The White House

Office of the Vice President

For Immediate Release
June 05, 2010

Vice President Biden, Dr. Jill Biden Depart for Egypt, Kenya, and South Africa

Vice President Joe Biden and Dr. Jill Biden have departed for Egypt, Kenya, and South Africa. While in Egypt, the Vice President  will meet with President Mubarak to discuss a full range of bilateral and regional issues. The Vice President will then meet with key leaders in Kenya, including Kenyan President Kibaki and Kenyan Prime Minister Odinga. In addition to discussing a range of bilateral issues, the Vice President will address our shared interests in peace and stability in the region, particularly in Sudan and Somalia. Finally, the Vice President will travel to South Africa, where he will meet with South African Deputy President Motlanthe, South African Foreign Minister Nkoana-Mashabane, and other world leaders in attendance at the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa. The Vice President and Dr. Biden will represent the United States at the opening ceremonies of the 2010 FIFA World Cup and attend the U.S. Men’s National Team’s first game, before returning to Washington, DC.

Additional media details and schedule for the Vice President and Dr. Biden's trip are forthcoming.

West Wing Week: "More All"

June 04, 2010 | 7:04 | Public Domain

Thanks for checking out the 10th episode of West Wing Week. It’s quite an anniversary show as we take you step by step with the President while he visits the troubled Gulf Coast, celebrates Memorial Day, honors Paul McCartney and the current National Spelling Bee Champ, meets with General Odierno and President Garcia of Peru, and much more.

Download mp4 (217.3MB)

The Brooklyn Bridge & the Story of American Workers

Posted by Liz Oxhorn on June 03, 2010 at 12:33 PM EST

If you’ve ever looked back at the old black and white photos of America being built, with hard-working men and women creating the infrastructure and fueling the economy that made our country what it is today, you may have stumbled across pictures like this where workers scaled dizzying heights to put the finishing touches on the Brooklyn Bridge back in 1881:

Over the past year and half, the Recovery Act has put hundreds of thousands of hard-working men and women to work on the same kind of projects for the 21st Century -- once again fueling America’s economy by repairing, rejuvenating, improving and advancing much of same infrastructure that was first created back then.

During a visit to New York City yesterday, Vice President Biden stopped by the Brooklyn Bridge where Recovery Act dollars are at work making a contribution to New York City's locally-funded effort to repair, upgrade, and preserve one of America’s most historic crossings.

Vice President Biden Walks with Workers at Brooklyn Bridge

Vice President Joe Biden tours a construction site underneath the Brooklyn Bridge that is partially funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, in New York City, New York, 6/2/10 (Official White House Photo by David Lienemann)

After touring the construction site alongside Mayor Bloomberg, Vice President Biden spoke about how the $508 million project, which is funded in-part by the Recovery Act, will bring the Brooklyn Bridge into a state of good repair and improve traffic flow for the more than 120,000 vehicles, 4,000 pedestrians, and 2,600 bicyclists that cross every day.  

“It’s great to see men and women back on the job, completing work on one of the truly, treasured landmarks this country possesses,” the Vice President told a crowd of about 40 construction workers near the Manhattan-side entrance to the bridge.

Vice President Biden Talks to Workers at Brooklyn Bridge

Vice President Joe Biden talks to construction workers during an American Recovery and Reinvestment Act event at the Brooklyn Bridge in New York City, New York, 6/2/10 (Official White House Photo by David Lienemann)

New York City says the Recovery Act’s $30 million investment in the project will create 150 jobs, generate economic activity and allow New York City to fund other critical infrastructure projects they otherwise would have eliminated or postponed. For the Brooklyn Bridge, it means a reconstructed roadway surface, rehabilitated and retrofitted steel support structures, expanded entrance ramps, and repainting to prevent corrosion.
 
As Vice President Biden noted, the Recovery Act has funded nearly 1,300 bridge projects and 14,000 transportation across the United States to-date.

Vice President Biden Speaks with Brooklyn Bridge in Background

Vice President Joe Biden speaks in front of the Brooklyn Bridge during an American Recovery and Reinvestment Act event, in New York City, New York, 6/2/10 (Official White House Photo by David Lienemann)

Liz Oxhorn is the Recovery Act Communications Director

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"And As a Nation, We Pause Today to Remember Them"

Jesse Lee
Jesse Lee
May 31, 2010
05:00 PM EST
Vice President Biden Speaks in Arlington

Vice President Joe Biden delivers Memorial Day remarks in the Arlington National Cemetery Amphitheater in Arlington, May 31, 2010. (Official White House Photo by David Lienemann)

In what he called "the greatest honor of my public life," this morning the Vice President took part in a wreath-laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknowns and spoke at the Memorial Amphitheater at Arlington National Cemetery.  His opening remarks and photos below: 

Collectively, the generation of soldiers, sailors, airmen, and marines who have served and sacrificed for us are the heart and soul, and I would say, spine of this nation.  And as a nation, we pause today to remember them.  They gave their lives fulfilling their oath to this nation and to us.  And in so doing, they imparted a responsibility on us to recognize, to respect, to honor and to care for those who risked their lives so that we can live ours.

