My name is Thomas J. Meehan III, father of Colleen Ann Meehan Barkow, age 26, who perished on September 11 2001 at the WTC. Colleen was an employee of Cantor-Fitzgerald working on the 103rd Floor. Her upper torso was found September 17th, 2001, the date of her first wedding anniversary. In the days and months afterwards there were to be additional discoveries of her, a total of six, which still did not amount to a whole body, but was more than what some other families affected have been given back, Families still speak in terms of body parts found and not found, and what will never be found.
In the past seven years, my wife and I have been committed to the issue of the ashen remains of those lost that day, which have been interred (bulldozed) into the 40 acres of land known as the Fresh Kills landfill on Staten Island, New York. For the one thousand families who did not receive any remains, this is the final resting place, an un-holy, un-consecrated landfill. The live lost are there with garbage beneath them and construction fill above them, an
unbefitting resting place for those we called heroes and took an oath never to forget.
While this issue has been before the courts, and remains may in fact be permanently interred at the landfill, parents, spouses, siblings, extended family members must live with the knowledge that their loved ones lie in what was the world’s largest dump. How we as a society will be judged in the treatment of those lost, only history will record.
My wife and I mourn the continued loss of Americans in the war in Iraq and Afghanistan while we still await the apprehension and trial of those we hold responsible for the death of our daughter and almost 3000 other American and international citizens.
While we understand the reasons for closure of the detention facility at Guantanamo Bay, we urge you to allow the trials of those defendants charged in connection with the attacks of September 11, 2001, to go forward and complete the judicial process and give some small measure of justice to all of the 9/11 family members, while we still await the capture of Osama Bin Laden.
Our lives have been forever changed by the events of September 11, 2001, and yet life goes on, we now have two granddaughters, Brett Colleen, age four an and Ryann Elizabeth, age two, we hope that their lives will be in a better world that the one which claimed their aunt. And they will have the opportunities to live their lives to the fullest and live in a safer world, free of the threat of terrorism.
I share these facts with you so that you will understand why these issues mean so much to us, and ask that you not forget the promise “Never to Forget”, and will bring to justice those responsible for September 11, 2001.
God Bless You and You’re Family,
May the Peace of the Lord Be Upon You and Remain With You,
Respectfully,
Thomas J. Meehan III & JoAnn Meehan
Toms River, New Jersey
The President’s Response
Dear Tom + JoAnn —
I am in receipt of your letter, and wanted to respond personally. Your story is heartbreaking, and we will do everything we can to ensure that the process of bringing all of those involved in 9/11 is completed.
In the meantime, know that we will never forget Colleen, and that I spend every waking hour in search of ways to make the future brighter for your granddaughters and my daughters.
When my son was killed in the Tucson mass murders last year, you asked if there was anything you could do. There is. I am asking you to support some reasonable steps to protect your citizens. Reinstating the ban on assault weapons and extended magazine clips should be a simple step to make our public places more safe for citizens. Our rights of assembly are threatened. I believe that you can be a vigorous supporter of the second amendment and still support modest regulation of weapons of mass murder. If you will not oppose the NRA, then seek out the support of the NRA in this gun safety measure. My son was killed in the mass murder in Tucson. Now it has happened again and more young people have been senselessly murdered by a stranger in a public place armed with weapons designed to kill many people very quickly. Enforcement of existing laws is not a sufficient response; additional steps are necessary to restrict easy access to weapons of mass murder. The Tucson shooter was not diagnosed as mentally ill when he legally purchased these super-lethal weapons; I would not be surprised if the Aurora shooter also had no such diagnosis. We need to look at the weapons themselves.
Please consider being a leader on this issue; others will follow behind you. Thank you for thinking seriously about this and seeking a resolution.
Emily Nottingham
President Obama’s Response
February 7, 2011
Dear Emily:
Please accept our deepest sympathies as you mourn the loss of your son, Gabe. The hearts of all Americans are broken by his sudden passing. We were profoundly moved by our visit to Arizona, and our thoughts remain with you and your family.
Gabe’s commitment to lifting up the lives of his fellow Americans through public service represents what is best about our Nation, and we will forever honor his memory. In the wake of this terrible tragedy, we pray you find peace in your cherished memories of your time together and comfort in the support of family, friends, and countless Americans who share in your grief.
In the days ahead, please know we will continue to hold you and your family in our thoughts and prayers. May Gabe’s strength sustain you through this difficult time, and may he rest in eternal peace.
I have something verey important to tell you, well my mom had cancer and she went to my school to vote for you with a wheelchair because she wanted you to be President, and she was proud and happy that Day. She is in heaven now and prays for you to be safe and me to.
Your friend,
Emily
I am 7 years old like Sasha. by!!
President Obama’s Response
Emily —
Thanks for the wonderful letter. My mom died of cancer too, so I know how you feel. I am sure your mom and mine are both in heaven, and are both proud of you. I am too!
“The Affordable Care Act has improved people’s lives. And we can’t go backward.”
A 55-year-old woman in North Carolina who finally knows the peace of mind that comes with health insurance. A husband in Michigan facing cancer surgery for a second time whose wife won’t be burdened by medical bills. A member of the law enforcement community in Scranton whose health is protected on the job.
