President Barack Hussein Obama Gives Morehouse College’s Commencement Address Sunday

Posted on May 18, 2013 by Jueseppi B.

 

By Jueseppi B.

 

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President Barack Obama will be the speaker for Morehouse College’s 129th Commencement in May, Morehouse President John Silvanus Wilson Jr. ’79 announced Saturday, Feb. 16.

 

A White House official told the Atlanta Journal Constitution that Morehouse was chosen because it is one of the nation’s leading historically black colleges and universities and is among the best and brightest institutions of higher education in the country.  The official also said that Morehouse is known for its high standard for excellence in learning and social consciousness and is home to a long list of notable alumni that spans the last three centuries.

 

Wilson surprised the nearly 2,000 guests at the College’s largest scholarship fundraiser, the 25thAnnual “A Candle in the Dark” Gala.

 

“The president’s life story trumpets an ethic that we try to instill in all Morehouse Men, namely excellence without apology or compromise,” Wilson said Saturday.  “It’s a good thing to have him here for that reason.”

 

The Gala crowd of students, alumni, faculty, staff and friends of the College jumped out of their seats and screamed in excitement.

 

Morehouse’s commencement ceremony is scheduled for 8 a.m. on Sunday, May 19.  More details will be forthcoming.

 

 

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Dr. John S. Wilson, Jr. is president of Morehouse College in Atlanta. Dr. John S. Wilson, Jr. is president of Morehouse College in Atlanta. (Morehouse College)

 

“The script has completely flipped and the competition for bright African American students in general is a lot stiffer across the board.”

–Dr. John S. Wilson

 

It was a night of big announcements as The Ray Charles Foundation also presented Morehouse $3 million in honor of the legendary musician Ray Charles’ mother, Aretha Robinson, for the College’s Music Academic Building. The building is connected to the Ray Charles Performing Arts Center, which was built after a previous gift from Charles.

 

“Ray Charles cherished his mother,” said Valerie Ervin, president of The Ray Charles Foundation. “I know that Ray Charles had a long-standing relationship with Morehouse based on professionalism, integrity and honesty and that those qualities were very important to him, personally and professionally.  He genuinely valued the education and preparation that Morehouse provides to young men.”

 

 

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When President Barack Obama addresses graduates at Morehouse College on Sunday, he’ll also be speaking to the broader community of historically black colleges and universities — a proud corner of higher education that has struggled more than most during the last few years of economic distress.

 

The so-called HBCUs educate a hugely disproportionate share of low-income students, and both students and schools have been hit hard by a double punch. First, unemployment for blacks remains nearly double that of whites, making it harder for many students to keep up with tuition. Secondly, tougher credit standards have made it harder to secure a federal PLUS loan used by about one-third of HBCU students.

 

 

 

 

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It’s Saturday And That Means The Weekly Address From Barack’s House

Posted on May 18, 2013 by Jueseppi B.

 

By Jueseppi B.

 

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Megan Slack
Megan Slack

May 18, 2013
06:00 AM EDT

 

President Obama talks about his belief that a rising, thriving middle class is the true engine of economic growth, and that to reignite that engine and continue to build on the progress we’ve made over the last four years, we need to invest in three areas: jobs, skills and opportunity.

 

 

Weekly Address: The President Talks About How to Build a Rising, Thriving Middle Class

 

 

 

 

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Heather Zichal
Heather Zichal

May 17, 2013
05:50 PM EDT

 

As the single largest consumer of energy in the United States, the Department of Defense (DOD) knows that improving efficiency and harnessing new energy technologies is imperative– not only to achieve significant cost savings, but to give our troops better energy options on the battlefield, at sea, in the air, and at home.

 

At DOD’s fixed installations alone – including, barracks, offices, and hospitals – energy bills come in around $4 billion each year. Given this large footprint as well as the importance of safe, secure, and affordable energy sources to mission readiness, the Department has made one of the largest commitments to clean energy in history, by developing a goal to deploy three gigawatts of renewable energy – including solar, wind, biomass, and geothermal – on Army, Navy, and Air Force installations by 2025 – enough to power 750,000 homes.

 

When it comes specifically to solar power, a new report today from the Solar Energy Industries Association underscores the progress that DOD is making towards its goals.

 

“Enlisting the Sun: Powering the U.S. Military with Solar Energy” highlights solar energy’s growing role in powering military installations and military homes across America. According to the report, as of early 2013, there are more than 130 megawatts (MW) of solar photovoltaic (PV) energy systems powering Navy, Army, and Air Force bases in at least 31 states and the District of Columbia. Combined, these installations provide enough clean energy to power more than 20,000 American homes.

 

Read More

 

 

 

Chris Kang
May 17, 2013
04:14 PM EDT

 

Yesterday, President Obama demonstrated his continued commitment to increasing the diversity of our federal judiciary, so that it better reflects the nation it serves. He nominated four distinguished women to serve on four different courts—women who not only have the necessary intellect, integrity and fair-mindedness to serve as federal judges, but whose nominations also represent important “firsts” in their state or district:

  • If confirmed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit, Judge Carolyn McHugh would be the first woman from Utah to serve on that court.  Currently, the Tenth Circuit only has one woman judge serving among its nine active members.
  • Pamela Reeves and Elizabeth Wolford would be the first women to serve as district court judges in the Eastern District of Tennessee and Western District of New York, respectively, if confirmed.
  • Debra Brown would be the first African-American district court judge to serve in the Northern District of Mississippi and the first African-American woman to serve as an Article III judge in the entire state of Mississippi, if confirmed.

