Home • President Obama Announces More Key Administration Posts

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release

July 21, 2011

Presidential Nominations Sent to the Senate

NOMINATIONS SENT TO THE SENATE:

Roslyn Ann Mazer, of Maryland, to be Inspector General, Department of Homeland Security, vice Richard L. Skinner, resigned.

Maureen K. Ohlhausen, of Virginia, to be a Federal Trade Commissioner for a term of seven years from September 26, 2011, vice William E. Kovacic, term expiring.

Safe Shuttle Landing Marks End of One Era, Ushers in Exciting New Frontier

Colleen Curtis

July 21, 2011
09:21 AM EDT

Watch the President talk with the crews of Atlantis and the International Space Station.

When the space shuttle Atlantis safely touched down at 5:57 this morning at Kennedy Space Center, it marked the end of one era of American space exploration. In a call from the White House to Commander Chris Ferguson and the crew of the mission on July 15, President Obama praised the work of the thousands of men and women who "have poured their hearts and souls into America's space shuttle program over the last three decades. I want to say thank you, you've helped our country lead the space age and you continue to inspire us"

The President spoke to the influence NASA has had on the American psyche, noting the shuttle and the space station are "a unique part of our history," one that "embodies our sense of adventure, exploration and courage."

He also looked to the future, saying that while this mission marked the final flight of the space shuttle program, it "ushers in an exciting new era to push the frontiers of space exploration and human space flight" even further, with the eventual goal of "ultimately sending humans to Mars."

Message from the President regarding the contintuation of the national emergency with respect to the former Liberian regime of Charles Taylor

Section 202(d) of the National Emergencies Act (50 U.S.C. 1622(d)) provides for the automatic termination of a national emergency unless, 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 the enclosed notice to the Federal Register for publication stating that the national emergency and related measures dealing with the former regime of Charles Taylor are to continue in effect beyond July 22, 2011.

The actions and policies of former Liberian President Charles Taylor and other persons, in particular their unlawful depletion of Liberian resources and their removal from Liberia and secreting of Liberian funds and property, continue to undermine Liberia's transition to democracy and the orderly development of its political, administrative, and economic institutions and resources. These actions and policies continue to pose an unusual and extraordinary threat to the foreign policy of the United States. For this reason, I have determined that it is necessary to continue the national emergency with respect to the former Liberian regime of Charles Taylor.

BARACK OBAMA

THE WHITE HOUSE,
July 20, 2011.

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release

July 20, 2011

Notice from the President regarding the contintuation of the national emergency with respect to the former Liberian regime of Charles Taylor

On July 22, 2004, by Executive Order 13348, the President declared a national emergency and ordered related measures, including the blocking of the property of certain persons connected to the former Liberian regime of Charles Taylor, pursuant to the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1701-1706). The President took this action to deal with the unusual and extraordinary threat to the foreign policy of the United States constituted by the actions and policies of former Liberian President Charles Taylor and other persons, in particular their unlawful depletion of Liberian resources and their removal from Liberia and secreting of Liberian funds and property, which have undermined Liberia's transition to democracy and the orderly development of its political, administrative, and economic institutions and resources.

The actions and policies of Charles Taylor and others have left a legacy of destruction that continues to undermine Liberia's transformation and recovery. Because the actions and policies of these persons continue to pose an unusual and extraordinary threat to the foreign policy of the United States, the national emergency declared on July 22, 2004, and the measures adopted on that date to deal with that emergency, must continue in effect beyond July 22, 2011. Therefore, 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 13348.

This notice shall be published in the Federal Register and transmitted to the Congress.

BARACK OBAMA

THE WHITE HOUSE,
July 20, 2011.

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release

July 20, 2011

Presidential Nomination Sent to the Senate

NOMINATION SENT TO THE SENATE:

Michael Walter Fitzgerald, of California, to be United States District Judge for the Central District of California, vice A. Howard Matz, retired.

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release

July 20, 2011

President Obama Announces His Intent to Nominate Michael Walter Fitzgerald to the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, President Obama announced his nomination of Michael Walter Fitzgerald to the United States District Court for the Central District of California.

"I am honored to nominate Michael Walter Fitzgerald to the United States District Court," President Obama said. "His impressive career stands as a testament to his formidable intellect and integrity. I am confident he will serve the people of California with distinction on the District Court bench."

Michael Walter Fitzgerald: Nominee for United States District Judge for the Central District of California

Michael Walter Fitzgerald has been a named partner at the law firm of Corbin, Fitzgerald & Athey LLP in Los Angeles, California since 1998, where he handles civil and criminal litigation in both federal and state courts. Previously, he worked at the Law Offices of Robert L. Corbin PC from 1995 to 1998 and at the law firm of Heller, Ehrman, White & McAuliffe from 1991 to 1995. Between 1988 and 1991, Fitzgerald served as an Assistant United States Attorney in Los Angeles. Upon graduation from law school, he clerked for the Honorable Irving R. Kaufman of the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit. Fitzgerald received his J.D. in 1985 from the University of California, Berkeley School of Law (Boalt Hall) and his A.B. magna cum laude in 1981 from Harvard University.

