The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
May 21, 2012

Presidential Nominations Sent to the Senate

NOMINATIONS SENT TO THE SENATE:

Joseph Byrne Donovan, of Virginia, to be a Member of the Board of Directors of the National Institute of Building Sciences for a term expiring September 7, 2013, vice Lane Carson, resigned.

Bruce R. Sievers, of California, to be a Member of the National Council on the Humanities for a term expiring January 26, 2018, vice Kenneth R. Weinstein, term expired.

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
May 21, 2012

President Obama Nominates Thomas M. Durkin to Serve on the US District Court

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, President Obama nominated Thomas M. Durkin to serve on the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois.

“I am honored to put forward this highly qualified candidate for the federal bench,” President Obama said.  “He will be a distinguished public servant and valuable addition to the United States District Court.”

Thomas M. Durkin:  Nominee for the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois
Thomas M. Durkin is a partner at the law firm of Mayer Brown LLP, where he handles a broad array of matters including complex commercial litigation and white collar criminal defense.  Prior to joining the firm as a partner in 1993, Durkin served as an Assistant United States Attorney in the Northern District of Illinois for over a decade.  During that time, he served in numerous leadership positions, including Chief of the Special Prosecutions Division, Chief of the Criminal Receiving and Appellate Division, and First Assistant United States Attorney.  From 1978 to 1980, he served as a law clerk to the Honorable Stanley J. Roszkowski of the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois.  Durkin received his J.D. with honors in 1978 from the DePaul University College of Law and his B.S. with honors in 1975 from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
May 21, 2012

Executive Order -- Providing an Order of Succession within the Department of Agriculture

EXECUTIVE ORDER

- - - - - - -

PROVIDING AN ORDER OF SUCCESSION WITHIN
THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

    By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, including the Federal Vacancies Reform Act of 1998, as amended, 5 U.S.C. 3345 et seq. (the "Act"), it is hereby ordered that:

    Section 1.  Order of Succession.  (a)  Subject to the provisions of section 2 of this order, and to the limitations set forth in the Act, the following officials of the Department of Agriculture, in the order listed, shall act as and perform the functions and duties of the office of Secretary of Agriculture (Secretary) during any period in which both the Secretary and the Deputy Secretary of Agriculture (Deputy Secretary) have died, resigned, or are otherwise unable to perform the functions and duties of the office of Secretary:

    (1)   Under Secretary of Agriculture for Farm and Foreign Agricultural Services;

    (2)   Under Secretary of Agriculture for Food, Nutrition, and Consumer Services;

    (3)   Assistant Secretary of Agriculture for Administration;

    (4)   Under Secretary of Agriculture for Research, Education, and Economics;

    (5)   Under Secretary of Agriculture for Food Safety;

    (6)   Under Secretary of Agriculture for Natural Resources and Environment;

    (7)   Under Secretary of Agriculture for Rural Development;

    (8)   Under Secretary of Agriculture for Marketing and Regulatory Programs;

    (9)   General Counsel of the Department of Agriculture;

    (10)  Chief of Staff, Office of the Secretary;

    (11)  State Executive Directors of the Farm Service Agency for the States of California, Iowa, and Kansas, in order of seniority fixed by length of unbroken service as State Executive Director of that State;

    (12)  Regional Administrators of the Food and Nutrition Service for the Mountain Plains Regional Office (Denver, Colorado), Midwest Regional Office (Chicago, Illinois), and Western Regional Office (San Francisco, California), in order of seniority fixed by length of unbroken service as Regional Administrator of that Regional Office;

    (13)  Chief Financial Officer of the Department of Agriculture;

    (14)  Assistant Secretary of Agriculture (Civil Rights); and

    (15)  Assistant Secretary of Agriculture (Congressional Relations).

    (b)  If any two or more individuals designated in paragraph (11) or (12) of subsection (a) were sworn in to, or commenced service in, their respective offices on the same day, precedence shall be determined by the alphabetical order of the State in which the individual serves.

    Sec. 2.  Exceptions.  (a)  No individual who is serving in an office listed in section 1(a)(1)-(15) of this order in an acting capacity shall, by virtue of so serving, act as Secretary pursuant to this order.

