By The White House

Private Residence
Washington, D.C.

6:07 P.M. EDT

MRS. OBAMA: Oh, my goodness! (Applause.)

AUDIENCE MEMBER: We love you!

MRS. OBAMA: Love you too! And yes, I'm here because I love you. (Laughter.) And I'm here because I love my husband — it's true. (Applause.) But I'm also here because I love my country, more importantly. I do. (Applause.)

But I want to start by thanking Karen for that very powerful and very important introduction that she just delivered. I think she made some outstanding points that hopefully I will further emphasize. And I want to thank both Karen and Nan for generously hosting us here in their beautiful home tonight, and for always having our backs, and always mazing out in so many ways. I'm proud to have you as supporters, but more importantly, as friends. So let’s give them another round of applause. (Applause.)

I also want to thanks Congresswoman Sinema, as well as Debbie Wasserman-Schultz for their service and for being here, and for their undying support — encourage, and all that good stuff. Debbie has been a phenomenal DNC Chairwoman, so let's give her a round of applause. (Applause.) We're thrilled they could be here, but we're also glad that they are off voting, like they're supposed to.

But most of all, I want to thank all of you for being here. I want to thank you not just for being here tonight, but for being there for my husband not once, but twice. Thank you. Thank you for working so hard. Thanks for making the calls and knocking on doors and writing checks and getting everyone you know to the polls.

And I just want us to understand what we accomplished because of all of you. We didn’t just win two elections, we made real and meaningful change in this country — we did. Because of you, we're now in an economy that continues to strengthen with 38 straight months of job growth. That’s more than three straight years — that’s happened because of you.

Because of you, we have passed health reform. We are taking on climate change, gun violence, and fortunately, comprehensive immigration reform because of you. Because of you, we have a President who stands up for our most fundamental rights –- whether that’s fighting for equal pay for women — amen — ending “don't ask, don't tell” — amen — or supporting our right to marry the person we love. That’s the President we have.

And all of that, and so much more, has happened because of you. And that’s what elections are all about.

It’s like my Barack said in his 2008 election night speech –- he said, “This victory alone is not the change we seek, it is only the chance for us to make that change.” It was a chance. That’s …read more

Source: White House Press Office

By The White House

James S. Brady Press Briefing Room

**Please see below for a correction to the transcript, marked with an asterisk.

1:13 P.M. EDT

MR. CARNEY: Hello, everyone. I hope you’re well. It is a glorious day outside. And while it is always a privilege and honor to stand before you, today it’s a little difficult because I was just outside, and, man, is it beautiful. I wish we could —

Q Briefing outside?

MR. CARNEY: Yes, one day, perhaps. I know my predecessor tried that. I think there were some logistical challenges involved in pulling it off. (Laughter.) But it really — it could not be — I had a rare gap in my schedule a little earlier today, and so I took a walk around the Ellipse, working my BlackBerry as I went, and it was beautiful, spectacular. So that's why I’m in such a good mood.

Q — recognize you?

MR. CARNEY: I put on a beard and some sunglasses. (Laughter.)

Q Autographs?

MR. CARNEY: No, unmolested. So before I take your questions — it’s a fair word. (Laughter.) Before I take your questions, I have a couple of announcements. Settle in.

Before departing for Los Angeles, President Obama will deliver a statement in San Jose on Friday morning about the benefits of the Affordable Care Act for working Californians and all Americans. He’ll highlight the promising news that despite dire predictions, early data on insurance competition and premiums in the state show that ACA, the Affordable Care Act, is creating quality, affordable choices for Californians who plan to buy insurance this fall.

California is the largest state, with the biggest insurance market in the country. And with nearly 6 million uninsured, the state is also a critical part of the effort to sign up Americans for insurance. More details on his statement will be released as they become available.

Second announcement. As part of the Obama administration’s all-of-the-above energy strategy to continue to expand domestic energy production, earlier today, Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell announced that the administration will hold the first ever competitive lease sale for renewable energy on the U.S. Outer Continental Shelf. The auction, scheduled to take place on July 31st, will offer 164,750 acres offshore off of Rhode Island and Massachusetts for commercial wind energy leasing. The announcement comes on the heels of the Interior Department’s approval yesterday of three major renewable energy projects in Nevada and Arizona, which, when built, are expected to deliver up to 520 megawatts to the electricity grid, enough to power nearly 200,000 homes.

Since 2009, Interior has approved 25 utility-scale solar facilities, 9 wind farms, and 11 geothermal plants with associated transmission corridors and infrastructure to connect to established power grids. When built, these projects could provide more than 12,500 megawatts of power, or enough electricity to power more than 4.4 million …read more

Source: White House Press Office

By The White House

Oval Office

12:05 P.M. EDT

PRESIDENT OBAMA: I want to welcome President Piñera and his delegation to the Oval Office. It gives me an opportunity to return the extraordinary hospitality that they showed during my visit to Santiago and the wonderful warmth that the Chilean people extended to me and my delegation during my visit.

