第一篇：美國總統感恩節演講

奧巴馬2010年感恩節演講

[ 2010-11-25 16:12 ]

Presidential Proclamation--Thanksgiving Day November 23, 2010 The White House

A beloved American tradition, Thanksgiving Day offers us the opportunity to focus our thoughts on the grace that has been extended to our people and our country.This spirit brought together the newly arrived Pilgrims and the Wampanoag tribe--who had been living and thriving around Plymouth, Massachusetts for thousands of years--in an autumn harvest feast centuries ago.This Thanksgiving Day, we reflect on the compassion and contributions of Native Americans, whose skill in agriculture helped the early colonists survive, and whose rich culture continues to add to our Nation's heritage.We also pause our normal pursuits on this day and join in a spirit of fellowship and gratitude for the year's bounties and blessings.Thanksgiving Day is a time each year, dating back to our founding, when we lay aside the troubles and disagreements of the day and bow our heads in humble recognition of the providence bestowed upon our Nation.Amidst the uncertainty of a fledgling experiment in democracy, President George Washington declared the first Thanksgiving in America, recounting the blessings of tranquility, union, and plenty that shined upon our young country.In the dark days of the Civil War when the fate of our Union was in doubt, President Abraham Lincoln proclaimed a Thanksgiving Day, calling for “the Almighty hand” to heal and restore our Nation.In confronting the challenges of our day, we must draw strength from the resolve of previous generations who faced their own struggles and take comfort in knowing a brighter day has always dawned on our great land.As we stand at the close of one year and look to the promise of the next, we lift up our hearts in gratitude to God for our many blessings, for one another, and for our Nation.This Thanksgiving Day, we remember that the freedoms and security we enjoy as Americans are protected by the brave men and women of the United States Armed Forces.These patriots are willing to lay down their lives in our defense, and they and their families deserve our profound gratitude for their service and sacrifice.This harvest season, we are also reminded of those experiencing the pangs of hunger or the hardship of economic insecurity.Let us return the kindness and generosity we have seen throughout the year by helping our fellow citizens weather the storms of our day.As Americans gather for the time-honored Thanksgiving Day meal, let us rejoice in the abundance that graces our tables, in the simple gifts that mark our days, in the loved ones who enrich our lives, and in the gifts of a gracious God.Let us recall that our forebears met their challenges with hope and an unfailing spirit, and let us resolve to do the same.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 25, 2010, as a National Day of Thanksgiving.I encourage all 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.IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twenty-third day of November, in the year of our Lord 2010, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-fifth.BARACK OBAMA 美國前總統克林頓感恩節演講

[ 2009-11-20 17:00 ]

1998 US Presidential Thanksgiving Proclamation Thanksgiving Day is one of America's most beloved and widely celebrated holidays.Whether descendants of the original colonists or new citizens, Americans join with family and friends to give thanks to a provident God for the blessings of freedom, peace, and plenty.We are a Nation of people who have come from many countries, cultures, and creeds.The colonial Thanksgiving at Plymouth in 1621, when the Pilgrims of the Old World mingled in fellowship and celebration with the American Indians of the New World, foreshadowed the challenge and opportunity that such diversity has always offered us: to live together in peace with respect and appreciation for our differences and to draw on one another's strengths in the work of building a great and unified Nation.And so at Thanksgiving we must also remember to be thankful for the many contributions each generation of Americans has made to preserve our blessings.We are thankful for the brave patriots who have fought and died to defend our freedom and uphold our belief in human dignity.We are thankful for the men and women who have worked this land throughout the decades, from the stony farms of New England to the broad wheat fields of the Great Plains to the fertile vineyards of California, sharing our country's bounty with their fellow Americans and people around the world.We are thankful for the leaders and visionaries who have challenged us through the years to fulfill America's promise for all our people, to make real in our society our fundamental ideals of freedom, equality, and justice.We are thankful for the countless quiet heroes and heroines who work hard each day, raise their families with love and care, and still find time and energy to make their communities better places in which to live.Each of us has reason to be proud of our part in building America, and each of us has reason to be grateful to our fellow Americans for the success of these efforts.Now, therefore, I, William J.Clinton, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim Thursday, November 26, 1998, as a National Day of Thanksgiving.I encourage all the people of the United States to assemble in their homes, places of worship, or community centers to share the spirit of goodwill and prayer;to express heartfelt thanks to God for the many blessings He has bestowed upon us;and to reach out in true gratitude and friendship to our brothers and sisters across this land who, together, comprise our great American family.In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this 17th day of November, in the year of our Lord 1998, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and twenty-third.WILLIAM J.CLINTON

