Barack Obama Gives Gifts at Children's Hospital

Barack Obama

Pol Light Moment #163 happened on December 19, 2018, when Barack Obama visited the Children's National Hospital in Washington DC to hand out gifts. Barack Obama was the 44th President of the United States. He served as President of the United States from 2009-2017.

Barack Obama visited the hospital to pass out gifts and talk to the children and their families. The following is a video from NBC News on Barack Obama's visit to the Children's National Hospital and his remarks.



Fox News also published a story on this visit by Barack Obama.

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 as his official photo.

Ted Cruz Reads to His Children from Senate Floor

Ted Cruz

Pol Light Moment #102 happened on September 24, 2013, when Ted Cruz read bedtime stories to his children from the U.S. Senate floor. Ted Cruz has been a United States Senator from Texas since 2013.

Ted Cruz was in the midst of a marathon all night speech in the United States Senate on September 24, 2013 about defunding the health care law, when he took a diversion from his political speech at about 8:00pm EST in order to read bedtime stories to his two daughters, Caroline and Catherine Cruz (The Guardian, Ted Cruz Pulls All-Nighter as Marathon Anti-Obamacare Speech Churns On, September 25, 2013).

Here is a video of Ted Cruz reading to his children from the Senate floor. He read first a passage from Proverbs in the Holy Bible and then from the book Green Eggs and Ham by Dr. Seuss.

Ted Cruz has been the subject of other posts on this blog. To find other Ted Cruz posts search with the label "Ted Cruz" on the blog.

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.

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Photo: The photo of Ted Cruz is in the Public Domain.

John F. Kennedy Writes Sympathy Note to Mother of a Sick Child

John F. Kennedy

Pol Light Moment #98 is when John F. Kennedy wrote a sympathy note to a mother of a sick child on August 9, 1963.  John F. Kennedy was the 35th President of the United States, serving from 1961-1963.

John F. Kennedy's son Patrick Bouvier Kennedy was born premature on August 7, 1963 and suffered from hyaline membrane disease.  In the early hours of August 9, 1963, with his son Patrick's conditioning worsening, John F. Kennedy went with his friend Dave Powers at 2:00am to the Children's Medical Center in Boston. Prior to seeing his son he stopped to write a sympathy note to a mother whose son had been burned badly and was in the same hospital.

Here is an account by the Washington Post of John F. Kennedy stopping to write a sympathy note to a mother he had never met before.

While waiting for the elevator, his eye wandered into a nearby room, falling on a small child who had been badly burned. JFK summoned the night nurse. He wanted to know how the accident happened. And how often did the mother visit the hospital? When he learned that the mother came every day, the president asked for her name. Taking a slip of paper and a pen from Powers, he scrawled a note of sympathy. “There he was, with his own baby dying downstairs,” Powers recalled in his memoir, “but he had to take the time to write a note to that poor woman, asking her to keep her courage up (Washington Post, October 24, 2013).”

Patrick Bouvier Kennedy died on August 9, 1963 at 4:00am.

John F. Kennedy has been featured on other Pol Light posts. To view all John F. Kennedy posts search with John F. Kennedy label at Pol Light.

Quote Light: John F. Kennedy has a page on the Quote Light blog.

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 John F. Kennedy is in the Public Domain.

Gerald Ford Initiates Operation Babylift in Vietnam

Gerald Ford

Pol Light Moment #92 happened on April 3, 1975, when Gerald Ford initiated Operation Babylift to rescue orphans in South Vietnam. Gerald Ford was the 38th President of the United States serving from 1974 to 1977. He served as Vice-President of the United States from 1973-1974 and prior to that represented the 5th District of Michigan in the United States House of Representatives from 1949-1973.

Operation Babylift was Gerald Ford's initiative to rescue orphans who were in danger in the war-torn South Vietnam. On April 3, 1975, Ford set aside $2 million dollars to provide for military flights to bring orphans in Vietnam to the United States. Approximately 2,700 orphans were brought to the United States where homes were waiting for them with families pre-approved to adopt them (About.com, Operation Babylift).

