The White House

Office of the First Lady

For Immediate Release
October 28, 2013

Sesame Street’s Elmo and Rosita to Join First Lady Michelle Obama for an Announcement about Marketing Healthier Foods to Children

After the announcement, Mrs. Obama, Elmo and Rosita will be joined in the garden by children from MD, VA and WV whose schools are starting to offer healthy snack options

Washington, DC – On Wednesday, October 30 at 2:40 PM ET, First Lady Michelle Obama will join Sesame Street’s Elmo and Rosita, the Produce Marketing Association and the Partnership for a Healthier America for an announcement about marketing healthier foods to children. The announcement comes on the heels of the first ever White House convening on food marketing to children, during which Mrs. Obama called on stakeholders to leverage the power of marketing to promote healthy products and decrease the marketing of unhealthy products to kids.

Following the announcement, Mrs. Obama, Elmo and Rosita will join school children for the annual fall harvest of the White House Kitchen Garden. For this harvest, the First Lady invited children from MD, VA and WV whose schools are starting to offer healthy snack options. Starting next school year, all schools will be required to follow the “Smart Snacks in School” nutrition standards, making vending machines and a la carte lines healthier. Many schools across the country have already met or are working to meet these standards to ensure kids are getting the nutrition they need to lead healthy lives. 

Mrs. Obama will also be joined in the garden by children from Harriet Tubman Elementary and Bancroft Elementary in Washington DC who regularly help in the White House Kitchen Garden.  Mrs. Obama planted a vegetable garden on the South Lawn to initiate a national conversation around the health and wellbeing of our nation – a conversation that evolved into her Let’s Move! initiative to solve the problem of childhood obesity within a generation.

Children from the following schools, in addition to the two DC schools, will help harvest this fall’s garden:

Magnolia Elementary School, Harford County Schools – Joppa, MD

Magnolia Elementary School is a Healthier US Schools Challenge bronze recipient. The school has made great strides in improving their school meals by ensuring that all competitive foods sold on the cafeteria line meet the requirements for the Healthier US Schools Challenge. Additionally, Magnolia Elementary participates in the Fresh Fruits and Vegetables Program through the USDA, which introduces school children to a variety of produce that they otherwise might not have the opportunity to sample. As part of their afternoon routine, the school reports that students have become “adventurous eaters” and try different fresh fruits and vegetables each day. Magnolia also participates in Maryland Meals for Achievement, which is an innovative classroom breakfast project that offers school breakfast in the classroom each morning at no cost to students, regardless of family income. The school also participates in a Harvestable School Garden program where students and parents participate in the harvesting of the garden, and vegetables from the garden are incorporated in their school lunches. As part of the program, students in grades 2, 3, and 4 participate in monthly nutrition lessons. As a result of these initiatives, Magnolia has seen an increase in student readiness for school and rigorous work.

Linwood Holton Elementary School, Richmond Public Schools – Richmond, VA

Linwood Holton Elementary School has prolific, well-maintained vegetable and flower gardens, and each grade level maintains its own flowerbeds, along with help from parents and community members. Linwood Holton Elementary also has curriculum aligned with their gardens. The school is located in the Upham Brook Watershed and has established a rain garden to improve the watershed and educate students while improving the water quality. Linwood Holton Elementary also works to ensure that students have healthy snack options available to their students.

North Elementary School, Monongalia County Schools – Morgantown, WV

North Elementary School began their Panther Pride garden in the spring of 2011. In the garden, they grow a wide variety of fruits and vegetables from snake beans to black radishes to strawberries. Many teachers at the school implement garden-based learning, incorporating the garden and its produce in math, science, reading, writing, and health lessons. The school has engaged with the local farmers market, and students learn the value of pricing, marketing, and selling produce at the market. The school has also recently added a WORLD garden where they have planted a new variety of produce indigenous to the almost 50 countries that the students at their school represent so that students can learn about different cultures and expose their palates to international flavors. Last spring, the school began serving some of the items from their gardens in the cafeteria for students, and more recently, they have begun serving items from local farms.

 

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
October 26, 2013

Weekly Address: Enrolling in the Affordable Care Act Marketplace

WASHINGTON, DC— In this week’s address, President Obama discussed the launch of the Health Insurance Marketplace for the Affordable Care Act, which gives millions of Americans the opportunity to have access to affordable and reliable healthcare—many for the first time. 

The audio of the address and video of the address will be available online at www.whitehouse.gov at 6:00 a.m. ET, October 26, 2013.

Remarks for President Barack Obama
Weekly Address
The White House
October 26, 2013

Hi, everybody. A few weeks ago, we launched an important new part of the Affordable Care Act.  

It’s called the Marketplace.  And for Americans without health insurance, and Americans who buy insurance on their own because they can’t get it at work, it’s a very big deal.  

If you’re one of those people, the Affordable Care Act makes you part of a big group plan for the first time.  The Marketplace is where you can apply and shop for affordable new health insurance choices.  It gathers insurers under one system to compete for your business.  And that choice and competition have actually helped bring prices down.

