A Decade of Guests at the State of the Union Address
Staff Report
1999First lady Hillary Clinton responds to a standing ovation from a joint session of Congress before [President Bill Clinton's] State of the Union Address. Chicago Cubs' star outfielder Sammy Sosa (at right) stands by the first lady. Clinton saluted Sosa forFirst lady Hillary Clinton responds to a standing ovation from a joint session of Congress before [President Bill Clinton's] State of the Union Address. Chicago Cubs' star outfielder Sammy Sosa (at right) stands by the first lady. Clinton saluted Sosa for his relief work in the Dominican Republic. "You know sports records are made and sooner or later, they're broken," the president said. "But making other people's lives better and showing our children the true meaning of brotherhood, that lasts forever. So for far more than baseball, Sammy Sosa, you're a hero in two countries tonight. Thank you." Clinton also saluted civil rights hero Rosa Parks, among others.Gary Hershorn / Reuters2000Baseball home run king Hank Aaron waves to members of Congress while next to U.S. first lady Hillary Clinton and daughter, Chelsea, after being introduced by President Bill Clinton during the State of the Union address. "From his days as our all-time homeBaseball home run king Hank Aaron waves to members of Congress while next to U.S. first lady Hillary Clinton and daughter, Chelsea, after being introduced by President Bill Clinton during the State of the Union address. "From his days as our all-time home run king to his recent acts of healing, he has always brought people together," the president said of Aaron. "We should follow his example, and we're honored to have him with us tonight."Reuters2002President George W. Bush warned in his first State of the Union speech that America's war on terrorism is just starting with tens of thousands of trained followers of Osama bin laden believed spread around the world as "ticking time bombs." In introducingPresident George W. Bush warned in his first State of the Union speech that America's war on terrorism is just starting with tens of thousands of trained followers of Osama bin laden believed spread around the world as "ticking time bombs." In introducing Afghan leader Hamid Karzai, the president said, "America and Afghanistan are now allies against terror. We'll be partners in rebuilding that country. And this evening we welcome the distinguished interim leader of a liberated Afghanistan: Chairman Hamid Karzai."Reuters/Win McNamee2003First lady Laura Bush (R) shakes hands with Sister Maria Fest (L) from the Catholic Nuns in Service as special guest Peter Mugyeni, director of the Joint Clinical Research Center in Uganda, stands between them during President George W. Bush's State of thFirst lady Laura Bush (R) shakes hands with Sister Maria Fest (L) from the Catholic Nuns in Service as special guest Peter Mugyeni, director of the Joint Clinical Research Center in Uganda, stands between them during President George W. Bush's State of the Union address to a joint session of Congress, in Washington, January 28,2003.Reuters/Jason Reed2004First lady Laura Bush and Iraqi Senior Diplomatic Representative Rend Al-Rahim (left) applaud Iraqi Governing Council President Dr. Adnan Pachachi as he is recognized by President George W. Bush during the State of the Union address on January 20, 2004.First lady Laura Bush and Iraqi Senior Diplomatic Representative Rend Al-Rahim (left) applaud Iraqi Governing Council President Dr. Adnan Pachachi as he is recognized by President George W. Bush during the State of the Union address on January 20, 2004.Reuters/Larry Downing2005First lady Laura Bush applauds with her special guest Homira Nassery (at right), while guest Safia Taleb al-Souhail, leader of the Iraqi Women's political council, gives a victory sign next to Army Staff Sergeant Norbert Lara.First lady Laura Bush applauds with her special guest Homira Nassery (at right), while guest Safia Taleb al-Souhail, leader of the Iraqi Women's political council, gives a victory sign next to Army Staff Sergeant Norbert Lara.Reuters/Jason Reed2006First lady Laura Bush shakes hands with Sara Jo Clay while the Clay family is introduced during President George W. Bush's State of the Union address.Clarence and Sara Jo Clay's son, Staff Sergeant Dan Clay, was killed in Fallujah in December 2005.First lady Laura Bush shakes hands with Sara Jo Clay while the Clay family is introduced during President George W. Bush's State of the Union address.Clarence and Sara Jo Clay's son, Staff Sergeant Dan Clay, was killed in Fallujah in December 2005.Reuters/Jonathan Ernst2007U.S. first lady Laura Bush greets U.S. Army Sgt. Tommy Rieman as she arrives for the State of the Union speech on January 23, 2007. President Bush related Rieman's story "In December 2003, he was on a reconnaissance mission in Iraq when his team came undeU.S. first lady Laura Bush greets U.S. Army Sgt. Tommy Rieman as she arrives for the State of the Union speech on January 23, 2007. President Bush related Rieman's story "In December 2003, he was on a reconnaissance mission in Iraq when his team came under heavy enemy fire. From his Humvee, Sergeant Rieman returned fire – and used his body as a shield to protect his gunner. He was shot in the chest and arm, and received shrapnel wounds to his legs -- yet he refused medical attention, and stayed in the fight. He helped to repel a second attack, firing grenades at the enemy's position. For his exceptional courage, Sergeant Rieman was awarded the Silver Star. And like so many other Americans who have volunteered to defend us, he has earned the respect and gratitude of our whole country."Reuters/Jim Young2008In President Bush's final State of the Union address, U.S. Coast Guard Petty Officer Wil Milam (bottom left), U.S. Army Staff Sergeant Craig Charloux (top left), U.S. Marine Corps Lieutenant Andrew Kinard (top 2nd left), and Tatu Msangi and her daughter FIn President Bush's final State of the Union address, U.S. Coast Guard Petty Officer Wil Milam (bottom left), U.S. Army Staff Sergeant Craig Charloux (top left), U.S. Marine Corps Lieutenant Andrew Kinard (top 2nd left), and Tatu Msangi and her daughter Faith (top center) were special guests.Reuters/Larry Downing2010First lady Michelle Obama waves as she stands with Acting Fort Hood Police Chief Mark Alan Todd (left), Federal Police Officer Kimberly Munley (2nd from left) and Rebecca Knerr (right) prior to President Barack Obama's State of the Union Address. Munley fFirst lady Michelle Obama waves as she stands with Acting Fort Hood Police Chief Mark Alan Todd (left), Federal Police Officer Kimberly Munley (2nd from left) and Rebecca Knerr (right) prior to President Barack Obama's State of the Union Address. Munley fired on Ft. Hood gunman Major Nidal Malik Hasan and Knerr is the wife of Captain II Joseph Knerr of Fairfax County's Virginia Task Force 1 currently serving in Haiti.Reuters/Jason Reed2011First lady Michelle Obama is applauded at her box during President Barack Obama's State of the Union address to a joint session of Congress on Capitol Hill in Washington, January 25, 2011. At far right is Staff Sergeant Salvatore Giunta, of Hiawatha, IowaFirst lady Michelle Obama is applauded at her box during President Barack Obama's State of the Union address to a joint session of Congress on Capitol Hill in Washington, January 25, 2011. At far right is Staff Sergeant Salvatore Giunta, of Hiawatha, Iowa, and second from right is Jill Biden, wife of Vice President Joe Biden.Reuters/Jason Reed
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