第二篇：【美國總統演講】2014.11.27奧巴馬感恩節致辭

【美國總統演講】2014.11.27奧巴馬感恩節致辭

美國總統奧巴馬每周演講2014.11.27

奧巴馬感恩節致辭

Weekly Address: Happy Thanksgiving from the Obama Family

Washington, DC--In this week's address, the President wished everyone a happyThanksgiving and reflected on the history of our country and its celebration ofdiversity.He gave thanks for the many Americans who sacrifice every day, fromvolunteer workers who serve their communities, to men and women in uniform whoserve us all.On Thanksgiving, a holiday that is uniquely American, he reminded usto focus on what unites--our commitment to American ideals like justice andequality and our gratitude and love for our country.Remarks of President Barack Obama

Weekly Address The White House November 27, 2014

On behalf of the Obama family--Michelle, Malia, Sasha, Bo, and Sunny--I want to wish you a veryhappy Thanksgiving.Like many of you, we'll spend the day with family and friends, catching up,eating some good food and watching a little football.Before we lift a fork, we lend a hand by goingout in the community to serve some of our neighbors in need.And we give thanks for each other,and for all of God's blessings.Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday because, more than any other, it is uniquely American.Each ofus brings our own traditions and cultures and recipes to the table--but we all share this day,united by the gratitude for the bounty of this nation.And we welcome the contributions of allpeople--no matter their origin or color or beliefs--who call America home, and who enrich the lifeof our nation.It is a creed as old as our founding: “E pluribus unum”--that our of many, we areone.We are reminded that this creed, and America itself, was never an inevitability, but the result ofordinary people in every generation doing their part to uphold our founding ideals--by taking theblessings of freedom, and multiplying them for those who would follow.As President Kennedy oncewrote, even as we give thanks for all that we've inherited from those who came before us--“thedecency of purpose, steadfastness of resolve and strength of will, for the courage and the humility,which they posessed,” we must also remember that “the highest appreciation is not to utter wordsbut to live by them.” Today, we are grateful to all Americans who do their part to live by those ideals, including ourbrave men and women in uniform overseas and their families, who sacrifice so much to keepAmerica safe.To our service members who are away from home, we say an extra prayer for youand your loved ones, and we renew our commitment to take care of you as well as you've takencare of us.We are grateful to the countless Americans who serve their communities in soup kitchens andshelters, looking out for those who are less fortunate, and lifting up those who have fallen on hardtimes.This generosity, this compassion, this belief that we are each other's keepers, is essential towho we are, not just on this day, but every day.It's easy to focus on what separates us.But as we gather with loved ones on this Thanksgiving,let's remember and be grateful for what binds us together.Our love of country.Our commitmentto justice and equality.Our belief that America's best days are ahead, and that her destiny is oursto shape--and that our inherited ideals must be the birthright of all of our children.That's what today is all about: that out of many, we are one.Thank you, God bless you, and frommy family to yours, Happy Thanksgiving.

