奥巴马每周电视讲话:总统与第一夫人祝大家圣诞

　　Weekly Address: The President and First  Lady Extend¹ Christmas Greeting and Urge Americans to Support the Troops and  Their Families
每周电视讲话:总统与第一夫人致以圣诞问候并鼓励全国人民拥军拥属
WASHINGTON  – In this week’s address, President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle  Obama wished families across the country a “Merry Christmas” and encouraged  everyone to support the troops and their families this holiday season.  Anyone can visit www.serve.gov  to find ideas for what they can do to help our servicemen and women and their  families.
华盛顿:在本周的讲话中,巴拉克·奥巴马总统与第一夫人米歇尔·奥巴马祝福全国人民圣诞节快乐，并鼓励大家在节日里拥护军人及其家属。任何人都可以访问www.serve.gov 找寻到一些点子为我们的军人及军属们做些力所能及的事情。
THE PRESIDENT:  Merry Christmas, everybody.  Michelle and I just wanted to take a moment  today to send greetings from our family to yours.
总统：大家圣诞快乐！今天，米歇尔和我在此向大家致以节日的问候。
THE FIRST LADY:  This is one of our favorite times of  year.  And we’re so fortunate to be  able to celebrate it together in this wonderful home.
第一夫人：这是一年之中我们最喜欢的时刻。我们非常荣幸能够在这美好的家园与大家一起庆祝。
This is the “People’s House.”  So Barack and I try to open it to as many  people as we can, especially during the holiday season.
这里是“人民的白宫”。因此，巴拉克和我希望敞开大门迎接宾朋，越多越好，尤其是在这样的节日里。
This month, more than 100,000 Americans  have passed through these halls.  And  the idea behind this year’s theme, “Simple Gifts,” is that the greatest  blessings² of all are the ones that don’t cost a thing – the comfort of  spending time with loved ones…the freedoms we enjoy as Americans… and the joy  we feel upon giving something of ourselves.
这个月，已有超过10万美国人走进过这个礼堂。而今年的主题就是“简单的礼物”，最真心的祝福是无价的——与心爱的人一起欢度时光的舒适，作为美国人所享受的自由，以及基于我们真心付出后的喜悦。
So in this time of family, friends, and  good cheer; let’s also be sure to look out for those who are less fortunate,  who’ve hit a run of bad luck, or who are hungry and alone this holiday  season.
因此，在这个与家人朋友一起欢呼的时刻。让我们照顾一下不那么幸运的人们，运气不太好的人们，还有那些在节日里依旧忍受饥饿和孤独的人们。
THE PRESIDENT:  Because this is the season when we  celebrate the simplest yet most profound³ gift of all: the birth of a child  who devoted⁴ his life to a message of peace, love, and redemption.  A message that says no matter who we are,  we are called to love one another – we are our brother’s keeper, we are our  sister’s keeper, our separate stories in this big and busy world are really  one.
总统：因为这是我们庆祝这简单却意义异常深远的礼物的时候：这个将毕生奉献给传递和平、爱与救赎的孩子的生日。上帝说无论你我是谁，我们都当爱护彼此——我们是自己兄弟的守护人，我们是自己姐妹的守护人，在这个巨大而忙碌的世界上，我们每个人的故事都是真实的。
Today, we’re also thinking of those who  can’t be home for the holidays – especially all our courageous⁵ countrymen  serving overseas.
今天，我们也想念那些不能回家过节的人们——尤其是我们在海外执行任务的英勇的同胞们。
That’s the message I delivered when I  visited our troops in Afghanistan a few weeks ago – that while you may be  serving far from home, every American supports you and your families.  We’re with you.  And I have no greater honor⁶ than serving as  your Commander in Chief.
这是我前几周在阿富汗视察部队的时候传递的信息——也许你在远离家园的地方服役，但每个美国人都会支持你们以及你们家人。我们与你们在一起。我作为你们的统帅而感到无上的荣耀。
Today’s soldiers, sailors, airmen,  Marines, and Coast Guardsmen make up the finest fighting force in the history  of the world.  Just like their  predecessors⁷, they do extraordinary things in service to their country.  What makes that all the more remarkable⁸ is  that today’s military is an all-volunteer force – a force of mothers and  fathers, sons and daughters, husbands and wives.
