The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
October 07, 2011

President Obama Announces More Key Administration Posts

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

  • Elizabeth Malory Cousens - Representative of the United States on the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations, with the rank of Ambassador
  • Paul W. Hodes – Member, National Council on the Arts

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

  • May Y. Chen - Member, President's Advisory Commission on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders
  • Tung Thanh Nguyen - Member, President's Advisory Commission on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders
  • Apolo Anton Ohno - Member, President's Advisory Commission on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders
  • Marta Araoz de la Torre - Member, Cultural Property Advisory Committee
  • Jane A. Levine - Member, Cultural Property Advisory Committee
  • Janet R. Kahn - Member, Advisory Group on Prevention, Health Promotion, and Integrative and Public Health

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

Elizabeth Malory Cousens, Nominee for Representative of the United States to the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations, with the rank of Ambassador
Elizabeth Malory Cousens is Principal Policy Advisor and Counselor to the U.S. Permanent Representative to the United Nations. In 2009, she was Director of Strategy for the Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue.  From 2007 to 2008, she served as Chief of Staff to the United Nations Mission in Nepal.  From 2005 to 2007, she was Vice President of the International Peace Institute, where she earlier held the position of Director of Research from 1998 to 2000 and was an associate from 1995 to 1998.  Ms. Cousens was Director of the Conflict Prevention and Peace Forum at the Social Science Research Council from 2002 to 2005.  She holds a B.A from the University of Puget Sound and was awarded a Doctor of Humane Letters in 2007.  Ms. Cousens received her M.A. and Ph.D. from the University of Oxford, where she was a Rhodes Scholar.

Paul W. Hodes, Nominee for Member, National Council on the Arts
Paul W. Hodes represented New Hampshire’s 2nd congressional district from 2007 until 2011. Throughout his life, Mr. Hodes has been both a performer and active member of the arts and entertainment communities.  He served on the New Hampshire State Council on the Arts, as chairman of the Board of the Capitol Center for the Arts and Tricinum, Ltd. and as a board member of the Concord Community Music School. While practicing trial and entertainment law, he and his wife Peggo won two Parent's Choice awards with their band "Peggosus."  Mr. Hodes has also worked professionally as an actor, producer, director, and playwright. He graduated from Dartmouth College and Boston College Law School with additional training at the National Theater Institute and the Herbert Berghoff and Uta Hagen Studio.

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

May Y. Chen, Appointee for Member, President's Advisory Commission on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders
May Y. Chen is an adjunct professor at the City University of New York, where she has taught labor studies courses and coordinated labor exchanges with Asia for the Joseph S. Murphy Institute for Worker Education and Labor Studies since 2009.  Previously, Ms. Chen was the International Union Vice President for Workers United, Service Employees International Union in 2009.  She served as the International Union Vice President of UNITE HERE from 1999 to 2009, and Local 23-25 Manager and New York Metropolitan Area Joint Board Secretary-Treasurer from 2004 to 2009.  In her time at UNITE HERE, Ms. Chen held a number of positions, including Assistant/Associate Manager from 1997 to 2004 and Assistant Director and Director of the Education Department from 1989 to 1997.  From 1970 to 1979, she was an adjunct professor and teacher at several schools and universities in California, including the University of California at Los Angeles and California State University at Long Beach.  Ms. Chen is a Founding Member of the Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance and continues to serve on its New York Chapter Board.  She also serves as Board President of the New York State Immigrant Action Fund.  She holds an A.B. in East Asian Studies from Harvard/Radcliffe College and an M.A. in Education from the University of California, Los Angeles.
 
