Week of Janurary 9th

Hello, everybody!

Here is what you NEED to know that happened last week!

1) Obamas farewell Speech

Here come the waterworks... I know a lot of the country including us are very depressed and sad that Obama is leaving, and this farewell speech showed us why. This great speech will go down in history but here are a few of the highlights.

-An honorary mention to his family. Including his best friend and wife- Michelle Obama. And of course, his two daughters to which he said were smart, beautiful and intelligent but more importantly passionate and thoughtful. He also said that out of all the things he did in his life he was most proud to be their dad

-An honorary mention to Joe Biden and his wife Jill Biden. Obama stated that they had become family to them and made life at the white house even better.

Quotes:

-"This is where I learned that change only happens when ordinary people get involved, get engaged, and come together to demand it."

"But that's what we did. That's what you did. You were the change. You answered people's hopes, and because of you, by almost every measure, America is a better, stronger place than it was when we started."

-"If our democracy is to work in this increasingly diverse nation, each one of us must try to heed the advice of one of the great characters in American fiction, Atticus Finch, who said "You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view-until you climb into his skin and walk around in it."

-"For native-born Americans, it means reminding ourselves that the stereotypes about immigrants today were said, almost word for word, about the Irish, Italians, and Poles. America wasn't weakened by the presence of these newcomers; they embraced this nation's creed, and it was strengthened."

These are just a few of the best quotes from his speech. If you want to watch the full speech click on the link below!

Obamas Farewell Speech Link

2) Biden's Award

In the midst of Obama saying goodbye he had one more big announcement he had to make as president. This was to his Vice president Jo Biden. He surprised Mr. Biden with a small party in his honor. Obama then got on the stage in front of everybody and gave Joe Biden The presidential medal of freedom. A reward that has been given very rarely and it was Obama's first time and last time to give this award. Joe Biden was shocked and caught off guard, there were tears, hugs and lots of clapping for this vice president who will go down in history.

If you would like to see the full address, click on this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4nD9GxZ0HT0

3) Obama protects two sacred monuments

This is what Obama said about the issue:

"Today, I am designating two new national monuments in the desert landscapes of southeastern Utah and southern Nevada to protect some of our country’s most important cultural treasures, including abundant rock art, archaeological sites, and lands considered sacred by Native American tribes.  Today’s actions will help protect this cultural legacy and will ensure that future generations are able to enjoy and appreciate these scenic and historic landscapes. Importantly, today I have also established a Bears Ears Commission to ensure that tribal expertise and traditional knowledge help inform the management of the Bears Ears National Monument and help us to best care for its remarkable national treasures.

Following years of public input and various proposals to protect both of these areas, including legislation and a proposal from tribal governments in and around Utah, these monuments will protect places that a wide range of stakeholders all agree is worthy of protection. We also have worked to ensure that tribes and local communities can continue to access and benefit from these lands for generations to come."

4)A new type of gun

A new type of gun may be coming to life; one that uses fingerprint scanning technology to ensure that only the firearm's owner can pull its trigger. Many gun-related accidents occur on the basis of loaded handguns getting into the wrong hands, like that of a toddler or suicidal person. This innovation would prevent people from acting on instincts and curiosity in ways that might pose threats to themselves and those around them.

While this concept will serve as a safer option next to a typical firearm, it can not replace guns laws and will not lessen our country's need for them. Gun owners can be just as reckless as those who fire such weapons accidentally, and we must continue to find ways to ensure that guns are used safely and rarely.

Thank you for reading and stay updated, we will be making posts more and more often!

Sources:

• "In A Surprise Send-Off, Obama Awards Biden Presidential Medal Of Freedom."NPR. NPR, n.d. Web. 14 Jan. 2017.

• "Statement by the President on the Designation of Bears Ears National Monument and Gold Butte National Monument." The White House. The United States Government, 28 Dec. 2016. Web. 14 Jan. 2017.

• Gonzales, Erica. "21 of the Most Inspiring Quotes from President Obama's Farewell Address." Harper's BAZAAR. N.p., 10 Jan. 2017. Web. 14 Jan. 2017.

• "Student Invents Smart Gun That Could Prevent Hundreds of Accidents." Good News Network. N.p., 13 Jan. 2017. Web. 14 Jan. 2017.