The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
March 06, 2013

Statement by the President on Republican Filibuster of Caitlin Halligan

I am deeply disappointed that despite support from a majority of the United States Senate, a minority of Senators continues to block the nomination of Caitlin Halligan to serve on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit.  Nearly two and a half years after being nominated, Ms. Halligan continues to wait for a simple up-or-down vote.   In the past, filibusters of judicial nominations required “extraordinary circumstances,” and a Republican Senator who was part of this agreement articulated that only an ethics or qualification issue – not ideology – would qualify.  Ms. Halligan has always practiced law with the highest ethical ideals, and her qualifications are beyond question.  Furthermore, her career in public service and as a law enforcement lawyer, serving the citizens of New York, is well within the mainstream.

Today’s vote continues the Republican pattern of obstruction.  My judicial nominees wait more than three times as long on the Senate floor to receive a vote than my predecessor’s nominees.  The effects of this obstruction take the heaviest toll on the D.C. Circuit, considered the Nation’s second-highest court, which now has only seven active judges and four vacancies.  Until last month, for more than forty years, the court has always had at least eight active judges and as many as twelve.  A majority of the Senate agrees that Ms. Halligan is exactly the kind of person who should serve on this court, and I urge Senate Republicans to allow the Senate to express its will and to confirm Ms. Halligan without further delay.

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
March 06, 2013

Statement by the Press Secretary on the visit of Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah of Brunei Darussalam to the White House

President Obama will welcome His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah of Brunei Darussalam to the White House on Tuesday, March 12, 2013. The United States and Brunei have strong bilateral relations and have a shared interest in working together to ensure the continued peace, stability and prosperity of the Asia Pacific region. The President looks forward to discussing preparations for the East Asia Summit and U.S.-ASEAN Summit, which will be held in Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei in October, and to consulting with His Majesty on a broad range of strategic and economic issues of mutual concern.

The Sultan’s visit underscores the strategic importance the President places on the Asia Pacific region and to substantive engagement with our friends and partners in the region.  It highlights the President’s commitment to participating fully in the region’s multilateral forums in order to foster cooperation, maintain stability and promote economic growth.  The visit also provides an opportunity for the two leaders to continue progress on the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP).

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
March 05, 2013

Statement of President Obama on the Death of Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez

At this challenging time of President Hugo Chavez’s passing, the United States reaffirms its support for the Venezuelan people and its interest in developing a constructive relationship with the Venezuelan government. As Venezuela begins a new chapter in its history, the United States remains committed to policies that promote democratic principles, the rule of law, and respect for human rights.

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
March 05, 2013

One-Year Update on the Implementation of the National Strategy for Global Supply Chain Security

The National Strategy for Global Supply Chain Security, released in January 2012, established the U.S. Government’s policy to strengthen the global supply chain to protect the interests of the American people and enhance our Nation’s economic prosperity. 

The Administration, in coordination with private sector stakeholders and foreign government partners, made significant progress in implementing the Strategy throughout 2012 and in defining our priorities for future work.  As required by the Strategy, Federal Departments and Agencies prepared a consolidated report outlining these efforts and defining 2013 implementation goals.  The public version of this report is available HERE.

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
March 05, 2013

President Obama Signs Disaster Declaration for the Navajo Nation

The President today declared a major disaster exists for the Navajo Nation and ordered Federal aid to supplement the Tribe’s efforts in the area affected by a severe freeze during the period of December 15, 2012 to January 21, 2013.

Federal funding is available to the Navajo Nation and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for emergency work and the repair or replacement of facilities damaged by the severe freeze.

Federal funding is also available on a cost-sharing basis for hazard mitigation measures for the Tribe.

W. Craig Fugate, Administrator, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Department of Homeland Security, named Mark A. Neveau 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.

