Author Archives: Tanya Brothen

About Tanya Brothen

Tanya Brothen is a blogging enthusiast who began writing for the web on a whim. Now it’s her job.||She recently received a Master’s Degree in International Affairs and works as a New Media Officer for the State Department. Tanya not only writes for By the People, but also acts as the blog’s organizer, keeping everyone on topic and on time. To demonstrate her understanding of democracy, she holds regular blog team meetings and usually listens to what the others have to say.

Vice President Honors First Peace Corps Director

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R. Sargent Shriver – the first director of the Peace Corps and brother-in-law to President Kennedy – died last Tuesday after a long battle with Alzheimer’s disease.

Shriver is credited with ensuring President Kennedy’s idea of a league of Americans serving communities around the world (an idea he announced during his State of the Union speech 50 years ago) became a reality in the Peace Corps. The volunteer organization places Americans of all ages and backgrounds in countries around the world where they work with local communities in areas such as education and social and economic development. On March 1, 2011 the Peace Corps will celebrate 50 years of global service, during which time over 200,000 Americans have served in the program.

Vice President Joe Biden delivered a eulogy at Shriver’s memorial service on Saturday, calling Shriver, “a rare combination, of a rigorous and demanding mind.” Biden added:

“He had a heart that led him to see good things in all people and a heart full of wonder and curiosity, and a heart that was humble and devoted to others, totally devoid of selfish motivation and literally; one that overflowed with unbridled optimism.”

President Visits General Electric Plant to Talk Economy

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President Obama traveled to Schenectady, New York today to visit a General Electric plant and speak about job creation, increasing U.S. exports, and clean energy.  The trip was meant to highlight the fact that the country has rescued the economy and now needs to focus on growing it.

Speaking to the crowd at General Electric – one of largest companies in America – President Obama said:

“The past two years were about pulling our economy back from the brink. The next two years, our job now, is putting our economy into overdrive.  Our job is to do everything we can to ensure that businesses can take root and folks can find good jobs and America is leading the global competition that will determine our success in the 21st century.”

President Obama also toured the plant, which produces generators and turbines, and highlighted the company’s post-recession expansion.  He said General Electric has been able to grow in recent times thanks to the extended tax breaks he negotiated with Congress as well as trade deals his administration struck with China and India.

He also took the opportunity to name General Electric’s CEO Jeffrey Immelt as head of the Council on Jobs and Competitiveness, which is replacing the Economic Recovery Advisory Board.

First Lady and Bo Surprise White House Visitors

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On the second anniversary of President Obama’s inauguration first lady Michelle Obama and first dog Bo welcomed a stream of surprised visitors to the White House.  The public can tour the White House five days a week, but they don’t usually get to meet its residents. 

Standing in the Blue Room, the first lady greeted dozens of students, tourists, and locals who came to see the country’s most famous house.    Mrs. Obama offered handshakes, hugs, and photo ops, while her dog Bo stood calmly at her side and offered a furry head to pet.  This is the third time the first lady has greeted visitors to the White House.

The White House website live-streamed the event to make it more widely accessible.

White House Hosts State Dinner for President Hu

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President Obama and first lady Michelle Obama held a state dinner in honor of President Hu of China last night at the White House.  The gala event capped off a busy day for the visiting president, who spent Wednesday meeting with American business leaders, administration officials, diplomatic representatives, and President Obama. 

State dinners in the United States are formal events hosted by the president and held in honor of a visiting foreign head of state, such as a king, queen, president, or any head of government.  They are intended to celebrate the U.S.’s diplomatic relations with a foreign country. 

During toasts at last night’s state dinner, President Obama said:

“President Hu, we have met today in a spirit of mutual respect:  the United States — the oldest democracy in the world, and China — one of the oldest civilizations in the world.  And while it’s easy to focus on our differences of culture and perspective, let us never forget the values that our people share:  A reverence for family; the belief that, with education and hard work and with sacrifice, the future is what we make it; and most of all, the desire to give our children a better life.”

When it was his turn to toast, President Hu, speaking through a translator, hailed closer U.S. – China ties, saying, “In recent years, particularly over the past two years since President Obama took office, China-U.S. relations have made strong headway, thanks to the joint efforts of both sides.” 

This was the third state dinner the Obamas have hosted since Barack Obama became president in 2009.  The first was in honor of Prime Minister Singh of India and the second was in honor of President Calderón of Mexico.

Obama, Hu Hold Joint Press Conference While Michelle Obama Encourages U.S. – China Youth Exchanges

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After the official welcome ceremony at the White House this morning and a series of meetings, President Obama and President Hu Jintao of China held a joint press conference at the White House.

The pair discussed the economy, politics, national security, human rights, and building stronger U.S. – China ties.   Speaking about the U.S. – China relationship, President Obama said that in the 21st Century the two countries should engage in a “spirit of cooperation that is also friendly competition.”