Read the stories of five Americans whose lives have been changed by affordable health care — and then read the President’s responses to their heartfelt notes of thanks.
Don’t have health insurance? The deadline for coverage starting on January 1, 2017 ends today, December 15th. Sign up now at HealthCare.gov.
Letter from Anne Bunting: “I tell everyone that you saved my life and I truly believe that.”
November 13, 2016
Anne Record Bunting Houston, Texas
Dear Mr. President,
Thank you for saving my life. My name is Anne Record Bunting. In 2008, I was diagnosed with Heart Failure (HF) and had a pacemaker implanted. I was in the final stages of HF. I did well until 2012 when my heart began to fail again. By July, 2013, I was once more in final stages of HF. I was told I needed a heart transplant and was put on the list. That’s when we discovered that my individual insurance policy (I was self-employed) did not cover a heart transplant.
The only way to save my life was to implant a Left Ventricular Assist Device (LVAD- like Dick Cheney). A few hours after that surgery, the doctors realized that the right side of my heart was dying. So they went back in and implanted a VAD on the right side of my heart. I was the first person at that hospital to survive this surgery and go home.
My heart was powered by 2 pumps run by computers and batteries which were attached to me at all times. I lived with those pumps for 9 months. Then in 2014, the Affordable Care Act came into being and abolished the restriction of pre-existing conditions. I was able to get an insurance policy that covered heart transplants and was put back on the list. 10 days later, I received the gift of life through a heart transplant. So, I tell everyone that you saved my life and I truly believe that.
You and the First Lady have both been wonderful leaders. Thank you both for what you have done for our country and its people.
And thank you again for saving my life.
Anne Bunting
President Obama’s Response
December 9, 2016
Ms. Anne Record Bunting Houston, Texas
Dear Anne:
Thank you for your kind words and for taking the time to share your moving story with me. It’s clear you have faced tremendous challenges over the last few years, and I am glad to hear the Affordable Care Act helped you to get a heart transplant when you needed it most. Your story highlights how the Affordable Care Act has been life-changing for so many Americans. And in some cases, even life-saving. As a result of so many more people having coverage, we’re avoiding an estimated 24,000 deaths annually. And countless other Americans are living better lives because they’re receiving the care they need and deserve. It is why I worked so hard to pass health reform in the first place.
Again, thank you for writing and for your support. Michelle and I send our very best.
Sincerely, Barack Obama
Letter from Lauren Caruso: “I am afraid for my husband, and for all the people that will be affected if the ACA is repealed.”
November 10, 2016
Mrs. Lauren Caruso Raleigh, North Carolina
Dear President Obama,
I feel like a kid writing a letter to Santa Clause; I doubt you’ll ever see this. But even if I’m writing into the void here, I want to express my gratitude to you for everything you’ve done for our country over the last eight years. You’re the first politician I ever really believed in, and I still do.
My husband, Josh, was diagnosed with a chronic liver condition when he was in his mid-twenties. A rare, not very well known disease, called primary sclerosing cholangitis. Over time, his body is actively destroying his liver, and without a transplant and life long medications and care, he will die. Currently, he is doing okay, he gets by and some days are better than others. We deal with his symptoms as they arise, and he is receiving excellent care at Duke. He has a good job and good benefits and insurance, but I always felt comforted by the existence of the ACA, and that if for some reason he lost his job, he couldn’t be denied care because of his preexisting condition. Now, with the recent state of events, I am afraid. I am afraid for my husband, and for all the people that will be affected if the ACA is repealed. I do not believe that health care should be a luxury for the wealthy.
But my current dread does not lessen my gratitude for what you’ve done for us. Thank you for trying to make sure people struggling with illness, whether rich or poor, are treated with kindness and dignity. It meas so, so much. Thank you for helping me sleep better at night for the past few years. You, and your charming and gracious wife will be sorely missed.
Thank you, thank you.
With warmest regards,
Lauren Caruso
P.S. Please convince Michelle to run for office in 2020!!
President Obama’s Response
December 9, 2016
Ms. Lauren Caruso Raleigh, North Carolina
Dear Lauren:
I wanted to thank you for taking a chance and sharing your story with me — I really did read your message personally! Everyone deserves the comfort of knowing they will have access to quality, affordable health insurance no matter what the future holds, and I am glad to know the Affordable Care Act helped your family gain some peace of mind during a difficult time. Your email reminded me why I fought so hard to reform our health system in the first place.
The Affordable Care Act has improved millions of people’s lives. 20 million more people are covered, 129 million people with pre-existing conditions are protected, and health price inflation has been at its lowest level in 50 years. But beyond the numbers, the work of health reform is really about people like you. Sharing your story with family and friends — and ensuring they, too, have the peace of mind that comes with having health care — can hlep make sure we build on the progress we’ve made, not go backwards.
Again, thank you for writing. Your story will remain on my mind. Michelle and I wish you and Josh the very best.
Sincerely,
Barack Obama
Letter from Julie Chamberlain: “I finally got my own health insurance for the first time in my life at the age of 53.”
