The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

President Obama Announces His Intent to Nominate Carolyn Watts Colvin as Commissioner of Social Security

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, President Barack Obama announced his intent to nominate Carolyn Watts Colvin as Commissioner of Social Security.

President Obama said, “I am grateful for Carolyn’s past service in various roles at the Social Security Administration, and I am confident that she will serve the American people well in her new role. I look forward to working with her in the months and years to come.”

President Obama announced his intent to nominate Carolyn Watts Colvin as Commissioner of Social Security:

Carolyn Watts Colvin, Nominee for Commissioner of Social Security, Social Security Administration

Carolyn Watts Colvin is currently Deputy Commissioner of Social Security for the Social Security Administration (SSA), a position she has held since January 2011.  She has also served as Acting Commissioner of Social Security since February 2013.  Previously, from January 2011 to February 2013, she served as the Secretary of the Board of Trustees of the Federal Old-Age and Survivors Insurance Trust Fund and the Federal Disability Insurance Trust Fund (also known as the Social Security Board of Trustees.)  From 2009 to 2010, Ms. Colvin was a Special Assistant to the Secretary of Transportation for Maryland.  From 2007 to 2008, Ms. Colvin was the Chief Executive Officer of Amerigroup Community Care of D.C.  She was the Director of the Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services from 2003 to 2006 and the Director of the District of Columbia Department of Health and Human Services from 2001 to 2003.  From 1994 to 2001, Ms. Colvin served in various roles at the Social Security Administration, including Deputy Commissioner for Operations from 1998 to 2001, Deputy Commissioner for Programs and Policy from 1996 to 1998, and Deputy Commissioner for Policy and External Affairs from 1994 to 1996.  Ms. Colvin received a B.A. and an M.B.A. from Morgan State University.

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

Statement by the President on Massachusetts Taking Action Toward Raising its Minimum Wage

I commend the Massachusetts Legislature for standing up for working men and women in the Commonwealth and taking action toward raising the state’s minimum wage to $11 per hour by 2017. Under the leadership of Governor Patrick, Massachusetts joins a growing coalition of states, cities and counties that are doing part to make sure no American working full-time has to support a family in poverty.

I look forward to Governor Patrick signing this bill into law soon, and I urge Congress to follow Massachusetts’ lead and lift wages for 28 million Americans by raising the federal minimum wage to $10.10.

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

Readout of the President’s Call to President Peña Nieto of Mexico

This afternoon President Obama spoke by phone with Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto to discuss a regional strategy to address the influx of unaccompanied children coming from Central America, through Mexico, to the U.S.-Mexico border. The President noted that Vice President Biden will attend a regional meeting in Guatemala on Friday, June 20, to discuss the urgent humanitarian issue, and welcomed the opportunity to work in close cooperation with Mexico to develop concrete proposals to address the root causes of unlawful migration from Central America. He also discussed the United States and Mexico’s shared responsibility for promoting security in both countries and in the region.

The President noted that the United States and Mexico can collaborate on a number of areas related to the issue, including by working together to return the children safely to their families and to build Central American capacity to receive returned individuals. The President also noted that these unaccompanied children are vulnerable to crime and abuse, and welcomed Mexico’s efforts to help target the criminals that lure families to send children on the dangerous journey and to alert potential migrants to the perils of the journey and the likelihood that they will be returned to Central America. The President also reiterated that arriving migrants will not qualify for legalization under proposed immigration reform legislation or deferred action for childhood arrivals (DACA).

The President Awards the Medal of Honor to Corporal William "Kyle" Carpenter

June 19, 2014 | 21:26 | Public Domain

President Obama awards Corporal William "Kyle" Carpenter the Medal of Honor for his courageous actions while serving in Afghanistan.

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Remarks by the President at Presentation of The Medal of Honor to Corporal William Kyle Carpenter

East Room

2:33 P.M. EDT

THE PRESIDENT:  Thank you, everybody.  Please be seated.  On behalf of Michelle and myself, welcome to the White House. 

The man you see before you today, Corporal William Kyle Carpenter, should not be alive today.  Hand grenades are one of the most awful weapons of war.  They only weigh about a pound, but they’re packed with TNT.  If one lands nearby, you have mere seconds to seek cover.  When it detonates, its fragments shoot out in every direction.  And even at a distance, that spray of shrapnel can inflict devastating injuries on the human body.  Up close, it’s almost certain death.   

But we are here because this man, this United States Marine, faced down that terrible explosive power, that unforgiving force, with his own body -- willingly and deliberately -- to protect a fellow Marine.  When that grenade exploded, Kyle Carpenter’s body took the brunt of the blast.  His injuries were called “catastrophic.”  It seemed as if he was going to die.  While being treated, he went into cardiac arrest, and three times, he flatlined.  Three times, doctors brought him back.

Along with his parents, who call Kyle’s survival “our miracle,” we thank God they did.  Because with that singular act of courage, Kyle, you not only saved your brother in arms, you displayed a heroism in the blink of an eye that will inspire for generations valor worthy of our nation’s highest military decoration, the Medal of Honor.

Now, Kyle and I have actually met before.  During his long recovery at Walter Reed, he and some of our other wounded warriors came to the White House to celebrate the World Series champion, the St. Louis Cardinals.  Some of you might be aware, I am a White Sox fan.  (Laughter.)  Kyle likes the Braves.  So it was a tough day for both of us.  (Laughter.)   

But after the ceremony, Michelle and I had the chance to meet Kyle.  And at the time, he was still undergoing surgeries.  But he was up and he was walking, and he was working his way toward being independent again, towards the man you see here today.  And, Kyle, the main message we want to send is, welcome back.  We are so proud to have you here. 

We just spent some time not just with Kyle, but also with his wonderful family.  And anybody who has had a chance to get to know this young man knows you’re not going to get a better example of what you want in an American or a Marine.  Despite all the attention, he’s still the same humble guy from Gilbert, South Carolina, population of about 600 -- I guess today it’s only population 590-something.  (Laughter.) 

These days he’s also at the University of South Carolina, “just a normal college student,” he says, cheering for the Gamecocks.  You’ll notice that Kyle doesn’t hide his scars; he’s proud of them, and the service that they represent.  And, now, he tells me this, and so I’m just quoting him -- he says, “the girls definitely like them.”  (Laughter.)  So he’s kind of -- he’s working an angle on this thing.  (Laughter.)  I wasn’t sure whether I was supposed to say that in front of mom.  (Laughter.)  But there’s a quote there.

