第一篇：奧巴馬總統對全美國學生在線演講的講稿全文

奧巴馬總統對全美國學生在線演講的講稿全文

2009年9月8日星期二

大家好，大家今天都好嗎？我現在是和弗吉尼亞州韋柯菲爾德高中的學生在一起。全國各地的學生，從幼兒園到12年級，也都在收聽。我很高興你們大家今天都參與了進來。

我知道對你們中的很多人來說，今天是開學第一天。而對于那些在幼兒園或是剛剛開始初中或高中生涯的你來說，今天還是你們在新學校的第一天，所以你們難免會有一點緊張，這是很可以理解的。我還想象著今天會有一些高年級學生這會兒可能感覺挺不錯的，因為還有一年就可以畢業了。不管現在你們上幾年級了，有些人可能希望現在還是夏天，今天早上可能還會有點不想起床。

我完全理解這種感覺。在我年輕的時候，我們家在印度尼西亞生活過幾年。那時候我媽媽沒有足夠的錢送我去年全是美國孩子念書的學校。所以她決定自己給我額外補一些課，開始于周一到周五的每天早上4:30。

起這么早我可是不怎么有愉快的心情。很多次，我就趴在廚房的桌子上睡著了。但是每一次我要抱怨的時候，我媽媽就會那樣看著我說：“這對我來說也不是什么享受，小家伙。”

所以我知道你們中有一些人還在調整自己重返學校。但是我今天在這里的原因是有一些重要的事情想和你們商討。我在這里是因為想和你們談談你們的學習，在新學年里對大家的期望。

關于教育我做了很多次演講了。而且有關責任我也談了很多。我已經談過了你們的教師啟發你們，推動你們學習的責任。我講過了你們的父母讓你們堅持學習，做家庭作業，不要整天看電視，玩Xbox的責任。我講了很多政府制定高標準，支持教師和校長，改善那些運轉不良學生得不到應有機會的那些學校的責任。

但是最后，我們可以有最專注的教師，最支持的父母，以及世界上最好的學校，而只有當你們都履行了你們的責任時，這些因素才能發揮作用。只有你們到學校來上課，注意聽老師講課，聽父母，祖父母以及其他大人的話，努力學習，才能成功。

這就是今天我想重點講的主題：你們每一個人對你們的教育所負有的責任。我想先講講你們對自己的責任。

你們每一個人都有自己的擅長。你們每一個人都可以貢獻一些東西。你們有責任自己發現這些究竟是什么。這是教育可以提供的機會。

可能你能夠成為一名出色的作家，可能可以寫本書或為報紙撰稿，但是你只有在英語課上完成你的文章才能發現這一點。可能你會成為一名革新者或者發明家，可能你的作品可以和下一個iPhone比美，還可能研制出新的藥物或疫苗，但是只有當你實踐科學課上的項目才會發現這一點。可能你會成為市長，參議員或者最高法庭大法官，但是只有參加學生自治或辯論小組你才會發現這一點。

不管你將來想做什么，我保證你都需要教育才能實現。你想成為醫生，教師或是警官嗎？你想成為護士，建筑師，律師或是軍中的一員嗎？要想從事其中的任何一種職業，都需要接受良好的教育。不輟學完成學業才能找到一份理想的工作。你們必須為之努力，為之接受培訓，為之學習相關的知識。

而且這不僅對你自己的生活，你自己的將來來說是重要的。你們怎樣完成教育將會決定這個國家的未來。你們今天在學校學習的東西將會決定我們作為一個國家能否接受未來的挑戰。

你們將會需要科學和數學課上所學的知識和解決問題的技巧來治療象癌癥和艾滋病這樣的病癥，來開發新的能源技術，保護我們的環境。你將需要在歷史課和社會學課上所學的洞察力和批判性思考來和貧窮，無家可歸，犯罪和歧視作斗爭，使我們的國家變得更加公正自由。你們將會需要在所有課程中鍛煉出來的創造性和獨創性來建立新的公司，創造新的工作機會，推動我們的經濟發展。

我們需要你們中的每一個人發展自己的聰明才智，這樣你們才能幫助我們解決最困難的一些問題。如果你們不這樣做，如果你們輟學，你們放棄的不僅是自己的未來，還是你們國家的未來。

我知道要想在學校表現得好并非易事。我知道你們中很多人的生活中現在正面臨著挑戰，使你們很難集中精力于學業。我知道，我了解這是怎樣的滋味。我父親在我兩歲的時候離開了我的家庭，我是由作為單親母親的媽媽養大的，她曾經為了生活苦苦掙扎，沒有那么多錢給我們買別的孩子通常都會有的東西。我曾經懷念在我的生活中有父親的那段日子。我也曾經孤獨寂寞，感到自己很難適應。

所以有時候我可能沒能專注于學業。我做了一些令自己慚愧的事情，使自己陷入了更多的麻煩。我的生活很可能轉變得很糟糕。但是我很幸運。我的人生中有很多第二次機會，而有機會上了大學，上了法學院，實現自己的夢想。我的妻子，我們的第一夫人米歇爾?奧巴馬，她與我有著相似的經歷。她的父母都沒有機會上大學，而且也不富裕。但是他們都很努力，這樣她才有機會上了美國最好的大學。

你們中的有些人可能沒有這些有利條件。可能你的長輩并沒有能給與你所需要的支持。可能你的家庭現在失業了，經濟出現了困頓。可能你居住的地區并不安全，或者有一些朋友強迫你做一些你知道是錯誤的事情。

但是，說到底，你生活的環境，你的外表，你的家鄉，你有多少錢，你埋怨家里的什么，這些都不能成為你不做家庭作業，態度消極的借口。沒有任何借口可以和老師頂撞，翹課或是輟學。這些都不能成為你沒有努力嘗試的借口。你現在是什么樣子不能決定你將來會是什么樣子。每人能決定你的命運。在美國，你的命運掌握在你的手里，由你自己來書寫。你決定自己的未來。

這就是遍布全國各地的你們，現在每一天正在做的事情。

德克薩斯州Roma的杰茲明?皮瑞茲（Jazmin Perez）就是你們當中的一員。杰茲明剛開始上學的時候不會說英語。在她的故鄉，幾乎沒有人上過大學，她的父母也沒上過大學。但是她學習非常刻苦，成績優秀，拿到了布朗大學的獎學金，現在正在研究生院學習公共衛生，將會成為杰茲明?皮瑞茲醫生。

我還想到了來自加利福尼亞州Los Altos的安東尼?斯楚茨（Andoni Schultz），他從三歲起就開始和腦癌作斗爭。他經受了各種各樣的治療和手術，其中有一次影響了他的記憶，所以他需要花更長的時間來作作業，幾百個小時的額外時間。但是他的學業從來沒有落后過，今年秋季，他就要上大學了。

還有來自我的故鄉伊利諾斯州芝加哥的山泰爾?史蒂夫（Shantell Steve）。盡管不斷在最惡劣地區的一個收養家庭到另一個收養家庭間轉換，她還是設法在當地醫療中心找到了一份工作，開創了一個項目來使年輕人脫離幫會。她將要從高中榮譽畢業，去上大學。

他們三個人和你們都一樣。他們和你們一樣面臨著各自生活中的挑戰。但是他們決不會屈服。他們選擇承擔起自己在教育中的責任，樹立了自己的人生目標。我期待你們也能和他們一樣。

這就是為什么今天，我號召你們每一個人樹立自己的教育目標，然后盡自己最大的努力實現這些目標。你們的目標可以是一些很簡單的事情，比如完成所有的作業，課堂上注意聽講，或者每天花時間讀一本書。可能你們會決定參加課外活動，或參加社區的自愿者活動。或許你們會支持那些因為自己的身份或外貌受到欺負的孩子，因為你們和我一樣相信每一個孩子都應該有安全的環境來看書學習。或許你們決定更好的照顧自己，以便更好的學習。除此之外，我還希望你們能夠勤洗手，不舒服的時候就不要來上課，這樣我們就可以共同抵抗秋冬季節的流感。

不管你決定做什么，我都希望你能真正致力于這些事情，為之努力。我知道有些時候，你可能會從一些電視節目得到這樣的印象，我們可以不用付出很多努力就變得富有成功，你們通過成為說唱歌手，或者籃球明星，或者現實電視節目明星就可以取得成功。而很可能是你們不可能成為這其中的任何一種人。

真實情況是，成功并非易事，需要付出艱苦的努力。你不會愛好每一門課程，喜歡每一位老師。并不是每一份家庭作業當下看起來都很重要。而且你第一次嘗試做某事時，并不一定都會成功。

這些都沒有關系。世界上一些最成功的人士恰恰就是那些失敗次數最多的人。JK Rowling寫的第一部哈里波特小說在最后終于出版之前，被拒絕了12次。邁克爾?喬丹被高中籃球隊裁掉，在職業生涯中輸了數百場比賽，數千次頭球未中。但是他有一次說，“我在一生中經歷了一次又一次的失敗。這就是我成功的原因。”

這些人之所以能夠成功是因為他們知道不能讓失敗所左右，而要從失敗中學習到成功之道。你必須從中懂得下一次該怎樣做。如果你身陷麻煩之中，這并不意味著你是個制造麻煩的人，只是意味著你需要更加努力。如果你的成績不佳，這并不意味著你不夠聰明，只是意味著你需要在學習上花更多的時間。

沒有人生而知之，必須通過努力獲得。你不會第一次從事一個項目就能成為大學校隊成員。你不會第一次唱歌就唱準所有的音符。你必須不斷地練習。學業也是同樣的道理。你可能會數遍嘗試解一道數學題，才能最后得到正確答案，或者數遍讀一段文字才能最后理解其中的含義，或者打很多遍草稿才能最后把作文上交。

不要怕問問題。在需要時，不要怕尋求幫助。我每天都會問問題，尋求幫助。尋求幫助并不是弱小的表現，而是力量的表現。這顯示了你有勇氣承認自己不會的地方，就能學到新的知識。所以找到一位信任的長輩，父母，祖父母，老師，教練或者咨詢者，讓他們幫助你來實現自己的目標。

