The White House Blog: Additional Issues
West Wing Week: "A Good Day For America"
Posted by on May 6, 2011 at 1:00 AM EDTThis week, the President announced the death of Osama bin Laden, visited New York City to honor the victims of 9/11 and their families, made sure the federal government was doing its part in the states devastated by storms and much more.
Learn more about Defense, Disabilities, Economy, Education, Family, Foreign Policy, Homeland Security, Rural, Service, Veterans, Additional Issues"Together As An American Family": A Bipartisan Congressional Dinner at the White House
Posted by on May 3, 2011 at 12:29 PM EDTOn Monday evening, President and First Lady Obama welcomed Congressional leadership from both parties to the White House for an evening away from typical Washington politics. The President spoke about the previous day's special forces operation that had resulted in the death of Osama bin Laden:
Obviously we’ve all had disagreements and differences in the past. I suspect we’ll have them again in the future. But last night, as Americans learned that the United States had carried out an operation that resulted in the capture and death of Osama bin Laden, we -- (applause) -- you know, I think we experienced the same sense of unity that prevailed on 9/11. We were reminded again that there is a pride in what this nation stands for, and what we can achieve, that runs far deeper than party, far deeper than politics.
I want to again recognize the heroes who carried out this incredibly dangerous mission, as well as all the military and counter-terrorism professionals who made the mission possible. I also want to thank the members of Congress from both parties who have given extraordinary support to our military and our intelligence officials. Without your support, they could not do what they do.Learn more about Additional IssuesCelebrating the Work of America's Public Servants
Posted by on May 3, 2011 at 9:00 AM EDTEd. note: First Lady Michelle Obama sent a video message to public servants as part of the White House's observance of Public Service Recognition Week.
What do you know about public servants? Probably more than you think. And during Public Service Recognition Week, you have the opportunity to learn even more.
John Berry is the Director of the U.S. Office of Personnel Management
Learn more about Service, Additional Issues“The President’s Speech” at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner
Posted by on May 1, 2011 at 12:07 PM EDTFull video of the President's remarks will be posted soon.
Last night, President Obama spoke at the 2011 White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner. At the annual event, the President joked about the year in politics, but also in the movies -- sharing that there is a sequel to the film the King’s Speech in the works that touches close to home. President Obama offered a sneak peak of the parody:
Closing on a serious note, the President spoke about the devastation in Alabama and the service and contributions of journalists:
We also need to remember our neighbors in Alabama and across the South that have been devastated by terrible storms from last week. (Applause.) Michelle and I were down there yesterday, and we’ve spent a lot of time with some of the folks who have been affected. The devastation is unimaginable and is heartbreaking and it’s going to be a long road back. And so we need to keep those Americans in our thoughts and in our prayers. But we also need to stand with them in the hard months and perhaps years to come.
Learn more about Additional IssuesWeekly Wrap Up: Egg Roll 2011
Posted by on April 29, 2011 at 5:58 PM EDTYour quick look at the week that was on WhiteHouse.gov.
Eggs, Actors, and Athletes: The First Family celebrated Easter by hosting the 133rd White House Easter Egg Roll on Monday. 30,000 people from all 50 states and the District of Columbia got to attend, and were welcomed by a day chock full of special events and activities. This year's theme was "Get Up and Go," in keeping with the First Lady's Let's Move! initiative.
Helping Storm Victims in the South: Violent storms struck a number of southern states this week, leaving hundreds dead and thousands more with devastated homes and communities. The President directed recovery efforts from the White House, and traveled to Alabama with the First Lady to meet with families and recovery leaders. Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano was in St. Louis to survey the damage done to the airport and city. FEMA posted online resources for helping recovery workers and victims.
Learn more about Economy, Education, Energy & Environment, Family, Homeland Security, Rural, Technology, Urban Policy, Additional IssuesWest Wing Week: "Final Adjustments"
Posted by on April 29, 2011 at 12:00 AM EDTWelcome to the West Wing Week, your guide to everything that's happening at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. This week, while the White House celebrated Easter, holding the traditional egg roll on the South Lawn, President Obama kept his focus on the nation's finances, working on short term and long term ways to get away from high gas prices. He also pledged support for Alabama and other states in the South hit by devastating storms and announced new key members of his National Security team.
Learn more about Civil Rights, Defense, Economy, Education, Energy & Environment, Family, Fiscal Responsibility, Foreign Policy, Immigration, Seniors & Social Security, Taxes, Additional IssuesWeekly Wrap Up: Energy, Education, and America's Fiscal Future
Posted by on April 22, 2011 at 7:13 PM EDTYour quick look at the week that was on WhiteHouse.gov.
