100th Father's Day: White House hosts community of fathers: athletes, actors, & others attend BBQ

June 21, 8:53 PMAtlanta Teachable Moments ExaminerCarol Aitken

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On this 100th anniversary of Father's Day, the President writes a piece on fatherhood in Parade Magazine about his own life and highlighting the responsibilities of all fathers:

"...In many ways, I came to understand the importance of fatherhood through its absence both in my life and in the lives of others. I came to understand that the hole a man leaves when he abandons his responsibility to his children is one that no government can fill."

"We can do everything possible to provide good jobs and good schools and safe streets for our kids, but it will never be enough to fully make up the difference."

"That is why we need fathers to step up, to realize that their job does not end at conception; that what makes you a man is not the ability to have a child, but the courage to raise one." 

On Friday, June 19, President hosted a Young Mens Bar-b-que at the White House for students from local schools to discuss the importance of fatherhood and taking personal responsibility. Also in attendance were some well-known fathers and everyday dads from across the country. They were invited to discuss what fathers are doing to strengthen themselves, their families and their communities. 

One of the guests was Military Father of the Year, Chief Quartermaster John Lehnen, who adds his thoughts to the President's in this video: 

The President's remarks on Friday included introduction of the "...the extraordinary men who are participating in this event today. First of Chief Quartermaster John Lehnen -- thank you so much, John. Some of you may know this guy, Dwayne Wade (pictured here with his baby). I hear he plays basketball pretty good. (Laughter.) Etan Thomas (pictured below), another ball player; Joseph Jones, the Center for Urban Families; Greg Brown, who is the CEO of Motorola; Antwaan Randle El, outstanding football player; Dr. Steve Rosen, Northwestern Cancer Center; Jorge Ramos (pictured below), one of the premier journalists in the country; B.D. Wong (pictured here with his son), outstanding actor; Tony Hawk (pictured here), who is the best skateboarder in the world; Coach Bill Cowher of the championship Steelers; Darryl "DMC" McDaniels; Mike Laas, who is a small businessman; Senator Evan Bayh, former colleague of ours; Fatherhood Dads, Inc., President David Ladd; the President of Morehouse College, Dr. Robert Franklin; as well as some of the outstanding members of my staff -- Mike Strautmanis, Denis McDonough, Reggie Love...."

Additional exerpts from President Obama's remarks at the Fatherhood Townhall Meeting:

"This town hall marks the beginning of a national conversation that we hope to start about fatherhood and personal responsibility -- about how fathers across America are meeting the challenges in their families and communities, and what government can do to support those who are having a difficult time. Today, you’ve had a chance to hear from five of those fathers, men who are doing an outstanding job of meeting their obligations in their own lives."

"We all know the difference that a responsible, committed father like those five gentlemen can make in the life of a child. Fathers are our first teachers and coaches. They’re our mentors and they're our role models. They set an example of success and they push us to succeed; encourage us when we’re struggling; and they love us even when we disappoint them, and they stand by us when nobody else will."

"And I say this as someone who grew up without a father in my own life. I had a heroic mom and wonderful grandparents who helped raise me and my sister, and it's because of them that I'm able to stand here today. But despite all their extraordinary love and attention, that doesn’t mean that I didn’t feel my father's absence. That's something that leaves a hole in a child’s heart that a government can't fill."

"Let’s be clear: Just because your own father wasn’t there for you, that’s not an excuse for you to be absent also -- it’s all the more reason for you to be present. There’s no rule that says that you have to repeat your father’s mistakes. Just the opposite -- you have an obligation to break the cycle and to learn from those mistakes, and to rise up where your own fathers fell short and to do better than they did with your own children."

"...we need dads -- but also men who aren’t dads -- to make this kind of commitment not just in their own homes to their own families, but to the many young people out there who aren’t lucky enough to have responsible adults in their lives. We need committed, compassionate men to serve as mentors and tutors, and big brothers and foster parents. Even if it’s just for a couple hours a week of shooting hoops, or helping with homework, or just talking about what’s going on in that young person's life. Even the smallest moments can end up having an enormous impact, a lasting impact on a child’s life."

"This is not the end, this is the beginning..."

To read the entire text of the President's remarks, visit WhiteHouse.gov.  

Read Fatherhood and Football by Curtis Randle El, father of Antwaan Randle El

Read More Than An Athlete by basketball player and poet, Etan Thomas  ---->

 Children's book by journalist, Jorge Ramos

Til next year, Happy Father's Day!

Read about other Father's Day 2009 weekend events in and around Atlanta.

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