The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
April 06, 2015

Readout of the President’s Call with Sultan Qaboos al Said of Oman

The President spoke today with Sultan Qaboos al Said of Oman to share details of the political framework reached between the P5+1, the EU, and Iran on a Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action regarding Iran’s nuclear program.  He noted that the months ahead will be used to finalize the technical details for a lasting, comprehensive solution that verifiably ensures the peaceful nature of Iran’s nuclear program.  He also reiterated the United States’ commitment to working with Oman and other regional partners to address Iran’s destabilizing activities in the region.  The President extended an invitation for the Sultan to join the other leaders of the Gulf Cooperation Council at Camp David this spring to further these consultations.

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
April 06, 2015

Presidential Proclamation -- National Public Health Week, 2015

NATIONAL PUBLIC HEALTH WEEK, 2015

- - - - - - -

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

A PROCLAMATION

Last year, as Ebola spread in West Africa -- overwhelming public health systems and threatening to cross more borders -- American women and men responded with extraordinary courage and dedication, traveling to the front lines of the outbreak and leading preparedness efforts here at home. Driven by their sense of duty and a commitment to serving a cause greater than themselves, public health professionals rose to the challenge at home and abroad and turned the tide of an epidemic. They demonstrated what is possible when America leads and when we make policy based on sound science and good judgment. Their efforts represent what is best about our national character and embody the most basic human instinct: to leave our children a safer, healthier, more prosperous world.

As a Nation, we must continue to support public health with the same sense of purpose and fierce determination. This week, we join together to declare our intent to rise to the challenges of a changing world and meet our moral obligations to protect the health of our country and the well-being of the next generation.

America's public health is deeply tied to the health of our environment. As our planet becomes more interconnected and our climate continues to warm, we face new threats to our safety and well-being. In the past three decades, the percentage of Americans with asthma has more than doubled, and climate change is putting these individuals and many other vulnerable populations at greater risk of landing in the hospital. Rising temperatures can lead to more smog, longer allergy seasons, and an increased incidence of extreme-weather-related injuries and illnesses.

My Administration is dedicated to combating the health impacts of climate change. As part of my Climate Action Plan, we have proposed the first-ever carbon pollution limits for existing power plants -- standards that would help Americans live longer, healthier lives. And as we continue to ensure the resilience of our health care system, we are working to prepare our health care facilities to handle the effects of a changing planet. Climate change is no longer a distant threat. Its effects are felt today, and its costs can be measured in human lives. Every person, every community, and every nation has a duty to protect the health of all our children and grandchildren, and my Administration is committed to leading this effort.

The United States has faced challenges before, and each time we have boldly taken responsibility for our destiny and reached for the future we knew was possible. Today, vaccines prevent diseases that once devastated nations -- and we should do more to spread the facts about their benefits. After 5 years of the Affordable Care Act, more than 16 million uninsured Americans have gained health insurance coverage, and this achievement has cut the ranks of the uninsured by nearly one-third.

We are shifting the focus of our country's health care system from sickness and disease to wellness and prevention. First Lady Michelle Obama's Let's Move! initiative is working to make it easier for parents and children to make healthy choices about the food they eat and the exercise they get every day. With partners around the world, the United States launched the Global Health Security Agenda to help prevent, detect, and respond to outbreaks before they become epidemics. And my Administration is taking aggressive, coordinated actions to slow the emergence and prevent the spread of antibiotic-resistant bacteria.

Public health is the foundation for a brighter tomorrow. When we invest in the safety and well-being of all Americans, we enrich our communities, bolster our economy, and strengthen our Nation. During National Public Health Week, we recognize public health professionals and all who care for the welfare of others, and we recommit to doing everything within our power to build a world where every child can enjoy the limitless possibilities of a healthy life.

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 April 6 through April 12, 2015, as National Public Health Week. I call on all citizens, government agencies, private businesses, non-profit organizations, and other groups to join in activities and take action to improve the health of our Nation.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this sixth day of April, in the year of our Lord two thousand fifteen, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-ninth.

BARACK OBAMA

2015 White House Easter Egg Roll: President Obama Reads to Kids

April 06, 2015 | 6:05 | Public Domain

President Obama reads "Where the Wild Things Are", written by Maurice Sendak, at the 2015 White House Easter Egg Roll. April 6, 2015.

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President Obama Participates in the 2015 White House Easter Egg Roll

April 06, 2015 | 1:27 | Public Domain

President Obama participates in the signature event at the White House Easter Egg Roll. April 21, 2015.

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The President and First Lady Kick off the White House Easter Egg Roll

April 06, 2015 | 8:28 | Public Domain

President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama deliver remarks to welcome everyone to the 2015 White House Easter Egg Roll. April 6, 2015.

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It All Started With a Letter: Six Special Guests at the Easter Egg Roll

Chris Evans
April 06, 2015
12:45 PM EDT

The President and First Lady are hosting the 137th annual Easter Egg Roll today, a White House tradition full of music and activities. Throughout the day, more than 35,000 visitors will pass through the South Lawn and have the opportunity to get active with the First Lady’s Let’s Move initiative, listen to stories, and even pick up some healthy eating tips from special guest chefs.

Six of these visitors began their journey to the White House by writing a letter to the President. Every day, the President reads 10 letters from Americans all across the country and takes time to write some of these letter-writers back. Jordan, Jaylon, Rodney, Sofia, Zach, and Annikah are students who not only received a response from the President, but also got an invite to this year’s Easter Egg Roll.

Meet these six special guests and read their letters to the President: 

Jordan G., Independence, KY

Seven-year-old Jordan wrote to share some good news with the President. In his letter, Jordan told the President that he’s getting adopted. After having been a foster child for six years, Jordan says he has finally found his "forever family."

