Obama asks Newtown victim's mother to deliver weekly address

UPDATED 3:13 pm ET

Instead of personally giving his weekly address to the nation, President Barack Obama has asked Francine Wheeler, whose son was killed in the Dec. 14 mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary school, to deliver remarks this week.

Obama tweeted the news after it was first announced by White House press secretary Jay Carney at Friday's briefing:

Carney earlier in the day noted that family members of the Newtown, Conn., shooting have been lobbying lawmakers in Washington, D.C., this week to pass legislation to reduce gun violence. "He believes their voices and resolve have been critical to the continued progress we've seen in the Senate," Carney said of the families. "With that in mind, the president has asked Francine Wheeler, who lost her 6-year-old son, Ben, on that terrible day, to speak to the American people in this week's weekly address."

Carney said this is the first time in this administration that someone other than the president or vice president has been asked to deliver the weekly address, which is broadcast each Saturday to the American public on radio and television.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/ticket/obama-asks-mother-newtown-victim-deliver-weekly-address-172635121--politics.html

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