    (b)  No individual who is serving in an office listed in section 1(a)(1)-(15) of this order shall act as Secretary unless that individual is otherwise eligible to so serve under the Federal Vacancies Reform Act of 1998.

    (c)  Notwithstanding the provisions of this order, the President retains discretion, to the extent permitted by law, to depart from this order in designating an acting Secretary.

    Sec. 3.  Revocation.  Executive Order 13542 of May 13, 2010 (Providing an Order of Succession Within the Department of Agriculture), is hereby revoked.

    Sec. 4.  Judicial Review.  This order is not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the United States, its departments, agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other person.

 

BARACK OBAMA

 

THE WHITE HOUSE,
    May 21, 2012.

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
May 21, 2012

Executive Order -- Providing an Order of Succession within the Office of Management and Budget

EXECUTIVE ORDER

- - - - - - -

PROVIDING AN ORDER OF SUCCESSION
WITHIN THE OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET

     By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, including the Federal Vacancies Reform Act of 1998, as amended, 5 U.S.C. 3345 et seq. (the "Act"), it is hereby ordered that:

     Section 1.  Order of Succession.  Subject to the provisions of section 2 of this order, and to the limitations set forth in the Act, the following officers of the Office of Management and Budget, in the order listed, shall act as and perform the functions and duties of the office of Director during any period in which both the Director of the Office of Management and Budget (Director) and the Deputy Director of the Office of Management and Budget (Deputy Director) have died, resigned, or otherwise become unable to perform the functions and duties of the office of Director:

     (a)  Deputy Director for Management;

     (b)  Executive Associate Director;

     (c)  Associate Director (National Security Programs);

     (d)  Associate Director (General Government Programs);

     (e)  Associate Director (Education, Income Maintenance, and Labor Programs);

     (f)  Associate Director (Health Programs);

     (g)  Associate Director (Natural Resource Programs);

     (h)  General Counsel;

     (i)  Administrator for Federal Procurement Policy;

     (j)  Administrator of the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs;

     (k)  Controller, Office of Federal Financial Management;

     (l)  Administrator of the Office of Electronic Government; and

     (m)  Intellectual Property Enforcement Coordinator.

     Sec. 2.  Exceptions.  (a)  No individual who is serving in an office listed in section 1(a)-(m) of this order in an acting capacity, by virtue of so serving, shall act as Director pursuant to this order.

     (b)  No individual listed in section 1(a)-(m) of this order shall act as Director unless that individual is otherwise eligible to so serve under the Act.

     (c)  Notwithstanding the provisions of this order, the President retains discretion, to the extent permitted by law, to depart from this order in designating an acting Director.

     Sec. 3.  Revocation.  Executive Order 13370 of January 13, 2005 (Providing an Order of Succession in the Office of Management and Budget), is hereby revoked.

     Sec. 4.  Judicial Review.  This order is not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the United States, its departments, agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other person.


 

BARACK OBAMA

 

THE WHITE HOUSE,
May 21, 2012.

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
May 21, 2012

Executive Order -- Providing an Order of Succession within the Environmental Protection Agency

By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, including the Federal Vacancies Reform Act of 1998, as amended, 5 U.S.C. 3345 et seq. (the "Act"), it is hereby ordered that:

Section 1. Order of Succession. Subject to the provisions of section 2 of this order, and to the limitations set forth in the Act, the following officials of the Environmental Protection Agency, in the order listed, shall act as and perform the functions and duties of the office of the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (Administrator) during any period in which the Administrator and the Deputy Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency have died, resigned, or become otherwise unable to perform the functions and duties of the office of Administrator:

(a) General Counsel;

(b) Assistant Administrator, Office of Solid Waste;

(c) Assistant Administrator for Toxic Substances (also known as the Assistant Administrator for the Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention);

(d) Assistant Administrator for the Office of Air and Radiation;

(e) Assistant Administrator for the Office of Water;

(f) Assistant Administrator for the Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance;

(g) Chief Financial Officer;

(h) Assistant Administrator for the Office of Research and Development;

(i) Assistant Administrator for the Office of International and Tribal Affairs;

(j) Assistant Administrator for the Office of Administration and Resources Management;

(k) Assistant Administrator for the Office of Environmental Information;

(l) Regional Administrator, Region VIII; and

(m) Deputy Regional Administrator, Region II.

