Welcome to the West Wing Week, your guide to everything that's happening at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. This week, with the arrival of the historic Superstorm Sandy, the President worked alongside FEMA officials and the American Red Cross, addressed the nation and federal agencies on emergency preparedness and recovery, and visited with some of those affected by the storm.
The White House
Office of the Press Secretary
Coors Events Center
Boulder, Colorado
7:42 P.M. MDT
THE PRESIDENT: Thank you! (Applause.) Are you fired up?
AUDIENCE: Yes!
THE PRESIDENT: Are you ready to go?
AUDIENCE: Yes!
THE PRESIDENT: You seem pretty fired up! (Applause.) It is good to be back in Colorado! (Applause.)
Everybody, please give Savannah a big round of applause for the great introduction. (Applause.) Let's give a shout out to the folks who are fighting for you every day in Washington -- Senator Michael Bennet -- (applause) -- Senator Mark Udall -- (applause) -- Congressman Jered Polis. (Applause.)
It is good to be here. Thank you. (Applause.)
AUDIENCE MEMBER: We love you!
THE PRESIDENT: I love you back. I do. (Applause.)
Those of you who have seats, feel free to sit down. I don't want you guys getting tired out. (Laughter.)
For the past few days, all of us have been focused on one of the worst storms of our lifetime. And we’re awed and humbled by nature’s destructive power. We mourn those who were lost. Obviously our hearts and our thoughts and prayers go out to the families who have been affected. We pledge to help those whose lives have been turned upside down.
I was just on a phone call with some of the local officials in New York, as well as Governor Cuomo, and they've got still a long way to go to deal with this incredible storm. But we've also been inspired these past few days -- because when disaster strikes, we see America at its best. The petty differences that consume us in normal times, they all seem to melt away. We saw it here in Colorado with the fires this summer, and then the terrible tragedy in Aurora.
In moments like these, we're reminded there are no Democrats or Republicans during a crisis, just fellow Americans. (Applause.) We see leaders of different parties working to fix what’s broken; and neighbors helping neighbors to cope with tragedy; communities rallying to rebuild; a spirit that says in the end, we’re all in this together -- we rise or fall as one nation, as one people. (Applause.)
And, Boulder, that spirit has guided this country along its improbable journey for more than two centuries. And it's carried us through the trials and tribulations of the last four years.
In 2008, we were in the middle of two wars and the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression. Today, because of the resilience of the American people, our businesses have created over 5 million new jobs. (Applause.) The American auto industry is back on top. (Applause.) American manufacturing is growing at the fastest pace in 15 years. (Applause.) We’re less dependent on foreign oil than at any time in 20 years. (Applause.) Home values, home construction is on the rise. (Applause.) And thanks to the service and sacrifice of our brave men and women in uniform, the war in Iraq is over. (Applause.) The war in Afghanistan is coming to an end. (Applause.) Al Qaeda has been decimated. Osama bin Laden is dead. (Applause.)
So we’ve made real progress these past four years. But, Colorado, we all know our work is not yet done. As long as there’s a single American who wants a job and can’t find one, our work is not done. As long as there are families who are working harder and harder but falling further behind, our work is not yet done. As long as there’s a child somewhere in America languishing in poverty, barred from opportunity, anywhere in this country, our work is not yet done. (Applause.)
Our fight, our mission goes on because we know this nation cannot succeed without a growing, thriving middle class -- (applause) -- and strong, sturdy ladders into the middle class for everybody who's willing to work hard and take responsibility. (Applause.)
Our fight, our mission goes on because America has always done best when everybody has a fair shot, when everybody is doing their fair share, when everybody is playing by the same rules. That’s what we believe. That’s why you elected me in 2008. And that’s why I’m running for a second term as President of the United States of America. (Applause.)
AUDIENCE: Four more years! Four more years! Four more years!
THE PRESIDENT: Now, we knew from the beginning that our work would take more than one year, or even one term. We knew that. Because, let’s face it, the middle class was getting hammered long before the financial crisis hit. The economy has changed over the last 20, 30 years. Technology has made us more productive, but it’s also made a lot of good jobs obsolete. Global trade brought us cheaper products, but it also meant that companies could locate overseas in low-wage countries. American workers saw their paychecks getting squeezed, even when corporate profits rose; even as CEO salaries exploded, and the guaranteed security of pensions and health care started to erode -- in some cases disappear altogether.
Now, these fundamental changes in the economy -- the rise of technology and global competition -- those are real. We can’t wish them away. But here’s what I know, Colorado: We can meet those challenges. We’re Americans. (Applause.) We still have the world’s best workers. We’ve got the world’s best entrepreneurs. We’ve got the best scientists and researchers. We’ve definitely got the best colleges and universities. We’ve got the most innovative spirit. (Applause.) We have everything we need to thrive in this new economy. There’s not a country on Earth that wouldn’t gladly trade places with the United States.
But to realize our full potential, to secure a future that we want for our kids and our grandkids, we’ve got to make a choice right now. In five days, we will choose our next president. (Applause.) And, Boulder, it is more than just a choice between two candidates or two parties. You’re going to be making a choice between two fundamentally different visions of America -- one where we return to the top-down policies that crashed our economy --
AUDIENCE: Booo --
THE PRESIDENT: Don’t boo -- vote. (Applause.) Vote.
Or a future that’s built on a strong and growing middle class. And we know what the choice needs to be. We’re here today because we believe that if this country invests in the skills and ideas of its people, then good jobs and businesses will follow.
We believe that America’s free market has been the engine of America’s progress, and we honor the risk-takers and innovators and dreamers that drive our economy forward. But we also understand that in this country, people succeed when they have a chance at a great education, when they’ve got a chance to learn new skills. (Applause.) That’s good for business because they need skilled workers. That’s good for our country because some of those folks who get those great skills and education start new businesses. We believe that when we support research into medical breakthroughs or nanotechnology or entire new fields of study, new industries start here and they stay here and they hire here. (Applause.)
We don’t believe that government should poke its nose into everything we do, but do we believe this country is stronger -- and actually our markets work better -- when there are rules in place to protect our kids from toxic dumping and mercury pollution -- (applause) -- when there are rules to protect consumers from unscrupulous credit card companies and mortgage lenders -- (applause) -- when we grow -- we’re convinced that we grow faster.
And the evidence is on our side. We grow faster when our tax code rewards hard work and companies that create jobs here in America. And we believe that quality health care for everybody and a dignified retirement for everybody aren’t just achievable goals -- they are a measure of our values as a nation. That’s what we believe. (Applause.)
