The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
July 23, 2011

WEEKLY ADDRESS: A Bipartisan Approach to Strengthening the Economy

WASHINGTON-- In this week’s address, President Obama discussed the urgency of Democrats and Republicans coming together to take a balanced approach to cutting the deficit to strengthen our economy and leave for our children a more secure future.

Remarks of President Barack Obama
Weekly Address
Saturday, July 23, 2011
Washington, DC

For years, the government has spent more money than it takes in.  The result is a lot of debt on our nation’s credit card – debt that unless we act will weaken our economy, cause higher interest rates for families, and force us to scale back things like education and Medicare. 

Now, folks in Washington like to blame one another for this problem.  But the truth is, neither party is blameless.  And both parties have a responsibility to do something about it.  Every day, families are figuring out how stretch their paychecks – struggling to cut what they can’t afford so they can pay for what’s really important.  It’s time for Washington to do the same thing.  But for that to happen, it means that Democrats and Republicans have to work together.  It means we need to put aside our differences to do what’s right for the country.  Everyone is going to have to be willing to compromise.  Otherwise, we’ll never get anything done. 

That’s why we need a balanced approach to cutting the deficit.  We need an approach that goes after waste in the budget and gets rid of pet projects that cost billions of dollars.  We need an approach that makes some serious cuts to worthy programs – cuts I wouldn’t make under normal circumstances.  And we need an approach that asks everybody to do their part.

So that means, yes, we have to make serious budget cuts; but that it’s not right to ask middle class families to pay more for college before we ask the biggest corporations to pay their fair share of taxes.  It means that before we stop funding clean energy, we should ask oil companies and corporate jet owners to give up the tax breaks that other companies don’t get.  Before we cut medical research, we should ask hedge fund managers to stop paying taxes at a lower rate than their secretaries.  Before we ask seniors to pay more for Medicare, we should ask the wealthiest taxpayers to give up tax breaks we simply cannot afford under these circumstances. 
 
That’s the heart of this approach: serious cuts, balanced by some new revenues.  And it’s been the position of every Democratic and Republican leader who has worked to reduce the deficit, from Bill Clinton to Ronald Reagan.  In fact, earlier this week, one of the most conservative members of the Senate, Tom Coburn, announced his support for a balanced, bipartisan plan that shows promise.  And then a funny thing happened.  He received a round of applause – from a group of Republican and Democratic senators.  That’s a rare event in Washington.

So there will be plenty of haggling over the details in the days ahead.  But this debate boils down to a simple choice.  We can come together for the good of the country and reach a compromise; we can strengthen our economy and leave for our children a more secure future.  Or we can issue insults and demands and ultimatums at each another, withdraw to our partisan corners, and achieve nothing.  Well, we know the right thing to do.  And we know what the American people expect us to do.

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
July 22, 2011

President Obama Announces More Key Administration Posts

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

Sue Clark, Member, Nuclear Waste Technical Review Board
Rod Ewing, Member, Nuclear Waste Technical Review Board
Linda Nozick, Member, Nuclear Waste Technical Review Board

President Obama said, “I am proud that such experienced and committed individuals have agreed to serve the American people in these important roles. I look forward to working with them in the months and years ahead.”

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

Dr. Sue Clark, Appointee for Member, Nuclear Waste Technical Review Board
Dr. Sue Clark is currently a Regents Professor of Chemistry at Washington State University in Pullman, WA, where she has taught and conducted research in actinide environmental chemistry and radioanalytical chemistry since 1996.  From 1992 to 1996, Dr. Clark was a Research Ecologist at the University of Georgia’s Savannah River Ecology Laboratory.  Prior to her position at the University of Georgia, she was a Senior Scientist at the Westinghouse Savannah River Company’s Savannah River Technology Center.  Dr. Clark has served on various boards and advisory committees, including the National Academies Nuclear and Radiation Studies Board and the Department of Energy’s Basic Energy Sciences Advisory Committee.  Dr. Clark holds a Ph.D. and M.S. in Inorganic/Radiochemistry from Florida State University and a B.S. in Chemistry from Lander College.

Dr. Rod Ewing, Appointee for Member, Nuclear Waste Technical Review Board
Dr. Rod Ewing is the Edward H. Kraus Distinguished University Professor in the Department of Geological Sciences at the University of Michigan. He also has faculty appointments in the Departments of Nuclear Engineering & Radiological Sciences and Materials Science & Engineering. Dr. Ewing was also a visiting professor at the Center for International Security and Cooperation at Stanford University for the 2010-2011 academic year. Dr. Ewing is an Emeritus Regents' Professor at the University of New Mexico where he was a member of the faculty from 1974 to 1997. Dr. Ewing is a fellow at several professional societies, including serving as Councilor and Secretary at the Materials Research Society and President of the Mineralogical Society of America and the International Union of Materials Research Societies. He received an Honorary Doctorate from the Université Pierre et Marie Curie in 2007, a Guggenheim Fellowship and a National Science Foundation Fellowship. He received his B.S. in Geology from Texas Christian University and an M.S. and Ph.D. from Stanford University.