In addition to our many distinguished guests, I want to welcome those who made this man the Marine that he is -- Kyle’s father, Jim; Kyle’s lovely mom, Robin; and his brothers, Price, and Peyton, one of whom is going to be joining Kyle at South Carolina, another Gamecock, and then we’ve got one who’s going to be at The Citadel.  We also have Kyle’s Marine brothers who served with him in Afghanistan and through his recovery.  And I also want to welcome the members of the Medal of Honor Society, whose ranks Kyle joins today.

Kyle and his fellow Marines served during the surge of forces that I ordered to Afghanistan early in my presidency.  Their mission was to drive the Taliban out of their strongholds, protect the Afghan people and give them a chance to reclaim their communities.
 
Kyle and his platoon were in Helmand province in Marja, pushing their way across open fields and muddy canals, bearing their heavy packs even as it could heat up to 115 degrees.  In one small village, they turned a dusty compound into their base.  The insurgents nearby gave their answer with sniper fire, and automatic weapon fire, and rocket-propelled grenades.

That morning, Kyle said, “our alarm clock was AK-47 fire.”  Some of the men were by their bunks, gearing up for another day.  Some were heating up their MREs.  Some were in makeshift ops centers -- a simple mud building -- planning the day’s patrols.  And up on the roof, behind a circle of sandbags, two Marines manned their posts -- Kyle, and Lance Corporal Nicholas Eufrazio. 
The compound started to take fire.  Seeking cover, Kyle and Nick laid down low on their backs behind those sandbags.  And then the grenade landed with a thud, its pin already pulled.  It was about to explode.

And Kyle has no memory of what happened next.  What we do know is that there on that rooftop he wasn’t just with a fellow Marine, he was with his best friend.  Kyle and Nick had met in training.  In Afghanistan they patrolled together, day and night, a friendship forged in fire.  Kyle says about Nick, “He was my point man, and I loved him like a brother.” 

When the grenade landed, other Marines in the compound looked up and saw it happen.  Kyle tried to stand.  He lunged forward toward that grenade, and then he disappeared into the blast.   Keep in mind, at the time, Kyle was just 21 years old.  But in that instant, he fulfilled those words of Scripture:  “Greater love hath no man than this; that a man lay down his life for his friends.” 

They found Kyle lying face down, directly over the blast area.  His helmet was riddled with holes.  His gear was melted.  Part of his Kevlar vest was blown away.  One of the doctors who treated him later said Kyle was “literally wounded from the top of his head to his feet.” 

And for a moment, Kyle was still conscious.  His eyes were open but he couldn’t see.  Kyle remember “everything went white.”  And yet, even then, his thoughts were not of himself.  One of the Marines who was there remembers how Kyle kept asking one question, and that was whether Nick was okay.  And then, as Kyle’s strength drained away, he sensed the end was coming.  So according to Kyle’s memories, “My last thought [was to] make peace with God.  I asked for forgiveness.  I was trying to make the best and most of my last few seconds here on Earth.”
  
The Medal of Honor is presented for gallantry on the battlefield.  But today, we also recognize Kyle Carpenter for his valor since in the hard fight for recovery.  Eventually, Kyle woke up after five weeks in a coma.  I want you to consider what Kyle has endured just to stand here today -- more than two and a half years in the hospital.  Grueling rehabilitation.  Brain surgery to remove shrapnel from his head.  Nearly 40 surgeries to repair a collapsed lung, fractured fingers, a shattered right arm broken in more than 30 places, multiple skin grafts.  He has a new prosthetic eye, a new jaw, new teeth -- and one hell of a smile.  (Laughter.)  

And Kyle is the first to give credit elsewhere.  His doctors at Bethesda, he says, “put me back together well.”  Today is also a reminder that in past wars, somebody with injuries as severe as Kyle’s probably wouldn’t have survived.  So many of our wounded warriors from today’s wars are alive not just because of remarkable advances in technology, but primarily because of the extraordinary dedication and skill of our military and our VA medical professionals. 

So we need to keep doing everything we can in our power to give our wounded warriors and those who treat them the support that they need.  And I think this is a wonderful opportunity to ask doctors Debra Malone and Lauren Greer, and the rest of Kyle’s medical team who are here to please stand.  I see their amazing work every time I visit Bethesda, every time I visited Walter Reed.  It’s pretty rare where you’ve got a job where you just know you’re doing God’s work every single day.  And they do an incredible job, so thank you.  (Applause.)  Thank you for the miracles you work for our wounded troops and veterans. 

Now, Kyle says he’ll wear this medal for all who serve and for those who didn’t make it back, and for those who struggle still.  So today, we also honor two members of his team who made the ultimate sacrifice in that deployment:  Kyle’s friends Lance Corporal Timothy M. Jackson of Corbin, Kentucky, and Lance Corporal Dakota R. Huse of Greenwood, Louisiana. 

And our thoughts are also with the Marine who Kyle saved that day, his brother, Nick.  I had the opportunity to meet Nick as well nearly two years after the blast on one of my visits to Walter Reed.  Nick also suffered grievous wounds.  As a result of traumatic brain injury, he couldn’t speak for more than a year.  He also endured multiple surgeries.  Today, his recovery continues.  He lives at home with his family in Plymouth, Massachusetts, where he is watching this ceremony.  So, Nick, on behalf of all of us, I want you to know we honor your sacrifice as well.  Your perseverance is an inspiration.  And just as Kyle was there for you, our nation will be there for you and your family as you grow stronger in the years ahead.

If any of our wounded warriors seek an example -- let me amend that -- if any American seeks a model of the strength and resilience that define us as a people, including this newest 9/11 generation, I want you to consider Kyle.  After everything he’s been through, he skis, he snowboards, he’s jumped from a plane -- with a parachute, thankfully.  (Laughter.)  He trudged through a 6-mile Mud Run, completed the Marine Corps Marathon, says he wants to do a triathlon.  He’s a motivational speaker, an advocate for his fellow wounded warriors.  He’s thinking about majoring in psychology so he can use his own experiences to help others.  He got stellar grades.  And, by the way, he’s only 24 years old, and says, “I am just getting started.” 