For eight years, we had a President who actually shared those beliefs, and his name was Bill Clinton. (Applause.) And the interesting thing is when he was first elected, he asked the wealthiest Americans to pay a little more so we could reduce the deficit and still make investments in things like education and training, and science and research. And guess what -- there were a bunch of folks who were running for Congress at the time who said this is going to hurt the economy; this is going to kill job creation.
And if that argument sounds familiar, one of those candidates happens to be running for President right now. (Laughter.) And it turns out his math and their math was just as bad back then as it is now. (Applause.) Because by the end of Bill Clinton’s second term, America had created 23 million new jobs, and incomes were up, and poverty was down, and our deficits had become the biggest surplus in history. (Applause.)
So, Colorado, we know the ideas that work. We know our ideas work. We also know the ideas that don’t work. Because in the eight years after Bill Clinton left office, his policies were reversed. The wealthiest Americans got tax cuts they didn’t need. Companies enjoyed tax breaks for shipping jobs overseas. Insurance companies and oil companies and Wall Street were given free rein to do whatever they pleased. Folks at the top got to play by a different set of rules than the rest of us. And the result of this top-down economics was falling incomes, and record deficits, and the slowest job growth in half a century, and an economic crisis that we have been cleaning up for the last four years. (Applause.)
So here’s the thing. We’ve tested both theories. We’ve tested both visions. One worked really well. One worked really badly. (Laughter.)
Now, in the closing weeks of this campaign, Governor Romney has been using all his formidable talents as a salesman -- (laughter) -- to dress up the very same policies that failed our country so badly, the very same policies we’ve been cleaning up after these last four years, and he’s offering them up as change. He’s saying he’s the candidate of change.
AUDIENCE: Booo --
THE PRESIDENT: No, don’t boo -- vote. Vote. (Applause.)
But let me tell you, Colorado, we know what change looks like. We know what’s going to help the middle class. (Applause.) We know what’s going to grow jobs. We know what’s going to reduce the deficit. And let me tell you, what Governor Romney is offering sure ain’t it. It is not it. Giving more power back to the biggest banks -- that’s not change. Leaving millions without health insurance -- that’s not change.
AUDIENCE MEMBER: No, it ain’t! (Laughter and applause.)
THE PRESIDENT: Another $5 trillion tax cut that favors the wealthy -- that’s not change.
AUDIENCE: No, it ain't! (Laughter.)
THE PRESIDENT: Refusing to answer questions about the details of your policies -- not change.
AUDIENCE: No, it ain’t!
THE PRESIDENT: (Laughter.) Ruling out compromise by pledging to rubber-stamp the tea party’s agenda as President -- that’s not change.
AUDIENCE: No, it ain’t!
THE PRESIDENT: In fact, that’s exactly the attitude in Washington that we’ve got to change.
Look, I know that with all the TV commercials that are coming at people, sometimes it’s hard to follow stuff and it’s hard to know who to trust, but here’s the thing. Look, after four years as President, you know me by now. (Applause.) You know me. You may not agree with every decision that I’ve made. You may be frustrated at the pace of change. I always remind people that when we did the auto bailout, only 10 percent of the country approved of it, including, by the way, folks in Michigan and Ohio. But you know what I believe. You know where I stand. You know I’m willing to make tough decisions, even when they’re not politically convenient. (Applause.) And most importantly, you know that I’ll fight for you and your families every single day, as hard as I know how. (Applause.)
And that’s why I know what real change looks like, because I fought for it. I’ve got the scars to prove it. (Laughter.) I’ve got gray hair to show for it. (Laughter.) You fought for it, too. And after all that we’ve been through together, we sure as heck can’t give up now. (Applause.)
Let’s picture what real change looks like. Real change is a country where Americans of every age have the skills and education that good jobs require. And, you know what, we understand government can’t do this alone -- parents have to parent; teachers have to teach. But don’t tell me that hiring more teachers won’t help this economy, or help young people compete. (Applause.) Don’t tell me that students who can’t afford college should just borrow money from their parents. That wasn’t an option for me, and I’ll bet it was not an option for a whole lot of you. We shouldn’t be ending college tax credits to pay for millionaires’ tax cuts –- we should be making college more affordable for everybody who’s willing to work for it. (Applause.)
We should recruit 100,000 math and science teachers so that high-tech, high-wage jobs aren’t created in China, but are created right here in Colorado. (Applause.) We should work with our community colleges to train another 2 million Americans with the skills that businesses are looking for right now. And that’s all part of my plan for the future. That’s what change is. That’s the America that we’re fighting for. That’s what’s at stake in this election. (Applause.)
Change comes when we live up to America’s legacy of innovation, where we make America home to the next generation of advanced manufacturing, and scientific discovery, and technological breakthroughs. I’m proud that I bet on America’s workers and American ingenuity and the American auto industry. And today, we’re not just building cars again; we’re building better cars -- cars that by the middle of the next decade will go twice as far on a gallon of gas. (Applause.)
Today, there are thousands of workers building long-lasting batteries and solar technology and wind turbines all across the country –- jobs that weren’t there four years ago. (Applause.) And not every technology we bet on will pan out. Not every business will thrive. But I promise you this -- there is a brilliant future for manufacturing in America. There is a future for clean energy in America. (Applause.) And I’m not going to cede that future to other countries.
I don’t want a tax code that rewards companies for creating those jobs overseas; I want to reward companies that create those jobs here in America. (Applause.) I don’t want a tax code that subsidizes oil company profits when they’re making money hand over fist. I want to support the energy jobs of tomorrow, and the new technology that will cut our oil imports in half; that will reduce the carbon in our atmosphere; that will make us less dependent on foreign oil. (Applause.) That’s my plan for growth and jobs. That’s the future I see in America. That’s what we’re fighting for. (Applause.)
AUDIENCE: Four more years! Four more years!
THE PRESIDENT: Change -- real change -- is finally turning the page on a decade of war. Let’s do some nation-building right here at home. (Applause.) So long as I’m Commander-in-Chief, we will pursue our enemies with the strongest military the world has ever known. That will not change. But it’s time to use some of the savings from ending the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan to start paying down our debt, to start rebuilding America. (Applause.) That’s part of being strong. That’s part of our national security.
Right now, we can put people back to work all across Colorado, all across the country, fixing roads and bridges; expanding broadband to rural neighborhoods; making sure our schools are state-of-the-art. Let’s put Americans back to work doing the work that needs to be done. And let’s especially focus on our veterans -– because nobody who fights for this country should have to fight for a job or a roof over their heads when they come home. (Applause.) That’s my commitment to you. That’s part of keeping America strong. That’s what’s at stake in this election.
