----- Original Message -----
From: President Barack Obama
To: kiehl@rki-i.com
Sent: Sunday, June 19, 2011 4:08 PM
Subject: Taking the time to be a dad


The White House, Washington

Good morning,

I grew up without a father around. I was lucky enough to be raised by a wonderful mother who, like so many heroic single mothers, never allowed my father's absence to be an excuse for me to slack off or not always do my best. But I often wonder what it would have been like if my father had a greater presence in my life.

So as a father of two young girls, I've tried hard to be a good dad. I haven't always been perfect – there have been times when work kept me away from my family too often, and most of the parenting duties fell to Michelle.

I know many other fathers face similar challenges. Whether you're a military dad returning from deployment or a father doing his best to make ends meet for his family in a tough economy, being a parent isn't easy.

That's why my Administration is kicking off the Year of Strong Fathers, Strong Families. We're joining with dads across the country to do something about father absence. And we're taking steps to offer men who want to be good fathers but are facing challenges in their lives a little extra support, while partnering with businesses to offer fun opportunities for fathers to spend time with their kids. For example, the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, Major League Baseball and the WNBA are offering discounts for fathers and their kids, and companies like Groupon and LivingSocial will be featuring special offers for activities fathers can do with their children.

You can learn more and sign the Fatherhood Pledge at Fatherhood.gov:

Sign the Fatherhood Pledge at www.fatherhood.gov

We know that every father has a personal responsibility to do right by their kids – to encourage them to turn off the video games and pick up a book; to teach them the difference between right and wrong; to show them through our own example the value in treating one another as we wish to be treated. And most of all, to play an active and engaged role in their lives.

But all of us have a stake in forging stronger bonds between fathers and their children. All of us can support those who are willing to step up and be father figures to those children growing up without a dad. And that's what the Year of Strong Fathers, Strong Families is all about.

So I hope the dads out there will take advantage of some of the opportunities Strong Fathers, Strong Families will offer. It's one way of saying thank you to those who are doing the most important job of all: playing a part in our children's lives.

Happy Father's Day.

Sincerely,

President Barack Obama

P.S. Earlier this week, I did a TV interview and wrote an op-ed on this topic. You can see both on WhiteHouse.gov.


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The White House Your Daily Snapshot for
Saturday, June 18, 2011

Weekly Address: Celebrating Fathers

On Father's Day weekend, President Obama reflects on his experience as a parent and discusses the challenges and necessity of being a good father.

Watch the video.

Weekly Wrap Up

Cutting Government Waste: This week the President announced a new effort to eliminate government waste and help improve government accountability.

West Wing Week: The President meets with his Jobs Council in North Carolina, tours a high-tech manufacturing facility, travels to Puerto Rico and much much more.

Happy Early Father's Day: Take a look at the revamped Fatherhood.gov, as well as the President's message of Strong Fathers, Strong Families.

There's an app for that: The EPA challenges developers to manipulate public data into a useable form - winners will be publicized on the EPA website. More info here.

Puerto Rico Trip: The President traveled to Puerto Rico, check out the video and pictures of this historic visit.

How to Make Change: This new summer series, announced by the President, delivers tangible ways that youth can be engaged on issues that matter to them. Contact the Young American Outreach Team.

Toomanywebsites.gov: With almost 2,000 separate websites across the Federal Government, Americans often don't know where to turn for information. One of the first steps of the Campaign to Cut Waste which will target duplication and waste among federal websites.

#YoungAfrica: The First Lady travels to Africa countries in her continued effort to engage youth, particularly young women, at home and abroad. Start following the trip using the hash tag #YoungAfrica!


Get Updates

 

 

----- Original Message -----
From: The White House
To: kiehl@rki-i.com
Sent: Saturday, June 18, 2011 1:03 AM
Subject: Weekly Women's Update: Puerto Rico, Military Families, and More
The White House Friday, June 17, 2011

Weekly Women's Update

Welcome to the Council on Women and Girls Weekly Highlights! This week, President Obama traveled to San Juan, Puerto Rico for the first official visit by a sitting U.S. President to the island since President Kennedy visited in 1961. The visit follows a comprehensive report of the President’s Task Force on Puerto Rico’s Status.

Additionally, the First Lady was the keynote speaker at the 40th anniversary gala for the National Partnership for Women and Families, where she spoke about the Administration’s commitment to women and children, and the Partnership’s many accomplishments.

Next week, First Lady Michelle Obama will travel to South Africa and Botswana to meet with young people from across Africa, including the Young African Women Leaders Forum.

If you have friends or family who would like to join our Council on Women and Girls efforts, please have them click here.

First Lady Michelle Obama reacts as President Barack Obama soothes a crying baby while they greet guests at the Congressional Picnic on the South Lawn of the White House, June 15, 2011. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)

Highlights

President Obama Makes Historic Trip to Puerto Rico
President Obama commemorates President John F. Kennedy’s visit to Puerto Rico 50 years ago and continues his historic engagement his Administration has carried out with Puerto Rico.

First Lady's Trip
In the coming days, First Lady Michelle Obama will be traveling to South Africa and Botswana to meet with young people from across Africa, including the Young African Women Leaders Forum.

President Obama Visits Youth Initiative Debrief
Last week, 10 incredible young Americans who had participated in the “100 Youth Roundtables” Initiative and came to Washington, DC for a de-brief with President Obama, his Senior Staff, and DC-based youth advocates.

The First Lady Speaks on The Role of Family in the Workplace
The First Lady was the keynote speaker at the 40th anniversary gala for the National Partnership for Women and Families, where she spoke about the Administration’s commitment to women and children, and the Partnership’s many accomplishments.

Joining Forces| Steps Across America to Help Military Families
This blog introduces readers to Troy Yocum, a veteran who returned from Iraq in the Summer of 2009 with one thought on his mind: he had to do more. Troy has walked thousands of miles across the United States and back. In every town, he stops and talks with people about his mission to assist military families in need.

President Obama announces “How to Make Change Series for Young Americans”
Last week, President Obama met with young Americans in the West Wing to de-brief on the “100 Youth Roundtables” Initiative. They discussed issues regarding environmental regulations, community organizations, legislation that the President supports, and how to really make a difference all around.

Building Efficiency: Our Campaign to Cut Waste
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) makes an unprecedented commitment to efficiency and fiscal discipline in order to best support frontline operations.

Immigrant Conversation: Taking the Conversation on the Road
The U.S Department of Health and Human Services and the Office of Citizenship at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security heard from leaders who helped identify best practices and give their ideas about what the federal government can do to help immigrant populations and the communities.

Creating a More Accountable Government
This week, the Vice President hosted an event at the White House where he announced that the President has asked him to take on a new role holding the Cabinet accountable for cutting waste in their agencies as part of the Administration’s ongoing effort to make government more accountable to the American people.

Accelerating America’s Competitiveness and Job Growth
The President toured Cree’s manufacturing facilities, to deliver remarks and meet with the Jobs Council to discuss initiatives and policies to spur economic growth, promote job creation and accelerate hiring across the nation.

There Ought to be an Environment App for That
EPA is launching an effort called the Apps for the Environment Challenge that encourages private software developers to make smart phone Apps that use EPA’s data (and other sources of data) to help people and communities make decisions that affect their lives.

President Obama Gives Weekly Address
The President outlines how the government is partnering with the private sector to ensure workers have the skills they need to be competitive and grow the economy.

West Wing Week
This week, walk step-by-step with the President as he meets with his Jobs Council in North Carolina to discuss ideas that will accelerate job growth and improve America's competitiveness, tours a manufacturer of energy efficient lighting, travels to Puerto Rico, and more.

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