The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
May 10, 2011

President Obama Announces More Key Administration Posts, 5/10/2011

WASHINGTON – Today, President Barack Obama announced his intent to appoint the following individuals to the President’s Committee for People with Intellectual Disabilities:
 

  • James T. Brett, Chair, President’s Committee for People with Intellectual Disabilities
  • Peter V. Berns, Member, President’s Committee for People with Intellectual Disabilities
  • Clay Boatright, Member, President’s Committee for People with Intellectual Disabilities
  • Micki Edelsohn, Member, President’s Committee for People with Intellectual Disabilities
  • Ann Hardiman, Member, President’s Committee for People with Intellectual Disabilities
  • Alison A. Hillman de Velásquez, Member, President’s Committee for People with Intellectual Disabilities
  • Carl M. La Mell, Member, President’s Committee for People with Intellectual Disabilities
  • Annette McKenzie Anderson, Member, President’s Committee for People with Intellectual Disabilities
  • Carol Quirk, Member, President’s Committee for People with Intellectual Disabilities
  • Susana Ramirez, Member, President’s Committee for People with Intellectual Disabilities
  • Deborah M. Spitalnik, Member, President’s Committee for People with Intellectual Disabilities
  • Lillian Sugarman, Member, President’s Committee for People with Intellectual Disabilities
  • Liz Weintraub, Member, President’s Committee for People with Intellectual Disabilities
  • Carol Wheeler, Member, President’s Committee for People with Intellectual Disabilities
  • Sheryl White-Scott, Member, President’s Committee for People with Intellectual Disabilities

 
President Obama said, “These fine public servants both bring both a depth of experience and tremendous dedication to their new roles.  Our nation will be well-served by these men and women, and I look forward to working with them in the months and years to come.”

President Obama announced his intent to appoint the following individuals to key Administration posts:
 
James T. Brett, Appointee for Chair, President’s Committee for People with Intellectual Disabilities
James T. Brett is the President and CEO of The New England Council, a position he has held since 1996.  Prior to leading the Council, Mr. Brett served in the Massachusetts House of Representatives for 15 years.  He currently serves as the Chairman of the Massachusetts Governor’s Commission on Intellectual Disability, and sits on the Board of Directors of the Massachusetts Association for Mental Health, and the Advisory Councils of the Robert F. Kennedy Children’s Action Corps and the New England Center for Children.  Mr. Brett has been honored with several awards for his advocacy for the disabled, including receiving the Action for Boston Community Development’s Lifetime Public Service Award, the Massachusetts Special Olympics’ Distinguished Leadership Award, and the Hospice of Boston’s Humanitarian of the Year Award. In 1996, Bay Cove Human Services of Boston named a new community home for disabled adults "Brett House" in his honor.  Mr. Brett is a graduate of American University in Washington, DC, and holds Masters Degrees in Public Administration from Suffolk University and from the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University.
 
Peter V. Berns, Appointee for Member, President’s Committee for People with Intellectual Disabilities
Peter V. Berns is the Chief Executive Officer of The Arc, a charity federation with 710 chapters nationwide dedicated to promoting the human rights of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.  A nationally recognized nonprofit sector leader and public interest lawyer, Mr. Berns served as the Executive Director of the Maryland Association of Nonprofit Organizations from 1992 to 2008.  In addition, he served as Chief Executive Officer of the Standards for Excellence Institute from 2004 to 2008 where he developed Standards for Excellence:  An Ethics and Accountability Code for the Nonprofit Sector.  A frequent lecturer, facilitator, consultant, and trainer, he has served as an adjunct faculty member at Johns Hopkins University.  He was named to the Nonprofit Times Power and Influence Top 50 list five times in the past decade.  Mr. Berns has a B.A. from the University of Pennsylvania, a J.D. from Harvard Law School and an LL.M. from Georgetown University Law Center.
 