Dr. Linda Nozick, Appointee for Member, Nuclear Waste Technical Review Board
Dr. Linda Nozick is currently a Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Cornell University. She is also cofounder and Director of the college program in systems engineering. She has been the recipient of several awards including a CAREER award from the National Science Foundation and a Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers from President Clinton for “the development of innovative solutions to problems associated with the transportation of hazardous waste.”  She has been an associate editor for Naval Research Logistics and a member of the editorial board of Transportation Research Part A, and has served on two National Academy Committees to advise the U.S. Department of Energy on renewal of its infrastructure.  From 1998-1999, she was a Visiting Associate Professor in the Operations Research Department at the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, California.  Dr. Nozick holds a B.S. in Systems Analysis and Engineering from George Washington University and a M.S.E and Ph.D. in Systems Engineering from the University of Pennsylvania.

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
July 22, 2011

President Obama Signs Wyoming Disaster Declaration

The President today declared a major disaster exists in the State of Wyoming and ordered Federal aid to supplement State and local recovery efforts in the area struck by severe storms, flooding, and landslides during the period of May 18 to July 8, 2011.

Federal funding is available to State, Tribal and eligible local governments 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, and landslides in the counties of Albany, Big Horn, Carbon, Crook, Fremont, Goshen, Johnson, Lincoln, Platte, Sheridan, Sublette, Teton, Uinta, Washakie, and Weston, and the Wind River Indian Reservation.

Federal funding is also available on a cost-sharing basis for hazard mitigation measures for all counties and Tribes within the State.

W. Craig Fugate, Administrator, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Department of Homeland Security, named Mark H. Armstrong 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 State 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
July 22, 2011

Statement by the President on Certification of Repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell

Today, we have taken the final major step toward ending the discriminatory ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ law that undermines our military readiness and violates American principles of fairness and equality.  In accordance with the legislation that I signed into law last December, I have certified and notified Congress that the requirements for repeal have been met.  ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ will end, once and for all, in 60 days—on September 20, 2011. 

As Commander in Chief, I have always been confident that our dedicated men and women in uniform would transition to a new policy in an orderly manner that preserves unit cohesion, recruitment, retention and military effectiveness.  Today’s action follows extensive training of our military personnel and certification by Secretary Panetta and Admiral Mullen that our military is ready for repeal.  As of September 20th, service members will no longer be forced to hide who they are in order to serve our country.  Our military will no longer be deprived of the talents and skills of patriotic Americans just because they happen to be gay or lesbian.

I want to commend our civilian and military leadership for moving forward in the careful and deliberate manner that this change requires, especially with our nation at war.  I want to thank all our men and women in uniform, including those who are gay or lesbian, for their professionalism and patriotism during this transition.  Every American can be proud that our extraordinary troops and their families, like earlier generations that have adapted to other changes, will only grow stronger and remain the best fighting force in the world and a reflection of the values of justice and equality that the define us as Americans.

Attached are the certification and transmittal letters concerning the repeal of Don’t Ask Don’t Tell.

Don't Ask Don't Tell Certification (PDF, 45KB)

John McCain Letter (PDF, 21 KB)

Adam Smith Letter (PDF, 21 KB)

Carl Levin Letter (PDF, 22 KB)

Howard P. McKeon Letter (PDF, 22 KB)

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
July 22, 2011

Presidential Nominations Sent to the Senate

NOMINATIONS SENT TO THE SENATE:

Mary B. DeRosa, of the District of Columbia, to be an Alternate Representative of the United States of America to the Sixty-sixth  Session of the General Assembly of the United Nations.    

Frank E. Loy, of the District of Columbia, to be an Alternate Representative of the United States of America to the Sixty-sixth  Session of the General Assembly of the United Nations.

Kendrick B. Meek, of Florida, to be a Representative of the United States of America to the Sixty-sixth Session of the General Assembly of the United Nations.

James T. Ryan, of Utah, to be a Member of the Board of Directors of the National Institute of Building Sciences for a term expiring September 7, 2013, vice James Broaddus, resigned.

Larry W. Walther, of Arkansas, to be a Member of the Board of Directors of the Export-Import Bank of the United States for a term expiring January 20, 2013, vice J. Joseph Grandmaison, term expired.

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
July 22, 2011

President Obama Signs New Hampshire Disaster Declaration

The President today declared a major disaster exists in the State of New Hampshire and ordered Federal aid to supplement State and local recovery efforts in the area struck by severe storms and flooding during the period of May 26-30, 2011.

