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.

Bill Clinton Helps Raise Money for Columbine Memorial

Pol Light Moment #162 occurred on July 20, 2004, when Bill Clinton visited Columbine, Colorado to help raise money for the Columbine Memorial to honor victims of the Columbine Massacre that took place on April 20, 1999. It was the worse school shooting in history to date.  Bill Clinton was the 42nd President of the United States and served from 1993-2001. He also served as the Governor of Arkansas from 1983-1992.

Bill Clinton met privately with survivors and family members of victims of the Columbine tragedy on July 20, 2004. That night he spoke at a gala in Denver to help raise approximately $300,000 for the memorial.

Bill Clinton promised to help the Columbine Memorial Foundation raise the necessary money to complete the memorial. He told the family members and survivors, “I’m really proud of you. I’ll help you raise the rest of the money. That’s the least I can do (Quoted in Clinton meets with Columbine Families, Associated Press, July 21, 2004).

The Columbine Memorial was completed and opened to the public on September 21, 2007. You can find out more about the Columbine Memorial Foundation on their website.

Quote Light: Bill Clinton has a page on the Quote Light blog.

Bill Clinton has been featured in other Pol Light moments and can be found by searching this blog with the Bill Clinton Label.

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 Bill Clinton is in the public domain.

Donald Trump Donates 1 Million Dollars to Hurricane Harvey Relief

Donald Trump

Pol Light Moment #157 occurred on August 31, 2017 , when Donald Trump announced he would personally give $1 million of his personal funds to charitable organizations that were helping with the recovery of Hurricane Harvey. Donald Trump is the 45th and current President of the United States, serving from 2017 to the present.

Hurricane Harvey was a Major Category 4 Hurricane that ocurred between August 17, 2017-September 3, 2017. It did major damage to the Texas and Louisiana in the United States, including the large city of Houston, Texas.


On September 7, 2017, the names of the 12 charities designated to receive part of Donald Trump's $1 million were released. They included:

Red Cross - $300,000

Salvation Army - $300,000

Reach Out America - $100,000

Samaritan's Purse - $100,000

ASPCA - $25,000

Catholic Charities - $25,000

Direct Relief - $25,000

Habitat for Humanity - $25,000

Houston Humane Society - $25,000

Operation Blessing - $25,000

Portlight Inclusive Disaster Strategies - $25,000

Team Rubicon -  $25,000 

(Source: NBC News)

Donald Trump has been featured on other Pol Light posts. To view other posts search the blog with the label Donald Trump.

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 in this post of Donald Trump is in the Public Domain.

Donald Trump Presides Over Lighting of National Christmas Tree

Donald Trump

Pol Light Moment #156 occurred on November 30, 2017, when Donald Trump presided over the annual lighting of the national Christmas tree. Donald Trump is the 45th and current President of the United States, serving from 2017 to the present.


The tradition of Presidents presiding over the lighting of the National Christmas tree in Washington DC began in 1923 with Calvin Coolidge. Here is the full text of the speech Donald Trump gave at the Christmas Tree lighting ceremony in 2017.

Today's the day that I've been looking very much forward to all year long. It's one that we have heard and we speak about and we dream about and now as the President of the United States, it's my tremendous honor to finally wish America and the world a very Merry Christmas.

I want to thank everyone who has come together here right in front of the White House, that beautiful, beautiful White House, and everyone watching from home to see the lighting of this incredible national Christmas tree.

For nearly a century, through good times and bad, every president has taken part in this wonderful tradition, first started by President Coolidge. But I was informed tonight that the weather we have is the best it's been in 25 years. In fact, I said, ‘Is it always like this?’ And the secretary said, ‘Hasn't been like this for a long time.’ So, we are very lucky.

Finally, in 1870, President Ulysses S. Grant signed legislation making Christmas a Federal holiday. And I sort of feel we are doing that again. That’s what's happening.

From the earliest days of our nations, Americans have known Christmas as a time for prayer and worship, for gratitude and good will, for peace and renewal.

Melania and I are full of joy at the start of this very blessed season. We're thrilled to think of the people across the nation and all across the continent whose spirits are lifted by the miracle of Christmas.

For Christians, this is a Holy season – the celebration of the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. The Christmas story begins 2000 years ago with a mother, a father, their baby son, and the most extraordinary gift of all, the gift of God's love for all of humanity.

