第一篇：奧巴馬對敘利亞白宮講話(中英全文)

Remarks by the President in Address to the Nation on Syria

奧巴馬總統(tǒng)就敘利亞問題向全國發(fā)表講話

East Room, Washington, D.C.東廳，華盛頓哥倫比亞特區(qū)

September 10, 2012013年9月10日

My fellow Americans, tonight I want to talk to you about Syria--why it matters, and where we go from here.我的美國同胞們，今晚我想對你們談談敘利亞問題--為什么此事很重要，從現在開始我們將做些什么。

Over the past two years, what began as a series of peaceful protests against the repressive regime of Bashar al-Assad has turned into a brutal civil war.Over 100,000 people have been killed.Millions have fled the country.In that time, America has worked with allies to provide humanitarian support, to help the moderate opposition, and to shape a political settlement.But I have resisted calls for military action, because we cannot resolve someone else’s civil war through force, particularly after a decade of war in Iraq and Afghanistan.過去兩年來，最初為反對巴沙爾阿薩德專制政權舉行的一系列和平示威演變成一場殘酷的內戰(zhàn)。有100,000多人被殺害。數百萬人逃離這個國家。在此期間，美國與各盟國一起提供人道主義援助，幫助溫和的反對派，并努力促成政治解決。但是我拒絕了關于采取軍事行動的要求，因為我們無法通過武力解決別國的內戰(zhàn)問題，特別是在伊拉克和阿富汗經過了10年戰(zhàn)爭之后。

The situation profoundly changed, though, on August 21st, when Assad’s government gassed to death over a thousand people, including hundreds of children.The images from this massacre are sickening: Men, women, children lying in rows, killed by poison gas.Others foaming at the mouth, gasping for breath.A father clutching his dead children, imploring them to get up and walk.On that terrible night, the world saw in gruesome detail the terrible nature of chemical weapons, and why the overwhelming majority of humanity has declared them off-limits--a crime against humanity, and a violation of the laws of war.8月21日，局勢出現了巨大的變化。當時，阿薩德政府使用毒氣殺害了一千多民眾，其中包括數百名兒童。這場大屠殺的情景令人慘不忍睹：男子、婦女、兒童橫尸遍地，都是因為中毒身亡。另一些人口吐白沫，呼吸窒息。一位父親摟著死去的孩子們，還在哀求他們站起來走走。在那個可怕的夜晚，全世界通過慘絕人寰的詳盡畫面親眼目睹化學武器的恐怖性質。這也說明為什么人類絕大多數宣布禁止使用這類武器——使用這類武器屬于反人類的罪行，也違反了戰(zhàn)爭法。

This was not always the case.In World War I, American GIs were among the many thousands killed by deadly gas in the trenches of Europe.In World War II, the Nazis used gas to inflict the horror of the Holocaust.Because these weapons can kill on a mass scale, with no distinction between soldier and infant, the civilized world has spent a century working to ban them.And in 1997, the United States Senate overwhelmingly approved an international agreement prohibiting the use of chemical weapons, now joined by 189 governments that represent 98 percent of humanity.事情往往沒有那么簡單。在第一次世界大戰(zhàn)期間，數以千萬計的人在歐洲的戰(zhàn)壕中被致命的毒氣殺害，美國士兵也在其中。在第二次世界大戰(zhàn)期間，納粹使用毒氣制造了大屠殺的慘劇。由于這類武器可以大規(guī)模殺人害命，不論他們是士兵還是嬰兒，文明世界花了一個世紀的時間努力禁止這類武器。1997年，美國參議院以壓倒多數批準禁止使用化學武器的國際公約，現已有代表全人類98%的189個政府參加這項國際公約。

On August 21st, these basic rules were violated, along with our sense of common humanity.No one disputes that chemical weapons were used in Syria.The world saw thousands of videos, cell phone pictures, and social media accounts from the attack, and humanitarian organizations told stories of hospitals packed with people who had symptoms of poison gas.8月21日，這些基本準則受到破壞，我們關于共同人性的信念被踐踏。對于化學武器在敘利亞已經被使用一事，已沒有人提出質疑。全世界從數千份視頻、手機攝像和社會媒體條目上都看到這次襲擊事件的情景。人道主義組織也提供了有關報道，指出一些醫(yī)院人滿為患，患者出現毒氣中毒的癥狀。

Moreover, we know the Assad regime was responsible.In the days leading up to August 21st, we know that Assad’s chemical weapons personnel prepared for an attack near an area where they mix sarin gas.They distributed gasmasks to their troops.Then they fired rockets from a regime-controlled area into 11 neighborhoods that the regime has been trying to wipe clear of opposition forces.Shortly after those rockets landed, the gas spread, and hospitals filled with the dying and the wounded.We know senior figures in Assad’s military machine reviewed the results of the attack, and the regime increased their shelling of the same neighborhoods in the days that followed.We’ve also studied samples of blood and hair from people at the site that tested positive for sarin.此外，我們知道阿薩德政權應為此負責。在8月21日前的幾天，我們知道阿薩德的化學武器人員為了準備發(fā)動襲擊，在鄰近地區(qū)配制沙林毒氣。他們向自己的軍隊發(fā)放了防毒面具。然后他們從該政權控制的地區(qū)向附近的11個小區(qū)發(fā)射火箭，該政權正企圖在這些地區(qū)清除反對派武裝。火箭落地后不久，毒氣就開始蔓延，醫(yī)院里到處都是死傷的人員。我們知道阿薩德軍事機器的高級要員察看了襲擊的結果，此后幾天該政權加強了對這些小區(qū)進行炮擊的火力。我們還檢驗了從現場人員身上取得的血液和毛發(fā)樣品，結果發(fā)現呈沙林陽性。When dictators commit atrocities, they depend upon the world to look the other way until those horrifying pictures fade from memory.But these things happened.The facts cannot be denied.The question now is what the United States of America, and the international community, is prepared to do about it.Because what happened to those people--to those children--is not only a violation of international law, it’s also a danger to our security.當獨裁者采取罪惡行動時，他們期待全世界對此不聞不問，直到這些慘無人道的景象從記憶中漸漸消失。但這些情況千真萬確。事實不可否認。現在的問題是，美利堅合眾國和國際社會準備對此采取什么行動。因為這些民眾—這些兒童—的遭遇不僅僅涉及違反國際法的行為，而且也對我國安全造成威脅。

