POTUS Weekly Column: Obama comforts Oklahoma, addresses Morehouse, visits Jersey Shore

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POTUS Column Photo LabeledJune 11, 2013
Catie Curry
News Writer
POTUS Column

From Washington, D.C., Catie Curry, POTUS columnist.

With summer beginning here in Washington, temperatures are rising both on the mall and in Congress. President Obama took some time to escape the heat surrounding the IRS and Associated Press to do a little traveling around the country.

The President started off his travels on May 17th by showing his support for the Center for Urban Families in Baltimore, Maryland. He participated in a roundtable discussion with both formerly unemployed workers and their employers. The president was especially impressed with the story of Marcus Dixon, who spoke about how the center helped him find a job after he was released from jail. Dixon also later studied at Baltimore Community College and continues to provide for his three sons.  

“I grew up without a father,” the president explained. “You know, I always tell people that — as great and heroic a job as moms do — particularly for boys, that’s a hard situation.” The president complimented Dixon for his hard work, explaining what a great role model he was for his sons.

The president then traveled to Atlanta, Georgia to give a speech at the commencement ceremony at Morehouse College on May 19th. Unfortunately, the ceremony was dampened (literally) by a large rainstorm. The speech was given under a large canopy with much of the audience in the open air. The president started the speech with a smile, explaining to the audience, “I also have to say that you all are going to get wet.” He laughed before continuing. “I’d be out there with you if I could, but Secret Service gets nervous.”

Along with congratulating the graduates and giving them words of wisdom, he continued to joke with his listeners. At one point, he looked into the wet audience and addressed the women in the audience. He laughed as he indicated how annoyed they must be at their hair getting messed up from the rain. “Michelle would not be sitting in the rain. She taught me about hair.”

Later on in the week, President Obama was able to have a more glamorous (and dry) evening when he hosted a concert in the East Room in honor of singer-songwriter Carole King on May 22nd. Congress presented King with the 2013 Library of Congress Gershwin Prize for Popular Song. Concert performers included Gloria Estefan, James Taylor, Jesse McCartney, Billy Joel, and King herself.

The president presented King with the award after giving a brief summary of the highlights of her life. King then took to the stage, belting hits like “You’ve Got a Friend” and “I Believe in Loving You” from behind her piano. The president watched King’s performance in the front row, next to his wife and mother-in-law.

Along with dealing with some of the political storms in Washington surrounding the IRS, President Obama also had to deal with the natural storms that destroyed the mid-west. The president took some time on May 26th to visit with some of the areas affected by the massive tornado in Oklahoma. One of the places he stopped was in a firehouse to speak with local first- responders. After the tornado, the firehouse was used as a command center. Inside, the president walked to different tables where officials of different agencies sat.

He chatted with the first responders at each table, also taking time to take photographs with some of them. Offering some impromptu remarks to the people gathered in the firehouse, he explained “We could not be prouder of everyone here for the job they have done.” He later said “This is going to be a long road for some. We are going to keep on making sure that we finish the job.”

After seeing the recovery efforts in Oklahoma, the president made a stop at the Jersey Shore on May 28th to see how their recovery is going. After arriving in Point Pleasant, New Jersey, President Obama made an unexpected stop at the Point Pleasant boardwalk. He admired a large sand sculpture that was in the process of being built and took a moment to speak with the designer, Ed Jarrett.

Later on, the president stopped at the “Touchdown Fever” arcade and tried to win a stuffed bear by throwing a football through a tire. He tried a few times and missed before stopping to let New Jersey Governor Chris Christie try. Christie succeeded on the first attempt, and Obama gave him a high five. Obama also got a lot of love from his young fans, at one point raising his hands so a bunch of children could give him a high five also. The president was still able to win one prize after his showdown with Christie, leaving with a Chicago teddy bear given to him by an employee, making everyone a winner.

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