Obama gets a custom pair of sneakers

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PORTLAND, Maine, March 31 (UPI) -- Boston-based athletic shoe-maker New Balance made President Barack with a pair of custom running shoes to show support for U.S. manufacturing growth.

U.S. Rep. Michael Michaud gave Obama the classic New Balance 990 running shoes, which are a light gray, pigskin leather sneaker that say "Handcrafted in the United States" on the back of the heel and "President" and "Obama" on the sides, Friday night in Portland, Maine, the Boston Herald reported.

Along with the gift, Michaud urged Obama to require the Department of Defense provide service members with domestically-produced footwear.

"We're proud we can make shoes in the U.S. that highlight the great work of our 13,000 associates and we look forward to the president and his administration continuing to support a domestic manufacturing agenda," said New Balance spokeswoman Amy Dow said..