Fact Sheet: Mayors Challenge to End Veteran Homelessness

Over the last three years, the Administration and our partners in states and communities across the country have achieved a 24 percent decrease in homelessness among veterans, during a time when our country was facing the worst recession since the Great Depression¹. In 2010, the Administration set the goal of preventing and ending homelessness among veterans by the end of 2015; today, as part of the Joining Forces initiative, First Lady Michelle Obama announced the commitment of 77 mayors, 4 governors, and 4 county officials to meet that goal, and called on additional mayors and local leaders to commit to ending veteran homelessness in their communities by the end of 2015.

Through the Mayors Challenge to End Veteran Homelessness, mayors and other state and local leaders across the country will marshal federal, local, and non-profit efforts to end veteran homelessness in their communities. Ending veteran homelessness means reaching the point where there are no veterans sleeping on our streets and every veteran has access to permanent housing. Should veterans become homeless or be at-risk of becoming homeless, communities will have the capacity to quickly connect them to the help they need to achieve housing stability. When those things are accomplished, our nation will achieve its goal.

Mrs. Obama and Dr. Jill Biden have led the Joining Forces initiative’s efforts to give our service members, veterans, and their families the opportunities and support they have earned.  Mrs. Obama is announcing today’s challenge because she and Dr. Biden firmly believe that no veteran who has served their country should be left to live on the street. As the mayors who have already signed onto the challenge can attest, this is a principle that can unite – across parties and across communities – bringing all partners to the table to end veteran homelessness.

To aid the mayors in pursuit of the goal of ending homelessness among veterans, the federal government has provided resources and enforced programs to strengthen our country’s homeless assistance programs.  These resources and reforms, when implemented in local communities, can include:

• Using a Housing First approach, which removes barriers to help veterans obtain permanent housing as quickly as possible, without unnecessary prerequisites;
• Prioritizing the most vulnerable veterans, especially those experiencing chronic homelessness, for permanent supportive housing opportunities, including those created through the HUD-VASH program;
• Coordinating outreach efforts to identify and engage every veteran experiencing homelessness and focus outreach efforts on achieving housing outcomes;
• Targeting rapid rehousing interventions, including those made possible through the Department of Veterans Affairs’ Supportive Services for Veteran Families program, toward veterans and their families who need shorter-term rental subsidies and services in order to be reintegrated back into our communities;
• Leveraging housing and services resources that can help veterans who are ineligible for some of the VA’s programs get into stable housing;
• Increasing early detection and access to preventive services so at‐risk veterans and their families remain stably housed; and
• Closely monitoring progress toward the goal, including the success of programs achieving permanent housing outcomes.

Mayors and dedicated housing and homelessness providers have already demonstrated how the right strategies, combined with a commitment from leadership propelled progress in communities like Salt Lake City and Phoenix. Mayor Greg Stanton of Phoenix and Mayor Ralph Becker of Salt Lake City have both publicly announced major milestones, including ending chronic homelessness among veterans in their cities.

For more details about the Mayors Challenge, and the list of elected officials who have signed on, visit HUD’s webpage.

¹ As measured in the January, 2013 Annual Point In Time Count

Statement by the Press Secretary on the 25th Anniversary of Tiananmen Square

Twenty-five years ago, the United States deplored the use of violence to silence the voices of the peaceful demonstrators in and around Tiananmen Square.  Twenty-five years later, the United States continues to honor the memories of those who gave their lives in and around Tiananmen Square and throughout China, and we call on Chinese authorities to account for those killed, detained, or missing in connection with the events surrounding June 4, 1989.  
 
The United States will always speak out in support of the basic freedoms the protestors at Tiananmen Square sought, including the freedom of expression, the freedom of the press, and the freedoms of association and assembly.  These freedoms—which are enshrined in the U.S. Constitution, the Chinese Constitution, and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights—are values the United States champions around the world.  
 
The American people and government applaud China’s extraordinary social and economic progress over the past three decades and value good relations with the Chinese people and government.  Even as we continue our cooperation on areas of common interest, the United States will continue to be clear about our differences, and urge the Chinese government to guarantee the universal rights and fundamental freedoms that are the birthright of all Chinese citizens.

