President Obama Nominates Edward L. Stanton III to Serve on the United States District Court for the Western District of Tennessee

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, President Obama nominated Edward L. Stanton III to serve on the United States District Court for the Western District of Tennessee.

“I am pleased to nominate Mr. Stanton to serve on the United States District Court bench,” said President Obama. “I am confident he will serve the American people with integrity and a steadfast commitment to justice.”

Edward L. Stanton III:  Nominee for the United States District Court for the Western District of Tennessee

Edward L. Stanton III has served as the United States Attorney for the Western District of Tennessee since 2010. Previously, he was Senior Counsel in the Litigation Department of Federal Express Corporation, where he worked from 2002 to 2010. From 2001 to 2002, Stanton was an associate in the Memphis office of the law firm Armstrong Allen PLLC (now defunct). He served as Assistant City Attorney for the City of Memphis Law Division from 2000 to 2001. Stanton began his legal career as an associate in the Law Offices of Charles E. Carpenter, P.C. from 1997 to 2000. He received his J.D. in 1997 from the University of Memphis School of Law and his B.A. in 1994 from the University of Memphis.

FACT SHEET: Enduring U.S.-Tunisian Relations

The United States and Tunisia have enjoyed a strong diplomatic relationship for more than 200 years.  In 1799, the United States concluded its first agreement of friendship and trade with Tunisia, establishing the first American consulate in Tunis in 1800.  Since that time, Tunisia and the United States have continued to foster growing ties of cooperation. 

The United States remains committed to supporting Tunisia’s democratic path, one that strengthens civil society, empowers women and youth, advances economic reforms, solidifies the foundations of citizen participation in government, and bolsters security.  This year, President Obama is working with Congress to provide at least $100 million in assistance to Tunisia, which would bring our total support since the 2011 revolution to nearly $700 million.  This reflects the importance placed by the United States on supporting Tunisia’s democracy as it promotes prosperity and security for all Tunisians.

On May 20, representatives of the United States of America and Tunisia signed a Memorandum of Understanding reaffirming the common bonds and shared values of long-standing friendship between Tunisia and the United States and recognizing Tunisia's historic democratic transition. The document noted a range of cooperative activities between the two countries.  Below is a selection of key milestones and programs across multiple sectors that demonstrate the expansiveness of our important bilateral relationship.  

Expanding Inclusive Economic Growth:  The United States is committed to helping Tunisia promote strong, sustainable and inclusive economic growth by strengthening its business climate, creating job opportunities, and promoting bilateral trade.  The Administration is working with Congress to double the level of economic assistance to Tunisia this year to promote competitiveness, provide seed money and financing to small and medium enterprises, and improve the business regulatory environment through important reforms. 

• If Tunisia and the United States determine that additional financing is needed to support growth and reform, the United States is prepared to consider a loan guarantee of up to $500 million to advance the Government of Tunisia’s ongoing reform program. The United States has provided two sovereign loan guarantees previously, which helped the Tunisian government access affordable financing to borrow $485 million in 2012 and $500 million in 2014, which helped expand Tunisia’s access to international capital markets. 

• The United States and Tunisia will establish a new Joint Economic Council (JEC) in concert with the Strategic Dialogue to support Tunisia’s economic reform priorities and encourage private sector ties.  We expect to launch the JEC in the fall of this year. 

• During President Caid Essebsi’s visit, U.S. Department of Commerce Secretary Pritzker co-hosted a Business Roundtable with prominent U.S. business leaders to highlight the importance of economic and commercial reforms to improving trade and investment in Tunisia and the growing business ties between our countries.  The Department of Commerce also convened a Tourism Roundtable to share lessons learned while establishing the U.S. National Tourism Strategy.  This platform will enable discussions between U.S. and Tunisian officials and the private sector on ways to bolster and promote the Tunisian tourism industry.

