The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
November 13, 2014

FACT SHEET: 2nd ASEAN-U.S. Summit

Today, President Obama met with Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) leaders and foreign ministers and the ASEAN Secretariat's Secretary-General at the 2nd ASEAN-U.S. Summit in Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar. President Obama reaffirmed the importance of U.S.-ASEAN ties as a crucial element of the United States' strategic rebalance to the Asia-Pacific region and highlighted many of the cooperative activities the United States has undertaken with ASEAN across its economic, political-security, and socio-cultural pillars.

Economic Engagement

U.S.-ASEAN Expanded Economic Engagement (E3): To expand trade and investment ties between the United States and ASEAN and to create new jobs and business opportunities, President Obama in 2012 announced the creation of an Enhanced Economic Engagement Initiative (E3).  Under the E3, the United States is working with ASEAN to promote trade facilitation, standards development and practices, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and establishing open and transparent investment and information technology environments. In August 2014, U.S. businesses participated in the 2nd ASEAN-U.S. Business Summit, which focused on improving the capacity of SMEs to connect to regional and global supply chains.

Commercial Engagement: The U.S. Departments Commerce and State will sponsor four business and trade delegations to ASEAN next year focused on a range of sectors, including health and energy.  The first delegation will take place in February 2015, going to the Philippines and Indonesia, and focusing on the health sector.  These delegations will visit several ASEAN countries, including the Philippines, Indonesia, Vietnam and Malaysia, and will be led by senior officials.

Lower Mekong Initiative Business Delegation: The U.S. Department of State, the U.S. Department of Commerce, and USAID, in cooperation with U.S. businesses, will lead a business delegation to the Lower Mekong region in 2015 to highlight regional energy security and sustainability.  The delegation will complement the Extraordinary Meeting of the Friends of the Lower Mekong scheduled for January 2015, in which eight of the largest donor states and organizations will meet to discuss regional development strategies.

ASEAN Reverse Trade Mission and Symposium: In collaboration with the U.S. Departments of Commerce, State, and Energy, the U.S. Trade and Development Agency plans to lead a high-level ASEAN Ministers Energy and Transport Infrastructure Symposium and Reverse Trade Mission in 2015. The event will enhance U.S. economic engagement in Southeast Asia, increase U.S. economic opportunities and jobs, and advance ASEAN's infrastructure priorities targeted by the U.S.-Asia Pacific Comprehensive Energy Partnership (USACEP) and the U.S.-ASEAN Connectivity Cooperation Initiative by connecting policy makers with U.S. suppliers.

Advancing Entrepreneurship and Business Growth: The U.S.-ASEAN Business Alliance for Competitive SMEs, a public private partnership between USAID and the U.S.-ASEAN Business Council, held training programs in five ASEAN countries and will soon begin creating an online academy to support SMEs in three key areas: access to finance; access to regional and international markets; and access to information and information technology.

ASEAN Integration and ASEAN Single Window (ASW): The United States is supporting the creation of an ASEAN Single Window through the ASEAN Connectivity through Trade and Investment (ACTI) program. The ASW is a hallmark of ASEAN's progress toward building the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) in 2015 that is designed to speed customs clearance procedures and lower costs for businesses, allowing increased trade.

Environmentally Sustainable Energy Development: The U.S. Department of Energy, the Department of State and USAID continue to support the U.S.-Asia Comprehensive Energy Partnership, and in 2014 held a workshop on rural electrification with the ASEAN Center for Energy, cosponsored with Brunei a Renewable and Alternative Energy Financing Workshop to highlight financing and technical assistance resources available for renewable energy project, and co-sponsored with Vietnam a regional Unconventional Gas Technical Engagement Program workshop.

Collaborative ASEAN and Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Activities: The United States is working to include non-APEC ASEAN members (Myanmar, Cambodia, and Laos) in APEC capacity building activities in areas of mutual interest to both organizations so all ASEAN economies fully benefit from this work as ASEAN advances toward the AEC.

Political-Security Engagement

Enhancing Maritime Cooperation: As part of our ongoing efforts to strengthen U.S.ASEAN defense cooperation in areas including maritime security and humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, Secretary of Defense Hagel hosted the ten ASEAN Defense Ministers at an informal meeting In Hawaii in April 2014.  In September 2014, the United States and the Philippines hosted the 2nd Expanded ASEAN Seafarer Training Counter Piracy workshop to exchange best practices on counter-piracy training, welfare, and safety issues in support of ASEAN seafarers.