Federal funding is available to State and eligible local governments 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 and flooding in the counties of Coos and Grafton.

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

W. Craig Fugate, Administrator, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Department of Homeland Security, named Craig A. Gilbert 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 State 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
July 21, 2011

Readout of the President's Meeting with the National Urban League & NAACP

This afternoon, President Obama met with civil rights leaders Marc Morial, president of the National Urban League, and Ben Jealous, president of the NAACP, in the Oval Office. During their meeting, the President discussed the continued efforts his administration is making to spur job creation and economic growth, and reiterated the urgency of moving forward on a balanced approach to deficit reduction to avoid defaulting on our obligations. The President stressed that such an agreement must involve shared sacrifice and reaffirmed that we cannot afford to balance the budget on the back of the most vulnerable Americans including the middle class, low-income families, seniors, and students.

The President also reiterated that reducing unemployment, which disproportionately burdens the African-American community at 16.2%, remains a top priority for him and his Administration. The President also spoke with the two civil rights leaders about dramatic efforts his Administration has already made to address urban economic development through initiatives such as Strong Cities, Strong Communities, a program that acts to spur economic growth in urban centers while ensuring taxpayer dollars are used wisely and efficiently; the Treasury Department’s Community Development Financial Institutions fund; and the Minority Business Development Agency at the Department of Commerce. 

The President has worked tirelessly since entering office to bring economic relief and equal opportunity to all Americans, and he looks forward to a continued partnership with civil rights organizations like the National Urban League and the NAACP. The President also congratulated the leaders on their upcoming conventions.

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
July 21, 2011

Readout of National Security Advisor Donilon's Meeting with the UN Secretary-General

This morning, National Security Advisor Tom Donilon met at United Nations Headquarters with UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon. During their discussion, they stressed the acute urgency of the situation in the Horn of Africa and discussed focused ways to generate sufficient international contributions and ensure that food and other assistance reaches people in need as quickly as possible, particularly in Somalia.  Mr. Donilon stressed the critical role of UN agencies like the World Food Program (WFP) and UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) in responding to this crisis, and pledged U.S. support.  They also discussed the important work the U.S. and UN are doing in Sudan, Libya, and the broader Middle East.  U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Susan Rice also attended the meeting.

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
July 21, 2011

President Obama Announces More Key Administration Posts

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

  • James T. Ryan, Member, Board of Directors of the National Institute of Building Sciences

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

  • Abbey Johnston, Member, Medal of Valor Review Board
  • Sharon Long, Member, President's Committee on the National Medal of Science
  • Alapaki Nahale-a, Member, Commission on Presidential Scholars
  • Jeanne Unemori Skog, Member, Commission on Presidential Scholars
  • Major General Errol R. Schwartz, Board of Visitors to the United States Military Academy

President Obama said, “These dedicated and accomplished individuals will be valued additions to my Administration as we tackle the important challenges facing America. I look forward to working with them in the months and years ahead.”

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

James T. Ryan, Nominee for Member, Board of Directors of the National Institute of Building Sciences
James “Tim” Ryan is the Code Administrator for the City of Overland Park, Kansas.  In addition, he is the Secretary of the Board of Directors of the National Institute of Building Sciences, currently serving as a non-Presidential appointee.  Mr. Ryan has worked for Overland Park for the last three decades after initially joining as a field inspector in 1978.  He is a voting member of the International Code Council, the International Association of Electrical Inspectors, and the National Fire Protection Association, and is a Certified Building Official with 15 separate certificates in various disciplines of codes administration and enforcement.  Mr. Ryan was recently elected Chair of a newly created Steering Committee for the State of Kansas tasked with creating a program to oversee the energy code provisions of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Mr. Ryan holds a Bachelor of Science Degree from Pittsburg State University in Construction Management and Technology.

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

Abbey Johnston, Appointee for Member, Medal of Valor Review Board
Abbey Johnston is the President of the Lynchburg Fire Fighters Association (LFFA), Local 1146, and serves as a Master Firefighter and paramedic for the Lynchburg Fire Department.  Mrs. Johnston previously served as the Secretary of LFFA and has been a member of the organization since she became a professional firefighter in 2004.  LFFA is an affiliate of the Virginia Professional Firefighters Association (VPFF) and the International Association of Firefighters (IAFF), which selected Mrs. Johnston to represent the IAFF membership as a guest of the First Lady at the 2009 State of the Union Address.  Mrs. Johnston is an instructor of several advanced-level emergency medicine courses including Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS), International Trauma Life Support (ITLS), and Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) and Paramedic-level instruction and CPR courses for certification.  In addition, she is certified to teach Firefighter I and II in the Commonwealth of Virginia as well as several other courses related to the fire service.  Mrs. Johnston received an Associates Degree in Applied Science from Central Virginia Community College.