第三篇：美國總統演講

喬治·華盛頓

美國人民的實驗

Fellow-Citizens of the Senate and of the House of Representatives:

Among the vicissitudes incident to life no event could have filled me with greater anxieties than that of which the notification was transmitted by your order，and received on the 14th day of the present month.On the one hand，I was summoned by my Country，whose voice I can never hearbut with veneration and love,from a retreat which I hadchosen with the fondest predilection,and,in my flattering hopes,with an immutable decision,as the asylum of my declining years-a retreat which was rendered every day more necessary as well as more dear to me by the addition of habit to inclination ,and of frequent interruptions in my health to the gradual waste committed on it by time.On the other hand ,themagnitude and difficulty of the trust to which the voice of my country called me,being sufficient to awaken in the wisest and most experienced of her citizens a distrustful scrutiny into his qualifications,could not but overwhelm with despondence one who（inheriting inferior endowments from nature and unpracticed in the duties of civil administration）ought to be peculiarly conscious of his own deficiencies.In this conflict of emotions all I dare aver is that it has been my faithful study to collect my duty from a just appreciation of every circumstance by which it might be affected.All I dare hope is that if ,in executing this task ,I have been too much swayed by a grateful remembrance of former instances ,or by an affectionate sensibility to this transcendent proof of the confidence of my fellow-citizens,and havethence too litter consulted my incapacity as well as disinclination for the weighty and untried cares before me ,my error will be palliated bythe motives which mislead me,and its consequences be judged by my country with some share of the partiality in which they originated.Such being the impressions under which I have ,in obedience to the public summons,repaired to the present station ,it would be peculiarly improper to omit in this first official act my fervent supplications to that Almighty Being who rules over the universe,who presides in the councils of nations,and whose providential aids can supply every human defect,that His benediction may consecrate to the liberties and happiness of the people of the United States a Government instituted by themselves for these essential purposes,and may enable every instrument employed in its administration to execute with success the functions allotted to his charge.In tendering this homage to the Great Author of every public and private good,I assure myself that it expresses your sentiments not less than my own ,nor those of my fellow-citizens at large less than either.No people can be boundto acknowledge and adore the Invisible Hand which conducts the affairs of men more than those of the United States.Every step by which they have advanced to the character of an independent nation seems to have been distinguished by some token of providential agency,and in the important revolution just accomplished in the system of their united government the tranquil deliberations and voluntary consent of so many distinct communities from which the event has resulted cannot be compared with the means by which most governments have been established without some return of pious gratitude,along with an humble anticipation of the future blessings which the past seem to presage.These reflections,arising out of the present crisis,have forced themselves too strongly on my mind to be suppressed.You Will join with me ,I trust,in thinking that there are none under the influence of which the proceedings of a new and free government can more auspiciously commence.By the article establishing the executive department it is made the duty of the

President“to recommend to your consideration such measures as he shall judge necessary and expedient.”The circumstances under which I now meet you Will acquit me from entering into that subject further than to refer to the great constitutional charter under which you are assembled ,and which,in defining your powers ,designates the objects to which your attention is to be given.It will be more consistent with those circumstances,and far more congenial with the feelings which actuate me ,to substitute ,in place of a recommendation of particular measures ,the tribute that is due to the talents ,the rectitude ,and the patriotism which adorn the characters selected to devise and adopt them.In those honorable qualifications I behold the surest pledges that as on one side no local prejudices,will misdirect the comprehensive and equal eye which ought to watch over this great assemblage of communities and interests,so , on another ,that the foundation of our national policy will be laid in the pure and immutable principles of private morality , and the preeminence of free government be exemplified by all the attributes which can win the affections of its citizens and command the respect of the world.I dwell on this prospect with every satisfaction which an ardent love for my country can inspire,since there is no truth more thoroughly established than that there exist in the economy and course of nature an indissoluble union between virture and happiness.between duty and advantage.between the genuine maxims of an honest and magnanimous policy and the solid rewards of public prosperity and felicity.since we ought to be no less persuaded that the propitious smiles of Heaven can never be expected on a nation that disregards the eternal rules of order and right which Heaven itself has ordained.and since the preservation of the sacred fire of liberty and the destiny of the tepublican model of government are justly considered,perhaps,as deeply ,as finally,staked on the experiment rntrusted to the hands of the American people.Besides the ordinary objects submitted to your care ,it will remain with your judgement to decide how far an exercise of the occasional power delegated by the fifth article of the Constitution is rendered expedient at the present juncture by the nature of objections which have been urged against the system ,or by the degree of inquietude which has given birth to them.Instead of undertaking particular recommendations on this subject,in which I could be guided by no lights derived from official opportunities,I shall again give way to me entire confidence in your discernment and pursuit of the public good.for I assure myself that whilst you carefully avoid every alteration which might endanger the benefits of an united and effective government,or which ought to await the future lessons of experience,a reverence for the characteristic rights of freemen and a regard for the public harmony will sufficiently influence your deliberations on the questions how far the former can be impregnably fortified or the latter be safely and advantageously promoted.To the foregoing observations I have one to add ,which will be most properly addressed to the House of Representatives.It concerns myself ,and will therefore be aswbrief as possible.When I was first honored with a call into the service of my country ,then on the eve of an arduous struggle for its liberties ,the light in which I contemplated my duty required that I should renounce every pecuniary compensation.From this resolution I have in no instance departed.and being still under the impressions which produced it ,I must decline as inapplicable to myself.any share in the personal emoluments which may be indispensably included in a permanent provision for the executive department ,and must accordingly pray that the pecuniary estimates for the station in which I am placed may during my continuance in it belimited to such actual expenditures as the public good may be thought to require.Having thus imparted to you my sentiments as they have been awaken by the occasion which brings us together ,I shall take my present leave.but not without resorting once more to the benign Parent of the Human Race in the humble supplication that ,since He has been pleased to favor the American people with opportunities for deliberating in perfect tranquility ,and dispositions for deciding with unparalleled unanimity on a form of government for the security of their union and the advancement of their happiness ,so His divine blessing may be equally conspicuous in the enlarged views ,the temperate consultation ,and the wise measures on which the success of this Government must depend.譯文

