President Obama Speaks at the Cannon Ball Flag Day Celebration

June 13, 2014 | 12:20 | Public Domain

President Obama delivers remarks at the Cannon Ball Flag Day Celebration at the Standing Rock Indian Reservation in North Dakota.

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Remarks by the President at the Cannon Ball Flag Day Celebration

Standing Rock Indian Reservation Cannon Ball, North Dakota

4:58 P.M. CDT

THE PRESIDENT:  Hello Dakota Nation!  (Applause.)  Hello Lakota Nation!  Chairman Archambault, tribal leaders, people of Standing Rock, people of Indian Country -- Michelle and I are honored to be in this sacred and beautiful place.  It’s easy to see why it’s called God’s country.  (Applause.)  And because I’m among friends, I’m going to try something in Lakota.  But I can’t guarantee it’s going to come out perfect.  Háu, mitákuyepi!  (Applause.)  I’m going to practice.  I’m going to be even better next time.  (Laughter.)

AUDIENCE MEMBER:  We love you, Obama! 

THE PRESIDENT:  I love you back!  (Applause.)  I want to thank Governor Jack Dalrymple and the members of Congress who are here today:  Senator Heidi Heitkamp, Senator John Hoeven, Congressman Kevin Cramer.  We’re so grateful that you took the time to be here. 

And I know that your annual Flag Day powwow officially begins this evening.  So we’re a little early.  But thank you for giving us a sneak peek of the celebration.  And we are grateful for the chance to pay tribute to all the veterans of America’s armed forces who have joined us here today, as well as those who have walked on, and whose flags are proudly displayed here today.  Thank you and to your families for your extraordinary service.  We are very, very grateful.  (Applause.)  I want to acknowledge our outstanding Secretary of the Interior, Sally Jewel, who’s here.  (Applause.) 

This visit holds special meaning for me. 

AUDIENCE MEMBER:  We love Michelle, too!

THE PRESIDENT:  Of course you love Michelle.  Who doesn’t love Michelle?  (Laughter and applause.)

When I was first running for President, I had the honor of visiting the Crow Nation in Montana.  And today I’m proud to be making my first trip to Indian Country as President of the United States.  (Applause.)  

I know that throughout history, the United States often didn’t give the nation-to-nation relationship the respect that it deserved.  So I promised when I ran to be a President who’d change that -- a President who honors our sacred trust, and who respects your sovereignty, and upholds treaty obligations, and who works with you in a spirit of true partnership, in mutual respect, to give our children the future that they deserve. 

And today, I’m proud that the government-to-government relationship between Washington and tribal nations is stronger than ever.  Sally Jewell has been doing great work.  Her predecessor, Ken Salazar, did great work to make sure that we were listening to you.  And as head of our new Council on Native American Affairs, she makes sure that the federal government and tribal governments are coordinating with each other at all times.  And Kevin Washburn, my Assistant Secretary of the Interior for Indian Affairs and a member of the Chickasaw Nation, is here as well. 

You see, my administration is determined to partner with tribes, and it’s not something that just happens once in a while.  It takes place every day, on just about every issue that touches your lives.  And that’s what real nation-to-nation partnerships look like. 

We’ve responded and resolved longstanding disputes.  George Keepseagle is here today.  (Applause.)  A few years ago, my administration reached a historic settlement with George and other American Indian farmers and ranchers.  And I signed into law the historic Cobell settlement, leading to the Land Buy-Back Program, a $1.9 billion fund to consolidate individual Indian lands and restore them to tribal trust lands.  (Applause.)  

We’ve made major investments to help grow tribal economies -- investments in job training and tribal colleges; roads and high-speed Internet; energy, including renewable energy.  And thanks to the Affordable Care Act, Native Americans -- like all Americans -- finally have access to quality, affordable health care.  (Applause.) 

But I realize that a powwow isn’t just about celebrating the past.  It’s also about looking to the future.  It’s about keeping sacred traditions alive for the next generation, for these beautiful children.  So here today, I want to focus on the work that lies ahead.  And I think we can follow the lead of Standing Rock’s most famous resident, Chief Sitting Bull.  (Applause.)  He said, “Let’s put our minds together to see what we can build for our children.”  (Applause.)

So let’s put our minds together to build more economic opportunity in Indian Country -- because every American, including every Native American, deserves the chance to work hard and get ahead, everybody.  (Applause.)  That means creating more jobs and supporting small businesses in places like Standing Rock -- because young people should be able to live and work and raise a family right here in the land of your fathers and mothers.  (Applause.)  Let’s put our minds together to advance justice -- because like every American, you deserve to be safe in your communities and treated equally under the law.  (Applause.) 

My administration has gone further than any in history to strengthen the sovereignty of tribal courts, particularly when it comes to criminal sentencing and prosecuting people who commit violence against women.  And Standing Rock has done a terrific job at building a court system that is open and efficient, and delivers justice to your people.  (Applause.)  So we want to support more tribes as they follow your lead and strengthen justice in our communities.  And that includes protecting important rights like the right to vote, because every Native American deserves a voice in our democracy.  (Applause.)  

Let’s put our minds together to improve our schools -- because our children deserve a world-class education, too, that prepares them for college and careers.  (Applause.)  And that means returning control of Indian education to tribal nations with additional resources and support so that you can direct your children’s education and reform schools here in Indian Country.  And even as they prepare for a global economy, we want children, like these wonderful young children here, learning about their language and learning about their culture, just like the boys and girls do at Lakota Language Nest here at Standing Rock.  We want to make sure that continues and we build on that success.  (Applause.)  

Before we came here, Michelle and I sat with an amazing group of young people.  I love these young people.  I only spent an hour with them.  They feel like my own.  And you should be proud of them -- because they’ve overcome a lot, but they’re strong and they’re still standing, and they’re moving forward.  (Applause.)  And they’re proud of their culture.  But they talked about the challenges of living in two worlds and being both “Native” and “American.”  And some bright young people like the ones we met today might look around and sometimes wonder if the United States really is thinking about them and caring about them, and has a place for them, too. 

And when we were talking, I said, you know, Michelle and I know what it feels like sometimes to go through tough times.  We grew up at times feeling like we were on the outside looking in.  But thanks to family and friends, and teachers and coaches and neighbors that didn’t give up on us, we didn’t give up on ourselves.  Just like these young people are not giving up on themselves.  And we want every young person in America to have the same chance that we had -- and that includes the boys and girls here in Indian Country.  (Applause.)

There’s no denying that for some Americans the deck has been stacked against them, sometimes for generations.  And that’s been the case for many Native Americans.  But if we’re working together, we can make things better.  We’ve got a long way to go.  But if we do our part, I believe that we can turn the corner.  We can break old cycles.  We can give our children a better future.  I know because I’ve talked to these young people.  I know they can succeed.  I know they’ll be leaders not just in Indian Country, but across America.  And we’ve got to invest in them and believe in them and love them, and that starts from the White House all the way down here.  (Applause.)                          

I understand that the Lakota word for “children” -- “wakanyeja” -- comes from the word “wakan” -- “sacred.”  That’s what young people are -- they’re sacred.  They’re sacred to your families and they’re sacred to your tribe, and they’re sacred to this nation.  And every day that I have the honor of serving as your President, I will do everything I can to make sure that you see that our country has a place for everyone, including every single young person here -- and all across the Dakotas and all across America, and that you’re getting the support and encouragement you need to go as far as your hard work and your talent will take you.  That is my commitment to you -- to every single young person here.  (Applause.)   

This community has made extraordinary contributions to the United States.  Just look at all these flags.  So many Native Americans have served our country with honor and with courage.  And now it’s up to us to keep strong what they have built -- to keep America the place where no matter who you are and what you look like, or where you come from, you can make it.  And that you don’t have to give up your culture to also be part of the American family.  That’s what I believe.  And coming here today makes me believe it that much more. 

Hechetu welo.  Thank you.  God bless you.  And God bless the United States of America.  (Applause.)

 

                                       END                 5:10 P.M. CDT

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President Obama Makes a Statement on Iraq

June 13, 2014 | 11:05 | Public Domain

President Obama delivers remarks on the situation in Iraq from the South Lawn of the White House.

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Statement by the President on Iraq

South Lawn

12:00 P.M. EDT

THE PRESIDENT:  Good morning, everybody.  I wanted to take some time to give you a quick update about the situation in Iraq. 

Yesterday, I convened a meeting with my National Security Council to discuss the situation there, and this morning I received an update from my team.  Over the last several days, we’ve seen significant gains made by ISIL, a terrorist organization that operates in both Iraq and in Syria.  In the face of a terrorist offensive, Iraqi security forces have proven unable to defend a number of cities, which has allowed the terrorists to overrun a part of Iraq’s territory.  And this poses a danger to Iraq and its people.  And given the nature of these terrorists, it could pose a threat eventually to American interests as well.