Moments ago, I had the distinct honor and high privilege of laying a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.  This morning, I welcomed to the White House the Gold Star families, who know all too well the price of their loved ones’ patriotism.  I met Ruth Stonesifer, the current President of the Gold Star Mothers, who lost her son Kristofor on the first night of major operations in Afghanistan on October of 2001; and Emogene Cupp, the mother who played a pivotal role in the early stages of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial and unveiled the first panel; to Terry Davis, a remarkable champion of Gold Star families.  Terry, God love her, is a Gold Star sister, a Gold Star wife, and a Gold Star mother -- none should be asked to sacrifice that much. 

And I met the parents, the brother, and the beautiful widow of John Hallet.  I had the privilege of meeting this family when I attended the memorial service at Fort Lewis in Washington State.  John served in a Stryker Brigade that was among the hardest hit in Afghanistan.  He left behind a wife, two young sons, and an infant daughter who he never got to meet -- but who I hope will grow up with the pride in her father filling part of the void that’s left by his loss. 

Each of the Gold Star families embodies, in the words of John Milton, “Those also serve who only stand and wait.”  Many of you in this amphitheater here today have stood and waited, relieved -- as Jill and I were -- at the return of a loved one, in our case our son from a year in Iraq.  Many of you are now waiting, with family members still overseas, many in harm’s way.  And some of you have stood and waited for a loved one that did not return and live now with the knowledge that your will one day be reunited with him, with our heavenly Father.

To those who have lost a loved one in the service of our nation, I recall a famous headstone in Ireland.  And the headstone reads as follows, “Death leaves a heartache no one can heal.  Love leaves a memory no one can steal.”  No one can steal the memory from you.  I can tell you from my own personal experience that eventually the pain and heartache you now feel will eventually, God-willing, be replaced by the joyful memory of the son or daughter or husband and wife or father or mother that you loved so dearly and lost.  Jill and my prayer for you is that that day will come sooner rather than later.  But it will come, I promise you.    

Vice President Biden Lays a Wreath at the Tomb of the Unknowns in Arlington

Vice President Joe Biden lays a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknowns at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia, May 31, 2010. (Official White House Photo by David Lienemann)

Vice President Biden and Dr. Jill Biden Visit with Families in Arlington

Vice President Joe Biden and Dr. Jill Biden visit with families in section 60 at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia, May 31, 2010. (Official White House Photo by David Lienemann)

Vice President Biden Speaks with a Child in Arlington

Vice President Joe Biden talks to a family in section 60 at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia, May 31, 2010. (Official White House Photo by David Lienemann)

Vice President Biden Greets Gold Star Families at Breakfast in the White House

Vice President Joe Biden greets Gold Star Families during a breakfast in the State Dining room at the White House, May 31, 2010. (Official White House Photo by David Lienemann)

Related Topics: Veterans, Virginia

"You Are Part of a Long Continuum"

Jesse Lee
Jesse Lee
May 28, 2010
06:01 PM EST
Vice President Biden Speaks at Naval Academy Commencement

Vice President Joe Biden delivers the commencement address at the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, May 28, 2010. (Official White House Photo by David Lienemann)

This afternoon the Vice President gave the commencement address at the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, and spoke with awe of the tradition the graduates in the audience were becoming a part of:

You all possess traits that Secretary Bancroft knew were necessary when he set up this Academy 165 years ago.  But you all also possess skills, talents, and capacity that are beyond -- far beyond anything -- anything Secretary Bancroft could have thought of 165 years ago.

But notwithstanding that, you are part of a long continuum.  You're writing a new chapter in a long history of a strong tradition of this great Naval Academy.  You’re all going to be part of a fraternity that goes back 165 years and binds you together like little I have seen in my experience.  No matter how long you serve in uniform, even when you’re out of uniform, you will come across fellow Annapolis graduates, share sea stories, discuss those “Four years by the Bay” -- and know -- and know like few others in the nation can know that wherever you go there is somebody who will have your back, even though they don't know you personally.

That’s an awesome sense of pride and patriotism.  And it’s an awesome sense of pride and patriotism that comes over you all when you sing “Navy Blue and Gold.”  It’s a feeling that few have a right to share like all of you.  This place is special, even to those of us who didn’t attend it.  This place is special.  And you’ve had a special experience that has given you a bond that’s going to last you a lifetime.  You will be amazed how tight that bond is and how long it will last.

Vice President Biden Shakes Hands at Naval Academy Commencement

Vice President Joe Biden greets newly commissioned Second Lieutenant Huy Truong who he mentioned during his commencement address at the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, May 28, 2010. (Official White House Photo by David Lienemann)

To be clear though, he made clear that he was in awe of the graduates on their own merits as well:

You know, for four long years now, you’ve looked forward to this moment -- they’ve looked forward to it, as well -- to watch you walk across this stage:  Marines, aviators, SWOs, SEALs, E.O.D., submariners -- and there may be just a special bit of pride for the families of the 11 -- the 11 who will be the first Naval Academy women to serve on submarines. 

