Posts Tagged ‘Chicago’

June 21, 2011: Inuvik

Tuesday, June 21st, 2011

Ambassador Jacobson is blogging live from Inuvik in the Northwest Territories today. Visit again next week for the entire series of his trip across Canada’s north where he is learning about the area first-hand with other ambassadors as part of the “2011 Northern Tour for Heads of Diplomatic Missions” hosted by DFAIT, Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada, and Parks Canada.

The landscape of Inuvik, Northwest Territories

It’s an even smaller world than I thought. Last night I met three Chicagoans who were on quite an adventure. A few years ago, one of them had been in the hospital and someone gave him a book in which the main character drove to Inuvik. He always joked with the three other guys in his golf foursome that they should all drive there. Then one of them, Mike Allen, passed away and was cremated.

They decided that the four of them, the three living and Mike’s ashes, were going to rent an RV and drive to Inuvik to play a round of golf at midnight on the longest day of the year, June 21, which is possible since it is light for 24 hours a day here. I learned about them from an article in the local paper, the Inuvik Drum. I had to meet these guys.

I went over to the golf course. Turns out it is a three-hole affair with Astroturf greens. I met the three and was introduced to the urn with Mike’s ashes. There was a group of about 25 local people from Inuvik led by the mayor, who were putting on a BBQ for them.

Inuvik's golf course, Roads End

They are great guys. They live near where I live in the Chicago area, and we had a number of friends in common. We had a beer together and they told me stories about their friend Mike. They had a trophy made from one of Mikes old shoes that they were going to leave at the course as a remembrance of their journey.

From the tee: Inuvik's golf course, Roads End

You can follow their journey on www.ourlongestdrive.com.

The Chicago Fivesome

They told me that Mayor Emanuel in Chicago had proclaimed June 21st as the Mike Allen Longest Drive Day. I told them Mike was lucky to have friends like them. It was an amazing experience. While I love my job every day, this was very special.

DJ

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Posted in June 2011 |

March 27, 2011 — Chicago

Tuesday, March 29th, 2011

I had a great day yesterday in my home town — Chicago. I came in to meet with Governor Quinn of Illinois and Premier Selinger of Manitoba. The Premier traveled to Chicago with a delegation of business leaders to complete a Memorandum of Understanding on Economic and Environmental Cooperation between the State of Illinois and the Province of Manitoba – long name for a great idea to increase collaboration and exchanges in trade, tourism, transportation, innovation economy, watershed management and stewardship, clean energy, and crime prevention.

At the signing ceremony we were joined by Israel Idonije the defensive star of the Chicago Bears. Izzy is from Brandon, Manitoba. His family came to Canada from Nigeria. His father is a minister. He starred at the University of Manitoba. As great a player as he is – and he’s great – he is a better person. I had heard raves from Premier Selinger and Ambassador Doer about Izzy. And meeting him confirmed everything I had heard. When he is not terrorizing Green Bay Packers, his foundation runs youth programs in Chicago and in Winnipeg. And he supports the efforts with his own funds. His gentle personality contrasts with his immense stature.

After the ceremony we went to the United Center for a Blackhawks game against the Anaheim Ducks. The good guys lost. But we had a great time nonetheless. We met with Blackhawks owner Rocky Wirtz, team president John McDonough, and general manager Stan Bowman.

One highlight. During one of the intermissions, a 95 year old woman and her family came in to meet Rocky Wirtz. She has been a Blackhawks season ticket holder for 47 years. She was presented with a jersey with the number 95 on it. She was speechless. It was an example of why the Blackhawks have captured the hearts of Chicago sports fans. (The fact that they are the defending Stanley Cup Champions doesn’t hurt either.)

DJ

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Posted in March 2011 |

February 28, 2011 – Montreal

Wednesday, March 2nd, 2011

Every day I am able to serve as the United States Ambassador to Canada is a great day.  But some days are simply amazing.  Yesterday was one of them.  I should return my paycheck for yesterday.
 