參議院和眾議院的公民們:

在人生沉浮中，沒有一件事能比本月十四日收到你們送達的通知更使我焦慮不安。一方面，國家召喚我出任總統一職，對于她的召喚，我只能肅然從命。而隱退是我以摯愛心情，滿腔希望和堅定決心所選擇的暮年歸宿，由于愛好和習慣，且時光流逝，健康漸衰，時感體力不濟，越來越感到隱退的必要和珍貴。另一方面，國家召喚我擔負的責任如此巨大而艱巨，足以使國內最有才智和經驗的人度德量力，而我天資愚鈍，又沒有民政管理經驗，應該倍覺自己能力不足，因此必然感到難以擔此重任。懷著這種矛盾的心情，我唯一敢斷言的是，通過正確估計可能產生影響的各種情況來恪盡職責，乃是我忠貞不渝的努力目標。我唯一敢祈望的是，如果我在執行這項任務時因沉溺于往事，或因由衷感激公民們對我高度的信賴，因而過分受到了影響，以致在處理從未經歷過的大事時，忽視了自己的無能和消極，我的錯誤將會出于使我誤入歧途的各種動機而減輕，而大家在批判錯誤的后果時，也會適應包涵產生這些動機的偏見。

既然這就是我在遵奉公眾召喚就任現職時的感想，那么，在此宣誓就職之際，如不熱情地祈求全能的上帝將是一件非常不當的事，因為上帝統治著宇宙，主宰著各國政府，它的神助能彌補人類的任何不足。愿上帝賜福，保佑一個為了美國人民的自由和幸福而組建的政府，保佑它為這些基本目的而做出的貢獻，保佑政治的各項行政措施在我負責之下都能成功的發揮作用。我相信，在向公眾利益和私人利益的偉大締造者獻這份崇敬時，這些話也同樣表了各位和廣大公民的心聲。沒有人能比美國人民更堅定不移地承認和崇拜掌管人類事務的上帝。他們在邁向獨立國家的進程中，似乎每一步都有某種天佑的現象。他們在剛剛完成的聯邦政府體制的重大改革中，如果不是由虔誠的感恩而獲得的某種回報，如果不是謙卑地期待著過去有所預示的賜福的到來，那么，通過眾多截然不同的集團的平靜思考和自愿贊同來完成改革，這種方式是難以同大多數政府在組建過程中所采用的方式相比的。在目前轉折關頭，我產生這些想法確實是深有所感而不能自己。我相信大家會和我懷有同感，即如果不能仰仗上帝的力量，一個新生的自由政府就無法做到一開始就事事如意。