Clay Boatright, Appointee for Member, President’s Committee for People with Intellectual Disabilities
Clay Boatright is the President of the Board of Directors for The Arc of Texas, a non-profit organization which creates opportunities for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities to be included in their communities and to make the necessary decisions on issues that affect their lives.  In addition, Mr. Boatright serves on the Easter Seals North Texas Autism Advisory Board, the Mosaic-Dallas Business Advisory Committee, the Childrenfirst! Collin County Coalition, and the Long Term Care subcommittee of the Texas Taskforce for Children with Special Needs.  Previously he served as Board President for The Arc of Dallas and campus chair for the Special and Gifted Education committee in the Plano Independent School District.  Mr. Boatright is employed as a Vice President with the Dean Foods Company in Dallas, and has previously worked with The Coca-Cola Company, Ralston Purina, and Maybelline. Mr. Boatright is a father of three children, including identical twins with intellectual disabilities and autism.  He holds a B.A. in Communications and M.S. in Marketing from the University of Memphis.
 
Micki Edelsohn, Appointee for Member, President’s Committee for People with Intellectual Disabilities
Micki Edelsohn is currently the Treasurer of Homes for Life Foundation, a nonprofit organization she founded in 1999 to build safe and comfortable neighborhood group homes for adults with intellectual disabilities.  She also works with local officials and businesses to secure meaningful employment opportunities for the residents who live in the group homes. In addition, Mrs. Edelsohn is collaborating with a local college to establish a new curriculum for students interested in a career serving individuals with disabilities. She has been active in many organizations including The Arc of Delaware, the Governor’s Commission on Community Based Alternatives, the Center for Disabilities Studies at the University of Delaware, and the Delaware Foundation Reaching Citizens with Intellectual Disabilities. Most recently, Mrs. Edelsohn was recognized by being named one of the 25 Who Matter in Delaware by the Wilmington News Journal. She has also received the Humanitarian Award from the United Way of Delaware, the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Wilmington Senior Center, and the Delaware Housing Coalition Award. Mrs. Edelsohn’s inspiration is her adult son who has an intellectual disability.  She holds a B.A. from the Tyler School of Art at Temple University.
 
Ann Hardiman, Appointee for Member, President’s Committee for People with Intellectual Disabilities
Ann Hardiman is currently the Executive Director of the New York State Association of Community and Residential Agencies (NYSACRA). NYSACRA represents non-profit agencies serving people with developmental disabilities and their families. Previously, she was an Assistant Executive Director at Opengate Inc. From 1978 to 1992, Ms. Hardiman served as the Director of Residential Services at Rehabilitation Inc. She currently sits on the board and is the Secretary of Potential Unlimited Productions Inc. Ms. Hardiman is the recipient of the Community Leader of the Year award given by the NYS Developmental Disabilities Planning Council. She holds a B.A. from the State University of New York (SUNY) at Potsdam and a M.A. from Marist College.

Alison A. Hillman de Velásquez, Appointee for Member, President’s Committee for People with Intellectual Disabilities
Alison A. Hillman de Velásquez is Program Officer for the Open Society Foundations’ Disability Rights Initiative, where she manages a grant making program aimed at implementing the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.  From 2002 to 2009, Ms. Hillman directed the Americas Programs at Disability Rights International, where she advocated for the rights of persons with mental disabilities. Ms. Hillman sits on the Board of Directors of the American Association of People with Disabilities. In 2003, she received the Paul G. Hearne/AAPD Leadership Award as an emerging leader in the disability field. She holds a B.A. from Cornell University and a J.D. from American University, Washington College of Law.
 
Carl M. La Mell, Appointee for Member, President’s Committee for People with Intellectual Disabilities
Carl M. La Mell is the President and CEO of Clearbrook, a service provider for individuals with developmental disabilities in Illinois.  Previously, Mr. La Mell held senior positions at Victor C. Neumann Association as Chief Financial Officer, Associate Executive Director, and CEO.  Most recently, he chaired the Finance Committee of the Illinois Statewide Early Intervention Task Force.  Mr. La Mell is also a member of the Illinois Association of Rehabilitation Facilities, the Illinois Department of Human Services State Task Force on Autism, and the American Association of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities.   He is the past recipient of various distinguished awards, including the Executive of the Year Award from the Illinois Association of Rehabilitation Facilities, the Community Leader of the Year Award given by the City of Rolling Meadows, and the Claude D. Pepper Distinguished Service Award.  Mr. La Mell holds a B.S. from DePaul University.

