Happy Father’s Day From Barack’s House

Posted on June 16, 2013 by Jueseppi B.

 

By Jueseppi B.

 

Fathersday

 

 

Men: Don’t Wait for a Wakeup Call When it Comes to Your Health

 

 

Ed Note: This is a cross post from the blog of healthcare.gov. You can find the original post here.

 

 

As a group, we men are not known for doing a very good job of taking care of our own health.

 

National Men’s Health Week, from June 10 through Father’s Day on June 16, is a good time for us to start taking responsibility and doing what’s needed to stay healthy and active. That means eating right, taking the time to exercise, and—yes—talking to our doctors about what checkups we need.

 

Many health problems are preventable or more easily treated if we’re proactive about our health. The good news is the Affordable Care Actensures that most health insurance plans cover recommended preventive services at no out-of-pocket cost.

 

Some of these services that are particularly important to men ages 40 to 64 include blood pressure and cholesterol checks, flu shots and tobacco cessation services.

 

Make sure your fathers, grandfathers, friends and uncles on Medicare know that they are eligible for these and other preventive services such as a yearly wellness visit, with no co-pays or deductibles.

 

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On October 1, 2013, there will be a new way for men to find affordable, quality health insurance through the Health Insurance Marketplace. You will be able to compare private insurance plans at the new Health Insurance Marketplace on HealthCare.gov and purchase the one that best suits your needs and wallet, for coverage starting January 1, 2014. You will also be able to use the same website to find out if you’re eligible for free or lower-cost coverage.

 

Beginning next year, you can’t be turned down or charged more because of a pre-existing condition, such as diabetes, asthma, high blood pressure, or because of the type of work you do.

 

Educate yourself and get information to share with all the men in your life — your sons, brothers, fathers, uncles, cousins, partners, and friends — by signing up now at HealthCare.gov.

 

During National Men’s Health Week, let’s man up and take control of our health—for the peace of mind and security that we and our families deserve.

 

There’s no better Father’s Day gift for the fathers and men – and women and children – who care for us.

 

 

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Celebrating Father’s Day at the White House

June 14, 2013 | 1:27 | Public Domain

 

President Obama hosts a Father’s Day luncheon in the State Dining Room to celebrate the importance of strong families and mentorship.

 

 

 

 

 

President Obama Meets with Students in the “Becoming A Man” Program

 

Courtney Corbisiero
June 14, 2013
07:04 PM EDT
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President Barack Obama welcomes participants to the Father's Day luncheonPresident Barack Obama welcomes participants to the Father’s Day luncheon in the State Dining Room of the White House, June 14, 2013. (Official White House Photo by Amanda Lucidon)

 

 

President Obama celebrated an early Father’s Day with kids from the “Becoming a Man” program at the White House on Friday. The students traveled to Washington, D.C. from Chicago for lunch in the East Room, where the President discussed the importance of fatherhood and mentorship. The “Becoming a Man” program is based in low-income public high schools in Chicago.  In February, the President visited Chicago to meet the boys in the program at Hyde Park Academy and speak about the importance of education.

 

 

President Barack Obama greets participants during the Father's Day luncheonPresident Barack Obama greets participants during the Father’s Day luncheon in the State Dining Room of the White House, June 14, 2013. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)

 

 

Chief of Staff Denis McDonough talks with a young participant during the Father's Day luncheonChief of Staff Denis McDonough talks with a young participant during the Father’s Day luncheon in the State Dining Room of the White House, June 14, 2013. (Official White House Photo by Amanda Lucidon)

 

 

Obama Celebrates Father’s Day Early

 
The president hosted a White House luncheon with Chicago at-risk teens.

 

 

For young men who’s fathers aren’t around or very engaged in their lives, having the president of the United States as a periodic substitute is probably a pretty big deal. And when he invites you to the White House for lunch, that’s an even bigger deal.

 

Students and leaders from the Becoming a Man program at Hyde Park Academy in Chicago were among the guests President Obama hosted at a luncheon in the State Dining Room on Friday. The event also was an opportunity for him to continue a national conversation he began in his first term about how important fathers are in nurturing their families and communities.

 

“It is good to see all of you here, so many young people, so many outstanding dads — a few moms chaperoning,” Obama said. “Obviously, this is a great way for us to celebrate Father’s Day and just to remind ourselves, those of us who are fathers, how lucky we are.”

 

Being a dad, the president said, “is the best job I’ve got.”

 

Earlier this year, the president spoke at Hyde Park Academy about the economic proposals outlined in his State of the Union address. He also met with 16 students enrolled in the BAM program in a private session during which they shared with him the personal challenges they face and are working to overcome.

 

 

U.S. President Barack Obama and daughters Malia and Sasha, watch on television as First Lady Michelle Obama takes the stage to deliver her speech at the Democratic National Convention, in the Treaty Room of the White House in Washington

U.S. President Barack Obama and daughters Malia and Sasha, watch on television as First Lady Michelle Obama takes the stage to deliver her speech at the Democratic National Convention, in the Treaty Room of the White House in Washington

 

Happy Fathers Day type for card or ad.

 

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From Barack’s Blog: How “ObamaCares” Has Helped California And Valerie Speaks At KIPP DC College Preparatory School.

Posted on June 8, 2013 by Jueseppi B.

 

By Jueseppi B.

 

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Here’s How the Affordable Care Act Is Helping Californians

 

Megan Slack
Megan Slack

June 07, 2013
05:25 PM EDT
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President Obama Makes a Statement on the Affordable Care Act

June 07, 2013 | 26:08

 

President Obama explains how the Affordable Care Act is helping people in California.

 

 

 

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President Barack Obama delivers a statement on the Affordable Care ActPresident Barack Obama delivers a statement on the Affordable Care Act, at the Fairmont San Jose in San Jose, Calif., June 7, 2013. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)

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Today President Obama was in California to talk about how the Affordable Care Act benefits people in the state, and across the country.

