Statement by the President and Mrs. Obama on Nelson Mandela International Day
As the people of the world celebrate Nelson Mandela’s 93rd birthday on July 18, Madiba continues to be a beacon for the global community, and for all who work for democracy, justice and reconciliation. On behalf of the people of the United States, we congratulate Nelson Mandela, and honor his vision for a better world.
Nelson Mandela said, ‘There is no passion to be found playing small – in settling for a life that is less than the one you are capable of living.’ A man who devoted 67 years of his life to public service, Madiba sets the standard for service worldwide, whether we are students, shopkeepers or farmers, cabinet ministers or presidents. He calls on us to serve our fellow human beings, and better our communities.
Michelle, and my daughters, Sasha and Malia, recently met Madiba during an official visit to South Africa that focused on service, youth leadership, education and healthy living. Their time with Madiba was the most moving part of their trip. Mandela’s legacy exemplifies wisdom, strength and grace, and on the anniversary of his birth we salute the example of his life.
In 2009, the United States was honored to join 192 other United Nations member states in the creation of Nelson Mandela International Day. As the global community honors Madiba on July 18 through individual and collective acts of service, we honor the man who showed his own people, and the world, the path to justice, reconciliation and democracy.
HAPPY,HAPPY BIRTHDAY NELSON MANDELA…SO GLAD THE FIRST LADY WAS ABLE TO VISIT HIM. MY OTHER HALF IS OFF THIS WEEK SO I’LL BE OUT AND ABOUT MOST OF THIS WEEK. BLESSINGS EVERYONE!
One of the greatest men this world will ever know. Happy 93rd, Mr. Mandela!!
Happy Birthday, Mr. Mandela. Blessings to you!
Happy Birthday Madiba.
After all he has been thru I am so glad he has lived this long to reap the rewards of his years of incarceration. Happy birthday Nelson Mandela!!!
Chips, congratulations on your 3 million hits. You know that you are loved by this family. What you are doing for this President and for all of us is so much appreciated. Always remember we have your back too!!!!
Happy 93rd Birthday Mr. Mandela !!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY MADIBA! Thank you for everything you’ve done for us in your 93 years! God Bless You!
Happy, Happy B-Day Mr. Mandela!!!
May His goodness and mercy surround you and your family, all the days of your lives.
Happy Birthday to a man of great courage, Mr. Nelson Mandela.
A Gracious and Blessed Birthday to a great man whom I love and admire. Happy Birthday, Mr. Mandela.
Happy birthday Mr. Nelson Mandela, God bless you.
Chipsticks congratulations on 3 Million hits.
Happy Birthday Mr. Mandela. May God continue to bless you and keep you.
Congratulations Chipsticks for reaching 3 million hits. You’re large and in charge!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!!!!!!!! Nelson Madiba Mandela. You Sir, are indeed one of a kind. I admire you for ALL your good deeds and your commitment and love of service. I admire you because even on your birthday and Nelson Mandela International Day, you never think only of yourself. Instead you encouraged everyone to give 67 minutes of community service in whatever capacity and avenue to honor the 67 years you have been fighting for peace, fairness, equality, and justice. May you always live long and strong.
Chipsticks WOOOOOOOHOOOOOOOOO!!!!! Congratulations on 3 million hits Chica. I’m extremely proud of you and happy for the eureka moment that allowed you to create this haven. Thank you sooooooo much for all the hardwork and insults you may receive for providing us with information about our wonderful President and those who unjustly seek to undermine him. Pop a cork or pop a tab; drink and be merry because you are A-W-E-S-O-M-E!
Happy Birthday Mr Mandela! You are certainly one of the greatest humans to have walked this planet. Wish you good health and many blessings
HAPPY BIRTHDAY MADIBA..(MANDELA) I SIMPLY LOVE YOU:-)
Thank you all for all the comforting words regarding Maze….I appreciate your kindness and knowing that you have my back, its; truly comforting.
I love this President to death, I found myself getting more involved, I usually delete mail that is about marketing..but anytime I see Obama’s name on it, I am curios enough to read it….and respond appropriately, even though my grammar might not be up to par (English being my third language) I manage to do my research and show them facts, that’s all I can do, I guess my theory is, that, if thousands read that garbage about President Obama, I will respond to the same thousands and hopefully, I can change minds, one at a time.
Thanks again…Much Love to you All
I forgot to mention…Thank you Chip for putting a post about this guy maze, Can you believe he’s selling Obama’s 50th Birthday Party Tickets on his Tweeter? I hope he’s doing legitimately.
Good grief, are you serious Kasai?? He was trying to sell those tickets?? Am I just having Twitter problems or has he now closed his account??
http://twitter.com/#!/mazjac
Update: it looks like it’s just my problem, every Twitter account I try to check has a message saying it doesn’t exist!
There you go Chips. His account still there I just checked
Get Obama Birthday Tickets here… Get Obama Birthday Tickets here… https://twitter.com/#!/mazjac
Okay, now I’m jealous Kasai, Twitter still isn’t working for me – why are you getting special treatment from Mr Twitter?
LOL….Is it over capacity? or you just cant log on?
I forgot to mention I wonder if OFA knows about this guy…while’s he badmouthing the President, monopolizing to make $$$
Okay, I’m not embarrassed
(Now that I’ve signed in, I’m Twitterfied again!)
He has the same picture you have up on the blog..and that’s all he tweeted
Interested in attending Barack’s 50th Birthday Party? Get your tickets here! http://t.co/iAqFROF
4 hours ago via Twitter for Mac
Did you see Smartypants’ article about the similarities between Mandela and Obama? Can Mandela Help Us Understand Obama?