President Obama wishes the American people a happy Thanksgiving -- and gives a special thanks to the brave men and women serving overseas and those giving back to their communities during the holidays.
Watch President Obama's full remarks here.
Transcript | Download mp4 | Download mp3
This week, the President wrapped up an 8 day tour demonstrating American leadership and opening up economic opportunity for America in the Asia Pacific region. Upon his return he signed legislation to help our veterans find jobs, traveled to New Hampshire to urge Congress to cut payroll taxes for workers and small businesses, and pardoned two turkeys. That's November 18th to November 24th or "Your Best You."
Watch West Wing Week here.
November 23, 2011 | 6:03 | Public Domain
The President wrapped up an 8 day tour in the Asia Pacific region, signed legislation to help our veterans find jobs, urged Congress to cut payroll taxes, and pardoned two turkeys. That's November 18th to November 24th or "Your Best You."
November 23, 2011 | 5:15 | Public Domain
The President grants the traditional Thanksgiving pardon to Peace, this years Official White House Turkey in a ceremony on the North Portico of the White House.
North Portico
10:40 A.M. EST
THE PRESIDENT: Hello, everybody! Well, it is wonderful to see all of you here today. Happy Thanksgiving, and welcome to the White House.
Tomorrow is one of the best days of the year to be an American. It’s a day to count our blessings, spend time with the ones we love, and enjoy some good food and some great company. But it’s also one of the worst days of the year to be a turkey. (Laughter.) They don’t have it so good.
The rare exception, of course, are the two birds who’ve joined me today. Now, is Peace here, or just Liberty? Just Liberty is here, but Peace is back here somewhere. Some of you may know that recently I’ve been taking a series of executive actions that don’t require Congressional approval. (Laughter.) Well, here’s another one. We can’t wait to pardon these turkeys. (Laughter.) Literally. Otherwise they’d end up next to the mashed potatoes and stuffing.
I want to thank Richard Huisinga, the Chairman of the National Turkey Federation, and his wonderful family for donating this year’s turkey from his farm in Willmar, Minnesota. The turkey’s name is Liberty -- there he is -- and along with his understudy named Peace, he has the distinction of being the luckiest bird on the face of the Earth. Right now, he’s also probably one of the most confused. (Laughter.)
Liberty was chosen from a flock of about 30 other contestants for the honor of being here today. And for the first time in history, these two turkeys were raised by four students from nearby Willmar High School.
Now, I’m told that in order to prepare Liberty and Peace for their big day, the students exposed them to loud noises and flash bulbs so that they’d be ready to face the White House press corps. This is actually true. They also received the most important part of their media training, which involves learning how to gobble without really saying anything. (Laughter.)
So Liberty is ready for his turn in the spotlight. And after he finishes a round of cable hits and a few Sunday shows, he’s going to retire to a life of leisure at Mount Vernon -- the same place where George Washington spent his golden years.
And later today, Michelle, Malia, Sasha and I will also be taking two unnamed turkeys, who weren’t so lucky, to a local food bank here in D.C. that helps those in need. And I want to thank the folks at Jaindl’s Turkey Farm in Orefield, Pennsylvania, for donating these dressed birds for the third year in a row.
A great writer once called Thanksgiving the “one day that is ours … the one day that is purely American.”
When we gather around our tables tomorrow to share the fruits of our blessings, let’s remember what that means. Let’s be grateful for what we have. Let’s be mindful of those who have less. Let’s appreciate those who hold a special place in our lives, and make sure that they know it. And let’s think about those who can’t spend the holiday with their loved ones –- especially the members of our military serving overseas. I’d like to thank all our men and women in uniform and their families for their incredible service and devotion.
And that’s what being an American is all about. Even when times are tough, we look out for each other. We lift each other up. And we remind ourselves just how lucky we are here, together, in the greatest country on Earth.
So from our family to yours, I want to wish everybody a wonderful and happy and healthy Thanksgiving.
