OBAMA WATCH: WEEK OF JULY 26

Ship Christening

First Lady Michelle Obama cracked the bubbly during the christening of the third U.S. Coast Guard National Security cutter Stratton in Pascagoula, Miss. on Friday. Mrs. Obama is the ship’s sponsor.

 

 

 

 

Speaking to Attendees

Mrs. Obama addresses the audience prior to the christening. The ship, Stratton, is named in honor of Dorothy C. Stratton, who was the Coast Guard’s first female commissioned officer and director of the SPARS, the United States Coast Guard Women’s Reserve during World War II. (AP Photo/Press-Register, John David Mercer)

 

 

 

Shooting Hoops

Obama and his aide, Reggie Love, walk towards their vehicle after playing a game a basketball at Fort McNair in Washington, D.C. on Saturday. . (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)

 

 

 

Rained Out

After having his golf match cut short on Sunday by the rain, Obama returns to the White House. Here, he holds a copy of the book “The Survivors Club: The Secrets and Science That Could Save Your Life.” (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)

 

 

 

 

Monday Meetings

After receiving his daily briefings, the President Obama met with Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in the Oval Office Monday morning.

 

 

 

Finance Reform

In the afternoon, Obama spoke about the Senate campaign finance reform vote in the White House’s Rose Garden. Afterwards, he met with representatives Steny Hoyer (D-MD), Jim Langevin (D-RI) and Jim Sensenbrenner (R-WI) in the Oval Office. Langevin, who is quadriplegic and wheelchair bound, presided over the House of Representatives for the very first time on Monday. The House floor was recently made wheelchair accessible. Monday was the 20th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act.

 

 

 

Americans with Disability Anniversary

Monday evening, the president will host an event at the White House to mark the 20th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Administration officials and lawmakers, as well as disabled Americans attended. Singer Patti LaBelle performed, among others, and White House Senior Advisor Valerie Jarrett and Director of the White House Domestic Policy Council Melody Barnes will make remarks. Here, he’s pictured making remarks at the event.

 

 

Greeting Guests

Obama greets audience members curing the celebration of the Disabilities Act. The law was designed 20 years ago to get rid of discrimination against disabled people and to make buildings more wheelchair accessible. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

 

 

 

“I Love You”

The president returns the “I Love You” sign while greeting attendees at the event held on the White House’s South Lawn. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)

 

 

 

Meetings

On Tuesday, the president will attend meetings at the White House.

 

 

New Jersey Bound

Obama will head to New Jersey on Wednesday to talk about the economy in the Edison area. Later in the day, he’ll deliver a speech at a fundraiser for the Democratic National Committee in New York City. (Pictured: Obama talks to workers in Kansas City)

 

 

Urban League

On Thursday, President Obama is scheduled to speak at the National Urban League’s 100th Anniversary Convention in Washington, D.C. His speech will emphasize education reform as well as his signature Race to the Top program and other initiatives undertaken by his administration during his presidency.

 

 

 

Detroit Visit

The president will travel to Michigan on Friday to visit Chrysler and General Motors auto plants in Detroit and Hamtramck. Last year the Obama administration made some moves to save the two auto industry players and, according to the White House, it has paid off with both companies becoming more profitable and hiring workers.

 

 

First Family Vacation

The White House has announced that the First Family will vacation at Martha’s Vineyard for 10 days, beginning Aug. 19. The Obamas will also visit the Gulf Coast of Florida to support and promote tourism in the region that was hit hard economically by the BP Oil Spill.