Archive for the ‘National News’ Category
Mormon leader presents family history to Obama – Salt Lake Tribune
Washington » Mormon Church leaders presented President Barack Obama with a detailed family tree in five leather-bound volumes Monday during a private meeting in the Oval Office.
The 30-minute sit-down was the first time Obama has met with Thomas S. Monson, president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Monson was escorted by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, the highest ranking Mormon in the government, and LDS Apostle Dallin Oaks, the chairman of the faith’s genealogical committee.
LDS leaders have made a tradition of presenting presidents with genealogical breakdowns, giving similar reports to Bill Clinton and George W. Bush, but none have been as varied as Obama’s, whose mother was from Kansas and whose father was from Kenya. Previous ancestral examinations have uncovered Obama’s Irish and German lineage as well.
“President Obama’s heritage is rich with examples of leadership, sacrifice and service,” Monson said. “We were very pleased to research his family history and are honored to present it to him today.”
The bound volumes include details about multiple generations of his family going back hundreds of years.
In a brief statement, Obama said he enjoyed meeting the Mormon leaders and appreciated their gift.
“I’m grateful for the genealogical records that they brought with them and am looking forward to reading through the materials with my daughters,” he
Advertisement
said. “It’s something our family will treasure for years to come.”
The meeting, arranged by Reid, was closed to the press.
[...MORE]
via Mormon leader presents family history to Obama – Salt Lake Tribune.
Statue of Liberty’s crown to reopen July 4 – Los Angeles Times
Reporting from Washington — The lofty crown of the Statue of Liberty, closed to the public since the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, will reopen July 4, Interior Secretary Ken Salazar announced this morning.
Salazar announced the reopening, with the National Park Service planning a lottery for those wishing to climb the narrow, circular staircase of 168 steps inside the statue to the crown, in an appearance inside the crown this morning on NBC News’ “Today” show.
Admission will be “egalitarian,” the secretary said of a planned lottery for visitors wishing to make the staircase climb.
The reopening of the crown atop the statue, a gift to the United States from France in 1885 and a symbol of freedom standing on its island in New York City’s harbor since then, will take place on Independence Day — the anniversary of July 4, 1776, the date inscribed on the tablet that Lady Liberty holds in her hand.
via Statue of Liberty’s crown to reopen July 4 – Los Angeles Times.