Ultimately, the easiest way to buy insurance in this Marketplace will be a new website, HealthCare.gov.  But as you may have heard, the site isn’t working the way it’s supposed to yet.  That’s frustrating for all of us who have worked so hard to make sure everyone who needs it gets health care.  And it’s especially frustrating for the Americans who’ve been trying to get covered.  The site has been visited more than 20 million times so far.  Nearly 700,000 people have applied for coverage already.  That proves just how much demand there is for these new quality, affordable health care choices.  And that’s why, in the coming weeks, we are going to get it working as smoothly as it’s supposed to.  We’ve got people working overtime, 24/7, to boost capacity and address these problems, every single day.

But even as we improve the website, remember that the website isn’t the only way to apply for coverage under these new plans.  We’ve updated HealthCare.gov to offer more information about enrolling over the phone, by mail, or in person with a specially-trained navigator who can help answer your questions.  Just call 1-800-318-2596 or visit LocalHelp.HealthCare.gov.  Don’t worry – these plans will not sell out.  We’re only a few weeks into a six-month open enrollment period, and everyone who wants insurance through the Marketplace will get it.

Some people have poked fun at me this week for sounding like an insurance salesman.  And that’s okay.  I’d still be out there championing this law even if the website were perfect.  I’ll never stop fighting to help more hardworking Americans know the economic security of health care.  That’s something we should all want.

That’s why it’s also interesting to see Republicans in Congress expressing so much concern that people are having trouble buying health insurance through the new website – especially considering they’ve spent the last few years so obsessed with denying those same people access to health insurance that they just shut down the government and threatened default over it. 

As I’ve said many times before, I’m willing to work with anyone, on any idea, who’s actually willing to make this law perform better.  But it’s well past the time for folks to stop rooting for its failure.  Because hardworking, middle-class families are rooting for its success.

The Affordable Care Act gives people who’ve been stuck with sky-high premiums because of preexisting conditions the chance to get affordable insurance for the first time.  

This law means that women can finally buy coverage that doesn’t charge them higher premiums than men for the same care.  

And everyone who already has health insurance, whether through your employer, Medicare, or Medicaid, will keep the benefits and protections this law has already put in place.  Three million more young adults have health insurance on their parents’ plans because of the Affordable Care Act.  More than six million people on Medicare have saved an average of $1,000 on their prescription medicine because of the Affordable Care Act.  Last year, more than 8 million Americans received half a billion dollars in refunds from their insurers because of the Affordable Care Act.  And for tens of millions of women, preventive care like mammograms and birth control are free because of the Affordable Care Act.  

That’s all part of this law, and it’s here to stay.

We did not fight so hard for this reform for so many years just to build a website.  We did it to free millions of American families from the awful fear that one illness or injury – to yourself or your child – might cost you everything you’d worked so hard to build.  We did it to cement the principle that in this country, the security of health care is not a privilege for a fortunate few, but a right for every one of us to enjoy.  We have already delivered on part of that promise, and we will not rest until the work is done.

Thank you, and have a great weekend.

 

 

The White House

Office of the Vice President

For Immediate Release
October 25, 2013

Readout of Vice President Biden’s Meeting with Italian Senate President Pietro Grasso

Vice President Biden met this morning with the Senator Pietro Grasso, President of the Italian Senate.  The two leaders discussed their shared commitments to countering terrorism and organized crime, strengthening regional security from North Africa to Afghanistan, and creating new jobs and economic growth on both side of the Atlantic, including through the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership.  The Vice President affirmed that the U.S. partnership with Italy is one of the strongest links between the United States and Europe and praised Senator Grasso for his vision in helping prioritize and advance those legislative reforms that would put Italy on a path of growth and stability.  The Vice President and Senator Grasso also discussed recent reports of alleged U.S. intelligence activities.  The Vice President made clear that the Administration is reviewing the way that we gather intelligence to ensure that we properly balance protecting the security concerns of our citizens and allies with the privacy concerns that all people share. 

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
October 25, 2013

President Obama Signs Disaster Declaration for the Santa Clara Pueblo

The President yesterday declared a major disaster exists for the Santa Clara Pueblo and ordered federal aid to supplement the Tribe’s efforts in the area affected by severe storms and flooding during the period of September 13-16, 2013.

Federal funding is available to the Santa Clara Pueblo and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for emergency work as a result of the severe storms and flooding.

W. Craig Fugate, Administrator, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Department of Homeland Security, named Nancy M. Casper as the Federal Coordinating Officer for federal recovery operations in the affected area.  

FEMA said additional designations may be made at a later date if requested by the Tribe and warranted by the results of further damage assessments.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION MEDIA SHOULD CONTACT:  FEMA NEWS DESK AT (202) 646-3272 OR FEMA-NEWS-DESK@DHS.GOV

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
October 24, 2013

Readout of Vice President Biden’s Meeting with Minister of Strategic Affairs and International Relations Yuval Steinitz of Israel

Israel’s Minister of Strategic Affairs and International Relations, Dr. Yuval Steinitz, discussed a range of bilateral and regional issues with the Vice President in his office today.  They reiterated their mutual commitment to a strong, unshakable partnership between the United States and Israel.

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
October 24, 2013

President Obama Announces More Key Administration Posts

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

·       Luke J. McCormack – Chief Information Officer, Department of Homeland Security

·       Edmund J. Malesky – Member, Board of Directors of the Vietnam Education Foundation

·       Elisa Spungen Bildner – Member, United States Holocaust Memorial Council

·       John Farahi – Member, United States Holocaust Memorial Council

·       Dana M. Perlman – Member, United States Holocaust Memorial Council

President Obama said, “These dedicated individuals bring a wealth of experience and talent to their new roles, and I am proud to have them serve in this Administration.  I look forward to working with them in the months and years to come.”