Dr. Tung Thanh Nguyen, Appointee for Member, President’s Advisory Commission on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders
Dr. Tung Thanh Nguyen is a Professor of Medicine at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), where he provides medical care to a diverse patient population and teaches clinicians.  He also serves as Director of the Vietnamese Community Health Promotion Project and Principal Investigator of the Asian American Network for Cancer Awareness, Research and Training at UCSF, and in this role conducts research in health care prevention for Asian Americans.  He has worked on studies to increase breast, cervical cancer, and colorectal cancer screening among Asian Americans as well as on tobacco use among Asian Americans.  Dr. Nguyen was the volunteer Chair of the Asian American and Pacific Islander Team of the American Cancer Society in California.  In 2002, he was awarded the American Cancer Society Control Career Development Award for his outstanding work in primary care and research.  Dr. Nguyen holds a B.A. in Philosophy from Harvard University and an M.D. from the Stanford School of Medicine.

Apolo Anton Ohno, Appointee for Member, President's Advisory Commission on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders
Apolo Anton Ohno is an American short-track speed skating competitor, an eight-time medalist in the Winter Olympics, a 12-time National Champion, and America’s most decorated winter Olympian.  He was named the U.S. Speedskating's Athlete of the Year for 2003 and was a 2002, 2003, and 2006 finalist for the Sullivan Award, which recognizes the best amateur athlete in the U.S.  In addition, Mr. Ohno has been very involved in philanthropic activities, including participating in the Global AIDS Program (GAP) campaign to fight the spread of HIV/AIDS in Africa, The Salvation Army, the Ronald McDonald House, and Nikkei Concerns, an organization that provides assistance to Japanese elders.  In 2002, Mr. Ohno helped Senator Ted Kennedy launch the "Math Moves U Hippest Homework Happening" program, which gave students the opportunity to do math homework online with celebrities and athletes.  Mr. Ohno is also a global ambassador for the Special Olympics.

Marta Araoz de la Torre, Appointee for Member, Cultural Property Advisory Committee
Marta Araoz de la Torre is the former director of the Museum Studies Graduate Certificate Program at Florida International University in Miami.  In 2002, she retired from the Getty Conservation Institute in Los Angeles where she worked on educational programs.  She is a co-author and editor of Heritage Values in Site Management and the editor of Assessing the Values of Cultural Heritage.  Ms. de la Torre has served on the Board of Studies of the Wall Paintings Conservation Course of the Courtauld Institute in London, and on the Hamilton Kerr Institute in Cambridge, UK.  She was also on the Executive Committee of the International Council of Museums and the Board of the American Association of Museums/International Council of Museums.  Ms. de la Torre previously served on the Cultural Property Advisory Committee from 2003 until 2008.  She has a M.A. in Arts Management from American University and a B.A. from George Washington University.

Jane A. Levine, Appointee for Member, Cultural Property Advisory Committee
Jane A. Levine is the Worldwide Director of Compliance for Sotheby’s, Inc.  As Sotheby's chief global compliance counsel, Ms. Levine is responsible for managing the company's compliance department and program including training and enforcement relating to art and cultural heritage laws, regulation and ethics, the auction process and many other areas related to the international art and auction market. Prior to joining Sotheby’s, Ms. Levine was an Assistant United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, where she served as the Art Fraud Coordinator and was a Special Trial Attorney assigned to work with the FBI’s Art Crime Team.  Ms. Levine teaches a seminar on Art, Cultural Heritage and the Law at Columbia Law School. She received a B.A. from Brown University and her J.D. from New York University School of Law.

