July 29
, 2013
Catie Currie
Columnist
POTUS
From Washington, D.C., Catie Curry, POTUS Columnist
After spending most of last week within the walls of the White House, President Obama stepped out for a number of public appearances, both in the D.C. metro area and across the country. As he traveled, the president addressed the economic state of the country and remembered Americans of all cultural histories for their service to the country.
The president started his week hosting a ceremony to honor this year’s NCAA men’s basketball champions, the Louisville Cardinals on July 23. During the event, he said a few words to honor the team. The trophy was placed next to the podium as he spoke. He showed his pride in his NCAA prediction abilities as he said, “This year I was close. I had the Cardinals in the final game.” He then smiled as he added, “I guess I discounted the motivational power of making your 60-year-old coach go out and get a tattoo.” The team laughed, standing behind the president on the stage. After losing to Notre Dame in the Big East in February, Coach Rick Pitino promised to get a tattoo if his player won the national championship. The cardinals did win and Pitino got the tattoo placed on his back.
After the president spoke, Pitino gave the president a No. 1 jersey and a red Louisville Slugger bat. Obama then posed for pictures with the team and shook hands with the players.
The next morning, Obama arrived at Knox College in Galesburg, Illinois to deliver an economic address. While he spoke, he remembered the last time he had given a speech at the College. He said, “So, eight years ago, I came here to deliver the commencement address for the class of 2005. Things were a little different back then. For example, I had no gray hair — or a motorcade. Didn’t even have a prompter.” He then laughed as he remembered, “In fact, there was a problem in terms of printing out the speech, because the printer didn’t work here and we had to drive it in from somewhere. But it was my first big speech as your newest senator.”
As he spoke about the status of the country’s economy, he promised the audience to fight unemployment. He said, “I’m going to challenge CEOs from some of America’s best companies to hire more Americans who’ve got what it takes to fill that job opening but have been laid off for so long that nobody is giving their résumé an honest look.” He also promised to fight the rise of education costs and lessen monetary stress on the middle class. After finishing the speech, he traveled to the University of Central Missouri to deliver another address before flying home to the White House on the same day.
President Obama didn’t have much time to relax after the busy day, President Truong Tan Sang of Vietnam stopped by the Oval Office the next morning to discuss issues regarding both countries and their continued cooperation. At one point, President Sang showed Obama a copy of a letter written by Ho Chi Minh to Harry Truman. Obama said, “We discussed the fact that Ho Chi Minh was actually inspired by the U.S. Declaration of Independence and the Constitution, and the words of Thomas Jefferson. Ho Chi Minh talks about his interest in cooperation with the United States.”
After the visit, the president discussed the meeting, saying, “Obviously we all recognize the extraordinary, complex history between the United States and Vietnam. But step by step, what we have been able to establish is a degree of mutual respect and trust that has allowed us now to announce a comprehensive partnership between our two countries that will allow even greater cooperation.” President Obama remarked, “I just want to say to President Sang how much I appreciate his visit. I think it signifies the maturing and the next stage of the development between the United States and Vietnam.”
After the presidential visit, Obama took a quick trip to Jacksonville Florida Thursday afternoon to give another speech on the American economy at Jacksonville Port Authority. He got a taste of the heat that the South is known for. The day was warm, prompting the president to remove his jacket as he walked along the Port Authority dock. At one point he attempted to escape the humidity by standing under the shade of a large moving crane. Following the speech, the president returned home to an air-conditioned White House to host an Iftar to celebrate Ramadan. He welcomed Muslim diplomats, members of Congress and other elected officials into the State Dining Room for the traditional meal. Iftar is the meal eaten after sunset on a day of fasting by members of the Muslim community.
Obama entered the room to a large round of applause before he said a few remarks. He started by quoting the Koran, saying, “Whoever does an atom’s weight of good will see its results.” He continued, “Throughout our history, Islam has contributed to the character of our country and Muslim Americans, and their good works have helped to build our nation.” He cited farmers, factory workers and innovators as proof of this. The president then honored Muslim business leaders Shazi Visram, the founder of organic food company Happy Family, Aunim Hoosain, the inventor of a hand-held device to detect breast cancer, and Dr. Iya Khalil, a leader in genomic medicine. He said, “Every day, Muslim Americans are helping to shape the way that we think and the way that we work and the way that we do business. And that’s the spirit that we celebrate tonight — the dreamers, the creators whose ideas are pioneering new industries, creating new jobs and unleashing new opportunities for all of us.” He ended his speech wishing everyone a “blessed Ramadan” before adding, “I know you’re hungry, so let’s eat.”
The president was up bright an early on the morning of Saturday, July 27 to appear at a ceremony celebrating the 60th anniversary of the Korean Armistice. He was greeted by a military honor guard as he arrived at the Korean War Veterans Memorial. Obama began the festivities by placing a wreath nearby the fountain at the memorial. After placing the wreath, he held his hand over his heart as a trumpeter played taps.
The president then said a few remarks to the 5,000 people who attended the ceremony. The president explained that he believed “Korea was a victory,” because today, “50 million South Koreans live in freedom — a vibrant democracy, one of the world’s most dynamic economies, in stark contrast to the repression and poverty of the North.” He showed gratitude to the veterans present, saying, “That’s a victory; that’s your legacy…Korea taught us that as a people, we are stronger when we stand as one.” Finally, he thanked the veterans again. He said, “Your lives are an inspiration. Your service will never be forgotten. You have the thanks of a grateful nation. And your shining deeds will live now and forever.” Such a patriotic way of ending the month of July, having come full circle, after beginning the month with 4th of July celebrations.
