Approximately one month after taking office, President Barack Obama gave his first address to a joint session of Congress, outlining his vision for how the country will recover from the financial crisis. He spoke in the House chamber in the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. The speech was not technically a State of the Union speech (that comes after a president has been in office for a year) but the Congress, Supreme Court and members of the military leadership were on hand. Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal gave the Republican response. Mr. Obama focused on the recession in his speech, telling Americans that despite job losses and a crippled banking system, America will recover. "But while our economy may be weakened and our confidence shaken; though we are living through difficult and uncertain times, tonight I want every American to know this: We will rebuild, we will recover, and the United States of America will emerge stronger than before," the president said. Mr. Obama also talked about his commitment to reforming the nation's healthcare system, closing the prison at Guantanamo Bay, and his goal of cutting the deficit in half by the end of his first term. Quotes "My budget does not attempt to solve every problem or address every issue. It reflects the stark reality of what we've inherited - a trillion dollar deficit, a financial crisis, and a costly recession. Given these realities, everyone in this chamber - Democrats and Republicans - will have to sacrifice some worthy priorities for which there are no dollars. And that includes me." - President Barack Obama "The recovery plan we passed is the first step in getting our economy back on track. But it is just the first step. Because even if we manage this plan flawlessly, there will be no real recovery unless we clean up the credit crisis that has severely weakened our financial system," - President Obama "Those of us gathered here tonight have been called to govern in extraordinary times. It is a tremendous burden, but also a great privilege - one that has been entrusted to few generations of Americans. For in our hands lies the ability to shape our world for good or for ill." - President Obama Warm Up Questions 1. Did you watch President Obama's speech? 2. What are some of the problems facing America? Discussion Questions 1. Do you think President Obama is a good speaker? Why or why not? 2. What did you think of President Obama's speech? Which aspects did you like and which did you dislike? 3. In an age with television and internet, why does the president still give a speech directly to Congress? What is the symbolic importance of this speech? 4. Notice that the members of the Supreme Court do not clap for most of the speech. Why don't they clap? 5. Who are the people sitting directly behind President Obama? Why are they there? 6. Do you think President Obama reassured the country with his speech? Did he convince you that he has the skills and ideas to lead the country out of the financial crisis? Why or why not? Additional Resources Transcript and audio of President Obama's speech Transcript and audio of Gov. Jindal's response Shields and Brooks on Obama's Speech, GOP Response