Week Thirty-Nine

National Scene 10/28/09 – 11/02/09

By Linnie Frank Bailey

As the pundits reflect on his first year in office, President Obama continues to push for health care reform while stimulating the economy with his Recovery Act funds, and determining the best course of action for the war in Afghanistan.

As his decision on Afghanistan war strategy nears, President Obama made a surprise late-night trip to Dover Air Force Base to attend the return of 18 fallen soldiers and DEA personnel who were killed in Afghanistan.

Wednesday, October 28, 2009

First and Second Ladies Attend World Series

First Lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden, wife of the Vice-President, traveled to Yankee Stadium to honor American veterans at Game 1 of the 2009 World Series. Before settling into their seats, they took the field with baseball legend Yogi Berra to watch Lieutenant Anthony Odierno (U.S. Army) throw out the first pitch.

The Hate Crimes Prevention Act

President Obama commemorated the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act, which passed in the Senate last week. The bill is named for Matthew Shepard, a gay teenager from Wyoming beaten to death in 1998, and James Byrd, Jr., an African-American man from Texas who was dragged to death from a pick-up truck, also in 1998. About 400 people gathered in the White House East Room for the reception including family members of Matthew Shepard and James Byrd.

Thursday, October 29, 2009

Economic Growth, Finally

Speaking to a group of business owners, the President lauded new economic indicators which show the economy is improving. Obama spoke to members of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, National Federation of Independent Business, and small business owners and organizations from across the country, stating:

“I am gratified that our economy grew in the third quarter of this year. We’ve come a long way since the first three months of 2009, when our economy shrunk by an alarming 6.4 percent. In fact, the 3.5 percent growth in the third quarter is the largest three-month gain we have seen in two years. This is obviously welcome news and an affirmation that this recession is abating and the steps we've taken have made a difference.

But I also know that we got a long way to go to fully restore our economy and recover from what's been the longest and deepest downturn since the Great Depression. And while this report today represents real progress, the benchmark I use to measure the strength of our economy is not just whether our GDP is growing, but whether we're creating jobs, whether families are having an easier time paying their bills, and whether our businesses are hiring and doing well.”

Michelle Obama’s Garden

First Lady Michelle Obama welcomed fifth graders from two DC public schools, Bancroft Elementary and Kimball Elementary, to the garden they have been tending for months -- the White House Kitchen Garden. The Fall harvest included large sweet potatoes, carrots, fennel, turnips, and lettuce.

Friday, October 30, 2009

HIV/AIDS Treatment Extension Act

President Obama signed the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Treatment Extension Act of 2009. The bill was named after the young teenager who, before he died, became an AIDS activist. White acquired the disease from a blood transfusion. His mother, Jeanne White-Ginder, was present at the bill signing.

Saturday, October 31, 2009

Halloween at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue

The First Family opened the decorated White House to trick-or-treaters and several staff members donned costumes to greet guests. The First Lady (also in costume) passed out candy with the President to the lucky DC area children who attended. Children were given a Halloween cookie baked by the White House chef and Presidential M&Ms. Guests included local school children, military families and White House staff families..