The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
February 26, 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:

  • Robert W. Holleyman II – Deputy United States Trade Representative, with the rank of Ambassador, Office of the United States Trade Representative
  • Lisa S. Disbrow – Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Financial Management, Department of Defense
  • Laura Junor  – Principal Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness, Department of Defense
  • Karen Kornbluh  – Member, Broadcasting Board of Governors

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

  • Leslie Meyers – Member, United States Holocaust Memorial Council
  • Janet Hill –Trustee, Board of Trustees of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts
  • Michael Lombardo –Trustee, Board of Trustees of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts
  • Rose Kennedy Schlossberg – General Trustee, Board of Trustees of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts
  • Susan S. Sher – General Trustee, Board of Trustees of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts
  • John W. Rogers, Jr. – Chair, President’s Advisory Council on Financial Capability for Young Americans
  • José Cisneros – Vice Chair, President’s Advisory Council on Financial Capability for Young Americans
  • Theodore J. Beck – Member, President’s Advisory Council on Financial Capability for Young Americans
  • Sherry Salway Black – Member, President’s Advisory Council on Financial Capability for Young Americans
  • John Hope Bryant – Member, President’s Advisory Council on Financial Capability for Young Americans
  • Anna Maria Chávez – Member, President’s Advisory Council on Financial Capability for Young Americans
  • Kerry N. Doi – Member, President’s Advisory Council on Financial Capability for Young Americans
  • Ted Gonder – Member, President’s Advisory Council on Financial Capability for Young Americans
  • Richard G. Ketchum – Member, President’s Advisory Council on Financial Capability for Young Americans
  • Beth Kobliner – Member, President’s Advisory Council on Financial Capability for Young Americans
  • Kilandigalu (Kay) M. Madati – Member, President’s Advisory Council on Financial Capability for Young Americans
  • Marc H. Morial – Member, President’s Advisory Council on Financial Capability for Young Americans
  • Carol E. Quillen – Member, President’s Advisory Council on Financial Capability for Young Americans
  • Amy Rosen – Member, President’s Advisory Council on Financial Capability for Young Americans
  • Charles W. Scharf – Member, President’s Advisory Council on Financial Capability for Young Americans

President Obama also announced his appointment of the following individual to a key Administration post:

  • Joe Echevarria – Member, President’s Export Council

President Obama said, “These dedicated and accomplished individuals will be valued additions to my Administration as we tackle the important challenges facing America. I look forward to working with them in the months and years ahead.”

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

Robert W. Holleyman II, Nominee for Deputy United States Trade Representative, with the rank of Ambassador, Office of the United States Trade Representative

Robert W. Holleyman II is currently the CEO and Founder of Cloud4Growth, a cloud technology development company.  Prior to founding Cloud4Growth in 2013, Mr. Holleyman was the President and CEO of BSA | The Software Alliance from 1990 to 2013.  Previously, Mr. Holleyman served as Senior Counsel for the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.  Before serving as Senior Counsel, Mr. Holleyman was Legislative Director and Assistant to former U.S. Senator Russell B. Long.  Mr. Holleyman received a B.A. from Trinity University and a J.D. from Louisiana State University.

Lisa S. Disbrow, Nominee for Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Financial Management, Department of Defense

Lisa S. Disbrow is a member of the Senior Executive Service and a retired Air Force Reserve Colonel.  Currently, she serves as the Vice Director for Force Structure, Resources, and Assessment of the Joint Staff’s J8 Directorate, a position she has held since 2009.  From 2007 to 2009, she served as the Principal Deputy for Force Management.  She has served in the J8 Directorate since 1995.  From 2006 to 2007, she was detailed to the National Security Council as the Special Advisor for Policy Implementation and Execution to the President's National Security Advisor.  From 2003 to 2006, she served as Deputy Director for Wargaming, Simulation, and Analysis in the Joint Staff/J8.  Following active duty, Ms. Disbrow served in the National Reconnaissance Office as a Senior Systems Engineer from 1992 to 1995.  On active duty, Ms. Disbrow served in multiple capacities as an operational planner, electronic intelligence analyst, and programming officer.  Ms. Disbrow received a B.A. from the University of Virginia, an M.A. from The George Washington University, and an M.A. from the National War College.

Laura Junor, Nominee for Principal Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness, Department of Defense

Laura Junor is the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Readiness at the Department of Defense (DOD), a position she has held since 2011.  Previously, Ms. Junor supported DOD’s program and budget process as the Chief of Staff for the Director of Cost Assessment and Program Evaluation from 2009 to 2011.  From 2007 to 2009, Ms. Junor was the President and Owner of Readiness Logic, LLC.  Ms. Junor served as the Analytic Advisor and Defense Readiness Reporting System Interagency Director in the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness at DOD from 2003 to 2007.  From 1994 to 2003, she directed readiness research for the Center for Naval Analyses.  Ms. Junor received a B.A. from Goucher College and an M.A. and a Ph.D. from George Mason University.

Ambassador Karen Kornbluh, Nominee for Member, Broadcasting Board of Governors

Ambassador Karen Kornbluh is Executive Vice President of External Affairs at the Nielsen Company.  From 2009 to 2012, she served in Paris as Representative of the United States of America to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development with the rank of Ambassador. From 2005 to 2008, she served as Policy Director in the office of Senator Barack Obama, and was an author of the 2008 Democratic Party Platform.  Previously, she held policy positions at the New America Foundation, where she founded the Work and Family Program.  She served as Deputy Chief of Staff at the Department of the Treasury from 1998 to 2000, and held several positions at the Federal Communications Commission from 1995 to 1998, including Assistant Chief of the International Bureau and Director of Legislative and Intergovernmental Affairs.  She is a Member of the Council on Foreign Relations.  Ambassador Kornbluh received a B.A. from Bryn Mawr College and an M.P.P. from the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University.

