Letter from Chief Executive Valerie Jarrett
The Barack Obama Foundation
Chicago, Illinois
December 2023
Dear Friend:
Fifteen years ago, on November 4, 2008, the American people said, Ÿes we can!" and elected my friend Barack Obama, as the 44th President of the United States.
Many of you were among the tens of thousands of us who were gathered in Chicagoś Grant Park, and millions more watched around the world. You will remember his words that night.
Ïf there is anyone out there who still doubts that America is a place where all things are possible...who still wonders if the dream of our founders is alive in our time...who still questions the power of our democracy..tonight is your answer.
I was so excited to celebrate the 15th Anniversary of President Obamaś first election as president. In that spirit of celebration, I am writing to ask that you join us in keeping hope alive and continuing the legacy of the Obama presidency. You can do that by becoming a supporter of the Obama Foundation and the Obama Presidential Center with a contribution of $35, $50, $100, or more if you possible can today.
It was back in 1991 when I first met Michelle Robinson. she was just 26 years old. I interviewed her for a job in the Chicago Mayorś office. By the end of the interview, I was so impressed with Michelleś competence, character, integrity and moral compass that I offerred her the job on the spot.
Wisely, Michelle said she needed to think about it. A few days later, I called her. Michelle told me she had talked it over with her fiance, and he had some serious reservations.
Ẅho on earth is your fiance?"I blurted out. Änd why do we care what he thinks?
With a laugh, she said, Ḧis name is Barack Obama, and weŕe a team and make all big life decisions together.¨
In the end, Michelle took the job, and a lifelong friendship began.
Since then, I have had the immense privilege of joining the Obamas on their remarkable journey, with Michelle rising quickly in city government, directing Public Allies and training emerging leaders to create meaningful change in our communit, and serving in leadership positions with the University of Chicago and the University of Chicago Medical Center.
I witnessed President Obama lead voter registration campaigns and work as a civil rights attorney, then win the election to the state Senate in 1996, delivering his remarkable speech at the 2004 Democratic Convention, and win election to the U.S. Senate later that year. And throughout the historic campaign for president, from winning the Iowa caucuses to becoming the first African American major party nominee for president; he won with the promise to bring our country together.
Iḿ so fortunate to have continued that journey to this day--first, by serving in the White House during all eight years of his presidency, and now, by serving as chief executive officer of the Obama Foundation. Iḿ proud to lead our work to help people turn hope into action-to inspire, empower, and connect them to change the world.
At this pivotal moment in history, our mission is more urgent than ever.
The Obama Foundation is a non-partisan charity that supports and connects emerging leaders here in the U.S. and around the globe, helps ensure young girls have equal opportunities to puruse their dreams through education, and supports those who are building safe and supportive communities where young men of color have clear pathways to opportunity.
Weŕe building the world class Obama Presidential Center on nearly 20 acres of land in the historic Jackson Park on the South Side of Chicago. Our center will bring more opportunity, investment, and public spaces to our community that, in turn, nurture future generations of leaders in our own backyard.
The next generation fuels our hope for the future. Their imagination, resilience, open-mindedness, and deep commitment to protecting the planet and challenging long-standing injustice will preserve and strengthen democracy-and I believe, be President Obamaś ultimate legacy.
Thatś why I deeply hope-as we celebrate the 15th anniversary of Barack Obamaś election as President-that you wil consider joining us in support of his great mission and become a supporter of the Obama Presidential Center by making a contribution of $35, $50, $100, or even $250 or more for the Obama Foundation.
Letś keep doing our part-together-to build hope and to be the change we seek. Thank you.
Sincerely,
Valerie Jarrett
Chief Executive Officer
P.S. President Obamaś words 15 years ago resonate more than ever today. Thanks to what his administration was able to achieve together during his presidency, I know without a doubt that merica is still a place where the dream of our founders is still alive, and democracy remains strong. The Obama Presidential Center is our way of showing young people everywhere that they can do what President and Mrs. Obama did. I hope you wiĺl join us in helping make that vision a reality.
Afterwords
Julie Ann Racino, Member of the Democratic National Committee since 2009-2023, was honored to attend the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania rally the night before the historic election of US Democratic Presidential candidate Hillary Clinton (Arkansas to Washington, DC to New York State) against Republican Donald Trump of New York City. President Obama who selected Hillary Clinton as US Secretary of State was in attendance, and Hillary Clinton voted in New York the next morning with former President William Clinton. President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obamaś official White House portraits were unveiled during the Biden Administration.
The US Presidents all have the honor of a Presidential Museum and Library (See, earlier blogspot, President Carter in Atlanta, Georgia) with President Obamaś also featuring conference meeting hall. We are expecting similar developments with President Donald Trump (now in Florida at classified document lawsuits at option of New York City location) and President Joseph Biden (who already has a Biden Institute at the University of Delaware). The Clintons are in Little Rock, Arkansas, the Kennedys of Massachusetts, and the Bushes (George W. Bush and George H. W Bush) in Texas, and recently the Reagans in Simi Valley, California. The libraries contain official documents from the administrations.
For more information on the Barack Obama Foundation see OBAMA.org or write to 5235 S. Harper Court, Suite 1140, Chicago, Illinois 60615.
During the holiday season 2023-2024, also make time to read the books of President and First Lady Obama, those of the Clintons, Cuomos, Kennedys (Caroline and Kerry Kennedy, Jackie Kennedy) and Bidens, and that of Valerie Jarrett (and now Kamala Harris) together with wide ranging selections from the political classes of both parties. This authorś (Julie Ann Racino who also lived in Chicago, Illinois) selected works are also available on the same sites (www.bn.com, this year Barnes and Noble) as are, for example, todayś read of the original manuscript of Charles Dickenś A Christmas Carol.
No comments:
Post a Comment