Chicagoans at the Obama White House State Dinner for Mexico President Calderon

Desserts, centerpieces at the Obama Mexican President State Dinner Dessert and Entertainment Reception (photo by Lynn Sweet)

WASHINGTON–The Obama White House included two Chicagoans with long time connections to President Obama at the head table at the Wednesday dinner hosted by President Obama and First Lady Michelle to honor Mexican President Felipe Calderon and his wife, Margarita Zavala.

Among the 20 at the head table with the two presidents and their wives were State Sen. Iris Martinez (D-Chicago) who served in the Illinois state senate with Obama and Chicago labor leader Henry Tamarin, president of Unite Here! Local 1. Tamarin’s son, Nate, is the associate director of political affairs in the White House and one of original staffers of then Sen. Obama’s political action committee, the HOPE Fund.

The Honorable David Axelrod, Senior Adviser, White House

Mrs. Susan Axelrod

Mr. Shani Davis, Chicago, IL

Mr. Jae Su Chun

Mr. Don Edwards, Chicago, IL

Mrs. Anne Edwards

The Honorable Rahm Emanuel, Chief of Staff to the President

Ms. Amy Rule

The Honorable Valerie Jarrett, Assistant to the President and Senior Advisor

The Honorable Iris Martinez, Hispanic Caucus Chair, Chicago, IL

Mr. Victor Prez, Hoy, Chicago, IL

Miss Agape Pappas

Mrs. Marian Robinson

Mr. Jesse Ruiz, Dinker Biddle and Reath LLP, Chicago, IL

Mrs. Michele Ilene Ruiz

The Honorable Susan Sher, Assistant to the President and Chief of Staff to the First Lady

Mr. Henry Tamarin, Chicago, IL

Mr. Wellington Wilson, Olympia Fields, IL

Mrs. Kaye Wilson

DESSERT RECEPTION

Mr. Gary Matthews, Chicago, IL

Mrs. Sandy Matthews

Ms. Grace Tsao-Wu, Chicago, IL

Ms. Laura Kofoid