 

President Obama’s judicial nominees already have broken the gender barrier in circuit courts in six states, as well as nine district courts, and have shattered dozens of glass ceilings for minorities.  And on Monday, the Senate will consider the nomination of Michael McShane to be a district court judge in Oregon; if confirmed, he would be the fifth openly gay judge appointed by President Obama, compared to only one in history before.

 

Read More

 

 

 

 

 

Christopher Sponn
May 17, 2013

West Wing Week: 05/17/13 or “We the Geeks”

 

 

 

 

Obama Cares: On the Friday before Mother’s Day, President Obama explained how the Affordable Care Act is helping women. For example, the law prevents insurance companies from charging women more than men and requires insurance companies to cover preventive services like mammograms free of charge.

Thanks to the women in this room and people all across the country, we worked really hard — and it’s now been more than three years since Congress passed the Affordable Care Act and I signed it into law. It’s been nearly a year since the Supreme Court upheld the law under the Constitution. And, by the way, six months ago, the American people went to the polls and decided to keep going in this direction. So the law is here to stay.

 

The President asked Americans to learn the facts about the Affordable Care Act and the wide array of benefits the law is already providing. You can visit WhiteHouse.gov/HealthReformand HealthCare.gov to see what the law does for your family.

Make sure you know what the actual facts are, because you stand to benefit if you’re not already benefiting from this thing. Don’t let people confuse you. Don’t let them run the okiedoke on you. Don’t be bamboozled.

 

The nearly 85% of Americans who have health insurance are already benefiting from the Affordable Care Act. Now the White House is asking Americans from across the country to speak now in support of health care reform. Lend your name, share your story, and be part of making the law a success here.

 

 

Review of IRS: On Wednesday, the President delivered remarks on the Treasury Department’s review of the Internal Revenue Service and said the “misconduct that it uncovered is inexcusable.” The President said he will hold the responsible parties accountable, put in place new safeguards to make sure this does not happen again, and work with Congress as it performs its oversight role.

I’ll do everything in my power to make sure nothing like this happens again by holding the responsible parties accountable, by putting in place new checks and new safeguards, and going forward, by making sure that the law is applied as it should be — in a fair and impartial way.

 

 

Prime Minister Erdogan of Turkey: On Thursday, President Obama and Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan held a press conference at the Rose Garden. The leaders discussed U.S. – Turkey relations such as trade and investment, mutual security, and the conflict in Syria.

In the last four years, bilateral trade between our two countries has grown 75 percent to nearly $20 billion, and U.S. exports to Turkey have more than doubled. The United States and Turkey promised to remain committed to strengthening their economic partnership.

 

 

Prime Minister Cameron of Great Britain: On Tuesday, thePresident welcomed British Prime Minister David Cameron to the White House. The global partners spoke about the upcoming Group of Eight summit, sustaining the global economy, and the conflict in Syria.

As we’ve said before, the great alliance between the United States and the United Kingdom is rooted in shared interests and shared values, and it’s indispensable to global security and prosperity.

 

 

National Peace Officers Memorial Service: On Wednesday, the President headed to the U.S. Capitol for the National Peace Officers Memorial Service. The event paid respect to law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty the last year. The 143 fallen officers were recognized for their courage on the front lines and their dedication to our community.

They exemplified the very idea of citizenship — that with our God-given rights come responsibilities and obligations to ourselves and to others. They embodied that idea. That’s the way they died. That’s how we must remember them. And that’s how we must live.

 

 

TOP COPS: On Saturday, the President honored the 2013 National Association of Police Organizations TOP COPS award winners. The TOP COPS were chosen by the National Association of Police Organizations and were nominated by their colleagues for noteworthy service.

So I’d ask all Americans — everybody who is watching all across the country — when you see a police officer, you meet an officer’s family, let them know how much you appreciate it. It’s the least we can do for the men and women who give us so much and help keep us safe.

 

 

#WeTheGeeks: On Thursday, the White House launched “We the Geeks,” a new series of Google+ Hangouts highlighting the future of science, technology, and innovation in America. The first “We the Geeks” Hangout covered Grand Challenges, which are “ambitious goals on a national or global scale that capture the imagination and demand advances in innovation and breakthroughs in science and technology.”

An example of a Grand Challenge is the BRAIN Initiative. This research effort seeks to revolutionize our understanding of the human mind and find new ways to treat, prevent, and cure brain disorders like Alzheimer’s, autism, and traumatic brain injury.

We The Geeks: Grand Challenges

 

Published on May 16, 2013

The White House kicks off “We the Geeks,” a new series of Google+ Hangouts to highlight the future of science, technology, and innovation here in the U.S.

Our first hangout included an extraordinary panel of innovators from around the country who will discuss the elements of an “all hands on deck” effort to pursue Grand Challenges. Learn more:http://wh.gov/JuJI

 

 

 

 

 

Coming Together to Stop Slavery

 

Valerie Jarrett
Valerie Jarrett

May 17, 2013
05:28 PM EDT
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Valerie B. Jarrett is a Senior Advisor to President Barack Obama. She oversees the Offices of Public Engagement and Intergovernmental Affairs and chairs the White House Council on Women and Girls.

Today at the White House, we convened the 10th annual meeting of the President’s Interagency Task Force to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons. Secretary of State Kerry led the meeting, which was attended by Cabinet secretaries and representatives from agencies including State, Justice, Defense, Labor, Human and Health Services, Homeland Security, Interior, Agriculture, Transportation, Education, as well as USAID, the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, Office of Management and Budget, and White House policy offices.

