remember sam lewis? the bathroom-fixture king of tuckahoe? right into the toilet. he filed for bankruptcy. they're not building any more houses, so he went broke. honey, how about getting a loan from the government? the government? they'll only bail you out if you're lockheed, franklin bank, the pennsylvania railroad! ntry, maude? all we get is a slap on the back, a "win" button, and a pep talk from eliot janeway. ( imitating ) it's a fool's game, maude. now, listen, walter, look, i don't want you to say anything. now, look, listen to me, walter, please. under the circumstances, walter, the house is free and clear. maude... look, we'll borrow on it. no, the house is yours. the house is ours, walter. it just happens to be in my name. now, listen, this is my problem! it is our problem, walter. now why shouldn't we borrow on it. give me one good reason. maude, i built findlay's friendly appliances. thirty-two years ago, i started the long, long climb, but i needed no outside help. i did it all by myself! i am horatio alger. i am independent and proud. i am an american

optimism. [ applause ] as laura mentioned, 15 years ago, members from both parties, congressman john lewis and sam, informed me that they were about to introduce legislation creating a new museum to share the stories and celebrate the achievements of african-americans. it would be fair to say that the congress and i didn't always see eye to eye -- if you know what i mean, mr. president. [ laughter ] but this is one issue where we strongly agreed. i was honored to sign the bill authorizing the construction of this national treasure, and i'm pleased it now stands where it has always belonged, on the national mall. [ applause ] this museum is an important addition to our country for many reasons. here are three. first, it shows our commitment to truth. a great nation does not hide its history. it faces its flaws and corrects them. [ applause ] this museum tells the truth that a country founded on the promise of liberty held millions in chains. that the price of our union was america's original sin. from the beginning, some spoke the truth. john adams who called slavery an evil of colossal magnitude.