Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, with husband Mark Kelly, gives her first public interview ... more >WASHINGTON (AP) — The secretary for one of the world’s wealthiest men and the wife of late Apple co-founder Steve Jobs are among those invited by the White House to attend the State of the Union address.
The State of the Union guest list has become an annual rite, with the first lady’s box taking on the sort of gravitas shown at the Academy Awards’ red-carpet ceremony. The guests often have ties to a proposal or initiative the president will outline in the address.
The White House said Debbie Bosanek, the secretary to billionaire Warren Buffett, would be among those attending the speech. Mr. Obama frequently has cited Mr. Buffett’s complaint that the tax code is unfair because he pays a lower tax rate than his secretary.
The White House said Laurene Powell Jobs, the wife of the late Apple co-founder Steve Jobs, also would attend Mr. Obama’s prime-time address. Adam Rapp, a cancer survivor the White House says benefited from Mr. Obama’s health care overhaul, also will join first lady Michelle Obama in her box Tuesday night.
Mark Kelly, former astronaut and husband of outgoing Arizona Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, will attend as well. Mrs. Giffords is resigning from Congress to focus on her recovery after being shot but will be on the House floor during the State of the Union address.
'Your papers, please' must never be heard in America
Independent voices from the TWT Communities
Columns from Voices around the World talking about the events, people, politics and social issues that concern us wherever, and whoever, we are.
The “Silver Tsunami” created by aging Baby Boomers is hitting America. Let’s explore how we adjust to it, enjoy it and defy negative expectations about age.
Benghazi: The anatomy of a scandal
13 Photos
Vietnam Memorial adds four names
18 Photos
Cinco de Mayo on the Mall
11 Photos