Now, this threat is not brand new.  Over the last year, we’ve been steadily ramping up our security assistance to the Iraqi government with increased training, equipping and intelligence.  Now, Iraq needs additional support to break the momentum of extremist groups and bolster the capabilities of Iraqi security forces.  We will not be sending U.S. troops back into combat in Iraq, but I have asked my national security team to prepare a range of other options that could help support Iraqi security forces, and I’ll be reviewing those options in the days ahead.

I do want to be clear though, this is not solely or even primarily a military challenge.  Over the past decade, American troops have made extraordinary sacrifices to give Iraqis an opportunity to claim their own future.  Unfortunately, Iraq’s leaders have been unable to overcome too often the mistrust and sectarian differences that have long been simmering there, and that’s created vulnerabilities within the Iraqi government as well as their security forces.

So any action that we may take to provide assistance to Iraqi security forces has to be joined by a serious and sincere effort by Iraq’s leaders to set aside sectarian differences, to promote stability, and account for the legitimate interests of all of Iraq’s communities, and to continue to build the capacity of an effective security force.  We can’t do it for them.  And in the absence of this type of political effort, short-term military action, including any assistance we might provide, won’t succeed. 

So this should be a wake-up call.  Iraq’s leaders have to demonstrate a willingness to make hard decisions and compromises on behalf of the Iraqi people in order to bring the country together.  In that effort, they will have the support of the United States and our friends and our allies. 

Now, Iraq’s neighbors also have some responsibilities to support this process.  Nobody has an interest in seeing terrorists gain a foothold inside of Iraq, and nobody is going to benefit from seeing Iraq descend into chaos.  So the United States will do our part, but understand that ultimately it’s up to the Iraqis, as a sovereign nation, to solve their problems.

Indeed, across the region we have redoubled our efforts to help build more capable counterterrorism forces so that groups like ISIL can’t establish a safe haven.  And we’ll continue that effort through our support of the moderate opposition in Syria, our support for Iraq and its security forces, and our partnership with other countries across the region. 

We’re also going to pursue intensive diplomacy throughout this period both inside of Iraq and across the region, because there’s never going to be stability in Iraq or the broader region unless there are political outcomes that allow people to resolve their differences peacefully without resorting to war or relying on the United States military. 

We’ll be monitoring the situation in Iraq very carefully over the next several days.  Our top priority will remain being vigilant against any threats to our personnel serving overseas.  We will consult closely with Congress as we make determinations about appropriate action, and we’ll continue to keep the American people fully informed as we make decisions about the way forward. 

I’ll take a question.

Q    Mr. President, given the recent U.S. history there, are you reluctant to get involved again in Iraq?

THE PRESIDENT:  I think that we should look at the situation carefully.  We have an interest in making sure that a group like ISIL, which is a vicious organization and has been able to take advantage of the chaos in Syria, that they don't get a broader foothold.  I think there are dangers of fierce sectarian fighting if, for example, these terrorist organizations try to overrun sacred Shia sites, which could trigger Shia-Sunni conflicts that could be very hard to stamp out.  So we have enormous interests there.

And obviously, our troops and the American people and the American taxpayers made huge investments and sacrifices in order to give Iraqis the opportunity to chart a better course, a better destiny.  But ultimately, they're going to have to seize it.  As I said before, we are not going to be able to do it for them.  And given the very difficult history that we’ve seen in Iraq, I think that any objective observer would recognize that in the absence of accommodation among the various factions inside of Iraq, various military actions by the United States, by any outside nation, are not going to solve those problems over the long term and not going to deliver the kind of stability that we need.

Anybody else?

Q    Mr. President, is the Syrian civil war spilling over the Iraq border?  And what can we do to stop it?

THE PRESIDENT:  Well, I think that's been happening for some time.  ISIL has been able to gain a foothold in Syria.  That's part of the reason why we’ve been so concerned about it.  That's part of the reason why we’ve been supporting the Syrian opposition there.  But it’s a challenging problem.

In Iraq, the Iraqi government, which was initially resistant to some of our offers of help, has come around now to recognize that cooperation with us on some of these issues can be useful.  Obviously, that's not the case in Syria where President Assad has no interest in seeing us involved there, and where some of the governments that are supporting Assad have been able to block, for example, U.N. efforts even at humanitarian aid.  But this is a regional problem and it is going to be a long-term problem.

And what we’re going to have to do is combine selective actions by our military to make sure that we’re going after terrorists who could harm our personnel overseas or eventually hit the homeland.  We’re going to have to combine that with what is a very challenging international effort to try to rebuild countries and communities that have been shattered by sectarian war.  And that's not an easy task.

Q    Mr. President, which foreign countries have you been in touch with?  And what are they willing to do as part of this international effort?

THE PRESIDENT:  Well, we’re in contact with them now.  So we’ll have a better sense by the end of the weekend, after those consultations.  And we will be getting a better sense from them of how they might support an effort to bring about the kind of political unity inside of Iraq that bolsters security forces.

Look, the United States has poured a lot of money into these Iraqi security forces, and we devoted a lot of training to Iraqi security forces.  The fact that they are not willing to stand and fight, and defend their posts against admittedly hardened terrorists but not terrorists who are overwhelming in numbers indicates that there’s a problem with morale, there’s a problem in terms of commitment.  And ultimately, that’s rooted in the political problems that have plagued the country for a very long time.

Last question.  Last one.

Q    Thank you.  Can you talk a little bit about U.S. concern of disruption of oil supplies?

THE PRESIDENT:  Well, so far at least we have not seen major disruptions in oil supplies.  Obviously if, in fact, ISIL was able to obtain control over major output, significant refineries, that could be a source of concern.  As you might expect, world oil markets react to any kind of instability in the Middle East.  One of our goals should be to make sure that in cooperation with other countries in the region not only are we creating some sort of backstop in terms of what’s happening inside of Iraq, but if there do end up being disruptions inside of Iraq, that some of the other producers in the Gulf are able to pick up the slack.  So that will be part of the consultations that will be taking place during the course of this week.

Just to give people a sense of timing here, although events on the ground in Iraq have been happening very quickly, our ability to plan, whether it’s military action or work with the Iraqi government on some of these political issues, is going to take several days.  So people should not anticipate that this is something that is going to happen overnight.  We want to make sure that we have good eyes on the situation there.  We want to make sure that we’ve gathered all the intelligence that’s necessary so that if, in fact, I do direct and order any actions there, that they’re targeted, they’re precise and they’re going to have an effect. 

And as I indicated before -- and I want to make sure that everybody understands this message -- the United States is not simply going to involve itself in a military action in the absence of a political plan by the Iraqis that gives us some assurance that they’re prepared to work together.  We’re not going to allow ourselves to be dragged back into a situation in which while we’re there we’re keeping a lid on things, and after enormous sacrifices by us, as soon as we’re not there, suddenly people end up acting in ways that are not conducive to the long-term stability and prosperity of the country. 

All right, thank you very much, everybody. 

END
12:11 P.M. EDT

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The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
June 13, 2014

Remarks by the President at the Cannon Ball Flag Day Celebration

Standing Rock Indian Reservation Cannon Ball, North Dakota

4:58 P.M. CDT

THE PRESIDENT:  Hello Dakota Nation!  (Applause.)  Hello Lakota Nation!  Chairman Archambault, tribal leaders, people of Standing Rock, people of Indian Country -- Michelle and I are honored to be in this sacred and beautiful place.  It’s easy to see why it’s called God’s country.  (Applause.)  And because I’m among friends, I’m going to try something in Lakota.  But I can’t guarantee it’s going to come out perfect.  Háu, mitákuyepi!  (Applause.)  I’m going to practice.  I’m going to be even better next time.  (Laughter.)

AUDIENCE MEMBER:  We love you, Obama! 

THE PRESIDENT:  I love you back!  (Applause.)  I want to thank Governor Jack Dalrymple and the members of Congress who are here today:  Senator Heidi Heitkamp, Senator John Hoeven, Congressman Kevin Cramer.  We’re so grateful that you took the time to be here. 

And I know that your annual Flag Day powwow officially begins this evening.  So we’re a little early.  But thank you for giving us a sneak peek of the celebration.  And we are grateful for the chance to pay tribute to all the veterans of America’s armed forces who have joined us here today, as well as those who have walked on, and whose flags are proudly displayed here today.  Thank you and to your families for your extraordinary service.  We are very, very grateful.  (Applause.)  I want to acknowledge our outstanding Secretary of the Interior, Sally Jewel, who’s here.  (Applause.) 

This visit holds special meaning for me. 

AUDIENCE MEMBER:  We love Michelle, too!

THE PRESIDENT:  Of course you love Michelle.  Who doesn’t love Michelle?  (Laughter and applause.)

When I was first running for President, I had the honor of visiting the Crow Nation in Montana.  And today I’m proud to be making my first trip to Indian Country as President of the United States.  (Applause.)  

