The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
May 07, 2015

Presidential Proclamation -- Military Spouse Appreciation Day, 2015

MILITARY SPOUSE APPRECIATION DAY, 2015

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BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

A PROCLAMATION

The strength of our Nation's military comes not just from the brave women and men who defend the values we cherish, but also from their families, who serve alongside them and make great sacrifices in service to our country. With determination and unshakable resolve, military spouses endure long absences and shoulder the burdens of war, constantly wondering what kind of dangers lie ahead for their loved ones. Through numerous moves and difficult deployments -- often as they uproot their lives and families and restart their careers -- their steadfast devotion to their spouses and to our Nation represents the best our country has to offer. On Military Spouse Appreciation Day, we recognize the selfless heroes who stand with the finest fighting force the world has ever known, and we honor their relentless courage and commitment.

To fulfill our sacred promise to our service members and their loved ones, my Administration has made supporting our military families a top priority. We are working to make consistent and effective family services available, including mental health care and counseling, deployment and relocation assistance, and child care and youth programs. Through programs like the Post-9/11 GI Bill, we are investing in the education and skills of our military families, and with my Executive authority, I have taken action to protect those who have earned these benefits from abuse by fraudulent actors and unscrupulous practices, ensuring they have the proper information and support they need to make informed decisions about their education.

The wives, husbands, and partners of our service members bring adaptability, creativity, resilience, and leadership -- skills they demonstrate every day -- to the workforce, and it is unacceptable when any military spouse struggles to find work and support their family. That is why we launched the Military Spouse Employment Partnership, an online resource to connect military spouses with meaningful career opportunities and companies that are eager to hire them. And we are reminding businesses across our country that if they want the job done right, they should hire a military spouse.

Four years ago, First Lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden launched the Joining Forces initiative, calling on Americans across our country to rally around service members, veterans, and their spouses. By raising awareness about the unique aspects of military life, they are helping ensure military spouses have all the opportunities and benefits they deserve. To learn more and get involved, visit www.JoiningForces.gov.

Military spouses serve alongside our troops through trial and triumph, and in their example, we see the bravery and pride that reflect who we are as a Nation. These homefront heroes deserve respect and support worthy of their sacrifice and grace -- every day, they should know their country supports them, is there for them, and is grateful for all they do on our behalf.

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 May 8, 2015, as Military Spouse Appreciation Day. I call upon the people of the United States to honor military spouses with appropriate ceremonies and activities.

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

BARACK OBAMA

The White House

Office of the Vice President

For Immediate Release
May 06, 2015

Readout of Vice President Biden's Meeting with Iraqi Kurdistan Regional President Masoud Barzani

This morning, Vice President Joe Biden hosted Iraqi Kurdistan Regional President Masoud Barzani at the Naval Observatory for breakfast. The Vice President underscored the United States’ strong commitment to working with the global coalition and the Iraqi people to degrade and ultimately destroy ISIL through a comprehensive campaign including military, political, economic, and humanitarian efforts. Vice President Biden and President Barzani discussed ongoing U.S. security assistance to the Kurdish Peshmerga in full coordination with the Government of Iraq. Both leaders agreed on the profound need for close cooperation between the Government of Iraq, the Kurdistan Regional Government, and the global coalition in the ongoing fight against ISIL, particularly with respect to the liberation of Mosul. They also agreed on the need for close coordination between Baghdad and Erbil to advance key elements of the Government of Iraq’s national program. 

The White House

Office of the Vice President

For Immediate Release
May 06, 2015

Readout of the Vice President’s Call with Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades

Vice President Joe Biden spoke today with Republic of Cyprus President Nicos Anastasiades about the conflict settlement process, bilateral relations, and the Russia-Ukraine conflict. The Vice President underscored the importance of seizing the opportunity to work with newly-elected Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci to conclude a settlement as soon as possible to reunify the island as a bizonal, bicommunal federation, which is in the overwhelming interest of all Cypriots. The Vice President and President Anastasiades also agreed to continue strengthening our strategic partnership to deepen and expand areas of bilateral cooperation. Finally, on the Russia-Ukraine conflict, the two leaders agreed on the importance of maintaining transatlantic solidarity and support for the full implementation of the Minsk agreements.   

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
May 05, 2015

Readout of the President and Vice President's Meeting with Iraqi Kurdistan Region President Masoud Barzani

President Obama participated in a meeting at the White House with Vice President Biden and Masoud Barzani, President of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. They discussed a range of issues, including the campaign to degrade and ultimately destroy ISIL and the status of ongoing political initiatives to address the needs of the Iraqi people and foster cooperation across all communities. President Obama and Vice President Biden reaffirmed the United States’ strong and continued support to the Iraqi Kurdistan Region and the Kurdish people. They also reaffirmed the United States’ enduring commitment under the Strategic Framework Agreement to a united, federal, and democratic Iraq, as defined in the Iraqi constitution.

