Thread: President Joe Biden

• President Biden announces grant to allow 3 Philadelphia fire companies to reopen

Philadelphia was awarded $22.4 million from FEMA on Monday to hire 72 new firefighters and reopen three fire companies, President Joe Biden announced at Ladder 1 in the city's Fairmount neighborhood.

Ladder 1 originally closed its doors nearly 15 years ago during the recession. But now, the federal funding will allow Ladder 1, Ladder 11 in South Philadelphia and Engine 6 in Fishtown to reopen.

Philadelphia Fire Department said part of the grant funding will go to hire, train and pay 72 firefighters and EMTs for three years. The city will then pick up the costs after the money runs out.

The funding comes from the Staffing For Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grant. FEMA said the money will allow the city to meet industry minimum standards and operate 24-hour staffing.

"As firefighters, we don't get to decide how we're staffed, how we're trained, or how we're equipped. That's up to the politicians that all of us elect," said Edward Kelly, who is the general president of the International Association of Fire Fighters.

"Firefighters are the first to be called and the last to leave when nearly any emergency arises," Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas said in a news release. Mayorkas added the SAFER grant will allow Philadelphia to hire more and retain existing firefighters.

"The only thing that protects firefighters is more firefighters. Good equipment, obviously, but more firefighters," Biden said.

Philadelphia Fire Commissioner Adam Thiel said reopening the companies will increase the fire department's overall capacity to provide dedicated service across the city.

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Some festivities……..

Biden and Harris host Hanukkah holiday reception at White House

• President Joe Biden hosted a White House reception Monday evening to mark Hanukkah, celebrating the festival of lights as he has continued to denounce rising antisemitism in the U.S. and abroad amid the Israel-Hamas war.

The president, first lady Jill Biden and second gentleman Doug Emhoff attended the event with nearly 800 guests. Invitees included Holocaust survivors, members of Congress, state and local officials, entertainers, and leaders from across the Jewish religious denominations, the White House says.

A menorah is lit nightly during the eight-day Jewish festival, which this year is being celebrated from Dec. 7 until Friday.

The White House reception was led by Rabbi Angela Buchdahl, Senior Rabbi at Central Synagogue in New York City, and featured menorah lighting by Emhoff and White House staff that are descendants of Holocaust survivors.

Biden talked about how Hanukkah is a timeless story of miracles, and that — even in dark times — we can find the light.

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• Biden shares pies for Thanksgiving, expresses hope about hostage release

President Joe Biden delivered pumpkin pies to firefighters on Thursday to celebrate the U.S. Thanksgiving holiday and expressed hope about a pending hostage release in the war between Israel and the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas.

Biden has a decades-long family tradition of coming to Nantucket for the Thanksgiving holiday.

After he and his wife, first lady Jill Biden, delivered the pies, they returned to the place where they are staying for the trip, a home owned by their friend David Rubenstein, the billionaire co-founder of private equity giant The Carlyle Group.

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• Marines, military children join Jill Biden at White House to celebrate Toys For Tots

First lady Jill Biden joined the Marine Corps at the White House on Wednesday to host a Toys For Tots event, part of her Joining Forces Initiative to honor military families and their children, who enjoyed ice skating at the White House Ice Rink before the event.

Joining Forces is an effort to support military families, from members to veterans, caregivers and survivors.

"For decades, Toys for Tots has brought magic, wonder, and joy to children in need, and this year is no different. The president and I are grateful, and we're honored to open the White House to all of you," Biden said, as she greeted the crowd.

"I know we usually hold this event at a military base, but this year, I wanted to host you here, because our holiday theme celebrates children and the way all of you experience the season."

Among the issues Joining Forces addresses are high unemployment rates among military spouses, support for the more than 2 million children of active-duty service members as they cope with education challenges and help for military families with health and well-being.

The first lady told the children that "military kids have something important to teach us grown-ups."

"You teach us how to be brave, even when we're scared. You teach us how to make friends, even when we don't know anyone. You teach us how to reach out a hand when other people need help," Biden said.

"And we need that courage, kindness and compassion now more than ever. So thank you. You may not wear a uniform, but we know military children serve our country, too," the first lady added, before inviting the children to "sort some toys!"

Toys For Tots is a Marine Corps Reserve program launched in 1947 that has delivered 652 million toys to 291 million children over the years.

Earlier Wednesday, the first lady delivered remarks at Do Your Part: End The Military Spouse Unemployment Crisis. It was an event at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce hosted by Hiring Our Heroes and Blue Star Families.

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• First Lady Jill Biden Announces New Virtual White House Tour

Virtual Tour | The White House

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• White House Christmas Tour