President Obama continued his bus tour of Upstate New York today after spending the night in Auburn. He spent the morning working out at the YMCA and shooting a few hoops with a youth basketball group before hitting the road for SUNY Binghamton.
Droves of people gathered in front of the historic home of Harriet Tubman this morning, hoping to catch a glimpse of the President who stayed two miles away at the Holiday Inn. When a White House official confirmed Obama left had already passed Skaneateles, the crowd’s energy deflated and left many stunned, including State Senator John DeFrancisco.
Assemblyman Gary Finch voted to make a stretch of Route 34 the Harriet Tubman Memorial Highway, part of which runs past the abolitionist’s home in Auburn.
President and CEO of the Harriet Tubman Home Karen Hill feels Auburn benefited from Obama’s stay, even though he didn’t stop by.
Meanwhile, Hill adds says her organization will forge ahead to get the bill that would make Tubman’s home a national monument onto the House floor. Congress returns from summer recess September 9th.