President Obama and Vice President Biden each commended the bravery of the Kurdish Peshmerga and expressed condolences to the victims of ISIL throughout Iraq. President Barzani thanked President Obama and Vice President Biden for the significant military support that the United States has provided to Kurdish Peshmerga in coordination with the Iraqi government and the Iraqi Security Forces, including the military action taken to protect Erbil and other parts of Iraqi Kurdistan following the fall of Mosul. Both sides agreed on the importance of strengthening relations between Baghdad and Erbil and underscored their continued shared commitment to provide support to the millions of civilians displaced by the violence in the region.

A photograph of this meeting can be found HERE.

The White House

Office of the Vice President

For Immediate Release
May 02, 2015

Readout of Vice President Biden's Call with Prime Minister Al-Abadi of Iraq

Vice President Joe Biden spoke today with Iraqi Prime Minister Haider Al-Abadi. The Vice President reaffirmed the US commitment under the Strategic Framework Agreement to a united, federal, and democratic Iraq, as defined in the Iraqi constitution. He further reaffirmed, pursuant to this commitment, that all U.S. military assistance in the fight against ISIL comes at the request of the Government of Iraq and must be coordinated through the Government of Iraq. 

The Vice President and Prime Minister also spoke about recent security developments inside Iraq. The Vice President underscored America’s commitment to help Iraqis reclaim their territory from ISIL, and the Prime Minister expressed appreciation for U.S. coordination and air strikes by the International Coalition in support of Iraqi forces and Iraqi volunteers operating under Iraqi government command. The Vice President also expressed his condolences on behalf of the United States for the victims of ISIL's barbaric terrorist attacks, including car bombs recently against innocent civilians in Baghdad. Both leaders emphasized their mutual commitment to working together to defeat ISIL and helping Iraqi forces protect Iraq's full sovereignty and independence.

The White House

Office of the Vice President

For Immediate Release
May 01, 2015

Readout of the Vice President’s Call with Ukrainian Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk

Vice President Joe Biden spoke today with Ukrainian Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk to discuss the situation in eastern Ukraine and Ukraine’s reform agenda. The Vice President congratulated the Prime Minister on a successful international reform conference and encouraged Ukraine to continue implementing economic and rule of law reforms to improve the business climate and attract investment. Regarding the security situation in eastern Ukraine, the two leaders called on Russia to fulfill its commitments under the Minsk agreements, including the withdrawal of all heavy weapons and foreign fighters; the release of all prisoners in Russian custody; and allowing Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe election monitors to begin preparations for local elections as provided for in the February Minsk Implementation Plan.

West Wing Week: 05/01/2015 or, “I Think That Works!”

Adam Garber
Adam Garber
May 01, 2015
11:11 AM EST

This week, the President hosted the Japanese Prime Minister, joked around at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner, sat down for an interview with the Wall Street Journal, visited the Lincoln Memorial, took a walk with the 2015 National Teacher of the Year, and participated in a “virtual field trip.” That’s April 24 to April 30 or, “I Think That Works!”

Related Topics: Trade and Exports, Education, Inside the White House

West Wing Week: 05/01/2015 or, “I Think That Works!”

May 01, 2015 | 6:30 | Public Domain

This week, the President hosted the Japanese Prime Minister, joked around at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner, sat down for an interview with the Wall Street Journal, visited the Lincoln Memorial, took a walk with the 2015 National Teacher of the Year, and participated in a “virtual field trip.” That’s April 24th to April 30th or, “I Think That Works!”

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“Don’t Look to Your Left, Don’t Look to Your Right -- It’s on You.”

Posted by Caroline Bettinger-Lopez and Dr. Tiffany McNair on April 29, 2015 at 04:00 PM EST
Vice President Joe Biden delivers remarks on campus sexual assault

Vice President Joe Biden delivers remarks on campus sexual assault, at the University of Illinois, in Urbana, Illinois, April 23, 2015. (Official White House Photo by David Lienemann)

“Don’t look to your left, don’t look to your right, it’s on you.” Vice President Biden spoke these powerful words last Thursday at a rally held at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) to address the travesty of sexual violence on our nation’s college and university campuses. The Vice President galvanized an enthusiastic mass of students, administrators, community leaders, advocates, and survivors to mark Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month and to celebrate the "It’s On Us" campaign.

It’s on Us, launched by the Administration last September, is an initiative that focuses both on the dignity and rights of survivors, and on the broader societal responsibility for preventing and putting an end to sexual assault on college and university campuses. By proclaiming “it’s on us,” the campaign emphasizes that everyone—including bystanders and those not immediately impacted by sexual assault, as well as institutions like schools, law enforcement, religious and athletic organizations, and others—must step up to the plate. Bystanders, both as individuals and as a collective, have the opportunity and the agency to intervene when someone else is at risk. They also have the ability to discourage harmful behaviors by establishing a new conversation on healthy relationships, positive images of women, and a rejection of gender inequality.

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It's On Us: A Rally With Vice President Biden

April 27, 2015 | :57 | Public Domain

Vice President Biden joined students at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign for a rally against sexual assault as part of the administration’s ongoing "It's On Us" campaign. April 23, 2015.

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