 

First, for those who already have health insurance, President Obama explained that the law has already provided a wide array of new benefits, better protections and stronger cost controls they didn’t have before.

 

“Protections, like allowing people up to the age of 26 to stay on their parent’s health care plans, which has already helped 6 million Americans,” President Obama said. “Cost controls, like requiring insurance companies to spend at least 80 percent of the money that you pay in premiums in your actual health care costs, as opposed to administrative costs or CEO pay.”

 

Second, for the tens of millions of Americans – including 6 million Californians – who don’t currently have health insurance, “you’ll soon be able to buy quality, affordable care just like everybody else,” President Obama said today. “And here’s how.”

States like California are setting up new, online marketplaces where, beginning on October 1st of this year, you can comparison shop an array of private health insurance plans side-by-side, just like you were going online to compare cars or airline tickets.  And that means insurance companies will actually have to compete with each other for your business.  And that means new choices.

 

The 13 insurance companies that will be part of the California marketplace, known as Covered California, were selected based on access, quality, and affordability, President Obama said.

The 13 insurance companies that were chosen by Covered California have unveiled premiums that were lower than anybody expected. And those who can’t afford to buy private insurance will get help reducing their out-of-pocket premiums even further with the largest health care tax cut for working families and small businesses in our history.  So about 2.6 million Californians — nearly half of whom are Latinos — will qualify for tax credits that will, in some cases, lower their premiums a significant amount.

 

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Celebrating the First in Family to Go to College

 

Valerie Jarrett
Valerie Jarrett

June 07, 2013
06:30 PM EDT

Today, I was honored to speak at the graduation ceremony of the very first graduating class of KIPP DC College Preparatory School.

 

KIPP, the Knowledge Is Power Program, is a national network of college-preparatory public charter schools. KIPP DC College Preparatory School is the highest performing, open-enrollment high school in Washington, D.C., where 85% of students will be the first in their families to go to college and 100% of the class was admitted to college.

 

I shared with the graduates my advice about my college experience, including the value of exploration, standing tall, and protecting one’s reputation.

 

And I felt so inspired and encouraged by seeing the bright young members of the class of 2013 so proudly walk across the stage.

 

President Obama and his Administration are committed to ensuring young people have the same opportunity to access quality education, compete on an even playing field, and attend college.

 

President Obama has challenged every American to commit to higher education, including setting a new goal of having the highest proportion of college graduates in the world by 2020.  The graduating class of 2013 is helping America achieve that goal.

 

The President’s education initiatives helped aspiring college students make their dreams a reality. President Obama is currently urging action on student loan interest rates so they do not double on July 1, 2013, which would make college less affordable, and out of reach for millions of students and families.

 

Millions of students lack access to the high-speed broadband internet that supports learning technology. It is for that reason that President Obama is unveiling a bold, new initiative called ConnectED, which will connect 99 percent of America’s students to the internet through high-speed broadband and high-speed wireless within 5 years.

 

As President Obama said in the State of the Union this year, America is not a place where the chance of birth, or circumstance, should decide our destiny.  Earlier this spring, President Obama announced proposals that create ladders of opportunity, including providing access to high-quality early childhood education, and revitalizing neighborhoods so young people have a safe place to grow up and learn.

 

It is these kinds of initiatives that will help the next generation – but every American can help, from volunteering at their local public school, mentoring a student, or helping run an after school program. Together, we can build a future where every child has the chance to learn, grow, thrive, and go to college.

Speeches and Remarks

 

June 07, 2013

 

Remarks by the President at a DSCC Event

 

Remarks by the President at a DSCC Event

 

 

 

Statements and Releases

 

June 07, 2013

 

Statement by the President

 

President Obama Nominates Two to Serve as District Court Judges

 

Presidential Nominations Sent to the Senate

 

Presidential Nominations Sent to the Senate

 

Statement by the President on Congressman Dingell

 

 

 

Nancy Sutley, Sally Jewell, Tom Vilsack, Ernest Moniz
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June 07, 2013
01:21 PM EDT

 

As part of President Obama’s initiative to make America a magnet for jobs by building a 21st century infrastructure, today he signed a Presidential Memorandum that will speed the modernization of the nation’s electric grid. This will help make electricity more reliable, save consumers money on their energy bills, and support homegrown American clean energy jobs and industries by making renewable energy easier to access across the country.

 

Transmission projects often cover hundreds of miles and involve multiple federal, tribal, state and local jurisdictions with diverse interests and responsibilities. Collaborating early to minimize duplication and delays is vital to getting critical projects to construction to better serve American homes and businesses. Today’s Presidential Memorandum directs federal agencies to create an integrated pre-application process across the Federal government to help identify and address issues before the formal permit application process begins, and streamline the coordination of permitting processes across the federal, state, and tribal governments.

 

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The Daily Word From Barack’s House: “The Jersey Shore Is Back In Business”

Posted on May 29, 2013 by Jueseppi B.

 

By Jueseppi B.

 

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“The Jersey Shore is back in business”

 

Today, President Obama took a trip to the Jersey Shore, ravaged last fall by Hurricane Sandy, where he visited with local families and business owners who are preparing for the 2013 summer season.

 

“If anybody wondered whether the Shore could ever be all right again, you got your answer this weekend,” President Obama said. “From Sea Bright to Bay Head, from Belmar to Seaside Heights, folks were hanging out on balconies and beaches. Shows were sold out at the Stone Pony. Kids were eating ice cream and going on rides, going and eating some more ice cream. Guys were trying to win those big stuffed animals to impress a special girl.”

 

Check out more from President Obama’s visit to the Jersey Shore.

