The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
July 15, 2014

President Obama Announces Members of the National Council on Federal Labor-Management Relations

WASHINGTON – Today, President Barack Obama announced his appointment of the following individuals to the National Council on Federal Labor-Management Relations:

  • J. David Cox  – Member, National Council on Federal Labor-Management Relations
  • Michael B. Filler  – Member, National Council on Federal Labor-Management Relations
  • David J. Holway  – Member, National Council on Federal Labor-Management Relations
  • H.T. Nguyen  – Member, National Council on Federal Labor-Management Relations

The Council, created in 2009 by Executive Order, is tasked with advising the President on matters involving labor-management relations in the executive branch.  The Council is co-chaired by the Director of the Office of Personnel Management, Katherine Archuleta, and the Deputy Director for Management of the Office of Management and Budget, Beth Cobert. 

President Obama said, “I am grateful that these distinguished individuals have offered their wise counsel to help foster successful labor-management relations within the executive branch. I look forward to continuing this important dialogue with them for years to come.”

President Obama announced his appointment of the following individuals:

J. David Cox, Appointee for Member, National Council on Federal Labor-Management Relations

J. David Cox is President of the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE), an affiliate of the AFL-CIO, a position he has held since 2012.  Mr. Cox has also served on the Federal Salary Council since 2010.  He was National Secretary-Treasurer of AFGE from 2006 to 2012.  Prior to joining AFGE’s leadership, Mr. Cox worked for the Department of Veterans Affairs from 1983 to 2006.  He became a registered nurse in 1983.  Mr. Cox is a member of the AFL-CIO Executive Council and has been Vice President of the North Carolina State AFL-CIO since 1993.  He is also Chairman of the Executive Committee of the AFL-CIO’s Department for Professional Employees (DPE) and Chairman of the AFL-CIO’s Union Veterans Council.  Mr. Cox received an A.S. in nursing from Rowan-Cabarrus Community College. 

Michael B. Filler, Appointee for Member, National Council on Federal Labor-Management Relations

Michael B. Filler is the Director of the Public Services Division of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters (IBT), with responsibility for overseeing the representation of over 260,000 public and professional employees throughout the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico.  He was first appointed to the National Council on Federal Labor-Management Relations in 2010, and was appointed for a second term in 2012.  From 2003 to 2005, Mr. Filler was the Associate Director of the IBT’s Education Department.  Previously, Mr. Filler worked at the National Treasury Employees Union (NTEU), serving in various positions from 1985 to 1999, including Director of Negotiations, Northeast Regional Director, and National Field Representative.  Mr. Filler worked at the Federal Election Commission as a Branch Chief from 1981 to 1984 and as a Reports Analyst from 1976 to 1980.  In addition, he was a founding member of the Federal Workers Alliance, an active participant in the United Department of Defense Workers Coalition, and the Teamsters’ Delegate to the Public Services International Convention in Vienna, Austria in 2007.  Mr. Filler received a B.A. in Political Science from American University.

David J. Holway, Appointee for Member, National Council on Federal Labor-Management Relations

David J. Holway is the President of the National Association of Government Employees (NAGE) and the International Brotherhood of Police Officers (IBPO).  He was first appointed to the National Council on Federal Labor-Management Relations in 2010, and was appointed for a second term in 2012.  Prior to his current position, Mr. Holway served in many capacities at NAGE, including Lead Negotiator and Legislative Director.  He also previously held several government positions, including Deputy Commissioner in the Massachusetts Department of Correction, Chief Financial Officer at the Norfolk County Hospital, and Budget and Staff Director at the Massachusetts Legislative Committee on Counties.  Mr. Holway served on the Cambridge, Massachusetts School Committee from 1978 to 1979.  In 2011, he began serving his second four-year term as a member of the Employee Thrift Advisory Council.   Mr. Holway received a B.S. from Boston State College.

