Joplin High School 2012 Graduation

President Obama delivers the 2012 commencement address

 Joplin High School

May 21, 2012  at  9:15 PM ET

Joplin, MO

.

” Langston Hughes, the poet and civil rights activist who knew some tough times, was born here in Joplin. In a poem called “Youth,” he wrote,

We have tomorrow
Bright before us
Like a flame.
Yesterday
A night-gone thing,
A sun-down name.
And dawn-today. Broad arch above the road we came.
We march.

To the people of Joplin, and the class of 2012:

The road has been hard. The day has been long. But we have tomorrow, and so we march. We march, together, and you are leading the way. Congratulations. May God bless you, and may God bless the United States of America.”

President Obama
Joplin High School 2012 Commencement
5/21/12

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Joplin Day of Unity

May 22, 2012 –   3:00 PM ET

“The Day of Unity is simply that – a day to come together as we are – and recognize the historic year that we’ve been through together,” said Rohr. “As the event committee has said before, we’re not inviting anyone – we’re inviting EVERYONE to be a part of these events.”

On Tuesday, May 22, residents and officials from Duquesne will walk west toward Joplin, starting the Walk of Unity at 2 p.m. CDT from the round-about at 20th Street and Duquesne Road. They will then join a larger group waiting at Wal-Mart,17th and Range Line, to begin their walk at 2:30 p.m. . CDT  Walkers will head west and wind through the path of the tornado until reaching the final destination set at Cunningham Park.

The Day of Unity Program begins at approximately 5:15 p.m. . CDT in Cunningham Park. There will be a moment of silence at 5:41 p.m. CDT  for one minute to honor those who died due to the May 22, 2011 tornado. The program consists of remembrance activities of music, prayer, and reflections.

For those who may not be able to participate, Zimmer Radio’s News Talk KZRG will broadcast live updates from the Walk of Unity & the concluding program at Cunningham Park. It will be aired live just as it was one year ago on KZRG. Listeners can turn their radios to FM 102.9 or AM 1310 News Talk KZRG, log on to http://www.NewsTalkKZRG.com or download the free KZRG app for their Apple or Droid devices to join Joplin in this Day of Unity.

For more information about this event or other activities recognizing the one-year anniversary, go to http://www.joplintornadoanniversary.com.

Joplin’s Inspirational Words: “Remember.  Rejoice.  Rebuild.“

.

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This entry was posted on Sunday, May 20th, 2012 at 3:00 pm and is filed under Education, PBO. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.

47 Responses to Joplin High School 2012 Graduation

  1. CR says:
    05/20/2012 at 5:42 pm

    WH

    Monday, May 21, 2012

    All Times Eastern

    Vice President Biden meets with senior advisors at the White House.

    7:00 AM
    8:00 AM
    9:00 AM
    10:00 AM
    President Obama participates in an International Security Assistance Force meeting on Afghanistan
    Local Event Time: 9:00 AM CDT
    Pool Spray at the Top

    11:00 AM
    12:00 PM
    12:45 PM
    First Lady Michelle Obama delivers remarks at campaign event
    Cleveland, Ohio

    12:55 PM
    President Obama takes part in an International Security Assistance Force family photo.
    Local Event Time: 11:55AM CDT
    Pooled Press

    1:00 PM
    2:00 PM
    2:20 PM
    President Obama and NATO Secretary General host a Partners Meeting
    Local Event Time: 1:20PM CDT
    Pool Spray at the Top

    3:00 PM
    4:00 PM
    4:30 PM
    President Obama Press Conference
    McCormick Place
    Chicago, Illinois
    Local Event Time: 3:30PM CDT
    Open Press

    5:00 PM
    6:00 PM
    6:05 PM
    President Obama departs Chicago, IL en route Joplin, MO.
    Local Event Time: 5:05PM CDT
    Open Press

    7:00 PM
    7:30 PM
    President Obama arrives in Joplin, MO.
    Local Event Time: 6:30PM CDT
    Open Press

    8:00 PM
    9:00 PM
    9:15 PM
    President Obama delivers the commencement address at Joplin High School
    Joplin, MO

    10:00 PM
    10:20 PM
    President Obama departs Joplin, MO en route Washington, DC.

