The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
August 22, 2011

Statement of President Barack Obama on Libya

Tonight, the momentum against the Qadhafi regime has reached a tipping point. Tripoli is slipping from the grasp of a tyrant. The Qadhafi regime is showing signs of collapsing. The people of Libya are showing that the universal pursuit of dignity and freedom is far stronger than the iron fist of a dictator.

The surest way for the bloodshed to end is simple: Moammar Qadhafi and his regime need to recognize that their rule has come to an end. Qadhafi needs to acknowledge the reality that he no longer controls Libya. He needs to relinquish power once and for all. Meanwhile, the United States has recognized the Transitional National Council as the legitimate governing authority in Libya. At this pivotal and historic time, the TNC  should continue to demonstrate the leadership that is necessary to steer the country through a transition by respecting the rights of the people of Libya, avoiding civilian casualties, protecting the institutions of the Libyan state, and pursuing a transition to democracy that is just and inclusive for all of the people of Libya. A season of conflict must lead to one of peace.

The future of Libya is now in the hands of the Libyan people. Going forward, the United States will continue to stay in close coordination with the TNC. We will continue to insist that the basic rights of the Libyan people are respected. And we will continue to work with our allies and partners in the international community to protect the people of Libya, and to support a peaceful transition to democracy.

 

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Weekly Address: Putting Country Ahead of Party

Nikki Sutton
Nikki Sutton
August 20, 2011
05:30 AM EDT

 From a farm in the Midwest, President Obama talks about the determination and integrity of the American people and calls on Congress to put aside their differences to grow the economy.

Transcript | Download mp4 | Download mp3

Related Topics: Economy, Rural

Weekly Address: Putting Country Ahead of Party

August 20, 2011 | 4:00 | Public Domain

From a farm in the Midwest, President Obama talks about the determination and integrity of the American people and calls on Congress to put aside their differences to grow the economy.

Download mp4 (141MB) | mp3 (4MB)

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Weekly Address: Putting Country Ahead of Party

 From a farm in the Midwest, President Obama talks about the determination and integrity of the American people and calls on Congress to put aside their differences to grow the economy.

Transcript | Download mp4 | Download mp3

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The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
August 20, 2011

WEEKLY ADDRESS: Getting America Back to Work

WASHINGTON— In this week’s address, President Obama spoke to the American people from the Corner Country Farm in Alpha, Illinois on the need to create jobs and strengthen the economy. President Obama reminded the American people that we still have the best workers, entrepreneurs, and students in the world, and called on both parties to come together and act on a series of steps we can take right away to get our nation back to work.

Remarks of President Barack Obama
Weekly Address
Saturday, August 20, 2011
Alpha, Illinois

Hello from the Country Corner Farm in Alpha, Illinois! For the past few days, I’ve been traveling to small towns and farm towns here in the heartland of this country. I sat down with small business owners in Gutenberg, Iowa; and ranchers and farmers in Peosta. I had lunch with veterans in Cannon Falls, Minnesota; and talked to plant workers at a seed distributor in Atkinson, Illinois. And to the girls volleyball team at Maquoketa High School, let me just say one thing: Go Cardinals.

Now, I’m out here for one reason: I think Washington, DC can learn something from the folks in Atkinson and Peosta and Cannon Falls. I think our country would be a whole lot better off if our elected leaders showed the same kind of discipline and integrity and responsibility that most Americans demonstrate in their lives every day.

Because, the fact is, we’re going through a tough time right now. We’re coming through a terrible recession; a lot of folks are still looking for work. A lot of people are getting by with smaller paychecks or less money in the cash register. So we need folks in Washington – the people whose job it is to deal with the country’s problems, the people who you elected to serve – we need them to put aside their differences to get things done.

There are things we can do right now that will mean more customers for businesses and more jobs across the country. We can cut payroll taxes again, so families have an extra $1,000 to spend. We can pass a road construction bill so construction crews – now sitting idle – can head back to the worksite, rebuilding roads, bridges, and airports. We’ve got brave, skilled Americans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan. Let’s connect them with businesses that could use their skills. And let’s pass trade deals to level the playing field for our businesses. We have Americans driving Hyundais and Kias. Well, I want to see folks in Korea driving Fords, Chevys and Chryslers. I want more products sold around the globe stamped with three words: Made in America.

