Obama: ‘I Bring with Me the Greetings and Friendship of the American People’

"I bring with me the greetings and the friendship of the American people. In fact, I'm joined on this trip by nearly 40 members of Congress, Democrats and Republicans. This is the largest such delegation of my presidency and it indicates the excitement and interest in America about the process that we've undertaken. 

These members of Congress recognize that our new relationship with the Cuban people is in the interest of both nations. I'm also joined by America's top business leaders and entrepreneurs because we're ready to pursue more commercial ties which create jobs and opportunities for Cubans and Americans alike. 

And I'm especially pleased that I am joined on this trip by so many Cuban-Americans. For them and for the more than 2 million proud Cuban-Americans across the United States, this is a moment filled with great emotion."