For we know that our patchwork heritage is a strength, not a weakness.
We are a nation of Christians and Muslims, Jews and Hindus, and non-believers.
We are shaped by every language and culture.
And we'll make our home in the American land.
We will, to the best of my ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States.
So help you God, so help me God.
On this day, we gather because we have chosen hope over fear, unity of purpose over conflict and discord.
On this day, we come to proclaim an end to the petty grievances and false promises, the recriminations and worn out dogmas that for far too long have strangled our politics.
This has been the risk takers, the doers, the makers of things, some celebrated, but more often men and women obscure in their labor, but carried us up the long rugged path towards prosperity and freedom.
We cannot help but believe that the old hatred shall someday pass, that the lines of tribe shall soon dissolve, that as the world grows smaller, our common humanity shall reveal itself and that America must play its role in ushering in a new era of peace.
Here they make this, the Basalskis, the Smiths, the Willys too, the Blacks, the Irish, Italians, the Germans and the Jews, the Red Regions, the Lusniations, Arabs, mouths from home, come across the water, they'll fire it down below.
They died building the railroads, working the bones and skin, they died in the fields and factories, they've scattered in the wind, they died to get here a hundred years ago, they've dried it down, the hands have built the country walls, trying to keep down.
The time has come to reaffirm our enduring spirit, to choose our better history, to carry forward that precious gift, that noble idea passed on from generation to generation, the God-given promise that all are equal, all are free and all deserve a chance to pursue their full measure of happiness.
With hope and virtue, let us brave once more the icy currents and endure what storms may come.
Let it be said by our children's children that when we were tested, we refused to let this journey in, that we did not turn back nor did we falter, and with eyes fixed on the horizon and God's grace upon us, we carried forth that great gift of freedom and deliberative safety for future generations.
Thank you. God bless you. God bless the United States of America.