These are commonsense ideas – ideas that have been supported by both Democrats and Republicans. The only thing holding them back is politics. The only thing preventing us from passing these bills is the refusal by some in Congress to put country ahead of party. That’s the problem right now. That’s what’s holding this country back. That’s what we have to change.

Because, for all the knocks we’ve taken, despite all the challenges we face, this is still the greatest country on earth. We still have the best workers and farmers, entrepreneurs and businesses, students and scientists. And you can see that here in Alpha. You can see it along the country roads that connect these small towns and farmlands.

These past few days, I’ve been seeing little kids with American flags and grandparents in lawn chairs. I’ve shaken hands with folks outside machine shops and churches, corner stores and farms. It reminds me why I got into public service in the first place. Getting out of Washington and spending time with the people of this country – seeing how hard you’re working, how creative you are, how resourceful you are, how determined you are – that only makes me more determined to serve you as best I can as President. And it only makes me more confident in our future.

That’s why it’s so important that folks in Washington put country before party. That’s why it’s so important that our elected leaders get past their differences to help grow the economy and put this nation back to work. Because here in Alpha it couldn’t be more clear: if we can come together, there’s no stopping the United States of America. There’s no doubt that our future is bright.

Thanks, and have a great weekend.
 

West Wing Week: 8/19/11 or "Get On The Bus"

August 18, 2011 | Public Domain

This week, The President welcomed the Super Bowl Champion Green Bay Packers to the White House before embarking on a three day Rural Bus Tour across the midwestern states of Minnesota, Iowa, and Illinois. During his tour to the heartland, the President heard directly from Americans including small business owners, local families and private sector leaders while promoting a the need for faster economic growth, strengthening the middle class and accelerating hiring in communities and towns across the nation. That's August 12th to August 18th or "Get on the Bus."

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West Wing Week 8/19/11 or "Get On the Bus"

tmiller
August 19, 2011
12:00 AM EDT

Welcome to the West Wing Week, your guide to everything that's happening at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. This week, the President welcomed the Super Bowl Champion Green Bay Packers to the White House before heading out on a three day bus tour across the midwestern states of Minnesota, Iowa, and Illinois.  During his tour through the heartland, the President heard directly from Americans including small business owners, local families and private sector leaders who talked about the need for faster economic growth, strengthening the middle class and accelerating hiring in communities and towns across the nation. That's August 12th to August 18th or "Get on the Bus."

Watch West Wing Week here.

Related Topics: Economy, Rural, Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, Pennsylvania

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
August 18, 2011

President Obama Announces More Key Administration Posts

WASHINGTON – Today, President Barack Obama announced his intent to nominate the following individuals to key Administration posts:

  • Susan D. Page -Ambassador to the Republic of South Sudan, Department of State

The President also announced his intent to appoint the following individuals to key Administration posts:

  • Modesto E. Abety-Gutierrez - Member, President’s Advisory Commission on Educational Excellence for Hispanics
  • Lily Eskelsen -Member, President’s Advisory Commission on Educational Excellence for Hispanics
  • Christopher Stephen Hart -Member, Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board
  • Choco GonzalezMeza - Member, Commission on Presidential Scholars
  • E. Faye Williams – Member, Commission on Presidential Scholars

President Obama said, “I am grateful these accomplished men and women have agreed to join this Administration, and I’m confident they will serve ably in these important roles.   I look forward to working with them in the months and years ahead.”

