The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
May 05, 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:

  • Michael H. Corbin, Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates, Department of State
  • Jeffrey DeLaurentis, Alternate Representative of the United States for Special Political Affairs in the United Nations, with the rank of Ambassador
  • Jeanine E. Jackson, Ambassador to the Republic of Malawi, Department of State
  • William H. Moser, Ambassador to the Republic of Moldova, Department of State

President Obama said, “These individuals have demonstrated knowledge and dedication throughout their careers. I am grateful they have chosen to take on these important roles, and I look forward to working with them in the months and years to come.”

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

Michael H. Corbin, Nominee for Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates, Department of State
Michael H. Corbin, a career member of the Senior Foreign Service, currently serves as Deputy Assistant Secretary of State in the Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs.  Prior to this assignment, Mr. Corbin was Minister-Counselor for Political-Military Affairs at Embassy Baghdad from 2008 to 2009 and Charge d’Affaires in Damascus, Syria from 2006 to 2008.  Since joining the Foreign Service in 1985, Mr. Corbin has held various positions overseas and in Washington, including: Minister Counselor for Economic and Political Affairs at the U.S. Embassy in Cairo (2003-2006), Deputy Director of the Office of Arabian Peninsula Affairs (2001-2003), Director of the Counter-Narcotics Section at the U.S. Embassy in Caracas, Venezuela (1997- 2001), Political-Military Affairs Officer at the U.S. Embassy in Cairo (1994-1997) and at the U.S. Embassy in Kuwait (1987-1989).  Prior to joining the Foreign Service, he served in the Peace Corps from 1982 to 1984 in Mauritania. Mr. Corbin received a B.A. from Swarthmore College.  

Jeffrey DeLaurentis, Nominee for Alternate Representative of the United States for Special Political Affairs in the United Nations, with the rank of Ambassador
Jeffrey DeLaurentis, a career member of the Senior Foreign Service, currently serves as Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for the Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs.  Prior to this assignment, Mr. DeLaurentis served as Minister Counselor for Political Affairs and Security Council Coordinator at the U.S. Mission to the United Nations in New York.   Since beginning his State Department career in 1991, Mr. DeLaurentis has served in a number of overseas posts including Political/Economic Section Chief at the U.S. Interests Section in Havana, Political Counselor at the U.S. Mission to the United Nations in Geneva, and Political Counselor at the U.S. Embassy in Bogota.  In Washington, Mr. DeLaurentis served as Executive Assistant to the Under Secretary of State for Democracy and Global Affairs, Special Assistant to the Assistant Secretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs, Director of Inter-American Affairs at the National Security Council, and as an International Relations Officer in the Bureau of International Organizations.  Prior to entering the Foreign Service, Mr. DeLaurentis held a senior staff position at the Council on Foreign Relations.   Mr. DeLaurentis is a graduate of the Georgetown University School of Foreign Service and Columbia University Graduate School of International and Public Affairs.

Jeanine E. Jackson, Nominee for Ambassador to the Republic of Malawi, Department of State
Jeanine E. Jackson is a career member of the Senior Foreign Service and currently serves as the Minister Counselor for Management at the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad.   Prior to this role, Ms. Jackson served as U.S. Ambassador to Burkina Faso.   Since joining the U.S. Foreign Service in 1985, her other overseas assignments included Management Counselor at Embassy Kabul; Supervisory General Services Officer at Embassy Nairobi; Personnel Officer at the U.S. Consulate in Hong Kong; Chief of the Consular Section at the U.S. Consulate in Jeddah; General Services Officer at Embassy Lagos; and Vice Consul at the U.S. Consulate in Zurich.  During Washington assignments, she served in the Bureaus of African, European and Near East Asian Affairs.  Ms. Jackson holds the rank of Colonel in the U.S. Army Reserve.  She earned a Master’s Degree in Business Administration from Florida Institute of Technology and a Bachelor’s Degree in Art Education from Hastings College.