Annette McKenzie Anderson, Appointee for Member, President’s Committee for People with Intellectual Disabilities
Annette McKenzie Anderson, Ph.D. is the President & CEO of Diversified In-Valuable Assistance (DIVA) Enterprises.  Recently, she served as an Adjunct Clinical Supervisor for Graduate Students enrolled in the Speech Language Pathology Clinical Practicum in the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders at Howard University.  Previously, Dr. Anderson served as a certified Speech Language Pathologist at Mamie D. Lee School, the District of Columbia Public School for students with intellectual and related disabilities.  During her tenure at Mamie D. Lee School, she implemented interventions in the areas of communication, socialization, cultural arts, community involvement, and adaptive skills for students.  Dr. Anderson was recognized by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Foundation by receiving the Louis M. DiCarlo National Award for Outstanding Clinical Achievement in Human Communication Sciences and Disorders.  She was also a recipient of the Agnes Meyer Outstanding Teacher Award presented by The Washington Post.  She holds a B.S. in Speech Pathology from Hampton University, a M.S. in Speech Language Pathology from the University of the District of Columbia (formerly, Federal City College), and a Ph.D. in Special Education Administration from Gallaudet University.
 
Carol Quirk, Appointee for Member, President’s Committee for People with Intellectual Disabilities
Carol Quirk is currently the Co-Executive Director of the Maryland Coalition for Inclusive Education (MCIE), a non-profit corporation that provides advocacy services to families and professional development opportunities to schools.  Prior to this position, Dr. Quirk was the Executive Director of East Baltimore Resources, an adult service agency that provides supported employment opportunities to adults with disabilities.  She also served as a specialist in early intervention and behavior and as a consultant to the School District of Philadelphia. Dr. Quirk is the President of the TASH Board of Directors, an international advocacy and professional disability organization.  She is the recipient of the top 100 Minority/Women Business Entrepreneurs Award for the Maryland-Virginia-District of Columbia region.  She holds a B.A. and an M.A. from the University of Connecticut, and an Ed.D. from Johns Hopkins University.
 
Susana Ramirez, Appointee for Member, President’s Committee for People with Intellectual Disabilities
Susana Ramirez is currently a Special Education Advocate at Disability Rights Oregon, the federally mandated Protection and Advocacy Agency in Oregon that advocates for the rights of individuals with disabilities. Ms. Ramirez's responsibilities include individual representation of students in special education, policy advocacy, and working closely with the Latino community by providing individual rights trainings in Spanish. Ms. Ramirez has held gubernatorial appointments in the Oregon Council on Developmental Disabilities, Oregon State Advisory Council of Special Education, and the Oregon Special Education Task Force. Ms. Ramirez has been a guest lecturer at the University of Oregon Law School and Portland State University, College of Education. In 2000, she received the Advocate of the Year Award from the Oregon Council on Developmental Disabilities, for her work establishing Padres en Accion, a parent group focused on advocating for the rights of Latino children with disabilities and their families. She is the mother of three sons, one of whom has an intellectual disability.
 
Deborah M. Spitalnik, Appointee for Member, President’s Committee for People with Intellectual Disabilities
Deborah M. Spitalnik, Ph.D. is the founding Executive Director of The Elizabeth M. Boggs Center on Developmental Disabilities at New Jersey Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, where she is also a Professor of Pediatrics. A co-author of two editions of the classification manual in intellectual disability, Dr. Spitalnik educates a wide range of constituencies including individuals with disabilities and their families, medical students, resident physicians, direct support professionals, and social workers. Dr. Spitalnik chairs the New Jersey Medical Assistance Advisory Council, the National Council on Quality and Leadership, was a previous member and chair of PCPID, and is a past President of the Association of University Centers on Disabilities.  She was the recipient of the Dybwad Humanitarian Award given by the American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, the Verice M.  Mason Community Service Leader Award, and the Ann Klein Distinguished Advocate in Developmental Disabilities Award given by the Community Health Law Project.  Dr. Spitalnik holds a B.A. in Psychology from Brandeis University, an Ed.M. from Harvard University, and a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from Temple University.
 
