Week Sixteen

National Scene    5/13 – 5/19/09

By Linnie Frank Bailey

Barack and Michelle Obama, as President and First Lady, continue to open the doors of the White House to new cultural experiences.  Fulfilling a campaign pledge to make the White House the “People’s House,” the Obamas hosted the first ever Poetry Jam to celebrate the ‘spoken word.’  The Obamas also participated in news-making graduations this week, with the President giving the commencement address at Notre Dame University, while protestors criticized his pro-choice stance; and Michelle Obama addressing the first graduating class of UC Merced after being wooed there by student letters and cards.

In policy meetings this week, the President made strong statements regarding Israeli-Palestinian negotiations, auto emission controls, and his desire to see healthcare legislation passed this year.

Tuesday, May 12, 2009

Poetry Jam at the White House

In the East Room of the White House, the President and the First Lady hosted an evening celebrating poetry, music and the spoken word. With a coffeehouse, jazz-club-like, atmosphere – the East Room was transformed for the event with small, candle-laden tables and dim lights.  Speakers and musicians included, Joshua Bennett, Eric Lewis, Jamaica Heolimeleikalani Osorio, Mayda Del Valle, Esperanza Spalding, and James Earl Jones—who gave a mesmerizing speaking performance from “Othello.”

The President and First Lady were joined by the First-Mom-In-Law—Marian Robinson.  Other guests included Spike Lee and his wife, actor Hill Harper, Congressman Jesse Jackson Jr., Senior Advisor Valerie Jarrett, the President’s aide and friend Reggie Love, and students from local colleges, including American University, Gallaudet, Georgetown, and Howard.

“We're here to celebrate the power of words,” President Obama said, adding, “Words help us appreciate beauty and also understand pain. They inspire us to action.” He introduced the first lady as his own poet.  She continued by saying, “I have wanted to do this from day one. It is one thing for people to tell stories in their own space, but it’s something entirely different to tell them in this space.”

Wednesday, May 13, 2009

Healthcare Reform This Year

The President met with members of Congress, including House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, House Education and Labor Committee Chair Rep. George Miller, House Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Rep. Henry Waxman, and House Ways and Means Committee Chair Rep. Charlie Rangel—to discuss his desire to pass healthcare legislation in the House by July 31, before their August recess.

Calling the meeting encouraging, the President stressed that “urgency and determination” are needed to achieve “what I believe will be historic legislation!” He reiterated his desire to see healthcare reform passed by both the House and the Senate this year, saying, “Whatever plans emerge, both from the House and the Senate, I do believe that they've got to uphold three basic principles:  first, that the rising cost of health care has to be brought down; second, that Americans have to be able to choose their own doctor and their own plan; and third, all Americans have to have quality, affordable health care.”

Friday, May 15, 2009

President and Vice-President Release Personal Financial Disclosures

As required by The Ethics in Government Act of 1978, both President Obama and Vice President Biden released their 2008 financial disclosure reports.  Neither have any conflicts of interest, and their reports have been certified by the independent Office of Government Ethics.  Copies of the reports, which detail assets and income, can be found on the web at the following sites:

http://www.whitehouse.gov/assets/documents/president_278_form_final.pdf

http://www.whitehouse.gov/assets/documents/vicepresident_278_form_final.pdf

Protecting the Country Comes First

Stating, "This is the best way to protect our country, while upholding our deeply held values,” President Obama restarted a Bush-era military trial system for a small number of Guantanamo detainees. The military trials, established by President George W. Bush, had been criticized by Obama as ineffective and unnecessary, however in a briefing to reporters indicating a change in plans, White House press secretary Robert Gibbs said, “First and foremost, the president does what is in the best security interest of the United States.”

Sunday, May 17, 2009

Obama Gives Commencement Address at Notre Dame

Acknowledging the controversy surrounding his appearance at a Catholic university because of his pro-choice stance, President Obama gave the commencement address at Notre Dame University.   He calmed the crowd, which included a few protesters that had managed to get inside the auditorium, and spoke on the importance of mutual respect for all opinions and finding common ground.

The President reminded the audience, “The question, then…. is how do we work through these conflicts?  Is it possible for us to join hands in common effort?  As citizens of a vibrant and varied democracy, how do we engage in vigorous debate?  How does each of us remain firm in our principles, and fight for what we consider right, without demonizing those with just as strongly held convictions on the other side?”

Michelle Obama Gives Commencement Address at UC Merced

Addressing the first graduating class at the University of California-Merced, the First Lady told the roughly 500 graduates she believed in them and their power to change their community.  UC Merced, the newest campus in the UC System, achieved quite a coup by getting the First Lady to appear at their small, diverse college of students from mostly working class families. 

In February, the students launched a “Dear Michelle” Campaign, which included over 1,000 letters and hand-written Valentine’s cards telling Mrs. Obama what she meant to them, and begging her to speak at their commencement. Mrs. Obama stated she was moved by their effort.

