U.S. President Barack Obama speaks during a Rose Garden event about the American Opportunity Tax Credit (AOTC) October 13, 2010 at the White House in Washington, DC. (Getty Images)
October 13, 2010 (KATAKAMI) — Following are comments of President Obama this afternoon in the Rose Garden, as he started a previously scheduled event about a tax credit for college education.
“This is obviously something that’s captivated the world’s attention and this rescue is a tribute not only to the determination of the rescue workers and the Chilean government, but also the unity and resolve of the Chilean people who have inspired the world. And I want to express the hopes of the American people that the miners who are still trapped underground will be returned home safely as soon as possible.
“Let me also commend so many people of goodwill, not only in Chile, but also from the United States and around the world, who are lending a hand in this rescue effort — from the NASA team that helped design the escape vehicle, to American companies that manufactured and delivered parts of the rescue drill, to the American engineer who flew in from Afghanistan to operate the drill.
“Last night, the whole world watched the scene at Camp Esperanza as the first miner was lifted out from under more than 2,000 feet of rock and then embraced by his young son and family.
And the tears they shed — after so much time apart — expressed not only their own relief, not only their own joy, but the joy of people everywhere. So it was a thrilling moment and we’re hopeful that those celebrations duplicate themselves throughout the rest of today.”
NYTimes
