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Obama Pens Goodbye Letter: 'You've Made Me A Better Man'

By Eugene Scott

WASHINGTON, D.C. (CBS/CNN) -- President Barack Obama penned an emotional public letter, published Thursday, thanking Americans and encouraging them to participate into "daily acts of citizenship."

"Before I leave my note for our 45th president, I wanted to say one final thank you for the honor of serving as your 44th," he wrote.

"Because all that I've learned in my time in office, I've learned from you. You made me a better president, and you made me a better man."

He continued, "Throughout these eight years, you have been the source of goodness, resilience, and hope from which I've pulled strength. I've seen neighbors and communities take care of each other during the worst economic crisis of our lifetimes. I have mourned with grieving families searching for answers – and found grace in a Charleston church."

"I've taken heart from the hope of young graduates and our newest military officers. I've seen our scientists help a paralyzed man regain his sense of touch, and wounded warriors once given up for dead walk again. I've seen Americans whose lives have been saved because they finally have access to medical care, and families whose lives have been changed because their marriages are recognized as equal to our own. I've seen the youngest of children remind us through their actions and through their generosity of our obligations to care for refugees, or work for peace, and, above all, to look out for each other."

Obama went on to challenge voters -- regardless of political affiliation -- to commit themselves to improving the common good.

"I've seen you, the American people, in all your decency, determination, good humor and kindness. And in your daily acts of citizenship, I've seen our future unfolding," he said. "All of us, regardless of party, should throw ourselves into that work -- the joyous work of citizenship. Not just when there's an election, not just when our own narrow interest is at stake, but over the full span of a lifetime."

Obama has said he will remain engaged in issues he cares about in his post-White House life.

"I'll be right there with you every step of the way," he wrote. "And when the arc of progress seems slow, remember: America is not the project of any one person. The single most powerful word in our democracy is the word 'We.' 'We the People.' 'We shall overcome.' "

"Yes, we can," he added.

The-CNN-Wire ™ & © 2017 Cable News Network, Inc., a Time Warner Company. All rights reserved.

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