Dr. Sharon Long, Appointee for Member, President's Committee on the National Medal of Science
Dr. Sharon Long is the Steere-Pfizer Professor of Biological Sciences at Stanford University.  Dr. Long works at the intersection of genetics, biochemistry and cell biology to study the symbiosis of nitrogen-fixing bacteria and legumes.  Her work aims to improve the use of plants and bacteria in energy conservation and sustainable agriculture, among other things.  During the 2008 Presidential campaign, Professor Long served as a science advisor to then-Senator Obama.  She served as Dean of Humanities and Sciences at Stanford from 2001 until 2007, and was appointed an Investigator of the Howard Hughes Medical Institute from 1994-2001. She was awarded a Presidential Young Investigator award in 1987 and a MacArthur Fellowship in 1992. Her research has been recognized by election to the National Academy of Sciences and other honors.  Dr. Long was a Postdoctoral Fellow in the Department of Cell and Developmental Biology at Harvard University.  She received her B.S. from Caltech and her Ph.D. from Yale University.

Alapaki Nahale-a, Appointee for Member, Commission on Presidential Scholars
Alapaki Nahale-a is Chairman of the Hawaiian Homes Commission and Director of the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands, a Hawaiian state organization tasked with managing the Hawaiian Home Lands trust and developing homesteading opportunities for native Hawaiians. Mr. Nahale-a was the East Hawaii Island member of the Commission prior to his appointment as Chairman. From 2008 to 2010, he was board President and then Executive Director of the Hawaii Charter Schools Network. Mr. Nahale-a was Director of Ka ‘Umeke Ka’eo, Hawaiian Immersion Public Charter School in Keaukaha, a Hawaiian homestead community between 2003 and 2009.  Mr. Nahale-a also worked with Hawaii Community College, the Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement, Rural Community Assistance Corporation, the County of Hawaii Legislative Auditor’s office and ‘Aha Punana Leo. Mr. Nahale-a was a member of the Hawaii County Charter Commission, a board member and volunteer mediator with the Kuikahi Mediation Center, and a member of the board of the Native Hawaiian Legal Corporation. He holds a B.A. in Political Science from the University of Pennsylvania and is a graduate of the Kamehameha Schools.
 
Jeanne Unemori Skog, Appointee for Member, Commission on Presidential Scholars
Jeanne Unemori Skog is currently President & CEO of the Maui Economic Development Board, Inc. (MEDB), a nonprofit organization.  Ms. Skog joined MEDB in 1984 and in 1999 was elected as the organization’s President & CEO.  Ms. Skog initiated the development of MEDB’s Women in Technology program.  In 2006, she led the formation of the Ke Alahele Education Fund, which provides grants and counseling to educators and organizations for projects that enhance the teaching and delivery of STEM education.  Ms. Skog serves as Chair of the Economic Development Alliance of Hawaii.  She also serves on the board of the Hawaii Council for Economic Education.  Ms. Skog holds a B.A. in English Literature with an emphasis on secondary education from the College of St. Catherine, St. Paul, Minnesota.

Major General Errol R. Schwartz, Appointee for Member, Board of Visitors to the United States Military Academy
Major General Errol R. Schwartz is the Commanding General of Joint Force Headquarters, District of Columbia National Guard, and is responsible for operational readiness of the D.C. Army and Air National Guard units.  He began his military career in 1976 when he enlisted in the D.C. Army National Guard.  Following his commission in June 1979, General Schwartz was appointed a platoon leader in the 104th Maintenance Company, and served in many leadership capacities as a staff officer and commander.  He has received numerous awards and accolades for his outstanding service to his country, including the Legion of Merit, the Army Commendation Medal, the Army Achievement Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, and the Armed Forces Service Medal.  General Schwartz is a member of the Army Reserve Forces Policy Committee, the Adjutants General Association of the United States, and is on the Board of Directors for the National Guard Association of the United States.  General Schwartz received a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of the District of Columbia, a Master of Art degree from Central Michigan University, and a Master of Science in National Security Strategy from the National Defense University.

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
July 21, 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:

  • Larry W. Walther,Member, Board of Directors of the Export-Import Bank of the United States

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

Larry W. Walther, Nominee forMember, Board of Directors of the Export-Import Bank of the United States
Larry W. Walther was the Director of the U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) from March 2008 to January 2009. Immediately prior, Mr. Walther served for over 3 years as the Executive Director of the Arkansas Department of Economic Development (ADED). Mr. Walther had a 30 career with SBC Communications, now AT&T. Starting as a Switching Engineer for Southwestern Bell Telephone Company, he concluded his career at SBC as the Vice President for Corporate Services and Chairman of the SBC Foundation. Mr. Walther has a Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics from the University of Arkansas at Monticello.