The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
April 25, 2011

Remarks by the President and First Lady at the 2011 Easter Egg Roll

South Lawn

10:30 A.M. EDT

THE PRESIDENT:  Hello, everybody.  (Applause.)  I hope all of you had a wonderful Easter.  I hope everybody is having a great time here.  Welcome to the White House.  (Applause.)

In addition to our outstanding Easter Bunny, I want to introduce somebody who is doing extraordinary work not only helping military families, not only making sure that everybody is getting up and going, but is also keeping me in line, the First Lady of the United States, Michelle Obama.  (Applause.)

MRS. OBAMA:  Is everybody having a good time?

AUDIENCE:  Yes!

MRS. OBAMA:  It is a beautiful day just for you.  Let’s give Colbie Caillat a big round of applause.  She did a great job.  (Applause.)

We are so excited about this year’s Easter Egg Roll.  The theme is “Get up and Go,” because as you know, I’m a big proponent of getting up and going, making sure we’re moving and eating healthy.  And this Easter Egg Roll reflects all of that, so while you’re here in addition to listening to some great music and dancing a little bit, you can roll your eggs.  You can do some yoga.  You can play with some -- do some obstacle course, play basketball and tennis. 

We’ve got wonderful storytellers over at Storytime Stage.  Everyone has just been terrific.  I want to thank all of the talent, all of the people who volunteered here today.  Let’s give our volunteers a big round of applause -- (applause) -- because we couldn’t do this without them.

Today we’re going to have a record number of 30,000 people coming through the South Lawn.  That’s pretty amazing.  So I think now it’s time for us to stop talking and “Get up and Go,” and do some moving.  So with that we’re going to come down and kick off the Easter Egg Roll.

Thank you all.  Have a great a time.  (Applause.)

END
10:33 A.M. EDT 

Watch Live: The 2011 White House Easter Egg Roll

Kori Schulman
Kori Schulman
April 25, 2011
06:00 AM EDT

The 2011 White House Easter Egg Roll is here, and you’re invited! Today, the Obama’s will host 30,000 people from all 50 states in their backyard for an Easter Egg Hunt and the traditional Easter Egg Rolling, as well as live musical performances, storytime readings, healthy cooking demos, sports and more. This year's theme “Get Up and Go!” focuses on promoting health and wellness, a central part of the First Lady’s Let’s Move! initiative to raise a healthier generation of kids.

Join the First Family and people from around the country for the 133rd White House Easter Egg Roll on WhiteHouse.gov/live.

View the full live stream schedule below:

Related Topics: Healthy Kids, Working Families

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
April 23, 2011

Statement by the President on Armenian Remembrance Day

We solemnly remember the horrific events that took place ninety-six years ago, resulting in one of the worst atrocities of the 20th century.  In 1915, 1.5 million Armenians were massacred or marched to their death in the final days of the Ottoman Empire.

I have consistently stated my own view of what occurred in 1915, and my view of that history has not changed.  A full, frank, and just acknowledgement of the facts is in all our interests.  Contested history destabilizes the present and stains the memory of those whose lives were taken, while reckoning with the past lays a sturdy foundation for a peaceful and prosperous shared future.  History teaches us that our nations are stronger and our cause is more just when we appropriately recognize painful pasts and work to rebuild bridges of understanding toward a better tomorrow.  The United States knows this lesson well from the dark chapters in our own history.  I support the courageous steps taken by individuals in Armenia and Turkey to foster a dialogue that acknowledges their common history.  As we commemorate the Meds Yeghern and pay tribute to the memories of those who perished, we also recommit ourselves to ensuring that devastating events like these are never repeated.  This is a contemporary cause that thousands of Armenian-Americans have made their own.

