President Barack Obama took time out of his busy schedule to read the Polar Express to children at the Boys and Girls Club of Washington on Monday (Dec. 21).

In an interview with April Ryan of American Urban Radio Networks on Monday, the President responded to black critics who say he hasn’t done much for Black America:

“The only thing I cannot do is, by law, I cannot pass laws that say ‘I’m just helping black folks.’ I’m the president of the entire United States. What I can do is make sure that I am passing laws that help all people, particularly those who are most vulnerable and most in need. That in turn is going to help lift up the African-American community.”

The President said on Tuesday that his annual Hawaiian vacation will not begin this year until the Senate passes the health care bill:

“I will not leave until my friends in the Senate have completed their work. My attitude is that if they’re making these sacrifices to provide health care to all Americans then the least I can do is be around to provide them any encouragement and last-minute help where necessary. That’s the deal.”