Obviously, we’ve got strong relationships throughout the hemisphere, but the relationship between the United States and Chile is as strong and as important as any of the relationships that we have. Chile has been on a remarkable growth trajectory over several decades, and the progress that it’s made in terms of strengthening its economy, pulling people out of poverty, establishing a strong manufacturing and industrial and service base, its strong exports sector are all proof of the talents of the Chilean people but also Chile’s embrace of democracy and human rights and a market economy. And as a consequence, Chile has become not only a leader in the hemisphere but also a leader in the world.

President Piñera’s outstanding leadership has continued and enhanced this process, and he and I have had an excellent relationship in a number of multilateral settings.

Today we had a wide-ranging discussion. Some of the topics were very specific. For example, the process whereby we anticipate Chile being able to achieve membership in the Visa Waiver Program that will facilitate the freer flow of people between our two countries. And I know it’s one of President Piñera’s highest priorities.

We discussed the Trans-Pacific Partnership, a high-standard, high-level trade agreement with the countries of the Asia Pacific region, which is the most dynamic and fastest-growing region of the world. And Chile has been an excellent partner with us in trying to bring this multilateral trade agreement to a close.

I congratulated President Piñera on the work that Chile is doing in the Pacific Partnership, in which Chile, Colombia, México and Peru are joining together to create not only economic integration, but also educational and scientific exchanges that will not only enhance each member country but also are pointing the way for a model of economic development and growth throughout the region that I think a lot of people are paying attention to.

And we also discussed the ways in which the United States and Chile can continue to strengthen its people-to-people exchanges and continue to deepen our cooperation on areas like energy that are so important to the continued prosperity of our people.

So, overall, I think that the relationship between the United States and Chile is extraordinarily strong. I want to thank President Piñera for his friendship and his leadership. I'm confident that during the remaining year in which he's in office he's going to accomplish even more for the Chilean people, and continue to project Chile on the world stage as a …read more

Source: White House Press Office

By The White House

MEMORANDUM FOR THE SECRETARY OF STATE

SUBJECT: Suspension of Limitations under the Jerusalem Embassy Act

Pursuant to the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, including section 7(a) of the Jerusalem Embassy Act of 1995 (Public Law 104-45)(the “Act”), I hereby determine that it is necessary, in order to protect the national security interests of the United States, to suspend for a period of 6 months the limitations set forth in sections 3(b) and 7(b) of the Act.

You are authorized and directed to transmit this determination to the Congress, accompanied by a report in accordance with section 7(a) of the Act, and to publish the determination in the Federal Register.

This suspension shall take effect after the transmission of this determination and report to the Congress.

BARACK OBAMA

…read more

Source: White House Press Office

By The White House

As close partners and vibrant democracies, the United States and Chile share a strong commitment to pursuing economic growth and job creation, transparency, human rights, and the rule of law. The deep historical partnership between our countries has strengthened under Presidents Obama and Piñera. The United States and Chile are committed to working together to address global security challenges, promote strong, sustained, and balanced economic growth, and expand global trade and investment.

Economic and Trade Partners: The United States and Chile are leaders in promoting economic growth and development through expanding trade and investment. Bilateral trade in goods expanded three-fold since the U.S.-Chile Free Trade Agreement entered into force in 2004. Today the two countries are working together to finalize the Trans-Pacific Partnership along with nine other countries. Our shared goal is a comprehensive, high-standard agreement that will eliminate barriers to trade and investment, open new markets for U.S. and Chilean exports, and deepen investment ties across the dynamic Pacific region. The United States and Chile are leading efforts to finalize the agreement this year.

Science and Technology Cooperation: The United States and Chile recognize that cooperation on science, technology, and innovation is critical to sustained economic growth. Our countries enjoy one of the oldest science and technology partnerships in the hemisphere. Under the auspices of our 1992 Science and Technology Agreement, we continue to promote research collaboration in astronomy, energy, health, earth sciences, and climate change. At the fourth Joint Commission meeting on Science and Technology Cooperation in April, we agreed to foster additional cooperation in cancer research and natural hazards mitigation.

Education: Both our countries recognize the importance of access to quality and affordable education as a means of social development. President Obama’s 100,000 Strong in the Americas initiative is a path to strengthen the ties between the United States and Chile. In 2010-2011 academic year, over 2,100 Chileans studied as international students in the United States and more than 3,200 Americans studied abroad in Chile. Both countries are committed to expanding these opportunities.

Environment: Since signing the 2003 United States-Chile Environmental Cooperation Agreement, the United States has dedicated more than $4 million to support trade-related projects in Chile. Joint efforts have brought more than six million hectares of land under improved natural resource management; reached approximately 30,000 people though informational guides to promote public participation; and, trained over 300 officials in natural resource management, biodiversity conservation, and environmental enforcement. This month, the two governments announced a third partnership under the “Sister Parks” initiative, between Alerce Costero National Park in Chile and Redwoods National and State Parks in California, allowing for the exchange of expertise on park management issues.

Development Partnership: The U.S.-Chile Trilateral Development Cooperation initiative, conceived in 2009, has succeeded in reducing poverty, improving social conditions, and bolstering the institutions critical to increased stability and socially …read more

Source: White House Press Office

By The White House

The United States and Chile share a strong commitment to expanding economic growth and job creation through integration into global markets. Our bilateral Free Trade Agreement and joint work to form the Trans-Pacific Partnership are recent examples of efforts to strengthen trade and investment ties bilaterally and to expand economic links between the Americas and growing markets of the Pacific Rim. In addition, Chile is a partner in the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum, and Pathways to Prosperity in the Americas initiative.

