The Final State of the Union
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Summary:
Welcome to the West Wing Week, your guide to everything that's happening at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue — and beyond.
Welcome to the West Wing Week, your guide to everything that's happening at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue — and beyond. This week, the President addressed artists in the East Room, the nation from the Oval Office, and Congress on Capitol Hill. Meanwhile, the Vice President traveled to Ukraine. And the White House celebrated Hanukkah. That's December 4th to December 10th or, "Notorious RBG."
Friday, December 4
- On Friday, the President met with former Representative Gabby Giffords and her husband Mark Kelly to talk about reducing gun violence.
Sunday, December 6
- On Sunday, the President and First Lady welcomed to the White House the Kennedy Center Honorees — 5 distinguished individuals who have made extraordinary contributions to the arts.
- At 8:01 PM, the President delivered an address to the nation from the Oval Office on his top priority: keeping the American people safe. He laid out the key elements of our strategy to combat terrorism abroad and at home.
- Meanwhile, the Vice President landed in Ukraine shortly before midnight for a two-day visit.
Monday, December 7
- On Monday morning, the Vice President met with Ukrainian officials and civil society leaders for a "reformers roundtable" to discuss efforts to combat corruption in Ukraine.
- Later, the Vice President visited the Memorial to the Heavenly Hundred — a display honoring the 100 Ukrainian civilians killed during the protests of February 2014.
- Then, he stepped into a private meeting with President Poroshenko.
- In between a busy schedule of bilateral meetings, the Vice President had a meeting of a different sort — with some cute kids who's parents work at the Embassy in Kiev.
- And later, he met with Prime Minister Yatsenyuk.
Tuesday, December 8
- On Tuesday, the Vice President addressed the Ukrainian Parliament on tackling corruption, building a strong democracy, and addressing Russian aggression in Ukraine.
Wednesday, December 9
- Back in the United States on Wednesday, the President visited Capitol Hill to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the 13th Amendment to the Constitution that outlawed slavery.
- That afternoon, the President invited Israeli President Rivlin to the Oval Office for a bilateral meeting. And later, the two Presidents both attended the annual Hanukkah reception — with a special musical performance by the Maccabeats.
Thursday, December 10
- On Thursday morning, the President signed the Every Student Succeeds Act, which enshrines much needed reforms to our education system, especially addressing the problem of over-testing our students.
Stay engaged with us online, and remember, you can find out more about any of these topics and see complete videos at WhiteHouse.gov.
