Photo courtesy New Futures.

This week, President Obama appointed New Futures board member and UW professor Luis Fraga to the President’s Advisory Commission on Educational Excellence for Hispanics.

Fraga will serve on the commission, whose goal is to “develop a set of action proposals to give to the White House and the Secretary of Education for a policy agenda to improve the educational attainment of Latino students.”

Luis is currently Associate Vice Provost for Faculty Advancement, director of the Diversity Research Institute, Russell F. Stark University Professor, and professor of Political Science at the University of Washington.

Here’s more from his bio on the New Futures website:

Luis Ricardo Fraga, Vice President, is associate vice provost for Faculty Advancement, director of the Diversity Research Institute, Russell F. Stark University Professor, and professor of Political Science at the University of Washington. He has been on the faculty at Stanford University, the University of Notre Dame, and the University of Oklahoma. He is a native of Corpus Christi, Texas, where he attended public schools. He received his AB, cum laude, from Harvard University and his MA and PhD from Rice University. His primary interests are urban politics, education politics, voting rights policy, and the politics of race and ethnicity. He is on the board of the Public Education Network (PEN). He is also a member of a special research committee of the National Association of Public Charter Schools (NAPCS). He has been an active member of the Transitions to College and the Immigration, Education, and Citizenship working groups of the Social Science Research Council. Luis is married to Charlene L. Aguilar, director of Undergraduate Education Initiatives at the University of Washington, with whom he has three children.

“New Futures is honored to have his dedicated participation as a board member, helping us ensure that children succeed in school and in life,” according to a press release.

New Futures is located at 630 SW 149th Street in Burien, and according to their website:

New Futures’ mission is to partner with families in their communities and with educators to ensure that children succeed in school and life. Our integrated, culturally relevant programs build skills, foster connectedness, and promote strengths. We operate vibrant community learning centers at four low-income apartment complexes in South King County. New Futures provides on-site children and youth, family, and community-building programs for over 1,800 people on an annual basis.

Dyer is one of eight to be pardoned by the President Friday, according to the White House website.

In May, 1975, Dyer, then 27, was charged along with eight others on charges of smuggling hashish on airline flights in Europe. According to newspaper reports at the time, the drugs were often accompanied by a courier who would smuggle it past customs officials. On some occasions, unaccompanied luggage was snuck past authorities with the aid of an airline worker.

Dyer was sentenced to five years in prison and two years of special parole on June 19. 1975. The White House says that the special parole term was “subsequently vacated.”

In addition to this Burien man, the President also pardoned distributors of unauthorized satellite cable-TV signals, and a man who was convicted of selling illegal American alligator hides from prison or parole.

Dyer’s was the oldest case, and this is the second time Obama has granted pardons since entering office.

Within minutes of the Sunday night announcement of the death of Osama Bin Laden, some residents of Burien’s Three Tree Point neighborhood shot off several rounds of fireworks over the water.

The makeshift celebration made the neighborhood feel like the 4th of July, for at least 10 or so minutes, as witnessed by BTB Publisher/Editor Scott Schaefer.

As almost everyone knows by now, al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden was killed by U.S. forces in a mansion in Pakistan Sunday.

President Obama came to the Seattle area Tuesday to do some fundraising, which of course meant that Air Force One was here to transport him.

Which, as we all know by now, meant restricted air space…and the now-historic resulting double sonic booms (read our coverage here) because of a float plane pilot’s lack of judgment.

Not-so-ironically, the Air Force One that landed at Boeing Field is a Boeing 747-200B, with the tail code 29000. According to The White House website:

Technically, Air Force One is the call sign of any Air Force aircraft carrying the President. In practice, however, Air Force One is used to refer to one of two highly customized Boeing 747-200B series aircraft, which carry the tail codes 28000 and 29000. The Air Force designation for the aircraft is VC-25A.

Air Force One is one of the most recognizable symbols of the presidency, spawning countless references not just in American culture but across the world. Emblazoned with the word “United States of America,” the American flag, and the Seal of the President of the United States, it is an undeniable presence wherever it flies.

