Lake Co. man had seat for State of the Union address

Winthrop Harbor resident Larry Daniels had an unusual view of the State of the Union address Wednesday night.

As President Obama spoke, Daniels was seated in an upstairs gallery at the Capitol, just 14 seats away from first lady Michelle Obama.

"We waved to each other," Daniels, 20, said. "I wanted to shake her hand, but there were too many people."

Daniels attended the speech to Congress and the nation as a guest of Democratic U.S. Rep. Melissa Bean of Barrington. Each member of the House of Representatives and each senator was able to invite one guest to the annual speech.

Daniels was chosen because he's a volunteer with YouthBuild Lake County, a not-for-profit organization that teaches young adults from low-income families construction and trade skills and helps them complete their schooling.

"The congresswoman had visited the YouthBuild program several times and was very impressed with the great work they're doing in the community," Bean spokesman Jonathan Lipman said. "We asked the program directors if they had any outstanding graduates from the 8th District who were giving back to the program and the community, and they immediately suggested we meet Larry."

Daniels received the invitation by phone on Friday.

"I was kind of shocked," he said. "I was honored."

He said his mother, Anette Moore, was jealous.

Daniels was in Washington D.C. on Wednesday and Thursday. He did a bit of sightseeing, visiting the Lincoln Memorial, the national World War II and Korean War Veterans memorials and the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum.

"That was pretty fascinating," he said.

As for Obama's address, Daniels said it was inspiring.

"I think he covered (all) the bases Americans need to hear about," Daniels said.