President Obama announced his intent to nominate the following individual to a key Administration post:

Susan D. Page, Ambassador to the Republic of South Sudan, Department of State

Susan D. Page currently serves as Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for the Bureau of African Affairs.  Prior to this assignment, she was Regional Director for Southern and East Africa at the National Democratic Institute.  From 2005 to 2007, she served as the Director of the Rule of Law and Judicial System Advisory Unit at the United Nations Peace Support Mission to the Sudan.  From 2002 to 2005, Ms. Page was the legal advisor to the Intergovernmental Authority on Development Secretariat for Peace in the Sudan.  Prior to that role, she served as Senior Legal Adviser and Chief of the Justice and Human Rights Unit for the United Nations Development Programme in Rwanda.  Ms. Page served as a Foreign Service Officer from 1993 to 2001, working as a Political Officer in Rwanda from 1999 to 2001 and as a Regional Legal Adviser for USAID in Botswana (1995-1998) and Kenya (1993-1995).  Ms. Page began her career at the State Department in 1991, where she served as an Attorney-Adviser for Politico-Military Affairs in the Office of the Legal Adviser.  Ms. Page received an A.B. from the University of Michigan and a J.D. from Harvard Law School.

President Obama announced his intent to appoint the following individuals to  key Administration posts:

Modesto E. Abety-Gutierrez, Member, President’s Advisory Commission on Educational Excellence for Hispanics

Modesto E. Abety-Gutierrez is the founding President and CEO of The Children’s Trust. Mr. Abety-Gutierrez previously served as an Operations Field Manager for the Children’s Trust Political Action Committee. Prior to his work with the Children’s Trust Political Action Committee, Mr. Abety-Gutierrez was an adjunct professor at the Florida International University. Mr. Abety-Gutierrez has also worked as a Director for the Miami-Dade County Children’s Services Council, as an Executive Assistant at Metro-Dade Community Action Agency, and as a HUD Liaison Officer at Metro-Dade County. Mr. Abety-Gutierrez holds a B.S. in Sociology from Florida State University and an M.P.A from Bernard M. Baruch College.

Lily Eskelsen, Member, President’s Advisory Commission on Educational Excellence for Hispanics

Lily Eskelsen is the Vice President of the National Education Association. She previously served as the National Education Association Secretary-Treasurer from 2002 to 2007. Prior to her work with the National Education Association, Ms. Eskelsen was a teacher at Orchard Elementary in Utah and, in 1989, she was awarded Utah Teacher of the Year.  Ms. Eskelsen has also taught at the Salt Lake Homeless Shelter and at the Christmas Box Children’s Shelter, and served as President of the Utah Retirement System. She holds a B.S. in Elementary Education from the University of Utah and a M.Ed. in Instructional Technology from the University of Utah.

Christopher Stephen Hart, Member, Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board

Christopher StephenHart is the Director of Urban and Transportation Projects for the Institute for Human Centered Design.  He has also served as a consultant on transportation issues for the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority and Boston’s disability community.  Currently, Mr. Hart is an appointed member of the Governor’sTransportation Advisory Reform Committeein Massachusettsand the National Steering Committee for Project ACTION, a national organization dedicated to promoting universal access to transportation for people with disabilities.  Mr. Hart also serves as a board member for LivableStreets Alliance, Disability Law Center,and Agassiz Village.  He is a graduate of the College of Public and Community Service at the University of Massachusetts, Boston.

Choco Gonzalez Meza, Member, Commission on Presidential Scholars

Choco Gonzalez Meza is founder of CGM Consulting.  Previously, she was the President of American Sunrise, an organization that creates housing, economic and educational opportunities in local neighborhoods for working families. Ms. Meza previously served as Realtor and Property Manager for RE/MAX Associates from 2000 to 2005, where she was named a Top Platinum 50 Realtor Finalist for several years. Ms. Meza has also worked as a Senior Vice President for Housing Operations for the San Antonio Housing Authority, the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Intergovernmental Relations for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, and as the Executive Director for Partnership for Hope. She holds a B.A. in Political Science and Health and Physical Education from St. Mary’s University.

Dr. E. Faye Williams, Member, Commission on Presidential Scholars

Dr. E. Faye Williams is the Chair of the National Congress of Black Women.  Previously, she was both Congressional Counsel and Chief of Staff for a District of Columbia Councilmember.  Dr. Williams has also worked as Chair of the Board of the Black Leadership Forum. Dr.  Williams previously served as a teacher in the Los Angeles Unified School District. She received a B.S. degree from Grambling State University of Louisiana, an M.P.A. from the University of Southern California, a J.D. from Howard University, and a D.Min. from Wesley Theological Seminary.