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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:

• John R. Bass – Ambassador to the Republic of Turkey, Department of State
• Leslie Ann Bassett – Ambassador to the Republic of Paraguay, Department of State
• Allan P. Mustard – Ambassador to Turkmenistan, Department of State
• Todd D. Robinson – Ambassador to the Republic of Guatemala, Department of State

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

• Maurice Obstfeld – Member, Council of Economic Advisers
• Shefali Razdan Duggal – Member, United States Holocaust Memorial Council

President Obama said, “The extraordinary dedication these men and women bring to their new roles will greatly serve the American people.  I am grateful they have agreed to serve in this Administration 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:

Ambassador John R. Bass, Nominee for Ambassador to the Republic of Turkey, Department of State
Ambassador John R. Bass, a career member of the Foreign Service, Class of Minister-Counselor, is the Executive Secretary of the Department of State, a position he has held since 2012.  Previously, he served as the U.S. Ambassador to Georgia from 2009 to 2012, the Leader of the Provincial Reconstruction Team in Baghdad, Iraq from 2008 to 2009, and the Director of the Operations Center at the Department of State from 2005 to 2008.  He served as a Special Advisor to the Vice President from 2004 to 2005, and from 2002 to 2004 he was a Labor Counselor at the U.S. Embassy in Rome, Italy. Ambassador Bass served as Chief of Staff and Special Assistant in the Office of the Deputy Secretary at the Department of State from 1998 to 2001.  Before that, he was a NATO Desk Officer and Desk Officer for Belgium and the Netherlands in the Bureau of European Affairs.  He served in the Bureau of Intelligence and Research and his overseas assignments include serving at the U.S. Missions in Brussels, Belgium; Antwerp, Belgium; and Ndjamena, Chad. Ambassador Bass received an A.B. from Syracuse University. 

Leslie Ann Bassett, Nominee for Ambassador to the Republic of Paraguay, Department of State
Leslie Ann Bassett, a career member of the Foreign Service, Class of Minister-Counselor, is Deputy Chief of Mission in Seoul, Korea, a position she has held since 2012.  Previously, Ms. Bassett served as Deputy Chief of Mission at the U.S. Embassy in Manila, Philippines from 2009 to 2012 and at the U.S. Embassy in Mexico City, Mexico from 2006 to 2009.  She served as Political Counselor at the U.S. Embassy in Mexico City from 2004 to 2006, Deputy Chief of Mission at the U.S. Embassy in Gaborone, Botswana from 2001 to 2004, and Counselor for Political-Economic Affairs at the U.S. Embassy in Bogota, Colombia from 1999 to 2001.  Ms. Bassett served as Special Assistant to the Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs from 1997 to 1999, and as Legislative Management Officer in the Bureau of Legislative Affairs from 1996 to 1997 at the Department of State.  Her overseas assignments include working at the U.S. Missions in Tel Aviv, Israel; San Salvador, El Salvador; Durban, South Africa; and Managua, Nicaragua.  In Washington, she was a Desk Officer in the Bureau of African Affairs and a Staff Assistant in the Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs at the Department of State.  Ms. Bassett received a B.A. from the University of California, Davis, an M.A. from The Johns Hopkins University, and an M.S. from the National War College.

Allan P. Mustard, Nominee for Ambassador to Turkmenistan, Department of State
Allan P. Mustard, a career member of the Foreign Agricultural Service, Class of Career Minister, currently serves as Agricultural Minister-Counselor at the U.S. Embassy in New Delhi, India, a position he has held since 2011.  Previously, he served as Agricultural Minister-Counselor at the U.S. Embassy in Mexico City, Mexico from 2008 to 2011, and Agricultural Minister-Counselor at the U.S. Embassy in Moscow, Russia from 2003 to 2008.  Mr. Mustard served as a Fellow at the Senior Seminar in Foreign Relations at the Department of State from 2002 to 2003, Assistant Deputy Administrator for Foreign Agricultural Affairs at the Foreign Agricultural Service from 2000 to 2002, and Agricultural Counselor at the U.S. Embassy in Vienna, Austria from 1996 to 2000.  In addition, he served as Deputy Director of the Emerging Democracies Office of the Foreign Agricultural Service from 1992 to 1996, Deputy Coordinator for the Eastern Europe and Soviet Secretariat of the Foreign Agricultural Service from 1990 to 1992, and Agricultural Trade Officer at the U.S. Consulate General in Istanbul, Turkey from 1988 to 1990.  He was the Assistant Agricultural Attaché at the U.S. Embassy in Moscow, USSR from 1986 to 1988, and Agricultural Economist at the Foreign Agricultural Service from 1982 to 1986.  Mr. Mustard received an A.S. from Grays Harbor College, a B.A. from the University of Washington and an M.S. from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