    11:00 PM
    12:00 PM
    12:35 AM
    President Obama arrives at Joint Base Andrews.

    12:50 AM
    President Obama arrives at the White House.

  2. CR says:
    05/20/2012 at 5:43 pm

    joplin_hs_banner

    President Obama delivers the commencement address
    Joplin High School in Joplin, MO

    May 18, 2012

    President Obama to Deliver Commencement Address at Joplin High School’s Graduation Ceremony

    WASHINGTON, DC – On Monday, May 21, the President will travel to Joplin, Missouri, where he will deliver the commencement address at Joplin High School’s 2011-2012 graduation ceremony. After devastating tornadoes ravaged the Joplin area nearly a year ago, the Joplin community’s resilience and selflessness in the face of tragedy continues to inspire our nation. The President looks forward to joining Missouri Governor Jay Nixon at Joplin High School’s graduation ceremony and addressing this year‘s graduating seniors and their families.

    • CR says:
      05/20/2012 at 5:44 pm

      Nearly a Year After Tornado, Joplin Continues Recovery

      By William Browning | Yahoo! Contributor Network – Sat, Apr 14, 2012

      KOAM-TV reports the possibility of “life threatening” storms are bearing down on the Joplin, Mo., area. The news comes as tornado season begins when the city continues to recover nearly a year after a deadly EF-5 tornado killed 161 people. Joplin’s recovery has been swift compared to Tuscaloosa, Ala., according to the Wall Street Journal. That tornado killed 52 people and destroyed 2,000 buildings April 27. Joplin’s tornado was May 22 and decimated a third of the city.

      Joplin’s spirit of recovery continues as more businesses are opening.

      Mercy Hospital
      The Joplin Globe states a temporary hospital facility was constructed for $100 million and 110 beds. The facility took 8 ½ months to build from start to finish. A full-sized hospital will take another three years to complete a few miles south of the St. John’s Regional Medical Center that was directly hit by the massive funnel cloud.

      Although not what the old hospital used to be, the new Mercy Hospital Joplin will do until a new 100-acre campus is finished. The new place is 150,000 square feet. The project was originally scheduled to take 15 months to be built. But 500 workers spent round-the-clock shifts constructing the component hospital that was put together from parts brought from California.

      For the entire article: http://news.yahoo.com/nearly-tornado-joplin-continues-recovery-205300008.html

  3. CR says:
    05/20/2012 at 5:44 pm

    The President and First Lady Announce the 2012 Launch of Veterans and Military Families for Obama

    Published on May 17, 2012 by BarackObamadotcom

    Join Veterans and Military Families for Obama: https://my.barackobama.com/POTUSFLOTUSvid

    President Obama:
    “The most humbling part of my job is serving is serving as Commander in Chief of the world’s finest military. And there’s nothing I take more seriously than my responsibility to those who sacrifice their own safety to defend ours. That’s why Michelle and I have made supporting veterans and military families a top priority from the start.”

    First Lady Michelle Obama:
    “Our veterans have done so much for this country and your families set an example for all of us. I can’t say this enough: I am in awe of you.”

    President Obama:
    “Look how far we’ve come together in just three years. When I took office we had more than a 140,000 Americans troops in Iraq. Today we’re safer and stronger. We’ve refocused our efforts on defeating Al Qaeda in Afghanistan and Pakistan. We’ve brought Osama bin Laden to justice. And last December the First Lady and I were proud to welcome our troops home from Iraq. And were looking forward to doing the same as our service members come back from Afghanistan.”

    First Lady Michelle Obama:
    “You’ve fought so bravely for this country all around the world and when you hang up that uniform you shouldn’t have to fight to get a job or receive the benefits you’ve earned here at home.”

    President Obama:
    “That’s why my administration is making veteran’s employment a national priority: from creating tax credits for businesses that hire unemployed veterans and wounded warriors to improving the post-911 GI BILL, the most comprehensive package of educational benefits for veterans in more than 60 years. It’s why we’ve boosted the veteran affairs budget every year since I’ve been in office. To make sure that every veteran has access to physical and mental health care that they need. It’s why we systematically reform the way we fund health care for veterans and are hiring thousands of claims processors to get the veterans their benefits faster.”