I know that throughout history, the United States often didn’t give the nation-to-nation relationship the respect that it deserved.  So I promised when I ran to be a President who’d change that -- a President who honors our sacred trust, and who respects your sovereignty, and upholds treaty obligations, and who works with you in a spirit of true partnership, in mutual respect, to give our children the future that they deserve. 

And today, I’m proud that the government-to-government relationship between Washington and tribal nations is stronger than ever.  Sally Jewell has been doing great work.  Her predecessor, Ken Salazar, did great work to make sure that we were listening to you.  And as head of our new Council on Native American Affairs, she makes sure that the federal government and tribal governments are coordinating with each other at all times.  And Kevin Washburn, my Assistant Secretary of the Interior for Indian Affairs and a member of the Chickasaw Nation, is here as well. 

You see, my administration is determined to partner with tribes, and it’s not something that just happens once in a while.  It takes place every day, on just about every issue that touches your lives.  And that’s what real nation-to-nation partnerships look like. 

We’ve responded and resolved longstanding disputes.  George Keepseagle is here today.  (Applause.)  A few years ago, my administration reached a historic settlement with George and other American Indian farmers and ranchers.  And I signed into law the historic Cobell settlement, leading to the Land Buy-Back Program, a $1.9 billion fund to consolidate individual Indian lands and restore them to tribal trust lands.  (Applause.)  

We’ve made major investments to help grow tribal economies -- investments in job training and tribal colleges; roads and high-speed Internet; energy, including renewable energy.  And thanks to the Affordable Care Act, Native Americans -- like all Americans -- finally have access to quality, affordable health care.  (Applause.) 

But I realize that a powwow isn’t just about celebrating the past.  It’s also about looking to the future.  It’s about keeping sacred traditions alive for the next generation, for these beautiful children.  So here today, I want to focus on the work that lies ahead.  And I think we can follow the lead of Standing Rock’s most famous resident, Chief Sitting Bull.  (Applause.)  He said, “Let’s put our minds together to see what we can build for our children.”  (Applause.)

So let’s put our minds together to build more economic opportunity in Indian Country -- because every American, including every Native American, deserves the chance to work hard and get ahead, everybody.  (Applause.)  That means creating more jobs and supporting small businesses in places like Standing Rock -- because young people should be able to live and work and raise a family right here in the land of your fathers and mothers.  (Applause.)  Let’s put our minds together to advance justice -- because like every American, you deserve to be safe in your communities and treated equally under the law.  (Applause.) 

My administration has gone further than any in history to strengthen the sovereignty of tribal courts, particularly when it comes to criminal sentencing and prosecuting people who commit violence against women.  And Standing Rock has done a terrific job at building a court system that is open and efficient, and delivers justice to your people.  (Applause.)  So we want to support more tribes as they follow your lead and strengthen justice in our communities.  And that includes protecting important rights like the right to vote, because every Native American deserves a voice in our democracy.  (Applause.)  

Let’s put our minds together to improve our schools -- because our children deserve a world-class education, too, that prepares them for college and careers.  (Applause.)  And that means returning control of Indian education to tribal nations with additional resources and support so that you can direct your children’s education and reform schools here in Indian Country.  And even as they prepare for a global economy, we want children, like these wonderful young children here, learning about their language and learning about their culture, just like the boys and girls do at Lakota Language Nest here at Standing Rock.  We want to make sure that continues and we build on that success.  (Applause.)  

Before we came here, Michelle and I sat with an amazing group of young people.  I love these young people.  I only spent an hour with them.  They feel like my own.  And you should be proud of them -- because they’ve overcome a lot, but they’re strong and they’re still standing, and they’re moving forward.  (Applause.)  And they’re proud of their culture.  But they talked about the challenges of living in two worlds and being both “Native” and “American.”  And some bright young people like the ones we met today might look around and sometimes wonder if the United States really is thinking about them and caring about them, and has a place for them, too. 

And when we were talking, I said, you know, Michelle and I know what it feels like sometimes to go through tough times.  We grew up at times feeling like we were on the outside looking in.  But thanks to family and friends, and teachers and coaches and neighbors that didn’t give up on us, we didn’t give up on ourselves.  Just like these young people are not giving up on themselves.  And we want every young person in America to have the same chance that we had -- and that includes the boys and girls here in Indian Country.  (Applause.)

There’s no denying that for some Americans the deck has been stacked against them, sometimes for generations.  And that’s been the case for many Native Americans.  But if we’re working together, we can make things better.  We’ve got a long way to go.  But if we do our part, I believe that we can turn the corner.  We can break old cycles.  We can give our children a better future.  I know because I’ve talked to these young people.  I know they can succeed.  I know they’ll be leaders not just in Indian Country, but across America.  And we’ve got to invest in them and believe in them and love them, and that starts from the White House all the way down here.  (Applause.)                          

I understand that the Lakota word for “children” -- “wakanyeja” -- comes from the word “wakan” -- “sacred.”  That’s what young people are -- they’re sacred.  They’re sacred to your families and they’re sacred to your tribe, and they’re sacred to this nation.  And every day that I have the honor of serving as your President, I will do everything I can to make sure that you see that our country has a place for everyone, including every single young person here -- and all across the Dakotas and all across America, and that you’re getting the support and encouragement you need to go as far as your hard work and your talent will take you.  That is my commitment to you -- to every single young person here.  (Applause.)   

This community has made extraordinary contributions to the United States.  Just look at all these flags.  So many Native Americans have served our country with honor and with courage.  And now it’s up to us to keep strong what they have built -- to keep America the place where no matter who you are and what you look like, or where you come from, you can make it.  And that you don’t have to give up your culture to also be part of the American family.  That’s what I believe.  And coming here today makes me believe it that much more. 

Hechetu welo.  Thank you.  God bless you.  And God bless the United States of America.  (Applause.)

 

                                       END                 5:10 P.M. CDT

Weekly Wrap Up: Here's What You Missed This Week at the White House

David Hudson
David Hudson
June 13, 2014
05:30 PM EDT

This week, the President hosted his first-ever Tumblr Q&A, congratulated graduates from Worcester Technical High School in Massachusetts, and took yet another step to expand opportunity for all Americans — and we had #LunchWithFLOTUS on Twitter.

But that's just a little bit of what went on this week. Check out what else happened around the White House:

@FLOTUS on #Twitter

The First Lady hopped on Twitter yesterday for a Q&A on school nutrition and healthy school lunches. As part of her Let's Move! initiative, First Lady Michelle Obama has helped raise awareness around the importance of kids eating healthy and getting the nutrition they need.

Related Topics: Grab Bag, Massachusetts

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
June 13, 2014

President Obama Announces More Key Administration Posts

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

  • Erica J. Barks Ruggles – Ambassador to the Republic of Rwanda, Department of State
  • Brent Robert Hartley – Ambassador to the Republic of Slovenia, Department of State
  • Donald L. Heflin  – Ambassador to the Republic of Cabo Verde, Department of State
  • Earl Robert Miller – Ambassador to the Republic of Botswana, Department of State
  • David Pressman – Alternate Representative of the United States for Special Political Affairs in the United Nations, with the rank of Ambassador

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

  • John Anderson – Member, National Science Board, National Science Foundation
  • Roger N. Beachy – Member, National Science Board, National Science Foundation
  • Vicki Chandler – Member, National Science Board, National Science Foundation
  • Robert M. Groves – Member, National Science Board, National Science Foundation
  • James S. Jackson – Member, National Science Board, National Science Foundation
  • Sethuraman Panchanathan– Member, National Science Board, National Science Foundation
  • Rodney Ewing  – Chairman, Nuclear Waste Technical Review Board
  • Sue Clark – Member, Nuclear Waste Technical Review Board
  • Linda Nozick – Member, Nuclear Waste Technical Review Board
  • Kenneth Peddicord – Member, Nuclear Waste Technical Review Board
  • Paul Turinsky – Member, Nuclear Waste Technical Review Board

President Obama said, “Our nation will be greatly served by the talent and expertise these individuals bring to their new roles. I am grateful they have agreed to serve in this Administration, and I look forward to working with them in the months and years ahead.”