I have two dads named Jeremy and Matt that are keeping me forever. I know you can’t come to my adoption, but I wanted to tell you thank you for everything that you are doing to keep me safe.

Jordan G. Letter Writer Photo

Chris Evans is an intern in the White House Office of Digital Strategy.
Related Topics: Grab Bag, Alabama, Hawaii, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Ohio

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
April 06, 2015

Remarks by the President and the First Lady at Easter Egg Roll

South Grounds

10:55 A.M. EDT

THE PRESIDENT:  Hello, everybody!  (Applause.)  Well, happy Easter.

AUDIENCE:  Happy Easter!

THE PRESIDENT:  We are so blessed to have this beautiful day and to have so many friends in our backyard!  (Applause.)  And Malia and Sasha, they had a little school stuff going on today, but they want to send their love.  Bo and Sunny are here, along with the Easter Bunny.  And this is always one of our favorite events.  We hope you guys are having fun.  (Applause.) 

This is a particularly special Easter Egg Roll because we've actually got a birthday to celebrate.  It is the fifth anniversary of the First Lady’s Let's Move initiative.  (Applause.)  And to help us celebrate we've got the outstanding young group, Fifth Harmony, here to help us sing “Happy Birthday.” Everybody ready to sing “Happy Birthday?”  (Applause.) 

All right.  Fifth Harmony!

(“Happy Birthday” is sung.)

MRS. OBAMA:  Oh, my god, that was so good!  Let’s give Fifth Harmony a round of applause.  Yay!  (Applause.) 

Well, you guys, welcome to the Easter Egg Roll.  But as you’ve heard, this is the fifth anniversary of Let's Move.  And we're celebrating by taking over the Easter Egg Roll with Gimme Five.  And for those of you who don't know about the Gimme Five challenge, that's the fun, exciting way that we're trying to get the whole country to celebrate the fifth birthday of Let's Move. And we're asking Americans of all ages to give me five ways they’re leading a healthier life -- five jumping jacks, eating five new vegetables, maybe doing a Gimme Five dance.  You name it.  And go on and Instagram it, #GimmeFive, and then challenge somebody else. 

We've had so much fun doing this challenge.  Beyoncé has done it.  Michael Strahan has done it.  Everybody is doing it.  Ryan Seacrest.  So be a part of the movement.  It’s fun.  It’s a great way to get everybody moving. 

So I want to thank you guys for coming.  I want to thank all of the staff and all the volunteers.  Give it up for our volunteers -- (applause) -- who worked so hard to put this together. 

And I want you to enjoy this day.  Take advantage of all of the great activities -- the cooking stage we have over there.  I'm going to be over at the main stage in a few minutes, and we're going to be doing the Gimme Five dance with the So You Think You Can Dance all-stars and mentors.  (Applause.)  So I hope you guys have been learning the steps, because we're going to do it over there in just a few minutes.  So I hope you join me over there. 

We're going to turn this backyard into a huge Gimme Five flash mob.  Are you ready for that?  (Applause.)  All right.  Well, with that, we're going to get down there and do some Easter egg rolling.  You guys, thank you so much.  Have a great time.  And Happy Easter!  Love you!  (Applause.) 

 END   

11:03 A.M. EDT

A Cup of Tea with the President

Tanya Somanader
Tanya Somanader
April 06, 2015
12:09 PM EDT

An early morning. A rainy afternoon. A blizzard, a banquet, an evening with a Brit: It's hard to find an occasion that isn't complemented by a good cup of tea. 

Bringing that comfort to kitchen tables around the world is the mission of Tom Lisicki, the President of Stash Tea Company, a small business just outside of Portland, Oregon. Stash Tea employees make a variety of specialty teas that they sell across the United States and the globe -- in Canada, Brazil, Latvia, and more. "Now, we're selling in 30 different countries like Mongolia, which is kind of surprising to me," he said.

But the challenges businesses like Tom's can face range from the mildly frustrating to the downright ridiculous. For example, one of Tom's organic green teas comes from Brazil. It's certified in Brazil. But, because of certain trade barriers, Stash Tea can't sell that tea in Brazil. 

Stash Tea is just one of the many small businesses that depend on exports to help them expand and hire but face hurdles when attempting to sell their goods overseas -- an issue President Obama understands and is trying to make easier through new trade agreements like the Trans-Pacific Partnership, the most progressive trade agreement in history.

Related Topics: Trade and Exports, Economy, Oregon

The White House Easter Egg Roll Goes Social

Kori Schulman
Kori Schulman
April 05, 2015
06:09 PM EDT

Today, the President and First Lady will host more than 35,000 people at the 137th-annual White House Easter Egg Roll. And, we’re excited to bring you new ways to experience the fun of the South Lawn from anywhere.

For the first time ever, the White House and Snapchat are teaming up on an Easter Egg Roll "Our Story." Snapchatters on the South Lawn are invited to share their experience in Snaps with access to special Easter Egg Roll filters. Through the Snapchat app, anyone around the world can experience the live event as it happens with behind-the-scenes photos and videos.

To celebrate the fifth anniversary of the First Lady’s Let’s Move! initiative, this year’s Easter Egg Roll theme is #GimmeFive – and Mrs. Obama is challenging Americans across the country to share five things they’re doing to eat better, stay active, and lead a healthier life. Though Instagram's photo booth experience, you can get an exclusive glimpse on the First Lady's Instagram, @MichelleObama. Performers, athletes, and families will join the First Lady’s #GimmeFive call to action – and you won’t want to miss it.

Related Topics: Healthy Kids, Additional Issues

President Obama Offers His Warmest Wishes on Passover and Easter

April 04, 2015 | 2:37 | Public Domain

President Obama delivers a Passover and Easter message to the American people.

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