November 9, 2016
Ms. Julie Ann Chamberlain Greenville, North Carolina
I am 55 year old woman, actually about two weeks younger than you, and I finally got my own health insurance for the first time in my life at the age of 53. I was able to do this because there is the ACA and ACA subsidies. I say thanks Obama, and I truly mean this with all my heart. I would like to know what I can do to help save the ACA ?It has given me a piece of mind to know that I have health insurance, finally , and that if I have the stroke at some point in my life, that as a migraine sufferer, I am statistically likely to have, that I will be covered. I don’t want to lose my health insurance. I plan on writing my senators and representative to let them know of my situation and how strongly I feel about keeping the ACA. Please let me know if there is anything else I can do to help protect the ACA and I will do whatever it takes.
It has been an honor to have you as President. Thank you for all you have done for this nation.
President Obama’s Response
December 9, 2016
Ms. Julie Ann Chamberlain Greenville, North Carolina
Dear Julie:
Thank you for writing. Serving in this Office has been the greatest privilege of my life, and I am glad to know the Affordable Care Act helped you finally get health insurance.
You asked how you can help. Right now, the most important thing for you to do is to make sure you, your family, and all of your friends and neighbors are covered for 2017. Anyone who needs to get covered should go to HealthCare.gov by December 15 to sign up for coverage starting January 2017.
In addition, I hope you will continue speaking out on the importance of the Affordable Care act to your life — whether that means expressing your views publicly or sharing your story with friends and neighbors. Perspectives like yours are critical to our democracy and will continue driving this conversation long after my Presidency. Engagement of people like you has and will continue to make a difference.
All the best,
Barack Obama
Letter from Thomas Errigo: “My job is dangerous and anything could happen at any time”
November 27, 2016
Mr. Thomas Joseph Errigo Scranton, Pennsylvania
Dear Mr. President
The end of your last term is nearing and I Just wanted to take a moment to say thank you.
I am a police officer in Pennsylvania and in this state particularly the region in which I live, full time police jobs are hard to find. Because of the difficulty in finding a full time police job I do not enjoy employer provided health benefits. Thankfully the affordable care act allows me to find a decent health care plan for a reasonable price. I don’t know what I would do with out it. My job is dangerous and anything could happen at any time. Thanks to you, with my health care I know that if I was ever injured I would not be burdened with outrageous medical bills which is one less thing I have to worry about.
When I turned 18 in 2008 I was very excited to participate in that years election. I had watched many speechs and interviews and although I was not old enough at the time of the primary election I knew that I would be casting my vote in your direction for the general election. You are not only the first President I voted for, my vote for you was my first vote ever.
Over the past 8 years you have shown me that the vote I cast was very much worth while. So thank you Mr. President. Thank you for caring, thank you for looking out for the little guy, and thank you for genuinely making a positive impact personally on my life.
Sincerely,
Thomas J. Errigo
President Obama’s Response
December 9, 2016
Mr. Thomas Joseph Errigo Scranton, Pennsylvania
Dear Thomas:
Thank you for writing me. Police officers like you represent the best of America and deserve the best from it, and I am grateful to know the Affordable Care Act helped you get covered. The reason I fought so hard to reform our health system in the first place was so people like you could access the health care you deserve, and your story drives home the importance of providing people the peace of mind that comes with having coverage.
Again, thank you for your letter and for your service as a police officer. I wish you the very best.
Sincerely,
Barack Obama
Letter from Gerald Schroeder: “I am about to face my second major cancer surgery, and, while my odds are good, I am not assured of my survival.”
December 4, 2016
Mr. Gerald Schroeder Bay City, Michigan
Dear President Obama — As you near your time in office, I want to take a moment to thank you for your service to our country in your capacity as President. I want to commend you for your grace and wisdom and strength. You have inspired me to try to be a better human, a better citizen an hopefully a better person. I also want to thank you for your efforts to try to provide health care to more of our population.
I don’t want to live in a society that allows people to be destitute if they become ill. I was lucky enough to get my health insurance from my employer, but I don’t know what people would do if they didn’t have insurance and face a major medical problem.
I am about to face my second major cancer surgery, and, while my odds are good, I am not assured of my survival. I am, however, assured that, if God forbid the worst happens, my wife will not be burdened with unplayable medical bills. I hope that in the future, as a former President, you continue to advocate for those things that will lift up our society and our humanity. I admire how you were able to wade through the morass of politics and still maintain your dignity and the dignity of your office.
Please enjoy the remainder of your term and I wish you and your family the best of the Holiday Season and also I wish you the best in your future plans. God Bless you!
President Obama’s Response
December 9, 2016
Mr. Gerald Schroeder Bay City, Michigan
Dear Gerald:
Thank you for writing to share your experiences with me — the stories that you and your fellow Americans share with me are what inspires me. I remain committed to working to ensure every American has the peace of mind you described in your letter — because everyone deserves the comfort of knowing that no matter what the future holds, they will have access to quality, affordable health insurance. That is why I fought so hard for the Affordable Care Act.
For the more than 150 million Americans like you who have coverage through their employer, the Affordable Care Act ensures that their plans have no lifetime or annual limits, have a limit on out-of-pocket expenses, and allow kids to stay on their parent’s plans until age 26. And thanks to the slow growth in health care costs under the Affordable Care Act, the average premium for a family with employer coverage is $3,600 lower in 2016 than it would have been if premium growth since 2010 had matched the decade before the Affordable Care Act. The Affordable Care Act has improved people’s lives. And we can’t go backward.
