Home • Readout of the Vice President's Call with Peruvian President Ollanta Humala

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release

September 30, 2014

Presidential Proclamation --- National Substance Abuse Prevention Month, 2014

NATIONAL SUBSTANCE ABUSE PREVENTION MONTH, 2014

- - - - - - -

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

A PROCLAMATION

Substance abuse disrupts our families, schools, and communities and limits the success of young people across our country. It destroys relationships and stands in the way of academic achievement. Every day, thousands of young Americans try drugs or alcohol for the first time, and for many, this decision will have a profound impact on their health and well-being. This month, we join with families, schools, and local leaders to promote safe and healthy neighborhoods and help ensure all our children have the support and resources they need to achieve their full potential.

Preventing substance use before it begins is the most effective way to eliminate the damage caused by drugs and the abuse of alcohol. That is why my Administration's 2014 National Drug Control Strategy supports evidence-based education and outreach programs that connect with young people at schools, on college campuses, and in the workplace. This year, through the Drug-Free Communities Support Program, we are investing in 680 local coalitions that are working to reduce substance use in cities and towns across our country. These partners raise awareness of the harms associated with drug and alcohol use and create supportive environments that foster good decisionmaking.

Substance use affects everyone, and each of us can play a part in helping the next generation make choices that support physical, mental, behavioral, and emotional health. Parents, mentors, and community members can model a healthy lifestyle and should talk with kids early and often about the dangers of drug and alcohol use. During National Substance Abuse Prevention Month, we recognize all those who work to prevent substance use in our neighborhoods, and we renew our commitment to building a safer, drug-free America. Together, we can make sure all children have the opportunity to pursue happy, fulfilling, and productive lives.

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 October 2014 as National Substance Abuse Prevention Month. I call upon all Americans to engage in appropriate programs and activities to promote comprehensive substance abuse prevention efforts within their communities.

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

BARACK OBAMA

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release

September 30, 2014

Presidential Memorandum -- Determination with Respect to the Child Soldiers Prevention Act of 2008

MEMORANDUM FOR THE SECRETARY OF STATE

SUBJECT: Determination with Respect to the Child Soldiers Prevention Act of 2008

Pursuant to section 404 of the Child Soldiers Prevention Act of 2008 (CSPA) (title IV, Public Law 110-457), as amended, I hereby determine that it is in the national interest of the United States: to waive the application of the prohibition in section 404(a) of the CSPA with respect to Rwanda, Somalia, and Yemen; to waive in part the application of the prohibition in section 404(a) of the CSPA with respect to the Central African Republic to allow for provision of International Military Education and Training (IMET); to waive in part the application of the prohibition in section 404(a) of the CSPA with respect to the Democratic Republic of the Congo to allow for provision of IMET, nonlethal Excess Defense Articles, the issuance of licenses for direct commercial sales of U.S. origin nonlethal defense articles, Peacekeeping Operations (PKO) assistance, and support provided pursuant to section 1208 of the National

Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2014 to the extent such support would be restricted by the CSPA; and to waive in part the application of the prohibition in section 404(a) of the CSPA with respect to South Sudan to allow for the provision of PKO assistance and support provided pursuant to section 1208 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2014 to the extent such support would be restricted by the CSPA. I hereby waive such provisions accordingly.

You are authorized and directed to submit this determination to the Congress, along with the accompanying Memorandum of Justification, and to publish the determination in the Federal Register.

BARACK OBAMA

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release

September 30, 2014

Remarks by President Obama and Prime Minister Narendra Modi of India After Bilateral Meeting

1:05 P.M. EDT

PRESIDENT OBAMA: It is an extraordinary pleasure to welcome Prime Minister Modi to the White House for the first time. I think that the entire world has watched the historic election and mandate that the people of India delivered in the recent election. And I think everyone has been impressed with the energy and the determination with which the Prime Minister has looked to address not only India’s significant challenges, but more importantly, India’s enormous opportunities for success in the 21st century.

We have had an outstanding discussion around a range of issues. And we, during our discussions, reaffirmed that as two of the world’s largest democracies, vibrant people-to-people contacts between India and the United States, including an incredible Indian American population that contributes so much, that we have so much in common it is critical for us to continue to deepen and broaden the existing framework of partnership and friendship that already exists.

Last night, during a private dinner we spent most of our time talking about the economy. And we agreed that in both countries, one of our primary goals is to improve education and job training so that our young people can compete in the global marketplace, and the Prime Minister shared with me his vision for lifting what is still too many Indians who are locked in poverty into a situation in which their lives can improve.

