Home • Weekly Address: Celebrating the Summer Olympics and Paralympics

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release

August 06, 2012

Presidential Proclamation--National Health Center Week, 2012

NATIONAL HEALTH CENTER WEEK, 2012

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

A PROCLAMATION

For nearly half a century, health centers have helped make primary care services available and affordable for millions of Americans. From coast to coast, they deliver critical support for patients by not only providing treatment for those in need, but also emphasizing preventive care that helps people lead healthier lives. During National Health Center Week, we recognize the professionals who power our Nation's health centers and renew our support for these essential health care resources.

Health centers play a key role in bringing vital health care services to 20 million Americans from all walks of life. They lift up rural and urban neighborhoods alike, extending community based, patient directed care to those who need it most. Through their work, health centers strengthen our health care system by helping reduce emergency room visits and easing health care burdens for families across America.

My Administration is working to empower health centers with the resources they need to provide comprehensive, high quality care for more individuals. Thanks primarily to the Affordable Care Act and the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, health centers are serving nearly 3 million additional patients. Last year, my Administration launched an initiative to support 500 health centers in 44 States as they seek to expand their ability to better coordinate patient care. This May, my Administration expanded on that progress by announcing Affordable Care Act funding that will support hundreds of renovation and construction projects at health centers nationwide.

As we continue to build a health care system ready to meet patients' needs today and tomorrow, health centers will remain an integral part of our communities and our country. This week, we celebrate their many contributions to our public health, and to providing more Americans with accessible, affordable health care.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim the week of August 5 through August 11, 2012, as National Health Center Week. I encourage all Americans to celebrate this week by visiting their local health center, meeting health center providers, and exploring the programs they offer to help keep families healthy.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this sixth day of August, in the year of our Lord two thousand twelve, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-seventh.

BARACK OBAMA

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release

August 06, 2012

Statement by the President on Curiosity Landing on Mars

Tonight, on the planet Mars, the United States of America made history.

The successful landing of Curiosity – the most sophisticated roving laboratory ever to land on another planet – marks an unprecedented feat of technology that will stand as a point of national pride far into the future. It proves that even the longest of odds are no match for our unique blend of ingenuity and determination.

Tonight’s success, delivered by NASA, parallels our major steps forward towards a vision for a new partnership with American companies to send American astronauts into space on American spacecraft. That partnership will save taxpayer dollars while allowing NASA to do what it has always done best – push the very boundaries of human knowledge. And tonight’s success reminds us that our preeminence – not just in space, but here on Earth – depends on continuing to invest wisely in the innovation, technology, and basic research that has always made our economy the envy of the world.

I congratulate and thank all the men and women of NASA who made this remarkable accomplishment a reality – and I eagerly await what Curiosity has yet to discover.

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release

August 05, 2012

Readout of the President’s Calls on the Wisconsin Shooting

At 4:30PM EDT, the President convened a call with FBI Director Bob Mueller, Chief of Staff Jack Lew, and Homeland Security Advisor John Brennan to receive an update on the tragic shooting in Oak Creek, Wisconsin. Following that briefing, the President called Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker, Oak Creek Mayor Steve Scaffidi and trustee of the Sikh Temple Charanjeet Singh to express his condolences for the lives lost and his concern for those who were injured.

During the briefing, the President was informed that the situation at the Sikh Temple was under control and that the lone gunmen was killed by an Oak Creek police officer. The President also was updated on the condition of some of the victims of the attack, and he directed that the federal government assist as appropriate in the investigation into the shooting. The President said that he wanted to make sure that as we denounce this senseless act of violence we also underscore how much our country has been enriched by our Sikh Community, who are an integral part of our broader American family.

Statement by President Obama on the Shooting in Wisconsin

Kori Schulman

August 05, 2012
05:04 PM EDT

President Obama today released the following statement on the tragic shooting in Wisconsin:

Michelle and I were deeply saddened to learn of the shooting that tragically took so many lives in Wisconsin. At this difficult time, the people of Oak Creek must know that the American people have them in our thoughts and prayers, and our hearts go out to the families and friends of those who were killed and wounded. My Administration will provide whatever support is necessary to the officials who are responding to this tragic shooting and moving forward with an investigation. As we mourn this loss which took place at a house of worship, we are reminded how much our country has been enriched by Sikhs, who are a part of our broader American family.

