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President Barack Obama meets with Gov. Chris Christie (right) in the wake of Hurricane Sandy last year.

(Pete Souza/The White House)

By Jenna Portnoy and Matt Friedman/The Star-Ledger

TRENTON — President Barack Obama will return to New Jersey on Tuesday to survey Hurricane Sandy recovery efforts with Gov. Chris Christie, according to a statement obtained by The Star-Ledger.



The visit will mark Obama's second trip to the shore since the storm hit about six months ago.

“As residents and businesses prepare for a busy summer season, President Obama will visit the Jersey Shore with Governor Christie on Tuesday to view the ongoing recovery efforts after Hurricane Sandy devastated areas of the coastline last fall," the White House statement says. "The President will speak about the importance of re-igniting and expanding economic opportunity for middle class families who were hard hit by the storm, and meet with business and home owners who have benefited from the recovery efforts. More details on the President’s travel to New Jersey will be released when available.”

Christie was criticized by some Republicans when he praised Obama's response to Sandy and joined him on a tour of storm damage days before the presidential election.

On Oct. 31, the Republican governor and Obama, a Democrat, went on an hour-long helicopter tour of the worst hit areas before greeting victims at a Brigantine community center. From there, they walked along mud-caked streets, consoling property owners.

Obama and Christie then delivered remarks, flanked by U.S. Sens. Frank Lautenberg and Robert Menendez and administration officials, including FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate.

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Also Tuesday, First Lady Michelle Obama has invited New Jersey school children affected by the hurricane to the White House Kitchen Garden to help harvest the summer crop.

Star-Ledger staff writer MaryAnn Spoto contributed to this report.

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