Dr. Janet R. Kahn, Appointee for Member, Advisory Group on Prevention, Health Promotion, and Integrative and Public Health
Dr. Janet R. Kahn is currently a Research Assistant Professor at the University of Vermont’s College of Medicine, a position she has held since 2002.  Since 2000, Dr. Kahn has been a Faculty Preceptor in the Fellowship Program in Complementary, Alternative, and General Medicine at Harvard Medical School.  Dr. Kahn helped found the Integrated Health Policy Consortium in 2002, where she was on the Steering Committee until 2005, thereafter serving as Executive Director until 2011.  In addition, Dr. Kahn was the Director of Integrated Health Care of the Community Health Center of Burlington from 2008 to 2010, the Director of Research of the Massage Therapy Research Consortium from 2003 to 2008, and a Senior Research Scientist at the Wellesley College Center for Research on Women from 1997 to 2000.  Dr. Kahn’s research focuses on equitable and affordable health care delivery models, the importance of massage therapy for the treatment of chronic pain, and supporting the well-being of veterans.  Dr. Kahn has served on a number of boards, including the National Advisory Council for Complementary and Alternative Medicine at the National Institutes of Health since 2009.  Dr. Kahn holds a B.A. from Antioch College, an Ed.M. from the Harvard Graduate School of Education, and a Ph.D. from Brandeis University.

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
October 07, 2011

Statement by the Press Secretary on Violence in Syria

We condemn the assassination of Kurdish opposition leader Mishaal al-Tammo and the vicious and unprovoked assault against prominent opposition figure Riad Sayf in Syria. The United States strongly rejects violence directed against peaceful oppositionists wherever it occurs, and stands in solidarity with the courageous people of Syria who deserve their universal rights. These acts lay bare again that the Assad regime’s promises for dialogue and reform are hollow. Today’s attacks demonstrate the Syrian regime’s latest attempts to shut down peaceful opposition inside Syria. President Assad must step down now before taking his country further down this very dangerous path.

It is also notable that these acts of violence took place just three days after the UN Security Council failed to pass a resolution calling for international human rights monitors in Syria in the face of brutal repression. The United States will continue our efforts to mobilize the international community in support of the Syrian people’s democratic aspirations, and work with allies and partners to apply pressure on the Assad regime.

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
October 07, 2011

President Obama Announces Another Key Administration Post

WASHINGTON – Today, President Barack Obama announced his intent to nominate the following individual to a key Administration post:

  • Robert L. Sumwalt -  Member, National Transportation Safety Board

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

Robert L. Sumwalt, Nominee for Member, National Transportation Safety Board
Robert Sumwalt has served as a Member of the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) since 2006.  He served as Vice Chairman of the NTSB from 2006 to 2008. Prior to his appointment to the NTSB, Mr. Sumwalt managed the aviation department for SCANA Corporation from 2004 to 2006. Mr. Sumwalt also flew as an airline pilot for US Airways for 24 years, where he accumulated over 14,000 flight hours. For his contributions in aviation safety, Mr. Sumwalt received the Flight Safety Foundation’s Laura Tabor Barbour Air Safety Award, the Air Line Pilots Association’s Air Safety Award, and he is an inductee into the South Carolina Aviation Hall of Fame. Mr. Sumwalt holds a B.S. from the University of South Carolina.

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
October 07, 2011

Statement by the President Congratulating Nobel Peace Prize Winners

On behalf of the American people, I congratulate the recipients of this year’s Nobel Peace Prize, Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Leymah Gbowee of Liberia, and Tawakkul Karman of Yemen. Today’s award honors three extraordinary individuals, and sends a powerful message that the struggle for universal rights and human dignity can only be fulfilled with the full participation of women around the globe.

President Sirleaf has inspired the world through her journey from a prisoner to the first female President of her country. She has helped Liberia emerge from years of civil war and make great strides toward reconstruction and a democracy that values the contributions of all Liberians, including its women. As a warrior for peace, Leymah Gbowee led her fellow Liberian women as they bravely stood their ground against a brutal dictator in a non-violent struggle to bring peace to their country and realize a full voice for Liberian women. In Yemen, Tawakkul Karman and her fellow women activists were among the first to take to the streets this year to demand their universal rights, and despite the threats and violence waged against peaceful protestors, she has remained a powerful voice for non-violence in a country where guns outnumber people.