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

Leslie Meyers, Appointee for Member, United States Holocaust Memorial Council

Leslie Meyers is Program Coordinator at The Elie Wiesel Foundation for Humanity, a position she has held since 2005.  From 2000 to 2002, she was Director of Marketing at Gear magazine.  Prior to joining Gear, Ms. Meyers was a Talent Manager at Propaganda Management in Los Angeles.  She was a Development Executive at Western International Communications in Los Angeles in 1996.  Ms. Meyers also worked as an Assistant to a Creative Executive at Touchstone Pictures from 1992 to 1993, and at Carsey-Werner Productions as Production Secretary on the television show Davis Rules from 1991 to 1992.  She began her career as a Junior Talent Manager at Addis-Wechsler Management in Los Angeles.  Ms. Meyers received a B.A. in Film Studies from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor.

Janet Hill, Appointee for General Trustee, Board of Trustees of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts

Janet Hill is Principal at Hill Family Advisors.  From 1981 to 2010, she was Vice President and a founder of Alexander & Associates Inc.  From 1977 to 1981, Ms. Hill was Special Assistant to the Secretary of the Army.  She is a member of the Boards of Directors of the Carlyle Group, Echo360, Dean Foods, Inc., and Wendy’s Company, Inc.  She is a member of the Board of Trustees of Duke University, and served an 18-year term on the Board of Visitors at the Duke Fuqua School of Business.  She is a former Chairwoman of the Women’s Campaign Fund.  Ms. Hill received a B.A. from Wellesley College and an M.A.T. in Mathematics from The University of Chicago.

Michael Lombardo, Appointee for General Trustee, Board of Trustees of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts

Michael Lombardo is President of Programming for HBO, a position he has held since 2007.  Previously, he was Executive Vice President of Business Affairs, Production and Programming Operations from 2003 to 2007.  Since joining HBO in 1983, he has held multiple positions, including President of Programming Group & West Coast Operations, Co-President and Head of Programming Group of HBO, Senior Counsel of Original Programming and Sports, and Director of Business Affairs.  Mr. Lombardo serves on the boards of The Paley Center, The Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Foundation, Film Independent, and Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network (GLSEN).  Mr. Lombardo received an A.B. from Cornell University and a J.D. from the University of California at Berkeley.

Rose Kennedy Schlossberg, Appointee for General Trustee, Board of Trustees of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts

Rose Kennedy Schlossberg is a writer and researcher for Red Board Productions, a position she has held since 2012.  Previously, she has held various positions with Blowback Productions from 2010 to 2012,  including Associate Editor, Associate Producer, and Production Associate.  She was a Research Assistant at the Radcliffe Institute of Harvard University in 2009.  She serves as a Trustee of the Joseph P. Kennedy Jr. Foundation.  Ms. Schlossberg received a B.A. from Harvard University and an M.P.S. from New York University. 

Susan S. Sher, Appointee for General Trustee, Board of Trustees of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts

Susan S. Sher is Senior Adviser to the President of The University of Chicago, a position she has held since 2011.  Previously, she served in the White House as Assistant to the President and Chief of Staff to First Lady Michelle Obama from 2009 to 2011.  Prior to this, she served as Associate White House Counsel.  She was Vice President for Legal and Governmental Affairs and General Counsel of The University of Chicago Medical Center from 1997 to 2009.  Previously, she was Corporation Counsel for the City of Chicago from 1993 to 1997 and a partner at Mayer Brown & Platt from 1981 to 1985.  She is on the Boards of Loyola University of Chicago, the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce, the Partnership for a Healthier America, the National Jewish Democratic Council, and the National Advisory Board of the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee.  She received a B.A. from The George Washington University and a J.D. from Loyola University of Chicago.

John W. Rogers, Jr., Appointee for Chair, President’s Advisory Council on Financial Capability for Young Americans

John W. Rogers, Jr., is the Chairman, CEO, and Chief Investment Officer of Ariel Investments.  Mr. Rogers was previously Chair of the President’s Advisory Council on Financial Capability from 2010 to 2013.  Mr. Rogers currently serves as a board member of Exelon Corporation and McDonald’s Corporation.  Additionally, he is a director of the Chicago Urban League, a trustee of The University of Chicago, Chairman of the Board of Directors for The University of Chicago Laboratory Schools, and a member of the board of the Nathan Cummings Foundation, where he serves on the Investment Committee.  Mr. Rogers was previously Chair of the President’s Advisory Council on Financial Capability from 2010 to 2013.  Mr. Rogers served as a Co-Chair for the Obama-Biden Presidential Inaugural Committee in 2009.  He received an A.B. from Princeton University. 

