WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA) today issued the following statement on the announcement that President Obama has been awarded the 2009 Nobel Peace Prize:

 “While this award was unexpected, I think it is a testament to President Obama's extraordinary ability to inspire people from across the globe to come together and share a vision of a brighter, safer and more prosperous world.

“With the election of President Obama, we started America back on a path to regaining our status as a beacon of light for the world.  Now it is crucial that we come together across party lines to make that promise a reality.

“The president was right in his humble response to describe this award as an affirmation of America’s leadership and a call to action to address the major challenges of our time.”