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

Luke J. McCormack, Appointee for Chief Information Officer, Department of Homeland Security

Luke J. McCormack is the Deputy Assistant Attorney General for Information Resources Management/Chief Information Officer (CIO) at the Department of Justice, a position he has held since 2012.  From 2005 to 2012, he served as the CIO for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement at the Department of Homeland Security.  He previously served at Customs and Border Protection as Acting Director of Infrastructure Services Division from 2004 to 2005, Director of Architecture and Engineering from 2002 to 2003, and Director of Systems Engineering from 1999 to 2002.  Before joining the federal government, he served at various private sector companies including MCI and Ford Aerospace.  He received an M.B.A. from the Smith School of Business at the University of Maryland. 

Dr. Edmund J. Malesky, Appointee for Member, Board of Directors of the Vietnam Education Foundation

Dr. Edmund J. Malesky is an associate professor of Political Science at Duke University.  From 2005 to 2012, he held various teaching positions at the University of California, San Diego.  Previously, he was an Academy Fellow at the Weatherhead Center for International Affairs at Harvard University.  Dr. Malesky was a Senior Advisor on Methodology for the United Nations Development Program and served as the Lead Researcher of the Vietnam Provincial Competitiveness Index.   He received the Gabriel A. Almond Award from the American Political Science Association for Best Dissertation in Comparative Politics in 2005.  Dr. Malesky received a B.S. in Developmental Economics from Georgetown University, and an M.A. and Ph.D. in Political Science from Duke University.

Elisa Spungen Bildner, Appointee for Member, United States Holocaust Memorial Council

Elisa Spungen Bildner was CEO of FreshPro, a fresh-cut produce processing company, from 1996 to 2007.  Earlier in her career, Ms. Spungen Bildner was a professor of journalism at Rutgers University and New York University.  She also taught media law at Seton Hall University Law School, and was a reporter-editor at the Star Ledger in Newark, New Jersey.  Previously, she practiced law at Proskauer Rose LLP and Lowenstein Sandler PC.  She is a past president of JTA, an international wire service, a founder and board member of the Joseph Slifka Center for Jewish Life at Yale University, co-chair of the board of trustees and co-founder of the Foundation for Jewish Camp, and a board member and past chair of the Jewish Funders Network.  Ms. Spungen Bildner received a B.A. in Political Science from Yale University and a J.D. from the Columbia University School of Law.

John Farahi, Appointee for Member, United States Holocaust Memorial Council

John Farahi is CEO and Co-Chairman of the Board of Monarch Casino & Resort, Inc., a position he has held since 1993.  He is also a partner in the Farahi Investment Company.  He is a member of the AIPAC National Council and is the founder of the Farahi Jewish Day School in Reno, Nevada.  Mr. Farahi has served on the Nevada Commission on Tourism, the Reno-Sparks Convention and Visitors Authority, the V&T Railroad Development Committee, and as a Trustee on the Washoe County Airport Authority.   Mr. Farahi received a B.A. in Political Science from the California State University, Hayward.

Dana M. Perlman, Appointee for Member, United States Holocaust Memorial Council

Dana M. Perlman founded the law firm Perlman & Associates in 1999.  He currently serves as Vice President of the Los Angeles City Planning Commission and is also co-chair of the LGBT Leadership Council of the Democratic National Committee.  He previously served as a member of the Board of Directors of the Human Rights Campaign, the Los Angeles Board of Transportation Commissioners, the Board of Directors of the Los Angeles Regional Foodbank, and the Los Angeles County Commission on Youth.  Mr. Perlman received a B.A. in Economics from the University of California, Los Angeles and a J.D. from the University of Southern California.

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
October 23, 2013

Joint Statement by President Obama and Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif

At the invitation of President Obama, Prime Minister Sharif paid an official visit to Washington from October 20 to 23, 2013, marking the commitment of both Leaders to strengthen U.S.-Pakistan relations and advance shared interests in a stable, secure, and prosperous Pakistan and region.

President Obama and Prime Minister Sharif held wide-ranging discussions at the White House today about the importance of a U.S.-Pakistan partnership built on a foundation of mutual interest and respect.  They acknowledged the substantial progress in the bilateral relationship over the last year and noted its resilient nature.  The President and the Prime Minister affirmed U.S.-Pakistan friendship and close cooperation and recalled our positive contributions to international peace and security at crucial junctures during the Cold War and in the post-9/11 period.  Reaffirming the strong relationship between the two countries, they stressed that our enduring partnership is based on the principles of respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity.  They expressed their conviction that an enduring U.S.-Pakistan partnership is vital to regional and international security and recognized their shared interest in Pakistan’s economic growth and development, regional stability, and mutually determined measures to counter terrorism.  President Obama conveyed appreciation for Pakistan’s internal and regional security challenges and affirmed that a peaceful, prosperous, and democratic Pakistan was an essential partner for the United States in the advancement of shared goals of peace, security, and socio-economic development in South Asia.

