A Colorado mom says she and her family were watching TV in their pajamas when she heard President Barack Obama read from an email telling him how a government shutdown could spoil her son's school trip to Washington.
Shalini Schane, of Longmont, said Saturday that she emailed the president a few days ago because she was worried the 50 eighth-graders from Altona Middle School would be shut out of landmarks on their trip, which begins Sunday.
Schane, who's going along as a chaperone, said a White House staffer called her Friday to say the email might be used in a speech. The staffer didn't indicate when that might happen, or who would be making the speech.
Schane and her 13-year-old son Adam were packing for the trip Friday night, still not knowing whether the government would be shut down, when the president came on TV to discuss the compromise that is keeping things open.
Her husband and their daughter were also watching when Obama closed his remarks by quoting from her email.
"That was quite shocking, and we're still in shock," Schane said.
Obama didn't mention Schane by name, but a White House spokesman confirmed Saturday she had written the email. The Longmont Times-Call first reported she was the author.
Obama directly quoted one passage from the email: "Remember, the future of this country is not for us. It's for our children."
He closed by saying, "Today we acted on behalf of our children's future. And next week, when 50 eighth graders from Colorado arrive in our nation's capital, I hope they get a chance to look up at the Washington Monument and feel the sense of pride and possibility that defines America — a land of many that has always found a way to move forward as one."