President Obama Speaks on Health Reform

wh.gov: President Obama Speaks on Health Reform

The Supreme Court's decision to uphold the Affordable Care Act ensures hard-working, middle class families will get the security they deserve and protects every American from the worst insurance company abuses. June 28, 2012.

Read President Obama's speech

See WH.gov Supreme Court Upholds President Obama's Health Care Reform

Learn more at WH.gov Health Reform in Action

West Wing Week: 06/29/12 or "The Right Thing To Do"

wh.gov: West Wing Week: 06/29/12 or "The Right Thing To Do"

This week, the President spoke at the annual NALEO conference, hosted the Congressional Picnic and addressed the nation on the Supreme Court's decision on the Affordable Care Act, while his administration announced grants for cities hiring veterans as police officers, and spoke with students about college affordability.

US Supreme Court Upholds Health Care Act

VOAVideo: US Supreme Court Upholds Health Care Act

The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that the Affordable Care Act, a key domestic policy achievement of President Obama, is constitutional. In part, the act requires insurance companies to include preventative health care, and it bans them from denying coverage to people with pre-existing health conditions. The act also requires virtually all Americans to have some form of health insurance. VOA's Suzanne Presto in Washington has more.

USCIS 100:76 Emancipation Proclamation and Juneteenth VIDEO

uscitizenpod: USCIS 100:76 Emancipation Proclamation and Juneteenth VIDEO

Today we continue our exploration of the USCIS History and Government questions and African American History. Today we will talk about USCIS 100:76. What did the Emancipation Proclamation do?

We will first read about Q76 from the USCIS M638 quick civics lesson. Then we will listen to an interview with Robin Braxton who helps organizes our local Juneteenth festival. Robin will talk about Juneteenth, also known as Freedom Day or Emancipation Day. Juneteenth celebrates the day when slaves in Texas heard about the Emancipation Proclamation. Juneteenth is also a holiday that celebrates African American history and culture. Let's get started!

You can also download the mp3.

West Wing Week: 06/21/12 o "Soñadores"

wh.gov: West Wing Week: 06/21/12 o "Soñadores"

Esta semana, el Presidente habló sobre un mejoramiento importante en la política de inmigración que alinea mejor la política del gobierno con nuestros valores, y viajó a la Cumbre del G20 en Los Cabos, México para trabajar hacia la estabilización de la economía global.

West Wing Week: 06/21/12 or "Dreamers"

wh.gov: West Wing Week: 06/21/12 or "Dreamers"

This week, the President talks about an important policy change on immigration that more closely aligns our policy with our values, and traveled to the Group of 20 Summit in Los Cabos, Mexico, to work toward stabilization of the world global economy.

USCIS 100:76 The Emancipation Proclamation and Juneteenth

USCIS 100:76 The Emancipation Proclamation and Juneteenth (download mp3)

Today we continue our exploration of the USCIS History and Government questions and African American History. Today we will talk about USCIS 100:76. What did the Emancipation Proclamation do? 

We will first read about Q76 from the USCIS M638 quick civics lesson. Then we will listen to an interview with Robin Braxton who helps organizes our local Juneteenth festival. Robin will talk about Juneteenth, also known as Freedom Day or Emancipation Day. Juneteenth celebrates the day when slaves in Texas heard about the Emancipation Proclamation. Juneteenth is also a holiday that celebrates African American history and culture. Let's get started!

Juneteenth snd the Emancipation Proclamation

STATEMENT FROM PRESIDENT OBAMA ON THE OCCASION OF JUNETEENTH

On this day in 1865, two years after President Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation, word finally reached the people of Galveston, Texas that the Civil War was over. All enslaved men, women and children were now free.

Though it would take decades of struggle and collective effort before African Americans were granted equal treatment and protection under the law, Juneteenth is recognized by Americans everywhere as a symbolic milestone in our journey toward a more perfect union.

With the recent ground breaking of the first Smithsonian Museum dedicated to African American History and Culture, and the dedication of a monument to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. on the National Mall, this Juneteenth offers another opportunity to reflect on how far we’ve come as a nation. And it’s also a chance to recommit ourselves to the ongoing work of guaranteeing liberty and equal rights for all Americans.

