Remarks of President-elect Barack Obama
Weekly Address
Nov. 29, 2008

Good morning. Nearly 150 years ago, one of the darkest years of our nation's history, President Abraham Lincoln set aside the last Thursday of November as a day of Thanksgiving. America was split by civil war, but Lincoln said in his first thanksgiving decrete that difficult times made it even more appropriate for our blessings to be, and i quote "gratefully acknowledged that as would one heart and one voice by the whole American people. "

This week, the American people came together with family and friends to carry on this distinctly American tradition. We gave thanks for love ones and for our lasting pride in our communities and our country. We took comfort in good memories while looking forward to the promise of change. But this thanksgiving also takes place at a time of great trial for our people.

Across the country, there were empty seats at the table as brave Americans continue to serve in harms way from the mountains of Afganistan, to the deserts in Iraq. We honor, and give thanks for their sacrifice, and stand by the families who endore their absence with such dignity and resolve.

At home, we face the economic crisis at historic propotions. More and more Americans are worried about losing their jobs or making their mortgage payment.

Workers are wondering if next month's paycheck will pay next month's bills; retirees are watching their savings disappear; and the students are struggling with the cost of tuition. It's gonna take bold and immediate action to confront these crisis. That's why i'm commited to forging a new beginning from the moment i take office as President of the United States.

Earlier this week, i announced my economic team. This talented and dedicated group is already hard at work, crafting an economical recovery plan that will create or save 2.5 million new jobs, while making the investments we need to fuel long term economic growth and stability.

But this thanksgiving, we will reminded that the renewal of our economy won't come from policies and plans alone, we will take the hard work, innovation, service and strength of the American people. I've seen this strength first hand over many months: in workers who are ready to power new industries, in farmers and scientists who can tap new sources of energy, and teachers who stayed late after school, and parents who put in their extra hour reading to their kids, and the young Americans enlisting at the time of war, seniors who volunteer their time and service programmes that bring hope to the hopeless. It's a testiment to our national care with so many Americans took time out, this thanksgiving, to help feed the hungry and care for the needy. On Wednesday, i've visited a food bank in St. Collins Perish in Chicago, and there, as in so many communities across America, folks pitched in time and resources to give a lift to their neighbours and need. It is this spirit that binds us together as one American family. The believe that we rise and fall as one people. That we want that American dream not just for ourselves, but for each other. That's the spirit we must summon as we make a new beginning for our nation. Times are tough, there are diffult months ahead, but we can renew our nation the same way that we had in many years since Lincoln's first thanksgiving, by coming together to over come adversary, by reaching for and working for new horizons of opportunity for all Americans.

So this weekend, with one heart and one voice, the American people can give thanks to the new and brighter day has yet to come.