 

 

President Barack Obama congratulates New Jersey Governor Chris Christie while playing the "TouchDown Fever" arcade game along the Point Pleasant boardwalk in Point Pleasant Beach, N.J., May 28, 2013. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)

President Barack Obama congratulates New Jersey Governor Chris Christie while playing the “TouchDown Fever” arcade game along the Point Pleasant boardwalk in Point Pleasant Beach, N.J., May 28, 2013. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)

 

 

President Obama Speaks on Rebuilding the Jersey Shore

 

Published on May 28, 2013

President Obama delivers remarks during his visit to the Jersey Shore to view the rebuilding and recovery efforts underway following Hurricane Sandy’s devastating impact along the coastline last fall, including the efforts by local businesses to prepare for the 2013 summer season.

 

 

 

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In Case You Missed It

 

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Here are some of the top stories from the White House blog:

 

We the Geeks: Asteroids
To mark an asteroid fly-by, the White House will host the second in a series of “We the Geeks” Google+ Hangouts to talk asteroids with Bill Nye the Science Guy, former astronaut Ed Lu, NASA Deputy Administrator Lori Garver, and more.

 

A Data-Powered Revolution in Health Care
We are witnessing the emergence of a data-powered revolution in health care. Catalyzed by the Recovery Act, adoption of electronic health records is increasing dramatically.

 

The White House Kitchen Garden Summer Harvest
Yesterday, a group of student helpers joined First Lady Michelle Obama for the summer White House kitchen garden harvest.

 

White House Kitchen Garden Summer Harvest

May 28, 2013 | 5:08 | Public Domain

 

First Lady Michelle Obama delivers remarks before joining school children from across the country to harvest the summer crop from the White House Kitchen Garden. For this harvest, the First Lady invited children from two New Jersey communities that were affected by Hurricane Sandy, as well as all the children who helped plant the garden in April so they could see the fruits of their labors.

 

 

 

 

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President Obama greets children on the South Lawn of the White House after returning from the Jersey Shore, May 28. The children had earlier helped harvest vegetables in the First Lady’s White House garden. (AP/Jacquelyn Martin)

 

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Today’s Schedule

 

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All times are Eastern Daylight Time (EDT).

 

11:00 AM: The President receives the Presidential Daily Briefing.

 

 

11:00 AM: The Vice President delivers a speech on the U.S.-Brazil partnership.

 

 

12:00 PM: The President meets with senior advisors.

 

 

12:45 PM: Press Briefing by Press Secretary Jay Carney.

 

 

3:55 PM: The President departs the White House.

 

 

4:10 PM: The President departs Joint Base Andrews.

 

 

6:00 PM: The President arrives Chicago.

 

 

7:30 PM: The President attends a DCCC event.

 

 

8:45 PM: The President attends a DCCC event.

 

 

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From The President Of The United States: Barack Hussein Obama.

 

I keep a to-do list in my desk.

 

It’s ambitious, but you and I didn’t set out to do easy things.

 

As long as I can count on you to be a part of this, we will find a way to make progress on all of it — continuing to create good-paying jobs, fixing our broken immigration system, finding a common-sense way to reduce gun violence in this country, and more.

 

No president can do it alone.

 

Say you’re in:

http://my.barackobama.com/Are-You-In

 

There’s a lot of work to do — thanks for doing your part.

Barack

 

 

Megan Slack
Megan Slack

May 29, 2013

 

A 60 second recap: The Vice President and Dr. Biden in Trinidad

 

Published on May 29, 2013

Vice President Joe Biden and Dr. Jill Biden visit Trinidad &
Tobago to meet with Caribbean leaders during their trip to South America.

 

 

 

 

 

After stopping in Colombia on his three-country trip to reinforce partnerships in the Americas, Vice President Biden traveled to Trinidad and Tobago, where he met with President Carmona and Prime Minister Persad-Bissessar and participated in a meeting and working lunch with a number of other Caribbean leaders.

 

In that series of meetings, leaders discussed regional efforts to promote economic growth, citizen security and energy, among other issues.

 

“I’m here because President Obama wanted me to have an opportunity to dialogue with all of you and because our country is deeply invested and wants to become more deeply invested in a partnership with all the nations of the Caribbean,” the Vice President explained.

Our search for growth, jobs and affordable supplies of energy, our fight against transnational crime, and the protection of our climate and our environment — all of these issues, all of these issues have no respect for borders and they affect all of our borders. They directly affect the people of my country and each and every one of yours.

 

 

For more information:

 

 

 

 

Gautam Raghavan
Gautam Raghavan

May 29, 2013

 

President Obama Speaks at the AAPI Heritage Month Celebration

 

Published on May 28, 2013

President Obama delivers remarks an the Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month celebration at the White House. May 28, 2013.

 

 

 

President Barack Obama explains the lipstick on his collar after being kissed by an attendee before an event in the East Room of the White House May 28, 2013 in Washington, D.C. (BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP/Getty Images)

President Barack Obama explains the lipstick on his collar after being kissed by an attendee before an event in the East Room of the White House May 28, 2013 in Washington, D.C. (BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP/Getty Images)

 

President Barack Obama gestures toward the audience while making remarks at an Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month event in the East Room of the White House in Washington, Tuesday, May 28, 2013. At the beginning of the speech the president pointed out a lipstick mark on his collar saying it was from the aunt of American Idol runner up Jessica Sanchez. "I do not want to be in trouble with Michelle," said the president. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

President Barack Obama gestures toward the audience while making remarks at an Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month event in the East Room of the White House in Washington, Tuesday, May 28, 2013. At the beginning of the speech the president pointed out a lipstick mark on his collar saying it was from the aunt of American Idol runner up Jessica Sanchez. “I do not want to be in trouble with Michelle,” said the president. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

 

Obama Remarks at AAPI Heritage Month

 

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Last night, President Obama delivered remarks before over 200 members of the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community at a White House celebration of AAPI Heritage Month. The audience included national, state, and local community leaders; elected officials; leaders of philanthropic, youth, and arts organizations; and members of the President’s Administration, including Sri Srinivasan, who was recently confirmed unanimously by the Senate to become the first South Asian American federal appeals court judge.

