Obama visits American Red Cross

WASHINGTON -- President Barack Obama has personally thanked some American Red Cross workers for their efforts following the earthquake in Haiti last week. He also sent his first Twitter message.

Obama and first lady Michelle Obama went to American Red Cross headquarters a few blocks from the White House on Monday, and toured the Disaster Operations Center.

Obama thanked the workers, all seated at computer stations, for their efforts and urged them to keep up what he said was great work.

After leaving one station where workers monitored Twitter messages, Obama said he had just "tweeted." He said it was the first time he had done so. Obama pushed the button on a message that said he and the first lady were visiting.