Change is a future where we reduce our deficit in a way that’s balanced and responsible. And I’ve signed a trillion dollars’ worth of spending cuts; I intend to do more. We can streamline agencies. We can get rid of programs that aren’t working. But if we’re serious about the deficit, we also have to ask the wealthiest Americans to go back to the tax rates they paid when Bill Clinton was in office. (Applause.)
Because a budget is all about priorities. It’s about what values do we care about. And as long as I’m President, I’m not going to turn Medicare into a voucher just to pay for another millionaire’s tax cut. (Applause.) I’m not going to allow this nation to be plunged into another battle over health care reform, and kick millions of people off of health care, and weaken all the reforms that we put in place, including making sure that young people can stay on their parent’s plan till they’re 26 years old, just so insurance companies can jump back into the driver’s seat. (Applause.)
And by the way, I’m not going to allow politicians in Washington to control health care choices that women should make for themselves. (Applause.) We’re not going to do that. We’re not going to go backwards. We’re going forward. (Applause.)
So, Colorado, we know what change is. We know what the future requires. We don’t need a big government agenda or a small government agenda -- we need a middle class agenda that rewards the values of hard work and responsibility. We don’t need a partisan agenda -- we need a common-sense agenda that says when we educate a poor child, we’re all better off; that says when we fund the research of a young scientist, her new discovery will benefit every American. (Applause.)
We need an agenda that recognizes we don’t just look out for ourselves -- we look out for one another other; we look out for future generations. We meet those obligations by working together. That’s the change we believe in. That’s what 2008 was about. That’s what this election is about. That’s why I need you to vote. (Applause.)
Now, let me be clear -- achieving this agenda will not be easy. It wasn’t easy over these last four years; it’s not going to be easy over the next four years. Back in 2008, when we talked about change, I told you I wasn’t just talking about changing presidents, I wasn’t just talking about changing parties. I was talking about changing our politics. I ran because the voices of the American people -- your voices -- had been shut out of our democracy for way too long -- by lobbyists and special interests, and politicians who thing that compromise is a dirty word and would say anything to win office and do anything to stay in office.
And as we expected, the protectors of the status quo are a powerful force in Washington. And over the last four years, every time we’ve fought to make change, they’ve fought back with everything they’ve got. They spent millions to stop us from reforming health care and Wall Street and student loans. Their strategy from the start was to engineer pure gridlock in Congress, refusing to compromise on ideas that traditionally both Democrats and Republicans have supported in the past.
And what they’re now counting is that the American people will be so worn down by all the squabbling, so tired of all the dysfunction, that you’ll actually reward obstruction, either by voting for folks claiming to bring about change, or not voting at all, but either way, putting people back in charge who advocate the very same policies that got us into this mess.
In other words, their bet is on cynicism. They’re counting on you not voting. That’s their entire strategy. But, Colorado, my bet is on you. My bet is on you. (Applause.) My bet is on the decency and good sense of the American people. (Applause.)
Because despite all the resistance, despite all the setbacks, we’ve gotten done so much and we’ve never lost sight of the vision that we share -- that you would have a voice; that there would be somebody at the table fighting every single day for middle class Americans, for folks who are working hard and struggling.
Sometimes Republicans in Congress worked with me to meet our goals -- to cut taxes for small businesses and families like yours, to open up new markets for American goods, to finally repeal "don't ask, don't tell." We had a couple of really brave Republicans who worked with us on that. (Applause.)
And sometimes we’ve had big fights -– like when we forced the banks to stop overcharging for student loans -- (applause) --which is how we made college more affordable for millions of young people; like when we forced Wall Street to abide by the toughest rules since the 1930s; like when we stopped insurance companies from discriminating against Americans with preexisting conditions like cancer or diabetes, so no one in America goes bankrupt just because they get sick. (Applause.)
I didn’t fight those fights for any partisan advantage. I have shown my willingness to work with anybody, of any party, to move this country forward. And if you want to break the gridlock in Congress, you’ll vote for leaders -- whether they’re Democrats, Republicans, or independents -- who feel the same way. You’ll vote for candidates like Michael Bennet and Mark Udall and Jared Polis, all who have shown themselves to be willing to work across party lines to get things done, but who also know that there's some core principles you don’t compromise. (Applause.)
Because if the price of peace in Washington is cutting deals that will kick students off financial aid, or get rid of funding for Planned Parenthood, or eliminate health care for millions on Medicaid just to give a millionaire a tax cut, then that’s not a deal worth having. That’s not bipartisanship. That’s not change. That’s surrender to the same status quo that has hurt middle class families for way too long.
And, Colorado, I’m not ready to give up on the fight. (Applause.) I’m not ready to give up on that fight. (Applause.) And I hope you aren’t either, Colorado. I hope you aren’t either. I hope you’ve still got some fight left in you. (Applause.)
The folks at the very top in this country they don’t need another champion in Washington. They’ll always have a seat at the table. They’ll always have access and influence. They can hire lobbyists. They’re going to be able to get their phone calls returned. The people who need a champion are those Americans whose letters I read late at night; the men and women I meet on the campaign trail every single day.
The laid-off furniture worker who’s retraining at age 55 for a career in biotechnology -- she needs a champion. The small restaurant owner who needs a loan to expand after the bank turned him down -- he needs a champion. The cooks and waiters and cleaning staff working overtime in a hotel somewhere, trying to save enough to buy a first home or send their kid to college -- they need a champion. (Applause.)
The autoworker who’d never thought he’d work in a plant again, and now is back on the job building a great car and full of pride and dignity -- he needs a champion. The young teacher doing her best in an overcrowded classroom with outdated textbooks -- she needs a champion. (Applause.) All those kids in inner cities and small farm towns, in valleys of Ohio, rolling Virginia hills, right here in Boulder; kids dreaming of becoming scientists or doctors or engineers or entrepreneurs or diplomats or even a president -- they need a champion in Washington. (Applause.) They need a champion.
Because the future -- the future doesn't have lobbyists. We'll never have as many lobbyists as the vested interests -- never have as many lobbyists as the past does, but it’s the dreams of those children that will be our saving grace.
And that’s why I need you, Colorado. That's why I need you, Boulder -- to make sure their voices are heard. To make sure your voices are heard. (Applause.) We've come too far to turn back now. We have come too far to grow faint-hearted. Now is the time to keep pushing forward -- to educate all our kids, to train all our workers, to create new jobs, to discover new energy, to broaden opportunity, to grow our middle class, to restore our democracy -- to make sure that no matter who you are, or where you come from, how you started out, you can can make it here in America if you try. (Applause.)
In the middle of the Great Depression, FDR reminded the country that “failure is not an American habit; and in the strength of great hope we must shoulder our common load.” That's the strength we need today. That's the hope I’m asking you to share. That's the future in our sights.