Monday, May 18, 2009

President Meets with Israeli Prime Minister

The President met for over two hours with Prime Minister Netanyahu of Israel, discussing the need to get back to the negotiating table and restart Palestinian-Israeli peace talks. Netanyahu stated he is ready to resume talks with the Palestinians, but that any agreement is contingent on their acceptance of Israel's right to exist as a Jewish state. Recapping their meeting, the President stated: “We have seen progress stalled on this front, and I suggested to the prime minister that he has a historic opportunity to get a serious movement on this issue during his tenure….that means that all the parties involved have to take seriously obligations that they have previously agreed to."

The leaders also discussed Iran’s nuclear program and the Administration’s diplomatic outreach to the country, with the president declaring the United States wanted to bring Iran into the world community, however: “We're not going to have talks forever.”

Tuesday, May 19, 2009

Joined by California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, as well as auto industry executives, President Obama announced new auto emissions and mileage rules designed to combat pollution from greenhouse gasses. The National emissions standard is patterned after policies in California sought by the Governor.  “For the first time in history, we have set in motion a national policy aimed at both increasing gas mileage and decreasing greenhouse gas pollution for all new trucks and cars sold in the United States of America,” President Obama said in remarks from the Rose Garden. 

Week Fifteen

National Scene    5/6 – 5/12/09

By Linnie Frank Bailey

It was a week of significant meetings for President Barack Obama, beginning with a trilateral conference with the leaders of Afghanistan and Pakistan to discuss stabilizing the region, and ending with a first-of-its-kind coming together of all of the major players involved in healthcare, to discuss reform.  Not to go unnoticed, was an Oval Office chit-chat between Obama, Al Sharpton, and Newt Gingrich to discuss education reform. 

This President is surely building bridges!

Wednesday, May 6, 2009

Bringing Pakistan and Afghanistan to the Table

The President was joined by Vice-President Joe Biden in a meeting with President Karzai of Afghanistan and President Zardari of Pakistan.  Initially, President Obama met separately with each leader, followed by a trilateral conference.  Pakistan and Afghanistan are considered critical to America’s ‘war on terror’ and the President signaled the importance by saying, “We meet today as three sovereign nations joined by a common goal: to disrupt, dismantle, and defeat al Qaeda and its extremist allies in Pakistan and Afghanistan…to achieve that goal, we must deny them the space to threaten the Pakistani, Afghan, or American people.”

Obama, who has committed additional U.S. troops to Afghanistan, announced future steps there to: grow the economy, develop alternatives to the country’s drug trade, and support free and open national elections. Addressing internal strife within Pakistan, Obama offered “lasting support to democratic institutions, while helping the government confront the insurgents who are the single greatest threat to the Pakistani state.”

First Lady Attends TIME 100 Gala

First Lady Michelle Obama attended and gave remarks at the TIME 100 Annual Dinner at the Rose Jazz Center in New York City. Honorees were presented with the Time 100 Most Influential People Awards.  The First Lady spoke of the need to nurture a new generation of innovators and entrepreneurs who will lend their talents towards addressing social problems in communities across America.

Obama Creates ‘Social Innovation Fund’

Fulfilling a campaign pledge to support non-profit programs ‘that work’, the President announced that he would ask Congress in the FY2010 budget to provide $50 million in seed capital for his Social Innovation Fund. The Fund will identify the most promising, results-oriented non-profit programs and expand their reach throughout the country.   Obama has stated repeatedly that “government alone cannot solve our nation’s problems” and that the country must be “innovative” in finding new solutions to old problems.

Thursday, May 7, 2009

Cutting Government Waste: Line-by-Line

The Administration continues to review existing Federal spending programs and has suggested more than one-hundred terminations or reductions that take nearly $17 billion off the federal government’s bottom line. While acknowledging that each program has supporters, the Administration has identified some that should not be funded because they either do not accomplish the goals set for them, do not do so efficiently, or do a job already done by another initiative. Some of the programs suggested for elimination include:

• Educational attaché, Paris, France -- $632,000  (The Department of Education can use e-mail, video conferencing, and modest travel to replace a full-time representative to UNESCO in Paris, France.)
• Even Start Program -- $66 million  (The most recent evaluation found no difference between families in the program and those not in it. Strengthening early childhood education is accomplished through significant investments in proven, more effective programs such as Head Start, Early Head Start, and the Early Learning Challenge Fund.)
• Christopher Columbus Fellowship Foundation -- $1 million  (Due to high overhead, the Foundation would spend only 20 percent of its appropriation on the fellowships it awards.)
• Advanced Earned Income Tax Credit -- $125 million – (This program benefits very few taxpayers, and has an extremely high error rate:  GAO found that 80 percent of recipients did not meet at least one of its requirements.)
• Javits Gifted and Talented Education Program -- $7 million  (Grants from this program go to only 15 school districts nationwide, and there are no empirical measures to judge their effectiveness)
• Public Broadcasting Grants -- $5 million  (USDA made these grants to support rural public broadcasting stations in their conversions to digital broadcasting.  That transition is now almost complete.)
• Rail Line Relocation Grants -- $25 million  (This program, duplicative of a merit-based program, is loaded with earmarks.)

The Administration stresses these steps are part of a larger effort to change how Washington does business and put the nation’s fiscal house in order.

Sharpton, Gingrich, and Obama – Huh?