President Obama's Rural Message: There's Nothing Wrong with our Country

Colleen Curtis
Colleen Curtis
August 18, 2011
04:32 PM EDT
President Obama in Alpha, Illinois

President Barack Obama delivers remarks at a town hall meeting at Country Corner Farm in Alpha, Ill., Aug. 17, 2011, his last stop on a three-day bus tour in the Midwest focusing on ways to grow the economy. (Official White House Photo by Samantha Appleton)

This week President Obama traveled to the Midwest where he met with Americans in rural towns and communities in Minnesota, Iowa and Illinois. The purpose of his trip, dubbed the Economic Rural Tour 2011, was to talk to people from different walks of life about what is happening in our country right now. The President was there to talk, but also to listen.

And in town halls, county fairs and an economic forum, Americans shared their hopes for the future and their concerns about the economy and what it means for their businesses and their families. On Wednesday, the President told a crowd of 250 people gathered for a town hall meeting on a farm in Alpha, Ill that he will soon be putting out new proposals designed to put people back to work right away. He said that some of the plans will cost money, and that we will pay for them by doing more on deficit reduction than is required by the Budget Control Act he signed earlier this month.

Related Topics: Economy, Rural, Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
August 18, 2011

President Obama Signs Louisiana Disaster Declaration

The President today declared a major disaster exists in the State of Louisiana and ordered Federal aid to supplement state and local recovery efforts in the area struck by flooding during the period of April 25 to July 7, 2011.

Federal funding is available to state 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 the parishes of Assumption, Avoyelles, Concordia, East Carroll, Lafourche, Madison, Point Coupee, St. Charles, St. James, St. Landry, St. Martin, St. Mary, Tensas, Terrebonne, and West Feliciana.

Federal funding is also available on a cost-sharing basis for hazard mitigation measures statewide.

W. Craig Fugate, Administrator, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Department of Homeland Security, named Gerard M. Stolar 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

For Immediate Release
August 18, 2011

Executive Order 13583-- Establishing a Coordinated Government-wide Initiative to Promote Diversity and Inclusion in the Federal Workforce

EXECUTIVE ORDER

ESTABLISHING A COORDINATED GOVERNMENT-WIDE INITIATIVE TO PROMOTE DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION IN THE FEDERAL WORKFORCE

By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, and in order to promote the Federal workplace as a model of equal opportunity, diversity, and inclusion, it is hereby ordered as follows:

Section 1.  Policy.  Our Nation derives strength from the diversity of its population and from its commitment to equal opportunity for all.  We are at our best when we draw on the talents of all parts of our society, and our greatest accomplishments are achieved when diverse perspectives are brought to bear to overcome our greatest challenges.

A commitment to equal opportunity, diversity, and inclusion is critical for the Federal Government as an employer.  By law, the Federal Government's recruitment policies should "endeavor to achieve a work force from all segments of society."  (5 U.S.C. 2301(b)(1)).  As the Nation's largest employer, the Federal Government has a special obligation to lead by example.  Attaining a diverse, qualified workforce is one of the cornerstones of the merit-based civil service.

Prior Executive Orders, including but not limited to those listed below, have taken a number of steps to address the leadership role and obligations of the Federal Government as an employer.  For example, Executive Order 13171 of October 12, 2000 (Hispanic Employment in the Federal Government), directed executive departments and agencies to implement programs for recruitment and career development of Hispanic employees and established a mechanism for identifying best practices in doing so.  Executive Order 13518 of November 9, 2009 (Employment of Veterans in the Federal Government), required the establishment of a Veterans Employment Initiative.  Executive Order 13548 of July 26, 2010 (Increasing Federal Employment of Individuals with Disabilities), and its related predecessors, Executive Order 13163 of July 26, 2000 (Increasing the Opportunity for Individuals With Disabilities to be Employed in the Federal Government), and Executive Order 13078 of March 13, 1998 (Increasing Employment of Adults With Disabilities), sought to tap the skills of the millions of Americans living with disabilities.

To realize more fully the goal of using the talents of all segments of society, the Federal Government must continue to challenge itself to enhance its ability to recruit, hire, promote, and retain a more diverse workforce.  Further, the Federal Government must create a culture that encourages collaboration, flexibility, and fairness to enable individuals to participate to their full potential.

