The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
June 09, 2012

WEEKLY ADDRESS: Congress Must Act to Keep our Teachers on the Job

WASHINGTON, DC— In this week’s address, President Obama urged Congress to take action now to put our teachers back to work in classrooms, because the best predictor of individual and American success in this economy is a good education. In 2009 and 2010, we helped keep hundreds of thousands of teachers on the job, but we must do more, which is why the President sent Congress his jobs bill in September that helps states prevent more layoffs and rehire more teachers.  It’s time for our elected leaders to come together and take action on the President’s bill to help our students and economy, and put our teachers back to work.

The audio of the address and video of the address will be available online at www.whitehouse.gov at 6:00 a.m. ET, Saturday, June 9, 2012.

Remarks of President Barack Obama
Weekly Address
The White House
June 9, 2012

This week, I spent some time talking with college students about how we can make higher education more affordable.  And one of the things I told them was how proud I was that they were making that investment in themselves – because in today’s economy, the best predictor of success is a good education. 

That’s not just true for our individual success; it’s also true for America’s success.  New jobs and new businesses will take root wherever they can find the most highly-educated, highly-skilled workers.  And I want those workers to be American workers.  I want those good-paying, middle-class jobs to take root right here.

So it should concern everyone that right now – all across America – tens of thousands of teachers are getting laid off.  In Pennsylvania alone, there are 9,000 fewer educators in our schools today than just a year ago.  In Ohio, the number is close to 7,000.  And nationwide, over the past three years, school districts have lost over 250,000 educators.  Think about what that means for our country.  When there are fewer teachers in our schools, class sizes start climbing up.  Our students start falling behind.  And our economy takes a hit.

The point is: teachers matter.  One study found that a good teacher can increase the lifetime income of a classroom by over $250,000.  A great teacher can change the course of a child’s life.  So the last thing our country needs is to have fewer teachers in our schools.    

Now, I know states are still going through some tough times.  I realize that every Governor is dealing with limited resources and many face stark choices when it comes to their budgets. 

But that doesn’t mean we should just stand by and do nothing.  When states struggle, it’s up to Congress to step in and help out.  In 2009 and in 2010, we provided aid to states to help keep hundreds of thousands of teachers in the classroom.  But we need to do more.  That’s why a critical part of the jobs bill that I sent to Congress back in September was to help states prevent even more layoffs and rehire even more teachers who had lost their jobs. 

But months later, we’re still waiting on Congress to act.

When it comes to this recovery, we can’t fully control everything that happens in other parts of the world.  But there are plenty of things we can control.  There are plenty of steps we can take, right now, to strengthen our economy.  Putting teachers back in our kids’ classrooms is one of those steps.  And there’s no excuse for inaction.  You work hard.  Your leaders should, too.  Especially at this make-or-break moment for the middle class. 

I know this is an election year.  But some things are bigger than an election.  Some things are bigger than politics.  So I hope you’ll join me in telling Congress to do the right thing; to get to work and to help get our teachers back in the classroom.  We can’t afford to wait any longer. 

Thanks and have a great weekend.

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The White House

Office of the Vice President

For Immediate Release
June 08, 2012

Readout of Vice President Biden's Meeting with President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf of Liberia

This afternoon Vice President Biden welcomed President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf of Liberia to the White House.   The Vice President lauded President Sirleaf for her steadfast leadership and continued success in guiding Liberia’s post-conflict transition and development.  He reaffirmed the special history between the United States and Liberia and the strong, enduring relationship between the two countries, and emphasized the Administration’s continued commitment to the partnership.  Members of the Liberian legislature accompanied President Sirleaf as part of her delegation, and the Vice President recognized and applauded their collective leadership and their joint efforts to tackle corruption and rebuild key institutions.  He emphasized their shared role as stewards of Liberia’s natural resources and the critical need for management of those resources for the benefit of the country and people of Liberia.

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
June 08, 2012

Statement by the Press Secretary on H.R. 2947, H.R. 3992, and H.R. 4097

On Friday, June 8, 2012, the President signed into law:

H.R. 2947, which releases deed restrictions placed on a parcel of land conveyed by the United States in 1950 to the State of Minnesota for an airport;

H.R. 3992, which deems Israel to be a foreign state whose nationals are entitled to enter the United States as nonimmigrants to develop and direct the operations of an enterprise in which they have invested a substantial amount of capital; and

H.R. 4097, the "John F. Kennedy Center Reauthorization Act of 2012," which authorizes appropriations to the Board of Trustees of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts for FYs 2013-2014 and authorizes construction of an addition to the south end of the Kennedy Center building to be paid for using non-appropriated funds.

