VOA标准英语2013--Diversity on Display at US Presidential Inauguration

Diversity on Display at US Presidential Inauguration¹

The diversity of the President’s supporters was on display at the Inauguration. Ramona Natera from Wisconsin is part of Latinas United for Obama that helped secure Hispanic support in the last election.

“Well, it’s a historic moment, right. And we are expecting great things from Obama as far as immigration reform goes," she said.

Anna Knudson from the state of Washington says a second term for President Obama means that policies important to her and many other women will continue.

“It reaffirms that the American people want Obama to continue his policies, in particular health care and helping² people who are less fortunate and who are not in that top one percent," she said.

Mark Keam, a Korean-American and Virginia State delegate, says the connection Asians feel with President Obama is partly personal.

“He actually lived part of his childhood in Asia, in Indonesia. He was also born in Hawaii where there is a very large Asian population. He has a half-sister who is an Asian-American, and he understands our culture and our ways," he said.

For Troy Thomas from Louisiana, and many other African Americans, this inauguration - occurring on the national holiday that commemorates³ Martin Luther King - is a reaffirmation of the famed civil rights leader's dream of racial equality.

“This is his dream. Look around and look at all of these people out here together supporting - black, white, everything - unity⁴. This is very important to everyone," she said.

This display of diversity at the inauguration, these Obama supporters say, symbolizes⁵ the underlying⁶ strength of American democracy. 

1 inauguration   

n.开幕、就职典礼

参考例句：

• The inauguration of a President of the United States takes place on January 20.美国总统的就职典礼于一月二十日举行。
• Three celebrated tenors sang at the president's inauguration.3位著名的男高音歌手在总统就职仪式上演唱。

2 helping   

n.食物的一份&adj.帮助人的，辅助的

参考例句：

• The poor children regularly pony up for a second helping of my hamburger. 那些可怜的孩子们总是要求我把我的汉堡包再给他们一份。
• By doing this, they may at times be helping to restore competition. 这样一来, 他在某些时候,有助于竞争的加强。

3 commemorates   

n.纪念，庆祝( commemorate的名词复数 )v.纪念，庆祝( commemorate的第三人称单数 )

参考例句：

• A tombstone is erected in memory of whoever it commemorates. 墓碑是为纪念它所纪念的人而建的。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• A tablet commemorates his patriotic activities. 碑文铭记他的爱国行动。 来自《现代英汉综合大词典》

4 unity   

n.团结，联合，统一；和睦，协调

参考例句：

• When we speak of unity,we do not mean unprincipled peace.所谓团结，并非一团和气。
• We must strengthen our unity in the face of powerful enemies.大敌当前，我们必须加强团结。

5 symbolizes   

v.象征，作为…的象征( symbolize的第三人称单数 )

参考例句：

• The use of light and dark symbolizes good and evil. 用光明与黑暗来象征善与恶。
• She likes olive because It'symbolizes peace. 她喜欢橄榄色因为它象征着和平。 来自《简明英汉词典》

6 underlying   

adj.在下面的，含蓄的，潜在的

参考例句：

• The underlying theme of the novel is very serious.小说隐含的主题是十分严肃的。
• This word has its underlying meaning.这个单词有它潜在的含义。