“You're probably the only President who can make this happen,” the Reverend Al Sharpton told President Obama as he and former House Speaker Newt Gingrich met with the President in the Oval Office. The far-left civil rights activist, and the far-right former House speaker, shared a sofa as they discussed improving education.  Expressing the need for a spotlight on the nation’s educational issues, Obama joked, “these are the two guys who know more than anybody how to get attention.”

The former adversaries were joined by  New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Education Secretary Arne Duncan to discuss ways to bridge the education gap between Black and White students. “We have a crisis of inequality in this nation,” said Sharpton, noting that the problem persists despite the 55th anniversary of the landmark Brown v. Board of Education decision.  “There must be a commitment in this country to equal education," he continued. "There can be no sacred cows.”

Gingrich, an advocate of Bush’s No Child Left Behind policy, (which Obama has criticized), chose instead to focus on common ground, stating “The President has stood up for charter schools and he has made it clear that he believes in teacher accountability.”

Some areas where they did come together include: Paying teachers more for improved student performance, getting rid of poorly performing teachers, and ending “social promotion,” the practice of moving underperforming students to the next grade to keep them with their peers.

The National Day of Prayer

The first Thursday in May, was deemed the National Day of Prayer in 1952, however it was not celebrated publicly in the White House until former President George W. Bush  held religious events—with prayers led by religious leaders from various faiths. Unlike his predecessor, President Obama did not hold a White House special event, opting instead to mark the day with a proclamation. His spokesperson, Robert Gibbs commented that the President decided against a public display saying, “Prayer is something that the President does every day.” 

Friday, May 8, 2009

Town Hall in Spanish

President Barack Obama held the first-ever Spanish language town hall meeting to address the Hispanic community's concerns on the impact of the H1N1 virus. The town hall featured Administration officials including Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis, and an audience of health care workers, community activists, and concerned citizens. The event was moderated by Univision Anchor Edna Schmidt.  The President joking about his own limitations with speaking Spanish said, “I'm very proud of this first White House town hall meeting conducted entirely in Spanish….except for my part…..I'm kind of messing up the whole thing!”

Re-Training Workers – Visit the Website Opportunity.Gov

Addressing the need for unemployed workers to find training for new jobs, the President described a woman who lost her job as a physician's receptionist, but kept afloat with unemployment benefits and used Pell Grants to become a registered nurse through a community college. Saying, “far too many Americans are denied that opportunity,” Obama gave the following example: “Say an unemployed factory worker wants to upgrade his skills to become a mechanic or a technician.  In many states, that worker might lose temporary financial support if he enrolls in a training program.  And to make matters worse, unemployment might mean he can't afford higher education, and he likely won't qualify for federal help simply because he may have made a decent salary a year ago, before he was laid off.”  He continued, “Well, that doesn't make much sense for our economy or our country.  So we're going to change it.  First, we'll open new doors to higher education and job training programs to recently laid-off workers who are receiving unemployment benefits.  And if those displaced workers need help paying for their education, they should get it -- and that's why the next step is to make it easier for them to receive Pell Grants.”

The President also discussed the role community colleges can play in retraining unemployed workers, encouraging people to “take advantage of one of America's underappreciated assets -- our community colleges.  These schools offer practical education and technical training, and they're increasingly important centers of learning where Americans can prepare for the jobs of the future.”

The President highlighted a new website for the unemployed, created by the Department of Education and the Department of Labor called opportunity.gov.

Reopening of Statue of Liberty’s Crown.

Following the firing of an aide who authorized an ill-advised flyover to take pictures of Air Force One with the Statue of Liberty as a backdrop, Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar announced the reopening of the exhibit’s crown on July 4^th.  (The crown has been closed since the 9-11 attacks). Access to the crown will be limited to 10 people at a time.

Sunday, May 10, 2009

Sykes Socks-It-To-Them

This Sunday morning found Washington abuzz discussing comments made by comedian Wanda Sykes at the White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner the night before.  Some feigned shock and displeasure, while others thought Sykes’ pointed jabs, particularly those aimed at Rush Limbaugh and former Vice-President Dick Cheney, were right on target. During the routine, Sykes herself summed up the reaction to some of her jokes by saying: “You’re not laughing now, but you’ll be retelling this tomorrow!”

Showing that he too can crack a joke, the President got high marks for his humor and put to rest once and for all criticisms of his wife’s wardrobe, saying the First Lady “has a right to bare arms.”

Monday, May 11, 2009

Historic, Unprecedented Meeting to Address Healthcare

President Obama made a major step toward health care reform by bringing together all of the major players and getting them to agree to changes that can bring about savings of more than $2 trillion on health care costs. Representatives from hospitals, the insurance industry, medical device and pharmaceutical companies, labor and physicians came to the White House to discuss major steps to lower health care costs across the board.

The President, calling the first-of-its-kind meeting “remarkable,” explained the significance of having so many diverse stakeholders at the table:  “The groups who are here today represent different constituencies with different sets of interests. They've not always seen eye to eye with each other or with our government on what needs to be done to reform health care in this country. In fact, some of these groups were among the strongest critics of past plans for comprehensive reform…But what's brought us all together today is a recognition that we can't continue down the same dangerous road we've been traveling for so many years; that costs are out of control; and that reform is not a luxury that can be postponed, but a necessity that cannot wait.”