In the coming days, please know that you will be in my thoughts. I wish you and your wife the best.
Today, President Obama signed into law the 21st Century Cures Act, bipartisan legislation that will go a long way toward bringing about the medical breakthroughs we need to meet some of the biggest health challenges facing Americans today. No matter what corner of the country you live in, you or someone in your life has been touched by cancer, the opioid epidemic, devastating illnesses or serious mental health issues. The Cures Act makes significant investments in innovative technologies and research that could find a cure for Alzheimer’s, end cancer as we know it, and help those who are seeking treatment for opioid addiction.
Read these three letters to learn why President Obama is so committed to investing in the future of health in America.
EUGENE AMMON, JR., COLUMBUS, OH
Hello Mr. President, my name is Eugene Ammon. I am from Columbus Ohio. I am sending this message in regards to the growing concern in this country about addiction especially the growing number of people who die each year because of this. I personally lost my mother 18 months ago to a heroin overdose and will most likely be attending my sisters funeral, a mother of 3, by the years end as she is also an addict and has been diagnosed with heart problems and Hep C. Both i assume due to her addiction and her life style that has led her to being arrested for soliciting more times than i can count.
My concern is that this has opened my eyes as to how only those with an abundance of resources have steady and consistent access to the treatment necessary to actually treat themselves. My sister was recently released out into the world, again, without anywhere to go as waiting lists for facilities combined with over crowding in the jail system meant she would be put in a position no one could possibly succeed in.
There are facilities available but they need you to be insured. To be blunt but even with the expanded access to health insurance this is not something a prostitute with a heroin problem is walking around with.
Let me be clear that her decisions are hers and hers alone. They were my mothers decisions. However I cant help but wonder what kind of difference it would make if one could have access to this kind of help the moment they wanted it. I feel there are enough resources to make this a reality, I also think this would be cheaper over the long run than the countless unpaid ER visits that are occurring everyday from things like overdoses and infections.
Its too late for my family. Its too late for me. Its not too late for countless others.
I don’t know what they policy answers are. I as an average american can only reach out to those who might with what i see as a problem and hope someone notices or cares. I do know this is health crisis not just a criminal one and i hope for a policy approach sooner rather than later that will deal with this as such.
If you or anyone happens to read this i thank you for your time.
More Americans now die every year from drug overdoses than in motor vehicle crashes, and the majority involve opioids. The Cures Act invests $1 billion dollars to combat the heroin and prescription opioid epidemic, as the President’s called for in his budget. The Administration is committed to ensuring that these funds are disbursed quickly and effectively starting in early 2017.
KATHRYN GREEN, SANTA MONICA, CALIFORNIA
Dear President Obama and Vice President Biden,
My name is Kathyrn Green and I’m a mother of a 14 month old daughter, a high school teacher in Los Angeles, and a wife of a husband who is battling brain cancer. While this is the first time I’m writing to offer my deepest condolences for the loss of the Vice President’s son, his family was in my prayers upon hearing the news, and will continue to be. I read in the news this morning that the Vice President was visiting the Fred Hutchinson Research Center on Monday, and I wanted to thank him for continuing to bring this terrible disease into the spotlight, and thank you both for being that ever-hopeful light in finding a way to manage cancer with your Moonshot initiative. I sat with my daughter on my lap and listened to the State of the Union address, and at one years old, I was delighted that she clapped along as the audience applauded. There are so many problems and issues that need healing in this country, and I’m deeply grateful that both President Obama and Vice President Biden are standing with the patients, families, and communities who have been touched by this disease. I will continue to follow your administrations lead and support you in your endeavors, however they manifest over the next few months and years. It is with the most sincereity and humbleness that I ask for your office to continue supporting the institutes, scientists, and resarch centers, who will, no doubt. be the harbinger of a bright future in a diagnosis which sees only dark clouds ahead. Thank you again for all of the work you have done, and will continue to do. I will be cheering from the sidelines, and envisioning better days to come.
Warmly,
Kathryn Green
In his last State of the Union address, President Obama asked Vice President Joe Biden to be at the head of “mission control” in a new moonshot effort to end cancer as we know it. The Cancer Moonshot’s ultimate goal is to make a decade’s worth of advances in cancer prevention, diagnosis, and treatment, in five years. The Cures Act invests $1.8 billion in this initiative – important funding that will support investment in promising new therapies like cancer immunotherapy, new prevention tools, cancer vaccine development, novel early detection tools, and pediatric cancer interventions.
MICHELLE MCREE, ATWATER, CALIFORNIA
Michelle McRee first wrote the President in December of 2015 in frustration over her 15-year-old grandaughter’s inability to receive the mental health services she needed. She questioned whether the health care law and the U.S. health care system would ever be able to address her daughters needs: “I am sick and I am disgusted with knowing that in a few weeks my grandchild will be coming home with another ‘band-aid’ to treat her disorders,” she wrote. “I live in fear of the day that my daughter will tell me that my grandchild has taken her own life, due to a mental health disorder that she can receive only minimal treatment for.”