William H. Moser, Nominee for Ambassador to the Republic of Moldova, Department of State
William H. Moser is a career member of the Senior Foreign Service and currently serves as Deputy Assistant Secretary for Logistics Management at the U.S. Department of State.   Since joining the U.S. Foreign Service in 1984, Mr. Moser’s domestic and overseas assignments have included:  Director of Global Support Services and Innovation; Management Counselor at Embassy Kiev; Post Management Officer in the Bureau of Near Eastern and South Asian Affairs; Energy Attaché/Economic Officer and Management Officer at Embassy Almaty; Political Military Officer in the Office of Regional Support and Security Assistance; Administrative Officer at Embassy Paramaribo; Disbursing/Financial Management Officer at Embassy Cairo; Consular Officer and Staff Assistant at Embassy Bonn; and General Services Officer at Embassy Bamako.   Mr. Moser received a B.A. from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
May 05, 2011

Presidential Proclamation--Military Spouse Appreciation Day

      Military spouses serve as steady and supportive partners to the heroes in uniform who protect and defend our great Nation every day.  Across America and around the world, military spouses serve our country in their own special way, helping families and friends through the stress of a deployment, caring for our wounded warriors, and supporting each other when a loved one has made the ultimate sacrifice.

      Our service members and their families seldom ask for support or recognition.  They carry out their duties to family and country with the quiet courage and strength that has always exemplified the American spirit.  On Military Spouse Appreciation Day, we have an opportunity to not only honor the husbands and wives of our service members, but also thank them by actively expressing our gratitude in both word and deed.

      When a member of our Armed Forces is deployed, an entire family is called to serve.  The readiness of our troops depends on the readiness of our military families, as millions of parents, children, and loved ones sacrifice as well.  This means supporting our military spouses is also a national security imperative.  Earlier this year, my Administration released the report on military families, Strengthening our Military Families:  Meeting America's Commitment, which marshaled resources from across our Government to identify new opportunities to support these patriots.

      First Lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden are working tirelessly to enlist all sectors of American life to address the unique challenges of military families.  Their national initiative, "Joining Forces," mobilizes Americans to give our service members and their families the opportunities and support they have earned.  Americans can find service projects, send messages of thanks to military families, and learn more about this initiative by visiting:  www.JoiningForces.gov.

      On Military Spouse Appreciation Day, let us join together to show our service members we are taking care of their families back home as they serve our Nation across the globe.  As neighbors, teachers, parents, and fellow citizens, we can reach out to military husbands and wives in our communities.  We can show our appreciation in countless ways, from offering to help with household maintenance and childcare to encouraging the community involvement and career development of military spouses.

      It is through our actions that we show our commitment to our service members and their spouses.  By embracing military families, we demonstrate our partnership in the defense of our freedom and the security of the United States.

      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 6, 2011, as Military Spouse Appreciation Day.  I call upon the people of the United States to honor military spouses with appropriate ceremonies and activities.

      IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this fifth 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 President in NYC: "When We Say We Will Never Forget, We Mean What We Say"

Jesse Lee
Jesse Lee
May 05, 2011
04:12 PM EDT
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In New York City this afternoon, there was a profound mix of old grief and perhaps some new closure just a few days after the death of somebody responsible for such immense suffering in that city.   The President didn’t speak as he laid a wreath at the National September 11th Memorial. And he kept it private when he met with 9/11 family members afterwards.  But speaking separately to police officers from the city and firefighters at the "Pride of Midtown" Firehouse, Engine 54, Ladder 4, Battalion 9 -- which lost 15 firefighters at the World Trade Center on 9/11 -- the President had messages for all of America.

To the firefighters:

This is a symbolic site of the extraordinary sacrifice that was made on that terrible day almost 10 years ago.  Obviously we can't bring back your friends that were lost, and I know that each and every one of you not only grieve for them, but have also over the last 10 years dealt with their family, their children, trying to give them comfort, trying to give them support.

What happened on Sunday, because of the courage of our military and the outstanding work of our intelligence, sent a message around the world, but also sent a message here back home that when we say we will never forget, we mean what we say; that our commitment to making sure that justice is done is something that transcended politics, transcended party; it didn’t matter which administration was in, it didn’t matter who was in charge, we were going to make sure that the perpetrators of that horrible act -- that they received justice.

