The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
May 22, 2010

Remarks by the President at United States Military Academy at West Point Commencement

Michie Stadium, West Point, New York

10:31 A.M. EDT

THE PRESIDENT:  Thank you.  Thank you.  Thank you.  Thank you.  Please be seated.  Thank you very much.  Good morning. 

AUDIENCE:  Good morning.

THE PRESIDENT:  It is wonderful to be back at the United States Military Academy -- the oldest continuously occupied military post in America -- as we commission the newest officers in the United States Army.

Thank you, General Hagenbeck, for your introduction, on a day that holds special meaning for you and the Dean, General Finnegan.  Both of you first came to West Point in the Class of 1971 and went on to inspire soldiers under your command.  You’ve led this Academy to a well-deserved recognition:  best college in America.  (Applause.)  And today, you’re both looking forward to a well-deserved retirement from the Army.  General Hagenbeck and Judy, General Finnegan and Joan, we thank you for 39 years of remarkable service to the Army and to America.  (Applause.) 

To the Commandant, General Rapp, the Academy staff and faculty, most of whom are veterans, thank you for your service and for inspiring these cadets to become the “leaders of character” they are today.  (Applause.)  Let me also acknowledge the presence of General Shinseki, Secretary McHugh, the members of Congress who are with us here today, including two former soldiers this Academy knows well, Senator Jack Reed and Congressman Patrick Murphy.  (Applause.) 

To all the families here -- especially all the moms and dads -- this day is a tribute to you as well.  The decision to come to West Point was made by your sons and daughters, but it was you who instilled in them a spirit of service that has led them to this hallowed place in a time of war.  So on behalf of the American people, thank you for your example and thank you for your patriotism.  (Applause.) 

To the United States Corps of Cadets, and most of all, the Class of 2010 -- it is a singular honor to serve as your Commander-in-Chief.  As your Superintendent indicated, under our constitutional system my power as President is wisely limited.  But there are some areas where my power is absolute.  And so, as your Commander-in-Chief, I hereby absolve all cadets who are on restriction for minor conduct offenses.  (Applause.)  I will leave the definition of “minor” -- (laughter) -- to those who know better.  (Laughter.) 

Class of 2010, today is your day -- a day to celebrate all that you’ve achieved, in the finest tradition of the soldier-scholar, and to look forward to the important service that lies ahead.

You have pushed yourself through the agony of Beast Barracks, the weeks of training in rain and mud, and, I’m told, more inspections and drills than perhaps any class before you.  Along the way, I’m sure you faced a few moments when you asked yourself:  “What am I doing here?”  I have those moments sometimes.  (Laughter.) 

You’ve trained for the complexities of today’s missions, knowing that success will be measured not merely by performance on the battlefield, but also by your understanding of the cultures and traditions and languages in the place where you serve.

You’ve reached out across borders, with more international experience than any class in Academy history.  You’ve not only attended foreign academies to forge new friendships, you’ve welcomed into your ranks cadets from nearly a dozen countries. 

You’ve challenged yourself intellectually in the sciences and the humanities, in history and technology.  You’ve achieved a standard of academic excellence that is without question, tying the record for the most post-graduate scholarships of any class in West Point history.  (Applause.) 

This includes your number one overall cadet and your valedictorian -- Liz Betterbed and Alex Rosenberg.  And by the way, this is the first time in Academy history where your two top awards have been earned by female candidates.  (Applause.) 

This underscores a fact that I’ve seen in the faces of our troops from Baghdad to Bagram -- in the 21st century, our women in uniform play an indispensable role in our national defense.  And time and again, they have proven themselves to be role models for our daughters and our sons -- as students and as soldiers and as leaders in the United States armed forces.

And the faces in this stadium show a simple truth:  America’s Army represents the full breadth of America’s experience.  You come from every corner of our country -- from privilege and from poverty, from cities and small towns.  You worship all of the great religions that enrich the life of our people.  You include the vast diversity of race and ethnicity that is fundamental to our nation’s strength.

There is, however, one thing that sets you apart.  Here in these quiet hills, you’ve come together to prepare for the most difficult test of our time.  You signed up knowing your service would send you into harm’s way, and you did so long after the first drums of war were sounded.  In you we see the commitment of our country, and timeless virtues that have served our nation well.

We see your sense of duty -- including those who have earned their right shoulder patch -- their right shoulder combat patches, like the soldier who suffered a grenade wound in Iraq, yet still helped his fellow soldiers to evacuate -- your First Captain of the Corps of Cadets, Tyler Gordy.  (Applause.) 

We see your sense of honor -- in your respect for tradition, knowing that you join a Long Grey Line that stretches through the centuries; and in your reverence for each other, as when the Corps stands in silence every time a former cadet makes the ultimate sacrifice for our nation.  Indeed, today we honor the 78 graduates of this Academy who have given their lives for our freedom and our security in Iraq and Afghanistan.

And we see your love of country -- a devotion to America captured in the motto you chose as a class, a motto which will guide your lives of service:  “Loyal ‘Til the End.”

Duty.  Honor.  Love of country.  Everything you have learned here, all that you’ve achieved here, has prepared you for today -- when you raise your right hand; when you take that oath; when your loved one or mentor pins those gold bars on your shoulders; when you become, at long last, commissioned officers in the United States Army.

This is the ninth consecutive commencement that has taken place at West Point with our nation at war.  This time of war began in Afghanistan -- a place that may seem as far away from this peaceful bend in the Hudson River as anywhere on Earth.  The war began only because our own cities and civilians were attacked by violent extremists who plotted from a distant place, and it continues only because that plotting persists to this day.

For many years, our focus was on Iraq.  And year after year, our troops faced a set of challenges there that were as daunting as they were complex.  A lesser Army might have seen its spirit broken.  But the American military is more resilient than that.  Our troops adapted, they persisted, they partnered with coalition and Iraqi counterparts, and through their competence and creativity and courage, we are poised to end our combat mission in Iraq this summer.  (Applause.) 

Even as we transition to an Iraqi lead and bring our troops home, our commitment to the Iraqi people endures.  We will continue to advise and assist Iraqi security forces, who are already responsible for security in most of the country.  And a strong American civilian presence will help Iraqis forge political and economic progress.  This will not be a simple task, but this is what success looks like:  an Iraq that provides no haven to terrorists; a democratic Iraq that is sovereign and stable and self-reliant.

And as we end the war in Iraq, though, we are pressing forward in Afghanistan.  Six months ago, I came to West Point to announce a new strategy for Afghanistan and Pakistan.  And I stand here humbled by the knowledge that many of you will soon be serving in harm’s way.  I assure you, you will go with the full support of a proud and grateful nation.

We face a tough fight in Afghanistan.  Any insurgency that is confronted with a direct challenge will turn to new tactics.  And from Marja to Kandahar, that is what the Taliban has done through assassination and indiscriminate killing and intimidation.  Moreover, any country that has known decades of war will be tested in finding political solutions to its problems, and providing governance that can sustain progress and serve the needs of its people.

So this war has changed over the last nine years, but it’s no less important than it was in those days after 9/11.  We toppled the Taliban regime -- now we must break the momentum of a Taliban insurgency and train Afghan security forces.  We have supported the election of a sovereign government -- now we must strengthen its capacities.  We’ve brought hope to the Afghan people -- now we must see that their country does not fall prey to our common enemies.  Cadets, there will be difficult days ahead.  We will adapt, we will persist, and I have no doubt that together with our Afghan and international partners, we will succeed in Afghanistan.  (Applause.) 

Now even as we fight the wars in front of us, we also have to see the horizon beyond these wars -- because unlike a terrorist whose goal is to destroy, our future will be defined by what we build.  We have to see that horizon, and to get there we must pursue a strategy of national renewal and global leadership.  We have to build the sources of America’s strength and influence, and shape a world that’s more peaceful and more prosperous.

Time and again, Americans have risen to meet and to shape moments of change.  This is one of those moments -- an era of economic transformation and individual empowerment; of ancient hatreds and new dangers; of emerging powers and new global challenges.  And we’re going to need all of you to help meet these challenges.  You’ve answered the call.  You, and all who wear America’s uniform, remain the cornerstone of our national defense, the anchor of global security.  And through a period when too many of our institutions have acted irresponsibly, the American military has set a standard of service and sacrifice that is as great as any in this nation’s history.  (Applause.) 

Now the rest of us -- the rest of us must do our part.  And to do so, we must first recognize that our strength and influence abroad begins with steps we take at home.  We must educate our children to compete in an age where knowledge is capital, and the marketplace is global.  We must develop clean energy that can power new industry and unbound us from foreign oil and preserve our planet.  We have to pursue science and research that unlocks wonders as unforeseen to us today as the microchip and the surface of the moon were a century ago. 

Simply put, American innovation must be the foundation of American power -- because at no time in human history has a nation of diminished economic vitality maintained its military and political primacy.  And so that means that the civilians among us, as parents and community leaders, elected officials, business leaders, we have a role to play.  We cannot leave it to those in uniform to defend this country -- we have to make sure that America is building on its strengths.  (Applause.) 

As we build these economic sources of our strength, the second thing we must do is build and integrate the capabilities that can advance our interests, and the common interests of human beings around the world.  America’s armed forces are adapting to changing times, but your efforts have to be complemented.  We will need the renewed engagement of our diplomats, from grand capitals to dangerous outposts.  We need development experts who can support Afghan agriculture and help Africans build the capacity to feed themselves.  We need intelligence agencies that work seamlessly with their counterparts to unravel plots that run from the mountains of Pakistan to the streets of our cities.  We need law enforcement that can strengthen judicial systems abroad, and protect us here at home.  And we need first responders who can act swiftly in the event of earthquakes and storms and disease.

The burdens of this century cannot fall on our soldiers alone.  It also cannot fall on American shoulders alone.  Our adversaries would like to see America sap its strength by overextending our power.  And in the past, we’ve always had the foresight to avoid acting alone.  We were part of the most powerful wartime coalition in human history through World War II.  We stitched together a community of free nations and institutions to endure and ultimately prevail during a Cold War. 

Yes, we are clear-eyed about the shortfalls of our international system.  But America has not succeeded by stepping out of the currents of cooperation -- we have succeeded by steering those currents in the direction of liberty and justice, so nations thrive by meeting their responsibilities and face consequences when they don’t.

So we have to shape an international order that can meet the challenges of our generation.  We will be steadfast in strengthening those old alliances that have served us so well, including those who will serve by your side in Afghanistan and around the globe.  As influence extends to more countries and capitals, we also have to build new partnerships, and shape stronger international standards and institutions. 

This engagement is not an end in itself.  The international order we seek is one that can resolve the challenges of our times –- countering violent extremism and insurgency; stopping the spread of nuclear weapons and securing nuclear materials; combating a changing climate and sustaining global growth; helping countries feed themselves and care for their sick; preventing conflict and healing wounds.  If we are successful in these tasks, that will lessen conflicts around the world.  It will be supportive of our efforts by our military to secure our country.

More than anything else, though, our success will be claimed by who we are as a country.  This is more important than ever, given the nature of the challenges that we face.  Our campaign to disrupt, dismantle, and to defeat al Qaeda is part of an international effort that is necessary and just. 

But this is a different kind of war.  There will be no simple moment of surrender to mark the journey’s end -- no armistice, no banner headline.  Though we have had more success in eliminating al Qaeda leaders in recent months than in recent years, they will continue to recruit, and plot, and exploit our open society.  We see that in bombs that go off in Kabul and Karachi.  We see it in attempts to blow up an airliner over Detroit or an SUV in Times Square, even as these failed attacks show that pressure on networks like al Qaeda is forcing them to rely on terrorists with less time and space to train.  We see the potential duration of this struggle in al Qaeda’s gross distortions of Islam, their disrespect for human life, and their attempt to prey upon fear and hatred and prejudice.

So the threat will not go away soon, but let’s be clear:  Al Qaeda and its affiliates are small men on the wrong side of history.  They lead no nation.  They lead no religion.  We need not give in to fear every time a terrorist tries to scare us.  We should not discard our freedoms because extremists try to exploit them.  We cannot succumb to division because others try to drive us apart.  We are the United States of America.  (Applause.)  We are the United States of America, and we have repaired our union, and faced down fascism, and outlasted communism.  We’ve gone through turmoil, we’ve gone through Civil War, and we have come out stronger -- and we will do so once more.  (Applause.)

And I know this to be true because I see the strength and resilience of the American people.  Terrorists want to scare us.  New Yorkers just go about their lives unafraid.  (Applause.)  Extremists want a war between America and Islam, but Muslims are part of our national life, including those who serve in our United States Army.  (Applause.)  Adversaries want to divide us, but we are united by our support for you -- soldiers who send a clear message that this country is both the land of the free and the home of the brave.  (Applause.)

You know, in an age of instant access to information, a lot of cynicism in the news, it’s easy to lose perspective in a flood of pictures and the swirl of political debate.  Power and influence can seem to ebb and flow.  Wars and grand plans can be deemed won or lost day to day, even hour to hour.  As we experience the immediacy of the image of a suffering child or the boasts of a prideful dictator, it’s easy to give in to the belief sometimes that human progress has stalled -- that events are beyond our control, that change is not possible.

But this nation was founded upon a different notion.  We believe, “that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.”  (Applause.)  And that truth has bound us together, a nation populated by people from around the globe, enduring hardship and achieving greatness as one people.  And that belief is as true today as it was 200 years ago.  It is a belief that has been claimed by people of every race and religion in every region of the world.  Can anybody doubt that this belief will be any less true -- any less powerful -- two years, two decades, or even two centuries from now?

And so a fundamental part of our strategy for our security has to be America’s support for those universal rights that formed the creed of our founding.  And we will promote these values above all by living them -- through our fidelity to the rule of law and our Constitution, even when it’s hard; even when we’re being attacked; even when we’re in the midst of war. 

And we will commit ourselves to forever pursuing a more perfect union.  Together with our friends and allies, America will always seek a world that extends these rights so that when an individual is being silenced, we aim to be her voice.  Where ideas are suppressed, we provide space for open debate.  Where democratic institutions take hold, we add a wind at their back.  When humanitarian disaster strikes, we extend a hand.  Where human dignity is denied, America opposes poverty and is a source of opportunity.  That is who we are.  That is what we do.

We do so with no illusions.  We understand change doesn’t come quick.  We understand that neither America nor any nation can dictate every outcome beyond its borders.  We know that a world of mortal men and women will never be rid of oppression or evil.  What we can do, what we must do, is work and reach and fight for the world that we seek -- all of us, those in uniform and those who are not.      

And in preparing for today, I turned to the world -- to the words of Oliver Wendell Holmes.  And reflecting on his Civil War experience, he said, and I quote, “To fight out a war you must believe in something and want something with all your might.  So must you do to carry anything else to an end worth reaching.”  Holmes went on, “More than that, you must be willing to commit yourself to a course, perhaps a long and hard one, without being able to foresee exactly where you will come out.”

America does not fight for the sake of fighting.  We abhor war.  As one who has never experienced the field of battle -- and I say that with humility, knowing, as General MacArthur said, “the soldier above all others prays for peace” -- we fight because we must.  We fight to keep our families and communities safe.  We fight for the security of our allies and partners, because America believes that we will be safer when our friends are safer; that we will be stronger when the world is more just.

So cadets, a long and hard road awaits you.  You go abroad because your service is fundamental to our security back home.  You go abroad as representatives of the values that this country was founded upon.  And when you inevitably face setbacks -- when the fighting is fierce or a village elder is fearful; when the end that you are seeking seems uncertain -- think back to West Point.

Here, in this peaceful part of the world, you have drilled and you have studied and come of age in the footsteps of great men and women -- Americans who faced times of trial, and who even in victory could not have foreseen the America they helped to build, the world they helped to shape.

George Washington was able to free a band of patriots from the rule of an empire, but he could not have foreseen his country growing to include 50 states connecting two oceans.

Grant was able to save a union and see the slaves freed, but he could not have foreseen just how much his country would extend full rights and opportunities to citizens of every color.

Eisenhower was able to see Germany surrender and a former enemy grow into an ally, but he could not have foreseen the Berlin Wall coming down without a shot being fired.

Today it is your generation that has borne a heavy burden -- soldiers, graduates of this Academy like John Meyer and Greg Ambrosia who have braved enemy fire, protected their units, carried out their missions, earned the commendation of this Army, and of a grateful nation.

From the birth of our existence, America has had a faith in the future -- a belief that where we’re going is better than where we’ve been, even when the path ahead is uncertain.  To fulfill that promise, generations of Americans have built upon the foundation of our forefathers -- finding opportunity, fighting injustice, forging a more perfect union.  Our achievement would not be possible without the Long Grey Line that has sacrificed for duty, for honor, for country.  (Applause.) 

And years from now when you return here, when for you the shadows have grown longer, I have no doubt that you will have added your name to the book of history.  I have no doubt that we will have prevailed in the struggles of our times.  I have no doubt that your legacy will be an America that has emerged stronger, and a world that is more just, because we are Americans, and our destiny is never written for us, it is written by us, and we are ready to lead once more. 

Thank you.  May God bless you.  And may God bless the United States of America.  (Applause.)

END
11:04 A.M. EDT

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
May 21, 2010

Remarks by the President at Signing of Presidential Memorandum on Fuel Efficiency Standards

Rose Garden

10:58 A.M. EDT

THE PRESIDENT:  Good morning, everybody.  Good morning.  Everybody, please have a seat.  It is wonderful to have you all here.  Welcome to the White House. 

I want to introduce some of the folks who are onstage who have been integral in making today possible.  You’ve already heard about the wonderful team here at the White House -- Carol Browner, Ray LaHood, and Lisa Jackson.  But in addition, we have onstage a number of people who were absolutely critical.  Martin Daum, the CEO of Daimler Trucks; Mr. Anthony Dunkley, who is a driver for Waste Management; Mr. G. Tommy Hodges, chairman of the board, American Trucking Association; Mr. Alan Reuther, legislative director for the UAW; Mr. Dennis Slagle, CEO of Volvo; Mr. Tim Solso, CEO of Cummins; and Mr. Daniel Ustian, CEO of Navistar.  Please give them a big round of applause.  (Applause.)

We also have with us some legislative leaders who have been champions of not only the auto industry but also the environmental movement, and I want to thank them for being here.  One of the deans of the House of Representatives, Representative John Dingell -- please give him a big round of applause.  (Applause.)  Representative Ed Markey is here from Massachusetts.  (Applause.)  Representative Chris Van Hollen is here.  (Applause.)  And Representative Henry Waxman.  (Applause.)   

Now, it was one year ago today that I stood here in the Rose Garden on a similarly beautiful day with some of the same folks to announce a historic agreement to help break America’s dependence on oil, to protect the planet that we’ll leave to our children, and to spur jobs and growth in the industries of the future.  It was an agreement –- the first of its kind –- to raise the fuel efficiency and reduce the greenhouse pollution for cars and light trucks sold in the United States of America. 

A lot of people thought such an agreement was impossible.  After all, for decades we had made little headway in improving the fuel efficiency of our cars.  We’d hear a lot of urgent talk in Washington when oil prices went up, then we’d see politicians rush to the local gas stations -– I remember going to gas stations -- holding press conferences, announcing new legislation.  But the impetus for action would fade when gas prices started to go back down.  Meanwhile, progress was mired in a lot of old arguments traded across entrenched political divides:  left versus right, management versus labor, business leaders versus environmental advocates. 

But what we showed here one year ago today is that we could do something different.  We proved that these were false choices.  We brought together all the stakeholders, including former adversaries, to support a policy that would benefit consumers, workers, and the auto industry -– while strengthening the economy and protecting the planet.  One year later, we’re beginning to see the results.  Instead of fighting higher standards, auto manufacturers are engaged in a race to meet them.  And over the next five years, we expect fuel efficiency standards in cars and light trucks to reach an average of 35.5 miles per gallon. 

As a result, everybody wins.  The typical driver will save roughly $3,000 over the life of the vehicle.  We’ll reduce our dependence on oil by 1.8 billion barrels and cut nearly a billion tons of greenhouse gas emissions.  This is the equivalent of taking 50 million cars off the road -– lowering pollution while making our economy more secure.  And by setting a single standard in place, rather than a tangle of overlapping and uncertain rules, auto companies will have the clear incentive to develop more efficient vehicles.  This, in turn, will foster innovation and growth in a host of new industries.

So that’s what we set in motion one year ago.  And today, we’re going even further, proposing the development of a national standard for medium- and heavy-duty trucks, just as we did for cars and light trucks.  In a few moments, I’m going to sign a presidential memorandum, coordinated by my chief energy advisor, Carol Browner.  It directs my administration, under the leadership of Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood and EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson, to develop a standard to improve fuel efficiency and reduce harmful emissions for trucks, starting with the model year 2014. 

     This is the first time we’ll have such a standard.  And as a sign of the broad support behind this plan, we are joined by the representatives from more than a dozen car and truck manufacturers, as well as fleet operators, auto workers, labor leaders, environmental groups, and officials from California and other states.

This is going to bring down the costs for transportating -- for transporting goods, serving businesses and consumers alike.  It will reduce pollution, given that freight vehicles produce roughly one fifth of the greenhouse gas emissions related to transportation.  We estimate, for example, that we can increase fuel economy by as much as 25 percent in tractor trailers using technologies that already exist today.  And, just like the rule concerning cars, this standard will spur growth in the clean energy sector.

We know how important that is.  We know that our dependence on foreign oil endangers our security and our economy.  We know that climate change poses a threat to our way of life -– in fact we’re already seeing some of the profound and costly impacts.  And the disaster in the Gulf only underscores that even as we pursue domestic production to reduce our reliance on imported oil, our long-term security depends on the development of alternative sources of fuel and new transportation technologies.

But we also know that our economic future depends on our leadership in the industries of the future.  Around the globe, countries are seeking an advantage in the global marketplace by investing in new ways of producing and saving energy.  From China to Germany, these countries recognize that the nation that leads in the clean energy economy will lead the global economy.  And I want America to be that nation. 

And that’s why, when we fashioned the Recovery Act to get our economy moving again, we emphasized clean energy.  Today, we’re supporting the development of advanced battery technologies.  We’re doubling the capacity to generate renewable electricity.  We’re building a stronger, smarter electric grid, which will be essential to powering the millions of plug-in hybrids -- cars and trucks that we hope to see on the roads.  It’s estimated that through these investments, we’ll create or save more than 700,000 jobs.  And these investments will help businesses develop new technologies that vehicle makers can use to meet higher fuel efficiency standards.

In addition, the standard we set last year for cars and light trucks runs through 2016.  I’m proposing we start developing right now a new and higher standard to take effect beginning 2017, so that we can make more and more progress in the years to come.  (Applause.) 

Through the directive I’m signing, we’re also going to work with public and private sectors to develop the advanced infrastructure that will be necessary for plug-in hybrids and electric vehicles.  And we’re going to continue to work to diversify our fuel mix, including biofuels, natural gas, and other cleaner sources of energy.  I believe that it’s possible, in the next 20 years, for vehicles to use half the fuel and produce half the pollution that they do today.  But that’s only going to happen if we are willing to do what’s necessary for the sake of our economy, our security, and our environment.

Today’s announcement is an essential part of our energy strategy.  But it’s not a substitute for other necessary steps to ensure our leadership in a new clean energy economy.  I’m heartened by the good work that’s been done by Senator Kerry and Lieberman on a comprehensive energy and climate bill to reduce our dependence on foreign oil, to prevent the worst consequences of climate change, and foster the millions of new jobs that are possible if we rise to this challenge.  And this follows the passage of comprehensive legislation through the House last June.

