First Lady Michelle Obama visited the Jackson County Emergency Operations Center in Mississippi on Friday, where she was briefed by Coast Guard and county officials on the Gulf oil spill. Joining Mrs Obama was Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano and Mississippi first lady Marsha Barbour.
Obama thanked the Coast Guard for their response to the oil spill and pointed out that many of them are reservists away from their families and working hard.
She assured them that the administration is committed for the long haul.
“This administration is going to stand with the people of the Gulf until they are made whole again.”
After the briefing Obama traveled to Northrop Grumman’s Pascagoula shipyard for the christening of the national security cutter Stratton. She is the Coast Guard ship’s sponsor and the first presidential first lady to christen a Coast Guard ship.
She said, “I’m just hoping I don’t break anything other than the champagne bottle, but I’m going to break it.”