The President responded to let her know he was listening and directed his team to help advise her on the best way to find support. This is her letter in response:
Dear Mr. President,
I wanted to take a moment to thank you for listening. Your administration’s response and assistance, at your behalf, has shown us how agencies can work together to help families such as ours. When I first wrote to you last fall, about my grandchild’s situation and our frustrations in getting the recommended care for her, I did so not just out of frustration but out of bitter anger as well. Since then I have learned a lot. I learned that the resources were already there and had been for quite some time. While it is true that finding these resources is more difficult than it should be, it is up to us parents and guardians to be proactive for our children from the very beginning, not after the fifth hospitalization and out of bitter frustration.
I blamed you and I blamed your healthcare policy for our struggles and i have since learned that wasn’t fair. While I am not a member of your political party (no, I didn’t vote for you) and have often been critical of this new healthcare policy, I am forever grateful to you sir, for taking the time to listen, to help, and to make my granchild’s day when she read your letter.
Since becoming my grandchild’s caregiver, and during being the primary caregiver for my parents before their deaths these past couple years, I have lost a lot. I have had to make the choice to give up a job (twice now), I am losing my car due to being financially unable to afford it, and we may have to move soon. Unfortunately. those choices have to be made because our system, both state and federal, does have many gaps. But they were choices that I made fully aware and the only thing that i have lost are just that … “things”, and can be replaced. I cannot replace the time I had with my parents, nor the joy in seeing my grandchild progress daily in learning to cope in healthy ways with her disorders whil still remaining here at home. I cannot replace the gratitude of having one of the best mental health support teams that I have ever had the honor of knowing. And I cannot replace the humbling realization that we can, and are often, wrong in where we place blame. That my government didn’t fail my grandchild. My goverment stepped in and provided the professional support for us to help my grandchild.
Again, I thank you President Obama for what you have done for my family. I wish you and your family many happy years.
Sincerely,
Michelle R. McRee
The Cures Act includes bipartisan mental health provisions, including improved coordination between primary care and behavioral health services, reauthorization of important programs focused on suicide prevention and other prevention services, and mental health and substance use disorder parity provisions that build on the work of the President’s Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Parity Task Force.
The Cures Act also makes a significant investment of nearly $3 billion to continue the President’s signature biomedical research initiatives – the BRAIN and Precision Medicine Initiatives – over the next decade to tackle diseases like Alzheimer’s and create new research models to find cures and better target treatments.
President Obama offers encouragement to a young veteran who is struggling with transitioning back to civilian life.
Leaving the military can be challenging for many service members. From worrying about their next career steps, to deciding whether to go back to school, to finding a path forward through the mental and physical wounds of war, veterans face a unique set of challenges in navigating their post-military lives.
Patrick Holbrook, a young veteran from Hawaii, wrote to the President about his struggles with these fears. As Patrick says, “I wasn’t afraid in Afghanistan, but I am horrified at the thought of my future.”
When President Obama took office nearly eight years ago, he made a commitment to make sure veterans like Patrick get the care and support they need when transition back to civilian life. And today, we’ve made important progress. We’ve cut veteran homelessness in half. We’re delivering mental health care to more veterans than ever before. More veterans have access to health care and the unemployment rate among veterans has been cut by more than half since its peak in 2011. And in all 50 states, veterans who have recently transitioned out of the military qualify for in-state tuition at public universities. But President Obama knows there’s more work to do to address the challenges that veterans face — and that the task of serving those who have fought for us will never be finished.
You can read Patrick’s letter and the President’s response below. And for more information on mental health resources for veterans, visit VA.gov.
Dear, Mr. President
It’s late in the evening here in Oahu, and the sun will soon be sinking behind the horizon onto the ocean. I sight that gives me comfort when times are confusing, and peace at the end of a long day. Sir, I was injured in Afghanistan in 2011 it was my first deployment, and my last. I was medically retired from the US Army, and after some discussion with my family moved here to help heal the wounds — it is slow in coming, but I remain hopeful. I started college when I arrived here it has been a difficult experience, but this summer God willing; I will be a college graduate. It’s a funny thing fear, I wasn’t afraid in Afghanistan, but I am horrified at the thought of my future. I want to serve my country, make a difference, and live up to the potential my family sees in me. I am scared I think, because I have no plan on what employment to pursue. It is something that is extremely difficult to me, and with my family leaving the island soon; I am truly lost. Sir, all my life I’ve tried to find what a Good man is, and be that man, but I release now life is more difficult for some. I’m not sure where I am going, and it is something that I can not shake. P.S. I watched your final State of the Union, and I thought it was well spoken. I too dream of a sustainable future for the next generation.
Sincerely,
Patrick A. Holbrook
Read the President’s response:
The White House
Washington
Patrick —
Thank you for your thoughtful letter, and more importantly for your service and sacrifice. I can tell from your letter you are already a good man; you just need to find the calling that will express that goodness — or it will find you. So trust yourself, and remember that your Commander in Chief didn’t know what he would do with his life till he was in his thirties!
President Obama responds to a young woman from Illinois who shared concerns about the challenges still facing her rural hometown.
As President Obama has said, “The values that drive our small towns and rural communities are the same ones that drive America as a whole…At the same time, what’s also true is that when our country is tested, our rural communities are tested as well.”
A young woman from one such rural community, Chloe Carson, wrote to the President about the challenges that still plague her hometown —like falling crop prices, unemployment, and poor education. Today, the President responded to her.
