voa标准英语2008年-Harlem Joyful About Obama Victory

Senator Barack Obama has been chosen by the American people to be the 44th president of the United States. President-elect Obama is also the first African American to become the nation's chief executive. This historic milestone¹ was celebrated² with intense hope and pride in Harlem, the mostly black New York City district many consider to be the cultural capital of African American life. VOA's Adam Phillips was there.
　

People cheer in support of President-elect Barack Obama after learning that he won the election, 05 Nov 2008

The thousands of African Americans who gathered on 125th Street, Harlem's main thoroughfare, to celebrate President-elect Obama's decisive victory on Tuesday night could not contain their joy that one of their number had been chosen to be the lead the nation. A young woman named Joy had come from Brooklyn, a subway ride away.

"We are so excited. Black people are just overwhelmed and very grateful. We worked very, very hard. We are just happy to see a black man in office. I thought it would never happen," she said.

This young man said Obama's election made the future brighter for all African American youth.

"Everybody born after this day is gonna grow up thinking they can do anything they want. The greatest man in the world - that's the president. I could be that way in 20 years. I ain't old yet! " he exclaimed.

Jareau Hall, another Harlemite, seemed calm. Yet his broad grin said it all.

"I'm trying not to get too emotional," he said. "This was probably one of the best nights of my life, right now. [And] being here in Harlem, I don't think anything could really compare."

"Mark," from the neighboring borough³ of Queens, was also jubilant, but recognized that lots of hard work lies in store for the new president-elect - and for all Americans.

"It feels good to be a black man, tonight," he said. "This is an opportunity that I'm sharing. I'm glad I'm able to see this today, my brother. I know it's going to be a long time to get everything back on the path, but I believe he got the energy and the power to do it."

With a solid bloc⁴ of fellow Democrats⁵ in Congress, Barack Obama will have much the political clout⁶ necessary to enact⁷ an ambitious agenda to deal with the many challenges he will face. He will also draw on the public good will new presidents traditionally enjoy early in their administrations. As the nation looks ahead to January 20, when President-elect Obama takes office, one thing is clear: he's got the people of Harlem behind him all the way.

1 milestone   

n.里程碑；划时代的事件

参考例句：

• The film proved to be a milestone in the history of cinema.事实证明这部影片是电影史上的一个里程碑。
• I think this is a very important milestone in the relations between our two countries.我认为这是我们两国关系中一个十分重要的里程碑。

2 celebrated   

adj.有名的，声誉卓著的

参考例句：

• He was soon one of the most celebrated young painters in England.不久他就成了英格兰最负盛名的年轻画家之一。
• The celebrated violinist was mobbed by the audience.观众团团围住了这位著名的小提琴演奏家。

3 borough   

n.享有自治权的市镇；(英)自治市镇

参考例句：

• He was slated for borough president.他被提名做自治区主席。
• That's what happened to Harry Barritt of London's Bromley borough.住在伦敦的布罗姆利自治市的哈里.巴里特就经历了此事。

4 bloc   

n.集团；联盟

参考例句：

• A solid bloc of union members support the decision.工会会员团结起来支持该决定。
• There have been growing tensions within the trading bloc.贸易同盟国的关系越来越紧张。

5 democrats   

n.民主主义者，民主人士( democrat的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• The Democrats held a pep rally on Capitol Hill yesterday. 民主党昨天在国会山召开了竞选誓师大会。
• The democrats organize a filibuster in the senate. 民主党党员组织了阻挠议事。 来自《简明英汉词典》

6 clout   

n.用手猛击；权力，影响力

参考例句：

• The queen may have privilege but she has no real political clout.女王有特权，但无真正的政治影响力。
• He gave the little boy a clout on the head.他在那小男孩的头部打了一下。

7 enact   

vt.制定(法律)；上演，扮演

参考例句：

• The U.S. Congress has exclusive authority to enact federal legislation.美国国会是唯一有权颁布联邦法律的。
• For example,a country can enact laws and economic policies to attract foreign investment fairly quickly.例如一个国家可以很快颁布吸引外资的法令和经济政策。