Carrie Craft writes, "Operation Babylift is a very interesting part of adoption history and there is much on the Internet, including grateful letters from adoptees to President Ford thanking him for the chance to live (About.com, Operation Babylift)." The Vietnam Babylift website tells some of those stories and gives more personal information about the initiative.

Gerald Ford has been featured on other Pol Light posts. To view all Gerald Ford posts search with the Gerald Ford 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.

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Photo: The photo of Gerald Ford is in the Public Domain.

Ronald Reagan Writes Letter to 7th Grader With Messy Bedroom

Ronald Reagan

Pol Light Moment #84 occurred on May 11, 1984, when Ronald Reagan sent a letter to a 7th Grader named Andy Smith who had a messy room and had written the President to ask him to provide funds to clean up his room since his mother had declared it a disaster area. Ronald Reagan was the 40th President of the United States, serving from 1981-1989.

Andy Smith, a seventh grader in 1984, had written to Ronald Reagan saying, "Today my mother declared my bedroom a disaster area. I would like to request federal funds to hire a crew to clean up my room (Letters of Note)."

Ronald Reagan responded back to Andy Smith's note with this letter.

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Andy Smith
Irmo, South Carolina 
May 11, 1984 

Dear Andy,

I'm sorry to be so late in answering your letter but as you know I've been in China and found your letter here upon my return. 

Your application for disaster relief has been duly noted but I must point out one technical problem: the authority declaring the disaster is supposed to make the request. In this case your mother. 

However setting that aside I'll have to point out the larger problem of available funds. This has been a year of disasters, 539 hurricanes as of May 4th and several more since, numerous floods, forest fires, drought in Texas and a number of earthquakes. What I'm getting at is that funds are dangerously low.

May I make a suggestion? This administration, believing that government has done many things that could better be done by volunteers at the local level, has sponsored a Private Sector Initiative program, calling upon people to practice voluntarism in the solving of a number of local problems. 

Your situation appears to be a natural. I'm sure your mother was fully justified in proclaiming your room a disaster. Therefore you are in an excellent position to launch another volunteer program to go along with the more than 3,000 already underway in our nation—congratulations. 

Give my best regards to your mother. 

Sincerely, 

Ronald Reagan 

(Source: Reagan: A Life in Letters, 2004)

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This letter above by Ronald Reagan was also featured on the Letters of Note website on June 19, 2012.

Ronald Reagan has been featured on other Pol Light posts. To view all Ronald Reagan posts search with the Ronald Reagan 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.

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Photo: The photo of Ronald Reagan is in the Public Domain.

Scott Brown Shares About Being Abused as a Child

Scott Brown

Pol Light Moment #78 is when Scott Brown shared that he was abused as a child. The revelations were made public on February 17, 2011, in advance of a 60 Minutes interview Brown did later that week. They are also shared in Scott Brown's memoirs called Against All Odds: My Life of Hardships, Fast Breaks, and Second Chances.  Scott Brown served as a United States Senator for Massachusetts from 2010-2013. Prior to that he served 12 years in the State legislator in Massachusetts. 
Scott Brown revealed in 2011 that he was physically abused by his stepfathers and sexually abused by a summer camp counselor growing up as a child from a broken home. Scott Brown said, "It's taken 42 years to even talk about it. And I'm not out to settle any scores, but if I can help people certainly move forward with their lives by talking about it (CBS News, April 6, 2011)." Footage of the 60 Minutes interview where Scott Brown talked about his abuse are in this YouTube video. 

Scott Brown's revelation had an impact. It was revealed in April, 2011, that because of Scott Brown sharing his story an anonymous man came forward with allegations of similar sexual abuse at the same camp Brown had attended as a child (CBS News, April 6, 2011).  In addition, 13 former campers came forward stating they experienced abuse as well at the same camp (New York Times, April 12, 2011).

Here are some news articles on Scott Brown's revelation of childhood abuse.

• Scott Brown's story prompts new abuse allegation
• Scott Brown: I Was Molested as a Kid
• Senator Scott Brown’s searing childhood, and his improbable rise - The Boston Globe
• The Pros and Cons of Revealing Sexual Abuse

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: The photo of Scott Brown is in the Public Domain.