The legacy of the Armenian people is one of resiliency, determination, and triumph over those who sought to destroy them.  The United States has deeply benefited from the significant contributions to our nation by Armenian Americans, many of whom are descended from the survivors of the Meds Yeghern.  Americans of Armenian descent have strengthened our society and our communities with their rich culture and traditions.  The spirit of the Armenian people in the face of this tragic history serves as an inspiration for all those who seek a more peaceful and just world.

Our hearts and prayers are with Armenians everywhere as we recall the horrors of the Meds Yeghern, honor the memories of those who suffered, and pledge our friendship and deep respect for the people of Armenia.

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
April 23, 2011

Weekly Address: "Instead of Subsidizing Yesterday's Energy Sources, We Need to Invest in Tomorrow's"

WASHINGTON – In his weekly address, President Obama laid out his plans to address rising gas prices over the short and the long term.  While there is no silver bullet to bring down prices right away, there are a few things we can do.  This week, the Attorney General launched a task force dedicated to rooting out fraud or manipulations in the oil markets.  The President called for finally ending the $4 billion in taxpayer money that the oil and gas companies receive annually.  And, we need to continue safe, responsible production of oil at home.  But in the long term, we need to invest in clean, renewable energy.  That is why the President strongly disagrees with a proposal in Congress that cuts our investments in clean energy by 70 percent.
 
The audio of the address is and video of the address will be available online at www.whitehouse.gov at 6:00 a.m. ET, Saturday, April 23, 2011.

Remarks of President Barack Obama
Weekly Address on Gas Prices
Saturday, April 23, 2011
Washington, DC

This is a time of year when people get together with family and friends to observe Passover and to celebrate Easter.  It’s a chance to give thanks for our blessings and reaffirm our faith, while spending time with the people we love.  We all know how important that is – especially in hard times.  And that’s what a lot of people are facing these days.
 
Even though the economy is growing again and we’ve seen businesses adding jobs over the past year, many are still looking for work. And even if you haven’t faced a job loss, it’s still not easy out there.  Your paycheck isn’t getting bigger, while the cost of everything from college for your kids to gas for your car keeps rising.  That’s something on a lot of people’s minds right now, with gas prices at $4 a gallon.  It’s just another burden when things were already pretty tough.
 
Now, whenever gas prices shoot up, like clockwork, you see politicians racing to the cameras, waving three-point plans for two dollar gas.  You see people trying to grab headlines or score a few points.  The truth is, there’s no silver bullet that can bring down gas prices right away.
 
But there are a few things we can do.  This includes safe and responsible production of oil at home, which we are pursuing.  In fact, last year, American oil production reached its highest level since 2003.  On Thursday, my Attorney General also launched a task force with just one job: rooting out cases of fraud or manipulation in the oil markets that might affect gas prices, including any illegal activity by traders and speculators.  We’re going to make sure that no one is taking advantage of the American people for their own short-term gain.  And another step we need to take is to finally end the $4 billion in taxpayer subsidies we give to the oil and gas companies each year.  That’s $4 billion of your money going to these companies when they’re making record profits and you’re paying near record prices at the pump.  It has to stop.
 
Instead of subsidizing yesterday’s energy sources, we need to invest in tomorrow’s. We need to invest in clean, renewable energy. In the long term, that’s the answer. That’s the key to helping families at the pump and reducing our dependence on foreign oil.  We can see that promise already. Thanks to an historic agreement we secured with all the major auto companies, we’re raising the fuel economy of cars and trucks in America, using hybrid technology and other advances.  As a result, if you buy a new car in the next few years, the better gas mileage is going to save you about $3,000 at the pump.
 
But we need to do more.  We need to harness the potential I’ve seen at promising start-ups and innovative clean energy companies across America.  And that’s at the heart of a debate we’re having right now in Washington about the budget.
 
Both Democrats and Republicans believe we need to reduce the deficit.  That’s where we agree.  The question we’re debating is how we do it.  I’ve proposed a balanced approach that cuts spending while still investing in things like education and clean energy that are so critical to creating jobs and opportunities for the middle class.  It’s a simple idea: we need to live within our means while at the same time investing in our future.
 