Lillian Sugarman, Appointee for Member, President’s Committee for People with Intellectual Disabilities
Lillian Sugarman is currently Director of the Early Head Start National Resource Center at ZERO TO THREE (ZTT), an organization that informs, trains, and supports professionals, policy makers and families in their efforts to improve the lives of infants and toddlers. Ms. Sugarman has over 40 years of experience in the field of early childhood development. Prior to joining ZTT, she served as Director of the Child Care Bureau’s Technical Assistance Division at the Department of Health and Human Services Administration for Children.  In this capacity, she was responsible for managing several national technical assistance contracts funded by the Child Care Bureau.  Ms. Sugarman is currently a member of the Human Rights Committee at the Mary Campbell Center and previously served on the advisory committee for the Special Quest Project, which supported services for children with special needs. As a sibling to a sister with Down syndrome, Ms. Sugarman has lifelong experience with the disability community. She holds an M.A. in Teaching Early Childhood from the University of the District of Columbia and an M.S.W. from Virginia Commonwealth University.
 
Liz Weintraub, Appointee for Member, President’s Committee for People with Intellectual Disabilities
Elizabeth Weintraub currently works for the American Association of University Centers on Disabilities. She also serves as a consultant for the National Children’s Center, and for the Council on Quality and Leadership (CQL). She represents CQL in a variety of local, state, and national forums regarding quality of life for people with disabilities.  She is the past Chair of the Maryland Developmental Disabilities Council and is a board member for the Maryland Disability Law Center.  She was previously a board member of the National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities and Self-Advocates Becoming Empowered. Ms. Weintraub is a former appointee to the President’s Committee on Employment of Persons with Disabilities.  She was the recipient of the Elizabeth Monroe Boggs Award for Young Leadership and was recognized by the President of the American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities with a Presidential Award for significant contributions to the mission of the organization.
 
Carol Wheeler, Appointee for Member, President’s Committee for People with Intellectual Disabilities
Carol Wheeler most recently coordinated the Washington chapter of Project Children and founded the Washington Ireland Program for Service and Leadership. Previously, she was a consultant with America’s Public Television Stations, Vice President for Government Affairs at the National Association of Broadcasters, a Liaison for Women during President Carter’s Administration, and Executive Director of the Women’s Campaign Fund. She currently serves on the Honorary Board of N Street Village, a program for homeless women, and chairs the Board of the South Africa-Washington Internship Program. Ms. Wheeler is the mother of a young adult with Williams Syndrome. She holds a B.A. in Psychology from the University of Iowa.
 
Sheryl White-Scott, Appointee for Member, President’s Committee for People with Intellectual Disabilities
Sheryl White-Scott is currently the Associate Director of Community Health Services for the medically frail at AHRC/New York City and Medical Director for Brooklyn Developmental Disabilities Services.  She is also an Assistant Clinical Professor of Medicine in the Department of Internal Medicine at New York Medical College.  Previously, Dr. White-Scott was the Director of the Program for Developmental Disabilities (PFD) at Saint Vincent’s/Catholic Medical Center.  Prior to her tenure at Saint Vincent’s, she was the Director of Adult Health Services at the Westchester Institute of Human Development, the University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities Education, Research, and Service.  Dr White-Scott is currently a member of the American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities and former President of the American Association of University Affiliated Programs (now Association of University Centers for Disabilities).  Dr. White-Scott holds a B.A. in Natural Sciences from Johns Hopkins University and an M.D. from SUNY Stony Brook School of Medicine.

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
May 10, 2011

President Obama Announces Presidential Delegation to Asuncion, Paraguay for the Celebration of the Bicentennial of the Independence of the Republic of Paraguay

President Barack Obama today announced the designation of a Presidential Delegation to Asuncion, Paraguay for the celebration of the Bicentennial of the Independence of the Republic of Paraguay on May 14, 2011.
 
The Honorable Aaron Williams, Director of the Peace Corps will lead the delegation.
 
Additional members of the Presidential Delegation:
 
The Honorable Liliana Ayalde, U.S. Ambassador to Paraguay
 
The Honorable Arturo Valenzuela, Assistant Secretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs
 

The President’s Blueprint for Building a 21st Century Immigration System

Melody Barnes
Melody Barnes
May 10, 2011
03:15 PM EDT

Editor's Note: Join the conversation to fix the immigration system for America's 21st century economy.