Let me explain why.If we fail to act, the Assad regime will see no reason to stop using chemical weapons.As the ban against these weapons erodes, other tyrants will have no reason to think twice about acquiring poison gas, and using them.Over time, our troops would again face the prospect of chemical warfare on the battlefield.And it could be easier for terrorist organizations to obtain these weapons, and to use them to attack civilians.請讓我說明這是為什么。如果我們不采取行動，阿薩德政權就會認為沒有理由停止使用化學武器。一旦禁止使用這類武器的禁令受到侵蝕，其他專制暴君也會毫不猶豫地獲得毒氣并投入使用。長此以往，我國軍隊在戰(zhàn)場上將再次面臨化學戰(zhàn)的局面。恐怖主義組織也更容易獲得這類武器并使用這些武器襲擊平民。

If fighting spills beyond Syria’s borders, these weapons could threaten allies like Turkey, Jordan, and Israel.And a failure to stand against the use of chemical weapons would weaken prohibitions against other weapons of mass destruction, and embolden Assad’s ally, Iran--which must decide whether to ignore international law by building a nuclear weapon, or to take a more peaceful path.如果戰(zhàn)火蔓延到敘利亞邊境之外，這些武器會對土耳其、約旦和以色列等盟國造成威脅。如果不制止使用化學武器的行為，對其他大規(guī)模毀滅性武器的禁令也會被削弱，使阿薩德的盟國伊朗更膽大妄為--伊朗必須作出抉擇，是以制造核武器對抗國際法，還是走上更和平的道路。

This is not a world we should accept.This is what’s at stake.And that is why, after careful deliberation, I determined that it is in the national security interests of the United States to respond to the Assad regime’s use of chemical weapons through a targeted military strike.The purpose of this strike would be to deter Assad from using chemical weapons, to degrade his regime’s ability to use them, and to make clear to the world that we will not tolerate their use.這不是我們應接受的世界。這是利害攸關所在。正因為如此，在經過審慎研究后，我斷定，以有針對性的軍事打擊回應阿薩德政權動用化學武器的行徑符合美國國家安全利益。打擊是為了制止阿薩德使用化學武器，削弱該政權使用化學武器的能力，并向世界表明，我們決不容使用化學武器。

That’s my judgment as Commander-in-Chief.But I’m also the President of the world’s oldest constitutional democracy.So even though I possess the authority to order military strikes, I believed it was right, in the absence of a direct or imminent threat to our security, to take this debate to Congress.I believe our democracy is stronger when the President acts with the support of Congress.And I believe that America acts more effectively abroad when we stand together.這是我作為全軍統(tǒng)帥的判斷。然而我也是世界最悠久的憲政民主國家的總統(tǒng)。因此，雖然我有權下令進行軍事打擊，但我認為，在我們的安全沒有受到直接和緊迫威脅的情況下，應該將此提交國會辯論。我認為，總統(tǒng)的行動得到國會支持會使我們的民主制更有力。我認為，我們的團結一致會使美國能夠更有效地在海外展開行動。

This is especially true after a decade that put more and more war-making power in the hands of the President, and more and more burdens on the shoulders of our troops, while sidelining the people’s representatives from the critical decisions about when we use force.由于十年來總統(tǒng)的戰(zhàn)爭決定權越來越大，我們軍隊的負擔越來越多，而在事關我們何時動武的重大決定中人民代表作用旁落，這一點尤其如此。

Now, I know that after the terrible toll of Iraq and Afghanistan, the idea of any military action, no matter how limited, is not going to be popular.After all, I’ve spent four and a half years working to end wars, not to start them.Our troops are out of Iraq.Our troops are coming home from Afghanistan.And I know Americans want all of us in Washington--especially me--to concentrate on the task of building our nation here at home: putting people back to work, educating our kids, growing our middle class.我知道，在付出伊拉克和阿富汗的沉重代價后，任何有關軍事行動的設想，無論多么有限，都不會受歡迎。畢竟，我已經用了四年半的時間努力結束戰(zhàn)爭，而不是開始戰(zhàn)爭。我們的軍隊現在已經撤出伊拉克。我們的軍隊正在從阿富汗返回家園。而且我知道，美國人民希望我們在華盛頓的所有人——特別是我——集中精力進行國內建設：讓人們重返工作崗位，讓我們的孩子受教育，壯大我們的中產階層。

It’s no wonder, then, that you’re asking hard questions.So let me answer some of the most important questions that I’ve heard from members of Congress, and that I’ve read in letters that you’ve sent to me.所以，毫不奇怪，你們提出了尖銳的問題。那么就讓我來回答一些我從國會議員那里聽到和從你們給我的來信中讀到的最重要的問題。

First, many of you have asked, won’t this put us on a slippery slope to another war? One man wrote to me that we are “still recovering from our involvement in Iraq.” A veteran put it more bluntly: “This nation is sick and tired of war.”

