There are times where I'd say the Oval Office, you use to gather the facts. The decisions you probably make late at night, or at least I do. But there are some times where you think you've made a decision, but during that walk, where you're announcing the decision, you've just got to make sure that, you're prepared to live with it, because as you know George, a lot of these decisions are not - the outcomes are uncertain.
Barack ObamaRather than pointing fingers or assigning blame, letโs use this occasion to expand our moral imaginations, to listen to each other more carefully, to sharpen our instincts for empathy and remind ourselves of all the ways that our hopes and dreams are bound together.
Barack ObamaWe are not a nation that says, 'Donโt ask, donโt tell.' We are a nation that says, 'Out of many, we are one.' We are a nation that welcomes the service of every patriot. We are a nation that believes that all men and women are created equal. Those are the ideals that generations have fought for. Those are the ideals that we upheld today.
Barack ObamaIf we want America to stay on the cutting edge, we need young Americans to master the tools and technology that will change the way we do just about everything.
Barack ObamaObviously, if Congress wants to talk about anything, we're happy to provide information. We're committed to moving forward under the current act.
Barack ObamaFor decades, this great leader, often at Dr. Kingโs side, was denied his rightful place in history because he was openly gay. No medal can change that, but today, we honor Bayard Rustinโs memory by taking our place in his march towards true equality, no matter who we are or who we love.
Barack Obama