We also today spent time talking about the international situation and security issues. We addressed challenges in the Middle East and violent extremism and the fight against ISIL. We discussed what has now been a successful peaceful transition of power in Afghanistan and the need for all of us to work together to ensure that there is stability there.

We discussed the issues of trade, issues of making sure that maritime rules are observed, and we discussed how we can continue to work together on a whole host of issues from space exploration, scientific endeavor, to dealing with humanitarian crises like Ebola in West Africa.

And throughout this conversation I’ve been impressed with the Prime Minister’s interest in not only addressing the needs of the poorest of the poor in India and revitalizing the economy there, but also his determination to make sure that India is serving as a major power that could help bring about peace and security for the entire world.

So I want to wish him luck in what I’m sure will be a challenging but always interesting tenure as Prime Minister in India. I’m very grateful for the friendship between the United States and India, and I’m looking forward to building on this meeting so we can continue to promote progress in both countries and around the world.

So thank you very much, Mr. Prime Minister.

PRIME MINISTER MODI: (As interpreted.) President Obama, members of the media: First, I want to thank President Obama for his invitation and his warm and generous hospitality. I am pleased to visit the USA and meet President Obama at the start of my tenure.

I’m happy that we are meeting here just a few days after the Indian and the U.S. missions reached Mars around the same time. So after the India-U.S. summit on Mars, we are meeting here on Earth. (Laughter.) This happy coincidence captures the potential of our relationship.

This visit, especially my conversation with President Obama, has reinforced my conviction that India and the United States are natural global partners based on our shared values, interests, and strengths in the digital age. We already have the foundation of a strong partnership. We now have to revive the momentum and ensure that we get the best out of it for our people and for the world.

The President and I spoke about many of our common economic strategies. I’m confident that India will see rapid economic growth and transformation. We are focusing in India not just on policies but also on processes to make it easy and productive to do business in India. I believe that India-U.S. economic partnership will also grow rapidly in coming years.

I also saw President Obama’s support for continued openness and ease of access by Indian service companies in the U.S. market. We are serious about resolution of issues on both sides to enable civilian nuclear energy cooperation to take off. It is important for India’s energy security.

We had a candid discussion on Bali ministerial of the WTO. India supports trade facilitation. However, I also expect that we are able to find a solution that takes care of our concern on food security. I believe that it should be possible to do that soon.

We have agreed to consult and cooperate closely on climate change issues, an area of strong priority for both of us. There was great convergence on international developments that matter the most to our two countries, including peace and stability in Asia Pacific region. The United States is intrinsic to our “Look East” and “Link West” policies.

We discussed existing terrorism challenges, including in South Asia and the new threats of terrorism in West Asia and beyond. We agreed to intensify our counterterrorism and intelligence cooperation. The Afghan people have shown the will to prevail over violence and extremism. We discussed our two countries’ continued commitment to assist Afghanistan and our own coordination in this area.

We have shared concern on the Ebola crisis in Africa, for which India has already made financial commitments of $12 million.

Given our broad range of shared interests, we will also continue to beef up our security dialogue and defense relations. I want to especially welcome the U.S. defense companies to participate in developing the Indian defense industry.

During the last four days in the U.S. I have seen extraordinary interest and excitement about India and India-U.S. partnership among the people of our two countries. We will draw strength and inspiration from it as we start a more purposeful course in our ongoing journey.

I look forward to receiving President Obama and his family in India at a convenient time. I, once again, thank President Obama, the people of the United States, and especially the Indian American community for their warm welcome and hospitality. And also I should thank the media from India and the U.S.

END
1:20 P.M. EDT

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release

September 30, 2014

Presidential Memorandum -- FY 2015 Refugee Admissions

MEMORANDUM FOR THE SECRETARY OF STATE

SUBJECT: Presidential Determination on Refugee Admissions for Fiscal Year 2015

In accordance with section 207 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (the "Act") (8 U.S.C. 1157), and after appropriate consultations with the Congress, I hereby make the following determinations and authorize the following actions:

The admission of up to 70,000 refugees to the United States during Fiscal Year (FY) 2015 is justified by humanitarian concerns or is otherwise in the national interest; provided that this number shall be understood as including persons admitted to the United States during FY 2015 with Federal refugee resettlement assistance under the Amerasian immigrant admissions program, as provided below.

