New York, NY, October 9, 2009 ... The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) today congratulated President Barack Obama on receiving the 2009 Nobel Peace Prize.

Glen S. Lewy, ADL National Chair, and Abraham H. Foxman, ADL National Director issued the following statement:

We congratulate President Obama on receiving the 2009 Nobel Peace Prize.

The President has certainly shown that he is committed to the high ideals of this honor. We know that he is dedicated to furthering peace for Americans and for all people around the world. His efforts to bridge the divide between the Muslim world and the West by extending a hand in friendship is welcome, and we look forward to his continued leadership in the years ahead.

We hope that this award will help President Obama realize his objective of a more peaceful world, and to galvanize the support and encouragement he needs from other nations to achieve that goal.