And now, since Liberty and Peace have been so patient, it is my privilege to grant them the official pardon. And I’m going to -- I’ve got to give them a little symbol. (Laughter.)
(The turkeys are pardoned.)
THE PRESIDENT: All right, you are hereby pardoned. (Laughter.) Give them a round of applause. (Applause.)
END
10:45 A.M. EST
The White House
Office of the Press Secretary
We welcome today’s report by the Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry, which provides a thorough and independent assessment of events in Bahrain since protests first erupted in February. King Hamad’s decision to establish the Commission was a courageous one, and we commend him for it. We commend the chairman of the Commission, Cherif Bassiouni and the other commissioners for their thorough and painstaking efforts over nearly 5 months. The report identifies a number of disturbing human rights abuses that took place during this period, and it is now incumbent upon the Government of Bahrain to hold accountable those responsible for human rights violations and put in place institutional changes to ensure that such abuses do not happen again.
We welcome King Hamad’s commitment to carry out the report’s recommendations and will closely follow the implementation process. More broadly, we believe the Commission’s report and subsequent steps taken to implement its recommendations can serve as a foundation for advancing reconciliation and reform. Bahrain is a long-standing partner of the United States, and we urge the government and all parties to take steps that lead to respect for universal human rights and to meaningful reforms that meet the legitimate aspirations of all Bahrainis.
The White House
Office of the Press Secretary
Attached is a message signed by the President today regarding Small Business Saturday, 2011.
The White House
Office of the Press Secretary
I welcome today’s action by the Yemeni government and the opposition to sign a political agreement brokered by the Gulf Cooperation Council to form a government of national unity within 14 days and hold early presidential elections within 90 days. In particular, the United States welcomes President Ali Abdullah Saleh’s decision to transfer executive powers immediately to the Vice President in accordance with the agreement. This represents an important step forward for the Yemeni people, who deserve the opportunity to determine their own future.
For ten months, the Yemeni people have courageously and steadfastly voiced their demands for change in cities across Yemen in the face of violence and extreme hardship. Today’s agreement brings them a significant step closer to realizing their aspirations for a new beginning in Yemen. The United States urges all parties to move immediately to implement the terms of the agreement, which will allow Yemen to begin addressing an array of formidable challenges and chart a more secure and prosperous path for the future. The United States will continue to stand by the Yemeni people as they embark on this historic transition. We also acknowledge the important work done by our GCC partners in supporting this step forward.
The White House
Office of the Press Secretary
The President today declared a major disaster exists in the State of New Mexico and ordered Federal aid to supplement state, tribal, and local recovery efforts in the area affected by flooding during the period of August 19-24, 2011.
Federal funding is available to state, tribal, and eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for emergency work and the repair or replacement of facilities damaged by the flooding in Cibola and Sandoval Counties and in the Pueblo of Acoma and the Pueblo of Santa Clara.
Federal funding is also available on a cost-sharing basis for hazard mitigation measures for all counties and Tribes within the State.
W. Craig Fugate, Administrator, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Department of Homeland Security, named Mark H. Armstrong as the Federal Coordinating Officer for federal recovery operations in the affected area.
FEMA said additional designations may be made at a later date if requested by the state and warranted by the results of further damage assessments.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION MEDIA SHOULD CONTACT: FEMA NEWS DESK AT (202) 646-3272 OR FEMA-NEWS-DESK@DHS.GOV
The White House
Office of the Press Secretary
On Wednesday, November 23, 2011, the President signed into law:
H.R. 398, which suspends, when either spouse is on active duty abroad in the U.S. Armed Forces, the required periods of time to file a petition (and appear for an interview with the Department of Homeland Security) to remove the conditional basis for permanent resident status of alien spouses of U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents;
H.R. 2447, which provides for the award of a congressional gold medal in honor of the Montford Point Marines, in recognition of their personal sacrifice and service to their country; and
S. 1412, which designates the facility of the United States Postal Service located in Woburn, Massachusetts, as the Officer John Maguire Post Office.
