NATIONAL NEWS
Februrary 27, 2009
"We Will Rebuild!"
President Obama speaks to Congress about the state of America's economy
Loud cheers and applause greeted President Barack Obama on Tuesday night as he began his first address to Congress. His audience included lawmakers, cabinet members, Supreme Court justices and millions of Americans watching on television. It was the President's first prime-time speech.
 |  SAUL LOEB—AFP/GETTY IMAGES President Obama greets guests after his speech. |
After several minutes, Obama began his serious speech, which lasted for 52 minutes. He spoke about the state of the nation's economy and the importance of quick action to get the country back on track.
Time to Take Charge"While our economy may be weakened and our confidence shaken, though we are living through difficult and uncertain times, tonight I want every American to know this," Obama said. "We will rebuild, we will recover, and the United States of America will emerge stronger than before."
The President outlined government plans to create more jobs and provide more services to those in need. Although Obama was optimistic, he also acknowledged that the road to recovery will be long and difficult. He looked to history to remind Americans that our country has come through hard times before.
Obama urged lawmakers to work quickly, and to work together. "The time to take charge of our future is here," he said. "What is required now is for this country to pull together, confront boldly the challenges we face, and take responsibility for our future once more, " he said.
 First Lady Michelle Obama hugs special guest Ty’Sheoma Bethea. | |
Twenty-two guests were invited to watch Obama's speech from the balcony. Among the guests was Ty'Sheoma Bethea, a middle school student from Dillon, South Carolina. Ty'Sheoma sat next to First Lady Michelle Obama during the speech.
"I think about Ty'Sheoma Bethea, the young girl from that school I visited in Dillon, South Carolina -- a place where the ceilings leak, the paint peels off the walls, and they have to stop teaching six times a day because the train barrels by their classroom," Obama explained. "She has been told that her school is hopeless, but the other day after class she went to the public library and typed up a letter to the people sitting in this room. She even asked her principal for the money to buy a stamp. The letter asks us for help, and says, 'We are just students trying to become lawyers, doctors, congressmen like yourself and one day President, so we can make a change to not just the state of South Carolina but also the world. We are not quitters.'"