Capable of refueling midair, Air Force One has unlimited range and can carry the President wherever he needs to travel. The onboard electronics are hardened to protect against an electromagnetic pulse, and Air Force One is equipped with advanced secure communications equipment, allowing the aircraft to function as a mobile command center in the event of an attack on the United States.

Inside, the President and his travel companions enjoy 4,000 square feet of floor space on three levels, including an extensive suite for the President that features a large office, lavatory, and conference room. Air Force One includes a medical suite that can function as an operating room, and a doctor is permanently on board. The plane’s two food preparation galleys can feed 100 people at a time.

Photographer Francis Zera, himself somewhat of an aviation nut, found a good lookout and shot the following Sound Slideshow of Air Force One (be sure your speakers are turned on):

Click to Play Francis Zera’s Sound Slideshow

The Tukwila School District has been hailed as the “most diverse in the nation,” and students at the city’s Foster High School are using that as part of an attempt to lure President Obama to speak at their commencement this spring.

Advance placement students produced a video highlighting the 68 different countries where members of the student body were born, and are hoping that the Prez (or perhaps his peeps) sees it and decides that “Yes he can” come to Tukwila and speak.

In addition to the video below, students also submitted essays answering the President’s challenge to show why they should be a model for others and how they’re preparing more students for college and careers.

According to the school’s Youtube channel:

Advanced Video Students from Foster High School created a 2-minute video demonstrating the rich culture that exists in their school and community.

Music was sung by our very own students here at Foster High School. E.P.I.C

Here’s the video:

Click here to view the embedded video.

[EDITOR'S NOTE: Bob is an Englishman who lives in Burien who traveled to Washington, D.C. last week to attend the Inauguration of President Barack Obama. This is his final report.]

WED. 1/21/08 – THE DAY AFTER
I had one more full day in Washington, DC and had a mission to make full use of it doing something a little less strenuous. The first order of business was to buy the souvenir newspapers. Hudson’s News at Union Station was the ideal place with hundreds of each still available. The high demand meant a long line for the cash register but that only meant more time to meet new people and chat about our experiences and hopes.

Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels ended up watching the Inauguration on TV in his hotel room.

My next port of call was Senator Patty Murray’s coffee gathering in the Dirksen Senate Office Building where I soon met the Senator herself. There were many other distinguished attendees including the Mayor of Tacoma, Bill Baarsma, the travel writer, Rick Steves, and the Mayor of Seattle, Greg Nickels.

Mayor Nickels was among the thousands of ticket holders who were unable to get into the Purple section (near the Capitol behind the seated areas) due to some sort of security problems. Despite traveling from Seattle and waiting for hours in the freezing cold only to have to watch the swearing-in ceremony in his hotel room, he maintained a positive attitude and was content to have shared the experience with many ordinary citizens. He never felt that he should receive special treatment just because he was the mayor of a major U.S. city and for that I think he deserves a lot of respect.

My plan for the day was solidified thanks to Jimmy, a staffer in Senator Murray’s office who told me that I could obtain a pass to the Senate Visitors Gallery from their office. Before I could use it though I had to stop by the Rayburn Office Building to thank the staff at Congressman Adam Smith’s office for having given me the Inauguration tickets and making my experience so memorable.

I spent almost 2.5 hours in the Senate Visitors Gallery watching the Foreign Relations Committee confirmation hearing for Senator Hillary Clinton for the post of Secretary of State. Initially it seemed strange that there were very few senators present. John Kerry, the committee chairman, spoke in support of Senator Clinton and introduced a number of other senators including Arlen Specter (Pennsylvania) and Patrick Leahy (Vermont). During a quiet period when a senator failed to appear, Senator Kerry used the opportunity to spend about 20 minutes talking about the national security implications of global warming and the melting of the ice mass in Greenland. The visitors loved it and applauded rapturously. Then came the vote. Those of us who hadn’t observed such an event before were wondering how they could hold a vote with only a few senators present, but the question was soon answered with almost all senators in the 110th Congress arriving quickly to cast their vote. We didn’t see Senator Clinton, but we recognized many faces, including Joe Lieberman, John McCain, and President Obama’s controversially selected successor, Roland Burris, from Chicago. The party atmosphere as they all chatted with one another lasted about 30 minutes and then it went quiet again. The deed was done though. Hillary Clinton was confirmed as Secretary of State by a vote of 94 to 2 and the visitors showed their hearty appreciation.