The admissions numbers shall be allocated among refugees of special humanitarian concern to the United States in accordance with the following regional allocations; provided that the number of admissions allocated to the East Asia region shall include persons admitted to the United States during FY 2015 with Federal refugee resettlement assistance under section 584 of the Foreign Operations, Export Financing, and Related Programs Appropriations Act of 1988, as contained in section 101(e) of Public Law 100-202 (Amerasian immigrants and their family members):

Africa................................17,000

East Asia.............................13,000

Europe and Central Asia................1,000

Latin America and Caribbean............4,000

Near East and South Asia..............33,000

Unallocated Reserve....................2,000

The 2,000 unallocated refugee numbers shall be allocated to regional ceilings, as needed. Upon providing notification to the Judiciary Committees of the Congress, you are hereby authorized to use unallocated admissions in regions where the need for additional admissions arises.

Additionally, upon notification to the Judiciary Committees of the Congress, you are further authorized to transfer unused admissions allocated to a particular region to one or more other regions, if there is a need for greater admissions for the region or regions to which the admissions are being transferred. Consistent with section 2(b)(2) of the Migration and Refugee Assistance Act of 1962, I hereby determine that assistance to or on behalf of persons applying for admission to the United States as part of the overseas refugee admissions program will contribute to the foreign policy interests of the United States and designate such persons for this purpose.

Consistent with section 101(a)(42) of the Act (8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(42)), and after appropriate consultation with the Congress, I also specify that, for FY 2015, the following persons may, if otherwise qualified, be considered refugees for the purpose of admission to the United States within their countries of nationality or habitual residence:

a. Persons in Cuba

b. Persons in Eurasia and the Baltics

c. Persons in Iraq

d. Persons in Honduras, Guatemala, and El Salvador

e. In exceptional circumstances, persons identified by a United States Embassy in any location

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

BARACK OBAMA

Dan Pfeiffer: "That's How We Roll"

Ezra Mechaber

September 30, 2014
12:09 PM EDT

Earlier today, White House Senior Advisor Dan Pfeiffer sent this message to the White House email list previewing President Obama's week ahead. Didn't get it? Make sure you sign up for email updates here.

Hey,

Last week at the United Nations, President Obama laid out a forceful case that in an uncertain world, American strength and leadership is the one constant.

The United States is leading an international coalition in the fight to degrade and ultimately destroy ISIL, to counter Russian aggression in Ukraine, and to contain and combat the Ebola epidemic in West Africa.

As the President said on Sunday night: That's how we roll.

This Thursday, speaking to Northwestern University's Kellogg School of Management, the President will make the case for what has always fueled America's leadership -- and that's America's economic greatness. He'll take a step back from the rush of current events to explain what we've done to recover from the Great Recession and what we need to do to ensure that more middle-class Americans feel that progress in their own lives.

Make sure you're watching. RSVP to watch the speech here -- and we'll email you on Thursday morning with an exclusive set of materials so you have the facts before the President speaks.

Presidential Memorandum -- Delegation of Authority under Section 614 of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961

MEMORANDUM FOR THE SECRETARY OF STATE

SUBJECT: Delegation of Authority under Section 614 of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961

By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, including section 301 of title 3, United States Code, I hereby delegate to the Secretary of State the authority under section 614 of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (FAA) to determine whether it is important to the security interests of the United States to furnish up to $123,000,000 in funds made available pursuant to chapter 8 of part I of the FAA to provide assistance for

Ukraine, Tunisia, Honduras, El Salvador, Guatemala, Costa Rica, Panama, Nigeria, Albania, and Vietnam without regard to any provision of law within the scope of section 614(a)(1) of the FAA and to authorize the furnishing of such assistance.

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

BARACK OBAMA

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release

September 30, 2014

FACT SHEET: The White House Launches the “My Brother’s Keeper Community Challenge”

In February, President Obama launched the My Brother’s Keeper (MBK) initiative to ensure that all youth, including boys and young men of color, have opportunities to improve their life outcomes and overcome barriers to success. As part of that launch, the President also established the My Brother’s Keeper Task Force (Task Force) to review public and private sector programs, policies, and strategies, and determine ways the Federal Government can better support these efforts. The Task Force was also charged with determining how to better involve State and local officials, the private sector, and the philanthropic community. In late May, the Task Force released its 90-day interim progress report, which identified a set of recommendations and a blueprint for action for government, business, non-profit, philanthropic, faith, and community partners.