So it’s some comfort, I hope, to all of you to know that when those guys took those extraordinary risks going into Pakistan, that they were doing it in part because of the sacrifices that were made in the States.  They were doing it in the name of your brothers that were lost.

To the police:

And so since that time I know a lot of you have probably comforted loved ones of those who were lost.  A lot of you have probably looked after kids who grew up without a parent.  And a lot of you continue to do extraordinary -- extraordinarily courageous acts without a lot of fanfare.  What we did on Sunday was directly connected to what you do every single day.  And I know I speak for the military teams, the intelligence teams that helped get bin Laden in saying that we know the sacrifices and courage that you show as well, and that you are part of the team that helped us achieve our goal, but also help us keep our citizens safe each and every day.

So I couldn't be prouder of all of you.  I couldn't be more grateful to you.  And I hope that you know that the country will continue to stand behind you going forward, because there are still going to be threats out there and you're still going to be called on to take courageous actions and to remain vigilant, and you're going to have an entire country behind you when you do it.

Related Topics: Homeland Security, New York

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
May 05, 2011

Remarks by the President to Police Officers in New York, New York

First Precinct Police Station

New York, New York

12:38 P.M. EDT

THE PRESIDENT:  Well, listen, everybody, the -- I'm not here to make a long speech.  I am here basically to shake your hands and just to say how proud I am of all of you.

Obviously we had an important day on Sunday.  The reason, what is important, was because it sent a signal around the world that we have never forgotten the extraordinary sacrifices that were made on September 11th.  We've never forgotten the tragedy. We've never forgotten the loss of life.  We've never forgotten the courage that was shown by the NYPD, by the firefighters, by the first responders.

My understanding is all of you were there that day.  And I know you’ll never forget.  I know it’s hard to fill the hole that occurred as a consequence of you losing folks who you had worked with for so long.  But what, hopefully, this weekend does is it says we keep them in our hearts; we haven't forgotten; we said what we -- we did what we said we were going to do; and that Americans, even in the midst of tragedy, will come together, across the years, across politics, across party, across administrations, to make sure that justice is done.

And so since that time I know a lot of you have probably comforted loved ones of those who were lost.  A lot of you have probably looked after kids who grew up without a parent.  And a lot of you continue to do extraordinary -- extraordinarily courageous acts without a lot of fanfare.  What we did on Sunday was directly connected to what you do every single day.  And I know I speak for the military teams, the intelligence teams that helped get bin Laden in saying that we know the sacrifices and courage that you show as well, and that you are part of the team that helped us achieve our goal, but also help us keep our citizens safe each and every day.

So I couldn't be prouder of all of you.  I couldn't be more grateful to you.  And I hope that you know that the country will continue to stand behind you going forward, because there are still going to be threats out there and you're still going to be called on to take courageous actions and to remain vigilant, and you're going to have an entire country behind you when you do it.

All right?  God bless you.  (Applause.)

I very much appreciate the fact that Mayor Giuliani is here, because obviously we remember his leadership and courage on that day as well.  And it’s a testimony that we may have our differences, politically, in ordinary times, but when it comes to keeping this country safe, we are, first and foremost, Americans.

Thank you, Mr. Mayor.

MAYOR GIULIANI:  Thank you very much.

THE PRESIDENT:  Thank you, sir.  Appreciate you.

All right, thank you.  (Applause.)

END
12:42 P.M. EDT

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
May 05, 2011

Background on President Obama’s Visit to Allison Transmission in Indianapolis, Indiana Tomorrow

WASHINGTON – On Friday, May 6, President Obama will tour Allison Transmission’s headquarters in Indianapolis and speak to approximately 750 workers and invited guests about his long term plan to protect consumers against rising oil prices and decrease oil imports while ensuring a cleaner, safer, and more secure energy future.
 
The President will be introduced by Allison Transmission Chairman and CEO Lawrence E. Dewey.
 
During his tour of Allison Transmission’s facility, the President will view each section of the assembly process for the 3000 Series transmission. This is the base transmission for the new hybrid propulsion system that will be in production in 2013, the H3000.  The H3000 propulsion system is being directly supported by an American Recovery and Reinvestment Act Matching Grant through the Department of Energy.
 