A Key FTA Partner

Since the U.S.-Chile Free Trade Agreement (FTA) entered into force in 2004, bilateral merchandise trade has grown by 340 percent. While U.S. exports to the world increased 113 percent between 2003 and 2012, U.S. exports to Chile increased by nearly 600 percent ($16.2 billion), growing from $2.7 billion in 2003 to $18.9 billion in 2012. Chile’s exporters also saw increases between 2003 and 2012; U.S. imports from Chile grew from $3.7 billion in 2003 to $9.4 billion in 2012, an increase of 153 percent.

The United States is Chile’s second largest export market and primary supplier of imports, and Chile has risen from the 35th largest market for U.S. exports in 2003 to the 19th largest market in 2012. Additionally, between 2003 and 2011, U.S. exports of private commercial services to Chile grew 193 percent and U.S. imports of Chilean private commercial services grew by 98 percent.

U.S. small and medium–sized Enterprises (SMEs) are an important part of the U.S.-Chile trade relationship. As of 2011, 13,121 SMEs exported to Chile, representing 88 percent of all U.S. companies exporting to the Chilean market. These SMEs exported $5.7 billion in merchandise to Chile in 2011.

The Trans-Pacific Partnership

The United States and Chile, together with nine other nations, are actively engaged in the negotiation of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), a high-standard trade agreement that will address the issues that U.S. and Chilean businesses and workers are facing in the 21st century.

The TPP is one of the highest trade priorities of President Obama’s second term, and is central to the U.S.-Chile partnership. After 17 rounds (the most recent held in Lima, Peru) the 11 member countries have made significant progress and the negotiations are on an accelerated track toward concluding in the 2013 timeframe envisioned by President Obama, President Piñera and the leaders of the ten other TPP member countries. The next round of negotiations is set for July 15-25, 2013.

Collaboration in Energy Creating Jobs and Economic Growth

The United States and Chile are working together to promote lower carbon economic growth, expand cooperation on clean energy, and regional electrical interconnection throughout the Andean region through two Summit of the Americas initiatives, the Energy and Climate Partnership of the Americas and Connecting the Americas 2022.
<br …read more

Source: White House Press Office

By The White House

MEMORANDUM FOR THE HEADS OF EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENTS AND AGENCIES

SUBJECT: Emergency Leave Transfer Program for Federal Employees Adversely Affected by the Severe Storms and Tornadoes in Oklahoma

I am deeply saddened by the devastating losses caused by the severe storms and tornadoes in Oklahoma and their aftermath. The Federal Government has mobilized to respond to this major disaster, and many Federal employees are dealing with overwhelming personal losses.

To further assist Federal employees and their family members adversely affected by the storms and tornadoes in Oklahoma, I hereby direct the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) to establish an emergency leave transfer program, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 6391. The program will permit employees in the executive and judicial branches, or an agency leave bank established under 5 U.S.C. 6363, to donate unused annual leave for transfer to employees of the same or other agencies (or the judicial branch) who were adversely affected by the storms and tornadoes in Oklahoma and who need additional time off for recovery. I further direct OPM to provide additional guidance to agencies on the program's administration.

BARACK OBAMA

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Source: White House Press Office

By The White House

MEMORANDUM FOR THE SECRETARY OF STATE
THE SECRETARY OF THE TREASURY
THE ATTORNEY GENERAL
THE SECRETARY OF ENERGY
THE SECRETARY OF COMMERCE
THE SECRETARY OF HOMELAND SECURITY
UNITED STATES TRADE REPRESENTATIVE
THE DIRECTOR OF NATIONAL INTELLIGENCE
CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD OF GOVERNORS
OF THE FEDERAL RESERVE SYSTEM
PRESIDENT OF THE EXPORT-IMPORT BANK

SUBJECT: Delegation of Certain Functions and Authorities Under the Iran Freedom and Counter-Proliferation Act of 2012

By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, including section 301 of title 3, United States Code, I hereby order as follows:

I hereby delegate functions and authorities vested in the President by the Iran Freedom and Counter-Proliferation Act of 2012 (subtitle D of title XII of Public Law 112-239) (22 U.S.C. 8801 et seq.) (IFCA), as follows:

• Section 1244(c)(1) and (c)(2) to the Secretary of the Treasury, in consultation with the Secretary of State;

• Section 1244(d)(1)(A) to the Secretary of State, in consultation with the Secretaries of the Treasury and Commerce and the United States Trade Representative, and with the Secretary of Homeland Security, the President of the Export-Import Bank of the United States, and the Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and other agencies as appropriate, and, once applicable sanctions outlined in section 6(a) of the Iran Sanctions Act of 1996 (Public Law 104-172) (50 U.S.C. 1701 note), as amended (ISA), are selected pursuant to section 1244(d)(1)(A), authority to implement such sanctions is delegated to the relevant agency heads commensurate with any delegation of such authorities and consistent with any relevant Executive Orders implementing ISA;

• Section 1244(d)(2) to the Secretary of the Treasury, in consultation with the Secretary of State;