Abraham Lincoln Discharges Teen Soldier

Pol Light #63 is when Abraham Lincoln discharged a disabled teenager from the military service on February 7, 1865. Abraham Lincoln was the 16th President of the United States, serving from 1861 until his assassination in 1865.

On February 6, 1865, Col. Thomas W. Harris petitioned Illinois Sen. Lyman Trumbull and Gen. John M. Palmer to discharge his son by the way of a telegram that said, "My son Perry Harris 14 years old insane crippled has been mustered in 55th Kentucky regiment. Please have Secretary of War order him discharged. Col. Thos. W. Harris of Shelbyville, Ill."

Perry Harris had enlisted in the army without his parent's permission and he was not the legal age of 18. It was not uncommon in those days for young people to falsify their age both to enlist and to try and get out of the military once they experienced the reality of war. Discharge requests were likely considered with a grain of salt.

General Palmer passed the note to Lincoln with a note that said, "I have no doubt of the truth of this statement. John M. Palmer." When hearing of this situation, Abraham Lincoln ordered that the boy be discharged. He wrote a brief note that said, "Let this boy be discharged. - President Abraham Lincoln. (Source)." The note reached the field and Perry Harris was eventually discharged and released from his regiment in Kentucky ironically on April 15, 1865, the same day Abraham Lincoln was assassinated (Source).

Perry Chiramonte shared this story about Abraham Lincoln in an article for Fox News, when the handwritten letter from Abraham Lincoln about this Pol Light moment was uncovered and put on auction after years in a private collection. Nathan Raab an autograph dealer with the Raab Collection appraised the note at $15,000 and he described the importance of the note to Fox News,

"It shows the type of person [Lincoln] was and how he was defined by clemency. When you see it's involving a father and his son, it strikes a personal chord and likely did for Lincoln. He was a father of four who lost all but one of his sons (Source)."

Abraham Lincoln has been featured on other Pol Light posts. To view all Abraham Lincoln posts search with Abraham Lincoln 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: The photo in this post of Abraham Lincoln 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.

Kevin O'Toole Gives Boy Replacement iPad

Kevin O'Toole

Pol Light Moment #46 is when Kevin O'Toole gave 8 year old Jordan-River Samuel an iPad for Christmas on December 24, 2012. Kevin O'Toole is a State Senator in New Jersey representing the 40th District. He lives in Cedar Grove in Essex County, New Jersey. He descends from a father who is Irish American and a mother who is Korean American.

Someone had stolen Jordan-River Samuel's iPad during the Christmas season and after State Sen. Kevin O'Toole heard about it he gave the boy a new iPad.

"A lot of good things have happened to me and my family and we like to pay it forward as often as possible (Source), said Kevin O'Toole about the gift he made."

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 Kevin O'Toole is in the Public Domain.

Michelle Obama's 'Let's Move' Initiative

Michelle Obama

Pol Light Moment #45 is when Michelle Obama started the Let's Move! initiative on February 9, 2010. When Michelle Obama launched the initiative to combat childhood obesity, she said, "The physical and emotional health of an entire generation and the economic health and security of our nation is at stake (Source)." Michelle Obama is the First Lady of the United States from 2009 to 2017.
The Let's Move website describes the initiative this way:

Let's Move! is a comprehensive initiative, launched by the First Lady, dedicated to solving the challenge of childhood obesity within a generation, so that children born today will grow up healthier and able to pursue their dreams. Combining comprehensive strategies with common sense, Let's Move! is about putting children on the path to a healthy future during their earliest months and years. Giving parents helpful information and fostering environments that support healthy choices. Providing healthier foods in our schools. Ensuring that every family has access to healthy, affordable food. And, helping kids become more physically active (Source).

Here is a news story about the Let's Move initiative.  

On February 27, 2013, First Lady Michelle Obama will have a two day tour around America to observe the 3rd anniversary of the Let's Move initiative (Source).  You may follow Let's Move on Twitter by following the accounts of @FLOTUS or @LetsMove.  For more information on Let's Move visit their website at www.letsmove.gov.  Michelle Obama has been featured on other Pol Light posts. To view all the posts featuring Michelle Obama search with the label Michelle Obama.

