West Wing Week: 03/22/13 or “Reach Out to New Horizons”

This week, the President spoke on American Energy Security at the Argonne National Laboratory in Illinois, celebrated the luck of the Irish, honored leaders in STEM education and small business, filled out his NCAA tournament brackets, announced his nominee for the Secretary of Labor, and embarked on a 5 day trip to Israel, the West Bank, and Jordan.

Friday, March 15^th

• The President traveled to Argonne National Laboratory's Nanoscale Materials Center to talk about the progress from his all-of-the-above approach to energy independence and the risk that this important sector faces from the arbitrary cuts being imposed by the sequester.

Monday, March 18^th

• The President made a personnel announcement in the East Room, introducing his nominee for Secretary of Labor, Thomas Perez.
• The President honored key supporters of STEM education programs -- that means education in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math -- in the Oval Office.
• In the Eisenhower Executive Office Building, the President spoke to 100 small business owners from across the country participating in a meeting of the National Small Business Association.
• The First Lady joined the President for a reception in honor of Women's History Month.

Tuesday, March 19^th

• The President welcomed Prime Minister Enda Kenny of Ireland to the White House who then joined him for the annual St. Patrick’s Day lunch at the U.S. Capitol.
• In another rite of Spring, the President presented his NCAA March Madness brackets to ESPN.
• The President and the First Lady hosted a reception to celebrate their fifth St. Patrick’s Day at the White House.  During the reception, the President and Prime Minister Kenny participated in the annual Shamrock ceremony.
• Then it was time to head East for the President's first trip, as President, to Israel, the West Bank, and Jordan.