White House Week

Vice President Joe Biden speaks on the 20th anniversary of the Violence Against Women Act, at the National Archives, in Washington, D.C. September 9, 2014. (Official White House Photo by David Lienemann)

This week at the White House, Vice President Joe Biden marked the 20th Anniversary of the Violence Against Women Act. Twenty years ago this week, President Clinton signed into law the Act-- a landmark law that empowered women and children to expose and prosecute domestic violence. The signing of the law marked the end of an arduous road to pass the legislation and put our society on the path toward effectively combating such heinous abuses. Vice President Joe Biden, then a U.S. Senator, not only authored VAWA, but helped drive it through Congress and deliver it to the President's desk.

President Barack Obama, Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel, and Gen. Martin Dempsey, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, listen to the national anthem during the September 11th Observance Ceremony at the Pentagon Memorial in Arlington, Va., Sept. 11, 2014. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)

Later in the week the President and Mrs Obama marked thirteen years since September 11th, 2001. Moments of reflection were held at The White House and at an Observance Ceremony at the Pentagon Memorial. They also participated in a service project in the Washington DC area.