Uproar in Ghana after president unveils his own statue    Putin hails 'courageous' Trump after election win    Israel passes law to deport relatives of attackers, including citizens    Monkey mayhem in South Carolina after 43 primates escape research facility    Russian anti-war teenager faces five years in jail after failed appeal    SR 3.95 million fines for 3 employees of a company and 6-month jail for one for violating Capital Market Law    Qassim emir launches 52 health projects costing a total of SR456 million    BD and INS partner to elevate standards of infusion care in MENAT    Dubai Design Week launches its 10th edition, celebrating creativity and innovation    GASTAT: Passengers of public transport bus and train soar 176% and 33% respectively in 2023    Fakeeh Care Group reports 9M-2024 net profit of SR195.3 million, up 49% y-o-y driven by solid revenue growth and robust profitability    HRT does not impact life expectancy — UK health body    Liam Payne's body to be flown back to the UK    Suspect arrested for banking fraud totaling SR493 million as Nazaha pursues corruption charges    Arab leaders and heads of state congratulate US President-elect Donald Trump    Neymar suffers muscle tear, out for 4-6 weeks    Crown Prince hails Saudi medical team that performed world's first fully robotic heart transplant    Al Nassr secures 5-1 victory over Al Ain to edge closer to knockout stage    Al Ahli extends perfect start with 5-1 victory over Al Shorta    Mitrovic's hat-trick leads Al Hilal to 3-0 victory over Esteghlal    India puts blockbuster Pakistani film on hold    The Vikings and the Islamic world    Filipino pilgrim's incredible evolution from an enemy of Islam to its staunch advocate    Muted Eid celebrations for millions of Nigerian Muslims    Exotic Taif Roses Simulation Performed at Taif Rose Festival    Asian shares mixed Tuesday    Weather Forecast for Tuesday    Saudi Tourism Authority Participates in Arabian Travel Market Exhibition in Dubai    Minister of Industry Announces 50 Investment Opportunities Worth over SAR 96 Billion in Machinery, Equipment Sector    HRH Crown Prince Offers Condolences to Crown Prince of Kuwait on Death of Sheikh Fawaz Salman Abdullah Al-Ali Al-Malek Al-Sabah    HRH Crown Prince Congratulates Santiago Peña on Winning Presidential Election in Paraguay    SDAIA Launches 1st Phase of 'Elevate Program' to Train 1,000 Women on Data, AI    41 Saudi Citizens and 171 Others from Brotherly and Friendly Countries Arrive in Saudi Arabia from Sudan    Saudi Arabia Hosts 1st Meeting of Arab Authorities Controlling Medicines    General Directorate of Narcotics Control Foils Attempt to Smuggle over 5 Million Amphetamine Pills    NAVI Javelins Crowned as Champions of Women's Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS:GO) Competitions    Saudi Karate Team Wins Four Medals in World Youth League Championship    Third Edition of FIFA Forward Program Kicks off in Riyadh    Evacuated from Sudan, 187 Nationals from Several Countries Arrive in Jeddah    SPA Documents Thajjud Prayer at Prophet's Mosque in Madinah    SFDA Recommends to Test Blood Sugar at Home Two or Three Hours after Meals    SFDA Offers Various Recommendations for Safe Food Frying    SFDA Provides Five Tips for Using Home Blood Pressure Monitor    SFDA: Instant Soup Contains Large Amounts of Salt    Mawani: New shipping service to connect Jubail Commercial Port to 11 global ports    Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Delivers Speech to Pilgrims, Citizens, Residents and Muslims around the World    Sheikh Al-Issa in Arafah's Sermon: Allaah Blessed You by Making It Easy for You to Carry out This Obligation. Thus, Ensure Following the Guidance of Your Prophet    Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques addresses citizens and all Muslims on the occasion of the Holy month of Ramadan    







Thank you for reporting!
This image will be automatically disabled when it gets reported by several people.



Obama resigns Senate seat
Published in The Saudi Gazette on 17 - 11 - 2008

elect Barack Obama resigned his seat in the Senate on Sunday to focus on his transition to the White House, appointing new staff and thanking his home state of Illinois for launching his political career.
“Today, I am ending one journey to begin another,” Obama said in a letter to the people of Illinois, describing his job representing them as one of the highest honors of his life.
“I am stepping down as senator to prepare for the responsibilities I will assume as our nation's next president,” he said.
“But I will never forget, and will forever be grateful to, the men and women of this great state who made my life in public service possible.”
Obama's resignation as senator means he will not participate in this week's post-election session on Capitol Hill that could address the ailing economy and struggling auto industry.
Obama's successor in the Senate will be appointed by Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich, a Democrat.
One of the favorites is Jesse Jackson Jr, son of the US civil rights leader and former presidential candidate Jesse Jackson.
Obama, who will be sworn in as president on Jan. 20, grew up in Hawaii and spent part of his childhood in Indonesia.
He moved to Illinois as an adult to work as a community organizer.
Obama cited one of his heroes, Abraham Lincoln, who hailed from the same state, when saying his goodbye.
“It was long ago that another son of Illinois left for Washington,” Obama wrote.
“A greater man who spoke to a nation far more divided, Abraham Lincoln, said of his home, ‘To this place, and the kindness of these people, I owe everything.' Today, I feel the same.” The Democratic president-elect has been assembling his White House team and studying cabinet appointments since beating Republican rival John McCain in the Nov. 4 election.
Obama added three officials to his White House team on Sunday, making his top aide from the Senate a senior adviser and naming two deputies to chief of staff Rahm Emanuel.
His transition office said in a statement that Pete Rouse, who led Obama's staff as an Illinois senator, would join the White House as a senior adviser.
Rouse worked for former Senate Democratic Leader Tom Daschle for 19 years.
Daschle, a former South Dakota senator, advised Obama during his presidential campaign and is thought to be in contention for a top post in the new administration.
Obama's office also said Mona Sutphen, a longtime foreign service officer who worked in president Bill Clinton's White House on the National Security Council, and Jim Messina, a former top aide to two US senators, would both serve as deputy chief of staff.
“These individuals are important additions to a team with the experience and ability to help our nation overcome pressing challenges at home and around the world,” Obama said in the statement.
McCain, an Arizona senator, will visit Obama in Chicago on Monday to discuss ways the two men can work together.


Clic here to read the story from its source.