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¡¡¡¡I want us to push the boundaries of discovery so that you'll live to see new technologies a-n-d inventions that improve our lives a-n-d make our planet cleaner a-n-d safer. a-n-d I want us to push our own human boundaries to reach beyond the divides of race a-n-d region, gender a-n-d religion that keep us from seeing the best in each other.
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¡¡¡¡Sometimes we have to send our young men a-n-d women into war a-n-d other dangerous situations to protect our country—but when we do, I want to make sure that it is only fo-r a very good reason, that we try our best to settle our differences with others peacefully, a-n-d that we do everything possible to keep our servicemen a-n-d women safe. a-n-d I want every child to understa-n-d that the blessings these brave Americans fight fo-r are not free—that with the great privilege of being a citizen of this nation comes great responsibility.
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¡¡¡¡That was the lesson your gra-n-dmother tried to teach me when I was your age, reading me the opening lines of the Declaration of Independence a-n-d telling me about the men a-n-d women who marched fo-r equality because they believed those wo-rds put to paper two centuries ago should mean something.She helped me understa-n-d that America is great not because it is perfect but because it can always be made better—a-n-d that the unfinished wo-rk of perfecting our union falls to each of us. It's a charge we pass on to our children, coming closer with each new generation to what we know America should be.
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¡¡¡¡I hope both of you will take up that wo-rk, righting the wrongs that you see a-n-d wo-rking to give others the chances you've had. Not just because you have an obligation to give something back to this country that has given our family so much—although you do have that obligation. But because you have an obligation to yourself. Because it is only when you hitch your wagon to something larger than yourself that you will realize your true potential.
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¡¡¡¡These are the things I want fo-r you—to grow up in a wo-rld with no limits on your dreams a-n-d no achievements beyond your reach, a-n-d to grow into compassionate, committed women who will help build that wo-rld. a-n-d I want every child to have the same chances to learn a-n-d dream a-n-d grow a-n-d thrive that you girls have. That's why I've taken our family on this great adventure.
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¡¡¡¡I am so proud of both of you. I love you mo-re than you can ever know. a-n-d I am grateful every day fo-r your patience, poise, grace, a-n-d humo-r as we prepare to start our new life together in the White House.
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¡¡¡¡Love, Dad