Todd D. Robinson, Nominee for Ambassador to the Republic of Guatemala, Department of State
Todd D. Robinson, a career member of the Senior Foreign Service, Class of Minister-Counselor, currently serves as Deputy Assistant Secretary in the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement at the Department of State, a position he has held since 2011.  Previously, Mr. Robinson served as Deputy Chief of Mission at the U.S. Embassy in Guatemala City, Guatemala from 2009 to 2011, Principal Officer and Consul General at the U.S. Consulate General in Barcelona, Spain from 2006 to 2009, and Political and Economic Chief at the U.S. Embassy in Tirana, Albania from 2004 to 2006.  Before that, he was a Political Officer at the U.S. Embassy in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic from 2000 to 2003.  Mr. Robinson served as Special Assistant to the Secretary of State from 1999 to 2000, and a Political Officer at the U.S. Embassy in La Paz, Bolivia from 1997 to 1999.  Mr. Robinson was a Political Officer at the U.S. Embassy in Vatican City, Holy See from 1995 to 1997, Staff Assistant to the Ambassador at the U.S. Embassy in Rome, Italy from 1993 to 1995, and a Secretariat Staff Support Officer in the Department of State’s Office of the Executive Secretariat Support from 1992 to 1993.  Other positions he held with the Department of State include those of Watch Officer in the Operations Center, Political Officer at U.S. Embassy in San Salvador, El Salvador, and Consular Officer at U.S. Embassy in Bogota, Colombia.  Mr. Robinson received a B.A. from Georgetown University.

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

Dr. Maurice Obstfeld, Appointee for Member, Council of Economic Advisers
Dr. Maurice Obstfeld is currently a Professor of Economics at the University of California, Berkeley, where he has taught since 1989.  He previously served as Chair of the Economics Department for three years.  He was a Visiting Professor of Economics at Harvard University from 1989 to 1991.  From 1986 to 1989, Dr. Obstfeld was a Professor of Economics at the University of Pennsylvania.  Earlier in his career, Dr. Obstfeld held various positions at Columbia University, including Professor of Economics from 1985 to 1986, Associate Professor from 1981 to 1985, and Assistant Professor of Economics from 1979 to 1981.  He has served on the Editorial Board of the IMF Economic Review since 2010 and on the Editorial Board of the American Economic Journal: Macroeconomics since 2007.  Dr. Obstfeld received a B.A. from the University of Pennsylvania, an M.A. from King’s College, University of Cambridge, and a Ph.D. from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Shefali Razdan Duggal, Appointee for Member, United States Holocaust Memorial Council
Shefali Razdan Duggal is a political activist.  She is a member of the Democratic National Committee (DNC) National Finance Committee and is the DNC National Co-Chair for the Women’s Leadership Forum.  Previously, she was a member of the 2012 Obama for America National Finance Committee, a Co-Chair for Obama Victory Trustees, and a member of the Northern California Finance Committee.  Ms. Razdan Duggal was a Political Analyst for the Staton and Hughes Strategy Firm from April to November 2001.  She is a member of the National Board of Directors for EMILY’s List, the Human Rights Watch California Committee North, and the National Advisory Board of Doctors for America.  Ms. Razdan Duggal received a B.S. from Miami University of Ohio and an M.A. from New York University.

