Of course, the biggest event over the past 12 months was our groundbreaking in February. It was marked by a special ceremony attended by President and Mrs. Obama, and featured speeches by the President and other dignitaries. This event stands as one of our major milestones and accomplishments thus far.
Today, our future site on the National Mall is a hive of activity. The bulldozers, backhoes and other construction equipment are drawing a lot of attention from people visiting the Capitol, the national monuments, and the museums that line the Mall.
I cannot begin to tell you how excited we are knowing that in 2015, the National Museum of African American History and Culture will open its doors and take its place among the great family of Smithsonian institutions — provided we continue to progress on schedule.
Let me take this opportunity to wish you and yours all the best in the coming year. Thank you for your kind generosity to the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture — and for making this dream a reality.
Official photographic portrait of US President Barack Obama (born 4 August 1961; assumed office 20 January 2009) (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
So, it’s Friday very cold but we definitely are not snowbound. ..
Yet, considering all the stuff going on … it’s a good day to reach for the sky while breathing deeply through your nose then slowly exhale through your mouth while slowly lowering your arms, head, shoulders, chest and waist bend knees -repeat when needed …
Just another rant …
I’m beyond tired of “main stream media malarkey”, is anyone else yet and can I just say the only grown-ups on the floor of Congress lately are from the Democratic Party but hey that is just my opinion. Though watching the Republican/tea party shakeup or the art of turning on each other is exciting! 6 Out … 38 to go?
I would like to thank our President for doing such a great job despite the 24/7 News cycle bashing him. I say, we must constantly remind low informationvoters that President Obama does not make, create or pass legislation into laws, our Congress does, so, all complaints about bills not getting on the floor of Congress should be directed at Republican Tea Partiers who have held most if not all of them up or blocked, stalled and just said no to. It is a sad day to realize that a Political Party would put their ideology above the needs of their fellow Americans but the Republican Tea Party did without flinching, thinking of their constituents I guess and all for the love of money. The Bush Tax Cuts of 2001&2003 were given, scheduled to expire 12/31/10 and unpaid for a long with the two wars waged which cost Americans trillions of our money.
The fact is the tax cuts, 2Wars, Wall Street bets, AIG insurance selling banking products as well as too much deregulation sent our economy over the cliff -sigh
In a time when things are tough and a large number of voters leaned left voted for PBO though Republicans kept telling the public lies and now the joke is on them. They say their focus is on Jobs, economy and doing the work of the People yet these RWNJs continue to vote against issues facing Americans; stating people on UI do not look for jobs are still lazy and don’t pay taxes among other ugly words from elitists. I have to say every time one of them makes a statement that is obviously outrageous; I wonder where the outrage is. Then I only have to see photos from Election2012 to know that Americans voted, early and stood in line while Republicans decided a long time ago that not only would they refuse to cooperate with the First Black President they will do whatever is necessary to bring him down even if it means taking AmericanVoters down and today provided a peek at what these fools planned the night President Barack Obama was sworn into office. !
Well, the Democratic Party did not gain control back of both Chambers, but contrary to RWNJs current behavior, PBO won decidedly and should be given the right to govern though they continue to filibuster… still
Congress gets back from break on an odd note, passing the Vets bill but then a week later with a vote of 61- 38, on the Disability Treaty, a bill that was supposed to protect ALL people with disabilities gets killed by Republicans. Unfortunately, Leader Reid decided that he will hold the bill until the 113th Congress. It feels like Republicans have decided to hold onto their status quo hanging it out to dry… “Hostage” along with other legislation that would not only protect Americans it could have been a bill that passed with bipartisanship but that clearly was too much to ask for from Republicans. While that was taking place, we all wait for the Farm bill to pass among other legislation. Again, I wonder where the outrage toward Congress is as they are solely responsible for making and passing laws, not the President though he keeps getting the blame.
The fault and blame for any lack of real progress lies at the feet of the Republican/Tea party. Though it is unfortunate that the Republican Tea Party has apparently decided to continue to thumb their noses at our President demanding those Bush Tax Giveaways before they will cooperate, which most Americans feel we cannot afford or allow to happen again … ever.
The lame duck session, notoriously known as the session when things get done in Congress but we need that conciliatory behavior to start now …maybe before December 31st definitely before Jan.1st.
Unfortunately, the Lame Duck is more lame than we have ever experienced and this #righttoworkbill … is becoming the right for Govs. to make American Workers work for less
Bernie is leading a fight against a Federal Communications Commission proposal to allow fewer and fewer news media conglomerates to control more and more television stations, radio stations and newspapers. “We’re going to do everything we can to prevent it from happening,” Bernie told Bill Moyers in an interview that will air this weekend on Moyers & Company.
Media concentration limits the public’s access to unbiased information about important issues, drowns out independent voices, hurts local news and community affairs coverage, eliminates competition and discourages diversity in ownership. The FCC could issue an order on the rule change as early as January.
On December 5, 2012, President Obama will host representatives invited from each of the 566 federally recognized American Indian tribes, and Alaska Native Villages, at the 2012 White House Tribal Nations Conference. Fulfilling a commitment to improve and expand dialog with Indian Country, the President has hosted a Tribal Nations Conference in each year of his Presidency to facilitate a lasting discussion between Tribal Leaders and Senior Administration Officials.
The opening and closing sessions of the Conference will be available for live online viewing at www.WhiteHouse.gov/Live and also at www.DOI.gov/Live. The expected agenda is as follows:
Opening Session, 9:00am – 10:30am EST
Secretary Ken Salazar, Department of the Interior
Secretary Arne Duncan, Department of Education
Deputy Secretary Neal Wolin, Department of the Treasury
Acting Secretary Rebecca Blank, Department of Commerce
Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, Department of Health and Human Services
Secretary Tom Vilsack, Department of Agriculture
Closing Session, 1:30pm – 3:30pm EST
Leaders of each Tribal Leaders Breakout Session
Secretary Ray LaHood, Department of Transportation
Secretary Hilda Solis, Department of Labor President Barack Obama
The White House Tribal Nations Conference is the cornerstone of the Administration’s outreach and engagement with tribal governments and the dialogue and lessons learned will help shape federal policy in the weeks, months and years to come. We would like to sincerely thank all tribal leaders who will be taking part in the White House Tribal Nations Conference and we look forward to our continued collaboration and dialogue.
Be a Seed for Change 
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