Reporter's Note: President Obama likes to get back home to Chicago when he can. Me? I am a citizen of the world, beloved wherever I go! Oh wait…that’s not me. Anyway, here’s my letter.

[cnn-photo-caption image=http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2010/images/03/12/hyundai.plant.alabama.jpg caption="Hyundai cars roll down the assembly line in Alabama."]

Tom Foreman | BIO
AC360° Correspondent

Dear Mr. President,

I am traveling back down to Alabama today and plenty happy to be doing so! My mother is still there; my brother and sister too, plus a mix of nephews, nieces, in-laws and outlaws connected to the family. I think I’ve told you before that my parents retired down there when I was still in high school, so it is one of the places I call home. I say “one of” because I’ve moved around enough to have several locations on that list: New Orleans, Denver, Rapid City, and DC now too.

Alabama is truly a lovely place, filled with smart, friendly people, excellent food, and beautiful places. We are going there as part of our continuing series on Building Up America; you know, the reports I told you about? Well, in case you’ve forgotten, it’s all about how some people find ways to thrive even in a down economy, and we’ll put reports on all week long.

One of the places we are going to is the Hyundai plant just outside of Montgomery, and I just can’t tell you have excited I am about that. I know, it sounds silly. But I love watching things get made, and when they are also providing jobs to communities that otherwise might struggle, so much the better.

FULL POST