FACT SHEET: The United States and Poland: Strong and United

Poland and the United States are bound together by shared history and values, by our security alliance, and by our strong economic ties.  This year marks 25 years since Poland’s historic election that set the stage for its transition from communism to democracy.  Poland is also celebrating its 15th anniversary as a NATO member and its 10th as a member of the European Union. 

 Security and Defense Cooperation

The recent developments beyond NATO’s eastern border reconfirm the importance of NATO solidarity embodied in Article 5 of the North Atlantic Treaty.  As NATO allies, the United States and Poland work closely to enhance the Alliance’s collective defense, crisis management, and cooperative security.  Poland’s commitment to investing in defense capabilities, its leadership in the Baltic Air Policing mission, and its robust participation in the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) mission in Afghanistan underscore its critical contributions to Alliance security.  Poland plays a critical role in the European Phased Adaptive Approach to NATO missile defense as we work together to deploy a missile defense system to Poland in 2018.  In addition, Poland is making significant contributions to NATO capabilities through its $45 billion defense modernization initiative.  The United States looks forward to even closer security ties through cooperation in support of this important project. 

The United States and Poland are implementing a “Program for Solidarity and Partnership” to expand our military and security cooperation, including Special Operations forces, exercises and training, our joint aviation detachment, air and missile defense, and defense industry cooperation.  This new initiative will enhance the security of the entire Alliance and particularly that of Central and Eastern European allies.

Our commitment to European and Polish security is exemplified by the 2012 deployment of a full-time aviation detachment at Łask Air Base, the first continuous presence of U.S. troops in Poland.  The aviation detachment has already hosted five joint training rotations, including the U.S. deployment in March of 12 F-16s and approximately 200 support airmen.  Since April, U.S. Airborne Infantry paratroopers have been in Poland conducting expanded U.S. land force training and exercises with Polish troops.  Together with our NATO allies, we are committed to maintaining an augmented presence in Poland through the end of the year and beyond.

Shared Prosperity -- Economics, Trade, and Energy

Poland is the United States’ largest commercial partner in Central Europe, and the United States is one of the top sources of foreign investment in Poland.  Over the past ten years, our bilateral trade quadrupled, American companies invested more than $20 billion in Poland, and more than 180,000 Poles gained employment directly from U.S. companies.  Poland stands to benefit significantly from the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership, a free trade agreement between the United States and the European Union.  More than half of Poland’s gross domestic product is generated by small and medium-sized businesses, over 50,000 of which are already exporters. 

The United States and Poland are collaborating on a bilateral innovation program that will bring together Polish and American government representatives, businesses, researchers, academics, and investors.  Under the U.S.-Poland Science and Technology Agreement, American and Polish scientists and researchers already collaborate on advances in areas such as energy and natural resource management, as well as opportunities to expand the participation of women and girls in science.

 Poland’s growing market and ambitious investment plans, military and transportation infrastructure modernization, energy sector growth, and development of innovative industries all present major commercial opportunities for U.S. companies.  In September 2014, Commerce Secretary Pritzker will lead members of the President’s Export Council on a fact-finding mission to Poland.  This delegation of senior U.S. business executives will meet with government and business leaders to discuss opportunities for greater U.S.-Poland trade and commercial engagement.

The United States supports Poland’s efforts to increase its energy security by diversifying its energy supply and strengthening its energy infrastructure.  We are committed to sharing best practices on shale gas development and facilitating consultations between our civilian nuclear regulatory authorities, and U.S. companies are engaged in Poland’s efforts to develop its shale gas and renewable energy sectors, as well as its nuclear power sector.

 Support for Democracy

The United States and Poland work together to promote democracy and freedom in Europe and around the world.  Key initiatives include our bilateral Democracy Dialogue and the Community of Democracies, which we co-founded.  In Europe, we supported a program to train young political leaders from the Eastern Partnership countries -- Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova, and Ukraine -- in democratic engagement.  We coordinate closely on efforts to support Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, as well as the aspirations of the Ukrainian people.  In Moldova, we pursue joint efforts to support local governance and transparency.  In Belarus, we jointly fund efforts to assist Belarusian victims of repression.  Poland’s own experience makes it an ideal mentor for these countries as they work to bolster their democratic institutions and free market economies.

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