Sec. 2. Exceptions. (a) No individual who is serving in an office listed in section 1(a)-(m) of this order in an acting capacity shall, by virtue of so serving, act as Administrator pursuant to this order.

(b) No individual listed in section 1(a)-(m) of this order shall act as Administrator unless that individual is otherwise eligible to so serve under the Federal Vacancies Reform Act of 1998, as amended.

(c) Notwithstanding the provisions of this order, the President retains discretion, to the extent permitted by law, to depart from this order in designating an acting Administrator.

Sec. 3. Revocation. Executive Order 13261 of March 19, 2002 (Providing an Order of Succession in the Environmental Protection Agency and Amending Certain Orders on Succession) and Executive Order 13344 of July 7, 2004 (Amending Executive Order 13261 on the Order of Succession in the Environmental Protection Agency), are hereby revoked.

Sec. 4. Judicial Review. This order is not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the United States, its departments, agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other person.

BARACK OBAMA

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
May 21, 2012

Presidential Memorandum -- Designation of Officers of the National Archives and Records Administration to Act as Archivist of the United States

SUBJECT: Designation of Officers of the National Archives and Records Administration to Act as Archivist of the United States

By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, including the Federal Vacancies Reform Act of 1998, as amended, 5 U.S.C. 3345 et seq. (the "Act"), it is hereby ordered that:

Section 1. Order of Succession. Subject to the provision of section 2 of this memorandum, and the limitations set forth in the Act, the following officials of the National Archives and Records Administration, in the order listed, shall act as and perform the functions and duties of the office of the Archivist of the United States (Archivist), during any period in which the Archivist or the Deputy Archivist has died, resigned, or otherwise become unable to perform the functions and duties of the office of the Archivist:

(a) Chief Operating Officer;

(b) Executive for Agency Services;

(c) Director, National Personnel Records Center; and

(d) Director, George W. Bush Library.

Sec. 2. Exceptions. (a) No individual who is serving in an office listed in section 1(a)-(d) of this memorandum in an acting capacity shall, by virtue of so serving, act as Archivist pursuant to this memorandum.

(b) No individual listed in section 1(a)-(d) of this memorandum shall act as Archivist unless that individual is otherwise eligible to so serve under the Federal Vacancies Reform Act of 1998, as amended.

(c) Notwithstanding the provision of this memorandum, the President retains discretion, to the extent permitted by law, to depart from this memorandum in designating an acting Archivist.

Sec. 3. Prior Memorandum Revoked. The Memorandum for the Archivist of the United States of March 22, 2006 (Designation of Officers of the National Archives and Records Administration), is hereby revoked.

Sec. 4. Judicial Review. This memorandum is not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the United States, its departments, agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other person.

Sec. 5. Publication. The Archivist is authorized and directed to publish this memorandum in the Federal Register.

BARACK OBAMA

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
May 21, 2012

Executive Order -- Providing an Order of Succession within the Department of Commerce

SUBJECT: Designation of Officers of the Millennium Challenge Corporation to Act as Chief Executive Officer of the Millennium Challenge Corporation

By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, including the Federal Vacancies Reform Act of 1998, as amended, 5 U.S.C. 3345 et seq. (the "Act"), it is hereby ordered that:

Section 1. Order of Succession. Subject to the provisions of section 2 of this order, and to the limitations set forth in the Act, the following officials of the Department of Commerce, in the order listed, shall act as and perform the functions and duties of the office of the Secretary of Commerce (Secretary) during any period in which the Secretary has died, resigned, or otherwise become unable to perform the functions and duties of the office of the Secretary:

(a) Deputy Secretary of Commerce;

(b) General Counsel of the Department of Commerce;

(c) Under Secretary of Commerce for International Trade;

(d) Under Secretary of Commerce for Economic Affairs;

(e) Under Secretary of Commerce for Standards and Technology;

(f) Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere and Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration;

(g) Under Secretary of Commerce for Export Administration;

(h) Chief Financial Officer of the Department of Commerce and Assistant Secretary of Commerce (Administration); and

(i) The Boulder Laboratories Site Manager, National Institute of Standards and Technology.