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
March 03, 2013

Statement by the President on the Passing of Van Cliburn

This week, we mark the passing of Van Cliburn, one of the most talented pianists of the last century and a musical artist of rare distinction. At the young age of 23, Mr. Cliburn swept the world off its feet with his winning performance at the first International Tchaikovsky Competition in Moscow, and he quickly became a beloved ambassador of American culture around the world – especially in the former Soviet Union. His music transcended the challenges of international politics and contributed to an unlikely thaw in Cold War relations. He was truly a man of his moment. Like every President since Harry Truman, I enjoyed the privilege of hearing Mr. Cliburn play, and I am confident that the enduring beauty of his art will sustain his legendary status for years to come. Michelle and I send our thoughts and prayers to Mr. Cliburn’s loved ones.

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The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
March 02, 2013

White House Announces New Coordinator for the Middle East, North Africa, and the Gulf Region

Today, National Security Advisor Tom Donilon announced that Philip Gordon will be joining the National Security Staff as Special Assistant to the President and White House Coordinator for the Middle East, North Africa, and the Gulf Region. He will take up his duties beginning on March 11.

National Security Advisor Donilon said, “Phil has been a key member of President Obama’s foreign policy team for the past four years and his work with our European Allies and partners has been indispensable in helping us to formulate policy and address issues around the globe, including Libya, Syria and Iran.  His work on international security, international economics and European and Middle Eastern Affairs make him the perfect person to coordinate our policy in this time of great challenge and opportunity in the Middle East, North Africa and the Gulf.  His appointment further strengthens a superb team that includes Puneet Talwar, Special Assistant to the President and Senior Director for the Gulf States, Iran and Iraq, and Prem Kumar, Acting Senior Director for the Middle East and North Africa.”
 
Since May 2009, Dr. Gordon has served as Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs.  As Assistant Secretary he was responsible for U.S. policy with regard to 50 countries in Europe and Eurasia as well as NATO, the EU and the OSCE. Prior to joining the Administration, Dr. Gordon was a senior foreign policy advisor to the 2008 presidential campaign of then-Senator Barack Obama, and served as: a Senior Fellow at the Brookings Institution in Washington, DC; Director for European Affairs at the National Security Council under President Bill Clinton; and a Senior Fellow at the International Institute for Strategic Studies, London. 
 
He has a Ph.D. and M.A. in international relations from Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS) and a B.A. from Ohio University. 

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
March 01, 2013

President Obama Signs Disaster Declaration for the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians

The President today declared a major disaster exists for the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians and ordered Federal aid to supplement the Tribe’s efforts in the area affected by severe storms, flooding, landslides, and mudslides during the period of January 14-17, 2013.

Federal funding is available to the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for emergency work and the repair or replacement of facilities damaged by the severe storms, flooding, landslides, and mudslides. 

Federal funding is also available on a cost-sharing basis for hazard mitigation measures for the Tribe.

W. Craig Fugate, Administrator, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Department of Homeland Security, named Michael Bolch 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
March 01, 2013

Readout of the President’s Call with President Putin

President Obama called Russian President Putin today to discuss next steps in the bilateral relationship and to coordinate on regional and global issues.  The Presidents had a constructive conversation on a wide range of issues.  President Obama welcomed strong U.S.-Russian cooperation in the P5+1 to address the Iranian nuclear issue.  The Presidents welcomed the substantive and constructive consultations held by Secretary Kerry and Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov earlier this week in Berlin on implementing the Geneva Action Group framework to enable a political transition in Syria.  The two Presidents agreed on the need to advance a political transition to end the violence as soon as possible and the importance of Secretary Kerry and Foreign Minister Lavrov continuing their engagement on Syria.  The Presidents discussed the international economic situation and the path toward a more substantial trade and investment relationship between the United States and Russia.   Finally, the Presidents agreed to hold a bilateral meeting in conjunction with the June G8 Summit in Northern Ireland and President Obama said he looks forward to visiting St. Petersburg for the G-20 meeting in September.

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
March 01, 2013

President Obama Grants Pardons

WASHINGTON – Today President Barack Obama granted pardons to the following seventeen individuals:

• Robert Leroy Bebee – Rockville, Maryland.
Offense: Misprision of a felony, 18 U.S.C. § 4.
Sentence:  Two years probation.

