President Obama Issues Proclamation for African-American Music Appreciation Month

The following statement was released by President Obama African-American Music Appreciation Month in June:

“Music can tell a story, assuage our sorrows, provide blessing and redemption, and express a soul’s sublime and powerful beauty. It inspires us daily, giving voice to the human spirit. For many, including the African-American community, music unites individuals through a shared heritage. During African-American Music Appreciation Month, we celebrate the extraordinary legacy of African-American singers, composers, and musicians, as well as their indelible contributions to our Nation and our world.”
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United States Trade Representative Ron Kirk Involved in a Car Accident

United States Trade Representative Ron Kirk was involved in a car accident in Dallas, Texas. Ambassador Kirk was taken to a local hospital where he was treated for minor injuries and released. No one was seriously injured in the accident.

Ambassador Kirk remains in Dallas with his family. His immediate schedule of meetings and public events, including this week’s planned trip to Sapporo, Japan for the APEC meeting of Ministers Related to Trade has been canceled.

Deputy United States Trade Representative Demetrios Marantis will lead the USTR delegation to the APEC meeting, joined by US Ambassador to the WTO Michael Punke, Assistant US Trade Representative Wendy Cutler and other USTR officials.

Michelle Obama Gives Rousing Speech at George Washington University

From the White House blog:

In the fall, First Lady Michelle Obama issued a challenge to George Washington University students, faculty, staff and trustees to perform 100,000 hours of community service, promising she’d speak at their graduation if they rose to it. They did and, as a woman of her word, Mrs. Obama delivered the commencement address to the Class of 2010 on the National Mall in Washington, D.C.

From digging neighbors out after “Snowmageddon” to restoring a local high school to running a clinic for those in need of medical aid to a host of global service projects, Obama was impressed by what the George Washington University community did, but more, so how they did it. She asked that the graduates take on one more challenge:
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First Lady Michelle Obama Launches “Chefs Move to Schools” Program

Fresh off a launch of her  Let’s Move! campaign to end the childhood obesity epidemic within a generation, the First Lady has turned her focus to a group, she says, could have a tremendous impact on the health and well being of children: Chefs.

As part of her effort to turn policies into practical solutions, Michelle Obama is calling on chefs to get involved by adopting a school and working with teachers, parents, school nutritionists and administrators to help educate kids about food and nutrition.  By creating healthy dishes that taste good, she believes chefs have a unique ability to deliver these messages in a fun and appealing way to the larger audience, particularly children.
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President Obama Nominates Elana Kagan to Supreme Court

President Barack Obama nominated the Elena J. Kagan, who is presently Solicitor General of the United States, as an Associate Justice for the Supreme Court to replace long-serving Associate Justice John Paul Stevens.

Liberal activists are excited about the nomination, while conservatives are already raising questions about her record.

Republican National Committee (RNC) Chairman Michael Steele released the following statement today:

“Over the past year, the American people have been witness to President Obama’s massive expansion of the federal government into our daily lives. To assure the American people, President Obama’s Supreme Court nominee, Elena Kagan, will need to demonstrate that she is committed to upholding the vision of our Founding Fathers, who wrote a Constitution meant to limit the power of government, not expand it. The President has stated repeatedly that he wants a justice who will understand the effects of decisions on the lives of everyday Americans. But what Americans want is a justice who will stay true to the Constitution and defend the rights of all Americans, adhering to the rule of law instead of legislating from the bench. Given Kagan’s opposition to allowing military recruiters access to her law school’s campus, her endorsement of the liberal agenda and her support for statements suggesting that the Constitution “as originally drafted and conceived, was ‘defective,’” you can expect Senate Republicans to respectfully raise serious and tough questions to ensure the American people can thoroughly and thoughtfully examine Kagan’s qualifications and legal philosophy before she is confirmed to a lifetime appointment.”

White House Officials Set to Participate in 11 HBCU Graduation Ceremonies

This month, President Obama, the First Lady, and officials from throughout the Administration will deliver commencement addresses to Historically Black Colleges and Universities across the nation.  This weekend Mrs. Obama will send off the students of University of Arkansas – Pine Bluff Saturday, May 8^th and President Obama will greet the graduates of Hampton University Sunday, May 9^th.  In total, eleven HBCUs will receive commencement addresses from Obama Administration officials this year.