首先，你們許多人問，這樣做不是將導致我們跌入另一場戰(zhàn)爭嗎？一位給我來信的人寫道，我們“還在從對伊拉克的介入的恢復中”。一位退伍軍人更直截了當地寫道：“這個國家厭倦戰(zhàn)爭。”

My answer is simple: I will not put American boots on the ground in Syria.I will not pursue an open-ended action like Iraq or Afghanistan.I will not pursue a prolonged air campaign like Libya or Kosovo.This would be a targeted strike to achieve a clear objective: deterring the use of chemical weapons, and degrading Assad’s capabilities.我的回答簡單明了：我不會向敘利亞派遣美國地面軍隊。我不會開展像在伊拉克或阿富汗的那種無限期行動。我不會進行像在利比亞或科索沃那樣的長期空中行動。這將是為達到一個明確目標而進行的有針對性的打擊：防止使用化學武器，削弱阿薩德的能力。

Others have asked whether it’s worth acting if we don’t take out Assad.As some members of Congress have said, there’s no point in simply doing a “pinprick” strike in Syria.還有些人質疑，如果我們不推翻阿薩德，這種行動是否值得。正像一些國會成員所說，對敘利亞給予“輕扎”的一擊毫無意義。

Let me make something clear: The United States military doesn’t do pinpricks.Even a limited strike will send a message to Assad that no other nation can deliver.I don’t think we should remove another dictator with force--we learned from Iraq that doing so makes us responsible for all that comes next.But a targeted strike can make Assad, or any other dictator, think twice before using chemical weapons.請讓我明確一點：美國軍隊不作輕扎之舉。即使是有限打擊也將對阿薩德傳遞任何其他國家都無法傳遞的信息。我不認為我們應該用武力再去推翻一個獨裁者——我們從伊拉克懂得，這樣做意味著我們要承擔隨后的所有一切。但是，有限的打擊能夠讓阿薩德，或任何其他獨裁者，在動用化學武器前三思。

Other questions involve the dangers of retaliation.We don’t dismiss any threats, but the Assad regime does not have the ability to seriously threaten our military.Any other retaliation they might seek is in line with threats that we face every day.Neither Assad nor his allies have any interest in escalation that would lead to his demise.And our ally, Israel, can defend itself with overwhelming force, as well as the unshakeable support of the United States of America.其他一些提問涉及報復的危險。我們不排除任何威脅，但是阿薩德政權沒有能力對我們的軍隊構成嚴重威脅。他們有可能圖謀的任何報復手段與我們每天面臨的威脅并無兩樣。阿薩德和他的同伙都不會希望加劇導致自身滅亡。我們的盟友以色列能夠依靠其壓倒性的軍事力量和美利堅合眾國堅定不移的支持實現自衛(wèi)。

Many of you have asked a broader question: Why should we get involved at all in a place that’s so complicated, and where--as one person wrote to me--“those who come after Assad may be enemies of human rights?”

你們許多人提出了一個更宏觀的問題：我們到底為什么要介入一個如此復雜的地方，在那里——就像一位人士寫給我的——“接替阿薩德的人也許與人權為敵？”

It’s true that some of Assad’s opponents are extremists.But al Qaeda will only draw strength in a more chaotic Syria if people there see the world doing nothing to prevent innocent civilians from being gassed to death.The majority of the Syrian people--and the Syrian opposition we work with--just want to live in peace, with dignity and freedom.And the day after any military action, we would redouble our efforts to achieve a political solution that strengthens those who reject the forces of tyranny and extremism.確實，在阿薩德的反對派中有些是極端主義分子。但是，如果人們看到世界對防止無辜平民遭毒氣殺害無動于衷，那只會使“基地”組織（al Qaeda）在變得更加混亂的敘利亞得勢。大多數敘利亞人——以及我們與之合作的敘利亞反對派——僅希望過和平、有尊嚴和自由的生活。在任何軍事行動過后，我們都將加倍努力實現政治解決，增強那些抵制暴政與極端主義的力量。

Finally, many of you have asked: Why not leave this to other countries, or seek solutions short of force? As several people wrote to me, “We should not be the world’s policeman.”

最后，你們很多人都問道：為什么不把這個問題留給其他國家，為什么不尋求不使用武力的解決方式？有些人致信給我時寫道：“我們不應充當世界警察。”

I agree, and I have a deeply held preference for peaceful solutions.Over the last two years, my administration has tried diplomacy and sanctions, warning and negotiations--but chemical weapons were still used by the Assad regime.我對此表示贊同，而且我深信應優(yōu)先考慮和平解決。兩年來，本屆政府采用過外交方式、實施過制裁、發(fā)出過警告并進行過談判——但阿薩德政權卻依然使用了化學武器。

However, over the last few days, we’ve seen some encouraging signs.In part because of the credible threat of U.S.military action, as well as constructive talks that I had with President Putin, the Russian government has indicated a willingness to join with the international community in pushing Assad to give up his chemical weapons.The Assad regime has now admitted that it has these weapons, and even said they’d join the Chemical Weapons Convention, which prohibits their use.不過，我們在最近幾天看到了一些積極跡象。在一定程度上由于美國要采取軍事行動的有力威懾，以及我與普京總統(tǒng)進行的建設性會談，俄羅斯政府已表示愿意加入國際社會的行列，迫使阿薩德放棄其化學武器。阿薩德政權現已承認擁有這類武器，甚至表示要加入禁止使用這類武器的《禁止化學武器公約》。

It’s too early to tell whether this offer will succeed, and any agreement must verify that the Assad regime keeps its commitments.But this initiative has the potential to remove the threat of chemical weapons without the use of force, particularly because Russia is one of Assad’s strongest allies.確定這個方案是否可行現在還為時過早，而且任何一項協議都必須核實阿薩德政權遵守承諾的情況。但這項提案有可能在不使用武力的情況下消除化學武器的威脅，尤其是因為俄羅斯是阿薩德最牢靠的盟友之一。