Also, on Friday May 6, Deputy Transportation Secretary John Porcari and Assistant Secretary of Energy for Policy and International Affairs David Sandalow will tour Baltimore’s Mondawamin Transit Center, where hybrid buses and light rail are providing families affordable transportation alternatives as gas prices rise.  Since Maryland invested in 181 buses which use Allison Transmission hybrid technology, fuel mileage is up by 20%, distance traveled between breakdowns has more than tripled, and Baltimore commuters enjoy buses that are 50% quieter than diesel buses.
 
12:15 PM EDT
President Obama’s Remarks at Allison Transmission
Allison Transmission
4700 West 10th Street
Indianapolis, IN 46222
 
Background on Allison Transmission
Allison Transmission is a leader in hybrid technology and the world’s largest manufacturer of fully-automatic transmissions for medium- and heavy-duty commercial vehicles, tactical military vehicles and hybrid-propulsion systems.  Allison employs approximately 2,500 workers in Indiana and recently announced a plan to expand its Indianapolis operations that allowed for the hiring of 50 new employees last month and will create up to 205 new jobs in total by 2013. The company’s hybrid-propulsion systems for buses are used across the country and have saved more than 17 million gallons of diesel fuel.
 
Allison is now ready to apply their hybrid expertise to the commercial truck markets.  With a $62.8 million cost-share grant from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funding, Allison is currently working to bring to production this hybrid system that would be available to commercial trucks. Using a parallel hybrid system architecture, Allison estimates that these vehicles—often used as pick-up & delivery trucks, general distribution trucks, utility trucks, and refuse trucks— could reduce diesel fuel consumption by 25 to 35 percent.
 
Commercial trucks are prime candidates for hybrid systems because of their frequent stop-and-go driving needs as in metropolitan area package delivery. When vehicles slow down or stop, the system will use an electric motor-generator within the transmission to slow the vehicle and capture much of its “kinetic” energy to convert to electricity. The electric energy is stored in an on-board battery and then re-used later to either speed up the vehicle or power vehicle equipment.  Transit buses purchased by cities or counties are often purchased with some federal assistance.  These new commercial truck hybrid systems will offer a value proposition that doesn't rely on federal assistance.
 
Background on Securing America’s Energy Future
In 2009, the Administration announced groundbreaking joint national fuel efficiency and greenhouse gas standards for cars and light-duty trucks built in 2012-2016. Together, these national standards will raise average fuel economy to 35.5 miles per gallon by 2016, while maintaining consumer choice. This national car rule alone is estimated to save 1.8 billion barrels of oil over the life of the program and save the average vehicle owner $3,000.
 
In July, the Administration plans to finalize the first-ever national fuel economy and greenhouse gas emission standards for commercial trucks, vans and buses built in 2014 to 2018, saving hundreds of millions of barrels of oil. The Administration is also developing the next round of the national car rule for Model Years 2017-2025 and expects to announce the proposal in September 2011.

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
May 05, 2011

Remarks by the President at "Pride of Midtown" Firehouse, Engine 54, Ladder 4, Battalion 9

New York, New York

11:29 A.M. EDT

THE PRESIDENT:  Well, listen, the main reason I came here is because I heard the food is pretty good.  (Laughter.)

But to the Commissioner, to Mayor Giuliani -- who obviously performed heroic acts almost 10 years ago -- but most of all, to all of you, I wanted to just come up here to thank you.

This is a symbolic site of the extraordinary sacrifice that was made on that terrible day almost 10 years ago.  Obviously we can't bring back your friends that were lost, and I know that each and every one of you not only grieve for them, but have also over the last 10 years dealt with their family, their children, trying to give them comfort, trying to give them support.

What happened on Sunday, because of the courage of our military and the outstanding work of our intelligence, sent a message around the world, but also sent a message here back home that when we say we will never forget, we mean what we say; that our commitment to making sure that justice is done is something that transcended politics, transcended party; it didn’t matter which administration was in, it didn’t matter who was in charge, we were going to make sure that the perpetrators of that horrible act -- that they received justice.

So it’s some comfort, I hope, to all of you to know that when those guys took those extraordinary risks going into Pakistan, that they were doing it in part because of the sacrifices that were made in the States.  They were doing it in the name of your brothers that were lost.