Combating Piracy:  Also in September, the United States became the 20th contracting party to the Regional Cooperation Agreement on Combating Piracy and Armed Robbery against Ships in Asia (ReCAAP), an international organization that serves as a platform for information exchange and for promoting and enhancing cooperation to combat piracy and armed robbery against ships in Asia.

Building ASEAN's Cyber Confidence: The United States is helping to build ASEAN’s capacity to increase cybersecurity cooperation and reduce the risk of conflict during a cyber incident by supporting an ASEAN cybercrime workshop hosted by Singapore in 2014, jointly chairing with Singapore the ASEAN Regional Forum Seminar on Operationalizing Cyber Confidence Building Measures scheduled for 2015.

Combating Human and Wildlife Trafficking: The United States is working with ASEAN partners to combat human and wildlife trafficking.  In October 2014, the United States co-chaired with Burma a seminar on combating trafficking in persons, and is providing training for Heads of Anti-trafficking Specialist Units (HSUs) in crime scene management and victim-centric approaches in investigations. On wildlife trafficking, the United States worked with Myanmar to draft the East Asia Summit Declaration on wildlife Trafficking.

ASEAN Youth Volunteer Program: The United States and the National University of Malaysia entered into a multiyear agreement for USAID to provide support for the ASEAN Youth Volunteer Program (AVYP) to support ASEAN’s efforts to sponsor young volunteers to work throughout ASEAN on solutions to development challenges facing their communities.

Climate Change Cooperation: The United States and ASEAN announced the U.S.-ASEAN Joint Statement on Climate Change, demonstrating their commitment to a successful United Nations Climate Change Conference in Paris in December 2015.

Promoting Women and Children's Rights: In April 2014, the United States and ASEAN launched the ASEAN Women Entrepreneurship Network in Vietnam. The project brings together the resources of USAID, the U.S. Department of State, the ASEAN Committee on Women, and the private sector to provide mentorship, training, and networking resources to women entrepreneurs.

U.S.-ASEAN Science and Technology (S&T) Fellow Program: The United States and the ASEAN Committee on Science and Technology (COST) launched the S&T Fellow Program in April 2014. Seven fellows worked on issues related to biodiversity, climate change, water management, health, and disaster risk reduction. The United States and ASEAN plan to expand the program in 2015.

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
November 13, 2014

Statement by the Press Secretary on the Agreement Between the United States and India on the Trade Facilitation Agreement at the World Trade Organization (WTO)

The important breakthrough reached today between the United States and India will unlock progress toward the full and immediate implementation of the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement, which will lower the costs of trade for developed and developing countries alike.

The President had extensive discussions with Prime Minister Modi on this issue and appreciates his personal leadership in finding a path forward.

This breakthrough will also strengthen the multilateral trading system and give a boost to its ongoing work, including in the area of food security. Combined with the recent announcement of a breakthrough on the WTO Information Technology Agreement (ITA) and the agreement among Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) Leaders that the end of those landmark negotiations is coming into focus, this has been a good week for expanding opportunities for American businesses and workers and for promoting growth around the globe.

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
November 12, 2014

Presidential Nominations Sent to the Senate

NOMINATIONS SENT TO THE SENATE:

Dale A. Drozd, of California, to be United States District Judge for the Eastern District of California, vice Anthony W. Ishii, retired.

Michael Greco, of New York, to be United States Marshal for the Southern District of New York for the term of four years, vice Joseph R. Guccione, term expired.

LaShann Moutique DeArcy Hall, of New York, to be United States District Judge for the Eastern District of New York, vice Nicholas G. Garaufis, retired.

Luis Felipe Restrepo, of Pennsylvania, to be United States Circuit Judge for the Third Circuit, vice Anthony J. Scirica, retired.

Kara Farnandez Stoll, of Virginia, to be United States Circuit Judge for the Federal Circuit, vice Randall R. Rader, retired.

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
November 12, 2014

President Obama Nominates Michael Greco to Serve as U.S. Marshal

WASHINGTON, DC -- Today, President Obama nominated Michael Greco to serve as U.S. Marshal for the Southern District of New York.

“Michael Greco has dedicated his career to protecting his fellow citizens,” said President Obama.  “He has displayed courage and persistence in the pursuit of justice, and I am honored to nominate him today to continue his selfless work as a U.S. Marshal.”

Michael Greco: Nominee to be United States Marshal for the Southern District of New York

Michael Greco currently serves as Lieutenant in the New York State Police, a position he has held since 2007, and in which he serves as the New York State Police’s interagency liaison in New York City.  He has served with the New York State Police since 1982; prior to be being named Lieutenant, he served as a senior Investigator, Investigator, Station Commander, Sergeant, and Trooper. Greco was also a first responder on September 11, 2001.  He received his Associate’s Degree in 2012 from Excelsior College. 