I have, therefore, asked the leaders of Congress to postpone a vote to authorize the use of force while we pursue this diplomatic path.I’m sending Secretary of State John Kerry to meet his Russian counterpart on Thursday, and I will continue my own discussions with President Putin.I’ve spoken to the leaders of two of our closest allies, France and the United Kingdom, and we will work together in consultation with Russia and China to put forward a resolution at the U.N.Security Council requiring Assad to give up his chemical weapons, and to ultimately destroy them under international control.We’ll also give U.N.inspectors the opportunity to report their findings about what happened on August 21st.And we will continue to rally support from allies from Europe to the Americas--from Asia to the Middle East--who agree on the need for action.因此，在我們探求這個外交途徑的同時，我已要求國會領袖推遲就授權使用武力進行投票。我將派國務卿約翰·克里于本周四同俄羅斯外長見面，我也將繼續(xù)同普京總統(tǒng)進行商談。我已同我們最親密的兩個盟國——法國和英國——的領導人交談過，我們將與俄羅斯和中國磋商，共同努力在聯合國安理會提出一項決議，要求阿薩德必須放棄化學武器，并在國際監(jiān)控下最終銷毀它們。我們還將讓聯合國核查人員有機會報告他們對8月21日所發(fā)生的一切的調查結果。我們也將繼續(xù)爭取同樣認為有必要采取行動的盟友的支持——從歐洲到美洲、從亞洲到中東。

Meanwhile, I’ve ordered our military to maintain their current posture to keep the pressure on Assad, and to be in a position to respond if diplomacy fails.And tonight, I give thanks again to our military and their families for their incredible strength and sacrifices.與此同時，我已命令我軍保持他們目前的態(tài)勢，以便繼續(xù)向阿薩德施壓，并在外交失效的情況下能夠作出應對。今晚，我再次感謝我軍軍人及其家屬的無比堅強以及他們付出的巨大犧牲。

My fellow Americans, for nearly seven decades, the United States has been the anchor of global security.This has meant doing more than forging international agreements--it has meant enforcing them.The burdens of leadership are often heavy, but the world is a better place because we have borne them.我的美國同胞們，近70年來，美國一直是全球安全的支柱。這不僅意味著締結國際協定——而且意味著嚴格執(zhí)行國際協定。發(fā)揮領導作用的擔子往往是沉重的，但正因為我們已承擔起這個重擔，這個世界才變得更加美好。

And so, to my friends on the right, I ask you to reconcile your commitment to America’s military might with a failure to act when a cause is so plainly just.To my friends on the left, I ask you to reconcile your belief in freedom and dignity for all people with those images of children writhing in pain, and going still on a cold hospital floor.For sometimes resolutions and statements of condemnation are simply not enough.因此，我要請右翼的朋友們想一想，以你們對美國強大軍力的承諾，能否容許不為如此顯而易見的正義事業(yè)采取行動。我要請左翼的朋友們想一想，以你們對所有人民的自由和尊嚴的信念，能否對那些痛苦掙扎的兒童在醫(yī)院冰冷的地板上奄奄一息的畫面無動于衷。有時僅僅拿出決議及發(fā)表譴責聲明是遠遠不夠的。

Indeed, I’d ask every member of Congress, and those of you watching at home tonight, to view those videos of the attack, and then ask: What kind of world will we live in if the United States of America sees a dictator brazenly violate international law with poison gas, and we choose to look the other way?

是的，我要請每一位國會議員以及今晚在家中收看講話的每一個人都去看一看有關那次襲擊的視頻并捫心自問：如果美國看到一名獨裁者動用毒氣肆無忌憚地踐踏國際法卻視而不見，那我們的這個世界會變成什么樣子？

Franklin Roosevelt once said, “Our national determination to keep free of foreign wars and foreign entanglements cannot prevent us from feeling deep concern when ideals and principles that we have cherished are challenged.” Our ideals and principles, as well as our national security, are at stake in Syria, along with our leadership of a world where we seek to ensure that the worst weapons will never be used.富蘭克林·羅斯福曾說：“我國不介入國外戰(zhàn)爭和國外糾葛的決心不能阻止我們在我們所珍視的理念和原則受到挑戰(zhàn)的時候深深地感到關切。” 我們的理念和原則，以及我們的國家安全，都在敘利亞問題上面臨利害攸關的時刻，此外還有我們在全世界為確保最殘酷的武器絕不被使用而發(fā)揮的領導作用。

America is not the world’s policeman.Terrible things happen across the globe, and it is beyond our means to right every wrong.But when, with modest effort and risk, we can stop children from being gassed to death, and thereby make our own children safer over the long run, I believe we should act.That’s what makes America different.That’s what makes us exceptional.With humility, but with resolve, let us never lose sight of that essential truth.美國不是世界警察。全球到處都有可怕的事情發(fā)生，我們沒有能力去糾正每一樁惡行。但當我們付出適度的努力并承擔適度的風險就能阻止用毒氣殺害兒童的行徑，并從長遠來看能以此進一步保障我們本國兒童的安全，我便堅信我們應當采取行動。正是這一點讓美國獨樹一幟。正是這一點讓我們出類拔萃。讓我們以謙和為懷，同時下定決心，永遠牢記這個至關重要的真理。

Thank you.God bless you.And God bless the United States of America.謝謝你們。愿上帝保佑你們。愿上帝保佑美利堅合眾國。