The President invoked the memory of his own mother’s challenges with the health care system—a point he made often during the campaign—by recalling:  “As I've mentioned before….my mother passed away from ovarian cancer a little over a decade ago. And in the last weeks of her life, when she was coming to grips with her own mortality and showing extraordinary courage just to get through each day, she was spending too much time worrying about whether her health insurance would cover her bills. So I know what it's like to see a loved one who is suffering, but also having to deal with a broken health care system. I know that pain is shared by millions of Americans all across this country.”

Week Fourteen

National Scene    4/29 – 5/4/09

By Linnie Frank Bailey

The Administration began the week with the confirmation of the President’s cabinet pick for the Department of Health and Human Services—former Kansas Governor, Kathleen Sebelius.  Sebelius was the last of Obama’s picks to be confirmed (by a vote of 65-31) and the new Secretary had to hit the ground running as the nation dealt with the swine flu pandemic.  The vote came after Democrats urged quick action so that Sebelius could get to work leading the federal response to the world-wide flu outbreak.  The week ended with reassurances that the flu was not as severe as first suggested. However, the Administration vowed to keep close tabs on the outbreak as it spread across the country.

Wednesday, April 29, 2009

100^th Day celebrated in Missouri

President Obama marked the actual one hundredth day of his administration at a town hall meeting in Arnold, Missouri.  During a moment of retrospection, he recalled,  “Now, back in November, some folks were surprised that we showed up in Springfield at the end of our campaign.  But then again, some folks were surprised that we even started our campaign in the first place. They didn't give us much of a chance.  They didn't think we could do things differently.  They didn't know if this country was ready to move in a new direction.  But here's the thing -- my campaign wasn't born in Washington.  My campaign was rooted in neighborhoods just like this one, in towns and cities all across America; rooted in folks who work hard and look after their families and seek a brighter future for their children and for their communities and for their country.”

Obama’s Deal for Teachers

During his town hall in Missouri, Obama repeated a pledge he made during his campaign to improve the educational system.  Speaking of the challenges, Obama stated:  “The deal I've got to strike with teachers, though -- I may not get as much applause on this -- is I would like to work with teachers and the teachers unions, because I'm a union guy, but I do believe that it's important for the unions to work flexibly with school districts ….so that if you've got a really excellent teacher, after 15, 20 years, they can get paid a little bit more if they're doing a really good job.  And now the flip side -- I'm telling you, I'm getting to the point where I'm not going to get applause.  If you've got a bad teacher who can't -- after given all the support and the training that they need -- is just not performing up to snuff, we've got to find that person a new job.”

Monday, May 4, 2009

Ending Offshore Tax Havens

Addressing another campaign pledge, President Obama submitted a proposal to curb tax havens and end benefits for companies who create jobs overseas.  Instead, the Administration wants to provide incentives for businesses to create jobs in America. Describing his proposal as “restoring fairness and balance to our tax code,” Obama continued, “On the campaign, I used to talk about the outrage of a building in the Cayman Islands that had over 12,000 businesses claim this building as their headquarters. And I've said before, either this is the largest building in the world or the largest tax scam in the world,” Obama said. “And I think the American people know which it is.”

The Administration expects strong opposition from businesses that want to hold on to their tax loopholes. Their Congressional supporters may also provide opposition.  However, in announcing proposals aimed at overhauling the U.S. tax code, Obama complained that existing law makes it possible to “pay lower taxes if you create a job in Bangalore, India, than if you create one in Buffalo, N.Y.”

Tuesday, May 5, 2009

Celebrating Cinco de Mayo

The Obamas each celebrated Cinco Del Mayo—the President with Mexican Ambassador Arturo Sarukhan at the White House—and the First Lady at D.C.’s Latin American Montessori Bilingual Public Charter School, a small institution serving 145 pre-school through fourth grade students. “Feliz Cuatro de Mayo!” said Michelle Obama as she greeted her audience and enjoyed student performances of folk dances from El Salvador, Colombia and Mexico. The students were dressed in colorful, native costumes. “Que fantastico!” Mrs. Obama exclaimed after the performances.

Week Thirteen

National Scene    4/21 – 4/28/09

By Linnie Frank Bailey

As the Administration completes the first one hundred days, the President continues his campaign promise of bringing change, common sense, and competence to Washington.  Addressing middle-class concerns such as improving credit card practices, and access to student loans, Obama kept up his pace which included meeting with a world leader, as well as students at a Southeast D.C. High School.  The President added another item to his packed agenda with concerns rising over the Swine Flu outbreak.  He assured the public that he is personally monitoring the possible spread of the disease, and that his Administration will make every effort to keep Americans healthy.

Tuesday, April 21, 2009

The Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act – “Connecting Deeds to Needs”

Students from the SEED school in Washington, DC were excited to see entertainer Usher at their school, however their most enthusiastic applause was for their President, Barack Obama.  The school of mostly African-American students, located in the Southeast section of the city, is a campus and dormitory for college-bound teenagers which includes public service as a key part of its curriculum.  The President—joined by former President Bill Clinton, Congressional leaders, and community activists—addressed the students after a rousing introduction from Senator Edward Kennedy.

