Memorial Day Sale: Get 10% Off All Backpacks. Get Ready for Summer Travel.

Ends May 27th! Use Code: gbmday10off

“The new Walkabout series merges stylish, everyday personal bags with protective accommodation for photographic gear”, says Shlomi Ravid, Line Manager of National Geographic Bags. “When not in use as a photo bag, most Walkabout models can be converted into everyday, fashionable carrying bags, perfect for a day out of town.

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S. 953, Student Loan Affordability Act

H.R. 1947, Agriculture Reform and Risk Management Act of 2013

H.R. 1104, Federal Advisory Committee Act Amendments of 2013

Prudence Crandall was an American schoolteacher who stirred controversy when she insisted on educating African-American girls at her school in Canterbury, Connecticut.

Prudence Crandell stood trial in 1833 to defend her decision to educate African-American girls but eventually closed the school in 1834 because of the violence and public backlash against it.

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By Dr. Jill Biden

On Friday, I had the honor of addressing a class of graduates at Navajo Technical College in Crownpoint, New Mexico. The Navajo Tech graduating Class of 2013 earned certificates in 34 fields that will provide the tools they need to serve their community as teachers, nurses, engineers, mechanics, bankers, chefs and countless other opportunities all made possible by their commitment and dedication to improving themselves through the pursuit of a higher education.

Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCUs) play a key role in President Obama’s educational goal of making the United States home to the best-educated, most competitive workforce in the world. TCUs are critical institutions that build tribal communities, create good jobs across Indian Country, and provide Native Americans with the skills they need to do those jobs.

Dr. Jill Biden walks with the procession of graduates of the Navajo Technical College Class of 2013, Navajo Tech President Elmer Guy, Navajo Nation President Ben Shelly and the Board of trustees on the Navajo Tech campus in Crownpoint, New Mexico. May 17, 2013. (Official White House Photo by Chuck Kennedy)

As a community college teacher, I love seeing what a tremendous difference a community like the one I saw at Navajo Tech can make in the lives of its students.

The impressive class of graduates included veterans like Jerrilene Kenneth, who served in Iraq and Afghanistan as an Army mechanic, before she became the first college graduate in her family with an Associate Degree in Early Childhood Education. It also included Navajo Tech Student of the Year Sherwin Becenti, who dropped out of college more than ten years ago but returned to school in order to build a better life for his family and set a good example for his children. Dwight Carlston, who grew up with no running water or electricity, was also among the graduates. Dwight maintained a 3.8 grade point average, ran cross country, served as Student Senate President and was recently elected as the Student Congress president of all 38 tribal colleges.

The Class of 2013 also marked a key milestone for Navajo Tech itself as they celebrated their first student to graduate with a Baccalaureate Degree. Dody Begay received his Bachelor’s Degree in Information Technology-Computer Science – a path many other students are now planning to follow.

It is thanks to students like Jerrilene, Sherwin, Dwight, and Dody, and their dedicated faculty and administrators, that for the second year in a row Navajo Tech was recognized by the Aspen Institute as one of the top 120 community colleges in the United States. It was the only TCU and the only college in New Mexico to receive this distinction.

During my trip to the Navajo Nation, I also had the privilege of taking part in a traditional blessing by Medicine Man Robert Johnson who shared the traditions and spirituality of the Diné people. Navajo Nation President Ben Shelly and his wife First Lady Martha Shelly also provided a wonderful welcome to their community with an introduction to the leadership of the tribal government. Students from the Diné Bi Olta Language Immersion Elementary School and Miyamura High School performed the traditional basket and ribbon dances at the Navajo Nation Museum in Window Rock, Arizona.

From a traditional hogan in Window Rock, Arizona, Dr. Jill Biden listens to Medicine Man Robert Johnson along with Navajo Nation President Ben Shelly, First Lady Martha Shelly, Speaker of the Navajo Nation Council Johnny Naize and Barbara Naize. May 17, 2013. (Official White House Photo by Chuck Kennedy)

Thank you to the Navajo Nation, and the faculty, staff and students of Navajo Technical College for welcoming me into your community. Your drive to improving yourselves and the generations who will follow you through a continued commitment to education sets an example for not just Indian Country, but for communities all across America. Congratulations to the graduates of 2013. But above all, congratulations to your parents, your grandparents and your ancestors for having the vision and commitment to strengthen their community by building your college and investing in all of our futures.

