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Obama hosts luau for Congress

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White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs falls into a water tank before a luau for members of Congress and their families on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington on June 25, 2009. In a celebration of U.S. President Barack Obama’s home state, the South Lawn was decorated with tiki torches and palm huts and the meal prepared by famous Hawaiian chef Alan Wong. (UPI Photo/Chip Somodevilla/Pool) 
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Published: June 26, 2009 at 12:51 AM

WASHINGTON, June 26 (UPI) -- President Barack Obama greeted members of the U.S. Congress and their families Thursday with a merry "Aloha" as he hosted a luau at the White House.

"I just want to say to all the members of Congress, you've been working hard," he said. "I wish I could give you all trips to Hawaii, but I figured since -- given our budget crunch we can't do that, that we'd at least bring Hawaii to you."

The president held his daughter Sasha's hand as the family -- all wearing leis -- walked out of the Oval Office to the South Lawn, as did Vice President Joe Biden. Biden introduced Obama by saying he likes the state he represented in the Senate, Illinois, but "loves" Hawaii, the president's native state.

Obama introduced his family, including "the star," Bo the dog.

Some members of Congress honored the occasion with Hawaiian shirts, including Obama's former Senate colleague, Dick Durbin of Illinois, and Rep. Barney Frank, D-Mass.

The menu, with some items prepared by an Obama friend, Alan Wang, a chef in Hawaii, included Kahlua pig. Drinks were served at a thatched-roof bar and included the Hawaiian beer Longboard Lager.

Topics: Barack Obama
© 2009 United Press International, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Any reproduction, republication, redistribution and/or modification of any UPI content is expressly prohibited without UPI's prior written consent.

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