Whatever our beliefs, we know that the birth of Jesus Christ and the story of this incredible life forever changed the course of human history. There’s hardly an aspect of our lives today that his life has not touched: art, music, culture, law, and our respect for the sacred dignity of every person everywhere in the world.

Each and every year at Christmas time we recognize that the real spirit of Christmas is not what we have, it's about who we are – each one of us is a child of God.

That is the true source of joy this time of the year.

That is what makes every Christmas ‘merry.’  

And that is what we remember at today's beautiful ceremony, that we are called to serve one another, to love one another, and to pursue peace in our hearts and all throughout the world.

And so tonight, I thank the millions of Americans who light our lives and brighten our wonderful communities. I thank those who are serving the needy during the season and throughout the year. I thank our military men and women who are stationed around the world keeping us safe.

I thank our law enforcement officers who protect our streets and secure our homeland. I thank America's teachers, pastors, and all those religious, and those people that have taught us so much, for their leadership in our communities and our society.

And, especially tonight, I thank America's families. At Christmas, we are reminded more than ever that the family is the bedrock of American life.

And so, this Christmas we ask for God’s blessings for our family, for our nation. And we pray that our country will be a place where every child knows a home filled with love, a community rich with hope, and a nation blest with faith.

On behalf of Melania, myself, Barron, all of my children, all of my grandchildren — they're here with us tonight — I want to thank you.

God bless you and God bless the United States of America. Thank you very much.

Merry Christmas everybody. Merry Christmas. Happy new year. Thank you.

Donald Trump has been featured on other Pol Light posts. To view other posts search the blog with the label Donald Trump.

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 in this post of Donald Trump is in the Public Domain.

Andrew Jackson Pays Off the National Debt

Andrew Jackson

Pol Light Moment #153 occurred on January 1, 1835, when Andrew Jackson paid off the National Debt. Andrew Jackson served as the 7th President of the United States from 1829 to 1837. He also served as a United States Senator from Tennessee from 1823 to 1825.

When Andrew Jackson became President in 1829 he inherited a debt of about $58 million. This was the equalivent of $1.4 billion in 2010 dollars (When America Paid Off the National Debt, Brian Lipshutz, July 25, 2011). In 1824 Jackson called the National Debt a "national curse". Jackson believed the borrowing clause in the Constitution was for emergencies and borrowing should not be a permanent practice.

After six years of his policies as President he was able to accomplish his goal of paying off the National Debt. This happened on January 1, 1835, and was the only time since then in the history of the United States that the country has been out of debt.

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 Andrew Jackson is in the Public Domain.

Kennedy and Nixon at 1960 Al Smith Dinner

Pol Light Moment #151 occurred on October 19, 1960, when the two people running for President of the United States shared the stage to support Catholic charities and disadvantaged children. John F. Kennedy and Richard Nixon were joint keynote speakers at the 17th Annual Alfred E. Smith Memorial Foundation Dinner in New York in 1960, held at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel. Alfred E. Smith was a former Governor of New York, who was the first Catholic Presidential candidate (Wikipedia Page: Alfred E. Smith Memorial Foundation Dinner).

Both speakers reflected on the election of 1928 when Democrat Al Smith was defeated by Republican Herbert Hoover. You can relive the evening by reading the text of both keynote speakers on the American Presidency Project website. A historical photo of the two speakers was published by the New York Daily Post.

Link to John F. Kennedy's Full Remarks

"When this happens then the bitter memory of 1928 will begin to fade, and all that will remain will be the figure of Al Smith, large against the horizon, true, courageous, and honest, who in the words of the cardinal, served his country well, and having served his country well, nobly served his God. [Applause.]"--John F. Kennedy

Link to Richard Nixon's Full Remarks

"And, so, in conclusion, I would add only this last thought: Many years have passed since the year 1928. Many memories have become less bitter through the years. Three weeks from today either Senator Kennedy or I will be the President-elect of this country, and then we will go our separate courses in the years to come. I've been trying to think how I could best close my remarks and refer to him and refer to me, and I go back to the campaign of 1928. Herbert Hoover was elected. Al Smith lost. But both of them lived many, many years longer, and both of them, the longer they lived, gained love and affection from the American people - and I would only hope tonight that, however this election turns out, Senator Kennedy and I in the years ahead will be able to conduct ourselves with the dignity, the decency which earned the esteem and the love of the American people for the two men who were engaged in that great campaign of 1928."--Richard Nixon

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 John F. Kennedy search with the "John F. Kennedy" label at Pol Light. For other posts on Richard Nixon search with the "Richard Nixon" 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.