Statement by the President on the Shooting in Wisconsin

Michelle and I were deeply saddened to learn of the shooting that tragically took so many lives in Wisconsin. At this difficult time, the people of Oak Creek must know that the American people have them in our thoughts and prayers, and our hearts go out to the families and friends of those who were killed and wounded. My Administration will provide whatever support is necessary to the officials who are responding to this tragic shooting and moving forward with an investigation. As we mourn this loss which took place at a house of worship, we are reminded how much our country has been enriched by Sikhs, who are a part of our broader American family.

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release

August 04, 2012

Statement by the President on the agreement between Sudan and South Sudan

I welcome the announcement by the African Union High-Level Implementation Panel of an agreement between Sudan and South Sudan on oil revenue. This agreement opens the door to a future of greater prosperity for the people of both countries. The leaders of Sudan and South Sudan deserve congratulations for reaching agreement and finding compromise on such an important issue, and I applaud the efforts of the international community which came together to encourage and support the parties in finding a resolution. In particular, I am grateful for the work of the African Union High-Level Implementation Panel, led by President Thabo Mbeki, for its determined and skilled leadership in bringing about this agreement. I am also encouraged by the announcement of a possible agreement on humanitarian access to Southern Kordofan and Blue Nile, and urge the immediate implementation of this agreement to provide urgently needed humanitarian assistance to people in these areas.

The United States will continue to support efforts to advance a lasting peace for the people of Sudan and South Sudan. I encourage the parties to build on the momentum created by these breakthroughs to resolve remaining border and security issues.

Happy Birthday, President Obama

Matt Compton

August 04, 2012
10:58 AM EDT

Today, President Obama turns 51. In honor of the occasion, we thought we’d share 51 of our favorite pictures of the President in the White House.

Check out the slideshow.

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President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama share a moment in a freight elevator at an Inaugural Ball. (Official WH Photo by Pete Souza)

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President Obama rides up to the Private Residence of the White House after 10 inaugural balls. (Official WH Photo by Pete Souza)

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President Barack Obama holds 3-D glasses while watching the Super Bowl game at a Super Bowl Party. (Official WH Photo by Pete Souza)

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President Barack Obama takes aim with a photographer's camera backstage. (Official WH Photo by Pete Souza)

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President Obama examines the Resolute Desk while visiting with Caroline Kennedy Schlossberg in the Oval Office. (Official WH Photo by Pete Souza)

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President Obama runs down the East Colonnade with family dog, Bo, on the dog's initial visit to the White House. (Official WH Photo by Pete Souza)

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President Barack Obama hugs First Lady Michelle Obama in the Red Room of the White House. (Official WH Photo by Pete Souza)

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President Obama lifts up a baby during the U.S. Embassy greeting at a Prague hotel. (Official WH Photo by Pete Souza)

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President Obama and Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton speak together at a picnic table on the South Lawn. (Official WH Photo by Pete Souza)

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President Barack Obama pets the family dog, Bo, during a brief break from meetings on the South Lawn. (Official WH Photo by Pete Souza)

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President Barack Obama meets with Appeals Court Judge Sonia Sotomayor. (Official WH Photo by Pete Souza)

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President Barack Obama cheers for his daughter Sasha's soccer team. (Official WH Photo by Pete Souza)

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President Barack Obama chest-bumps a graduate at the U.S. Naval Academy commencement ceremony. (Official WH Photo by Pete Souza)

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President Barack Obama jokingly shows off the hat he was given during his tour of the Pyramids and Sphinx in Egypt. (Official WH Photo by Pete Souza)

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President Barack Obama ducks his head to get through an entranceway on a tour of the Pyramids and Sphinx in Egypt. (Official WH Photo by Pete Souza)

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President Obama and Bobby Flay grill steak, corn and barbeque chicken at the Kick Off Young Men's Barbeque. (Official WH Photo by Samantha Appleton)

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President Barack Obama and former First Lady Nancy Reagan walk side-by-side through Center Hall in the White House. (Official WH Photo by Pete Souza)

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President Obama leaves a coin at the gravesite of 19-year-old Medal of Honor recipient Specialist Ross McGinnis. (Official WH Photo by Pete Souza)

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President Barack Obama looks at the Nobel Peace Prize medal for the first time at the Norwegian Nobel Institute. (Official WH Photo by Pete Souza)