• Section 1244(f) to the Secretary of State, in consultation with the Secretary of the Treasury;

• Section 1244(i) to the Secretary of State, in consultation with the Secretary of the Treasury;

• Section 1245(a)(1)(A) to the Secretary of the Treasury, in consultation with the Secretaries of State and Commerce and the United States Trade Representative, and with the Secretary of Homeland Security, the President of the Export-Import Bank of the United States, and the Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and other agencies as appropriate, and, once applicable sanctions outlined in section 6(a) of ISA are selected pursuant to section 1245(a)(1)(A), authority to implement such sanctions is delegated to the relevant agency heads commensurate with any delegation of such authorities and consistent with any relevant Executive Orders implementing ISA;

• Sections 1245(a)(1)(B) and (C) to the Secretary of State, in consultation with the Secretaries of the Treasury and Commerce and the United States Trade Representative, and with the Secretary of Homeland Security, the President of the Export-Import Bank of the United States, and the Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and other agencies as appropriate, and, once applicable sanctions outlined in section 6(a) of ISA are selected pursuant to section 1245(a)(1)(B) or (C), authority to implement such sanctions is …read more

Source: White House Press Office

By The White House

East Room

10:00 A.M. EDT

THE PRESIDENT: Thank you so much. Welcome to the White House. And thank you, Janelle, for that introduction and sharing your story, and making such a difference through your organization. We’re really proud to have you here.

I want to thank Secretary Sebelius, Secretary Arne Duncan, Secretary Ric Shinseki for their leadership and helping to organize this event. And I also want to acknowledge some outstanding members of Congress who are here and who care deeply about this issue.

And finally, I want to thank all of you for participating in this national conference on mental health. We wanted to bring together folks who’ve suffered from mental illness and families who’ve supported them. We wanted to bring together advocates and educators, faith leaders, veterans, local officials.

All of you have shown an extraordinary commitment to what is a critical goal, and that is to make sure that people aren’t suffering in silence and that we have the capacity to pull together all the resources and support and love that’s out there to go after an extraordinary challenge in our society.

The main goal of this conference is not to start a conversation — so many of you have spent decades waging long and lonely battles to be heard. Instead, it’s about elevating that conversation to a national level and bringing mental illness out of the shadows.

We want to let people living with mental health challenges know that they are not alone, and we’ve got to be making sure that we’re committed to support those fellow Americans, because struggling with a mental illness or caring for someone who does can be isolating. And I think everybody here who’s experienced the issue in one way or another understands that. It begins to feel as if not only are you alone, but that you shouldn’t burden others with the challenge and the darkness, day in, day out — what some call a cloud that you just can't seem to escape — begins to close in.

The truth is, in any given year, one in five adults experience a mental illness — one in five. Forty-five million Americans suffer from things like depression or anxiety, schizophrenia or PTSD. Young people are affected at a similar rate. So we all know somebody — a family member, a friend, a neighbor — who has struggled or will struggle with mental health issues at some point in their lives. Michelle and I have both known people who have battled severe depression over the years, people we love. And oftentimes, those who seek treatment go on to lead happy, healthy, productive lives.

So we know that recovery is possible, we know help is available, and yet, as a society, we often think about mental health differently than other forms of health. You see commercials on TV about a whole array of physical health issues, some of them very personal. (Laughter.) …read more

Source: White House Press Office

By The White House

Michelle and I were deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Senator Frank Lautenberg, a proud New Jerseyan who lived America’s promise as a citizen, and fought to keep that promise alive as a senator.

The son of working-class immigrants, Frank joined the Army during World War II, went to college on the GI Bill, and co-founded one of America’s most successful companies. First elected to the Senate in 1982, he improved the lives of countless Americans with his commitment to our nation’s health and safety, from improving our public transportation to protecting citizens from gun violence to ensuring that members of our military and their families get the care they deserve. Michelle and I extend our deepest condolences to Bonnie, the Lautenberg family, and the people of New Jersey, whom Frank served so well.

…read more

Source: White House Press Office

By The White House

On Monday, June 3rd, President Obama and Vice President Biden will host a National Conference on Mental Health at the White House as part of the Administration’s effort to launch a national conversation to increase understanding and awareness about mental health. President Obama will deliver opening remarks and Vice President Biden will deliver closing remarks to conference participants.

The conference will bring together people from across the country, including mental health advocates, educators, health care providers, faith leaders, members of Congress, representatives from local governments and individuals who have struggled with mental health problems, to discuss how we can all work together to reduce stigma and help the millions of Americans struggling with mental health problems recognize the importance of reaching out for assistance.

Building on Progress

The conference builds on the President’s plan to reduce gun violence, which calls on Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius and Education Secretary Arne Duncan to launch a national conversation to increase understanding and awareness of mental health. It also builds on a number of steps to raise awareness and improve care for those experiencing mental health issues, including veterans, a topic Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric Shinseki will address in the closing session. For example:

• Expanding Mental Health Coverage. The Affordable Care Act will expand mental health and substance use disorder benefits and parity protections for 62 million Americans. In addition, thanks to the health care law, beginning in 2014, insurers will no longer be able to deny anyone coverage because of a pre-existing mental health condition. The law already ensures that new health plans cover recommended preventive benefits without cost sharing, including depression screening for adults and adolescents and behavioral assessments for children.