    First Lady Michelle Obama:
    “Supporting veterans and military families means doing everything we can to serve you as well as you served our country. Barack has your backs and he’s just getting started.”

    President Obama:
    “So visit BarackObama.com/Veterans. Join Veterans and Military Families for Obama and thanks for your service.”

  4. CR says:
    05/20/2012 at 5:45 pm

    Native Nation Events
    Fifth Annual Renewable Energy Projects Indian Country Conference

    May 21-22, 2012
    Talking Stick Resort in Scottsdale, AZ

     At Native Nation Events’ Fifth Annual Renewable Energy Projects in Indian Country Conference  of tribal leaders and professionals will address these issues. Discussions will include: increasing access to private capital, feasibility studies, and how we can create sustainable and environmentally responsible economies with renewable energy projects for the future generations of Indian Country. Sponsored by the US Department of Energy

    http://nativenationevents.org/EventsNativeAmericanConferences.asp?eventID=79

  5. CR says:
    05/20/2012 at 5:45 pm

    America’s Small Business Summit 2012: May 21-23, 2012

    America’s Small Business Summit 2012 presented by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce

    July 28, 2011by ChamberSummit, Window Shopper

    Save the Date for America’s Small Business Summit 2012: May 21-23, 2012The U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s annual event—America’s Small Business Summit—unites small business owners, managers, and entrepreneurs from across the country to learn, network, and discuss common legislative and management concerns. Help influence our nation’s economic and political agenda by advocating for pro-business policies through the Rally on the Hill portion of the program. For more information and important dates, continue to check the Summit website, http://www.uschambersummit.com.Location:
    Omni Shoreham Hotel
    2500 Calvert Street NW (at Connecticut Ave.)
    Washington, District of Columbia 20008Monday, May 21- Wednesday, May 23 (2012)

    For more: http://community.sba.gov/community/discussion-boards/discuss-popular-topics/small-business-events/americas-small-business-summit-2012-presented-us-chambe

    • CR says:
      05/20/2012 at 5:45 pm

      National Small Business Week: May 20-26, 2012

      Are you a Small Business that has been helped by SBA? Don’t miss our National Small Business Week Video Contest

      Karen Mills April 20, 2012 03:02 PM EDT

      It’s almost time for National Small Business Week 2012 – and to kick things off we are launching a video contest.

      Each week I travel around the country and hear from business owners about how SBA has helped them start, grow and succeed. I’m often inspired by each business’ ingenuity, and it’s the small business owners I meet each week that are making communities strong and keeping America competitive.

      I want to share these stories, and so many more, with everyone. The video contest is an opportunity for small business owners and entrepreneurs to share their success stories with a larger audience and emphasize how important they are to their local economy.

      For the entire article: http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2012/04/20/are-you-small-business-has-been-helped-sba-don-t-miss-our-national-small-business-we

    • CR says:
      05/21/2012 at 9:07 am

      startup_america

      Startup Stories: JOBS Act Expands Opportunities for True Investments

      Carrie Ferrence and Jacqueline Gjurgevich May 21, 2012 10:24 AM ED

      Ed note: In honor of Small Business Week, StartUp America is highlighting success stories from American enterpreneurs

      Stockbox Grocers is a startup out of Seattle, WA that places neighborhood grocery stores throughout urban areas to increase access to fresh produce, essential staples, and good meals. Stores are tucked inside empty storefronts or reclaimed shipping containers that can be dropped into available parking lots. As a community focused for-profit, we’ve been able to leverage a wide range of support to grow our business from an idea into reality and we expect to continue to fund our development by further cultivating relationships within our community and across the country.

      In Fall 2011, Stockbox opened a prototype store that allowed us to test our unique business model, receive direct feedback from customers, and test key design features. We converted an 8’ x 20’ box into an inviting retail space complete with signage, curtains, community boards, a sitting area, and over 300 unique items sourced from a co-op distributor and local farms. Customers were blown away by the large variety of affordable and fresh food and this new alternative to local mini-marts.

      We were able to open the store in only a few months because of our supporters: community groups welcomed our concept with open arms; local non-profits and government offices helped with outreach and implementation; and we raised much of our funding via a donation-based crowdfunding campaign. This online fundraising platform allowed us to share our story and develop an even wider range of support, collecting almost 200 donors from Seattle and other cities, who contributed more $21,000 in 45 days.

