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- Outgoing President Barack Obama talked about key accomplishments made during his presidency in his farewell address from Chicago on Tuesday. He said the U.S. is a "better, stronger place" than it was eight years ago and assured the U.S. of his continued faith in the American people.
- Obama noted the economic reboot after the 2008 Great Recession, improved U.S.-Cuba relations, the Iran Nuclear Deal, the death of Osama bin Laden, the Supreme Court's same-sex marriage decision and the Affordable Care Act as some of the highlights of his presidency.
- He stressed that “bolder action” is still needed on climate change but noted some positive environmental accomplishments, including decreased dependence on foreign oil, doubled renewable energy and the Paris Climate Agreement.
- Obama also discussed race in America, noting it remains a “potent and often divisive force.” However, he also said progress has been made, stating “race relations are better than they were 10 or 20 or 30 years ago.” ( Watch Obama's comments on race in the video clip below.)
Class discussion questions
- Essential question : What do you think President Barack Obama's legacy will be?
- What other farewell addresses are you familiar with? What do you remember about them?
- How could Obama's discussion about climate change be viewed as a warning for future generations?
- Why do you think Obama believes the issue of race relations is also an important economic issue?
Laura Rockefeller, a junior at Roland Park Country School in Baltimore, Maryland contributed to today's Daily News Story.