根據設立行政部門的條款，總統有責任“將他認為必要而適宜的措施提請國會審議”。但在目前與各位見面的這個場合，恕我不進一步討論這個問題，而只是提一下偉大的憲法，它使各位今天歡聚一堂，它規定了各位的權限，指出了各位應該注意的目標。在這樣的場合，更恰當，也更能反應我內心的激情的做法不是提出具體措施，而是稱頌將要規劃和采納這些措施的當選者的才能，正直和愛國心。我從這些高貴品格中看到了最可靠的保證：其一，任何地方偏見或地方感情，任何意見分歧或黨派歧視，都不能使我們偏離全局的觀念和公平觀點，即必須維護這個由不同地區和不同利益所組建的大聯合政權；因此，其二，我國的政策將會以純正不夠的個人道德原則為基礎，而自由政府將會以贏得民心和全世界尊敬的一切特點而顯示其優越性。

我對國家的一片熱愛之心激勵著我滿懷喜悅地展望這幅遠景，因為根據自然界法則和發展趨勢，在美德與幸福之間，責任與利益之間，恪守誠實寬厚的政策與獲得社會繁榮幸福的碩果之間，有著密不可分的關系；因為我們應該同樣相信，上帝親自規定了永恒的秩序和權利法則，他絕不可能對無視這些法則的國家慈顏歡笑；因為人們理所當然地，滿懷深情地，也許是最后一次地把維護神圣的自由之火和共和制政府的命運，系于美國人所遵命進行的實驗上。

除了提醒各位注意的一般事務外，在當前的時刻，根據激烈反對共和制的各種意見的性質，或根據引起這些意見的不同程度，在必要時行使憲法第五條授予的權利究竟有多大益處，將依靠你們來加以判斷和決定。在這個問題上，我無法從過去擔任過的職務中得到借鑒 因此我不提具體的建議，而是再一次完全信任各位對公眾利益的辨別和追求；因為我相信，各位只要謹慎，避免做出任何可能危及團結而有效的政府利益的修訂，或避免作出應該等待未來經驗教訓的修訂，那么，各位對自由人特有權利的尊重和對社會安定的關注，就足以影響大家慎重考慮應在何種程度上堅定不移地加強前者，并有利無弊的促進后者。

除上述建議外，我還補充一點，而且覺得向眾議院提出最恰當。這條意見與我有關，因此應當盡量講得簡短一些。我第一次榮幸地響應號召為國家效勞時，正值我國為自由而艱苦奮斗之際，我對我的職責的看法要求我必須放棄任何俸祿。我從未違背過這一決定。如今，促使我作出這一同樣決定的想法仍然支配著我，因此，我必須拒絕對我來說不適宜的任何個人津貼可能被列入并成為政府部門常設基金不可分割的一部分。同樣，我必須懇求各位，在估算我就任這個職位所需要的費用時，可以根據我的任期以公眾利益所需的實際費用為限。

我已經把有感于這一聚會場合的想法告訴了各位，現在我就要向大家告辭；但在此以前，我還在一次以謙卑的心情祈求仁慈的上帝給予幫助。因為承蒙上帝的恩賜，美國人民有了深思熟慮的機會，有了為確保聯邦的安全和促進幸福，用前所未有的一致意見來決定政府體制的意向；因而，同樣明顯的時，上帝將會保佑我們逐步擴大眼界，穩定地進行協商，并采取明智的措施，而這些都是本屆政府取得成功所比不可缺少的依靠。