 

President Barack Obama delivers remarks at the Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month celebrationPresident Barack Obama delivers remarks at the Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month celebration in the East Room of the White House, May 28, 2013. (Official White House Photo by Lawrence Jackson)

 

 

In his remarks, the President highlighted the contributions of generations of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders who, in his words, “helped build this country, and helped to defend this country, and to make America what it is today.”  He said:

We value these voices because from the very beginning, ours has been a nation of immigrants; a nation challenged and shaped and pushed ever forward by diverse perspectives and fresh thinking.  And in order to keep our edge and stay ahead in the global race, we need to figure out a way to fix our broken immigration system — to welcome that infusion of newness, while still maintaining the enduring strength of our laws.  And the service and the leadership of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders have proved that point time and again.

 

Following the President’s remarks, a diverse group of artists, authors, and musicians spoke or performed, showcasing the many contributions of AAPIs to the rich artistic traditions of America.  Performers included Karsh Kale, Paula Fuga, John Cruz, Amy Tan, Dana Tai Soon Burgess & Company, and Jessica Sanchez.  Visit whitehouse.gov/AAPI later this month to watch video footage of some of these performances.

 

Gautam Raghavan is an Associate Director in the White House Office of Public Engagement.

 

 

 

Dan Pfeiffer
Dan Pfeiffer

May 29, 2013
09:00 AM EDT

 

Republicans in the Senate have made no secret of their efforts to block the President’s constitutional responsibility to appoint federal judges. They have filibustered unquestionably qualified nominees, like Caitlin Halligan. And their obstruction of the confirmation process kept several nominees waiting more than a year for a vote.  In fact, on average, our judicial nominees wait more than three times as long as those of President Bush after being approved by the Senate Judiciary Committee.  And for no good reason.  Earlier this year, four Circuit Court judges were confirmed by the Senate after waiting at least 250 days – even though each one was confirmed with overwhelming bipartisan support.

 

But now, Republicans are taking their attempts to manipulate the federal judiciary to an entirely new level. Right as our D.C. Circuit Court nominee Sri Srinivasan was confirmed unanimously, Republicans started pushing a proposal to reduce the number of judges on the D.C. Circuit from 11 to 8, a blatant attempt to shrink President Obama’s constitutional authority to fill this court. As President Franklin Delano Roosevelt learned when he tried to pack the Supreme Court, the three branches of government are coequal for a reason. Neither the executive branch or the legislative branch should use the third branch to a pursue a partisan agenda.

 

And on the merits, Senator Grassley’s “court unpacking proposal” fails to make any sense. In fact, in 2005, the Senate – including Senator Grassley – voted to confirm Judge Janice Rogers Brown to the D.C. Circuit as the tenth active judge and Judge Thomas Griffith as the eleventh active judge.  In 2006, the Senate – again, including Senator Grassley – voted to confirm Judge Brett Kavanaugh as the tenth active judge. Voting for judicial nominees for court seats under one president while proposing to eliminate those same seats under the president of a different political party smacks of partisan politics.

 

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The proposal raises even more questions because in 2007, Congress passed a law to move the D.C. Circuit’s 12th seat, agreeing that the Court needed 11 seats. What has changed since then, other than the President? There are currently eight active judges on the D.C. Circuit. Republicans had no problem filling the ninth, tenth, and eleventh seats on this Court during Republican presidential administrations, but under this President, they want to remove them. In fact, the past five presidents each have had at least three judges confirmed to the D.C. Circuit – and 15 of the past 19 judges confirmed to this Court have been appointed by Republican presidents.  But so far, only one of President Obama’s nominees has been confirmed.

 

Make no mistake about it: this is court packing in reverse and a cynical attempt to manipulate the third branch of government.

 

 

 

Statements and Releases

 

 

 

 

Phil Larson
May 28, 2013
05:07 PM EDT

 

 

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This Friday, an asteroid nearly three kilometers wide is going to pass by the Earth-Moon system. The fly-by is harmless — at its closest, the asteroid will be about 15 times farther from us than the Earth is from the Moon — but to mark the event, the White House will host the second in a series of “We the Geeks” Google+ Hangouts to talk asteroids with Bill Nye the Science Guy, former astronaut Ed Lu, NASA Deputy Administrator Lori Garver, and more

 

The President’s new budget calls for increased efforts by NASA to detect and mitigate potentially hazardous asteroids, and NASA is studying a robotic mission to capture and bring a small asteroid into a stable orbit just beyond the Moon. Those efforts could eventually lead to a crewed mission to rendezvous with and return samples from the redirected asteroid.

 

Earlier this year, a meteor explosion high over Russia — and a flyby the same day of an asteroid three times larger — have increased our awareness of these objects.  Let’s find the asteroids before they find us, and in the process learn more about the secrets of the Solar System and other potential opportunities these space rocks present.

 

On Friday, May 31st at 2pm EDT, the White House will host a “We The Geeks” Google+ Hangout on asteroids. During a conversation moderated by OSTP’s Cristin Dorgelo, we’ll be talking about asteroid identification, characterization, resource utilization, and hazard mitigation with:

 

Watch the latest “We the Geeks” Hangout live on WhiteHouse.gov and on the White House Google+ page on Friday, May 31st at 2pm EDT. Got questions and comments? Use the hashtag #WeTheGeeks on Twitter and on Google+ and we’ll answer some during the live Hangout.

 

Phil Larson is a Policy Advisor for Space and Aeronautics at the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy.

 

 

 

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Free These 6 Innocent Men. #FreeTheIRP6

Free These 6 Innocent Men. #FreeTheIRP6

 

 

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Photo’s Of The Week For The Month Of May From Barack’s House

Posted on May 27, 2013 by Jueseppi B.

 

By Jueseppi B.

