HISTORICAL EVENT

On Tuesday November 4, 2008, the election for the 44^th President of the United States of America was historical. For the first time since the founding of this nation, a Black American candidate was elected to the presidency with a significant margin over his opponent. While historically Blacks have overcome many legal and social obstacles, most never envisioned a Black American President, much less a Black American First-Lady, in the White House in their lifetime. Overcome with emotion, I am thankful to have been able to witness such a special moment. As President-Elect Barack Obama reflected about Ann Nixon Cooper, who is 106 years of age, she lived through a time when the events before us were not a possibility. Given the effect that this moment has had on this generation, I can only imagine the confluence and intensity of emotions that she and others from her generation must have felt.


If the reconciliatory tones in Senator McCain's concession speech and President-Elect Obama's victory speech are any indication, we can look forward to settling our disagreements with a modicum of civility and meeting our challenges with unity. As President-Elect Obama quoted from President Lincoln's inaugural address, "We are not enemies, but friends. We must not be enemies. Though passion may have strained, it must not break our bonds of affection," I saw many tearful eyes from individuals who have neither seen nor experienced what Ann Nixon Cooper has. Yet, young and old of all races alike were equally moved. I am grateful and humbled by the experience, and I pray that President Obama does an outstanding job for our sake. God bless him as he leads us, and God bless America.