H.T. Nguyen, Appointee for Member, National Council on Federal Labor-Management Relations

H.T. Nguyen is the Executive Director/General Counsel of the Federal Education Association (FEA), a state affiliate of the National Education Association representing federally-employed educators.  He was first appointed to the National Council on Federal Labor-Management Relations in 2010, and was appointed for a second term in 2012.  Previously, Mr. Nguyen served as the Deputy General Counsel for the FEA from 1988 to 1998, where he was the FEA’s lead attorney in all major cases involving the Association.  From 1984 to 1988, Mr. Nguyen was a Staff Attorney with the Overseas Education Association, another affiliate of the National Education Association.  In 1983, Mr. Nguyen was an associate at Berger & Miranda in San Jose, CA.  From 1978 to 1980, he was a case worker for the International Rescue Committee in Washington, DC.  Mr. Nguyen received a B.A. in American Government and an M.A. in International Relations from The Catholic University of America, and a J.D. from the Columbus School of Law at The Catholic University of America.

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
July 15, 2014

FACT SHEET: Progress in Four Years of the National HIV/AIDS Strategy

On July 15, 2010, President Obama released the first comprehensive National HIV/AIDS Strategy, which envisions that “the United States will become a place where new HIV infections are rare and when they do occur, every person, regardless of age, gender, race/ethnicity, sexual orientation, or socio-economic circumstance, will have unfettered access to high quality, life-extending care, free from stigma and discrimination.”

The goals of the Strategy are to reduce new HIV infections; increase access to care and improve health outcomes for people living with HIV; and reduce HIV-related disparities and health inequities.  Achieving these goals requires partnerships and coordination among Federal agencies, state and local governments, community-based organizations, and health care settings.

To further the implementation of the Strategy, last year, President Obama signed an Executive Order establishing the HIV Care Continuum Initiative, which outlines the pathway to accelerate and optimize health outcomes for those living with HIV.  This update outlines just some of the major accomplishments and progress made over the last four years towards achieving the Strategy’s goals and highlights new action steps taken today. 

New actions to support the National HIV/AIDS Strategy: 

  • Today, to support the goals of the Strategy, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced the availability of $11 million in funding to enhance Community Health Centers’ HIV efforts in communities highly impacted by HIV, especially among racial and ethnic minorities.  This initiative, funded through the Affordable Care Act and the Secretary’s Minority AIDS Initiative Fund, aims to build sustainable partnerships between public health and health centers to help achieve the goals of the Strategy.

  • Additionally today, the Department of Justice (DOJ) released a Best Practices Guide to Reform HIV-specific Criminal Laws to Align with Scientifically Supported Factors. As noted in the National HIV/AIDS Strategy, many states have criminal laws that have not keep pace with our current understanding of best public health practices for preventing and treating HIV and that, instead, may make people less willing to get tested, disclose their status, and undermine the public health goals of promoting HIV screening and treatment. This guide is intended to share best practices for aligning criminal law with the public health goal of reducing HIV-related stigma.

Implementing the National HIV/AIDS Strategy:

Reducing new HIV infections over the last four years: Ensuring that individuals know their HIV status is a critical step to reducing HIV infections.  People who don't know they are infected miss an opportunity to access the life-sustaining care and treatment that can now lead to normal life-expectancy. Undiagnosed individuals can also unknowingly pass the virus on to others. 

  • HIV testing: Screening all persons between 15 and 65 years of age is now a grade “A” recommendation of the independent United States Preventive Services Task Force. This means that, as of April 2014, new health plans under the Affordable Care Act must offer HIV screening without cost sharing.
  • The number of people who know their HIV status increased:  The overall number of people with HIV who know their HIV status increased to 84.2% in 2010, approaching the Strategy goal of 90% by 2015.  Serostatus awareness was 90% or higher among persons 45 year or older and among injection drug users. 
  • Reduction in new HIV infections in some sub-populations:  Black women saw a 21% reduction in new HIV infections from 2008 to 2010.  In 2010, there was a 22% reduction in new HIV infections among injection drug users. However, there has been a 12% increase in new HIV infections among men who have sex with men (MSM) and 22% increase among young MSM aged 13 to 24. The Administration is committed to enhancing outreach to young, black, gay males.
  • Reduced transmission of HIV: One of the most successful scientific advances in HIV prevention, treatment as prevention, shows that people living with HIV who have a suppressed viral load due to effective HIV treatment, reduce their HIV transmission risk by up to 96%.
  • Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP): In May 2014, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released clinical practice guidelines on HIV risk and eligibility for PrEP use.
  • Research for an effective vaccine and cure: An effective vaccine remains a critical component of any long-term strategy.  In 2014, the President announced that the National Institutes of Health (NIH) is redirecting $100 million for development of new therapies toward a cure and will continue to strive to be on the forefront of new discoveries.  