 

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President Barack Obama hugs Amy Simpson, principal of Plaza Towers Elementary School, outside what remains of the school following last week’s tornado in Moore, Okla., May 26, 2013. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)

 

 

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President Barack Obama watches as graduates toss their hats at the conclusion of the U.S. Naval Academy commencement at the Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium in Annapolis, Md., May 24, 2013. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)

 

 

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President Barack Obama prepares to take the stage as he is introduced at the National Defense University at Fort McNair in Washington, D.C., May 23, 2013. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)

 

 

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President Barack Obama receives the Presidential Daily Briefing in the Oval Office, May 22, 2013. Pictured, from left, are: Jake Sullivan, National Security Advisor to the Vice President; Lisa Monaco, Assistant to the President for Homeland Security and Counterterrorism; Robert Cardillo, Deputy Director of National Intelligence for Intelligence Integration; and Tony Blinken, Deputy National Security Advisor. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)

 

 

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President Barack Obama receives a briefing on the ongoing response to the devastating tornadoes and severe weather that impacted Oklahoma, in the Oval Office May 21, 2013. The President meets with, from left: Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano; Richard Serino, FEMA Deputy Administrator; Lisa Monaco, Assistant to the President for Homeland Security and Counterterrorism; and Alyssa Mastromonaco, Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)

 

 

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President Barack Obama talks on the phone with Oklahoma Governor Mary Fallin in the Oval Office, May 20, 2013. The President spoke with Gov. Fallin to express his concern for those who have been affected by the severe weather beginning last night and continuing today. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)

 

 

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President Barack Obama is reflected in a mirror as he talks with Chief of Staff Denis McDonough prior to participating in the commencement ceremony at Morehouse College in Atlanta, Ga., May 19, 2013. A painting of the President stands in the foreground. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)

 

 

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President Barack Obama participates in a literacy lesson with children while visiting a pre-kindergarten classroom at Moravia Elementary School in Baltimore, Md., May 17, 2013. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)

 

 

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President Barack Obama and Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan of Turkey participate in a working dinner in the Red Room of the White House, May 16, 2013. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)

 

 

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President Barack Obama greets audience members during the National Peace Officers Memorial Service, an annual ceremony honoring law enforcement who were killed in the line of duty in the previous year, at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. May 15, 2013. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)

 

 

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President Barack Obama gestures during a meeting in the Oval Office, May 14, 2013. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)

 

 

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President Barack Obama waves to Prime Minister David Cameron of the United Kingdom as his car departs the North Portico of the White House, May 13, 2013. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)

 

 

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President Barack Obama recognizes Natoma Canfield, right, during a statement on the Affordable Care Act in the East Room of the White House, May 10, 2013. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)

 

 

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First Lady Michelle Obama, Dr. Jill Biden, and Prince Harry of Wales help military children create Mothers Day cards and other crafts in the State Dining Room of the White House, May 9, 2013. The children presented the gifts to their moms during the Joining Forces Military Mother’s Day Tea in the East Room. (Official White House Photo by Lawrence Jackson)

 

 

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President Barack Obama talks with, from left, Chief of Staff Denis McDonough, Gene Sperling, National Economic Council Director, and Miguel Rodriguez, Director of Legislative Affairs, in the Oval Office, May 8, 2013. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)

 

 

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President Barack Obama and President Park Geun-hye of the Republic of Korea walk on the Colonnade of the White House before a working lunch in the Cabinet Room, May 7, 2013. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)

 

 

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President Barack Obama participates in the Presidential Daily Briefing in the Oval Office, May 6, 2013. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)

 

 

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President Barack Obama joins The Ohio State University President E. Gordon Gee, left, and others in the processional before the start of commencement at Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Ohio, May 5, 2013. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)

 

 

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President Barack Obama and President Laura Chinchilla of Costa Rica participate in a cultural event with Costa Rican youth at Casa Amarilla, San Jose, Costa Rica, May 3, 2013. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)

 

 

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President Barack Obama and President Enrique Peña Nieto of Mexico share a toast prior to a working dinner at Los Pinos, Mexico City, Mexico, May 2, 2013. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)

 

 

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Vice President Joe Biden talks with Lisa Monaco, Assistant to the President for Homeland Security and Counterterrorism, in the Rose Garden at the White House, May 1, 2013. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)

 

 

The Week Ahead:

 

Monday:
 
9:30 PM: The President and First Lady host a breakfast in honor of Gold Star Families.

 

 

11:00 PM: The President lays a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier; The First Lady also attends.

 

 

11:20 PM: The President Barack Hussein Obama delivers remarks at The Tomb Of The Unknown Soldier.

 

 

Tuesday: President Barack Hussein Obama will visit theJersey Shore to view the rebuilding and recovery efforts underway following Hurricane Sandy’s devastating impact along the coastline last fall, including the efforts by local businesses to prepare for the 2013 summer season. President Barack Hussein Obama, joined by GovernorChris Christie, will visit with families and business owners.

 

On Tuesday evening, the President will deliver remarks at the AAPI Heritage Month Celebration at the White House.

 

 

Wednesday: President Barack Hussein Obama will travel to Chicago for DCCC events. He will remain overnight in Chicago.

 

 

Thursday: President Barack Hussein Obama will return from Chicago and attend meetings at the White House.

 

 

Friday: Barack Hussein Obama will attend meetings at the White House.

 

 

Comforter-in-Chief:

 

 

President Obama is greeted by Oklahoma Governor Mary Fallin upon arrival at Tinker Air Force Base in Oklahoma City, May 26.

President Obama is greeted by Oklahoma Governor Mary Fallin upon arrival at Tinker Air Force Base in Oklahoma City, May 26.

 

 

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Filed under: "BARACK" The Vote, 2014 Mid Term Elections, Barack's Blog, Causes, Celebrity, Daily White House Schedule, Democrats/Democratic, Entertainment, Event, Fun & Games, Good News, History, Information & Links, Photographs, Politics, POTUS Obama, The White House, The White House Daily Snapshot, Vice President Joseph Biden, War & the Military, White House Blog, World News | Tagged: , , , , , , , | 2 Comments »

Updates & News From Barack’s Blog: Barack’s Naval Commencement & Michelle Goes Back To School

Posted on May 24, 2013 by Jueseppi B.