Other officials participating in graduation ceremonies include Secretary Robert Gates, Department of Defense (Morehouse College), Secretary Arne Duncan, Department of Education (Xavier University), Administrator Charles Bolden, NASA (Huston-Tillotson University), Valerie Jarrett, Senior Advisor to the President (Morgan State University), Melody Barnes, Director, White House Domestic Policy Council (Virginia Union University), and Ambassador Susan Rice, United Nations (Spellman College).  In addition, John Wilson, Executive Director of the White House Initiative on Historically Black Colleges and Universities, is scheduled to speak to Wilberforce University, Wiley College, and Harris-Stowe State University.

Stars Come Out for White House Correspondents Dinner in D.C.

It was Hollywood meets politics as glitz and glamor filled the Washington Hilton last night for the White House Correspondents Association dinner. Celebrities mixed with politicos at the annual gala which drew everyone from singer and actor Common to Alec Baldwin to Republican National Committee Chair Michael Steele. A gaggle of black chauffeured limos and stretch SUV’s pulled up to the red carpet entrance one after the other with some celebs like Terrence Howard and Chris Tucker taking the time to work the crowd of locals gathered outside the hotel’s entrance. Numerous receptions held by various media companies preceded the event and after-parties were all the rage once the dinner ended. Jay Leno was the headliner, but it was clear that President Obama stole the show with his comedic routine where no holds were barred.

Actors Chris Tucker and Marlon Wayans pose with teen singing sensation Justin Bieber, while Disney Channel stars Demi Lovato and Joe Jonas were spotted together.

White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel talks with Chris Tucker, while Common talks with Kim Kardashian.

Gayle King mingles, while actress Gabouray Sidibe poses with CNN’s Suzanne Malveaux.

Attorney General Eric Holder poses with his wife, while White House Senior Advisor Valerie Jarrett also attended the dinner.

Republican National Committee Chair Michael Steele was in the house. Former White House Social Secretary Desiree Rogers returned to D.C. to attend the gala.

Here are some excerpts for the president’s speech:

It’s been quite a year since I’ve spoken here last — lots of ups, lots of downs — except for my approval ratings, which have just gone down. (Laughter.) But that’s politics. It doesn’t bother me. Beside I happen to know that my approval ratings are still very high in the country of my birth. (Laughter and applause.)

And then just the other day, my dear friend, Hillary Clinton, pulled me aside and she gave me a pep talk. She said, despite the numbers, she said, “Don’t worry, Barack, you’re likable enough.” (Laughter.) Which made me feel better
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White House Gives Update on Oil Spill

Rear Admiral Brice O’Hara gave reporters at the White House an update on Coast Guard progress in containing thousands of barrels of oil that have spilled in the Gulf of Mexico as a result of a deadly fire on an rig earlier this month. Reports put the spill on miles from the Louisiana coast.

“Let me help put into perspective some of the interactions that occur. The Coast Guard is the federal on-scene coordinator. So we have the leadership role for spills that occur in the coastal zone for this spill, in particular. We have been very aggressive and proactive in our response, but we have not been alone. We work with federal partners — there are 16 federal agencies who form the National Response Team. We also work very closely with state and local authorities and with nongovernmental organizations — as we move forward with the response, there are roles that volunteers can take and the NGOs are critical in helping us properly channel that drive and energy.”
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Valerie Jarrett Remembers Dorothy Height

Valerie Jarrett, senior adviser and assistant to the president, posted the following blog on the White House’s website honoring the life of Dorothy Height, whose funeral services were held earlier today in Washington, D.C.

Remembering Dr. Dorothy I. Height

Posted by Valerie Jarrett

Dr. Dorothy I. Height was grace personified. She displayed a quiet strength. She vigorously defended the Constitution and fought for equal rights, women’s rights, and human rights for citizens of our country and for people the world over.

Today we said our final goodbyes to this extraordinary woman, and the President of the United States paid tribute to her during the final service. It is more than fitting that this should be the case.
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Public Voting Begins Monday for White House ‘Race to the Top’ High School Challenge

The White House and the Department of Education announced today that voting for the winner of the first annual Race to the Top High School Commencement Challenge will begin Monday, April 26.

From 8 a.m. EDT on Monday, April 26th through 11:59 p.m. EDT on Thursday, April 29, 2010, the public will have an opportunity to review and rate a three-minute video and short essay from each of the six high school finalists at http://www.WhiteHouse.gov/Commencement. President Obama will select the national winner from the three high schools with the highest average ratings. The Commencement Challenge winner will be announced on Tuesday, May 4, 2010 and the President will visit the winning high school to deliver the commencement address later this spring.
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