Weekend - Holidays in Hawaii
Updated on 22 December 2008
Fri 19 - Sun 21 December 2008: economy, environment and taking a break for Christmas.
President-elect Barack Obama had another busy couple of days before jetting off to Hawaii for a 12-day Christmas break.
On Friday he announced the last four members of his economic team: Congresswoman Hilda Solis as Secretary of Labor; former Congressman Ray LaHood as Secretary of Transportation; Karen Mills as Administrator of the Small Business Administration; and Mayor Ron Kirk as United States Trade Representative.
"I know we will be headed in the right direction again when we are creating jobs, instead of losing them, and when Americans are gaining ground in terms of their incomes, instead of treading water or falling behind," Obama said.
The transition team also confirmed over the weekend that they will aim to create 3 million new jobs - 500,000 more than previously announced.
He also took the opportunity at the press conference to comment on the bailout package for the US automotive industry.
"The auto companies must not squander this chance to reform bad management practices and begin the long-term restructuring that is absolutely necessary to save this critical industry and the millions of American jobs that depend on it, while also creating the fuel-efficient cars of the future," he said.
Obama also used the latest of his weekly addresses to make new appointments to his science and technology team - including two leading experts on climate change.
"The truth is that promoting science isn't just about providing resources-it's about protecting free and open inquiry," President-elect Obama said.
"It's about ensuring that facts and evidence are never twisted or obscured by politics or ideology. It's about listening to what our scientists have to say, even when it's inconvenient-especially when it's inconvenient."
Obama and his family left Chicago for Hawaii over the weekend, where Obama reportedly intends to keep a low profile until the New Year. He started his break with a round of golf.