Ahe’hee!

Dr. Jill Biden is the wife of Vice President Joe Biden, a mother and grandmother, a lifelong educator, a proud Blue Star mom, and an active member of her community.

Stay Connected

“Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.” -George Santayana

On March 7, 1965, hundreds of brave unarmed nonviolent women and men dared to March for African Americans right to vote. The fact is that less than 1% of eligible Blacks voted or registered to vote. People organized a Peaceful Protest March from Selma to the state capitol in Montgomery. However, as those protesters crossed the Edmund Pettus Bridge to Montgomery. The police, riding horses ready for violence engaged in excessive use of force, which included brutally beating protesters, sprayed gas at them while journalists and photographers witnessed.

The brutal reaction by the police was not only caught on tape it forced then President Johnson, who was once against civil rights programs as a Senator to call on Congress for equal voting rights for all on March 15. The Voting Act of 1965 was signed into law on August 6; is a landmark piece of national legislation in the United States that outlawed discriminatory voting practices that had been responsible for the widespread disenfranchisement of African Americans in the U.S.

That awful day that started out peacefully quickly descended into a March of death for the right to vote called Bloody Sunday.

Now, 48 years later, a new “Jim Crow” era has emerged with a major step backward in the fight for civil and voting rights. There are conservative states targeting not only African Americans but also Senior citizens, first time voters, early voting, Students, low income, and the undocumented though Republicans call them (illegals). In addition, people without birth certificates were limited or completely denied access to the voting booth because their old state ID failed to meet new voter ID regulations and treated like possible( illegals). It is the 21st Century; we should be on a progressive path toward equality for all not one that will re-engage folks in the act of racism or exclusion leading to suppressing participation in the election process. This year, new stricter voter ID legislation is pending in thirty-one states. This includes, voter ID proposals in thirteen states with proposals to strengthen existing voter ID laws in ten states, and eight states that will amend the new voter ID laws passed in 2011. We need to push back all attempts to suppress the right to Vote.

With so much at stake, it is time to stop sitting on the sidelines. If we are going to succeed, Conservative lawmakers NEED to hear our Voices.

We cannot let the naysayers turn back the clock on Voting Rights or the next generation.

Thank You for Taking Action

Memorial weekend is usually a warm day, filled with boating events, flea markets, outdoor concerts
and such in Washington State, yet, here I am thinking about travel and how cost effective the Paris
Pass would be if I decide to indulge in a trip to Paris.

Check out the SALE that ends Tuesday MAY 28

Top 10 things to do in Paris

The Paris Pass is a packed with over 60 top museums, monuments and attractions which you can visit for free.

But with all that choice what are the best things to do and places to see?

Here is our suggestion of the top 10 things to do in Paris with a Paris Pass.

1. The Palaces of Versailles is one of the largest and most opulent castles in the world. This stunning historic castle with its beautiful architecture and gardens, and deep history is a must visit sight on a sightseeing trip to Paris.

2. Take a relaxing trip down the River Seine onboard the Bateaux Parisiens River Cruise. A river cruise is a great way to see many of Paris’ famous landmarks and sights.

3. The Arc De Triomphe is one of the most iconic monuments in Paris and must for any visitor to Paris.

4. The Louvre Museum is home to some of the finest art work in the world. Home to thousands of classic and modern masterpieces, the Louvre Museum is the jewel in the crown of French culture.

5. A very popular attraction in Paris is the Cathedral of Notre Dame, with a Paris Pass you can take a visit to the top of the Towers of Notre Dame for free.

6. Fancy trying some French wine? Then take a trip to O Chateau Wine Tasting where you can sample some exquisite wines from the vineyards of France.

7. The Orsay Museum exhibits work by Delacroix, Manet, Guaguin, Cézanne, Monet, Renoir, Sisley, van Gogh and many more great artists.

8. Discover Paris from the 56th observation floor of the Montparnasse Tower which offers visitors a stunning view of the city in all directions.

9. Palais Garnier has been home to Opera de Paris since the 1600’s and is also home to a small gallery which hosts exhibitions as well as a permanent exhibition of the sets of operas from its history.

10. Grevin Wax Museum features over 300 wax figures of the world’s most famous people dramatically posed in amazing scenes.

View our full list of Paris tourist attractions you can visit for free or check our Family Fun in Paris page with a Paris Pass.

Click on the Pink Pass for more information

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