The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
August 21, 2013

Statement by Principal Deputy Press Secretary Josh Earnest on Allegations of Chemical Weapons Use in Syria

The United States is deeply concerned by reports that hundreds of Syrian civilians have been killed in an attack by Syrian government forces, including by the use of chemical weapons, near Damascus earlier today.  We are working urgently to gather additional information.
 
The United States strongly condemns any and all use of chemical weapons.  Those responsible for the use of chemical weapons must be held accountable.  Today, we are formally requesting that the United Nations urgently investigate this new allegation.  The UN investigative team, which is currently in Syria, is prepared to do so, and that is consistent with its purpose and mandate.  For the UN’s efforts to be credible, they must have immediate access to witnesses and affected individuals, and have the ability to examine and collect physical evidence without any interference or manipulation from the Syrian government.  If the Syrian government has nothing to hide and is truly committed to an impartial and credible investigation of chemical weapons use in Syria, it will facilitate the UN team’s immediate and unfettered access to this site.  We have also called for urgent consultations in the UN Security Council to discuss these allegations and to call for the Syrian government to provide immediate access to the UN investigative team.  The United States urges all Syrian parties including the government and opposition, to provide immediate access to any and all sites of importance to the investigation and to ensure security for the UN investigative team.

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
August 20, 2013

Statement by NSC Spokesperson Caitlin Hayden on National Security Advisor Susan E. Rice’s Meeting with Indian NSA Shivshankar Menon

National Security Advisor Susan E. Rice met today with Indian National Security Advisor Shivshankar Menon to review the U.S.-India strategic partnership.  Ambassador Rice reaffirmed the United States’ commitment to further expanding and strengthening our bilateral relationship, including economic and commercial ties.  The two exchanged ideas on enhancing our security cooperation, reviewed progress on our civil nuclear and clean energy cooperation, and explored greater collaboration on climate change.  Ambassador Rice and NSA Menon also discussed India’s continued support for a stable, secure, and prosperous Afghanistan.

Noting our growing bilateral ties with India, Ambassador Rice said that the President was looking forward to welcoming Prime Minister Singh to the White House on Friday, September 27.  This meeting follows the Prime Minister’s visit to Washington in 2009, and the President’s visit to India in 2010, and it will highlight India’s role in regional security and stability and provide an opportunity for the two leaders to chart a course toward enhanced trade, investment, and development cooperation between the United States and India.

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
August 20, 2013

Statement by the President on the Presidential Elections in Mali

On behalf of the people of the United States, I congratulate the people of Mali and President-elect Ibrahim Boubacar Keita on a successful election on August 11.  Through the Interim Government’s management of a peaceful, inclusive, and credible electoral process, and with the extraordinary turnout of the Malian people, this election has helped restore Mali’s democratic tradition.  We encourage the candidates and their supporters to accept the results, and to use this election as a foundation for further progress on democracy, national reconciliation, and addressing the security and humanitarian crises in the north.  The United States stands with the people and government of Mali as they work to advance peace and stability in Mali and the region.  We look forward to working closely with the new government to broaden and deepen the ties between our two nations.

The White House

Office of the Vice President

For Immediate Release
August 19, 2013

Statement from the Office of the Vice President

This morning, the Vice President accompanied his son Beau Biden to Houston, Texas, where Beau is being evaluated to determine the cause of an episode of disorientation and weakness that he experienced while on vacation with his family last week.

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
August 19, 2013

ADVISORY: President Obama to Award Medal of Honor

WASHINGTON, DC – On Monday, August 26, 2013, President Barack Obama will award Staff Sergeant Ty M. Carter, U.S. Army, the Medal of Honor for conspicuous gallantry.  Staff Sergeant Carter will receive the Medal of Honor for his courageous actions while serving as a cavalry scout with Bravo Troop, 3rd Squadron, 61st Cavalry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, during combat operations in Kamdesh District, Nuristan Province, Afghanistan on October 3, 2009.

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

PERSONAL BACKGROUND: 

Staff Sergeant Ty Michael Carter grew up in Spokane, Washington and claims Antioch, California as his home of record.  He is married to Shannon Carter and they have three children; Jayden Young, Madison Carter and Sehara Carter.   