Increasing access to care and improving health outcomes over the last four years: To end the epidemic, in addition to providing prevention strategies, access to health insurance coverage and other key supports are essential. 

  • Making coverage affordable: The Affordable Care Act has expanded access to affordable health insurance coverage for millions of Americans, including thousands living with HIV.  Thanks to the Affordable Care Act, people can no longer be denied coverage based on pre-existing conditions, including HIV.  The Administration will continue to focus on the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program and Affordable Care Act coordination.
  • Housing for people living with HIV: Since 2010, over 56,000 people with HIV receive housing assistance from the Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS (HOPWA) program annually. In keeping with the goals of the Strategy, the President’s Fiscal Year 2015 Budget proposes modernizing HOPWA’s funding formula to better reflect the current state of the epidemic.
  • Increasing access to life-saving HIV treatment: Thanks to targeted investments by the Administration, waiting list for the AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP) have been nearly eliminated from a high of over 9,000 in 2011.
  • Commitment to ensuring access to care for people living with HIV: Together, the Affordable Care Act and the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program are improving and expanding access to care for people living with HIV/AIDS.  Federal leaders have taken steps to ensure this collaboration, including providing guidance to Ryan White grantees to help them effectively interact with new coverage provided under the Affordable Care Act, and strengthening Ryan White data and information to improve program management.  

Reducing health disparities over the last four years: Gay and bisexual men, transgender women, and Black and Latinos continue to bear significant disproportionate burden of new HIV infections and poorer health outcomes. Black gay youth aged 13 to 24 have been identified in the National HIV/AIDS Strategy as a principal group facing HIV/AIDS-related health disparities. 

  • Improving care continuum outcomes among people of color: In 2012, HHS funded a $44 million Care and Prevention in the United States (CAPUS) demonstration project to reduce HIV and AIDS-related morbidity and mortality among racial and ethnic minorities in eight cities.  This project focuses efforts on improving outcomes along the HIV care continuum.
  • Addressing the concerns of the communities most affected:  In June 2014, Office of National AIDS Policy (ONAP) held listening sessions in areas most impacted by the epidemic in the southern United States (Jackson, Columbia, and Atlanta).  Additionally, ONAP convened a meeting at the White House focusing on HIV and the southern United States, and will host another meeting to address HIV and gay men, particularly young black MSM, in fall 2014. 
  • Reducing stigma and discrimination: In May 2014, CDC launched the latest communication campaign under its Act Against AIDS initiative: “Start Talking. Stop HIV.” aiming to eliminate stigma and discrimination and promote open communication between gay and bisexual men about a range of HIV prevention strategies. Additionally, DOJ launched ADA.gov/AIDS, a portal for individuals to directly report cases of HIV-related discrimination.
  • Integrating behavioral health for people at high risk: The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) piloted a number of the Minority AIDS Initiative Continuum of Care programs focused on integrating HIV medical care into behavioral health programs designed for racial and ethnic minority populations also at high risk for behavioral health disorders and HIV. 

Achieving a more coordinated national response over the last four years: The National HIV/AIDS Strategy recognizes that a core principle of reaching its identified quantitative targets requires Federal agencies to coordinate efforts, along with coordinating across State and local government and the private sector.