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 Michelle Obama is in the Public Domain.

Barack Obama Responds to Newtown, CT School Shooting

Barack Obama

Pol Light #38 is when Barack Obama responded to the school shooting in Newtown, Connecticut on Friday, December 14, 2012. He was moved to tears in his public statement on the tragedy.  Barack Obama was the 44th President of the United States. He served as President of the United States from 2009-2017.

On December 14, 2012, Adam Lanza entered Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut and shot and killed 6 school officials (including the principal, school psychologist, and teachers) as well as 20 of the youngest age children. The list of victims is as follows:

Charlotte Bacon, F, 02/22/06
Daniel Barden, M, 09/25/05
Rachel Davino, F, 07/17/83
Olivia Engel, F, 07/18/06
Josephine Gay, F, 12/11/05
Ana M. Marquez-Greene, F, 04/04/06
Dylan Hockley, M, 03/08/06
Dawn Hocksprung, F, 06/28/65
Madeleine F. Hsu, F, 07/10/06
Catherine V. Hubbard, F, 06/08/06
Chase Kowalski, M, 10/31/05
Jesse Lewis, M, 06/30/05
James Mattioli, M, 03/22/06
Grace McDonnell, F, 11/04/05
Anne Marie Murphy, F, 07/25/60
Emilie Parker, F, 05/12/06
Jack Pinto, M, 05/06/06
Noah Pozner, M, 11/20/06
Caroline Previdi, F, 09/07/06
Jessica Rekos, F, 05/10/06
Avielle Richman, F, 10/17/06
Lauren Russeau, F, 06/82 (exact date left off list)
Mary Sherlach, F, 02/11/56
Victoria Soto, F, 11/04/85
Benjamin Wheeler, M, 09/12/06
Allison N. Wyatt, F, 07/03/06

The following is a video of the statement that Barack Obama made after the shooting. Obama also went to Newtown, Connecticut on Sunday, December 16, 2012 to attend an interfaith memorial service for the victims (Source).

At the end of his remarks to this tragedy in the above video, Barack Obama said:

We are going to have to come together and take meaningful action to prevent more tragedies like this regardless of the politics. This evening Michelle and I will do what I know every parent in America will do, which is hug our children a little tighter and we'll tell them that we love them, and we'll remind each other how deeply we love one another. But there are families in Connecticut who cannot do that tonight. And they need all of us right now. In the hard days to come that community needs us to be at our best as Americans and I will do everything in my power as President to help, because while nothing can fill the space of a lost child or loved one, all of us can extend a hand to those in need -- to remind them that we are there for them, that we are praying for them, that the love they felt for those they lost endures not just in their memories but also in ours. May God bless the memory of the victims and, in the words of Scripture, heal the brokenhearted and bind up their wounds.

For more information on the event you can see a new Wikipedia page dedicated to the Sandy Hook Elementary Shooting. 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 as his official photo.

Franklin Pierce Puts Up First White House Christmas Tree

Pol Light Moment #35 occured in December of 1856, when Franklin Pierce put up the first Christmas Tree in the White House.  Franklin Pierce was the 14th President of the United States, serving from 1853-1857. Pierce also was a United States Senator from New Hampshire from 1937-1942.

Franklin Pierce put up the Christmas tree for the enjoyment of a group of children from a Sunday School class in Washington (Hyms and Carols of Christmas, The White House Christmas Trees). Gifts from around the tree were passed out to the children and the song Hark, the Herald Angels Sing was sung.

Kevin Rawlings' book We Were Marching on Christmas Day indicates that the Sunday School class was from the historic New York Avenue Presbyterian Church. However at the time that Pierce attended services in the building it was known as the Second Presbyterian Church. The place of worship for the Second Presbyterian Church would later become the New York Avenue Presbyterian Church when it merged with another congregation (New York Avenue Presbyterian Church History).

For more information on Franklin Pierce putting up the first Christmas Tree in the White House read these articles.

