Brian Calley Takes Polar Plunge for Special Olympics

Brian Calley

Pol Light #118 happened on March 5, 2015, when Brian Calley took the Legislative Polar Plunge at the State of Michigan Capital. Brian Calley has served as the Lt. Governor of Michigan since 2011. He was elected in 2014 to a second term expiring in 2018.

The Legislative Polar Plunge is one of 29 Polar Plunges in 2015 sponsored by the Law Enforcement Torch Run event that raises funds for the Special Olympics of Michigan. 2015 was the fourth year that Brian Calley participated in this fundraiser. It is a charity near to his heart since his daughter Reagan has autism. In 2015 the Legislative Polar Plunge raised almost $15,000.

The Special Olympics of Michigan reports that, "By participating in a Polar Plunge around the state you are helping to raise funds for over 21,000 athletes who participate in Special Olympics Michigan. Special Olympics Michigan is a year round program offering sports for those with intellectual disabilities. Although sports are the 'vehicle', the ultimate goal of Special Olympics is to help persons with intellectual disabilities participate and receive respect as members of their communities (First Giving, Legislative Polar Plunge, 2015)."

Here is a video of Brian Calley and Michigan legislators taking the Polar Plunge in 2015.

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 Brian Calley is in the Public Domain.

Barbara Mikulski Becomes Longest-Serving Woman in History of Congress

Barbara Mikulski

Pol Light Moment #117 happened on March 17, 2012, when Barbara Mikulski became the longest-serving woman in the history of the United States Congress. Barbara Mikulski has been a United States Senator from Maryland since 1987. From 1977-1987 she also served as the U.S. Representative from Maryland's 3rd District.

Barbara Mikulski set the record for longest years of service by a woman in Congress by serving a combined 10 years in the House of Representatives and 25 years in the United States Senate.  On March 17, 2012, Barbara Mikulski's years of service in Congress surpassed Rep. Edith Nourse Rogers, who represented Massachusetts in the House of Representatives from 1925 to 1960 (CNN, March 16, 2012).  Barbara Mikulski also became the longest serving woman in the United States Senate in 2010 (CNN, March 2, 2015).

The following is a CNN news feature on this milestone for Barbara Mikulski.

On March 2, 2015, Barbara Mikulski announced that she will not seek reelection in 2016 and will retire in 2017. She will retire from the United States Senate with almost 40 years of service in Congress, which is a record that could stand for awhile.

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 Barbara Mikulski is in the Public Domain.

Rick Snyder Authorizes Detroit Bankruptcy

Rick Snyder

Pol Light Moment #116 happened on July 18, 2013, when Rick Snyder authorized the City of Detroit to enter Chapter 9 Bankruptcy. Rick Snyder is presently the Governor of the State of Michigan, serving from 2011 to the present.

Kevyn Orr became the emergency manager for Detroit early in 2013. Detroit had over $18 Billion in accured obligations. Because of the financial debt basic services for residents were suffering. In this situation, Rick Snyder authorized the City of Detroit to enter Chapter 9 municipality bankruptcy that would make them the largest city in the United States to go through bankruptcy. You can read Rick Snyder's Letter Authorizing the Commencement of Chapter 9 Bankruptcy for Detroit.

The following is a video of Rick Snyder announcing the decision to allow Detroit to go into bankruptcy.

On December 10, 2014, Detroit emerged from bankruptcy. During the process of the bankruptcy proceedings Detroit reduced $7 billion of its debt and reinvested $1.4 billion in city services over the next decade (USA Today, December 10, 2014).

Rick Snyder has been featured on other Pol Light posts. To view all Rick Snyder posts search with Rick Snyder 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.

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.

Dick Cheney Receives Heart Transplant

Dick Cheney

Pol Light Moment #114 happened on March 24, 2012, when Dick Cheney had a heart transplant. Dick Cheney served as the Vice-President of the United States from 2001-2009, while George W. Bush was the President.

Heart transplants are providing extended years of life for heart patients of all ages who are in otherwise good health in the rest of their body. Dick Cheney has had a history of heart disease and had 5 heart attacks between 1978 and 2010. On March 24, 2012, Cheney received a heart transplant from an anonymous donor at Inova Fairfax Hospital in Falls Church, Virginia. At the time the former Vice-President was 71 years of age and he had been on a waiting list for a heart for 20 months (Wikipedia: Dick Cheney).

The following is a news video of Dick Cheney receiving his transplant.

When asked how he felt 18 months after his transplant, Dick Cheney had this to say:

"Now I'm to the point where-- I literally, you know, feel like I have a new heart. A lot more energy-- than I had previously. There aren't any real physical limits on what I do. I fish, I hunt. And-- I don't ski, but that's because of my knees, not my heart. So it's been a miracle (CBS News, 60 Minutes, October 20, 2013)."

After the success of his transplant, Dick Cheney co-authored a book in 2013 with his chief cardiologist, Dr. Jonathan Reiner called Heart: An American Medical Odyssey (USA Today, October 20, 2013).  

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 Dick Cheney 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.