  • Intersection of violence against women and girls, HIV/AIDS, and gender-related health disparities: In 2012, President Obama signed a memorandum forming a Federal working group and directing agencies to coordinate efforts on these key issues.  Federal agencies and community partners are investing time and resources to provide co-screening for HIV and intimate partner violence as well as learn more about the benefits of trauma informed care. 
  • Implementing common core indicators: In 2012, HHS approved a set of seven common core indicators to monitor HHS-funded prevention, treatment, and care services in an effort to standardize data collection and grantee reporting requirements, thereby reducing burdens and increasing efficiency.
  • Public-private partnerships to facilitate access to HIV treatment: In 2012, a convening of funders by HHS and the MAC AIDS Fund led to the development of HarborPath, an online portal for health care providers to help connect uninsured individuals with HIV to access medications and/or medication assistance programs through a streamlined common application.
  • Investing in future research:  NIH expanded their investment in research to address gaps and opportunities in the HIV Care Continuum, including investigations of the effectiveness of methods to identify HIV-infected people earlier and to link them to care; community-level interventions to expand HIV testing and treatment; interventions to improve HIV outcomes among substance users; and evaluation of innovative network approaches for HIV testing and referral for persons in the correctional system. 

Toward the Goals of the National HIV/AIDS Strategy:

The Administration, led by Office of National AIDS Policy and HHS Office of HIV/AIDS and Infectious Disease Policy, in partnership with other Federal agencies, state and local governments, communities and people living with HIV, have made tremendous progress in addressing HIV/AIDS in the United States over the last four years. Together, we are committed to accelerating our efforts to reach the Strategy’s goals and, eventually, attain an AIDS-free generation. Smart investments and collaborations will provide opportunities to scale up effective efforts so that every community affected by HIV can contribute to achieving the goals of the Strategy.

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
July 15, 2014

Notice to Congress -- Continuation Of The National Emergency With Respect To The Former Liberian Regime Of Charles Taylor

NOTICE

- - - - - - -

CONTINUATION OF THE NATIONAL EMERGENCY WITH RESPECT TO
THE FORMER LIBERIAN REGIME OF CHARLES TAYLOR

 

On July 22, 2004, by Executive Order 13348, the President declared a national emergency with respect to the former Liberian regime of Charles Taylor pursuant to the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1701-1706) to deal with the unusual and extraordinary threat to the foreign policy of the United States constituted by the actions and policies of former Liberian President Charles Taylor and other persons, in particular their unlawful depletion of Liberian resources and their removal from Liberia and secreting of Liberian funds and property, which have undermined Liberia's transition to democracy and the orderly development of its political, administrative, and economic institutions and resources.

Although Liberia has made significant advances to promote democracy, and the Special Court for Sierra Leone convicted Charles Taylor for war crimes and crimes against humanity, the actions and policies of Charles Taylor and others have left a legacy of destruction that still challenge Liberia's transformation and recovery.  The actions and policies of these persons continue to pose an unusual and extraordinary threat to the foreign policy of the United States.  For this reason, the national emergency declared on July 22, 2004, and the measures adopted on that date to deal with that emergency, must continue in effect beyond July 22, 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 declared in Executive Order 13348.

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 15, 2014

Readout of the Obama Administration’s Meeting with Members of Congress and their Constituents on Promoting Exports

Today, senior Administration officials met with Members of Congress and their constituents to discuss policies, Administrative initiatives, and legislative efforts to help businesses increase exports and create jobs in their districts.  The Members and their constituents shared some of the best practices that business owners in their communities have put forward to increase their own exports, and Administration officials, Members, and their constituents discussed how the Administration can best partner with Members and businesses moving forward. Participants also discussed the critical importance of reauthorizing the Export-Import Bank and securing trade agreements to help American businesses grow their markets abroad.

