Leaders, students, soldiers among guests

WASHINGTON, Feb. 24 (UPI) -- Government officials, business leaders, workers, students and soldiers were guests Tuesday of U.S. first lady Michelle Obama as her husband spoke to Congress.

Among those seated with the first lady listening to President Barack Obama outline his vision for the economy were Jill Biden, wife of Vice President Joe Biden; Earl Devaney, chairman of the just-announced Recovery Act Transparency and Accountability Board; and Lilly Ledbetter of Jacksonville, Ala., whose pay discrimination case lead to the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Restoration Act, which makes each unfair paycheck an act of discrimination.

Govs. Ted Strickland of Ohio and Jim Douglas of Vermont also were on the guest list released by the White House before the address, as was Mayor Bob Dixson of Greensburg, Kan., elected in 2008, a year after an F5 tornado killed 11 Greensburg residents and damaged 95 percent of its buildings.

Also seated with Michelle Obama was City National Bank Chief Executive Officer Leonard Abess Jr. of Miami, who shared about $60 million of proceeds he received from the sale of City National shares with current and former employees. One recipient, Geneva Lawson, a safe deposit box custodian, also was in the first lady's box.

Another guest, Blake Jones, co-founder and president of Namaste Solar in Boulder, Colo., recently was recognized by Obama for his company's efforts to develop and produce alternative energy sources.

High school and college students, military personnel, first responders, non-profit officers and White House personnel also were guests.