Shared Democratic Values

President Obama congratulated Prime Minister Sharif on being elected to office in the historic May elections, observing that the smooth democratic transition between two elected governments was a milestone for the democratic institutions in Pakistan.  Affirming that both the United States and Pakistan are committed to democracy, human rights, freedom, and respect for international law, President Obama and Prime Minister Sharif dedicated themselves to deepening and enhancing the relationship between the peoples of the United States and Pakistan.

An Enduring Partnership

Both leaders welcomed the resumption of the U.S.-Pakistan Strategic Dialogue and reaffirmed its importance as the suitable framework for guiding the bilateral relationship.  They emphasized that the dialogue should focus on people-centered initiatives and on results-oriented outcomes in support of the long-term stability, prosperity, and security of both the United States and Pakistan.  They discussed the forthcoming Ministerial-level Strategic Dialogue, which Secretary Kerry would be hosting in Washington by March 2014.  They also decided on the strategic priorities for the five working groups including: 1) Law Enforcement and Counterterrorism; 2) Economics and Finance; 3) Energy; 4) Security, Strategic Stability, and Non-Proliferation; and 5) the Defense Consultative Group.

The Leaders underscored the importance of further reinforcing the positive momentum in the bilateral relationship by promoting people-to-people contacts, including parliamentary exchanges.  In this context, they also lauded the valuable role played by the Pakistani Diaspora in the United States in bringing the two countries together.

Economic Growth, Energy, and Social Sector Cooperation

Prime Minister Sharif highlighted his government’s efforts for economic growth, energy security, social development, and good governance.  He thanked President Obama for the important contribution the United States has made in supporting Pakistan’s development efforts, including through the Enhanced Partnership with Pakistan Act of 2009.  The Leaders discussed the Prime Minister’s deep commitment to increasing economic growth in Pakistan and to taking the steps necessary to put Pakistan on a path of long-term economic growth and stability.  The President gave the assurance that the United States would strongly support efforts to enlarge and strengthen Pakistan’s economy, particularly in the energy sector, as this sector could play a critical role in ensuring the well-being and prosperity of the people of Pakistan.

President Obama reiterated U.S. support for ongoing programs to strengthen Pakistan’s economy and increased agricultural productivity.  He also pledged continued support to help Pakistan address its energy shortfall, a key focus of U.S. assistance to Pakistan.  Noting that resolving Pakistan’s energy crisis is a top priority for his government, Prime Minister Sharif expressed his commitment to expand power generation capacity, promote the efficient use of energy resources, and better utilize Pakistan’s domestic natural gas, hydroelectric, and renewable resources.

The Leaders emphasized that both sides should work together on a range of options to enable Pakistan to overcome its energy deficiencies and that both sides will hold further discussions in the working groups on Energy and Security, Strategic Stability, and Non-Proliferation.  President Obama noted that U.S. assistance in the energy sector has added over 1,000 megawatts of power to Pakistan’s national grid, helping over 16 million Pakistanis.  Prime Minister Sharif expressed appreciation for U.S. assistance toward the construction and rehabilitation of Gomal Zam, Satpara, Mangla, and Tarbela dams and the modernization of Guddu, Jamshoro, and Muzaffargarh power plants, and the Leaders highlighted the recent Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC) loan for private sector wind development in Sindh.  Prime Minister Sharif also thanked President Obama for U.S. support toward the Diamer-Bhasha and Dasu dams, which are critical to meeting Pakistan’s long-term energy and water needs.  He also welcomed the announcement of funding for the Kaitu Weir Hydroelectric and Irrigation Project, which will increase Pakistan’s overall energy production, expand the amount of irrigated land, and provide livelihood options for residents of North Waziristan.  The two Leaders looked forward to the meeting of the Working Group on Energy in November 2013, followed by a U.S.-organized Pakistani trade mission to Houston, Texas, to meet with major U.S. energy companies.  In preparation for this working group, the two Leaders instructed their teams to develop a U.S. technical assistance program to support the development of Pakistan’s domestic natural gas reserves. 

President Obama also reaffirmed U.S. support in key areas such as economic growth, agriculture, health, and education.  The President highlighted that the United States remains Pakistan’s largest export market and one of the largest sources of foreign direct investment in Pakistan.  The Prime Minister welcomed U.S. support to private sector-led growth and job creation in Pakistan, including through the Pakistan Private Investment Initiative (PPII) launched at the jointly sponsored Pakistan Business Opportunities Conference in Dubai in June 2013, which would make a matching investment of $100 million in the development and expansion of small and medium size businesses in Pakistan.

Prime Minister Sharif highlighted his keen interest in expanding bilateral trade and investment, and the two Leaders reaffirmed their commitment to this end.  The two Leaders pledged to continue this discussion through the Strategic Dialogue process and noted that the United States-Pakistan Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA) is the key vehicle to promote U.S. investments in Pakistan.  The President announced that United States Trade Representative Michael Froman would invite his counterpart to Washington for a TIFA Council meeting, at which these issues could be discussed in greater depth.  The two Leaders directed their senior officials to develop a joint action plan to expand trade and investment flows between the United States and Pakistan over the next five years and expressed their intention to hold the third U.S.-Pakistan Economic Opportunities Conference in the next year.  Both leaders affirmed their commitment to the multilateral trading system and to a successful 9th Ministerial Conference of the World Trade Organization in Bali. 

