President Obama Outlines Economic Recovery Plan in Gaston Hall
With the national spotlight shining on the Hilltop, President Obama offered his vision to rebuild the foundation of America’s economy and return economic prosperity to the nation in an address in Gaston Hall Tuesday morning that capped off 24 hours of excitement and anticipation throughout campus.
Speaking in front of an auditorium packed with students, White House guests and media, Obama said that his administration has taken significant steps in its first 100 days to upend the economic downturn, but that much work remained in order to rebuild the foundation that will ensure a prosperous and sustainable economy for years to come.
Obama began his speech by discussing the $787 billion economic stimulus plan that he signed into law in April, saying that it was a necessary measure to stimulate spending and lending across the market. He added that countries that have historically responded to recessions by stimulating spending have experienced more speedy recoveries.
“Since the problems we face have all been feeding off of each other … we’ve had no choice,” he said. “Economists on the left and the right agree that the last thing the government should do during a recession is cut back on spending.”
Obama said that the stimulus package has been just one piece of his plan toward economic recovery, which also includes strengthening the credit market, helping homeowners refinance their troubled mortgages, working with foreign leaders to reform international regulations and stabilizing the nation’s battered auto industry.
The president said that the economy has shown signs of recovery, but warned that there would be “more job loss, more foreclosures and more pain before it ends.”
In the latter portion of his speech, Obama outlined the elements of his recovery plan, urging leaders from across the political spectrum to respond to the extraordinary demands of the times. His five-step plan included enacting new financial regulations to prevent “reckless risk-taking,” investing in education reform, committing to renewable energy development, reforming the health care system to lower consumer costs and lowering the federal debt.
“It is my firm belief that our next task, beginning now, is to make sure such a crisis never happens again,” he said.
Obama said that restoring America’s educational prominence on the international stage would require a commitment to improve educational programs beginning in early childhood.
“By 2020, America will once again have the highest proportion of college graduates in the world,” he said to much applause.
Obama reaffirmed his commitment to restoring education in the sciences, saying that he hopes to see “our best and our brightest commit themselves to making things,” rather than having so many college graduates “manipulate numbers.”
Obama also urged Congressional leaders to act swiftly on the other parts of his plan, calling for the speedy implementation of an economic framework to commit to renewable-energy, development despite the recession and saying that he expects to receive a bill by the end of the year offering new financial regulations. He urged bipartisan effort to address these measures and others — including restoring Social Security and reforming the tax code — saying that progress must not be impeded in Washington by “an attention span that has only gotten shorter with the 24-hour news cycle.”
“The difficulties can’t serve as an excuse for inaction — not anymore,” he added. “We have been called to govern in extraordinary times, and that requires an extraordinary sense of responsibility.”
The speech — which was supposed to begin at 11:30 a.m. but was several minutes behind schedule — lasted approximately 40 minutes longer than most presidential addresses. Obama received two standing ovations that lasted slightly under one minute — first after being introduced by University President John J. DeGioia and later after concluding his remarks — and his speech was interrupted on several occasions by brief applause from the audience.
Obama began his speech by thanking DeGioia and the university for hosting the address, drawing laughs for joking about the university president’s 7-year-old son, John Thomas DeGioia.
“Thanks for bringing your family, especially J.T. We’re going to invite him over to hang out with the girls,” he said.
Several individuals protested Obama’s support for abortion rights and his economic plans outside of the university’s front gates, leading a handful of students to organize a counter-protest.
Although many students signed up for the event through an online lottery that was announced Monday morning, only several hundred students were selected to attend. Many students watched the address, which was broadcast on national television, at numerous locations set up around campus. University spokesperson Julie Bataille did not confirm the number of students that registered for the speech, but said that approximately half of Gaston Hall was reserved for White House guests.
Beth Kenefick (COL ’09) said before the speech that she was one of nearly 100 students to receive a ticket this morning after joining a waitlist last night. Sitting in her seat in the back row of the Gaston balcony, Kenefick said that she was cold after standing outside Healy Hall with three roommates beginning at 8 a.m.