 

Each department, agency, and office shared their strategies to prevent trafficking, protect victims, prosecute offenders, and partner with civil society— both at home and around the world.

 

We reflected on the significant progress we have made over the last year, as well as the work left to do.

 

 

Meeting of President's Interagency Task Force to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in PersonsCabinet secretaries, senior agency officials, and senior White House staff met at the White House as part of the President’s Interagency Task Force to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons on May 17, 2013. (Photo by Avra Siegel)

 

 

Last September, during his speech on human trafficking at the Clinton Global Initiative, President Obama announced several initiatives that build off the strong record of this task force.

 

These initiatives cover a wide range of areas, from government contracting regulation, to more coordinated responses to trafficking, to better victim services, to innovative public-private partnerships that will create technology tools for survivors and law enforcement.

 

The meeting today follows the first-ever White House Forum on Human Trafficking last month, as well as the convening of the President’s Advisory Council on Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships that focus its entire report on human trafficking the next day. Furthermore, we celebrated the reauthorization of the Trafficking Victims Protection Act in March.

 

Today, we each committed to specific goals to combat trafficking.

 

First, we will implement our existing commitments, such as finalizing the victim services strategy, finalizing the T-Visa regulations, and implementing appropriate recommendations from the President’s Advisory Council on Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships.

 

Second, we’ll continue to promote the rule of law to hold traffickers accountable. We will do this by ensuring law enforcement has the tools it needs at the state, local, federal and international levels. We will also seek to launch pilot technology projects that aid law enforcement and reach out to survivors.

 

Third, we will continue to make sure that our entire federal supply chain is free of trafficked labor. We’ll do this by implementing the Executive Order both at home and abroad.

 

And finally, we will develop a simple, straightforward way forcitizens to report possible instances of human trafficking. We will reach out to schools and the general public to make sure everyone has the resources they need to stay vigilant and prevent their classmates, students, and neighbors from being trafficked.

 

Our goal is to finish these next steps by this coming September, which marks the one year anniversary of President Obama’s speech at the Clinton Global Initiative.

 

Today’s meeting was another step forward in our fight to end human trafficking. Together, we can create a future free of slavery.

 

 

 

 

National Women’s Health Week: Re-Committing Ourselves to Healthy Women and Girls

 

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Valerie Jarrett and Tina Tchen
May 17, 2013
02:45 PM EDT
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Valerie B. Jarrett is a Senior Advisor to President Barack Obama. She oversees the Offices of Public Engagement and Intergovernmental Affairs and chairs the White House Council on Women and Girls. Tina Tchen is Chief of Staff for First Lady Michelle Obama and Executive Director of the White House Council on Women and Girls.
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President Barack Obama delivers a statement on the Affordable Care ActPresident Barack Obama delivers a statement on the Affordable Care Act in the East Room of the White House, May 10, 2013. (Official White House Photo by Lawrence Jackson)

 

 

They are our daughters. Our sisters. Our mothers.

 

These are some of the most important people in our lives. And asNational Women’s Health Week comes to a close, we recommit ourselves to improving opportunities for women and girls by expanding access to affordable and accessible health care.

 

Just before Mother’s Day (the official start of National Women’s Health Week), President Obama invited a number of women and men to the White House to talk about women, families, and the Affordable Care Act (ACA).

 

We know that the ACA has already ushered in a new era of access and savings for people all over the country. 47 million women have gained access to preventive services at no out-of-pocket expense, including well-woman visits, domestic violence screenings and counseling, and contraceptive care.

 

But women aren’t just numbers, we’re people. We are neighbors, aunts, co-workers, and daughters. We are people like Carol, who introduced the President at the event in the East Room last week.

 

Carol’s son, a 22-year-old college grad and traumatic brain injury survivor with a rare genetic lung disease, was able to stay on his family’s health insurance policy instead of being kicked off the plan this year. Finding coverage on his own would have been nearly impossible, as Carol wrote in a letter to the President: “Given his history, he would be virtually uninsurable under the old set of ‘rules.’  Instead of contemplating law school, all of his resources would have been channeled into somehow, somewhere, finding health insurance.”

 

Helping Carol and her son are why the Affordable Care Act lets young people stay on their parents’ plan until they turn 26, President Obama said.

 

Carol made her voice heard, and so can you. Let us know if you’re one of the nearly 85% of Americans who have already benefitted from “Obamacare.”

 

Lend your voice to protect the 6.6 million young adults who currently have the option of staying on their parent’s health insurance, the over 34 million seniors who pay less for preventive care like mammograms and colonoscopies, and the 18 million middle-class families who have the opportunity to save money on their monthly premiums starting in 2014.

 

In a proclamation this week, President Obama stated that this is a time to “reflect on how far we have come in the fight to provide Americans with the care they deserve,” and “renew our commitment to empowering all women with the chance to live strong, healthy lives.”

 

Our daughters, sisters, and mothers deserve nothing less.

 

To learn more, or to share your story, please click here.

 

 

 

 

Megan Slack
Megan Slack

May 17, 2013
02:00 PM EDT

 

Ed. note: Watch the video below to learn more about what the President is doing in Baltimore, and check back on this post for updates from the trip – we’ll post them all here together.