Bill Cinton Speaks at Oklahoma City Bombing Memorial Service

                                Bill Clinton  / Oklahoma City Bombing Aftermath                                               

Pol Light Moment #149 occurred on April 23, 1995, when Bill Clinton  gave the eulogy for the victims of the Oklahoma City Bombing. Bill Clinton was the 42nd President of the United States and served from 1993-2001. He also served as the Governor of Arkansas from 1983-1992.

On April 19, 1995, a truck-bomb exploded at the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. 168 people died in the blast (History.com: Oklahoma City Bombing). A memorial service was held for the victims on April 23, 1995, and Bill Clinton gave the eulogy in his capacity as President at the time of the tragedy.

The entire text of the message is available on the American Rhetoric website. The following is a video from American Rhetoric featuring Bill Clinton delivering the eulogy for the Oklahoma City victims.

Quote Light: Bill Clinton has a page on the Quote Light blog.

Bill Clinton has been featured in other Pol Light moments and can be found by searching this blog with the Bill Clinton Label.

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 Bill Clinton is in the Public Domain.  Also, the photo of the Oklahoma City bombing aftermath is in the Public Domain.

Donald Trump Sends His Private Jet to Transport Sick Boy Across Country

Donald Trump

Pol Light Moment #148 occurred on July 20, 1988, when Donald Trump sent his private jet to transport 3 year old Andrew Ten across the United States to receive medical care. Donald Trump is the 45th and current President of the United States, serving from 2017 to the present.

Andrew Ten was 3 years old in 1988 and he needed to travel from Los Angeles to New York for medical help. The little boy was refused passage on commercial airlines because of the complex life-support system he needed, such as an oxygen tank, suction machine, and breathing bag. Three nurses also traveled with him.

When Rabbi Harold Ten, and his wife Judy, contacted Donald Trump about their son's need, Trump offered his private Boeing 727 to transport Andrew from Los Angeles to New York. The Jewish Telegraphic Agency has more information in their archives on this event from 1988 (Orthodox Jew with Rare Ailment is Rescued Aboard Tycoon's Jet, July 20, 1988).

Sadly Andrew Ten passed away in 2008, ten years after this event. His parents sponsored Camp Avraham Moshe for Jewish teens and young adults with special needs in his honor (Times of Israel, July 20, 2015).

Donald Trump has been featured on other Pol Light posts. To view other posts search the blog with the label Donald Trump.

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 in this post of Donald Trump is in the Public Domain.

Lyndon Johnson Announces He Will Not Seek Reelection

Lyndon Johnson

Pol Light Moment #145 occurred on March 31, 1968, when President Lyndon Baines Johnson told the United States that he would not seek reelection as President.  Lyndon Johnson was the 36th President of the United States, serving from 1963-1969. He was the Vice President of the United States from 1961-1963 under President John F. Kennedy and also served as a United States Senator from Texas from 1949-1961.

The following is a video of the announcement by Lyndon Johnson. The reason Johnson gave for not seeking reelection is that he wanted to focus on his Presidential duties during the Vietnam War era instead of partisan politics.

A key part of the speech is when Johnson said,

With America's sons in the fields far away, with America's future under challenge right here at home, with our hopes and the world's hopes for peace in the balance every day, I do not believe that I should devote an hour or a day of my time to any personal partisan causes or to any duties other than the awesome duties of this office—the Presidency of your country.

Accordingly, I shall not seek, and I will not accept, the nomination of my party for another term as your President (Miller Center Website)

What made this announcement so historical is that sitting presidents have rarely ever refused to seek an additional term that they were eligible to fill. A transcript of this speech is available from the Miller Center Website.

Lyndon Johnson has been featured on other Pol Light posts. To view all Lyndon Johnson posts search with Lyndon Johnson 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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The photo of Lyndon Johnson is in the Public Domain.

Ronald Reagan Pens Letter Clarifying His Views on the Ku Klux Klan

Ronald Reagan

Pol Light Moment #137 occurred on April 30, 1984, when Ronald Reagan sent a letter to the Chairman of the Commission on Civil Rights concerning his views on the Ku Klux Klan. Ronald Reagan was the 40th President of the United States, serving from 1981-1989.

Below is the content of the letter that Ronald Reagan sent to The Honorable Morris B. Abram, the chair of the Commission on Civil Rights, on April 30, 1984.