That's why I’m asking for your vote. That's why I need you early voting tomorrow. (Applause.) That's why I need young people to turn out. That's why I need you to knock on some more doors. (Applause.) That's why I need you to make some phone calls. And if you turn out for me, if you vote for me, we'll win Colorado again. (Applause.) We'll win this election. We'll finish what we started. We'll keep moving forward. (Applause.) We'll renew those bonds, and reaffirm that spirit that makes the United States of America the greatest nation on Earth. (Applause.)
God bless you. God bless the United States of America. Remember to vote! (Applause.)
END
8:18 P.M. MDT
The White House
Office of the Press Secretary
Cheyenne Sports Complex
Las Vegas, Nevada
2:05 P.M. PDT
THE PRESIDENT: Hello, Nevada! (Applause.) It is great to be back in Vegas! (Applause.) It’s great to be here with your next senator, Shelley Berkley -- (applause) -- who’s going to join my great friend, Majority Leader Harry Reid, in fighting for the people of Nevada. (Applause.)
AUDIENCE MEMBER: Where’s Michelle?
THE PRESIDENT: Michelle couldn’t come, but she says hey. (Applause.) She loves you guys.
AUDIENCE MEMBER: We love her!
THE PRESIDENT: Now, for the past few days, all of us have been focused on --
AUDIENCE: Four more years! Four more years!
THE PRESIDENT: Thank you. All right. Thank you so much.
Listen, for the past few days, all of us have been focused on one of the worst storms in our lifetime. We are awed by the destructive power of nature. We’re mourning those who’ve been lost. And we’re going to pledge to those whose lives have been turned upside down that we will not quit until we have given them all the help they need to recover. (Applause.)
This afternoon, as I was flying out to Vegas, we had conference calls with mayors all across New Jersey; had conference calls with mayors and local elected officials all across Connecticut. I spoke to the governors of New Jersey, Connecticut, and New York, and they’re struggling. And the cleanup, the aftermath of this storm is going to be hard and it’s going to take some time.
But the thing that I have repeated to them every time I talk to them is America will not forget them. We are going to make sure they get everything they need. We’re going to cut through the red tape and the bureaucracy. (Applause.) We’ve got military transport getting equipment in to get the power back on. We’ve got food and water and medical supplies that we’re shipping in. And we’re not going to stop -- because what we understand is, is that this could happen to any of us.
AUDIENCE: That's right!
THE PRESIDENT: And that’s why, even in the midst of tragedy, the situation on the East Coast has also inspired, because it reminds us that when disaster strikes we see America at its best. All the petty differences that consume us in normal times somehow melt away. There are no Democrats or Republicans during a storm, just fellow Americans –- (applause) -- leaders of different parties working to fix what’s broken; neighbors helping neighbors cope with tragedy; communities rallying to rebuild; a spirit that says in the end, we’re all in this together –- that we rise or fall as one nation. (Applause.)
That’s what we have seen on display over these last few days. That is the spirit that we need going forward. That spirit has guided this country along its improbable journey for more than two centuries. It’s carried us through the trials and tribulations of the last four years.
In 2008, we were in the middle of two wars and the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression. Today, our businesses have created over 5 million new jobs. (Applause.) The American auto industry is back on top. (Applause.) American manufacturing is growing faster than any time in the last 15 years. (Applause.) We’re less dependent on foreign oil than any time in the last 20 years. (Applause.) Home values are on the rise. (Applause.) Thanks to the service and sacrifice of our brave men and women in uniform, the war in Iraq is over. (Applause.) The war in Afghanistan is coming to an end. Al Qaeda has been decimated. Osama bin Laden is dead. (Applause.)
AUDIENCE MEMBER: Thanks to you!
THE PRESIDENT: So we’ve made real progress these past four years. But, Nevada, we know our work is not yet done. We know our work is not yet done in making sure that New Jersey and New York and Connecticut and West Virginia, that they all recover from the hardship they’ve experienced. (Applause.)
Our work is not done as long as there’s a single American who wants a job and can’t yet find one. As long as there are families who are working harder and harder, but falling further behind, our work is not yet done. As long as there is a child languishing in poverty, barred from opportunity anywhere in this country, anywhere in Nevada, our work is not yet done. (Applause.)
Our fight goes on, because we know this nation can’t succeed without a growing, thriving middle class, and strong, sturdy ladders into the middle class. Our fight goes on because America has always been at its best when everybody gets a fair shot and everybody is doing their fair share, and everybody is playing by the same rules. That’s what we believe. That’s why you elected me in 2008, and that’s why I’m running for a second term as President of the United States of America. (Applause.)
AUDIENCE: Four more years! Four more years!
THE PRESIDENT: We knew from the beginning that our work would take more than one year or even one term. Because, let’s face it, the middle class was getting hammered long before the financial crisis hit -- because the economy has changed. Technology made us more productive, but it also made a lot of good jobs obsolete. Global trade brought us cheaper products, but it also allowed companies to move and hire people in low-wage countries.
American workers saw their paychecks squeezed, even as corporate profits were rising and CEO salaries exploded. The guaranteed security of pensions and health care started slowly to disappear.
These fundamental changes in the economy, the rise of technology and global competition, these changes are real. We can’t wish away these challenges. But here’s what I know, Nevada. We can meet these challenges. (Applause.) This is America. We’ve got the world’s best workers and the world’s best entrepreneurs. (Applause.) We’ve got the world’s best scientists and the world’s best researchers. We’ve got the best colleges and the best universities. And we’ve got the most innovative spirit. We’ve got everything we need to thrive in this new 21st century economy. And there’s not a country on Earth that would not gladly trade places with the United States. (Applause.)
But we’ve got a choice to make if we’re going to realize that promise, if we’re going to make sure that that success is there for the next generation.
In five days, we will choose our next President. (Applause.) And, Nevada, it’s more than just a choice between two candidates. It’s more than just a choice between two parties. You’re going to be making a choice between two fundamentally different visions of America.
On the one hand, we’ve got folks who are arguing to return to the top-down policies that crashed our economy.
AUDIENCE: No!
THE PRESIDENT: What we’re talking about is a future that’s built on a strong and growing middle class. (Applause.)
Nevada, we know the choice that needs to be made, and we’re here today because we believe that if this country invests in the skills and ideas of its people, then good jobs and businesses will follow.
We believe that America’s free market has been the engine of America’s progress, driven by risk-takers and innovators and dreamers. Folks in Nevada know about dreaming. (Applause.) But we also understand that in this country, people succeed when they’ve got a shot at a good education, when they have a chance to learn new skills -- and by the way, businesses benefit because they're hiring those workers, and some of those workers end up starting businesses of their own.