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

Erica J. Barks Ruggles, Nominee for Ambassador to the Republic of Rwanda, Department of State
Erica J. Barks Ruggles, a career member of the Foreign Service, Class of Minister-Counselor, is Consul General at the U.S. Consulate in Cape Town, South Africa, a position she has held since 2011.  From 2009 to 2011, she served as Deputy to the U.S. Permanent Representative to the United Nations.  From 2005 to 2008, she served as Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor at the Department of State (DOS).  From 2004 to 2005, Ms. Barks Ruggles was a Member of the Policy Planning Staff in the Office of the Secretary of State.  From 2001 to 2004, she served as the Economic Section Chief at the U.S. Embassy in Oslo, Norway.  From 2000 to 2001, Ms. Barks Ruggles was an International Affairs Fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations and Visiting Fellow at the Brookings Institution.  She was the Special Assistant to the Under Secretary for Political Affairs at DOS from 1999 to 2000, and Director of African Affairs at the National Security Council from 1996 to 1999.  Ms. Barks Ruggles was a Line Officer in the Executive Secretariat at DOS in 1996 and was the Desk Officer in the Bureau of African Affairs from 1994 to 1996. From 1992 to 1994, she served as the Vice Consul at the U.S. Consulate General in Chennai (Madras), India.  Ms. Barks Ruggles received a B.A. from Swarthmore College.

Brent Robert Hartley, Nominee for Ambassador to the Republic of Slovenia, Department of State
Brent Robert Hartley, a career member of the Foreign Service, Class of Counselor, is currently Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs, a position he has held since 2012.  He served as Director for European Security and Political Affairs from 2010 to 2012, Country Director for Pakistan from 2008 to 2010, and Political-Military Counselor in Afghanistan from 2007 to 2008.  From 2006 to 2007, he served as Deputy Director for European Security and Political Affairs.  He was Senior Advisor for International Relations at the National Counterterrorism Center from 2005 to 2006.  Prior to that, he served as Director for Regional Affairs in the Office of the Coordinator for Counterterrorism from 2003 to 2005.  Mr. Hartley was also Deputy Political Advisor to the U.S. Mission to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) from 2000 to 2002, Political-Military Affairs Officer at the U.S. Mission to NATO from 1999 to 2000, and Senior Desk Officer for Cyprus from 1997 to 1999.  Earlier assignments at the State Department include: Political-Military Officer in the Office of Regional Nuclear Nonproliferation Affairs, Political-Military Affairs Officer at the U.S. Embassy in Rome, Italy, Political-Military Officer in the Office of European Security and Political Affairs, and Staff Assistant in the Bureau of European and Canadian Affairs.  Mr. Hartley received a B.A. from Hampshire College and an M.S. from the National War College.

Donald L. Heflin, Nominee for Ambassador to the Republic of Cabo Verde, Department of State
Donald L. Heflin, a career member of the Foreign Service, Class of Minister-Counselor, is the Managing Director of the Visa Office in the Bureau of Consular Affairs at the Department of State, a position he has held since 2012.  He served as Principal Officer at the U.S. Consulate General in Nuevo Laredo, Mexico from 2009 to 2012, and as Acting Director and Deputy Director of the Office of West African Affairs from 2006 to 2009.  From 2004 to 2006, Mr. Heflin was Deputy Director of the Office of African Regional and Security Affairs.  From 1999 to 2003, he served as Consul at the U.S. Embassy in the United Kingdom.  Prior to that, he served as a Coordination Division Officer in the Visa Office in the Bureau of Consular Affairs from 1997 to 1999.  From 1995 to 1997, he was Rwanda/Burundi Desk Officer in the Office of Central African Affairs.  Mr. Heflin was Consul at the U.S. Embassy in Zambia from 1993 to 1995, and Consul and Deputy Principal Officer at the U.S. Consulate in Hermosillo, Mexico from 1992 to 1993.  Mr. Heflin was Vice Consul at the U.S. Consulates in Chennai (Madras), India and Lima, Peru.  Prior to joining the U.S. Foreign Service in 1987, Mr. Heflin was as an attorney in Mobile and Huntsville, Alabama.  Mr. Heflin received a B.A. from Birmingham-Southern College, a J.D. from the University of Alabama Law School, and an M.S. from the National War College.

Earl Robert Miller, Nominee for Ambassador to the Republic of Botswana, Department of State
Earl Robert Miller, a career member of the Foreign Service, Class of Counselor, is currently Consul General at the U.S. Consulate General in Johannesburg, South Africa, a position he has held since 2011.  Previously, he served with the Department of State (DOS) as Regional Security Officer at the U.S. Embassy in India from 2008 to 2011, Regional Security Officer at the U.S. Embassy in Iraq from 2007 to 2008, Regional Security Officer at the U.S. Embassy in Indonesia from 2004 to 2007, and Regional Security Officer at the U.S. Embassy in Malaysia from 2000 to 2003.  Before that, he was Assistant Special Agent in Charge at the Boston Field Office of the Diplomatic Security Service from 1998 to 2000 and Regional Security Officer in Botswana from 1995 to 1998.  Since joining DOS in 1987, he also served in the Diplomatic Security Service as Southern Africa Desk Officer, Special Agent in Miami, Assistant Regional Security Officer at the U.S. Embassy in El Salvador, and Special Agent in San Francisco.  Mr. Miller was an officer in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve from 1985 to 1992, including a six-month tour when recalled to active duty during the Gulf War.  Prior to joining DOS, he served as a U.S. Marine Corps Officer from 1981 to 1984.  Mr. Miller received a B.A. from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor and graduated from the U.S. Marine Corps Command and Staff College.

David Pressman, Nominee for Alternate Representative of the United States for Special Political Affairs in the United Nations, with the rank of Ambassador
David Pressman currently serves as the Counselor to the Permanent Representative at United States Mission to the United Nations, a position he has held since 2013.  From 2011 to 2013, he served as the Assistant Secretary for Policy Development at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).  From 2010 to 2011, Mr. Pressman was detailed from DHS to serve as the Director for War Crimes and Atrocities on the National Security Council at the White House.  From 2009 to 2010, he served as Counselor to the Deputy Secretary at DHS.  Mr. Pressman co-founded the international human rights advocacy organization Not On Our Watch.  From 1999 to 2001, Mr. Pressman served as Special Assistant to Secretary of State Madeleine K. Albright.  He received a B.A. from Brown University and a J.D. from New York University School of Law.

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

Dr. John Anderson, Appointee for Member, National Science Board, National Science Foundation
Dr. John Anderson is currently the President of the Illinois Institute of Technology, a position he has held since 2007.  From 2004 to 2007, Dr. Anderson served as Provost, University Vice President, and Professor of Chemical Engineering at Case Western Reserve University.  From 1976 to 2004, Dr. Anderson served in various roles at Carnegie Mellon University (CMU), most recently as Dean of the College of Engineering from 1996 to 2004.  He also served as Head of the Department of Chemical Engineering at CMU from 1983 to 1994 and Director of the Biomedical Engineering Program from 1980 to 1985.  Dr. Anderson was a University Professor at Carnegie Mellon from 1994 to 2004 and was a Professor of Chemical Engineering from 1979 to 2004.  He served as an Associate Professor of Chemical Engineering at CMU from 1976 to 1979. He began his career as an Assistant Professor of Chemical Engineering at Cornell University from 1971 to 1976.  Dr. Anderson received a B.Ch.E. from the University of Delaware-Newark and an M.S. and Ph.D. from the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana.

Dr. Roger N. Beachy, Appointee for Member, National Science Board, National Science Foundation< br /> Dr. Roger N. Beachy is currently Founding Executive Director of the World Food Center at the University of California, Davis, a position he has held since January 2014.  In addition to this role, he has served as Professor Emeritus of Biology at Washington University in St. Louis (WUSTL) since 2009.  In 2013, Dr. Beachy was Founding Executive Director and CEO of the Global Institute for Food Security at the University of Saskatchewan.  He was the first Director of the National Institute of Food and Agriculture at the Department of Agriculture from 2009 to 2011. He was President of the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center in St. Louis from 1999 to 2009. From 1991 to 1998, he led the Division of Plant Biology at The Scripps Research Institute, serving as a Professor of Cell Biology and as Co-director of the International Laboratory for Tropical Agricultural Biotechnology.  He was a member of the Biology Department at WUSTL from 1978 to 1991, where he was Professor and Director of the Center for Plant Science and Biotechnology. Dr. Beachy received a B.A. from Goshen College and a Ph.D. from Michigan State University.

Dr. Vicki Chandler, Appointee for Member, National Science Board, National Science Foundation
Dr. Vicki Chandler is currently the Chief Program Officer for the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation’s Science Program, a position she has held since 2009.  Since 1997, Dr. Chandler has held a variety of positions at the University of Arizona, including Director of the BIO5 Institute, Co-Director of the BIO5 Institute, and Associate Director of the BIO5 Institute.  She served as Regents’ Professor from 2003 to 2011, Full Professor in the Molecular Cellular Biology Department and member of the Interdisciplinary Program in Genetics from 1998 to 2011, and Full Professor in the Department of Plant Sciences from 1997 to 2011.  She worked at the University of Oregon from 1985 to 1997, including as Full Professor from 1995 to 1997, Associate Professor from 1990 to 1995, and Assistant Professor from 1985 to 1990.  She was a Postdoctoral Fellow in Plant Biology at Stanford University from 1983 to 1985 and was a Pre-doctoral Trainee in the laboratory of Dr. Keith R. Yamamoto at the University of California, San Francisco from 1978 to 1983.  Dr. Chandler received a B.A. from the University of California, Berkeley and a Ph.D. from the University of California, San Francisco.