• Supporting Young People. The President’s Fiscal Year 2014 Budget includes a new $130 million initiative to help teachers and other adults recognize signs of mental illness in students and refer them to help if needed, support innovative state-based programs to improve mental health outcomes for young people ages 16-to-25, and help train 5,000 additional mental health professionals with a focus on serving students and young adults.&

• Improving Access to Services for Veterans. In response to the President’s Executive Order in August of 2012, the Department of Veterans Affairs has achieved their goal of increasing capacity by hiring 1,600 new mental health providers, over 300 peer-to-peer veteran specialists, establishing 24 pilot projects in nine states where VA is partnering with community mental health providers to help Veterans access mental health services in a timely way and enhancing the capacity of its Crisis Line by 50 percent.

  • At the conference, the President will announce that the Department of Veterans Affairs is directing 151 of its health care centers nationwide to conduct Mental Health Summits with community partners, including local government officials, community-based organizations, and Veteran Service Organizations starting July 1 through September 15. The Summits will identify and link community-based resources to support the mental health needs of Veterans and their families, as well as help increase awareness …read more

    Source: White House Press Office

By The White House

The United States is blessed with a wealth of natural diversity that remains at the heart of who we are as a people. From breathtaking seascapes to the limitless stretch of the Great Plains, our natural surroundings animate the American spirit, fuel discovery and innovation, and offer unparalleled opportunities for recreation and learning. During Great Outdoors Month, we celebrate the land entrusted to us by our forebears and resolve to pass it on safely to future generations.

We owe our heritage to the work of visionary citizens who believed that our obligations as Americans are not just to ourselves, but to all posterity. It is up to all of us to carry that legacy forward in the 21st century — which is why I was proud to launch the America's Great Outdoors Initiative to bring innovative strategies to today's conservation challenges. Alongside leaders in government and the private sector, we are taking action to expand outdoor opportunities in urban areas, promote outdoor recreation, protect our landscapes, and connect the next generation to our natural treasures. And by tapping into the wisdom of concerned citizens from every corner of our country, we are finding new solutions that respond to the priorities of the American people.

At a time when too many of our young people find themselves in sedentary routines, we need to do more to help all Americans reconnect with the outdoors. To lead the way, First Lady Michelle Obama's Let's Move Outside! initiative encourages families to get out and enjoy our beautiful country, whether at a National Park or just outside their doorstep. And through the 21st Century Conservation Service Corps, young men and women will get hands-on experience restoring our public lands and protecting our cultural heritage.

Fortunately, we do not have to choose between good environmental stewardship and economic progress because they go hand-in-hand. Smart, sustainable policies can create jobs, increase tourism, and lay the groundwork for long-term economic growth. For example, our National Travel and Tourism Strategy aims to bring more people to all of our national attractions, including our public lands and waters, and the five new National Monuments I was proud to designate earlier this year. Our natural spaces are also laboratories for scientists, inventors, and creators — Americans who sustain a tradition of innovation that makes our country the most dynamic economy on earth.

For centuries, America's great outdoors have given definition to our national character and inspired us toward bold new horizons. This month, let us reflect on those timeless gifts, and let us vow to renew them in the years to come.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim June 2013 as Great Outdoors Month. I urge all Americans to explore the great outdoors and to uphold our Nation's legacy of conserving our lands and waters for future generations.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this thirty-first day …read more

Source: White House Press Office

By The White House

The United States is blessed with a wealth of natural diversity that remains at the heart of who we are as a people. From breathtaking seascapes to the limitless stretch of the Great Plains, our natural surroundings animate the American spirit, fuel discovery and innovation, and offer unparalleled opportunities for recreation and learning. During Great Outdoors Month, we celebrate the land entrusted to us by our forebears and resolve to pass it on safely to future generations.

We owe our heritage to the work of visionary citizens who believed that our obligations as Americans are not just to ourselves, but to all posterity. It is up to all of us to carry that legacy forward in the 21st century — which is why I was proud to launch the America's Great Outdoors Initiative to bring innovative strategies to today's conservation challenges. Alongside leaders in government and the private sector, we are taking action to expand outdoor opportunities in urban areas, promote outdoor recreation, protect our landscapes, and connect the next generation to our natural treasures. And by tapping into the wisdom of concerned citizens from every corner of our country, we are finding new solutions that respond to the priorities of the American people.

At a time when too many of our young people find themselves in sedentary routines, we need to do more to help all Americans reconnect with the outdoors. To lead the way, First Lady Michelle Obama's Let's Move Outside! initiative encourages families to get out and enjoy our beautiful country, whether at a National Park or just outside their doorstep. And through the 21st Century Conservation Service Corps, young men and women will get hands-on experience restoring our public lands and protecting our cultural heritage.

Fortunately, we do not have to choose between good environmental stewardship and economic progress because they go hand-in-hand. Smart, sustainable policies can create jobs, increase tourism, and lay the groundwork for long-term economic growth. For example, our National Travel and Tourism Strategy aims to bring more people to all of our national attractions, including our public lands and waters, and the five new National Monuments I was proud to designate earlier this year. Our natural spaces are also laboratories for scientists, inventors, and creators — Americans who sustain a tradition of innovation that makes our country the most dynamic economy on earth.

