President Obama’s presidential library will officially be located in the South Side of Chicago, the Obama Foundation announced Tuesday, with the Windy City beating out New York and Hawaii to host the site.
“All the strands of my life came together, and I really became a man when I moved to Chicago,” Mr. Obama said in a video posted to the Obama Foundation’s website. “That’s where I was able to apply that early idealism to try to work in communities in public service. That’s where I met my wife. That’s where my children were born, and the people there, the community, the lessons that I learned — they’re all based right in this few square miles where we’ll be able to now give something back and bring the world back home after this incredible journey.”
The Chicago City Council voted in March to set aside a section of Jackson Park or Washington Park for plans led by the University of Chicago, which was competing with the University of Illinois at Chicago, Columbia University in New York and the University of Hawaii in Honolulu to host the library.
“I’m thrilled to be able to put this resource in the heart of the neighborhood — that means the world to me,” said first lady Michelle Obama. “Every value, every memory, every important relationship to me exists in Chicago. I consider myself a South Sider.”
• David Sherfinski can be reached at dsherfinski@washingtontimes.com.
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