第四篇：美國總統演講

1.1 Weekly Address: Making America Safer for Our Children 每周電視講話：為子孫后代留下一個更安全的美國

WASHINGTON, DC — In this week's address, the Presidentreflected on the progress of the past year, and looked forwardto working on unfinished business in the coming year,particularly when it comes to the epidemic of gun violence.Ashe has many times before, the President reminded us thatCongress has repeatedly failed to take action and pass laws thatwould reduce gun violence.That’s why the President a few months ago tasked his White Houseteam with identifying new actions he can take to help reduce gun violence, and on Monday willmeet with the Attorney General to discuss the options.In his address, the President called oneveryone to join him in the fight to reduce gun violence, because it’s going to take all of us tomake America safer for our children.華盛頓：在本周的講話中，奧巴馬總統回顧了過去一年的成就，并展望了未來一年需要完成的事業，尤其是槍支暴力泛濫的問題。正如他以前多次提到的，總統提醒大家記住，國會再一次在立法減少槍支暴力事件上不作為。因此，幾個月前，總統指示白宮的團隊制定一些新的措施，幫助減少槍支暴力事件。下周一，總統將會見司法部長，與她討論具體措施。在奧巴馬總統的講話中，他呼吁所有人都與他一起共同戰斗，減少槍支暴力，因為這關系到我們每一個人，我們要給我們的孩子一個更安全的美國。

Happy New Year, everybody.I am fired up for the year that stretches out before us.That’sbecause of what we’ve accomplished together over the past seven.大家新年快樂！我滿懷期待的心情迎接我們共同的新年。因為過去七年里我們共同取得了巨大的成就。

Seven years ago, our businesses were losing 800,000 jobs a month.They’ve nowcreated jobs for 69 straight months, driving the unemployment rate from a high of10% down to 5%.七年前，我們的企業一個月就有80萬人失業。而今，他們已經連續69個月實現就業增長，將失業率從最高的10%降低到5%。

Seven years ago, too many Americans went without health insurance.We’ve nowcovered more than 17 million people, dropping the rate of the uninsured below 10%for the very first time.七年前，大量的美國人沒有醫療保險。而今，我們的保險覆蓋了1700多萬人，使得未參保率第一次下降到10%以下。

Seven years ago, we were addicted to foreign oil.Now our oil imports have plummeted,our clean energy industry is booming, and America is a global leader in the fight againstclimate change.七年前，我們嚴重依賴海外石油。而今，我們的石油進口量直線下降，清潔能源產業欣欣向榮，美國已經成為全球抗擊氣候變化的領導者。Seven years ago, there were only two states in America with marriage equality.Andnow there are 50.七年前，全國只有兩個州承認同性婚姻合法，而今50個州都認可了。

All of this progress is because of you.And we’ve got so much more to do.So my New Year’sresolution is to move forward on our unfinished business as much as I can.And I’ll be morefrequently asking for your help.That’s what this American project is all about.所有這些成績的取得都離不開大家的付出。當然我們還有更多的事情要做。因此，我的新年愿景就是繼續奮勇前行，盡我所能完成未竟的事業。我將經常性地尋求大家的幫助。因為這是關系到所有美國人民的事業。

That's especially true for one piece of unfinished business, that’s our epidemic of gun violence.對于這樣一件事而言尤為如此，那就是當前槍支暴力泛濫的問題。

Last month, we remembered the third anniversary of Newtown.This Friday, I’ll be thinking aboutmy friend Gabby Giffords, five years into her recovery from the shooting in Tucson.And all acrossAmerica, survivors of gun violence and those who lost a child, a parent, a spouse to gun violenceare forced to mark such awful anniversaries every single day.上個月，我們還舉行了新城慘案三周年紀念活動。本周五，我也會去看望嘉碧·吉福茲，她度過了圖森慘案后五年時間的漫長恢復期。全美各地的槍支暴力案件的幸存者以及那些在槍支暴力事件中失去孩子、父母、配偶的人們，每一天，都不得不面對這種持續的痛苦。And yet Congress still hasn’t done anything to prevent what happened to them from happening toother families.Three years ago, a bipartisan, commonsense bill would have required backgroundchecks for virtually everyone who buys a gun.Keep in mind, this policy was supported by some90% of the American people.It was supported by a majority of NRA households.But the gunlobby mobilized against it.And the Senate blocked it.而現在國會卻依然無動于衷，沒有做出任何行動來防止此類事件發生在其他家庭身上。三年前，一份兩黨聯合的基本法案本來要求對幾乎所有槍支購買人員進行背景審查的。請大家記住，這份法案當時得到了90%的美國民眾的支持，而且也得到了美國步槍協會大部分會員的支持。但是，槍支游說團體強烈反對。最后在參議院未獲通過。