We believe that when we support research into medical breakthroughs, research into new technology, entire new industries will start here and stay here and hire here.
We don’t believe government should poke its nose in everything we do, but we do believe this country is stronger when there are rules to protect our kids from toxic dumping and mercury pollution -- (applause) -- when there are rules to protect consumers from unscrupulous credit card companies and mortgage lenders. (Applause.) We believe we grow faster when our tax code rewards hard work and companies that create jobs here in America. (Applause.) And we believe that quality health care for everybody and a dignified retirement for everybody aren’t just achievable goals, they are a measure of our values as a nation. That’s what we believe.
For eight years, we had a President who shared these beliefs. His name was Bill Clinton. (Applause.) And when he was elected, he asked the wealthiest Americans to pay a little more so we could reduce the deficit and still make investments in things like education and training, and science and research. And here’s an interesting thing -- plenty of folks who were running for Congress at the time said it would hurt the economy, that raising taxes on the wealthy would kill jobs. And if that argument sounds familiar, one of those candidates who was running back then happens to be the guy who is running for President right now.
AUDIENCE: Booo --
THE PRESIDENT: Don't boo -- vote. (Applause.) Vote.
Turns out their math was just as bad back then as it is today -- (laughter) -- because by the end of Bill Clinton’s second term, America had created 23 million new jobs. Incomes were up. Poverty was down. Our deficit became the biggest surplus in history.
So, Nevada, we know our ideas work. We also know the ideas that don’t work. Because in the eight years after Bill Clinton left office, his policies were reversed. The wealthiest Americans got tax cuts they didn’t need and we couldn’t afford. Companies enjoyed tax breaks for shipping jobs overseas. Insurance companies and oil companies and Wall Street were given free license to do whatever they pleased. Folks at the top got to play a different set of rules than the rest of us. And the result of this top-down economics was falling incomes, record deficits, the slowest job growth in half a century, and an economic crisis that we’re still cleaning up after.
So, in the closing weeks of this campaign, Governor Romney has been using all his talents as a salesman to dress up the very same policies that failed our country so badly, the very same policies we’ve been cleaning up after over these four years, and with a straight face, he’s offering them up as change. (Laughter.) He’s saying he’s the candidate of change.
Now, let me tell you, Nevada, we know what change looks like. (Applause.) And what the Governor is offering sure ain’t change. Giving more power back to the biggest banks isn’t change. Leaving millions without health insurance isn’t change. Another $5 trillion tax cut that favors the wealthy isn’t change. Refusing to answer questions about the details of your policies isn’t change.
AUDIENCE: No!
THE PRESIDENT: Turning Medicare into a voucher, that is change, but we don't want that change.
AUDIENCE: No!
THE PRESIDENT: Ruling out compromise by pledging to rubber-stamp the tea party’s agenda as President -- that’s definitely not change.
AUDIENCE: Booo --
THE PRESIDENT: Don't boo --
AUDIENCE: Vote!
THE PRESIDENT: In fact, that’s exactly the attitude in Washington that needs to go.
So after four years as President, you know me by now. (Applause.) You may not agree with every decision I’ve made, you may be frustrated at the pace of change, but you know what I believe. You know where I stand. You know I’m willing to make tough decisions, even when they’re not politically convenient. And you know that I will fight for you and your families every single day, as hard as I know how. (Applause.)
So my opponent can talk about change, but I know what real change looks like because I’ve fought for it. (Applause.) I've got the scars to proof it. You have, too. And after all that we’ve been through together, Nevada, we sure as heck can’t give up now.
AUDIENCE: No!
THE PRESIDENT: Change is a country where Americans of every age have the skills and education that good jobs require. And government can’t do this alone -- parents have to parent; teachers have to teach. But don’t tell me that hiring more teachers won’t help this economy grow, or help young people compete. We know it will. (Applause.)
Don’t tell me that students who can’t afford college should just borrow money from their parents. That wasn’t an option for me. I'll bet it wasn’t an option for a whole lot of you. We shouldn’t be ending college tax credits just to pay for a millionaire’s tax cut -- we should be making college more affordable for everybody who’s willing to work for it. (Applause.)
We should recruit 100,000 math and science teachers so that high-tech, high-wage jobs aren’t created in China; they’re created right here in Nevada. (Applause.) We should work with our community colleges to train another 2 million Americans with the skills that businesses are looking for right now. That’s my plan for the future. That’s what change is. That’s the America we’re fighting for in this election.
Change comes when we live up to our legacy of innovation, when we make America home to the next generation of outstanding manufacturing, scientific discovery, technological breakthroughs. I am proud that I bet on American workers, and American ingenuity, and the American auto industry. (Applause.) Today we’re not just building cars again; we’re building better cars -- cars that by the middle of the next decade will go twice as far on a gallon of gas. (Applause.)
Today, there are thousands of workers building long-lasting batteries and wind turbines, installing solar panels all across the country. And those jobs, they weren’t there four years ago.
And, sure, not all technologies we bet on will pan out. Some of the businesses we encourage will fail. But I promise you this: There is a future for manufacturing in America. (Applause.) There’s a future for clean energy in America. (Applause.)
I refuse to cede that future to other countries. I don’t want a tax code that rewards companies for creating jobs overseas; I want to reward companies that create jobs right here in the United States of America. (Applause.) I don’t want a tax code that subsidizes oil company profits when they’re already making money hand over fist. I want to support the energy jobs of tomorrow, the new technologies that will cut our oil imports in half. That’s my plan for jobs and growth. (Applause.) That’s the future that I see for America.
Change is finally turning the page on a decade of war to do some nation-building right here at home. (Applause.) So long as I’m Commander-in-Chief, we will pursue our enemies with the strongest military the world has ever known. We will not let up. But it’s time to use the savings from ending the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan to start paying down our debt and rebuild America.
Right now -- we could be putting more folks back to work right now, fixing roads and bridges, expanding broadband to rural neighborhoods, making sure our schools are state-of-the-art. Let’s put Americans back to work doing the work that needs to be done -- (applause) -- especially our veterans, because no one who fights for this country should have to fight for a job or a roof over their heads when they come home. (Applause.)
That’s my commitment to you. That’s what’s at stake in this election. Change is a future where, yes, we reduce our deficit, but we do it in a balanced, responsible way. I’ve already signed a trillion dollars’ worth of spending cuts. I’ll work with both parties to streamline agencies and get rid of programs that don’t work. But if we’re really serious about the deficit, then we’ve also got to ask the wealthiest Americans to go back to the tax rates they paid when Bill Clinton was President. (Applause.)
