Remarks by the President in a Youth Town Hall on the rescue of the Chilean miners

October 14, 2010

THE WHITE HOUSE

Remarks by the President in a Youth Town Hall

BET Networks
Washington, D.C.

MR. CALLOWAY:  Looking bright, that’s right.  Before we take our first question from the audience, I wanted to talk about a issue that’s been in global news -- the Chilean miners who have just been rescued.  The whole entire world was glued to their television sets, as well as their laptops.  It was a very emotional story, very compelling story.  I watched it from my hotel room.  And I wanted to know, where did you watch it?  And what went through your mind as you did?

THE PRESIDENT:  Well, I was watching it at the White House, and I think so many of you have seen the joy of the families as these miners were coming out.  It was a testament to their personal strength.  It was a testament to the way the Chilean people came together.  But it was also a testament to how the world came together, because I think some of you may be aware that some of the drilling machinery that was used to get them out was made here in the United States of America; that NASA scientists helped designed the mechanisms to get the miners out.  And so the fact that we played some small part, I think, in this terrific story is a testament to American know-how and ingenuity, but also how we try to help other people across the globe during trying times.

MR. CALLOWAY:  Okay, thank you, Mr. President.

THE PRESIDENT:  It was very inspiring.

MR. CALLOWAY:  Very inspiring.  Great.