 

By Jueseppi B.

 

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President Barack Obama prepares to take the stage as he is introduced at the National Defense University at Fort McNair in Washington, D.C., May 23, 2013. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)

 

 

 

President Obama Delivers the Commencement Address at the U.S. Naval Academy

 

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Megan Slack
Megan Slack

May 24, 2013
03:16 PM EDT

 

 

Graduates toss hats in the air at conclusion of U.S. Naval Academy commencementGraduates toss hats in the air at conclusion of U.S. Naval Academy commencement at the Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium in Annapolis, Maryland, May 24, 2013. (Official White House Photo by Chuck Kennedy)

 

 

Today, President Obama delivered the commencement addressto the U.S. Naval Academy class of 2013.

 

 

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Today, each of you can take enormous pride, for you’ve met the mission of this Academy.  You’ve proven yourselves morally, living a concept of honor and integrity — and this includes treating one another with respect and recognizing the strength of every member of your team.  You’re the most diverse class to graduate in Naval Academy history.  And among the many proud young women graduating today, 13 will serve on submarines.

You’ve proven yourselves mentally.  Now, I know that some think of this as just a small engineering school on the Severn.  You’ve not only met its rigorous standards, you’ve helped this Academy earn a new distinction — the number-one public liberal arts school in America.

 

 

President Barack Obama participates in the U.S. Naval Academy commencementPresident Barack Obama participates in the U.S. Naval Academy commencement at the Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium in Annapolis, Maryland, May 24, 2013. (Official White House Photo by Chuck Kennedy)

 

 

“And you’ve proven yourself physically,” President Obama said. “Last month I welcomed Coach Ken and the team back to the White House because you beat Air Force, you beat Army, and you brought the Commander-in-Chief’s trophy back to Annapolis.”

So, Class of 2013, in your four years by the Bay, you’ve met every test before you. And today is the day that you’ve been counting down to for so long. You will take your oath. Those boards and gold bars will be placed on your shoulders. And as your Commander-in-Chief, I congratulate each of you on becoming our newest officers — ensigns in the United States Navy, second lieutenants in the United States Marine Corps.

 

 

President Barack Obama greets graduates during the U.S. Naval Academy commencementPresident Barack Obama greets graduates during the U.S. Naval Academy commencement at the Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium in Annapolis, Maryland, May 24, 2013. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)

 

 

President Obama Speaks at the U.S. Naval Academy Commencement Ceremony

 

Published on May 24, 2013

President Obama delivers the 2013 commencement address at the U.S. Naval Academy. May 24, 2013.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Weekly Wrap Up: “You Will Not Travel That Path Alone”

 

Loren Mullen
May 24, 2013
04:06 PM EDT

West Wing Week: 05/24/13 or “Justice for Everybody”

 

Published on May 23, 2013

This week, the President continued his Jobs & Opportunity tour, this time highlighting bold new efforts in education and manufacturing in Baltimore, gave the commencement address at Morehouse College, invited the President of Myanmar, eight immigration reform advocates and DREAMers themselves, and Gershwin Prize winner Carol King and friends to the White House, and delivered a major counter-terrorism speech at the National Defense University.

 

 

 

 

 

Responding to the Tornadoes in Oklahoma: On Monday, the President spoke with Oklahoma Governor Mary Fallin to express his concern for those who have been affected by the tornadoes in Oklahoma. The President told Governor Fallin that the administration is committed to providing all the assistance it can to Oklahoma as the response effort unfolds, including approving a Major Disaster Declaration, making federal funding available to support affected individuals, and providing additional federal assistance to support immediate response and recovery efforts.

On Tuesday, President Obama delivered a statement on the devastating tornadoes and severe weather that impacted Oklahoma. He outlined the response efforts underway, and assured the people of Moore and all the affected areas that they would have all the resources that they need at their disposal.

“Americans from every corner of this country will be right there with them, opening our homes, our hearts to those in need.  Because we’re a nation that stands with our fellow citizens as long as it takes. We’ve seen that spirit in Joplin, in Tuscaloosa; we saw that spirit in Boston and Breezy Point.  And that’s what the people of Oklahoma are going to need from us right now. “

 

 

Morehouse College: On Sunday, President Obama delivered the commencement address to the 2013 graduates of Morehouse College in Atlanta, GA. The President told the graduates that their generation is uniquely poised for success unlike any generation of African Americans that came before it.

“It is one of the great honors of my life to be able to address this gathering here today,” President Obama told the graduates. He spoke about Morehouse’s history, and “the unique sense of purpose that this place has always infused — the conviction that this is a training ground not only for individual success, but for leadership that can change the world.”

 

 

Meeting with the President of Myanmar: On Monday,President Obama welcomed President Thein Sein of Myanmar to the White House for a bilateral meeting, the first visit to the United States by a leader of that country in almost 50 years. During the meeting, the President recognized President Thein Sein’s leadership in moving Myanmar down a path toward political and economic reform as the driving force for improved relations between our two countries.

“We very much appreciate your efforts and leadership in leading Myanmar in a new direction,” President Obama told President Thein Sein. “We want you to know that the United States will make every effort to assist you on what I know is a long, and sometimes difficult, but ultimately correct path to follow.”

 

 

DREAMers: On Wednesday, the President and the Vice President hosted a meeting in the Oval Office with young immigrants and the siblings and spouses of undocumented immigrants. The gathering was an important opportunity for the President and the Vice President to hear directly from people whose families are affected daily by our nation’s broken immigration system. The DREAMers shared how the President’s proposal changed their lives for the better and emphasized that they and their families need a permanent solution that will allow them to fully contribute to the country they call home. As the meeting was wrapping up, the President reiterated his commitment to passing a bipartisan, commonsense immigration reform bill this year.