Because as long as I’m President, I am not going to turn Medicare into a voucher just to pay for another millionaire’s tax cut. (Applause.) I won’t allow this nation to be plunged into another battle over health care reform just so insurance companies can jump back in the driver’s seat. (Applause.) And I will never allow politicians in Washington to control the health care choices that women should make for themselves. (Applause.)
So, Nevada, we know what change is. We know what the future requires. We don’t need a big government agenda, or a small government agenda; we need a middle-class agenda that rewards the values of hard work and responsibility. We don’t need a partisan agenda -- we need a common-sense agenda that says when we educate a poor child, we’ll all be better off; that says when we fund the research of a young scientist, her new discovery will benefit every American.
We need a vision that says we don’t just look out for ourselves; we look out for one another. We look out for future generations. We meet those obligations working together. That’s the change we believe in. And that’s what this election is all about. (Applause.) That’s what this election is all about. (Applause.)
Now, Nevada, let’s be clear -- achieving this agenda won’t be easy. It’s never been easy. We always knew it would be hard. Back in 2008, when we talked about change, I told you I wasn’t just talking about changing presidents. I wasn’t just talking about changing political parties. I was talking about changing our politics. I ran because the voices of the American people -- your voices -- had been shut out of our democracy for way too long -- by lobbyists and special interests; by politicians who believed that compromise is a dirty word; by folks who would say anything to stay in office or win office, or do anything to make sure that the special interests who support them get what they want.
The protectors of the status quo are a powerful force in Washington. And over the last four years, every time we’ve pushed to make change, they fought back with everything they’ve got. They spent millions to stop us from reforming health care; spent millions to fight us when we tried to reform Wall Street. Their strategy from the start was to engineer pure gridlock, refusing to compromise on ideas that both Democrats and Republicans had supported in the past.
And what they’re counting on now is that the American people will be so worn down by all the squabbling in Washington, so tired of all the dysfunction, that you’ll actually reward their obstruction, and put people back in charge who advocate the very same policies that got us into this mess.
AUDIENCE: No!
THE PRESIDENT: In other words, their bet is on cynicism. But, Nevada, my bet is on you. (Applause.) My bet is on you. My bet is on the decency and good sense of the American people. Because despite all the resistance, despite all the setbacks, we have never lost sight of the vision that we shared –- that you’d have a voice; that there would be somebody at the table fighting every single day for middle-class Americans, for folks who are striving to get into the middle class. (Applause.)
Sometimes Republicans in Congress have worked with me to meet our goals, and nobody could be happier. We cut taxes for small businesses and families like yours, and they helped. We opened new markets for American goods. We finally repealed "don't ask, don't tell," and we had some courageous Republican senators supporting us. (Applause.)
But, yes, we’ve also had some big fights -- like when we forced the banks to stop overcharging for student loans, and made college affordable for millions of students; like when we forced Wall Street to abide by the toughest rules since the 1930s; like when we stopped insurance companies from discriminating against Americans with preexisting conditions like cancer or diabetes, so that no one in America goes bankrupt just because they get sick. (Applause.)
AUDIENCE MEMBER: Thank you!
THE PRESIDENT: I didn’t fight those fights for any partisan advantage. I’ve shown my willingness to work with anybody, of any party, to move this country forward. And if you want to break the gridlock in Congress, you’ll vote for leaders -- whether they’re Democrats, Republicans, independents -- who feel the same way. You’ll vote for candidates like Shelley Berkley, and Dina Titus, and John Oceguera, and Steve Horsford -- (applause) -- people who just want to fix problems and help America, and work on behalf of hardworking families like yours.
But if the price of peace in Washington is cutting deals that will kick students off of financial aid, or get rid of funding for Planned Parenthood, or eliminate health care for millions on Medicaid who are poor, or elderly, or disabled, just to give a millionaire a tax cut -- I’m not having it. (Applause.) That’s not a deal worth having. That’s not bipartisanship. That’s not real change. That’s surrender to the same status quo that’s hurt middle-class families for way too long. And I’m not ready to give up on the fight just yet. (Applause.)
I’m not giving up on the fight, and I hope you aren’t either, Nevada. (Applause.) I hope you aren’t either. I need you still fired up. (Applause.)
The folks at the very top in this country, they don’t need a champion in Washington. They’ll always have a seat at the table. They’ll always have access and influence. That’s okay, we understand that. But the people who need a champion are the Americans whose letters I read late at night; the men and women I meet on the campaign trail every single day.
The laid-off furniture worker who is retraining at the age of 55 after they got laid off -- she needs a champion. The small restaurant owner who needs a loan to expand after the bank turned him down -- he needs a champion. (Applause.) The cooks and waiters and cleaning staff working overtime at a Vegas hotel, trying to save enough to buy a first home or send their kid to college -- they need a champion. (Applause.)
The autoworker who’s back on the job after thinking he might never go back, filled with the pride and dignity of building a great American car -- he needs a champion. (Applause.) The young teacher doing her best in an overcrowded classroom with outdated textbooks, digging into her own pocket to buy school supplies, never giving up on those kids, understanding that they can learn -- she needs a champion. (Applause.)
And all those young people in inner cities and small farm towns, in the valleys of Ohio, or rolling Virginia hills, or right here in Vegas or way up in Elko -- kids dreaming of becoming scientists or doctors, engineers or entrepreneurs, diplomats, maybe even a president -- they need a champion in Washington. (Applause.)
The future will never have as many lobbyists as the past, but it’s the dreams of those children that will be our saving grace. (Applause.) And that’s why I need you, Nevada -- to make sure their voices are heard; to make sure your voices are heard.
We’ve come too far to turn back now. (Applause.) We’ve come too far to let our hearts grow faint, to go weary. (Applause.) Now is the time to keep pushing forward -- to educate all our kids and train all our workers, to create new jobs and rebuild our infrastructure, to discover new sources of energy, to broaden opportunity, to grow our middle class, to restore our democracy -- to make sure that no matter who you are, or where you come from, or how you started out, you can make it here in America. (Applause.) That’s why we are moving forward. (Applause.)
In the midst of the Great Depression, FDR reminded the country that “failure is not an American habit; and in the strength of great hope we must all shoulder our common load.” That's the strength we need today.
AUDIENCE: Yes!
THE PRESIDENT: That's the hope I’m asking you to share. That's the future in our sight. That's why I’m asking you for your vote. (Applause.) That’s why I’m asking you, Nevada, for your vote.
And if you’re willing to work with me, and knock on some doors with me, and make some phone calls for me -- (applause) -- if you’re willing to turn out for me, and grab some friends and neighbors for me, we’ll win Clark County again. (Applause.) We’ll win Nevada again. (Applause.) We’ll win this election. And together, we’ll renew the bonds and reaffirm the spirit that make the United States of America the greatest nation on Earth. (Applause.)