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release

July 20, 2011

President Obama Signs Tennessee Disaster Declaration

The President today declared a major disaster exists in the State of Tennessee and ordered Federal aid to supplement State and local recovery efforts in the area struck by severe storms, straight-line winds, tornadoes, and flooding during the period of June 18-24, 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 severe storms, straight-line winds, tornadoes, and floodingin the counties of Claiborne, Grainger, Henderson, Knox, Loudon, and Marion.

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 W. Montague Winfield 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

President Obama Supports the Respect for Marriage Act

Colleen Curtis

July 19, 2011
06:43 PM EDT

President Obama is proud to support the Respect for Marriage Act, which has been introduced by Senator Dianne Feinstein and Congressman Jerrold Nadler. This legislation would uphold the principle that the federal government should not deny gay and lesbian couples the same rights and legal protections as straight couples.

The President has long called for a legislative repeal of the so-called Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), which continues to have a real impact on the lives of real people -- our families, friends and neighbors.

Presidential Memorandum--Ike Skelton National Defense Authorization Act

MEMORANDUM FOR THE SECRETARY OF STATE

SUBJECT: Delegation of Certain Function and Authority Conferred upon the President by Section 1535(c)(1) of the Ike Skelton National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2011

By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, including section 301 of title 3, United States Code, I hereby delegate to you, in coordination with the Secretary of Defense, the function and authority conferred upon the President by section 1535(c)(1) of the Ike Skelton National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2011, Public Law 111-383, to make the specified report to the Committees on Armed Services, Foreign Relations, and Appropriations of the Senate and the Committees on Armed Services, Foreign Affairs, and Appropriations of the House of Representatives.

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

BARACK OBAMA

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release

July 19, 2011

President Obama Announces More Key Administration Posts

WASHINGTON – Today, President Barack Obama announced his intent to nominate the following individual to a key Administration post:

Roslyn A. Mazer, Inspector General, Department of Homeland Security

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

Gabriel Guerra-Mondragon, Member, J. William Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board
Dallin Jensen, Member, Utah Reclamation Mitigation and Conservation Commission

President Obama said, “I am grateful that these talented and dedicated individuals have agreed to take on these important roles and devote their talents to serving the American people. I look forward to working with them in the coming months and years.”

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

Roslyn A. Mazer, Nominee for Inspector General, Department of Homeland Security
Roslyn A. Mazer is currently the Inspector General of the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI), where she manages inspections, audits, and investigations relating to the programs and operations of the ODNI. Ms. Mazer serves concurrently as chair of the Intelligence Community Inspectors General Forum, working with all Intelligence Community elements – including the Departments of Homeland Security, Justice, and State – to fulfill community-wide objectives established under the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004. From 1993 to 2009, she served in senior positions at the Department of Justice, including seven years in the Office of the Inspector General, where she led reviews of the FBI’s use of national security letters and conducted investigations of misconduct by high-level Department officials and employees. Ms. Mazer also served as Associate Deputy Attorney General; as the Attorney General’s representative to the Interagency Security Classification Appeals Panel, which she chaired from 1996 to 2001; and as Special Counsel for Intellectual Property in the Criminal Division, when she led federal interagency and international initiatives to boost enforcement of criminal intellectual property laws. Prior to her government service, she was a partner at Dickstein Shapiro LLP, specializing in media and First Amendment law, criminal defense, and complex civil litigation. Ms. Mazer holds a B.A., magna cum laude, from Syracuse University and a J.D. from the Columbus School of Law, Catholic University of America.

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

Ambassador Gabriel Guerra-Mondragon, Appointee for Member, J. William Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board
Ambassador Gabriel Guerra-Mondragon is President of his own international consulting firm, Guerra and Associates. Ambassador Guerra-Mondragon served as the United States Ambassador to Chile from 1994 until 1998. He was a U.S. Foreign Service Officer at the Department of State for 14 years. During these years, he served as staff assistant to the U.S. Secretary of State, Desk Officer for Colombia, Desk Officer for Nicaragua, and Executive Director of the U.S. National Commission to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). Ambassador Guerra-Mondragon is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations and a board member of the Latino Justice PRLDEF and the Limon Foundation. Ambassador Guerra-Mondragon has a bachelor’s degree from Fordham University, a Master of Arts from the School of Advanced International Studies at the Johns Hopkins University, and a law degree from the University of Puerto Rico Law School.

Dallin Jensen, Appointee for Member, Utah Reclamation Mitigation and Conservation Commission
Dallin Jensen practices primarily in the area of water law at the law firm of Parsons Behle & Latimer. He focuses on the analysis and governmental licensing of water projects, as well as negotiating with public interest and environmental groups. Previously, Mr. Jensen served as Assistant Utah Attorney General and as Utah Solicitor General where he represented various state natural resource agencies, including the Division of Water Rights and the Division of Water Resources. In addition to serving as a member of the Utah Reclamation, Mitigation, and Conservation Commission, Mr. Jensen is also a member of the legal committee of the Upper Colorado River Commission and a member of the Utah State Water Development Commission. Mr. Jensen has a J.D. from the University of Utah and a B.S. in geology from Brigham Young University.