In other words, Kyle is a shining example of what our nation needs to encourage -- these veterans who come home and then use their incredible skills and talents to keep our country strong.  And we can all learn from Kyle’s example. 

As we prepare for the reading of the citation, I’d like to close with his own words -- a message, I think, for every American. “It took a life-changing event to get me to truly appreciate the precious and amazing life I have been blessed with.  Please take it from me, enjoy every day to the fullest, don't take life too seriously, always try to make it count, appreciate the small and simple things, be kind and help others, let the ones you love always know you love them, and when things get hard trust there is a bigger plan and that you will be stronger for it.”  Pretty good message.

Corporal William Kyle Carpenter should not be alive today, but the fact that he is gives us reason to trust that there is indeed a bigger plan.  So God bless you, Kyle.  God bless all who serve and protect the precious and amazing life that we are blessed with.  May God continue to bless and keep strong the United States of America.  Semper Fi.  (Applause.)

MILITARY AIDE:  The President of the United States, in the name of the Congress, takes pleasure in presenting the Medal of Honor to Lance Corporal William Kyle Carpenter, United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving as an automatic rifleman with Company F, 2nd Battalion, 9th Marines, Regimental Combat Team One, 1st Marine Division (Forward), 1st Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward), in Helmand Province, Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom on 21 November, 2010.

Lance Corporal Carpenter was a member of a platoon-sized coalition force comprised of two reinforced Marine rifle squads, partnered with an Afghan National Army squad.  The platoon had established Patrol Base Dakota two days earlier in a small village in the Marja District in order to disrupt enemy activity and provide security for the local Afghan population.

Lance Corporal Carpenter and a fellow Marine were manning a rooftop security position on the perimeter of Patrol Base Dakota when the enemy initiated a daylight attack with hand grenades, one of which landed inside their sandbagged position.  Without hesitation and with complete disregard for his own safety, Lance Corporal Carpenter moved towards the grenade in an attempt to shield his fellow Marine from the deadly blast.  When the grenade detonated, his body absorbed the brunt of the blast, severely wounding him but saving the life of his fellow Marine.

By his undaunted courage, bold fighting spirit, and unwavering devotion to duty in the face of almost certain death, Lance Corporal Carpenter reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service. 

(The Medal of Honor is presented.) 

(Prayer is offered.)

THE PRESIDENT:  Well, that brings us to the conclusion of this ceremony, but not the reception and party.  And so I want to thank everybody again for being here, especially Kyle’s wonderful family and his parents.  And I understand that the food here at the White House is pretty good -- (laughter) -- so I already told Kyle’s brothers that they should be chowing down.  But that goes for everybody else as well -- and I think the drinks are free.  I don’t know what -- although it’s still early in the afternoon.

Thank you very much, everybody.
   
END 
2:51 P.M. EDT

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President Obama Speaks on the Situation in Iraq

June 19, 2014 | 29:36 | Public Domain

President Obama delivers a statement from the White House Press Briefing Room on the situation in Iraq, and the steps the U.S. is taking in response.

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Remarks by the President on the Situation in Iraq

James S. Brady Press Briefing Room

1:32 P.M. EDT

THE PRESIDENT:  Good afternoon, everybody.  I just met with my national security team to discuss the situation in Iraq.  We’ve been meeting regularly to review the situation since ISIL, a terrorist organization that operates in Iraq and Syria, made advances inside of Iraq.  As I said last week, ISIL poses a threat to the Iraqi people, to the region, and to U.S. interests.  So today I wanted to provide you an update on how we’re responding to the situation.

First, we are working to secure our embassy and personnel operating inside of Iraq.  As President, I have no greater priority than the safety of our men and women serving overseas.  So I’ve taken some steps to relocate some of our embassy personnel, and we’ve sent reinforcements to better secure our facilities.

Second, at my direction, we have significantly increased our intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance assets so that we’ve got a better picture of what’s taking place inside of Iraq.  And this will give us a greater understanding of what ISIL is doing, where it’s located, and how we might support efforts to counter this threat. 

Third, the United States will continue to increase our support to Iraqi security forces.  We’re prepared to create joint operation centers in Baghdad and northern Iraq to share intelligence and coordinate planning to confront the terrorist threat of ISIL.  Through our new Counterterrorism Partnership Fund, we’re prepared to work with Congress to provide additional equipment.  We have had advisors in Iraq through our embassy, and we’re prepared to send a small number of additional American military advisors -- up to 300 -- to assess how we can best train, advise, and support Iraqi security forces going forward.

American forces will not be returning to combat in Iraq, but we will help Iraqis as they take the fight to terrorists who threaten the Iraqi people, the region, and American interests as well.

Fourth, in recent days, we’ve positioned additional U.S. military assets in the region.  Because of our increased intelligence resources, we’re developing more information about potential targets associated with ISIL.  And going forward, we will be prepared to take targeted and precise military action, if and when we determine that the situation on the ground requires it.  If we do, I will consult closely with Congress and leaders in Iraq and in the region.

I want to emphasize, though, that the best and most effective response to a threat like ISIL will ultimately involve partnerships where local forces, like Iraqis, take the lead. 

Finally, the United States will lead a diplomatic effort to work with Iraqi leaders and the countries in the region to support stability in Iraq.  At my direction, Secretary Kerry will depart this weekend for meetings in the Middle East and Europe, where he’ll be able to consult with our allies and partners.  And just as all Iraq’s neighbors must respect Iraq’s territorial integrity, all of Iraq’s neighbors have a vital interest in ensuring that Iraq does not descend into civil war or become a safe haven for terrorists.

Above all, Iraqi leaders must rise above their differences and come together around a political plan for Iraq’s future.  Shia, Sunni, Kurds -- all Iraqis -- must have confidence that they can advance their interests and aspirations through the political process rather than through violence.  National unity meetings have to go forward to build consensus across Iraq’s different communities.  Now that the results of Iraq’s recent election has been certified, a new parliament should convene as soon as possible.  The formation of a new government will be an opportunity to begin a genuine dialogue and forge a government that represents the legitimate interests of all Iraqis.