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President Barack Obama looks through a telescope during the Astronomy Night event on the South Lawn. (Official WH Photo by Chuck Kennedy)

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President Barack Obama uses a Star Wars light saber during the U.S. Olympians youth sporting event. (Official WH Photo by Pete Souza)

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President Barack Obama plays with his niece Savita during the family's vacation on Martha's Vineyard. (Official WH Photo by Pete Souza)

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President Barack Obama talks alone with Sen. Edward Kennedy in the Green Room. (Official WH Photo by Pete Souza)

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President Barack Obama casts his line while fishing for trout on the East Gallatin River near Belgrade, Montana. (Official WH Photo by Pete Souza)

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The President visited Joplin, Mo., following a devastating tornado. Here he greets Hugh Hills in front of his home. (Official WH Photo by Pete Souza)

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The President and his daughter Sasha read one of Thomas Jefferson’s speeches at the Jefferson Memorial. (Official WH Photo by Pete Souza)

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Much to Sasha’s chagrin, the President starts dancing to the music at the Fiesta Latina event on the South Lawn. (Official WH Photo by Pete Souza)

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The President made a trip to Dover Air Force Base to pay respects to fallen troops coming back from Afghanistan. (Official WH Photo by Pete Souza)

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The President plays peek-a-boo with the daughter of White House staffer Emmett Beliveau in the Outer Oval Office. (Official WH Photo by Pete Souza)

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President Barack Obama tours the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Memorial in Washington, D.C. (Official WH Photo by Pete Souza)

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President Barack Obama enjoys a beer with Dakota Meyer on the patio outside of the Oval Office. (Official WH Photo by Pete Souza)

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First Lady Michelle Obama reacts as President Barack Obama soothes a crying baby at the Congressional Picnic. (Official WH Photo by Pete Souza)

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The President, Ruby Bridges, and representatives of the Norman Rockwell Museum view "The Problem We All Live With." (Official WH Photo by Pete Souza)

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President Obama plays soccer with children at the Cidade de Deus favela Community Center in Rio de Janeiro. (Official WH Photo by Pete Souza)

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The skies opened up on Memorial Day outside of Chicago, and the President canceled his speech due to the weather. (Official WH Photo by Pete Souza)

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President Obama, with family, react to the lighting of the National Christmas Tree in Washington, D.C. (Official WH Photo by Chuck Kennedy)

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President Obama and his daughters play in the Rose Garden in the midst of a snowstorm. (Official WH Photo by Pete Souza)

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President Obama sits with Sasha during a barbecue with family and friends in celebration of his 49th birthday. (Official WH Photo by Pete Souza)

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The President and Bo ride in the presidential motorcade en route to PetSmart in Alexandria, Va. (Official WH Photo by Pete Souza)

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President Barack Obama sits on the famed Rosa Parks bus at the Henry Ford Museum. (Official WH Photo by Pete Souza)

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President Barack Obama fist-bumps custodian Lawrence Lipscomb in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building. (Official WH Photo by Pete Souza)

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The President tricks White House Trip Director Marvin Nicholson by stepping on the back of the scale. (Official WH Photo by Pete Souza)

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President Obama blocks a shot while playing basketball with personal aide Reggie Love in New York. (Official WH Photo by Pete Souza)

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President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama watch the retiring of the colors aboard the USS Carl Vinson. (Official WH Photo by Pete Souza)

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President Barack Obama bends over so the son of a White House staff member can pat his head. (Official WH Photo by Pete Souza)

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The President and his then personal aide, Reggie Love, filled in as coaches for his daughter's game one Saturday. (Official WH Photo by Pete Souza)

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President Obama and others receive an update on the mission against Osama bin Laden in the Situation Room. (Official WH Photo by Pete Souza)

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Secretary of State Hillary Clinton congratulates President Obama on the House vote to pass health care reform. (Official WH Photo by Pete Souza)

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President Barack Obama demos Joey Hudy's Extreme Marshmallow Cannon at the second White House Science Fair. (Official WH Photo by Pete Souza)

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President Barack Obama looks at the Grand Canyon in Arizona. (Official WH Photo by Pete Souza)

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President Obama "meets" with speechwriter Cody Keenan, dressed as a pirate for a photo taken for a humorous speech. (Official WH Photo by Pete Souza)

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The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release

August 04, 2012

Weekly Address: Celebrating the Summer Olympics and Paralympics

Hi, everybody. Today, I want to take a break from the back-and-forth of campaign season, and talk about something that’s brought us all together this week – the Summer Olympics.

