President Obama Pens Final Farewell Letter to America: “You made me a better President, and you made me a better man.”

In the final hours under the Obama administration, the President of the United States has written a thank-you note, in his last and final task as the Head of State. As it stands, it’s been tradition for the sitting president to leave a note in the Oval Office for the incoming president, as a final sendoff.

In the letter, President Obama explains the purpose of the letter, as it is meant to provide knowledge and tips that may help the incoming president successfully fulfil the duties as the leader of the free world. However, before he continued, in his letter to his successor, he took one last moment to thank his supporters and those indifferent, for the last eight years.

“But before I leave my note for our 45^th president, I wanted to say one final thank you for the honor of serving as your 44^th. Because all that I’ve learned in my time in office, I’ve learned from you. You made me a better President, and you made me a better man.”

He continued, applauding the American people for their strength through the countries worst economic crisis, all while taking care of one another in that hard time.

“I’ve seen you, the American people, in all your decency, determination, good humor, and kindness. And in your daily acts of citizenship, I’ve seen our future unfolding,” he wrote.

Obama encouraged all of the American people to be more involved in our country, calling it the “joyous work of citizenship,” not only when there is an election, but “over the full span of a lifetime. As he promised to be there with us “every step of the way.”  

At the end, Obama wrapped up the letter with hope and reassurance, citing his campaign slogan: “Yes we can.”

Read the full letter below:

It’s a long-standing tradition for the sitting president of the United States to leave a parting letter in the Oval Office for the American elected to take his or her place. It’s a letter meant to share what we know, what we’ve learned, and what small wisdom may help our successor bear the great responsibility that comes with the highest office in our land, and the leadership of the free world.

But before I leave my note for our 45th president, I wanted to say one final thank you for the honor of serving as your 44th. Because all that I’ve learned in my time in office, I’ve learned from you. You made me a better President, and you made me a better man.

Throughout these eight years, you have been the source of goodness, resilience, and hope from which I’ve pulled strength. I’ve seen neighbors and communities take care of each other during the worst economic crisis of our lifetimes. I have mourned with grieving families searching for answers – and found grace in a Charleston church.

I’ve taken heart from the hope of young graduates and our newest military officers. I’ve seen our scientists help a paralyzed man regain his sense of touch, and wounded warriors once given up for dead walk again. I’ve seen Americans whose lives have been saved because they finally have access to medical care, and families whose lives have been changed because their marriages are recognized as equal to our own. I’ve seen the youngest of children remind us through their actions and through their generosity of our obligations to care for refugees, or work for peace, and, above all, to look out for each other.

I’ve seen you, the American people, in all your decency, determination, good humor, and kindness. And in your daily acts of citizenship, I’ve seen our future unfolding.

All of us, regardless of party, should throw ourselves into that work – the joyous work of citizenship. Not just when there’s an election, not just when our own narrow interest is at stake, but over the full span of a lifetime.
I’ll be right there with you every step of the way.

And when the arc of progress seems slow, remember: America is not the project of any one person. The single most powerful word in our democracy is the word ‘We.’ ‘We the People.’ ‘We shall overcome.’

Yes, we can.

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