BALTIMORE, May 17 (UPI) -- U.S. President Barack Obama Friday said the middle class always will be "my No. 1 focus."
In the latest stop of his Jobs and Opportunities tour -- this one at Ellicott Dredges in Baltimore, which manufactures innovative dredges and dredge equipment being sold for infrastructure projects across the country and around the world -- Obama sounded familiar themes related to jobs, growth and the need for high-tech manufacturing.
"The middle class will always be my No. 1 focus. Period. Your jobs. Your families. Your communities," Obama told the 500 people listening to his remarks.
Obama praised Americans for clearing away "the rubble of crisis," but as he has said in the past, "Our work is not done."
Obama pledged to keep working with Congress "because our challenges are solvable."
"America remains a place where you can make it if you try – and we will all prosper, together," Obama said.
Before speaking, Obama took a tour of the company with Chief Executive Officer Peter Bowe and Plant Manager Robert Croom.
Earlier, Obama visited Moravia Park Elementary School and met with a class of 30 4- and 5 year olds in the school library.
"My favorite zoo animal is a snake!" a young boy told the president.
"A big snake or a little snake?" Obama asked.
The child indicated little.