就算在苦苦奮斗，心灰意冷，好像別人都放棄了你的時候，自己也不要輕言放棄。因為你放棄了自己，就是放棄了你們的國家。美國人可不是輕易在困難時候就放棄了的民族。美國人是永遠堅持，不斷嘗試，深深熱愛自己的祖國并為之盡自己全力的民族。美國的歷史講述了250年前的學生坐在今天你們坐著的地方，發起了革命，建立了今天的國家。75年前的學生就坐在今天你們坐著的地方，戰勝了經濟大蕭條，贏得了世界大戰的勝利，為公民權力而戰，把一位宇航員送上了月球。20年前的學生就坐在今天你們坐著的地方，創建了Google，Twitter和Facebook，改變了今天我們的交流方式。

所以今天，我想問問你們，你們的貢獻將會是什么？你們將會解決什么問題？你們將會有什么探索發現？20年，50年，或者是100年后的總統會站在這里，講述你們為國家做出的什么貢獻？

你們的家庭，你們的老師還有我，盡我們最大的努力來確保你們得到回答這些問題所需要的教育。我正在努力修整你們的教室，使你們得到學習需要的課本，設備和計算機。但是你們也要做好自己應盡的職責。所以我希望你們今年能認真思索，盡全力做好每一件事情。我希望你們每一個人都能有驕人的成績。所以不要辜負我們的期望，不要辜負你的家庭，你的國家，以及你自己的期望。讓我們都為你而自豪吧。我知道你們一定能做到。

謝謝你們，上帝保佑你們，上帝保佑美國。

第二篇：奧巴馬總統2011感恩節演講

Thanksgiving Day, 2011 A Proclamation? By the President of the United States of America

2011年感恩節

美利堅合眾國總統公告

2011年11月16日

?? ? ? ? ? ? ? ?? November 16, 2011 One of our Nation's oldest and most cherished traditions, Thanksgiving Day brings us closer to our loved ones and invites us to reflect on the blessings that enrich our lives.The observance recalls the celebration of an autumn harvest centuries ago, when the Wampanoag tribe joined the Pilgrims at Plymouth Colony to share in the fruits of a bountiful season.The feast honored the Wampanoag for generously extending their knowledge of local game and agriculture to the Pilgrims, and today we renew our gratitude to all American Indians and Alaska Natives.We take this time to remember the ways that the First Americans have enriched our Nation's heritage, from their generosity centuries ago to the everyday contributions they make to all facets of American life.As we come together with friends, family, and neighbors to celebrate, let us set aside our daily concerns and give thanks for the providence bestowed upon us.感恩節（Thanksgiving Day）是我國最悠久、最寶貴的傳統之一。這個節日帶給我們更濃郁的親情，令我們反思給予我們豐富多彩的生活的萬般恩典。這個傳統上溯至幾百年前萬帕諾亞格部落（Wampanoag tribe）和普利茅斯殖民地（Plymouth Colony）清教徒移民分享秋收果實的歡慶時節。當時的盛宴表達了對萬帕諾亞格部落向新移民傳授當地狩獵和農作知識的慷慨友情的贊賞；今天，我們繼續向所有美洲印第安人和阿拉斯加原住民表示感恩。讓我們值此時刻重溫美國最早期的人們對我國文化傳統的貢獻——他們不僅在數百年前慷慨相助，而且每一天都在為美國生活的各方各面作貢獻。在我們與朋友、家人和鄰居聚首歡慶的日子里，讓我們拋開日常煩惱，為上帝對我們的眷顧而感恩。

Though our traditions have evolved, the spirit of grace and humility at the heart of Thanksgiving has persisted through every chapter of our story.When President George Washington proclaimed our country's first Thanksgiving, he praised a generous and knowing God for shepherding our young Republic through its uncertain beginnings.Decades later, President Abraham Lincoln looked to the divine to protect those who had known the worst of civil war, and to restore the Nation “to the full enjoyment of peace, harmony, tranquility, and union.”

雖然我們的傳統與時俱進，但是作為感恩節核心的恩惠與謙卑精神貫穿于我們歷史的各段篇章，始終如一。喬治·華盛頓（George Washington）總統發表了美國第一個感恩日公告，感謝慷慨而全能的上帝護衛我們年輕的共和國度過風雨莫測的初始階段。幾十年后，亞伯拉罕·林肯（Abraham Lincoln）總統祈求神靈保佑深領內戰不幸的人們，讓國家重享完全的“和平、和諧、安寧與聯邦團結”。

In times of adversity and times of plenty, we have lifted our hearts by giving humble thanks for the blessings we have received and for those who bring meaning to our lives.Today, let us offer gratitude to our men and women in uniform for their many sacrifices, and keep in our thoughts the families who save an empty seat at the table for a loved one stationed in harm's way.And as members of our American family make do with less, let us rededicate ourselves to our friends and fellow citizens in need of a helping hand.無論時逢逆境還是一帆風順，我們通過對恩典和賦予我們生命意義的人們謙卑地表示感恩而得到心靈的升華。今天，讓我們向付出各種犧牲的男女軍人表示感謝，也讓我們心系那些在餐桌邊為值守在險境中的親人留著空位的家庭。面對精簡度日的美國大家庭的成員，讓我們再次向需要幫助的朋友和國人獻出愛心。

As we gather in our communities and in our homes, around the table or near the hearth, we give thanks to each other and to God for the many kindnesses and comforts that grace our lives.Let us pause to recount the simple gifts that sustain us, and resolve to pay them forward in the year to come.當我們聚會在社區和家中，圍坐在餐桌旁、火爐邊時，我們向彼此表示感謝，我們向將仁慈與溫馨帶到我們生活中的上帝表示感謝。讓我們駐足凝思鼓舞我們的生活的點滴恩惠，并立志來年報恩。

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim Thursday, November 24, 2011, as a National Day of Thanksgiving.I encourage the people of the United States to come together--whether in our homes, places of worship, community centers, or any place of fellowship for friends and neighbors--to give thanks for all we have received in the past year, to express appreciation to those whose lives enrich our own, and to share our bounty with others.為此，我，美利堅合眾國總統巴拉克·奧巴馬，以美國憲法和法律賦予我的權力，特此宣布2011年11月24日星期四為全國感恩節。我呼吁美國全體人民，不論是在家中、在敬拜場所、在社區中心，還是在任何與親朋好友及左鄰右舍歡聚的地方，共同對我們過去一年所得的一切表示感謝，向那些用他們的生命豐富了我們的生活的人表示感謝；并與他人分享自己所受之恩。

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this sixteenth day of November, in the year of our Lord two thousand eleven, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-sixth.我謹于公元2011年11月16日，即美利堅合眾國獨立第236年，親筆在此簽名為證。

BARACK OBAMA（巴拉克·奧巴馬）

第三篇：奧巴馬總統對全美學生的激情演講

奧巴馬總統對全美學生的激情演講

美國總統奧巴馬８日在弗吉尼亞州阿靈頓高中面向全美中小學生發表電視開學演講，鼓勵學生不畏逆境、發奮學習。

【學生也要承擔教育責任】

奧巴馬說,他先前多次談及教師、家長和政府為教育所承擔的責任,但若學生不承擔責任,這三方努力全無效果.所以,他當天主要談學生對教育所承擔的責任.“每人都有長處、有可表現的地方。發現它，這是你們對自己的責任。”“你為自己教育所做的努力不僅關乎你自己的人生和前途,還關乎這個國家的未來.”他說“你們如果放棄學業,意味著不僅放棄自己,還拋棄你們的國家”。

【給自己設立教育目標】

奧巴馬呼吁所有學生為自己設立教育目標。“你的目標可以簡單到完成全部作業、上課注意聽講或者每天花點時間讀一本書。”

他提醒學生，不可能不勞而獲。“我知道你們有時會從電視節目中產生這樣一種感覺：不必努力工作就能致富，譬如做歌手、籃球運動員或者真人秀明星。不過，現實是你成為這些人的幾率極低，而成功很難。”

【如何面對失敗】

以“飛人”邁克爾·喬丹曾遭高中籃球隊刷掉等名人受挫經歷為例,他說:“這些人之所以成功,是因為他們知道不能為失敗所限,而要從失敗中學習.你必須從失敗中明白下次如何改進，所以如果你陷入麻煩,不意味著你就是惹事包,而說明你需要更努力做正確的事情.如果你成績差,并不意味著你笨,而僅僅說明你需要花更多時間學習.沒有人生來萬能,你需要經過努力才能擅長某方面”。

【我也曾走過彎路】

奧巴馬在演講中多次談及自身經歷。“今天是開學第一天，”奧巴馬演講開篇說道，“你們一些人可能希望繼續過暑假，那樣可以多賴一會兒床。”奧巴馬以他幼年時接受母親教導、從早晨４時３０分開始學習為例，說他知道早起難熬。

“我父親在我兩歲時離家，我的單親母親不時要為生活苦苦掙扎……當時我沒有全身心投入學業，惹出不應有的麻煩。如果不走這些彎路，我的人生路會更輕松。”

【米歇爾家并不富裕】

奧巴馬以妻子米歇爾求學經歷鼓勵家境不佳的學生.“米歇爾的父母未曾上大學,沒有多少錢.但他們努力工作,她勤奮學習,所以能進入美國最好的學校就讀......也許你們中一些人的家人失去工作,生活不充裕......但種種不利環境不應成為你不做作業、不好好上學的理由”他強調“眼下境遇不決定你今后的地位......命運由你自己掌握”。

附講話全文：

總統：大家好！

謝謝你們。謝謝你們。謝謝你們大家。好，大家請就坐。你們今天都好嗎？（掌聲）蒂姆·斯派塞（Tim Spicer）好嗎？（掌聲）我現在與弗吉尼亞州阿靈頓郡韋克菲爾德高中的學生們在一起。美國各地從小學預備班到中學12年級的學生正在收聽收看。我很高興大家今天都能參與。我還要感謝韋克菲爾德高中出色的組織安排。請為你們自己熱烈鼓掌。