Expressing satisfaction at the implementation of the 2003 Agreement on Science and Technology Cooperation between the United States and Pakistan and acknowledging its significance in promoting a decade of intensified cooperation between the two countries, the two Leaders decided to extend the agreement through 2018.  They also discussed the importance of investing in Pakistan’s growing youth population through high-quality education programs.  President Obama reiterated that U.S. assistance for education in Pakistan has built or rehabilitated over 600 schools, provided 12,000 university scholarships to Pakistani students, trained more than 10,000 teachers and school administrators, and provided more U.S.-funded scholarships under the prestigious Fulbright program in Pakistan than anywhere else in the world.  These investments help prepare Pakistan’s younger generation to enter the job market and become leaders in their country and communities, and the two Leaders expressed their shared intent to further promote educational and research opportunities for Pakistani students, scholars, and researchers in U.S. institutions.  President Obama also highlighted the announcement of the USAID Reading Initiative, which is aimed at helping over 3.2 million Pakistani school children learn to read.

Defense Cooperation

Taking note of the robust bilateral defense cooperation between their two countries -- including recent military engagements, exercises, and consultations on regional security -- President Obama and Prime Minister Sharif expressed satisfaction with the positive momentum achieved in defense relations and reaffirmed that this partnership should continue to grow and endure.  The two Leaders noted with satisfaction that the Ground Lines of Communication (GLOCs) are facilitating the movement of U.S. and International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) cargo through Pakistan.

Prime Minister Sharif conveyed appreciation for U.S. security assistance in support of Pakistan’s counterterrorism, counterinsurgency, counternarcotics, and maritime security operations and expressed hope of broadening bilateral defense cooperation in areas that serve mutual interest.  To bolster these efforts, the United States plans to continue providing assistance and support, including training and equipment to Pakistan’s military and security services.  The two Leaders decided to strengthen their cooperation, including in regional maritime security.  President Obama noted Pakistan’s positive efforts to counter improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and both leaders resolved to continue working together to disrupt the threat posed by these devices.  President Obama commended the resolve of the government and people of Pakistan, armed forces, and law enforcement agencies to defeat terrorists and praised Pakistan for its military campaign.  They shared their mutual conviction that a stable and peaceful Pakistan-Afghanistan border was important for the success of counterterrorism, counterinsurgency, and counter-IED efforts, and they underscored the critical significance of effective border coordination mechanisms between Pakistan and Afghanistan in achieving these objectives.

Counterterrorism

Both President Obama and Prime Minister Sharif condemned terrorism in all its forms and manifestations.  The Prime Minister shared his perspective on effective counterterrorism cooperation to achieve the mutual objective of defeating terrorism.  President Obama thanked Prime Minister Sharif for Pakistan’s efforts to help defeat al-Qa’ida, and both Leaders expressed their deep appreciation for the sacrifices of military personnel and civilians in the fight against terrorism and extremism.  The two Leaders emphasized that no country’s territory should be used to destabilize its neighbors.  Further, the Leaders noted that extremism and terrorism represent a common challenge for humanity and that the solution lies in collaboration and joint efforts by the international community.

Nonproliferation, Nuclear Security and Strategic Stability

President Obama and Prime Minister Sharif emphasized that nuclear terrorism is one of the most challenging threats to international security.  President Obama appreciated Pakistan’s constructive engagement with the Nuclear Security Summit process and its cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency and other international forums, while acknowledging Pakistan’s efforts to improve its strategic trade controls and enhance its engagement with multilateral export regimes.  Looking ahead to the 2014 Nuclear Security Summit at the Hague, the two Leaders reaffirmed the commitments of the 2012 Nuclear Security Summit in Seoul, strengthening nuclear security; reducing the threat of nuclear terrorism; preventing terrorists, criminals, or other unauthorized actors from acquiring nuclear materials; and working closely for the objectives of the Summit.  They acknowledged the importance of regional balance and stability in South Asia and pursuing increased transparency and uninterrupted dialogue in support of peaceful resolutions of all outstanding issues.  Prime Minister Sharif affirmed Pakistan’s support for the universal objectives of non-proliferation and disarmament.  The two Leaders underscored that all sides should continuously act with maximum restraint and work jointly toward strengthening strategic stability in South Asia.  Prime Minister Sharif expressed Pakistan’s desire to join the multilateral export regimes.  President Obama reiterated his confidence in Pakistan’s commitment and dedication to nuclear security and recognized that Pakistan is fully engaged with the international community on nuclear safety and security issues.

Regional Cooperation

President Obama and Prime Minister Sharif renewed their determination to promote peace, stability, and transparency throughout the region.  They committed to work together to combat international terrorism and extremism and to promote peace and prosperity.

The two leaders welcomed progress on the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) pipeline project, and tasked the Energy Working Group to explore possible further U.S. support for the Central Asia-South Asia electricity line, CASA-1000, in close collaboration with the World Bank.  Prime Minister Sharif expressed appreciation for the development and rehabilitation by the U.S. government of roads in Pakistan’s border areas, including the four major transit routes between Afghanistan and Pakistan.  Both sides emphasized the need to maintain and enhance the GLOCs’ relevant infrastructure, and Prime Minister Sharif welcomed the recently signed agreement between Pakistan’s National Highway Authority and USAID to rehabilitate 247 kilometers of the Kalat-Chaman road, which will help pave the way for regional trade by linking Kandahar to Quetta and to the port of Karachi.

