奥巴马新年讲话：美已有经济复苏迹象

President Barack Obama says he is hopeful that the United States will be able to strengthen its economy and create jobs in the new year. The president said he is encouraged by the recent vote in Congress to prevent higher payroll taxes and extend unemployment benefits.

美国总统奥巴马说，他有信心，新的一年美国经济能够改善并创造就业机会。奥巴马总统表示，国会最近通过延长削减工资税和失业救济的法案，他对此深受鼓舞。

In his final weekly address of the year, President Obama said 2011 was a year of great change and progress.

奥巴马总统星期六在他今年最后一次的每周例行讲话中说，2011年是出现了巨大变化和进展的一年。

"We ended one war and began to wind down another," said Obama. "We dealt a crippling blow to al-Qaida and made America more secure. We stood by our friends and allies around the world through natural disasters and revolutions. And we began to see signs of economic recovery here at home, even as too many Americans are still struggling to get ahead."

奥巴马说：“我们结束了一场战争，并开始结束另一场战争。我们给予基地组织重大打击，使美国更加安全。我们与全世界的盟友一起经历了自然灾害和革命。虽然太多的美国人仍在艰难中前进，但我们开始看到美国这里已出现经济复苏的迹象。”

Obama applauded Democrats and Republicans in Congress for working together to pass a two-month extension of a payroll tax cut and unemployment benefits.

奥巴马总统对国会民主党人和共和党人一道通过了将工资税减税措施和失业福利延长两个月的法案表示欢迎。

The president credited Americans who contacted Congress in support of the extension, and he called on lawmakers to approve a year-long extension when they return to Washington in January.

奥巴马赞赏那些为支持延长上述措施而与国会联络的美国民众。他呼吁国会议员1月份返回华盛顿时，批准将这些措施延长一年。

"And I expect Congress to finish the job by extending these provisions through the end of 2012," Obama added. "It was good to see members of Congress do the right thing for millions of working Americans, but it was only possible because you added your voices to the debate."

奥巴马说：“我期待国会完成他们的工作，把这些措施延长到2012年年底。国会为数百万美国劳动人民采取了正确的行动，这是很好的事情。但是这之所以成为可能，是因为辩论中加入了你们的声音。”

Obama recorded his message from the state of Hawaii, where he is on vacation with his family.

奥巴马及其家人正在夏威夷度假，他的新年讲话是在那里录制的。

The president said his main goal for the new year is to make America's economic system more fair for the middle class-a theme he is expected to repeat throughout his 2012 re-election campaign.

奥巴马总统说，他新年的主要目标是要使美国的经济制度对中产阶级更公平。预计他在2012年的竞选活动中将重申这一主题。"As president, I promise to do everything I can to make America a place where hard work and responsibility are rewarded, one where everyone has a fair shot and everyone does their fair share," Obama said. "That's the America I believe in. That's the America we have always known."

奥巴马说，作为总统，我承诺要尽我所能使美国成为一个勤劳和负责会得到报偿的地方，人人都有公平的机会，也都公平地承担自己的责任。这就是我所相信的美国，也是我们一直都了解的美国。

In the weekly Republican address, Senator Johnny Isakson said his party's top priority for the new year is to make it easier for small businesses to create jobs. He said Republicans will do so by fighting for lower taxes, fewer regulations and energy security.

来自乔治亚州的联邦参议员约翰尼.艾萨克森代表共和党发表每周讲话说，共和党新年的首要任务是要让小企业更容易创造就业机会。为此共和党人要努力争取减少税收和各种规定，并加强能源安全。

President Obama Friday delayed a request to Congress to raise the debt ceiling, the legal limit on the amount of money the U.S. government can borrow.

奥巴马总统星期五推迟要求国会提高债务上限，也就是美国政府借债的最高限额。

Obama granted top lawmakers from both parties more time to allow both houses to vote on a largely symbolic bill allowing some legislators to express their opposition to increasing the limit.

从而给国会两党领袖更多时间，使国会两院能够对一个主要是象征性的提案进行表决。一些议员通过表决对提高政府借债限额表示不满。

The proposed $1.2 trillion increase in the borrowing authority is likely to pass despite the objections.

尽管有人反对，这个建议把政府借贷上限提高1万2千亿美元的提案可能会获得通过。