For centuries, America's great outdoors have given definition to our national character and inspired us toward bold new horizons. This month, let us reflect on those timeless gifts, and let us vow to renew them in the years to come.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim June 2013 as Great Outdoors Month. I urge all Americans to explore the great outdoors and to uphold our Nation's legacy of conserving our lands and waters for future generations.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this thirty-first day …read more

Source: White House Press Office

By The White House

James S. Brady Press Briefing Room

12:48 P.M. EDT

MR. EARNEST: Good afternoon, everybody. It’s nice to see you all on this beautiful Friday. Mr. Carney is off chaperoning his daughter’s field trip today, so I assume that he’s answering a different variety of questions this afternoon, but probably not necessarily fewer questions. So he’s doing that today, so that’s why I’m here.

I do want to get started with a couple of things I just want to flag for you, both of which you already know about, but I just want to make sure you’re aware of the resources we have on this.

The first is, you heard the President talk in the Rose Garden just about 90 minutes ago or so about his commitment to making sure that we don’t see student loan interest rates double at the end of next month. So I would make sure that you took a close look at those remarks from the President.

The second thing is we have just posted at WhiteHouse.gov a blog — a new blog posting, from Jeanne Lambrew and Gene Sperling, here at the White House, about the Medicare Trustees report that was just issued, or at least just made public in the last couple of hours. What the Medicare report indicated was that the life of the Medicare program, since the Affordable Care Act was signed into law, has been extended by nearly a decade.

So that is just another piece of evidence to indicate that the strategy that the President has put forward and has codified into the Affordable Care Act is working; that this idea that we can bend the cost curve, we can — that by bending the cost curve through the Affordable Care Act, we can lower costs for seniors, we can lower costs for Medicare, and we can reduce the deficit overall.

So that was one piece of data to indicate that we’re making some progress on this, and that’s something that we find encouraging. There’s some more technical details and other pieces of — there are actually some other more technical things that are also good indications about the future of that program that are included in the blog post, so I strongly commend that to you.

So with that, Tom, we’ll let you take the first question today.

Q Josh, I’d like to pursue that report you just mentioned. It also showed that Social Security didn’t improve at all; it’s still at a 2033 date when it runs out of money. Despite the increased revenues of the government and lowering of the deficit, in the Medicare report that you mention, it showed that a main reason for the slight improvement was a decline in health care costs. And some of that has been due to a low — a …read more

Source: White House Press Office

By The White House

WASHINGTON — Alan Krueger, Chairman of the President’s Council of Economic Advisers (CEA), announced his plans to return to his position as Bendheim Professor of Economics and Public Affairs at Princeton University. He will return to Princeton in time for the upcoming school year.

President Obama said, “Over the past two years, Alan has been one of my most trusted advisers on economic policy and a great friend. I asked Alan to lead my Council of Economic Advisers because he understands the economy better than almost anyone, but more importantly, he understands who we’re fighting for – middle-class families and anyone working to climb into the middle class. Alan was the driving force behind many of the economic policies that I have proposed that will grow our economy and create middle-class jobs. He’s devoted his entire career to making sure our economy works for everyone, not just those at the very top. And while we have more work to do, today our economy is improving – thanks, in no small part, to Alan’s efforts. I want to thank Alan for his service and wish him the best of luck as he returns to Princeton.”

Chairman Krueger said, “I am deeply grateful to President Obama for the opportunity to serve twice in this Administration, and for the chance to do what I could to help the Nation recover from the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression, and put policies in place that create good jobs and help reignite a rising, thriving middle class. It has been one of the highest privileges of my life to serve the American people.”

…read more

Source: White House Press Office

By The White House

Kitchen Garden

1:24 P.M. EDT

MRS. OBAMA: Hey! What’s going on? How are you guys doing?

CHILDREN: Good!

MRS. OBAMA: It’s exciting! Look! Look what you did — it grew! It’s very exciting.

Well, welcome back. We’ve got a few things going on here. We’ve got a handful of kids who are brand new and I will say hello to them, but we’ve got kids who are returning who helped from schools who actually helped us plant the garden — and I’m going to list you. And when I list your school, I want you to scream so I know where you are.

Sarah Moore Green Magnet Academy, where are you? (Applause.) Is that a scream? Let’s try that again. Sarah Moore Green Magnet Academy. (Applause.) That’s good. And to your principals, teachers, administrators, parents who are here, let’s here it from you guys as well. (Applause.) That’s some screaming — that’s some screaming.

We’ve got the Arthur D. Healey School from Somerville, Massachusetts — where are you guys? (Applause.) Yes! And where are your teachers, principals, administrators, parents? (Applause.) Welcome. Yes, yes.

And then we’ve got Milton Elementary School from Milton, Vermont. (Applause.) Oh, come on, you guys. Come on, Milton — let me hear it. (Applause.) Are you hungry already? You’re running out of energy?

Well, it’s good to have you guys back. Thank you for being here. You see — how many kids who are here actually helped me plant? All of you guys — you guys — isn’t it amazing how the garden has grown? It’s just terrific.