Obama announced a major call to community service prior to signing the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act, stating:  “We need your service, right now, at this moment in history….I’m asking you to stand up and play your part.  I’m asking you to help change history’s course.  Put your shoulder up against the wheel.  And if you do, I promise you – your life will be richer, our country will be stronger, and someday, years from now, you may remember it as the moment when your own story and the American story converged, when they came together, and we met the challenges of our new century.” 

Encouraging Americans who wish to serve their community to sign up on the website Serve.gov, the President said now is the time to “connect deeds to needs.”

Obama meets King Abdullah of Jordan

The President held a one-on-one meeting with King Abdullah of Jordan in the Personal Dining Room at the White House, followed by an expanded meeting in the Oval Office. King Abdullah, the first Arab leader to meet Obama in the White House, offered “warm thanks on behalf of many Arabs and Muslims who really had an outstanding response to the President's outreach to the Muslim Arab world.”

First Lady Michelle Obama hosted Abdullah’s wife—Queen Rania in the Yellow Oval Room in the White House Residence.

Wednesday, April 22, 2009

Obama Returns to Iowa on Earth Day

The Obama Administration celebrated Earth Day with the President in Iowa laying out his vision for creating a new clean energy economy, including independence from foreign oil, reduced pollution of our air and water, and finally addressing climate change. Meanwhile, African-American “Green” activist, Van Jones, who serves the Administration as Special Advisor for Green Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation on the Council on Environmental Quality, released a video describing an emerging green economy.

Thursday, April 23, 2009

The President Remembers the Holocaust

President Obama spoke at a Holocaust Remembrance Ceremony, asking, “How do we ensure that ‘never again’ isn't an empty slogan, or merely an aspiration, but also a call to action?” He went on to say, “ I believe we start by doing what we are doing today -- by bearing witness, by fighting the silence that is evil's greatest co-conspirator.”

The President Versus The Credit Card Industry

The President joined the fray over reported abuses by credit card lenders by bringing in

representatives from the credit card industry to discuss the need for greater consumer protections and fairer practices.

The Administration released the following statistics which illustrate the problem:

• Almost half of American families currently carry a balance, and for those families the average balance was $7,300 (in 2007 the median was around $3,000).
• Penalty fees on credit cards are around $15 billion annually, an estimated 10 percent of total credit card industry revenue.
• Approximately one-fifth of those carrying credit card debt pay an interest rate above 20 percent.

After acknowledging that neither credit cards nor credit card companies are inherently bad, President Obama made clear “some new lines in the sand needed to be drawn.” These include:

• Protections that ban unfair rate increases and forbid abusive fees and penalties.  “The days of any time, any reason rate hikes and late fee traps have to end.”
• All the forms and statements that credit card companies send out have to be written in plain language and be in plain sight.  “No more fine print, no more confusing terms and conditions.  We want clarity and transparency from here on out.”
• Allow consumers to comparison shop for cards without being afraid that they're going to be taken advantage of.  “It's important to require firms to make all their contract terms easily accessible online in a fashion that allows people to shop for the best deal for their needs.”

The President ended the session by calling for more accountability in the system with “effective oversight and more effective enforcement so that people who are issuing credit cards but violate law, they will feel the full weight of the law.”

Take Your Child to Work Day at the White House

First Lady Michelle Obama celebrated Take Your Child to Work Day with about 150 children of executive office employees. After welcoming the group, the First Lady answered questions on life in the White House and then grouped the children with volunteers for a tour—including stops at the South Lawn garden and throughout the West Wing. Other activities for participants included a mock swearing-in ceremony and a chat with Secret Service agents.

Friday, April 24, 2009

Increasing Access to College

President Obama spoke at the White House Diplomatic Room with Stephanie Stevenson, an African-American junior at the University of Maryland. After an introduction by Stevenson, who is also a first-generation college student and struggling with the cost of school, Obama took the podium to discuss his efforts to make college more affordable.

Obama started off by repeating his view that the future of America’s economy depends on the quality of our education. “America cannot lead in the 21st century unless we have the best educated, most competitive workforce in the world,” he said as he discussed ways to fund programs that increase college enrollment  Obama is calling for eliminating fees in the federal student loan program by cutting out banks and private lenders as middlemen. Obama said he knows he will face a battle from the banking interests “who have reaped a windfall from these subsidies” however, he will “fight for Stephanie, and other American students and their families.”

Tuesday, April 28, 2009

Sojourner Truth Statue Unveiled

The National Congress of Black Women fought for over a decade to get a statue of Sojourner Truth, abolitionist and woman's rights activist, in the U.S. Capitol Building. The project (originally started by their late president, Dr. C. Delores Tucker) became reality at an unveiling ceremony at the Capitol Visitors Center's Emancipation Hall. Guests for the event included the First Lady and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton who years ago co-sponsored legislation with Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee to bring the statue to the Capitol. 