That’s why I disagree so strongly with a proposal in Congress that cuts our investments in clean energy by 70 percent. Yes, we have to get rid of wasteful spending – and make no mistake, we’re going through every line of the budget scouring for savings. But we can do that without sacrificing our future.  We can do that while still investing in the technologies that will create jobs and allow the United States to lead the world in new industries.  That’s how we’ll not only reduce the deficit, but also lower our dependence on foreign oil, grow the economy, and leave for our children a safer planet.  And that’s what our mission has to be.
 
Thanks for listening, and have a great weekend.

Weekly Address: Stopping Oil Market Fraud, Beginning a Clean Energy Future

April 23, 2011 | 4:06 | Public Domain

The President lays out his plans to address rising gas prices over the short and the long term, from a new task force to root out fraud and manipulation in the oil markets to investments in a clean energy economy.

Download mp4 (145MB) | mp3 (4MB)

Read the Transcript

Weekly Address: "Instead of Subsidizing Yesterday's Energy Sources, We Need to Invest in Tomorrow's"

WASHINGTON – In his weekly address, President Obama laid out his plans to address rising gas prices over the short and the long term.  While there is no silver bullet to bring down prices right away, there are a few things we can do.  This week, the Attorney General launched a task force dedicated to rooting out fraud or manipulations in the oil markets.  The President called for finally ending the $4 billion in taxpayer money that the oil and gas companies receive annually.  And, we need to continue safe, responsible production of oil at home.  But in the long term, we need to invest in clean, renewable energy.  That is why the President strongly disagrees with a proposal in Congress that cuts our investments in clean energy by 70 percent.
 
The audio of the address is and video of the address will be available online at www.whitehouse.gov at 6:00 a.m. ET, Saturday, April 23, 2011.

Remarks of President Barack Obama
Weekly Address on Gas Prices
Saturday, April 23, 2011
Washington, DC

This is a time of year when people get together with family and friends to observe Passover and to celebrate Easter.  It’s a chance to give thanks for our blessings and reaffirm our faith, while spending time with the people we love.  We all know how important that is – especially in hard times.  And that’s what a lot of people are facing these days.
 
Even though the economy is growing again and we’ve seen businesses adding jobs over the past year, many are still looking for work. And even if you haven’t faced a job loss, it’s still not easy out there.  Your paycheck isn’t getting bigger, while the cost of everything from college for your kids to gas for your car keeps rising.  That’s something on a lot of people’s minds right now, with gas prices at $4 a gallon.  It’s just another burden when things were already pretty tough.
 
Now, whenever gas prices shoot up, like clockwork, you see politicians racing to the cameras, waving three-point plans for two dollar gas.  You see people trying to grab headlines or score a few points.  The truth is, there’s no silver bullet that can bring down gas prices right away.
 
But there are a few things we can do.  This includes safe and responsible production of oil at home, which we are pursuing.  In fact, last year, American oil production reached its highest level since 2003.  On Thursday, my Attorney General also launched a task force with just one job: rooting out cases of fraud or manipulation in the oil markets that might affect gas prices, including any illegal activity by traders and speculators.  We’re going to make sure that no one is taking advantage of the American people for their own short-term gain.  And another step we need to take is to finally end the $4 billion in taxpayer subsidies we give to the oil and gas companies each year.  That’s $4 billion of your money going to these companies when they’re making record profits and you’re paying near record prices at the pump.  It has to stop.
 
Instead of subsidizing yesterday’s energy sources, we need to invest in tomorrow’s. We need to invest in clean, renewable energy. In the long term, that’s the answer. That’s the key to helping families at the pump and reducing our dependence on foreign oil.  We can see that promise already. Thanks to an historic agreement we secured with all the major auto companies, we’re raising the fuel economy of cars and trucks in America, using hybrid technology and other advances.  As a result, if you buy a new car in the next few years, the better gas mileage is going to save you about $3,000 at the pump.
 
