State of the Union guests

A look at some of the guests honored at the annual State of the Union address since President Ronald Reagan introduced the practice in 1982.

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Lenny Skutnik was the first guest to be recognized during a State of the Union address. President Ronald Reagan's shout-out turned Skutnik's name into a term used to describe individuals invited to sit in the gallery during the speech. Skutnik was recognized for saving the life of a passenger after Air Florida Flight 90 crashed into the Potomac River in 1982.

The Washington Post / Washington Post/Getty Images

President Ronald Reagan delivering his State of the Union Address in 1985.

Dirck Halstead / Time & Life Pictures/Getty Image

First lady Nancy Reagan during a State of the Union address in 1988, where she was honored for her anti-drug efforts.

Terry Ashe / Time & Life Pictures/Getty Image

First lady Nancy Reagan congratulates, from left, Richard Cavoli, Tyrone Ford, Shelby Butler and Trevor Farrell, for their achievements. President Ronald Reagan honored them during his State of the Union address in 1986.

Barry Thumma / ASSOCIATED PRESS

President Bill Clinton applauds civil rights pioneer Rosa Parks during his 1999 State of the Union address.

Douglas Graham / Congressional Quarterly/Getty Im

First lady Hillary Rodham Clinton exchanges kisses with Rosa Parks prior to President Bill Clinton's State of the Union address in 1999.

Luke Frazza / AFP/Getty Images

Baseball Hall of Famer Hank Aaron responds as President Bill Clinton recognizes him during Clinton's final State of the Union address in 2000.

Tim Sloan / AFP/Getty Images

First lady Hillary Rodham Clinton applauds baseball star Sammy Sosa during President Bill Clinton's 1999 State of the Union address.

Luke Frazza / AFP/Getty Images

President George W. Bush waves to congressional members as Vice President Dick Cheney (right) looks on prior to Bush's fourth State of the Union address in 2004.

Mark Wilson / Getty Images

President of the Iraqi Governing Council Adnan Pachachi is applauded during President George W. Bush's 2004 State of the Union address.

Stephen Jaffe / AFP/Getty Images

NBA player Dikembe Mutombo, with first lady Laura Bush and Lynne Cheney, is introduced by President George W. Bush during the 2007 State of the Union address.

Mark Wilson / Getty Images

Featured Photo Galleries

PARIS, FRANCE - MAY 29: Serena Williams of USA stretches to plays a forehand in her women's singles first round match between Serena Williams of USA and Virginie Razzano of France during day three of the French Open at Roland Garros on May 29, 2012 in Paris, France. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)

French Open results: Serena Williams loses, Maria Sharapova cruises

The American tennis star lost in the first round of a Grand Slam event.

Winnie Pajcic, 9, holds on to a railing as she leans back in the wind during a visit to Stockton Park in Ortega, Fla., in the aftermath of Tropical Storm Beryl on Monday May 28, 2012. Beryl came ashore early Monday near Jacksonville Beach with near-hurricane-strength winds of 70 mph. (AP Photo/The Florida Times-Union, Kelly Jordan)

Tropical storm Beryl, Flugtag, Rolling Thunder, Memorial Day and more in the day in photos

Tropical storm Beryl, Flugtag, Rolling Thunder, Memorial Day and more.

Camels rest at a watering hole outside the town of Aleg May 25, 2012. REUTERS/Joe Penney (MAURITANIA - Tags: ANIMALS SOCIETY)

Camels, tigers, turtles, a giant stag beetle and more in animal views

Camels, tigers, turtles, a giant stag beetle and more.

ANNAPOLIS, MD- MAY 29: Graduates cheer as the Blue Angels fly over during the 100th anniversary of the United States Naval Academy Graduation and Commissioning Ceremonies in Annapolis, Maryland, on Tuesday, May 29, 2012. U.S Sec. of Defense Leon Edward Panetta gave the graduation address. (Photo by Nikki Kahn/The Washington Post)

U.S. Naval Academy graduation

Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta gave the commencement address at the ceremony.

LAS VEGAS, NV - MAY 26: Singer/actress Jennifer Lopez (C) performs with dancers during the Q'Viva! The Chosen Live show at the Mandalay Bay Events Center on May 26, 2012 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

Eye on entertainment

Jennifer Lopez, Marc Anthony, Lil Jon, Eddie Van Halen, Mariah Carey and other celebrities.

Doc Watson, bluegrass and folk legend, dies at 89

The blind singer and guitarist was a Grammy winner, known for his flat-picking style of guitar playing.

Henry, a calf, sustained a head wound and required stitches after being slashed over the weekend.

Farm animals attacked in Fairfax

A calf, two goats and a chicken were slashed over the weekend at Frying Pan Farm Park in Herndon.

COVINGTON, LA - MAY 14: Brother Emmanuel Labrise of St. Joseph's Abbey prepares a casket for lining on May 15, 2012 in Covington, Louisiana. Louisiana law forbids those who are not licensed funeral directors from selling caskets. And since Hurricane Katrina leveled the timberlands that once provided the main source of funding for the abbey, the monks have attempted to make a living by building and selling simple cypress caskets. The monks won their first round last year, and have a hearing at the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit in June. (Photo by Sean Gardner/For the Washington Post)

Louisiana monks fight for the right to sell coffins

Federal court case pits a group of monks against the funeral home industry.

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