José Cisneros, Appointee for Vice Chair, President’s Advisory Council on Financial Capability for Young Americans

José Cisneros is the Treasurer of the City and County of San Francisco, a position he has held since 2004.  Mr. Cisneros served as Deputy General Manager for the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency.  Previously, Mr. Cisneros worked for IBM Corporation and Lotus Development Corporation as a Senior International Product Manager.  Prior to this, he was an Assistant Vice President at Bank of Boston.  He received a B.S. from the Sloan School of Management at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Theodore J. Beck, Appointee for Member, President’s Advisory Council on Financial Capability for Young Americans

Theodore J. Beck is the President and CEO of the National Endowment for Financial Education (NEFE), a position he has held since 2005.  Mr. Beck also serves on the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Advisory Committee on Economic Inclusion, and as Chairman of the board of the Jump$tart Coalition for Personal Financial Literacy.  In 2010, he was appointed to the President’s Advisory Council on Financial Capability and was Chair of its Research and Evaluation Committee.  In 2008, he was appointed to serve as a Member of the President’s Advisory Council on Financial Literacy and served as Chair of the Outreach Subcommittee.  Prior to his appointment at NEFE, Mr. Beck served as Associate Dean of Executive Education and Corporate Relations at the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Business.  Prior to joining the University in 1999, he spent more than 20 years in various positions for Citibank/Citigroup, including Managing Director and Market Manager.  Mr. Beck received a B.A. from the University of Notre Dame and an M.B.A. from the University of Wisconsin School of Business.

Sherry Salway Black, Appointee for Member, President’s Advisory Council on Financial Capability for Young Americans

Sherry Salway Black is the Director of the Partnership for Tribal Governance at the National Congress of American Indians.  Previously, she was the Senior Vice President of First Nations Development Institute.  Ms. Black is a member of the Honoring Nations Board of Governors.  She also serves on the boards of First Peoples Fund, the Johnson Scholarship Foundation, and the Hitachi Foundation.  Ms. Black is a member of the Oglala Lakota Nation in Pine Ridge, South Dakota. Ms. Black was a Member of the President’s Advisory Council on Financial Capability from 2011 to 2013.   She received a B.S. from East Stroudsburg University and an M.B.A. from the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania.

John Hope Bryant, Appointee for Member, President’s Advisory Council on Financial Capability for Young Americans

John Hope Bryant is the Founder, Chairman, and CEO of Operation HOPE, a nonprofit founded in 1992.  He is also the Co-Founder of Global Dignity and a member of the Forum of Young Global Leaders and Global Agenda Council for the World Economic Forum.  He served as Member of the President’s Advisory Council on Financial Capability from 2010 to 2013.  Prior to this, Mr. Bryant served as the Vice Chair of the President’s Advisory Council on Financial Literacy (PACFL) and as the Chairman of PACFL’s Committee on the Underserved. 

Anna Maria Chávez, Appointee for Member, President’s Advisory Council on Financial Capability for Young Americans

Anna Maria Chávez is the CEO of Girl Scouts of the USA.  Prior to her current role, Ms. Chávez served as CEO of Girl Scouts of Southwest Texas.  Before joining Girl Scouts, she held various roles for the State of Arizona, including Deputy Chief of Staff for Urban Relations and Community Development for former Governor Janet Napolitano, Director of Intergovernmental Affairs, in-house Counsel, and Assistant Director for the Division of Aging and Community Services at the Arizona Department of Economic Security.  Before working for the State of Arizona, Ms. Chávez worked as Senior Policy Advisor to former U.S. Secretary of Transportation Rodney E. Slater.  She served as Chief of Staff to the Deputy Administrator at the Small Business Administration (SBA) and Chief of Staff for the Office of Government Contracting and Minority Enterprise Development at SBA.  From 1996 to 1998, Ms. Chávez acted as Legal Counsel for the Federal Highway Administration.  She received a B.A. from Yale University and a J.D. from the James E. Rogers College of Law at the University of Arizona.

Kerry N. Doi, Appointee for Member, President’s Advisory Council on Financial Capability for Young Americans

Kerry N. Doi has served as President and CEO of the Pacific Asian Consortium in Employment since 1976.  Mr. Doi is also a board member of the Los Angeles Housing Partnership and the California Community Economic Development Association.  From 2009 to 2011, Mr. Doi served on the Federal Reserve Board’s Consumer Advisory Council.  He is a founding member of the National Coalition for Asian Pacific American Community Development.  Mr. Doi received a B.S. from California State University, Long Beach.

Ted Gonder, Appointee for Member, President’s Advisory Council on Financial Capability for Young Americans

Ted Gonder is the CEO of Moneythink, an organization he co-founded in 2009.   In 2012, Mr. Gonder served as Entrepreneur-in-Residence at the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).  Prior to serving at DHS, he founded The University of Chicago Entrepreneurship Society and Project Cooldown.  Mr. Gonder has also worked for several startup companies, including Kauffman Foundation.  He received a B.A. from The University of Chicago. 

Richard G. Ketchum, Appointee for Member, President’s Advisory Council on Financial Capability for Young Americans

Richard G. Ketchum is the Chairman and CEO of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA).  Prior to joining FINRA, Mr. Ketchum was CEO of NYSE Regulation, Inc., Chief Regulatory Officer of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), and General Counsel of the Corporate and Investment Bank of Citigroup, Inc.  Prior to Citigroup, he served as President of both the National Association of Securities Dealers and The NASDAQ Stock Market, Inc.  He also worked at the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission for 14 years, where he served as Director of the Division of Market Regulation for eight years.  He served as a Member of the President’s Advisory Council on Financial Capability from 2010 to 2013.  Mr. Ketchum received a B.A. from Tufts University and a J.D. from New York University School of Law.