And then we’ve got my friends from Tubman and Bancroft Schools. (Applause.) Yes! And to all the administrators, teachers, principals, parents, everybody — yay. (Laughter.) It’s good to have you guys.

Now, we’ve got some new friends here from schools in New Jersey, because today the President, he left me to go to your state to visit with your Governor. And we thought, well, since he’s going to be there, wouldn’t it be good to have some schools from New Jersey here with us. So today we’ve got Union Beach Memorial School from Union Beach, New Jersey. You guys are here — where are you? (Applause.) Wait, wait, wait, what?

CHILDREN: Hi. (Laughter.)

THE FIRST LADY: They said hi. (Laughter.) You said hi. Give me a scream! They’re embarrassed — they’re embarrassed. Okay, and then we’ve got Long Beach Island Elementary, Ship Bottom, Surf City, New Jersey. Where are you guys?

CHILDREN: Woof, woof, woof.

THE FIRST LADY: Oh, yes — oh, yes, my Dogs — my Dogs.
Let’s hear that. (Laughter.) One, two, three —

CHILDREN: Woof, woof, woof, let’s move!

MRS. OBAMA: Oh, well, you got me right …read more

Source: White House Press Office

By The White House

Asbury Park Convention Hall
Asbury Park, New Jersey

1:26 P.M. EDT

THE PRESIDENT: Hello, New Jersey! (Applause.) It is good to be back in Jersey.

AUDIENCE MEMBER: We love you!

THE PRESIDENT: I love you back! (Applause.)

Let me, first of all, say thank you to Governor Christie for that introduction and the great work he’s done here. (Applause.) Your Mayor, Ed Johnson, is here as well and has been working tirelessly on your behalf. (Applause.) We’ve got three great representatives in Congress from New Jersey — Rush Holt, Frank Pallone, Donald Payne, Jr. (Applause.)

Now, last week, my advisors asked me — they said, Mr. President, do you want to spend next Tuesday in Washington, or would you rather spend it at the Jersey Shore? (Applause.) And I’ve got to say I’ve got to make some tough decisions as President, but this wasn’t one of them. (Laughter.)

AUDIENCE MEMBER: (Inaudible.)

THE PRESIDENT: I appreciate that. (Applause.)

Governor Christie and I just spent some time on the Point Pleasant boardwalk. I got a chance to see the world’s tallest sandcastle being built. We played some Touchdown Fever — I got to say, Christie got it in the tire the first try — (laughter) — although I did pay for his throws. (Laughter.) I played a little Frog Bog, and Governor Christie’s kids taught me the right technique for hitting the hammer to get those frogs in the buckets the way I was supposed to. (Laughter.) And, of course, I met with folks who are still rebuilding after Sandy.

Now, we all understand there’s still a lot of work to be done. There are homes to rebuild. There are businesses to reopen. There are landmarks and beaches and boardwalks that aren’t all the way back yet. But thanks to the hard work of an awful lot of people, we’ve got wonderful shops and restaurants and arcades that are opening their doors. And I saw what thousands of Americans saw over Memorial Day Weekend: You are stronger than the storm. (Applause.) After all you’ve dealt with, after all you’ve been through, the Jersey Shore is back and it is open for business, and they want all Americans to know that they’re ready to welcome you here. (Applause.)

And I’ve got to say, if they ever let me have any fun, I’d have some fun here. (Laughter and applause.) I was telling my staff on the ride over, I could see being a little younger — (laughter) — and having some fun on the Jersey Shore. (Applause.) I can’t do that anymore. (Laughter.) Maybe after I leave office. (Laughter and applause.)

I think a friend of mine from here once put it pretty well: “Down the shore, everything’s all right.” (Applause.) He’s the only guy a President …read more

Source: White House Press Office

By The White House

Arlington National Cemetery
Arlington, Virginia

11:31 A.M. EDT

THE PRESIDENT: Thank you. (Applause.) Please be seated. Thank you very much. Good morning, everybody. I want to thank Secretary Chuck Hagel, not only for the introduction but, Chuck, for your lifetime of service — from sergeant in the Army to Secretary of Defense, but always a man who carries with you the memory of friends and fallen heroes from Vietnam. We’re grateful to you.

I want to thank General Dempsey, Major General Linnington, Kathryn Condon, who has served Arlington with extraordinary dedication and grace and who will be leaving us, but we are so grateful for the work that she’s done; for Chaplain Brainerd, Secretary Shinseki, all our guests. And most of all, to members of our armed services and our veterans; to the families and friends of the fallen who we honor today; to Americans from all across the country who have come to pay your respects: I have to say it is always a great honor to spend this Memorial Day with you at this sacred place where we honor our fallen heroes — those who we remember fondly in our memories, and those known only to God.

Beyond these quiet hills, across that special bridge, is a city of monuments dedicated to visionary leaders and singular moments in the life of our Republic. But it is here, on this hallowed ground, where we choose to build a monument to a constant thread in the American character — the truth that our nation endures because it has always been home to men and women who are willing to give their all, and lay down their very lives, to preserve and protect this land that we love.