Dr. Robert M. Groves, Appointee for Member, National Science Board, National Science Foundation
Dr. Robert M. Groves is currently the Provost and Gerard Campbell SJ Professor in the Department of Mathematics and Statistics at Georgetown University, positions he has held since 2012.  Prior to Georgetown University, Dr. Groves served as Director of the Census at the Department of Commerce from 2009 to 2012. He was a Research Professor at the University of Michigan from 2002 to 2012 and also a Research Professor at the University of Maryland from 1995 to 2012.  Dr. Groves was Director of the University of Michigan Survey Research Center Institute for Social Research from 2001 to 2009. He was the Program Director (Senior Research Scientist) at the University of Michigan Survey Research Center from 1988 to 1995, which included serving as Associate Director of the Census from 1990 to 1992. He received an A.B. from Dartmouth College and an M.A. in Sociology, an M.A. in Statistics, and a Ph.D. from the University of Michigan.

Dr. James S. Jackson, Appointee for Member, National Science Board, National Science Foundation
Dr. James S. Jackson is currently a Research Professor and Director of the Institute for Social Research at the University of Michigan, positions he has held since 2005.  He has served in a variety of roles at the University of Michigan since 1971.  He is also the University of Michigan’s Daniel Katz Distinguished University Professor of Psychology, a Faculty Associate in the Center for Research on Ethnicity, Culture and Health, and Professor of Afroamerican and African Studies, positions he has held since 1995, 2001, and 2011, respectively.  He served on the Councils of the National Institute on Aging from 2005 to 2008 and the National Institute of Mental Health from 1989 to 1993.  Dr. Jackson was elected the W.E.B. Du Bois Fellow of the American Academy of Political and Social Science in 2012.  He was chosen as a Fellow of the Society of Experimental Social Psychology in 2009, the Gerontological Society of America in 1991, and the American Psychological Association in 1989.  Dr. Jackson received a B.S. from Michigan State University, an M.A. from the University of Toledo, and a Ph.D. from Wayne State University.

Dr. Sethuraman Panchanathan, Appointee for Member, National Science Board, National Science Foundation
Dr. Sethuraman Panchanathan is the Senior Vice President of the Office of Knowledge Enterprise Development at Arizona State University (ASU), a position he has held since 2011.  Since 1998, Dr. Panchanathan has held a number of positions at Arizona State University.  He has been a foundation chair professor in Computing and Informatics since 2009 and a founding Director of the Center for Cognitive Ubiquitous Computing since 2001.  Dr. Panchanathan founded the ASU School of Computing and Informatics in 2006 and the Department of Biomedical Informatics in 2005.  Prior to working for ASU, Dr. Panchanathan served at the University of Ottawa as a founding Director of the Visual Computing and Communications Laboratory from 1990 to 1997, Associate Professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering from 1994 to 1997, and Assistant Professor from 1989 to 1994.  He worked as a Data Communication Engineer for International Software India Limited in Chennai (Madras), India in 1986.  Dr. Panchanathan received a B.Sc. from the University of Madras, a B.E. from the Indian Institute of Science, an M.Tech. from the Indian Institute of Technology, and a Ph.D. from the University of Ottawa, Canada.

Dr. Rodney Ewing, Appointee for Chairman, Nuclear Waste Technical Review Board
Dr. Rodney Ewing is currently the Chairman and a Member of the Nuclear Waste Technical Review Board, positions he has held since 2012 and 2011, respectively.  Dr. Ewing became the Frank Stanton Professor in Nuclear Security in the Center for International Security and Cooperation and a Professor of Geological and Environmental Sciences in the School of Earth Sciences at Stanford University in 2014.  Prior to his current positions at Stanford, he held faculty appointments at the University of Michigan in the Departments of Materials Science and Engineering from 2008 to 2013, Nuclear Engineering and Radiological Sciences from 1997 to 2013, and Geological Sciences from 1997 to 2013.  From 2010 to 2011, Dr. Ewing served as a visiting professor in the Center for International Security and Cooperation at Stanford University.  Dr. Ewing has been an Emeritus Regents' Professor at the University of New Mexico since 1997.  He held a number of position at the University of New Mexico from 1974 to 1997, including Adjunct Professor of Chemical and Nuclear Engineering, Regents’ Professor, Associate and Assistant Professor, and Chair of the Department of Geology.  Dr. Ewing received a B.S. from Texas Christian University and an M.S. and Ph.D. from Stanford University.

Sue Clark, Appointee for Member, Nuclear Waste Technical Review Board
Sue Clark is a Regents Professor of Chemistry at Washington State University, a position she has held since 2010. She is currently a Member of the Nuclear Waste Technical Review Board, where she has served since 2011.  She has held a variety of positions at Washington State University, including Interim Dean of the College of Sciences in 2010, Interim Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs in 2008, Departmental Chairperson of the Chemistry Department from 2004 to 2007, E.R. Meyer Distinguished Professor from 2000 to 2002, and Assistant Professor from 1996 to 2000.  Prior to joining Washington State University, Dr. Clark was an Assistant Research Ecologist at the University of Georgia's Savannah River Ecology Laboratory from 1992 to 1996.  From 1991 to 1996, she was an adjunct assistant professor in the Environmental Systems Engineering Department at Clemson University.  From 1989 to 1992, Dr. Clark served as a senior scientist in the Interim Waste Technology Division at the Westinghouse Savannah River Laboratory.  Dr. Clark received a B.S. from Lander College and an M.S. and a Ph.D. from Florida State University.

Linda Nozick, Appointee for Member, Nuclear Waste Technical Review Board
Linda Nozick is a Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Cornell University and Director of Cornell University’s College Program in Systems Engineering, positions she has held since 2004 and 2009, respectively. She has served as a Member of the Nuclear Waste Technical Review Board since 2011.  Prior to this, she served at Cornell University as Associate Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering from 1998 to 2004 and Assistant Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering from 1992 to 1998.  Dr. Nozick served on two NRC-National Academy of Engineering panels to assist the Department of Energy on the renewal of its infrastructure from 2002 to 2004 and from 2006 to 2008.  Dr. Nozick received a B.S. from The George Washington University and an M.S.E and Ph.D. from the University of Pennsylvania.

Dr. Kenneth Peddicord, Appointee for Member, Nuclear Waste Technical Review Board
Dr. Kenneth Peddicord is the Director of the Nuclear Power Institute at Texas A&M University, a position he has held since 2007. He is currently a Member of the Nuclear Waste Technical Review Board, a position he has held since 2012.  He held a number of positions at Texas A&M University between 1983 and 2007, including Director of the Nuclear Power Institute, Director of the Texas Engineering Experiment Station, Senior Associate Dean for Research, and Vice Chancellor for Research and Federal Relations.  Prior to this, Dr. Peddicord served at Oregon State University as an Associate Professor of Nuclear Engineering from 1979 to 1982 and as an Assistant Professor of Nuclear Engineering from 1975 to 1979.  He was a Research Nuclear Engineer at the Swiss Federal Institute for Reactor Research in Switzerland from 1972 to 1975.  Earlier in his career, he worked as a Research Assistant at the Nuclear Engineering Program at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Dr. Peddicord received a B.S.M.E. from the University of Notre Dame and an M.S. and Ph.D. from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

Dr. Paul Turinsky, Appointee for Member, Nuclear Waste Technical Review Board
Dr. Paul Turinsky is Chief Scientist at the Innovation Hub for Modeling and Simulation of Nuclear Reactors at the Department of Energy, a position he has held since 2010.  He has also been a Professor of Nuclear Engineering at North Carolina State University since 1980.  Dr. Turinsky is a Member of the Nuclear Waste Technical Review Board, a position he has held since 2012.  Dr. Turinsky served as the Head of the Department of Nuclear Engineering at North Carolina State University from 1999 to 2006 and from 1980 to 1988.  Prior to this, Dr. Turinsky worked for Westinghouse Electric in a variety of positions, including Manager of Product Development from 1978 to 1980, Manager of Nuclear Design from 1975 to 1978, a Fellow Engineer from 1974 to 1975, and Senior Engineer from 1973 to 1974.  He was an Assistant Professor of Nuclear Science and Engineering at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute from 1970 to 1973.  Dr. Turinsky received a B.S. from the University of Rhode Island, an M.S.E and Ph.D. from the University of Michigan, and an M.B.A. from the University of Pittsburgh.