 Beth Kobliner, Appointee for Member, President’s Advisory Council on Financial Capability for Young Americans

Beth Kobliner currently writes a column about kids and money for The Huffington Post and www.Mint.com.  She has written about a range of personal finance topics for publications including The New York Times, Money, Parade, Reader’s Digest, Glamour, and Redbook.  Ms. Kobliner has been a regular contributor on public radio’s “Marketplace” and “The Takeaway”, and a repeat guest on NBC’s Today show, CNN, and MSNBC.  Ms. Kobliner served as content expert for Sesame Workshop’s financial education initiative, For Me, for You, for Later.  She was a Member of the President’s Advisory Council on Financial Capability from 2010 to 2013.  She received an A.B. from Brown University.

Kilandigalu (Kay) M. Madati, Appointee for Member, President’s Advisory Council on Financial Capability for Young Americans

Kilandigalu (Kay) M. Madati is the Head of Entertainment & Media on the Global Marketing Solutions team at Facebook, a position he has held since 2011.  From 2008 to 2011, Mr. Madati was the Vice President of Audience Experience at CNN Worldwide.  Previously, from 2007 to 2008, Mr. Madati was the Vice President of Marketing at Community Connect, Inc.  Mr. Madati began his career with BMW of North America where he held various positions, including Regional Marketing and Operations Manager from 2002 to 2004, Relationship and Multicultural Marketing Manager from 1999 to 2002, Sales and Marketing Manager from 1997 to 1999, and Management Associate from 1996 to 1997.  Mr. Madati received a B.A. from Georgetown University. 

Marc H. Morial, Appointee for Member, President’s Advisory Council on Financial Capability for Young Americans

Marc H. Morial is President and CEO of the National Urban League.  He has served as a Louisiana State Senator, Mayor of New Orleans, and President of the bi-partisan U.S. Conference of Mayors, where he served during the 9/11 crisis.  Earlier in his career, Mr. Morial practiced law and taught Constitutional Law and Business Law at Xavier University.  He served as a Member of the President’s Advisory Council on Financial Capability from 2012 to 2013.  Mr. Morial received a B.A from the University of Pennsylvania and a J.D. from Georgetown University Law Center.

Carol E. Quillen, Appointee for Member, President’s Advisory Council on Financial Capability for Young Americans

Carol E. Quillen is the President of Davidson College, a position she has held since 2011. Previously, Dr. Quillen was Vice President for International and Interdisciplinary Initiatives at Rice University.  At Rice University, Dr. Quillen was also a member of the history faculty, Director of the University’s Boniuk Center for the Study and Advancement of Religious Tolerance, and Vice Provost for Academic Affairs.  She received a B.A. from The University of Chicago and a Ph.D. from Princeton University.

Amy Rosen, Appointee for Member, President’s Advisory Council on Financial Capability for Young Americans

Amy Rosen is President and CEO of the Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship, a position she has held since 2008.  She is the Vice-Chair of the World Economic Forum’s policy council on youth unemployment and a member of the Council on Foreign Relations.  Ms. Rosen was the Vice Chair of the President’s Advisory Council on Financial Capability from 2011 to 2013.  Ms. Rosen served as a Fellow at the Broad Urban Superintendents Academy and as the Chief Operating Officer for New Visions for Public Schools.  Ms. Rosen also served as a Director of the Amtrak Board of Directors, Vice Chairman of the NJ Transit Board of Directors, Deputy Commissioner of the NJ Department of Transportation, and Senior Vice President of Lockheed Martin Information Management Services.   Ms. Rosen received a B.A. from Pitzer College. 

Charles W. Scharf, Appointee for Member, President’s Advisory Council on Financial Capability for Young Americans

Charles W. Scharf is the CEO and a Corporate Director of Visa Incorporated.  From 2011 to 2012, Mr. Scharf was a Managing Director of One Equity Partners, the private investment arm of JPMorgan Chase & Co.  From 2004 to 2011, Mr. Scharf served as CEO of Retail Financial Services at JPMorgan Chase & Co.  He was CEO of the retail division of Bank One Corporation from 2002 to 2004.  Mr. Scharf also served as Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of Bank One Corporation from 2000 to 2002.  Prior to Bank One, he was CFO of the Global Corporate and Investment Bank division at Citigroup, Inc. from 1999 to 2000.  From 1995 to 1999, he was the CFO of Salomon Smith Barney and its predecessor company.  Mr. Scharf received a B.A. from The Johns Hopkins University and an M.B.A. from New York University. 

President Obama announced his appointment of the following individual to a key Administration post:

Joe Echevarria, Appointee for Member, President’s Export Council

Joe Echevarria is the CEO of Deloitte LLP, a position he has held since June 2011.  Mr. Echevarria joined Deloitte in 1978 and became an audit partner in 1988.  Since that time, he has held a wide range of leadership positions, most recently as U.S. Managing Partner for Operations.  As part of his current role, Mr. Echevarria chairs the U.S. Executive Committee, and is a member of the U.S. Board of Directors, the Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited Board, and the Americas Executive Committee.  Mr. Echevarria serves on the Board of Trustees and chairs the University of Miami School of Business’s Board of Overseers.  He served on the Presidential Commission on Election Administration from 2013 to 2014.  Mr. Echevarria received a B.A. in Business Administration from the University of Miami.

The White House

Office of the First Lady

For Immediate Release
February 26, 2014

Obesity Rates on the Decline Among Young Children

New CDC study shows significant decline in prevalence of obesity over a sustained period of time

Washington, DC – As the First Lady’s Let’s Move! initiative celebrates its fourth anniversary, we are seeing real progress. A new study out this week shows that the rates of childhood obesity are beginning to decline among children ages two to five.  Yesterday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released a report showing a forty-three percent drop in the obesity rate among children of preschool age over the past decade. 

