Sunday, June 19, 2011

President Obama first official U.S. presidential visit in 50 years Tuesday 06/14/2011


 

 
Hon. John F. Kennedy - Hon. Luis Muñoz Marín December 15, 1961


Barack Obama paid Puerto Rico its first official U.S. presidential visit in 50 years on Tuesday, courting an important slice of Hispanic voters on the mainland who could help his re-election chances in 2012.

At an arrival ceremony in an aircraft hanger, Obama expressed support for an eventual decision by Puerto Ricans on the U.S. island territory's status and said his administration was working to strengthen its recession-battered economy.

"When the people of Puerto Rico make a clear decision, my administration will stand by you," he told a cheering crowd.

"We're giving Puerto Ricans the tools they need to build their own future," the president said. "We are going to put people back to work here in Puerto Rico and all across America."