Since then, tens of thousands of our fellow Americans have been mowed down by gun violence.Tens of thousands.Each time, we’re told that commonsense reforms like background checksmight not have stopped the last massacre, or the one before that, so we shouldn’t do anything.自那時起，成千上萬的美國同胞因槍支暴力慘遭殺害。成千上萬的人啊。而每一次事件之后，他們總是會說，背景審查之類的普通改革并不一定能阻止這種屠殺事件的發生，也阻止不了以前的事件發生，因此，我們也不必要做任何事情。

We know that we can’t stop every act of violence.But what if we tried to stop even one? What ifCongress did something – anything – to protect our kids from gun violence? 我們都知道，我們是不能阻止每一起暴力事件。但哪怕我們能成功阻止一件呢？哪怕國會做點什么，保護我們的孩子免受槍支暴力威脅，做什么都行。

A few months ago, I directed my team at the White House to look into any new actions I can taketo help reduce gun violence.And on Monday, I’ll meet with our Attorney General, Loretta Lynch,to discuss our options.Because I get too many letters from parents, and teachers, and kids, to sitaround and do nothing.I get letters from responsible gun owners who grieve with us every timethese tragedies happen;who share my belief that the Second Amendment guarantees a right tobear arms;and who share my belief we can protect that right while keeping an irresponsible,dangerous few from inflicting harm on a massive scale.幾個月前，我指示白宮的團隊去研究，看看可以采用什么新的策略來降低槍支暴力的威脅。下周一，我將會見司法部長洛麗塔·林奇，與她討論我們的方案。因為，我收到了大量的來信，有父母寫的，老師寫的，孩子寫的，我不能坐視不管。我還收到一些有責任心的擁有槍支的人們的來信，他們說每次的慘案發生他們都深感悲痛。他們有著與我同樣的信念，《第二修正案》確保大家有權擁有武器，但同時他們也堅信，我們可以讓不負責任、危險的極少數人不能再繼續制造屠殺制造殺害，同時保護大家享有這一權利。epidemic adj.流行的；傳染性的/ n.傳染病；流行病；風尚等的流行 plummet vi.垂直落下；（價格、水平等）驟然下跌 commonsense adj.常識的；具有常識的

inflict vt.造成；使遭受（損傷、痛苦等）；給予（打擊等）

12.25 eekly Address: Merry Christmas from the President and First Lady 每周電視講話：奧巴馬總統攜夫人祝大家圣誕節快樂！

WASHINGTON, DC — In this week's address, the President and First Lady wished Americans a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays.They celebrated the values of the season, and in that spirit of gratitude honored all the brave men and women in uniform fighting to keep us safe, as well as the families that stand by them.The President and First Lady asked that everyone take time this holiday season to visit JoiningForces.gov, and find out how to give back to the troops, veterans, and military families in your community.華盛頓：在本周的講話中，奧巴馬總統攜夫人祝美國人民圣誕快樂，假期快樂。他們本著共同慶祝節日傳統的精神，向每一位身穿軍裝，保衛我們安全的男女將士以及在他們身后默默支持他們的家人們致敬。總統和第一夫人請大家抽時間登錄JoiningForces.gov，網站上會告訴大家如何幫助我們的軍人、退伍老兵以及大家所在社區的軍屬。

THE PRESIDENT: Merry Christmas, everybody!This is one of our favorite times of the year in the Obama household, filled with family and friends, warmth and good cheer.That’s even true when I spend all night chasing Bo and Sunny away from the cookies we leave for Santa.總統：大家圣誕快樂！在奧巴馬家，這是一年里大家最喜歡的日子，家里高朋滿座，到處洋溢著溫暖和歡聲笑語。而且我一晚上都得把波波和撒尼趕到一邊，免得它們把留給圣誕老人的餅干吃掉了。

It’s also my favorite weekly address of the year, because I’m joined by a special holiday guest star: Mrs.Obama.這也是我一年里最喜歡的一次每周講話，因為與我一起的還有一位特別的節日明星：奧巴馬夫人。

