United States Defense Secretary Robert Gates announced the Stop-loss policy will be dialed back . Gates also sent Congress a memo on the decision to stop banning the media from covering return ceremonies for fallen soldiers, when families agree. The Pentagon will, also, pay for those family members to travel to Dover Airforce Base and increase support of those families upon arrival. Click arrow go pg 4
The President dropped his proposal to compel private insurance companies to pay for the care and treatment of veterans who have suffered service-connected disabilities and injuries.
The Obama Administration endorsed a United Nations Declaration calling for a worldwide decriminalization of homosexuality.
Day58/March 19th/Thurday: The President addressed employees of the Southern California Edison Electric Vehicle Technical Center in Pomona, California. The President announced:
“…that the Department of Energy is launching a $2 billion competitive grant program under the Recovery Act that will spark the manufacturing of the batteries and parts that run these cars, build or upgrade the factories that will produce them, and in the process, create thousands of jobs right here in America.” Transcript
The President held a town hall meeting in Los Angeles, California. Transcript
First Lady Michelle Obama visited eleven Washington, D.C. schools with an entourage of other successful women. Mrs. Obama wanted to convey a message of encouragement to female students that they can also succeed by working hard and ignoring the negativity and rebukes of others.
The President was a guest on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno: only one sitting President of the United States, John F. Kennedy, had previously been a Tonight Show guest.
Day59/March 20th/Friday: The President addressed the National Conference of State Legislatures and announced new crackdowns on lobbyists:
“Any lobbyists who want to talk with a member of my administration about a particular Recovery Act project will have to submit their thoughts in writing, and we will post it on the internet for all to see. If any member of my administration does meet with a lobbyist about a Recovery Act project, every American will be able to go online and see what that meeting was all about. These are unprecedented restrictions that will help ensure that lobbyists do not stand in the way of our recovery.” transcript
The President met in the White House with Governors Ed Rendell of Pennsylvania, Michael Bloomberg of New York and Arnold Swartzenegger of California to discuss how the states will spend stimulus money.
The President posted a video on the White House website in which he addressed the Iranian people and their government, offering:
“So in this season of new beginnings I would like to speak clearly to Iran's leaders. We have serious differences that have grown over time. My administration is now committed to diplomacy that addresses the full range of issues before us, and to pursuing constructive ties among the United States, Iran and the international community. This process will not be advanced by threats. We seek instead engagement that is honest and grounded in mutual respect.” Transcript
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