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
November 12, 2014

President Obama Nominates Two to Serve on the United States Courts of Appeals

WASHINGTON, DC -- Today, President Obama nominated Judge Luis Felipe Restrepo and Kara Farnandez Stoll to serve on the United States Courts of Appeals.

“These individuals have displayed exceptional dedication to the legal profession through their work, and I am honored to nominate them to serve the American people as judges on the United States Courts of Appeals,” President Obama said.  “They will be diligent, judicious and esteemed additions to the bench.”

Judge Luis Felipe Restrepo:  Nominee for the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit

Judge Luis Felipe Restrepo has served as a United States District Judge in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania since June 2013 and previously served as a United States Magistrate Judge in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania from 2006 to 2013.

Judge Restrepo was born in Colombia and moved to the United States when he was two.  He received his B.A. in 1981 from the University of Pennsylvania and his J.D. in 1986 from Tulane University Law School. Judge Restrepo began his legal career as a law clerk at the National Prison Project. From 1987 to 1990, he served as an Assistant Defender with the Defender Association of Philadelphia, and, from 1990 to 1993, he served as an Assistant Federal Defender in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.  In 1993, Judge Restrepo started the law firm of Krasner & Restrepo, where he handled a wide range of criminal and civil matters in both federal and state courts until his appointment as a federal magistrate judge in 2006. During his time on the bench, he has been actively involved in the reentry program in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, which is a collaborative effort between the court, United States Attorney’s Office, Federal Defenders Office, United States Probation Office, and community partners to promote the successful reintegration of individuals released from federal custody. 

Judge Restrepo has taught courses on trial advocacy and legal research and writing at Temple University Law School since 1993 and also taught trial advocacy at the University of Pennsylvania Law School from 1997 to 2009.

Kara Farnandez Stoll:  Nominee for the Unites States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit

Kara Farnandez Stoll is a partner at Finnegan, Henderson, Farabow, Garrett and Dunner, LLP in Washington, D.C.  She has extensive experience in patent litigation, having represented clients at both the district and appellate levels, and has served as lead counsel on a number of cases before the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit.

Stoll received her B.S. in electrical engineering in 1991 from Michigan State University and her J.D. in 1997 from Georgetown University Law School. After graduating from college, Stoll worked as a patent examiner at the United States Patent and Trademark Office from 1991 to 1997. From 1997 to 1998, Stoll clerked for Judge Alvin Schall of the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit. In 1998, she joined Finnegan, Henderson, Farabow, Garrett and Dunner, LLP, where her practice focuses on patent litigation, primarily in the consumer electronics, computers, software, and medical devices industries. 

Stoll has served as an adjunct professor at George Mason University Law School since 2008 and previously served as an adjunct professor at Howard University School of Law from 2004 to 2008. Stoll currently serves as Co-Chair of the Rules Committee of the Federal Circuit Bar Association, and she previously served as Vice Chair of the Rules Committee from 2012 to 2013. 

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
November 12, 2014

Presidential Nominations and Withdrawal Sent to the Senate

NOMINATIONS SENT TO THE SENATE:

Adewale Adeyemo, of California, to be an Assistant Secretary of the Treasury, vice Marisa Lago.

Antony Blinken, of New York, to be Deputy Secretary of State, vice William J. Burns, resigned.

Daniel R. Elliott, III, of Ohio, to be a Member of the Surface Transportation Board for a term expiring December 31, 2018.  (Reappointment).

David Avren Jones, of Connecticut, to be a Member of the Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board for a term expiring October 11, 2018.  (Reappointment)

Michael D. Kennedy, of Georgia, to be a Member of the Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board for a term expiring September 25, 2018.  (Reappointment)

Marisa Lago, of New York, to be a Deputy United States Trade Representative, with the rank of Ambassador, vice Miriam E. Sapiro, resigned.

Lauren McGarity McFerran, of the District of Columbia, to be a Member of the National Labor Relations Board for the term of five years expiring December 16, 2019, vice Nancy Jean Schiffer, term expiring.

Nicholas J. Rasmussen, of Virginia, to be Director of the National Counterterrorism Center, Office of the Director of National Intelligence, vice Matthew G. Olsen, resigned.

Antonio F. Weiss, of New York, to be an Under Secretary of the Treasury, vice Mary John Miller.