Staff Sergeant Carter enlisted in the Army in January 2008 as a cavalry scout.  After completion of training at Ft Knox, Kentucky, he was assigned to 3-61 Cavalry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, where he deployed to Afghanistan from May 2009 to May 2010.  In Oct 2010, he was assigned as a Stryker gunner with 8-1 Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division at Joint Base Lewis-McChord.  He completed a second deployment to Afghanistan in October 2012.  Carter is currently stationed at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington and is assigned to 7th Infantry Division.

His military decorations include:  Purple Heart, Army Commendation Medal with four oak leaf clusters, Army Achievement Medal with two oak leaf clusters, Army Good Conduct Medal, Navy Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal with two Campaign Stars, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, NCO Professional Development Ribbon w/Numeral 2, Army Service Ribbon, Oversea Service Ribbon, NATO Medal, the Combat Action Badge, Expert Infantryman Badge and Air Assault Badge.

Staff Sergeant Carter has also been credited with the following unit awards: Valorous Unit Award and the Meritorious Unit Commendation.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

THE MEDAL OF HONOR:

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

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

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

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
August 19, 2013

Statement by the Press Secretary on World Humanitarian Day

On World Humanitarian Day, the United States joins the international community in honoring the courage and commitment of the thousands of dedicated humanitarian workers who risk their lives delivering lifesaving assistance to the more than 28 million people affected by conflict and violence worldwide – the highest number ever recorded.

This year, humanitarian aid workers have worked tirelessly to provide food, medicine, and shelter to the millions of refugees and internally displaced persons driven from their homes by violence in Syria.  They have played a critical role in helping families and communities become more resilient to crises, particularly in the Horn of Africa, the Sahel, and Yemen.  And they have assisted the more than one hundred thousand innocent civilians who have fled human rights abuses and ethnically motivated violence in South Sudan’s Jonglei state.

The United States stands firmly with those working to advance the humanitarian principles we share.  We honor those who bravely serve in some of the most austere and difficult environments imaginable, and we remember those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice.  We continue to call on all countries to ensure humanitarian aid workers can serve without fear for their safety, and to support their efforts to build a more secure and prosperous world where all people can pursue their aspirations in peace and dignity.

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
August 19, 2013

Readout of the President's Meeting with Independent Financial Regulators

This afternoon, President Obama hosted a meeting with lead independent financial regulators.  In addition to White House staff, participants include the Comptroller of the Currency, the Director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), the Acting Director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA), and the chairs of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (FRB), the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), the National Credit Union Administration, and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).  Treasury Secretary Jack Lew also attended the meeting.

The President and the regulators discussed the significant progress that has been made to strengthen our financial system and protect consumers, including the ongoing implementation of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act.  The President commended the regulators for their work but stressed the need to expeditiously finish implementing the critical remaining portions of Wall Street Reform to ensure we are able to prevent the type of financial harm that led to the Great Recession from ever happening again.  The President also discussed the housing market including the need for a more simplified and certain housing finance system that better serves middle class families.  Protecting consumers is and has been a priority for the President since day one.  He understands that in order to build a strong and secure middle class, we need a stable financial system and common sense protections for families across the nation.

The group also discussed opportunities to continue interagency coordination, including through the Financial Stability Oversight Council chaired by Secretary Lew, and the need to remain responsive to new risks in the financial system.  Participants also discussed the challenges posed by the current budget environment to their efforts in strengthening the financial system and protecting consumers, and the importance of providing adequate funding for independent regulatory agencies to achieve their core missions.