“I couldn’t be more excited by the news that obesity rates for 2-5 year olds declined by 43% over the last 10 years.  Progress of this magnitude can only be explained by the leadership and hard work we are seeing across this country,” Mrs. Obama said.  “From parents to teachers, doctors to community leaders, everyone is stepping up to make small changes that are having a huge impact – and today, healthy habits are becoming the new norm for our kids. We have a long way to go, but I am more confident than ever that we can give all our children the bright, healthy futures they deserve.”

This new report follows CDC’s findings from last summer, which showed that obesity rates among low-income preschoolers declined in 19 states and territories across the country. 

Getting kids off to a healthy start is absolutely critical to their long term health.   We have made early childhood a top priority of Let’s Move!.  In 2011, Let’s Move! Child Care was started to empower child care and early education providers to help give kids a healthy start to life.  The program encourages 1-2 hours of physical activity, reduce screen time, serve healthy food such as fruits and vegetables as snacks, no fried foods, and only non-sugar sweetened beverages like water and low fat milk, and support mothers who continue to breastfeed.

There is tremendous progress being made, but much work remains.  Simple actions by parents can have a major impact on their kid’s health.  As part of our continued efforts through Let’s Move! Child Care, here are four simple tips for parents who are working hard to keep their kids healthy:

  1. If you can breastfeed, breastfeed.
  2. Fill half your kids’ plates with fruits and vegetables.
  3. Serve your kids only water or low-fat milk.
  4. Make sure your kids get at least 60 minutes of active play every day.

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
February 26, 2014

Presidential Nomination Sent to the Senate

NOMINATION SENT TO THE SENATE:

Robin L. Rosenberg, of Florida, to be United States District Judge for the Southern District of Florida, vice Adalberto Jose Jordan, elevated.

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
February 26, 2014

President Obama Nominates Judge Robin L. Rosenberg to Serve on the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, President Barack Obama nominated Judge Robin L. Rosenberg to serve on the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida.

“I am pleased to nominate this distinguished individual to serve on the United States District Court bench,” said President Obama.  “Judge Rosenberg has a long and impressive record of service, and I am confident she will serve on the federal bench with distinction.”

Judge Robin L. Rosenberg:  Nominee for the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida
Judge Robin L. Rosenberg has been a Circuit Judge on the Fifteenth Judicial Circuit of Florida since 2007.  From 2001 to 2006, she was a partner at the law firm Rosenberg & McAuliffe, PL, and she also managed ARC Mediation—a full-service dispute resolution firm—from 2002 to 2006.  Judge Rosenberg was Vice President and General Counsel at Slim-Fast Foods Company from 1999 to 2001; a partner at Holland & Knight LLP from 1997 to 1999; an Assistant City Attorney for the City of West Palm Beach from 1995 to 1997; and an associate at Foley & Lardner from 1994 to 1995.  She served as a Trial Attorney in the Civil Rights Division of the United States Department of Justice from 1990 to 1994 and worked at a nonprofit organization in the Czech Republic while on leave from 1993 to 1994.  Judge Rosenberg began her legal career as a law clerk to Judge James C. Paine of the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida from 1989 to 1990.  Judge Rosenberg received her J.D. and M.A. in 1989 from Duke University and her B.A. in 1983 from Princeton University.

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
February 26, 2014

Statement by the Press Secretary on Ukraine

The United States strongly supports Ukrainian leaders’ ongoing work to form an inclusive, multiparty government to represent all the people of Ukraine as they prepare for May elections, and to restore order, stability, and unity to the country.  As the process moves forward, the United States again calls on all parties in Ukraine and in the region to support reconciliation and the country’s return to political and economic health, and will work with the international community in building an economic assistance package based upon Ukraine’s achievements in crafting a unity government.  An inclusive, broad-based government committed to reconciliation and to economic reform is the necessary foundation for international assistance.  We call on Ukraine’s leaders to do their utmost to protect the security and human rights of all their citizens, including the rights of minorities, to recommit to honor the state’s international obligations, and to avoid divisive policies.  We urge outside actors in the region to respect Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, to end provocative rhetoric and actions, to support democratically established transitional governing structures, and to use their influence in support of unity, peace, and an inclusive path forward.  We remind all governments of their political commitments to transparency about military activities under the Vienna Document 2011 and other OSCE principles designed to ensure peace and security in the Euro-Atlantic region.

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
February 26, 2014

FACT SHEET: President Obama Lays Out Vision for 21st Century Transportation Infrastructure

On February 26th, the President will speak at the historic Union Depot train station in Saint Paul, Minnesota, where he will launch a competition for $600 million in competitive transportation funding and outline his vision for investing in America’s infrastructure with a $302 billion, four year surface transportation reauthorization proposal.  The President will continue to act when he can to promote job growth in the transportation sector and put more Americans back to work repairing and modernizing our roads, bridges, railways, and transit systems, and will also work with Congress to act to ensure critical transportation programs continue to be funded and do not expire later this year. 

