February 17, 2009 5:25 PM

Day 29: Obama Signs Stimulus, OKs Troop Increase

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(AP)

On his twenty-ninth day in office, President Obama had a big day, signing his hard-fought stimulus legislation into law and approving an increase of U.S. troops in Afghanistan.

Upon signing the sweeping economic package into law, the president warned that hard times may still be on the horizon.

But, he said, “if we are willing to continue doing the difficult work that must be done – by each of us and by all of us – then we will leave this struggling economy behind us, and come out on the other side, more prosperous as a people.”

The Afghan troop increase will bring 17,000 more troops to the country, according to the White House. The president said in a statement that he did not take the decision to deploy them lightly.

“There is no more solemn duty as President than the decision to deploy our armed forces into harm’s way,” he said. “I do it today mindful that the situation in Afghanistan and Pakistan demands urgent attention and swift action.”

Check out Chip Reid’s CBS Evening News report on the president’s day below.