President-elect Barack Obama waves after giving his acceptance speech at Grant Park in Chicago, 4 Nov. 2008

The American history just added a new chapter to its book as a result of the election on November 4, 2008, which made Illinois Senator Barack Obama the next President of the United States of America. Barack Obama will be the first African-American to be elected to the highest rank in the American history as the top executive of the country.  

Members of Laotian-American communities throughout the nation share their reactions with VOA about the election of Barak Obama.

Khammany Mathavongsy, a Community Activist for Laotian Americans in Bay Area, CA

“Yes, of course. I am one of Obama’s supporters because we want a change in Washington DC. For the past eight years the position for this country is not that great; also the cost of energy is rather high, especially for Laotian-Americans. We are not well-off and the economic hardship takes its toll on all of us,” said Khammany Mathavongsy, a community activist serving Laotian-American communities in California’s Bay Area.

Dara Stieglitz, a Life Coach of New Jersey, also shares her reaction, saying that Obama is good because he supports education and health care. Mr. Thongsouk Onevaly, working with the Prince William County Public Schools echoes Dara’s comments, “It’s fine that Obama came out the winner. Both the

Dara Stieglitz, a Life Coach of New Jersey

Democratic Party and Republican were competing so hard to win this election through voting and I am happy. Obama is a capable man. Whether the Democratic Party or the Republican Party wins the election, I think either one of them will do well to move the country forward. ”

Whatever reactions voters may have, Barack Obama is now the president-elect of the United States of America and will take the oath of office on January 20, 2009. Through this long political process, American voters have proven that everything or anything is possible in this country. The motto “Living the American Dream” and becoming “Whoever We Want to Be” can be realized by anyone who works hard. This is a true inspiration to many Americans, especially the minority groups who believe they can make their dreams become reality in this country.

Listen to the whole report in Lao.