      For more: http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2012/05/21/startup-stories-jobs-act-expands-opportunities-true-investments

  6. COS says:
    05/20/2012 at 9:42 pm

    Hello CR. Wow, PBO has a busy day tomorrow.

    • CR says:
      05/20/2012 at 10:13 pm

      Hi COS! Yes he does, it makes me tired just reading his schedule! HOPE that you have a good night.

  7. CR says:
    05/21/2012 at 5:57 am

    Good Monday morning everyone! I HOPE that you have a good day!

  8. Jackie 4 Obama says:
    05/21/2012 at 6:51 am

    Good morning CR and PPO Family. HOPE you all have a great Monday. Will post candle from work.

  9. CR says:
    05/21/2012 at 7:09 am

    Economists more upbeat about job growth, housing

    5/21/12 Associated Press – 2 hrs 42 mins ago

    NEW YORK (AP) — A new survey shows economists are growing slightly more optimistic about recovery in the job and housing markets but expect other pillars of the economy to remain weak.

    The National Association for Business Economists says in a report issued Monday that its forecasters expect modest growth for the remainder of the year, with the pace picking up in 2013.

    Still, the 54 economists NABE surveyed expect consumer spending, business investment and gross domestic product to remain below historic norms.

    The quarterly survey compiles expectations for indicators such as hiring, home construction and spending from economists at industry groups, government agencies, banks and consultancies.

    The panel now expects average monthly job growth for 2012 of 188,000, up from its forecast in February for 170,000 new jobs per month in 2012. The improved outlook would lead the unemployment rate to fall to 8 percent by the end of the year, the economists said. The rate is now 8.1 percent. By the end of 2013, the unemployment rate is expected to ease further to 7.5 percent.

    The NABE economists expect housing starts to rise 18 percent to 720,000 units this year and increase again to 850,000 in 2013.

    Residential investment is forecast to increase 8.8 percent this year; that’s better than the 6.6 percent the economists predicted in February. In 2013, they now expect a 10.4 percent rise, up from 10 percent.

    The outlook for light vehicle sales is also brighter, and the NABE panel now expects sales to reach 14.5 million units this year, up from their previous forecast for 14 million units. In 2013, they now expect 14.8 million light vehicles to sell, up from a forecast for 14.6 million.

    For more: http://news.yahoo.com/economists-more-upbeat-job-growth-housing-040246525–finance.html

  10. jcjone says:
    05/21/2012 at 7:12 am

    Very busy President. Hope to get a glimpse of him while he is in Joplin. Maybe see him at the airport?

    JOHN

  11. CR says:
    05/21/2012 at 7:18 am

    10:00 AM ET
    President Obama participates in an International Security Assistance Force meeting on Afghanistan
    McCormick Place
    Chicago, Illinois

    • CR says:
      05/21/2012 at 10:42 am

      May 21, 2012

      Remarks by the President at ISAF Meeting on Afghanistan

      McCormick Place
      Chicago, Illinois

      9:24 A.M. CDT

      THE PRESIDENT: Well, good morning, everyone. And for those who are joining us for the first time, welcome to Chicago. I was just hearing from a few folks who are not NATO members that they had fun on the town last night. Hopefully, no stories in the press. (Laughter.)

      We come together as 50 nations — NATO allies and partners — that make up the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan. I want to welcome the presence of President Karzai, as well as officials from central Asia and Russia — nations that have an important perspective and that continue to provide critical transit for ISAF supplies.

      The presence of so many leaders and nations illustrates once again that this is a truly international mission, and that’s because the region and the world have a profound interest in an Afghanistan that is stable, that is secure, and that is not a source of attacks on other nations. And today, as always, our thoughts are with our brave forces who are serving in this vital mission.

      Two years ago, in Lisbon, our nations agreed on a framework for transition in Afghanistan that would allow us to responsibly wind down the war. We agreed that this transition to Afghan lead for security would begin in 2011 and that it would conclude in 2014. At the same time, we said that we would seek a long-term partnership with Afghanistan and the Afghan people.

