"...Today, the economy is growing. In fact, we've seen the fastest turnaround in growth in nearly three decades. But we have more work to do.

Until this progress is felt not just on Wall Street but Main Street we cannot be satisfied. Until the millions of our neighbors who are looking for work can find jobs, and wages are growing at a meaningful pace, we may be able to claim a recovery â€" but we will not have recovered.

And even as we seek to revive this economy, it is incumbent on us to rebuild it stronger than before. That means addressing some of the underlying problems that led to this turmoil and devastation in the first place.

One of the most significant contributors to this recession was a financial crisis as dire as any we've known in generations. And that crisis was born of a failure of responsibility â€" from Wall Street to Washington â€" that brought down many of the world's largest financial firms and nearly dragged our economy into a second Great Depression.

It was that failure of responsibility that I spoke about when I came to New York more than two years ago â€" before the worst of the crisis had unfolded. I take no satisfaction in noting that my comments have largely been borne out by the events that followed.

But I repeat what I said then because it is essential that we learn the lessons of this crisis, so we don't doom ourselves to repeat it.

And make no mistake, that is exactly what will happen if we allow this moment to pass â€" an outcome that is unacceptable to me and to the American people. As I said two years ago on this stage, I believe in the power of the free market. I believe in a strong financial sector that helps people to raise capital and get loans and invest their savings...."

Excerpt, President Barack Obama addressing New York VIPs at Cooper Union this week.

Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/2010/04/22/2010-04-22_live_video_president_barack_obama_speaks_on_wall_street_reform_at_cooper_union_i.html#ixzz0lrPB9mR1