Rep. Lewis: Obama ‘Ushered in a Time of Great Hope’

"When President Barack Obama walked through the doors of the White House, he ushered in a time of great hope, silent prayers and deep aspiration. As a nation we felt we may have finally realized the vision President Johnson had for all of us us, to live the idea of freedom and eliminate injustice from our beloved country. We used the liberty we gained from Johnson's legacy to elect a man with the raw courage and tenacity to do all he could to make society a better place and move us closer to the beloved community. I know this man, this president, Barack Obama. You see the progress we've made as a nation, and that he understand there's much more work to do to redeem the soul of America. And that is why as president he set his shoulders to the plow to bring about meaningful change in America by ending two wars and passing comprehensive health care reform. That is fact. Thank you, Mr. President. My dear friends, it is my great honor and pleasure to present our friend, our president, President Barack Obama and the first lady."