  • Launching competition for $600 million in TIGER competitive grants to fund transformative transportation infrastructure projects. Since the President took office, America has made historic investments to improve our nation’s infrastructure –including the highly successful Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) competitive grant program that has invested $3.5 billion in 270 projects across the country. Today the President is announcing that the U.S. Department of Transportation is making available $600 million in TIGER competitive grants to fund transportation projects. The TIGER grant program, which was initially funded as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, was recently funded in the bipartisan Consolidated Appropriations Act, signed by the President on January 17th, 2014.
  • Proposing an aggressive four-year plan to modernize our nation’s surface transportation infrastructure. Despite progress over the last five years, there’s more work to do. Later this summer, the nation’s transportation system will be facing a funding crisis, which is why the President is committed to working with Congress, including Senators Boxer and Vitter and Representatives Shuster and Rahall, on a bipartisan solution. Today the President is outlining his vision for a comprehensive, long term plan that puts people back to work repairing our nation’s transportation infrastructure. The President will propose a four-year reauthorization of our surface transportation programs that will modernize our nation’s infrastructure and ensure the health and growth of these critical programs for the future while supporting millions of jobs.
  • Proposing a pro-growth, bipartisan approach to financing the President’s surface transportation plan. The President’s Budget will outline his proposal to dedicate $150 billion in one-time transition revenue from pro-growth business tax reform to address the funding crisis facing our surface transportation programs and increase infrastructure investment. This amount is sufficient to not only fill the current funding gap in the Highway Trust Fund, but increase surface transportation investment over current projected levels by nearly $90 billion over the next four years. When taking into account existing funding for surface transportation, this plan will result in a total of $302 billion being invested over four years putting people back to work modernizing our transportation infrastructure. The President is putting forward this pro-growth financing plan to encourage bipartisan efforts to support a visionary infrastructure plan, but is open to all ideas for how to achieve this important objective, and will work closely with Members of Congress of both parties on a solution that will invest in more job creating transportation projects. The President is also looking forward to working with Congress on bipartisan ideas to attract more private investment, such as a national infrastructure bank or the recent infrastructure financing authority proposal from Senators Warner and Blunt.

Launching Competition for $600 in TIGER Grants 

Today, the President is announcing that the U.S. Department of Transportation is making available $600 million to fund transportation projects across the country under a sixth round of the highly successful TIGER competitive grant program. This funding and opportunity for governors, mayors, and other local leaders to partner with the Federal government is a result of the bipartisan Consolidated Appropriations Act the President signed in January and an example of what progress is possible when Washington works together across partisan lines. 

Since 2009 when the President signed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act that launched the program, the TIGER grant program has awarded $3.5 billion to 270 projects in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico – including 100 projects to support rural communities. These high impact investments have improved the nation’s road, rail, transit, and port systems, and supported multi-modal projects that efficiently connect these varying types of transportation modes. Demand for TIGER funds has been overwhelming, and the quality of applications has been high. During the previous five rounds, the U.S. Department of Transportation received more than 5,300 applications requesting nearly $115 billion for transportation projects across the country.  

  • Supporting High-Value Transportation Projects Across the Country. The highly competitive TIGER program supports a range of projects, including roads, bridges, transit, rail, and ports, and offers one of the few Federal funding sources for game-changing projects that integrate different modes of transportation. The TIGER program invests in projects that will have a significant impact on the nation or a region, and Federal funds are used to make such projects possible and leverage additional funding from private sector partners, States, local governments, metropolitan planning organizations, and transit agencies. 
  • Encouraging Improved Job Access and Increased Economic Opportunity. In an effort to expand economic opportunities for all Americans, the 2014 TIGER program will place an emphasis on projects that support reliable, safe, and affordable transportation options that improve connections for urban, suburban, and rural communities. While continuing to support projects of all types, a priority will be placed in this 6th round of applications on projects that make it easier for Americans to get to jobs, school, and other opportunities, promote neighborhood revitalization and business expansion, and reconnect neighborhoods that are unnaturally divided by physical barriers such as highways and railroads.
  • Prioritizing Transformative Projects. Successful projects in the highly competitive process will be those with the potential to improve economic competitiveness and create jobs, improve the condition of existing transportation systems, improve quality of life by increasing transportation options, improve energy efficiency, reduce fuel consumption and encourage resiliency, and/or improve the safety of our transportation systems.
  • $35 Million to Help Communities Design Economic Development Plans. In addition to supporting capital grants, Congress provided the U.S. Department of Transportation with the flexibility to use up to $35 million of the 2014 TIGER funds for planning grants for the first time since 2010. These funds can be used to support the planning of innovative transportation solutions, as well as regional transportation planning, freight and port planning, housing and land use development, and resiliency efforts that improve efficiency and sustainable community development.

The President’s Vision for 21st Century Transportation Infrastructure 

The Highway Trust Fund that provides critical funding for repairing roads, bridges, and transit systems is projected to become insolvent later this summer, and the existing surface transportation bill expires in September. Moreover, the current way we fund our transportation investments is insufficient to meet the nation’s transportation infrastructure needs and grow our economy. 

The President is committed to working on a solution that not only avoids a near-term funding crisis, but also provides stability and meet the pent-up transportation needs to help American families and workers and businesses in rural, suburban, and urban communities across the country.

 The President’s vision, which will be described in his FY2015 Budget request, will create jobs, grow our economy, attract private investment, facilitate American exports, reduce commute times and increase access to jobs, make our roads and bridges safer, cut red tape, and increase the return on investment of transportation infrastructure for American taxpayers. The President is calling for a $302 billion, four year transportation reauthorization proposal that increases and provides stable funding for our nation’s highways, bridges, transit, and rail systems. The President is proposing one way to pay for this investment, by using $150 billion in one-time transition revenue from pro-growth business tax reform, but will work closely with Congress and listen to their ideas for how to achieve this important objective.