我知道，今天是你們很多人開學的日子。對于進入小學預備班、初中或高中的學生，今天是你們來到新學校的第一天，心里可能有點緊張，這是可以理解的。我能想象有些畢業班學生現在感覺很不錯——（掌聲）——還有一年就畢業了。不論在哪個年級，你們有些人可能希望暑假更長一點，今天早上還能多睡一小會兒。

我了解這種感覺。我小時候，我們家生活在海外。我在印度尼西亞住了幾年。我媽媽沒有錢送我上其他美國孩子上的學校，但她認為必須讓我接受美式教育。因此，她決定從周一到周五自己給我補課。不過她還要上班，所以只能在清晨四點半給我上課。

你們可以想見，我不太情愿那么早起床。有很多次，我趴在餐桌上就睡著了。但每當我抱怨的時候，我媽媽都會那樣地看我一眼，然后說：“小子，這對我也并不輕松。”（笑聲）

我知道你們有些人還在適應開學后的生活。但我今天來到這里是因為有重要的事情要和你們說。我來這里是要和你們談談你們的教育問題，以及在這個新學年對你們所有人的期望。

我做過很多次有關教育問題的演講。我多次談到過責任問題。

我談到過教師激勵學生并督促他們學習的責任。

我談到過家長的責任，要確保你們走正路，完成家庭作業，不要整天坐在電視前或玩游戲。

我多次談到過政府的責任，要制定高標準，支持教師和校長的工作，徹底改善不能為學生提供應有機會的、教育質量差的學校。

然而，即使我們擁有最敬業的教師，最盡力的家長和全世界最好的學校——如果你們大家不履行你們的責任，不到校上課，不專心聽講，不聽家長、祖父祖母和其他大人的話，不付出取得成功所必須的勤奮努力，那么這一切都毫無用處，都無關緊要。這就是我今天講話的重點：你們每個人對自己的教育應盡的責任。

我首先要講講你們對自己應盡的責任。你們每個人都有自己的長處。你們每個人都能做出自己的貢獻。你們對自己應盡的責任是發現自己的能力所在。而教育能夠提供這樣的機會。

你或許能成為一名出色的作家——甚至可能寫書或在報紙上發表文章——但你可能要在完成那篇英文課的作文后才會發現自己的才華。你或許能成為一名創新者或發明家——甚至可能設計出新一代iPhone或研制出新型藥物或疫苗——但你可能要在完成科學課的實驗

后才會發現自己的才華。你或許能成為一名市長或參議員或最高法院的大法官——但你可能要在參加學生會的工作或辯論隊后才會發現自己的才華。

不論你的生活志向是什么，我敢肯定你必須上學讀書才能實現它。你想當醫生、教師或警官嗎？你想當護士、建筑師、律師或軍人嗎？你必須接受良好的教育，才能從事上述任何一種職業。你不能指望輟學后能碰上個好工作。你必須接受培訓，為之努力，為之學習。

這并非只對你個人的人生和未來意義重大。可以毫不夸大地說，教育給你帶來的益處將決定這個國家的未來。美國的未來取決于你們。你們今日在校學習的知識將決定我們作為一個國家是否能夠迎接我們未來所面臨的最嚴峻挑戰。

你們將需要利用你們通過自然科學和數學課程所學到的知識和解決問題的能力來治愈癌癥、艾滋病及其他疾病，開發新的能源技術和保護我們的環境。你們將需要利用你們在歷史學和社會學課堂上所獲得的知識和獨立思考能力來抗擊貧困和解決無家可歸問題，打擊犯罪和消除歧視，使我們的國家更公平、更自由。你們將需要利用你們在所有課堂上培養的創造力和智慧來創辦新公司，增加就業機會，振興我們的經濟。

我們需要你們每個人發揮你們的聰明才智和技能，以便幫助老一輩人解決我們面臨的最棘手問題。如果你們不這樣做，如果你們輟學，你們不僅僅是自暴自棄，也是拋棄自己的國家。

我自然知道要做到學業優秀并非總是易事。我知道你們許多人在生活中面臨挑戰，難以集中精力從事學業。

我明白這一點。我有親身感受。兩歲時，我父親離家而去，我是由一位單親母親撫養成人的，母親不得不工作，并時常為支付生活費用而苦苦掙扎，但有時仍無法為我們提供其他孩子享有的東西。有時，我渴望生活中能有一位父親。有時我感到孤獨，感到自己不適應社會。

我并非總是像我應該做到的那樣專心學習，我也曾做過我如今不能引以為豪的一些事情，我曾惹過不應該惹的麻煩。我的人生原本會輕易陷入更糟糕的境地。

但是，我當年際遇不錯。我有過許多第二次機會，我有幸能上大學，上法學院，追求自己的理想。我的妻子，我們的第一夫人米歇爾·歐巴馬，也有著類似的經歷。她的父母都未曾上過大學，家里很窮。但他們非常勤奮，她也是如此，因此她得以進入一些美國最好的學校。

你們中有一些人可能沒有那些有利條件。或許你們生活中沒有成年人為你們提供你們所需要的支持。或許你們家中有人失業，經濟非常拮據。或許你們生活在使你們感覺不安全的社區，或有朋友逼迫你們去做你們知道不對的事情。

然而說到底，你們生活的環境、你們的膚色、你們的原籍、你們的經濟收入、你們家中的境況等等，這一切都不能成為你們不用功或不努力的理由。你們沒有理由不服從你們的老師、逃學、或輟學。沒有理由不付出努力。

你們目前的狀況并不決定著你們的未來。沒有人決定你們的命運，在美國，你們決定自己的命運。你們掌握自己的未來。

這就是像你們這樣的年輕人每天都在做的事情，全美各地都是如此。

來自得州羅馬城的賈茲敏·佩雷斯（Jazmin Perez）就是一個例證，她剛開始上學時并不會說英文。她的父母都沒有上過大學。然而，她非常勤奮，成績優秀，獲得了布朗大學的獎學金，她如今正在讀研究生，攻讀公共衛生專業，不久將成為賈茲敏·佩雷斯博士。

我想起了加州洛斯阿爾托斯城的安多尼·舒爾茨（Andoni Schultz），他從三歲開始就一直與腦癌進行抗爭，他不得不忍受各類治療和手術帶來的痛苦，其中一項手術曾影響了他的記憶，因此他花在功課上的時間比一般人長得多，要多出數百個小時。然而，他從未落后。他今年秋季將邁進大學。

我還想起家鄉伊利諾伊州芝加哥市的尚特爾·史蒂夫（Shantell Steve）。她曾在芝加哥最困難的社區生活，寄養于多個不同的家庭，但她最終在一家地方醫療中心找到工作，并開始了一項幫助年輕人遠離流氓團伙的計劃，她即將以優異成績從中學畢業，緊接著將上大學。

賈茲敏、安多尼和尚特爾與你們中間的每個人沒什么兩樣。跟你們一樣，他們在生活中面臨種種挑戰。在某些情況下，他們的處境比起你們許多人更差。但他們拒絕放棄。他們決定要為自己的一生、自己的教育負起責任，為自己設定各項奮斗目標。我期待你們大家都會這樣做。

因此，我今天呼吁你們每一個人為自己的教育設定目標，并盡自己的最大努力來實現這些目標。你的目標可以是一件十分簡單的事情，例如完成家庭作業、上課專心聽講、或每天花一點時間讀一本書。也許你會決定要參加課外活動或在你的社區提供志愿服務。也許你會決定挺身而出保護那些因為身份或長相而受人戲弄或欺負的孩子，原因是你和我一樣認為所有的年輕人都應該享有一個適合讀書和學習的安全環境。也許你會決定更好地照料自己，以便有更充沛的精力來學習。順便提一下，除了這些事情外，我希望大家要勤洗手，身體感到不舒服的時候要呆在家里不去上學，這樣我們能防止人們在今年秋冬季節染上流感。

但無論你決定做什么，我希望你保證去做。我希望你腳踏實地地去做。

我知道有時候你會從電視上得到這樣的印象：你不用做任何艱苦的工作就能發財致富并取得成功，唱小調、打籃球或成為真人秀明星是走向成功的途徑。但實際情況是：你可能不會成為其中的一員。

事實上，取得成功不是輕而易舉的事情。你不會喜歡你學習的每一門課目。你不會與你的每一位老師都很投契。不是所有的家庭作業似乎都與你眼前的生活完全有關。你第一次嘗試做每件事的時候，不一定成功。

這些都沒關系。世界上最成功的人士中有一些是遭遇失敗最多的人。作者J·K·羅琳（J.K.Rowling）所寫的系列小說《哈利·波特》（Harry Potter）第一部在獲得出版之前被退稿12次。

邁克爾·喬丹（Michael Jordan）曾被他的高中籃球隊除名。在喬丹的籃球生涯中，他輸過數百場比賽，有成千上萬個球沒有投中。但他曾說過：“在我的一生中，我失敗了一次又一次、一次又一次。這就是我成功的原因。”

這些人士獲得成功，因為他們懂得：你不能讓失敗來限制你，而必須讓失敗來開導你。你必須讓失敗向你展示下次如何以不同的方式去做這件事情。因此，如果你遇到麻煩，那并不表示你是麻煩的制造者，而意味著你需要更加努力去把它做對。如果你有一門課分數低，那不表示你比別人笨，而只表示你需要花更多的時間學習。

沒有一個人天生擅長做各種事情。你通過勤奮而變得擅長于各種事情。第一次從事新的體育項目時，你不可能是一位主力隊員。第一次唱一首歌曲時，你不可能唱準每個音。你必須練習。同樣的道理適用于你的學業。你可能要把一道數學題做幾次才把它做對。你可能要把一些材料閱讀幾遍才能理解。在交出一篇優美的作文之前，你肯定需要打幾遍草稿。