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
June 08, 2012

Readout of the President’s Phone Calls with President Hollande

President Obama spoke today with French President Hollande to discuss economic conditions in Europe.  This continues the President’s close consultations with European colleagues following their Camp David discussions.  The President and President Hollande agreed on the importance of steps to strengthen the resilience of the Eurozone and growth in Europe and globally, and agreed to remain in contact as they prepare for the June 18-19 G-20 Summit in Los Cabos, Mexico.  The President welcomed France’s decision to host the next meeting of the Friends of Syria on July 6, noting the need to quickly bring about a political transition in Syria.

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
June 08, 2012

Statement on the President’s Meeting with President Aquino of the Philippines

Today, the President met with Philippine President Benigno S. Aquino III in the Oval Office.  The Philippines is a close friend and a key economic and security partner for the United States.  The two leaders reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening the bilateral relationship.  The U.S.-Philippines partnership is based on our shared history, democratic values, and mutual interests.  It is rooted in our bilateral alliance, which has contributed to the stability and prosperity of the Asia-Pacific region for over 60 years.  Both leaders reaffirmed their mutual commitment to the peace and security of the region and to the U.S.-Philippines Mutual Defense Treaty.

The Presidents reviewed recent progress made in enhancing bilateral cooperation since their previous meeting at the East Asia Summit in November.  They welcomed the outcomes of the Bilateral Strategic Dialogue and the first ever “2+2” ministerial consultation in April, including the commitments on regional strategic issues, security and economic cooperation, and supporting the rule of law. 

President Obama reaffirmed the U.S. Government’s support for Philippine efforts to build a minimum credible defense posture, as evidenced by our transfer of a second U.S. Coast Guard Cutter to the Philippine Navy, support for the Philippine National Coast Watch System, and the growing number of bilateral exercises and training programs.

The Presidents agreed to build on our successful security cooperation on counterterrorism by expanding efforts to enhance joint military capabilities and interoperability in humanitarian assistance, as well as in the areas of disaster relief, maritime security, and maritime domain awareness.  President Obama recognized President Aquino’s commitment to peace negotiations with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front and to ensuring a peaceful and prosperous future for Mindanao. 

The leaders acknowledged the importance of a strong economic relationship to both sides, and committed to redouble efforts to bolster and deepen efforts to expand bilateral trade and promote greater trade and economic integration in the Asia Pacific.  In particular, President Obama noted the positive trade dialogue taking place under the bilateral Trade and Investment Framework Agreement and the importance of expanding bilateral trade in key agricultural products of interest to both countries.  

The President welcomed President Aquino’s commitment to the Partnership for Growth as a catalyzing joint effort to promote anti-corruption and rule of law, improved fiscal performance and regulatory quality, and inclusive economic growth.  They agreed to continue to push for progress on good governance and transparency in the Open Government Partnership and through implementation of the Philippines Millennium Challenge Corporation compact grant.  They also welcomed the signing of a Science and Technology agreement that will help boost innovation by facilitating collaborative scientific activities and promoting the exchange of ideas, information, skills and technology.

The President underscored the importance of the long and close ties between the people of the United States and the Philippines, as well as the significant contributions our people have made to each other’s security, prosperity and culture.  They each pledged to continue to deepen those ties through continued educational and cultural exchanges, and welcomed the founding of the U.S.-Philippines Society to further build bilateral ties.

President Aquino welcomed the renewed U.S. strategic focus and rebalancing in the Asia Pacific Region, as well as active participation in the U.S.-ASEAN Leaders Meeting and other regional fora.  President Obama thanked President Aquino for his role as U.S.-ASEAN Dialogue Partner in facilitating the United States’ participation in the East Asia Summit for the first time last year.

President Aquino briefed the President on regional developments, including the situation in the South China Sea.  They underscored the importance of the principles of ensuring freedom of navigation, respect for international law, and unimpeded lawful commerce.   They expressed firm support for a collaborative diplomatic process among claimants to resolve territorial disputes in a manner consistent with international law and without coercion or the use of force. President Obama conveyed his support for the ongoing efforts within ASEAN to reach an agreement with China on a Code of Conduct for the South China Sea that creates a rules-based framework for managing and regulating the conduct of parties, including preventing and managing disputes.

Finally, President Obama and President Aquino committed to maintaining the intensified pace and scope of our bilateral engagement established over the last two years through sustained strategic dialogue and joint activities, in the spirit of mutual respect and mutual responsibility.

The White House

Office of the Vice President

For Immediate Release
June 07, 2012

Readout of Vice President Biden's Meeting with Prime Minister Katainen of Finland

Vice President Biden today welcomed Prime Minister Jyrki Katainen of Finland to the White House.  The two emphasized the importance we each place on our strong and enduring bilateral partnership as well as the importance of the transatlantic relationship.  The Vice President thanked Prime Minister Katainen for Finland’s significant contributions to international peace and stability, including its valued role as a NATO partner with troops serving in the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan, among other contributions to global security.  The Vice President expressed appreciation for Finland’s development and reconstruction assistance in Afghanistan, as well as its significant financial contribution to sustain Afghan National Security Forces after 2014.  They discussed a range of other regional and global issues as well, including their shared strong concerns about the situation in Syria.

