--- title: Barack Obama Profile in Courage Speech: Read the Transcript description: Former President Barack Obama spoke at the 2017 Profile in Courage Awards and urged members of Congress to protect those who are sick canonical: https://time.com/4770353/barack-obama-profile-courage-speech-transcript/ author: TIME Staff article:opinion: false article:content_tier: free article:published_time: 2017-05-08T11:47:50.000Z article:modified_time: 2026-10-08T09:01:16.691Z article:section: Politics og:title: Read Obama's Speech Urging Congress to Do 'What They Believe Deep in Their Hearts Is Right' og:description: The former President called on members of Congress to protect those who are sick and vulnerable og:url: https://time.com/4770353/barack-obama-profile-courage-speech-transcript/ og:site_name: TIME og:image: https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/bltfdc43b951d9affeb/6988cc4bcd1bba50b7705159/gettyimages-680139424.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=16:9 og:image:width: 3971 og:image:height: 2234 og:image:alt: Barack Obama Receives Kennedy Profile In Courage Award og:type: article twitter:card: summary_large_image twitter:title: Read Obama's Speech Urging Congress to Do 'What They Believe Deep in Their Hearts Is Right' twitter:description: The former President called on members of Congress to protect those who are sick and vulnerable twitter:image: https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/bltfdc43b951d9affeb/6988cc4bcd1bba50b7705159/gettyimages-680139424.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=16:9 ---  # Read Obama's Speech Urging Congress to Do 'What They Believe Deep in Their Hearts Is Right' > Sponsored content. 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It explains the politics, personalities and power dynamics behind the headlines, twice a week. #### Where can I get analysis of Washington politics by email? D.C. Brief is TIME's free Washington politics newsletter, available at time.com/newsletters. It is written by a TIME senior correspondent who covers the capital full time. #### Who writes TIME's D.C. Brief? Philip Elliott, a senior correspondent at TIME, writes D.C. Brief. #### Is D.C. Brief free? Yes. D.C. Brief is free at time.com/newsletters. ### Sources * TIME Newsletters: [time.com/newsletters](/c/time-nl-dcbrief-2026q3/newsletters?i=13865d85-b931-40ab-9d8d-1555d1820b15&cr=time-nl-dcbrief-2026q3-v1) ## Video: Obama Accepts the John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Award [Watch (HLS stream): Obama Accepts the John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Award](https://cdn.jwplayer.com/manifests/kwRibF1h.m3u8) (1:31)  _Published 2017-05-08. Obama says it takes courage to put party interests aside for the sake of the country then he thanks everyone for his 2017 Centennial John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Award_ by [TIME Staff](https://time.com/author/time-staff/) ## TIME Staff May 8, 2017 11:47 AM UTC Obama says it takes courage to put party interests aside for the sake of the country then he thanks everyone for his 2017 Centennial John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Award by [TIME Staff](https://time.com/author/time-staff/) ## TIME Staff May 8, 2017 11:47 AM UTC [President Barack Obama](http://time.com/4770177/barack-obama-gop-health-care-bill/?xid=homepage) was given the 2017 [John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Award](https://www.jfklibrary.org/Events-and-Awards/Profile-in-Courage-Award/Award-Recipients.aspx) on Sunday, and he used his speech to urge members of Congress to exhibit courage in the current battle over health care. The John F. Kennedy Library and Foundation honors political leaders each May who have exhibited “[the qualities of politically courageous leadership](https://www.jfklibrary.org/Events-and-Awards/Profile-in-Courage-Award/About-the-Award.aspx)” President Kennedy outlined in his 1957 book. In the book, Kennedy profiled eight senators who took unpopular but ultimately good positions despite the political risk. In his 30-minute speech, President Obama [invoked the fight over the Affordable Care Act](http://time.com/4770177/barack-obama-gop-health-care-bill/?xid=homepage) and called on members of Congress to protect those who are sick and vulnerable. Read the full transcript here: --- > “” --- ## Transcript John F Kennedy knew that our best hope and our most powerful answer to our doubts and to our fears lies inside each of us, in our willingness to joyfully embrace our responsibility as citizens, to stay true to our allegiance To our highest and best ideals. To maintain our regard and concern for the poor, and the aging, and the marginalized. To out our personal or party interest aside, when duty to our country calls. Or when conscience demands. That's the spirit that has brought America so far and that's the spirit that will always carry us to better days. And I take this honor that you have bestowed on me here tonight As a reminder that even out of office, I must do all that I can to advance the spirit of service that John F. Kennedy represents Thank you all very much. May God bless you. [ APPLAUSE ] May he bless this United States of America. Thank you. [ APPLAUSE ] Do I take it with me? You'll pack it up. 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