US President Barack Obama visited Yad Vashem on Friday, March 22, 2013. He was accompanied by President Shimon Peres, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Chairman of the Yad Vashem Directorate Avner Shalev and Chairman of the Yad Vashem Council Rabbi Israel Meir Lau. He visited the Hall of Names, the Museum of Holocaust Art, participated in a memorial ceremony in the Hall of Remembrance, and visited the Children’s Memorial. Upon completion of his visit, President Obama signed the Visitors' Book and spoke. A Token of Remembrance was presented to President Obama by Mr. Avner Shalev, Chairman of the Yad Vashem Directorate.