Module 4: Transcript: Opening Remarks by President Obama

That’s what the American people have been doing in recent days with their extraordinary generosity and contributions to the Haitian people.

At this moment, we’re moving forward with one of the largest relief efforts in our history—to save lives and to deliver relief that averts an even larger catastrophe.

At this moment, we’re moving forward with one of the largest relief efforts in our history—to save lives and to deliver relief that averts an even larger catastrophe.

At this moment, we’re moving forward with one of the largest relief efforts in our history—to save lives and to deliver relief that averts an even larger catastrophe.

The two leaders with me today will ensure that this is matched by a historic effort that extends beyond our government, because America has no greater resource than the strength and the compassion of the American people.

On behalf of the American people, I want to thank both of you for returning to service and leading this urgent mission.

That effort raised substantial resources for the victims of that disaster—money that helped save lives, deliver aid, and rebuild communities.

Every day that goes by, we learn more about the horrifying scope of this catastrophe—destruction and suffering that defies comprehension.

Every day that goes by, we learn more about the horrifying scope of this catastrophe—destruction and suffering that defies comprehension.

That’s why thousands of American personnel—civilian and military—are on the scene working to distribute clean drinking water and food and medicine, and thousands of tons of emergency food supplies are arriving every day.

That’s why thousands of American personnel—civilian and military—are on the scene working to distribute clean drinking water and food and medicine, and thousands of tons of emergency food supplies are arriving every day.

And Secretary Hillary Clinton will be in Haiti today to meet with President Préval and continue our close coordination with his government.

Here at home, Presidents Bush and Clinton will help the American people to do their part, because responding to a disaster must be the work of all of us.

Indeed, those wrenching scenes of devastation remind us not only of our common humanity but also of our common responsibilities.

As president, Bill Clinton helped restore democracy in Haiti.

We stand united with the people of Haiti, who have shown such incredible resilience, and we will help them to recover and to rebuild.

We stand united with the people of Haiti, who have shown such incredible resilience, and we will help them to recover and to rebuild.

We stand united with the people of Haiti, who have shown such incredible resilience, and we will help them to recover and to rebuild.

Yesterday we witnessed a small but remarkable display of that determination—some of you may have seen it—Haitians with little more than the clothes on their back marched peacefully through a ruined neighborhood, and despite all their loss and all their suffering, they sang songs of faith and songs of hope.

Those are the hopes that we’re committed to answering.