 |
| President Obama (Photo: Carolyn Kaster, AP) |
President Obama praised Nelson Mandela on Thursday, saying the former
South African leader symbolized the fight for freedom and dignity
throughout the world.
"He achieved more than can be expected of any one man," Obama said.
Mandela now "belongs to the ages," Obama said at the White House within an hour of the announcement of Mandela's death.
The president noted that his very first political speech concerned
apartheid in South Africa, and he has studied Mandela's writings
throughout his career in government.
"I cannot imagine my own life without Mandela's example," said the nation's first African-American president.
Obama met Mandela only once, in 2005 when Obama was a senator from
Illinois. The president traveled to South Africa in June, but Mandela
was too ill for a meeting; he met instead with members of the Mandela
family.
In a statement on Mandela's 95th birthday in July, the president and
first lady Michelle Obama send best wishes to the former South African
president, and said his life has inspired millions.
"May Nelson Mandela's life of service to others and his unwavering
commitment to equality, reconciliation, and human dignity continue to be
a beacon for each future generation seeking a more just and prosperous
world," the Obamas said.
Obama's predecessors also paid tribute.
"President Mandela was one of the great forces for freedom and equality
of our time," said former President George W. Bush. "He bore his burdens
with dignity and grace, and our world is better off because of his
example."
Ex-President George H.W. Bush said he and wife Barbara "mourn the
passing of one of the greatest believers in freedom we have had the
privilege to know."
0 comments :
Post a Comment