Now, it’s not the place for the United States to choose Iraq’s leaders.  It is clear, though, that only leaders that can govern with an inclusive agenda are going to be able to truly bring the Iraqi people together and help them through this crisis.  Meanwhile, the United States will not pursue military options that support one sect inside of Iraq at the expense of another.  There’s no military solution inside of Iraq, certainly not one that is led by the United States.  But there is an urgent need for an inclusive political process, a more capable Iraqi security force, and counterterrorism efforts that deny groups like ISIL a safe haven.

In closing, recent days have reminded us of the deep scars left by America’s war in Iraq.  Alongside the loss of nearly 4,500 American patriots, many veterans carry the wounds of that war, and will for the rest of their lives.  Here at home, Iraq sparked vigorous debates and intense emotions in the past, and we’ve seen some of those debates resurface. 

But what’s clear from the last decade is the need for the United States to ask hard questions before we take action abroad, particularly military action.  The most important question we should all be asking, the issue that we have to keep front and center -- the issue that I keep front and center -- is what is in the national security interests of the United States of America.  As Commander-in-Chief, that’s what I stay focused on.  As Americans, that’s what all of us should be focused on. 

And going forward, we will continue to consult closely with Congress.  We will keep the American people informed.  We will remain vigilant.  And we will continue to do everything in our power to protect the security of the United States and the safety of the American people. 

So with that, I’m going to take a couple of questions.  I’ll start with Colleen McCain Nelson of the Wall Street Journal.

Q    Thank you, Mr. President.  Do you have any confidence in Prime Minister Maliki at this point?  And can Maliki bring political stability to Iraq?

THE PRESIDENT:  As I said, it’s not our job to choose Iraq’s leaders.  Part of what our patriots fought for during many years in Iraq was the right and the opportunity for Iraqis to determine their own destiny and choose their own leaders.  But I don’t think there’s any secret that right now at least there is deep divisions between Sunni, Shia and Kurdish leaders.  And as long as those deep divisions continue or worsen, it’s going to be very hard for an Iraqi central government to direct an Iraqi military to deal with these threats.

And so we’ve consulted with Prime Minister Maliki, and we’ve said that to him privately.  We’ve said it publicly that whether he is prime minister, or any other leader aspires to lead the country, that it has to be an agenda in which Sunni, Shia and Kurd all feel that they have the opportunity to advance their interests through the political process.  And we’ve seen over the last two years, actually dating back to 2008, 2009 -- but I think worse over the last two years -- the sense among Sunnis that their interests were not being served, that legislation that had been promised around, for example, De-Ba’athification had been stalled. 

I think that you hear similar complaints that the government in Baghdad has not sufficiently reached out to some of the tribes and been able to bring them in to a process that gives them a sense of being part of a unity government or a single nation-state.  And that has to be worked through.

Part of the reason why we saw better-equipped Iraqi security forces with larger numbers not be able to hold contested territory against ISIL probably reflects that lack of a sense of commitment on the part of Sunni communities to work with Baghdad.  And that has to be fixed if we’re going to get through this crisis.

Jim Acosta.

Q    Thank you, Mr. President.  Americans may look at this decision that you’re making today as a sneak preview of coming attractions; that the number of advisors that you’re planning to send in may just be the beginning of a boots-on-the-ground scenario down the road.  Why is Iraq’s civil war in the national security interests of the United States?  And are you concerned about the potential for mission creep?

THE PRESIDENT:  I think we always have to guard against mission creep, so let me repeat what I’ve said in the past:  American combat troops are not going to be fighting in Iraq again. 

We do not have the ability to simply solve this problem by sending in tens of thousands of troops and committing the kinds of blood and treasure that has already been expended in Iraq.  Ultimately, this is something that is going to have to be solved by the Iraqis.

It is in our national security interests not to see an all-out civil war inside of Iraq, not just for humanitarian reasons, but because that ultimately can be destabilizing throughout the region.  And in addition to having strong allies there that we are committed to protecting, obviously issues like energy and global energy markets continues to be important. 

We also have an interest in making sure that we don’t have a safe haven that continues to grow for ISIL and other extremist jihadist groups who could use that as a base of operations for planning and targeting ourselves, our personnel overseas, and eventually the homeland.  And if they accumulate more money, they accumulate more ammunition, more military capability, larger numbers, that poses great dangers not just to allies of ours like Jordan, which is very close by, but it also poses a great danger potentially to Europe and ultimately the United States.

We have already seen inside of Syria that -- or groups like ISIL that right now are fighting with other extremist groups, or an Assad regime that was non-responsive to a Sunni majority there, that that has attracted more and more jihadists or would-be jihadists, some of them from Europe.  They then start traveling back to Europe, and that, over time, can create a cadre of terrorists that could harm us.

So we have humanitarian interests in preventing bloodshed.  We have strategic interests in stability in the region.  We have counterterrorism interests.  All those have to be addressed.

The initial effort for us to get situational awareness through the reconnaissance and surveillance that we’ve already done, coupled with some of our best people on the ground doing assessments of exactly what the situation is -- starting, by the way, with the perimeter around Baghdad and making sure that that's not overrun -- that's a good investment for us to make.  But that does not foreshadow a larger commitment of troops to actually fight in Iraq.  That would not be effective in meeting the core interests that we have.

Q    Just very quickly, do you wish you had left a residual force in Iraq?  Any regrets about that decision in 2011?

THE PRESIDENT:  Well, keep in mind that wasn’t a decision made by me; that was a decision made by the Iraqi government.  We offered a modest residual force to help continue to train and advise Iraqi security forces.  We had a core requirement which we require in any situation where we have U.S. troops overseas, and that is, is that they're provided immunity since they're being invited by the sovereign government there, so that if, for example, they end up acting in self-defense if they are attacked and find themselves in a tough situation, that they're not somehow hauled before a foreign court.  That's a core requirement that we have for U.S. troop presence anywhere. 

The Iraqi government and Prime Minister Maliki declined to provide us that immunity.  And so I think it is important though to recognize that, despite that decision, that we have continued to provide them with very intensive advice and support and have continued throughout this process over the last five years to not only offer them our assistance militarily, but we’ve also continued to urge the kinds of political compromises that we think are ultimately necessary in order for them to have a functioning, multi-sectarian democracy inside the country.

