Mayor's Weekly Column

From the Desk of Mayor Hall

I had the distinct privilege of meeting President Obama in the White House last week at a reception for U.S. mayors. Fortunately, I can thank the third grade students at Barack Obama Elementary School in Hempstead for ensuring I did not arrive empty handed. Several students wrote letters to the President, asking him to visit their school when he travels to Hofstra University for the presidential debate scheduled for October 16, 2012. It was my pleasure to deliver the letters directly to President Obama.

As many are aware, Hempstead’s Barack Obama Elementary School is the first school in the country to be named in the President’s honor. The name change was an idea that originated with the students themselves, who paid close attention to the 2008 campaign, writing essays and holding mock debates. The students clearly understood the significance of President Obama’s victory and drew profound inspiration from it. The United States, with its troubled racial history and long struggle against prejudice and discrimination, had elected its first black chief executive. The school board made the change official a few weeks after the election.

On the evening of his electoral victory, President Obama acknowledged the important lesson to America’s youth, remarking: “If there is anyone out there who still doubts that America is a place where all things are possible, who still wonders if the dream of our founders is alive in our time, who still questions the power of our democracy, tonight is your answer." Former President George W. Bush also recognized the magnitude of moment. “No matter how they cast their ballots, all Americans can be proud of the history that was made,” he said, adding that Obama's "journey represents a triumph of the American story.”

We know how important it is for working-class and minority youth to have good role models. As someone who grew up without a father figure in his life, studied hard in school, gained acceptance to some of our nation's most prestigious universities, gave back to his community through local organizing, and rose to the highest level of government, President Obama is a great role model for our youth.

But the President is not the only one with the ability to inspire. If you are a parent, then you know that you have one of the most important jobs in the world, and one that wields great influence. I strongly support the President in his efforts to promote responsible fatherhood and expand youth-mentoring services for this reason. There is much that we as parents, teachers, community leaders and volunteers can do to help at-risk youth realize the full promise of the American dream. If you wish to be part of this effort, there are many organizations here in the Village doing admirable work. Too many, in fact, to list here by name, though they certainly deserve commendation. To find out more about these organizations, please visit www.hempsteadlibrary.info.

We hope the President takes up our offer to visit the Village and meet the children who see in him the life of hard work, responsibility and success that they wish for themselves. To help them achieve that life of opportunity, we owe them our very best effort.

To stay on top of what’s happening in the Village, please join our electronic mailing list by sending your name and email address to Mayor@villageofhempsteadny.gov.

Sincerely,

Wayne

Wayne J. Hall Sr.
Mayor of the Incorporated Village of Hempstead

 

 

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