The Final State of the Union
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Summary:
This week, President Obama awarded the Medal of Honor to Army Command Sergeant Major Bennie G. Adkins and Army Specialist Four Donald P. Sloat, met with National Spelling Bee winners, announced a major increase in our efforts to help fight Ebola in West Africa, gave a statement about the bipartisan support of our strategy to defeat ISIL, and launched a campaign to help stop sexual assault.
This week, President Obama awarded the Medal of Honor to Army Command Sergeant Major Bennie G. Adkins and Army Specialist Four Donald P. Sloat, met with National Spelling Bee winners, announced a major increase in our efforts to help fight Ebola in West Africa, gave a statement about the bipartisan support of our strategy to defeat ISIL, and launched a campaign to help stop sexual assault.
Check out the rest of the highlights from this week.
Monday:
A Closer Look at the Medal of Honor Ceremony
President Obama awarded the Medal of Honor to Army Command Sergeant Major Bennie G. Adkins and Army Specialist Four Donald P. Sloat for their heroic and brave actions in Vietnam. While you probably know that the Medal of Honor is the highest military award that a member of the U.S. Armed Forces can receive, have you ever wondered what goes into the actual ceremony at the White House?
We went behind the scenes as the President presented the Medal of Honor in June to Cpl. William "Kyle" Carpenter, a retired United States Marine, for his actions during combat operations in Afghanistan. Take a look here:
Tuesday:
Increasing Our Response to the Ebola Outbreak
President Obama visited the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in Atlanta and spoke about the Ebola outbreak in West Africa. In his remarks, he announced a major increase in our efforts to help the international community fight the outbreak with four main goals:
- Controlling the outbreak
- Addressing the ripple effects of local economies and communities to prevent a truly massive humanitarian disaster
- Coordinating a broader global response
- Urgently building up a public health system in these countries for the future -- not just in West Africa but also in countries that don’t have a lot of resources generally
While reiterating that the chances of an Ebola outbreak in the United States are very unlikely, the President emphasized that the outbreak is still a national security priority, and that the government has “devoted significant resources in support of our strategy.”
Wednesday:
Celebrating Constitution Day
On Wednesday, September 17, we celebrated the document that helped establish our government. But what exactly is Constitution Day? We’ve got the facts for you.
Happy Constitution Day! http://t.co/BRNl5eEGO0 pic.twitter.com/sFBdWhDOWP
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) September 17, 2014
After you’ve checked out the facts, head to the Constitution page on WhiteHouse.gov to find out more.
Thursday:
"If you threaten America, you will find no safe haven."
Speaking from the White House, the President outlined our strategy to degrade and ultimately destroy the terrorist group known as ISIL. He also thanked Congress for its bipartisan support of a Continuing Resolution that supports our military efforts to train and equip moderate Syrian opposition forces so they can help defeat the terrorist group.
“I believe that we’re strongest as a nation when the President and Congress work together. And I want to thank leaders in Congress for the speed and seriousness with which they approached this urgent issue -- in keeping with the bipartisanship that is the hallmark of American foreign policy at its best.”
Friday:
It’s On Us to End Sexual Assault
Today, the President announced an initiative to help stop campus sexual assault. Be part of the solution and take the pledge to help keep women and men safe from sexual assault on ItsOnUs.org. Here’s what you’ll be pledging:
- To recognize that non-consensual sex is sexual assault.
- To identify situations in which sexual assault may occur.
- To intervene in situations where consent has not or cannot be given.
- To create an environment in which sexual assault is unacceptable and survivors are supported.
Take a personal commitment to be the change and help stop sexual assault now.
Want to see even more? Be sure to check out the White House blog and this week’s episode of West Wing Week:
