The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
March 22, 2012

Statement by the NSC Spokesman Tommy Vietor on Passage of Sri Lanka Resolution

The United States Government applauds today’s passage of the UN Human Rights Council’s resolution on “Promoting reconciliation and accountability in Sri Lanka.”  The resolution, which received broad support from around the world, calls for a range of critical steps that would go a long away to advancing the rights and dignity of the Sri Lankan people. The United States urges the Sri Lankan government to develop a comprehensive action plan for implementing steps on reconciliation and accountability, as called for in today’s resolution, and to work with UN experts and its partners in the international community to take meaningful action to achieve these important goals, which will be a critical part of Sri Lanka’s efforts to provide a bright, peaceful, and stable future for all of its people.  We stand ready to partner with Sri Lanka in this important effort.

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
March 22, 2012

Statement by the President on the Passage of the STOCK Act

In my State of the Union Address, I laid out a blueprint for an economy where everyone gets a fair shot, everyone does their fair share, and everyone plays by the same set of rules, including those who have been elected to serve the American people. 

Today, I’m pleased Congress took bipartisan action to pass the STOCK Act.  After I sign this bill into law, Members of Congress will not be able to trade stocks based on nonpublic information they gleaned on Capitol Hill.  It’s a good first step.  And in the months ahead, Congress should do even more to help fight the destructive influence of money in politics and rebuild the trust between Washington and the American people.

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
March 22, 2012

Statement by the Press Secretary

The President is grateful that the Senate acted in a bipartisan way to move forward key ideas the President proposed last fall that will help our small businesses and startups access capital they need to grow and create jobs.  We are heartened by the important investor protections added to the crowdfunding provision and will be vigilant in monitoring this and other elements to ensure the overall bill achieves its goal of helping entrepreneurs while maintaining protections for investors. We urge the House to adopt these important changes.

While this vote marks a moment of bipartisan cooperation, there is much more work to be done to create an economy that is built to last, and we encourage Congress to act on additional measures like rebuilding our nation’s crumbling roads and bridges, putting our teachers back in the classroom and first responders back on the beat, and reauthorizing the Export-Import Bank which thousands of American businesses and their workers depend on to stay competitive in the global economy. 

The White House

Office of the First Lady

For Immediate Release
March 22, 2012

First Lady Invites Children from Across the Country to White House Kitchen Garden Planting

In addition to Washington D.C. students, Mrs. Obama will welcome children from Iowa,
New York, North Carolina and Pennsylvania who wrote her letters about their gardens

On Monday, March 26 at 2:15 PM, First Lady Michelle Obama will welcome school children from across the country to join her for the fourth annual White House Kitchen Garden spring planting. In 2009, Mrs. Obama planted the White House Kitchen Garden – the first vegetable garden at the White House since Eleanor Roosevelt’s Victory Garden – as a way to start a conversation about the health of our nation’s children. From the beginning, Mrs. Obama has included local school children in the planting and harvesting of the garden and this year has also invited children from across the country who wrote to her about their own gardening experiences.

Children invited to this year’s planting come from the following schools and organizations:

• Girl Scouts of Western New York, Troop 60325 – Fairport, NY. This troop wrote a letter to Mrs. Obama about healthy eating and getting active. They also told Mrs. Obama that they were growing 100 tomato plants to give to people without access to fresh, healthy food. One scout wrote, “First let me say that my girl scout troop is veary (sic) excited to be wrighting (sic) to you. We are also going to plant seeds, and we were wondering if you could come and help us.”
• Harriet Tubman and Bancroft Elementary Schools – Washington, DC. These two schools have been active participants in the planting and harvesting of the White House Kitchen Garden.  Mrs. Obama has invited students from these schools – who have their own gardens – to work and learn in the White House Kitchen Garden. Students from Bancroft joined Mrs. Obama for the very first planting and have worked with her in the garden every year since that time.  Mrs. Obama also has visited Bancroft Elementary to help with their garden.  Additionally White House Chefs Cris Comerford, Sam Kass and Bill Yosses have adopted Tubman Elementary through the Chefs Move to Schools program and have worked with students and teachers on healthy eating.
• Mitchell Elementary School – Ames, IA. Second graders from this school wrote to the First Lady that they were studying “how to keep our bodies healthy.” They told her about PE class, recess and their effort to start a community garden. Each grade at the school has their own raised bed plot, and members of the community can also plant and harvest in the garden. The second graders planted lettuce, spinach, carrots, turnips, radishes, parsnips, watermelon, pumpkins, potatoes, onions and carrots. The letter wrote, “Our teachers let us taste test the food we harvest and we have even had a salad for snack and watermelon from our garden at lunch.”
• Stetser Elementary School – Chester, PA. Sixth graders from Stetser Elementary School wrote to the First Lady about planting a butterfly garden at the school and their plans to add a vegetable garden. The principal of the school wrote that the garden would “make connections for our students around growing and tasting fresh fruits and vegetables. Our goal will be to connect our garden with our local community and incorporate the produce we grow into our school lunch program.”
• Sumner Elementary School – Greensboro, NC. A third grade class from Sumner Elementary School wrote to Mrs. Obama about planting their own garden and asked Mrs. Obama for advice on what kinds of fruits and vegetables to include. They wrote “Thank you for encouraging America to eat better and live healthier. We hope that people continue to eat healthier. Because of your actions, our school is planning on starting a garden.”

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
March 22, 2012

Statement by the Press Secretary on Mali

The United States strongly condemns the violence initiated by elements of the armed forces of Mali.  We call for the immediate restoration of constitutional rule in Mali, including full civilian authority over the armed forces and respect for the country’s democratic institutions and traditions.  The United States stands by the people of Mali and the legitimately elected government of President Amadou Toumani Touré.  We welcome the strong statements by the African Union and the Economic Community of West African States condemning this unconstitutional seizure of power.

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
March 21, 2012

President Obama Announces More Key Administration Posts

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, President Barack Obama announced his appointment of the following individuals to the National Council on Federal Labor-Management Relations:

  • Michael B. Filler – Member, National Council on Federal Labor-Management Relations
  • David J. Holway - Member, National Council on Federal Labor-Management Relations
  • H.T. Nguyen - Member, National Council on Federal Labor-Management Relations

The Council, created in 2009 by Executive Order, is tasked with advising the President on matters involving labor-management relations in the executive branch.  The Council is co-chaired by the Director of the Office of Personnel Management, John Berry, and the Deputy Director for Management of the Office of Management and Budget, Jeffrey Zients.  The President also designated the following Deputy Secretaries to be members of the Council: Ashton B. Carter, Deputy Secretary of Defense; W. Scott Gould, Deputy Secretary of Veterans Affairs; Seth Harris, Deputy Secretary of Labor; Jane Holl Lute, Deputy Secretary of Homeland Security; and Kathleen Merrigan, Deputy Secretary of Agriculture.

President Obama said, “I am grateful that these accomplished individuals have agreed to play an integral role in 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 today his appointment of the following individuals:

Michael B. Filler, Appointee for Member, National Council on Federal Labor-Management Relations
Michael B. Filler is the Director of the Public Services Division of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters (IBT) with responsibility for overseeing the representation over 260,000 public and professional employees throughout North America.  He was first appointed to the National Council on Federal Labor-Management Relations by President Obama in February 2010.  From 2003 to 2005, Mr.  Filler was the Associate Director of the IBT’s Education Department. Previously, Mr. Filler worked at the National Treasury Employees Union (NTEU) as Director of Negotiations (1999 - 2003), as Northeast Regional Director (1988 - 1999), and as a National Field Representative (1985 - 1987).  Prior to his tenure with NTEU, Mr. Filler worked at the Federal Election Commission as a Branch Chief (1981 - 1985) and as a Reports Analyst (1976 -  1981).  He currently serves as Co-Chair of the Public Sector Industry Council of the Labor and Employment Relations Association.  In addition, he was a founding member of the Federal Workers Alliance, an active participant in the United Department of Defense Workers Coalition, and the Teamsters’ Delegate to the Public Services International Convention in Vienna, Austria in 2007.  Mr. Filler received a B.A. in Political Science from American University and attended the Executive Program at the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University.

