President Obama's Message For Kwanzaa 2011

"Blessings for a happy and healthy new year"...
From his holiday vacation in Hawaii, President Obama today issued a statement sending "our warmest wishes to all those celebrating Kwanzaa" on behalf of himself and First Lady Obama. Apparently the First Family is marking the African American holiday, which begins today.

"We celebrate Kwanzaa at a time when many African Americans and all Americans reflect on our many blessings and memories over the past year and our aspirations for the year to come," President Obama said.

He noted that though many Americans are suffering right now, challenges can be overcome through "the spirit of unity, or Umoja."

"As families across America and around the world light the red, black, and green candles of the Kinara this week, our family sends our well wishes and blessings for a happy and healthy new year," President Obama said.

The President worked out this morning in the gym at Marine Corps Base Hawaii, before taking his family and friends on a hiking excursion through the hills above Kailua Bay, on the Lanikai Pillbox Hike. After, he returned to the Base to play golf with companions. A post about the Presidential Christmas celebration is here.

The President's full Kwanzaa statement:

"Michelle and I send our warmest wishes to all those celebrating Kwanzaa this holiday season. Today marks the beginning of the week-long celebration honoring African American heritage and culture through the seven principles of Kwanzaa -- unity, self determination, collective work and responsibility, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity, and faith.

We celebrate Kwanzaa at a time when many African Americans and all Americans reflect on our many blessings and memories over the past year and our aspirations for the year to come. And even as there is much to be thankful for, we know that there are still too many Americans going through enormous challenges and trying to make ends meet. But we also know that in the spirit of unity, or Umoja, we can overcome those challenges together.

As families across America and around the world light the red, black, and green candles of the Kinara this week, our family sends our well wishes and blessings for a happy and healthy new year."
###

CLICK HERE for all 2011 White House holiday posts. CLICK HERE for all Holiday Photos of the Day.