In 2011, the President established the White House Rural Council, and over the course of the Administration — significant progress has been made across rural America: Household income climbed 3.4 percent in 2015, while poverty and food insecurity fell dramatically. Non-metro areas have added more than 250,000 jobs since 2014, while the share of rural Americans without health insurance is now at an all-time low.
But there is more work to do, and these topics, along with new actions, were all discussed at the White House Rural Forum, a convening of rural policy, business, and nonprofit leaders at Penn State University.
You can read both letters below:
Dear Mr. President,
I admire you. The decision to become the president and take responsibility for an entire country requires courage far greater than I could muster. However, I have a few questions as to some of the problems in our country. I live in a rural community where half of the town’s population are farmers and the other half commutes to a city half an hour away or more. Our community offers many pros, but also many cons such as unemployment and poor education. How do you plan to fix these problems?
My family has been in farming for years. When I was young, I watched my father and grandfather work from before the sun came up to after I went to bed in order to provide our family with an income. Now, grain prices are dropping so low that farmers across the nation are beginning to question whether they will be able to make a profit. America produces food and products to be shipped around the world, yet often in our own small towns, many cannot even make a proper living without federal assistance.
As in many rural areas, the school system could be described as less than stellar. Our teachers are all dedicated to bringing us an education, but lack of funding continually diminishes their numbers and the classes available. When students in an area with few opportunities do not receive a proper education, they are unprepared for college. Students that do poorly in college or are unable to attend often have dilemmas when applying for jobs. Thus, the cycle of unemployment continues.
During your presidency you have been busy with controversial topics such as gun control, refugees, and health insurance, but what do you plan to do about the above addressed issues? The problems that affect the average men and women who form the backbone of America and work hard every day in our struggling workforce. What can we do to help the children who will grow up and take the place of their parents? We must fix these problems first Mr. President if we wish to maintain the United States of America.
Respectfully,
Chloe Carson
The President’s response to Chloe:
Dear Chloe,
Thank you for writing. Your note reached my desk, and I recognize the struggles your community is going through.
You’re right that rural communities are the backbone of our Nation, and I assure you I will continue to fight for investment in places like . I agree that a brighter future for rural America means guaranteeing every child has access to a world-class education. It also means creating more jobs, empowering workers with the skills they need to do those jobs, and building more ladders of opportunity into the middle class for anyone who is willing to work hard to climb them — no matter where they live. I hope you know that voices like yours are critical to this conversation because there is a lot more to do.
My Administration is pushing for rural schools to get the funding they need to support education worthy of their students. We are working to fight rural poverty, expand broadband access, and empower local businesses and communities so rural economies can more easily get back on their feet. We have also implemented the 2014 Farm Bill in record time so that we could expand and strengthen the farm safety net. At a time when our economy is growing, we need to make sure every American shares in that growth. And as long I hold this Office, I’ll keep doing everything I can to make that vision real.
Thank you for speaking out — it’s clear you care deeply for your community, and your passion for these issues will remain on my mind as I strive to ensure all Americans have a fair shot at the American dream.
As a candidate visiting the Crow Nation in Montana in May 2008, President Obama pledged to host an annual summit with tribal leaders to ensure that tribal nations have a seat at the table when facing important decisions about their communities. Today, the President hosts the eighth and final Tribal Nations Conference of his Presidency.
We’ve made historic progress to strengthen the nation-to-nation relationship and build a more prosperous and resilient Indian Country—helped by countless tribal leaders and youth who have worked alongside the President to make change. One of those leaders is Lindsay Early, a member of the Comanche Tribe who has dedicated her career to lifting up her community, and who wrote the President earlier this year.
Read the letter from Lindsay:
Dear President Obama,
I am a proud enrolled member of the Comanche Nation of Oklahoma and a recent graduate of the University Of Oklahoma College Of Law. I wanted to take a few moments to thank you for all of the hard work you and First Lady Michelle Obama have done on behalf of Indian Country. As the end of your second term is quickly approaching, I wanted to offer some native insight on just how effective your policies have been in Indian Country.
Like you, I came from very humble beginnings. My single mother did the best she could to raise me. We struggled with many problems that are common to Native Americans; poor healthcare, poverty, lack of access to jobs, and addiction were prevalent in my community. We lived with different relatives and friends, and sometimes even lived in our car. I worked hard and excelled in school, and was fortunate to receive the Gates Millennium Scholarship and went on to become the first in my family to graduate from college. During my freshman year of college, my best friend and I skipped our classes, put on our Barack the Vote tee-shirts, and scrounged up enough gas money to travel four hours to Dallas to go see the promising young Senator from Chicago.
At the rally, we met people of all ages, races, and creeds. Despite our different circumstances, we were all united by the common hope for change and better opportunities. When it was time for you to speak, the crowd grew quiet, anxious to hear your plans for this great country of ours. In the speech, you promised you would always do your best to represent all Americans. When you mentioned plans to represent African Americans, the crowd erupted. When you spoke about the importance of the Latino vote, the crowd once again let out a roaring cheer. Lastly, you mentioned that you would do your best to represent Native Americans. Two little voices screamed as loud as we could from the balcony. You answered back, “I hear you girls, and when I am elected, I won’t forget you!”