Outside, at the back of the Capitol I stood in the place from which George W. Bush left by helicopter only a day ago. I spent a few minutes looking at the surrounding buildings, which were now glowing in the evening sun. The Supreme Court stands to the east; the Senate office buildings stand to the north, and the House office buildings stand to the south.

Another text message arrived from the President:

“Starting today, we must pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off,
and begin the work of remaking America.”

How can you argue with that?

I called home and then moved over to the south end of the Capitol Building to watch the sunset over the Mall as the monuments started to glow and lights came on all over the city. It was hard to leave but I had to go. Descending into Capitol South Metro station, I left the stunning sight behind.

I’ll never forget the events of the week of January 18-21, 2009. How incredibly uplifting it was to see so many people concerned about the good of this country and the wider world, the wider world that looks to the United States for responsible and decent leadership. Many of the people I met agreed that change had come not just because of Barack Obama and his incredible accomplishment, but because of a collective realization that what was happening in the country just didn’t make sense. There had to be a better way forward and Barack Obama seemed to be just the person to help find that way.

Remember though, it’s not about him, it’s about us and what we are prepared to do.

It just so happens that the first inauguration I ever witnessed in my short lifetime happens to be one of the most historical inaugurations in many people’s lifetimes.

As I listened to the inauguration over the internet, I particularly focused on Barack Obama’s speech. After he was sworn in, even despite the couple mistakes by Supreme Court Justice Roberts, the crowd started chanting “OBAMA!”

After the crowd quieted down, our new President started with:

“My fellow citizens, I stand here today humbled by the task before us, grateful for the trust you have bestowed, mindful of the sacrifices borne by our ancestors.”

He then continued by thanking his predecessor George W. Bush. Following that he said:

“Forty-four Americans have now taken the presidential oath. The words have been spoken during rising tides of prosperity and the still waters of peace. Yet, every so often the oath is taken amidst gathering clouds and raging storms. At these moments, America has carried on not simply because of the skill or vision of those in high office, but because We the People have remained faithful to the ideals of our forbearers, and true to our founding documents.”

He talked about the crisis of America being at war among topics of the economy.

Then came what I thought was the greatest part of his speech:

“In reaffirming the greatness of our nation, we understand that greatness is never a given. It must be earned. Our journey has never been one of short-cuts or settling for less. It has not been the path for the faint-hearted — for those who prefer leisure over work, or seek only the pleasures of riches and fame. Rather, it has been the risk-takers, the doers, the makers of things — some celebrated but more often men and women obscure in their labor, who have carried us up the long, rugged path towards prosperity and freedom. For us, they packed up their few worldly possessions and traveled across oceans in search of a new life. For us, they toiled in sweatshops and settled the West; endured the lash of the whip and plowed the hard earth. For us, they fought and died, in places like Concord and Gettysburg; Normandy and Khe Sahn. Time and again these men and women struggled and sacrificed and worked till their hands were raw so that we might live a better life. They saw America as bigger than the sum of our individual ambitions; greater than all the differences of birth or wealth or faction.”

Those are some of the greatest couple of paragraphs I have ever heard. I think that was what made this speech great also. Those few paragraphs included every race and gender, and really tied America into one. He didn’t leave anyone out, but instead included us all.

It was FANTASTIC!!!

I am really looking forward to seeing what he brings to America and I can’t wait to hear more of his speeches.

Here’s an interesting “highlight” video of Obama’s big day, as shot by Colorado Filmmaker & Photojournalist Brian Malone:

Click here to view the embedded video.

[EDITOR'S NOTE: Josh Hart is the B-Town Blog's first Intern! He's also a 15-year old student at Highline's “Big Picture High School” in SeaTac.

You can read more of his writing here...]