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April 30, 1984 

Dear Morris:

While in China, I have been distressed to learn that some individuals back home have questioned whether my views on the Ku Klux Klan have somehow changed since 1980. Nothing could be further from the truth.

In 1980, I said that I have no tolerance for what the Klan represents, and would have nothing to do with any groups of that type. If anything, my feelings on this subject have only grown stronger. The politics of racial hatred and religious bigotry practiced by the Klan and others have no place in this country, and are destructive of the values for which America has always stood. Those of us in public life can only resent the use of our names by those who seek political recognition for the repugnant doctrines of hate they espouse.

I firmly believe that there is no room for partisanship on this question. Democrats and Republicans alike must be resolute in disassociating ourselves from any group or individual whose political philosophy consists only of racial or religious intolerance, whose arguments are supported only by intimidation or threats of violence.

We must, and will, continue our unified rejection of such elements of hate in our political life, for while there are many issues which divide us, it is fundamental principles such as this which will always draw us together.

Sincerely,
Ronald Reagan


[The Honorable Morris B. Abram, U.S. Commission on Civil Rights, 1121 Vermont Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20425]

Source: Reagan Library Archives

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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.

The photo of Ronald Reagan is in the Public Domain.

Jimmy Carter Works to Eliminate Guinea Worm Disease

Jimmy Carter

Pol Light Moment #129 ocurred in 1986 when Jimmy Carter started his efforts to eradicte Guinea worm disease.  Jimmy Carter was the 39th President of the United States, serving from 1977-1981. Prior to that he served as the Governor of Georgia from 1971-1975.

Here is a video of Jimmy Carter during a news conference on his cancer diagnosis where he stated his last wish is to see the eradication of the Guinea worm.

The Carter Center led by Jimmy Carter started working to eliminate Guinea worm disease in 1986 (Carter Center Website). Guinea worm disease is a painful health problem that people get from contanimated water.

Guinea Worm disease exists in just four countries today:  South Sudan, Mali, Chad and Ethiopia. The Carter Center says on their website, "In 1986, the disease afflicted an estimated 3.5 million people a year in 21 countries in Africa ad Asia. Today, thanks to the work of The Carter Center and its partners--including the countries themselves--the incidence of Guinea worm has been reduced by more than 99.99 percent to 22 cases in 2015."

On February 3, 2016, Carter addressed Britain's House of Lords on the success of hs work with this disease (Associated Press, Jimmy Carter to Make Rare Address to British House of Lords, January 30, 2016).

Jimmy Carter has been featured in other Pol Light moments and can be found by searching this blog with the Jimmy Carter Label.

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 as an official photo of the United States government.

William Howard Taft Throws First Presidential Pitch

William Howard Taft

Pol Light Moment #126 occurred on April 14, 1910, when William Howard Taft (1857-1930) threw the first ceremonial Presidential pitch on the opening day of the Major League Baseball season. In doing so Taft started an opening day tradition carried on by almost all Presidents who followed him. William Howard Taft served as President of the United States from 1909-1913.

The baseball game William Howard Taft threw his Presidential pitch at was played on April 14, 1910 in Washington D.C.. In the game the Washington Senators defeated the Philadelphia Athletics 3-0 and Walter Johnson was the winning pitcher with a complete game shutout (Society for American Baseball Research, Walter Johnson Impresses President Taft on Opening Day, Steven V. Rice).

A story in The Washington Post about the game said,

President Taft threw the first ball into the diamond and opened the season with a true presidential flourish. He did it with his good, trusty right arm and the virgin sphere scudded across the diamond as a die to the pitcher's box, where Walter Johnson, also the possessor of a good trusty right arm, gathered it in and started winding up for one of his rifle shots across the plate (Taft Tosses Ball, The Washington Post, April 15, 1910 as quoted in Boundary Stones blog, April 13, 2015).

A day after the game Walter Johnson sent the ball that was thrown for the ceremonial first pitch to William Howard Taft and asked that he sign it for him. President Taft signed it along with an inscription, "For Walter Johnson, with the hope that he may continue to be as formidable as in yesterday's game (Society for American Baseball Research, Walter Johnson Impresses President Taft on Opening Day, Steven V. Rice)." Indeed Walter Johnson went on to have a hall of fame baseball career winning 417 games from 1907-1927.

Steve Goldman wrote a history of Presidential first pitches for SB Nation.

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 William Howard Taft is in the Public Domain.

