Viddler

THE PRESIDENT: They didn't want me to be on the right. (Laughter.) It says: CBC. (Laughter.)

To all the outstanding guests here tonight, to our outstanding Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus, Barbara Lee, please give her a big round of applause. (Applause.) To her outstanding foundation chair, Kendrick Meek, please give them a round of applause. (Applause.)

Majority Leader Steny Hoyer is in the house. (Applause.) The House Majority Whip James Clyburn is in the house. (Applause.) Chairman of the DCCC Chris Van Hollen is in the house. And my great friend and the chair of the DNC, Tim Kaine, please give him a big round of applause, Governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia. (Applause.)

I want to begin by congratulating all of the recipients of the Phoenix Award for outstanding contributions to American life. I have to single out one of tonight's honorees, for whom I can personally vouch, our Ambassador to the United Nations, Susan Rice. (Applause.) Susan is doing a fantastic job as ambassador, especially this past week when we were at the United Nations, and we are all lucky, all of America is lucky to have her representing us there. So please give her a big round of applause. (Applause.)

I look out at all of you tonight -- on members of Congress, on state and local officials, on leaders of all kinds -- and I am reminded of the extraordinary acts of public service being rendered by African Americans today. I'm reminded of the difference each of you is making at every level of government, in the quiet neighborhoods of our small towns and the bustling streets of our big cities.

But I'm also reminded that it wasn't always this way. I'm reminded of a time long before the CBC was formed; long before the Civil Rights Movement was sparked; when just a lone African American was serving in the United States Congress.

A North Carolinian by birth, the child, some say, of slaved, George Henry White was the last