The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
July 18, 2014

Statement by the Press Secretary on the Visit of the Presidents of Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador

President Obama will welcome President Otto Perez Molina of Guatemala, President Juan Orlando Hernandez of Honduras, and President Salvador Sanchez Ceren of El Salvador to the White House on July 25.  The four leaders and Vice President Biden will discuss how to reinforce our ongoing collaboration to stem the flow of undocumented migrants from Central America to Mexico and the United States.  This will include discussion of how the United States and Central American governments are cooperating to promote safe, legal, and orderly migration between our countries in a spirit of shared responsibility, including with respect to the return of family units, which began this week for all three countries.  The leaders will also discuss how we can work together with other members of the international community to foster development, economic growth, and security in the region and address the factors that are causing Central American citizens to undertake the dangerous journey to the United States.  The Vice President will also host a lunch for the three leaders prior to the meeting with President Obama to continue the dialogue he began on this topic in his June 20 meeting in Guatemala City. 

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
July 18, 2014

Notice from the President -- Continuation of the National Emergency with Respect to Transnational Criminal Organizations

NOTICE
- - - - - - -
CONTINUATION OF THE NATIONAL EMERGENCY WITH
RESPECT TO TRANSNATIONAL CRIMINAL ORGANIZATIONS

On July 24, 2011, by Executive Order 13581, I declared a national emergency with respect to transnational criminal organizations pursuant to the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1701-1706) to deal with the unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security, foreign policy, and economy of the United States constituted by the activities of significant transnational criminal organizations.

The activities of significant transnational criminal organizations have reached such scope and gravity that they threaten the stability of international political and economic systems. Such organizations are becoming increasingly sophisticated and dangerous to the United States; they are increasingly entrenched in the operations of foreign governments and the international financial system, thereby weakening democratic institutions, degrading the rule of law, and undermining economic markets. These organizations facilitate and aggravate violent civil conflicts and increasingly facilitate the activities of other dangerous persons.

The activities of significant transnational criminal organizations continue to pose an unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security, foreign policy, and economy of the United States. For this reason, the national emergency declared in Executive Order 13581 of July 24, 2011, and the measures adopted on that date to deal with that emergency, must continue in effect beyond July 24, 2014. Therefore, in accordance with section 202(d) of the National Emergencies Act (50 U.S.C. 1622(d)), I am continuing for 1 year the national emergency with respect to transnational criminal organizations declared in Executive Order 13581.

This notice shall be published in the Federal Register and
transmitted to the Congress.

BARACK OBAMA

 

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
July 18, 2014

Letter from the President -- Continuation of the National Emergency with Respect to Transnational Criminal Organizations

TEXT OF A LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT
TO THE SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
AND THE PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE

July 18, 2014

Dear Mr. Speaker: (Dear Mr. President:)
Section 202(d) of the National Emergencies Act (50 U.S.C. 1622(d)) provides for the automatic termination of a national emergency unless, within 90 days prior to the anniversary date of its declaration, the President publishes in the Federal Register and transmits to the Congress a notice stating that the emergency is to continue in effect beyond the
anniversary date. In accordance with this provision, I have sent to the Federal Register for publication the enclosed notice stating that the national emergency with respect to transnational criminal organizations declared in Executive Order 13581 of July 24, 2011, is to continue in effect beyond July 24, 2014.

The activities of significant transnational criminal organizations have reached such scope and gravity that they threaten the stability of international political and economic systems. Such organizations are becoming increasingly sophisticated and dangerous to the United States; they are increasingly entrenched in the operations of foreign governments
and the international financial system, thereby weakening democratic institutions, degrading the rule of law, and undermining economic markets. These organizations facilitate and aggravate violent civil conflicts and increasingly facilitate the activities of other dangerous persons.
 

The activities of significant transnational criminal organizations continue to pose an unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security, foreign policy, and economy of the United States. Therefore, I have determined that it is necessary to continue the national emergency declared in Executive Order 13581 with respect to transnational criminal organizations.

Sincerely,
BARACK OBAMA

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
July 17, 2014

Statement by the Press Secretary on Malaysian Airlines Flight 17

The United States is shocked by the downing of Malaysian Airlines Flight 17, and we offer our deep condolences to all those who lost loved ones on board. We continue to seek information to determine whether there were any American citizens on board.

It is critical that there be a full, credible, and unimpeded international investigation as quickly as possible. We urge all concerned – Russia, the pro-Russian separatists, and Ukraine – to support an immediate cease-fire in order to ensure safe and unfettered access to the crash site for international investigators and in order to facilitate the recovery of remains. The role of international organizations – such as the United Nations and the OSCE in Ukraine – may be particularly relevant for this effort, and we will be in touch with affected nations and our partners in these organizations in the coming hours and days to determine the best path forward. In the meantime, it is vital that no evidence be tampered with in any way and that all potential evidence and remains at the crash site are undisturbed. The United States remains prepared to contribute immediate assistance to any international investigation, including through resources provided by the NTSB and the FBI.

While we do not yet have all the facts, we do know that this incident occurred in the context of a crisis in Ukraine that is fueled by Russian support for the separatists, including through arms, materiel, and training. This incident only highlights the urgency with which we continue to urge Russia to immediately take concrete steps to de-escalate the situation in Ukraine and to support a sustainable cease-fire and path toward peace that the Ukrainian government has consistently put forward.

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
July 17, 2014

Readout of the President’s Call with Prime Minister Rutte of the Netherlands

President Obama called Prime Minister Rutte of the Netherlands this evening to express condolences to the people of the Netherlands for the tragic death of Dutch citizens traveling on Malaysia Airlines Flight 17.  The President told the Prime Minister the United States was prepared to contribute immediate assistance to support a prompt, full, credible, and unimpeded international investigation.  The President and Prime Minister agreed on the need to assure immediate access to the site of the incident to international investigators in order to facilitate the recovery of remains and to carry out a thorough investigation.

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
July 17, 2014

Readout of the President’s Call with Prime Minister Najib of Malaysia

President Obama called Malaysian Prime Minister Najib today to express condolences to the people of Malaysia for the terrible loss of Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 in Ukraine, as well as all the families who lost loved ones in this tragic event. The President told the Prime Minister that United States has offered immediate assistance to support a prompt international investigation. President Obama reaffirmed the strength of the friendship between the United States and Malaysia and underscored that the United States stands ready to provide any assistance or support necessary.

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
July 17, 2014

Readout of the President’s Call with President Poroshenko of Ukraine

President Obama spoke with Ukrainian President Poroshenko this afternoon to discuss the tragic crash of flight Malaysian Airlines 17. President Poroshenko welcomed the assistance of international investigators to ensure a thorough and transparent investigation of the crash site. President Obama assured him that U.S. experts will offer all possible assistance immediately. The Presidents emphasized that all evidence from the crash site must remain in place on the territory of Ukraine until international investigators are able to examine all aspects of the tragedy.

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
July 17, 2014

Presidential Nominations Sent to the Senate

NOMINATIONS SENT TO THE SENATE:

Charles C. Adams, Jr., of Maryland, to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Republic of Finland.

Matthew Vincent Masterson, of Ohio, to be a Member of the Election Assistance Commission for a term expiring December 12, 2017, vice Gineen Bresso Beach, term expired.

Christy A. McCormick, of Virginia, to be a Member of the Election Assistance Commission for a term expiring December 12, 2015, vice Donetta Davidson, term expired.

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
July 17, 2014

President Obama Announces More Key Administration Posts

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

  • Mickey D. Barnett – Governor, Board of Governors of the United States Postal Service
  • James L. Huffman – Member, Board of Trustees of the Morris K. Udall and Stewart L. Udall Foundation
  • Matthew V. Masterson – Commissioner, Election Assistance Commission  
  • Christy McCormick – Commissioner, Election Assistance Commission

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

Mickey D. Barnett, Nominee for Governor, Board of Governors of the United States Postal Service

Mickey D. Barnett is Managing Partner of the Barnett Law Firm.  Previously, he served in the New Mexico State Senate from 1980 to 1984.   Earlier in his career, he served as a Legislative Assistant to Senator Pete Domenici from 1972 to 1976.  Mr. Barnett was first appointed to the Board of Governors of the United States Postal Service in 2006.  He was a member of the Republican National Committee from 2000 to 2004 and a member of the Appellate Nominating Committee for the New Mexico Supreme Court of Appeals from 1995 to 2002.  He has been a member of both the Federalist Society and the Christian Legal Society for more than 20 years.  Mr. Barnett received a B.A. from Eastern New Mexico University and a J.D. from The George Washington University National Law Center.

James L. Huffman, Nominee for Member, Board of Trustees of the Morris K. Udall and Stewart L. Udall Foundation

James L. Huffman is a Visiting Fellow at the Hoover Institution, a position he has held since 2013.  Previously, he was a member of the Hoover Institution Task Force on Property Rights, Freedom, and Prosperity from 2008 to 2013.  He joined Lewis and Clark Law School as a Professor of Law in 1978 and served as Dean from 1994 to 2006.  Mr. Huffman served on the National Environmental Justice Advisory Council from 2004 to 2005.  He was the Bradley Resident Scholar at the Heritage Foundation in 1993 and a Fulbright Scholar in Athens, Greece in 1988.  Mr. Huffman received a B.S. from Montana State University, an M.A. from Tufts University, and a J.D. from The University of Chicago Law School. 

Matthew V. Masterson, Nominee for Commissioner, Election Assistance Commission

Matthew V. Masterson is Deputy Chief of Staff and Chief Information Officer for the Ohio Secretary of State, positions he has held since 2013.  He previously served as Deputy Director of Elections from 2011 to 2013.  Prior to joining the Ohio Secretary of State’s office, Mr. Masterson held multiple roles at the Election Assistance Commission from 2006 to 2011, including Deputy Director for the Testing and Certification Division, Attorney and Advisor, and Special Assistant and Counsel to Chair Paul DeGregorio.  Mr. Masterson received a B.S. and a B.A. from Miami University and a J.D. from the University of Dayton School of Law.

Christy McCormick, Nominee for Commissioner, Election Assistance Commission

Christy McCormick is a Senior Trial Attorney in the Voting Section of the Civil Rights Division at the Department of Justice, a position she has held since 2006.  She was detailed by the Deputy Attorney General to be Senior Attorney Advisor and Acting Deputy Rule of Law Coordinator in the Office of the Rule of Law Coordinator at the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad, Iraq from 2009 to 2010.  From 2003 to 2006, she served as a Judicial Clerk to the Honorable Elizabeth A. McClanahan in the Court of Appeals of Virginia.  Ms. McCormick was an Assistant Attorney General and Assistant to the Solicitor General in the Office of the Attorney General of Virginia from 2001 to 2003.  She was a Judicial Law Clerk in the Seventh Judicial Circuit Court of Virginia from 1999 to 2001.  Ms. McCormick received a B.A. from the University of Buffalo and a J.D. from the George Mason University School of Law. 

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
July 17, 2014

President Obama Announces More Key Administration Posts

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

  • Charles C. Adams, Jr. – Ambassador to the Republic of Finland, Department of State
  • Chip Fulghum – Chief Financial Officer, Department of Homeland Security  
  • Adri D. Jayaratne – Assistant Secretary for Congressional and Intergovernmental Affairs, Department of Labor
  • Barbara A. Leaf – Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates, Department of State
  • Virginia E. Palmer – Ambassador to the Republic of Malawi, Department of State
  • William V. Roebuck – Ambassador to the Kingdom of Bahrain, Department of State

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

  • Donald J. Butt – Member, Advisory Committee to the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation   
  • Ethan Epstein – Member, Board of Visitors to the United States Military Academy
  • Virna L. Winters – Member, Committee for Purchase from People Who Are Blind or Severely Disabled

President Obama said, “These men and women have demonstrated knowledge and dedication throughout their careers. I am grateful they have chosen to take on these important roles, and I look forward to working with them in the months and years to come.”

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

Charles C. Adams, Jr., Nominee for Ambassador to the Republic of Finland, Department of State

Charles C. Adams, Jr. is Managing Partner at the Geneva office of Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld, LLP, a position he has held since 2010.  Previously, he served as Managing Partner at the Geneva office of Hogan & Hartson from 2005 to 2010, and he was Managing Partner at the Geneva office of Winston & Strawn from 1993 to 2005.  Mr. Adams was an attorney at the Washington, D.C. and Geneva offices of Jones, Day, Reavis & Pogue from 1986 to 1993.  From 1973 to 1986, he was an attorney at the Washington, D.C. and Paris, France offices of Surrey & Morse.  He served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Kenya from 1968 to 1970.  Mr. Adams received a B.A. from Dartmouth College and a J.D. from the University of Virginia School of Law. 

Chip Fulghum, Nominee for Chief Financial Officer, Department of Homeland Security  

Chip Fulghum is the Budget Director in the Office of the Chief Financial Officer at the Department of Homeland Security, a position he has held since 2012.  In addition, he served as Acting Chief Financial Officer from 2013 to 2014.  Mr. Fulghum served for 28 years in the U.S. Air Force from 1984 to 2012, and retired with the rank of Colonel.  From 2010 to 2012, he was Director of Air Force Budget Programs, and from 2008 to 2010 he was Chief Financial Officer for Air Education and Training Command at Randolph Air Force Base.  Previously, he served as Chief of the Air Force Budget Integration Division at the Pentagon from 2006 to 2008, Chief of Budget Operations and Budget at Randolph Air Force Base from 2001 to 2005, and Chief Financial Officer for Anderson Air Force Base from 1999 to 2001.  Mr. Fulghum received a B.A. from The Citadel, an M.B.A. from Golden Gate University, and a Masters in Aerospace Studies from The Air University.

Adri D. Jayaratne, Nominee for Assistant Secretary for Congressional and Intergovernmental Affairs, Department of Labor

Adri D. Jayaratne is Deputy Assistant Secretary for the Office of Congressional and Intergovernmental Affairs at the Department of Labor (DOL), a position he has held since 2012.  Since March 2014, he has served as Acting Assistant Secretary for Congressional and Intergovernmental Affairs at DOL.  From 2009 to 2012, Mr. Jayaratne was a Senior Legislative Officer at DOL.  He previously worked for U.S. Congresswoman Betty Sutton as Chief of Staff and Legislative Director from 2007 to 2008.  From 2003 to 2006, he was Senior Legislative Assistant for U.S. Congressman Dale Kildee.  He was Senior Policy Advisor for Congressman David Bonior from 2001 to 2002, Legislative Assistant from 2000 to 2001, and Legislative Correspondent from 1999 to 2000.  Mr. Jayaratne received a B.A. from the University of Michigan and an M.A. from The George Washington University.

Barbara A. Leaf, Nominee for Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates, Department of State

Barbara A. Leaf, a career member of the Foreign Service, Class of Minister-Counselor, is the Deputy Assistant Secretary for the Arabian Peninsula in the Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs at the Department of State (DOS), a position she has held since 2013.  From 2011 to 2013, Ms. Leaf served at DOS as Deputy Assistant Secretary for Iraq in the Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs.  From 2010 to 2011, Ms. Leaf was the Director of the U.S. Provincial Reconstruction Team in Basrah, Iraq.  Ms. Leaf was the Political Minister-Counselor at the U.S. Embassy in Rome, Italy from 2008 to 2010.  From 2006 to 2008, Ms. Leaf served as the Director of the Office of Iranian Affairs at DOS, and from 2004 to 2006, she was a Political Counselor at the U.S. Embassy in Sarajevo, Bosnia-Herzegovina.  From 2003 to 2004, Ms. Leaf served as the Director of the Regional Office in the Office of the High Representative in Tuzla, Bosnia-Herzegovina, and she was an Advisor to the Medical Director of the Office of Medical Services from 2001 to 2003.  Ms. Leaf was the Political Officer at the U.S. Embassy in Paris, France from 1996 to 2000, and a Political Officer at the U.S. Embassy in Cairo, Egypt from 1994 to 1996.  Earlier in her career, she served as a Kuwait Desk Officer in the Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs; Chief of the Visa Section at the U.S. Consulate General in Jerusalem; a Watch Officer in the Operations Center; and as a Consular/Political Officer at the U.S. Embassy in Port-au-Prince, Haiti.  Prior to joining the Foreign Service, she served as a Legal Library Assistant in the Judge’s Library of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit.  Ms. Leaf received a B.A. from the College of William and Mary and an M.A. from the University of Virginia. 

Virginia E. Palmer, Nominee for Ambassador to the Republic of Malawi, Department of State

Virginia E. Palmer, a career member of the Foreign Service, Class of Minister-Counselor, is currently the Deputy Chief of Mission at the U.S. Embassy in Pretoria, South Africa, a position she has held since 2011.  From 2008 to 2011, she served as Deputy Chief of Mission at the U.S. Embassy in Hanoi, Vietnam.  Ms. Palmer was the Deputy Coordinator for Counter Terrorism at the Department of State (DOS) from 2005 to 2008, and she was the Director for Economic Policy in the Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs at DOS from 2004 to 2005.  From 2001 to 2004, she served as an Economic Counselor and a Regional Labor Officer at the U.S. Embassy in Nairobi, Kenya.  Previously, Ms. Palmer served as Political Officer at the U.S. Consulate General in Hong Kong, China from 1998 to 2001.  From 1993 to 1997, she was a Political Officer at the U.S. Embassy in Harare, Zimbabwe.  In 1992, Ms. Palmer was a Libya Desk Officer in the Bureau for Near Eastern Affairs at DOS, and from 1991 to 1992 she was a Watch Officer in the Operations Center at DOS.  Ms. Palmer served as an Economic Officer at the U.S. Embassy in Beijing, China from 1989 to 1991, and she was a Consular Officer at the U.S. Consulate in Calgary, Canada from 1987 to 1988.  Ms. Palmer received a B.A. from Georgetown University and an M.A. from the University of Virginia.

William V. Roebuck, Nominee for Ambassador to the Kingdom of Bahrain, Department of State

William V. Roebuck, a career member of the Foreign Service, Class of Counselor, is currently Deputy Assistant Secretary for Egypt and Maghreb Affairs in the Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs at the Department of State (DOS), a position he has held since 2013.  Previously, he served as Chargé d’Affaires at the U.S. Embassy in Tripoli, Libya in 2013.  Mr. Roebuck was Director of the Office of Maghreb Affairs at DOS from 2010 to 2012, and served as Deputy Political Counselor at the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad, Iraq from 2009 to 2010.  From 2007 to 2009, he was Deputy Office Director in the Office of Arabian Peninsula Affairs, and was Political Section Chief at the U.S. Embassy in Damascus, Syria from 2004 to 2007.  Mr. Roebuck was a Political Officer at the U.S. Embassy in Tel Aviv, Israel from 2000 to 2003.  Earlier in his career, he taught English in Ta’if, Saudi Arabia and served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Sassandra, Côte D’Ivoire.  Mr. Roebuck received a B.A. and an M.A. from Wake Forest University and a J.D. from the University of Georgia School of Law. 

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

Donald J. Butt, Appointee for Member, Advisory Committee to the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation   

Donald J. Butt served as the Vice President of Operations and Defined Contributions Plans for Qwest Asset Management Company from 2001 until his retirement in 2010.  From 1983 to 2001, Mr. Butt held a number of positions at US West Inc., including Vice President of Operations and Defined Contributions Plans, Manager of Trust Investment, Special Assistant for Economic Development, and Manager of Financial Planning.  He served as a Computer Operations Supervisor and a Staff Administrator with Mountain Bell from 1970 to 1983.  Mr. Butt received a B.S. from Metropolitan State College and an M.B.A. from the University of Denver.

Ethan Epstein, Appointee for Member, Board of Visitors to the United States Military Academy

Ethan Epstein is a founding Principal with Epstein and Company, LLC, a position he has held since 2009.  He is also a Principal with the New Mexico Tax Credit Alliance, a position he has held since 2007.  Previously, he was a member of the Tax Department of Modrall, Sperling, Roehl, Harris, & Sisk, PA, in addition to the Tax Department of Sutin, Thayer, & Browne, PC.  Mr. Epstein is Civilian Aide to the Secretary of the Army for New Mexico and is also the former Honorary Commander of the 58th Special Operations Wing.  He served in the U.S. Army as Chief of Law Enforcement and Physical Security at the Provost Marshal of Red River Army Depot in Texarkana, Texas from 1997 to 1998.  Mr. Epstein was Platoon Leader of Headquarters and 3/557th Military Policy Company, stationed in Pyontaek, South Korea from 1995 to 1996.  Mr. Epstein received a B.S. from the United States Military Academy at West Point, a J.D. from the George Mason School of Law, and an LL.M. (Taxation) from the New York University School of Law.

Virna L. Winters, Appointee for Member, Committee for Purchase from People Who Are Blind or Severely Disabled

Virna L. Winters is Director of the Acquisition Policy and Oversight Division at the Department of Commerce (DOC), a position she has held since 2008.  She was a Procurement Analyst at DOC from 2003 to 2008.  From 1992 to 2003, she was a Contract Specialist at the Federal Emergency Management Agency in the Department of Homeland Security.  Ms. Winters received an A.S. in Computer Technology from McLennan Community College and a B.S. in Accounting from the University of North Texas.