Today, the President travels to El Paso, Texas – a historic, thriving and diverse border community – to discuss his commitment to fixing our broken immigration system and the importance of building a new one for the 21st century. He believes we need to reform our immigration laws so that they address our economic and security needs while also honoring our history as a nation of immigrants and a nation of laws. 

Over the last several weeks, the President has met with and heard from leaders and stakeholders from a variety of sectors, including faith, business and law enforcement officials, as well as current and former elected officials and others. Like many Americans, these leaders know that the generations of immigrants who have braved hardship and great risk to reach our shores have made America what it is today – a strong and prosperous nation, engine of the global economy and a beacon of hope around the world.

We have already made significant progress securing the borders, enforcing the law, and improving the legal immigration system. Over the last two years, the Obama Administration has dedicated unprecedented resources to these efforts. There are more boots on the ground on the Southwest border than at any time in our history. The buildup began under the previous administration, and has continued. We have also tripled the number of intelligence analysts, deployed unmanned aerial surveillance vehicles, and nearly completed the fence that was demanded back in 2007. These efforts have helped to make our country more secure. But we cannot solve the problems of our broken immigration system through enforcement alone.

Melody Barnes is Domestic Policy Advisor and Director of the Domestic Policy Council.
Related Topics: Economy, Homeland Security, Immigration, Texas

Elevating the Debate on Immigration

Katelyn Sabochik
Katelyn Sabochik
May 10, 2011
10:35 AM EDT

Today, David Plouffe sent an email to the White House email list about the President's speech on immigration in El Paso, Texas at 3:30 p.m. EDT (1:30 p.m. CDT) and the ways you can get involved in a national dialogue on this issue.

Check out the email below, and if you didn't get it, be sure to sign up for the White House email list.

Today, President Obama is traveling to El Paso, Texas to discuss the need to fix our broken immigration system.  You can watch his speech live at WhiteHouse.gov/live starting at 3:30 p.m. EDT (1:30 p.m. MDT):

Our nation is the leader of the global economy in part because of the steady stream of hardworking and talented people who have come to our country in search of a better life for themselves and their families.  As we continue to strengthen our economy, we need an immigration system that demands responsibility and accountability from government, businesses and immigrants themselves.

In his speech today, the President will lay out his vision for an immigration system for America's 21st century economy and will call on Americans across the country to join a constructive conversation on this issue. We know that folks are already discussing this issue around their dinner tables, with their friends and neighbors and through social media communities like Twitter. 

Here are just a few ways you can get involved in the conversation, and tell us here at the White House what you think:

  1. Twitter. During the President's speech today, I'll have a screen up next to my TV to watch the conversation on Twitter using the #immigration hashtag, so make sure to use #immigration to share your thoughts.
  2. Advise the Advisor. Cecilia Muñoz, one of the President's senior advisors on immigration issues, just posted a new Advise the Advisor video asking for your feedback on this important issue. Visit WhiteHouse.gov/Advise to see the video and tell us what you think.
  3. Roundtable Discussions. In addition to all the ways you can join the conversation online, we're encouraging Americans to host roundtable discussions in your own communities over the next few months, and let us know what you talked about and what issues matter the most in your community. Visit WhiteHouse.gov/Immigration to get started.

Most Americans agree that our immigration system is broken: it hamstrings our economy, it hurts families who play by the rules, and it leaves millions living in the shadows without a path to get right with the law. 

We can't out-educate, out-innovate and out-build our competitors without an immigration system that works for our economy. That's why this conversation on immigration reform is so important.  We need voices from across the country to help us elevate the debate and move forward.

We're looking forward to hearing what you have to say.

Sincerely,

David Plouffe
Senior Advisor to the President

Related Topics: Immigration, Texas

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
May 10, 2011

Background on the President's Trip to El Paso, Texas

WASHINGTON – On Tuesday the President will deliver a speech at Chamizal National Memorial in El Paso, Texas on the importance of fixing the broken immigration system for our nation’s 21st century economic and security needs so that America can win the future. The President will also discuss how Americans can work together to foster a constructive national conversation on this important issue as we work to build a bipartisan consensus in Congress.
 