David J. Holway, Appointee for Member, National Council on Federal Labor-Management Relations
David J. Holway is the President of the National Association of Government Employees (NAGE) and the International Brotherhood of Police Officers (IBPO), which represents more than 110,000 bargaining unit members across the country.  He has been a member of the National Council on Federal Labor-Management Relations since being appointed by President Obama in February 2010.  Prior to his current role, Mr. Holway served in many capacities at NAGE, including as Lead Negotiator and Legislative Director.  He also previously held several government positions including Deputy Commissioner in the Massachusetts Department of Correction, Chief Financial Officer at the Norfolk County Hospital, and as Budget and Staff Director at the Massachusetts Legislative Committee on Counties.  Mr. Holway served on the Cambridge Massachusetts School Committee from 1978 to 1979. In 2011, Mr. Holway began serving his second four-year term as a member of the Employee Thrift Advisory Council of the Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board. He received his B.S. from Boston State College.

H.T. Nguyen, Appointee for Member, National Council on Federal Labor-Management Relations
H.T. Nguyen is the Executive Director/General Counsel of the Federal Education Association (FEA), a state affiliate of the National Education Association (NEA) representing federally-employed educators.  He was first appointed to the National Council on Federal Labor-Management Relations by President Obama in February 2010.  Previously, Mr. Nguyen served as the Deputy General Counsel for the FEA from 1988 to 1998, where he was the FEA’s lead attorney in all major cases involving the Association.  From 1984 to 1988, Mr. Nguyen was a Staff Attorney with the FEA.  In 1983, Mr. Nguyen was an associate at Berger & Miranda in San Jose, CA.  From 1978 to 1980, he was a case worker for the International Rescue Committee in Washington, DC.  He received his B.A. in American Government, his M.A. in International Relations, and his J.D. from the Columbus School of Law at the Catholic University of America.

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
March 21, 2012

Presidential Nominations Sent to the Senate

NOMINATIONS SENT TO THE SENATE:

Rainey Ransom Brandt, of the District of Columbia, to be an Associate Judge of the Superior Court of the District of Columbia for the term of fifteen years, vice Joan Z. McAvoy, retired.

John S. Leonardo, of Arizona, to be United States Attorney for the District of Arizona for the term of four years, vice Dennis K. Burke, resigned.

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
March 21, 2012

President Obama Nominates Judge John S. Leonardo to Serve as U.S. Attorney for the District of Arizona

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, President Obama nominated Judge John S. Leonardo to serve as U.S. Attorney for the District of Arizona.

“Judge John S. Leonardo’s legal career has been distinguished and impressive,” said President Obama.  “I am confident that, as a US Attorney, he will be relentless in his pursuit of justice and serve the people of Arizona with distinction.”

Judge John S. Leonardo:  Nominee for United States Attorney for the District of Arizona
Judge John S. Leonardo served as a judge for Pima County Superior Court, a position he held from 1993 to 2012.  From 2002 to 2007, he also served as Presiding Judge.  Prior to his judicial service, Judge Leonardo served as an Assistant United States Attorney for the District of Arizona from 1982 to 1993 and for the Northern District of Indiana from 1973 to 1982, where he also served as the First Assistant United States Attorney from 1978 to 1982.  From 1972 to 1973, Judge Leonardo was an Assistant State’s Attorney for Prince George’s County, Maryland.  Judge Leonardo graduated from the University of Notre Dame in 1969 and from the George Washington University School of Law in 1972.

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
March 21, 2012

President Obama Nominates Rainey Ransom Brandt to Serve on the Superior Court of the District of Columbia

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, President Obama nominated Rainey Ransom Brandt to serve on the Superior Court of the District of Columbia.