Juliet Eilperin. 

Q    Mr. President, you just mentioned Syria a moment ago.  The United States has been slow to provide significant weapons and training directly to the Syrian opposition.  Has the expansion of the Syria war into Iraq changed your mind about the type of weapons and training we’re now willing to give the opposition there?  Is that what prompted Secretary Kerry to say of Syria, “We are augmenting our assistance in significant ways”?  And can you elaborate on what you are you doing now that you weren’t doing before?

THE PRESIDENT:  That assessment about the dangers of what was happening in Syria have existed since the very beginning of the Syrian civil war.  The question has never been whether we thought this was a serious problem.  The question has always been, is there the capacity of moderate opposition on the ground to absorb and counteract extremists that might have been pouring in, as well as an Assad regime supported by Iran and Russia that outmanned them and was ruthless.

And so we have consistently provided that opposition with support.  Oftentimes, the challenge is if you have former farmers or teachers or pharmacists who now are taking up opposition against a battle-hardened regime, with support from external actors that have a lot at stake, how quickly can you get them trained; how effective are you able to mobilize them.  And that continues to be a challenge.  And even before the situation that we saw with ISIL going into Iraq, we had already tried to maximize what we could do to support a moderate opposition that not only can counteract the brutality of Assad, but also can make sure that in the minds of Sunnis they don't think that their only alternative is either Mr. Assad or extremist groups like ISIL or al Nusra.
 
Q    And can you speak to what you might be doing differently, as the Secretary of State alluded to?

THE PRESIDENT:  Well, I think that the key to both Syria and Iraq is going to be a combination of what happens inside the country working with the moderate Syrian opposition, working with an Iraqi government that is inclusive, and us laying down a more effective counterterrorism platform that gets all the countries in the region pulling in the same direction.  And I alluded to this in the West Point speech.  I talked about it today with respect to the Counterterrorism Partnership Fund.

There is going to be a long-term problem in this region in which we have to build and partner with countries that are committed to our interests, our values.  And at the same time, we have immediate problems with terrorist organizations that may be advancing.  And rather than try to play Whac-a-Mole wherever these terrorist organizations may pop up, what we have to do is to be able to build effective partnerships, make sure that they have capacity.  Some of the assets that have been devoted solely to Afghanistan over the last decade we’ve got to shift to make sure that we have coverage in the Middle East and North Africa. 

You look at a country like Yemen -- a very impoverished country and one that has its own sectarian or ethnic divisions -- there, we do have a committed partner in President Hadi and his government.  And we have been able to help to develop their capacities without putting large numbers of U.S. troops on the ground at the same time as we’ve got enough CT, or counterterrorism capabilities that we’re able to go after folks that might try to hit our embassy or might be trying to export terrorism into Europe or the United States. 

And looking at how we can create more of those models is going to be part of the solution in dealing with both Syria and Iraq.  But in order for us to do that, we still need to have actual governments on the ground that we can partner with and that we’ve got some confidence are going to pursue the political policies of inclusiveness.  In Yemen, for example, a wide-ranging national dialogue that took a long time, but helped to give people a sense that there is a legitimate political outlet for grievances that they may have.

Peter Maer.

Q    Thank you, sir.  Going back to where you see Prime Minister al-Maliki playing a role at this point, you said that it’s a time to rise above differences, that there’s a need for more inclusive government.  Is he a unifier?  And how much clout does the United States ultimately have with any of the leadership in Iraq at this point really?

THE PRESIDENT:  Well, we still provide them significant assistance.  I think they recognize that, unlike some other players in the region, we don’t have territorial ambitions in their country.  We’re not looking to control their assets or their energy.  We want to make sure that we’re vindicating the enormous effort and sacrifice that was made by our troops in giving them an opportunity to build a stable, inclusive society that can prosper and deliver for the basic needs and aspirations of the Iraqi people.

And at the same time, they are a sovereign country.  They have their own politics.  And what we have tried to do is to give them our best advice about how they can solve their political problems.  Now that they are in crisis, we are indicating to them that there is not going to be a simple military solution to this issue.  If you start seeing the various groups inside of Iraq simply go to their respective corners, then it is almost certain that Baghdad and the central government will not be able to control huge chunks of their own country.  The only way they can do that is if there are credible Sunni leaders, both at the national level and at the local level, who have confidence that a Shia majority, that the Kurds, that all those folks are committed to a fair and just governance of the country.

Right now, that doesn’t exist.  There’s too much suspicion, there’s too much mistrust.  And the good news is that an election took place in which despite all this mistrust, despite all this frustration, despite all this anger, you still had millions of Iraqis turn out -- in some cases, in very dangerous circumstances.  You now have a court that has certified those elections, and you have a constitutional process to advance government formation.

So far, at least, the one bit of encouraging news that we’ve seen inside of Iraq is that all the parties have said they continue to be committed to choosing a leadership and a government through the existing constitutional order.

So what you’re seeing I think is, as the prospects of civil war heighten, many Iraq leaders stepping back and saying, let’s not plunge back into the abyss; let’s see if we can resolve this politically.  But they don’t have a lot of time.  And you have a group like ISIL that is doing everything that it can to descend the country back into chaos. 

And so one of the messages that we had for Prime Minister Maliki but also for the Speaker of the House and the other leadership inside of Iraq is, get going on this government formation.  It’ll make it a lot easier for them to shape a military strategy.  It’ll also make it possible for us to partner much more effectively than we can currently.

Q    Given the Prime Minister’s track record, is he a unifier?  Can he play that role after what we’ve seen play out over the last couple of weeks is brought into play?

THE PRESIDENT:  I think the test is before him and other Iraqi leaders as we speak.  Right now, they can make a series of decisions.  Regardless of what’s happened in the past, right now is a moment where the fate of Iraq hangs in the balance, and the test for all of them is going to be whether they can overcome the mistrust, the deep sectarian divisions, in some cases just political opportunism, and say this is bigger than any one of us and we’ve got to make sure that we do what’s right for the Iraqi people.  And that’s a challenge.

That’s not something that the United States can do for them.  That’s not something, by the way, that the United States Armed Forces can do for them.  We can provide them the space, we can provide them the tools.  But ultimately, they’re going to have to make those decisions.

