Obama Sends Thank You To People Of Illinois

CHICAGO — On the day he formally stepped down as Illinois' junior senator, President-elect Barack Obama released an open letter to state residents, saying they had taught him lessons he would draw on during his presidency.

Obama, whose resignation after nearly four years in the Senate was a formality in the wake of his Nov. 4 election victory, thanked Illinois residents in a nostalgic letter published in Sunday newspapers throughout the state.

"I will never forget, and will forever be grateful, to the men and women of this great state who made my life in public service possible," Obama wrote.

The education he received in Illinois, he added, has prepared him for the White House job he'll have beginning Jan. 20.

That schooling began on the South Side of Chicago, where Obama said he saw how factory workers lost hope when their way of life vanished with the closing of steel mills. Obama said he struggled to try and bring neighborhoods back _ one block at a time.

"In the process I received the best education I ever had," he said.

Obama said the experience led him to organize a voter registration project, become an attorney and run for the Illinois state senate.

In Springfield, Obama said, he saw farmers, teachers, businessmen and laborers from urban and rural communities fight to get a seat at the same table.

"It was there that I learned to disagree without being disagreeable; to seek compromise while holding fast to those principles that can never be compromised; and to always assume the best in people instead of the worst," he wrote.

Obama said he saw then how the state's residents were both diverse and unified, and how they met problems with a spirit of strength and courage. That spirit made Obama believe America can overcome its many problems, he wrote.

Obama closed by quoting words spoken by the last president from Illinois nearly 150 years ago. Abraham Lincoln said he owed everything to the people of the state.

"Today, I feel the same, and like Lincoln, I ask for your support, your prayers, and for us to 'confidently hope that all will yet be well,'" Obama wrote.

Comments

[ttowse]

04:51 PM on 11/18/2008

When he asked for my vote to the Senate he said he would finish his first term before seeking the Whitehouse. Just another campaign promise he didn't fulfill. I wish him well even though I voted for a hero named John. I wish him able to be the change he talks and writes about. I wish more than anything that his political career won't be measured by an egg timer like I predicted when he went ahead and ran before finishing his work here in Illinois. There are times I would like nothing more than to be proved wrong. This is one of those times.

Obama, I am one of your favorite critics. Do not disappoint me, please. Prove you are more than hype and than you are able to rise above the words you speak with action. If you do that, I will pledge my energy, my trust, and my vote to you next time. You have my word.

[barackobama4prez]

07:13 PM on 11/18/2008

maybe you should write him an actual letter. but i will say this, no politician is perfect. if you're waiting for him to prove more than he already has, i see you being a disappointed cheerleader. give the man a chance without demanding he prove something.

[Whatashame]

12:53 PM on 11/17/2008

Its refreshing to have a smart president who will be respected around the world unlike Bush who everyone was ashame of.

[mommasigma]

12:42 PM on 11/17/2008

I feel proud to be an African American, NOW. America was meant for me, my family, and my children too!

[B-Smart]

12:25 PM on 11/17/2008

Our beloved new President! not only did he get millions of us involved in the political process, but I sense that he will also keep us engaged for the next 8 years. Thanks again to America for getting it right this time.

[jrgilbert]

09:07 AM on 11/17/2008

Nothing like a good, honest heartfelt "thank you" from the heart. A rare and very welcome event from a legend in the making.

[IslandGyal]

08:53 AM on 11/17/2008

This is the way he will keep us engaged. He honestly makes you feel invested. I wish he were allowed to travel around the country during his 4yrs, so that we can keep him close in our minds and come 2012, he won't be like just another politician, we only see every 4 yrs....

[zkazan]

08:45 AM on 11/17/2008

The man's a class act. We did good this time.

[goodtomeetyou]

06:42 AM on 11/17/2008

Just when I think I can't respect him more than I do...I do.

[misty1]

06:32 AM on 11/17/2008

This only makes me know I made the right choice. The president-elect thanks his state well
people say you can not teach class it is learned we now know how classy the President-elect can be what a great choice I made. Good Luck President-elect.

[Academic]

04:46 AM on 11/17/2008

I'm not in the least surprised about Barack Obama's gracious actions in thanking the people of Illinois for having elected him senator, which is a total class act on the man's part and in keeping with his character. As someone who has campaigned assiduously for him from the outset of his presidential campaign I can honestly say that President-Elect Obama (how it fills my heart to be able to say that) is the PERFECT GENTLEMAN.

Professor Dr. Stanley Collymore.

[SensibleJoe]

11:31 PM on 11/16/2008

Obama is a class act and a man of principle who believes in communication and sees ALL citizens as his "base." How long and how badly America has needed that mindset. Illinois' loss is America's gain.

[munimula]

11:25 PM on 11/16/2008

Thank you Barack for serving the State of Illinois! You will be missed here, but fortunately we still have one of the greatest Senators in Richard Durbin!

[oscartucker]

10:59 PM on 11/16/2008

This was very nice. Obama is a great guy, someone you can really like and appreciate.

[kellygrrrl]

10:17 PM on 11/16/2008

"all will yet be well"

[kellygrrrl]

10:15 PM on 11/16/2008

pure class