“I think people were there at 3 a.m.,” she said.
Tabari Baker, a first-year graduate student in the university’s Tumor Biology program, said that he was surprised to receive a ticket from the lottery Monday evening, especially since he did not enter until late in the afternoon. “I feel kind of like Charlie in the chocolate factory,” he said.
Baker said after the speech that he supported Obama’s call for investment in science education and research.
“Hopefully the graduate students will get more money here in science,” he said.
Obama previously spoke at Georgetown in September 2006.
Apr 15 2009 at 2:25 p.m.
It appeared to be a forum for anti-Catholic vandalism:
http://dawneden.blogspot.com/2009/04/obamas-messianic-jargon-hits-rock.html
Georgetown is an apostate and schismatic institution that is committing fraudulent misrepresentation in calling itself Catholic.
How's that mammon President DeGioia?
Apr 16 2009 at 3:08 p.m.
President Obama has taken significant action in the mortgage and housing industry. A new program for responsible homeowners has rolled out on April 6th. It allows for homeowners to refinance their mortgage up to 105% loan to value. So far it has allowed many consumers to refinance their mortgages to lower payments and giving them an opportunity to lower their mortgage monthly payment to avoid foreclosure.
Apr 16 2009 at 3:39 p.m.
I was pleased to hear that Georgetown was able to draw a sitting President to Gaston Hall. Regardless of one's political affiliation, we can all be proud to know that our school is a premier authority on foreign policy and political economics.
With that said, I am offended that the White House asked Georgetown to remove all religious symbols from Gaston Hall. Have they no appreciation for tradition? I am fairly certain that Jesus would have been non-partisan, and non-offensive, in any respect. I feel that this request relates to Obama's failure to acknowledge that we are a Nation founded on Judeo-Christian teachings.
Had our officials chosen not to hide all religious symbols, it would have sent a positive message on behalf of all religious institutions.
Apr 16 2009 at 5:11 p.m.
in the vein of Dan's post...
it needs to be stated-- had it been a jewish or a muslim institution, it would be an opportunity for the administration to display open arms to 'diversity'.
the catholic religion is dying. the University is "catholic" in affiliation only. its led by the weak.
Apr 16 2009 at 5:20 p.m.
I agree. Why, then, during his speech, did he invoke the bible? Isn't that hypocritical and insulting? He's basically saying, "Georgetown, regardless of its Catholic heritage, should cleanse itself of all things christian in my presence. I, however, am the President and can invoke the bible whenever I want.:
Apr 16 2009 at 6:06 p.m.
WHO NEEDS FAITH ANYMORE WHEN WE'VE GOT HOPE
It's sad and embarrassing that we can't stand up for our faith. If he doesn't like our religious identity then go over to GW. But honestly we are the ones to blame because we accommodated.
Apr 17 2009 at 12:08 a.m.
Just as Peter did our "Catholic" instituions are denying Jesus. How do you accept to teach our children if you do not represent what we believe? You have done more harm than Adam and Eve or Peter. I think no Catholic should EVER send our children or support you. Shame! Shame! You fell for the STAR not any substance.
Apr 17 2009 at 12:08 a.m.
Just as Peter did our "Catholic" instituions are denying Jesus. How do you accept to teach our children if you do not represent what we believe? You have done more harm than Adam and Eve or Peter. I think no Catholic should EVER send our children or support you. Shame! Shame! You fell for the STAR not any substance.
Apr 17 2009 at 12:46 a.m.
I had 8 years of Catholic gradeschool, 4 years at a Jesuit prep school and graduated from Georgetown in the 80's. Due to the socialist agenda adopted by so many priests, I stopped attending mass long ago. So I'm not exactly a model Roman Catholic. But I'm still deeply offended by Georgetown's capitulation to the White House request to remove the religious symbols from Gaston Hall. I'm embarrassed for Georgetown's administration - what the hell were you thinking? Oh well, guess I can save the donation this year.
Apr 17 2009 at 2:00 p.m.
