Week Forty-One

National Scene    11/18/09 – 11/24/09

As President Obama prepares to make his announcement on troop deployment in Afghanistan, the Senate tackles health care, and nervous retailers hope this holiday shopping season will be better than last year’s.

On a lighter note, the President and the First Lady will welcome Prime Minister Singh of India and Mrs. Kaur to the White House – hosting their first State Dinner. The guest list was kept secret however, it was revealed singer Jennifer Hudson would provide the entertainment.

Following tradition, the White House pardoned the official Thanksgiving Turkey!

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

First Lady Michelle Obama Honors Military Women

A ‘Women in the Military’ Tea was held in the East Room of the White House to celebrate the nation’s history of women in the armed services. Mrs. Obama, along with Dr. Jill Biden, welcomed over 130 military women including the first female four star general (General Ann Dunwoody), and the first African-American woman to serve as Chief Nurse at Walter Reed Hospital (General Hazel Johnson). 

The First Lady praised the women from all branches of the U.S. Military by saying, “I hope you all know that your service -- that your legacy, is more than just your own service. I hope that you know that your legacy will be measured in the service of every woman who follows in the trails that you’ve blazed -- every woman who benefits from your daring and determination. It will be measured in the inspiration that you provide to our daughters and our granddaughters -- and to our sons and our grandsons as well.”

Friday, November 20, 2009

President Obama Thanks American Troops in South Korea

As part of his recent trip to Asia, the President stopped at Osan Air Base in Osan, South Korea to address the troops, saying, “I couldn't come to the Republic of Korea without coming to see you to deliver a simple message -- a message of thanks to you and your families.”

The President shared a story from the leader of South Korea saying President Lee, “talked to me about what it was like when he was a young child here in Korea, this country having been torn by war, and the poverty that still existed in the country.” Obama related that it was the U.S. presence in South Korea that helped to positively change the country, saying Lee added, “I hope the American people understand how grateful we are for what you’ve done, because we would not be the extraordinarily strong, prosperous nation that we are, had it not been for the sacrifices of your armed services and the continued contributions that you’ve made.”

Another White House First – Honoring the Sikh Community

The White House hosted a reception commemorating the 540th anniversary of the birth of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, the first guru in Sikhism. It was the first time this holiday has been celebrated at the White House. Members of the Sikh community from around the country joined administration officials including Dr. John Holdren (Office of Science & Technology Policy), Tina Tchen (Office of Public Engagement), Michael Strautmanis (Chief of Staff to Valerie Jarrett), Adolfo Carrion (Urban Affairs), and Nancy Anne DeParle (Health Reform). 

Information on the event released by the White House says, “Representatives from the Sikh Council on Religion and Education, United Sikhs, and other grassroots leaders came together to recognize the important contributions of Sikhs to our national life. The first Sikhs arrived as laborers in the western United States around 1899 and gradually moved around the country. They went on to become owners of successful businesses, serve honorably in the U.S. military in both world wars and other conflicts, lawyers, doctors, bankers, and members of many other professions.”

Monday, November 23, 2009

President Launches ‘Educate to Innovate’

President Obama launched a new campaign ‘Educate to Innovate,’ designed to encourage America’s students to pursue science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). The President continues to highlight the importance of STEM studies for America’s future.  

Obama described the program as “a nationwide effort to help reach the goal this administration has set: moving to the top in science and math education in the next decade.” Lauding the public-private partnerships he stated:  

“We’ve got leaders from private companies and universities, foundations and non-profits, and organizations representing millions of scientists, engineers, and teachers from across America. The initial commitment of the private sector to this campaign is more than $260 million –- and we only expect the campaign to grow.

Business leaders from Intel, Xerox, Kodak, and Time Warner Cable are teaming up with Sally Ride, and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, as well as the Carnegie Corporation, to find and replicate successful science, math, and technology programs all across America. Sesame Street has begun a two-year initiative to teach young kids about math and science. And Discovery Communications is going to deliver interactive science content to 60,000 schools reaching 35 million students.

These efforts extend beyond the classroom. Time Warner Cable is joining with the Coalition for Science After School and FIRST Robotics -- the program created by inventor Dean Kamen, which gave us the “Cougar Cannon” -- to connect one million students with fun after-school activities, like robotics competitions. The MacArthur Foundation and industry leaders like Sony are launching a nationwide challenge to design compelling, freely available, science-related video games.  And organizations representing teachers, scientists, mathematicians, and engineers -- joined by volunteers in the community -- are participating in a grassroots effort called “National Lab Day” to reach 10 million young people with hands-on learning.”

The President also announced a White House Science Fair, saying: “If you win the NCAA championship, you come to the White House.  Well, if you’re a young person and you’ve produced the best experiment or design, the best hardware or software, you ought to be recognized for that achievement, too.”