Members of Congress who attended the meeting included:

  • Senator Maria Cantwell of Washington
  • Representative Elizabeth Esty of Connecticut
  • Representative Denny Heck of Washington
  • Representative Scott Peters of California

Senior Administration officials who attended the meeting included:

  • Secretary Penny Pritzker, Department of Commerce
  • Ambassador Michael Froman, United States Trade Representative
  • Anne Wall, Deputy Assistant to the President for Legislative Affairs and Senate Liaison

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
July 15, 2014

Message to Congress -- Continuation Of The National Emergency With Respect To The Former Liberian Regime Of Charles Taylor

TO THE CONGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES:

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 the former Liberian regime of Charles Taylor declared in Executive Order 13348 of July 22, 2004, is to continue in effect beyond July 22, 2014. 

Although Liberia has made significant advances to promote democracy, and the Special Court for Sierra Leone convicted Charles Taylor for war crimes and crimes against humanity, the actions and policies of former Liberian President Charles Taylor and other persons, in particular their unlawful depletion of Liberian resources and their removal from Liberia and secreting of Liberian funds and property, still challenge Liberia's efforts to strengthen its democracy and the orderly development of its political, administrative, and economic institutions.  These actions and policies continue to pose an unusual and extraordinary threat to the foreign policy of the United States.   For this reason, I have determined that it is necessary to continue the national emergency with respect to the former Liberian regime of Charles Taylor.

BARACK OBAMA

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
July 14, 2014

Readout of the President's Call with President Xi of China

The President spoke to Chinese President Xi Jinping on July 14 to discuss shared bilateral, regional and global challenges and ways the two countries can work together to address them.  The two leaders reviewed the important progress achieved during the U.S.-China Strategic and Economic Dialogue July 9-10 in Beijing and the President thanked President Xi for hosting this year. The President reaffirmed his commitment to developing a relationship defined by increased practical cooperation and constructive management of differences.  In this context, the President and President Xi discussed the need for continued U.S.-China cooperation in the ongoing P5+1 negotiations with Iran and the implementation of the Joint Plan of Action. The President underscored the need for Iran to take the steps necessary to assure the international community that its nuclear program is exclusively peaceful.  The President also stressed the need for enhanced communication and coordination on actions with China to ensure North Korea meets its denuclearization commitments.  The President said he looked forward to seeing President Xi at the APEC Leaders' Meeting in Beijing this November.
 

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
July 14, 2014

Expected Attendees at the White House Iftar Dinner

This evening, the President will continue a White House tradition of hosting an Iftar celebrating Ramadan in the State Dining Room.  This is the sixth Iftar hosted by the President.  The Iftar is the meal that breaks the day of fasting, when Muslim families and communities eat together after sunset. This year, the President will be celebrating Muslim Americans working tirelessly to fight income inequality and creating opportunities for all.

Below is a list of some of the expected attendees at tonight’s White House dinner celebrating Ramadan:

Members of Congress:

  • The Honorable Andre Carson, United States Representative, Indiana
  • The Honorable Keith Ellison, United States Representative, Minnesota
  • The Honorable Dan Kildee, United States Representative, Michigan

Local Elected Officials:

  • Mayor Saud Anwar, South Windsor, CT

Diplomatic Corps:

  • Mr. Suleiman Abulhul, Charge d'Affaires of Libya
  • His Excellency Lukman Al Faily, The Republic of Iraq
  • Her Excellency Amina Ali, Ambassador of the African Union Mission
  • Her Excellency Hunaina Al Mughairy, Sultanate of Oman
  • His Excellency Yousef Al Otaiba, United Arab Emirates
  • His Excellency Adel Ahmed Al-Jubeir, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
  • His Excellency Mohammed Al Sharif, League of Arab States
  • His Excellency Shaikh Abdulla Mohamed Alkhalifa, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Bahrain
  • Mr. Adel Ali Ahmed Alsunaini, Charge d'Affaires of Yemen
  • His Excellency Maen Areikat, Chief of the PLO Delegation
  • His Excellency Omar Arouna, Republic of Benin
  • His Excellency Abdallah Baali, People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria
  • His Excellency Seydou Bouda, Burkina Faso
  • His Excellency Mohammed Rachad Bouhlal, Kingdom of Morocco
  • Her Excellency Alia Bouran, Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan
  • His Excellency Budi Bowoleksono, Republic of Indonesia
  • His Excellency Antoine Chedid, Lebanese Republic
  • His Excellency Mhamed Chelaifa, Tunisian Republic
  • Mr. Mohamed Al Moustapha Cisse, Charge d'Affaires of the Republic of Mali
  • His Excellency Ron Dermer, State of Israel
  • His Excellency Daouda Diabate, Republic of Cote D'ivoire
  • His Excellency Muktar Djumaliev, Republic Of Kyrgz
  • His Excellency Mohamed El Haycen, Republic Of Mauritania
  • His Excellency Bienvenu Foe-Atangana, Republic Of Cameroon
  • The Honorable Sheikh Omar Faye, Republic of Gambia
  • His Excellency Gilbert Galanxhi, Republic of Albania
  • His Excellency Bakhtiyar Gulyamov, Republic Of Uzbekistan
  • His Excellency Eklil Hakimi, Islamic Republic Of Afghanistan
  • His Excellency Dato Hamid, Brunei Darussalam
  • His Excellency Awang Hussin, Malaysia
  • His Excellency Akan Ismaili, Republic of Kosovo
  • His Excellency S. Jaishankar, Republic of India
  • His Excellency Jalil Jilani, Islamic Republic of Pakistan
  • Her Excellency Jean Kamau, Republic of Kenya
  • His Excellency Bayney Karran, Cooperative Country of Guyana
  • His Excellency Serdar Kilic, Republic of Turkey
  • His Excellency Michael Moussa-Adamo, Ambassador of the Gabonese Republic
  • His Excellency Stanislas Moussa-Kembe, Central African Republic
  • His Excellency Muhammad Muhith, People’s Republic of Bangladesh
  • Her Excellency Libereta Mulamula, United Republic of Tanzania
  • His Excellency Subhas Mungra, Ambassador of the Republic of Suriname
  • His Excellency Hassane Nasser, Republic of Chad
  • Her Excellency Jadranka Negodic, Bosnia and Herzegovina
  • His Excellency Cheikh Niang, Republic of Senegal
  • His Excellency Roble Olhaye, Ambassador of Djibouti
  • His Excellency Sharmarke Omar, Federal Republic of Somalia
  • His Excellency Farhod Salim, Republic of Tajikistan
  • His Excellency Maman Sidikou, Ambassador of the Republic of Niger
  • His Excellency Elin Suleymanov, Republic of Azerbaijan
  • Her Excellency Amelia Sumbana, Republic of Mozambique
  • His Excellency Mohamed Tawfik, Arab Republic of Egypt
  • His Excellency Kairat Umarov, Republic of Kazakhstan

The White House

Office of the Vice President

For Immediate Release
July 14, 2014

Readout of the Vice President’s Meeting with Qatari Minister of State for Defense Affairs Hamad Bin Ali Al-Attiyah

Vice President Biden welcomed Qatari Minister of State for Defense Affairs Hamad Bin Ali Al-Attiyah at the White House today.  The Vice President and Minister of State discussed regional issues, including Syria, Iraq, Libya, and the Gaza crisis.  The Vice President congratulated Qatar on the signing of Letters of Offer and Acceptance for Apache Helicopters and Patriot and Javelin defense systems and reaffirmed the strong strategic relationship between Qatar and the United States.  

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
July 14, 2014

ADVISORY: President Obama to Award the Medal of Honor

WASHINGTON – In the afternoon of July 21, 2014, President Barack Obama will award Ryan M. Pitts, a former active duty Army Staff Sergeant, the Medal of Honor for conspicuous gallantry.  Staff Sergeant Pitts will receive the Medal of Honor for his courageous actions while serving as a Forward Observer with 2nd Platoon, Chosen Company, 2nd Battalion (Airborne), 503rd Infantry Regiment, 173rd Airborne Brigade, during combat operations at Vehicle Patrol Base Kahler, in the vicinity of Wanat Village in Kunar Province, Afghanistan on July 13, 2008.