So as I’ve said before, I intend to work with members of both parties to pass a bill this year.  (Applause.)  In the meantime, I’m going to take every sensible, responsible action that I can use -- that I can take using my authority as President to move our country in the right direction.  That’s what we’ve done today.  That’s what we’re going to continue to do in the days, weeks and months ahead.

So thank you very much for being here, everybody.  And I’m going to now sign this memorandum.  (Applause.)

(The memorandum is signed.)

END
11:07 A.M. EDT

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
May 20, 2010

Remarks by the President on Wall Street Reform

Rose Garden

4:33 P.M. EDT

THE PRESIDENT:  Good afternoon, everybody.  I want to say a few words about the vote on financial reform in the Senate today.

I’ve said many times that the recession we’re emerging from was primarily caused by a lack of responsibility and accountability from Wall Street to Washington.  It’s part of the reason our economy nearly collapsed.  It’s what led to countless home foreclosures, the failure of community banks and small businesses, and a cascade of job losses that have left millions of Americans out of work.  And that's why I made passage of Wall Street reform one of my top priorities as President -– so that a crisis like this does not happen again. 

Over the last year, the financial industry has repeatedly tried to end this reform with hordes of lobbyists and millions of dollars in ads.  And when they couldn’t kill it, they tried to water it down with special interest loopholes and carve-outs aimed at undermining real change. 

Today, I think it’s fair to say that these efforts have failed.  Today, Democrats and a handful of Republicans in the Senate have voted to break the filibuster and allow a final debate and vote on financial reform -- reform that will protect consumers, protect our economy, and hold Wall Street accountable. 
I want to thank Senator Chris Dodd and Majority Leader Reid for their leadership on this legislation, as well as all the senators who put partisan posturing aside in allowing a vote on this important reform.  And I want to thank every American who kept the pressure on Washington to change a system that worked better for banks on Wall Street than it did for families on Main Street. 

Now, we’ve still got some work to do.  Soon we’re going to have a final vote in the Senate, and then the House and the Senate will have to iron out the differences between the two bills.  And there’s no doubt that during that time, the financial industry and their lobbyists will keep on fighting.  But I will ensure that we arrive at a final product that is both effective and responsible -– one that holds Wall Street to high standards of accountability and secures financial stability, while preserving the strength and crucial functions of a financial industry that is central to our prosperity and our ability to innovate and compete in a global economy.

Our goal is not to punish the banks, but to protect the larger economy and the American people from the kind of upheavals that we’ve seen in the past few years.  And today’s action was a major step forward in achieving that goal.

Because of Wall Street reform, we’ll soon have in place the strongest consumer protections in history.  If you’ve ever applied for a credit card, a student loan, or a mortgage, you know the feeling of signing your name to pages of barely understandable fine print.  It’s a big step for most families, but one that’s often filled with unnecessary confusion and apprehension.  As a result, many Americans are simply duped into hidden fees and loans they just can’t afford by companies that know exactly what they’re doing. 

Those days will soon end.  From now on, every consumer will be empowered with the clear and concise information that you need to make financial decisions that are best for you.  This bill will crack down on predatory practices and unscrupulous mortgage lenders.  It will enforce the new credit card law we passed banning unfair rate hikes, and ensure that folks aren’t unwittingly caught by overdraft fees when they sign up for a checking account.  It will give students who take out college loans information and make sure lenders don’t cheat the system.  And it will ensure that every American receives a free credit score if they are denied a loan or insurance because of that score.

Because of financial reform, the American people will never again be asked to foot the bill for Wall Street’s mistakes.  There will be no more taxpayer-funded bailouts -- period.  If a large financial institution should ever fail, we will have the tools to wind it down without endangering the broader economy.  And there will be new rules to prevent financial institutions from becoming “too big to fail” in the first place, so that we don’t have another AIG. 

Because of reform, the kinds of complex, backroom deals that helped trigger the financial crisis will finally be brought to the light of day.  And from now on, shareholders will have greater say on the pay of CEOs and other executives, so that they can reward success instead of failure, and help change the perverse incentives that encouraged so much reckless risk-taking in the first place. 

So, in short, Wall Street reform will bring greater security to folks on Main Street -- to families who are looking to buy their first car or their first home; to taxpayers who shouldn’t have to pay for somebody else’s irresponsibility; to small businesses and community banks who play by the rules; and to shareholders and investors who want to see their companies grow and thrive.

But let me stress that this is not a zero-sum game where Wall Street loses and Main Street wins.  As we’ve learned, in today’s economy, we’re all connected.  When the economy prospers, we all win.  When the financial sector operates under sound rules of the road to ensure fairness and stability, we all win.  Every American has an interest in a healthy financial sector.  But for that reason, it’s also imperative that those in Wall Street boardrooms and on trading floors be held accountable for the decisions that they make.  For behind every dollar traded or leveraged on Wall Street, there is a family looking to buy a house, pay for an education, open a business, or save for retirement.

And the reform I sign will not stifle the power of the free market -- it will simply bring predictable, responsible, sensible rules into the marketplace.  Unless your business model is based on bilking your customers and skirting the law, you should have nothing to fear from this legislation. 

As we continue to emerge from this recession, this reform is one important step that will strengthen our economy.  And despite the ups and downs associated with a recovery, that economy is getting stronger by the day.  It’s an economy that’s growing again.  Last month, we added jobs -- the fourth straight month of job growth and the largest increase in four years.  And we’re working closely with our G20 partners around the world to ensure that growth is balanced and sustained. 

I also said when I took office that we can’t simply rebuild this economy on the same pile of sand -- on maxed-out credit cards or housing bubbles or reckless risk-taking on Wall Street. We’re going to have to build it on a firmer, stronger foundation for economic growth.  That’s why we invested in renewable energies that currently have the potential of creating new jobs all across America.  That’s why we’re reforming our education system so that our workers can compete on the global stage.  That’s why we passed health care reform that will lower costs for families and businesses.  And that’s why we’re about to pass financial regulatory reform -- to protect consumers and ensure that we don’t have another crisis caused by the irresponsibility of a few. 

Along with the steps we’re taking to spur innovation and encourage hiring and rein in our deficits, that is how we will ultimately build an economy that is stronger and more prosperous than it was before. 

Thanks very much, everybody.

END
4:41 P.M. EDT

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
May 19, 2010

Remarks by President Obama and President Calderón of Mexico in an Exchange of Dinner Toasts

East Room

7:30 P.M. EDT

PRESIDENT OBAMA:  Michelle and I are extraordinarily honored as we host you, but most importantly as we host President Calderon and First Lady Margarita Zavala.  Yes, I'm sorry, please be seated.  We welcome them and the Mexican delegation for our second state dinner here at the White House -- tonight, la Casa Blanca.  (Laughter.)  

In our visit to Mexico, the President and First Lady have treated me and Michelle to a celebration of Mexico’s rich heritage -- including the stunning Anthropology Museum and some wonderful mariachi.  Tonight we celebrate the bonds we share, as neighbors and as friends.

We celebrate all that Mexico and its ancient civilizations has given the world throughout history -- advances in architecture and astronomy, mathematics and medicine, and of course, some very good food -- including the “food of the gods”  -- chocolate.  (Laughter.)  

As Mexico marks the bicentennial of its independence and the centennial of its revolution, we celebrate a proud people who have defined their own destiny, with patriots like Hidalgo and Juarez, and giants in the arts and literature and science -- and like the United States, a pretty good soccer team.  (Laughter.)   
We celebrate all that Mexican Americans have contributed to the United States -- leaders in every segment of our society, including many of the guests who are here tonight, and a culture that treasures family and faith.  Indeed, America is enriched by el sabor de Mexico. 

And we celebrate the partnership between our two countries. Mr. President, I must say it again:  In the fight for your country’s future, you’ve shown extraordinary courage, extraordinary bravery, and you and the Mexican people have a full and committed partner in the United States.

As we look to the future, I’m reminded of all the young people who’ve become part of our visits -- the children in Mexico City waving American and Mexican flags; the students who shared their dreams with Michelle; and some very excited kids that, along with Michelle and Margarita, did a little exercise today.  (Laughter.)  Each of those children has a dream.  And yet we know that in life it’s not enough to want your dream.  As the extraordinary writer Octavio Paz wrote in one of his poems, you must “deserve your dream.”

And so, Mr. President, I propose a toast -- to the dreams of our children.  Together, may we realize those dreams.  And together, may we deserve them -- by going forward in partnership and respect.    

Cheers.  Salud.

(A toast is offered.)

PRESIDENT CALDERÓN:  (As translated.)  Excellency, Mr. Barack Obama, President of the United States of America; Mrs. Michelle Obama; ladies and gentlemen.  I thank President Barack Obama and Michelle, and also to the people from the United States of America, for your invitation and the generous hospitality with which we have been welcomed during this visit.

Your courtesy, Mr. President, as that that we have received from the First Lady, honor the great friendship and partnership that brings our people together. 

Today I have once again seen that we share the hope to turn this relationship between the people from the United States of America and the people from Mexico into an example of how much can be achieved among neighbors when working together under the guidance of common ideals such as peace, security, prosperity, freedom and democracy.

Today we promote the agreements and the actions of cooperation that our countries need in order to face the new challenges to benefit fully of the enormous advantages as a result of being neighbors and the long borderline that unites us. Today Mexico and the United States are immersed in a new stage of cooperation, and we base our efforts in the principles of shared responsibility, mutual respect and trust.

We fully understand that our joint work has a direct impact in both populations in its well-being and happiness.  We are neighbors; we are partners; we are allies; and we are also friends. 

I have said this, and allow me to repeat it:  We work with a certainty of what is good for the United States of America is good for Mexico, and if we understand this, at the same time, what is good for Mexico is good for the United States. 

I would like to congratulate the people of the United States of America for having a President like President Barack Obama -- (applause) -- with his leadership, which is also very positive and good for us, and at the same time, also congratulate you, Mr. President, for having a wife and a First Lady like Michelle Obama.  (Applause.) 

Thank you for your hospitality and your friendship. 

(Continues in English.)  Mr. President, I like the phrase of Octavio Paz that one must deserve their dreams -- or his dreams. I don't know if you and me deserve our dreams, but I know that both of you -- both of us have dreams; those dreams are related with our people and we fight every day in order to deserve those dreams.  And we will reach them.  (Applause.) 

I ask you now to raise your glasses in a toast for the happiness of both our great nations. 

(A toast is offered.)

END
7:44 P.M. EDT

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
May 19, 2010

Declaraciones del Presidente Obama y el Presidente Calderón en el Brindis durante la Cena

Salón Este

7:30 P.M. EDT

             PRESIDENTE OBAMA: Es un extraordinario honor para Michelle y para mí recibirlos, pero más importante aun, recibir al Presidente Calderón y la Primera Dama Margarita Zavala. Sí, disculpen. Sírvanse tomar asiento. Les damos la bienvenida a ellos y la delegación mexicana a nuestra segunda Cena de Estado aquí en la Casa Blanca, esta noche, (en español) la Casa Blanca. (Risas).
 
             En nuestra visita a México, el Presidente y la Primera Dama nos deleitaron a Michelle y a mí con un homenaje al rico patrimonio cultural de México, lo que incluyó el impresionante Museo de Antropología y maravillosos mariachis. Esta noche, celebramos los lazos que nos unen como vecinos y como amigos.

             Celebramos todo lo que México y sus antiguas civilizaciones han aportado al mundo durante toda la historia: adelantos en arquitectura y astronomía, matemáticas y medicina, y por supuesto, comida deliciosa, que incluye “el alimento de los dioses”, el chocolate. (Risas).

             En la celebración del bicentenario de la independencia de México y el centenario de su revolución, rendimos homenaje al digno pueblo que ha trazado su propio destino, con patriotas como Hidalgo y Juárez, y lumbreras de las artes y literatura y las ciencias… y al igual que Estados Unidos, con un equipo de fútbol muy bueno. (Risas).
 
             Celebramos todo lo que han aportado a Estados Unidos los méxico-americanos: líderes en todos los segmentos de nuestra sociedad, entre ellos muchos de los invitados que están aquí esta noche, y una cultura que atesora la familia y la fe. De hecho, Estados Unidos se enriquece con el sabor de México.
 
             Y celebramos la colaboración entre nuestros dos países. Sr. Presidente, debo repetirlo: En la lucha por el futuro de su país, usted ha demostrado extraordinario coraje, extraordinario valor, y usted y el pueblo mexicano tienen en Estados Unidos un total y comprometido aliado.

             Cuando miramos al futuro, me vienen a la mente todos los jóvenes que fueron parte de nuestras visitas, los niños de la Ciudad de México que ondeaban banderas estadounidenses y mexicanas; los estudiantes que compartieron sus sueños con Michelle, y algunos chicos muy entusiastas que hicieron ejercicio con Michelle y Margarita hoy. (Risas). Cada uno de esos niños tiene un sueño. Sin embargo, sabemos que en la vida no es suficiente tener un sueño. Como escribió el extraordinario escritor Octavio Paz en uno de sus poemas, debemos “merecer lo que soñamos”.
 
             Entonces, Sr. Presidente, propongo un brindis, por los sueños de nuestros niños. Que juntos hagamos realidad esos sueños. Y juntos, que los merezcamos al avanzar, colaborando y respetándonos.
 
             Salud. Salud. 

(Se ofreció un brindis.)

             PRESIDENTE CALDERON: (hablando en español) Excelentísimo Presidente Barack Obama, Presidente de los Estados Unidos de América.
 
             Señora Michelle Obama.
 
             Señoras y señores:
 
             Le agradezco al Presidente Barack Obama, a Michelle, su esposa, y a todo el pueblo estadounidense su invitación y la generosa hospitalidad con la que hemos sido recibidos en esta Visita.
 
             Sus atenciones, señor Presidente, así como las recibidas por parte de la Primera Dama, honran la gran amistad y la alianza que vincula a nuestros pueblos.
 
             Hoy he vuelto a constatar que compartimos el mismo anhelo, de hacer de la relación entre norteamericanos y mexicanos un ejemplo de lo mucho que se puede lograr entre vecinos, al trabajar bajo la guía de ideales comunes como la paz, la seguridad, la prosperidad, la libertad, la democracia.
 
             Hoy impulsamos los acuerdos y las acciones de cooperación que requieren nuestros países para enfrentar nuevos retos y para beneficiarse mutuamente de las enormes ventajas que derivan de nuestra vecindad y de la larga frontera que nos une.
 
             Hoy México y Estados Unidos nos encontramos en una nueva etapa de cooperación. Basamos nuestros esfuerzos en los principios de responsabilidad compartida, de respeto mutuo y de confianza.
 
             Entendemos plenamente que nuestra labor conjunta tiene un impacto directo en ambas sociedades,  que de esta buena relación depende la felicidad de millones de gentes en ambos lados de la frontera. Somos vecinos, somos socios, somos aliados y puedo asegurarles, amigas y amigos, que somos amigos también.
 
             Lo he dicho y lo repito, trabajamos con la seguridad de que lo que es bueno para Estados Unidos es bueno para México, si entendemos esta relación. Y también lo que es bueno para México, la prosperidad de nuestro país, implica también que es bueno para Estados Unidos.
 
             Yo quiero felicitar al pueblo norteamericano por tener un Presidente con el liderazgo que tiene el Presidente Obama. Eso también es bueno para nosotros. Y a él también quiero felicitarlo por tener una esposa, como la Primera Dama, Michelle Obama.
 
             Gracias por su hospitalidad y por su amistad.
 
             (Continúa en inglés.) Presidente:
 
             Me gustó mucho la frase de Octavio Paz, de que uno debe merecer los sueños para alcanzarlos. Yo no sé si usted y yo merecemos nuestros sueños, pero sé que ambos los tenemos y que luchamos todos los días para merecerlos. Y por lo mismo, sé que los vamos a alcanzar. (Aplausos.)
 
             Finalmente, los invito a todos a que me acompañen a un brindis por la felicidad de nuestros pueblos y de nuestras grandes naciones.

(Se ofreció un brindis.)

                                   FIN               7:44 P.M. EDT 
 

The White House

Office of the Vice President

For Immediate Release
May 19, 2010

Remarks by The Vice President at a State Luncheon in Honor of President Calderón of Mexico and Mrs. Margarita Zavala

State Department
Washington, D.C.

1:13 P.M. EDT

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  Madam Secretary, thank you very much.  Mr. President, it’s an honor to be with you today.  It’s an honor to have you all here today.

We gather here today with a -- shared goals and a common vision of the future for Mexico and the United States.  To state the obvious, we share a range of common interests and a common vision for how as neighbors we can together make life better for every Mexican and every American.

Mr. President, this State visit demonstrates just how -- just how much our futures and fates are intertwined.  Environmental conservation, clean energy, climate change, nuclear nonproliferation and the social and economic well-being of our citizens -- we approach each of these issues with a common objective of building a widespread prosperity for the people of both our countries in this hemisphere.

A critical shared interest, Mr. President, is the mutual desire to provide security for all our citizens.  And, Mr. President, we admire -- and I personally admire -- your courage and your determination to confront the drug cartels.  And we’re equally determined to confront them with you.

Now, to state the obvious, Mr. President, we know that our border poses challenges for both our countries, but it also provides mutual benefit -- economic, social, cultural -- if managed efficiently and securely.  As we share responsibility for a strong, secure, and stable border -- and that is a commitment we have both already assumed -- we will have strong and secure and stable communities.

Mr. President, in the end our goals are the same as yours.  We together today are about the business of creating a better tomorrow for all our people.  And, Mr. President, your visit is an expression of our joint commitment to build on what we’ve accomplished together in the past and to create an even brighter future than exists today.

Mr. President, nearly three years ago, you ended your first state of the union address with a rousing call to your countrymen, one that seems equally relevant to our time together today.  If I may use the English translation because my Spanish is so bad -- (laughter) -- you said, and I quote:  “With the strength of much that unites us, with the strength of our shared views, let us take the reins of our destiny, and together let us lead into the future.”

Now, I ask you to raise your glasses, the ones that we do not have.  (Laughter.)  There we go.  We now have.  (Laughter.)  Mr. President, here’s to fulfilling our destiny and leading each of our countries into a bold new future. 

To Mexico.  Mr. President, the floor is yours.  I’ll take that for you and get out of your way. 

END

The White House

Office of the First Lady

For Immediate Release
May 19, 2010

Remarks by Mrs. Obama and Mrs. Zavala at "Let's Move" event

New Hampshire Estates Elementary School, Washington, D.C.

11:31 A.M. EDT

MRS. OBAMA:  Thank you all for sharing.  I mean, one of the reasons we came to this school is because of what you all are doing here.  I don't know if you know, but --

STUDENT:  Can you come to Field Day?

MRS. OBAMA:  You know, I'll see.  I'll see what day it is and see what else is going on, but it sounds like a lot of fun, and maybe I could wear jeans and sneakers and really get under the house.  

But one of the things that I’m doing as First Lady is making sure that kids are healthy and eating right and getting the right kind of exercise, which is why what you’re doing here at your school -- the fact that you’ve got such wonderful teachers who are focused on your health and how you eat.  We’re going to go into the lunch room, and I don't know if we’re going to meet with you guys, but some of your classmates.  And we’re going to see how you eat family-style and how you’re learning about how your bodies work, and how exercise is so important for your heart and the system all works together, and how food blends into that, because all of that is going to help you all develop really good habits so that when you’re adults you’re eating healthy.  And if you decide to have kids of your own, you can teach them these habits.

But it’s so -- you are so blessed to be in a school like this that’s focusing and giving you this kind of information, and making it fun, right, because what you see is that exercise and play -- that's all exercise is, it’s a bunch of play.  It’s just games.  But you get your heart moving, and you’ve got to do that.

What they say is that kids should get 60 minutes of exercise every day.  And you just got how many minutes were we --

MR. RYAN:  About 25.

MRS. OBAMA:  You just got 25 minutes already.  So if you went home and ran around for another 25 minutes, or rode your bike, and you did that every day, you’d be doing exactly what you need to do as a kid.  But you’re fortunate -- kind of fitness -- but you’re fortunate to be able to get that stuff here at this school.

What do you have to say, sweetie?

STUDENT:  When I go somewhere with my mom, I always bring an apple to eat.

MRS. OBAMA:  That's right.  See, that's a good example of healthy snacks, right, because you don't have to have a bag of chips.  You don't have to have -- what?

STUDENT:  Junk food.

MRS. OBAMA:  Or junk food, right.  You can have nuts or raisins, an apple, right? 

STUDENT:  Banana.

MRS. OBAMA:  Banana, that's right.

CHILD:  Even I ride my bike --

MRS. OBAMA:  That's great.  That's all good stuff.

STUDENT:  (Inaudible) -- every weekend -- (inaudible) -- when I go to my grandma’s house, we -- they play the Wii --

MRS. OBAMA:  The Wii Fit?  Yep, Malia and Sasha have that, too.

STUDENT:  -- go out and ride our bikes.

MRS. OBAMA:  That's it.  That's exactly what --

STUDENT:  That's why I wanted -- (inaudible.)

MRS. OBAMA:  That’s great.  That's exactly what you should be doing.

What, sweetie?

STUDENT:  Does your daughters do exercise?

MRS. OBAMA:  They do.  They do it at school like you do, and they do it at home, because you know what --

STUDENT:  Do they ride their bikes?

MRS. OBAMA:  They do.  Yeah, they ride their bikes, they do.

STUDENT:  Do you do exercise?

MRS. OBAMA:  I do.  I exercise every single day, unless I’m really --

STUDENT:  Barack Obama?

MRS. OBAMA:  He exercises every morning, every single morning. 

STUDENT:  I know what his favorite sport is.

MRS. OBAMA:  What’s his favorite sport? 

STUDENT:  Basketball.

MRS. OBAMA:  Basketball, oh yeah.  And if he can play that, he’d play that every day.

STUDENT:  Mrs. Obama, I have a question.

MRS. OBAMA:  What’s your question?

STUDENT:  I have a question.  My mom said -- my mom said that -- I think that she says that Barack Obama is taking everybody away that doesn’t have papers.

MRS. OBAMA:  Yeah, well, that's something that we have to work on, right, to make sure that people can be here with the right kind of papers, right?  That's exactly right. 

STUDENT:  But my mom doesn’t have … (crosstalk).

MRS. OBAMA:  Yeah, well, we have to work on that.  We have to fix that, and that everybody has got to work together in Congress to make sure that that happens.  That's right.  

MRS. OBAMA:  Yes, sweetie.

STUDENT:  My mom went to where you all vote.  It was so cold.  She was standing and she was sleepy.

MRS. OBAMA:  Oh, but she stayed there and voted, right?  That's good.  Sometimes you’ve got to work hard to vote, you know?  That's part of what we call our democracy, right, that you have to vote to make sure that the people who are in office making laws are representing what you think.  And sometimes it’s not easy to vote.  Sometimes you have to stand in lines.  And that means when you get older, you’re going to vote every time, right, even if it means standing in line in the cold, right?  That's a good thing.

All right, sweetie. 

STUDENT:  (Inaudible.)

MRS. ZAVALA:  I can’t hear you.

MRS. OBAMA:  Speak up.

STUDENT:  I hope you teach your daughters about fitness and health.

MRS. OBAMA:  We do, we do.  At our house, we talk about fitness a lot.  One plays soccer, one plays basketball.  Both of them take tennis.  They go to the gym on a regular basis.  They ride their bikes.  Being active is part -- because the thing about being active is that it helps you with this muscle, too.  That's the most important thing about exercise.  It’s like you wouldn’t think -- you’d think that exercise is just about muscles in your arms and legs, but the most important muscle that exercise works is your brain muscle, this thing in your head, you know, and that's why we know it’s important for kids to eat healthy and get a lot of exercise, because you all learn better, right, because when you come out here for 25 minutes and you run around, then you’re ready to go back to school and in your classrooms and do what?