The President and Prime Minister reaffirmed that a peaceful, stable, independent, and united Afghanistan is in the interest of the region.  They welcomed the ongoing security transition in Afghanistan and Afghan-led preparations for next April's presidential elections.  The two Leaders recognized the important role of countries in the region in supporting Afghanistan’s progress toward stability and prosperity and stressed that continued engagement by the international community in Afghanistan’s economic and social development and reconstruction would be essential in ensuring the long-term security and prosperity of the Afghan people.  Prime Minister Sharif also underlined that the support of the international community in the repatriation of Afghan refugees from Pakistan and their reintegration in Afghanistan was of critical importance to Pakistan.  The two Leaders emphasized their support for a policy of non-interference in Afghanistan.

The Leaders affirmed their commitment to the Afghan-led and Afghan-owned peace and reconciliation process as the surest way to end violence and bring lasting stability to Afghanistan and the region.  Acknowledging Pakistan’s efforts to support an inclusive reconciliation process in which Afghans determine the future of their country, both Leaders called on the Taliban to join the political process and enter into dialogue with the Afghan government.

The two Leaders stressed that improvement in Pakistan-India bilateral relations would greatly enhance prospects for lasting regional peace, stability, and prosperity, as it would significantly benefit the lives of citizens on both sides of the border.  In this context, President Obama welcomed recent engagements between Prime Minister Sharif and Prime Minister Singh and expressed hope that this would mark the beginning of a sustained dialogue process between the two neighbors, aimed at building lasting peace in South Asia and resolving all outstanding territorial and other disputes through peaceful means.  President Obama welcomed steps taken by Pakistan and India to improve their economic relations, including by exploring electricity and gas supply agreements, developing a reciprocal visa regime, and expanding bilateral trade.

Conclusion

President Obama thanked the Prime Minister for visiting the United States, and both Leaders committed themselves to remaining in close contact and to continuing their efforts to build a strong, broad-based, long-term, and enduring relationship between the United States and Pakistan that should serve as a foundation for the stability and prosperity of the region and around the globe.

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
October 23, 2013

Fact Sheet: The United States and Pakistan—Strong and Enduring Cooperation

President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama hosted Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and First Lady Kalsoom Nawaz Sharif at the White House on October 23, 2013.  Their visit underscored the long-term cooperation between the United States and Pakistan and highlighted the following areas of ongoing U.S. activity: 

Fostering Mutual Prosperity

Energy:  The United States and Pakistan have a strong partnership in the energy sector, recognizing the central role a stable supply of energy plays in accelerating Pakistan’s economic growth.  To date, U.S. assistance has added more than 1,000 megawatts to Pakistan’s national grid—enough electricity for more than 16 million Pakistanis.  U.S. assistance has funded the construction and rehabilitation of Gomal Zam Dam, Satpara Dam, Mangla Dam, and Tarbela Dam and the modernization of Guddu, Jamshoro, and Muzaffargarh power plants.

As part of its commitment to add a total of 1,200 megawatts of power to Pakistan’s national grid by 2014, USAID announced the Kaitu Weir Hydroelectric and Irrigation Project in North Waziristan, which will create 18.4 megawatts of electricity for 294,000 people and irrigate 16,400 acres of land.  In addition, the Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC) is facilitating private sector investment in a number of wind projects in Pakistan to provide an additional 200-250 megawatts of grid-connected power, including the recently approved Sapphire wind energy project in Sindh province.  The United States is also helping Pakistan diversify its energy supply through assisting with the development of domestic natural gas and renewable energy resources, as well as the import of liquefied natural gas.  To enhance U.S.-Pakistan cooperation, the United States will sponsor a Pakistani energy trade delegation visit to Houston, Texas, in November 2013 to meet with major U.S. energy companies.

Bilateral Trade and Investment:  Trade between the United States and Pakistan was valued at more than $5 billion in 2012, and the United States is Pakistan’s largest export market and source of foreign direct investment.  The United States hosts industry expositions to promote Pakistani products and organized five seminars in Pakistan within the last year on how Pakistani companies can increase their exports to the United States.  Through the U.S.-Pakistan Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA) and its working groups, both countries agreed to focus on promoting business-to-business ties.  That decision led to two successful U.S.–Pakistan Business Opportunities Conferences: one in Dubai in June 2013 and one in London in October 2012.  The United States offered to host the next TIFA Council meeting, where further business exchanges will be discussed.  To promote private investment, OPIC has committed $476 million in financing and insurance for projects in Pakistan involving a U.S. investor.

Regional Trade:  The United States strongly supports Pakistan’s focus on expanding regional trade.  The United States has funded the construction and rehabilitation of more than 900 kilometers of roads, including the four major trade routes between Pakistan and Afghanistan.  As part of this effort, on October 14, 2013, USAID signed a $90 million agreement with the Pakistan National Highway Authority to rehabilitate 247 kilometers of the Kalat-Quetta-Chaman road.  The United States is also supporting the implementation and potential extension of the Afghanistan-Pakistan Transit Trade Agreement, organizing regional business matchmaking events, sponsoring regional energy linkages through the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) natural gas pipeline, and encouraging the Central Asia-South Asia (CASA-1000) regional power transmission project. 