      Over the past two years, we’ve made important progress. Our forces broke the Taliban’s momentum. More Afghans are reclaiming their communities. Afghan security forces have grown stronger. And the transition that we agreed to in Lisbon is well underway.

      This past week we saw more progress. We very much welcomed President Karzai’s announcement to the third group of areas to begin transition. This means that 75 percent of the Afghan people live in areas where Afghan forces will be moving into the lead.

      Today, we’ll decide the next phase of the transition — the next milestone. We’ll set a goal for Afghan forces to take the lead for combat operations across the country in 2013 — next year — so that ISAF can move to a supporting role. This will be another step toward Afghans taking full lead for their security as agreed to by 2014 when the ISAF combat mission will end.

      For more: http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2012/05/21/remarks-president-isaf-meeting-afghanistan

  12. CR says:
    05/21/2012 at 8:07 am

    GOP WRONG WAY

    ‘Adults’ don’t hold the nation hostage

    May 21, 2012 By Steve Benen – maddowblog

    Last summer, just a few days after the debt-ceiling crisis had been resolved, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) said of the debt limit, “What we did learn is this: it’s a hostage that’s worth ransoming.”

    I thought of this yesterday when McConnell told CBS’s Bob Schieffer, referencing House Speaker John Boehner, “The Speaker and I have been the adults in the room.”

    Ah yes, thank goodness for the adults. McConnell and Boehner (1) backed the Bush/Cheney agenda that added $5 trillion to the debt; (2) decided they no longer liked raising the debt ceiling; (3) held the nation hostage, threatening to hurt the country on purpose unless they got their way; and (4) rejected a White House offer to reduce the debt by $4 trillion.

    Nothing says “grown-up behavior” like the antics of an elementary schoolyard bully.

    The larger significance of McConnell’s quote, though, is the way in which in reinforces an odd truth: Republican leaders simply don’t see a problem with their dangerous and unprecedented debt-ceiling strategy. Boehner said last week that he may be threatening to trash the full faith and credit of the United States for the first time in history, but we shouldn’t consider this a “threat.”

    As Dana Milbank put it over the weekend:

    John Boehner thinks it’s kind of funny. “It struck me as somewhat comical,” he told reporters Thursday morning, “that, you know, people are looking to me like I’m the guy carrying a sword around town, I’m going to bludgeon someone.”

    Well, Mr. Speaker, maybe that’s because your rapier keeps setting off the metal detectors.

    GOP leaders aren’t just comfortable deliberately holding the country hostage, they’re lacking in self-awareness, seeing themselves as responsible “adults” who aren’t doing anything wrong.

    This somehow makes the problem worse. It’s one thing for a villain to hold a gun to the head of a hostage; it’s something else when he feels a degree self-righteousness while he’s doing it.

    For more: http://maddowblog.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/05/21/11791626-adults-dont-hold-the-nation-hostage?lite

  13. CR says:
    05/21/2012 at 9:25 am

    12:45 PM ET
    First Lady Michelle Obama delivers remarks at campaign event
    Cleveland, Ohio

    • CR says:
      05/21/2012 at 9:26 am

      May 21, 2012

      Remarks by the First Lady at a Campaign Event

      Progressive Field
      Cleveland, Ohio

      1:20 P.M. EDT

      MRS. OBAMA: Oh, it is so beautiful in here! (Applause.) We just need some hotdogs and a game. (Laughter.)

      You all, thank you so much.

      AUDIENCE MEMBER: Thank you! (Applause.)

      MRS. OBAMA: Thank you all. You all keep us going. I am beyond thrilled to be with all of you today.

      I want to start by thanking Reverend Bigelow for that very kind and impassioned introduction, so we need to give her another round of applause. (Applause.)

      I also want to take — I want to take a moment to recognize County Executive Ed Fitzgerald and his wife, who are here. I want to thank him and — both of them for their leadership and for their service. (Applause.) We’re so glad that they could be here today, and proud of the work that they’re doing.

      And I want to give a big hello to Danielle for her remarks today, and for all the work that she’s been doing on the campaign, as well. (Applause.)

