From the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico to a surprise trip to Afghanistan, to getting injured during a friendly game of basketball, President Barack Obama has certainly had a busy year. Here, in order of occurrence, are Obama Today’s picks for 10 notable Obama moments of 2010:
1. Signs the Affordable Care Act into Law
During the presidential campaign, Obama listed making health care affordable and accessible to all Americans as one of his main priorities. After a long and hard battle in Congress, and in the court of public opinion, President Obama signed the Affordable Care Act into law on March 23. Speaking about the momentous occasion, the president said, “Today, after almost a century of trying; today, after over a year of debate; today, after all the votes have been tallied, health insurance reform becomes law in the United States of America.”
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2. Visits the Oil Spill in the Gulf of MexicoThe country and the world watched as millions of gallons of crude oil spilled into the Gulf of Mexico, the result of a BP oil rig that exploded. The accident killed 11 men and untold numbers of wildlife. It has also affected the livelihoods of Americans who live along the Gulf Coast. President Obama visited the devastation in May and said, “More than anything else, this economic and environmental tragedy – and it’s a tragedy – underscores the urgent need for this nation to develop clean, renewable sources of energy.”
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3. Hosts Young African Leaders ForumIn August President Obama hosted the President’s Forum with Young African Leaders, aimed at giving African youth delegates and U.S. officials the opportunity to discuss the future of the African continent. During a town hall meeting with the African delegates the president told them, “Today, you represent a different vision, a vision of Africa on the move…An Africa that’s ending old conflicts… an Africa that’s pursuing a broadband revolution that could transform the daily lives of future generations.”
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4. Declares End of U.S. Combat Mission in IraqRealizing yet another campaign promise, in September President Obama declared the U.S. would end its seven-and-a-half-year military operation in Iraq and shift to a civilian-led mission to build a partnership with the country in an effort to strengthen its government, industry and people. Speaking to the American people from the Oval Office the president said, “Through this remarkable chapter in the history of the United States and Iraq, we have met our responsibility. Now, it’s time to turn the page.”
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5. Michelle Obama Helps Harvest the White House GardenWe can’t talk about President Obama without mentioning the first lady. Michelle Obama has had a busy year in her own right, working with military families, accompanying her husband during important events, and leading her Let’s Move! initiative to end childhood obesity. As part of that initiative the Obamas planted a garden on the White House grounds, and Mrs. Obama uses the garden to teach kids about the benefits of eating healthy, fresh foods, most notably vegetables. In late October she invited elementary school students and world famous chefs to the White House for the First Lady’s Fall 2010 Kitchen Garden Harvest.
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6. Delivers a Post-Midterm Election Press ConferenceThe midterm elections were a tough time for President Obama’s party. The Democrats lost control of the House of Representatives, and lost a handful of seats of the Senate even while managing to retain the majority there. After the elections the president gave a press conference in which he made note of the defeats and signaled he was willing to work with Republicans to move the country forward.
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7. Takes a Trip to AsiaDuring a major international trip in November the president visited India, Indonesia, Japan, and South Korea. He met with foreign leaders, students and young people, and attended the G20 in Seoul. Mrs. Obama took the opportunity to meet with women and girls to discuss empowerment and to play a game of hopscotch.
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8. Gets Injured During a Basketball GamePresident Obama played basketball in his youth, and has been an ardent fan of the sport ever since. During one of his regular games with friends and White House staff, a fellow player accidentally struck the president in the mouth, busting his lip and requiring him to get 12 stitches. Ouch!
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9. Makes a Surprise Visit to AfghanistanIt was a quick, unannounced trip that garnered lots of media attention. President Obama landed in Afghanistan on December 3 to meet with U.S. troops and U.S. officials on the ground. He told a gathering of 4,000 troops at Bagram air base, “I know it’s not easy for all you to be away from home, especially during the holiday. We are here to say thank you for everything you do.”
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10. Named Most Admired Man in AmericaFor the third year in a row a USA Today- Gallup poll found that Barack Obama is the man Americans most admire. Garnering 22 percent of the votes, he beat out such world figures as former U.S. presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush, the Dalai Lama, and Nelson Mandela. Read the original post: http://bit.ly/eATRI6