Private Sector Financing for Business Creation:  Recognizing small-and-medium businesses as critical catalysts of Pakistan’s growth, the United States launched the Pakistan Private Investment Initiative (PPII) in June 2013, matching U.S. funding one-to-one with private equity capital to make over $100 million available for small businesses in Pakistan.

Entrepreneurship:  The United States’ “Khushali Ka Safar” (Journey to Prosperity) programs focus primarily on facilitating access to capital, mentorship, education, and Diaspora engagement and investment.  In-country training programs have supported 70,000 female-headed micro-businesses, enabling them to increase their household incomes.  Additionally, the United States has provided mentoring and education for approximately 5,000 entrepreneurs through digital and in-person workshops and conferences since 2012.

Agriculture:  Pakistan’s agriculture sector employs more than 40 percent of the workforce and is a key driver of the country’s economic growth.  The United States is helping to boost Pakistan’s agricultural productivity by increasing irrigation and introducing improved technologies and water management practices.  The United States has financed irrigation for more than 370,000 acres of farmland in Pakistan, which has helped increase the incomes of more than 800,000 farmers, with a goal of reaching one million irrigated acres by 2016.  The United States also helps Pakistani agribusinesses access financing, form partnerships, and tap into more lucrative markets.  The U.S. Department of Agriculture is working with Pakistan to vaccinate more than 500,000 cattle, buffalo, and yaks; implement livestock disease surveillance systems; and develop a strain of cotton resistant to the curl leaf virus, which could devastate crops in Pakistan and globally if not addressed.

Science and Technology Cooperation:  The United States and Pakistan formally extended their Science and Technology Cooperation Agreement to 2018 during a signing ceremony on October 23, 2013, building on a partnership that began in 2003.  The U.S.-Pakistan Science and Technology Cooperation Program offers grants to U.S. and Pakistani researchers to work together at Pakistani institutes.  The program boasts 83 different research projects worth approximately $30 million in sectors such as health, agriculture, engineering, environment, energy, and water.

Women’s Participation:  The full participation of women in any society is essential to sustainable economic growth.  In 2012, the U.S. government and American University, together with the Organization of Pakistani Entrepreneurs of North America, launched the U.S.-Pakistan Women’s Council to promote economic advancement for Pakistani women.  The council brings together public and private sector partners to facilitate employment, entrepreneurship, and business education opportunities, helping women to launch and advance their own careers.  At the community level, U.S.-sponsored grants promote gender equality, including increasing women’s participation in elections and developing tools to combat violence against women.

Basic Education:  The United States and Pakistan place a priority on ensuring that Pakistan has an educated population that is prepared to enter the workforce.  To that end, USAID launched the Pakistan Reading Initiative to help 3.2 million children across Pakistan learn to read at grade level.  U.S. support has built or reconstructed more than 600 schools and is funding the construction of 16 education facilities and teacher training centers throughout Pakistan.  The United States also developed four-year and two-year degree programs specifically for education professionals, which have benefited more than 10,000 teachers and school administrators across the country.

Health Services:  Pakistan is the sixth most populous country in the world and has one of the highest infant and maternal mortality rates in Asia.  To help Pakistan expand its healthcare services, the United States financed a new gynecology ward at the Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Center in Karachi and is constructing a new public hospital in Jacobabad.  U.S. programs to train community health workers are extending health services to vulnerable Pakistanis and helping to reduce newborn and maternal deaths in participating areas.

Global Health Security:  The United States and Pakistan recognize the importance of partnership on global health security to prevent, detect, and respond to infectious disease threats, including cooperation in support of the World Health Organization International Health Regulations.

Advancing Security and Counterterrorism Cooperation

Defense and Counterterrorism Cooperation:  The United States and Pakistan enjoy a close security partnership and are working jointly to bring about the defeat of core al-Qaida and the extremist groups that threaten the security of both nations and the region.  Through U.S. security assistance programs, the United States provides critical equipment to Pakistani military troops conducting counterinsurgency and counterterrorism operations in the border region and to enhance Pakistan’s participation in international maritime security operations.  As a result, Pakistan has significantly increased the effectiveness of its operations against militant groups.

Military Training and Exchanges:  The United States provides Pakistan’s military with training to promote regional stability, improve its counterterrorism and defense capabilities, and enhance civilian-military relations.  Training programs support professional military and technical educational opportunities for Pakistan’s future military leaders, strengthening the professional relationships between the U.S. and Pakistan militaries.  Since 2009, the United States has trained nearly 730 members of the Pakistan Army, Air Force, and Navy.  In addition, the United States and Pakistan conduct military staff exchanges and joint training exercises each year to enhance coordination and interoperability between our militaries.

Improvised Explosive Devices:  Pakistan has taken positive steps over the past year to increase its controls and interdiction of the illicit supply of the materials used to produce improvised explosive devices (IEDs).  Through U.S. security assistance programs, and the Joint Improvised Explosive Device Defeat Organization, the United States provides Pakistan with technical expertise and equipment to improve its ability to detect and defuse these devices.

Coalition Support Funds:  Pakistan is an important partner in the fight against violent extremism.  Its counterterrorism operations weaken terrorist networks, improve border stability, and advance the goals of Operation Enduring Freedom.  The U.S. government supports Pakistan’s efforts in these operations through Coalition Support Funds, which allow for reimbursement of jointly agreed-upon costs incurred by Pakistan in this fight. 