Bill and Hillary Clinton Share About Marriage Counseling

Pol Light Moment #119 is when Bill Clinton and Hillary Clinton shared about going through marriage counseling to save their marriage. While both had written briefly about their marriage counseling, Bill Clinton personally discussed it on the Ophrah Winfrey Show that aired on June 22, 2004. Bill Clinton was the 42nd President of the United States and served from 1993-2001. He also served as the Governor of Arkansas from 1983-1992. Hillary Clinton served as a U.S. Senator from New York from 2001-2009 and Secretary of State from 2009-2013.

Below is the portion of the Oprah Winfrey Show where Bill Clinton discussed the fact that marriage counseling with Hillary Clinton was helpful to him. In the interview Bill Clinton said, "I'm not only not ashamed for having done this counseling, I'm very proud of it. And it was helpful to me. And if it hadn't worked out for us, I would still be glad I did it (Oprah Winfrey Show, June 22, 2004)."

Books: Bill Clinton first shared about his marriage counseling in his book called My Life that was published in June 2004. Hillary Clinton also shared about her marriage counseling in her book called Living History that was first published in June 2003.

Bill and Hillary Clinton have been featured in other Pol Light moments and can be found by searching this blog with the Bill Clinton Label or the Hillary Clinton Label.

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 Bill and Hillary Clinton is in the Public Domain.

John F. Kennedy Writes Birthday Letter to Helen Keller

President Kennedy Meets with Helen Keller (1961)

Pol Light Moment #115 happened on June 20, 1963, when John F. Kennedy wrote a letter to Helen Keller on her 83rd birthday.  John F. Kennedy was the 35th President of the United States, serving from 1961-1963.

Helen Keller was an author, political activist, and lecturer. She was the first blinddeaf person to earn a bachelor's degree. The following is the contents of the letter that John F. Kennedy wrote to Helen Keller on her 83rd birthday.

June 20, 1963

Dear Miss Keller:

It is a pleasure to extend warm congratulations to you on your 83rd birthday.

You are one of the select company of men and women whose achievements have become legendary in their own time.

Your tireless endeavors on behalf of blind people everywhere have gained friends for the United States and the cause of Democracy, and have won for you a permanent place in the history of human progress.

With My Best Wishes,

Sincerely,

John F. Kennedy

Miss Helen Keller
Arcan Ridge
Route 1
Westport, Connecticut

(Source: American Federation for the Blind Website)


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.

John Adams Prays Blessing for White House

John Adams

Pol Light Moment #113 happened on November 2, 1800, when John Adams prayed a blessing for the White House. John Adams was the 2nd President of the United States. He has served as President of the United States from 1797-1801.

John Adams was the first President of the United States to reside in the White House, which was originally called the President's House (History.com, November 1, 1800). He moved in on November 1, 1800, when parts of the interior rooms were still unfinished. At the time one had to get to the White House by traveling through a forest of undeveloped land in what is modern day Washington D.C.

On November 2, 1800, during his second day in the White House, John Adams wrote this in a letter to his wife Abigail offering this prayer of blessing on the house.

"I pray Heaven to bestow the best of Blessings on this House, and all that shall hereafter inhabit it. May none but honest and wise men ever rule under this roof."

(Source: Letter from John Adams to Abigail Adams, 2 November 1800 [electronic edition]. Adams Family Papers: An Electronic Archive. Massachusetts Historical Society. http://www.masshist.org/digitaladams/)

Franklin Roosevelt appreciated this prayer so much that he had Adams' blessing carved into the mantel in the State Dining Room of the White House (World History Project, November 1, 1800).

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.

Image: The painting of John Adams is in the Public Domain.

Barack Obama Launches My Brother's Keeper Initiative

Barack Obama

Pol Light Moment #112 happened on February 27, 2014, when Barack Obama launched the My Brother's Keeper Initiative, a mentoring program for boys and young men of color. Barack Obama was the 44th President of the United States. He served as President of the United States from 2009-2017.

Barack Obama said, "That's what 'My Brother's Keeper' is all about. Helping more of our young people stay on track. Providing the support they need to think more broadly about their future. Building on what works - when it works, in those critical life-changing moments (My Brother's Keeper Website)."

According to the My Brother's Keeper website,"Through this initiative, the Administration is joining with cities and towns, businesses, and foundations who are taking important steps to connect young people to mentoring, support networks, and the skills they need to find a good job or go to college and work their way into the middle class (My Brother's Keeper Website)."

