Aaron Kimball

"Today, you are the waves of the Pacific, pushing ever eastward. You are the sequoias rising from the Sierra Nevadas, defiant and enduring."

President  is the President of New California Republic in 2281.

Background
Kimball was born in 2229. A former general, Kimball made his name leading NCR troops in the Mojave region, using his fame to get elected as President. A hawkish official, Kimball has been criticized for autocratic style of running the NCR. He has made enormous efforts to secure control of the Mojave Wasteland. Many in the NCR, like Chief Hanlon of the Rangers, are against Kimball's presidency, but General Oliver gives Kimball his utmost loyalty. Many suspect that the only reason Kimball is President is because his leadership turned back the Legion during the first Battle of Hoover Dam.

Interactions with the player character
Two attempts are made to take his life during the quest You'll Know It When It Happens by an enemy sniper in the tower directly behind him (it is possible to see the NCR sniper assigned to that spot being thrown from the tower near the begining of the President's speech) and by an engineer in the crowd, who looks like a member of Caesar's Legion in features.

Quests

 * You'll Know It When It Happens: The Courier is tasked by Colonel Moore to protect the president during his speech. This quest is also given to the Courier by Yes Man after he takes over Mr House's Network.
 * Arizona Killer: The Courier is tasked by Caesar to assassinate him for the Legion.

President Kimball's speech at Hoover Dam
"Thank you, Colonel Moore. And thank you, my fellow Californians, who have come so far to answer the call to service put forth by the republic. It is for you that I have come here, and it is because of you that I am able to do so. We enjoy our privileges because you take the greatest of risks and are prepared to make the most noble of sacrifices. It is because of men and women like Private First Class Jeremy Watson that Nevada and the New California Republic remain free and secure.

Born in a tin shack on the outskirts of One Pine, Jeremy Watson never had it easy. His father worked as a caravan guard on the Short Loop, and his mother, like many Californians, braved the ruins of the Old World as a prospector. They suffered through water shortages, raider attacks, and the Brotherhood War. Like our mighty Sierra Nevadas, they endured. But the time came when they could no longer shoulder the burden alone. Twelve years ago, they called out for help, and the republic heard them.

Troopers and rangers, just like you, answered the clarion call. Men and women stepped forward to say, "I will carry the weight." And at Owen's Lake, we made true on our promise, driving out the raider tribes to establish a lasting peace in the eastern Sierra Nevadas. We carried the weight, and though we left behind many of our brothers and sisters on that battlefield, it did not break us.

Ten years ago, Chief Elise met with representatives of the Desert Rangers to discuss terms of what would become the Ranger Unification Treaty. The treaty was more than a resolution to welcome the Desert Rangers into the republic. It was a covenant to protect southern Nevada against Caesar's Legion and the tyranny of his regime.

There are some back home who ask me, "But who are we protecting? What is Nevada to us?" Sometimes we forget that the light of our society shines beyond our borders. Sometimes we take those privileges for granted that our forebears fought so hard to achieve. We must always remember that wherever Californians stand, we carry our principles with us: equal respect, representation, and protection under the laws of a just republic. This was the same fire that burned in the heart of the Old World that preceded us. We are the heirs of that civilization, torchbearers eastward of the Pacific, into the darkness of this wasted land.

When the republic called on the men and women of California to carry that fire across the Mojave, Jeremy Watson answered. You answered. Together, you carried the weight. And when PFC Watson's platoon came under attack at Forlorn Hope, he took the greatest risk, not only for his fellow Californians, but for California itself. He was prepared to make the most noble of sacrifices, to defend the principles of our republic, even here, on Nevada soil.

His actions are a beacon to all of us who stand here today in tribute to his valor. Private First Class Jeremy Watson, on behalf of the senate and people of the New California Republic, it is my honor to present you with the Star of Sierra Madre.

Not far from this spot, a monument stands as a tribute to the sacrifice made by those who came before us, the men and women who fulfilled the promise we made to the Desert Rangers. Its back is inscribed with the names of the troopers and rangers who carried the weight. And because they made the most noble of sacrifices, it did not break us.

Four years ago, we held this dam. Four years ago, we carried the weight. Four years ago, we drew a line through the Mojave as clear as the Colorado River, a line that Caesar cannot cross. Today, you stand here with our brothers and sisters to hold that line. Today, you honor all Californians by carrying that weight. Today, you are the waves of the Pacific, pushing ever eastward. You are the sequoias rising from the Sierra Nevadas, defiant and enduring. You are the great western light of California, torchbearers in the darkness, living reminders of all that is best in our republic.

Thank you. Thank you."

- President Kimball

Appearances
appears in Fallout: New Vegas.

Bugs

 * After Kimball's speech, he may just stand there, never returning to his Vertibird.
 * Sometimes after finding the detonator, and telling the Major, Kimball will get on his Vertibird and fly away, but everyone in the crowd including the Major will be crouching with their hand above their heads, disabling all communication with the major. Waiting a few hours may remedy this.
 * When given the mission to protect President Kimball from assassination and you have hacked the terminal and checked the blood stain, you are not given the option to talk to the NCR Ranger. As well as this, you cannot fast travel or wait. To get out of this bug, walk away from the dam until a pop-up appears saying to report to Colonel Moore and report that President Kimball is dead.
 * When Kimball has finished his speech he may have some difficulty getting back to his Vertibird and wander around the stage area aimlessly. A collection of gentle nudges in the right direction fixes this problem.