The Vice President and Prime Minister also discussed the importance of steps to address the economic crisis in Europe and to spur growth on both sides of the Atlantic through trade and investment.  They discussed the mutual benefit of continued cooperation in such areas as green energy and technologies, and noted the benefits to both countries of joint projects to encourage entrepreneurship and innovation.

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
June 07, 2012

Presidential Nominations and Withdrawals Sent to the Senate

NOMINATIONS SENT TO THE SENATE:

Mignon L. Clyburn, of South Carolina, to be a Member of the Federal Communications Commission for a term of five years from July 1, 2012.  (Reappointment)

Stephen Crawford, of Maryland, to be a Governor of the United States Postal Service for the remainder of the term expiring December 8, 2015, vice Alan C. Kessler, resigned.

John M. Koenig, of Washington, a Career Member of the Senior Foreign Service, Class of Minister-Counselor, to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Republic of Cyprus.

WITHDRAWALS SENT TO THE SENATE:

Terence Francis Flynn, of Maryland, to be a Member of the National Labor Relations Board for the term of five years expiring August 27, 2015, vice Peter Schaumber, term expired, which was sent to the Senate on January 5, 2011.

Terence Francis Flynn, of Maryland, to be a Member of the National Labor Relations Board for the term of five years expiring August 27, 2015, vice Peter Schaumber, term expired, to which position he was appointed during the last recess of the Senate, which was sent to the Senate on February 13, 2012.

Roslyn Ann Mazer, of Maryland, to be Inspector General, Department of Homeland Security, vice Richard L. Skinner, resigned, which was sent to the Senate on July 21, 2011.

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
June 07, 2012

FACT SHEET: Encouraging Reliable Supplies of Molybdenum-99 Produced without Highly Enriched Uranium

Ahead of this week’s Society of Nuclear Medicine meeting and the July gathering of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, the United States is announcing steps to ensure the reliable supply of medical isotopes while minimizing the use of highly enriched uranium (HEU) for civilian purposes.   In order to maintain access globally to reliable supplies of the isotope molybdenum-99 (Mo-99) for legitimate medical purposes, the United States is accelerating commercial projects that produce Mo-99 domestically without the use of HEU.  The United States is committed to eliminating the use of HEU in all civilian applications, including in the production of medical radioisotopes, because of its direct significance for potential use in nuclear weapons, acts of nuclear terrorism, or other malevolent purposes.   Today there is wide agreement that civilian use of HEU should be minimized, and the U.S. is working with international partners to eliminate its use in radioisotope production worldwide, consistent with this commitment.  
 
Medical patients in both the United States and around the world require access to reliable supplies of radioisotopes for use in medical procedures.  Over the past few years, the supply of the short-lived medical isotope Mo-99 and its daughter product technetium-99m have encountered periods of shortage and unreliability, as Mo-99 is produced in only a few facilities around the world, most of which are reaching the end of their projected life, and none of which are located domestically.  Moreover, most of the facilities that currently produce large-scale quantities of Mo-99 use HEU targets in the production process.  
 
The ongoing success of worldwide efforts to assure the supply of medical isotopes will depend upon the transition of the industry to a full cost-recovery, market-driven model, along with the conversion of the current global medical isotope production from HEU to low enriched uranium (LEU) targets.  The United States will support these efforts by taking the following actions, consistent with policy principles developed and adopted by the international community, including those outlined in the Communiqué of the Seoul Nuclear Security Summit in 2012 and by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development’s Nuclear Energy Agency:
 
• Calling upon the Mo-99 industry to voluntarily establish a unique product code or similar identifying markers for Mo-99-based radiopharmaceutical products that are produced without the use of HEU;
• Preferentially procuring, through certain U.S. government entities, Mo-99-based products produced without the use of HEU, whenever they are available, and in a manner consistent with U.S. obligations under international trade agreements;
• Examining potential health-insurance payment options that might promote a sustainable non-HEU supply of Mo-99;  
• Taking steps to further reduce exports of HEU that will be used for medical isotope production when sufficient supplies of non-HEU-produced Mo-99 are available to the global marketplace;
• Continuing to encourage domestic commercial entities in their efforts to produce Mo-99 without HEU during the transition of the Mo-99 industry to full-cost-recovery, and directing those resources to the projects with the greatest demonstrated progress; and
• Continuing to provide support to international producers to assist in the conversion of Mo-99 production facilities from HEU to LEU.
The reliability of supply of medical isotopes is a priority for the United States.  The actions and approach outlined above will directly support the long-term reliability of supply of this vital commodity for the medical community and ensure that patient needs are met both in the United States and around the world, all the while continuing to minimize the use of HEU in the civilian sector.
 