第二篇：奧巴馬針對敘利亞事件在白宮發(fā)表的講話

Good afternoon, everybody.Ten days ago, the world watched in horror as men, women and children were massacred in Syria in the worst chemical weapons attack of the 21st century.Yesterday the United States presented a powerful case that the Syrian government was responsible for this attack on its own people.Our intelligence shows the Assad regime and its forces preparing to use chemical weapons, launching rockets in the highly populated suburbs of Damascus, and acknowledging that a chemical weapons attack took place.And all of this corroborates what the world can plainly see-hospitals overflowing with victims;terrible images of the dead.All told, well over 1000 people were murdered.Several hundred of them were children-young girls and boys gassed to death by their own government.This attack is an assault on human dignity.It also presents a serious danger to our national security.It risks making a mockery of the global prohibition on the use of chemical weapons.It endangers our friends and our partners along Syria’s borders, including Israel, Jordan, Turkey, Lebanon and Iraq.It could lead to escalating use of chemical weapons, or their proliferation to terrorist groups who would do our people harm.In a world with many dangers, this menace must be confronted.Now, after careful deliberation, I have decided that the United States should take military action against Syrian regime targets.This would not be an open-ended intervention.We would not put boots on the ground.Instead, our action would be designed to be limited in duration and scope.But I’m confident we can hold the Assad regime accountable for their use of chemical weapons, deter this kind of behavior, and degrade their capacity to carry it out.Our military has positioned assets in the region.The chairman of the Joint Chiefs has informed me that we are prepared to strike whenever we choose.Moreover, the Chairman has indicated to me that our capacity to execute this mission is not time-sensitive;it will be effective tomorrow, or next week, or one month from now.andI’m prepared to give that order.But having made my decision as Commander-in-Chief based on what I am convinced is our national security interests, I’m also mindful that I’m the President of the world’s oldest constitutional democracy.I’ve long believed that our power is rooted not just in our military might, but in our example as a government of the people, by the people, and for the people.And that’s why I’ve made a second decision: I will seek authorization for the use of force from the American people’s representatives in Congress.Over the last several days, we’ve heard from members of Congress who want their voices to be heard.I absolutely agree.So this morning, I spoke with all four congressional leaders, and they’ve agreed to schedule a debate and then a vote as soon as Congress comes back into session.In the coming days, my administration stands ready to provide every member with the information they need to understand what happened in Syria and why it has such profound implications for America’s national security.And all of us should be accountable as we move forward, and that can only be accomplished with a vote.I’m confident in the case our government has made without waiting for U.N.inspectors.I’m comfortable going forward without the approval of a United Nations Security Council that, so far, has been completelyparalysed and unwilling to hold Assad accountable.As a consequence, many people have advised against taking this decision to Congress, and undoubtedly, they were impacted by what we saw happen in the United Kingdom this week when the Parliament of our closest ally failed to pass a resolution with a similar goal, even as the Prime Minister supported taking action.Yet, while I believe I have the authority to carry out this military action without specific congressional authorization, I know that the country will be stronger if we take this course, and our actions will be even more effective.We should have this debate, because the issues are too big for business as usual.And this morning, John Boehner, Harry Reid, Nancy Pelosi and Mitch McConnell agreed that this is the right thing to do for our democracy.A country faces few decisions as grave as using military force, even when that force is limited.I respect the views of those who call for caution, particularly as our country emerges from a time of war that I was elected in part to end.But if we really do want to turn away from taking appropriate action in the face of such an unspeakable outrage, then we must acknowledge the costs of doing nothing.Here’s my question for every member of Congress and every member of the global community: What message will we send if a dictator can gas hundreds of children to death in plain sight and pay no price? What’s the purpose of the international system that we’ve built if a prohibition on the use of chemical weapons that has been agreed to by the governments of 98 percent of the world’s people and approved overwhelmingly by the Congress of thee United States is not enforced?

Make no mistake-this has implications beyond chemical warfare.If we won’t enforce accountability in the face of this heinous act, what does it say about our resolve to stand up to others who flout fundamental international rules? To governments who would choose to build nuclear arms? To terrorist who would spread biological weapons? To armies who carry out genocide?

We cannot raise our children in a world where we will not follow through on the things we say, the accords we sign, the values that define us.So just as I will take this case to Congress, I will also deliver this message to the world.While the U.N.investigation has some time to report on its findings, we will insist that an atrocity committed with chemical weapons is not simply investigated, it must be confronted.I don’t expect every nation to agree with the decision we have made.Privately we’ve heard many expressions of support from our friends.But I will ask those who care about the writ of the international community to stand publicly behind our action.And finally, let me say this to the American people: I know well that we are weary of war.We’ve ended one war in Iraq.We’re ending another in Afghanistan.And the American people have the good sense to know we cannot resolve the underlying conflict in Syria with our military.In that part of the world, there are ancient sectarian differences, and the hopes of the Arab Spring have unleashed forces of change that are going to take many years to resolve.And that’s why we’re not contemplating putting our troops in the middle of someone else’s war.Instead, we’ll continue to support the Syria people through our pressure on the Assad regime, our commitment to the opposition, our care for the displaced, and our pursuit of a political resolution that achieves a government that respects the dignity of its people.But we are the United States of America, and we cannot and must not turn a blind eye to what happened in Damascus.Out of the ashes of world war, we built an international order and enforced the rules that gave it meaning.And we did so because we believe that the right of individuals to live in peace and dignity depends on the responsibilities of nations.We aren’t perfect, but this nation more than any other has been willing to meet those responsibilities.So to all members of Congress of both parties, I ask you to take this vote for our national security.I am looking forward to the debate.And in doing so, I ask you, members of Congress, to consider that some things are more important than partisan differences or the politics of the moment.Ultimately, this is not about who occupies this office at any given time;it’s about who we are as a country.I believe that the people’s representatives must be invested in what America does abroad, and now is the time to show the world that America keeps our commitments.We do what we say.And we lead with the belief that right makes might-not the other way around.We all know there are no easy options.But I wasn’t elected to avoid hard decisions.And neither were the members of the House and the Senate.I’ve told you what I believe that our security and our values demand that we cannot turn away from the massacre of countless civilians with chemical weapons.And our democracy is stronger when the President and the people’s representatives stand together.I’m ready to act in the face of this outrage.Today I’m asking Congress to send a message to the world that we are ready to move forward together as one nation.Thanks very much.