In the meantime, my job is to make sure that American personnel there are safe; that we are consulting with the Iraqi security forces; that we’re getting a better assessment of what’s on the ground; and that we’re recognizing the dangers of ISIL over the long term, and developing the kinds of comprehensive counterterrorism strategies that we’re going to need to deal with this issue.  And that’s going to involve some short-term responses to make sure that ISIL is not obtaining capacity to endanger us directly or our allies and partners.  But it also is going to require some long-term strategies, as well. 

Because part of what we’ve with respect to ISIL is a broader trend that I talked about at West Point -- rather than a single network, a discreet network of terrorists, this fluid combination of hardened terrorists, disaffected local leadership.  And where there’s vacuums, they’re filling it and creating the potential for serious danger for all concerned.

Thank you very much.

Q    On Iran, Mr. President, any words on what you’re willing to do, and are you also willing to work with them?

THE PRESIDENT:  Our view is that Iran can play a constructive role if it is helping to send the same message to the Iraqi government that we’re sending, which is that Iraq only holds together if it’s inclusive and that if the interests of Sunni, Shia and Kurd are all respected.  If Iran is coming in solely as an armed force on behalf of the Shia, and if it is framed in that fashion, then that probably worsens the situation and the prospect for government formation that would actually be constructive over the long term.

Q    What’s your sense of that right now?

THE PRESIDENT:  Well, I think that just as Iraq’s leaders have to make decisions, I think Iran has heard from us.  We’ve indicated to them that it is important for them to avoid steps that might encourage the kind of sectarian splits that might lead to civil war. 

And the one thing that I think has to be emphasized -- we have deep differences with Iran across the board on a whole host of issues.  Obviously, what’s happened in Syria in part is the result of Iran coming in hot and heavy on one side.  And Iran obviously should consider the fact that if its view of the region is solely through sectarian frames, they could find themselves fighting in a whole lot of places.  And that’s probably not good for the Iranian economy or the Iranian people over the long term either.  I suspect there are folks in Iran who recognize that.  A Iraq in chaos on their borders is probably not in their interests.  But old habits die hard, and we’ll have to see whether they can take what I think would be a more promising path over the next several days. 

Thank you very much, everybody. 

END
2:01 P.M. EDT

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President Obama Joins a Meeting of the President's Export Council

June 19, 2014 | 31:25 | Public Domain

President Obama speaks during a President's Expo Council meeting in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building in Washington, D.C.

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Remarks by the President at Export Council Meeting

Eisenhower Executive Office Building

10:30 A.M. EDT

THE PRESIDENT:  I just wanted to say thank you to all of you who are here.  Some of you have been serving on our Export Council for quite some time.  Some of you are here as new additions, but all of you have been extraordinarily successful in your various fields.  And it gives us an enormous opportunity to hear from you in very concrete terms about how we can advance not just America’s export agenda, but how we can build the kind of economic future that we want for our kids and our grandkids. 

For the last 51 months, we have created jobs here in the United States -- 9.4 million jobs in all.  But we’re going to have to create more.  And one of the best ways to do it is to boost American manufacturing and American exports.  That’s why since I came into office we have been promoting American products and businesses when I travel overseas.  It’s why we created the President’s Export Council in 2010.  There are some of the most iconic companies in the world -- Boeing being an example, Xerox being another one. 

And with your help, exports have driven one-third of the economic growth in our recovery and now support over 11 million U.S. jobs.  Last year, we exported $2.3 trillion in goods and services, which was an all-time high.  And business executives around the globe say that the United States is the best place to locate, the best place to invest, and the best place to hire.  And that’s the first time that they’ve said that, that we are number one when it comes to their desirable location to invest.  This is the first time they’ve said that in over a decade. 

So the “Made in America” brand is stronger than ever.  And as we saw yesterday at the first White House Maker Faire -- I was out there watching these 22-year-olds coming up with incredible things -- it is going to be a remarkable future that we have to look ahead to.  Because in many ways, manufacturing is becoming easier, some of the barriers to entry are lowering.  It gives inventors and entrepreneurs the opportunity to create new products and services in ways that we can’t even imagine.  And we want to make sure that all those trends accelerate here in the United States.

So this is a moment of opportunity.  We’ve got a chance to extend our competitive advantage in the world.  That’s what this meeting is about.  One thing I want to focus on today is opening up even more new markets to “Made in America” products.  We’re working very hard to finalize trade agreements with our partners in Europe and in Asia that will make us the center of a free trade hub covering two-thirds of the world economy.  And Mr. Michael Froman has been putting in a lot of miles trying to make sure that that happens.  And I know he’s consulted with some of you -- not just big companies, but a lot of small- and medium-sized businesses who have enormous opportunities if we’re able to open up these markets, and oftentimes are the ones that have the hardest time navigating through some of the barriers that are out there.

I especially want to increase trade and investment in the region.  And this is going to be one of the issues we discuss in August.  There has been some explosive growth in certain parts of the world where we’re just not doing enough, Africa as being a prime example.  You’ve got six of the 10 fastest-growing economies in Africa, a young population that is growing rapidly.  Some of these economies are doing very, very well, but we’re not penetrating those markets as well as we should. 

And I think we’ve got a great opportunity in August with an African Leaders Summit that’s going to be taking place for us to talk about trade and commerce, because that’s really what that continent is interested in.  They’re not interested in aid as much as they are trade, development, and partnering with the private sector. 

And as your businesses know well, when we export products overseas, we’re creating jobs and opportunities here at home.  That’s the focus here today and every day of my presidency -- how do we create thriving businesses that are also able to create great jobs that allow people not just to stay in the middle class, but to work their way into the middle class if they work hard and take responsibility.  And all of you have done that. 

This council is doing great work.  And with that, I’m going to turn it back over to Jay to hear about some of the ideas that you’ve come up with and how we can help advance this agenda.

END          
10:35 A.M. EDT

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The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

President Obama Nominates Two to Serve as U.S. Attorneys

WASHINGTON, DC - Today, President Obama nominated Arthur Lee Bentley III and David Rivera to serve as U.S. Attorneys. 

“These two men have proven themselves to be not only top-flight attorneys but dedicated public servants," President Obama said. "I am grateful for the work they have already done on behalf of the American people and confident that they will ensure justice is served as United States Attorneys.”