• Through the U.S.-Tunisia Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA), the United States and Tunisia work to promote bilateral trade and investment, facilitate partnerships between U.S. and Tunisian companies, increase regulatory transparency, strengthen the rule of law and protection for intellectual property, identify capacity building opportunities, and resolve specific trade concerns.  The next TIFA council meeting is expected to take place before the end of the year. 

• The U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Technical Assistance (OTA) is working to re-engage with the Central Bank of Tunisia to strengthen its capacity to monitor and maintain the stability of Tunisia’s financial system and find ways to provide critical advice to the Government of Tunisia as it advances key economic reforms. 

• The United States, through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), intends to expand upon ongoing multi-year technical assistance programming to implement tax and customs reform and other economic and commercial reforms undertaken by the Tunisian government. 

• The United States, through USAID, will work closely with the Tunisian government to create a shared vision and framework for development programming through a transitional Country Development Cooperation Strategy. 

• The USAID Business Reform and Competitiveness Project (BRCP) is providing technical assistance to Tunisian enterprises to improve access to capital, develop new market opportunities, and strengthen business associations.  In partnership with other U.S. programs, BRCP provides job-sector driven training to young Tunisians, increases the capacity of institutions to support Tunisia’s private sector, and supports information and communications technology (ICT)-related reform to promote greater economic growth. 

• The Tunisian-American Enterprise Fund (TAEF), seeded with $60 million in U.S. assistance, is continuing to promote the development of the Tunisian private sector by investing in small and medium enterprises that will contribute to inclusive economic growth and employment.

• The March 2015 U.S.–Maghreb Investment and Entrepreneurship Conference offered U.S. and Tunisian businesses a platform to connect and discuss business opportunities.  The conference, which Commerce Secretary Penny Pritzker and other senior U.S. officials attended, was organized through Partners for a New Beginning-North African Partnership for Economic Opportunity and highlighted the importance of economic and commercial reform and private sector engagement in Tunisia’s economic development.   

Promoting Democracy, Civil Society, and Consensus Building:  The United States actively supports the Tunisian government’s efforts to promote inclusive governance, security, prosperity, and human rights for all Tunisians, as well as to enhance ties with its regional partners. 

• Since the 2011 revolution, the United States has provided more than $80 million to support initiatives that promote good governance and fiscal transparency, build the organizational management capacity of civil society organizations, and increase the civic participation and political leadership of youth.

• The United States has provided significant support for Tunisian elections, including approximately $15 million in 2014.  This funding included assistance to U.S. and Tunisian NGOs throughout the 2014 legislative and presidential elections, during which the United States supported multiple international election observation missions.

• The Department of State, through the Middle East Partnership Initiative (MEPI) plans to provide at least an additional $10 million this year to promote democratic processes and increase the capacity of Tunisia’s growing civil society sector.  Since 2011, MEPI grants have helped Tunisians increase their role in the political process and expand economic opportunities, particularly for youth and women.

• The Department of State, through MEPI, also supports a program with the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) that helped Tunisia become the second Arab country to join the Open Government Partnership (OGP), which aims to advance open governance and transparency. Through technical assistance, the United States helped Tunisia participate in the OGP by supporting implementation of Tunisia's 2011 freedom of information legislation.  Moving forward, the USG will continue to support the implementation of Tunisia’s strong OGP Action Plan.

Fostering Cultural and Educational Ties:  The United States and Tunisia are working to preserve and promote Tunisia’s rich cultural heritage as well as expand educational, cultural, and professional exchanges and linkages. 

• The Smithsonian Institution and the Tunisian Ministry of Antiquities will partner to digitize the antiquities collection housed in the National Bardo Museum and to expand opportunities for Tunisia’s tourism industry. 

• Under the Thomas Jefferson Scholarship Program, almost 400 Tunisians have qualified to study at universities and community colleges in the United States for one year.  In concert with President Caid Essebsi’s focus on expanding educational opportunities for Tunisian youth, the United States plans to significantly increase the number of Thomas Jefferson scholarships this year. 

