West Wing Week: 02/22/13 or “A Single Sacred Word: Citizen”

This week, the President visited his old neighborhood in Chicago, conferred one of the nation's highest civilian honors, met with the President of Italy, and continued to urge Republicans to close tax loopholes for the wealthy to prevent dangerous across-the-board budget cuts that are slated to take effect on March 1st.

Friday, February 15^th

• Italian President Napolitano joined the President in the Oval Office where they discussed the friendship between our two countries, the world economy, and the President's plan to pursue a U.S.-European Union free trade agreement.
• The President recognized the recipients of the 2012 Presidential Citizens Medal, one of the highest honors a civilian can receive.
• Then the President traveled to Chicago to talk about the importance of making sure every child in America can reach his or her potential.

Tuesday, February 19^th

• The President called for a balanced approach to deficit reduction that would cut spending we don't need but also close tax loopholes that only benefit the wealthiest Americans.

Wednesday, February 20^th

• The President honored the 2012 SAVE Award winner, Frederick Winter, who proposed that all Federal employees who receive public transit benefits shift from regular transit fare to the reduced senior fare as soon as they are eligible.
• As part of “Live from the White House,” the President spoke with eight local TV anchors from across the country.