 

 

Previewing the President’s trip to Baltimore

 

Published on May 16, 2013

On Friday, May 17, the President will travel to Baltimore, Maryland in his second Middle Class Jobs and Opportunity Tour. While in Baltimore, the President will visit an elementary school that provides comprehensive early childhood services. Then, the President will visit Ellicott Dredges, which manufactures innovative dredges and dredge equipment being sold for infrastructure projects across the country and around the world. He will also be visiting a community center that helps families by ensuring parents have the skills they need to earn a decent living.

 

 

 

 

Today, President Obama is headed to Baltimore, Maryland to talk early childhood education, infrastructure and ensuring hard work leads to a decent living.

 

The President’s first stop today was at Moravia Park Elementary School, where he took part in a literacy lesson with pre-k students. The students are part of the school’s Judy Center, which provides comprehensive early childhood services including Head Start, child care, intervention services and family engagement. (Learn more about President Obama’s plan to expand access to high-quality preschool to every child in America)

 

The next item on the itinerary was a visit to Ellicot Dredges, which manufactures innovative dredges and dredge equipment being sold for infrastructure projects across the country and around the world. The President toured the facilities, and delivered remarks about creating jobs by rebuilding our nation’s infrastructure. (Read more about what he’s doing on the infrastructure front)

 

 

President Obama Speaks on Rebuilding Our Nation’s Infrastructure

 

Published on May 17, 2013

President Obama delivers remarks at Ellicot Dredges about growing the economy, creating jobs, and improving U.S. competitiveness by investing in 21st century infrastructure.

 

 

 

 

President Obama ended the trip with a visit to the Center for Urban Families, a non-profit that works to strengthen urban communities by helping fathers and families achieve stability and economic success.

 

Read More

 

 

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President Barack Obama participates in a literacy lesson with children while visiting a pre-kindergarten classroom at Moravia Elementary School in Baltimore, Md., May 17, 2013. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)

 

President Obama Talks to Pre-K Students

May 17, 2013 | 3:06 | Public Domain

 

President Obama sits down with a class of students at Moravia Park Elementary School.

 

 

 

 

 

Speeches and Remarks

 

May 17, 2013

Remarks by the President at Ellicott Dredges

 

 

May 17, 2013

Remarks by the First Lady at Bowie State University Commencement Ceremony

 

 

May 17, 2013

Remarks of Dr. Jill Biden at Navajo Technical College Commencement *AS PREPARED FOR DELIVERY*

 

 

 

Statements and Releases

 

May 18, 2013

Weekly Address: The President Talks About How to Build a Rising, Thriving Middle Class

 

 

May 17, 2013

Letter — Fiscal Year 2014 Budget Amendments

 

 

May 17, 2013

Notice — Continuation of the National Emergency with Respect to the Stabilization of Iraq

 

 

May 17, 2013

Message — Continuation of the National Emergency with Respect to the Stabilization of Iraq

 

 

May 17, 2013

President and First Lady to Host Concert Honoring Carole King in the East Room

 

 

 

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Filed under: "BARACK" The Vote, 2014 Mid Term Elections, Barack's Blog, Causes, Comedy, Court Room/Legal, Crime, Daily White House Schedule, Democrats/Democratic, Education, Event, Foreign Polocy, Good News, GOPukes/RepubliCANTS, Information & Links, Jill Biden, Michelle Obama, Music, News, Opinion, Photographs, Politics, POTUS Obama, Speech, Stories, The White House, The White House Daily Snapshot, Vice President Joseph Biden, Videos, White House Blog, World News | Tagged: , , , , , , , | Leave a Comment »

Find Out Why President Obama Is In Baltimore

Posted on May 17, 2013 by Jueseppi B.

 

By Jueseppi B.

 

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Find Out Why President Obama Is in Baltimore

 

Today, President Obama is headed to Baltimore, Maryland to talk early childhood education, infrastructure, and ensuring hard work leads to a decent living.

 

Watch the video and learn more about why President Obama is in Baltimore today.

 

 

President Obama Is Headed to Baltimore – Learn Why

 

Megan Slack
Megan Slack

May 17, 2013

 

Today, President Obama is headed to Baltimore, Maryland to talk early childhood education, infrastructure and ensuring hard work leads to a decent living.

 

Watch the video below to learn more about what the President is doing in Baltimore, and check back on this post for updates from the trip – we’ll post them all here together. If you’re interested, tune in to wh.gov/live at 1:20 pm ET to watch the President’s remarks at Ellicot Dredges, which manufactures innovative dredges and dredge equipment being sold for infrastructure projects across the country and around the world.

 

Previewing the President’s trip to Baltimore

 

Published on May 16, 2013

On Friday, May 17, the President will travel to Baltimore, Maryland in his second Middle Class Jobs and Opportunity Tour. While in Baltimore, the President will visit an elementary school that provides comprehensive early childhood services. Then, the President will visit Ellicott Dredges, which manufactures innovative dredges and dredge equipment being sold for infrastructure projects across the country and around the world. He will also be visiting a community center that helps families by ensuring parents have the skills they need to earn a decent living.

 

 

 

Raw: Obama Sits Down With Elementary Kids

 

Published on May 17, 2013

President Barack Obama left behind scandal-focused Washington on Friday to focus on the country’s slowly improving jobs picture. Obama stopped at an elementary school that provides early childhood education. (May 17)

 

 

 

 

 

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In Case You Missed It

 

Here are some of the top stories from the White House blog:

 

West Wing Week: 05/17/13 or “We the Geeks”
Welcome to West Wing Week, your guide to everything that’s happening at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.