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
June 07, 2012

Statement by the Press Secretary on Syria

The United States strongly condemns the outrageous targeted killings of civilians including women and children in Al-Qubeir in Hama province as reported by multiple credible sources.  This, coupled with the Syrian regime’s refusal to let UN observers into the area to verify these reports, is an affront to human dignity and justice.  There is no justification for this regime’s continued defiance of its obligations under the Annan Plan, and Assad’s continued abdication of responsibility for these horrific acts has no credibility and only further underscores the illegitimate and immoral nature of his rule. 
 

The future of Syria will be determined by the Syrian people, and the international community must come together in support of their legitimate aspirations.  We call once more on all nations to abandon support for this brutal and illegitimate regime, and to join together to support a political transition in Syria—one that upholds the promise of a future for which far too many have already died.
 

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
June 06, 2012

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:

• Mignon L. Clyburn – Commissioner, Federal Communications Commission
• Stephen Crawford – Governor, Board of Governors of the United States Postal Service
• John M. Koenig – Ambassador to the Republic of Cyprus, Department of State

The President also announced his intent to appoint the following individual to a key Administration post:

• Patrick Gaynor – Member, Medal of Valor Review Board

President Obama said, “I am proud to nominate such impressive individuals to these important roles, and I am grateful they have agreed to lend their considerable talents to this Administration. 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:

Mignon L. Clyburn, Nominee for Commissioner, Federal Communications Commission
Mignon L. Clyburn is a Commissioner on the Federal Communications Commission, having been appointed by President Obama in July 2009. From 1998 to 2009, Ms. Clyburn served as the Representative of South Carolina's sixth district on the Public Service Commission (PSC) of South Carolina.  She was sworn in for her first term in July 1998, and was subsequently re-elected in 2002 and 2006.  Ms. Clyburn served as Chair of the PSC from July 2002 to June 2004.  Prior to her service on the PSC, she was Publisher and General Manager of the Coastal Times from 1984 to 1998.  Ms. Clyburn received her B.A. from the University of South Carolina.

Stephen Crawford, Nominee for Governor, Board of Governors of the United States Postal Service
Stephen Crawford is a research professor at the George Washington Institute of Public Policy at George Washington University.  From 2009 to 2011, he served as Vice President for Policy & Research at the Corporation for Enterprise Development, and from 2008 to 2009 as Deputy Director of the Metropolitan Policy Program at the Brookings Institution. Previously, Mr. Crawford was the Director of Social, Economic and Workforce Programs at the National Governors Association from 2002 to 2007 and Vice President, Treasurer, and Board Secretary of the National Policy Association from 2000 to 2002.  Earlier in his career, he served as Executive Director of the Governors’ Workforce Investment Board for the State of Maryland from 1997 to 2000.  Mr. Crawford served in the U.S. Army, including as an infantry officer in Vietnam, and he was awarded a Bronze Star. He holds a B.A. from Cornell University, a M.G.A from the Wharton Business School at the University of Pennsylvania, and a Ph.D. from Columbia University.

John M. Koenig, Nominee for Ambassador to the Republic of Cyprus, Department of State
John M. Koenig, a career member of the Senior Foreign Service, class of Minister-Counselor, served as Political Advisor to the Commander of the Allied Joint Force Command in Naples from August 2009 to May 2012.  From 2006 to 2009, he served as Charge d’Affaires ad interim and Deputy Chief of Mission at the U.S. Embassy in Berlin.  From 2003 to 2006, Mr. Koenig was Deputy Permanent Representative and Deputy Chief of Mission at the U.S. Mission to NATO.  From 2000 to 2003, he was Principal Officer at the U.S. Consulate General in Thessaloniki, Greece.  Other overseas assignments include posts at the U.S. Embassies in Athens, Nicosia, Jakarta, and Manila.  In Washington, he has served in the Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs and the Operations Center.   Mr. Koenig received a B.A. from the University of Washington and an M.A. from Johns Hopkins University’s School of Advanced International Studies. 

President Obama announced his intent to appoint the following individual to a key Administration post:

Patrick Gaynor, Appointee for Member, Medal of Valor Review Board
Patrick Gaynor has been an officer in the Meriden, Connecticut Police Department for 15 years and is currently the Detective Division Commander.  His has served in numerous operational areas of the Department including patrol, narcotics, SWAT, training, and professional standards.  He is the President of the Connecticut Council of Police Unions, AFSCME Council 15.  Before joining the Department, Mr. Gaynor served in the U.S. Marine Corps for eight years and is a veteran of Operation Desert Shield.  He has a B.A. in Business Management from Saint Leo University.