• The United States launched the $5 million Fulbright Tunisia Tech+ Scholars program in August 2014 to enable more than 40 Tunisians to obtain U.S. master’s degrees in five fields (science, technology, engineering, math, and business) and equip graduates with advanced skills and professional networks.

• The United States has committed almost $1 million to establish three new university linkages between U.S. and Tunisian educational institutions in the fields of technological innovation and business development.  The programs will create employment opportunities for Tunisian graduates and help support greater economic development and profitable commercialization of technology.

• In August 2014, the Tunisian Ministry of Higher Education and U.S. Department of State signed an Agreement on Science and Technology Cooperation to strengthen bilateral scientific, technological and educational cooperation.  The Agreement provides a framework to facilitate and expand science and technology cooperation between our two countries.  It also provides a mechanism for critical research and development efforts that facilitate the exchange of scientific data and results, protect intellectual property rights, and establish partnerships between official U.S. technical agencies and their counterpart institutions internationally, as well as U.S. educational and research institutions. 

Enhancing Security Capabilities:  Tunisia is a key partner in regional counterterrorism efforts.  The United States has committed more than $225 million in security assistance since 2011 to bolster Tunisia’s capacity to counter internal and regional threats and terrorism.

• The Administration intends to designate Tunisia as a major non-NATO ally in recognition of our shared values, Tunisia’s democratic gains, and our growing security and counterterrorism cooperation.

• More than $100 million in security assistance allocated since 2011 goes toward building the capacity of Tunisia’s Ministry of Defense and to counter terrorism.  The United States has provided training and equipment to the Tunisian military to improve capabilities in surveillance, mobility, and border security.  

• The Administration is seeking to provide an additional $30 million in Foreign Military Financing this year, a 50 percent increase over last year.  This support will help Tunisia strengthen counter-terrorism, border security, and joint security cooperation.

• The United States’ security assistance since 2011 includes more than $50 million in programs in partnership with the Tunisian Ministries of Interior and Justice helping to build their operational capabilities while fostering more transparent and responsive security forces through training and provision of equipment.  Future work will help the Ministry of Interior modernize and professionalize its core functions – including management and oversight of its human, material and financial resources – so that it can serve Tunisian citizens with greater transparency and accountability.

• Tunisia is also a founding partner in the Security Governance Initiative (SGI), announced at the 2014 U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit.  The SGI works to enhance partner countries’ institutional capacity to confront security challenges and address threats effectively and accountably.

• The Administration is working with Congress to increase support to the Tunisian Justice and Interior Ministries, including $7 million in International Narcotics and Law Enforcement programming to provide reform in police, corrections and judicial sectors. 

• U.S. support has also helped the Tunisian government establish an inter-ministerial Counterterrorism Fusion Center.  Other programs cover capacity building to enhance border security, law enforcement, intelligence, and effective counterterrorism practices in the criminal justice sector. 

• In addition to U.S. assistance, the Foreign Military Sales program facilitated the purchase of eight UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters by Tunisia to build its capacity to deter regional threats, strengthen defensive capabilities, as well as to support counterterrorism operations.

White House Report: The National Security Implications of a Changing Climate

The full report can be found HERE.

Today, President Obama will travel to New London, Connecticut to deliver the commencement address at the United States Coast Guard Academy. During his speech, the President will speak to the importance of acting on climate change and the risks to national security this global threat poses. The White House also released a new report on the national security implications of climate change and how the Federal government is rising to the challenge.

As the President has made very clear, no challenge poses a greater threat to future generations than climate change, as we are already seeing these threats in communities across the country. We know that climate change is contributing to extreme weather, wildfires, and drought, and that rising temperatures can lead to more smog and more allergens in the air we breathe, meaning more kids are exposed to the triggers that can cause asthma attacks.

