Speeches

Remarks by Ambassador Peter Bodde during the Presidential Inauguration Event

At the Public Affairs Section on January 20, 2009

Good evening.  I would like to welcome you all – and to thank you for joining us to celebrate a historic day for America. 

On the steps of the U.S. Capitol today, we are witnessing not one, but two revolutions.  These revolutions are linked, and mutually supporting, but they are distinct. 

Let me be clear.  I do not speak of revolutions in the sense of violent upheaval or insurrection.  To the contrary, what I refer to is organic transformation and healthy, orderly change. 

The first of these two revolutions has occurred in the United States every four years for the past 220. 

Indeed, we celebrate today the revolution that is democracy at work, exemplified by the peaceful and orderly transition of power. 

I was struck recently by the words of President Bush at a breakfast he hosted for President-elect Obama, and which included all living former Presidents. 

Have no doubt that the commentators would claim that their political differences could not be greater. 

Yet, President Bush's words tell a deeper and more important story – country comes first.

Addressing President-elect Obama, the President said, "One message that I have and I think we all share is that we want you to succeed. Whether we're Democrat or Republican, we care deeply about this country. And to the extent we can, we look forward to sharing our experiences with you. All of us who have served in this office understand that the office transcends the individual."

I recall also the words of Senator John McCain, spoken the night that he conceded the election to Barack Obama. 

He said, " I urge all Americans who supported me to join me in not just congratulating him, but offering our next president our good will and earnest effort to find ways to come together, to find the necessary compromises, to bridge our differences, and help restore our prosperity, defend our security in a dangerous world, and leave our children and grandchildren a stronger, better country than we inherited. 

President Bush said, "The office transcends the individual…"  John McCain called on all Americans to "offer our next president good will and earnest effort to find ways to come together … to leave our children and grandchildren a stronger, better country than we inherited." 

Those sentiments – freely stated and consistently championed – are what make democracy work.

So, today, we celebrate the uniquely democratic revolution that is the peaceful and orderly transition of power.

We held a reception similar to this one on election day a little over two months ago, and at that event I mentioned that I grew up in the time of the civil rights movement – a time when black people in the United States were suffering under racism, discrimination and violence. 

We have not righted all the wrongs of the past, but we have made great progress, and today we take perhaps our biggest step in moving away from that bleak time of racial injustice.

Because of that, I could not be more proud to be an American, and to represent my country in Africa.

The second revolution we celebrate today is directly linked to the first because without the solid democratic foundation of free and fair elections, the United States would not be inaugurating the first African American as President.

Today, as a people and a nation, we break new ground.

I have seen racism and discrimination and the violence they can generate.  I have seen how it can leave hatred and despair in people's hearts, where only hope and love should be found. 

When you look these scenes, the unprecedented crowds outside in the bitter cold just to participate in a historic moment – when you see the joyous tears flowing down faces of every color, you know we are witnessing a revolution.

Indeed, today we break new ground with unprecedented milestones, which taken together, show clearly that America is entering a new era. 

The roots of our democracy are deepening, and the good that it can do in the United States and throughout the world is growing. 

When I was preparing my remarks for tonight,   I realized that I would really be addressing three different audiences gathered here tonight.  So if you would bear with me I would like to say a personal word to each of these three groups.

First, I would like to address my fellow Americans both from our official and our unofficial community.  I am sure you will all agree that no matter how you voted or what your political affiliation may be,  -- we are about to experience an incredible historic moment.  Our nation is going through challenges it has not experienced in decades.  We are at war,   -- our economy is in crisis and our fellow citizens are facing unparalleled hardships because of job losses.

Despite all this, there is a new sense of hope.  We are looking forward and are ready for change.  We have reaffirmed our commitment to a better future for ourselves, our neighbors and the rest of the world.  Our new President has challenged us as individuals to commit to acts of service to enhance the public good.  Each of you already do this in your daily activities.   It is this commitment to service that brought many of you to Malawi.  I personally have no doubt that by working together to put others’ needs before our own, we will meet President Obama’s challenge.

Yes we can!   Yes we will!

To my colleagues in the diplomatic and donor community.   We are entering a new period of American engagement in the world.  I realize that some of you feel that somehow our role and influence in the world changed during the past few years.  I want to make clear that nothing could be further from the truth.  Our commitment to human rights has never wavered.  Our commitment to improving the lives of the world’s sick and poor has been steadfast.  The results speak for themselves, especially in Africa where our assistance levels have increased fourfold. 

What has changed is that we live in a much more complicated world where interdependence has grown.  Solutions to problems require cooperation and action by all of us.  While we will see a renewed focus on diplomacy, I believe it is fair to say we will also expect more from our friends and partners.    This will not just entail more resources.  It will also require positive and decisive action when others engage in terrorism or tyranny to deny individuals their basic human rights or peaceful existence.    I have no doubt that by working together, we will be more successful than working separately to accomplish these goals.  We should focus on looking forward and looking broadly for new solutions!

Yes we can!  Yes we will

Finally, to my Malawian friends and colleagues.   It is clear to me that the expectations for our new President are perhaps even higher in Malawi than in the United States.  One of my jobs is to try to manage these expectations.    I will do my best to do so.  That said, I want to point out that during my long tenure as a diplomat I have become convinced that aid or assistance is much, much more than projects or programs.  Real assistance is not just about roads, buildings or material things.  What makes assistance work is when one creates a spark – a spark that lights others to be motivated to help themselves. 

During my short stay in Malawi I have met many incredible people.  I have seen Malawians sacrificing for the good of their nation.  I have seen people who have little themselves, share what they can, so that others are less hungry.  Most importantly, I have seen the spirit of community.  This takes all shapes and forms, but I have been touched to see how AIDS orphans are cared for in their villages.  I have been touched to see how Malawian church groups partner with U.S. church groups to do community based work. 

President elect Obama talks of how we must put others’ needs ahead of our own.  I feel strongly that one of the best take-aways from the election of our new President is America’s reaffirmed dedication to community service.  This renewed spirit in America is contagious.  I have no doubt that working together we can accomplish the same level of excitement and dedication here in Malawi.  Together with our shared resources, talent, expertise and spirit we can make sure Malawi develops into the strong vibrant and productive democracy its people demand. 

I feel strongly that the other lesson Malawians can take away from the election of President Obama is that democracy works.  We can’t take it for granted, we have to participate and we have to ensure that everyone gets to vote and that their voices are heard.  Together we can do this.  

Yes we can!  Yes we will!

Thank you for coming tonight.  Let’s now watch history be made.