 

David Simas: “A gesture that means something”
Deputy Senior Advisor David Simas sends a message to the White House email list, asking people to speak out in support of the Affordable Care Act.

 

President Obama and Prime Minister Erdogan of Turkey Hold a Press Conference
Following their bilateral meeting, President Obama and Prime Minister Erdogan of Turkey held a press conference in the Rose Garden.

 

 

Today’s Schedule

 

All times are Eastern Daylight Time (EDT).

 

10:00 AM: The President receives the Presidential Daily Briefing.

 

 

11:00 AM: The President departs the White House.

 

 

11:25 AM: The President arrives Baltimore, Maryland.

 

 

11:35 AM: The President visits an Elementary School.

 

 

1:05 PM: The President tours Ellicott Dredges.

 

 

1:20 PM: The President delivers remarks.

 

 

2:15 PM: The President visits a community center.

 

 

3:00 PM: The President departs Baltimore, Maryland.

 

 

3:25 PM: The President arrives the White House.

 

 

 

 

Dr. Jill Biden at Navajo Technical College

 

Kasie Coccaro
Kasie Coccaro

May 14, 2013

 

On Friday, May 17th at 10:00am MT (12:00pm ET), Dr. Biden will give the commencement address to the 33rd graduating class of Navajo Technical College (NTC) — one of two tribal colleges serving the Navajo Nation.

 

Many of the programs at NTC are designed to help create new jobs and economic opportunities on or near the Navajo Nation, while equipping their students with the skills they need to succeed in those jobs.

 

May 17, 2013

Remarks of Dr. Jill Biden at Navajo Technical College Commencement *AS PREPARED FOR DELIVERY*

 

 

 

 

 

May 16, 2013

Remarks by the President After Meeting on Sexual Assault in the Military

 

Discussing Sexual Assault in the Military

 

Published on May 16, 2013

President Obama and Vice President Joe Biden meet with Secretary of Defense Hagel, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Dempsey and the service secretaries, service chiefs, and senior enlisted advisors to discuss sexual assault in the military.

 

 

 

 

 

 

May 17, 2013

Remarks by the First Lady at Bowie State University Commencement Ceremony

 

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May 17, 2013

President and First Lady to Host Concert Honoring Carole King in the East Room

 

 

President and First Lady to Host Concert Honoring Carole King in the East Room

Wednesday, May 22 * White House – As part of their “In Performance at the White House” series, the President and First Lady will host a concert in the East Room honoring singer-songwriter Carole King, who will be awarded the 2013 Library of Congress Gershwin Prize for Popular Song.  President Obama will present the award as he did when the Library of Congress honored Stevie Wonder (2009), Sir Paul McCartney (2010), and the songwriting team of Burt Bacharach and Hal David (2012). The program will include performances by King, as well as Gloria Estefan, Billy Joel, Jesse McCartney, Emeli Sandé, James Taylor and Trisha Yearwood.

 

The President’s remarks will be pooled press and the entire event will be streamed live on www.whitehouse.gov/live starting at 7:00 PM ET.  “Carole King: The Library of Congress Gershwin Prize In Performance at the White House” will be broadcast Tuesday, May 28 at 8:00 PM ET on PBS stations nationwide (check local listings).  The program will also be broadcast at a later date via the American Forces Network to American service men and women and civilians at U.S. Department of Defense locations around the world.

 

This will be the first time the Gershwin Prize honor has been awarded to a woman.  The Gershwin Prize commemorates George and Ira Gershwin, the legendary American songwriting team whose extensive manuscript collections reside in the Library of Congress. The prize is awarded to musicians whose lifetime contributions in the field of popular song exemplify the standard of excellence associated with the Gershwins.

 

The White House concert caps off two days of events celebrating the recipient of the Library of Congress Gershwin Prize for Popular Song. On Tuesday, May 21st at 7:00 PM ET, the Library of Congress will host an invitation-only concert at their Coolidge Auditorium in honor of Carole King. The all-star tribute will include performances by Patti Austin, Colbie Caillat, Michael Feinstein, Siedah Garrett, Louise Goffin, Shelby Lynne, Gian Marco, Arturo Sandoval and a special performance by honoree Carole King. This event will be open to press, but space is limited. Members of the media who wish to cover this event must contact Sheryl Cannady at 202-707-6456 or scannady@loc.gov.

 

“Carole King: The Library of Congress Gershwin Prize In Performance at the White House” will be the eleventh “In Performance at the White House” program hosted by the President and Mrs. Obama.  Starting in February 2009, these events have honored the musical genius of Stevie Wonder, Sir Paul McCartney, Burt Bacharach and Hal David; celebrated Hispanic musical heritage during Hispanic Heritage Month; marked Black History Month with events featuring music from the Civil Rights Movement, Motown, Memphis Soul and the Blues; spotlighted Broadway and the unique spirit of the American musical; and explored the rich roots and resiliency of Country Music.

 

 

 

May 17, 2013

Creating Jobs Faster by Cutting Timelines in Half for Major Infrastructure Projects

 

 

 

 

Kori Schulman
Kori Schulman

May 17, 2013
11:02 AM EDT

 

A class of third graders from North Philadelphia recently wrote to Vice President Biden about reducing gun violence. This week, the Vice President sat down to share some of these children’s words with you — and an expression that belonged to his mom: “out of the mouths of babes come gems of wisdom.” Take a listen.

 

 

 

 

Visit WhiteHouse.gov/BeingBiden to check out all of the episodes and to sign up to receive email updates when new stories are posted.