      But finally, I want to thank all of you, truly, for taking the time out of your busy lives and your busy days to join us here today. And I know that everyone is busy. All of us, we have amazingly busy lives. I know that folks have families to raise, they’ve got jobs to do. But I also know that there’s a reason why so many of you have taken time out of those lives to be here today, and it’s not just because we all support one extraordinary man –- (applause) — and I am a bit biased. (Laughter.) But I think we’ve got a pretty phenomenal President. (Applause.)

      And we’re here not just because we want to win an election — which we do. We’re here and we’re doing this because of the values we believe in. We’re doing this because of the vision for this country that we all share. We’re doing this because we want our children — all of our children — to go to good schools — those schools that push them, and inspire them, and prepare them for good opportunities in the future, right?

      AUDIENCE: Right.

      MRS. OBAMA: We want our parents and our grandparents to retire with dignity, because we believe that after a lifetime of hard work, in this country, they should be able to enjoy their golden years. Small things.

      We want to restore that basic middle-class security for our families, because we believe that folks shouldn’t go bankrupt because someone gets sick; that folks shouldn’t lose their home because someone loses a job. Not in America. We believe, as Reverend Bigelow said, that responsibility should be rewarded, that hard work should pay off. We believe that everyone should do their fair share but play by the same rules.

      For more: http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2012/05/21/remarks-first-lady-campaign-event

  14. CR says:
    05/21/2012 at 9:26 am

    12:55 PM ET
    President Obama takes part in an International Security Assistance Force family photo.

  15. Jackie 4 Obama says:
    05/21/2012 at 9:34 am

    Please join me in lighting a candle for our President, First Family and the Nation.

    http://www.gratefulness.org/candles/candles.cfm?l=eng&gi=PBO

  16. CR says:
    05/21/2012 at 10:09 am

    2:20 PM ET
    President Obama and NATO Secretary General host a Partners Meeting.

  17. CR says:
    05/21/2012 at 10:11 am

    Next Up…

    4:30 PM ET
    President Obama Press Conference
    McCormick Place
    Chicago, Illinois

    WhiteHouse.gov http://www.whitehouse.gov/live

    CNN http://live.cnn.com

    CSPAN http://www.c-span.org/Events/NATO-Summit-Wraps-Up-With-Two-News-Conferences/10737430844/

    The Chicago Council http://www.livestream.com/thechicagocouncil

    • CR says:
      05/21/2012 at 10:11 am

      President Obama Speaks at NATO Press Conference

      Published on May 21, 2012 by whitehouse

      President Obama speaks to the press at the NATO Press Conference in Chicago, IL. May 21, 2012.

  18. CR says:
    05/21/2012 at 6:04 pm

    Next Up…

    9:15 PM ET
    President Obama delivers the commencement address at Joplin High School
    Joplin, MO

    WhiteHouse.gov http://www.whitehouse.gov/live

    CNN http://live.cnn.com

    CSPAN http://www.cspan.org/

    • CR says:
      05/21/2012 at 6:05 pm

      May 21, 2012

      Remarks by the President at the Joplin High School Commencement

      Missouri Southern State University
      Joplin, Missouri

      8:40 P.M. CDT

      THE PRESIDENT: Thank you. (Applause.) Thank you, everybody. Please have a seat. A few people I want to acknowledge. First of all, you have an outstanding governor in Jay Nixon, and we are proud of all the work that he’s done. I want to acknowledge Senator Claire McCaskill who is here. (Applause.) Representative Billy Long. (Applause.) Your mayor, Melodee Colbert Kean. (Applause.) Somebody who doesn’t get a lot of attention but does amazing work all across the country, including here in Joplin, the head of FEMA, the administrator, Craig Fugate, who spent an awful lot of time here helping to rebuild. (Applause.)

      Superintendent Huff. (Applause.) Principal Sachetta. (Applause.) To the faculty, the parents, the family, friends, the people of Joplin, and most of all the class of 2012. (Applause.) Congratulations on your graduation, and thank you for allowing me the honor of playing a small part in this special day.

      Now, the job of a commencement speaker primarily is to keep it short. Chloe, they’ve given me more than two minutes. (Laughter.) But the other job is to inspire. But as I look out at this class, and across this city, what’s clear is that you’re the source of inspiration today. To me. To this state. To this country. And to people all over the world.