For more info, see Juneteenth.com

Red, White, and Dad!

Red, White, and Dad!

see more at Long May She Wave!

West Wing Week: 06/15/12 or "The Fatherhood Buzz"

West Wing Week: 06/15/12 or "The Fatherhood Buzz"

Welcome to the West Wing Week, your guide to everything that's happening at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. This week, the President welcomed the Girl Scouts, the Presidents of the Philippines and of Israel, the New York Giants, local tv anchors from around the country, and Betty White. He also kicked off the Fatherhood Buzz Campaign, and visited One World Trade Center. That's June 8th to June 14th or "The Fatherhood Buzz."

West Wing Week: 06/08/12 or "Roll Up Our Sleeves and Never Quit"

West Wing Week: 06/08/12 or "Roll Up Our Sleeves and Never Quit"

This week, the President traveled to Honeywell International in Minnesota, to highlight efforts to help veterans find good paying jobs, urged Congress to support the Paycheck Fairness Act and to not let interest rates double on student loans on July 1st. That's June 1st to June 7th or "Roll up our sleeves and never quit."

Hispanic Voters Could Play Key Role in US Election

VOAVideo: Hispanic Voters Could Play Key Role in US Election

Hispanics represent the fastest-growing minority in the United States and an increasingly important segment of the voting population, especially in so-called swing states like Colorado, New Mexico and Nevada, where they could play a decisive role in the U.S. presidential election in November. Recent opinion surveys show Hispanics favoring President Obama two-to-one over the presumptive Republican nominee, Mitt Romney. VOA's Greg Flakus reports from Houston.

New Voter: Mai Trang

Last year, Mai Trang became a US Citizen. Yesterday, she voted for the first time and came back to class to show off her ballot receipts. she said that she wanted to vote for the measure that would give more money to the local school district (update: IT PASSED!). GOOD JOB, MAI TRANG! 


You can watch Mai Trang's video about her citizenship interview here: http://youtu.be/qtpjlATfl_4

How We Vote: Registration as Party Strategy

VOAVideo: How We Vote: Registration as Party Strategy

Electoral registration, the process of which varies from state to state, is considered essential part of political party strategy.

ESL Podcast 733 – Voting in an Election

ESL Podcast 733 – Voting in an Election

Download Podcast Vote early and vote often in this episode that’s all about elections.

Independent Fundraising Groups Influencing US Voters

VOAVideo: Independent Fundraising Groups Influencing US Voters

There is an old saying that money is the lifeblood of politics. But in this year's U.S. presidential election the body politic appears to be drowning in money thanks to the influence of independent fundraising groups known as Super PACs, or political action committees that are aligned with specific presidential candidates. In addition to the various campaigns, the Super PACs have independently raised tens of millions of dollars and are having an impact on the 2012 race for the Republican Party's presidential nomination.

ESLPod English Café 161 : Registering to Vote

ESLPod English Café 161 : Registering to Vote

Topics: Registering to vote and efforts to get out the vote; the G.I. Bill; growl, groan, and mutter; personnel and other collective nouns; to be fond of (download mp3)

Words:

• election
• mandatory
• to register to vote
• to fill out
• democracy
• to get out the vote
• voter drives
• soldier
• veteran
• benefits
• economy
• social legislation
• growl
• groan
• mutter
• personnel
• to be fond of

West Wing Week: 06/01/12 or "Each of Them Loved This Country . . . More Than Life Itself."

West Wing Week: 06/01/12 or "Each of Them Loved This Country . . . More Than Life Itself."

Welcome to the West Wing Week, your guide to everything that's happening at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. This week, the President honored Memorial Day and the 50th Anniversary of the Vietnam War, awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, signed bipartisan legislation reauthorizing the Export-Import Bank, and welcomed Former President Bush and Form First Lady Laura Bush for the official unveiling of their portraits. That's May 25th to May 31st, or "Each of them loved this country . . . more than life itself."