3 Marylanders Invited As First Lady's Guests To State Of The Union
WASHINGTON, D.C. (WJZ) -- Three Marylanders will take seats next to the First Lady at Tuesday's State of the Union address.
Political reporter Pat Warren has more on the circumstances that led to their selection.
The choices were made to represent the priorities of the president.
Joining Michelle Obama in the first lady's box: Alan and Judy Gross---Gross was recently released after five years in prison in Cuba---and Maryland Senate Majority Leader Catherine Pugh of Baltimore, whose work in the Senate reflects the president's commitment to working families.
"What this says to me is that I'm doing what people in the state of Maryland had asked me to do. When you push forth bills like paid sick leave and minimum wage, it's about people. People are concerned every day that they can get up, go to work and be treated right and that's what this is. It's fairness. It's about fairness," Pugh said.
Pugh represents domestic policy and Alan Gross the foreign. His release last month signaled a change in US policy toward Cuba.
"We are making these changes because it is the right thing to do," Obama said.
"Two wrongs never make a right. I truly hope that now we can get beyond these mutually belligerent policies," Gross said. "A judicious lesson that I've learned from this experience is that freedom is not free."
There are 22 special guests for the State of the Union.
You can watch the State of the Union Tuesday at 9 p.m. on WJZ.