第三篇：奧巴馬白宮演講 2

Take executive action on immigration.在移民問題上采取執(zhí)行行動。

Bucket.去他的。

New climate regulations.新氣候規(guī)定。

Bucket.去他的。

It's the right thing to do.這么做才對。

My new attitude is paying off.我的新態(tài)度是回報。

Look at my Cuba policy.看看我的古巴政策。

The Castro brothers are here tonight.卡斯特羅兄弟今晚在這里。

Welcome to America, amigos.歡迎來到美國，朋友。

Que pasa? 怎麼了？

What? 什么？

It's the Castros from Texas.他們是來自德克薩斯州的卡斯特羅兄弟。

Oh.Hi, Joaquin.哦。嗨，杰奎因。

Hi, Julian.嗨，朱利安。

Anyway, being president is never easy.無論如何，當總統(tǒng)都不是件容易的事。

I still have to fix a broken immigration system, issue veto threats, negotiate with Iran.我仍然需要修復一個破碎的移民制度，發(fā)布否決威脅，與伊朗談判。

All while finding time to pray five times a day.同時還要每天騰出時間來祈禱五次。

Which is strenuous.頻繁了。

And it is no wonder that people keep pointing out how the presidency has aged me.難怪人們一直說擔任總統(tǒng)讓我變老了。

I look so old, John Boehner's already invited Benjamin Netanyahu to speak at my funeral.我看起來如此之老，以至于約翰·博納已經邀請了本雅明·內塔尼亞胡在我的葬禮上致辭。

Meanwhile, Michelle hasn't aged a day.然而，米歇爾卻一點兒都沒有老。

I ask her what her secret is and she just says “fresh fruits and vegetables.” 我問她秘訣所在，她說“新鮮水果和蔬菜。”

It's aggravating.真是太可恨了。

Fact is though, at this point my legacy is finally beginning to take shape.事實就是，我的遺產漸漸顯出雛形了。

The economy is getting better.經濟正在好轉。

Nine in ten Americans now have health coverage.如今百分之九十的美國人有了醫(yī)保。

Today thanks to Obamacare you no longer have to worry about losing your insurance if you lose your job.今天，正因為奧巴馬醫(yī)改，你們才不用擔心失業(yè)后沒有保險。

You're welcome, Senate democrats.不用謝，民主黨議員們。

第四篇：奧巴馬競選演講稿(中英)

美國首任黑人總統(tǒng)奧巴馬競選演講稿（中英）

Obama: The Change We Need

This is a defining moment in our history.We face the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression--760,000 workers have lost their jobs this year.Businesses and families can't get credit.Home values are falling, and pensions are disappearing.Wages are lower than they've been in a decade, at a time when the costs of health care and college have never been higher.At a moment like this, we can't afford four more years of spending increases, poorly designed tax cuts, or the complete lack of regulatory oversight that even former Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan now believes was a mistake.America needs a new direction.That's why I'm running for president of the United States.Tomorrow, you can give this country the change we need.My opponent, Senator McCain, has served his country honorably.He can even point to a few moments in the past where he has broken from his party.But over the past eight years, he's voted with President Bush 90% of the time.And when it comes to the economy, he still can't tell the American people one major thing he'd do differently from George Bush.It's not change to come up with a tax plan that doesn't give a penny of relief to more than 100 million middle-class Americans--a plan that even the National Review and other conservative organizations complain does far too little to benefit the middle class.It's not change to add more than $5 trillion to the deficits we've run up in recent years.It's not change to come up with a plan to address our housing crisis that puts another $300 billion of taxpayer money at risk--a plan that the editorial board of this newspaper said 'raises more questions than it answers.'If there's one thing we've learned from this economic crisis, it's that we are all in this together.From CEOs to shareholders, from

financiers to factory workers, we all have a stake in each other's success because the more Americans prosper, the more America prospers.That's why we've had titans of industry who've made it their mission to pay well enough that their employees could afford the products they made--businessmen like Warren Buffett, whose support I'm proud to have.That's why our economy hasn't just been the world's greatest wealth creator--it's been the world's greatest job generator.It's been the tide that has lifted the boats of the largest middle class in history.To rebuild that middle class, I'll give a tax break to 95% of workers and their families.If you work, pay taxes, and make less than $200,000, you'll get a tax cut.If you make more than $250,000, you'll still pay taxes at a lower rate than in the 1990s--and capital gains and dividend taxes one-third lower than they were under President Reagan.We'll create two million new jobs by rebuilding our crumbling

infrastructure and laying broadband lines that reach every corner of the country.I'll invest $15 billion a year over the next decade in renewable energy, creating five million new, green jobs that pay well, can't be outsourced, and can help end our dependence on Middle East oil.When it comes to health care, we don't have to choose between a government-run system and the unaffordable one we have now.My opponent's plan would make you pay taxes on your health-care benefits for the first time in history.My plan will make health care affordable and accessible for every American.If you already have health insurance, the only change you'll see under my plan is lower premiums.If you don't, you'll be able to get the same kind of plan that members of Congress get for themselves.To give every child a world-class education so they can compete in this global economy for the jobs of the 21st century, I'll invest in early childhood education and recruit an army of new teachers.But I'll also demand higher standards and more accountability.And we'll make a deal with every young American: If you commit to serving your community or your country, we will make sure you can afford your tuition.And when it comes to keeping this country safe, I'll end the Iraq war responsibly so we stop spending $10 billion a month in Iraq while it sits on a huge surplus.For the sake of our economy, our military and the long-term stability of Iraq, it's time for the Iraqis to step up.I'll finally finish the fight against bin Laden and the al Qaeda terrorists who attacked us on 9/11, build new partnerships to defeat the threats of the 21st century, and restore our moral standing so that America remains the last, best hope of Earth.None of this will be easy.It won't happen overnight.But I believe we can do this because I believe in America.This is the country that allowed our parents and grandparents to believe that even if they couldn't go to college, they could save a little bit each week so their child could;that even if they couldn't have their own business, they could work hard enough so their child could open one of their own.And at every moment in our history, we've risen to meet our challenges because we've never