今天的陆军士兵，海军士兵，飞行员，陆战队员以及海岸警卫队员组成了这个世界上最为优秀的战斗力量。就像他们的前辈们一样，他们为了国家做着非凡的事情。今天的军队与以前更加显著的特点就是这是一只完全由志愿者组成的部队——由父母、子女、夫妻共同组成的部队。
THE FIRST LADY:  That’s right.  As First Lady, I’ve had the honor to meet  members of our military and their families on bases and in communities all  across the country.  I’ve gotten to  know husbands and wives doing the parenting of two while their spouse⁹ is on  another deployment…children trying their best in school but always wondering  when mom or dad is coming home…patriots putting their lives on hold to help  with a loved one’s recovery…or carry on the memory of a fallen hero.
第一夫人：是的。作为总统夫人，我在全国各地的军事基地会见我们的军人和在社区会见军人家属时深感自豪。我了解到丈夫们和妻子们在配偶执行任务时身兼两职又当爹又当妈…孩子们在学校努力学习但却不知道妈妈或爸爸什么时候回家…爱国人士用一生来帮助爱人的康复…或者是唤醒一个失落英雄的记忆。
When our men and women in uniform answer  the call to serve, their families serve, too.   And they’re proud and glad to do it.   But as long as that service keeps the rest of us safe, their sacrifice  should also be our own.  Even heroes  can use a hand, especially during the holidays.
当我们穿上军装的男男女女响应号召参军时，他们的家庭同样在付出。而且他们非常自豪和高兴。正是有了他们的付出才有了我们的安宁，因此我们应当分担他们的牺牲。即便是英雄也需要帮助，尤其是在这样的节日里。
THE PRESIDENT:  So we’re encouraging Americans to ask what  you can do to support our troops and their families in this holiday  season.  For some ideas on how to get  started, just visit Serve.gov.
总统：因此我们鼓励美国人民问问自己在这个节日里能为支持我们的军人和他们的家庭而做些什么。如果想找些点子，你可以访问serve.gov
THE FIRST LADY:  You’ll see that you don’t need to be an  expert in military life to give back to those who give so much to us.  There are countless¹⁰ ways to contribute by  harnessing¹¹ your unique talents.
第一夫人：你会发现你不必是一个军旅专家来为这些为我们付出这么多的人做出回报。那里有无数的方式去展现你独特的才华来贡献你的力量。
If you live near a base, you can reach  out through your local school or church.   If you don’t, you can volunteer with organizations that support  military families.  And anybody can  send a care package or pre-paid calling card to the front lines, or give  what’s sometimes the most important gift of all: simply saying “thank you.”
如果你住在军事基地附近，你可以到当地学校或教堂传递你的爱心。如果不是，你可以加入支援军属家庭的志愿者组织。而且任何人都可以发送爱心包裹或预付费电话卡到前线，或者送出有时候却是最重要的礼物：简单的说一句“谢谢您！”
THE PRESIDENT:   America’s brave servicemen and women  represent a small fraction¹² of our population.   But they and the families who await¹³ their safe return carry far more  than their fair share of the burden.   They’ve done everything they’ve been asked to do.  They’ve been everything we’ve asked them to  be.  And even as we speak, many are  fighting halfway¹⁴ around the globe – in hopes that someday, our children and  grandchildren won’t have to.
总统：美国英勇的军人是只占全国人口的一少部分。但他们以及期盼他们平安归来的家人们承担着超越他们责任的重担。他们做的事情远超他们的义务。他们远超我们的期待。就在我们讲话的时刻，还有很多人仍在世界各地的战斗之中——只是期望有一天，我们的子孙们不用这么做。
So let’s all remind them this holiday  season that we’re thinking of them – and that America will forever be here  for them, just as they’ve been there for us.
因此让我们在这个节日里想起他们铭记他们——美国永远在此地为他们守候，如同他们在彼岸为我们守候。
And on behalf¹⁵ of Michelle, Malia, Sasha…
我们代表米歇尔，玛莉亚，萨莎…
THE FIRST LADY:  and Bo…
第一夫人：还有波（奥巴马的狗狗）…
THE PRESIDENT:  and Bo…have a very Merry Christmas.
总统：还有波…祝大家的圣诞节快乐。
THE FIRST LADY:  and an even happier New Year.
第一夫人：还有新年快乐。

