VOA标准英语 Obama: Signs of Economic Progress

U.S. President Barack Obama says the first signs of an economic recovery are beginning to emerge. But at the same time he warns the process is only beginning and much hard work lies ahead.
　
President Barack Obama delivers remarks on the economy, Tuesday, 14 April 2009, at Georgetown University in Washington

With his administration about to reach the symbolic¹ hundred day marker, the president went before the American people with an assessment² of the economy.

He said the measures he has put in place in his first months in office are beginning to bear fruit. But he acknowledged 2009 will continue to be a difficult year.

"There is no doubt that times are still tough," said Mr. Obama. "By no means are we out of the woods just yet. But from where we stand, for the very first time, we are beginning to see glimmers³ of hope."

In a speech at Georgetown University, a short drive from the White House, President Obama mixed optimism with a dose of reality.

Sounding at times like a college professor, he spoke⁴ in great detail about action already taken to stimulate⁵ the economy, free up credit, and repair the damaged financial sector⁶.

"All of these actions - the Recovery Act, the bank capitalization program, the housing plan, the strengthening of the non-bank credit market, the auto⁷ plan, and our work at the G20 - all have been necessary pieces of the recovery puzzle," he said.

But he said these efforts must be just the beginning of a sustained often difficult drive to put the economy on a sounder footing.

Using a Bible story to make his point, he said America can not rebuild its economic foundation on a pile of sand.

"We must build our house upon a rock," continued President Obama. "We must lay a new foundation for growth and prosperity - a foundation that will move us from an era of borrow and spend to one where we save and invest; where we consume less at home and send more exports abroad."

President Obama said that stronger foundation will require new rules for Wall Street, and new investments in education, renewable energy and health care.

Critics charge he is advocating reckless government spending in tough economic times.

The president said that view is shortsighted. He said what is needed is the political will to make difficult decisions.

"We have been called to govern in extraordinary times. And that requires an extraordinary sense of responsibility - to ourselves, to the men and women who sent us here, and to the many generation whose lives will be affected⁸ for good or for ill because of what we do here," he said.

The head of the U.S. central bank echoed some of Mr. Obama's remarks in a speech of his own on Tuesday. Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke said there have been signs that the sharp decline in economic activity may be slowing. But he also made clear a sustainable recovery hinges on the ability to stabilize⁹ financial markets, and get credit flowing freely again.

1 symbolic   

adj.象征性的，符号的，象征主义的

参考例句：

• It is symbolic of the fighting spirit of modern womanhood.它象征着现代妇女的战斗精神。
• The Christian ceremony of baptism is a symbolic act.基督教的洗礼仪式是一种象征性的做法。

2 assessment   

n.评价；评估；对财产的估价，被估定的金额

参考例句：

• This is a very perceptive assessment of the situation.这是一个对该情况的极富洞察力的评价。
• What is your assessment of the situation?你对时局的看法如何？

3 glimmers   

n.微光，闪光( glimmer的名词复数 )v.发闪光，发微光( glimmer的第三人称单数 )

参考例句：

• A faint lamp glimmers at the end of the passage. 一盏昏暗的灯在走廊尽头发出微弱的光线。 来自互联网
• The first glimmers of an export-led revival are apparent. 拉动出库复苏的第一缕曙光正出现。 来自互联网

4 spoke   

n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说

参考例句：

• They sourced the spoke nuts from our company.他们的轮辐螺帽是从我们公司获得的。
• The spokes of a wheel are the bars that connect the outer ring to the centre.辐条是轮子上连接外圈与中心的条棒。

5 stimulate   

vt.刺激，使兴奋；激励，使…振奋

参考例句：

• Your encouragement will stimulate me to further efforts.你的鼓励会激发我进一步努力。
• Success will stimulate the people for fresh efforts.成功能鼓舞人们去作新的努力。

6 sector   

n.部门，部分；防御地段，防区；扇形

参考例句：

• The export sector will aid the economic recovery. 出口产业将促进经济复苏。
• The enemy have attacked the British sector.敌人已进攻英国防区。

7 auto   

n.(=automobile)(口语)汽车

参考例句：

• Don't park your auto here.别把你的汽车停在这儿。
• The auto industry has brought many people to Detroit.汽车工业把许多人吸引到了底特律。

8 affected   

adj.不自然的，假装的

参考例句：

• She showed an affected interest in our subject.她假装对我们的课题感到兴趣。
• His manners are affected.他的态度不自然。

9 stabilize   

vt.（使）稳定，使稳固，使稳定平衡；vi.稳定

参考例句：

• They are eager to stabilize currencies.他们急于稳定货币。
• His blood pressure tended to stabilize.他的血压趋向稳定。