Coinciding with the launching of this initiative on February 27, 2014, Barack Obama issued a Presidential Memorandum Creating and Expanding Ladders of Opportunity for Boys and Young Men of Color.

The following is a video on the launching of the initiative. You can also read the entire text of the President's Remarks on the My Brother's Keeper Initiative.

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.

Dwight Eisenhower Gives First Color TV Broadcast by a President

Dwight Eisenhower

Pol Light Moment #110 happened on May 22, 1958, when Dwight Eisenhower gave the first color TV broadcast by a President. Dwight Eisenhower served as the 34th President of the United States, from 1953-1961. Prior to that he had served as a 5 star General in the Army during World War II.

On May 22, 1958, Dwight Eisenhower gave an Address at the opening ceremonies of NBC and WRC-TV in Washington D.C. President Dwight Eisehower's speech is the oldest color TV broadcast known to be in existence. For more information on this historical time in television history read the article Video Shows Oldest Color Videotape (NBC Washington, October 24, 2012).

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 Dwight Eisenhower is in the Public Domain.

Gerald Ford Becomes Longest Living President

Gerald Ford

Pol Light Moment #109 happened on November 12, 2006, when Gerald Ford became the longest living U.S. President. 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.

Gerald Ford died on December 26, 2006 and lived 93 years and 165 days (Wikipedia: List of Presidents of the United States). His record as the U.S. President to live the longest is 45 more days then Ronald Reagan lived.

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.

George W. Bush Kisses Nurse Who Survived Ebola

George W. Bush

Pol Light #108 is when George W. Bush visited Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital in Dallas, Texas on November 7, 2014, and he kissed nurse Amber Vinson who had recently recovered from Ebola. George W. Bush was the 43rd President of the United States, serving from 2001-2009.

Here is a video of George W. Bush visiting Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital and meeting Amber Vinson.

The Ebola virus disease is a disease with a high rate of fatalities once a person is infected. It was first discovered to impact humans in 1976 in Africa (Ebola Facts at CNN). The 2014 Ebola epidemic spread to the United States and Amber Vinson caught Ebola as she cared for an infected patient during the course of her duties as a nurse. After Amber Vinson passed the 21 day waiting period to be declared no longer contagious, George W. Bush affirmed her victory over Ebola when he personally kissed her and was not afraid of catching Ebola from her.

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 Public Domain.

Franklin Roosevelt's Sullivan Letter

Pol Light Moment #107 is when Franklin D. Roosevelt (FDR) wrote a letter to Mrs. Sullivan on January 13, 1943. Mrs. Sullivan was the mother who lost all five of her sons in World War II because the cruiser they were all on was destroyed in war. 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.

The five sons of Mrs. Sullivan requested to be stationed on the same Navy ship. They were killed on Nov. 15, 1942 during World War II when their ship the Juneau was attacked off Guadalcanal and sunk during the Battle of Solomon Islands (American Presidents History).

The following was the contents of the letter dated January 13, 1943, that Franklin Roosevelt wrote to Mrs. Sullivan.

Dear Mrs. Sullivan:

The knowledge that your five gallant sons are missing in action, against the enemy, inspired me to write you this personal message, I realize full well there is little I can say to assuage your grief.

As the Commander in Chief of the Army and the Navy, I want you to know that the entire nation shares your sorrow. I offer you the condolence and gratitude of our country. We, who remain to carry on the fight, must maintain the spirit in the knowledge that such sacrifice is not in vain. The Navy Department has informed me of the expressed desire of your son; George Thomas, Francis Henry, Joseph Eugene, Madison Abel, and Albert Leo, to serve on the same ship. I am sure, that we all take pride in the knowledge that they fought side by side.As one of your sons wrote, 'We will make a team together that can't be beat.' It is this spirit which in the end must triumph.  

Last March, you Mrs. Sullivan, were designated to sponsor a ship of the Navy in recognition of your patriotism and that of your sons. I am to understand that you are, now even more determined to carry on as sponsor. This evidence of unselfishness and courage serves as a real inspiration for me, as I am sure it will for all Americans. Such acts of fate and fortitude in the face of tragedy convince me of the indomitable spirit and will of our people. 

 I send you my deepest sympathy in your hour of trial and pray that in Almighty God you will find a comfort and help that only he can bring. 

Very Sincerely Yours,

Franklin Roosevelt 

(Source of Letter: American Presidents History). 

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