And finally, let me just say that, although 9/11 obviously was a high water mark of courage for the New York Fire Department and a symbol of the sacrifice, you guys are making sacrifices every single day.  It doesn’t get as much notoriety, it doesn’t get as much attention, but every time you run into a burning building, every time that you are saving lives, you're making a difference.  And that's part of what makes this city great and that's part of what makes this country great.

So I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart and on behalf of the American people for the sacrifices that you make every single day.  And I just want to let you know that you're always going to have a President and an administration who’s got your back the way you’ve got the backs of the people of New York over these last many years.

So God bless you.  God bless the United States of America.

And with that, I'm going to try some of that food.  All right?  Appreciate you.  Thank you.  (Applause.)

END
11:33 A.M. EDT

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
May 04, 2011

President Obama Signs Kentucky Disaster Declaration

The President tonight declared a major disaster exists in the Commonwealth of Kentucky and ordered Federal aid to supplement Commonwealth and local recovery efforts in the area struck by severe storms, tornadoes, and flooding beginning on April 22, 2011, and continuing.

Federal funding is available to Commonwealth 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, tornadoes, and flooding in the counties of Boone, Bracken, Campbell, Carroll, Carter, Fleming, Gallatin, Kenton, Lawrence, Morgan, Nicholas, Oldham, Owen and Washington.

Federal funding is also available to Commonwealth and eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis in the counties of Ballard, Carlisle, Crittenden, Daviess, Fulton, Henderson, Hickman, Livingston, McCracken, and Union for emergency protective measures, (Category B), limited to direct Federal assistance.

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 Steven S. Ward as the Federal Coordinating Officer for Federal recovery operations in the affected area.  

FEMA said that damage surveys are continuing in other areas, and more counties and additional forms of assistance may be designated for assistance after the assessments are fully completed.  

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:  FEMA (202) 646-3272.

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
May 04, 2011

President Obama Signs Tennessee Emergency Declaration

The President tonight declared an emergency exists in the State of Tennessee and ordered Federal aid to supplement State and local response efforts in the area struck by flooding beginning on April 26, 2011, and continuing.

The President's action authorizes the Department of Homeland Security, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), to coordinate all disaster relief efforts which have the purpose of alleviating the hardship and suffering caused by the emergency on the local population, and to provide appropriate assistance for required emergency measures, authorized under Title V of the Stafford Act, to save lives and to protect property and public health and safety, and to lessen or avert the threat of a catastrophe in the counties of Dyer, Lake, Shelby, and Stewart.

Specifically, FEMA is authorized to identify, mobilize, and provide at its discretion, equipment and resources necessary to alleviate the impacts of the emergency.  Emergency protective measures, limited to direct Federal assistance, will be provided at 75 percent Federal funding.  

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.

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
May 04, 2011

President Obama Signs Mississippi Emergency Declaration

The President tonight declared an emergency exists in the State of Mississippi and ordered Federal aid to supplement State and local response efforts in the area struck by flooding beginning on April 27, 2011, and continuing.

The President's action authorizes the Department of Homeland Security, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), to coordinate all disaster relief efforts which have the purpose of alleviating the hardship and suffering caused by the emergency on the local population, and to provide appropriate assistance for required emergency measures, authorized under Title V of the Stafford Act, to save lives and to protect property and public health and safety, and to lessen or avert the threat of a catastrophe in the counties of Adams, Bolivar, Claiborne, Coahoma, DeSoto, Issaquena, Jefferson, Tunica, Warren, Washington, and Wilkinson.

Specifically, FEMA is authorized to identify, mobilize, and provide at its discretion, equipment and resources necessary to alleviate the impacts of the emergency.  Emergency protective measures, limited to direct Federal assistance, will be provided at 75 percent Federal funding.  

W. Craig Fugate, Administrator, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Department of Homeland Security, named Terry L. Quarles as the Federal Coordinating Officer for Federal recovery operations in the affected area.  

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
May 04, 2011

Statement on the Visit of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu

On May 20, the President will host Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for a meeting at the White House.  The leaders look forward to discussing the full range of issues of mutual interest to the United States and Israel.