Michelle Obama visits the Commerce Dept.
First Lady Michelle Obama applauds as she is introduced prior to speaking at the Commerce Department on Thursday. (AP/Cliff Owen)
Commerce Secretary Gary Locke got quite a birthday present on Thursday: A visit from the boss' wife.
First Lady Michelle Obama made her 15th visit to a federal agency on the same day as the secretary's birthday, noted that they're both Capricorns and thanked his department's loosely affiliated bureaus for their varying missions.
"What you all do to spur innovation, support America's businesses, and keep our economy competitive is so very important," she said. "It's important at any time, but it is particularly critical during the tough economic times that this nation is facing right now."
As with her previous appearances, Obama shared the stage with with long-serving department employees, including two that have served for half a century. (See the list after the jump.)
"I'm always excited to meet people who have worked at a place longer than I've been alive," said the 46-year-old Obama.
Commerce Dept. Employees Appearing With Mrs. Obama:
| Name | Agency | Years Served |
|---|---|---|
| Alvin Brokenborough | DOC | 47 |
| Annie Christine Holmes | OIG | 39 |
| Daniel William Lozier | NIST | 46 |
| Connie Stahl | General Counsel | 39 |
| Eartha Y. Ball | EDA | 35 |
| Jane Molloy | ESA | 39 |
| Janie Cooksey | PTO | 47 |
| Joseph Matthew Antonucci | NIST | 50 |
| Laurance Edward Fink | NIST | 46 |
| Leroy R. Cheek | EDA | 38 |
| Marcellina Renee Missouri | Exec Sec | 19 |
| Margaret Yvonne Montgomery | Exec Sec | 44 |
| Nancy Hunter | General Counsel | 38 |
| Naomi Margaret Crockett | NIST | 47 |
| Ollie Person | PTO | 50 |
| Patricia Simms | NOAA | 37 |
| Virginia Holmes-Lacy | OIG | 35 |
| Yvonne P. Francois | EDA | 38 |
SOURCE: Commerce Department
By
Ed O'Keefe
| January 21, 2010; 11:45 PM ET
Categories:
Administration, Agencies and Departments
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Posted by: fairfaxvoter | January 22, 2010 9:53 AM | Report abuse
You're right -- I fixed it... thanks! - Ed
Posted by: Ed O'Keefe | January 22, 2010 12:17 PM | Report abuse
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CORRECTION --
This reads, right now, two that have served for "half a decade." While five years of service is nice, it's not news. You mean to say "half a century" I think.