God bless you, and God bless the United States of America. (Applause.) Let’s go vote! Let’s get this done!
END
2:35 P.M. PDT
The White House
Office of the Press Secretary
Aboard Air Force One en route to Las Vegas, the President talked to New York Governor Cuomo about the recovery efforts underway in his state. The two will convene another call later tonight with other local officials. FEMA Administrator Fugate will also join the call.
The President also convened conference calls with state and local elected officials in New Jersey and Connecticut to ensure that federal partners continue to bring all available resources to bear to support state and local response efforts and that bureaucratic red tape is not impeding progress.
The call with New Jersey officials included Governor Christie, the state’s emergency manager and more than 700 officials from across the state. The call to discuss Connecticut recovery efforts included Governor Malloy and the state’s emergency manager. FEMA Administrator Fugate also participated in both calls.
The White House
Office of the Press Secretary
NATIONAL NATIVE AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH, 2012
- - - - - - -
BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
A PROCLAMATION
As the first people to live on the land we all cherish, American Indians and Alaska Natives have profoundly shaped our country's character and our cultural heritage. Today, Native Americans are leaders in every aspect of our society -- from the classroom, to the boardroom, to the battlefield. This month, we celebrate and honor the many ways American Indians and Alaska Natives have enriched our Nation, and we renew our commitment to respecting each tribe's identity while ensuring equal opportunity to pursue the American dream.
In paying tribute to Native American achievements, we must also acknowledge the parts of our shared history that have been marred by violence and tragic mistreatment. For centuries, Native Americans faced cruelty, injustice, and broken promises. As we work together to forge a brighter future, we cannot shy away from the difficult aspects of our past. That is why, in 2009, I signed a bipartisan resolution that finally recognized the sad and painful chapters in our shared history. My Administration remains dedicated to writing a new chapter in that history by strengthening our government-to-government relationship with tribal nations while enhancing tribal sovereignty and tribal self-determination.
Because we know that the best ideas for tribal nations come from within, my Administration has continued to engage tribal leaders in developing an agenda that respects their expertise on matters affecting American Indians and Alaska Natives. In collaboration with tribal nations, we are making critical investments to improve health and education services, create jobs, and strengthen tribal economies. In July, I was proud to sign the Helping Expedite and Advance Responsible Tribal Homeownership (HEARTH) Act into law, which will enhance tribal control over the leasing of Indian lands. Last December, I signed an Executive Order to expand educational opportunities for Native American students. It aims to preserve Native languages, cultures, and histories while offering a competitive education that prepares young people to succeed in college and careers. And under the Tribal Law and Order Act and the Safe Indian Communities initiative, we are continuing to work with tribes to build safer communities. My Administration also supports the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
Many longstanding Native American legal claims against the United States have been resolved, which will help accelerate the restoration of trust in our relationships with tribal nations. The settlements that came out of these claims -- including the historic Cobell and Keepseagle settlements, as well as more than 50 settlements in cases alleging Federal mismanagement of tribal trust funds and resources -- will put an end to decades of litigation and help drive economic development in tribal communities in the years to come.
In partnership with tribal nations, my Administration has addressed injustices and built new avenues of opportunity for American Indians and Alaska Natives. As we celebrate National Native American Heritage Month, let us move forward in the spirit of mutual understanding and mutual trust, confident that our challenges can be met and that our shared future is bright.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim November 2012 as National Native American Heritage Month. I call upon all Americans to commemorate this month with appropriate programs and activities, and to celebrate November 23, 2012, as Native American Heritage Day.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this first day of November, in the year of our Lord two thousand twelve, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-seventh.
BARACK OBAMA
The White House
Office of the Press Secretary
Dear Mr. Speaker: (Dear Mr. President:)
Section 202(d) of the National Emergencies Act (50 U.S.C. 1622(d)) provides for the automatic termination of a national emergency unless, within the 90-day period prior to the anniversary date of its declaration, the President publishes in the Federal Register and transmits to the Congress a notice stating that the emergency is to continue in effect beyond the anniversary date. In accordance with this provision, I have sent to the Federal Register for publication the enclosed notice, stating that the national emergency with respect to the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction that was declared in Executive Order 12938, as amended, is to continue in effect for 1 year beyond November 14, 2012.
Sincerely,
BARACK OBAMA
The White House
Office of the Press Secretary
NOTICE
- - - - - - -
CONTINUATION OF THE NATIONAL EMERGENCY WITH RESPECT TO
WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION
On November 14, 1994, by Executive Order 12938, the President declared a national emergency with respect to the unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security, foreign policy, and economy of the United States posed by the proliferation of nuclear, biological, and chemical weapons (weapons of mass destruction) and the means of delivering such weapons. On July 28, 1998, the President issued Executive Order 13094 amending Executive Order 12938 to respond more effectively to the worldwide threat of weapons of mass destruction proliferation activities. On June 28, 2005, the President issued Executive Order 13382 which, inter alia, further amended Executive Order 12938 to improve our ability to combat proliferation. The proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and the means of delivering them continues to pose an unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security, foreign policy, and economy of the United States; therefore, the national emergency first declared on November 14, 1994, and extended in each subsequent year, must continue. In accordance with section 202(d) of the National Emergencies Act (50 U.S.C. 1622(d)), I am continuing for 1 year the national emergency declared in Executive Order 12938, as amended.
This notice shall be published in the Federal Register and transmitted to the Congress.
BARACK OBAMA
The White House
Office of the Press Secretary
NATIONAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP MONTH, 2012
- - - - - - -
BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
A PROCLAMATION
America is known around the world as a country that empowers the inventor and the innovator. Ours is a Nation where men and women can take a chance on a dream -- where they can take an idea that starts around a kitchen table or in a garage and turn it into a new business or a new industry. During National Entrepreneurship Month, we celebrate the hard work, ingenuity, and courage of our thinkers, doers, and makers.
Because the new businesses created by entrepreneurs are responsible for most of the new jobs in our country, helping them succeed is essential to helping our economy grow. That is why my Administration has fought tirelessly to invest in entrepreneurs and small businesses so they can do what they do best -- take risks, develop new ideas, grow businesses, and create new jobs. To help them expand and hire, I have signed 18 tax cuts for small businesses into law. Last year, my Administration launched the Startup America initiative to help connect innovators to funding and mentorship, cut through red tape, speed up innovation, and get their ventures off the ground faster. Alongside it, leaders in the private sector launched the Startup America Partnership, which has made over $1 billion in business services available to a national network that will serve tens of thousands of startups over the next 3 years. I also directed Federal agencies to streamline processes for establishing public-private research partnerships, small business research and development grants, and university-startup collaborations. And we launched BusinessUSA, a virtual one-stop shop that helps businesses -- large and small -- access the full range of Federal resources they need at every stage of their development.