Staff Sergeant Pitts will be the ninth living recipient to be awarded the Medal of Honor for actions in Iraq or Afghanistan.  He and his family will join the President at the White House to commemorate his example of selfless service.

PERSONAL BACKGROUND: 

Staff Sergeant Pitts separated from the service on October 27, 2009 from Walter Reed Army Medical Center.  He currently lives in Nashua, New Hampshire, where he works in business development for the computer software industry.

Staff Sergeant Pitts enlisted in the Army in August 2003 as a Fire Support Specialist (13F), primarily responsible for the intelligence activities of the Army’s field artillery team.   After completion of training at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, and follow-on parachutist training at the U.S. Army Airborne School, Fort Benning, Georgia, he was assigned to Camp Ederle, Vicenza, Italy, as a radio operator with the 4th Battalion, 319th Field Artillery Regiment and 173rd Airborne Brigade where he deployed to Afghanistan.  His final assignment was with the 2nd Battalion (Airborne), 503rd Infantry Regiment "The Rock", 173rd Airborne Brigade as a Forward Observer which included a second combat tour to Afghanistan.

At the time of the July 13, 2008 combat engagement, then-Sergeant Pitts was a Forward Observer in 2nd Platoon, Chosen Company, 2nd Battalion (Airborne), 503rd Infantry Regiment 173rd Airborne Brigade as part of Task Force Rock. His heroic actions were performed at Vehicle Patrol Base Kahler, in the vicinity of Wanat Village in Kunar Province, Afghanistan. 

His personal awards include the Bronze Star Medal w/ “V” Device, Purple Heart, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal w/ three Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters, Army Achievement Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal with Bronze Clasp and two Loops, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal with Two Campaign Stars, Global War on Terrorism Medal, Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon with Numeral “4”,  NATO Medal, Presidential Unit Citation, Valorous Unit Award, Combat Action Badge, Pathfinder Badge and Parachutist Badge.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

THE MEDAL OF HONOR:

The Medal of Honor is awarded to members of the Armed Forces who distinguish themselves conspicuously by gallantry above and beyond the call of duty while:

  • engaged in an action against an enemy of the United States;
  • engaged in military operations involving conflict with an opposing foreign force; or
  • serving with friendly foreign forces engaged in an armed conflict against an opposing armed force in which the United States is not a belligerent party.

The meritorious conduct must involve great personal bravery or self-sacrifice so conspicuous as to clearly distinguish the individual above his or her comrades and must have involved risk of life. There must be incontestable proof of the performance of the meritorious conduct, and each recommendation for the award must be considered on the standard of extraordinary merit.

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
July 14, 2014

Presidential Nominations Sent to the Senate

NOMINATIONS SENT TO THE SENATE:

Craig B. Allen, of Virginia, a Career Member of the Senior Foreign Service, Class of Minister-Counselor, to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to Brunei Darussalam.

Sharon Block, of the District of Columbia, to be a Member of the National Labor Relations Board for the term of five years expiring December 16, 2019, vice Nancy Jean Schiffer, term expiring.

Jane D. Hartley, of New York, to serve concurrently and without  additional compensation as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Principality of Monaco.

Richard M. Mills, Jr., of Texas, a Career Member of the Senior Foreign Service, Class of Counselor, to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Republic of Armenia.

Joseph L. Nimmich, of Maryland, to be Deputy Administrator, Federal Emergency Management Agency, Department of Homeland Security, vice Richard Serino, resigned.

Anne E. Rung, of Pennsylvania, to be Administrator for Federal Procurement Policy, vice Joseph G. Jordan, resigned.

Alissa M. Starzak, of New York, to be General Counsel of the Department of the Army, vice Brad Carson, resigned.

John Francis Tefft, of Virginia, a Career Member of the Senior Foreign Service, Class of Minister-Counselor, to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Russian Federation.