by Supreme Knight Carl A. Anderson

Carl A. Anderson

The election of Barack Obama represents an important moment in American history. Although much has been done to eradicate racial enmity in America since the days when Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. led the civil rights movement four decades ago, Senator Obama’s election represents a decisive affirmation of our national commitment to racial equality.

Having had the privilege of serving on the United States Commission on Civil Rights, I believe that we cannot understate the importance of the election in this regard.

America will face many urgent problems during the years to come, and we must work together to come up with solutions.

It is also said that we may face challenges from abroad during the early months of the new administration. No potential foe should ever doubt that we will stand together as a nation in the face of such a challenge.
We join with the Catholic Bishops of the United States in extending our congratulations to the president-elect and offer our prayers that God will grant him strength and wisdom during the years to come.

We are grateful that citizens of California, Florida and Arizona voted to approve state constitutional amendments recognizing marriage as between one man and one woman. Marriage is the institution that provides the optimal environment for having and raising children, and clear majorities, in every one of the 30 states where this question has been put to the voters, have decided to preserve this understanding in their constitutions.