Toast Remarks by President Obama at Official Dinner in San Salvador, El Salvador

6:48 Publicado por Mario Galarza

Toast Remarks by President Obama at Official Dinner in San Salvador, El Salvador | The White House Skip to main content | Skip to footer site map The White House. President Barack Obama Get Email UpdatesContact Us Go to homepage. The White House Blog Photos & Videos Photo Galleries Video Live Streams Podcasts Briefing Room Your Weekly Address Speeches & Remarks Press Briefings Statements & Releases White House Schedule Presidential Actions Executive Orders Presidential Memoranda Proclamations Legislation Pending Legislation Signed Legislation Vetoed Legislation Nominations & Appointments Disclosures Visitor Access Records Financial Disclosures 2010 Annual Report to Congress on White House Staff 2009 Annual Report to Congress on White House Staff Ethics Pledge Waivers Issues Civil Rights It Gets Better Defense The Way Forward in Afghanistan Disabilities Economy Financial Reform Innovation Startup America Education Educate to Innovate Higher Education Race to the Top Commencement Challenge Energy & Environment A New Foundation Deepwater BP Oil Spill Ethics Family Fiscal Responsibility Foreign Policy Japan Earthquake and Tsunami Trip to Asia 2010 Haiti Earthquake Speech in Cairo Health Care Homeland Security Immigration Poverty Rural State Fair Tour Seniors & Social Security Service Taxes Tax Cuts, Unemployment Insurance and Jobs Technology Urban Policy Veterans Women Additional Issues The Administration President Barack Obama Vice President Joe Biden First Lady Michelle Obama Dr. Jill Biden The Cabinet 2010 Video Reports White House Staff Chief of Staff Bill Daley Deputy Chief of Staff Nancy-Ann DeParle Deputy Chief of Staff Alyssa Mastromonaco Counselor to the President Peter Rouse Senior Advisor Valerie Jarrett Executive Office of the President Other Advisory Boards About the White House Interactive Tour History White House Rooms White House Art Presidents First Ladies The Oval Office The Vice President's Residence & Office Eisenhower Executive Office Building Camp David Air Force One White House Fellows President’s Commission About the Fellowship Current Class Recent Class Staff Bios White House Internships The Story About Us Program Apply Here Submit a Recommendation Tours & Events 2011 Easter Egg Roll Kitchen Garden Tours Holidays 2010 Inside the White House Our Government The Executive Branch The Legislative Branch The Judicial Branch The Constitution Federal Agencies & Commissions Elections & Voting State & Local Government Resources /* Maximize height of menu features. */if(typeof(jQuery)!='undefined')jQuery.each($('.topnav-feature','#topnav'),function(i,v){var o=$(v),oh=o.height(),sh=o.siblings().height();if(oh Home • Briefing Room • Speeches & Remarks table.system-status-report th, table td, table th { padding: 5px;}.item-list ul.pager {margin: 0;}.view-display-id-page_1 {padding: 20px;}.node-form .text {width:95%;}.node-form, #node-delete-confirm, #user-login {max-width:648px;}dl.node-type-list {max-width: 615px; padding: 20px; margin: 20px;}#edit-delete, div.submenu.revisions {display: none;}ul.secondary li {display: block;}ul.secondary a.active {border-bottom: 1px solid #999;} The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release March 22, 2011 Toast Remarks by President Obama at Official Dinner in San Salvador, El Salvador National Palace, San Salvador, El Salvador

8:25 P.M. CDT

PRESIDENT OBAMA: Buenas noches. President Funes, First Lady, former Presidents Christiani and Saca, distinguished guests -- on behalf of Michelle and our daughters, thank you for the wonderful hospitality that’s been shown to us here in San Salvador.

As many of you know, this has been my first trip through Latin America as President, and this is our final night. We are closer to home. I mean this in more than just a geographical sense. El Salvador is one of those places where the bonds between the United States and Latin America are strongest.

