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:
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.
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.
Pol Light Moment #155 happened on February 1, 2017, when Gina Raimondo shared dinner with a family of Syrian refugees in Cranston, Rhode Island. Gina Raimondo is presently the Governor of the State of Rhode Island, serving from 2015 to the present.
Gina Raimondo issued this statement about sharing a meal with the Al-Hariri family, who are Syrian refugees living in Rhode Island.
Last night I shared a meal with the Al-Hariri family, who fled Syria, to let them know that there's a place in Rhode Island for everyone. I met them last year, not long after they arrived in Rhode Island. Their story, and their light and strength through difficult times, is an inspiration- and a reminder that we can't lose sight of those fleeing oppression.(Gina Raimondo, Cranston Patch, February 2, 2017).
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.
Pol Light Moment #154 happened on June 20, 2017, when Mike Pence donated blood to honor members of congress who were shot on June 14, 2017, while practicing for their charity baseball game. Mike Pence is the current Vice-President of the United States, serving since 2017. He was formerly the Governor of the State of Indiana from 2013-2017. Mike Pence represented Indiana's 2nd Congressional district in the U.S. House of Representatives from 2001-2013 before becoming Governor of Indiana.
Inspiring to see members of Congress & staffers at the blood drive organized to help those hurt in last week's shooting. #TeamScalisepic.twitter.com/p0jlhPiC4K
Vice President Mike Pence donated blood at the Rayburn House Building on Capital Hill on June 20, 2017. The blood drive was organized in partnership with the American Red Cross in order to support the Capital Hill blood bank and honor those who were injured in the shooting on the congressional baseball practice field on June 14, 2017. Majority Whip Rep. Steve Scalise, R-La was seriously injured in the shooting.
For more information on this Pol Light moment read the following articles:
Mike Pence has been featured on other posts at the Pol Light blog that can be found by searching for the Label Mike Pence.
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.
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.
Pol Light Moment #152 occurred on August 10, 2015, when Michael Dukakis was seen picking up trash on his walk around Boston by attorney Sarah E. Godfrey. Michael Dukakis served as Governor of Massachusetts from 1975 to 1979 and 1983 to 1991. Dukakis was also a candidate for President in 1988.
Michael Dukakis has been picking up trash in public areas on his walks around his hometown of Boston for 25 years. He has been seen by others on several occasions and on August 10, 2015, attorney Sarah E. Godfrey met him while he was picking up trash. She later penned a letter about meeting the man who was a Governor for 12 years as he was picking up trash.
Michael Dukakis said in 2016 about his practice of picking up trash, "It doesn't hurt if people see incumbent majors and ex-governors cleaning the place up. And you hope that others will be inspired to do the same.... What makes my day is when somebody comes along and says, 'Now you got me doin' it (Christian Science Monitor, July 28, 2016).'"
For more information on Micahel Dukakis's practice of picking up trash you can read these articles.
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 Michael Dukakis is in the Public Domain.
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.
"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
"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
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.
Pol Light Moment #150 occurred in 1989, when Barbara Bush formed the Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy. 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 focus of the Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy is together to provide early childhood education for preschoolers and to help their parents to read through adult literacy programs. The Fact Sheet of the Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy says, "Our founder and former First Lady Barbara Bush believes that family literacy is key to solving today's most critical challenges: social and economic mobility, quality of life, and global competitiveness (BBF Fact Sheet)."
The following is a video showing some of the many accomplishments over the years of the Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy led by Barbara Bush's dedication to this great cause.
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.
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.
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.
Pol Light Moment #147 occurred on March 24, 1961, when Jacqueline Kennedy gave her first television interview after becoming the First Lady. The interview was done with Sander Vanocur of NBC News. Jacqueline Kennedy was the First Lady of the United States from 1961-1963.
During the interview Jacqueline Kennedy discussed her plans to bring a sense of history back to the White House. The interview also spent time focusing on how Jacqueline Kennedy would raise two young children in the White House. It had been many years since their had been young children in the White House.
The following is a video of this interview with Jacqueline Kennedy and Sander Vanocur.
Jacqueline Kennedy has been featured on other Pol Light posts. To view other posts search with the label Jacqueline Kennedy. For more information on Jacqueline Kennedy visit her page on the website of the John F. Kennedy Library and Museum.
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 Jacqueline Kennedy is in the Public Domain.
Pol Light Moment #146 happened on January 6, 2017, when Michelle Obama gave her final speech as First Lady of the United States at an event at the White House honoring the 2017 school counselor of the year recipient, Terri Tchorzynski. Michelle Obama was the First Lady of the United States from 2009 to 2017.
In her speech she said, "I want our young people to know that they matter, that they belong. So don't be afraid. You hear me, young people? Don't be afraid. Be focused. Be determined. Be hopeful. Be empowered. Empower yourself with a good education. Then get out there and use that education to build a country worthy of your boundless promise. Lead by example with hope; never fear (CNN.com, Kevin Liptak, January 6, 2017)."
The following is a video from ABC News of the remarks Michelle Obama made on January 6, 2017.
In her speech Michelle Obama also thanked her family and staff who have helped her in the eight years she was in her role as First Lady (Your Story, Press Trust of India, January 11, 2017).
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.
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.
The photo of Lyndon Johnson is in the Public Domain.
Pol Light Moment #144 occurred on October 20, 2016, when the two people running for President of the United States shared the stage to support Catholic charities and disadvantaged children. Secretary Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump were joint keynote speakers at the 71st Annual Alfred E. Smith Memorial Foundation Dinner in New York, 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). The 2016 rendition of this longstanding dinner raised about $6 million for Catholic charities (CBSNews.com, October 21, 2016).
You can listen to the humor and wit of the evening by hearing the address of both keynote speakers who took time out of their busy campaign to spend and evening for charity.
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.