STUDENT:  Exercise.

MRS. OBAMA:  No, when you go back to the --

STUDENT:  Learn.

MRS. OBAMA:  Listen and learn, that's right.

But now I’m going to turn it over to Mrs. Zavala who I know might want to say a few words just to you all, as well. 

MRS. ZAVALA:  Thank you.  Thank you very much.  The President Felipe Calderón is the President of Mexico.  And we have three kids.  Maria is 13 years old and she likes ballet.

MRS. OBAMA:  Ballet.

STUDENT:  I like ballet.

MRS. ZAVALA:  And Luis Felipe is the second one, and he loves soccer.  It’s a wonderful --

MRS. OBAMA:  He wants to -- how old is Felipe? 

MRS. ZAVALA:  Felipe is 11. 

STUDENT: How old is Maria?  And Maria, 13.  And Juan Pablo --

MRS. OBAMA:  She has a daughter.

MRS. ZAVALA:  -- he’s seven, and he likes karate.

STUDENT: I like karate!  (Laughter.) 

MRS. ZAVALA:  I want to speak in Spanish.  I know somebody can understand me.  She is going to translate for me and for you.

(As translated.)  In Mexico we’re also very preoccupied, the adults, and also that children throughout the world will exercise and be healthy so they can learn better, because as Mrs. Michelle Obama says, exercise is important for the body and for the brain.  It’s important to learn mathematics, history, but also to do exercise so you can learn better.  Michelle and I want your entire generation, our children -- we want them to grow up happy and healthy. 

But that also depends a lot on you -- that you exercise every day and you eat in a more healthy way and you know what foods are healthy and what foods aren’t.  And if you prefer the healthy food, it will be better for the world for you to grow healthy and happy, and it’ll be good for the world.

Thank you very much.

END
11:41 A.M. EDT

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
May 19, 2010

Remarks by President Obama and President Calderón of Mexico at Joint Press Availability

Rose Garden

12:20 P.M. EDT

PRESIDENT OBAMA:  Good afternoon.  Buenas tardes.  I want to again welcome President Calderón to the White House.  Michelle and I are delighted to be hosting the President and First Lady Margarita Zavala and their delegation for this state visit, and we’re looking forward to returning the hospitality -- the wonderful hospitality that we received in Mexico when we have our state dinner this evening. 

I’ve often said that in our interconnected world, where nations and peoples are linked like never before, both the promise and perils of our time are shared.  Nowhere is this clearer than among the neighbors -- the United States and Mexico.

The trade and tourism between us creates jobs and prosperity for both our peoples.  When a flu spreads, or an earthquake strikes, or cartels threaten innocent people, it affects lives on both sides of our common border.  When our neighbors are in need, whether in Honduras or in Haiti, we respond together.  And when we expand partnerships between our people, it forges connections that leads to greater prosperity and opportunity for decades to come.

In pursuit of our shared future, I have a true partner in President Calderón.  We’ve worked together in Mexico City and Guadalajara, in Washington and Pittsburgh, in London and L’Aquila.  And when he speaks before a joint session of Congress tomorrow, I believe the American people will see what I see -- they’ll see a leader who is guiding his country through very difficult times with vision and with courage, and he has been an outstanding partner to me and an outstanding partner to the United States.       

Indeed, our progress today marks another step forward in a new era of cooperation and partnership between our countries -- a partnership based on mutual interests, mutual respect and mutual responsibility.

We agreed to continue working aggressively on our highest economic priority, which is creating jobs for our people.  Mexico is one of our largest trading partners, with trade that supports countless jobs here in America and in Mexico.  And because 80 percent of the trade passes over our land border, we reaffirmed our commitment to a 21st century border that is modern, secure and efficient.  And we’re directing our governments to develop an action plan to move in this direction, because our shared border must be an engine, and not a brake, on our economic growth.

To create jobs and increase our competitiveness in the global economy, we agreed to streamline regulations and strengthen the protection of intellectual property.  We agreed to continue working with our G20 partners to encourage that global economic growth is balanced and sustained, especially as we approach next month’s Toronto summit.  And as the United States works to increase our exports, and the jobs that come with it, we’ll be working closely with our partners in Mexico, which is one of the largest markets for American exports.  

To create clean energy jobs and industries of the future, we’re building on a partnership we launched last year with new initiatives to promote regional renewable energy markets, green buildings and smart grid technology.  These initiatives will also help us implement the commitments we made at Copenhagen, especially as we work toward the climate conference in Cancun later this year.  And let me say that, as a leader in cutting greenhouse gas emissions and in helping developing countries do the same, Mexico’s leadership under President Calderón has been and will be critical.

For the sake of our shared prosperity and security, we discussed the need for immigration that is orderly and safe, and we acknowledged that both our countries have responsibilities.  President Calderón is working hard to create jobs so that more Mexicans see a future of opportunity in their country. 

To fix our broken immigration system, I reaffirmed my deep commitment to working with Congress in a bipartisan way to pass comprehensive immigration reform.  And comprehensive reform means accountability for everybody:  government that is accountable for securing the border; businesses being held accountable when they exploit workers; people who break the law by breaching our borders being held accountable by paying taxes and a penalty and getting right with the law before they can earn their citizenship.  We’ve been working hard to get this done.  There’s a strong proposal in the Senate, based on a bipartisan framework, and it can and should move forward.

We also discussed the new law in Arizona, which is a misdirected effort -- a misdirected expression of frustration over our broken immigration system, and which has raised concerns in both our countries.  Today, I want every American to know my administration has devoted unprecedented resources in personnel and technology to securing our border.  Illegal immigration is down, not up, and we will continue to do what’s necessary to secure our shared border.

And I want everyone, American and Mexican, to know my administration is taking a very close look at the Arizona law.  We’re examining any implications, especially for civil rights.  Because in the United States of America, no law-abiding person -- be they an American citizen, a legal immigrant, or a visitor or tourist from Mexico -- should ever be subject to suspicion simply because of what they look like.

President Calderón and I also reaffirmed our commitment to stand together against the drug cartels that have unleashed horrific violence in so many communities.  Mr. President, you and the Mexican people have shown great resolve in a fight for the security and safety of your country.  And as I’ve pledged to you before, Mexico can count on the United States as a full partner in this effort. 

As your partner, we’ll give you the support you need to prevail.  Through increased law enforcement on our side of the border, we’re putting unprecedented pressure on those who traffic in drugs, guns, and people.  We’re working to stem the southbound flow of American guns and money, which is why, for the first time, we are now screening 100 percent of southbound rail cargo. And guided by our new National Drug Control Strategy, we’re bringing new approaches to reducing the demand for drugs in our country.

As regional partners, the President and I discussed the situation in Honduras and the need for continued cooperation to support the people of Haiti as they recover and they rebuild.  And as global partners, and given Mexico’s seat on the U.N. Security Council, we agreed on the need for Iran to uphold its international obligations or face increased sanctions and pressure, including U.N. sanctions.  And I’m pleased that we’ve reached an agreement with our P5-plus-1 partners on a strong resolution that we now have shared with our Security Council partners. 

Finally, I’m proud that we’re expanding exchanges between our college and university students and launching a new exchange program for our high school students.  I’d note that it was a Mexican student at an American university who went on to become the President who stands next to me today.  And with these exchanges we’ll bring together the next generation of American and Mexican leaders. 

This is the progress that we’ve made today.  It’s progress that calls to mind a Mexican proverb that I am told says, “Tell me who you walk with, and I will tell you who you are.”  Mr. President, the United States is proud to walk with Mexico.  And through our work, we’re reminded again of who we are -- which is two neighbors, two partners bound by a common vision of prosperity and security for both our people.

President Calderón.

PRESIDENT CALDERÓN:  (As translated.)  Thank you, President. 
Ladies and gentlemen, members of the media, good afternoon. First of all, I would like to thank the kind invitation of the people and the government of the United States to carry out this visit.  And I am the bearer of a respectful and affectionate greeting of the Mexican people to this nation, which is our neighbor and friend.  I would like to thank the words and the hospitality of President Barack Obama.

The United States and Mexico are nations that trade, dialogue, and complement each other economically and mutually.  We are nations that have a political understanding of the highest level.  And we are also countries with a fruitful, dynamic, and ties between people, communities, public and private institutions throughout 3,000 kilometers of border.  Our relationship is characterized by an honest and open dialogue based on trust, respect, and co-responsibility. 

As it has been stated by President Obama, this morning we held a broad and fruitful dialogue.  We’ve reviewed our bilateral relationships -- the problems, the challenges and also the many opportunities that we face.  We analyzed different proposals and visions on the side of Mexico and the United States to strengthen North America as a region.

We talked about the relevance of solving our differences and trade problems in the fastest possible way.  We covered the border topics such as security, migration, and we also examined initiatives to consolidate our cooperation in global scenarios and global interests. 

I can highlight here that the areas where we agree are broader than our differences.  There’s a broad convergence of interest.  And this is not only given to the fact that we share common goals, but there is a will in both of us to turn the fact of being neighbors into a partnership that will act as a leveler for shared development.

Fortunately, the serious economic global crisis is giving up.  This opens up a window of opportunity for Canada, the United States and Mexico to re-position Mexico and North America as a vigorous region -- competitive and prosperous, capable of generating more and better jobs; a region that will be attractive for investments, trade exchange and tourism, with great perspectives facing the future.

Together, we should increase our exporting capacity in a contest of growing competitiveness among different regions of the world.  We talked about the different obstacles that are there for complying with transportation obligations that have been established at NAFTA, a situation that impacts jobs, companies and consumers in Mexico and in the United States.  And we shall work in order to achieve a quick solution with a constructive, creative solution in the long term in this and many other areas. 
As the President has stated, we gave special attention to the border matters.  The border is not only a place of encounter for both our nations, but it’s also an area of opportunity for our aspirations that we share regarding development.  For this we will allocate more resources for the border infrastructure in order that it will be at the height of the needs of our economies and communities, and that it will benefit both sides of the border.  We will strengthen the coordination among the government officials on both sides of the border to reinforce security.

We want to make this quite clear:  We, both countries, want to have a safe border, a safe border for our people.  We agreed upon the urgency to reinforce the actions to stop the flow of drugs, weapons, and cash.  And for this we will work with full abidance to the legislations and jurisdictions of each country in a co-responsible way.

In reference to the migratory issue, I acknowledge the sensitivity and the commitment of President Obama to look for a comprehensive solution that will be respectful of the rights of the individual and will be adjusting itself in a realistic way to the needs of both our economies.  We talked openly about this and other issues. 

We identified that the economies of our countries are clearly complementing each other, and when we -- integrating them, they are a powerful tool to bring productivity and competitiveness up within the whole region.  Greater competitiveness in North America means more jobs and better living conditions for the people of the United States and for the people of Mexico.

In Mexico, we are and will continue being respectful of the internal policies of the United States and its legitimate right to establish in accordance to its Constitution whatever laws it approves.  But we will retain our firm rejection to criminalize migration so that people that work and provide things to this nation will be treated as criminals.  And we oppose firmly the S.B. 1070 Arizona law given in fair principles that are partial and discriminatory. 

This and other issues were covered during this meeting, which I will dare to say that it’s historic given the level of understanding and trust that we have reached. 

For the meantime, I would just like to highlight this open and honest and constructive dialogue that we keep and hold with the government of President Obama and these two countries that allows me to see the strength and leadership of the President of the United States.

Thank you, President Obama, for your hospitality.  I want to thank all of you for your kind attention.