 

For more information:

See the photo below:

 

Vice President President Joe Biden reads letters from children about reducing gun violenceVice President President Joe Biden reads letters from children about reducing gun violence, in his Ceremonial Office in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building. May 15, 2013. (Official White House Photo by David Lienemann)

 

 

 

 

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Secretary Ray LaHood and Sylvia Burwell
May 17, 2013
10:28 AM EDT

 

 

President Obama today signed a Presidential Memorandum that will shave months, and even years, off the time it takes to review and approve major infrastructure projects. This means that states, local governments, and private developers will be able to start construction sooner, create jobs earlier, and fix our nation’s infrastructure faster.

 

On March 22, 2012, the President issued an Executive Order launching a government-wide initiative to improve the efficiency of federal review and permitting of infrastructure projects. Since then, agencies have expedited the review and permitting of 50 major projects, including bridges, transit , railways, waterways, roads, and renewable energy projects.

 

Federal agencies have also identified a set of best practices for efficient review and permitting. Those range from expanding information technology (IT) tools to strategies – like simultaneous review – for improving collaboration. Today’s Presidential Memorandum directs all relevant agencies to put these best practices into effect.

 

Cutting red tape and streamlining the process for making permitting decisions will help us meet the President’s goal of cutting in half the timelines for major infrastructure projects, while creating better outcomes for our communities and for the environment.

 

The President’s initiative is already showing real results. For example, this afternoon, President Obama and Deputy Transportation Secretary John Porcari will visit Baltimore, where we sped up the approval process for the city’s Red Line rail transit corridor by six months.

 

We also recently expedited Federal approval for the Tappan Zee Bridge replacement project in New York. By speeding up the approval process, Federal agencies trimmed up to three years off the timeline for this multi-billion dollar project that will help put Americans back to work.

 

Read More

 

 

 

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From The White House: Catching Up With The Goings On At 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue

Posted on May 16, 2013 by Jueseppi B.

 

By Jueseppi B.

 

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Matt Compton
Matt Compton

May 16, 2013
04:20 PM EDT

 

This afternoon, David Simas sent the message below to the White House email list, asking people to speak out in favor of the health care law. If you didn’t get the email, be sure to sign up.

 

Today, Republicans in the House of Representatives are going to come together, cast a vote, and try to repeal the Affordable Care Act just as they’ve done nearly 40 times before.

 

Don’t expect much to come of it.

 

The health care law was passed by Congress, signed by the President, and upheld by the Supreme Court. It’s been the law of the land for more than three years. It’s not going anywhere. We know that, and so do the lawmakers on Capitol Hill. But instead of creating jobs and growing the economy, some of them want to make yet another gesture of protest — even if it’s meaningless.

 

So we’re responding with a little gesture of our own, and we need your help.

 

We’re asking people like you to speak out, to let us know if you’re one of the 85 percent of Americans who’ve already benefitted from the health care law, and make a public stand in support of Obamacare.

 

 

Lend your name now.

 

 

Repealing the Affordable Care Act would mean that 6.6 million young adults would lose the option of staying on their parent’s health insurance. It would mean that 34.1 million seniors would pay more for preventive care like mammograms and colonoscopies, and 18 million middle-class families lose the opportunity to save money on their monthly premiums starting in 2014. But this isn’t about numbers; this is about our families’s lives.

 

And we’re not just asking you to share your stories for the sake of speaking out. We’re building a network of people to help make sure that everyone has the information they need as we implement the law. We’ll keep you in the loop as we reach important milestones. We’ll make sure you have all the key facts so that you can share them in your communities.

 

If you lend your name, we’ll make sure you’re part of that network. This is a chance to do more than send a message about your support for the Affordable Care Act. It’s an opportunity to be part of making the law a success.

 

Show your support for the health care law today:

http://www.whitehouse.gov/healthreform/stories

 

 

Thanks,

David

 

David Simas
Deputy Senior Advisor
The White House

 

 

 

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Megan Slack
Megan Slack

May 16, 2013
03:35 PM EDT

 

President Barack Obama and Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan of Turkey hold a bilateral meetingPresident Barack Obama and Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan of Turkey hold a bilateral meeting in the Cabinet Room of the White House, May 16, 2013. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)

 

Following their bilateral meeting this morning, President Obama and Prime Minister Erdogan of Turkey held a press conference in the Rose Garden this afternoon.

 

The President highlighted three areas of focus the two leaders discussed: expanding trade and investment between the U.S. and Turkey, mutual security, and the issue of Syria.

 

Read the remarks here:

 

May 16, 2013

Joint Press Conference by President Obama and Prime Minister Erdogan of Turkey

 

 

 

or watch the press conference below.

 

President Obama Holds a Press Conference with Prime Minister Erdogan

 

Published on May 16, 2013

President Obama and Prime Minister Erdogan of Turkey hold a press conference.

 

 

 

 

 

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Hanging out with “We the Geeks”

 

#WeTheGeeks: Grand Challenges

 

 

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Shannon Rudisill
May 16, 2013
02:59 PM EDT

 

Editor’s Note: This is a cross post from the Administration for Children & Families blog of the Department of Health & Human Services. You can find the original post here.

 

 

Shannon Rudisill is Director of the Office of Child Care, where she has focused on raising the bar on quality in child care across the country, particularly for low-income children.