Sec. 2. Exceptions. (a) No individual who is serving in an office listed in section 1(a)-(i) of this order in an acting capacity shall, by virtue of so serving, act as Secretary pursuant to this order.

(b) No individual listed in section 1(a)-(i) of this order shall act as Secretary unless that individual is otherwise eligible to so serve under the Act, as amended.

(c) Notwithstanding the provisions of this order, the President retains discretion, to the extent permitted by law, to depart from this order in designating an acting Secretary.

Sec. 3. Revocation. Executive Order 13242 of December 18, 2001 (Providing An Order of Succession Within the Department of Commerce) and Memorandum for the Secretary of Commerce of October 3, 2002 (Designation of Officers of the Department of Commerce to Act as Secretary of Commerce) are hereby revoked.

Sec. 4. Judicial Review. This order is not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the United States, its departments, agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other person.

BARACK OBAMA

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
May 21, 2012

Presidential Memorandum -- Designation of Officers of the Millennium Challenge Corporation to Act as Chief Executive Officer of the Millennium Challenge Corporation

SUBJECT: Designation of Officers of the Millennium Challenge Corporation to Act as Chief Executive Officer of the Millennium Challenge Corporation

By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, including the Federal Vacancies Reform Act of 1998, as amended, 5 U.S.C. 3345 et seq. (the "Act"), it is hereby ordered that:

Section 1. Order of Succession. Subject to the provisions of section 2 of this memorandum and to the limitations set forth in the Act, the following officers of the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC), in the order listed, shall act as and perform the functions and duties of the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the MCC during any period in which the CEO of the MCC has died, resigned, or otherwise becomes unable or unavailable to perform the functions and duties of the office of the CEO of the MCC:

(a) Deputy Chief Executive Officer;

(b) Vice President, Department of Policy and Evaluation;

(c) Chief of Staff;

(d) Vice President, Department of Compact Operations;

(e) Senior Advisor;

(f) Vice President, Department of Congressional and Public Affairs;

(g) Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary; and

(h) Vice President, Department of Administration and Finance.

Sec. 2. Exceptions. (a) No individual who is serving in an office listed in section 1(a)-(h) of this memorandum in an acting capacity shall, by virtue of so serving, act as CEO of the MCC pursuant to this memorandum.

(b) No individual who is serving in an office listed in section 1(a)-(h) of this memorandum shall act as CEO of the MCC unless that individual is otherwise eligible to so serve under the Act.

(c) Notwithstanding the provisions of this memorandum, the President retains discretion, to the extent permitted by law, to depart from this memorandum in designating an acting CEO of the MCC.

Sec. 3. Judicial Review. This memorandum is not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the United States, its departments, agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other person.

Sec. 4. Publication. You are authorized and directed to publish this memorandum in the Federal Register.

BARACK OBAMA

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
May 21, 2012

Presidential Memorandum -- Designation of Officers of the Office of Personnel Management to Act as Director of the Office of Personnel Management

SUBJECT: Designation of Officers of the Office of Personnel Management to Act as Director of the Office of Personnel Management

By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, including the Federal Vacancies Reform Act of 1998, 5 U.S.C. 3345 et seq. (the "Act"), it is hereby ordered that:

Section 1. Order of Succession. Subject to the provisions of section 2 of this memorandum, and to the limitations set forth in the Act, the following officials of the Office of Personnel Management, in the order listed, shall act as and perform the functions and duties of the office of Director, during any period in which both the Director and the Deputy Director of the Office of Personnel Management, have died, resigned, or are otherwise unable to perform the functions and duties of the office of Director:

(a) General Counsel;

(b) Chief of Staff;

(c) Associate Director, Retirement Services;

(d) Associate Director, Employee Services;

(e) Director, Office of Congressional and Legislative Affairs;

(f) Associate Director, Federal Investigative Services;

(g) Chief Financial Officer;

(h) Associate Director, Human Resources Solutions;

(i) Director, Healthcare and Insurance; and

(j) Director, Planning and Policy Analysis.