These games remind us that for all our differences, we’re Americans first. And we could not be prouder of the men and women representing our country in London, in both the Olympics and in the Paralympics.

Last weekend, Michelle led the American delegation to London and reaffirmed the special relationship we share with our strongest ally, Great Britain. She met with the Queen, and with Prime Minister Cameron’s wife, Samantha. She spent some time thanking our brave service members and military families. And, of course, she took in as many events as she could to cheer on our athletes.

I’ve got to admit I was a little jealous she got to go. But like many of you, I caught as many events as I could, jumping off the couch for a close race, or a perfect vault. I watched the wonderful young women of our gymnastics team recapture the team gold for America, and I was filled with pride watching Gabby Douglas win the all-around gold with incredible poise and grace. I watched our swimmers win a haul of medals, and Michael Phelps become the most decorated Olympic athlete of all time. I saw our women’s soccer team power through the competition.

And I’m just as proud of all our athletes in sports that don’t always get as much attention. The U.S. women’s eight continued its rowing dominance with another gold medal. Kayla Harrison won America’s first-ever gold medal in Judo, and Marti Malloy won a bronze. Kim Rhode became the first American to win individual medals in five straight Olympics with her gold in skeet shooting; and her teammate, Army Sergeant Vincent Hancock, won his second skeet gold.

I also thought of the truly difficult journeys that many of our athletes have made. Some have faced personal loss, or beaten cancer. Some have worked long shifts at multiple jobs to feed their Olympic dream. And some have done the impossible. Less than four years ago, Bryshon Nellum was shot three times in his legs. But this week, he’ll run the 400 meters. And as a boy, Lopez Lomong fled war and persecution and life as a refugee – one of the “Lost Boys” of Sudan. Today’s he’s an American – and representing his country at the Olympics for the second time.

So it’s no surprise America is vying for the top of the medal count. But it’s not the medal count alone that inspires us – most of our athletes won’t claim a medal at all. It’s the character of the men and women who compete for those medals. It’s their hard work and sacrifice – the countless hours in the gym, in the pool, on the track. It’s their dogged perseverance and unyielding determination, through disappointment and triumph alike.

It’s that unconquerable spirit – that American spirit – that says even though we may have very different stories to tell; even though we may not look alike or talk alike or be dealt the same hand in life – if we work hard, we can achieve our dreams. We can make it if we try. We are one people, with common values and ideals; we celebrate individual excellence, but recognize that only together can we accomplish great and important things we cannot accomplish alone.

That’s why we watch. That’s why we cheer. That’s why we come together, for two weeks in summer, and swell with pride at the incredible things our fellow citizens can do.

So to all our Olympic and Paralympic athletes – whether you’ve already competed or have yet to compete – your country could not be prouder of you. Thank you for presenting the best of America to the rest of the world. And, thank you for becoming new role models to our children – mine included – and inspiring them to believe that if they work hard and do their best, they can achieve great things, too.

Go get ‘em this week, Team USA. We can’t wait to welcome you home.

God bless you, and God bless America.

###

Weekly Address: Celebrating the Summer Olympics and Paralympics

Colleen Curtis

August 04, 2012
05:45 AM EDT

President Obama congratulates all of the American athletes competing in the Olympics and Paralympics this summer. These men and women have inspired us all with their hard work, determination, and their indomitable spirit as they present the best of America to the rest of the world. The President tells our Olympic and Paralympic competitors that the American people could not be prouder of them, and thanks them for reminding us that we are one people, and by working together we can achieve great things.

Presidential Proclamation--National Health Center Week, 2012

Statement by the President on Curiosity Landing on Mars

Readout of the President’s Calls on the Wisconsin Shooting

Statement by President Obama on the Shooting in Wisconsin

Statement by the President on the Shooting in Wisconsin

Statement by the President on the agreement between Sudan and South Sudan

Happy Birthday, President Obama

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Weekly Address: Celebrating the Summer Olympics and Paralympics

Weekly Address: Celebrating the Summer Olympics and Paralympics

Weekly Address: Celebrating the Summer Olympics and Paralympics

Weekly Address: Celebrating the Summer Olympics and Paralympics