The Obama Diary

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President Barack Obama attends a Father’s Day luncheon to celebrate the importance of strong families and mentoring in the State Dining Room of the White House in Washington, DC on June 14 , 2013. Fathers and their children as well as students and leaders from the Becoming a Man (BAM) program at Hyde Park Academy in Chicago attended the event. UPI/Olivier Douliery/Pool

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Joyce Jones: For young men who’s fathers aren’t around or very engaged in their lives, having the president of the United States as a periodic substitute is probably a pretty big deal. And when he invites you to the White House for lunch, that’s an even bigger deal.

Students and leaders from the Becoming a Man program at Hyde Park Academy in Chicago were among the guests President Obama hosted at a luncheon in the State Dining Room on Friday. The event also was an opportunity for him to continue a national conversation he began in his first term about how important fathers are in nurturing their families and communities.

“It is good to see all of you here, so many young people, so many outstanding dads — a few moms chaperoning,” Obama said. “Obviously, this is a great way for us to celebrate Father’s Day and just to remind ourselves, those of us who are fathers, how lucky we are.” Being a dad, the president said, “is the best job I’ve got.”

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NPR: President Barack Obama is honoring the WNBA champion Indiana Fever, calling the players an inspiration to young athletes — even those on his daughter Sasha’s basketball team.

Obama praised the team at a White House ceremony on Friday. The Fever captured its first-ever WNBA title last October, defeating the Minnesota Lynx 87-78.

He called the players “wonderful role models” who work hard, play like a team and show good sportsmanship.

Following the ceremony, the team hosted a clinic for children on the White House basketball court.

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