Arthur Lee Bentley III: Nominee for United States Attorney for the Middle District of Florida

Arthur Lee Bentley III has been the Acting United States Attorney for the Middle District of Florida since July 2013.  He served as an Assistant United States Attorney in the Middle District of Florida since 2000, during which time he has held leadership positions including First Assistant United States Attorney from 2008 to 2013 and Chief of the Criminal Division from 2007 to 2008 and again from 2010 to 2013.  Previously, Bentley worked at Hogan & Hartson LLP, where he was a partner from 1993 to 2000 and an associate from 1990 to 1992.  He was an associate at Sutherland Asbill & Brennan LLP from 1989 to 1990 and a Special Assistant United States Attorney in the Southern District of Florida from 1988 to 1989.  From 1985 to 1987, he served as an Attorney Advisor in the United States Department of Justice’s Office of Legal Counsel.  Bentley began his legal career as a law clerk for Justice Lewis F. Powell of the Supreme Court of the United States from 1984 to 1985 and for Judge Clement F. Haynsworth, Jr. of the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit from 1983 to 1984.  He received his J.D. in 1983 from the University of Virginia School of Law and his B.B.A. in 1980 from the University of Georgia.

David Rivera: Nominee for United States Attorney for the Middle District of Tennessee

David Rivera has been the Acting United States Attorney for the Middle District of Tennessee since April 2013.  He has served as an Assistant United States Attorney in the Middle District of Tennessee since 2004, during which time he has held leadership positions including First Assistant United States Attorney from 2008 to 2013 and Chief of the Criminal Division from 2007 to 2008.  From 1999 to 2004, he worked in the United States Attorney’s Office in the District of Puerto Rico, serving as Deputy Chief of the Criminal Division.  Rivera was an Assistant State Attorney in Broward County, Florida from 1994 to 1999 and an Assistant District Attorney in Bronx County, New York from 1988 to 1993.  Rivera received his J.D. in 1988 from Pace University School of Law and his B.S. in 1982 from Oral Roberts University.  He also served in the United States Air Force and the United States Air National Guard. 

President Obama Awards the Medal of Honor to Corporal William "Kyle" Carpenter

President Barack Obama awards the Medal of Honor to Corporal William "Kyle" Carpenter

President Barack Obama awards the Medal of Honor to Corporal William "Kyle" Carpenter, U.S. Marine Corps (Ret.) during a ceremony in the East Room of the White House. June 19, 2014. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)

Ed. note: This is cross-posted on the White House Blog. See the original post here.

At the White House this afternoon, President Obama awarded the Medal of Honor to Corporal William "Kyle" Carpenter, a retired United States Marine. Corporal Carpenter received the medal for his courageous actions during combat operations against an armed enemy in Helmand Province, Afghanistan.

By all accounts, Kyle shouldn't be alive today. On November 21, 2010, Kyle's platoon woke up to the sound of AK-47 fire. As their compound began taking fire, Kyle and Lance Corporal Nicholas Eufrazio took cover up on a roof, low on their backs behind a circle of sandbags. And then a grenade landed nearby, its pin already pulled.

President Obama Awards the Medal of Honor to Corporal William "Kyle" Carpenter

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At the White House this afternoon, President Obama awarded the Medal of Honor to Corporal William "Kyle" Carpenter, a retired United States Marine. Corporal Carpenter received the medal for his courageous actions during combat operations against an armed enemy in Helmand Province, Afghanistan.

By all accounts, Kyle shouldn't be alive today. On November 21, 2010, Kyle's platoon woke up to the sound of AK-47 fire. As their compound began taking fire, Kyle and Lance Corporal Nicholas Eufrazio took cover up on a roof, low on their backs behind a circle of sandbags. And then a grenade landed nearby, its pin already pulled.

Related Topics: Defense, Veterans

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

President Obama Announces More Key Administration Posts

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, President Barack Obama announced his intent to appoint the following individuals to key Administration posts:

 

  • Rear Admiral Jonathan A. Yuen, USN – Member, Committee for Purchase from People Who Are Blind or Severely Disabled
  • Earl E. Krygier – United States Commissioner, United States Section of the North Pacific Anadromous Fish Commission
  • Susan Axelrod – Member, President's Committee for People with Intellectual Disabilities
  • James T. Brett – Member, President's Committee for People with Intellectual Disabilities
  • Dan Habib – Member, President's Committee for People with Intellectual Disabilities
  • Stacey Milbern – Member, President's Committee for People with Intellectual Disabilities
  • Susana Ramirez – Member, President's Committee for People with Intellectual Disabilities
  • Ricardo Thornton, Sr. – Member, President's Committee for People with Intellectual Disabilities
  • Betty Williams – Member, President's Committee for People with Intellectual Disabilities

President Obama said, “I am confident that these outstanding men and women will serve the American people well in their new roles 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:

 

Rear Admiral Jonathan A. Yuen, Appointee for Member, Committee for Purchase from People Who Are Blind or Severely Disabled

Rear Admiral Jonathan A. Yuen, SC, USN, is Commander, Naval Supply Systems Command and 47th Chief of Supply Corps, a position he has held since 2013. Previously, he served as Commander, Global Logistics Support from 2011 to 2013.  Rear Admiral Yuen’s Supply Corps sea duty assignments include tours on the USS Narwhal and USS Constellation and as Supply Officer on the USS Nassau.  His shore assignments include Aide to the Director of the Supply, Programs and Policy Division in the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations and Executive Assistant in the Defense Logistics Support Center, Defense Logistics Agency.  Rear Admiral Yuen’s joint assignments include serving as Deputy Commander and Chief of Staff of the Joint Contracting Command - Iraq/Afghanistan, headquartered in the International Zone of Baghdad, and Director, U.S. Central Command Deployment and Distribution Operations Center in Camp Arifjan, Kuwait.  His personal awards include three Legions of Merit, a Bronze Star, two Defense Meritorious Service Medals, three Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medals, and two Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medals.  Rear Admiral Yuen received a B.S. from the U.S. Naval Academy and an M.B.A. from The Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania.   