President Barack Obama holds a town hall meeting at ElectraTherm, Inc. in Reno, Nev., April 21, 2011. (Official White House Photo by Lawrence Jackson)
Town Hall x Three: This week, President Obama traveled the country to hold a series of town hall meetings. In Virginia, he stopped by Northern Virginia Community College to talk about the importance of education in a 21st century economy. Then it was on to California, and Facebook headquarters, where he answered questions about fiscal responsibility. On the way back to Washington, the President stopped in Reno, Nevada, to meet with workers who are manufacturing tomorrow's clean energy technologies today.
Celebrating Earth Day: To celebrate Earth Day, Nancy Sutley and Heather Zichal, two of the President's top energy and environment advisers, hosted a live chat on the South Lawn of the White House. Energy.gov launched a special Earth Day page, and the EPA shared stories and video of activities around the country.
Your West Wing Week: "My Old Number, Twenty Three"
Learn more about Additional IssuesWest Wing Week: "My Old Number, Twenty Three"
Posted by on April 22, 2011 at 12:00 AM EDTWelcome to the West Wing Week, your guide to everything that's happening at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. This week, President Obama held townhalls in Northern Virginia, California, and Nevada, to speak directly to the American people about his vision for reducing our debt and bringing down our deficit based on the values of shared responsibility and shared prosperity.
Community Colleges Serving Veterans
Posted by on April 21, 2011 at 2:00 PM EDT
Student veterans attending community colleges in the San Diego area weigh in during a panel. (by San Diego Community College District)
Last Friday, I attended the Department of Education’s fourth and final regional community college summit at San Diego City College in San Diego. These summits were held across the country to follow up on the first-ever White House Summit on Community Colleges hosted by the President and Dr. Biden at the White House last October. As Dr. Biden said then, the White House Summit was only the beginning of our national outreach and efforts to demonstrate how community colleges are critical to educating the best, most competitive workforce in the world.
The San Diego summit focused on the ways community colleges are supporting and educating veterans and members of the military and their families. Summit participants heard from several veterans about how their military service prepared them for college, and about some of the challenges they encountered transitioning from the military into the classroom. Many community college leaders and students discussed how veterans have become leaders on their campuses, strengthening classroom discussions and advocating for other students and veterans. In San Diego and around the country, we have a special obligation to make sure our veterans and military families can move into promising careers and thrive after their years of service and sacrifice to our country.
The summit came on the heels of the First Lady and Dr. Biden’s Joining Forces kickoff tour. Joining Forces is an initiative to raise public awareness about military families and veterans who live in communities throughout the country, and encourage all Americans to do their part to show their appreciation and support. Community colleges are uniquely-suited to meet the Joining Forces challenge, and they set an example for all sectors of society to use their strengths and expertise to expand opportunities for our veterans. Community colleges have always responded to the needs of their communities. They educate and train the people who live and work around them to meet regional and national economic needs. And when their students are veterans, that becomes a very special mission.
Kirsten White is the Policy Director to Dr. Jill Biden
Get Up and Go!: The 2011 White House Easter Egg Roll
Posted by on April 20, 2011 at 4:20 PM EDTFor twelve hours on Monday, April 25th, the South Lawn of the White House will play host to the 133rd White House Easter Egg Roll.
30,000 people from all 50 states and the District of Columbia won tickets through this year’s ticket lottery. With this year's theme being "Get Up and Go!," in collaboration with the First Lady's Let's Move! initiative, guests will have the chance to enjoy entertainment and activities that go far beyond the traditional Easter egg hunt and egg roll. Some of the highlights include:
- Rockin’ Egg Roll Stage - Live musical performances for all ages. Artists include Colbie Caillat, Greyson Chance, Willow Smith, Sesame Street, and more.
- Storytime Stage - Celebrities bring books to life. Readers include Kelly Ripa, Mark Consuelos and family, John Lithgow, John Bemelmans Marciano, Kristi Yamaguchi, Geena Davis, and more.
- Hop To It!- An instructional dance party on the South Lawn! Get up and go jump rope, hula hoop, dance and more.
- Eggtivity Zone Obstacle Course- A series of obstacles and drills, including soccer, football and baseball obstacle courses.
- Basketball and Tennis- Get hands-on training from basketball and tennis pros on the President’s court!
- Yoga Garden- Come enjoy a session of yoga from professional instructors.
- Eggspress Yourself- An arts and crafts workshop filled with egg dying, egg decorating, face painting and more.
- Play with your Food- Family Farmer’s Market, Kids’ Kitchen, Make-your-own Garden, Buzzing about Bees, and more led by the White House chefs and celebrity guest chefs. This activity center is built around the White House Kitchen Garden.
Each activity will have exceptional special guests, from John Lithgow and Sesame Street doing songs and stories, to athletes like Ryan Zimmerman of baseball’s Washington Nationals, tennis stars Chris Evert and Brian Vahaly, and the Harlem Globetrotters. The world-famous U.S. Marine Corps Band will perform as well.
All of the Easter Egg Roll festivities will be live-streamed on WhiteHouse.gov/Live so all Americans and audiences around the world can participate. Check in again on the morning of April 25th to get a full viewing schedule!
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