The White House
Office of the Press Secretary
WASHINGTON, DC – Today, President Obama announced his intent to nominate the following individual to a key Administration post:
• Marilyn B. Tavenner – Administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, Department of Health and Human Services
The President also announced his intent to appoint the following individuals to key Administration posts:
• Mark L. Alderman – Member, Advisory Board of the National Air and Space Museum
• Keith M. Harper - Member, President's Commission on White House Fellowships
• Fletcher “Flash” Wiley - Member, Board of Visitors to the United States Air Force Academy
President Obama said, “It gives me great confidence that such dedicated and capable individuals have agreed to join this Administration to serve the American people. I look forward to working with them in the months and years to come.”
President Obama announced his intent to nominate the following individual to a key Administration post:
Marilyn B. Tavenner, Nominee for Administrator, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, Department of Health and Human Services
Marilyn Tavenner has served as Principal Deputy Administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) since February 2010 and as Acting Administrator of CMS from February to July 2010. Previously, Ms. Tavenner served as the Commonwealth of Virginia’s Secretary of Health and Human Resources in the administration of former Governor Tim Kaine. Before entering government service, Ms. Tavenner spent nearly 35 years working with healthcare providers in significantly increasing levels of responsibility, including almost 20 years in nursing, 3 years as a hospital CEO and 10 years in various senior executive level positions for Hospital Corporation of America (HCA). She has served as a board member of the American Hospital Association and as president of the Virginia Hospital Association. Ms. Tavenner holds a B.S. in nursing and an M.A. in health administration, both from the Virginia Commonwealth University
President Obama announced his intent to appoint the following individuals to key Administration posts:
Mark L. Alderman, Appointee for Member, Advisory Board of the National Air and Space Museum
Mark L. Alderman is a partner at the law firm of Cozen O’Connor, P.C., and Chairman of Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies LLC. Previously, he was the Chair of Wolf Block LLP. Mr. Alderman has served on a number of business and charitable boards, including the Board of Directors of the NASDAQ Futures Exchange, the Boards of Trustees of the University of Pennsylvania, the Board of Trustees of Thomas Jefferson University, the Board of Trustees of the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts, and the Board of Directors of the Children’s Crisis Treatment Center of Philadelphia. He also served as Chairman of the Philadelphia International Airport Advisory Board. Mr. Alderman earned his bachelor’s degree from Brown University and his J.D. from the University of Pennsylvania.
Keith M. Harper, Appointee for Member, President’s Commission on White House Fellowships
Keith M. Harper is a partner and Chair of the Native American Practice Group at the law firm of Kilpatrick Townsend & Stockton LLP, and a member of the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma. He works principally on litigation and Native American affairs. Previously, Mr. Harper worked at the Native American Rights Fund and he also worked as an adjunct professor at the Catholic University of America Columbus School of Law and the American University Washington College of Law. Mr. Harper has served on the Supreme Court of the Poarch Band of Creek Indians and as Appellate Justice on the highest court of the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation. He served as a law clerk to the Honorable Lawrence W. Pierce, United States Court of Appeals, Second Circuit. Mr. Harper received a B.A. from the University of California, Berkeley and a J.D. from New York University School of Law.
Fletcher "Flash" Wiley, Appointee for Member, Board of Visitors to the United States Air Force Academy
Fletcher “Flash” Wiley is currently Of Counsel to Bingham McCutchen LLP, where he specializes in corporate and commercial law. He is a founding member of the Harvard Law School Black Alumni Organization, a former Director of the New England Legal Foundation, Overseer of the New England Region Anti-Defamation League, and a current member of the Board of Visitors to The Air University. In addition, Mr. Wiley founded and chaired the Massachusetts Governor’s Commission on Minority Business Development and served as Chairman of the Board of the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce. He served as a Captain in the U.S. Air Force and completed a Fulbright Fellowship at L’Institut Des Etudes Politiques in Paris, France. Mr. Wiley received a B.S. from the United States Air Force Academy, an M.P.A. from the Harvard Kennedy School and a J.D. from Harvard Law School.