Each of this year’s Nobel recipients have their own story, but their lives reveal a fundamental truth. Nations are ultimately more successful when all of their citizens can reach their full potential, including women. When women and girls have access to proper health care, families are healthier and communities are less subject to the ravages of disease and hunger. When women and girls have the opportunity to pursue their education and careers of their own choosing, economies are more likely to prosper. And when women assume their rightful place as equals-- in the halls of government, at the negotiating table and across civil society-- governments are more effective, peaceful resolution of disputes are more lasting, and societies are more likely to meet the aspirations of all their citizens.

I commend President Sirleaf, Leymah Gbowee, and Tawakkul Karman for showing the world that the rights and voices of half of humanity cannot and will not be denied. And I reaffirm the commitment of the United States to advance the rights and role of women everywhere, in our own country and around the world.

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
October 07, 2011

FACT SHEET: The President's Framework for Investing in Tunisia

“There's no straight line to progress, and hardship always accompanies a season of hope. But the United States of America was founded on the belief that people should govern themselves. And now we cannot hesitate to stand squarely on the side of those who are reaching for their rights, knowing that their success will bring about a world that is more peaceful, more stable, and more just.”

– President Obama, May 19, 2011

The United States strongly supports the Tunisian people as they continue to lay the foundation for a future of economic prosperity that strengthens civil society, empowers youth, and solidifies the foundation of democracy.  Almost a year after igniting the Arab Spring, Tunisia is charting a path toward reform.  Today, President Obama announced four new programs that will continue to support the Tunisian people:

  • Peace Corps: Beginning in 2012, the Peace Corps will return to Tunisia with volunteer assignments focusing on English language training and youth skills development.  These programs will help prepare Tunisian students and professionals for future employment, build local capacity, and develop citizens at the grassroots level.  The return of the Peace Corps to Tunisia offers both countries the opportunity to resume a partnership with a long and productive history.
  • The Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC): Tunisia has been selected as eligible for the MCC Threshold Program. This partnership is recognition of Tunisia’s commitment and progress toward democracy and economic freedom. Tunisia’s inclusion in the MCC program will support the Tunisian government to work on policy reform that can lead to faster growth and generate employment, such as addressing constraints to economic growth, increasing private sector investment, and improving economic governance. 
  • Loan Guarantees: Tunisia has declared its commitment to private sector-led growth and attracting international investment.  If authorized by Congress, the United States can provide loan guarantees at a budgetary cost of $30 million to support a significant portion of the budgetary gap, thereby enabling Tunisia to borrow from international capital markets and bring down the cost of financing Tunisia’s reform agenda.
  • Enterprise Fund: Pending authorization from Congress, the United States will launch a Tunisia Enterprise Fund, providing seed money to support private sector growth.  At an initial budgetary cost of $20 million, this fund will leverage other investors and help Tunisians launch the small and medium enterprises that will be the engines of long term opportunity.

In addition to these initiatives, the Administration is working to finalize several other new programs, to be implemented in 2012:

  • Trade and Investment: This month, the United States and Tunisia agreed to formally re-launch discussions under our bilateral Trade and Investment Framework (TIFA).  We have established joint U.S.-Tunisia working groups on bilateral trade and investment and regional economic integration that will report to an initial TIFA Council meeting, which will take place in the next few months.
  • Open Government Partnership: Given the stated commitment of Tunisia to transparent, accountable, and participatory government, the U.S. will work with the Tunisian government and civil society to help Tunisia cross the threshold of eligibility for the Open Government Partnership and join the growing number of nations who are embracing openness as the new standard for governance.
  • The Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC): OPIC has committed $2 billion to supporting private sector investment in the Middle East and North Africa, including in Tunisia.  OPIC is working to invest in small businesses and the franchising of U.S. companies in Tunisia.  Additionally, OPIC is providing U.S. companies with incentives to invest in Tunisia’s renewable energy sector, notably wind and solar.