不要害怕提問。不要在需要幫助時害怕請求別人幫助。我天天請求別人的幫助。請求幫助不是軟弱的表現，它是力量的標志，因為它表明你有勇氣承認自己對某些事情不懂，這樣做會使你學到新的東西。因此，請確定一位你信任的成年人，例如家長、祖父母或老師、教練或輔導員，請他們幫助你遵循既定計劃實現你的目標。

即使當你苦苦掙扎、灰心喪氣、感到其他人對你不抱希望時，也不要對你自己喪失信心，因為當你自暴自棄時，你也拋棄了自己的國家。

書寫美國歷史的不是在困難時刻退縮的人，而是堅持不懈、加倍努力的人，他們對國家的愛促使他們全力以赴。

書寫美國歷史的是250年前坐在你們的位置上的學生，他們后來進行了獨立戰爭并創建了這個國家。還有75年前坐在你們的位置上的年輕人和學生，他們走出了大蕭條并打贏了一場世界大戰；他們為民權而奮斗并把宇航員送上了月球。至于20年前坐在你們的位置上的學生，他們創辦了谷歌（Google）、嘰喳網（Twitter）和臉譜網（Facebook），改變了我們交流溝通的方式。

而今天，我要問問你們大家，你們將做出什么貢獻？你們將解決什么問題？你們將有什么發現？20年、50年或100年后來到這里講話的總統將會怎樣評價你們大家為這個國家所做的一切？

你們的家人、你們的老師和我正在竭盡全力保證你們接受必要的教育，以便回答上述問題。我正在努力工作，以便你們的教室得到修繕，你們能夠得到學習所需的課本、設備和電腦。但你們也必須盡自己的努力。因此，我希望你們大家從今年起認真對待這個問題。我希望你們盡最大努力做好每一件事。我希望你們每個人都有出色的表現。不要讓我們失望。不要讓你們的家人或你們的國家失望。而最重要的是，不要辜負你們自己，而要讓我們都能[為你們]感到驕傲。

非常感謝你們大家。愿主保佑你們。愿主保佑美國。謝謝你們。

第四篇：奧巴馬競選總統演講（最終版）

奧巴馬競選總統演講

篇一：美國第一夫人米歇爾為奧巴馬競選總統的演講

Transcript: Michelle Obama's Convention Speech

September 4,2012

Thank you so much, Elaine...we are so grateful for your family's service and sacrifice...and we will always have your back.Over the past few years as First Lady, I have had the extraordinary privilege of traveling all across this country.And everywhere I've gone, in the people I've met, and the stories I've heard, I have seen the very best of the American spirit.I have seen it in the incredible kindness and warmth that people have shown me and my family, especially our girls.I've seen it in teachers in a near-bankrupt school district who vowed to keep teaching without pay.I've seen it in people who become heroes at a moment's notice, diving into harm's way to save others...flying across the country to put out a fire...driving for hours to bail out a flooded town.And I've seen it in our men and women in uniform and our proud military families...in wounded warriors who tell me they're not just going to walk again, they're going to run, and they're going to run marathons...in the young man blinded by a bomb in Afghanistan who said, simply, “...I'd give my eyes 100 times again to have the chance to do what I have done and what I can still do.”

Every day, the people I meet inspire me...every day, they make me proud...every day they remind me how blessed we are to live in the greatest nation on earth.Serving as your First Lady is an honor and a privilege...but back when we first came together four years ago, I still had some concerns about this journey we'd begun.While I believed deeply in my husband's vision for this country...and I was certain he would make an extraordinary President...like any mother, I was worried about what it would mean for our girls if he got that chance.How would we keep them grounded under the glare of the national spotlight? PBS NewsHour/YouTube

First lady Michelle Obama addresses the DNC after being introduced by military mom Elaine Brye, from PBS NewsHour.How would they feel being uprooted from their school, their friends, and the only home they'd ever known?

Our life before moving to Washington was filled with simple joys...Saturdays at soccer games, Sundays at grandma's house...and a date night for Barack and me was either dinner or a movie, because as an exhausted mom, I couldn't stay awake for both.And the truth is, I loved the life we had built for our girls...I deeply loved the man I had built that life with...and I didn't want that to change if he became President.I loved Barack just the way he was.You see, even though back then Barack was a Senator and a presidential candidate...to me, he was still the guy who'd picked me up for our dates in a car that

was so rusted out, I could actually see the pavement going by through a hole in the passenger side door...he was the guy whose proudest possession was a coffee table he'd found in a dumpster, and whose only pair of decent shoes was half a size too small.But when Barack started telling me about his family – that's when I knew I had found a kindred spirit, someone whose values and upbringing were so much like mine.You see, Barack and I were both raised by families who didn't have much in the way of money or material possessions but who had given us something far more valuable –

their unconditional love, their unflinching sacrifice, and the chance to go places they had never imagined for themselves.My father was a pump operator at the city water plant, and he was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis when my brother and I were young.And even as a kid, I knew there were plenty of days when he was in pain...I knew there were plenty of mornings when it was a struggle for him to simply get out of bed.But every morning, I watched my father wake up with a smile, grab his walker, prop himself up against the bathroom sink, and slowly shave and button his uniform.And when he returned home after a long day's work, my brother and I would stand at the top of the stairs to our little apartment, patiently waiting to greet him...watching as he reached down to lift one leg, and then the other, to slowly climb his way into our arms.But despite these challenges, my dad hardly ever missed a day of work...he and my mom were determined to give me and my brother the kind of education they could only dream of.And when my brother and I finally made it to college, nearly all of our tuition came from student loans and grants.But my dad still had to pay a tiny portion of that tuition himself.And every semester, he was determined to pay that bill right on time, even taking out loans when he fell short.He was so proud to be sending his kids to college...and he made sure we never missed a registration deadline because his check was late.You see, for my dad, that's what it meant to be a man.Like so many of us, that was the measure of his success in life – being able to earn a decent living that allowed him to support his family.And as I got to know Barack, I realized that even though he'd grown up all the way across the country, he'd been brought up just like me.Barack was raised by a single mother who struggled to pay the bills, and by grandparents who stepped in when she needed help.Barack's grandmother started out as a secretary at a community bank...and she moved quickly up the ranks...but like so many women, she hit a glass ceiling.And for years, men no more qualified than she was – men she had actually trained – were promoted up the ladder ahead of her, earning more and more money while Barack's family continued to scrape by.But day after day, she kept on waking up at dawn to catch the bus...arriving at work before anyone else...giving her best without complaint or regret.And she would often tell Barack, “So long as you kids do well, Bar, that's all that really matters.”

Like so many American families, our families weren't asking for much.They didn't begrudge anyone else's success or care that others had much more than they did...in fact, they admired it.They simply believed in that fundamental American promise that, even if you don't start out with much, if you work hard and do what you're supposed to do, then you should be able to build a decent life for yourself and an even better life for your kids and grandkids.That's how they raised us...that's what we learned from their example.We learned about dignity and decency – that how hard you work matters more than how much you make...that helping others means more than just getting ahead yourself.We learned about honesty and integrity – that the truth matters...that you don't take shortcuts or play by your own set of rules...and success doesn't count unless you earn it fair and square.We learned about gratitude and humility – that so many people had a hand in our success, from the teachers who inspired us to the janitors who kept our school clean...and we were taught to value everyone's contribution and treat everyone with respect.Those are the values Barack and I – and so many of you – are trying to pass on to our own children.That's who we are.And standing before you four years ago, I knew that I didn't want any of that to change if Barack became President.Well, today, after so many struggles and triumphs and moments that have tested my husband in ways I never could have imagined, I have seen firsthand that being president doesn't change who you are – it reveals who you are.You see, I've gotten to see up close and personal what being president really looks like.And I've seen how the issues that come across a President's desk are always the hard ones – the problems where no amount of data or numbers will get you to the right answer...the judgment calls where the stakes are so high, and there is no margin for error.And as President, you can get all kinds of advice from all kinds of people.But at the end of the day, when it comes time to make that decision, as President, all you have to guide you are your values, and your vision, and the life experiences that make you who you are.So when it comes to rebuilding our economy, Barack is thinking about folks like my dad and like his grandmother.He's thinking about the pride that comes from a hard day's work.That's why he signed the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act to help women get equal pay for equal work.That's why he cut taxes for working families and small businesses and fought to get the auto industry back on its feet.That's how he brought our economy from the brink of collapse to creating jobs again – jobs you can raise a family on, good jobs right here in the United States of America.When it comes to the health of our families, Barack refused to listen to all those folks who told him to leave health reform for another day, another president.He didn't care whether it was the easy thing to do politically – that's not how he was raised – he cared that it was the right thing to do.He did it because he believes that here in America, our grandparents should be able to afford their medicine...our kids should be able to see a doctor when they're sick...and no one in this country should ever go broke because of an accident or illness.And he believes that women are more than capable of making our own choices about our bodies and our health care...that's what my husband stands for.When it comes to giving our kids the education they deserve, Barack knows that like me and like so many of you, he never could've attended college without financial aid.And believe it or not, when we were first married, our combined monthly student loan bills were actually higher than our mortgage.We were so young, so in love, and so in debt.That's why Barack has fought so hard to increase student aid and keep interest rates down, because he wants every young person to fulfill their promise and be able to attend college without a mountain of debt.So in the end, for Barack, these issues aren't political – they're personal.Because Barack knows what it means when a family struggles.He knows what it means to want something more for your kids and grandkids.Barack knows the American Dream because he's lived it...and he wants everyone in this country to have that same opportunity, no matter who we are, or where we're from, or what we look like, or who we love.And he believes that when you've worked hard, and done well, and walked through that doorway of opportunity...you do not slam it shut behind you...you reach back, and you give other folks the same chances that helped you succeed.So when people ask me whether being in the White House has changed my husband, I can honestly say that when it comes to his character, and his convictions, and his heart, Barack Obama is still the same man I fell in love with all those years ago.He's the same man who started his career by turning down high paying jobs and instead working in struggling neighborhoods where a steel plant had shut down，fighting to rebuild those communities and get folks back to work...because for Barack, success isn't about how much money you make, it's about the difference you make in people's lives.He's the same man who, when our girls were first born, would anxiously check their cribs every few minutes to ensure they were still breathing, proudly showing them off to everyone we knew.That's the man who sits down with me and our girls for dinner nearly every night, patiently answering their questions about issues in the news, and strategizing about middle school friendships.That's the man I see in those quiet moments late at night, hunched over his desk, poring over the letters people have sent him.The letter from the father struggling to pay his bills...from the woman dying of cancer whose insurance company won't cover her care...from the young person with so much promise but so few opportunities.I see the concern in his eyes...and I hear the determination in his voice as he tells me, “You won't believe what these folks are going through, Michelle...it's not right.We've got to keep working to fix this.We've got so much more to do.”