Just about every Salvadoran has a loved one or a friend in the United States -- husbands and sons, mothers and daughters -- working hard, sacrificing every day. They strengthen my country, and they mean so much to El Salvador. And they’re very much in our thoughts tonight.

In my speech in Santiago yesterday, I said that Latin America is not the stereotype of a region in perpetual conflict or trapped in an endless cycle of poverty. I repeat that tonight because many look at a country like El Salvador and only see the struggles. I’m proud to work with President Funes, a courageous leader, to meet those challenges together, as partners.

But I also want take this opportunity to pay tribute to the side of this nation that is too often overlooked, which is just as real and just as important. It’s the El Salvador that endures -- even when the earth shakes and the floodwaters rise -- because Salvadorans are a people who persevere.

It’s the El Salvador that has struggled for justice and human rights -- and, along with President Funes, I was honored to visit the cathedral this evening and pay my respects to Archbishop Romero, who remains an inspiration to people all around the world. And I see the current archbishop here. We’re very grateful for the wonderful tour that you offered.

It’s the El Salvador that not only forged historic accords, but has sustained them for nearly two decades --proving, in the words of your national anthem, that “happiness is found in peace.”

And it’s the El Salvador that gets up every day and goes to work -- students, merchants, farmers, young entrepreneurs, business people -- who remind us that building a just and prosperous future cannot be the work of government alone; it must be the responsibility of all who love their countries.

Of peace enjoyed in perfect happiness
El Salvador always nobly dreamed,
To achieve this has been Her eternal struggle,
To keep it, Her greatest glory.

With these words, I’d like to propose a toast -- if I can get a glass. (Laughter.) To President Funes and the First Lady, for their outstanding hospitality and friendship, and to the peace and happiness that we seek, for our peoples, for the region and for the world. May we not only achieve our dreams, may we keep them, for this and for generations yet to come. Salud. (Applause.)

END
8:30 P.M. CDT

Blog posts on this issue March 27, 2011 3:50 PM EDTThe Facts on Domestic Oil and Gas Production

Some recent comments in the press have attempted to paint a picture that an agreement on energy issues signed during the President’s trip to Brazil shows a lack of commitment to domestic oil and gas production. Let’s be clear – this administration is committed to developing a broad range of energy sources, and we know that high prices at the pump are forcing Americans to make tough choices.

March 26, 2011 6:57 PM EDTPresident Obama on the Passing of Geraldine Ferraro

The President expresses his sadness over the passing of a woman he calls "a trailblazer who broke down barriers for women, and Americans of all backgrounds and walks of life."

March 26, 2011 5:30 AM EDTWeekly Address: The Military Mission in Libya

The President says that thanks to our men and women in uniform, the military mission in Libya is succeeding even as responsibility is transferred to our NATO allies and partners.

view all related blog posts ul.related-content li.views-row img {float: left; padding: 5px 10px 0 0;} Stay ConnectedFacebookTwitterFlickrMySpaceYouTubeVimeoiTunesLinkedIn Home The White House Blog Photos & Videos Photo Galleries Video Live Streams Podcasts Briefing Room Your Weekly Address Speeches & Remarks Press Briefings Statements & Releases White House Schedule Presidential Actions Legislation Nominations & Appointments Disclosures Issues Civil Rights Defense Disabilities Economy Education Energy & Environment Ethics Family Fiscal Responsibility Foreign Policy Health Care Homeland Security Immigration Poverty Rural Seniors & Social Security Service Taxes Technology Urban Policy Veterans Women Additional Issues The Administration President Barack Obama Vice President Joe Biden First Lady Michelle Obama Dr. Jill Biden The Cabinet White House Staff Executive Office of the President Other Advisory Boards About the White House Interactive Tour History Presidents First Ladies The Oval Office The Vice President's Residence & Office Eisenhower Executive Office Building Camp David Air Force One White House Fellows White House Internships Tours & Events Inside the White House Our Government The Executive Branch The Legislative Branch The Judicial Branch The Constitution Federal Agencies & Commissions Elections & Voting State & Local Government Resources