CHICAGO, Illinois (AP) -- Barack Obama celebrated Father's
Day by calling on black fathers, who he said are "missing from too many
lives and too many homes," to become active in raising their children.
"They have abandoned their responsibilities, acting like boys instead
of men. And the foundations of our families are weaker because of it,"
the Democratic presidential candidate said Sunday at a largely black
church in his hometown.
Reminding the congregation of his
firsthand experience growing up without a father, Obama said he was
lucky to have loving grandparents who helped his mother. He got
support, second chances and scholarships that helped him get an
education. Obama's father left when he was 2.
"A lot of children don't get those chances. There is no margin for error in their lives," said Obama, an Illinois senator.
"I resolved many years ago that it was my obligation to break the cycle
-- that if I could be anything in life, I would be a good father to my
girls," added Obama, whose daughters, Sasha and Malia, and his wife,
Michelle, watched from the audience.
Obama's appearance at the
Apostolic Church of God was his first address to a church since he
ended his membership at Trinity United Church of Christ, where he had
worshipped for 20 years, following inflammatory remarks there by his
former longtime pastor and others.
Obama frequently emphasized the importance of God in his life and ended
the speech by asking the congregation to "Pray for me. Pray for
Michelle."