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President Obama Reflects on His Legacy During Final Congressional Black Caucus Speech
WASHINGTON — Barack Obama, America’s first black president, delivered a wide-ranging speech before the Congressional Black Caucus recently that touched about his legacy, the progress of African Americans and the challenges ahead for people of color in America.
The speech marked the seventh and final time President Obama has addressed the CBC at its Phoenix Awards Dinner, which is held as part of the CBC’s Annual Legislative Conference.
In his often humorous, fiery and passionate speech, President Obama urged African Americans to continue his legacy by voting for Hillary Clinton for President this November. To not vote, he said, would be a “personal insult.”
“After we have achieved historic turnout in 2008 and 2012, especially in the African-American community, I will consider it a personal insult, an insult to my legacy, if this community lets down its guard and fails to activate itself in this election,” President Obama said, receiving applause from many of those in attendance. “You want to give me a good sendoff? Go vote.” 
President Obama also used the speech to define his own legacy, which has received its fair share of criticism in recent months from both Democrats and Republicans alike. In particular, President Obama cited the work his administration did to pull the country out of its worst recession in 80 years, the creation of 15 million new jobs and the securing of health coverage for 20 million additional Americans as highlights of his work as President.
In discussing his successes with African Americans, President Obama was proud that the high school graduation rate is at an all-time high for African Americans. He also championed his administration’s work in reforming the criminal justice system, including reducing the federal prison population, the end of use of solitary confinement for juveniles, and reinvigorating the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. He also mentioned the success of his My Brother’s Keeper mentorship program.
“By so many measures, our country is stronger and more prosperous than it was eight years ago,” President Obama said. “And none of it’s been quick, none of it’s been easy. None of it has come without a fight. And so much of our work remains unfinished. But then we knew that we would not solve all of our challenges in one year, or one term, or even one presidency, not even in one lifetime — because we understand better than anybody that this is the story of America, that the project of America is never finished. It is constantly a work in progress. “
President Obama also used the speech to offer a history lesson to Donald Trump and others who have said it has never been a worse time to be black. He rebutted that notion by invoking the upcoming opening of the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History, which is scheduled to open September 24 in Washington.
“We (Michelle Obama and family) looked at the shackles that had been used to bring folks over,” he said. “We saw the shacks that slaves had been trying to make a way out of no way. And then, with each successive level, we saw the unimaginable courage and the struggles, and the sacrifices, and the humor, and the innovation, and the hope that led to such extraordinary progress, even in our own lifetimes.”
He also reiterated the challenges ahead for African Americans, and Americans overall, in a post-Obama United States. President Obama cited the unwillingness by governors to expand Medicaid, the efforts by some Republicans in Congress to block increases in the minimum wage and the ongoing fight for equal pay for equal work as some of the important challenges that remain ahead for Americans.
“When we’re not investing in the schools that our kids deserve; when one group of Americans is treated differently under the law, when there are those who somehow think it’s wrong to make sure that folks have access to affordable housing, or unwilling to do what it takes to make sure our veterans get the benefits that they’ve earned, or aren’t helping to sign folks up for health insurance — we will not stop our march for justice,” President Obama said to rousing response. “We will not stop pushing for the security and prosperity of all people. That doesn’t stop with my presidency. We’re just getting started”
President Obama concluded his speech by discussing the importance of voting and urged those in attendance to get out and vote.
“Register folks to vote,” he said. “Get them to the polls. Keep marching. Keep fighting. Keep organizing. If we rise to this moment, if we understand this isn’t the endpoint, this is the beginning, we’re just getting going, we’re just getting moving — then I have never been more optimistic that our best days are still ahead.”
The Phoenix Awards Gala typically concludes what is known at CBC Weekend in Washington, which is centered around the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation’s Annual Legislative Conference, which was held for the 46th time this year. The event was hosted by Trevor Noah, host of The Daily Show on Comedy Central, and R&B singer Kelly Rowland.
This year’s honorees included Democratic Presidential Nominee Hillary Clinton, who also spoke at the event, retiring Congressman Charles Rangel and Congresswoman Marcia L. Fudge, in addition to business magnate and philanthropist Robert F. Smith, of Vista Equity Partners. They were recognized for their strong commitment and contributions to “improve the well-being of African-American communities through their leadership and service.”
Watch Video of President Obama’s Address at the Congressional Black Caucus Gala
