Speeches
Remarks of Consul General Sharon Anderholm Wiener
Inauguration Watch at the Consul General’s Residence
January 20, 2009
Good evening and welcome. Thank you all for joining us tonight to mark this historic occasion. It is estimated that more than a billion people around the world will watch today's Inauguration ceremony at which Barack Obama will become the 44th President of the United States, and our first African-American president.
It is very cold in Washington, DC, today -- a day reminiscent of Inauguration Day in 1961 when John F. Kennedy delivered one of the greatest Inaugural addresses in American history. President Kennedy's address, now considered the gold standard of Inaugural addresses, took just 12 minutes to deliver, but with that address -- celebrating youth and idealism -- he inspired our nation and the world.
While most Inaugural speeches are quickly forgotten -- today only the ones by Abraham Lincoln, Franklin Roosevelt and John F. Kennedy are often remembered and quoted -- expectations are high today for a rousing and memorable speech by a charismatic leader.
In spite of the many serious problems our new President must immediately address, including the global economic crisis, the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, and the continuing conflict in the Middle East, America's pre-Inaugural mood is hopeful. A recent poll noted that 68% of Americans feel that the United States can resolve the serious problems we now face.
But we all know that the challenges America faces are not America's alone, and America cannot face them alone. We face an uncertain world where one fact is certain: Turkey's importance to America is even greater at a time when the Middle East has replaced Europe as the most critical region for U.S. national security interests. Peace in the Middle East is vital to all of us. Turkey is a key regional player working with all of its neighbors. Turkey's influence is substantial and unique. Turkey is an indispensable partner to the United States on issues related to the Middle East.
I know that no matter what the future holds, the relationship between Turkey and the United States will remain solid because we value the same things: democracy, respect for human rights, rule of law, market and open economies, and the spread of peace and stability throughout the region.
I thank you again for your presence on this momentous day and I invite you now to watch the making of history together.