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
June 13, 2014

President Obama Announces More Key Administration Posts

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

  • Erica J. Barks Ruggles – Ambassador to the Republic of Rwanda, Department of State
  • Brent Robert Hartley – Ambassador to the Republic of Slovenia, Department of State
  • Donald L. Heflin  – Ambassador to the Republic of Cabo Verde, Department of State
  • Earl Robert Miller – Ambassador to the Republic of Botswana, Department of State
  • David Pressman – Alternate Representative of the United States for Special Political Affairs in the United Nations, with the rank of Ambassador 

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

  • John Anderson – Member, National Science Board, National Science Foundation
  • Roger N. Beachy – Member, National Science Board, National Science Foundation
  • Vicki Chandler – Member, National Science Board, National Science Foundation
  • Robert M. Groves – Member, National Science Board, National Science Foundation
  • James S. Jackson – Member, National Science Board, National Science Foundation
  • Sethuraman Panchanathan– Member, National Science Board, National Science Foundation
  • Rodney Ewing  – Chairman, Nuclear Waste Technical Review Board
  • Sue Clark – Member, Nuclear Waste Technical Review Board
  • Linda Nozick – Member, Nuclear Waste Technical Review Board
  • Kenneth Peddicord – Member, Nuclear Waste Technical Review Board
  • Paul Turinsky – Member, Nuclear Waste Technical Review Board 

President Obama said, “Our nation will be greatly served by the talent and expertise these individuals bring to their new roles. I am grateful they have agreed to serve in this Administration, and I look forward to working with them in the months and years ahead.”

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

Erica J. Barks Ruggles, Nominee for Ambassador to the Republic of Rwanda, Department of State

Erica J. Barks Ruggles, a career member of the Foreign Service, Class of Minister-Counselor, is Consul General at the U.S. Consulate in Cape Town, South Africa, a position she has held since 2011.  From 2009 to 2011, she served as Deputy to the U.S. Permanent Representative to the United Nations.  From 2005 to 2008, she served as Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor at the Department of State (DOS).  From 2004 to 2005, Ms. Barks Ruggles was a Member of the Policy Planning Staff in the Office of the Secretary of State.  From 2001 to 2004, she served as the Economic Section Chief at the U.S. Embassy in Oslo, Norway.  From 2000 to 2001, Ms. Barks Ruggles was an International Affairs Fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations and Visiting Fellow at the Brookings Institution.  She was the Special Assistant to the Under Secretary for Political Affairs at DOS from 1999 to 2000, and Director of African Affairs at the National Security Council from 1996 to 1999.  Ms. Barks Ruggles was a Line Officer in the Executive Secretariat at DOS in 1996 and was the Desk Officer in the Bureau of African Affairs from 1994 to 1996. From 1992 to 1994, she served as the Vice Consul at the U.S. Consulate General in Chennai (Madras), India.  Ms. Barks Ruggles received a B.A. from Swarthmore College.

Brent Robert Hartley, Nominee for Ambassador to the Republic of Slovenia, Department of State

Brent Robert Hartley, a career member of the Foreign Service, Class of Counselor, is currently Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs, a position he has held since 2012.  He served as Director for European Security and Political Affairs from 2010 to 2012, Country Director for Pakistan from 2008 to 2010, and Political-Military Counselor in Afghanistan from 2007 to 2008.  From 2006 to 2007, he served as Deputy Director for European Security and Political Affairs.  He was Senior Advisor for International Relations at the National Counterterrorism Center from 2005 to 2006.  Prior to that, he served as Director for Regional Affairs in the Office of the Coordinator for Counterterrorism from 2003 to 2005.  Mr. Hartley was also Deputy Political Advisor to the U.S. Mission to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) from 2000 to 2002, Political-Military Affairs Officer at the U.S. Mission to NATO from 1999 to 2000, and Senior Desk Officer for Cyprus from 1997 to 1999.  Earlier assignments at the State Department include: Political-Military Officer in the Office of Regional Nuclear Nonproliferation Affairs, Political-Military Affairs Officer at the U.S. Embassy in Rome, Italy, Political-Military Officer in the Office of European Security and Political Affairs, and Staff Assistant in the Bureau of European and Canadian Affairs.  Mr. Hartley received a B.A. from Hampshire College and an M.S. from the National War College.

Donald L. Heflin, Nominee for Ambassador to the Republic of Cabo Verde, Department of State

Donald L. Heflin, a career member of the Foreign Service, Class of Minister-Counselor, is the Managing Director of the Visa Office in the Bureau of Consular Affairs at the Department of State, a position he has held since 2012.  He served as Principal Officer at the U.S. Consulate General in Nuevo Laredo, Mexico from 2009 to 2012, and as Acting Director and Deputy Director of the Office of West African Affairs from 2006 to 2009.  From 2004 to 2006, Mr. Heflin was Deputy Director of the Office of African Regional and Security Affairs.  From 1999 to 2003, he served as Consul at the U.S. Embassy in the United Kingdom.  Prior to that, he served as a Coordination Division Officer in the Visa Office in the Bureau of Consular Affairs from 1997 to 1999.  From 1995 to 1997, he was Rwanda/Burundi Desk Officer in the Office of Central African Affairs.  Mr. Heflin was Consul at the U.S. Embassy in Zambia from 1993 to 1995, and Consul and Deputy Principal Officer at the U.S. Consulate in Hermosillo, Mexico from 1992 to 1993.  Mr. Heflin was Vice Consul at the U.S. Consulates in Chennai (Madras), India and Lima, Peru.  Prior to joining the U.S. Foreign Service in 1987, Mr. Heflin was as an attorney in Mobile and Huntsville, Alabama.  Mr. Heflin received a B.A. from Birmingham-Southern College, a J.D. from the University of Alabama Law School, and an M.S. from the National War College.

Earl Robert Miller, Nominee for Ambassador to the Republic of Botswana, Department of State

Earl Robert Miller, a career member of the Foreign Service, Class of Counselor, is currently Consul General at the U.S. Consulate General in Johannesburg, South Africa, a position he has held since 2011.  Previously, he served with the Department of State (DOS) as Regional Security Officer at the U.S. Embassy in India from 2008 to 2011, Regional Security Officer at the U.S. Embassy in Iraq from 2007 to 2008, Regional Security Officer at the U.S. Embassy in Indonesia from 2004 to 2007, and Regional Security Officer at the U.S. Embassy in Malaysia from 2000 to 2003.  Before that, he was Assistant Special Agent in Charge at the Boston Field Office of the Diplomatic Security Service from 1998 to 2000 and Regional Security Officer in Botswana from 1995 to 1998.  Since joining DOS in 1987, he also served in the Diplomatic Security Service as Southern Africa Desk Officer, Special Agent in Miami, Assistant Regional Security Officer at the U.S. Embassy in El Salvador, and Special Agent in San Francisco.  Mr. Miller was an officer in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve from 1985 to 1992, including a six-month tour when recalled to active duty during the Gulf War.  Prior to joining DOS, he served as a U.S. Marine Corps Officer from 1981 to 1984.  Mr. Miller received a B.A. from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor and graduated from the U.S. Marine Corps Command and Staff College.

David Pressman, Nominee for Alternate Representative of the United States for Special Political Affairs in the United Nations, with the rank of Ambassador

David Pressman currently serves as the Counselor to the Permanent Representative at United States Mission to the United Nations, a position he has held since 2013.  From 2011 to 2013, he served as the Assistant Secretary for Policy Development at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).  From 2010 to 2011, Mr. Pressman was detailed from DHS to serve as the Director for War Crimes and Atrocities on the National Security Council at the White House.  From 2009 to 2010, he served as Counselor to the Deputy Secretary at DHS.  Mr. Pressman co-founded the international human rights advocacy organization Not On Our Watch.  From 1999 to 2001, Mr. Pressman served as Special Assistant to Secretary of State Madeleine K. Albright.  He received a B.A. from Brown University and a J.D. from New York University School of Law.

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

Dr. John Anderson, Appointee for Member, National Science Board, National Science Foundation

Dr. John Anderson is currently the President of the Illinois Institute of Technology, a position he has held since 2007.  From 2004 to 2007, Dr. Anderson served as Provost, University Vice President, and Professor of Chemical Engineering at Case Western Reserve University.  From 1976 to 2004, Dr. Anderson served in various roles at Carnegie Mellon University (CMU), most recently as Dean of the College of Engineering from 1996 to 2004.  He also served as Head of the Department of Chemical Engineering at CMU from 1983 to 1994 and Director of the Biomedical Engineering Program from 1980 to 1985.  Dr. Anderson was a University Professor at Carnegie Mellon from 1994 to 2004 and was a Professor of Chemical Engineering from 1979 to 2004.  He served as an Associate Professor of Chemical Engineering at CMU from 1976 to 1979. He began his career as an Assistant Professor of Chemical Engineering at Cornell University from 1971 to 1976.  Dr. Anderson received a B.Ch.E. from the University of Delaware-Newark and an M.S. and Ph.D. from the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana.

