[Yong Lee](/columnists/Yong+Lee)  
1/16/2009

The President-Elect expressed his hopes for the future.

On Wednesday, *Parade Magazine* published an open letter written by President-Elect Barack Obama to his two daughters that explained why he ran for president. In it, Obama explained his desire to improve the country for Malia, 10, Sasha, 7, and all children in America.  
  
His goals emphasized education and opportunity for all children, stating his desire for "schools worthy of their potential." He also stressed his desire for every child to attend college, regardless of their family's financial situations.  
  
Obama, who will be sworn in on Tuesday, also addressed his hopes for a future where children can "see new technologies and inventions that improve our lives and make our planet cleaner and safer." As our nation's first African-American president, he also addressed discrimination: "I want us to push our own human boundaries to reach beyond the divides of race, gender and religion that keep us from seeing the best in each other."  
  
The letter can be read [here](http://www.parade.com/export/sites/default/news/2009/01/barack-obama-letter-to-my-daughters.html).