• First Christmas Tree in the White House
• Franklin Pierce and the First White House Christmas Tree
• The White House Christmas Trees

There is also mention of this event in the online Special Collections Library of ipl2.

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 Franklin Pierce is in the Public Domain.

George W. Bush's White House Tee Ball Initiative

George W. Bush

Pol Light Moment #33 is when George W. Bush started the White House Tee Ball Initiative in 2001. George W. Bush was the 43rd President of the United States, serving from 2001-2009. After Bush became President in 2001, he had a baseball diamond built on the White House Lawn and it was used to host Tee Ball games at the White House.

Teams were chosen to play at the White House by the Little League Association of America.  Wikipedia describes the White House Tee Ball Initiative this way:

In 2001, U.S. President Bush initiated what he described as the White House Tee Ball Initiative. The purpose was to promote interest in childhood sports, including baseball and softball. According to the White House, the Tee Ball Initiative promoted "a spirit of teamwork and service for America's youth." (Source).

There is an archives of the Presidential website  the way it appeared in 2008 that shows some of the tee ball events. The following video recognizes some of the teams who played at the White House during the George W. Bush presidency.

You can see a photo of a young George W. Bush in his Little League uniform at the Texas State Library and Archives Commission.   
George W. Bush has been featured on other Pol Light posts. To view all George W. Bush posts search with George 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.
The photo of George W. Bush is in the Creative Commons of Wikipedia. It was taken by by Shawn Clark of Lazyeights Photography.

Andy Harris Saves 2 Year Olds Life

Andy Harris

Pol Light Moment #26 is when Andy Harris saved the life of 2 year old Nathan Smith on August 26, 2012.   Andy Harris is a United States Congressman who has represented the 1st Congressional District of Maryland since 2011. Rep. Harris is also a physician and an anesthesiologist who works at Memorial Hospital in Easton, Maryland.

On August 26, 2012, Andy Harris took an alternative route because of storms and was driving on Route 50 in Talbot County, Maryland.  While driving on the highway, he saw vehicles pulled over along the side of the road but no damage to any vehicles. As he surveyed the scene he saw a 2 year old named Nathan Smith (the son of Brian and Jess Smith) lying on a blanket by the side of the road.  Harris then stopped to help.

Kevin Rector of the Baltimore Sun reported on the incident this way, "Harris said he knew the boy needed air, and turned him on his side and loosened his jaw to open his airway. At that point, the boy gasped, he said. An ambulance then arrived and took over the medical care of the boy (Baltimore Sun, 9/4/2012)."

Nathan Smith was discovered to have had a viral infection that caused him to have a seizure and stop breathing. Nathan made a full recovery after receiving medical treatment.

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 Congressman Harris was taken from Wikipedia and is in the Public Domain as an official portrait of a United States Government official.

Franklin Roosevelt Writes Letter to a Sick Boy

Pol Moment #4 is when Franklin D. Roosevelt (FDR) wrote a letter to a sick boy named Charles Snow Smith.  Franklin D. Roosevelt was the 32nd President of the United States and served from 1933 until his death in 1945. Franklin D. Roosevelt also served as the Governor of New York from 1929-1932.

Franklin Roosevelt would be able to relate to the sick boy that he wrote a letter to, because he himself had numerous health problems and battled through them (Health Media Lab). The content of the letter has been preserved for 75 years.  Here is the letter that Franklin Roosevelt wrote to a Charles Snow Smith in New York. It was dated March 8, 1935.

My dear Charles:

One of your good friends has told me about you and of the splendid courage you have shown during your long illness. Just keep up your fine spirit and don't let anything at all discourage you.

I am writing this little note to send you a personal word of cheer and my very best wishes.

Very sincerely yours,

Charles Snow Smith,
Jackson Heights,
Long Island, New York

Citation: Franklin D. Roosevelt:"Letter to a Sick Boy.," March 8, 1935.Online by Gerhard Peters and John T. Woolley,The American Presidency Project. http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/ws/?pid=15017.

Franklin D. Roosevelt has been featured on other Pol Light posts. To view all Franklin Roosevelt posts search with Franklin Roosevelt 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: The photo in this post is in the Public Domain. It was obtained from Wikipedia.