I see how those stories – our collection of struggles and hopes and dreams – I see how that's what drives Barack Obama every single day.And I didn't think it was possible, but today, I love my husband even more than I did four years ago...even more than I did 23 years ago, when we first met.I love that he's never forgotten how he started.I love that we can trust Barack to do what he says he's going to do, even when it's hard – especially when it's hard.I love that for Barack, there is no such thing as “us” and “them” – he doesn't care whether you're a Democrat, a Republican, or none of the above...he knows that we all love our country...and he's always ready to listen to good ideas...he's always looking for the very best in everyone he meets.And I love that even in the toughest moments, when we're all sweating it – when we're worried that the bill won't pass, and it seems like all is lost – Barack never lets himself get distracted by the chatter and the noise.Just like his grandmother, he just keeps getting up and moving forward...with patience and wisdom, and courage and grace.And he reminds me that we are playing a long game here...and that change is hard, and change is slow, and it never happens all at once.But eventually we get there, we always do.We get there because of folks like my Dad...folks like Barack's grandmother...men and women who said to themselves, “I may not have a chance to fulfill my dreams, but maybe my children will...maybe my grandchildren will.”

So many of us stand here tonight because of their sacrifice, and longing, and steadfast love...because time and again, they swallowed their fears and doubts and did what was hard.篇二：奧巴馬：總統競選連任勝選演講

巴拉克·奧巴馬：第二次總統選舉勝選演說

發表于二零一二年十一月七日

張少軍譯、校

Barack Obama

Presidential Election Victory Speech

delivered 7 November 2012

[AUTHENTICITY CERTIFIED: Text version below transcribed directly from audio.]

（真實性鑒定；以下文本直接轉錄自音頻資料）

Thank you.Thank you so much.Tonight, more than 200 years after a former colony won the right to determine its own destiny, the task of perfecting our union moves forward.謝謝你們，非常感謝你們。

今晚，在一個前殖民地贏得了決定自身命運權利兩百多年后的今晚，完美我們聯邦的任務正在推向前進。

It moves forward because of you.It moves forward because you reaffirmed the spirit that has triumphed over war and depression;the spirit that has lifted this country from the depths of despair to the great heights of hope--the belief that while each of us will pursue our own individual dreams, we are an American family, and we rise or fall together, as one nation, and as one people.它的推進是因為你們。它的推進是因為你們重申了贏得戰爭擊敗衰退的精神，重申了將這個國家從絕望的低谷提升至希望的巔峰的精神，重申了這樣的信念——當我們每個人追求我們各自的夢想時，我們都從屬于一個美國大家庭；作為一個國家一個民族，我們共進退同禍福。Tonight, in this election, you, the American people, reminded us that while our road has been hard, while our journey has been long, we have picked ourselves up, we have fought our way back, and we know in our hearts that for the United States of America, the best is yet to come.今晚，在這次選舉中，你們——美國人民提醒我們：盡管道路艱難征途漫長，我們已振作精神殺出重圍；我們深知，對美利堅合眾國而言，最好的時刻尚未到來。

I want to thank every American who participated in this election.Whether you voted for the very first time or waited in line for a very long time--by the way, we have to fix that.Whether you

pounded the pavement or picked up the phone--whether you held an Obama sign or a Romney sign, you made your voice heard, and you made a difference.我要感謝每一位參與這次選舉的美國人。無論你在第一時間投票，或是在隊伍中等待了很久——順便說一句，我們必須改進投票程序；無論你是在人行道上蹣跚前移，還是拿起電話投票；無論你舉的牌子上，寫的是奧巴馬還是羅姆尼，你的聲音都會被聽到，你也一樣舉足輕重。

I just spoke with Governor Romney, and I congratulated him and Paul Ryan on a hard-fought campaign.We may have battled fiercely, but it’s only because we love this country deeply, and we care so strongly about its future.From George to Lenore to their son Mitt, the Romney family has chosen to give back to America through public service, and that is a legacy that we honor and applaud tonight.In the weeks ahead, I also look forward to sitting down with Governor Romney to talk about where we can work together to move this country forward.我剛剛與羅姆尼州長通過話，我祝賀他和保羅·瑞安在這場艱苦的選戰中的出色表現。也許我們有過激烈的較量，但那只因為我們都深深地愛著這個國家，我們都如此強烈地關注著它的未來。從喬治到埃莉諾（羅姆尼的父母，曾分別任州長與參議員——譯者注）到他們的兒子米特，羅姆尼家族選擇了投身公共服務來回報美國，這是今晚值得我們尊敬和贊美的一份遺產。在今后的日子里，我也期待與羅姆尼州長坐下來，討論在哪些方面我們能夠共同合作，把這個國家推向前進。

I want to thank my friend and partner of the last four years, America’s happy warrior--the best Vice President anybody could ever hope for--Joe Biden.我想感謝我過去四年里的朋友和伙伴，美國的快樂斗士——超出任何人想象的最好的副總統——喬·拜登。

And I wouldn’t be the man I am today without the woman who agreed to marry me 20 years ago.Let me say this publicly--Michelle, I have never loved you more.I have never been prouder to watch the rest of America fall in love with you, too, as our nation’s First Lady.Sasha and Malia, before our very eyes, you're growing up to become two strong, smart, beautiful young women, just like your mom.And I’m so proud of you guys.But I will say that for now, one dog is probably enough.如果沒有20年前同意嫁給我的那位女人，我將不會是今天站在這里這個男人。讓我告訴所有人吧：米歇爾，我從未像今天這樣愛你；我也從未像今天這樣為你驕傲——看到你作為我

們國家的第一夫人，贏得了其他美國人的愛。薩沙和瑪麗亞，在我們的眼皮底下，你們正成長為堅強、聰明、漂亮的年輕女人，像你們的媽媽那樣。我是如此為你們這兩個小家伙驕傲，但是現在我要說，一條狗大概就足夠了。（在奧巴馬的第一次勝選演說中，他當眾宣布送給兩個女兒一條狗作為勝選禮物——譯者注）

To the best campaign team and volunteers in the history of politics--the best.The best

ever.Some of you were new this time around, and some of you have been at my side since the very beginning.But all of you are family.No matter what you do or where you go from here, you will carry the memory of the history we made together, and you will have the lifelong appreciation of a grateful President.Thank you for believing all the way, through every hill, through every valley.You lifted me up the whole way.And I will always be grateful for everything that you've done and all the incredible work that you put in.對政治史上最好的競選團隊與志愿者們——最好，永遠的最好。你們有些人是這次選舉聚集的新人，有些則從最初的時刻就站在我的身邊；然而你們全都親如家人。不管你們從事何種職業，將從這里走向何方，你們都將擁有一個心懷感激的總統的銘記終身的賞識。越過每一道山峰，穿過每一個低谷，感謝你們始終不逾的信任。對你們所做的每一件事，你們奉獻的所有難以置信的工作，我將永懷感激之情。

I know that political campaigns can sometimes seem small, even silly.And that provides plenty of fodder for the cynics who tell us that politics is nothing more than a contest of egos, or the domain of special interests.But if you ever get the chance to talk to folks who turned out at our rallies, and crowded along a rope line in a high school gym, or saw folks working late at a campaign office in some tiny county far away from home, you'll discover something else.我明白，政治選戰有時可能顯得瑣屑甚至愚蠢。它給那些憤世嫉俗者提供了大量的炮彈，他們告訴我們，除了給那些自負的家伙競爭的機會和給那些特殊利益者較量的場所，政治毫無價值。然而，如果你有機會和那些在我們的大會上聚集或擠在高中體育館的隊伍中的人們談談，或目睹人們在競選辦公室工作到很晚，你可能會發現一些別的東西。

You’ll hear the determination in the voice of a young field organizer who’s worked his way through college, and wants to make sure every child has that same opportunity.You’ll hear the pride in the voice of a volunteer who’s going door to door because her brother was finally hired when the local auto plant added another shift.You’ll hear the deep patriotism in the voice of a military spouse who’s working the phones late at night to make sure that no one who fights for

this country ever has to fight for a job, or a roof over their head when they come home.That’s why we do this.That’s what politics can be.That’s why elections matter.It's not small;it's big.It's important.你會在一個年輕的選區組織者的話語中聽出決心，他通過上大學闖出了自己的人生之路，他要確保每個孩子都有同樣的機會。你會在一個志愿者的話語中聽出驕傲，他挨家挨戶動員人們去投票因為當本地的汽車工廠增加工作班次他的兄弟最終被錄用。你會在一個軍人配偶的話語中聽出深深的愛國精神，她為助選撥打電話直到深夜，以確保沒有任何為這個國家而戰的人，退伍回家后又得為工作而戰，為棲身之所而戰。

Democracy in a nation of 300 million can be noisy and messy and complicated.We have our own opinions.Each of us has deeply held beliefs.And when we go through tough times, when we make big decisions as a country, it necessarily stirs passions, stirs up controversy.That won’t change after tonight--and it shouldn’t.These arguments we have are a mark of our liberty, and we can never forget that as we speak, people in distant nations are risking their lives right now just for a chance to argue about the issues that matter, the chance to cast their ballots like we did today.在一個有著三億人口的國家里，民，主，政，治可能顯得喧囂、混亂、復雜。我們有自己的觀點，我們每個人都有自己深摯的信仰。每當我們面對艱難時世，每當我們國家要作出重大的決定，它都必然會激起熱情，引發爭論。這些將不會在今晚之后改變，也不應被改變。我們擁有的這些爭論是我們自由的一個標志。我們決不能忘記，就在我們說話的此刻，那些遙，遠，國度，的人們，正冒，著，生，命的危險，僅僅為爭得一個討論重要問題的機會，一個像我們今天一樣投，票，的機會。

