http://starbulletin.com/2008/07/28/news/story05.html

Obama notes ‘tragic’ US past
American history's "sad" aspects require action, the senator tells cheering
journalists

By Laurie Au
lau@...

CHICAGO » Sen. Barack Obama, speaking to a gathering of minority
journalists yesterday, stopped short of endorsing an official U.S. apology
to American Indians but said the country should acknowledge its history of
poor treatment of certain ethnic groups.

"There's no doubt that when it comes to our treatment of Native Americans
as well as other persons of color in this country, we've got some very sad
and difficult things to account for," Obama told hundreds of attendees of
UNITY '08, a convention of four minority journalism associations.

The Hawaii-born senator, who has told local reporters that he supports the
federal recognition bill for native Hawaiians drafted by U.S. Sen. Daniel
Akaka, noted other ethnic groups but did not mention native Hawaiians when
answering a question about his thoughts on a formal U.S. apology to
American Indians.

"I personally would want to see our tragic history, or the tragic elements
of our history, acknowledged," the Democratic presidential hopeful said.

"I consistently believe that when it comes to whether it's Native Americans
or African-American issues or reparations, the most important thing for the
U.S. government to do is not just offer words, but offer deeds."

Obama, who appeared tired in his first major appearance since returning
Saturday from a 10-day trip abroad, met with a receptive audience at the
Chicago convention. Some journalists had waited three hours for the
40-minute appearance.

The group had expected Obama and Sen. John McCain to speak on Thursday
night, but because of scheduling conflicts, only Obama could attend
yesterday morning's talk.

When Obama walked on stage at the McCormick Center, many journalists in the
audience leapt to their feet and applauded enthusiastically after being
told not to do so. During a two-minute break halfway through the event,
which was broadcast live on CNN, journalists ran to the stage to snap
photos of Obama.

The Illinois senator talked about his trip overseas, reiterating his
opinion that violence is down in Iraq but worsening in Afghanistan. And he
expressed his approval of the Senate's passage of a major housing bill to
help homeowners avert foreclosure.

Obama, who acknowledged that he needed a nap, stood up to say farewell to
the audience of journalists, many of whom gave him another standing
ovation.