Since the launch of MBK, the Task Force has met with and heard from thousands of Americans, through online and in-person listening sessions, who are already taking action. In June, responding to their commitment announced at the MBK launch, eleven of the nation's leading philanthropies announced $194 million in independent incremental investments in organizations and initiatives, including programs to enhance school learning environments and reduce young people’s interaction with the justice system. In July, President Obama announced new independent commitments by businesses and nonprofits representing more than $100 million dollars and pledges of support from educators, business leaders, athletes, and mayors aimed at addressing some of the report’s recommendations. Also in July, the National Convening Council (NCC) was launched as an independent private sector initiative bringing together leaders from business, philanthropy and the faith, youth, Tribal, local, and nonprofit communities.

On September 27th, the President announced that more than 100 mayors, county officials and tribal nations (full list below) have already accepted the “My Brother’s Keeper Community Challenge” (“MBK Community Challenge” or “Challenge”), the next step in organizing and building upon the work of community leaders to improve outcomes for youth in America.

MBK Community Challenge

Today, the White House announced the MBK Community Challenge, an effort to encourage communities (cities, counties, suburbs, rural municipalities, and tribal nations) to implement a coherent cradle-to-college and career strategy aimed at improving life outcomes for all young people, consistent with the goals and recommendations of the Task Force’s May report, to ensure that all youth can achieve their full potential, regardless of who they are, where they come from, or the circumstances into which they are born. The Challenge is not a new federal program, but rather a call to action for leaders of communities across the Nation to build and execute comprehensive strategies that ensure:

All children enter school cognitively, physically, socially, and emotionally prepared;
All children read at grade level by third grade;
All young people graduate from high school;
All young people complete post-secondary education or training;
All youth out of school are employed; and
All young people are safe from violent crime.

The Task Force also identified a set of “cross cutting” areas, among them the importance of caring adults being present and active in the lives of children, hence the emphasis placed on mentoring.

The Challenge calls upon mayors, Tribal leaders, town and county executives, encouraging them to take the following steps: within 45 days of accepting the Challenge, local communities convene a Local Action Summit with key public and private sector stakeholders to assess needs, determine priorities, and decide what combination of the above objectives they will tackle; within six months of accepting the Challenge, communities publicly launch a plan of action for accomplishing their goals, which will include a protocol for tracking data, benchmarks for tracking progress, and a blueprint for how the community will resource its efforts.

The White House, the U.S. Department of Education, and the NCC are launching the Challenge. The NCC will provide communities with resources to support their local planning process, assisting them in developing successful strategies for action and tracking their progress. More information, including how local executives can sign up for the Challenge, is available at www.MBKChallenge.org.

Additionally, the Federal government has recently announced a number of programs that address recommendations in the My Brother’s Keeper Task Force progress report. For example, the Department of Justice announced a $4.75 million initiative to invest in training, evidence-based strategies, policy development and research to build trust and strengthen the relationship between law enforcement, and the communities they serve, and through the Smart on Juvenile Justice initiative, awarded $2 million in three grants which provide training, technical assistance and education to improve the quality of services, end racial and ethnic disparities, and encourage reforms in juvenile justice systems. The Department of Education awarded more than $57 million in grants focused on improving school climates and keeping students safe. And in September, the Departments of Justice and Housing and Urban Development announced a collaboration between HUD-funded organizations, and civil legal aid programs and public defender offices, to focus on expunging and sealing juvenile records – improving the chances that reentering youth will be able to obtain degrees, find work, and secure housing.

Information on previous independent private sector commitments can be found at http://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov//the-press-office/2014/07/21/fact-sheet-president-obama-applauds-new-commitments-support-my-brother-s.