These new programs will build on the United States’ commitment of more than $55 million in non-security assistance in support of the Tunisian transition since January 2011:

  • Democracy and Civil Society: The success of Tunisia’s transition depends on its ability to develop a healthy democracy.  In support of the Tunisian peoples’ aspirations for democracy, prosperity and long-term political stability, the United States is providing approximately $43.3 million to support rule of law, strengthen political participatory and inclusive processes, build the capacity of civil society, and promote freedom of expression.
  • Transitional Justice: Through direct support to local organizations, the U.S. is supporting a Tunisian-led consultative process on transitional justice mechanisms to redress human rights violations under the former regime.
  • Private Sector Development: Private sector development contributes to a healthy economy.  The United States is providing $3.8 million to support market relevant skills training, entrepreneurship, job placement, and access to start-up business resources in Tunisia.
  • Humanitarian Assistance: The U.S. responded immediately to assist individuals seeking refuge in Tunisia as a result of the crisis in Libya by contributing over $3 million to the Tunisian Red Crescent, the World Food Program, and the World Health Organization to support health services, food aid, and distribution of relief commodities.  Additionally, a significant portion of our $46.5 million in region-wide funding to UNHCR and IOM was used in Tunisia to meet basic humanitarian needs and repatriate stranded third-country nationals.
  • Education, Culture, and Media Capacity Building: The United States responded immediately to the requests of the Tunisian people for additional links, exchanges, technical advice, and English language training with U.S. universities and scholars.  Contributing over $5 million, we increased the Fulbright program in Tunisia, deployed English language specialists, established media training for over 50 Tunisian journalists, and established partnerships with a range of Tunisian universities.

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
October 07, 2011

Statement by the Press Secretary on the Visit of Prime Minister Necas of the Czech Republic

President Obama will host Prime Minister Petr Necas of the Czech Republic for a meeting in the Oval Office on Thursday, October 27. The President welcomes the opportunity to reciprocate the warm hospitality that he received during his visits to Prague in April 2009 and April 2010. The United States and the Czech Republic are strong NATO allies and the President looks forward to consulting with the Prime Minister about preparations for the 2012 NATO Summit that the U.S. will host in Chicago as part of our ongoing security dialogue. The President and Prime Minister will also discuss the enhancement of bilateral economic and commercial relations as well as cooperation on promoting democracy, good governance and human rights around the world.

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
October 07, 2011

Statement by the President on Ten Years of American Service in Afghanistan

Ten years ago today, in response to the 9/11 terrorist attacks, our nation went to war against al Qaeda and its Taliban protectors in Afghanistan.  As we mark a decade of sacrifice, Michelle and I join all Americans in saluting the more than half a million men and women who have served bravely in Afghanistan to keep our country safe, including our resilient wounded warriors who carry the scars of war, seen and unseen.  We honor the memory of the nearly 1,800 American patriots, and many coalition and Afghan partners, who have made the ultimate sacrifice in Afghanistan for our shared security and freedom.  We pay tribute to our inspiring military families who have persevered at home with a loved one at war.  And we are grateful to our tireless diplomats and intelligence, homeland security and law enforcement professionals who have worked these ten years to protect our country and save American lives.

Thanks to the extraordinary service of these Americans, our citizens are safer and our nation is more secure.  In delivering justice to Osama bin Laden and many other al Qaeda leaders, we are closer than ever to defeating al Qaeda and its murderous network.  Despite the enormous challenges that remain in Afghanistan, we’ve pushed the Taliban out of its key strongholds, Afghan security forces are growing stronger, and the Afghan people have a new chance to forge their own future.  We’ve fought alongside Afghans, and close friends and allies from dozens of nations who have joined us in common purpose. In Afghanistan and beyond, we have shown that the United States is not and never will be at war with Islam and that we are a partner with those who seek justice, dignity and opportunity.