  • Proposing a $302 billion, Four Year Transportation Reauthorization Bill, Providing States, Local Governments, and Construction Workers with Certainty. The President’s proposal for a $302 billion, four year transportation reauthorization will not only allow States and local units of government to effectively plan their project pipelines, supporting millions of good paying jobs over the next several years, but also will enable more transformative transportation projects that improve our global competitiveness.
    • $63 billion to fill the funding gap in the Highway Trust Fund. The proposal will meet our nation’s essential highway, bridge, and transit needs in the near term by providing $63 billion to address the insolvency of the Highway Trust Fund for four years. 
    • Prioritizing “Fix-it-First” investments. The proposal will include policies and reforms to prioritize investments for much needed repairs and to improve the safety of highways and bridges, subways and bus services, with particular attention to improving roads and bridges in rural and tribal areas.  
  • Matching Transportation Infrastructure Investments to the Current and Future Needs of American Communities. Bringing a one-time infusion of investment into our transportation infrastructure programs would enable projects that address the diverse needs of American communities today.  
    • $206 billion to invest in our nation’s highway system and road safety. The proposal will increase the amount of highway funds by 22 percent annually, for a total of about $199 billion over the four years. The proposal would also provide more than $7 billion to improve safety for all users of our highways and roads.
    • $72 billion to invest in transit systems and expand transportation options. The proposal increases average transit spending by nearly 70 percent annually, for a total program of $72 billion over four years, which will enable the expansion of new projects (e.g., light rail, street cars, bus rapid transit, etc.) in suburbs, fast-growing cities, small towns, and aging rural communities, while still maintaining existing transit systems. 
    • $19 billion in dedicated funding for rail programs. The proposal also includes nearly $5 of billion annually for high performance and passenger rail programs with a focus on improving the connections between key regional city pairs and high traffic corridors throughout the country. 
    • $9 billion in competitive funding to spur innovation. The proposal will make permanent and provide $5 billion over four years, an increase of more than 100 percent, for the highly successfully TIGER competitive grant program and propose $4 billion of competitively awarded funding over four years to incentivize innovation and local policy reforms to encourage better performance, productivity, and cost-effectiveness in our transportation systems.
    • Encouraging coordination and local decision making. The proposal includes policy reforms to incentivize improved regional coordination and strengthen local decision making in allocating Federal funding so that local communities can better realize their vision for improved mobility. 
  • Expanding Economic Growth, Jobs, and Opportunity. The President is dedicated to enhancing opportunity for all Americans and our businesses by investing in transportation projects that better connect communities to centers of employment, education, and services.
    • More than $2.6 billion and policy reforms to support the creation of ladders of opportunity. The proposal will include policy reforms to enhance existing highway and transit programs that help to create ladders of opportunity. Within the overall transit spending, the proposal provides $2.2 billion for a new bus rapid transit program for rapidly growing regions. It also includes $400 million to enhance the size, diversity, and skills of our nation’s construction workforce, while providing support for local hiring efforts and encouraging States to use their On-the-Job training funds more effectively.
    • $10 billion for a new freight program to strengthening America’s exports and trade. Recognizing the importance of efficient and reliable freight networks to support trade and economic growth, the President’s proposal will also create a new $10 billion multimodal freight grant program – in partnership with State and local officials and private sector and labor representatives – for rail, highway, and port projects that address the greatest needs for the efficient movement of goods across the country and abroad.  
  • More Bang-for-the-Buck by Boosting Efficiency and Taxpayers Return on Our Transportation Investments. In a time of tight fiscal and budgetary constraints, the President’s proposal includes a number of measures to ensure that the American public is getting most out of Federal transportation infrastructure investments that lead to better outcomes for all Americans.
    • Improving project delivery and the Federal permitting and regulatory review process. The proposal will further advance and introduce new reforms to the project delivery system through a range of activities that institutionalize best practices and insights from the President’s previous Executive Orders and Presidential Memorandums to cut project timelines in half for major infrastructure projects by modernizing the Federal government’s infrastructure permitting and regulatory review process.
    • Building more resilient communities. Building on the Sandy Task Force recommendations, the proposal will also encourage more resilient designs for highway, transit, and rail infrastructure, and smarter transportation planning to reduce fuel use and conserve energy.
    • Encouraging and incentivizing cost effective investments. The proposal will strengthen the performance incentives to maintain safety and conditions of good repair, and expand research and technology activities in order to improve the productivity of our transportation systems, thereby increasing taxpayer return on investment.
    • $4 billion to attract private investment in transportation infrastructure. The proposal calls for continued funding of $1 billion in annual credit subsidy for the successful TIFIA loan program that, similar to other Administration proposals such as capitalizing a National Infrastructure Bank, creating American Fast Forward bonds, or enacting Foreign Investment in Real Property Tax Act (FIRPTA) reforms, will facilitate increased private investment in transportation infrastructure while protecting taxpayer interests. 

The White House

Office of the Vice President

For Immediate Release
February 25, 2014

Readout of Vice President Biden’s Meeting with President of the Swiss Confederation and Chairperson-in-Office of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe Didier Burkhalter

Vice President Biden met today with the President of the Swiss Confederation and Chairperson-in-Office for the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, Didier Burkhalter, to discuss regional and bilateral issues of concern.  The two leaders consulted on the current situation in Ukraine, including what support the United States and the OSCE could offer to help return the country to peace and stability, to ensure justice and accountability, and to strengthen democratic institutions as Ukrainians chart their future course.  The Vice President praised the strong and important friendship between our two countries and expressed deep appreciation for Switzerland’s continued protection of U.S. interests in Iran and Cuba.  The Vice President and President Burkhalter discussed opportunities for continued cooperation across our shared agenda, including on non-proliferation, countering violent extremism, development and humanitarian assistance.   Finally, given shared interest in strengthening workforce skills, the Vice President and President Burkhalter discussed vocational and other job skills training efforts in both countries. 

