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.

Robert Dole Salutes Casket of George H.W. Bush

Robert Dole

Pol Light Moment #161 occurred on December 4, 2018, when Robert Dole stood from his wheelchair to salute the casket of President George H.W. Bush who was lying in state at the United States Capital. Robert Dole served as a United States Senator from Kansas from 1969-1996. Dole was the Senate Majority Leader in 1995-1996 and the Senate Minority Leader from 1987-1995. Prior to serving as a senator he served in the House of Representatives from 1961-1969.

On Tuesday, December 4, 2018, when George H.W. Bush was lying in state at the United States Capital, Robert Dole saluted him. Dole and Bush are both veterans of World War II. Robert Dole, who is now 95 years old and bound to a wheel chair, received assistance to stand in respect at the casket. While standing in front of the casket, Robert Dole saluted George H.W. Bush as a final act of respect to his long-time friend.

Here is a video of this touching moment in history.



Robert Dole has been featured on other Pol Light posts. Find them under the label of Robert Dole 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.

The photo of Robert Dole is in the Public Domain.

Muriel Bowser Adopts a Baby

Pol Light #160 occurred on May 21, 2018, when Muriel Bowser announced that she had adopted a baby. Muriel Bowser has served as the Mayor of the District of Columbia since 2015. From 2007 to 2015 she represented Ward 4 as their member on the Council of the District of Columbia.

It is with great joy and excitement that I share with you that late last year, I decided to begin the adoption journey. I was not sure how long it would take, and to my delight, it advanced much sooner than I expected. So today, I am proud to announce that I am a mom! pic.twitter.com/q9qoz587IL

— Mayor Muriel Bowser (@MayorBowser) May 22, 2018

It was revealed on May 23, 2018, that the baby is a girl and her name will be Miranda Elizabeth Bowser. Muriel Bowser is the first single mother to serve as mayor of the District of Columbia (Washington Post, May 23, 2018, Peter Jamison and Fenit Nirappil).

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 Muriel Bowser is in the Public Domain.

John McCain Concedes 2008 Presidential Election

John McCain

Pol Light #159 occurred late in the evening of November 4, 2008, when John McCain conceded the 2008 United States Presidential Election to Barack Obama. John McCain has served as a United States Senator from Arizona since 1986. From 1982-1986 he served in the United States House of Representatives.

The following is a video of Senator John McCain's concession speech delivered from the Arizona Biltmore Hotel in Phoenix on November 4, 2008. 



One of the key portions of the speech included these remarks about Barack Obama:

This is an historic election, and I recognize the special significance it has for African-Americans and for the special pride that must be theirs tonight. 

I've always believed that America offers opportunities to all who have the industry and will to seize it. Sen. Obama believes that, too. But we both recognize that though we have come a long way from the old injustices that once stained our nation's reputation and denied some Americans the full blessings of American citizenship, the memory of them still has the power to wound. 

A century ago, President Theodore Roosevelt's invitation of Booker T. Washington to visit -- to dine at the White House -- was taken as an outrage in many quarters. America today is a world away from the cruel and prideful bigotry of that time. There is no better evidence of this than the election of an African-American to the presidency of the United States. Let there be no reason now for any American to fail cherish their citizenship in this, the greatest nation on Earth (Transcript of John McCain Speech, NPR).

The following is an audio of the entire speech.


John McCain has been featured on other posts at Pol Light. You can read them by searching 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.

Photo: The photo of John McCain in this post is in the Public Domain.

Barbara Bush Gives Commencement Speech at Wellesley College

Barbara Bush

Pol Light Moment #158 occurred on June 1, 1990, when Barbara Bush gave the Commencement Speech at Wellesley College in Massachusetts. Barbara Bush served as First Lady from 1989-1993, when her husband George H.W. Bush was President of the United States. Prior to that she was the Second Lady of the United States from 1981-1989. She is also the mother of former President George W. Bush.

The following is a video of Barbara Bush giving the Commencement Speech at Wellesley College on June 1, 1990. Bush's Commencement speech was placed by American Rhetoric in their collection of Top 100 Speeches and you can read the entire text of the speech on the American Rhetoric website.



In this ten minute speech Barbara Bush gave an inspirational message on embracing the diversity of life and putting family first. Her words included this poignant priority:

At the end of your life, you will never regret not having passed one more test, winning one more verdict, or not closing one more deal. You will regret time not spent with a husband, a child, a friend, or a parent (Barbara Bush, American Rhetoric Top 100 Speeches).

Barbara Bush has appeared on other moments on Pol Light. If you would like to see other posts by Barbara Bush on Pol Light search with the label Barbara Bush.

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 Barbara Bush 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.