For his part, President Hu acknowledged the U.S. and China share “expanding common interests,” and he echoed Obama’s high hopes that U.S. and Chinese youth will continue to connect through exchanges and will help to bring about deeper cross-cultural understanding between their countries. 

Michelle Obama also showed her support for U.S. – China youth exchanges at a separate event today in Washington, DC.  Speaking at Howard University the first lady announced the new “100,000 Strong Initiative, which aims to increase the number and the diversity of young people from the U.S. studying in China.  Praising the benefits of study abroad in general, the first lady told the crowd of students:

“And I can guarantee all of you that when you study abroad, you won’t just change your own life.  You’ll change the lives of every single person you come in contact with.”

Learn more about the 100,000 Strong Initiative – http://bit.ly/gcbyMq

Read the full transcript of this morning’s welcome ceremony with Presidents Obama and Hu – http://bit.ly/ifyEbT

President Hu Jintao of China Visits Washington

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China’s president will be in  Washington, DC this week for a series of meetings and events that will highlight U.S. – China relations, cooperation, and common interests.  His previous trip to Washington took place in 2006.

One of Hu’s most anticipated stops in Washington is his meeting with President Obama.  It is largely expected the two leaders will discuss the global economy, trade between the U.S. and China, military spending, North Korea, climate change, and human rights.  The White House will also be hosting a state dinner in his honor.

In a recent speech, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton spoke about the U.S. – China relationship:

“America and China have arrived at a critical juncture.  A time when the choices we make, both big and small, will shape the trajectory of this relationship. And over the past two years in the Obama administration, we have created the opportunity for deeper, broader, and more sustained cooperation.”

Happy Birthday, Michelle Obama!

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First lady Michelle Obama celebrated her 47th birthday yesterday by dining out with her husband.   The first couple ate dinner together on January 17 at The Source, a Washington, DC restaurant run by celebrity chef Wolfgang Puck.  They were able to make the trip down Pennsylvania Avenue to the restaurant despite a snow and ice storm that began passing through the city last night.

The details of their dinner, such as what they ate, have not been publicly discussed, although The Source calls its cuisine “pan-Asian.”

President Obama on One Year Anniversary of Earthquake in Haiti

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In a statement released on the one year anniversary of Haiti’s devastating earthquake, President Obama paid respects to those who lost their lives in the disaster, and recalled the assistance the United States continues to provide the Haitian people today. 

The president also said:

“On this day when our thoughts and prayers are with the Haitian people, my message is the same as it was last year.  Haiti can and must lead the way, with a strong vision for its future.  The international community must now fulfill the pledges it has made to ensure a strong and sustained long-term effort.  And as they forge ahead with the hard work of rebuilding their proud country, the people of Haiti will continue to have an enduring partner in the United States.”

You can read his full statement on the official White House website: http://bit.ly/gXfRQo

Learn more:  Haiti After One Year

President Obama Will Travel to Arizona

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President Obama will travel to Arizona on Wednesday where he is expected to speak publicly about the shooting of a Congresswoman and bystanders in Tucson, Arizona. The Congresswoman is alive but in critical condition after being shot in the brain. Six bystanders were killed and many others wounded.

President Obama will deliver his speech from the University of Arizona, during an event the university is calling “Together We Thrive: Tucson and America.” There is much speculation as to what the president will say in his remarks. Will he call for more civility in American politics? Will he speak about the heroes who have emerged from the tragedy, including the 20-year-old intern who rushed to the Congresswoman to stop the bleeding from her head with his bare hands, possibly saving her life?

Whatever the contents of his speech, some Americans are seeing similarities between the Tucson shooting and the Oklahoma City bombing, which occurred in 1995. Both attacks were attacks on Federal employees, and after that bombing, President Clinton traveled to Oklahoma City where he delivered a speech in an effort to unify the country after tragedy.

Presidents Obama, Sarkozy Meet in Washington

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French President Nicolas Sarkozy was in Washington today to meet with President Obama and to discuss a range of issues affecting both their countries, such as the global economy and national security.  France will assume the presidency of the G-8 and the G-20 in 2011.

After their meeting the two presidents held a joint press conference during which President Obama said they discussed, “how we can coordinate our [G-8 and G-20] agendas to make sure that we are as productive as possible in delivering the kinds of reforms and follow-through that will result in prosperity for peoples around the globe.”

Speaking about Franco-American relations President Obama said: “We don’t have a stronger friend and a stronger ally than Nicolas Sarkozy and the French people.  We have cooperated over the last several years on dealing with a global economic crisis, dealing with the challenges of terrorism, dealing with a range of geopolitical issues from the Middle East to Iran to Afghanistan.  And I’ve always found Nicolas to be an outstanding partner and an outstanding friend to the American people, as well as a leader on the world stage.”

As the presidents met, so did their wives.  Mrs. Obama hosted Mrs. Bruni-Sarkozy for lunch at the White House.