forgotten the fundamental truth that in America, our destiny is not written for us, but by us.So tomorrow, I ask you to write our nation's next great chapter.I ask you to believe--not just in my ability to bring about change, but in yours.Tomorrow, you can choose policies that invest in our middle class, create new jobs, and grow this economy so that everyone has a chance to succeed.You can choose hope over fear, unity over division, the promise of change over the power of the status quo.If you give me your vote, we won't just win this election--together, we will change this country and change the world.現在是美國歷史的關鍵時刻。我們面臨著大蕭條以來最為嚴重的一場經濟危機：今年以來已經有76萬人失業(yè)；企業(yè)和家庭無法獲得信貸；房價不斷下滑，養(yǎng)老金日益縮水；工資降到了十年來的最低水平，同時醫(yī)療和教育成本卻漲到了有史以來的最高點。

在眼下這樣的危急時刻，我們承受不起又一個四年的支出增長、千瘡百孔的減稅措施、或是監(jiān)管全無──即使是美國聯邦儲備委員會（Fed）前主席格林斯潘（Alan Greenspan）現在也承認那是個錯誤。美國需要一個新的方向。這也正是我競選美國總統(tǒng)的原因所在。

明天，也就是周二，你們將有能力賦予這個國家我們所需要的變革。Corbis我的競選對手麥凱恩參議員為美國作出的貢獻令人尊敬。他甚至可以指出他過去曾有幾次與自己的黨派分道揚鑣。然而，在過去八年中，他十之八九都贊同布什總統(tǒng)的主張。而在經濟問題上，他仍然無法向美國民眾說明，他與布什的做法會有什么太大區(qū)別。

如果提出的稅收計劃沒有讓1億多美國中產階級獲得一分錢的稅項減免，這不是變革──即使是《國家評論》（National Review）雜志和其他保守派組織也抱怨說，這個計劃對造福中產階級貢獻寥寥。在近年來不斷累積的財政赤字上再添5萬億美元，這不是變革。如果解決房市危機的計劃又將另外3,000億美元納稅人的錢置于風險之中，這不是變革──《華爾街日報》編輯委員會稱這一計劃“產生的問題比解決的問題多”。

如果說我們從此次經濟危機中學到了什么的話，那就是我們要患難與共。從首席執(zhí)行長到公司股東，從金融家到工廠工人，我們每個人都休戚相關，因為美國的民眾越富足，美國才會越繁榮。

這就是為什么我們有些企業(yè)巨頭把提高員工薪酬作為自己的一項使命，讓員工能買得起自己生產的產品，比如巴菲特（Warren Buffett）這樣的商界人士。我對能有他的支持感到自豪。這就是為什么美國經濟不僅是世界上最偉大的財富創(chuàng)造者，也是世界上最偉大的就業(yè)機會制造者。它一直托舉著有史以來規(guī)模最大的中產階級之舟。

為了重塑美國中產階級，我將給予95%的工人及其家庭稅收減免待遇。如果你工作，就交稅；如果年收入不足20萬美元，你會獲得減稅；即使你的年收入超過了25萬美元，你所負擔的稅率也比上世紀九十年代要低──資本利得稅和股息稅要比里根總統(tǒng)時期低三分之一。

通過重建日益破敗的基礎設施、在美國的各個角落接通寬帶，我們將創(chuàng)造200萬個就業(yè)崗位。未來的十年中，我將每年在可再生能源領域投資150億美元，進而新增500萬個崗位；這些工作環(huán)保、薪酬豐厚、不能外包，而且能幫助我們擺脫對中東石油的依賴。

在醫(yī)療問題上，我們不必在政府運營的體系和目前這種我們難以負擔的體系之間進行選擇。我的競選對手提出的方案會令美國人有史以來首次為自己獲得的醫(yī)療福利納稅。我的計劃則會讓醫(yī)療保健成為每個美國人都負擔得起、享受得到的服務。根據我的計劃，如果你已經有了醫(yī)療保險，你將看到的唯一一個變化是保費降低；如果你還沒有醫(yī)療保險，你將能與國會議員們享受到同樣的醫(yī)療福利。為了讓每個孩子享受到世界級的教育，讓他們能在全球經濟中競爭21世紀的工作崗位，我將投資早期教育，并且增加師資力量。不過，我同時也會要求更高的標準和更多的責任。我們向每個美國年輕人作出承諾：如果你致力于服務你的社區(qū)或是你的國家，我們將確保你能負擔得起自己的學費。

在國防安全問題上，我將負責任地結束伊拉克戰(zhàn)爭，這樣我們就不必在這個國家享有巨額財政盈余的情況下每月卻要在那里花費100億美元。為了美國的經濟、美國的軍隊和伊拉克的長期穩(wěn)定，現在是伊拉克人站出來的時候了。我將最終完成對本·拉登（Bin Laden）和基地組織恐怖分子的打擊，正是這些人制造了9/11恐怖襲擊，同時我還會建立新的合作關系、擊退21世紀出現的威脅，恢復我們的道德威望，讓美國仍然是地球上最后也是最好的希望。