 

 

Gershwin Prize: On Wednesday, as part of the “In Performance at the White House,” series, the White House hosted a concert honoring Carole King, the first woman to receive the Library of Congress Gershwin Prize. The Gershwin Prize honors individuals for lifetime achievement in popular music and Wednesday, King joined recording artists James Taylor, Gloria Estefan, Billy Joel, Jesse McCartney, Emeli Sande, and Trisha Yearwood in the East Room as she accepted the award on behalf of the co-writers she worked with throughout her career.

 

 

National Defense University: Thursday, President Obama laid out a framework for U.S. counterterrorism strategy as we wind down the war in Afghanistan. President Obama discussed how the threat of terrorism has changed substantially since September 11, 2011 — and explained his comprehensive strategy to meet these threats.

“The quiet determination; that strength of character and bond of fellowship; that refutation of fear — that is both our sword and our shield. And long after the current messengers of hate have faded from the world’s memory, alongside the brutal despots, and deranged madmen, and ruthless demagogues who litter history — the flag of the United States will still wave from small-town cemeteries to national monuments, to distant outposts abroad. And that flag will still stand for freedom.”

More than Half of Doctors Now Use Electronic Health Records Thanks to Administration Policies

 

 

Jeanne Lambrew
May 24, 2013
04:45 PM EDT
Jeanne Lambrew is Deputy Assistant to the President for Health Policy

The Obama Administration has made improving the quality and efficiency of the health care system a priority. Already we have put in place new payment and care models that reward doctors and hospitals for providing high quality and efficient care to their patients. We are working with hospitals to identify gaps in patient safety and ways to reduce preventable readmissions that are harmful and expensive. Health information technology (IT) is critical to making these new models work.

Until the President made investments in health information technology by signing the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, our health care system ran largely on paper. In 2008, only 17 percent of physicians were using advanced electronic health records and just 9 percent of hospitals had adopted electronic health records. Information is the lifeblood of modern medicine, but information can’t get where it needs to go when it’s on paper. That means doctors didn’t have the best information at their fingertips when making diagnosis and treatment decisions; that patients didn’t have easy access to their medical records; and that information is dropped when patients leaving a hospital transition to a nursing home or home care.

That’s why the President put in place a series of policies to promote adoption of electronic health records as well as their deployment in ways that improve care quality while reducing costs.  This includes:

  • Medicare and Medicaid incentives for the adoption and use of electronic health records;
  • Technical assistance and direct support for primary care practices and rural practitioners to help them overcome barriers to adoption;
  • Creation of certification standards that give providers confidence in what they’re buying and to ensure Medicare and Medicaid dollars are well-spent.

Equally important, the Affordable Care Act has created an environment where providers feel they need to invest in health IT to improve the value of the services that they provide.

 

This week, HHS announced that we have reached new milestones in wiring the health care system. More than half of eligible providers – doctors, dentists and other eligible providers – have qualified for and received incentive payments for adoption of certified electronic health records, exceeding the Department’s target for the end of 2013. Moreover, nearly 80 percent of eligible hospitals have reached this milestone.

 

 

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The increase has been rapid; adoption of electronic health records doubled among office based physicians from 2008 to 2012 and quadrupled in hospitals. Incredible progress has been made, thanks to the hard work of our health care providers and public policies that support their efforts, like the Recovery Act and the Affordable Care Act.

 

 

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Nurses Explain the Healthcare Law in 90 Seconds

 

Published on Jan 16, 2013

Wondering what the Affordable Care Act can do for you and your family? Check out what nurses have to say about the benefits of the healthcare law and then share this video with friends, family and co-workers!

* HealthLawBenefits.org is a joint campaign of SEIU, the Nurse Alliance of SEIU and 1199SEIU

 

 

 

 

 

 

Affordable Health Care Act Explained by Dr. Amer Kaissi

 

Published on Sep 15, 2012

On Sept. 11, 2012, the League of Women Voters of San Antonio hosted a discussion on Health Care Reform After the Supreme Court Decision.

The factual, non-partisan talk on the strengths and weaknesses of the Affordable Care Act was led by Trinity University’s Dr. Amer Kaissi.

 

 

 

 

 

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First Lady Michelle Obama and actress Kerry Washington arrive to visit children at Savoy School

 

May 24, 2013

 

 

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Raw Video: Freeze Dance with First Lady Michelle Obama

 

Published on May 24, 2013

At Savoy Elementary School in Washington, D.C., First Lady Michelle Obama joins Ms. Lyons Pre-K class in an exercise of Freeze Dance. The First Lady visited the Savoy School which is one of eight schools selected last year for The Turnaround Arts Initiative at the President’s Committee on the Arts and the Humanities. Turnaround Arts Schools use the arts as a central part of their reform strategy, both to dramatically improve the culture and climate, and to bolster academic success in high poverty, traditionally under performing schools. Once the lowest performing school in the district with less than a fourth of its students proficient in reading and math in 2011, the school is already showing significant signs of success. Test scores are rising, enrollment is up 18%, student and teacher attendance is up, and due to the recent progress, the school is developing a cadre of new community and fine arts partnerships.

 

 

 

 

 

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Michelle Obama gets her groove on with school kids

 

 

 

 

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First Lady Michelle Obama visits Savoy School, one of eight schools selected last year for The Turnaround Arts Initiative at the President’s Committee on the Arts and the Humanities, in the Anacostia neighborhood of Washington, May 24

 

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  • Dr. Jill Biden
    Dr. Jill Biden

    May 24, 2013
    02:35 PM EDT

     

    Ed. note: The full text of the op-ed by Dr. Jill Biden is printed below. The piece is published today on The Huffington Post, and can be found here.

     

    The year my son Beau was deployed to Iraq with the Delaware Army National Guard, my family learned how much simple acts of kindness could lift our spirits.  From the notice in the church bulletin to the neighbor who shoveled my daughter-in-law’s driveway during a snow storm, these gestures meant the world to us.

