Obama hopes US would seize on momentum of improved economy

Washington, Feb 23: US President Barack Obama has hoped that the nation's governors would seize on the momentum of improved economy and build a country where every citizen can be optimistic about the future.

"Our economy keeps improving. I hope that we can seize on that momentum to keep improving the circumstances for every one of our citizens," Obama said in his address to the National Governors Association, which was attended by several governors from across the country.

He hoped that with improvement in economy, the governors would keep building a country where every citizen can look around and see cause for optimism about the future, not only for themselves but also for their children and their grandchildren; feel good about their own prospects and the country’s prospects.

"Within this room, we're not going to agree on everything, but I am committed to working with each and every one of you over the next two years to keep making progress," he said.

"We will talk more about that tomorrow. Tonight, I just want to express my appreciation to all of you, all of the hard work that you bring to bear. And I want to say thank you to the spouses as well, because I know that's a particularly difficult job, trying to keep us in line," he said.

Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper, chair of the National Governors Association, thanked the President and the First Lady for their hospitality. He called the dinner a "wonderful and rare opportunity for us to come together and genuinely share each other’s company."

PTI