We gathered in Montreal at the home Jackie and Rachel Robinson lived in during the summer of 1946 when Jackie played for the Montreal Royals before joining the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1947 to break Major League Baseball’s color barrier.  The consulate in Montreal planned the event as part of Black History Month.  We were joined by Jackie and Rachel’s daughter Sharon, Montreal Mayor Gerald Tremblay, Quebec Minister of Education, Leisure and Sport Line Beauchamp, Michael Farkas, President of the Round Table on Black History Month, and many hearty souls who braved the snow and the cold.  And we were all hosted by the gracious current owner of the house, Eric Boudreault.

Unveiling the plaque with Jackie Robinson's daughter Sharon at the baseball player's former Montreal home.

We were there to celebrate some of our common history. And something very special that was done by the people of Montreal during the summer of 1946.  
           
I love baseball. I always have.  I always will. 
 
It is more than just a game to me and to so many people across North America. As a long suffering Cubs fan, baseball has taught me the importance of hope.  And of renewal — every spring when teams report for spring training. All too often as a Cubs fan it has taught me the bitter lessons of defeat.
 
What began for Jackie and Rachel Robinson in that house in Montreal represents all of those emotions and so much more.
 
When Jackie Robinson broke into baseball he had some difficult times. In some places in the United States he was treated shamefully. But the people in that house in Montreal, the people in his neighborhood, the people of Montreal were so much better. They showed us the way. They gave us hope. They gave us renewal.
           
And through the bravery of Jackie Robinson — and so many others over the years — my country changed. Changed for the better. I am the representative to the Canadian people of an African American President of the United States. I suspect if you asked the people who lived in the Montreal neighborhood in 1946 if that was ever likely to happen they would have laughed.  But what happened there was an important step on that journey.
           
After the outdoor ceremony a group of us went back to our Montreal Consul General Lee McClenny’s house.  Sharon Robinson spoke eloquently about her father and the way he faced the challenges both in baseball and in life.

Ambassador Jacobson and Sharon Robinson look at a photo of her parents, Baseball and Civil Rights icon Jackie Robinson and his wife Rachel.

I had the opportunity to read the most famous column, “Jackie’s Debut a Unique Day“, from my favorite columnist, Chicago’s Mike Royko.  Mike wrote the column on the day that Jackie Robinson died.  It is such a moving account of the tremendous impression it made on Mike, the kid, when he had the opportunity to see Jackie Robinson play for the first time in Chicago.  I’d really urge you to follow the link and experience it for yourself.
 
It was an honor and a privilege to participate in the dedication.  Jackie Robinson didn’t just change baseball, he changed America.  We owe a debt of gratitude to the people of Montreal for the warm way they welcomed him.  Hopefully yesterday, we paid back a little of our obligation.
 
DJ

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Posted in February 2011 |

July 4, 2010 – United States Independence Day

Tuesday, July 6th, 2010

To tell you the truth, I tried mightily last summer to advance my Senate confirmation so I could be here in Ottawa by July 4. I had been told our party on the lawn of the Ambassador’s Residence is the largest 4th of July party in the world outside of the United States. Unfortunately, that didn’t happen. But today definitely made up for it!

Four thousand friends joined Julie, our children Wynne and Jeremy, and me for the celebration of the 234th anniversary of the independence of the United States of America. It was kind of special to be able to say to those assembled: “On behalf of President Barack Obama, I want to wish each of you a happy 4th of July!”

Ambassador Jacobson and family at the 4th of July

Ambassador Jacobson delivers remarks with family at the 4th of July

The party was a celebration of the home state of President Obama and his family and me and my family – Illinois. Since we couldn’t be in Chicago, we brought Chicago to Ottawa. Among the invitees were all the foods you would get at an Illinois 4th of July party: deep dish pizza, Italian beef, Polish sausage, Eli’s cheese cake, beer, etc……

Cupcakes

Cupcakes in the shape of an American flag

The Governor General’s Band of the Ceremonial Guard played American patriotic songs – their repertoire is multi–national — as guests arrived and Julie and I shook MANY hands. O Canada and the Star Spangled Banner were sung by John McDermott, whose rendition has, with good cause, become a tradition at our celebration. And my friends from Chicago, blues greats, Lynne Jordan and the Shivers, thrilled the crowd with their set. At one point several of the guests were dancing up on the stage with them!