1 extend   

v.伸开；展开，伸展；扩大；加大

参考例句：

• Can you extend your visit for a few days more?你能把你的访问再延长几天吗？
• The examinations extend over two weeks.考试持续两个星期。

2 blessings   

n.（上帝的）祝福( blessing的名词复数 )；好事；福分；因祸得福

参考例句：

• Afflictions are sometimes blessings in disguise. 塞翁失马，焉知非福。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• We don't rely on blessings from Heaven. 我们不靠老天保佑。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》

3 profound   

adj.深奥的，造诣深的；深度的，极度的

参考例句：

• I give you my profound thanks for saving my life.我对您的救命之恩深表谢意。
• He has a profound knowledge of mathematics.他数学知识渊博。

4 devoted   

adj.忠诚的，忠实的，热心的，献身于...的

参考例句：

• He devoted his life to the educational cause of the motherland.他为祖国的教育事业贡献了一生。
• We devoted a lengthy and full discussion to this topic.我们对这个题目进行了长时间的充分讨论。

5 courageous   

adj.勇敢的，有胆量的

参考例句：

• We all honour courageous people.我们都尊重勇敢的人。
• He was roused to action by courageous words.豪言壮语促使他奋起行动。

6 honor   

n.光荣；敬意；荣幸；vt.给…以荣誉；尊敬

参考例句：

• I take your visit as a great honor.您的来访是我莫大的光荣。
• It is a great honor to receive that prize.能拿到那个奖是无上的光荣。

7 predecessors   

n.前任( predecessor的名词复数 )；前辈；（被取代的）原有事物；前身

参考例句：

• The new government set about dismantling their predecessors' legislation. 新政府正着手废除其前任所制定的法律。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• Will new plan be any more acceptable than its predecessors? 新计划比原先的计划更能令人满意吗？ 来自《简明英汉词典》

8 remarkable   

adj.显著的，异常的，非凡的，值得注意的

参考例句：

• She has made remarkable headway in her writing skills.她在写作技巧方面有了长足进步。
• These cars are remarkable for the quietness of their engines.这些汽车因发动机没有噪音而不同凡响。

9 spouse   

n.配偶(指夫或妻)

参考例句：

• Her spouse will come to see her on Sunday.她的丈夫星期天要来看她。
• What is the best way to keep your spouse happy in the marriage?在婚姻中保持配偶幸福的最好方法是什么？

10 countless   

adj.无数的，多得不计其数的

参考例句：

• In the war countless innocent people lost their lives.在这场战争中无数无辜的人丧失了性命。
• I've told you countless times.我已经告诉你无数遍了。

11 harnessing   

给（马等）装上挽具( harness的现在分词 )； 治理，利用

参考例句：

• Harnessing the wind to generate electricity dates back to 1890. 利用风来发电可以追溯到1890年。
• Harnessing gravity fields for anti-proton catalyzed fusion. 利用重力场进行反质子催化熔解。

12 fraction   

n.小部分，碎片；一点，一些；分数

参考例句：

• The car missed me by a fraction of an inch.那车子差一点儿就要撞到我了。
• The cost is only a fraction of his salary.那项费用不过是他薪水的一小部分。

13 await   

vt.等候，期待；(事情等)降临于

参考例句：

• We await your command.我们等待你的口令。
• We await your decision.我们期待你作出决定。

14 halfway   

adj.中途的，不彻底的，部分的；adv.半路地，在中途，在半途

参考例句：

• We had got only halfway when it began to get dark.走到半路，天就黑了。
• In study the worst danger is give up halfway.在学习上，最忌讳的是有始无终。

15 behalf   

n.利益，方面；支持，赞成

参考例句：

• Ken is not present,so I shall accept the prize on his behalf.肯没有出席，所以我将代表他领奖。
• They fixed on him to speak on their behalf.他们已经确定他作为代表发言。