I share my joy and pride of this moment with each of you.  To see this nation come so far in my lifetime is more than I could ever have thought possible.  From the days of segregation and Jim Crow this nation has finally emerged to a place where all of our citizens are now able to see that what is now important is indeed the content of character rather than the color of skin.  I share my joy with you, my hopes, my gratitude for the part we each played in making this  happen.  With our votes, we spoke as a people, not whites, not blacks, but Americans.  As we face the challenges ahead, we  must remember that it will take the sacrifice of all to make the aspirations of today come to fruition.