THE FIRST LADY: Merry Christmas, everyone.Here at the White House, we’ve spent the past month helping everyone get into the holiday spirit.第一夫人：大家圣誕節快樂！在白宮，我們花了一個月的時間為大家準備，讓大家感受到今年的節日氣氛。

Our theme this year is ―A Timeless Tradition,‖ and the decorations in each room reflect some of our country’s most cherished pastimes – from saluting our troops and their families to helping children dream big dreams for their future.今年，我們的主題是“永遠的傳統”，每個房間的裝飾都反映了我們國家一段最珍貴的傳統，有向軍人和軍屬致敬的主題，還有幫助兒童暢想未來的主題。

And we’ve invited thousands of families here to the White House to enjoy the festivities – because there’s no holiday tradition more timeless than opening our doors to others.我們還邀請了幾千個家庭來到白宮，共同歡度節日，因為，沒有什么傳統比敞開家門迎接八方來客這個傳統更悠久了。THE PRESIDENT: Today, like millions of Americans and Christians around the world, our family celebrates the birth of Jesus and the values He lived in his own life.Treating one another with love and compassion.Caring for those on society’s margins: the sick and the hungry, the poor and the persecuted, the stranger in need of shelter – or simply an act of kindness.總統：今天，與成千上萬的美國人民，以及全世界的基督教徒一樣，我們一起慶祝耶穌基督的生日，紀念他用一生實現的人生價值。對待他人充滿愛和激情。關心生活在社會邊緣的人士：病人和吃不上飯的人，窮人和造虐待的人，需要保護的陌生人，或是一個簡單的善舉。That’s the spirit that binds us together – not just as Christians, but as Americans of all faiths.It’s what the holidays are about: coming together as one American family to celebrate our blessings and the values we hold dear.這是將我們團結在一起的精神，不僅僅對基督徒如此，這也是各種信仰的美國人民所認可的精神。這正是節日的意義所在：像一個美國大家庭一樣團結起來，共同慶祝我們的價值觀，彼此祝福。

During this season, we also honor all who defend those values in our country’s uniform.Every day, the brave men and women of our military serve to keep us safe – and so do their families.在這個節日里，我們也向身穿軍裝，保衛我們的價值觀的軍人們致敬。每一天，英勇的男女將士以及他們的家人們都在為國服務，保衛我們的安全。

THE FIRST LADY: So as we sing carols and open presents, as we win snowball fights...第一夫人：所以，我們唱圣誕歌，收到禮物，打贏雪仗的時候? THE PRESIDENT: Or lose snowball fights...總統：或者打輸雪仗的時候?

THE FIRST LADY: Let’s also take time to pay tribute to those who have given our country so much.Go to JoiningForces.gov to see how you can serve the troops, veterans, and military families in your community.第一夫人：我們別忘了向所有這些為這個國家付出這么多的人們致敬。你可以登錄JoningForces.gov,網站上會告訴你如何為軍人、退伍老兵以及你所在社區的軍屬服務。And together, we can show them just how grateful we are for their sacrifice.That’s a tradition we all can embrace – today and every day.總之，我們可以向他們表達我們對他們付出的犧牲的感激之情。這是我們今天以及未來每一天都會保持下去的傳統。

THE PRESIDENT: So on behalf of Malia, Sasha, Bo, Sunny, and everyone here at the White House – Merry Christmas.May God bless our troops and their families.And may God bless you all with peace and joy in the year ahead.總統：因此，我們謹代表瑪莉亞、薩莎、波波、撒尼以及在白宮過節的所有人，祝大家圣誕節快樂！愿上帝保佑我們的軍人以及他們的家人。愿上帝保佑大家在新的一年里平安吉祥！

第五篇：美國總統奧巴馬2011年感恩節演講

美國總統奧巴馬2011年感恩節演講

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.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.”

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.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.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.感恩節是我國最悠久、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和普利茅斯殖民地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。

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”。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。

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。

為此，我，美利堅合眾國總統巴拉克·歐巴馬，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。