Larson on President Obama's Final State of the Union Address

Washington – Rep. John B. Larson (CT-01) released the following statement on President Barack Obama's final State of the Union address:

“Tonight, President Obama spoke to the best in all of us. This may be his final year in office, but our work as a nation is not done—and I share his hope for the future.

“The President is right when he says our politics have become deeply divisive and overrun by special interests. But I know firsthand what we can accomplish when we put those differences aside to do what’s right. I had the honor of sharing this evening with James Tillman, who spent 18 years in prison for a crime he did not commit. Since 2008, I have worked with Republican and American hero Rep. Sam Johnson on a bill to prevent those who are wrongfully convicted from being taxed on the compensation they receive. That bill passed because both sides of the aisle recognized that doing what is right is neither Democratic nor Republican; it is American.

"In fact, the pursuit of justice and equality for all is the most quintessential American trait there is. It is why I, like the President, believe we can find the common ground to accomplish real change. The President is right when he says Social Security needs to be strengthened, that students deserve access to affordable education, that everyone deserves the dignity of a job, and that hate speech and discrimination have no place in our country. Having visited the Berlin Mosque on New Year’s Day, I know as the President does that our Muslim neighbors make our communities stronger. I have plans to address all the challenges we face, and I will keep reaching across the aisle to work with colleagues who want to put people before partisanship.

“I also commend the President for rekindling our spirit of innovation. We in the First District know the call to create firsthand. From fuel cells and solar energy to the best aircraft engines in the world, we know our district—like the nation—is full of men and women with the vision and knowledge to make incredible things. I look forward to working with my colleagues to ensure Americans have every opportunity to succeed in these developing fields.

“As the President said, the state of our union is strong. We have overcome incredible challenges. Even as we face new threats in the form of ISIL and other terrorist groups, I know we will emerge victorious and come out stronger. I am proud to continue working to ensure everyone in the First District and the nation has the bright future they deserve.”

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