But despite all our differences, most of us share certain hopes for America’s future.We want our kids to grow up in a country where they have access to the best schools and the best teachers--a country that lives up to its legacy as the global leader in technology and discovery and innovation, with all the good jobs and new businesses that follow.We want our children to live in an America that isn’t burdened by debt;that isn’t weakened by inequality;that isn’t threatened by the destructive power of a warming planet.不管我們有怎樣的分歧，多數人對美國的未來還是享有某些共同的期待。我們希望我們的孩子們生長在一個這樣國家：在那里，他們能上最好的學校有最好的老師；在那里，他們實踐先輩的遺訓，成為科技、發明、創新的世界領導者，擁有隨之而來的最好的工作機會與新興 的產業。我們希望我們的孩子生活在這樣一個美國：它不再背負債務，不再為不平等所削弱，不再為這個正在變暖的星球的破壞性力量所威脅

We want to pass on a country that’s safe and respected and admired around the world;a nation that is defended by the strongest military on Earth and the best troops this world has ever known--but also a country that moves with confidence beyond this time of war to shape a peace that is built on the promise of freedom and dignity for every human being.我們希望交給后人這樣一個美國，它安全并享有遍及全球的尊重與羨慕；這樣一個美國，它由地球上最強大的軍事力量，這個世界所知道的最好的軍隊所捍衛；它同時又是這樣一個國家，它自信地超越這個時代的戰爭，去塑造一個奠基于給每一個人以自由與尊嚴的承諾之上的和平。

We believe in a generous America;in a compassionate America;in a tolerant America, open to the dreams of an immigrant’s daughter who studies in our schools and pledges to our flag.To the young boy on the South Side of Chicago who sees a life beyond the nearest street corner.To the furniture worker’s child in North Carolina who wants to become a doctor or a scientist, an

engineer or entrepreneur, a diplomat or even a President.That’s the future we hope for.That’s the vision we share.That’s where we need to go.Forward.That's where we need to go.我們信仰一個慷慨的美國，一個富于同情心的美國，一個海納百川的美國。它對一個移民的女兒展開懷抱，她在我們的學校念書對我們國旗宣誓；它對芝加哥南部的男孩展開懷抱，他眼中的生活超越了他身邊的街角；它對北卡羅來納州的木匠的孩子展開懷抱，他想成為醫生或科學家，成為工程師或企業家，成為外交官甚至成為總統。那就是我們希望的未來，那就是我們共同的愿景，那就是我們希望的樂土。“逝將去汝，適彼樂土。樂土樂土，爰得我所。”

Now, we will disagree, sometimes fiercely, about how to get there.As it has for more than two centuries, progress will come in fits and starts.It's not always a straight line.It's not always a

smooth path.By itself, the recognition that we have common hopes and dreams won’t end all the gridlock, or solve all our problems, or substitute for the painstaking work of building consensus, and making the difficult compromises needed to move this country forward.But that common bond is where we must begin.眼下，對如何達成目標，我們意見分歧，有時這種分歧還十分嚴重。正如兩個多世紀以來，發展總是潮起潮落一樣，它不會是一條直線，不總是一馬平川。就其本身而言，意識到我們

篇三：奧巴馬演講稿

貝拉克·侯賽因·奧巴馬二世(Barack Hussein Obama II)，1961年8月4日生于美國夏威夷州火奴魯魯（檀香山），父親是一位祖籍肯尼亞的黑人穆斯林，母親是堪薩斯州的美國人。父親貝拉克·奧巴馬是一名在夏威夷念書的肯尼亞留學生。母親安·鄧納姆是一個白人，原本來自堪薩斯州。

1983年畢業于哥倫比亞大學，1985年到芝加哥工作。1991年畢業于哈佛大學的法學院，是第一個擔任哈佛法學評論主編的非洲裔美國人。

1992年和米歇爾·拉沃恩·奧巴馬結婚。1996年，奧巴馬從芝加哥當選為伊利諾伊州州參議員并在之后的3年中連任；2000年，在競選美國眾議院議員席位失敗后，奧巴馬將主要精力投入到伊利諾伊州的參議工作中。

2007年2月10日，奧巴馬在伊利諾伊州斯普林菲爾德市正式宣布參加2008年美國總統大選，并提出了重點在“完結伊拉克戰爭以及實施全民醫療保險制度”的競選綱領。2008年6月3日，奧巴馬被定為民主黨總統候選人；同年8月23日，在民主黨全國代表大會上奧巴馬被正式提名，從而成為了美國歷史上首個非洲裔總統大選候選人。

2008年1月1日，奧巴馬開通了自己的微博網，通過網絡渠道對競選進行宣傳，后來被人們稱為Web2.0總統，可見奧巴馬對網絡的重視。2008年11月5日，奧巴馬擊敗共和黨候選人約翰·麥凱恩，正式當選為美國第四十四任總統（屆數：第56屆，任數：第44任，位數：第43位，政黨：民主黨）。于2009年1月20日，在美國首都華盛頓特區參加就職典禮，發表就職演說，并參加了游行。任期4年。根據美國法律，他還可以在2012年，再次競選總統。

2009年10月9日，據英國廣播公司報道，諾貝爾獎評審會稱，美國總統奧巴馬因“為增強國際外交及各國人民間的合作做出非同尋常的努力”而被授予2009諾貝爾和平獎。民調顯示，2009年奧巴馬的支持率最高達到59%，而后開始滑落，2011年一月份到達48%的水平，而由于經濟手段改革與醫療體制改革，奧巴馬的支持率持續走低，到三月份末降到最低的38%，但后又因擊斃拉登上升，近期又由于前述原因輕微下降，他的平均支持率平均在4、5成之間，屬于中等水平。

2011年11月，福布斯2011權力人物榜：奧巴馬排名第一。盡管在處理高失業率和經濟衰退問題上的不足導致奧巴馬在國內支持率下降，但他在世界舞臺上的表現完全不同。隨著“基地”組織領導人本·拉登和利比亞前領導總統競選人卡扎菲相繼被擊斃，奧巴馬的影響力迅速上升。

2012年10月17日，經過90分鐘的舌戰，美國總統大選結束了第二場總統辯論。首戰支持率大跌的奧巴馬，此次成功逆轉，根據CNN實時投票結果，奧巴馬的支持率飆升到46%。

[3]

北京時間2012年11月7日，當地時間6日晚，美國總統奧巴馬獲得275張選票，連任總統已成定局。他在推特上發文感謝選民。

第五篇：奧巴馬對學生的演講

奧巴馬校園開學演講

綜合媒體9月14日報道，根據白宮發布的發布的演講摘要透露，奧巴馬總統14日的演講將譴責校園暴力，告訴學生們其自身在高中校園中所進行的種族身份斗爭。奧巴馬將表示，作為一名青少年并不容易，正是一個需要處理很多事情的時期。當他還是學生時，他當時質疑他是誰？一個白人母親和一個黑人父親的兒子意味著什么？你們中的一些人可能目前也在經歷著自己的問題，尋求是什么因素導致你與眾不同。

此次奧巴馬在費城朱莉婭馬斯特曼實驗室與示范學校（Julia R.Masterman Laboratory and Demonstration School）的演講，據其第一次在學校演講約一年多的時間。當時，奧巴馬的演講引起了共和黨和保守派的爭議，擔心其利用這一機會宣傳自己的政治議程。奧巴馬在當時演講的結尾，也呼吁學生們要努力學習，這與14日的演講頗為相似。

奧巴馬總統將宣布，一所高性能的學校在競爭中贏得勝利，他將在這所學校的開學典禮上進行發言。奧巴馬表示，如果你的學校是勝者，如果你向大家展示，老師、學生和家長正在齊心協力為孩子的職業生涯作出規劃，如果你能展示將如何回饋社區和國家，他將以個人身份對其表示祝賀，并在其開學典禮上進行演講。

奧巴馬也將在演講中承認，美國目前面臨的嚴峻的經濟和安全挑戰，許多學生應該能夠從其父母的表情和聲音中感覺到。他將稱，許多學生將不得不表現的比真實年齡成熟，當其兄弟姐妹在海外服役時，必須變得強大起來；當其母親外出工作時，必須幫助照看年幼的弟妹；當其父親失業后，必須利用課余時間找一份兼職。

奧巴馬還將向學生表示，沒有人能夠撰寫你們的生命，除了你們自己。未來在自己的手中，生活由自己創造，沒有任何事情是超越自己的控制的。

美國總統奧巴馬開學演講英語演講稿。這是奧巴馬第二次發表開學演講。奧巴馬2009年的演講招來了許多批評和抵制。一些反對者指責稱，奧巴馬試圖通過演講向學生灌輸政治理念。部分媒體還批評奧巴馬試圖建立個人崇拜。在美國各地，也有許多家長向當地教育官員表示抗議，一些家長甚至威脅在奧巴馬演講時把孩子離教室。有了去年的“教訓”，今年的總統開學演講，白宮意強調這是一次“非政治活動”，而奧巴馬本人也在演講中回避政治話題。

Thank you!Hello!(Applause.)Thank you.Thank you.Well, hello, Philadelphia!(Applause.)And hello, Masterman.It is wonderful to see all of you.What a terrific introduction by Kelly.Give Kelly a big round of

applause.(Applause.)I was saying backstage that when I was in high school, I could not have done that.(Laughter.)I would have muffed it up somehow.So we are so proud of you and everything that you’ve done.And to all the students here, I’m thrilled to

