Nov. 25 / Administration of Barack Obama, 2009 blessings and remember those less fortunate. it is also important for all of us to understand But it will also be a time to remember how this the rich culture, tradition, and history of Na- holiday began, as a harvest celebration be- tive Americans and their status today, and to tween European settlers and the American In- appreciate the contributions that First Ameri- dians who had been living and thriving on the cans have made, and will continue to make to continent for thousands of years. our Nation. That is why on Friday, I encourage every American to join me in observing Native NOTE: The related National Native American American Heritage Day. My administration is Heritage Month proclamation of October 30 is committed to strengthening the nation-to-na- listed in Appendix D at the end of this volume. tion relationship with tribal governments. But

Statement on Albanian Independence Day November 25, 2009

I send my warmest wishes to all those who part of this Nation. Abroad, I hope for contin- will celebrate Albanian Independence Day on ued friendship and strengthened ties between Saturday. Here in America, those that can our two countries. trace their roots to Albania are an important

Statement on Bosnia and Herzegovina National Day November 25, 2009

On behalf of the American people, I extend torn past to a peaceful and stable future. I es- my best wishes to all those who are celebrating pecially offer my congratulations to those in the National Day of Bosnia and Herzegovi- America that can trace their origins back to na. Our Nation stands with Bosnia and Herze- Bosnia and Herzegovina. govina as it continues its journey from a war-

Statement on the Death of Abe Pollin November 25, 2009

Michelle and I were deeply saddened to believed in Washington, DC, when many oth- hear about the passing of Abe Pollin, a giant in ers didn’t, putting his own fortune on the line the world of professional sports and someone I to help revitalize the city he loved. He was was proud to call a friend. committed to the teams he guided, generous Abe was a man who knew that being an to those who needed it most, and as loyal to owner wasn’t just about winning champion- the people of DC as they were to him. ships, although his teams had plenty of suc- Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife cess. It was about helping young athletes be- Irene, his sons Robert and James, and the en- come good people as well as good players. And tire Pollin family. it was about being part of a community. Abe

Statement on the Hajj and Eid al-Adha November 25, 2009

Michelle and I would like to send our best and to Muslims in America and around the wishes to all those performing Hajj this year, world who are celebrating Eid al-Adha. The

1744 Administration of Barack Obama, 2009 / Nov. 26 rituals of Hajj and Eid al-Adha both serve as re- with the Saudi Health Ministry to prevent and minders of the shared Abrahamic roots of three limit the spread of H1N1 during Hajj. Cooper- of the world’s major religions. ating on combating H1N1 is one of the ways we During Hajj, the world’s largest and most di- are implementing my administration’s commit- verse gathering, 3 million Muslims from all ment to partnership in areas of mutual interest. walks of life, including thousands of American On behalf of the American people, we would Muslims, will stand in prayer on Mount Arafat. like to extend our greetings during this Hajj sea- The following day, Muslims around the world son. Eid Mubarak. will celebrate Eid al-Adha and distribute food to the less fortunate to commemorate Abra- NOTE: The Office of the Press Secretary also ham’s willingness to sacrifice his son out of obe- released Arabic, Persian, Dari, Urdu, Pashto, dience to God. Russian, and French language versions of this This year, I am pleased that the Department statement. of Health and Human Services has partnered

The President’s Weekly Address November 26, 2009

For centuries, in peace and in war, in pros- from folks across the country, good, hard-work- perity and in adversity, Americans have paused ing people doing the best they can for their at this time of year to gather with loved ones families but fearing that their best just isn’t and give thanks for life’s blessings. This week good enough. These aren’t strangers. They’re we carry on this distinctly American tradition. our family, our friends, and our neighbors. All across our country, folks are coming togeth- Their struggles must be our concern. er to spend time with family, to catch up with That’s why we passed the Recovery Act that old friends, to cook and enjoy a big dinner, and cut taxes for 95 percent of working people and maybe to watch a little football in between. for small businesses and that extended unem- As always, we give thanks for the kindness of ployment benefits and health coverage for mil- loved ones, for the joys of the previous year, and lions of Americans who lost their jobs in this for the pride we feel in our communities and turmoil. That’s why we are reforming the health country. We keep in our thoughts and prayers care system so that middle class families have the many families marking this Thanksgiving affordable insurance that cannot be denied be- with an empty seat saved for a son or daughter, cause of a preexisting condition or taken away a husband or wife stationed in harm’s way. And because you happen to get sick. We’ve worked we say a special thanks for the sacrifices those to stem the tide of foreclosures and stopped the men and women in uniform are making for our safety and freedom and for all those Americans decline in home values. We’re making it easier who enrich the lives of our communities to save for retirement and more affordable to through acts of kindness and generosity and ser- send a son or daughter to college. vice. The investments we’ve made and tough steps But as much as we all have to be thankful for, we’ve taken have helped break the back of the we also know that this year millions of Ameri- recession, and now our economy is finally grow- cans are facing very difficult economic times. ing again. But as I said when I took office, job Many have lost jobs in this recession, the worst recovery from this crisis will not come easily or in generations. Many more are struggling to af- quickly. Though the job losses we were experi- ford health care premiums and house pay- encing earlier this year have slowed dramatical- ments, let alone to save for an education or re- ly, we’re still not creating enough new jobs each tirement. Too many are wondering if the dream month to make up for the ones we’re losing. of a middle class life—that American And no matter what the economists say, for Dream—is slipping away. It’s the worry I hear families and communities across this country,

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