WITHDRAWAL SENT TO THE SENATE:

Sharon Block, of the District of Columbia, to be a Member of the National Labor Relations Board for the term of five years expiring December 16, 2019, vice Nancy Jean Schiffer, term expiring, which was sent to the Senate on July 14, 2014.

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
November 12, 2014

President Obama Nominates Two to Serve on the United States District Courts

WASHINGTON, DC -- Today, President Obama nominated Judge Dale A. Drozd and LaShann Moutique DeArcy Hall to serve on the United States District Courts.

“I am honored to put forward these highly qualified candidates for the federal bench,” President Obama said.  “They will be distinguished public servants and valuable additions to the United States District Court.”

Judge Dale A. Drozd: Nominee for the United States District Court for the Eastern District of California
Judge Dale A. Drozd has served as a United States Magistrate Judge in the Eastern District of California since 1997 and as Chief Magistrate Judge since 2011. From 1986 to 1997, Judge Drozd was a partner at Blackmon, Drozd & Snellings (formerly Blackmon & Drozd).  Previously, he was an associate at Hallinan, Osterhoudt & Poplack from 1982 to 1985.  Judge Drozd began his legal career as a law clerk for Judge Lawrence Karlton of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of California from 1980 to 1982.  Judge Drozd received his J.D. (Order of the Coif) in 1980 from the University of California, Los Angeles School of Law and his B.A. magna cum laude in 1977 from San Diego State University.

LaShann Moutique DeArcy Hall: Nominee for the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York
LaShann Moutique DeArcy Hall is a partner at Morrison & Foerster LLP, where her practice focuses on complex commercial litigation. Previously, she worked as an associate at Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP from 2005 to 2010 and at Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP from 2000 to 2005. DeArcy Hall has served as a Commissioner on the New York City Taxi and Limousine Commission since 2011, and she also served as a Commissioner on the New York State Joint Commission on Public Ethics from 2012 to 2014. From 1995 to 1997, DeArcy Hall served in the United States Air Force. She received her J.D. magna cum laude in 2000 from Howard University School of Law and her B.A. in 1992 from Antioch College. 

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
November 12, 2014

Presidential Nominations and Withdrawals Sent to the Senate

NOMINATIONS SENT TO THE SENATE:

Leon Aron, of Virginia, to be a Member of the Broadcasting Board of Governors for a term expiring August 13, 2016, vice S. Enders Wimbush, resigned.

Walter A. Barrows, of Ohio, to be a Member of the Railroad Retirement Board for a term expiring August 28, 2019.   (Reappointment)

David J. Berteau, of Maryland, to be an Assistant Secretary of Defense, vice Alan F. Estevez, resigned.

Leigh A. Bradley, of Virginia, to be General Counsel, Department of Veterans Affairs, vice Will A. Gunn, resigned.

Romonia S. Dixon, of Arizona, to be a Member of the Board of Directors of the Corporation for National and Community Service for a term expiring October 6, 2018, vice Matthew Francis McCabe, term expired.

Sim Farar, of California, to be a Member of the United States Advisory Commission on Public Diplomacy for a term expiring July 1, 2015.  (Reappointment)

Sim Farar, of California, to be a Member of the United States Advisory Commission on Public Diplomacy for a term expiring July 1, 2018.  (Reappointment)

Jeffery S. Hall, of Kentucky, to be a Member of the Farm Credit Administration Board, Farm Credit Administration, for a term expiring October 13, 2018, vice Leland A. Strom, term expired.

William Joseph Hybl, of Colorado, to be a Member of the United States Advisory Commission on Public Diplomacy for a term expiring July 1, 2015.  (Reappointment)

Michelle K. Lee, of California, to be Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Director of the United States Patent and Trademark Office, vice David J. Kappos, resigned.

Jay Neal Lerner, of Illinois, to be Inspector General, Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, vice Jon T. Rymer, resigned.

Dava J. Newman, of Massachusetts, to be Deputy Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, vice Lori Garver, resigned.

Michael P. O'Rielly, of New York, to be a Member of the Federal Communications Commission for a term of five years from July 1, 2014.  (Reappointment)

Azita Raji, of California, to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Kingdom of Sweden.

Robert A. Salerno, 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 Robert Isaac Richter, retired.

Mark Scarano, of New Hampshire, to be Federal Cochairperson of the Northern Border Regional Commission, vice Sandford Blitz, resigning.

David S. Shapira, of Pennsylvania, to be a Governor of the United States Postal Service for a term expiring December 8, 2019, vice Dennis J. Toner, term expired.

WITHDRAWALS SENT TO THE SENATE:

Michael G. Carroll, of New York, to be Inspector General, United States Agency for International Development, vice Donald A. Gambatesa, resigned, which was sent to the Senate on January 6, 2014.