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
August 15, 2013

Statement by the Press Secretary on New DOD Initiatives to Eliminate Sexual Assault in the Armed Forces

The President has stated clearly that sexual assault is a crime that undermines the honor, integrity, and readiness of our Armed Forces.  He has charged the nation’s military leadership with “exponentially stepping up our game” when it comes to eliminating sexual assault.  Women and men who step forward to serve our country must be protected from this devastating crime, and offenders must be held appropriately accountable.  Today’s announcement by Secretary of Defense Hagel of new Executive Actions is the result of intensive effort by the Department of Defense -- including the senior civilian leadership and each of the Services -- to fulfill the President’s call to action.   The initiatives  announced today are substantial, but only a step along a path toward eliminating this crime from our military ranks.  The President expects this level of effort to be sustained not only in the coming weeks and months, but as far into the future as necessary.  We will continue to work with the Pentagon to make progress on this high priority goal because none of our men and women in uniform should ever have to experience the pain and degradation of sexual assault.

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
August 14, 2013

Statement by Principal Deputy Press Secretary Josh Earnest on Egypt

The United States strongly condemns the use of violence against protesters in Egypt. We extend our condolences to the families of those who have been killed, and to the injured. We have repeatedly called on the Egyptian military and security forces to show restraint, and for the government to respect the universal rights of its citizens, just as we have urged protesters to demonstrate peacefully. Violence will only make it more difficult to move Egypt forward on a path to lasting stability and democracy, and runs directly counter to the pledges by the interim government to pursue reconciliation. We also strongly oppose a return to a State of Emergency law, and call on the government to respect basic human rights such as freedom of peaceful assembly, and due process under the law. The world is watching what is happening in Cairo. We urge the government of Egypt - and all parties in Egypt - to refrain from violence and resolve their differences peacefully.

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
August 12, 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:

  • Carla A. Harris – Chairperson, National Women’s Business Council
  • S. Fitzgerald Haney – Member, United States Holocaust Memorial Council
  • Beth Heifetz – Member, United States Holocaust Memorial Council 

President Obama said, “I am grateful these accomplished individuals have agreed to join this Administration, and I’m confident they will serve ably in these important roles. I look forward to working with them in the coming months and years.”

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

Carla A. Harris, Appointee for Chairperson, National Women’s Business Council

Carla A. Harris is the Vice Chairman of Global Wealth Management, Managing Director, and Senior Client Advisor at Morgan Stanley.  From 2009 to 2012, she was the head of their Emerging Manager Platform.  For more than a decade prior, Ms. Harris was a senior member of the firm’s Equity Syndicate desk, responsible for Equity Private Placements and led their retail and consumer capital markets effort from 2003 to 2008.  Ms. Harris served as Chair of the Private Placement Commitment Equity Committee from 1995 to 2005.  She began her career with Morgan Stanley in the Mergers & Acquisitions department in 1987.  Ms. Harris received an A.B. from Harvard University and an M.B.A. from Harvard Business School.

S. Fitzgerald Haney, Appointee for Member, United States Holocaust Memorial Council

S. Fitzgerald Haney is Director of Business Development and Client Services at Pzena Investment Management, a position he has held since 2007.  From 2002 to 2007, he was Director for Strategic Planning and New Business at the Depository Trust & Clearing Corporation.  From 1999 to 2001, Mr. Haney was a senior associate at Israel Seed Partners, a venture capital firm in Jerusalem, Israel.  Previously, he was a Vice President of Marketing and Strategic Planning at Citicorp/Citibank in Mexico, and worked in marketing at Pepsico, Inc. and Procter & Gamble in Brazil, Mexico, and Puerto Rico.  He served on the board of Ayecha, an organization devoted to Jews of Color, and was a former Board Chair of the Foundation for Jewish Culture.  Mr. Haney received a B.S. and an M.S. from the Georgetown University School of Foreign Service.

Beth Heifetz, Appointee for Member, United States Holocaust Memorial Council

Beth Heifetz is a partner at the law firm Jones Day.  Previously, from 1989 to 1991, she served as Litigation Counsel at the National Legal Aid & Defender Association, and from 1986 to 1989 she was an associate at the firm of Onek, Klein & Farr.  Ms. Heifetz is a member of the Washington Lawyers Committee for the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum and the Harry A. Blackmun Scholarship Foundation.  She is a former co-chair of the American Bar Association’s Litigation Section Pro Bono and Appellate Practice Committees.  Ms. Heifetz received a B.A. from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and a J.D. from New York University School of Law.