 

Earl E. Krygier, Appointee for United States Commissioner, United States Section of the North Pacific Anadromous Fish Commission

Earl E. Krygier is currently the owner and Manager of KEE Biological Consultants, a company he started in 2008.  He also served as the Marine Conservation Alliance Foundation’s Cooperative Research Coordinator from 2008 to 2010.  From 1989 to 2008, he worked for the Alaska Department of Fish and Game’s Commercial Fisheries Division as the Extended Jurisdiction Program Manager.  Between 1989 and 1997, Mr. Krygier served as an alternate for the Commissioner on the North Pacific Research Board, which proposes management plans and reviews long-range policies and regulatory implications.  Earlier in his career, Mr. Krygier served as the Executive Director of the Alaska Trollers Association from 1984 to 1989 and Project Leader of the Southeast Salmon Troll Logbook Program from 1980 to 1984.  Mr. Krygier received a B.S. and an M.S. from Oregon State University.

 

Susan Axelrod, Appointee for Member, President's Committee for People with Intellectual Disabilities

Susan Axelrod is Founding Chair of Citizens United for Research in Epilepsy, an organization she helped found in 1998, which supports biomedical epilepsy research grants and initiatives.  She has shared her family’s experiences in national interviews and has published reflections to bring media exposure to epilepsy.  Ms. Axelrod has served on the National Institutes of Health National Advisory Neurological Disorders and Stroke Council.  She also served as a consumer reviewer for the Department of Defense’s Peer Reviewed Medical Research Program.  Ms. Axelrod was awarded the Extraordinary Contributions to the Field of Epilepsy Award by the American Epilepsy Society in 2010, and received the 2007 Gordon and Llura Gund Volunteer Leadership Award from Research!America.  In 1996, she was selected as a United Way “Community Hero,” for which she was presented the honor of carrying the Olympic torch in the relay to Atlanta, Georgia.  Ms. Axelrod received a B.A. from Colorado College and an M.B.A./M.H.A. from the Booth School of Business at The University of Chicago.

 

James T. Brett, Appointee for Member, 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. Mr. Brett previously served as a Member of the Massachusetts House of Representatives from 1981 to 1996.  He serves as Chairman of the Massachusetts Governor’s Commission on Intellectual Disability and is President of the Massachusetts Association for Mental Health.  Mr. Brett also sits on the Advisory Councils of the Robert F. Kennedy Children’s Action Corps and the New England Center for Children.  Mr. Brett is the recipient of the Lifetime Public Service Award from Action for Boston Community Development, 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 “Brett House,” a new community home for disabled adults, in his honor.  The University of Massachusetts Boston established the James T. Brett Chair in Disability and Workforce Development in 2013.  He served on the President’s Committee for People with Intellectual Disabilities from 2002 to 2006, again from 2011 to 2013, and was designated Chair in 2011.  Mr. Brett received a B.A. from American University and an M.P.A. from Suffolk University and the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University.

 

Dan Habib, Appointee for Member, President's Committee for People with Intellectual Disabilities

Dan Habib is a Filmmaker and Project Director of the Inclusive Communities Project at the University of New Hampshire’s Institute on Disability, where he has worked since 2008.  Previously, he was Photography Editor at the Concord Monitor from 1995 to 2008, where he was named National Photography Editor of the Year in 2006 and 2008.  He was a freelance photographer from 1992 to 1995, and Staff Photographer at the Concord Monitor from 1988 to 1992.  Mr. Habib created a nationally broadcast film about his son, Including Samuel, and has made many other documentaries on topic related to disability and education.  He received the Justice for All Grassroots Award from the American Association of People with Disabilities in 2013 and the Champion of Human and Civil Rights Award from the National Education Association (New Hampshire) in 2012.  Mr. Habib received a B.A. from the University of Michigan.

 

Stacey Milbern, Appointee for Member, President's Committee for People with Intellectual Disabilities

Stacey Milbern is Program Manager at the Center for Independent Living in Berkeley, CA.  Ms. Milbern is also a Project Coordinator at the Autistic Self Advocacy Network.  Previously, she worked as Community Outreach Director for the National Youth Leadership Network.  She was appointed by the Governor of North Carolina to the Statewide Independent Living Council from 2004 to 2010 and to the North Carolina Commission for the Blind from 2006 to 2008.  Ms. Milbern received a B.A. from Methodist University.

 

Susana Ramirez, Appointee for Member, President's Committee for People with Intellectual Disabilities

Susana Ramirez is Special Education Advocate at Disability Rights Oregon, a position she has held since 2001.  She was first appointed to the President’s Committee for People with Intellectual Disabilities in 2011.  Ms. Ramirez served on the Oregon State Advisory Council of Special Education from 1999 to 2002 and the Oregon Special Education Task Force from 2000 to 2001.  She is a guest lecturer at the University of Oregon Law School and the Portland State University Graduate School of Education.  In 2001, she received the State of Oregon Advocate of the Year Gubernatorial Award, and in 2000, she received the Advocate of the Year Award from the Oregon Council on Developmental Disabilities for her work establishing Padres en Acción, a parent group focused on advocating for the rights of Latino children with disabilities and their families.

 

Ricardo Thornton, Sr., Appointee for Member, President's Committee for People with Intellectual Disabilities

Ricardo Thornton, Sr. has worked at the Martin Luther King, Jr., Memorial Library in Washington, D.C. since 1978.  He is a Member of Project ACTION!, a coalition of adults with disabilities.  He is also a Member of the D.C. Developmental Disabilities Council, an actor with the theatre group Players Unlimited, and an international ambassador with the Special Olympics.  Mr. Thornton and his wife Donna were the subjects of Profoundly Normal, a made-for-TV movie.  In 1997, he was selected by The Washingtonian as a Washingtonian of the Year.

 

Betty Williams, Appointee for Member, President's Committee for People with Intellectual Disabilities

Betty Williams is Consumer Education and Training Coordinator at The Arc of Indiana, a position she has held since 2006.  Previously, she worked at Achieva Resources as Workshop Consumer from 2005 to 2006 and as Habilitation Specialist from 2000 to 2004.  Ms. Williams has served as Secretary of Self-Advocates Becoming Empowered since 2012 and as a Lay Member of the Indiana Developmental Disabilities Commission since 1998.  She served as President of Self Advocates Becoming Empowered from 2010 to 2012 and as President of Self Advocates of Indiana from 2005 to 2010.