這些事情沒有一件是輕而易舉能辦到的，也不是一朝一夕能完成的。但是，我堅信我們能成功，因為我對美國深信不疑。是美國使我們的父輩相信，即使他們自己無法上大學，也可以每周積攢下一些錢來，讓他們的孩子接受好的教育；即使他們不能擁有自己的企業(yè)，也可以通過努力工作讓自己的孩子創(chuàng)辦企業(yè)。在美國歷史的每個時刻，我們都勇敢地站起來面對挑戰(zhàn)，因為我們從來沒有忘記過這樣一個基本真理：在美國，我們的命運并非天定，而是掌握在我們自己的手中。所以，明天，我懇請你們書寫美國下一個偉大的篇章。我懇請你們不只相信我?guī)碜兏锏哪芰Γ€有你們自己的能力。明天，你們可以選擇這樣一種政策──向美國中產階級進行投入、創(chuàng)造新的就業(yè)崗位、實現經濟增長讓人人都有成功的機會。你們可以選擇希望而非恐懼、選擇團結而非分裂、選擇變革的希望而非墨守成規(guī)。如果你們投我的票，我們將不僅贏得此次競選，還將一起改變這個國家、改變這個世界。

第五篇：奧巴馬對美國學生的中英演講稿

奧巴馬對美國學生的全國講話 中英演講稿

“沒有什么是你們無法實現的，只要你們胸懷大志，只要你們愿意努力，只要你們專注于學習，” 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.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(yè)班學生現在感覺很不錯——（掌聲）——還有一年就畢業(yè)了。

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.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。

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

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

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.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。

Now, I’ve given a lot of speeches about education.And I’ve talked about responsibility a lot.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。

I’ve talked about teachers’ responsibility for inspiring students and pushing you to learn.我談到過教師激勵學生并督促他們學習的責任。

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

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

然而，即使我們擁有最敬業(yè)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

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.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。

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

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(fā)表文章——但你可能要在完成那篇英文課的作文后才會發(fā)現自己的才華。你或許能成為一名創(chuàng)新者或發(fā)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(fā)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(fā)現自己的才華。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.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(yī)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(yè)。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。

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.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(zhàn)。

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 homelessne 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.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(fā)新的能源技術和保護我們的環(huán)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(yǎng)的創(chuàng)造力和智慧來創(chuàng)辦新公司，增加就業(yè)機會，振興我們的經濟。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.我們需要你們每個人發(fā)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。

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.我自然知道要做到學業(yè)優(yōu)秀并非總是易事。我知道你們許多人在生活中面臨挑戰(zhàn)，難以集中精力從事學業(yè)。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.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(yǎng)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。

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.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。

But I was--I was lucky.I got a lot of second chances, and I had the opportu, 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.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?奧巴馬，也有著類似的經歷。她的父母都過大學，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。

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 lor 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.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(yè)，經濟非常拮據。或許你們生活在使你們感覺不安全的社區(qū)，或有朋友逼迫你們去做你們知道不對的事情。

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 e for talking back to your teacher, or cutting class, or dropping out of school.There is no excuse for not trying.然而說到底，你們生活的環(huán)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。你們沒有理從你們的老師、逃學、或輟學。沒有理由不付出努力。

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.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。

That’s what young people like you are doing every day, all across America.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。

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.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(yōu)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(wèi)生專業(yè)，不久將成為賈茲敏?佩雷斯博士。

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.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。

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.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(zhàn)。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。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 extracurri 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.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(yè)、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有的年輕人都應該享有一個適合讀書和學習的安全環(huán)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(jié)染上流感。

But whatever you resolve to do, I want you to commit to it.I want you to really work at it.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。

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 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.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(yè)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。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.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。”

Don’t be afraid to ask questions.Don’t be afraid to ask for help when you need it.I do that every day.Asking for help isn’t a sign of weakness, it’s a sign of strenge it shows you have the courage to admit when you don’t know something, and that then allows you to learn something new.So find an adult that you trust--a parent, a grandparent or teacher, a coach or a counselor--and ask them to help you stay on track to meet your goals.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。

And even when you’re struggling, even when you’re discouraged, and you feel like other people have given up on you, don’t ever give up on yourself, because when you give up on yourself, you give up on your country.It’s the story of students who sat where you sit 250 years ago, and went on to wage a revolution and they founded this nation.Young people.Students who sat where you sit 75 years ago who overcame a Depression and won a world war;who fought for civil rights and put a man on the moon.Students who sat where you sit 20 years ago who founded Google and Twitter and Facebook and changed the way we communicate with each other.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(zhàn)爭并創(chuàng)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(zhàn)；他們?yōu)槊駲喽鴬^斗并把宇航員送上了月球。至于20年前坐在你

So today, I want to ask all of you, what’s your contribution going to be? What problems are you going to solve? What discoveries will you make? What will a President who comes here in 20 or 50 or 100 years say about what all of you did for this country? 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(fā)現？20年、50年或100年后來到這里講話的總統(tǒng)將會怎樣評價你們大家為

Now, your families, your teachers, and I are doing everything we can to make sure you have the education you need to answer these questions.I’m working hard to fix up your classrooms and get you the books and the equipment and the compeed to learn.But you’ve got to do your part, too.So I expect all of you to get serious this year.I expect you to put your best effort into everything you do.I expect great things from each of you.So don’t let us down.Don’t let your family down or your country down.Most of all, don’t let yourself down.Make us all proud.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。

Thank you very much, everybody.God bless you.God bless America.Thank you.(Applause.)非常感謝你們大家。愿主保佑你們。愿主保佑美國。謝謝你們。（掌聲）