President Obama leads fatherhood event

Sometimes it's safety; sometimes, stimulus; sometimes policy.

And sometimes, I'm invited to speak on something even more fundamental than transit funding, more transformative than high-speed rail. On Friday, it was fatherhood. Believe me, that is a truly transformational experience.

What a pleasure it was to be invited to the White House to share my thoughts on growing up and on fatherhood with local high-school students.This event initiates a national conversation on responsible fatherhood and healthy families that continues with town hall meetings throughout the summer and fall. I think the President's video below does a great job of opening this important conversation.


A father’s presence in a child’s life is precious. Everyone benefits from a positive male role model who cares about society and contributes significantly to the well-being of a child. That presence is also important as our children become young adults and begin to assume leadership and parenting roles of their own.

The President’s initiative asks us to consider, and celebrate, the importance of connecting male role models with young men to strengthen and reinforce their ambitions as future leaders and fathers.

If you read about this event in the papers, you probably heard about Zo Mourning and Bill Cowher.

My favorite report was from Tony Hawk who was on Twitter as he skateboarded down the halls of the White House. That's probably not something my own father would have done. But it is something my 9 grandchildren are likely to be talking about for Father's Days to come.

Myself, I'm more likely to be thinking about the fine grillwork of chef Bobby Flay, another participant.

The President called it a mentoring session for the high-schoolers and future fathers, but I don't mind saying I learned something from these young men as well. Judging from what I saw, this country will have some excellent dads in the future.

Comments

[DMcNab]

Fatherhood is more than mentoring, being present and participating in the growth of a child's life. It is also about instilling good values, morals and principles. We often lead by example and sometimes actions speak louder than words.

It seems contradictory to being a good father if your principles and beliefs include pro abortion at any stage. How can you preach one thing and not live by those same values and principles. Right to life, any life, and at all stages should be preserved at all costs. That is also part of Fatherhood instilling good principles and living by them as well.

[dennis]

What does "Habbitat for Humanity" have to do with Department of Transportation? I mean come on lets use this for whats it for.. Transportation not Housing.. Its Just like the democrates to do something like this

[Steven Kolarz]

Does blogging about Tony Hawk mean that DOT may finally recognize skateboarding as part of transportation? Or will banning of skateboarding on sidewalks and streets be allowed to continue?

[Shareef Defrawi]

RE: "It seems contradictory to being a good father if your principles and beliefs include pro abortion at any stage."

I don't think it's appropriate to imply that being pro-choice (I think you would be hard pressed to find many people that are "pro abortion" as you referenced) makes you a poor father. The issue is not so much about your ethical beliefs, but rather the right that government has to take them away from you.

[Craig Carlton Killgo Jr.]

Thanks for the transformational leadership that will translate into a new era of compassion and caring for millions upon millions of people who are less fortunate. Expanding the Obama Administration's new "Giving and Helping" mentality and culture is greatly appreciated by today's expanding federal workforce. Even during, perhaps one of the most challenging economic times in the history of the U.S. economy. The Obama Administration continues to unite and positively engage families and communities across the country. This is not a change, its become a much greater challenge and we appreciate the leadership!