Martin Luther King Day Of Service: Obamas Volunteer At Stuart Hobson Middle School

WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama honored the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. on Monday by joining a painting project at a school on Capitol Hill.

On the federal holiday named for the slain civil rights leader, Obama brought his family to Stuart Hobson Middle School, where he and first lady Michelle Obama helped paint bright red apple characters on pillars in the lunchroom to encourage healthier eating.

Their daughters, Malia, 12, and Sasha, 9, sat separately at tables and worked on other painting projects.

Obama said King's legacy is also about service, in addition to his pursuit of justice and equality. Obama urged Americans to get out into their communities on Monday – a step he suggested would have special meaning after the Jan. 8 shooting rampage in Tucson, Ariz.

"After a painful week where so many of us were focused on tragedy, it's good for us to remind ourselves of what this country is all about," he told reporters. "This kind of service project is what's best in us."

Monday also was Michelle Obama's 47th birthday. To mark it, the volunteers and others at the school – including the president and his daughters – sang the Stevie Wonder version of "Happy Birthday." The musician wrote it to honor King.

The first couple went to The Source, famous chef Wolfgang Puck's restaurant at the Newseum, for a date night and birthday dinner Monday evening.

Comments

[ChrisD20]

03:13 PM on 01/21/2011

In communities across the country, more than 2,000 volunteers joined Allstate Insurance Company agents and employees in tribute to the heroic public service of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Give Back Day reminds people to start the year by giving back and to volunteer in their community every day.
Allstate hosted service projects in 14 communities, partnering with non-profits to address social needs on a local level. Volunteers in Chicago held a book drive for elementary students in Chicago Public Schools. In Texas, Allstate partnered with Rebuilding Together to clean and repair homes of low-income residents. Allstate New Jersey teamed up with Junior Achievement of New Jersey to help beautify an elementary school. And, in Denver, Allstate agents and employees read books to patients at local children's hospitals.
For more information visit http://allstatenewsroom.com

[Meldy1]

04:20 AM on 01/19/2011

Belated happy birthday to you POTUS once again,thank you for all the things you do.You are being appreciated,PERIOD.You are a civilize educated woman with the big heart,in dutch they say"die vrouw heeft een grote hart",and in French"le femme avec coeur"...Vous est bien Madame Michelle Obama.

[josef k]

09:12 PM on 01/18/2011

So this is part of Obama's plan to defund & eventually dismantle public schools: Step 1.) Appoint privatization fanatic as head of the DOE. Step 2.) Rail against problems of public schools & send your children to private schools as an example. Step 3.) Support those who attack teachers' unions 4.) Promote the diversion of public money into private institutions, including religious ones. 5.) Defund education programs 6.) Get people to "volunteer" to replace jobs lost due to defunding. 7.) Do nothing while the wealthy flee public schools for private ones. 8.) Feel sad for all those poor black folk in the inner cities who don't have schools to go to. 9.) Promote more volunteering to make people feel better.

Yeah that's what MLK would want.

[SoccerNana]

03:43 PM on 01/18/2011

In a sermon delivered shortly before his assassination in April of 1968, Dr. King told the congregation that after his death , he hoped people would remember that he fought peacefully for justice for all men and women:

"I'd like somebody to mention that day, that Martin Luther King, Jr., tried to give his life serving others. I'd like for somebody to say that day, that Martin Luther King, Jr., tried to love somebody. I want you to be able to say that day that I did try to feed the hungry. I want you to be able to say that day that I did try in my life to clothe those who were naked. And I want you to say that day, that I did try, in my life, to visit those who were in prison. I want you to say that I tried to love and serve humanity. Yes, if you want to say that I was a drum major, say that I was a drum major for justice; say that I was a drum major for peace; I was a drum major for righteousness. And all of the other shallow things will not matter. "

[mslovey]

06:48 AM on 01/18/2011

People, drop this 'photo op' BS because it's getting old. Mr. Obama is sought after for photographs for every step he takes so he does not have to spend his wife's birthday painting so he can get photographed. Please get an education before you come here to spew nonsense.

Anyway, happy birthday Mrs. Obama and may your family's good deeds be rewarded tenfold!

[Kiranitisme]

06:02 AM on 01/18/2011

MLK Day. President and Michelle volunteer at a local school. Palin trashes President and Democrats on FOX with Hannity! Cheney comes back to say President will be voted out in 2012. GOP works to repeal Health Care Law. Arizona, decides to give more sweeping rights to gun holders including right to carry guns to colleges. The 9 year old girl who was shot and killed in Tuscon, her parents have donated her cornea to two people who regained their sight.

[centerdem06]

03:53 AM on 01/18/2011

Love to see our President and First Lady lead by example! Happy Birthday Mrs. Obama!

[sviolette]

02:18 AM on 01/18/2011

I wonder if Bush did any volunteer work when he was in office... Never mind...

[Madison Lib]

08:20 AM on 01/18/2011

Sure. When the neocons suggested that we invade Iraq, Bush volunteered our troops and about 3 trillion dollars.

[PTAOfficerforObama]

01:08 AM on 01/18/2011

Nice to see the first fam working together. Happy Birthday Mrs. Obama!

[silverlincoln]

12:55 AM on 01/18/2011

OMG, I hope that paint didn't come from China........we've had problems with lead in their products lately.......

[Last chance]

12:51 AM on 01/18/2011

How do ya like dem apples ?...yuk, yuk !

[tster1965]

12:33 AM on 01/18/2011

And what kind of charity work did Ms. Palin do today?

[PTAOfficerforObama]

01:09 AM on 01/18/2011

I don't think she recognizes Dr. King...

[Blak]

05:02 AM on 01/18/2011

Apparently she posted an article on her Facebook page rebuking the Affordable Health Care Act and stated that if Dr King were alive today, he would not have been able to practice medicine due to the over-restricting policies of this administration.

[happy retiree]

04:44 AM on 01/18/2011

Not sure what charity work Sarah did...but she was on Hannity on FOX. Does that count?

[Blak]

05:03 AM on 01/18/2011

Was it a softball match with all proceedings going to a charity of her choosing? (HerBankAccount charity )

[tster1965]

01:27 PM on 01/18/2011

LOL ;-)

[DAE]

11:55 PM on 01/17/2011

I have nothing against volunteerism and do so myself. But, MLK did not get shot in Memphis for organizing volunteer services. He was leading a struggle of sanitation workers for economic and social justice. At that time he was also speaking out against our foreign wars. If he was alive today he would not be painting pictures at a local school but leading marches of poor people demanding jobs not jails. He would be fighting to close the banks that foreclose homes. He would be denouncing our wars against "terrorists' abroad while home grown terrorists threaten war against our own people at home. Neutering MLKs message is not to honor him but to defame his legacy.

[PTAOfficerforObama]

01:10 AM on 01/18/2011

I think MLK wanted people to get involved.

[DAE]

01:31 AM on 01/18/2011

I think he wanted a litlle more than that

[centerdem06]

03:47 AM on 01/18/2011

Volunteering comes in many forms. I don't really see why you think promoting community service is an insult to MLK. He was for civil rights but also giving back to your community.

[TricksR4Kids]

09:40 PM on 01/17/2011

I wonder what the Obama script has planned for tomorrow's episode?

[naschkatze]

10:04 PM on 01/17/2011

State dinner coming up.

[blurredmolly]

10:30 PM on 01/17/2011

Being VERY presidential.

[wagthedog1001]

09:30 PM on 01/17/2011

COOL!