      Last year, the road that led you here took a turn that no one could’ve imagined. Just hours after the Class of 2011 walked across this stage, the most powerful tornado in six decades tore a path of devastation through Joplin that was nearly a mile wide and 13 long. In just 32 minutes, it took thousands of homes, and hundreds of businesses, and 161 of your neighbors, friends and family. It took a classmate Will Norton, who had just left this auditorium with a diploma in his hand. It took Lantz Hare, who should’ve received his diploma next year.

      By now, I expect that most of you have probably relived those 32 minutes again and again. Where you were. What you saw. When you knew for sure that it was over. The first contact, the first phone call you had with somebody you loved, the first day that you woke up in a world that would never be the same.

      And yet, the story of Joplin isn’t just what happened that day. It’s the story of what happened the next day. And the day after that. And all the days and weeks and months that followed. As your city manager, Mark Rohr, has said, the people here chose to define the tragedy “not by what happened to us, but by how we responded.”

      Class of 2012, that story is yours. It’s part of you now. As others have mentioned, you’ve had to grow up quickly over the last year. You’ve learned at a younger age than most of us that we can’t always predict what life has in store. No matter how we might try to avoid it, life surely can bring some heartache, and life involves struggle. And at some point life will bring loss.

      But here in Joplin, you’ve also learned that we have the power to grow from these experiences. We can define our lives not by what happens to us, but by how we respond. We can choose to carry on. We can choose to make a difference in the world. And in doing so, we can make true what’s written in Scripture -– that “tribulation produces perseverance, and perseverance, character, and character, hope.”

      For the entire article: http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2012/05/21/remarks-president-joplin-high-school-commencement

  19. CR says:
    05/21/2012 at 9:06 pm

    WH

    Tuesday, May 23, 2012

    All Times Eastern

    7:00 AM
    8:00 AM
    9:00 AM
    10:00 AM
    11:00 AM
    12:00 PM
    1:00 PM
    1:45 PM
    Vice President Biden attends a campaign event
    College’s Young Student Center
    Keene, New Hampshire

    2:00 PM
    3:00 PM
    4:00 PM
    5:00 PM
    5:45 PM
    Vice President Biden attends a campaign event
    Boston, Massachusetts

    6:00 PM
    7:00 PM
    8:00 PM
    9:00 PM
    10:00 PM

  20. CR says:
    05/21/2012 at 9:20 pm

    Biden to visit Keene, NH

    May 21, 2012 7:38 AM PDT By WCAX News

    KEENE, N.H. -
    Vice President Joe Biden will be visiting the Granite State Tuesday.

    Biden will travel to Keene, New Hampshire for a rally at Keene State College. Campaign officials say he will highlight the President’s efforts on the economy and draw contrasts with Mitt Romney.

    The event takes place at 1:45 at the College’s Young Student Center.

    Tuesday’s trip will be Biden’s fourth trip to New Hampshire this year. Most recently, he spoke in Exeter last month.

  21. CR says:
    05/22/2012 at 6:41 am

    Good Tuesday morning everyone! I HOPE that you have a good day!

  22. CR says:
    05/22/2012 at 8:42 am

    Home resales rise, boding well for economy

    5/22/12 By Jason Lange | Reuters – 16 mins ago

    WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Home resales rose in April to their highest annual rate in nearly two years and a falloff in foreclosures pushed prices higher, hopeful signs for the country’s economic recovery.

    The National Association of Realtors said on Tuesday that existing home sales increased 3.4 percent to an annual rate of 4.62 million units last month, the highest since May 2010.

    “The housing market is showing some signs of life,” said Gary Thayer, a macro strategist at Wells Fargo Advisors in St. Louis.

    Nationwide, the median price for a home resale jumped to $177,400 in April, up 10.1 percent from a year earlier. That was the biggest year-over-year increase since January 2006.

    Prices rose in large part because a drop in foreclosures led to fewer distressed sales, said NAR economist Lawrence Yun.

    At the same time, Yun said some seasonal factors might have also played a role in the price increase, because families tend to buy in the spring, which means bigger homes comprise a larger share of total sales.

    For more: http://news.yahoo.com/existing-home-sales-rise-3-4-percent-april-140302039–business.html

  23. Jackie 4 Obama says:
    05/22/2012 at 9:23 am

    Good morning CR and PPO Family. HOPE you have a wonderful Tuesday.

