Obama mourns Wiesel as 'one of the great moral voices of our time'
“Tonight, Michelle and I join people across the United States, Israel and around the globe in mourning the loss and celebrating the life of a truly remarkable human being,” Obama said.
“Like millions of admirers, I first came to know Elie through his account of the horror he endured during the Holocaust simply because he was Jewish. But I was also honored and deeply humbled to call him a dear friend. I'm especially grateful for all the moments we shared and our talks together, which ranged from the meaning of friendship to our shared commitment to the State of Israel.”
Obama described Wiesel, who died Saturday at the age of 87, as a “living memorial,” referring to their walk through the Buchenwald concentration camp.
“Elie spoke words I've never forgotten – ‘Memory has become a sacred duty of all people of goodwill.’ Upholding that sacred duty was the purpose of Elie's life,” Obama added.
“Along with his beloved wife Marion and the foundation that bears his name, he raised his voice, not just against anti-Semitism, but against hatred, bigotry and intolerance in all its forms. He implored each of us, as nations and as human beings, to do the same, to see ourselves in each other and to make real that pledge of ‘never again.’ “
Obama also said Wiesel “changed the world more as a citizen of the world than those who hold office or traditional positions of power.”
“His life, and the power of his example, urges us to be better. In the face of evil, we must summon our capacity for good. In the face of hate, we must love. In the face of cruelty, we must live with empathy and compassion. We must never be bystanders to injustice or indifferent to suffering. Just imagine the peace and justice that would be possible in our world if we all lived a little more like Elie Wiesel.”
Obama said Wiesel said at the end of their visit to Buchenwald that he and the other survivors "had the right to give up on humanity."
"But he said, 'we rejected that possibility...we said, no, we must continue believing in a future,' " Obama added. "Tonight, we give thanks that Elie never gave up on humanity and on the progress that is possible when we treat one another with dignity and respect. "
http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/286386-obama-elie-wiesel-one-of-the-great-moral-voices-of-our-time
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