On Wednesday, I volunteered with Let’s Read! Let’s Move! the
program spearheaded by First Lady Michelle Obama, designed to help combat
childhood obesity by encouraging our nation’s children to become healthier by
being more physically active. AAPD
intern Rodney Maiden, who also works at the Department of Education with the
Rehabilitation Services Administration, was the MC for the event. This week’s special guests were U.S.
Secretary of Education, Arne Duncan, former Washington Redskin linebacker,
LeVar Arrington, host of the television program Reading Rainbow, and star of
Roots and Star Trek, LeVar Burton, and Miss America 2012, Laura Kaeppeler. Over 150 children from DC participated in the
program. After having stories read to
them, and participating in a question and answer session with our celebrities,
the children proceeded outdoors, where activities such as obstacle courses and
basketball stations awaited them. Many
of the challenges had a theme that endorsed healthy foods, such as filling
salad bowls and shopping carts with play fruits and vegetables. There were also taste stations where children
could sample healthy snacks. Children
also went home with autographed books meant to encourage them to read.
I also attended an ice cream social, given by Vermont
Senator Patrick Leahy, having been invited by Yoshiko Dart. We sampled Ben & Jerry’s ice cream, and
were treated to a Grateful Dead tribute band.
Senator Leahy and Yoshiko posed for pictures with us, and I got to meet
Alexandra Reeve, daughter of the late actor Christopher Reeve, who is general
counsel for Senator Leahy. We had a
beautiful view from the rooftop of 300 New Jersey Avenue.
Last week also saw me attending a Senate Foreign Relations
Committee hearing on "The Next Ten Years in the Fight Against Human
Trafficking: Attacking the Problem with the Right Tools." Witnesses testifying before the committee
included actress Jada Pinkett Smith, who has founded the anti-trafficking
organization, Don’t Sell Bodies, and who brought with her three survivors of
childhood trafficking. Ms. Pinkett Smith
was part of a panel who urged Congress to reauthorize the Trafficking Victims
Protection Act, which was designed to combat human trafficking.
Here are some photographs from last week.
with Senator Patrick Leahy at his annual ice cream social.
U.S. Secretary of Education, Arne Duncan at Let's Read! Let's Move!
Actor LeVar Burton
Miss America 2012 Laura Kaeppeler
Me with formeer Washington Redskin linebacker, LeVar Arrington
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