Anchorage, AK – More than two dozen Alaskan organizations and community groups wish to announce the creation of a Presidential Welcome Committee specifically formed to welcome President Barrack Obama, on his first extended trip to Alaska. The Rising Together event, which coincides with the President’s first day of his Alaska visit, will feature both cultural performances and presentations.
The event will take place at the Alaska Airlines Center on Monday August 31, from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., with doors opening at 5:30 p.m. It is free and open to the public. Seating will be first come, first serve.
Advance tickets will be available beginning Monday, August 24, at Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church,855 E 20th Ave, and at AFN Offices, 1577 C Street, between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. Please note that backpacks, briefcases, large bags, wrapped gifts, coolers, weapons, drums, laser pointers, etc. will not be permitted in the Alaska Airlines Center. All personal belongings must be in a clear ziplock bag.
“We want to share with President Obama and our fellow Americans the wonderful diversity and the caring community we have here in Alaska,” said Dr. Alonzo Patterson, Pastor of Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church and Honorary Chair of the Presidential Welcoming Committee. “We wish to send a message that we Alaskans are up to the challenge of making our home a place where our children and grandchildren can live and thrive, with opportunity and fairness for all Alaskans, and that includes addressing climate change.”
AFN President Julie Kitka said, “We welcome the upcoming visit of President Obama and his senior leadership team. We are especially pleased that he will travel to rural parts of our state and see some of the immediate challenges facing the residents.” NAACP, Anchorage President Wanda V. Laws said, “We welcome President Obama to Alaska and join other Alaskans in sponsoring this important gathering. We intend to participate fully in any opportunity to advance the critical employment and pocketbook issues like high cost of living and energy costs which affects all Alaskans. We look forward with interest to the President’s proposals on dealing with the changing climate and moving to greater renewable energy sources.
A large and growing number of community organizations are co-sponsoring a presidential welcoming event for the evening of Monday, August 31, at the Alaska Airlines Center in Anchorage, including The Alaska Federation of Natives, Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church, NAACP – Anchorage Branch Alaska, Alaska Black Leadership Conference – Anchorage, Alaska Federation of
Filipino Americans, Inc., Alaska Legal Services Corporation, The Anchorage Equal Rights Commission, Bridge Builders of Anchorage, Center of Hope Cogic, Congregation Beth Sholom, Consulate of Mexico, Eagle River Missionary Baptist Church, The Global Block Foundation, Grace Ministries, Greater Friendship Baptist Church, Identity, Inc., Immanuel Christian Center, Latino Community,Interdenominational Ministerial Alliance, Leake Temple AME Zion, Martin Luther King, Jr. Foundation of Alaska, New Hope Baptist Church, New Season Christian Center, Persian-American Community, River in the Desert Community Church, Samoan Community, Shiloh Baptist Palmer, Sons of Norway, and St. Mary’s Episcopal Church.
Presidential Welcome Committee
The Presidential Welcoming Committee invites fellow Alaskans to help welcome the president. Alaskans are encouraged to post photos and messages in social media, #RISINGTOGETHER and #OBAMA. For the Facebook event page Click here. Attached is a flyer with more information about how to get involved.