謝謝！你們好！（掌聲。）謝謝。謝謝。你好，費城！（掌聲。）你好，馬斯特曼。見到你們真是太好了。Kelly的介紹真是太棒了。讓我們對Kelly報以熱烈的掌聲。在后臺的時候我說，我上高中的時候我就做不這么好，我可能會弄的一團糟。所以讓我們為你和你做的一切自豪吧。站在這里我很激動。be here.kelly 在奧巴馬總統演講前，一名叫Kelly的學生做了演講。backstage n.后臺

muff v.笨拙地處理，將事情弄糟 thrilled a.激動的

We’ve got a couple introductions I want to make.First of all, you’ve got the outstanding governor of Pennsylvania, Ed Rendell, in the house.(Applause.)The mayor of Philadelphia, Michael Nutter, is here.(Applause.)Congressman Chaka Fattah is here.(Applause.)Congresswoman Allyson Schwartz is here.(Applause.)Your own principal, Marge Neff, is here.(Applause.)The school superintendent, Arlene Ackerman, is here and doing a great job.(Applause.)And the Secretary of Education, Arne Duncan, is here.(Applause.)

outstanding a.杰出的 Congressman n.國會議員 principal n.校長 superintendent n.院長

我想介紹幾個人。首先，來到這兒的有，杰出的賓夕法尼亞州州長，Ed Rendell。（掌聲。）費城市長，Michael Nutter。國會議員Fattah和Allyson Schwartz（掌聲）。你們的校長Marge Neff（掌聲）。學校管理人Arlene Ackerman是這個學校的，并且為學校做了很大的貢獻。（掌聲）。還有教育部秘書長Arne Duncan。（掌聲）

And I am here.(Applause.)And I am thrilled to be here.I am just so excited.I’ve heard such great things

about what all of you are doing, both the students and the teachers and the staff here.Today is about welcoming all of you, and all of America’s students, back to school, even though I know you’ve been in school for a little bit now.And I can’t think of a better place to do it than at Masterman.(Applause.)Because you

還有我。（掌聲），我感到非常的激動。我耳聞了你們做的那些偉大的事，這里面有在校的學生，老師和工作人員。

今天歡迎你們，歡迎每一個美國學生回校上課，當然你們在學校已經呆了一段時間了。我想不出除了在Masterman外，還有哪個地方更適合做這件事。（掌聲）因為你們是費城最好的學校之一。你們在教育方面是領are one of the best schools in Philadelphia.You are a leader in helping students succeed in the classroom.Just last week, you were recognized by a National Blue Ribbon--as a National Blue Ribbon School because of your record of achievement.And that is a testament to everybody here –-to the students, to the parents, to the teachers, to the school leaders.It’s an example of excellence that I hope communities across America can embrace.embrace vt.擁抱；接受

頭軍。就在上周，由于你們的卓越貢獻，被授為國家藍絲帶勛章。這是對每個人的見證，對學生，家長，老師還有學校領導人。我希望全美的社會團體都能欣然接受這個杰出代表的例子。

Over the past few weeks, Michelle and I have been getting Sasha and Malia ready for school.And they’re excited about it.I’ll bet they had the same feelings that you do--you’re a little sad to see the summer go, but you’re also excited about the possibilities of a new

year.The possibilities of building new friendships and strengthening old ones, of joining a school club, or trying out for a team.The possibilities of growing into a better student and a better person and making not just your family proud but making yourself proud.build friendships 結交新朋友

幾周前，我和Michelle為Sasha和Malia上學的事做準備。她們兩個對這非常的期待。我敢打賭她們和你們一樣，有著相同的感覺。你們為夏天的逝去而神傷，但是你們更應該期待新的一年。如你們可以結交新的朋友，加深同老朋友的感情，加入學校俱樂部，參加各種團隊的選拔賽。成長為一個更優秀的學生和個人，不僅僅讓你的家人自豪，同樣讓你們自己也很有成就感。

But I know some of you may also be a little nervous about starting a new school year.Maybe you’re making the jump from elementary to middle school, or from middle school to high school, and you’re worried about what that’s going to be like.Maybe you’re starting a new

school.You’re not sure how you’ll like it, trying to figure out how you’re going to fit in.Or maybe you’re a senior, and you’re anxious about the whole college process;about where to apply and whether you can afford to go to college.elementary school n.小學 figure out 想明白，弄清楚

我知道，你們中有些人在新學年會有些緊張。或許你剛從小學升到初中，從初中升到高中，會擔心，新的學年將會是什么樣的呢。也許你進入一所新的學校，不知道是否會喜歡這個學校，想著怎么來融入這個學校。或許你到了高三年級，對整個的大學入學程序感到不安，比如申請那里的學校，能不能支付上大學的費用等等。fit in 融入，適應 afford to do 承擔得起

And beyond all those concerns, I know a lot of you are also feeling the strain of some difficult times.You know what’s going on in the news and you also know what’s going on in some of your own families.You’ve read about the war in Afghanistan.You hear about the recession that we’ve been through.And sometimes maybe you’re seeing the worries in your parents’ faces or sense it in their voice.strain n.壓力

除此之外，我知道你們還有來自困難時期的壓力。你們知道新聞內容，知道你們一些家庭中發發生的事情。你們讀過有關阿富汗戰爭的信息，聽說過我們經歷過的經濟不景氣。有時你們還看到了雙親臉上掛著的憂慮，或從他們的聲音中感受到了這些。

So a lot of you as a consequence, because we’re going through a tough time a country, are having to act a lot older than you are.You got to be strong for your family while your brother or sister is serving overseas, or you’ve got to look after younger siblings while your mom is working that second shift.Or maybe some of you who are little bit older, you’re taking on a part-time job while your dad’s out of work.as a consequence 結果，所以

tough time 困難時期【tough a.艱難的】 sibling n.兄弟姐妹，同胞 shift n.輪班

所以，因為我們國家面臨困難時期，你們許多人的行為看上去比實際年齡要大。姐姐哥哥在海外工作，你們會表現得堅強，或許媽媽去值第二班，你們就要照顧年幼的弟弟妹妹。或許你們有些人年長一點的，父親失了業，你們還要做兼職。

And that’s a lot to handle.It’s more than you should have to handle.And it may make you wonder at times what your own future will look like, whether

you’re going to be able to succeed in school, whether you should maybe set your sights a little lower, scale back your dreams.handle v.處理，應對 scale back 縮減

有太多事情要做了，很多是你們不應該做的。這讓你們迷茫，不知道自己的未來會是什么樣，在學校能不能取得好成績，是不是應該把目光降低些，把理想放低些。

But I came to Masterman to tell all of you what I think you’re hearing

from your principal and your superintendent, and from your parents and 但是，我來到馬斯特曼，告訴你們一句話。我想這句話你們的校長、院長、父母以及老師都曾告訴過你們，那就是，沒有your teachers: Nobody gets to write your destiny but you.Your future is in your hands.Your life is what you make of it.And nothing--absolutely nothing--is beyond your reach, so long as you’re willing to dream big, so long as you’re willing to work hard.So long as you’re willing to stay focused on your education, there is not a single thing that any of you cannot accomplish, not a single thing.I believe that.destiny n.命運 accomplish v.完成

人，只有你才能書寫你自己的命運。未來在你自己手中，生活由自己締造。只要志向遠大，并努力為之奮斗，沒有什么是不能得到的。只要你專注于學業，沒有什么事不能實現的。我確信。

And that last part is absolutely essential, that part about really working hard in school, because an education has never been more important than it is today.I’m sure there are going to be times in the months ahead when you’re staying up late doing your homework or cramming for a test, or you’re dragging yourself out of bed on a rainy morning and you’re thinking, oh, boy, I wish maybe it was a snow day.(Laughter.)absolutely ad.絕對地

cram v.臨時抱佛腳；吃得過飽

最后這一點，在學校努力奮斗是必要的。因為教育從未像現在這樣重要。我確信，幾個月后會有一段時間，你們會完善熬夜寫作業，為考試臨時抱佛腳，或者在一個雨天的早晨把自己從被窩里拖出來，想，哦天，怎么不是下雪天？！（笑）

But let me tell you, what you’re doing is worth it.There is nothing more important than what you’re doing right

now.Nothing is going to have as great an impact on your success in life as your education, how you’re doing in school.More and more, the kinds of opportunities that are open to you are going to be determined by how far you go in school.The farther you go in school, the farther you’re going to go in life.And at a time when other countries are competing with us like never before, when students around the world in Beijing, China, or Bangalore, India, are working harder than ever, and doing better than ever, your success in school

但是讓我告訴你，你所做的一切都是值得的。你們現在要做的事情無比重要。沒有什么比你的受教育程度以及你在學校的所做之事更能決定你的成功。

能否能抓住機遇，越來越取決于你們在學校的努力。你們在學校的表現越好，生活中就能走得越遠。當今，其他國家正與我們競爭，而且比以往任何時候都激烈。在中國北京或者印度邦加羅爾的學生比以前更加努力，而且比以前表現更好。你們在學校的成功并不只決定了自己一人的成功，還決定了美國在21世界是否能夠成功。is not just going to determine your success, it’s going to determine America’s success in the 21st century.So you’ve got an obligation to yourselves, and America has an obligation to you, to make sure you’re getting the best education possible.And making sure you get that kind of education is going to take all of us working hard and all of us working hand in hand.obligation n.責任，義務

所以，你們要承擔起這樣的責任和義務。同時國家也向你們承擔責任和義務，那就是為你們提供最好的教育，為此我們要努力，共同奮斗。

It takes all of us in government--from the governor to the mayor to the superintendent to the President--all of us doing our part to prepare our students, all of them, for success in the classroom and in college and in a career.It’s going to take an outstanding principal，like Principal Neff, and outstanding teachers like the ones you have here at Masterman--teachers who are going above and beyond the call of duty for their students.And it’s going to take parents who are committed to your education.佳句欣賞

