THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON

Dear Jerry:

One of the most important things I’ve done as President is read messages from
Americans like you. And whether you sat down to write me a letter back in 2009 or
just last week, I wanted to say thank you for writing.

Letters like yours have given me the chance to hear the real stories that make up the
ever changing narrative of America. They are stories of your setbacks and
successes, your fears and your hopes not just for today—but for the country and the
world we’ll leave to our children and our grandchildren. I want you to know that I
was listening. I heard your stories. And you made me a better President.

In 2014, a young mom took a chance and shared her family’s story with me. She
said she knew that “staying silent about what you see and what needs changing
never makes any difference.” She was right. And so, while serving you has been
the greatest privilege of my life, I want you to know that when I leave the White
House, I'll still hold the most important title of all: that of citizen.

And as a proud American citizen, I believe that we are a constant work in progress.
Our success has never been certain. None of our journey has been preordained.
There’s always been a gap between our highest ideals and the reality we witness
every day. But what makes us exceptional—what makes us Americans—is that we
have fought wars, and passed laws, and reformed systems, and organized unions,
and staged protests, and launched mighty movements to close that gap. To bring the
promise and the practice of America into closer alignment. To form that more
perfect union.

So our collective future depends on our collective willingness to uphold our duties
as citizens: to vote, to speak out, and to stand up for others knowing that each of us
is only here because somebody, somewhere, stood up for us. And for the rest of my
days, I promise I will be right there alongside you, continuing to do my part to build
a better, more prosperous, more diverse and inclusive America—an America with a
future full of hope.

From all of us in the Obama family—thank you for writing.
All the best,

Barack Obama

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