Remarking on the 10 years it took to place the statue in the hall, Representative Lee remembered C. Delores Tucker’s determination, stating, “She must have had this exact time in mind. Who could have imagined that the presidency would be held by Barack Obama, and that the First Lady would be here today?”

Added Secretary Clinton, “What a wonderful day, when Sojourner Truth takes her rightful place alongside the heroes who have helped shape America.”  She briefly recounted the story of Sojourner Truth, born a slave and without the ability to read or write, but who rose to become a well-respected leader for the causes of abolition and woman's suffrage, counting Presidents Lincoln and Grant among her associates.

“Dr. Tucker's driving force for this was that she didn't want children to come to the Capitol and not be told the truth, that African-American women were not involved in the suffrage moment,” said Representative Lee.

During the ceremony, actress Cicely Tyson gave a powerful reading of Sojourner Truth’s most famous speech, “Ain’t I A Woman?”   The hall was filled to capacity with visitors who witnessed this historic event.

Week Twelve

Presidential Archive    4/15 – 4/21/09

By Linnie Frank Bailey

“Teabaggers”, most of whom will benefit from the President’s tax cuts, held protest rallies across the country on tax day, as the President’s economic stimulus money continued to boost state and local coffers. Also this week, President Obama, representing the United States at the Summit of the Americas, reminded leaders: “I didn't come here to debate the past -- I came here to deal with the future.”  While signaling a break from the approach of the past, Obama made clear his support of Democratic ideals and common purpose.

Wednesday, April 15, 2009

Tax Cuts and Tea Parties

As many Americans rushed to meet the April 15^th deadline for filing their 2008 taxes, critics of the President held rallies across the country protesting his fiscal policies. These GOP-led events were called ‘tea parties’ in reference to the protests over taxation many years ago that led to the Revolutionary War and the founding of our country.  Meanwhile, President Obama used Tax Day in America to highlight his administration’s tax relief for working families, stating:  “I know that April 15th isn't exactly everyone's favorite date on the calendar. But it is an important opportunity for those of us in Washington to consider our responsibilities to the people who sent us here and who pay the bills.”

Addressing those who practice divisive politics, Obama continued:  “For too long, we've seen taxes used as a wedge to scare people into supporting policies that actually increased the burden on working people instead of helping them live their dreams.”  He reinforced his campaign pledge that “families that earn less than $250,000 a year will not see their taxes increase by a single dime. We've given tax relief to the Americans who need it and the workers who have earned it.”

Thursday, April 16, 2009

High-Speed Rail in America

Rail trips between Los Angeles and San Francisco, or from Anaheim to Las Vegas, may get a lot faster in the coming years if President Obama has his way.  Citing France as an example, and stating that his vision for high-speed rail is not “some fanciful, pie-in-the-sky vision of the future,” the President described the possibility of “whisking through towns at speeds over 100 miles an hour, walking only a few steps to public transportation, and ending up just blocks from your destination.  Imagine what a great project that would be to rebuild America.”

Obama in Mexico

The President arrived in Mexico, where he met with President Felipe Calderon. The two men discussed their upcoming trip to the Summit of Americas and US-Mexico economic and border concerns.

 

Obama in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago,

President Obama attended the Summit of the Americas where he met with leaders from the Americas (North, Central, and South) and the Caribbean, to discuss shared concerns—particularly the global economy and erasing poverty.  Signaling a change in approach from past administrations, the President told the leaders they faced a clear choice: “We can overcome our shared challenges with a sense of common purpose, or we can stay mired in the old debates of the past. For the sake of all our people, we must choose the future.”  In an op-ed column by the President that appeared in 15 newspapers across the Americas, Obama stated his intention to increase U.S. partnerships with Latin America and the Caribbean.

Friday, April 17, 2009

Torture Documents Released

The President directed the U.S. Justice Department to release C.I.A. memos describing interrogation techniques used in secret overseas prisons, including waterboarding, forced nudity, keeping detainees awake for more than 10 days straight, and putting them in boxes with insects. President Obama banned such interrogation techniques in a February executive order and in defending the release of the documents stated: “Withholding these memos would only serve to deny facts that have been in the public domain for some time.”  While assuring that the C.I.A. operatives involved will not be prosecuted, the President reminded Americans, “This is a time for reflection, not retribution. We have been through a dark and painful chapter in our history. But at a time of great challenges and disturbing disunity, nothing will be gained by spending our time and energy laying blame for the past.”

Simplifiying FAFSA

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form, which contains well over 100 questions on income, assets, family characteristics, personal characteristics, and other items—will get a major overhaul by the Obama Administration.  Calling the complicated form “another obstacle to federal student aid” and citing statistics that well over one million students who could qualify for aid went without it because of the form, the administration has begun efforts to simplify the financial aid application process.

Monday, April 20, 2009

First Cabinet Meeting

The President held his first cabinet meeting, and used the occasion to remind his cabinet members of the importance of cutting waste and streamlining their departments.  Obama praised the work done thus far, but reiterated: “There are a host of efficiencies that can be gained without increasing our personnel or our budget, but rather decreasing the amount of money that's spent on unnecessary things…. And in the next few weeks we expect to cut at least 100 current programs in the federal budget so that we can free up those dollars in order to put them to use for critical areas like health care, education, energy, our foreign policy apparatus, which is so important.” The President expects $100 million in cuts within ninety days.