Dr. Roger N. Beachy, Appointee for Member, National Science Board, National Science Foundation

Dr. Roger N. Beachy is currently Founding Executive Director of the World Food Center at the University of California, Davis, a position he has held since January 2014.  In addition to this role, he has served as Professor Emeritus of Biology at Washington University in St. Louis (WUSTL) since 2009.  In 2013, Dr. Beachy was Founding Executive Director and CEO of the Global Institute for Food Security at the University of Saskatchewan.  He was the first Director of the National Institute of Food and Agriculture at the Department of Agriculture from 2009 to 2011. He was President of the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center in St. Louis from 1999 to 2009. From 1991 to 1998, he led the Division of Plant Biology at The Scripps Research Institute, serving as a Professor of Cell Biology and as Co-director of the International Laboratory for Tropical Agricultural Biotechnology.  He was a member of the Biology Department at WUSTL from 1978 to 1991, where he was Professor and Director of the Center for Plant Science and Biotechnology. Dr. Beachy received a B.A. from Goshen College and a Ph.D. from Michigan State University.

Dr. Vicki Chandler, Appointee for Member, National Science Board, National Science Foundation

Dr. Vicki Chandler is currently the Chief Program Officer for the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation’s Science Program, a position she has held since 2009.  Since 1997, Dr. Chandler has held a variety of positions at the University of Arizona, including Director of the BIO5 Institute, Co-Director of the BIO5 Institute, and Associate Director of the BIO5 Institute.  She served as Regents’ Professor from 2003 to 2011, Full Professor in the Molecular Cellular Biology Department and member of the Interdisciplinary Program in Genetics from 1998 to 2011, and Full Professor in the Department of Plant Sciences from 1997 to 2011.  She worked at the University of Oregon from 1985 to 1997, including as Full Professor from 1995 to 1997, Associate Professor from 1990 to 1995, and Assistant Professor from 1985 to 1990.  She was a Postdoctoral Fellow in Plant Biology at Stanford University from 1983 to 1985 and was a Pre-doctoral Trainee in the laboratory of Dr. Keith R. Yamamoto at the University of California, San Francisco from 1978 to 1983.  Dr. Chandler received a B.A. from the University of California, Berkeley and a Ph.D. from the University of California, San Francisco.

Dr. Robert M. Groves, Appointee for Member, National Science Board, National Science Foundation

Dr. Robert M. Groves is currently the Provost and Gerard Campbell SJ Professor in the Department of Mathematics and Statistics at Georgetown University, positions he has held since 2012.  Prior to Georgetown University, Dr. Groves served as Director of the Census at the Department of Commerce from 2009 to 2012. He was a Research Professor at the University of Michigan from 2002 to 2012 and also a Research Professor at the University of Maryland from 1995 to 2012.  Dr. Groves was Director of the University of Michigan Survey Research Center Institute for Social Research from 2001 to 2009. He was the Program Director (Senior Research Scientist) at the University of Michigan Survey Research Center from 1988 to 1995, which included serving as Associate Director of the Census from 1990 to 1992. He received an A.B. from Dartmouth College and an M.A. in Sociology, an M.A. in Statistics, and a Ph.D. from the University of Michigan.

Dr. James S. Jackson, Appointee for Member, National Science Board, National Science Foundation

Dr. James S. Jackson is currently a Research Professor and Director of the Institute for Social Research at the University of Michigan, positions he has held since 2005.  He has served in a variety of roles at the University of Michigan since 1971.  He is also the University of Michigan’s Daniel Katz Distinguished University Professor of Psychology, a Faculty Associate in the Center for Research on Ethnicity, Culture and Health, and Professor of Afroamerican and African Studies, positions he has held since 1995, 2001, and 2011, respectively.  He served on the Councils of the National Institute on Aging from 2005 to 2008 and the National Institute of Mental Health from 1989 to 1993.  Dr. Jackson was elected the W.E.B. Du Bois Fellow of the American Academy of Political and Social Science in 2012.  He was chosen as a Fellow of the Society of Experimental Social Psychology in 2009, the Gerontological Society of America in 1991, and the American Psychological Association in 1989.  Dr. Jackson received a B.S. from Michigan State University, an M.A. from the University of Toledo, and a Ph.D. from Wayne State University.

Dr. Sethuraman Panchanathan, Appointee for Member, National Science Board, National Science Foundation

Dr. Sethuraman Panchanathan is the Senior Vice President of the Office of Knowledge Enterprise Development at Arizona State University (ASU), a position he has held since 2011.  Since 1998, Dr. Panchanathan has held a number of positions at Arizona State University.  He has been a foundation chair professor in Computing and Informatics since 2009 and a founding Director of the Center for Cognitive Ubiquitous Computing since 2001.  Dr. Panchanathan founded the ASU School of Computing and Informatics in 2006 and the Department of Biomedical Informatics in 2005.  Prior to working for ASU, Dr. Panchanathan served at the University of Ottawa as a founding Director of the Visual Computing and Communications Laboratory from 1990 to 1997, Associate Professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering from 1994 to 1997, and Assistant Professor from 1989 to 1994.  He worked as a Data Communication Engineer for International Software India Limited in Chennai (Madras), India in 1986.  Dr. Panchanathan received a B.Sc. from the University of Madras, a B.E. from the Indian Institute of Science, an M.Tech. from the Indian Institute of Technology, and a Ph.D. from the University of Ottawa, Canada.

Dr. Rodney Ewing, Appointee for Chairman, Nuclear Waste Technical Review Board

Dr. Rodney Ewing is currently the Chairman and a Member of the Nuclear Waste Technical Review Board, positions he has held since 2012 and 2011, respectively.  Dr. Ewing became the Frank Stanton Professor in Nuclear Security in the Center for International Security and Cooperation and a Professor of Geological and Environmental Sciences in the School of Earth Sciences at Stanford University in 2014.  Prior to his current positions at Stanford, he held faculty appointments at the University of Michigan in the Departments of Materials Science and Engineering from 2008 to 2013, Nuclear Engineering and Radiological Sciences from 1997 to 2013, and Geological Sciences from 1997 to 2013.  From 2010 to 2011, Dr. Ewing served as a visiting professor in the Center for International Security and Cooperation at Stanford University.  Dr. Ewing has been an Emeritus Regents' Professor at the University of New Mexico since 1997.  He held a number of position at the University of New Mexico from 1974 to 1997, including Adjunct Professor of Chemical and Nuclear Engineering, Regents’ Professor, Associate and Assistant Professor, and Chair of the Department of Geology.  Dr. Ewing received a B.S. from Texas Christian University and an M.S. and Ph.D. from Stanford University.

Sue Clark, Appointee for Member, Nuclear Waste Technical Review Board

Sue Clark is a Regents Professor of Chemistry at Washington State University, a position she has held since 2010. She is currently a Member of the Nuclear Waste Technical Review Board, where she has served since 2011.  She has held a variety of positions at Washington State University, including Interim Dean of the College of Sciences in 2010, Interim Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs in 2008, Departmental Chairperson of the Chemistry Department from 2004 to 2007, E.R. Meyer Distinguished Professor from 2000 to 2002, and Assistant Professor from 1996 to 2000.  Prior to joining Washington State University, Dr. Clark was an Assistant Research Ecologist at the University of Georgia's Savannah River Ecology Laboratory from 1992 to 1996.  From 1991 to 1996, she was an adjunct assistant professor in the Environmental Systems Engineering Department at Clemson University.  From 1989 to 1992, Dr. Clark served as a senior scientist in the Interim Waste Technology Division at the Westinghouse Savannah River Laboratory.  Dr. Clark received a B.S. from Lander College and an M.S. and a Ph.D. from Florida State University.

Linda Nozick, Appointee for Member, Nuclear Waste Technical Review Board

Linda Nozick is a Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Cornell University and Director of Cornell University’s College Program in Systems Engineering, positions she has held since 2004 and 2009, respectively. She has served as a Member of the Nuclear Waste Technical Review Board since 2011.  Prior to this, she served at Cornell University as Associate Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering from 1998 to 2004 and Assistant Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering from 1992 to 1998.  Dr. Nozick served on two NRC-National Academy of Engineering panels to assist the Department of Energy on the renewal of its infrastructure from 2002 to 2004 and from 2006 to 2008.  Dr. Nozick received a B.S. from The George Washington University and an M.S.E and Ph.D. from the University of Pennsylvania.

