God Bless America

On the eve of Iowa's first in the nation primary voting for the next President of the United States, John Wayne's God Bless America program is a fitting reminder of the heritage of the country.

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.

Jeb Bush Speaks Spanish in Video for Hispanic Heritage Month

Jeb Bush

Pol Light Moment #120 occurred on September 14, 2015, when Jeb Bush spoke Spanish in a video for Hispanic Heritage Month in America. Jeb Bush served as the Governor of Florida from 1999-2007. Jeb Bush speaks fluent Spanish, his wife Columba Bush is from Mexico, and his children and grandchildren are Hispanic.

Below is the video narrated by Jeb Bush speaking in Spanish.

Jeb Bush says in the video, "Hispanics contribute more every day to our culture; they are an integral part of the American dream (CNN.com, Jeb Bush Speaks Spanish in Video Celebrating Hispanics, September 14, 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 in this post: "Gov Jeb Bush" by State of Florida - official Florida website - myflorida.com. Licensed under Public Domain via Commons.

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.

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.