George H.W. Bush Shaves Head to Support Young Cancer Patient

Pol Light Moment #59 happened during the week of July 24, 2013, when George H.W. Bush shaved his head in order to support a 2 year old cancer patient named Patrick who is battling Leukemia. George H.W. Bush was the 41st President of the United States, serving from 1989-1993. He also served as the Vice-President of the United States from 1981-1989. He is presently 89 years old.   The following is a video of a CNN news story on this heartwarming story.

Patrick is the 2 year old son of a member of the Secret Service detail assigned to protect President George H.W. Bush. George H.W. Bush shaved his head in solidarity of the young cancer patient. You can find out how to become one of Patrick's Pals at his website at www.patrickspals.org.

Bush's office released a statement that said, "Once President and Mrs. Bush learned of this 'Patrick's Pals' effort, they made a donation and President Bush volunteered to shave his head as well. The Bushes lost their second child, Robin, to leukemia 60 years ago this October at the age of four(Source)."

George H. W. Bush has been featured on other Pol Light posts. To view all George H. W. Bush posts search with George H. W. Bush label at Pol Light.

Pol Light does not endorse political candidates. We present a brighter side to politics when they are found on either side of the aisle. We don't have to agree with all of a person's politics to recognize these bright moments.

Marco Rubio Catches Nancy Reagan as She Falls

Marco Rubio

Pol Light Moment #58 took place on August 23, 2011, when Marco Rubio caught former First Lady Nancy Reagan when she fell at an event. Marco Rubio has served as a United States Senator for Florida since January, 2011. 
Sen. Marco Rubio was escorting Nancy Reagan at an event at the Reagan Presidential Library in California on August 23, 2011 (CNN.com, Nancy Reagan Falls During California Event, August 24, 2011).  Marco Rubio was the keynote speaker at the event. As Nancy Reagan fell, Marco Rubio was able to catch her before she touched the ground.  The following is a news story on the event. 

• Nancy Reagan has been featured on other Pol Light posts. To view all Nancy Reagan posts search with the "Nancy Reagan" label at Pol Light. 
• Marco Rubio has been featured on other Pol Light posts. To view all Marco Rubio posts search with the "Marco Rubio" label at Pol Light.

  Pol Light does not endorse political candidates. We present a brighter side to politics when they are found on either side of the aisle. We don't have to agree with all of a person's politics to recognize these bright moments.
Photo in this Post: "Marco Rubio, Official Portrait, 112th Congress" by US Senate - Email from the Office of Senator Marco Rubio. Licensed under Public Domain via Commons.

Bush and Gore at 2000 Alfred Smith Dinner

Pol Light Moment #57 took place on October 19, 2000, when the two men running for President of the United States shared the stage to support Catholic charities and disadvantaged children. Governor George W. Bush (later to be elected President) and Vice-President Al Gore were joint keynote speakers at the 55th Annual Alfred E. Smith Memorial Foundation Dinner in New York on October 19, 2000.

Alfred E. Smith was a former Governor of New York, who was the first Catholic Presidential candidate (Source).  During Presidential election years the dinner has frequently featured the candidates for President. The 2000 rendition of this longstanding dinner raised about $900,000 for Catholic charities (Source). The following is an abbreviated highlight version developed by the Alfred Smith Foundation. 

A full version of the speeches at the dinner can be seen in this C-SPAN video below. We apologize but it is not compatible with mobile phones. You can read other posts by the George W. Bush and Al Gore on Pol Light blog. 

• For George W. Bush search with George W. Bush label at Pol Light.
• For Al Gore search with Al Gore label at Pol Light. 

Pol Light does not endorse political candidates. We present a brighter side to politics when they are found on either side of the aisle. We don't have to agree with all of a person's politics to recognize these bright moments.

Barack Obama Says Broccoli is Favorite Food

Pol Light  Moment #56 occurred on July 9, 2013, when Barack Obama visited the second annual Kids' State Dinner at the White House. When asked what his favorite food is Barack Obama said, "Broccoli." Barack Obama was the 44th President of the United States. He served as President of the United States from 2009-2017.

Barack Obama's said at the event, that hosted 54 children, "Food can be fun, it can be healthy. You are setting up habits that are going to be great your entire life (Yahoo News, July 9, 2013)."