Dr. Kenneth Peddicord, Appointee for Member, Nuclear Waste Technical Review Board

Dr. Kenneth Peddicord is the Director of the Nuclear Power Institute at Texas A&M University, a position he has held since 2007. He is currently a Member of the Nuclear Waste Technical Review Board, a position he has held since 2012.  He held a number of positions at Texas A&M University between 1983 and 2007, including Director of the Nuclear Power Institute, Director of the Texas Engineering Experiment Station, Senior Associate Dean for Research, and Vice Chancellor for Research and Federal Relations.  Prior to this, Dr. Peddicord served at Oregon State University as an Associate Professor of Nuclear Engineering from 1979 to 1982 and as an Assistant Professor of Nuclear Engineering from 1975 to 1979.  He was a Research Nuclear Engineer at the Swiss Federal Institute for Reactor Research in Switzerland from 1972 to 1975.  Earlier in his career, he worked as a Research Assistant at the Nuclear Engineering Program at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Dr. Peddicord received a B.S.M.E. from the University of Notre Dame and an M.S. and Ph.D. from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

Dr. Paul Turinsky, Appointee for Member, Nuclear Waste Technical Review Board

Dr. Paul Turinsky is Chief Scientist at the Innovation Hub for Modeling and Simulation of Nuclear Reactors at the Department of Energy, a position he has held since 2010.  He has also been a Professor of Nuclear Engineering at North Carolina State University since 1980.  Dr. Turinsky is a Member of the Nuclear Waste Technical Review Board, a position he has held since 2012.  Dr. Turinsky served as the Head of the Department of Nuclear Engineering at North Carolina State University from 1999 to 2006 and from 1980 to 1988.  Prior to this, Dr. Turinsky worked for Westinghouse Electric in a variety of positions, including Manager of Product Development from 1978 to 1980, Manager of Nuclear Design from 1975 to 1978, a Fellow Engineer from 1974 to 1975, and Senior Engineer from 1973 to 1974.  He was an Assistant Professor of Nuclear Science and Engineering at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute from 1970 to 1973.  Dr. Turinsky received a B.S. from the University of Rhode Island, an M.S.E and Ph.D. from the University of Michigan, and an M.B.A. from the University of Pittsburgh.

Celebrating Fatherhood and Encouraging Mentorship with “My Brother's Keeper”

Eric Holder
Eric Holder
June 13, 2014
05:10 PM EDT

Ed. note: This is cross-posted on the U.S. Department of Justice blog. See the original post here.

Watch on YouTube

I would not be where I am today without the love, guidance, and support of my father. He taught me to work hard, to dream big, to give back to my community, and to always remember the responsibility I have to be a role model for my own children.

But as we celebrate Father’s Day this weekend, we must all be mindful of a tragic truth: Far too many children simply cannot count on the love and support of an attentive parent. This is not an individual problem – it’s a national concern that affects each and every one of us. And that’s why President Obama has launched a national call to action – known as “My Brother’s Keeper” – that’s bringing together government and private groups to address persistent opportunity gaps and provide young people with the support they need to stay on the right path.

Related Topics: Economy, Education, Service, North Dakota

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
June 13, 2014

President Obama Announces Intent to Nominate Five to Serve on the United States District Courts

WASHINGTON, DC - Today, President Obama announced his intent to nominate Wendy Beetlestone, Victor Allen Bolden, Mark A. Kearney, Joseph F. Leeson, Jr., and Gerald J. Pappert to serve on the United States District Courts.

“I am honored to put forward these highly qualified candidates for the federal bench,” President Obama said.  “They will be distinguished public servants and valuable additions to the United States District Courts.”

Wendy Beetlestone:  Nominee for the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania
Wendy Beetlestone is a shareholder at Hangley Aronchick Segal Pudlin & Schiller, where she litigates a variety of commercial matters before both federal and state courts.  Prior to joining the law firm in 2005, Beetlestone served as General Counsel of the School District of Philadelphia from 2002 to 2005.  From 1994 to 2002, she worked at Schnader Harrison Segal & Lewis LLP, becoming a partner at the firm in 2001.  Beetlestone began her legal career as a law clerk for Judge Robert S. Gawthrop, III, of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania from 1993 to 1994.  She received her J.D. in 1993 from the University of Pennsylvania Law School and her B.A. with honors in 1984 from Liverpool University. 

Victor Allen Bolden:  Nominee for the United States District Court for the District of Connecticut
Victor Allen Bolden has served as the Corporation Counsel for the City of New Haven since 2009.  He previously worked at the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, Inc., serving as General Counsel from 2005 to 2009 and as Assistant Counsel from 1994 to 2000.  From 2000 to 2005, Bolden worked at the law firm Wiggin & Dana, where he handled a wide range of commercial litigation matters.  He began his legal career at the American Civil Liberties Union Foundation, where he worked as a Staff Attorney from 1990 to 1994 and as a Marvin Karpatkin Fellow from 1989 to 1990.  Bolden received his J.D. in 1989 from Harvard Law School and his A.B. in 1986 from Columbia University.

Mark A. Kearney:  Nominee for the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania
Mark A. Kearney is a shareholder at Elliott Greenleaf & Siedzikowski, P.C. in Blue Bell, Pennsylvania, where he handles complex commercial litigation before both federal and state courts.  He joined the law firm as an associate in 1990 and was promoted to shareholder in 1995.  Previously, Kearney worked at Elliott Mannino & Flaherty, P.C. from 1988 to 1990 and clerked for Vice Chancellor Maurice A. Hartnett, III, of the Delaware Court of Chancery from 1987 to 1988.  Kearney received his J.D. in 1987 from Villanova University School of Law and his B.A. with honors in 1984 from Villanova University. 

Joseph F. Leeson, Jr.:  Nominee for the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania
Joseph F. Leeson, Jr., has been a partner at Leeson, Leeson & Leeson in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania since joining the firm in 1980, where his practice has focused on civil litigation.  In addition, Leeson has been an arbitrator for the American Arbitration Association since 1981.  Throughout his legal career, Leeson has served as a solicitor for several local municipalities in Pennsylvania.  Leeson received his J.D. in 1980 from the Catholic University of America Columbus School of Law and his B.A. cum laude in 1977 from DeSales University. 

Gerald J. Pappert:  Nominee for the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania
Gerald J. Pappert has been a partner at Cozen O’Connor since 2012.  He also currently serves as the Chair of the Pennsylvania Banking and Securities Commission.  Previously, Pappert was Executive Vice President, General Counsel, and Secretary of Cephalon, Inc. from 2008 to 2012 and a partner at Ballard Spahr LLP from 2005 to 2008.  Pappert served as the Attorney General of Pennsylvania from 2003 to 2005 and as the First Deputy Attorney General of Pennsylvania from 1997 to 2003.  He began his legal career working at Duane Morris LLP from 1988 to 1997.  Pappert received his J.D. in 1988 from the University of Notre Dame Law School and his B.A. cum laude in 1985 from Villanova University.  

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
June 13, 2014

President Obama to Host First-Ever White House Maker Faire

WASHINGTON, DC – On Wednesday, June 18, President Obama will host the first ever White House Maker Faire and meet with students, entrepreneurs and everyday citizens who are using new tools and techniques to launch new businesses, learn vital skills in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM), and fuel the renaissance in American manufacturing.  The President will also announce new steps the Administration and its partners are taking to support the ability of more Americans, young and old, to have to access to these tools and techniques and brings their ideas to life.

America has always been a nation of tinkerers, inventors, and entrepreneurs. In recent years, a growing number of Americans have gained access to technologies such as 3D printers, laser cutters, easy-to-use design software, and desktop machine tools. These tools are enabling more Americans to design and build almost anything.

The rise of the Maker Movement represents a huge opportunity for the United States. Nationwide, new tools for democratized production are boosting innovation and entrepreneurship in manufacturing, in the same way that the Internet and cloud computing have lowered the barriers to entry for digital startups, creating the foundation for new products and processes that can help to revitalize American manufacturing.

In addition to the Makers at the White House event, June 18 will be a nationwide Day of Making for communities across America to share and celebrate their involvement in the Maker Movement.

 

5 Questions on "Making" and the White House Maker Faire

Phil Larson
June 13, 2014
04:57 PM EDT

As OK Go helped us announce last week, President Obama is hosting the first-ever White House Maker Faire this coming Wednesday. In advance of that, I sat down with Dale Dougherty, CEO of Maker Media, to answer a few questions on what makes making, Making. Also, here are a few ways you can join in on a Day of Making in conjunction with the White House Maker Faire on June 18, including following and tweeting #NationOfMakers.

Phil Larson: What is “Making”?

Dale Dougherty: Making can be called creating, producing, crafting, shaping, tinkering, composing, and building. It covers many areas of interest and many skills, and projects often combine several of each. Making sits at the intersection of art and science, and at the crossroads of technology and design.

Today, Making is where hardware and software are re-connecting with each other, increasing our ability to sense the physical world and initiate actions that interact with us. This is what a robot does -- or autonomous vehicle or a solar-powered toy that comes alive by day.

When we Make things, we learn to gain control over tools and materials. Makers are using new tools and technologies that are democratizing production. With better tools, more people can make things because it is easier to take an idea and develop it into a physical thing.

Phil Larson is a ‎Senior Advisor for Space and Innovation in the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy.
Related Topics: Innovations, Technology