Welcome to Washington DC. I want to thank everyone who is celebrating World Habitat Day across the country and around the world. And I want to thank Secretary (of Housing and Urban Development Shaun) Donovan and (UN-HABITAT Executive Director) Dr (Anna) Tibaijuka of the United Nations for making this day possible.
Every year, World Habitat Day gives us the opportunity to raise awareness and offer ideas about how we can make our planet a better place for ourselves and our children. This year’s commemoration comes at a moment of challenge for America and the world. We find ourselves in the midst of a global recession. Millions of families in our nation and all nations have lost their homes or fear that they will lose their homes some time in the future.
World Habitat Day is a chance for us to help make sure that doesn’t happen. To build a future where all our families can find a place to call home. Where all our families can find a thriving community to call their own.
My administration is committed to doing its part to meet this goal by bolstering our metropolitan areas, the cities, suburban and rural areas that are the engines of our economic growth. We are investing in a clean energy sector that will generate new green jobs, building affordable energy efficient homes and promoting more sustainable development so that we can meet the needs of the present, for securing the future for our children and grandchildren.
I believe we can do this. But we cannot do it alone. That is why we are committed to working with the United Nations and our partners around the world to help more families to find a safe and secure place to live. From Nairobi to Delhi to Washington DC.
That is how we will advance opportunity and prosperity not only in the United States but around the globe. In the end this moment is one not only of great challenge but great opportunity. We have an opportunity to lift up the lives of people in all our countries. That is a goal we must work to meet on World Habitat Day. That is a goal we must work to meet everyday. And that is a goal we can and will meet together. Thanks |