“Throughout her career, Rainey Ransom Brandt has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to justice,” said President Obama.  “I am proud to nominate her to the Superior Court of the District of Columbia.”

Rainey Ransom Brandt:  Nominee for the Superior Court of the District of Columbia
Rainey Ransom Brandt currently serves as Special Counsel to the Chief Judge of the Superior Court of the District of Columbia, having previously served as Special Counsel to the two most recent former chief judges of that Court. Prior to her tenure with the Court, Brandt taught as a full-time professor in the Department of Justice, Law and Society, at American University, where she remains an Adjunct Associate Professor teaching courses related to criminal justice.  Brandt received her B.A., M.S., and Doctorate degrees from American University and is a graduate of the Columbus School of Law, The Catholic University of America.

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
March 21, 2012

FACT SHEET: Obama Administration Commitment to American Made Energy

Today, President Obama highlighted his Administration’s focus on a sustained, all-of-the-above approach to developing American energy, which has included doubling renewable electricity generation, increasing oil and gas production on federal lands and waters, and reducing our reliance on foreign oil, most notably through the historic fuel economy standards the President has established, which will nearly double the efficiency of the vehicles we drive and save families $1.7 trillion at the pump.  As part of the President’s comprehensive strategy for a secure energy future, he will outline the steps his Administration is taking to promote the development of necessary infrastructure and accelerate the pace of innovation of clean and cost-effective alternatives to traditional fuels.

Developing Infrastructure to Support an Economy Built to Last. Fulfilling a commitment the President made in his State of the Union Address and building on a series of recommendations from the President’s Council on Jobs and Competitiveness on March 22, the President will travel to Cushing, Oklahoma to announce a new Executive Order on Improving Performance of Federal Permitting and Review of Infrastructure Projects, which will require agencies to make faster permitting and review decisions for vital infrastructure projects while protecting the health and vitality of local communities and the environment. Specifically, the EO will direct agencies to, by the end of April, identify regionally and nationally significant infrastructure projects that will be tracked on the Federal Infrastructure Dashboard so that Federal permitting and review schedules and progress for these important projects are available online. Because many permitting and review decisions for significant infrastructure projects involve multiple Federal agencies, the Executive Order sets up a Steering Committee chaired by the Office of Management and Budget’s Chief Performance Officer and composed of relevant Federal agencies and directs it to develop a Federal government-wide plan by the end of May that includes clear deliverables and timelines for reducing the amount of time it takes to make permitting and review decisions. This Federal Plan will institutionalize permitting and review improvements like conducting permitting analyses and reviews concurrently rather than sequentially to eliminate duplication; enhancing coordination with State, local, and tribal governments; engaging early with stakeholders; and using information technology to replace outdated paperwork. The Executive Order will significantly reduce the amount of time it takes the Federal government to make permitting and review decisions for infrastructure projects such as roads and surface transportation, aviation, ports and waterways, water resource projects, renewable energy generation, electricity transmission, broadband, and pipelines.

As part of this effort to develop American infrastructure, the President will also issue a specific Memorandum in Cushing directing federal agencies to expedite the Cushing Pipeline and other pipelines that relieve bottlenecks as the top priority of the new EO’s permitting process. The need for pipeline infrastructure is urgent because rising American oil production is outpacing the capacity of pipelines to deliver oil to refineries.  Expanding and modernizing our nation’s crude oil and refined products pipeline infrastructure is a vital part of a sustained strategy to continue to reduce our reliance on foreign oil and enhance our nation’s energy security.  As part of the Obama Administration’s broader efforts to improve the performance of Federal permitting and review processes, it is critical that we make pipeline infrastructure a top priority.  At the same time, we need to do so in a way that protects our natural resources and addresses the concerns of local communities.  In expediting agencies’ decisions, the goal must be to execute Federal permitting and review processes with maximum efficiency and effectiveness, ensuring the health, safety, and security of communities and the environment while supporting projects that can contribute to economic growth and a secure energy future.  This Presidential Memorandum builds on a strong record of accomplishment. Over the past three years, there have been more than 27,000 miles of oil and gas pipelines added.  This has accompanied a growth in oil and gas production during each year of this Administration.

