Inauguration , the Inaugural Ball and White House

INAUGURATION, The Ball and White House Tour

We arrived in DC on Sunday around 11:00 went off to explore the Mall. Met up with friends at the Botanical Gardens and enjoyed a wonderful lunch at the Native American Museum and we had wonderful native food. Anna and I stayed to check out the museum while Judy and Deborah hiked to the Lincoln Memorial. Anna and I made our way back up Capitol Hill to our Hotel on 200 C Street and 2nd Street. It was quite a hike and I was exhausted and decided to stay at the Hotel while the girls met up at a Historic Neighborhood Bar.

Inauguration Day: we stood with a million other enthusiastic mostly younger people to watch the swearing in ceremony. It was inspiring to see such a diverse and friendly crowd. I was renewed with hope that we can work together to make a better world. FORWARD; Into the new century. Everyone carried a cell phone to record the event and the feeling of being part of this diverse community was worth the physical endurance it took to walk miles and stand for hours in lines. The Presidents Inauguration speech brought tears to the eyes of many. It was an honor to be there and see history in the making.

We did not accept the tickets for the parade that Judy was offered. We went back to our hotel to rest up for the Ball and find some food to keep going. One has to realize ones limits after all.   We needed to get ready for the Ball, we watched the Parade on our TV in our beautiful Hotel Suite.

The Ball was hard to describe. Thousands of people all dressed up milling about. The music was great and seeing the President dance with Michelle was the high point of the evening.

The tour of the White House 11:00am. Frigid cold standing in line. The White House was beautiful just like the pictures only better. The floral arrangements were exquisite. The portraits of past presidents wonderful to see up close. We just missed a Surprise visit of the President, First Lady and Bo. If we were just a little slower moving through we would have gotten to meet them. Kathy F. From Greenville was there and had the her picture shaking hands with Michelle posted (picture on the day) on the White House website. I will attach it below, along with a few pictures from our trip.

The Inaugural Ball at the Convention Center Monday Jan.21, 2013

Above my view of the Inauguration. At least I could hear, the sound was good but too far to see much.
Being pare of this sea of humanity was amazing. It filled me with hope.  The crowd was friendly and joyful.

The view from out Hotel room window. The flag is on the Capitol Building, Library of Congress was very close.

Our little hotel was perfect.  Great breakfast and great location.

Looking forward to returning to Pennsylvania and continuing to work for OFA.

I will continue to post our activities.  Please consider giving some of your time to help us in our efforts.

DWMC next meeting will be Saturday,  Feb.9 MCAAA (Senior Citizens Center in Hermitage)

League of Women Voters Lunch

Several members of DWMC attended the lunch and submitted questions to our PA State Representatives. There were about 32 people attending the lunch.

Legislature Dick Stevens talked about changes in Voter laws, photo ID, and reduce size of legislature.

Mark Longietti spoke about voting Access, early voting. PA is one of only 15 states without early voting.
Same day registration is a trend in other states increasing participation by 10%. Campaign finance reform. Verified ballot trail.

Senator Bob Robins spoke about voter registration.
Question:
Funding for education:
Mark Longietti spoke about unequal cuts to low income and rich districts.
How to pay for education? eliminate bonus depreciation. Look at how other states fund education.
Stevenson spoke about the state budget. 5.4 Billion the highest ever.

The next question addresses social services. How will you address the needs.
Robins said provide good paying jobs.
He said you had 12 years of free education why did you not take advantage of it?


Stevens also wants to make PA more job friendly with lower taxes for employers.
No help on social services.

Natural Gas tax and Tax Credits for job creation. House hold income is declining in PA.
Mark L:
We need to invest in creating world class workforce by funding education.

Question; Top three legislative issues you will address:
Dick S.
1.Transportation needs,
2. Pension reform
3. Privatize state liquor stores
Bob R.
1. Transportation and bridge repair
2. Budget 40% education
3. Libraries addressing the new technology and mandated advertising laws.
Legislation mandated advertisements on line to save $$.

State questions done
Now local questions:
Question:
Extraction tax for natural gas drilling?
We need this, other states have 5% to 7% tax Marcellus Shale effects counties even when drilling is not local. Roads are effected by trucks passing thru.

Mark L. Priorities:
1. Criminal street gang legislation

2. Implement School Library Study that funds and promotes libraries.

3. Jobs and focused tax policy to create jobs. Made in PA economic development help for manufacturing.

Stevens talked about the Natural Gas Industry paying taxes even without extraction tax. We have never had an extraction tax before and he would not support such a tax.

Stevenson on gun violence. No change on gun laws. Look at other causes, movies, family structure, other questions.
Robbins wants to look at mental health and social issues. No gun law changes.
These are the notes I took during the question answer session.

Day of Service, Grove City, PA

Service Volunteers of Mercer County meets this morning at the Grove City Community Food Pantry to deliver donations collected for the National Day of Service.

Tracy Turner the director explains how the food pantry serves the working poor.

20 volunteers at Prince of peace

Packing food in Farrell PA for national Day of Service Friday morning. We will also be helping Saturday morning at the Grove City Community Food Pantry.

Prince of Peace in Farrell PA

Jan. 18 National Day of service. Volunteers are here Friday morning packing food in boxes for needy Seniors.
See the photo below Food is needed the shelves are empty. This time of the year is a time of need.