After a difficult decade, we are responsibly ending today’s wars from a position of strength.  As the rest of our troops come home from Iraq this year, we have begun to draw down our forces in Afghanistan and transition security to the Afghan people, with whom we will forge an enduring partnership.  As our sons and daughters come home to their families, we will uphold our sacred trust with our 9/11 Generation veterans and work to provide the care, benefits and opportunities they deserve.  And as we reflect on ten years of war and look ahead to a future of peace, Michelle and I call upon all Americans to show our gratitude and support for our fellow citizens who risk their lives so that we can enjoy the blessings of freedom and security.

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
October 07, 2011

Fact Sheet: Safeguarding the U.S. Government's Classified Information and Networks

Following the unlawful disclosure of classified information by WikiLeaks in the summer of 2010, the National Security Staff formed an interagency committee to review the policies and practices surrounding the handling of classified information, and to recommend government-wide actions to reduce the risk of a future breach. Since then, this effort has been a top priority of the Administration and senior agency officials have been actively engaged in developing policies and oversight mechanisms to enhance our national security through responsible sharing and safeguarding of classified information.

The strategic imperative of our efforts has been to ensure that we provide adequate protections to our classified information while at the same time sharing the information with all who reasonably need it to do their jobs. The guiding principles during the Administration’s review were to:

  • Reinforce the importance of responsible information sharing and not undo all of the significant and important progress we’ve made in interagency information sharing since 9/11;
  • Ensure that policies, processes, technical security solutions, oversight, and organizational cultures evolve to match our information sharing and safeguarding requirements;
  • Emphasize that effective and consistent guidance and implementation must be coordinated across the entire Federal government. We are only as strong as our weakest link and this is a shared risk with shared responsibility; and;
  • Continue to respect the privacy, civil rights, and civil liberties of the American people.

The committee that was established in the wake of WikiLeaks proposed a new oversight structure to orchestrate the development and implementation of policies and standards for the sharing and safeguarding of classified information on computer networks. These structural reforms are reflected in the Executive Order signed today by President Obama.

In accordance with today’s Executive Order:

  • Agencies bear the primary responsibility for sharing and safeguarding classified information, consistent with appropriate protections for privacy and civil liberties. Federal agencies that use classified networks will:
    • designate a senior official to oversee classified information sharing and safeguarding for the agency;
    • implement an insider threat detection and prevention program; and
    • perform self assessments of compliance with policy and standards.
  • A Senior Information Sharing and Safeguarding Steering Committee will have overall responsibility for fully coordinating interagency efforts and ensuring that Departments and Agencies are held accountable for implementation of information sharing and safeguarding policy and standards. 
  • A Classified Information Sharing and Safeguarding Office will be created within the office of the Program Manager for the Information Sharing Environment to provide sustained, full-time focus on sharing and safeguarding of classified national security information. The office will also consult partners to ensure the consistency of policies and standards and seek to identify the next potential problem. 
  • Senior representatives of the Department of Defense and the National Security Agency will jointly act as the Executive Agent for Safeguarding Classified Information on Computer Networks to develop technical safeguarding policies and standards and conduct assessments of compliance. 
  • An Insider Threat Task Force will develop a government-wide program for insider threat detection and prevention to improve protection and reduce potential vulnerabilities of classified information from exploitation, compromise or other unauthorized disclosure. 

We did not, however, wait for today’s Executive Order to begin taking steps. The Senior Information Sharing and Safeguarding Steering Committee formally established today began meeting informally in June to track steps taken across the Federal Government. In addition to those measures identified in today’s Executive Order, significant progress has been made by U.S. Departments and Agencies in five priority areas:

1. Removable media
Departments and Agencies have made significant progress in clarifying and standardizing removable media policies, processes, and technical controls.  We have limited the numbers of users with removable media permissions and strengthened accountability for violations.

2. Online Identity Management
The owners and operators of classified systems are accelerating efforts to strengthen the online verification of individuals logging on to classified systems, and to be able to track what information is being accessed by these individuals.