Q    Thank you, Mr. President.  President Calderón called again the Arizona law discriminatory and called it destructive.  Do you agree with him?  What impact do you think the Arizona law could have on U.S.-Mexico relations, the prospect for immigration reform, and the opinions of Mexican Americans in this country?  And what actions did you tell President Calderón that you would  --

PRESIDENT OBAMA:  I think the Arizona law has the potential of being applied in a discriminatory fashion.  Now, after it was initially passed, the Arizona legislature amended it and said that this should not be carried out in a discriminatory way.  But I think a fair reading of the language of the statute indicates that it gives the possibility of individuals who are deemed suspicious of being illegal immigrants from being harassed or arrested.  And the judgments that are going to be made in applying this law are troublesome.

What I’ve directed my Justice Department to do is to look very carefully at the language of this law to see whether it comports both with our core values and existing legal standards, as well as the fact that the federal government is ultimately the one charged with immigration policy.  And I expect to get a final report back from the Justice Department soon, at which point we’ll make some decisions in terms of how we are going to address that law. 

Now, what I’ve also said, though, is that the Arizona law, I think, expresses some of the frustrations that the American people have had in not fixing a broken immigration system and, frankly, the failures of the federal government to get this done. I’m sympathetic to those frustrations; I share those frustrations -- which is why, from the time that I was a U.S. senator through the time that I ran for President, until now, I have consistently said that I’m supportive of a comprehensive immigration reform approach.

And I think the majority of American people are open to a comprehensive immigration reform approach, which would say the following things:  Number one, that the federal government takes its responsibilities for securing our border seriously.  And as I just stated in my opening remarks, we have actually put more resources, more personnel on the borders, and illegal immigration is actually down on the borders, not up.  I know that’s not the perception out there, but that’s the fact. 

But we haven’t done enough.  So we’ve got a responsibility to create an orderly border, and that’s something that we have to do not unilaterally, but also working with the Mexican government -- because there are enormous flows of trade and tourists and people along the border region; the economies are interdependent; and we’ve got to control the borders, but do so in a way that does not have an adverse impact on the economies of those regions.

The second thing we’ve got to do is we’ve got to make sure that businesses are following the rules and are not actively recruiting undocumented workers so that they don’t have to abide by overtime laws, they don’t have to abide by minimum wage laws, they don’t have to abide by worker safety laws and otherwise undercut basic worker protections that exist.  And they have to be held accountable and responsible.

The third thing we have to do is to make sure that those who have come to this country illegally are held accountable.  And that means they need to pay a fine, they need to pay back taxes. I believe they should learn English.  I believe that it is important for them to get to the back of the line and not in the front, but that we create a pathway so that they have an opportunity, if they are following the rules, following the law, to become legal residents and ultimately citizens of this country.

Now, that kind of package in which everybody has responsibilities I think is one that can pass.  And it is one that I am fully supportive of.  And I’ve said this again and again.  And I think if we get that done, then you will be less likely to see the kinds of measures that we saw in Arizona.

Here’s the challenge that we have politically.  The political challenge is, is that I have confidence that I can get the majority of Democrats, both in the House and the Senate, to support a piece of legislation of the sort that I just described. But I don’t have 60 votes in the Senate.  I’ve got to have some support from Republicans.  When we made an effort of this sort a few years ago, it was under the leadership of John McCain and Ted Kennedy.  And because there was a bipartisan effort, we were actually able to generate a majority of votes in the Senate.  And we just missed being able to get it done in the House.

If we can re-create that atmosphere -- I don't expect to get every Republican vote, but I need some help in order to get it done.  And there have been people who have expressed an interest. But if they're willing to come forward and get a working group and get this moving, I’m actually confident that we can get it done.  And the American people -- including the people of Arizona -- are going to prefer that the federal government takes responsibility and does what it’s supposed to do.

And it’s my job to work with members of Congress to see that happen.  And it’s also my job to work with the Mexican government to make sure that it happens, because President Calderón recognizes that he has responsibilities on his side of the border, as well.

And the last point I’ll make on this topic is this:  I think all of us recognize that some of the pressures with respect to immigration just arise out of economics.  People in Mexico are looking for opportunity, and they feel that they can make more money here in the United States.  What we also have to recognize -- and I talked about this with President Calderón -- is every nation also has the right to secure its borders and make orderly decisions about who comes in and who comes out. 

And the key here is for us to keep both principles in mind, that people want to find a better life where they can, and if they have opportunity in America, they're going to want to come here.  We can’t just try to use force to prevent that.  On the other hand, the United States has to be able to make determinations about who comes in and who comes out in an orderly fashion.  And if we are both a nation of laws and a nation of immigrants, then I think we will not only be true to our core values, but we’re also going to be creating a more prosperous future for everybody.

Yes.

Q    (Translated.) President Obama, several issues, but not to detour from this same topic, I would like to know if you have already a strategy planned in regards to the Arizona law?  Because it is violating the fundamental rights of people.  How are you going to turn around this trend, President Obama, that is being shown in different states of the United States against migrants -- this migratory reform that you’re talking about -- to know when it will be taken to Congress and what’s the scope that it will have?

The second area regarding security, President Obama, I would like to know how do you value the battle against organized crime that President Calderón is having?  Has this been a success?  What is it missing?  And following this issue, to know if you have seen that the weapons that illegally cross from the United States to Mexico are the ones that are used by the organized crime people in Mexico?  Shouldn’t there be an initiative that will regulate guns as they are sold?  Is there going to be a ban?

PRESIDENT OBAMA:  -- a pretty comprehensive answer earlier, so I’m just going to take your second question and that is the issue of security.  This is obviously a shared concern and is going to require shared effort on the part of both of our nations.  I said the first time I met President Calderón and have said ever since that I greatly admire his courage, his dedication, his tenacity in trying to deal with the drug traffickers and cartels that have created such a public safety crisis in many communities within Mexico. 

As we pointed out, this is not just an issue of the drug trade -- this is an issue of how is it affecting people’s day-to-day lives within Mexico.  And the Mexican people have an interest in dealing with this.  And he has stood up consistently because he recognizes that his foremost job, his most important task as President is to keep the Mexican people safe.

So we are fully supportive of the efforts that he’s been making.  We have had extensive collaboration over the last several years in making sure that, in a way that respects Mexico’s sovereignty, we are responsive to whatever requests are made by the Calderón administration.  To the extent that we can help through the Merida Initiative -- provide equipment, provide training, provide technologies that can help in these efforts -- we have done so.  And we will continue to coordinate as effectively as we can with the Calderón administration to make sure that we deal with this problem. 

Now, as you point out, this is not just a problem in Mexico. It is a problem that the United States has to address.  And the two things that we have to address -- and I said this when I was in Mexico, and I will repeat here -- it is absolutely true that U.S. demand for drugs helps to drive this public safety crisis within Mexico and so we’ve got an obligation not to drive the demand side of the equation.  And so most recently we’ve put forward our new strategy that emphasizes not just enforcement, but also prevention, also treatment, so that we can drive down demand and weaken the grip that these drug cartels have.

The second aspect of this that we have to deal with is the southbound flows from the United States of both weapons and cash that helps to empower these drug cartels.  And so what I’ve directed my Department of Homeland Security, ATF, all our various agencies that have responsibilities in these areas to do is to ramp up our efforts at interdicting these southern flows. 

And I already mentioned to you, for example, we’ve now instituted a policy where we are searching 100 percent of rail cargo that’s going south.  That is a significant investment of law enforcement resources on our part, but it’s the right thing to do.  We want to crack down on illegal gun dealers who are selling weapons into Mexico.  All those are steps that we are doing in coordination with the Calderón government, and we will continue to emphasize the importance not only to Mexico, but also the United States of tackling this problem.

Okay?  Thank you very much, everybody.

END
12:48 P.M. EDT

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
May 19, 2010

Declaraciones del Presidente Calderon de Mexico Durante Ceremonia de Llegada

Jardín Sur

         PRESIDENTE CALDERON:
Excelentísimo señor Barack Obama, Presidente de los Estados Unidos.

Señora Michelle Obama, Primera Dama.

Señoras y señores:

Muy buenos días a todos.

Agradezco la invitación del Presidente Barack Obama para realizar esta Visita de Estado.

México y Estados Unidos somos naciones amigas y socias. Naciones que trabajan unidas, que comercian y se complementan económicamente. Naciones que dialogan, que están unidas por la geografía y por la historia.

Como usted lo señaló en México, Presidente Obama, lo que nos hace buenos vecinos es una verdad muy sencilla: que nuestros pueblos comparten mucho más que los desafíos e intereses comunes.

Efectivamente, compartimos también valores y principios como la libertad, la justicia, la legalidad y la democracia.

Hoy, mexicanos y estadounidenses compartimos también un momento decisivo para nuestros respectivos países. Enfrentamos retos comunes de grandes magnitudes: el crimen organizado, la crisis económica, el cambio climático, la migración.

Estos desafíos monumentales nos plantean una disyuntiva: o volvemos a la recriminación mutua, que ha sido tan inútil y que en otros tiempos tanto nos ha dañado, o enfrentamos y superamos juntos estos retos, y a partir de ello empezamos un nuevo capítulo de prosperidad común.

Esta es la opción: mirar al futuro y comenzar una nueva era en la asociación estratégica entre Estados Unidos y México, sustentada en la corresponsabilidad.

Yo estoy seguro de que trabajando corresponsablemente nuestros Gobiernos pueden abrir nuevas vías para una América del Norte más segura, más sustentable, más competitiva y más próspera.

Podemos hacerlo, si sabemos enfrentar y derrotar juntos al crimen organizado transnacional, que es nuestro enemigo común y la mayor amenaza para nuestros pueblos.

Podemos hacerlo, si apoyamos juntos un nuevo modelo de desarrollo económico en armonía con el medio ambiente.

Podemos hacerlo, si sabemos aprovechar la complementariedad de nuestras economías, si sabemos aprovechar el comercio y la integración para crear más y mejores empleos para americanos y para mexicanos; si sabemos trabajar conjuntamente para alentar la integración exitosa de las comunidades México-americanas y latinas en este país.

Lo lograremos si sabemos sumar nuestras fortalezas para convertir a América del Norte en la región más competitiva y más próspera del mundo.

Podemos hacerlo, si seguimos construyendo una frontera más segura y la convertimos en una frontera que una y no que divida a nuestros pueblos, en una tierra de oportunidades y progres.

Podemos hacerlo, si construimos una solución integral, justa y de largo plazo al desafío de la migración.

Sé que compartimos el interés por promover condiciones de vida digna, legal y ordenada para todos aquellos trabajadores migrantes, muchos de los cuales, a pesar de su enorme contribución a la economía y a la sociedad de Estados Unidos, a su progreso, aún viven en las sombras y en ocasiones, como en Arizona, confrontan, incluso, patrones de discriminación.

Divididos no podremos superar estos desafíos. Una América del Norte venturosa y benéfica para estadounidenses y mexicanos sólo es posible si trabajamos codo con codo y si enfrentamos con decisión y valentía todos estos retos.

Señor Presidente:

Vengo hoy a sellar el pacto de amistad que hace un año ofreció usted a México y a los mexicanos. Mexicanos y estadounidenses tenemos frente a nosotros enormes problemas y desafíos comunes, pero a la vez tenemos un horizonte posible de éxito compartido.

(Interpretación del inglés al español)

Podemos superar estos retos, podemos construir este futuro de prosperidad que queremos para nuestro pueblo.

Sí, sí podemos, si trabajamos juntos.

Gracias, señor Presidente, por su amable invitación.
 

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
May 19, 2010

Declaraciones del Presidente Obama y el Presidente Calderón de México en Declaraciones Conjuntas a la Prensa

Rosedal

12:20 P.M. EDT

PRESIDENTE OBAMA: Buenas tardes. Buenas tardes. Nuevamente quisiera darle la bienvenida al Presidente Calderón a la Casa Blanca. Michelle y yo estamos encantados de ser los anfitriones del Presidente y la Primera Dama Margarita Zavala y su delegación en esta visita de estado, y estamos deseosos de reciprocar cuando tengamos nuestra cena de estado esta noche la hospitalidad… la gran hospitalidad que nos brindaron en México.