Ladies and gentlemen, for all of you, the breadth of the assignments you’ve taken on is matched only by the depth of the skill you’ll leave this field with.  You’ve been trained by the very best.  And you leave here with an astounding capacity to lead.

Naval Academy Graduates Take the Oath of Office

Newly commissioned Ensigns take the Oath of Office after Vice President Joe Biden delivered the commencement address at the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, May 28, 2010. (Official White House Photo by David Lienemann)

Related Topics: Defense, Maryland
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Growing Businesses and Putting Unemployed Workers Back on the Job

Posted by Tobin Marcus on May 27, 2010 at 12:52 PM EST

Yesterday, Vice President Biden held a Middle Class Task Force roundtable with small business employers and employees who are participating in highly successful jobs programs around the country.  These state programs, funded through part of the Recovery Act, give employers a strong incentive to hire by paying for part of a new employee’s wages.  These jobs programs are now up and running in 31 different states, and according to the most recent study, the programs will have placed 186,000 workers in jobs by the end of September.

We heard today about just how effective these subsidies have been.  We had small business owners from Florida and New York telling us about how they have grown their businesses by bringing on new workers and training them.  And we heard from some of those workers, who told us about the difference these programs have made in their lives by ending tough spells of unemployment and putting their careers back on track.

We’ve heard stories like these from all over the country.  As the economy has started turning around, small business owners are starting to think about expanding, but often they’re not sure they can afford the cost of training new workers.  By helping cover the cost of new employees in those crucial first months, these subsidized jobs programs are allowing businesses to finally start putting unemployed workers back on the job.

Unfortunately, the funding for these jobs programs will expire at the end of September unless Congress passes an extension, which is under debate right now.  This Administration is continuing to push Congress to extend these programs, but stories like the ones the Vice President heard today really demonstrate the importance of that extension.  These programs are creating jobs that are making a real difference in the lives of workers – both unemployed workers who are struggling not to fall out of the middle class, and those who aspire to work their way into the middle class for the first time. 

To learn more about these subsidized jobs programs, including all the jobs they’re creating right now and why it’s so important that Congress continues them for another year, take a look at this Middle Class Task Force white paper (pdf).

Tobin Marcus is the Deputy Economic Policy Advisor in the Office of the Vice President

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Middle Class Task Force Roundtable

May 26, 2010 | 55:04 | Public Domain

Vice President Joe Biden and White House Domestic Policy Council Director Melody Barnes host a roundtable discussion with small business owners and employees on the success of programs designed to provide incentives to hire unemployed workers.

Download mp4 (633MB) | mp3 (50MB)

The White House

Office of the Vice President

For Immediate Release
May 25, 2010

Statement from Vice President Biden on New CBO Report on Recovery Act Job Impact

WASHINGTON – Vice President Joe Biden today provided the following statement on the new Congressional Budget Office report on the employment impact of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.  The report can be viewed in full HERE.

“Today’s report from the Congressional Budget Office is further confirmation that the Recovery Act is a driving force behind recent economic growth and has already put millions of Americans to work across the country.  From my time in the Senate, I know that the CBO is respected on both sides of the aisle for its nonpartisan analysis of government programs – so the CBO’s estimate that the Recovery Act is already responsible for as many as 2.8 million jobs, or a range of 1.2 to 2.8 million, and on-track for as many as 3.6 million by the end of this year is important validation that the action we took to rescue the economy last year has not only pulled us back from the brink, but put us on a firm path toward economic recovery.  As the CBO notes, without the Recovery Act, the unemployment rate could be as high as 11 percent right now.  But the President and I know that for the millions of Americans still looking for work, the only job that matters is their own.  That’s why we’re putting Recovery Act dollars to work on more job-creating projects than ever this summer and are continuing to fight for additional job creation investments that help us build on the progress we have made through the Recovery Act.”  

The White House

Office of the Vice President

For Immediate Release
May 25, 2010

Vice President Biden Hosts Conference Call with Mayors to Discuss Recovery Act Implementataion

Earlier today, the Vice President hosted a conference call with Mayors from across the country to discuss implementation of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

The following Mayors and officials participated:

  • Mayor Dewey Bartlett (D-Tulsa, OK)
  • Mayor William A. Bell, Sr. (D-Birmingham, AL)
  • Mayor John Hieftje (D-Ann Arbor, MI)
  • Mayor Tomás P. Regalado (R-Miami, FL)
  • Chief Executive Paul Babb (D-Butte-Silver Bow, MT)

The White House

Office of the Vice President

For Immediate Release
May 24, 2010

Readout of the Vice President's Call with Lebanese Prime Minister Sa'ad Hariri

The Vice President spoke with Lebanese Prime Minister Sa’ad Hariri today to reiterate the strong U.S. commitment to strengthening Lebanon’s sovereignty and independence.  The Vice President pledged continued U.S. assistance to build the institutions of the Lebanese state, including the Lebanese Armed Forces and Internal Security Forces.  The Vice President and Prime Minister Hariri also agreed on the importance of achieving comprehensive Middle East peace.