President Obama Visits Fort Hayes High School

COLUMBUS, Ohio - President Barack Obama spoke at Fort Hayes High School on Tuesday afternoon to encourage support for his American Jobs Act.

Obama sought to whip up enthusiasm for his $447 billion spending package aimed at getting unemployed Americans back to work, 10TV's Jerry Revish reported.

Obama said he chose Fort Hayes High School and its Career Complex because of the kinds of jobs created through its renovation.

"For masons, concrete workers, and carpenters and plumbers and electricians and many of those jobs are filled by the good people of Columbus, Ohio," Obama said.

The president says there is close to $112 million in the bill earmarked for Columbus City Schools. The money could be used for building repairs, new science and computer labs, internet upgrades and other improvements.

"Every child deserves a great school and we can give it to them, but we have to pass this bill," Obama said.

Senior Dishar Diriye who is deaf spoke through an interpreter and said he was encouraged by what he has learned at Fort Hayes through the carpentry program.

The president sprinkled his "pass this bill" refrain throughout the nearly 20 minute speech. He used it to encourage the crowd to put pressure on their Congress members to get on board with it.

"Everything in the American Jobs Act is the kind of thing that in the past has been supported by democrats and republicans, everything in it will be paid for, and every one of you can make it happen by sending a message to Congress that says pass this bill," Obama said.

"Pass this bill, pass this bill, pass this jobs bill and there will be funding to save of up to 14,000 Ohio teachers, cops and firefighters," Obama said.

Renovations at Fort Hayes began five years ago for music and art rooms, science labs and technology, 10TV's Chuck Strickler reported.

Some Students who attended the event, echoed their excitement over the rare opportunity..

"We're part of history, it's pretty cool," said one student.

Governor John Kasich responded to the presidential visit and said his party members should take a good look at the Obama proposals, rather than just counting them out immediately.

One teacher said that there is going to have to be some type of compromise, as we head into a very busy campaign year.

Teacher Pete Trautmann said action is what would make a change.

"It brings back the foundation of education as the root of programs," Trautmann said. "The President has to work with Congress. I think he has his work cut out for him."

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• Fort Hayes
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• cscc
• columbus state

[MEpianist]

What risible propaganda. "PASS THIS BILL! PASS THIS BILL!" LOL