A menudo he dicho que en nuestro mundo interconectado, en que las naciones y pueblos están enlazados como nunca antes, compartimos tanto las posibilidades como los peligros de nuestros tiempos. Y esto no puede ser más evidente que entre vecinos: Estados Unidos y México.

El comercio y el turismo entre nosotros generan empleos y prosperidad para ambos pueblos. Cuando hay peligro de contagio de influenza o cuando ocurre un terremoto o los carteles amenazan a los inocentes, eso afecta las vidas a ambos lados de nuestra frontera común. Cuando nuestros vecinos están necesitados, ya sea en Honduras o en Haití, respondemos juntos. Y cuando intensificamos la colaboración entre nuestros pueblos, se forjan conexiones que llevan a mayor prosperidad y oportunidades para muchas décadas futuras.

Y en los esfuerzos por forjar ese futuro común, tengo a un verdadero aliado en el Presidente Calderón. Hemos trabajado juntos en la Ciudad de México y en Guadalajara, en Washington y en Pittsburgh, y en Londres y L’Aquila. Y cuando él hable mañana ante una sesión conjunta del Congreso, creo que el pueblo estadounidense verá lo que yo veo: verán a un líder que guía a su país en tiempos muy difíciles, con visión y con valentía, y ha sido un sobresaliente aliado mío y un sobresaliente aliado de Estados Unidos.      

De hecho, nuestro progreso de hoy es un paso más en una era de mayor cooperación y colaboración entre nuestros países, una colaboración basada en intereses mutuos, respeto mutuo y responsabilidad mutua.

Hemos acordado seguir trabajando enérgicamente en nuestra principal prioridad económica, que es la generación de empleo para nuestra gente. México es uno de nuestros principales socios comerciales, y este comercio respalda innumerables empleos aquí en Estados Unidos y en México. Y como 80 por ciento del comercio cruza la frontera por tierra, hemos reafirmado nuestro compromiso con una frontera del siglo XXI, que sea moderna, segura y eficiente. Y hemos orientado la labor de nuestros gobiernos al desarrollo de un plan de acción que avance en esta dirección, porque nuestra frontera común debe ser un motor para el crecimiento económico y no un freno.

Para generar empleo y aumentar nuestra competitividad en la economía mundial, hemos acordado simplificar reglamentos y mejorar la protección de la propiedad intelectual. Hemos acordado seguir trabajando con nuestros socios del G20 para fomentar que el crecimiento económico mundial sea equilibrado y sostenible, especialmente ahora que nos acercamos a la cumbre de Toronto, que tendrá lugar el mes próximo. Y a medida que Estados Unidos se esfuerza por aumentar las exportaciones y los empleos que ellas respaldan, vamos a seguir trabajando estrechamente con nuestros socios en México, que es uno de los más grandes mercados para las exportaciones estadounidenses.

Para crear empleos de energía limpia e industrias del futuro, estamos fortaleciendo una sociedad que iniciamos el año pasado con nuevos programas para promover mercados regionales de energía renovable, edificios verdes y tecnología de redes eléctricas inteligentes. Estos programas también nos ayudarán a implementar los compromisos que asumimos en Copenhague, especialmente a medida que trabajemos en preparación para la conferencia sobre el clima que tendrá lugar en Cancún este año. Y permítanme decirles que, como líder en la reducción de emisiones de gases de invernadero y en brindar asistencia a los países en desarrollo para que hagan lo mismo, el liderazgo de México bajo el Presidente Calderón ha sido y va a ser crucial.

Por el bien de nuestra prosperidad y seguridad común, hablamos de la necesidad de inmigración ordenada y segura, y reconocimos que ambos nuestros países tienen responsabilidades. El Presidente Calderón está trabajando arduamente para generar empleo de modo que más mexicanos vean un futuro de oportunidades en su propio país.

Para arreglar nuestro sistema quebrado de inmigración, he reafirmado mi sólido compromiso de trabajar con ambos partidos en el Congreso para aprobar la reforma integral de la inmigración. Y la reforma integral significa que todos tienen que asumir su responsabilidad: el gobierno tiene la responsabilidad de resguardar la frontera; las empresas tienen que rendir cuentas cuando explotan a los trabajadores; la gente que trasgrede la ley al cruzar ilegalmente nuestras fronteras tiene la responsabilidad de pagar impuestos y una multa, y corregir su situación ante la ley antes de poder obtener la ciudadanía. Hemos trabajado arduamente para conseguir que esto se logre. Hay una propuesta muy buena ante el Senado, basada en un marco bipartidista, y puede y debe avanzar.

También hablamos de la nueva ley de Arizona, un esfuerzo equivocado… una expresión equivocada de la frustración por nuestro fallido sistema de inmigración, que ha generado inquietud en los dos países. Hoy, quiero que todos los estadounidenses sepan que mi gobierno ha destinado un nivel sin precedente de recursos de personal y tecnología para resguardar nuestra frontera. La inmigración ilegal ha disminuido, no aumentado, y continuaremos haciendo lo que sea necesario para resguardar nuestra frontera común.

Y quiero que todos los estadounidenses y todos los mexicanos sepan que mi gobierno está observando de cerca la ley de Arizona. Estamos examinando cualquier implicancia, especialmente en materia de derechos humanos, porque en los Estados Unidos de Norteamérica, ninguna persona cumplidora de la ley, ya sea un estadounidense, un inmigrante legal, un visitante o turista de México, debe jamás ser motivo de sospecha simplemente debido a su apariencia.

El Presidente Calderón y yo también reafirmamos nuestro compromiso de mantenernos unidos en la lucha contra los carteles del narcotráfico que asolan tantas comunidades con horrenda violencia. Sr. Presidente, usted y el pueblo mexicano han demostrado gran determinación en la lucha por la seguridad de su país. Y como le he prometido en ocasiones previas, México puede contar con Estados Unidos como un pleno aliado en este esfuerzo.

Como su aliado, le daremos el apoyo que necesite para prevalecer. Con el aumento en los operativos de las agencias de la ley en nuestro lado de la frontera, estamos ejerciendo presión sin precedente en quienes trafican con drogas, armas y gente. Estamos esforzándonos por detener el tráfico de armas estadounidenses y dinero hacia el sur, y por eso, por primera vez, estamos inspeccionando 100 por ciento de la carga ferroviaria que va al sur. Y guiados por nuestra nueva Estrategia Nacional de Control de Drogas, estamos formulando nuevas estrategias para reducir la demanda de drogas en nuestro país.

Como socios regionales, el Presidente y yo hablamos de la situación de Honduras y la necesidad de continuar cooperando en respaldo del pueblo de Haití ahora que se recupera y reconstruye. Y como socios mundiales y dado que México es miembro del Consejo de Seguridad de Naciones Unidas, estuvimos de acuerdo sobre la necesidad de que Irán cumpla con sus obligaciones internacionales o enfrente mayor presión y sanciones, incluso sanciones de Naciones Unidas. Y me complace que hayamos llegado a un acuerdo con nuestros socios P5+1 respecto a una firme resolución que ahora hemos compartido con nuestros aliados del Consejo de Seguridad.

Finalmente, me enorgullece que estemos ampliando el intercambio entre nuestros estudiantes de universidades y centros comunitarios de enseñanza superior, y estrenando un nuevo programa de intercambio para nuestros estudiantes de secundaria. Y quisiera mencionar que un estudiante mexicano que estudió en una universidad estadounidense llegó a ser el Presidente que hoy se encuentra junto a mí. Y con estos intercambios uniremos a la próxima generación de líderes estadounidenses y mexicanos.

Éste es el progreso que hemos logrado hoy. Es progreso que nos recuerda el proverbio mexicano que tengo entendido dice: “Dime con quién andas y te diré quién eres”. Sr. Presidente, Estados Unidos se enorgullece de caminar al lado de México. Y a través de nuestro trabajo recordamos nuevamente quiénes somos, lo cual es dos vecinos, dos socios unidos por una visión común de prosperidad y seguridad para nuestros pueblos.

Presidente Calderón.

PRESIDENTE CALDERÓN: Gracias, Presidente.
 
Gracias, Presidente.

Señoras y señores de los medios de comunicación. Muy buenas tardes. Primero que nada quiero agradecer la atenta invitación del pueblo y del Gobierno de Estados Unidos para realizar esta Visita. Y transmito a ustedes un saludo muy respetuoso y muy afectuoso de todos los mexicanos hacia esta Nación, que es vecina y que es amiga. Quiero agradecer las palabras y la hospitalidad del Presidente Obama.

Estados Unidos y México somos naciones que comercian, que dialogan, que se complementan mutuamente, naciones que tienen un entendimiento político del más alto nivel. Y también somos países con una dinámica y muy fructífera vinculación entre personas, entre comunidades, entre instituciones públicas y privadas a lo largo de tres mil kilómetros de frontera. Nuestra relación se caracteriza por el diálogo abierto y franco, que se basa en la confianza, en el respeto y en la corresponsabilidad.

Como ha dicho el Presidente Obama, esta mañana tuvimos una amplia y muy provechosa conversación, revisamos nuestra relación bilateral, los problemas, los retos y también las muchas oportunidades que tenemos enfrente. Analizamos distintas propuestas y visiones, tanto de México como Estados Unidos, para fortalecer a América del Norte como región.

Hablamos sobre la importancia de resolver nuestras diferencias y diferendos comerciales de la manera más justa y más rápida posible. Abordamos los temas fronterizos, la seguridad, la migración, y examinamos también iniciativas para consolidar nuestra cooperación en asuntos de interés global y en arenas multilaterales.

He podido constatar que nuestras coincidencias son mucho más grandes que nuestras diferencias, que existe una amplia convergencia de intereses, y ello no sólo se debe a que tenemos valores y objetivos comunes, sino también a que existe la voluntad en ambos para hacer de nuestra vecindad y asociación una verdadera palanca de desarrollo compartido.

Afortunadamente, la grave crisis económica global ya empieza a ceder, ello abre una ventana de oportunidad para que Canadá, Estados Unidos y México reposicionemos a América del Norte como una región vigorosa, competitiva, próspera, capaz de generar más y mejores empleos. Una región atractiva para las inversiones, para los intercambios comerciales y el turismo con grandes perspectivas de cara al futuro.

Juntos habremos de incrementar nuestra capacidad exportadora en un contexto de creciente competencia entre distintas regiones del mundo. Conversamos sobre los obstáculos que existen al cumplimiento de las obligaciones en materia de autotransporte, que han sido establecidas en el Tratado de Libre Comercio de América del Norte, situación que afecta a empleos, a empresas y consumidores, tanto de México como de los propios Estados Unidos. Y habremos de trabajar para lograr una pronta solución con una visión constructiva y de largo plazo en este y en otros temas.

Como ha dicho el Presidente, dimos especial atención a los asuntos fronterizos. La frontera no es sólo un importante espacio de encuentro entre nuestras naciones, sino también oportunidad para nuestra aspiración compartida de desarrollo. Es por ello que asignaremos más recursos para fortalecer la infraestructura fronteriza, para que esté a la altura de las necesidades de nuestras economías y sociedades y beneficie con empleo y crecimiento económico en ambos lados de frontera. Fortaleceremos la coordinación entre las autoridades en ambos lados de la frontera para reforzar la seguridad.

Que quede muy claro, ambos países queremos una frontera segura, una frontera segura para nuestras gentes. Coincidimos en la urgencia de reforzar las acciones para frenar el flujo de drogas, de armas y de dinero, y para ello, trabajaremos con pleno respeto a las jurisdicciones de cada país y de manera corresponsable.

Con respecto al tema migratorio. Yo reconozco la sensibilidad y el compromiso del Presidente Obama para buscar una solución integral, comprensiva que respete los derechos de las personas y que se ajuste de manera realista a la situación que se vive en ambos países.