But we need to do more.  We need to harness the potential I’ve seen at promising start-ups and innovative clean energy companies across America.  And that’s at the heart of a debate we’re having right now in Washington about the budget.
 
Both Democrats and Republicans believe we need to reduce the deficit.  That’s where we agree.  The question we’re debating is how we do it.  I’ve proposed a balanced approach that cuts spending while still investing in things like education and clean energy that are so critical to creating jobs and opportunities for the middle class.  It’s a simple idea: we need to live within our means while at the same time investing in our future.
 
That’s why I disagree so strongly with a proposal in Congress that cuts our investments in clean energy by 70 percent. Yes, we have to get rid of wasteful spending – and make no mistake, we’re going through every line of the budget scouring for savings. But we can do that without sacrificing our future.  We can do that while still investing in the technologies that will create jobs and allow the United States to lead the world in new industries.  That’s how we’ll not only reduce the deficit, but also lower our dependence on foreign oil, grow the economy, and leave for our children a safer planet.  And that’s what our mission has to be.
 
Thanks for listening, and have a great weekend.

Close Transcript

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
April 22, 2011

President Obama Signs Oklahoma Disaster Declaration

The President today declared a major disaster exists in the State of Oklahoma and ordered Federal aid to supplement State and local recovery efforts in the area struck by severe storms, tornadoes, and straight-line winds on April 14, 2011.

The President's action makes Federal funding available to affected individuals in Atoka County.

Assistance can include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses, and other programs to help individuals and business owners recover from the effects of the disaster.

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 William J. Doran III as the Federal Coordinating Officer for Federal recovery operations in the affected area.

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

FEMA said that residents and business owners who sustained losses in the designated counties can begin applying for assistance tomorrow by registering online at http://www.DisasterAssistance.gov or by calling 1-800-621-FEMA(3362) or 1-800-462-7585 (TTY) for the hearing and speech impaired.  The toll-free telephone numbers will operate from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. (local time) seven days a week until further notice.

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

Weekly Wrap Up: Energy, Education, and America's Fiscal Future

Kori Schulman
Kori Schulman
April 22, 2011
07:13 PM EDT

Your quick look at the week that was on WhiteHouse.gov.

President Barack Obama Holds a Town Hall Meeting at ElectraTherm, Inc. in Reno, Nevada

President Barack Obama holds a town hall meeting at ElectraTherm, Inc. in Reno, Nev., April 21, 2011. (Official White House Photo by Lawrence Jackson)

Town Hall x Three: This week, President Obama traveled the country to hold a series of town hall meetings. In Virginia, he stopped by Northern Virginia Community College to talk about the importance of education in a 21st century economy. Then it was on to California, and Facebook headquarters, where he answered questions about fiscal responsibility. On the way back to Washington, the President stopped in Reno, Nevada, to meet with workers who are manufacturing tomorrow's clean energy technologies today.

Celebrating Earth Day: To celebrate Earth Day, Nancy Sutley and Heather Zichal, two of the President's top energy and environment advisers, hosted a live chat on the South Lawn of the White House. Energy.gov launched a special Earth Day page, and the EPA shared stories and video of activities around the country.

Your West Wing Week: "My Old Number, Twenty Three"

Related Topics: Additional Issues, California, Nevada, Virginia

A Statement by President Obama on Syria

Kori Schulman
Kori Schulman
April 22, 2011
06:28 PM EDT

President Obama just released the following statement on Syria:

The United States condemns in the strongest possible terms the use of force by the Syrian government against demonstrators. This outrageous use of violence to quell protests must come to an end now. We regret the loss of life and our thoughts are with the families and loved ones of the victims, and with the Syrian people in this challenging time.