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
February 25, 2014

President Obama Announces Presidential Delegation to the Federal Republic of Nigeria to Attend Nigeria’s Centenary Celebration

President Barack Obama today announced the designation of a Presidential Delegation to the Federal Republic of Nigeria to attend Nigeria’s Centenary Celebration, February 27-28, 2014.

The Honorable Thomas Shannon, Jr., Counselor of the Department of State, will lead the delegation.

Member of the Presidential Delegation:

The Honorable James Entwistle, United States Ambassador to the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Department of State.

The White House

Office of the First Lady

For Immediate Release
February 25, 2014

First Lady Michelle Obama Applauds Investments in Healthier Out-of-School Programs That Will Impact 5 Million Kids

Boys & Girls Clubs of America and National Recreation and Park Association

Commit to Creating Healthy Environments for Children Across the Country

MIAMI, FL—Today, First Lady Michelle Obama joins the Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA), the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) and the Partnership for a Healthier America (PHA) for the announcement of a five-year commitment by BGCA and NRPA to create healthy environments for children who attend out-of-school programming across the country.  BGCA and NRPA will provide 5 million children with healthy snacks and physical activity during the critical few hours between when kids leave school and before they go home.  Parents can now rest assured that the work they are doing at home to keep their kids healthy will be reinforced in those after-school hours.

“Because of this new announcement from the Boys and Girls Clubs and the National Recreation and Park Association, millions of kids will be in healthy environments not just during the school day, but during those critical hours after school as well.  Kids will be getting a fruit or a vegetable at every meal and every snack, they’ll have healthy beverages like water and low-fat milk and they’ll be getting active for at least 30 minutes a day,” said First Lady Michelle Obama.  “This is going to make a huge impact—not just on our kids’ health, but on their success in school and in life.”

When the NRPA and BGCA commitments are combined with a November 2011 commitment by YMCA of the USA to implement healthy guidelines, more than 5.5 million children will be impacted by healthier programming, demonstrating that we are truly moving toward a new, healthier norm in out-of-school programs.

“Boys & Girls Clubs of America is committed to helping young people eat healthier, become more active and lead healthy lifestyles,” said Damon A. Williams, Ph.D., senior vice president, Program, Training & Youth Development Services for BGCA.  “Our pledge is to provide a world-class experience after school and in summer that assures success is within reach for every young person who enters our doors—and critical to that success is building healthy habits.  Our public commitment with the Partnership for a Healthier America will help our Clubs inspire youth to stay active and make smart food choices that will help them achieve a great future.”

“Improving the quality of life of our children is of utmost priority for the National Recreation and Park Association,” said Barbara Tulipane, NRPA president and CEO. “Our children have a greater chance of achieving good health throughout life if they are supported by environments that foster lifelong healthy habits. Our commitment with the Partnership for a Healthier America transforms out-of-school programming in park and recreation agencies across America. By ensuring that our agencies are providing the highest standards for eating and physical activity, we are investing in our future and generations to come.”

As part of this commitment:

  • BGCA will adopt healthy guidelines in 3,400 clubs, reaching an estimated 3.5 million kids.
  • NRPA will adopt healthy guidelines in 2,000 sites, reaching an estimated 1.5 million kids.
  • BGCA and NRPA will aim to meet standards of serving healthy snacks such as fruits and vegetables, serving only healthy beverages like water and 100% juice, and  provide nutrition education, encourage physical activity, and engage parents by using informational material and activities focused on healthy eating and physical activity.
  • The Alliance for a Healthier Generation will provide the technical assistance and support to BGCA and NRPA to implement the new healthy guidelines. 

“What we know is that active kids do better—in school and in life,” said PHA CEO Lawrence A. Soler. “Today’s commitments are another big step forward in getting our kids into more healthier environments throughout their day. I am so pleased to welcome NRPA and BGCA—two organizations that are absolutely critical to the communities, families and kids they serve—into the PHA family.”

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
February 25, 2014

Notice -- Continuation of the National Emergency with Respect to Cuba and of the Emergency Authority Relating to the Regulation of the Anchorage and Movement of Vessels

NOTICE

- - - - - - -

CONTINUATION OF THE NATIONAL EMERGENCY WITH RESPECT

TO CUBA AND OF THE EMERGENCY AUTHORITY RELATING TO THE

REGULATION OF THE ANCHORAGE AND MOVEMENT OF VESSELS

On March 1, 1996, by Proclamation 6867, a national emergency was declared to address the disturbance or threatened disturbance of international relations caused by the February 24, 1996, destruction by the Cuban government of two unarmed U.S.-registered civilian aircraft in international airspace north of Cuba. On February 26, 2004, by Proclamation 7757, the national emergency was extended and its scope was expanded to deny monetary and material support to the Cuban government. The Cuban government has not demonstrated that it will refrain from the use of excessive force against U.S. vessels or aircraft that may engage in memorial activities or peaceful protest north of Cuba. In addition, the unauthorized entry of any U.S.-registered vessel into Cuban territorial waters continues to be detrimental to the foreign policy of the United States. Therefore, in accordance with section 202(d) of the National Emergencies Act (50 U.S.C. 1622(d)), I am continuing the national emergency with respect to Cuba and the emergency authority relating to the regulation of the anchorage and movement of vessels set out in Proclamation 6867 as amended by Proclamation 7757.

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

BARACK OBAMA