Hablamos con sinceridad, de éste y de todos los temas. Nosotros vemos que las economías de nuestros países son claramente complementarias.

Cuando se complementan, además, cuando se integran, son herramienta poderosa para elevar la productividad y la competitividad de toda la región. Más competitividad en América del Norte significa más empleos y mejores condiciones de vida, tanto para americanos como para mexicanos.

En México somos respetuosos, y seguiremos siendo respetuosos de la política interna de Estados Unidos y de su legítimo derecho de establecer, conforme a su Constitución, las leyes que considere convenientes.

Pero mantendremos nuestro firme rechazo a que se criminalice la migración y a que gente que trabaja y aporta a esta gran Nación sea tratada como delincuente. Y nos oponemos firmemente a la Ley SB1070 de Arizona, porque parte de principios injustos, parciales y discriminatorios.

Este y otros temas fueron abordados en este encuentro, el cual, me atrevería a decir que es histórico por el nivel de entendimiento y de confianza recíproca alcanzados.

Por ahora, yo quiero destacar únicamente este diálogo abierto, franco y constructivo que mantenemos con el Gobierno del Presidente Obama, que ha sido de gran provecho para ambos países y que me permite constatar la fuerza y el liderazgo del Presidente de los Estados Unidos.

Muchas gracias, Presidente Obama, por su hospitalidad.

Muchas gracias a ustedes por su atención.

P. Gracias, Sr. Presidente. El Presidente Calderón volvió a calificar a la ley de Arizona como discriminatoria y dijo que era destructiva. ¿Está de acuerdo con él? ¿Qué impacto cree que puede tener la ley de Arizona en las relaciones entre Estados Unidos y México, las posibilidades de la reforma de inmigración y las opiniones de los méxico-americanos en este país? ¿Y qué medidas le dijo al Presidente que tomaría...?

PRESIDENTE OBAMA: Considero que la ley de Arizona tiene el potencial de ser aplicada de manera discriminatoria. Ahora, luego de su aprobación inicial, la asamblea legislativa de Arizona la enmendó y dijo que no debe aplicarse de manera discriminatoria. Pero considero que una lectura imparcial del texto de la ley indica que abre la posibilidad de que se acose o arreste a personas que se considere que posiblemente sean inmigrantes indocumentados. Y los criterios a utilizar en la aplicación de esta ley son problemáticos.

Lo que le he pedido al Departamento de Justicia es que examine cuidadosamente el texto de la ley para ver si se ajusta a nuestros valores centrales y estándares legales actuales, así como al hecho de que el gobierno federal es el principal encargado de política inmigratoria. Y estimo que pronto recibiré el informe final del Departamento de Justicia, y entonces tomaremos las decisiones en cuanto a cómo vamos a tratar con dicha ley.

Y algo que también he dicho es que, considero que la ley de Arizona expresa algunas de las frustraciones del pueblo estadounidense por la falta de arreglar el fallido sistema de inmigración y, francamente, el fracaso del gobierno federal en hacerlo. Y comprendo su frustración, la comparto, y por eso, desde que fui senador de Estados Unidos y candidato a la presidencia hasta ahora, he dicho constantemente que apoyo una estrategia integral a la reforma de la inmigración.

Y considero que los estadounidense, en su mayoría, están abiertos a la idea de una reforma integral de la inmigración que diría lo siguiente: Número uno, que el gobierno federal asume seriamente su responsabilidad de resguardar nuestra frontera. Y como acabo de decir en mis declaraciones iniciales, de hecho, hemos asignado más recursos, más personas a la frontera, y la inmigración ilegal efectivamente se ha reducido en la frontera, no ha aumentado. Y sé que ésa no es la percepción que la gente tiene, pero son los hechos.

Pero no hemos hecho lo suficiente. Así que tenemos la responsabilidad de crear una frontera ordenada, y eso es algo que tenemos que hacer, no unilateralmente, sino trabajando también con el gobierno mexicano, porque hay un enorme flujo de comercio y turismo y gente a lo largo de la región fronteriza; las economías son interdependientes, y tenemos que controlar la frontera, pero hacerlo de manera que no tenga un impacto adverso en la economía de esas regiones.

En segundo lugar, lo que tenemos que hacer es asegurarnos de que las empresas cumplan con las normas y no contraten activamente a trabajadores indocumentados con el fin de trasgredir las leyes laborales de sobretiempo, de no pagar salario mínimo, de no cumplir con leyes de seguridad en el centro de trabajo y socavar de alguna manera las actuales medidas básicas de protección al trabajador. Y tienen que rendir cuentas y asumir su responsabilidad.

En tercer lugar, lo que tenemos que hacer es asegurar que rindan cuentas quienes vinieron a este país ilegalmente. Y eso significa que deben pagar una multa y pagar los impuestos adeudados. Y pienso que deben aprender inglés. Creo que es importante que se pongan al final de la cola y no al principio, pero debemos crear una manera de que tengan la oportunidad, si cumplen las reglas, cumplen con la ley, de poder llegar a ser residentes legales y finalmente, ciudadanos de este país.

Ahora, pienso que es posible que se apruebe un conjunto de medidas en las que todos asumen su responsabilidad. Y yo lo apoyo plenamente. Y lo he dicho una y otra vez. Y considero que si lo logramos hacer, habrá menos posibilidades de ver el tipo de medidas que hemos visto en Arizona.

Este es el desafío político que tenemos ante nosotros. El desafío político es... es que tengo la confianza de que puedo conseguir que la mayoría de demócratas, tanto en el Senado como en la Cámara de Representantes, apoye este tipo de legislación que acabo de describir. Pero no tengo los 60 votos en el Senado. Necesito algo de apoyo de los republicanos. Cuando hicimos un esfuerzo de este tipo hace unos años, fue bajo el liderazgo de John McCain y Ted Kennedy. Y como era un esfuerzo de ambos partidos, conseguimos la mayoría de votos en el Senado. Sólo nos faltó aprobarlo en la Cámara de Representantes.

Si podemos recrear esa atmósfera… y no espero conseguir que todos los republicanos voten a favor, pero necesito por lo menos un poco de ayuda para lograr hacerlo. Y hubo gente que expresó interés. Pero si están dispuestos a ponerse de pie, organizar un grupo de trabajo y ponerse en acción, estoy totalmente convencido de que se puede hacer. Y el pueblo estadounidense, incluido el pueblo de Arizona, va a preferir que el gobierno federal asuma esa responsabilidad y haga lo que se supone debe hacer.

Y mi trabajo es trabajar con los miembros del Congreso para cerciorarse de que suceda. Y también me corresponde trabajar con el gobierno mexicano para asegurarnos de que suceda, porque el Presidente Calderón reconoce que también tiene responsabilidades que cumplir en su lado de la frontera.

Y el último punto que quería mencionar en este asunto es éste: Creo que todos reconocemos que algunas presiones sobre la inmigración simplemente se originan en la economía. La gente de México está buscando oportunidades y cree que puede ganar más dinero aquí en Estados Unidos. Lo que también debemos reconocer, y también hablé de esto con el Presidente Calderón, es que todos los países también tienen el derecho de resguardar su frontera y tomar decisiones ordenadas para decidir quién entra y quién sale.

Y la clave aquí es tener en cuenta ambos principios, que la gente quiere encontrar una vida mejor donde pueda, y si tiene la oportunidad en Estados Unidos, va a querer venir aquí. El uso de la fuerza no basta para evitar eso. Y por otro lado, Estados Unidos tiene que poder determinar quién entra y quién sale de manera ordenada. Y como somos una nación respetuosa de la ley y una nación de inmigrantes, entonces considero que no sólo hemos de ser fieles a nuestros valores centrales, sino que también crear un futuro más próspero para todos.

¿Sí?

P    (Traducido.) Presidente Obama, varias cosas, pero para no desviarnos del tema, me gustaría saber si ya tiene planeada una estrategia respecto a la ley de Arizona, porque está trasgrediendo los derechos fundamentales de la gente. ¿Cómo va a revertir esta tendencia contra los inmigrantes, Presidente Obama, que se está viendo en diferentes estados de Estados Unidos? Y la reforma de inmigración que usted menciona, ¿cuándo la va a llevar ante el Congreso y qué magnitud tendría?

Y con respecto al segundo tema de la seguridad, Presidente Obama, me gustaría saber cómo evalúa los resultados de las medidas tomadas por el Presidente Calderón en su lucha contra el crimen organizado. ¿Le parecen exitosas? ¿Hay algo que falta? Y en esa línea, si ha visto que las armas que cruzan ilegalmente de Estados Unidos a México son las que usa el crimen organizado en México. ¿No debería haber una iniciativa que regule la venta de armas? ¿Va a haber una prohibición?

PRESIDENTE OBAMA: …una respuesta bastante extensa anteriormente, por lo que sólo voy a responder a su segunda pregunta que es sobre el asunto de seguridad. Ésta, obviamente, es una inquietud compartida y requerirá un esfuerzo común de parte de ambos nuestros países. Dije la primera vez que conocí al Presidente Calderón y he dicho desde entonces que admiro mucho su valentía, su dedicación, su tenacidad al tratar de lidiar con los narcotraficantes y carteles que han creado una crisis de seguridad pública en muchas comunidades en México.

Como señalamos, éste no es sólo un problema de narcotráfico; el problema es su efecto en la vida cotidiana de la gente en México. Y al pueblo mexicano le conviene hacerle frente. Y él ha tomado medidas una y otra vez porque reconoce que su principal labor, su tarea más importante como Presidente es mantener seguro al pueblo mexicano.

Por lo tanto, respaldamos plenamente los esfuerzos que ha estado haciendo. Hemos colaborado extensamente en los últimos años para asegurarnos de que, de manera que se respete la soberanía de México, respondamos a cualquier solicitud que haga el gobierno del Presidente Calderón. En la medida que podemos ayudar por medio de la Iniciativa de Mérida –proporcionar equipo, proporcionar capacitación, proporcionar tecnología que pueda contribuir a estos esfuerzos– lo hemos hecho. Y continuaremos coordinando tan eficazmente como podamos con el gobierno del Presidente Calderón para asegurarnos de lidiar con este problema.

Ahora, como señala usted, éste no es sólo un problema en México. Es un problema al que Estados Unidos le debe hacer frente. Y las dos cosas que tenemos que abordar –y lo dije cuando estuve en México y lo repetiré aquí– es absolutamente cierto que la demanda de drogas por Estados Unidos contribuye a la crisis de seguridad pública dentro de México y por lo tanto, tenemos la obligación de no aumentar el lado de demanda de la ecuación. Y por lo tanto, recientemente anunciamos nuestra nueva estrategia que destaca no sólo medidas para velar por el cumplimiento de la ley, sino también prevención, también tratamiento, para que podamos reducir la demanda y debilitar el poder que tienen estos carteles del narcotráfico.

El segundo aspecto de esto que debemos abordar es el flujo hacia el sur de Estados Unidos de tanto armas como efectivo, que contribuye a darles poder a estos carteles del narcotráfico. Y por lo tanto, he dado instrucciones al Departamento de Seguridad Nacional, a la Oficina de Control del Alcohol, Tabaco y Armas de Fuego (Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms o ATF), a todas nuestras diversas agencias que tienen responsabilidad en estos asuntos, para que intensifiquen nuestros esfuerzos de interceptar este flujo hacia el sur.

Y ya les he mencionado, por ejemplo, que hemos instituido ahora una política conforme a la cual estamos inspeccionando 100 por ciento de la carga ferroviaria hacia el sur. Ésa es una inversión significativa de nuestra parte de recursos de agencias de la ley, pero es lo correcto. Queremos combatir a los traficantes de armas que están vendiendo armas en México. Todos esos son pasos que hemos dado en coordinación con el gobierno del Presidente Calderón, y continuaremos destacando la importancia no sólo para México, sino también para Estados Unidos de acometer este problema.

¿Bien? Muchas gracias a todos.