self-government. this country was built on the belief that any of us, no matter who we are, where we come from, how much money we have, what our last name is, any of us can recognize where our nation has fallen short, challenge the status quo, and pull america a little closer to our highest ideals. and that same faith and democracy has overthrown tyrants and liberated countries and delivered greater opportunity and freedom and dignity to billions of people around the world. so my experience in chicago made me believe in the power of place and the power of people. those beliefs guided me all the way through my presidency. and they have shaped our vision for the obama presidential center. we are about to break ground on what will be the world's premiere institution for