We were absolutely ecstatic. You see, President Obama, this was the first time we had ever heard any presidential candidate mention Native Americans. This was the first time any presidential candidate had made us feel that we mattered and our voices were important. You made me feel that through hard work and determination, anyone can achieve the American dream, and you were right.
After law school, I returned home to my tribe and accepted a position advising the Comanche Nation Chairman. My position requires me to keep our tribal leaders apprised of federal policies and proposed legislation regarding water rights, economic development, sovereignty, natural resources, and the Indian Child Welfare Act. Because of this, I know firsthand how your policies have reinvigorated Indian Country and allowed tribes the opportunities to continue working hard to improve the lives of our citizens.
Just as witnessing you speak in Dallas changed the course of my life, your presidency has positively changed how Indian Country interacts with our national decision makers. By vetoing the Keystone Pipeline, you helped us protect our sacred sites. By tackling climate change head on, you have insured that our planet will be safe for generations to come. The passage of the Affordable Care Act provided critical healthcare to members of tribes who otherwise might not be able to afford it. The Tribal Law and Order Act allowed tribes increased jurisdiction to prosecute those that threaten the safety and welfare of our citizens. By speaking out against the Washington football team name, you have reminded us that we deserve the same treatment as any other group in this great nation of ours. The Generation Indigenous initiative has ensured that our Native American youth reach their full potential, teaching them that their contributions are important to this country and that they too are worthy of achieving the American Dream. The White House Tribal Nations Conferences have given tribes what we have so desperately fought for—a seat at the table, a chance for our voices to be heard. I can visibly see and feel the differences in Indian Country in the seven years you have been in office, and for that I want to thank you.
You have managed to do for Native Americans what no president has done before, President Obama. You promised during that speech in Dallas that when you where in office, you wouldn’t forget about us. Thank you for keeping your promise! I am so proud to call you my President. May the Creator continue to bless you and your family, and continue to bless the United States of America.
Sincerely,
Lindsay Early,
United States Citizen and Member of the Comanche Nation
Read President Obama’s response:
Dear Lindsay:
I read the letter you wrote earlier this year, and it meant a lot that you took the time to send it. You’re right that I’ve worked pretty hard to fulfill my campaign promises—I’ve always believed that the success of our tribal communities is tied to the success of America as a whole, and it’s heartening to hear that my Administration’s efforts to build a true nation-to-nation relationship with tribes like yours have made a difference.
It sounds to me like you’ve been working hard to make a difference too, and I trust you take pride in how far you’ve come since your freshman year of college. It’s a tremendous privilege to serve as your President, but far more than my being in Office, I suspect it’s the passion and dedication of folks like you that have truly changed our country for the better.
Thank you for writing, and for everything you’ve put into reaching for the brighter future we all deserve. Voices like yours give me great hope for what’s to come, and I trust you’ll keep at it!
We are stronger and more vibrant because of the richness
immigrants and refugees bring to our country. Today, the refugee crisis is one
of the most urgent tests of our time: 65 million people have been forced to
flee their homes by violence, persecution, and instability. Fleeing from
countries around the world, refugees carry with them a common hope for leading
a safe life with dignity. In honor of the resilience of refugees and the
contributions they bring, we’re sharing the story of Heba Hallak, an 18-year-old
Syrian refugee.
Last year, Heba wrote to President Obama about what it
was like for her and her family to flee from war in Syria. Now living in New
Jersey with the support of her family and teachers, Heba is able to continue to
attend school and pursue her dream of going to college and becoming a doctor.
Read the handwritten letter from Heba:
November/21/2015
President Barack Obama
I am a Syrian girl. I am 17. I want to start by my
life in Syria.
Before the war, my life was perfect. I used to make a
small party with my friends every Friday. I lived in Idleb, in a small Town is
called Taftanaz.
My school was good. I liked my friends and my
teachers. I was a little child. That made my life perfect.
When the war started, the Syrian army attacked our
town. Its tanks destroyed my school and some of my house. I heard much of the
sounds of bombing. Because of that, we crossed into Turkey. We found a house
and we rented it. There, a Syrian man established a school for all Syrian
children. It was very nice choice. I met a lot of girls from other cities of
Syria. I learned many things. My little sister suffers from autism, we requested to come
here because we could not find choices to go to the Turkish collages.
Fortunnately, your organization accepted our request and we did come. America
is nice country. People here respect us. The school is good. Your curreculm is
easy. I like it. I want to be a dotctor in the future.
The helpings you give us are good. My language is not
full yet, but I’m learning. I don’t have any idea about your universities. I
need that in order to forget everything I saw in Syria.
I am thankful, I thank you from my heart because
everything is nice. My teachers at school here are helpful. They are trying to
help me as they can. That makes me better. I’ve loved math. I like the American Pizza and
pickle. Very nice food. The most important thing is that I’m free and living in
peace with my family.
Best wishes,
Heba Hallak
Here’s the President’s response to Heba:
Dear Heba:
Your
letter reached my desk, and I wanted to thank you for writing to share your
story with me.
I
know it must have been difficult to leave your life behind in Syria and make
new friends here, but I am glad to hear you are enjoying school—and the
pizza—in the United States. Despite all you have been through, I want you to
know that America will always be a place where brave young women like you and
your sister can come to learn, thrive, and find a sense of belonging.
