President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama arrived in Charleston, S.C. to honor the lives of the nine victims of the tragic Mother Emanuel AME church shooting. President Obama delivered a powerful eulogy Friday afternoon (Jun. 26) for his friend and fallen Mother Emanual pastor Rev. Clementa Pinckney and commanded the pulpit similarly to a preacher.
Vice President Joe Biden, a gathering of bipartisan officials and presidential hopeful Hilary Clinton were among the several high-profile guests at the TD Arena at the College of Charleston. The president’s eulogy for Rev. Pinckney, who was also a history-making state senator, was passionate as could be expected. At times, Obama’s voice rose to a level not unlike the pastors and preachers who spoke before him and he garnered a reaction with his pointed words.
“We are here today to remember a man of God who lived by faith,” said Obama. “A man who believed in things not seen. A man who believed there were better days ahead, off in the distance. A man of service who persevered knowing full well he would not receive all those things he was promised, because he believed his efforts would provide a better life for those who followed.”
At another point of the eulogy, the president named all of the slain victims of Dylann Roof’s violent rampage on June 17, stating each name with most of his might to rousing applause. President Obama also mentioned the ongoing Confederate Flag controversy and its prominent role in discussions regarding race in America in recent times.
Watch President Barack Obam’s eulogy for Rev. Clementa Pinckney in the clip below, starting at the 1:20 mark.
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Photo: WhiteHouse.gov/YouTube