Civilian Law Enforcement and Rule of Law:  Through training, equipment, and infrastructure assistance, the United States supports Pakistan’s efforts to enhance civilian law enforcement and justice institutions’ response to violent crime and terrorism.  U.S. support also facilitates Pakistan’s efforts to reduce the cultivation and transport of illegal narcotics within and across their borders.

Security, Strategic Stability, and Nonproliferation:  Pakistan is engaged with the international community on nuclear safety and security issues and is working to ensure its strategic export controls are in line with international standards.  Pakistan is a state party to both the Chemical Weapons Convention and the Biological Weapons Convention and is a partner in the Global Initiative to Combat Nuclear Terrorism.  Pakistan is an active participant in the Nuclear Security Summit process and works closely with the International Atomic Energy Agency’s Office of Nuclear Security to promote best security practices.  Through our joint Security, Strategic Stability, and Nonproliferation Dialogue, we have shared views on nonproliferation challenges, as well as on the multilateral regimes on chemical and biological weapons, export controls, and the importance of regional stability and security.

Furthering People-to-People Ties

Higher Education Collaboration and the Fulbright Program:  The United States and Pakistan enjoy strong people-to-people programs, particularly in higher education.  U.S. exchange programs have brought more than 5,000 Pakistani university and high school students to the United States, and the United States has provided scholarships to more than 12,000 Pakistani students to study at universities within Pakistan.  The United States is also investing more in the Fulbright program in Pakistan than anywhere else in the world. 

University Partnerships:  The United States and Pakistan benefit from 19 university partnerships that improve the professional development of faculty, advance curriculum reform and joint research, and develop peer-to-peer relationships.  The United States is supporting the establishment of three Centers for Advanced Studies in agriculture, water management, and energy, which will partner with U.S. academic institutions to promote skilled graduates in sectors key to a strong economy.

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
October 23, 2013

Readout of the Meeting with Health Insurance Executives and Senior Administration Officials

Today, Secretary Sebelius, CMS Director Marilyn Tavenner, Valerie Jarrett, Chris Jennings and Denis McDonough met with health insurance executives to discuss open enrollment and ongoing implementation of the Affordable Care Act.  The administration is committed to working in partnership with the insurers so we can successfully meet the great demand people have shown for the affordable health care coverage at the heart of the Affordable Care Act.

Specifically, we are collaborating closely with the insurers to address problems we have witnessed in what are called “834” forms and in direct enrollment.  To that end, we have worked with the insurers and the “alpha teams” we jointly established made up of insurers’ technology experts and CMS technology experts, to iron out kinks in the both the 834 forms and in direct enrollment.   These “alpha teams” are working side-by-side to correct challenges as soon as we see them.  The teams have been meeting virtually with CMS and CGI and with tech teams associated with operations leaders on the industry.   

Drawing on the industry techs’ experience in this way is a part of the “tech surge” that is incrementally improving performance at HealthCare.Gov.  Today’s announcement is another way we are ensuring that we are doing everything possible to address the technical issues to ensure that all the American people who need it can purchase the affordable health care coverage made available as a result of the Affordable Care Act.

Attendees included: 

·         Mark Bertolini, CEO, Aetna

·         Bruce Broussard, CEO, Humana 

·         Chet Burrell, CEO, CareFirst

·         Patrick Geraghty, CEO, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Florida

·         Jay Gellert, President & CEO, Health Net, Inc.

·         Patricia Hemingway Hall, President & CEO, Health Care Services Corporation

·         Daniel J. Hilferty, President & CEO, Independence Blue Cross

·         Karen Ignagni, President & CEO, America’s Health Insurance Plans

·         John Molina, Chief Financial Officer, Molina Healthcare

·         Michael Neidorff, Chairman & CEO, Centene Corp.

·         James Roosevelt, President & CEO, Tufts Health Plan

·         Scott Serota, President & CEO, Blue Cross Blue Shield Association

·         Joseph Swedish, CEO, Wellpoint

·         Bernard Tyson, CEO, Kaiser Permanente

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
October 23, 2013

Notice -- Continuation of the National Emergency with Respect to the Situation or in Relation to the Democratic Republic of the Congo

NOTICE

- - - - - - -

CONTINUATION OF THE NATIONAL EMERGENCY WITH RESPECT TO
THE SITUATION IN OR IN RELATION TO THE DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC
OF THE CONGO

On October 27, 2006, by Executive Order 13413, the President declared a national emergency with respect to the situation in or in relation to the Democratic Republic of the Congo and, pursuant to the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1701-1706), ordered related measures blocking the property of certain persons contributing to the conflict in that country. The President took this action to deal with the unusual and extraordinary threat to the foreign policy of the United States constituted by the situation in or in relation to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, which has been marked by widespread violence and atrocities that continue to threaten regional stability.

Because this situation continues to pose an unusual and extraordinary threat to the foreign policy of the United States, the national emergency declared in Executive Order 13413 of October 27, 2006, and the measures adopted on that date to deal with that emergency, must continue in effect beyond October 27, 2013. Therefore, in accordance with section 202(d) of the National Emergencies Act (50 U.S.C. 1622(d)), I am continuing for 1 year the national emergency with respect to the situation in or in relation to the Democratic Republic of the Congo declared in Executive Order 13413.

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

BARACK OBAMA