Prior to the speech, President Obama will tour the cargo facility at the Bridge of the Americas Port of Entry, the largest of four crossings that comprise the El Paso Port of Entry.  The Bridge of the Americas processes inbound and outbound commercial, private vehicle, bus, and pedestrian traffic.  Of the half a billion inspections conducted annually at 327 ports of entry across the nation, approximately ten percent will enter through the El Paso Port of Entry.  This event is pooled press.
 
President Obama Tours Cargo Facility at Bridge of the Americas Port of Entry
1 PM MDT
Bridge of the Americas Port of Entry
El Paso, Texas
This event is pooled press
 
President Obama Delivers Remarks
1:30 PM MDT
Chamizal National Memorial
800 South San Marcial Street
El Paso, Texas
This event is open to pre-credentialed media
 
Background
In recent weeks the President has met with and heard from leaders and stakeholders from diverse sectors including faith, business, law enforcement officials, current and former elected officials and others about the need to fix the broken immigration system, and why it matters to the American economy and will allow us to better use our national security and law enforcement resources. The President wants to have a civil and constructive debate on this issue.

The United States has been enriched by a steady stream of hardworking and talented people who have helped make America an engine of the global economy and a beacon of hope around the world.  As we work to rebuild the economy, our ability to thrive depends, in part, on restoring responsibility and accountability to the immigration system.  President Obama believes Democrats and Republicans should come together to tackle an issue that is critical not only to our national security but also to the economy and our global competiveness.  In his recent meetings, the President has made clear he will continue to lead on this issue, but has asked these leaders to take a public and active role in elevating the immigration debate. To date, thirty community conversations are being organized around the country, among them:
 

  • May 11:  Business, labor, law enforcement, and faith leaders join Senior Administration officials for a conference call to recap the President’s speech and next steps.
  • May 12: Business leaders join U.S. Chief Technology Officer Aneesh Chopra and Administration officials in Omaha, Nebraska for a roundtable community conversation.
  • May 12: Steve Case, Founder and former CEO of AOL and chair of the Startup America Partnership joins Senior Administration officials in a community conversation in Silicon Valley.
  • May 19: Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) leaders join Secretary Solis on a national conference call.
  • May 31: The Albuquerque Hispano Chamber of Commerce hosts a roundtable with Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
May 09, 2011

Presidential Nominations Sent to the Senate, 5/9/2011

NOMINATIONS SENT TO THE SENATE:
 
Michael H. Corbin, of California, a Career Member of the Senior Foreign Service, Class of Minister-Counselor, to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the United Arab Emirates.
 
Laura A. Cordero, of the District of Columbia, to be a Member of the Board of Trustees of the Harry S Truman Scholarship Foundation for a term expiring December 15, 2015, vice Juanita Alicia Vasquez-Gardner, term expired.
 
Jeffrey DeLaurentis, of New York, a Career Member of the Senior Foreign Service, Class of Counselor, to be Alternate Representative of the United States of America for Special Political Affairs in the United Nations, with the rank of Ambassador.
 
Jeffrey DeLaurentis, of New York, a Career Member of the Senior Foreign Service, Class of Counselor, to be an Alternate Representative of the United States of America to the Sessions of the General Assembly of the United Nations, during his tenure of service as Alternate Representative of the United States of America for Special Political Affairs in the United Nations.
 
Stephen A. Higginson, of Louisiana, to be United States Circuit Judge for the Fifth Circuit, vice Jacques L. Wiener, Jr., retired.
 
Jeanine E. Jackson, of Wyoming, a Career Member of the Senior Foreign Service, Class of Minister-Counselor, to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Republic of Malawi.
 
Barbara K. McQuiston, of California, to be an Assistant Secretary of Defense.  (New Position)
 
William H. Moser, of North Carolina, a Career Member of the Senior Foreign Service, Class of Minister-Counselor, to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Republic of Moldova.
 
Matthew H. Tueller, of Utah, a Career Member of the Senior Foreign Service, Class of Minister-Counselor, to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the State of Kuwait.
 
WITHDRAWAL SENT TO THE SENATE:
 
Paul M. Tiao, of Maryland, to be Inspector General, Department of Labor, vice Gordon S. Heddell, resigned, which was sent to the Senate on January 26, 2011.