Related Topics: Middle East and North Africa, Foreign Policy

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
April 22, 2011

Statement by the President on Syria

The United States condemns in the strongest possible terms the use of force by the Syrian government against demonstrators. This outrageous use of violence to quell protests must come to an end now. We regret the loss of life and our thoughts are with the families and loved ones of the victims, and with the Syrian people in this challenging time.
The Syrian Government's moves yesterday to repeal Syria’s decades-old Emergency Law and allow for peaceful demonstrations were not serious given the continued violent repression against protesters today. Over the course of two months since protests in Syria began, the United States has repeatedly encouraged President Assad and the Syrian Government to implement meaningful reforms, but they refuse to respect the rights of the Syrian people or be responsive to their aspirations. The Syrian people have called for the freedoms that all individuals around the world should enjoy:  freedom of expression, association, peaceful assembly, and the ability to freely choose their leaders. President Assad and the Syrian authorities have repeatedly rejected their calls and chosen the path of repression. They have placed their personal interests ahead of the interests of the Syrian people, resorting to the use of force and outrageous human rights abuses to compound the already oppressive security measures in place before these demonstrations erupted. Instead of listening to their own people, President Assad is blaming outsiders while seeking Iranian assistance in repressing Syria's citizens through the same brutal tactics that have been used by his Iranian allies. We call on President Assad to change course now, and heed the calls of his own people.
We strongly oppose the Syrian government’s treatment of its citizens and we continue to oppose its continued destabilizing behavior more generally, including support for terrorism and terrorist groups. The United States will continue to stand up for democracy and the universal rights that all human beings deserve, in Syria and around the world. 

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
April 22, 2011

Holder Post: Protecting Consumers at the Pump: The Oil and Gas Price Fraud Working Group

The White House Blog

Posted by Attorney General Eric Holder on April 22, 2011 at 01:15 PM EDT

Ed. Note: Learn more about the Attorney General's efforts to protect consumers at StopFraud.gov.

Over the past few years, American businesses and families across the country have suffered the effects of the worst financial crisis in generations.  Today, although our economic recovery is gaining steam, it remains critically important that we continue to use every available tool and resource to safeguard consumers against additional – and unnecessary – financial burdens.

For many, rapidly rising gasoline prices pose a serious concern.  And while some factors – like regional variations and other lawful reasons for increased prices – may be beyond our control, it is imperative that we take action to identify and address potential cases of fraud and manipulation that may harm families and businesses.

Yesterday, I announced the formation of an Oil and Gas Price Fraud Working Group to help identify civil or criminal violations in the oil and gasoline markets, and to ensure that American consumers are not harmed by unlawful conduct.  Since last month, at President Obama’s request, I have been directing efforts to increase cooperation between the Department of Justice and other groups with relevant authority, including federal agencies and state attorneys general.  I am proud to say that this Working Group will enable us to formalize these partnerships, share monitoring information, and exchange ideas about what works – and what doesn’t work – at the state and federal level.

It will foster increased cooperation between investigators and government officials, so we can vigorously enforce state and federal laws against collusion, manipulation and other forms of wrongdoing.  It will also allow us to evaluate significant market developments, including the activities of speculators and index traders, so we can anticipate and aggressively pursue cases of suspected illegal activity.

We’ve already proven that this kind of approach can be effective.  Our new Working Group will report to me through the Financial Fraud Enforcement Task Force (FFETF), a partnership formed in late 2009 between agencies, regulators, state attorneys general, and local law enforcement organizations, which has already brought a powerful array of tools to the fight against financial fraud.  By building on this work, the Justice Department and its partners can help promote a competitive and fraud-free marketplace – and can do so both efficiently and effectively.

As we work to determine if any laws have been violated and, if so, to swiftly bring those wrongdoers to justice, I am confident that the new Oil and Gas Price Fraud Working Group will help protect American consumers from unnecessary pain at the pump due to illegal activity.  My colleagues and I at the Justice Department and across the administration are committed to stopping criminals who would take advantage of others for personal gain.

Eric Holder is US Attorney General