Obama Kenilworth Tree Planting Photos, Video 4-21-09

Obama Kenilworth Tree Planting Earth Day 2009

Here are Obama Kenilworth tree planting photos and video from April 21, 2009. That same day, Obama signed the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act. See video and photos from both events which preceded Earth Day celebrations which took place the next day, April 22, 2009

President Barack Obama, Vice President Joe Biden, former President Bill Clinton, along with First Lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden all participated in the tree planting ceremony which took place at Kenilworth Aquatic Garden in Washington on April 21, 2009 in celebration of Earth Day. The event was sponsored by the Student Conservation Association (SCA), with several members of the organization participating.

The leader, Amtchat Edwards, then gave a little explanation. “This is a real life service project,” he said, noting that they were planting trees to protect the river and, by extension, the entire watershed. He then staged a demonstration, calling on four of the students to play trees, with hands interlocked to simulate roots, another to play dirt and still another to play rain.

Source (and full summary of the event. The Obamas and Clinton Plant Some Trees

Here is video of the Kenilworth Tree planting event via C-SPAN.

The Student Conservation Association (SCA) was established in 1957 and presently, nationwide, the organization has some 4,000 interns and volunteers who collectively contribute more than two million hours of conservation service per year, according to the organization’s own assessment. In total, SCA members are active in all 50 states and annually serve more than 500 natural and cultural sites in all 50 states.

Photo credit: White House source: White House

Here are several more Kenilworth tree planting ceremony photos:

The same day, President Obama signed the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act, with Senator Kennedy and former President Bill Clinton present at the signing ceremony.

Video and photos after the jump

President Barack Obama, Former President Bill Clinton and Senator Edward Kennedy, April 21, 2009, National Service Act signing
President Barack Obama meets with Senator Kennedy and former President Clinton to discuss national service. April 21, 2009. White House Photo/ Chuck Kennedy.

In prepared remarks, Obama said:

We need your service, right now, at this moment in history. I’m not going to tell you what your role should be; that’s for you to discover. But I’m asking you to stand up and play your part. I’m asking you to help change history’s course. Put your shoulder up against the wheel. And if you do, I promise you – your life will be richer, our country will be stronger, and someday, years from now, you may remember it as the moment when your own story and the American story converged, when they came together, and we met the challenges of our new century.

Source: White House Blog: A Call to Service

Senator Ted Kennedy also spoke at the event. In his speech, he evoked the memory of his late brother, President John F. Kennedy who, with the Peace Corps, also inspired and encouraged young people to commit to public service in the early 1960s. His speech which preceded President Obama’s, can be seen in the video below.

YouTube Video Link