The
optimism and determination of families like yours are what help set our country
apart. I trust you’ll keep working hard in school and reaching for your
dreams—as long as you do, I’m confident there are no limits to what you can
achieve.
Sincerely,
Barack
Obama
Helping refugees isn’t just up to governments — every American can play a role. Together, we can welcome refugees and help them rebuild their lives with dignity. At the United Nations in New York City, President Obama hosted a Refugee Summit that brought together world leaders who are stepping up to do more support refugees and help them rebuild their lives. Find out how you can help, too.
It’s the height of mosquito season. What is normally a nuisance in the summer has turned into a serious public health emergency, especially for Americans who are expecting or planning to start a family.
The Zika virus — and the mosquitos that carry it — have made their way to the United States. The President is working with local officials, the Centers for Disease Control, and other federal agencies to do what we can to prevent the spread of the virus and help Americans in the affected areas protect themselves and their families.
You can learn more about the virus and how to protect yourself here.
The threat this virus poses to developing babies is particularly concerning for women who are pregnant or thinking about starting or growing their families. One woman, Ashley Young, wrote directly to the President about her concern:
“In the south, it is hard to walk outside and not get bitten by a mosquito in the warmer months. … Mr. President, if I am going to be completely honest with you, if I wasn’t already pregnant, I would think twice about becoming pregnant at all until something is done about this virus.”
The President, whose administration has been working around the clock on the Zika virus, shares her concern, and wrote back to her.
Read Ashley’s letter and the President’s response:
Mr. President,
I am a very concerned pregnant woman living in the south. The recent news about the Zika virus has been in numerous news stories recently. I am currently pregnant with my third child. I have two, healthy boys that bring so much joy into my life daily. We went through quite a long, difficult journey to conceive both of our boys, but with our third child everything has been much easier. However, thought of contracting a virus from a mosquito that could cause major neurological birth defects for my unborn child is very hard to wrap my head around. I feel that something must be done now to help stop these mosquitoes from spreading this dangerous virus in our country. If we don’t find a way to stop it now, then I am afraid we will end up with thousands of babies that have neurological birth defects that will affect them for the rest of their lives. I understand that you have called for a vaccine to be created to solve the future spread of this disease, but a vaccine will not do anything to protect my unborn child or the unborn children of other pregnant women. In the south, it is hard to walk outside and not get bitten by a mosquito in the warmer months. Being that my child is not due until the middle of the summer, I am extremely concerned that by then the virus may have spread and possibly could infect me before I am able to deliver a healthy baby free from neurological or other birth defects as a result of the Zika virus. Mr. President, if I am going to be completely honest with you, if I wasn’t already pregnant, I would think twice about becoming pregnant at all until something is done about this virus. I believe that as a result of your strong push for affordable healthcare for everyone, that you will see the need to make sure something is done about this virus before it is able to spread and possible infect thousands of babies causing permanent, life-long birth defects. I want to thank you for promptly addressing this concern, as I am sure it is a concern for not only myself and my unborn child but also of thousands of other women and families in our country.
Sincerely,
Ashley Young
Read the President’s letter back to Ashley:
Dear Ashley:
Thank you for writing me. Your email reached my desk, and as President and as a father, I want you to know I take your concerns very seriously. My foremost priority is the health and safety of Americans and my Administration is working around the clock to protect you and families across our country.
Most people who become infected with Zika will not even know it because the symptoms are usually nonexistent or mild. However, as you noted, scientists have established a link between Zika infections during pregnancy and poor birth outcomes. Our primary goal is to minimize these outcomes, and early in the year I instructed by staff to do all we can to respond to the Zika threat.
While we are still learning about Zika, we do know there are ways to minimize your risk if it does appear in your community, including protecting yourself from mosquito bites by wearing long sleeves and pants, staying in places with air conditioning and window and door screens, and wearing EPA-registered insect repellants. You can find more information and steps you can take to protect yourself and your family from Zika at www.CDC.gov/Zika. CDC regularly updates this information as we learn more, so I encourage you to check back often.
In the meantime, I have directed my team to accelerate research on new vaccines and methods of detecting the disease. Additionally, I’ve formed a coalition of experts and Federal, State, and local leaders to combat the spread of Zika so that we can identify any outbreaks in the continental United States early and contain them. To make sure our public health officials have the resources needed to prepare and respond to Zika, I’ve asked Congress to approve $1.9 billion in emergency funding to support and advance these efforts as quickly as possible.
.Again, thank you for writing. Your message will remain on my mind.
Sincerely,
Barack Obama
Fortunately, Ashley’s baby, Savannah, was born healthy. But the federal government can and should do more to help protect Americans like Ashley. However, Congress went on a 7-week vacation without passing the emergency funding President Obama requested more than 6 months ago — well-ahead of mosquito season.
Failure to pass that emergency funding means less-effective mosquito control efforts, longer wait times for diagnostic results, delayed process in finding a vaccine, and more Americans at risk.
President Obama and his Administration will continue to do everything possible to address the Zika virus.
To learn more about what you can do to help protect you and your family, check out hhs.gov/zika.
Letters to President Obama
The President and his Administration get a lot of mail. Check out what's in our inbox.
Notes may be archived. Visit wh.gov/privacy to learn more.
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