3. Insider Threat Program   
As directed in the Executive Order, the Attorney General and the Director of National Intelligence are actively establishing an interagency Insider Threat Task Force. This Task Force will integrate specialized abilities, tools, and techniques to more effectively deter, detect, and disrupt the insider threat. 

4. Access control
Departments and Agencies are implementing more robust access control systems to enforce role-based access privileges that serve to ensure that an individual user’s information access is commensurate with his/her assigned role.

5. Enterprise audit
Enhancing auditing capabilities across U.S. Government classified networks is a priority effort, and planning has been initiated to define the policy and develop standards for the collection and sharing of audit and insider threat data.

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
October 06, 2011

President Obama Announces the Creation of a Presidential Emergency Board, Names Members

WASHINGTON – Today, President Barack Obama signed an Executive Order creating a Presidential Emergency Board to help resolve an ongoing dispute between major freight rail carriers and their unions. 

President Obamasaid, “Freight rail is vital to our economy and our future.  It’s in our national interest to make sure our freight rail system runs smoothly, since a disruption could affect businesses across the country and cause unnecessary damage to our already-fragile economy.  These dedicated individuals have a wealth of experience and talent addressing and resolving labor-management disputes.  I’m grateful they have agreed to serve in this capacity, and I trust them to work toward a swift and smooth resolution of these outstanding contracts.”

The Presidential Emergency Board will provide a structure for the two sides to resolve their disagreements.  The Presidential Emergency Board will hear evidence and, within 30 days, will deliver a report to the President recommending how the dispute should be resolved. 

President Obama also announced that he intends to appoint the following members to Presidential Emergency Board No. 243:

  • Ira F. Jaffe – Chair, Presidential Emergency Board No. 243
  • Roberta Golick– Member, Presidential Emergency Board No. 243
  • Joshua M. Javits– Member, Presidential Emergency Board No. 243
  • Gil Vernon– Member, Presidential Emergency Board No. 243
  • Arnold M. Zack– Member, Presidential Emergency Board No. 243

Ira F. Jaffe, Appointee for Chair, Presidential Emergency Board

Ira F. Jaffehas been an arbitrator and mediator of labor and employment disputes since 1981 and has presided over more than 4,000 cases in a wide variety of industries in the private and public sectors.  Mr. Jaffe serves on over 60 permanent arbitration panels and has served on three separate PEBs, one in 2001 and two in 2007. Mr. Jaffe is also a Vice-President of the National Academy of Arbitrators (NAA) and has been a frequent contributor at the NAA Meetings and at other professional conferences.  Mr. Jaffe served as the National President of the Society of Federal Labor Relations Professionals in 1990. As an Adjunct Professor at the George Washington University Law School in the 1980s, Mr. Jaffe taught courses in labor law, collective bargaining and labor arbitration, and agency and partnership.  He is a Charter Fellow in the American College of Employee Benefits Counsel and has arbitrated and mediated a wide variety of employee benefits disputes.  He is also a Fellow in the College of Labor and Employment Lawyers. Mr. Jaffe is a graduate of the Cornell University School of Industrial and Labor Relations and of the George Washington University Law School.

Roberta Golick, Appointee for Member, Presidential Emergency Board

Roberta Golickis President of the National Academy of Arbitrators, one of the leading North American organizations of neutral arbitrators of labor-management and employment disputes.  With more than 35 years’ experience in the profession, Ms. Golick has handled thousands of cases in both the private and public sectors during the course of her career.  Ms. Golick was the 1996 recipient of the Cushing-Gavin Award, given annually by the Boston Labor Guild to a single neutral each year for “Excellence in Labor-Relations, Exemplifying Moral Integrity, Professional Competence and Community Concern.”  She received her B.A. from Barnard College, Columbia University and her J.D. from Boston University School of Law.

