現(xiàn)實(shí)中與某人討論。如果有些事需要修改,那么就卷起袖子組織起來做點(diǎn)什么。如果你們對選出的官員不滿意,那么就拿起剪貼板,爭取到一些支持,親自競選這個(gè)職位。
Our success depends on our participation, regardless of which way the pendulum of power swings. It falls on each of us to be guardians of our democracy; to embrace the joyous task we’ve been given to continually try to improve this great nation of ours. Because for all our outward differences, we all share the same proud title: Citizen.
我們的成功取決于你們的參與,無論權(quán)力如何變換。我們每個(gè)人都是民主的衛(wèi)士;擁抱這個(gè)最振奮人心的任務(wù)、繼續(xù)改進(jìn)我們最偉大的國家吧。因?yàn)楸M管我們的外貌不同,我們都擁有一個(gè)共同的名字:公民。
It has been the honor of my life to serve you as President. Eight years later, I am even more optimistic about our country’s promise. And I look forward to working along your side, as a citizen, for all my days that remain.
作為你們的總統(tǒng)是我一生的榮耀。8年后,我對我們國家的前途更加充滿信心。我期待在我的余生、作為普通公民、繼續(xù)為你們服務(wù)。
Thanks, everybody. God bless you, and God bless the United States of America.
謝謝各位。上帝保佑你們,上帝保佑美利堅(jiān)合眾國。