 

 

President Barack Obama hugs students in DecaturPresident Barack Obama hugs students during a visit to a pre-kindergarten classroom at the College Heights Early Childhood Learning Center in Decatur, Ga., Feb. 14, 2013. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)

 

As a working mom, I know how hard it is to find good child care so that I can have some peace of mind when I come to work. At ACF, we’ve been working hard to strengthen the nation’s child care system so that moms and dads, especially moms and dads with the fewest resources, can have better child care choices while they work to support their families.

 

In his 2013 State of the Union address, President Obama made a historic commitment to young children, making it a priority to ensure that “none of our children start the race of life already behind.” Improving child care is an important part of this effort and a key component of the President’s Plan for Early Education for All Americans.

 

Today, HHS announces a big new step in this direction – new proposed regulations for the Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF), which is administered here at the Office of Child Care. CCDF supports 1.6 million children in child care each month and invests over $1 billion each year in quality improvements like teacher training and grants to child care programs. All over the country, child care providers are dedicated to preparing children for school success. Despite the terrific efforts of public and private organizations around the country, there are some critical gaps in our child care programs. Some children are in child care settings that don’t meet basic health and safety standards. Often, there is a lack of useful comparative information for parents choosing child care. The new regulations are intended to close some of those gaps.

 

First, the proposed regulations will require all states to set a basic floor of minimum health and safety standards for child care providers that participate in CCDF – reaching potentially up to 500,000 child care providers who serve millions of children. New requirements include comprehensive background checks and training in first aid, CPR, safe sleep for babies, and other critical safeguards. States will need to make unannounced monitoring visits to check for compliance with health and safety standards.

 

The new regulations will also provide parents with information to make informed choices about child care. When I was looking for care, my state’s licensing website was a valuable resource to look up the health and safety track record of providers I was considering. Thirty states currently have this information on the web, but under the proposed rules, all 50 States would post child care providers health and safety records on the web.

 

Parents want to know about more than just health and safety, though. They want to have some key information about the teachers, learning activities, and other characteristics of programs that they are considering. In one of my child care searches, the local government provided an alphabetical list of 80 providers in my area which was not very useful in narrowing down my choices, since I would have to take off work to visit every one. The new rule builds on what over half the states are doing already – identifying indicators of quality so that parents can easily compare providers and narrow their search when they are ready to make interviews and visits.

 

We are excited to share these changes with you and strongly encourage you to read the entire Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM). We believe that these proposed regulations will better support providers, parents, and states as they work together to make sure that children are safe, healthy, and prepared to succeed.

 

You can read more about the proposed rule at https://www.federalregister.gov/public-inspection where it is currently on public display. Once it is published in the Federal Register, you may view it and submit a comment at: http://www.regulations.gov/. Thank you and we look forward to hearing from you!

 

 

 

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Filed under: "BARACK" The Vote, 2014 Mid Term Elections, Barack's Blog, Black History, Breaking News, Business, Campaign Ads, Causes, Celebrity, Congress, Court Room/Legal, Crime, Daily White House Schedule, Democrats/Democratic, Education, Foreign Polocy, Good News, GOPukes/RepubliCANTS, Information & Links, News, Photographs, Politics, POTUS Obama, The White House, The White House Daily Snapshot, Videos, World News | Tagged: , , , , , , , | Leave a Comment »

Thursday’s Daily Word From Barack’s House: It’s A Potpourri!!

Posted on May 16, 2013 by Jueseppi B.

 

By Jueseppi B.

 

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Note: Watch the first “We the Geeks” Hangout on Thursday, May 16, at 2:00 p.m. EDT on WhiteHouse.gov and on the White House Google+ page. You can join the conversation on Twitter with the hashtag #WeTheGeeks.

 

 

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On May 16th, the White House is kicking off “We the Geeks,” a new series of Google+ Hangouts to highlight the future of science, technology, and innovation here in the United States. Topics such as commercial space exploration, science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) education, turning science fiction to science fact, and others will be discussed with Administration officials and key private sector contributors.

 

The first “We the Geeks” Hangout will focus on Grand Challenges, ambitious goals on a national or global scale that capture the imagination and demand advances in innovation and breakthroughs in science and technology. Grand Challenges are an important element of President Obama’s Strategy for American Innovation. On April 2nd, the President called on companies, research universities, foundations, and philanthropists to join with him in identifying and pursuing the Grand Challenges of the 21st century.

 

 

 

Photo of the Day: Honoring Our National Peace Officers

 

 

Barack Obama, Eric Holder

 

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President Obama Speaks at the National Peace Officers Memorial Service

May 15, 2013 | 9:37 | Public Domain

 

President Obama delivers remarks at the National Peace Officers Memorial Service, an annual ceremony honoring law enforcement who were killed in the line of duty in the previous year.

 

 

 

Yesterday, President Obama spoke at the National Peace Officers Memorial Service, an annual ceremony honoring law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty in the previous year.

 

The President said that the 143 officers honored “exemplified the very idea of citizenship — that with our God-given rights come responsibilities and obligations to ourselves and to others.”

 

Read more of the President’s remarks here.

 

 

 

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President Barack Obama bows his head after placing a flower in a wreath during the National Peace Officers Memorial Service, an annual ceremony honoring law enforcement who were killed in the line of duty in the previous year, at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. May 15, 2013. Chuck Canterbury, National President, Fraternal Order of Police and Linda Hennie, President, FOP Auxiliary stand with the President. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)

 

 

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President Barack Obama greets audience members during the National Peace Officers Memorial Service, an annual ceremony honoring law enforcement who were killed in the line of duty in the previous year, at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. May 15, 2013. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)

 

 

In Case You Missed It

 

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Here are some of the top stories from the White House blog:

 

Hanging out with “We the Geeks”
The White House is kicking off “We the Geeks,” a new series of Google+ Hangouts to highlight the future of science, technology, and innovation here in the United States.