Joshua M. Javits, Appointee for Member, Presidential Emergency Board

Joshua M. Javitsis a neutral mediator and arbitrator and serves on numerous permanent arbitration panels.  He served on a Presidential Emergency Board in 2007. From 1993 to 2001, Mr. Javits was a Partner at Ford & Harrison LLP where he also served as executive director of the Labor Relations Association of Passenger Railroads. He was also an adjunct professor at the Georgetown University Law Center where he taught courses in labor arbitration, transportation labor law, and alternative dispute resolution. He was Chairman and Member of the National Mediation Board from 1988 to 1993.  He began his career as a trial attorney with the National Labor Relations Board. Mr. Javits has represented both labor unions and management, at different times, and is on the rosters of the American Arbitration Association, the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service, and the National Mediation Board.  He has been rated “AV” – the highest rating – by Martindale Hubbell’s Best Lawyers in America since 2001.  Mr. Javits is a graduate of Yale College and Georgetown University Law Center.

Gil Vernon, Appointee for Member, Presidential Emergency Board

Gil Vernonhas been engaged in the practice of labor arbitration and dispute resolution since 1979.  From 1979 to 1983, he was also an instructor in the Department of Business Administration of the University of Wisconsin, Eau Claire, teaching labor relations, labor law, personnel, compensation administration and management.  Prior to that, Mr. Vernon was a carrier member of the National Railroad Adjustment Board in Chicago, Illinois.  Previously, he was a Labor Relations Officer, and before that a Crew Dispatcher and union member, for the Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul and Pacific Railroad in Chicago.  He was appointed to a Presidential Emergency Board in 1996.  Mr. Vernon is the immediate past President of the National Academy of Arbitrators.  He is on the Major League Baseball Salary Arbitration panel, the National Railroad Adjustment Board, and more than 15 airline arbitration panels, among others.  He previously served on seven multi-year railroad arbitration panels as well as the Protective Benefits Panel of the Railroad Retirement Board.  Mr. Vernon received his B.A. from Hope College and his M.A. from the University of Chicago.

Arnold M. Zack, Appointee for Member, Presidential Emergency Board

Arnold M. Zackhas been an arbitrator and mediator of over 5,000 labor disputes since 1957 and a Member of four Presidential Emergency Boards, serving as Chair twice. He is currently the President and Chief Judge of the Asian Development Bank Administrative Tribunal.  Mr. Zack was the President of the National Academy of Arbitrators from 1994 to 1995.  From 1990 to 2000 he was the Chair of the Essential Industries Dispute Settlement Board in Bermuda, and the Chair of the Essential Services Dispute Settlement Board there from 1998 to 2001.  Mr. Zack has also served and taught as a senior research associate at the Labor and Worklife Program at Harvard Law School since 1985. He was a Fulbright Scholar, a Wortheim fellow, and is a member of the College of Labor and Employment Lawyers.  Among his awards is the Distinguished Service Award of the American Arbitration Association and the Pioneer Award and Willoughby Abner Award of the Association on Conflict Resolution.  Mr. Zack holds degrees from Tufts University, Yale Law School and Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government.

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
October 05, 2011

Statement by the President on the Passing of Steve Jobs

Michelle and I are saddened to learn of the passing of Steve Jobs. Steve was among the greatest of American innovators - brave enough to think differently, bold enough to believe he could change the world, and talented enough to do it.

By building one of the planet’s most successful companies from his garage, he exemplified the spirit of American ingenuity.  By making computers personal and putting the internet in our pockets, he made the information revolution not only accessible, but intuitive and fun.  And by turning his talents to storytelling, he has brought joy to millions of children and grownups alike. Steve was fond of saying that he lived every day like it was his last.  Because he did, he transformed our lives, redefined entire industries, and achieved one of the rarest feats in human history: he changed the way each of us sees the world.

The world has lost a visionary. And there may be no greater tribute to Steve’s success than the fact that much of the world learned of his passing on a device he invented. Michelle and I send our thoughts and prayers to Steve’s wife Laurene, his family, and all those who loved him.