Thread: Michelle Obama and Hillary Clinton will attend Reagan funeral; the president will not

Michelle Obama and Hillary Clinton will
attend Reagan funeral; the president will not



Former First Lady Nancy Reagan has died at age 94.


Taylor Goldenstein
Contact Reporter

March 8, 2016

First Lady Michelle Obama and Hillary Clinton are scheduled to attend Nancy Reagan's private funeral Friday at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley.

President Obama, however, won't attend and will instead be at the South by Southwest tech conference in Austin, Texas, according to several media outlets.

In a talk Tuesday, Michelle Obama paid tribute to Reagan, saying she "reminded us of the importance of women’s leadership." She said Reagan offered helpful advice when she became first lady.
Reagan, 94, died Sunday of congestive heart failure at her home in Bel-Air.

When the library was built, the Reagans decided they wanted to be buried together on the west side of the property, facing the Pacific Ocean, said Melissa Giller, a spokeswoman for the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Library.

“They had such a true love affair,” Giller said. “She’s missed him since the day he passed, and I’m sure they are quite happy to be together again.”

The funeral procession is being planned based on the former first lady’s wishes, including her choice of the people to be invited, the readings to be given and the people involved in the program, Giller said.
About 1,000 people will be invited, including President Obama, First Lady Michelle Obama and former presidents, first ladies, heads of state and other dignitaries, she said.

The library also announced that the public will have a chance to pay their last respects before the funeral on Wednesday from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. and Thursday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Parking on-site will not be allowed, but shuttles will be provided from 400 National Way.

There will be enhanced security during this period at the library, Giller said. No large bags, cameras or strollers will be allowed, and all bags will be inspected. Gifts and flowers will be accepted at the bottom of Presidential Drive and at the shuttle pick-up location.

In lieu of flowers, Reagan asked that contributions be made to the Ronald Reagan Memorial Fund at reaganlibrary.com.

Giller said the former first lady used to visit the library six to 10 times a year. She visited every June on the anniversary of her husband's death, Giller said.

She was very involved with the library as a member of the board and was “instrumental” in bringing the Air Force One exhibit and, more recently, the September presidential debate, to the library, which helped raise its national profile, Giller said.

“Ten to 15 years ago, the Reagan library had a much smaller imprint on our nation,” Giller said. “Without her, we wouldn’t have been able to do all the things that we have achieved so far.”

http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-michelle-obama-hillary-clinton-will-attend-reagan-funeral-20160308-story.html

Obama To Skip Nancy Reagan’s Funeral, Will Appear At SXSW Conference In Texas Instead

Matt Vespa | Mar 09, 2016

Over the weekend, former first lady Nancy Reagan passed away at the age of 94. First Lady Michelle Obama (and Hillary Clinton) will attend the funeral, but President Obama will be in Texas for the SXSW conference. We found this out during the March 7 press briefing with Josh Earnest:

Well, it’s my understanding that the -- well, let me start by saying that you saw the written comments from the President and First Lady that we issued yesterday in the immediate aftermath of the announcement of Mrs. Reagan’s passing. And I think many of you had the opportunity to see and hear from the President in the Roosevelt Room today where he talked about her legacy and her memory.So obviously, I think that’s an indication that Mrs. Reagan’s family is on the minds of everybody here at the White House, including the President and First Lady, as we know they mourn the loss of Mrs. Reagan.

My understanding is that the planning for her funeral arrangements are still underway. So once those arrangements are settled and announced, we’ll be able to begin working on determining who from the White House would represent the administration at her funeral. So we’ll keep you posted on that

Mediaite reported that Obama would be part of some conversation about “civic engagement,” according to SXSW’s website:

On Friday, March 11 at 2:30pm at Dell Hall at The Long Center, President Obama will sit down with Evan Smith, CEO / Editor in Chief of The Texas Tribune, for a conversation about civic engagement in the 21st Century before an audience of creators, early adopters and entrepreneurs who are defining the future of our connected lives. The President will call on the audience to apply their ideas and talents to make technology work for us – especially when it comes to tackling big challenges like increasing participation in the political process and fighting climate change.

After the passing of Antonin Scalia, the president paid his respects to the late jurist when his body laid in repose at the Supreme Court, but skipped his funeral. Mrs. Reagan’s funeral is set to be this Friday, March 11.

Obama To Skip Nancy Reagan?s Funeral, Will Appear At SXSW Conference In Texas Instead - Matt Vespa


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