Week Eleven

Presidential Archive    4/9 – 4/14/09

By Linnie Frank Bailey

Upon completion of a successful trip abroad, President Obama recognized the 2000^th project approved under his Recovery Act.  From road construction projects, to child disease prevention programs, the stimulus money makes it way across the country.  The President gave a major economic speech to the nation this week, and quoting Scripture, reminded Americans we must build our financial house “upon the rock.”

Thursday, April 9, 2009

The Obama’s Host Seder Dinner

The Obama family hosted a Seder dinner in the Old Family Dining Room of the White House in recognition of the Jewish holiday of Passover. Friends and White House staff and their families joined in the sit down dinner which included traditional foods such as matzo and bitter herbs, and featured a reading from Jewish religious text. It is believed to be the first time the White House has had a Seder hosted by a U.S. President.

A 21st-century VA

Days after visiting our troops in Iraq, the President announced needed changes for VA Health Centers.  Saying the time is now to give our veterans “the care they were promised and the benefits they have earned,” Obama announced the creation of a “unified lifetime electronic health record” for members of the armed services that will contain their administrative and medical information – “from the day they first enlist to the day that they are laid to rest.” The President signaled a newfound cooperation between the Department of Defense and the Department of Veteran Affairs to better address the needs of service members and veterans, stating as a goal:  “When a member of the Armed Forces separates from the military, he or she will no longer have to walk paperwork from a DOD duty station to a local VA health center; their electronic records will transition along with them and remain with them forever.”

Monday, April 13, 2009

Bo, The First Dog, Arrives

The Obama girls—Sasha and Malia—finally got that puppy their father promised them during his Presidential campaign.  Bo, a 6-month-old male Portuguese water dog was given to the family as a gift from Senator Ted Kennedy. It is reported that Bo is actually related to Kennedy's own two pooches. The name Bo is for Michelle Obama’s late dad who was reported to be a fan of musician Bo Diddley. The national obsession with the First Dog is sure to continue!

The White House Easter Egg Roll

There was double-dutch jump roping at the White House on Easter Monday, along with egg hunts and fun and games as the First Family hosted the annual White House Easter Egg Hunt.  Thousands of lucky children, whose families had signed up online, joined the Obama’s, along with performers  Fergie and Ziggy Marley.

Lifting Restrictions on Cubans

In a statement that was announced in English and Spanish, President Obama signaled an  increased flow of information and humanitarian items to the Cuban people, and a lifting of  restrictions on family travel and money transfers between Americans and their relatives in Cuba. He stressed however, the need for the Cuban government to embrace Democratic values.

Under Obama's plan, Americans would be able to make unlimited trips to visit relatives in Cuba and provide unrestricted financial aid to family members there. The administration will also begin issuing licenses for companies to provide cellular telephone and television to the island, and it will allow Cuban-Americans to pay for relatives on the island to get these services, officials said.

Tuesday, April 14, 2009

Obama Approves Use of Force Against Somali Pirates

In what is being called his first national security test, President Obama directed the use of necessary military force in the rescue of American Captain Richard Phillips who had been held hostage for five days.  Phillip’s ship, which contained humanitarian aide items, had been hijacked by Somali pirates.  With approval from their Commander-in-Chief, Navy Seal snipers shot the hijackers and the Captain was rescued.

Build Upon the Rock

In a major economic address, held at Georgetown University, President Obama—quoting from the Sermon on the Mount—told Americans we must build our financial foundation as the man who built his house “on the rock,” not on shifting sand. The President began by saying, “I want to step back for a moment and explain our strategy as clearly as I can. This is going to be prose, not hope.”  He continued by describing his actions to date while cautioning that the road ahead may still contain pitfalls.

President Obama concluded: “I want every American to know that each action we take and each policy we pursue is driven by a larger vision of America’s future – a future where sustained economic growth creates good jobs and rising incomes; a future where prosperity is fueled not by excessive debt, or reckless speculation, or fleeting profit, but is instead built by skilled, productive workers; by sound investments that will spread opportunity at home and allow this nation to lead the world in the technologies, innovations, and discoveries that will shape the 21st century.  That is the America I see.”

Week Ten

Presidential Archive    4/1 – 4/7/09

By Linnie Frank Bailey

“Yes We Can!” became a world-wide chant as President Obama took his message across the shores. The President and First Lady left America this week to meet with world leaders overseas.  The successful trip included a visit with Queen Elizabeth and a speech to a Muslim audience in Turkey.  Mrs. Obama made headlines of her own as pundits saluted her fashion choices and her inspirational visit with London school girls. The President  concluded his trip with a surprise visit to Iraq to thank the troops.

Wednesday, April 1, 2009

President Begins London Visit With Morning Meetings

Prior to the G-20 summit of world leaders to address the financial climate, President Obama met with world leaders including—British Prime Minister Gordon Brown, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, and Chinese President Hu Jintao. 