MBK Community Challenge Early Acceptors

Localities

Akron, OH

Albuquerque, NM

Alleghany County, PA

Anniston, AL

Atlanta, GA

Atlantic City, NJ

Augusta, GA

Baton Rouge, LA

Beaverton, OR

Birmingham, AL

Boston, MA

Bridgeport, CT

Brooklyn Park, MN

Buffalo, NY

Caddo Parish, LA

Carlisle, PA

Charleston, SC

Charles Town, WV

Charlottesville, VA

Chattanooga, TN

Chicago, IL

Cleveland, OH

Columbia, SC

Columbus, OH

Compton, CA

Cook County, IL

Culver City, CA

Dallas County, TX

Dayton, OH

DeKalb County, GA

Denver, CO

Des Moines, IA

Detroit, MI

Dubuque, IA

DuPage County, IL

Durham, NC

Edinburg, TX

Elkhart, IN

Fairmount Heights, MD

Ferguson, MO

Flint, MI

Forest Heights, MD

Fort Wayne, IN

Fort Worth, TX

Fulton County, GA

Gary, IN

Harrisburg, PA

Hartford, CT

Hempstead, NY

Hobson, AL

Holly Hill, SC

Holyoke, MA

Houston, TX

Huntington, WV

Indianapolis, IN

Ithaca, NY

Jacksonville, FL

Jersey City, NJ

Johnstown, PA

Kansas City, KS

Kansas City, MO

Knoxville, TN

Lansing, MI

Laredo, TX

Las Vegas, NV

Little Rock, AR

Long Beach, CA

Los Angeles, CA

Louisville, KY

Macon, GA

Madison, WI

Massillon, OH

Memphis, TN

Milwaukee, WI

Minneapolis, MN

Mount Rainier, MD

New Haven, CT

New Orleans, LA

New York, NY

Newark, NJ

Newton, MA

Niagara Falls, NY

Normandy, MO

North Chicago, IL

Oak Creek, WI

Oakland, CA

Orlando, FL

Palm Beach County, FL

Philadelphia, PA

Phoenix, AZ

Pittsburgh, PA

Portland, ME

Portland, OR

Prairie View, TX

Prince George's County, MD

Prichard, AL

Princeton, NJ

Providence, RI

Ranson, WV

Rialto, CA

Richmond, CA

Rochester, NY

Sacramento, CA

Saint Joseph, LA

Salt Lake City, UT

San Antonio, TX

San Francisco, CA

Santa Ana, CA

Santa Fe, NM

Savannah, GA

Seattle, WA

Shreveport, LA

Southfield, MI

St. Louis, MO

St. Paul, MN

Syracuse, NY

Tacoma, WA

Tallahassee, FL

Tampa, FL

Tucson, AZ

Village of Phoenix, IL

Washington, D.C

Tribal Nations

Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians (CA)

Central Council Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska (AK)

Cherokee Nation (OK)

Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe (SD)

Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa (MN)

Hoonah Indian Association (AK)

Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation (CT)

Navajo Nation (AZ, NM, UT)

Oneida Nation of Wisconsin (WI)

Pawnee Nation (OK)

Round Valley Indian Tribes (CA)

Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians (MI)

Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate Tribe (SD, ND)

Standing Rock Sioux Tribe (ND, SD)

Swinomish Indian Tribal Community (WA)

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release

September 30, 2014

Statement by the President on the Signing of the Bilateral Security Agreement and NATO Status of Forces Agreement in Afghanistan

Today we mark an historic day in the U.S.-Afghan partnership that will help advance our shared interests and the long-term security of Afghanistan. After nearly two years of hard work by negotiating teams on both sides, earlier today in Kabul the United States and the new Afghan Government of National Unity signed a Bilateral Security Agreement (BSA). This agreement represents an invitation from the Afghan Government to strengthen the relationship we have built over the past 13 years and provides our military service members the necessary legal framework to carry out two critical missions after 2014: targeting the remnants of Al Qaeda and training, advising, and assisting Afghan National Security Forces. The signing of the BSA also reflects the implementation of the Strategic Partnership Agreement our two governments signed in May 2012.

Today, Afghan and NATO officials also signed the NATO Status of Forces Agreement, giving forces from Allied and partner countries the legal protections necessary to carry out the NATO Resolute Support mission when ISAF comes to an end later this year.

These agreements follow an historic Afghan election in which the Afghan people exercised their right to vote and ushered in the first peaceful democratic transfer of power in their nation’s history. The BSA reflects our continued commitment to support the new Afghan Unity Government, and we look forward to working with this new government to cement an enduring partnership that strengthens Afghan sovereignty, stability, unity, and prosperity, and that contributes to our shared goal of defeating Al Qaeda and its extremist affiliates.

This day was only possible because of the extraordinary service of our men and woman in uniform who continue to sacrifice so much in Afghanistan on behalf of our security and the Afghan people. The American people are eternally grateful for their efforts.

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release

September 30, 2014

Statement by the President on the Signing of the Bilateral Security Agreement and NATO Status of Forces Agreement in Afghanistan

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release

September 29, 2014

Readout of the Vice President's Call with Peruvian President Ollanta Humala

The Vice President called Peruvian President Ollanta Humala this afternoon to express condolences on behalf of the American people for Peruvians affected by the September 28 earthquake in the Cusco Region. The Vice President reiterated that the United States stands ready to assist the Peruvian government's efforts to address the disaster and underscored the importance of the U.S.-Peru partnership.