国际英语新闻:Obama calls for efforts to bolster economy, enhance social fairness

WASHINGTON, Dec. 31 (Xinhua) -- After rounds of contentious debates on economic issues with Republican lawmakers this year, U. S. President Barack Obama on Saturday called for joint efforts to boost the U.S. economic growth and improve social fairness in 2012.

"The last year has been a time of great challenge and great progress for our country," Obama said in his weekly address, adding that "we began to see signs of economic recovery here at home, even as too many Americans are still struggling to get ahead. "

"There's no doubt that 2012 will bring even more change. And as we head into the New Year, I'm hopeful that we have what it takes to face that change and come out even stronger -- to grow our economy, create more jobs, and strengthen the middle class," said Obama while enjoying his vacation in Hawaii.

"As President, I promise to do everything I can to make America a place where hard work and responsibility are rewarded -- one where everyone has a fair shot and everyone does their fair share, " he added.

Before joining his family in Hawaii for holiday, Obama signed on Dec. 23 a bipartisan two-month compromise stopgap measure to extend the payroll tax cut and federal jobless benefits into law, after wrapping up the latest chapter of partisan wrangling this year.