That character — that selflessness — beats in the hearts of the very first patriots who died for a democracy they had never known and would never see. It lived on in the men and women who fought to hold our union together, and in those who fought to defend it abroad — from the beaches of Europe to the mountains and jungles of Asia. This year, as we mark the 60th anniversary of the end of fighting in Korea, we offer a special salute to all those who served and gave their lives in the Korean War. And over the last decade, we’ve seen the character of our country again — in the nearly 7,000 Americans who have made the ultimate sacrifice on battlefields and city streets half a world away.

Last Memorial Day, I stood here and spoke about how, for the first time in nine years, Americans were no longer fighting and dying in Iraq. Today, a transition is underway in Afghanistan, and our troops are coming home. Fewer Americans are making the ultimate sacrifice in Afghanistan, and that’s progress for which we are profoundly grateful. And this time next year, we will mark the final Memorial …read more

Source: White House Press Office

By The White House

Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium
United States Naval Academy
Annapolis, Maryland

10:29 A.M. EDT

THE PRESIDENT: Hello, Midshipmen! (Applause.) Well, thank you, Governor O’Malley, for your kind introduction and the great support that Maryland gives this Academy. To Secretary Mabus, Admiral Greenert, General Paxton — thank you all for your incredible leadership of our extraordinary Navy and Marine Corps teams.

To Vice Admiral Miller, thank you for the outstanding work that you do. To Captain Clark and all the faculty and staff; to the moms and dads who raised your sons and daughters to seek this life of service; to the local sponsor families who cared for them far from home; the members of the Class of 1963 — veterans who’ve guided these midshipmen along the way — today is also a tribute to your support and your patriotism. And I know that the Class of 2013 joins me in saluting your service as well. (Applause.)

To the entire Brigade of Midshipmen — you embody the highest virtues of this venerable institution. And yet, I know that some of you at times have enjoyed yourselves at other local institutions like McGarvey’s and Armadillo’s. (Applause.) But today is a day of celebration — and also forgiveness. And so, in keeping with tradition, I declare all midshipmen on restriction for minor conduct offenses are hereby absolved. (Laughter and applause.) As always, Admiral Miller gets to decide what’s “minor.” (Laughter.) Some of these guys are laughing a little nervously about that. (Laughter.)

Now, obviously, most of all, it is wonderful to be able to celebrate this incredible Class of 2013. This has special meaning for me as well, because the United States Naval Academy was the very first service academy that I had the privilege to address as President. On that spring day four years ago, most of you were still in high school, finishing your senior year, or at NAPS, finishing up prep school. You were a little younger — and I was, too. You had your entire Naval Academy experience ahead of you; I was already getting chest bumps from the graduates of 2009. (Laughter.)

Soon after, you came to the Yard — and you got quite a welcome. The joy of I-Day. Wonderful haircuts. Stylish eyeglasses. And all that Plebe Year, if you got something wrong, your upperclassmen kindly corrected you — at high volume, at very close range. (Laughter.) When Michelle brought our daughter Sasha here for a visit, she got a somewhat different reception. She was just in elementary school, but it seemed like the Navy was already doing some recruiting — because as she went through Bancroft Hall she came to one room and saw the name on the door — “Sasha Obama, Class of 2023.” (Laughter.) So you never know.

Today, each of you can take enormous pride, for …read more

Source: White House Press Office

By The White House

PRAYER FOR PEACE, MEMORIAL DAY, 2013

– – – – – – –

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

A PROCLAMATION

Since our Nation's earliest days, America has been blessed with an unbroken chain of patriots who have served our country with honor and distinction. From Concord to the Korengal, generations of brave warriors have fought for freedom across sand and snow, over mud and mountains, into lonely deserts and through crowded streets. Today, we pay tribute to those patriots who never came back — who fought for a home to which they never returned, and died for a country whose gratitude they will always have.

Scripture teaches us that “greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” On Memorial Day, we remember those we have lost not only for what they fought for, but who they were: proud Americans, often far too young, guided by deep and abiding love for their families, for each other, and for this country. Our debt to them is one we can never fully repay. But we can honor their sacrifice and strive to be a Nation equal to their example. On this and every day, we must meet our obligations to families of the fallen; we must uphold our sacred trust with our veterans, our service members, and their loved ones.

Above all, we can honor those we have lost by living up to the ideals they died defending. It is our charge to preserve liberty, to advance justice, and to sow the seeds of peace. With courage and devotion worthy of the heroes we remember today, let us rededicate ourselves to those unending tasks, and prove once more that America's best days are still ahead. Let us pray the souls of those who died in war rest in eternal peace, and let us keep them and their families close in our hearts, now and forever.

In honor of all of our fallen service members, the Congress, by a joint resolution approved May 11, 1950, as amended (36 U.S.C. 116), has requested the President issue a proclamation calling on the people of the United States to observe each Memorial Day as a day of prayer for permanent peace and designating a period on that day when the people of the United States might unite in prayer. The Congress, by Public Law 106-579, has also designated 3:00 p.m. local time on that day as a time for all Americans to observe, in their own way, the National Moment of Remembrance.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim Memorial Day, May 27, 2013, as a day of prayer for permanent peace, and I designate the hour beginning in each locality at 11:00 a.m. of that day as a time to unite in prayer. I also ask all Americans to observe the National Moment of Remembrance beginning at 3:00 p.m. local time on Memorial Day.

I request the Governors of the …read more

Source: White House Press Office