For other posts on Barack Obama search with the "Barack Obama" label at Pol Light.

Pol Light does not endorse political candidates. We present a brighter side to politics when they are found on either side of the aisle. We don't have to agree with all of a person's politics to recognize these bright moments.

The photo of Barack Obama is in the Public Domain.

Nikki Haley Speaks of Being Abused as Child

Nikki Halley

Pol Light Moment #55 occurred on July 8, 2013, when Governor Nikki Haley shared publically about being abused as a child.  Nikki Haley has served as Governor of South Carolina since January, 2011.

Governor Haley first wrote about her child abuse in her book Can't Is Not an Option: My American Story. She has rarely talked about the experience publically, but mentioned it on July 8, 2013, when speaking at the Greenville Health System Children's Hospital. During this speech she emphasized the study called Silent Tears that recommends steps for the State of South Carolina to combat child abuse (Source).

Here is a video of Nikki Haley sharing her story of being abused as a child. In this video Governor Haley says, "It doesn't matter your background, it doesn't matter your education, it doesn't matter the wealth of your family. Every child is subject to child abuse (Source)."




The following are links to news stories on this moment when Governor Haley talked about being abused as a child.

• Governor Haley Discusses Being Abused
• Nikki Haley Opens Up On Childhood Abuse
• Nikki Halley Suffered Child Abuse: 'No One Knew How To Handle It'

Pol Light does not endorse political candidates. We present a brighter side to politics when they are found on either side of the aisle. We don't have to agree with all of a person's politics to recognize these bright moments.

The photo of Nikki Haley was taken by Gage Skidmore.

John and Teresa Heinz Kerry Discuss Her Breast Cancer

Pol Light Moment #54 is when John Kerry and his wife Teresa Heinz Kerry did the first public interview about Teresa's breast cancer diagnosis with Larry King on February 10, 2010.  John Kerry served as a United States Senator from Massachusetts from 1985-2013. He is currently the Secretary of State of the United States.

In September, 2009, Teresa Heinz Kerry was diagnosed with breast cancer (Source). The following is the first public interview that the Kerrys did with Larry King of CNN. This interview on February 10, 2010 with the Kerry's is considered one of the select group of greatest interviews that Larry King has ever done (Source).

Teresa Heinz Kerry has stressed her opposition to the recommendations for mammography screening by the U.S. Preventative Health Task Force which said routine screenings of women were not needed until age 50 and then only on a biennial basis (Source). The following is the AP news story on Teresa Heinz Kerry's breast cancer and her feelings on screening standards. 

John Kerry has been featured on other posts at Pol Light. To view them search with the label John Kerry.

Pol Light does not endorse political candidates. We present a brighter side to politics when they are found on either side of the aisle. We don't have to agree with all of a person's politics to recognize these bright moments.
The above photo of John Kerry and Teresa Heinz Kerry at John's swearing in as United States Secretary of State is in the Public Domain. 

Obama and McCain at 2008 Alfred Smith Dinner

Pol Light Moment #53 took place on October 16, 2008, when the two men running for President of the United States shared the stage to support Catholic charities and disadvantaged children. President Barack Obama (who was a U.S. Senator in 2008) and Senator John McCain were joint keynote speakers at the 63rd Annual Alfred E. Smith Memorial Foundation Dinner in New York on October 16, 2008, held at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel.

Alfred E. Smith was a former Governor of New York, who was the first Catholic Presidential candidate (Source).  During Presidential election years the dinner has frequently featured the candidates for President. The 2008 rendition of this longstanding dinner raised about $4 million for Catholic charities (Source).

You can listen to the humor and wit of the evening by hearing the full video of the dinner in this video.

More information about the Alfred E. Smith Memorial Foundation Dinner can be found at http://www.alsmithfoundation.org/thedinner.html#about. 
For other posts on Barack Obama search with the "Barack Obama" label at Pol Light. For other posts on John McCain search with the "John McCain" label at Pol Light. 
Pol Light does not endorse political candidates. We present a brighter side to politics when they are found on either side of the aisle. We don't have to agree with all of a person's politics to recognize these bright moments.