But as the President will stress, climate change does not respect national borders and no one country can tackle climate change on its own. Climate change poses immediate risks to our national security, contributing to increased natural disasters and resulting in humanitarian crises, and potentially increasing refugee flows and exacerbating conflicts over basic resources like food and water. It also aggravates issues at home and abroad including poverty, political instability and social tensions – conditions that can fuel instability and enable terrorist activity and other forms of violence.

The Department of Defense (DOD) is assessing the vulnerability of the military’s more than 7,000 bases, installations and other facilities to climate change, and studying the implications of increased demand for our National Guard in the aftermath of extreme weather events. Two years ago, DOD and DHS released Arctic Strategies, which addresses the potential security implications of increased human activity in the Arctic, a consequence of rapidly melting sea ice.
   
But we also need to decrease the harmful carbon pollution that causes climate change. That is why, this summer, the EPA will put in place commonsense standards to reduce carbon pollution from power plants, the largest source in the United States. Today, the U.S. harnesses three times as much electricity from the wind and twenty times as much from the sun as we did since President Obama took office. We are working with  industry  and  have taken action to phase down HFCs and address methane emissions in the oil and gas sector. By the middle of the next decade, our cars will go twice as far on a gallon of gas, and we have made unprecedented investments to cut energy waste in our homes and buildings. And as the single largest user of energy in the United States, DOD is making progress to deploy 3 gigawatts of renewable energy on military installations by 2025.

Readout of the President’s Meeting with the National Security Council on ISIL

The President met today with his National Security Council to discuss the situation in Iraq and our strategy to counter the threat posed by ISIL in Iraq and Syria.  The President was briefed on the latest developments in Iraq and our support to the Iraqi security forces and local tribal fighters responding to the situation in Anbar province.  The President reaffirmed the strong U.S. support for Prime Minister Al-Abadi’s efforts, and welcomed the decision issued earlier today by the Iraqi Council of Ministers to accelerate the training and equipping of local tribes in coordination with Anbar authorities, expand recruitment into the Iraqi Army, train local police, and develop a consolidated plan to retake Ramadi with all associated forces acting under Iraqi command.  The President reaffirmed the U.S. commitment to the Government of Iraq and the Iraqi people in the fight against ISIL.

Participants in today’s meeting included:

• The Vice President
• John Kerry, Secretary of State (via secure phone)
• Ashton Carter, Secretary of Defense
• Jeh Johnson, Secretary of Homeland Security
• Denis McDonough, Assistant to the President and Chief of Staff
• Susan Rice, Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs
• Ambassador Samantha Power, Representative of the United States of America to the United Nations (via secure video teleconference)
• Neil Eggleston, Assistant to the President and Counsel to the President
• James Clapper, Director of National Intelligence
• John Brennan, Director of the Central Intelligence Agency
• Lisa Monaco, Assistant to the President for Homeland Security and Counterterrorism
• Avril Haines, Assistant to the President and Deputy National Security Advisor
• Benjamin Rhodes, Assistant to the President and Deputy National Security Advisor for Strategic Communications and Speechwriting
• Antony Blinken, Deputy Secretary of State (via secure video teleconference)
• Christine Wormuth, Under Secretary of Defense for Policy
• ADM James Winnefeld, Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff
• John Mulligan, Deputy Director of the National Counterterrorism Center
• GEN Lloyd Austin, Commander, U.S. Central Command (via secure video teleconference)
• Amb. Stuart Jones, U.S. Ambassador to Iraq (via secure video teleconference)
• John Allen, Special Presidential Envoy for the Global Coalition to Counter ISIL
• Brett McGurk, Deputy Special Presidential Envoy for the Global Coalition to Counter ISIL
• Colin Kahl, Deputy Assistant to the President and National Security Advisor to the Vice President
• Suzanne George, Deputy Assistant to the President and Executive Secretary and Chief of Staff of the National Security Council
• Brian Egan, Deputy Assistant to the President and Deputy Counsel to the President
• Rob Malley, Special Assistant to the President and White House Coordinator for the Middle East, North Africa, and Gulf Region