Jo Ann Rooney, of Massachusetts, to be Under Secretary of the Navy, vice Robert O. Work, resigned, which was sent to the Senate on January 6, 2014.

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
November 12, 2014

President Obama Announces More Key Administration Posts

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

  • Daniel Elliott, III – Member, Surface Transportation Board, and upon appointment to be designated Chairman
  • Lauren McFerran – Member, National Labor Relations Board
  • John Mendez –Member, Board of Directors of the Securities Investor Protection Corporation, and upon appointment to be designated Chairman
  • Antonio Weiss – Under Secretary for Domestic Finance, Department of the Treasury

President Obama said, “I am confident that these experienced and hardworking individuals will help us tackle the important challenges facing America, and I am grateful for their service.  I look forward to working with them in the months and years ahead.”

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

Daniel Elliott III, Nominee for Member, Surface Transportation Board, and upon appointment to be designated Chairman

Daniel Elliott III is a Member and the Chairman of the Surface Transportation Board, positions he has held since 2009.  From 1993 to 2009, he was Associate General Counsel of United Transportation Union.  Mr. Elliott was an Associate at Chester Giltz & Associates from 1991 to 1992, an Associate at Marshman, Snyder, Berkley & Kapp from 1990 to 1991, and an Associate at Bishop, Cook, Purcell & Reynolds from 1989 to 1990.  He has been an editor for several railway-related publications.  Mr. Elliott received a B.A. from the University of Michigan and a J.D. from Ohio State College of Law.

Lauren McFerran, Nominee for Member, National Labor Relations Board

Lauren McFerran is Chief Labor Counsel for the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP Committee), a position she has held since 2010.  Since 2012, she has also served as Deputy Staff Director for the HELP Committee.  Ms. McFerran began on the HELP Committee as Senior Labor Counsel for Senator Ted Kennedy and Senator Tom Harkin in 2005, and served in that capacity until 2010.  Before her work for the United States Senate, Ms. McFerran was an Associate at Bredhoff & Kaiser, P.L.L.C. from 2002 to 2005.  From 2001 to 2002, she was a Law Clerk for Chief Judge Carolyn Dineen King on the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit.  Ms. McFerran received a B.A. from Rice University and a J.D. from Yale Law School.

John Mendez, Nominee for Member, Board of Directors of the Securities Investor Protection Corporation, and upon appointment to be designated Chairman

John Mendez is a Partner and Chairman of the Special Situations Group at Latham & Watkins LLP.  Mr. Mendez joined Latham in 2004 and was the former Co-Chairman of the Banking Group.  Prior to joining Latham, Mr. Mendez was a partner and Head of the Banking Group in the Los Angeles office of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP from 1996 to 2004.  From 1982 to 1996, Mr. Mendez was with White & Case LLP working in the New York, Los Angeles, and Hong Kong offices, and became a partner in 1991.  Mr. Mendez received a B.A. from Rutgers University and a J.D. from Harvard Law School. 

Antonio Weiss, Nominee for Under Secretary for Domestic Finance, Department of the Treasury

Antonio Weiss is the Global Head of Investment Banking for Lazard, a position he has held since 2009.  Mr. Weiss joined Lazard in 1993 and became a Managing Director in 1999.  From 2006 to 2009, he served as a Vice Chairman of European Investment Banking and, subsequently, Global Head of Mergers and Acquisitions.  Mr. Weiss is a Member of the Council on Foreign Relations and the Economic Advisory Council of the Center for American Progress.  He is Publisher of The Paris Review.   Mr. Weiss received a B.A. from Yale College and an M.B.A. from Harvard Business School.

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The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
November 12, 2014

Letter - Continuation of the National Emergency With Respect to Iran

TO THE CONGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES:

Section 202(d) of the National Emergencies Act (50 U.S.C. 1622(d)), provides for the automatic termination of a national emergency unless, within 90 days prior to the anniversary date of its declaration, the President publishes in the Federal Register and transmits to the Congress a notice stating that the emergency is to continue in effect beyond the anniversary date.  In accordance with this provision, I have sent to the Federal Register for publication the enclosed notice stating that the national emergency with respect to Iran that was declared in Executive Order 12170 of November 14, 1979, is to continue in effect beyond November 14, 2014.

Because our relations with Iran have not yet returned to normal, and the process of implementing the agreements with Iran, dated January 19, 1981, is still under way, I have determined that it is necessary to continue the national emergency declared in Executive Order 12170 with respect to Iran.

BARACK OBAMA