所有政府工作人員，從州長到市長，到院長，到總統，所有人都要履行職責為我們的學生做好準備，幫助他們在教室、在大學、在事業上取得成功。這就需要我們有一個杰出的校長，像校長Neff，和優秀的老師，正如你們的馬斯特曼的老師們。老師們要履行好對學生所應擔負起的責任。我也希望家長負起責任。

Nobody gets to write your destiny but you.Your future is in your hands.Your life is what you make of it.沒有人，只有你才能書寫你自己的命運。未來在你自己手中，生活由自己締造。

背景知識

這是奧巴馬第二次發表開學演講。奧巴馬2009年的演講招來了許多批評和抵制。一些反對者指責稱，奧巴馬試圖通過演講向學生灌輸政治理念。部分媒體還批評奧巴馬試圖建立個人崇拜。在美國各地，也有許多家長向當地教育官員表示抗議，一些家長甚至威脅在奧巴馬演講時把孩子離教室。有了去年的“教訓”，今年的總統開學演講，白宮意強調這是一次“非政治活動”，而奧巴馬本人也在演講中回避政治話題。

THE WHITE HOUSE

Office of the Press Secretary _____________________________________________________________________

______ For Immediate Release Septe

mber 8, 2009

REMARKS BY THE PRESIDENT IN A NATIONAL ADDRESS TO AMERICA'S SCHOOLCHILDREN

Wakefield High School Arlington, Virginia

12:06 P.M.EDT THE PRESIDENT: Hello, everybody!Thank you.Thank you.Thank you, everybody.All right, everybody go ahead and have a seat.How is everybody doing today?(Applause.)How about Tim Spicer?(Applause.)I am here with students at Wakefield High School in Arlington, Virginia.And we've got students tuning in from all across America, from kindergarten through 12th grade.And I am just so glad that all could join us today.And I want to thank Wakefield for being such an outstanding host.Give yourselves a big round of applause.(Applause.)I know that for many of you, today is the first day of school.And for those of you in kindergarten, or starting middle or high school, it's your first day in a new school, so it's understandable if you're a little nervous.I imagine there are some seniors out there who are feeling pretty good right now--(applause)--with just one more year to go.And no matter what grade you're in, some of you are probably wishing it were still summer and you could've stayed in bed just a little bit longer this morning.I know that feeling.When I was young, my family lived overseas.I lived in Indonesia for a few years.And my mother, she didn't have the money to send me where all the American kids went to school, but she thought it was important for me to keep up with an American education.So she decided to teach me extra lessons herself, Monday through Friday.But because she had to go to work, the only time she could do it was at 4:30 in the morning.Now, as you might imagine, I wasn't too happy about getting up that early.And a lot of times, I'd fall asleep right there at the kitchen table.But whenever I'd complain, my mother would just give me one of those looks and she'd say, “This is no picnic for me either, buster.”(Laughter.)So I know that some of you are still adjusting to being back at school.But I'm here today because I have something important to discuss with you.I'm here because I want to talk with you about your education and what's expected of all of you in this new school year.Now, I've given a lot of speeches about education.And I've talked about responsibility a lot.I've talked about teachers' responsibility for inspiring students and pushing you to learn.I've talked about your parents' responsibility for making sure you stay on track, and you get your homework done, and don't spend every waking hour in front of the TV or with the Xbox.I've talked a lot about your government's responsibility for setting high standards, and supporting teachers and principals, and turning around schools that aren't working, where students aren't getting the opportunities that they deserve.But at the end of the day, we can have the most dedicated teachers, the most supportive parents, the best schools in the world--and none of it will make a difference, none of it will matter unless all of you fulfill your responsibilities, unless you show up to those schools, unless you pay attention to those teachers, unless you listen to your parents and grandparents and other adults and put in the hard work it takes to succeed.That's what I want to focus on today: the responsibility each of you has for your education.I want to start with the responsibility you have to yourself.Every single one of you has something that you're good at.Every single one of you has something to offer.And you have a responsibility to yourself to discover what that is.That's the opportunity an education can provide.Maybe you could be a great writer--maybe even good enough to write a book or articles in a newspaper--but you might not know it until you write that English paper--that English class paper that's assigned to you.Maybe you could be an innovator or an inventor--maybe even good enough to come up with the next iPhone or the new medicine or vaccine--but you might not know it until you do your project for your science class.Maybe you could be a mayor or a senator or a Supreme Court justice--but you might not know that until you join student government or the debate team.And no matter what you want to do with your life, I guarantee that you'll need an education to do it.You want to be a doctor, or a teacher, or a police officer? You want to be a nurse or an architect, a lawyer or a member of our military? You're going to need a good education for every single one of those careers.You cannot drop out of school and just drop into a good job.You've got to train for it and work for it and learn for it.And this isn't just important for your own life and your own future.What you make of your education will decide nothing less than the future of this country.The future of America depends on you.What you're learning in school today will determine whether we as a nation can meet our greatest challenges in the future.You'll need the knowledge and problem-solving skills you learn in science and math to cure diseases like cancer and AIDS, and to develop new energy technologies and protect our environment.You'll need the insights and critical-thinking skills you gain in history and social studies to fight poverty and homelessness, crime and discrimination, and make our nation more fair and more free.You'll need the creativity and ingenuity you develop in all your classes to build new companies that will create new jobs and boost our economy.We need every single one of you to develop your talents and your skills and your intellect so you can help us old folks solve our most difficult problems.If you don't do that--if you quit on school--you're not just quitting on yourself, you're quitting on your country.Now, I know it's not always easy to do well in school.I know a lot of you have challenges in your lives right now that can make it hard to focus on your schoolwork.I get it.I know what it's like.My father left my family when I was two years old, and I was raised by a single mom who had to work and who struggled at times to pay the bills and wasn't always able to give us the things that other kids had.There were times when I missed having a father in my life.There were times when I was lonely and I felt like I didn't fit in.So I wasn't always as focused as I should have been on school, and I did some things I'm not proud of, and I got in more trouble than I should have.And my life could have easily taken a turn for the worse.But I was--I was lucky.I got a lot of second chances, and I had the opportunity to go to college and law school and follow my dreams.My wife, our First Lady Michelle Obama, she has a similar story.Neither of her parents had gone to college, and they didn't have a lot of money.But they worked hard, and she worked hard, so that she could go to the best schools in this country.Some of you might not have those advantages.Maybe you don't have adults in your life who give you the support that you need.Maybe someone in your family has lost their job and there's not enough money to go around.Maybe you live in a neighborhood where you don't feel safe, or have friends who are pressuring you to do things you know aren't right.But at the end of the day, the circumstances of your life--what you look like, where you come from, how much money you have, what you've got going on at home--none of that is an excuse for neglecting your homework or having a bad attitude in school.That's no excuse for talking back to your teacher, or cutting class, or dropping out of school.There is no excuse for not trying.Where you are right now doesn't have to determine where you'll end up.No one's written your destiny for you, because here in America, you write your own destiny.You make your own future.That's what young people like you are doing every day, all across America.Young people like Jazmin Perez, from Roma, Texas.Jazmin didn't speak English when she first started school.Neither of her parents had gone to college.But she worked hard, earned good grades, and got a scholarship to Brown University--is now in graduate school, studying public health, on her way to becoming Dr.Jazmin Perez.I'm thinking about Andoni Schultz, from Los Altos, California, who's fought brain cancer since he was three.He's had to endure all sorts of treatments and surgeries, one of which affected his memory, so it took him much longer--hundreds of extra hours--to do his schoolwork.But he never fell behind.He's headed to college this fall.And then there's Shantell Steve, from my hometown of Chicago, Illinois.Even when bouncing from foster home to foster home in the toughest neighborhoods in the city, she managed to get a job at a local health care center, start a program to keep young people out of gangs, and she's on track to graduate high school with honors and go on to college.And Jazmin, Andoni, and Shantell aren't any different from any of you.They face challenges in their lives just like you do.In some cases they've got it a lot worse off than many of you.But they refused to give up.They chose to take responsibility for their lives, for their education, and set goals for themselves.And I expect all of you to do the same.That's why today I'm calling on each of you to set your own goals for your education--and do everything you can to meet them.Your goal can be something as simple as doing all your homework, paying attention in class, or spending some time each day reading a book.Maybe you'll decide to get involved in an extracurricular activity, or volunteer in your community.Maybe you'll decide to stand up for kids who are being teased or bullied because of who they are or how they look, because you believe, like I do, that all young people deserve a safe environment to study and learn.Maybe you'll decide to take better care of yourself so you can be more ready to learn.And along those lines, by the way, I hope all of you are washing your hands a lot, and that you stay home from school when you don't feel well, so we can keep people from getting the flu this fall and winter.But whatever you resolve to do, I want you to commit to it.I want you to really work at it.I know that sometimes you get that sense from TV that you can be rich and successful without any hard work--that your ticket to success is through rapping or basketball or being a reality TV star.Chances are you're not going to be any of those things.The truth is, being successful is hard.You won't love every subject that you study.You won't click with every teacher that you have.Not every homework assignment will seem completely relevant to your life right at this minute.And you won't necessarily succeed at everything the first time you try.That's okay.Some of the most successful people in the world are the ones who've had the most failures.J.K.Rowling's--who wrote Harry Potter--her first Harry Potter book was rejected 12 times before it was finally published.Michael Jordan was cut from his high school basketball team.He lost hundreds of games and missed thousands of shots during his career.But he once said, “I have failed over and over and over again in my life.And that's why I succeed.” These people succeeded because they understood that you can't let your failures define you--you have to let your failures teach you.You have to let them show you what to do differently the next time.So if you get into trouble, that doesn't mean you're a troublemaker, it means you need to try harder to act right.If you get a bad grade, that doesn't mean you're stupid, it just means you need to spend more time studying.No one's born being good at all things.You become good at things through hard work.You're not a varsity athlete the first time you play a new sport.You don't hit every note the first time you sing a song.You've got to practice.The same principle applies to your schoolwork.You might have to do a math problem a few times before you get it right.You might have to read something a few times before you understand it.You definitely have to do a few drafts of a paper before it's good enough to hand in.