At 3:09 in this video, you can see that the same symbols are covered.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vBPDWICdds0
This video is from the 2008 Mr. Georgetown pageant (a very funny event of GPB). So is GPB or are the guys participating in this event similarly anti-Catholic.
I would posit no. Not at all. (As if "Catholic" is a good thing to be nowadays anyway.)
Apr 17 2009 at 5:54 p.m.
THIS WAS NOT THE TREAURED GASTON HALL I KNEW AS A STUDENT-I AM DEEPLY DISAPPOINTED-I WAS PROUD OF GOING TO CATHOLIC JESUIT UNVERSITY AND AM PROUD THAT MY DEGREE PREDATES THESE THINGS.
Apr 17 2009 at 7:29 p.m.
Maybe a class action lawsuit alleging fraudulent misrepresentation of being a Catholic university which will sue Georgetown University out of existence is needed.
Apr 17 2009 at 9:44 p.m.
Put the Christian cross BACK behind our Mohammedan "President" B. Hussein Obama. PUT IT BACK.
Hypocrites of Georgetown U. Who's running the show here, Dhimmi Slave-to-Islam Esposito?
"We are a Nation founded on Judeo-Christian teachings." --posted above.
Exactly. Not Mohammedan Barbarian "teachings." I wouldn't attend a Hussein speech if you paid me. Shame on Hypocrite Georgetown.
Apr 17 2009 at 9:53 p.m.
My family and I are shocked that Georgetown covered the Cross behind our "Christian" President.
We will now be saving a few bucks this year by not donating to an Institution of Appeasement. 'Bye Georgetown - it was nice knowing you, when you had a backbone.
Apr 19 2009 at 2:07 a.m.
I agree completely. Why did he even come here, if he is going to do this sort of thing? And I thought he was a "Christian", anyway. A fake Christian; that's what he is.
Angela
Backlinks
Apr 19 2009 at 4:06 p.m.
RELAX - the more conferences and televised things you attend, the more you will see these blue drapes ... .draped for backgrounds. If he was that upset about Catholic imagery, I cannot imagine that he would have picked a place that is literally dripping in the names of Jesuit schools and the much loved AMDG.
But is ANYONE seeing the irony: the only other place Congress is allowed to convene outside of the Capitol? Gaston Hall.
Apr 19 2009 at 6:08 p.m.
I wonder if Notre Dame will be asked to cover over any Catholic symbols when Mr. Obama speaks. Our Catholic Universities are losing their Catholic identity. I graduated from a Jesuit high school and it pains me to see that even the Jesuit tradition has given in to the wants of a politician, especially one that has no respect for life issues. Mr. Obama has taken from the Catholics to get elected and now gives nothing in return.
STXGRAD
Apr 20 2009 at 4:18 p.m.
Could we maybe leave this board for those interested in economics and the merits of the president's speech? There's another story dedicated solely to the protesters. I just thought that the productive subject of economic reform during a recession costing many their livelihood deserves its own pride of place over such prescient questions as "Is inviting a pro-choicer commensurate with my catholic identity?" / "How many angels can dance the tango atop a pinhead?" / and "If the Eastern Orthodox bless themselves from right to left, rather than left to right, do I sin by not butchering them in war?"
Let's be honest, while other universities are making advances in the sciences and opening their humanities divisions to the fresh air of inclusive debate, Georgetown (if this board is an indicator) seems to be stuck in a middle age of magic books, bibles and reactive religious nationalism.
Apr 21 2009 at 8:28 p.m.
Georgetown has become a slave to the Barbarian Mohammedans and their Barbaric 7th century AD Mohammedan ideology. Shame on you, Georgetown. No wonder with the likes of Esposito. Why don't you move to Yemen, Esposito? Enjoy yourself with the allah/Mo Worshippers.
Apr 24 2009 at 2:24 a.m.
It is interesting to see that the US is so chrsitian. The US was my dream place when I was a kid.It was a melting pot of race, religion, culture etc...but now I realize it is still a strong Christian country, for good or worse. まんこ
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