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
May 09, 2011

Statement by the President on Israeli Independence Day

Sixty-three years ago, when Israel declared its independence, the dream of a state for the Jewish people in their historic homeland was finally realized.  On that same day, the United States became the first country in the world to recognize the State of Israel.  As Israelis celebrate their hard-won independence, it gives me great pleasure to extend the best wishes of the American people to the people of Israel and to honor their remarkable achievements over the past six decades.  Our two nations share a unique and unbreakable bond of friendship that is anchored in common interests and shared values, and the United States’ unwavering commitment to Israel’s security.  I have every confidence that the strong relationship between our countries will grow deeper with each passing year.
 
This is a period of profound change in the Middle East and North Africa, as people across the region  courageously pursue the path of dignity and self-governance.  Just as I know that Israel will always be one of our closest allies, I believe that the region can be more peaceful and prosperous when its people are able to fulfill their legitimate aspirations.   We will continue our efforts with Israel and others in the region to achieve a comprehensive peace, including a two-state solution, and to working together toward a future of peace, security and dignity for the people of Israel and all the people of the region.  
 
I offer my best wishes to President Peres, Prime Minister Netanyahu, and the people of Israel as they celebrate their 63rd Independence Day.

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
May 09, 2011

Readout of the President's Meeting with the Co-Chairs of the U.S.-China Strategic and Economic Dialogue

The President and the U.S. delegation met today in the Oval Office with China’s Special Representatives to the U.S.-China Strategic and Economic Dialogue, Vice Premier Wang Qishan and State Councilor Dai Bingguo. They exchanged views on a broad range of economic, security and other issues of importance to both countries. Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to building a cooperative partnership that is comprehensive in scope, cooperative in nature, and yields positive achievements that benefit our people. They agreed that concrete actions by both sides are needed to build such a partnership. The President encouraged China to implement policies that support sustained and balanced global growth as well as a more balanced bilateral economic relationship. They also discussed ways to advance our common nonproliferation objectives, including working together to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons and to persuade North Korea to abandon its nuclear weapons program, to meet its international commitments and to avoid destabilizing behavior. The President underscored his preference for a diplomatic solution to both challenges. The President raised U.S. concerns about the current human rights situation in China, and underscored his support for the universal rights of freedom of expression and worship, and of access to information and political participation.

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
May 09, 2011

Presidential Proclamation--National Building Safety Month

A Proclamation

     Building safety is a critical component of our homeland security, our personal and public safety, the protection of property, and our economic well‑being.  While disasters have had devastating and heartbreaking effects in our country and around the world, modern building safety standards and fire prevention codes help us withstand, mitigate, and rapidly recover from hurricanes, winter storms, tornadoes, earthquakes, and floods.

     It is our collective responsibility as a Nation ‑‑ nonprofit organizations and the public and private sectors -- to implement effective standards and codes that sustain safe and resilient structures.  We need innovation and partnerships at all levels of society to develop transformative breakthroughs in building materials and construction techniques that strengthen the integrity of our homes, workplaces, and commercial facilities.

     Building safety and fire prevention officials, architects, engineers, design professionals, builders, and others in the construction industry work every day to ensure the sound construction of buildings and the safety of our citizens.  Their efforts to construct or retrofit buildings that utilize state‑of‑the‑art safety, energy efficiency, and fire prevention standards are important to our national resilience and our ability to compete in the 21st‑century economy.

     As a resilient Nation, we must continue to do everything in our power to enhance our ability to withstand and rapidly recover from natural and manmade disasters, disruptions, and emergencies.

     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 May 2011 as National Building Safety Month.  I encourage citizens, government agencies, private businesses, nonprofit organizations, and other interested groups to join in activities that will increase awareness of building safety, and I further urge Americans to learn more about how they can contribute to building safety at home and in their communities.

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

BARACK OBAMA

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
May 09, 2011

President Obama Signs Tennessee Disaster Declaration, 5/9/2011

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, flooding, tornadoes, and straight-line winds on April 4, 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, flooding, tornadoes, and straight-line winds in the counties of Chester, Davidson, Decatur, Dickson, Henderson, Humphreys, Lake, Shelby, and Sumner.
 
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 CONTACT:  FEMA (202) 646-3272.