President Barack Obama [Nov. 4, 2008]

After the longest and hardest fought presidential campaign in American history, the votes are now in and Barack Obama has been elected the 44th President of the United States.  The National Urban League and its affiliates congratulate President-elect Obama, Vice-President-elect, Joe Biden, and their families for turning what began as an improbable journey into an historic victory for their party and our country.  We welcome the new vision they bring to Washington and pledge to work with them to tackle the nation’s deepening domestic challenges, including the epidemic of home foreclosures, the crisis in public education as well as rising unemployment and poverty that have hit middle class and urban Americans especially hard in recent years. 

I would also like to take this opportunity to congratulate the American people for voting hope over fear, overcoming the persistent barrier of race and electing the first African American president in our nation’s history.  This is a watershed moment that renews the nation’s founding promise of freedom, equality and opportunity for all.  This election has shattered what was once considered an unbreakable glass ceiling that has kept so many generations of minorities and women from dreaming big dreams and reaching their full-potential.  Never again will any young boy or girl of color in America be shackled with the awful certainty of “not in my lifetime.”

But, while November 4, 2008 will go down as a turning point in our nation’s history, we should not be lulled into thinking that our work is done.  On January 21, the day after the Obama inauguration, there will still be big problems in our communities and deep divisions in our country that require not only the attention of Washington, but of all of us.  We must seize this moment to become even more engaged as citizens in the work of building an ever more perfect union.     

The National Urban League and its affiliates stand ready on day-one to work with the new Administration, especially in helping to craft a comprehensive urban agenda that expands opportunity and unleashes the tremendous untapped potential in our cities.  During the campaign, candidate Obama endorsed the National Urban League’s Opportunity Compact, our blueprint for economic equality.  We look forward to working with President Obama to ensure that every person in America has an equal opportunity to thrive, earn, own and prosper. We have been assured that the National Urban League and the interests of Black America will have a seat at the table in the Obama White House.

Finally let me say to the young people across this land, this election was largely for, of and about you.  Together we have laid the foundation for a new era in American politics and governance that will require and expect more from you.  More as students.  More as leaders in your families and communities.  More as the hope of the future.  You have shown by your involvement, passion and votes in this election that you are up to the task.  That too is worth celebrating.