President Obama and Brown held a joint press conference in which the President stated:  “Ours is not an alliance of convenience; it is a partnership of purpose. It's a partnership that at times of challenge is resilient and at times of change is constant.”  The Prime Minister told President Obama, “Your first 70 days in office have changed America, and you've changed America's relationship with the world.”

While meeting with Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, the President suggested a shift in prior foreign policy by discussing the need for a new arms control treaty. At the request of the Russian President, Obama agreed to visit Moscow in the summer to further arms-control talks. Chinese President Hu Jintao also invited Obama to visit his country and agreed to start an economic dialogue with the U.S.

First Lady Michelle Obama joined the Prime Minister’s wife Sarah Brown for a tour of a cancer treatment center.

The Obama’s Meet the Queen

President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama were greeted by Britain's Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh at Buckingham Palace in London.  Thousands gathered in front of Buckingham Palace to catch a glimpse of the first couple. The President and First Lady presented Queen Elizabeth with an iPod of video footage from her 2007 visit to America, along with a rare songbook signed by composer Richard Rodgers. In return, the Queen and Prince Philip gave them a signed portrait of themselves. Afterward, the royal couple held a reception for all the world leaders and the Queen made headlines by extending her arm in a “hug” of Michelle Obama who reciprocated.  It was a rare expression of affection from the royal highness.

Thursday, April 2, 2009

Obama at the G-20

While protestors outside clashed with London police, world leaders, including President Obama, met to discuss solutions to the economic crisis gripping most nations.  The President, who said he was there “to listen and learn” took a leadership role at the summit and later held a press conference in which he stated the next steps, include: creating a united international front to create jobs and stimulate the global economy, helping emerging economies stay afloat, and encouraging trade. Obama also insisted there be an international effort to reform financial regulatory systems.

First Lady Makes Surprise Visit to London School

In an emotional visit to students in a poorer part of London, Mrs. Obama told 100 female students at Elizabeth Garrett Anderson School: “If you want to know the reason why I am standing here, it's because of education. I never cut class. I loved getting A's, I liked being smart. ... I thought being smart is cooler than anything in the world.” She encouraged the appreciative girls to follow their own dreams.

House and Senate Pass Budget

While President Obama represented American financial interests at the G-20 in London, members of the House and Senate passed his Fiscal Year 2010 Budget with few modifications.  In the House of Representatives, the Budget – which the President insists will bring economic stimulus and relief to American taxpayers—received not a single Republican vote.

McCain Wants Pardon of Jack Johnson

Former Republican Presidential candidate, John McCain announced his support of a presidential pardon for the nation’s first Black heavyweight boxing champion—Jack Johnson. Johnson, who was immortalized by actor James Earl Jones in the movie The Great White Hope, was wrongly convicted in 1913 for transporting a White woman (who became his wife) across state lines for immoral purposes.  McCain made a similar request to President Bush in 2005.

Friday, April 3, 2009

On to France and Germany

In France, the Obama’s were greeted by French President Nicolas Sarkozy and his wife Carla Bruni-Surkozy. Later, President Obama told nearly four thousand students gathered in a town hall in the Rhenus Sports Arena in Strasbourg, France: “This is our generation. This is our time. And I am confident that we can meet any challenge as long as we are together.”

In Germany, President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama were welcomed by German Chancellor Angela Merkel and her husband, professor Joachim Sauer. During a NATO summit the President spoke of his concerns on the situation in Afghanistan and solicited world support to rid terrorism.

Monday, April 6, 2009

20,000 in Prague to See Obama

Speaking to an enthusiastic crowd of over 20,000 that gathered outside a castle in Prague, the capital city of the Czech Republic, President Obama acknowledged, “Few people would have predicted that someone like me would one day become the President of the United States. Few people would have predicted that an American President would one day be permitted to speak to an audience like this in Prague.”

Later, Obama addressed a missile launch by North Korea saying, “Rules must be binding, violations must be punished. Words must mean something. The world must stand together to prevent the spread of these weapons. Now is the time for a strong international response.”  The U.N. Security Council met for a three-hour emergency session to discuss possible sanctions against North Korea, however a decision was not made. U.N. Ambassador, and the first African-American female in the role—Susan Rice, represented the United States at the meeting.

The President Visits Turkey

President Obama visited the country of Turkey, which he calls a “critical ally” in addressing the problems in that part of the world. Obama spoke to the majority-Muslim population in a speech to the Turkish Grand National Assembly and acknowledged the positive contributions of Muslims in America and worldwide. He even referenced that he himself once lived in a Muslim nation. The President concluded his visit with a tour of an ancient mosque and a town hall with students in Istanbul. Many Turks lined the streets in support of the new American President.

Tuesday, April 7, 2009

President Obama Surprises Troops in Iraq

President Obama’s overseas trip took a surprise turn today, when he made an unannounced visit to Iraq. Landing in the capital city of Baghdad, the President met with Iraqi leaders and American commanders and troops. At Camp Victory, the heavily fortified American base, the President told hundreds of cheering soldiers: “You have given Iraq the opportunity to stand on its own as a democratic country. That is an extraordinary