 

President Obama Discusses the Internal Revenue Service
President Obama discusses the Treasury Department’s review of the Internal Revenue Service.

 

The President and Vice President’s 2012 Financial Disclosure Forms
See the President and Vice President’s 2012 financial disclosure reports.

 

 

Today’s Schedule

 

schedule-calendars

 

 

 

All times are Eastern Daylight Time (EDT).

 

9:50 AM: The President holds a bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Erdogan of Turkey.

 

 

12:00 PM: The President and Prime Minister Erdogan of Turkey hold a joint press conference.

 

 

1:30 PM: The Vice President, Dr. Jill Biden and Secretary of State Kerry host a lunch in honor of Prime Minister Erdogan.

 

 

2:30 PM: The Vice President meets with Prime Minister Ivica Dacic of Serbia.

 

 

4:30 PM: The President meets with senior advisors.

 

 

5:15 PM: The Vice President delivers remarks at an event with Prime Minister Erdogan.

 

 

 

6:30 PM: The President hosts a working dinner with Prime Minister Erdogan of Turkey.

 

 

 

Statements and Releases

 

May 16, 2013

Fact Sheet: U.S.-Turkey Partnership

 

 

May 16, 2013

Fact Sheet: U.S.-Turkey Economic Partnership

 

 

May 16, 2013

Op-Ed by President Obama: A Partnership That Delivers

 

 

 

Speeches and Remarks

 

May 16, 2013

Dr. Jill Biden Announces Sarah Baker as Policy Director

 

 

 

 

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5/15/13: White House Press Briefing

 

Published on May 15, 2013

White House Press Briefings are conducted most weekdays from the James S. Brady Press Briefing Room in the West Wing.

 

 

 

 

 

 

President Obama Makes a Statement

May 15, 2013 | 3:36 | Public Domain

 

President Obama delivers a statement on the situation regarding the Internal Revenue Service after meeting with senior Treasury officials.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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President Obama Discusses the Internal Revenue Service

 

Matt Compton
Matt Compton

May 15, 2013
07:16 PM EDT

 

Just after 6:00 PM ET, President Obama spoke from the East Room of the White House about the Treasury Department’s review of the Internal Revenue Service.

 

“I’ve reviewed the Treasury Department watchdog’s report, and the misconduct that it uncovered is inexcusable,” he said. “It’s inexcusable, and Americans are right to be angry about it, and I am angry about it. I will not tolerate this kind of behavior in any agency, but especially in the IRS, given the power that it has and the reach that it has into all of our lives. And as I said earlier, it should not matter what political stripe you’re from — the fact of the matter is, is that the IRS has to operate with absolute integrity. The government generally has to conduct itself in a way that is true to the public trust. That’s especially true for the IRS.”

 

The President laid out a series of steps aimed at holding the responsible parties accountable and putting new safeguards in place to prevent future issues.

 

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President Barack Obama delivers a statement on the situation regarding the Internal Revenue Service after meeting with Senior Treasury officials, in the East Room of the White House, May 15, 2013. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)

 

 

 

Jay Carney
May 15, 2013
03:05 PM EDT

 

Today, the President and Vice President released their 2012 financial disclosure reports.

 

The Ethics in Government Act of 1978 requires high-level federal officials to publicly disclose their personal financial interests. The public filing system serves to prevent financial conflicts of interest by providing for a systematic review of the finances of government officials. Those finances are set forth in annual disclosures which are reviewed and certified by ethics officials. Neither the President nor the Vice President have any conflicts of interest, and their reports have been reviewed and certified by the independent Office of Government Ethics. We are continuing this Administration’s practice of posting these forms online here in the interests of transparency:

 

View the President’s 2012 financial disclosure report (pdf)

 

View the Vice President’s 2012 financial disclosure report (pdf)

 

White House staff are also completing their forms and we anticipate they will be available here next month, also in electronic form.

 

For more information

 

 

 

Joint Press Conference with President Obama and Turkish Prime Minister Erdogan at White House

 

Published on May 16, 2013

President Barack Obama said Thursday that the U.S. and Turkey will keep ramping up pressure to oust Syrian President Bashar Assad from power, with his country’s civil war having “wracked the region.” At a news conference with Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan in the White House Rose Garden, Obama says the only way to resolve the crisis is for Assad to hand over power to a transitional government. He says Turkey will play a critical role in that process.

 

 

 

 

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President Barack Obama welcomes Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan to the White House. The ongoing crisis in Syria is expected to be among the topics that are discussed.President Obama, Turkey’s Prime Minister Erdogan speak to press.

 

 

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Filed under: "BARACK" The Vote, 2014 Mid Term Elections, Affordable Health Care Act, Awards, Barack's Blog, Black History, Breaking News, Campaign Ads, Causes, Celebrity, Congress, Court Room/Legal, Crime, Daily White House Schedule, Democrats/Democratic, Education, Event, Foreign Polocy, Good News, GOPukes/RepubliCANTS, Information & Links, Jill Biden, Michelle Obama, News, Obama Truth Team, Photographs, Politics, POTUS Obama, Speech, Stories, Tax Returns/Taxes, The White House, The White House Daily Snapshot, Vice President Joseph Biden, Videos, White House Blog, World News | Tagged: , , , , , , , | Leave a Comment »

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