My Administration has continued to build on that progress in 2012. Earlier this year, I signed the Jumpstart Our Business Startups (JOBS) Act into law, which is making it easier for innovative companies to go public and expand their workforce. For the first time, the law will also allow ordinary Americans to go online and invest in the startups and small businesses they believe in through crowdfunding platforms. We have also updated regulations to make it easier for foundations to invest in businesses pursuing charitable purposes and stronger communities. In August, we launched the Presidential Innovation Fellows program to bring top innovators outside of Government together with top innovators inside Government; release Federal data that is being used to develop new products, services, and businesses; make it easier for startup entrepreneurs to compete
for Government contracts; transform the way citizens access Government information and services; and save taxpayers money. In addition, thousands of American entrepreneurs and inventors are helping Federal agencies solve tough problems at www.Challenge.gov. And, as part of the Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act I signed in February, we have bolstered Self-Employment Assistance programs that allow States to empower unemployed workers to start their own businesses.
As long as America's daring entrepreneurs are taking risks and putting themselves behind new ideas and innovations, the Federal Government will serve as a partner to support their endeavors and catalyze their success. This month, and during Global Entrepreneurship Week, let us renew the spirit of innovation that has fueled more than two centuries of American progress and promises to drive us in the years to come.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim November 2012 as National Entrepreneurship Month. I call upon all Americans to commemorate this month with appropriate programs and activities, and to celebrate November 16, 2012, as National Entrepreneurs' Day.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this first day of November, in the year of our Lord two thousand twelve, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-seventh.
BARACK OBAMA
The White House
Office of the Press Secretary
NATIONAL DIABETES MONTH, 2012
- - - - - - -
BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
A PROCLAMATION
Diabetes is a chronic, life-threatening illness that touches Americans of every age, ethnicity, and background. Its complications can be far-reaching: diabetes is the leading cause of kidney failure and new cases of blindness, and people living with the disease are at higher risk of high blood pressure, heart disease, and stroke. Our efforts to promote greater awareness and pioneering research continue to drive our work toward lessening its impact on our country. This month, we rededicate ourselves to that vital task and commend the dedicated professionals who are leading the charge against diabetes.
Today, over 20 million Americans suffer from diabetes, and public health officials estimate that more than 1 million new cases will be diagnosed this year. Of those, some will be Type 1 diabetes, which often develops during childhood. While the risk factors for Type 1 diabetes are not fully understood, insulin injections, regular exercise, and a healthy diet can help manage the disease. In adults, the majority of new cases will be Type 2 diabetes -- an illness associated with obesity, physical inactivity, family history of diabetes, and older age. Some racial and ethnic groups are at higher risk of developing Type 2 diabetes. This form of the disease has also become more prevalent among youth. While Type 2 diabetes can be treated through diet and medication, research shows that it can also be prevented or delayed with changes in lifestyle. I encourage all Americans to learn more about diabetes at www.NDEP.NIH.gov, and to talk to their health care provider about what they can do to reduce their risk of developing this serious disease.
As long as diabetes continues to burden our communities, we must press on toward tomorrow's promising breakthroughs in prevention, treatment, and care. My Administration is proud to help advance this cause through the National Diabetes Prevention Program, which was included in the Affordable Care Act. This program joins private and public partners together in encouraging lifestyle changes that can prevent or delay the onset of Type 2 diabetes among those who are at high risk. The Affordable Care Act also ensures that, in many health plans, Americans at higher risk for developing diabetes can receive diabetes screening with no out-of-pocket costs. We have worked to equip Americans with the facts about diabetes through the National Diabetes Education Program, which promotes early diagnosis and effective diabetes management. To address the rise in childhood obesity that puts our young people at greater risk of developing diabetes, heart disease, and cancer during adulthood, First Lady Michelle Obama's Let's Move! initiative has focused on giving children and parents the tools they need to make healthy choices and put their kids on the path to a bright future.
With dedication, persistence, and ingenuity, we can put an end to the diabetes epidemic. In memory of those we have lost, and in solidarity with all who have felt the impact of this disease, let us keep fighting to secure better outcomes for Americans living with diabetes, fuller understanding of how we can prevent new cases, and greater wellness for every man, woman, and child.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim November 2012 as National Diabetes Month. I call upon all Americans, school systems, government agencies, nonprofit organizations, health care providers, research institutions, and other interested groups to join in activities that raise diabetes awareness and help prevent, treat, and manage the disease.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this first day of November, in the year of our Lord two thousand twelve, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-seventh.
BARACK OBAMA
The White House
Office of the Press Secretary
NATIONAL FAMILY CAREGIVERS MONTH, 2012
- - - - - - -
BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
A PROCLAMATION
Our Nation's health care professionals provide essential medical services to millions of Americans, yet they do not shoulder their responsibilities alone. Family members, friends, and neighbors devote countless hours to providing care to their relatives or loved ones. During National Family Caregivers Month, we recognize and thank the humble heroes who do so much to keep our families and communities strong.
Across America, daughters and sons balance the work of caring for aging parents with the demands of their careers and raising their own children. Spouses and partners become caregivers to the ones they love even as they navigate their own health challenges. Mothers and fathers resume care for children returning home as wounded warriors. Friends and relatives form networks to support loved ones with disabilities. All of them give selflessly to bring comfort, social engagement, and stability to those they love.
Family caregivers have an immeasurable impact on the lives of those they assist, but their hours are long and their work is hard. Many put their own lives on hold to lift up someone close to them. That is why my Administration continues to support these committed individuals through programs like the National Family Caregiver Support Program and the Lifespan Respite Care Program, and through new initiatives like the National Plan to Address Alzheimer's Disease. These efforts help caregivers access services, provide quality support, and reinforce their support through respite care options. Additionally, my Administration has pursued workplace flexibility initiatives that help caregivers balance their responsibilities to their employers with their responsibilities to their loved ones. I was also proud to sign the Caregivers and Veterans Omnibus Health Services Act, which has helped our most seriously injured post-9/11 veterans and their family caregivers through financial support; access to health insurance, mental health services, and counseling; and comprehensive caregiver training and respite care.
National Family Caregivers Month is a time to reflect on the compassion and dedication that family caregivers embody every day. As we offer our appreciation and admiration for their difficult work, let us also extend our own offers of support to them and their loved ones.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim November 2012 as National Family Caregivers Month. I encourage all Americans to pay tribute to those who provide for the health and well-being of their family members, friends, and neighbors.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this first day of November, in the year of our Lord two thousand twelve, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-seventh.
BARACK OBAMA