Wherever possible, the Federal Government must also seek to consolidate compliance efforts established through related or overlapping statutory mandates, directions from Executive Orders, and regulatory requirements.  By this order, I am directing executive departments and agencies (agencies) to develop and implement a more comprehensive, integrated, and strategic focus on diversity and inclusion as a key component of their human resources strategies.  This approach should include a continuing effort to identify and adopt best practices, implemented in an integrated manner, to promote diversity and remove barriers to equal employment opportunity, consistent with merit system principles and applicable law.

Sec. 2.  Government-Wide Diversity and Inclusion Initiative and Strategic Plan.  The Director of the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) and the Deputy Director for Management of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), in coordination with the President's Management Council (PMC) and the Chair of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), shall:

(a)  establish a coordinated Government-wide initiative to promote diversity and inclusion in the Federal workforce;

(b)  within 90 days of the date of this order:

(i)    develop and issue a Government-wide Diversity and Inclusion Strategic Plan (Government-wide Plan), to be updated as appropriate and at a minimum every 4 years, focusing on workforce diversity, workplace inclusion, and agency accountability and leadership.  The Government-wide Plan shall highlight comprehensive strategies for agencies to identify and remove barriers to equal employment opportunity that may exist in the Federal Government's recruitment, hiring, promotion, retention, professional development, and training policies and practices;

(ii)   review applicable directives to agencies related to the development or submission of agency human capital and other workforce plans and reports in connection with recruitment, hiring, promotion, retention, professional development, and training policies and practices, and develop a strategy for consolidating such agency plans and reports where appropriate and permitted by law; and

(iii)  provide guidance to agencies concerning formulation of agency-specific Diversity and Inclusion Strategic Plans prepared pursuant to section 3(b) of this order;

(c)  identify appropriate practices to improve the effectiveness of each agency's efforts to recruit, hire, promote, retain, develop, and train a diverse and inclusive workforce, consistent with merit system principles and applicable law; and

(d)  establish a system for reporting regularly on agencies' progress in implementing their agency-specific Diversity and Inclusion Strategic Plans and in meeting the objectives of this order.

Sec. 3.  Responsibilities of Executive Departments and Agencies.  All agencies shall implement the Government-wide Plan prepared pursuant to section 2 of this order, and such other related guidance as issued from time to time by the Director of OPM and Deputy Director for Management of OMB.  In addition, the head of each executive department and agency referred to under subsections (1) and (2) of section 901(b) of title 31, United States Code, shall:

(a)  designate the agency's Chief Human Capital Officer to be responsible for enhancing employment and promotion opportunities within the agency, in collaboration with the agency's Director of Equal Employment Opportunity and Director of Diversity and Inclusion, if any, and consistent with law and merit system principles, including development and implementation of the agency-specific Diversity and Inclusion Strategic Plan;

(b)  within 120 days of the issuance of the Government-wide Plan or its update under section 2(b)(i) of this order, develop and submit for review to the Director of OPM and the Deputy Director for Management of OMB an agency-specific Diversity and Inclusion Strategic Plan for recruiting, hiring, training, developing, advancing, promoting, and retaining a diverse workforce consistent with applicable law, the Government-wide Plan, merit system principles, the agency's overall strategic plan, its human capital plan prepared pursuant to Part 250 of title 5 of the Code of Federal Regulations, and other applicable workforce planning strategies and initiatives;

(c)  implement the agency-specific Diversity and Inclusion Strategic Plan after incorporating it into the agency's human capital plan; and

(d)  provide information as specified in the reporting requirements developed under section 2(d).

Sec. 4.  General Provisions.  (a)  Nothing in this order shall be construed to impair or otherwise affect:

(i)   authority granted to a department or agency or the head thereof, including the authority granted to EEOC by other Executive Orders (including Executive Order 12067) or any agency's authority to establish an independent Diversity and Inclusion Office; or

(ii)  functions of the Director of OMB relating to budgetary, administrative, or legislative proposals.

(b)  This order shall be implemented consistent with applicable law and subject to the availability of appropriations.

(c)  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,
August 18, 2011.