    Please join me in lighting a candle for our President, First Family and the Nation.

    http://www.gratefulness.org/candles/candles.cfm?l=eng&gi=PBO

  24. Kat 4 Obama says:
    05/22/2012 at 1:31 pm

    Whoa — I’m late late late! Connection issues and stuff! What an amazing commencement address from PBO — inspiring for everyone as well as those great students!

    Good and HOPEful Tuesday, CR and all friends!

    >^..^<

  25. CR says:
    05/22/2012 at 3:26 pm

    1:45 PM ET
    Vice President Biden attends a campaign event
    Keene, New Hampshire

  26. CR says:
    05/22/2012 at 3:26 pm

    5:45 PM ET
    Vice President Biden attends a campaign event
    Boston, Massachusetts

  27. CR says:
    05/22/2012 at 3:33 pm

    May 22, 2012

    President Obama Calls on Congress to Act on Clean Energy Tax Credits in “To Do List”

    WASHINGTON, DC – On Thursday, President Obama will visit a wind manufacturer in Newton, Iowa. Newton is a city of roughly 16,000 residents, located 35 miles east of Des Moines. For many years, Maytag manufactured washers and dryers at its corporate headquarters in Newton, employing 3,500 at its peak. After being acquired by Whirlpool in 2006, plans were made to consolidate manufacturing into existing facilities, and the remaining 1,900 employees in Newton lost their jobs. But because of the growth in the wind industry, much of it stimulated by the federal Production Tax Credit (PTC), TPI Composites – a leading global provider of composite wind blades to major turbine manufacturers – built a plant in Newton in 2008 and today employs more than 700 workers.

    In Newton, the President will urge Congress to create secure American jobs and restore middle class security by acting on the “To Do List.” Specifically, the President will highlight the need to reduce our reliance on foreign oil and develop more secure domestic energy sources by investing in clean energy manufacturing. He will call on Congress to pass legislation that will extend the PTC to support American jobs and manufacturing in the wind industry alongside an expansion of the 48C Advanced Energy Manufacturing Tax Credit that supports American-made clean energy manufacturing. According to industry estimates, the wind industry supports nearly 20,000 direct jobs along with over 30,000 manufacturing jobs in its supply chain. These credits have played an important role in fueling that job creation, and as a result have strong bipartisan support from Governors, Members of Congress, as well as industry.

    Today, Deputy Assistant to the President for Energy and Climate Change, Heather Zichal; Deputy Assistant to the President and Deputy Director of the National Economic Council, Brian Deese; Secretary of Energy, Steven Chu; and Secretary of the Interior, Ken Salazar will meet with wind energy developers and supply chain manufacturers to discuss the value of the PTC and the 48C tax credits to a range of industries, companies, and communities, and how we want to work together to ensure they are passed. Thanks in part to the Obama Administration’s investments in clean energy – the largest in American history – the United States has nearly doubled renewable energy generation from sources like wind and solar since the President took office. Generation from wind turbines has increased 27 percent in the last year alone, continuing a trend of rapid growth.

    For more: http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2012/05/22/president-obama-calls-congress-act-clean-energy-tax-credits-do-list

  28. CR says:
    05/22/2012 at 3:34 pm

    82yrs-joplin

    Number of the Day: 82 years

    Matt Compton May 22, 2012 03:22 PM EDT

    Of all the incredible stories to come out of the effort to rebuild Joplin, Missouri after the May 22, 2011 tornados, few are more powerful than that of the response from volunteers — everyday people from all over the country and the world who poured into the community and returned again and again to help with the recovery.

    In the year since the storm, more than 126,800 individuals put in some 755,300 hours of community service in the Joplin area. Their efforts in everything from clean-up and repairs to home construction represent more than 82 years of community service.

    Learn more

    Read about the efforts to rebuild Joplin.
    Watch President Obama’s commencement address to the 2012 graduates of Joplin High School.

  29. CR says:
    05/22/2012 at 4:15 pm

    *********************
    THIS POST IS NOW CLOSED

    NBLB Come on over to my newest post

    titled: “Air Force Academy Colorado Springs 2012 Graduation ”
    **********************

    To get to newest post click on “HOME” at the top of the page and click on the title of the newest post

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