     

    This Memorial Day, I hope you will take a moment to offer your own gesture of thanks to our men and women serving abroad and at home, as well as their families, and reflect on the service men and women who have made the ultimate sacrifice.

     

    Over the past four years, First Lady Michelle Obama and I have had the privilege of meeting with military service members and their families all around the world. We’ve heard their concerns about school and career issues; we’ve shared their joy when service members returned from deployment, and we’ve tried to offer solace when they face difficult times.  These stories and experiences – and our desire to say ‘thank you’ – inspired us to start the Joining Forces initiative, a nationwide effort to rally all Americans to support our veterans and military families.

     

    Joining Forces brings together public and private resources to help with the employment, education and wellness of our returning servicemen and women and their families. Through theVeterans Job Bank and Veterans Recruiting Services, we’re connecting unemployed veterans with job openings.  We’re working hard to encourage states to make it easier for military spouses – often teachers and nurses – to transfer their certifications across state lines.  And we’re proud to have so many private sector partners committed to increasing the number of veterans they hire.

     

    From a big initiative to a small gesture, Memorial Day is the perfect time to offer a simple act of kindness to our veterans and military families.  You can send a message of thanks to our troops or a military family. Or pledge hours of service. Or even start your own volunteer project.  And afterwards, please share your story - we want to hear about it!

     

 

Statements and Releases

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Statement by the Press Secretary on H.R. 360

On Friday, May 24, 2013, the President signed into law:

H.R. 360, which provides for the presentation of a congressional gold medal to commemorate the lives of the four young African American victims of the bombing of the Sixteenth Street Baptist Church in Birmingham, Alabama, in September 1963.

 

 

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President Obama signs a bill in the Oval Office designating the Congressional Gold Medal to commemorate the four young girls killed during the 1963 bombing of 16th Street Baptist Church in Birmingham, Alabama, as (L-R) Surgeon General Regina Benjamin, Birmingham Mayor William Bell, Dr Sharon Malone Holder, Attorney General Eric Holder, Rep Terri Sewell (D-AL), Thelma Pippen McNair, mother of Denise McNair, Lisa McNair, sister of Denise McNair, Dianne Braddock, sister of Carole Robertson, Rev Arthur Price, Jr, pastor 16th Street Baptist Church, and former U.S. Attorney Gordon Douglas Jones look on. The medal, the highest Congressional civilian honor, was given posthumously to Addie Mae Collins, Carole Robertson, Cynthia Wesley and Denise McNair who died September 15, 1963 when a bomb planted by white supremacists exploded exploded at the church.

 

 

President Obama Signs a Bill Designating the Congressional Gold Medal

 

Published on May 24, 2013

President Obama signs a bill designating the Congressional Gold Medal commemorating the lives of the four young girls killed in the 16th Street Baptist Church Bombing of 1963.

 

 

 

 

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President Obama signs a bill designating the Congressional Gold Medal commemorating the lives of the four young girls killed in the 1963 bombing of the 16th Street Baptist Church of Birmingham, Alabama.

 

 

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President Barack Obama signs a bill designating the Congressional Gold Medal commemorating the lives of the four young girls killed in the 16th Street Baptist Church Bombing of 1963, Friday, May 24, 2013, in the Oval Office of the White House. Standing, from left are, Rep. Terri Sewell, D-Ala., and Lisa McNair. Seated at right is Thelma “Maxine” Pippen McNair, the mother of Denise McNair. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

 

 

 

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President Barack Obama speaks to the media in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, Friday, May 24, 2013, before signing a bill designating the Congressional Gold Medal commemorating the lives of the four young girls killed in the 16th Street Baptist Church Bombing of 1963. From left are, Surgeon General Dr. Regina Benjamin; Birmingham Ala. Mayor William Bell; Dr. Sharon Malone, wife of Attorney General Eric Holder; Attorney General Eric Holder; Rep. Terri Sewell, D-Ala. sponsor of the bill; the president; Thelma “Maxine” Pippen McNair mother of Denise McNair; seated, Lisa McNair; Dianne Braddock sister of Carole Robertson, Rev. Arthur Price Jr., pastor of the Sixteenth Street Baptist Church, and former US Attorney Gordon Douglas Jones. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin).

 

 

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama signed legislation Friday to award Congress’ highest civilian honor to four girls killed in an Alabama church bombing during the civil rights movement. He called it a tragic loss that “helped to trigger triumph and a more just and equal and fair America.”

 

The Congressional Gold Medal will go to Addie Mae Collins, Carole Robertson, Cynthia Wesley and Denise McNair.

 

Addie Mae, Carole and Cynthia, all 14, and Denise, 11, were killed when a bomb planted by white supremacists exploded at the 16th Street Baptist Church in Birmingham on Sept. 15, 1963. Twenty-two others were injured.

 

Denise’s mother and sister, and Carole’s sister were among those who stood around Obama’s desk in the Oval Office as he signed the bill.

 

“For us to be able to be in this Oval Office with so many people who have worked hard to make this day possible, and understanding that that tragic loss, that heartbreak helped to trigger triumph and a more just and equal and fair America, that’s an incredible thing for us to be able to participate in,” he said.

 

September will mark the 50th anniversary of the bombing, which helped spur passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965.

 

Sisters of Denise and Carole sat in the House gallery during the debate and vote on the measure. Relatives of Addie Mae and Cynthia, also known as Cynthia Morris, have said they aren’t interested in a medal. Addie Mae’s sister lost an eye in the bombing.

 

Also present for the bill-signing was Attorney General Eric Holder and his wife, Sharon Malone. Her late sister, Vivian Malone Jones, was one of the first black students to enroll at the University of Alabama in 1963 in defiance of racial segregation.

 

Reps. Terri Sewell, a Democrat, and Spencer Bachus, a Republican, led the Alabama congressional delegation’s efforts to honor the bombing victims. They represent adjoining Birmingham districts in Congress.

 

 

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