The Marine Corps Guard at the singing of the national anthem

The Marine Corps Color Guard present the colors during the national anthem

The 4th of July is an opportunity for Americans to give thanks to those whose foresight and determination shaped the course of our nation’s history. An opportunity to give thanks to those who defined freedom as a virtue and equality as a goal.

But those values have not come without enormous cost. And so it is also a day to give thanks to the men and women in our armed forces around the world whose service and sacrifice has protected those values that were enshrined in the Declaration of Independence 234 years ago.

It was also a chance for Julie and me to express our gratitude to the Canadian people for the grace, the kindness, and the hospitality they have shown us since we arrived as guests in your country nine months ago. From the first day, when we presented our credentials to the Governor General, through our travels across your vast and beautiful country, to those glorious Olympic Games. (Though I will say you weren’t quite as gracious as I might have liked during that hockey overtime.)

For your warmth and your friendship Julie and I will be eternally grateful.
DJ

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Posted in July 2010 |

June 9, 2010 – Chicago

Thursday, June 10th, 2010

Well, it finally happened. My Chicago Blackhawks are the Stanley Cup Champions. It’s been a while. To put this into a little perspective, the last time they won the Cup,

Barack Obama was yet to be born.
Players didn’t wear helmets.
Goalies didn’t wear masks.
I think the puck was still made of wood.

I am looking forward to collecting on my beer bet with Minister Peter MacKay. To show my confidence, I bet him the Blackhawks against the rest of the league before the semi-final Round. This time we drink the beer!

Now that we have ended this losing streak, I am turning to my beloved Cubbies. It’s only been 102 years since they won the World Series. If I can solve that problem, I’ll die a happy man.

DJ

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Posted in June 2010 |

November 4, 2009 – Ottawa

Wednesday, November 4th, 2009
President Barack Obama on Election Day, November 4, 2008

President Barack Obama on Election Day, November 4, 2008

Today is a special day for me, for my family, and for the United States. One year ago this evening, I was in Grant Park in Chicago along with hundreds of thousands of others to celebrate Barack Obama’s election as the 44th President of the United States.

The campaign was not always celebrations and huge crowds.  The first meeting I went to in the Obama Campaign offices was attended by four people.  We were in a tiny office with two desks and two chairs.  Two of us sat on the floor.  My biggest contribution that day was that I managed to lose the campaign’s only key to the men’s room down the hall. Somehow — we were able to recover from that setback.

I was fortunate enough to watch history unfold before me over the course of two years.  In the snow covered fields of Iowa and New Hampshire.  In the inner cities of Cleveland and Pittsburg.  On the farms in South Carolina and Minnesota.  And in so many other places.

When people ask me what it was like to be a part of the campaign I am always at a loss for words.  Rarely do you get to participate in something like this.  It was a campaign that became a movement.  I was swept up by that movement and carried forward by it.  When I later heard about all the Canadians who had spent their vacations or school holidays in the U.S. volunteering with the same movement, I was truly touched, just as I was when I heard about the many Canadians who traveled to Washington last January to personally witness the President’s truly historic inauguration.

Ambassador Jacobson on the Campaign Trail in 2008

Ambassador Jacobson on the Campaign Trail in 2008


On that night one year ago in Grant Park the President said it best – as he always does:

“If there is anyone out there who still doubts that America is a place where all things are possible; who still wonders if the dream of our founders is alive in our time; who still questions the power of our democracy, tonight is your answer….

“It’s been a long time coming, but tonight, because of what we did on this day, in this election, at this defining moment, change has come to America….

“The road ahead will be long.  Our climb will be steep.  We may not get there in one year or even one term, but America – I have never been more hopeful than I am tonight that we will get there….

“To all those who have wondered if America’s beacon still burns as bright – tonight we proved once more that the true strength of our nation comes not from our the might of our arms or the scale of our wealth, but from the enduring power of our ideals: democracy, liberty, opportunity, and unyielding hope.”

The President finished with three words which are an American Creed: “YES WE CAN!”

DJ

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Posted in November 2009 |