Sec. 2. Exceptions. (a) No individual who is serving in an office listed in section 1 of this memorandum in an acting capacity, by virtue of so serving, shall act as Director pursuant to this memorandum.

(b) No individual listed in section 1 of this memorandum shall act as Director unless that individual is otherwise eligible to so serve under the Act.

(c) Notwithstanding the provisions of this memorandum, the President retains discretion, to the extent permitted by law, to depart from this memorandum in designating an acting Director.

Sec. 3. Prior Memorandum Superseded. This memorandum supersedes the President's Memorandum of May 5, 2005 (Designation of Officers of the Office of Personnel Management to Act as Director of the Office of Personnel Management).

Sec. 4. Judicial Review. This memorandum is not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the United States, its departments, agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other person.

Sec. 5. Publication. You are authorized and directed to publish this memorandum in the Federal Register.

BARACK OBAMA

President Obama Speaks at ISAF Meeting on Afghanistan

May 21, 2012 | 4:05 | Public Domain

President Obama speaks to leaders of the 50 nations that make up the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan before a meeting to discuss the next step in the transition of power there—setting a goal for Afghan forces to take the lead for combat operations across the country in 2013 -- next year -- so that ISAF can move to a supporting role.

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Remarks by the President at ISAF Meeting on Afghanistan

McCormick Place
Chicago, Illinois

9:24 A.M. CDT
 
THE PRESIDENT:  Well, good morning, everyone.  And for those who are joining us for the first time, welcome to Chicago.  I was just hearing from a few folks who are not NATO members that they had fun on the town last night.  Hopefully, no stories in the press.  (Laughter.) 
 
We come together as 50 nations -- NATO allies and partners -- that make up the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan.  I want to welcome the presence of President Karzai, as well as officials from central Asia and Russia -- nations that have an important perspective and that continue to provide critical transit for ISAF supplies.
 
The presence of so many leaders and nations illustrates once again that this is a truly international mission, and that’s because the region and the world have a profound interest in an Afghanistan that is stable, that is secure, and that is not a source of attacks on other nations.  And today, as always, our thoughts are with our brave forces who are serving in this vital mission.
 
Two years ago, in Lisbon, our nations agreed on a framework for transition in Afghanistan that would allow us to responsibly wind down the war.  We agreed that this transition to Afghan lead for security would begin in 2011 and that it would conclude in 2014.  At the same time, we said that we would seek a long-term partnership with Afghanistan and the Afghan people.
 
Over the past two years, we’ve made important progress.  Our forces broke the Taliban’s momentum.  More Afghans are reclaiming their communities.  Afghan security forces have grown stronger.  And the transition that we agreed to in Lisbon is well underway.
 
This past week we saw more progress.  We very much welcomed President Karzai’s announcement to the third group of areas to begin transition.  This means that 75 percent of the Afghan people live in areas where Afghan forces will be moving into the lead. 
 
Today, we’ll decide the next phase of the transition -- the next milestone.  We’ll set a goal for Afghan forces to take the lead for combat operations across the country in 2013 -- next year -- so that ISAF can move to a supporting role.  This will be another step toward Afghans taking full lead for their security as agreed to by 2014 when the ISAF combat mission will end.
 
Today is also an opportunity to ensure our hard-won progress is preserved.  The Strategic Partnership Agreement that President Karzai and I signed in Kabul ensures that as Afghans stand up they will not stand alone.  Today, we can agree on NATO’s long-term relationship with Afghanistan beyond 2014, including our support of Afghan security forces.
 
So we have a lot of work to do.  Again, I want to thank all of my fellow leaders and our partners for being here.  Our nations and the world have a vital interest in the success of this mission.  And I am confident, because of the leadership represented here as well as the leadership of our outstanding armed forces, that we can advance that goal today and responsibly bring this war to an end.

END              
9:28 A.M. CDT
 

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