• James Anthony Bordinaro – Gloucester, Massachusetts.
Offenses: Conspiracy to restrain, suppress, and eliminate competition in violation of the Sherman Act, 15 U.S.C. § 1; conspiracy to submit false statements, 18 U.S.C. § 371.
Sentence:  12 months imprisonment, three years supervised release and a $55,000 fine.  

• Kelli Elisabeth Collins – Harrison, Arkansas.
Offense: Aiding and abetting a wire fraud, 18 U.S.C. §§ 1343, 2.
Sentence:  Five years probation.

• Edwin Hardy Futch, Jr. – Pembroke, Georgia.
Offense: Theft from an interstate shipment, 18 U.S.C. §§ 659, 2.
Sentence:  Five years probation, $2,399.72 restitution.

• Cindy Marie Griffith – Moyock, North Carolina.
Offense: Distribution of satellite cable television decryption devices, 47 U.S.C.
§ 605(e)(4), 18 U.S.C. § 2.
Sentence:  Two years probation with 100 hours of community service. 

• Roy Eugene Grimes, Sr. – Athens, Tennessee.
Offenses: Falsely altering a United States postal money order, 18 U.S.C. § 500; passing,
uttering, and publishing a forged and altered money order with intent to defraud,
18 U.S.C. § 500.
Sentence:  18 months probation.

• Jon Christopher Kozeliski – Decatur, Illinois.
Offense: Conspiracy to traffic counterfeit goods, 18 U.S.C. §§ 371, 2320.
Sentence:  One year of probation with six months of home confinement, $10,000 fine.

• Jimmy Ray Mattison – Anderson, South Carolina.
Offenses: Conspiracy to transport and cause the transportation of altered securities in
interstate commerce, 18 U.S.C. §§ 371, 2314; transporting and causing the transportation
of altered securities in interstate commerce, 18 U.S.C. §§ 2314, 2.
Sentence:  Three years probation.

• An Na Peng – Honolulu, Hawaii.
Offense: Conspiracy to defraud the Immigration and Naturalization Service,
18 U.S.C. § 371.
Sentence:  Two years probation, $2,000 fine.

• Michael John Petri – Montrose, South Dakota.
Offense: Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and distribution of a controlled
substance (cocaine), 21 U.S.C. §§ 841(a), 846.
Sentence:  Five years imprisonment, three years supervised release.

• Karen Alicia Ragee – Decatur, Illinois.
Offense: Conspiracy to traffic counterfeit goods, 18 U.S.C. §§ 371, 2320.
Sentence:  One year of probation with six months of home confinement, $2,500 fine.

• Jamari Salleh – Alexandria, Virginia.
Offense: False claims upon and against the United States, 18 U.S.C. §§ 287, 2.
Sentence:  Four years probation, $5,000 fine, $5,900 restitution.

• Alfor Sharkey – Omaha, Nebraska.
Offense: Unauthorized acquisition of food stamps, 7 U.S.C. § 2024(b)(1).
Sentence:  Three years probation with 100 hours of community service, $2,750 restitution.

• Donald Barrie Simon, Jr. – Chattanooga, Tennessee.
Offense: Aiding and abetting in the theft of an interstate shipment, 18 U.S.C. §§ 659, 2.
Sentence:  Two years imprisonment, three years probation.

• Lynn Marie Stanek – Tualatin, Oregon.
Offense: Unlawful use of a communication facility to distribute cocaine,
21 U.S.C. § 843(b).
Sentence:  Six months in jail, five years probation conditioned on residence in a
community treatment center for a period not to exceed one year.

• Larry Wayne Thornton – Forsyth, Georgia.
Offense: Possession of an unregistered firearm, 26 U.S.C. §§ 5861(d), 5871; possession of
a firearm without a serial number, 26 U.S.C. §§ 5861(i), 5871.
Sentence:  Four years probation.

• Donna Kaye Wright – Friendship, Tennessee.
Offense: Embezzlement and misapplication of bank funds, 18 U.S.C. § 656.
Sentence:  54 days imprisonment, three years probation conditioned on performance of six hours of community service per week.