Investing in Clean Energy Innovation and Jobs.  Later in the day, the President will travel to Ohio State University (OSU), which is home to cutting-edge, clean-energy research and hands-on training to prepare the scientists and engineers of tomorrow.  In Columbus, the President will highlight the investments his Administration has made on breakthrough research – like the two OSU research teams sponsored by the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Energy (ARPA-E) – and the collaborations between the University and the Energy Department on training programs for jobs in the advanced vehicle, solar, and nuclear industries.  In addition, the President will introduce new and continuing efforts to support his all-out, all-of-the-above strategy for American energy, including:

  • Supporting smaller, safer, cleaner, and cheaper next-generation nuclear reactors. The Energy Department will invest $450 million over five years to support the design, first-of-a-kind engineering, and licensing of U.S. small modular reactors.  Manufacturing these reactors domestically will offer the United States important export opportunities and will advance our competitive edge in the global clean energy race. Small modular reactors, approximately one-third the size of current nuclear plants, have compact designs that are expected to offer a host of safety, siting, construction and economic benefits. Specifically, they could be made in factories and transported to sites where they would be ready to “plug and play” upon arrival, reducing both capital costs and construction times. The small size also makes SMRs ideal for small electric grids and for locations that cannot support large reactors, providing utilities with the flexibility to scale production as demand changes.
  • Developing a smarter grid where consumers have more control over their energy bills. The Obama Administration will announce that the utility industry is taking new steps to help consumers and businesses save on their utility bills, by making it easier for electricity customers to get secure online access to their own energy data in a consumer- and computer-friendly format, called “Green Button.”  Armed with their own data, homeowners and building owners will have more opportunities and choices to use a growing array of online services that help manage energy use and save on their bills. The new commitments to adopt Green Button by 9 utilities, joining 6 previously announced commitments, will ensure that 27 million households in total will be able to access their own energy information with a simple click of a button. These tools and products promise to provide helpful tips to consumers to save on energy bills, make it easier for homeowners to optimize and finance solar panels, and provide building owners with virtual energy audits to facilitate faster retrofits.
  • Funding breakthroughs on advanced biofuels to make them more cost-competitive. The Departments of Agriculture and Energy will announce up to $35 million over three years to support research and development in advanced biofuels, bioenergy and high-value biobased products. The projects funded through the Biomass Research and Development Initiative (BRDI) will help develop economically and environmentally sustainable sources of renewable biomass and increase the availability of renewable fuels and biobased products that can help replace the need for gasoline and diesel in vehicles and diversify our energy portfolio. The Administration’s investments in advanced biofuels are part of an all-of-the-above strategy to cut America’s oil imports, develop clean alternative energy technologies,  and help protect American families and businesses from the ups and downs of the global oil market.
  • Building vehicles with materials that are stronger and lighter – and use less fuel. The Energy Department will announce up to $14.2 million in federal funds to accelerate the development and deployment of stronger, lighter weight materials. These materials for advanced vehicles will help reduce U.S. dependence on foreign oil, save drivers money, and limit carbon pollution. Projects will include developing modeling tools for delivering higher performing carbon fiber composites and advanced steels, as well as researching new lightweight, high-strength alloys for energy-efficient vehicle and truck engines.  Advanced materials are essential for boosting the fuel economy of modern automobiles, while maintaining safety and performance. Replacing cast iron and traditional steel components with lightweight materials – including advanced high-strength steel, magnesium, aluminum, and polymer composites - enables manufacturers to include additional safety devices, integrated electronic systems and emissions control equipment without increasing the weight of a vehicle. Using lighter materials also reduces a vehicle’s fuel consumption.  For example, reducing a vehicle’s weight by 10 percent can improve the fuel economy by 6 to 8 percent.