Tag Archives: Jill Biden

News, Politics, Government

Thanking Service Members and Military Families Around the World

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By Dr. Jill Biden

Dr. Jill Biden talks with members of the USS Fitzgerald during their stop in Singapore

Dr. Jill Biden talks with members of the USS Fitzgerald during their stop in Singapore. (Photo Credit: Jay C. Pugh)

Before leaving Singapore this past weekend, I had the opportunity to attend a BBQ with U.S. service members and their families stationed in Singapore, as well as crewmen from the USS Fitzgerald, docked in Singapore at the time. Joe and I also visited with service members, their families, and DOD employees in Hawaii, at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam. When Joe and I travel, we love nothing more than to meet with our men and women in uniform and their families to thank them for their service and sacrifice.

Military families face so many challenges, as spouses get deployed and families move around. When I was in Singapore, I met a woman who was in the Navy and she told me that this was her 14th move. As a military mom, I understand a bit of what these families are going through. Our son Beau was deployed for a year to Iraq as a member of the Delaware Army National Guard and our son Hunter is an Ensign in the Navy Reserves. This experience, as well as the joys and concerns we heard from military families as we traveled around the world led First Lady Michele Obama and I to start Joining Forces. It is our hope that we can rally all Americans to support our veterans and military families. Joining Forces brings together public and private resources to help with the employment, education, and wellness of our veterans, servicemen and women, and their families.

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Source: FULL ARTICLE at The White House

White House Press Office

Remarks by the First Lady at the Veterans Full Employment Act of 2013 Bill Signing

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By The White House

State House
Annapolis, Maryland

1:55 P.M. EDT

MRS. OBAMA: Thank you. (Applause.) Thank you so much. Good afternoon. It is truly a pleasure to be here in Maryland today.

But before we get started, I want to take a moment to say that our thoughts and prayers are with everyone in Boston. My husband continues to monitor the situation, and he has directed the full resources of the federal government to assist state and local authorities as they investigate this horrific act.

And what happened on Monday was a reminder that in times of crisis, here in America we respond with courage, and grit, and selflessness. That’s exactly what we saw from the people of Boston, and from all those who rushed to aid the victims, especially the police officers and firefighters, the first responders, and our men and women in uniform.

And that is the spirit of Boston, but it is also the spirit of this country. And in many ways, that’s the spirit of service and sacrifice that we are here to honor today.

So I want to thank Governor O’Malley for hosting us, but also for his tremendous leadership for the state of Maryland and for all of his efforts on behalf of our troops, veterans, and military families.

I also want to thank Lieutenant Governor Brown; the Secretary of the Navy, Secretary Mabus; and all of the servicemembers from Fort Meade and the United States Naval Academy who are here with us today.

And I’d like to recognize all of the Maryland state legislators: Attorney General Gansler, Mayor Cohen, the representatives we have here from veterans service organizations and the University of Maryland, and to all of the military family members who are joining us today. Welcome, and thank you for being here.

And, finally, I want to thank Senior Chief Hite and his wonderful family who I got to meet — Mom and Dad are here, and his handsome son, who I will embarrass — (laughter) — but we are proud of you all. But I want to thank you all for your service to this country, because the truth is, is that every family member serves, and every time I meet a servicemember, a veteran, I don’t just thank him or her, I think children and parents and grandparents and brothers and sisters, because everyone in some way is part of that service. And thank you for sharing your story with us today.

Two years ago, Jill Biden and I launched Joining Forces in large part because we’d heard too many stories like that of Senior Chief Hite’s. We had heard the stories of military spouses like Janelle Gray, whose husband serves in the Air Force at Fort Meade.

Janelle was a professional counselor for seven years in Minnesota and North Dakota. But when she and her husband were transferred here to Maryland, she found out that she’d either have to wait three

From: http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2013/04/17/remarks-first-lady-veterans-full-employment-act-2013-bill-signing

News, Politics, Government

Fact Sheet: States Answer the First Lady’s Call to Put America’s Heroes Back to Work

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By The White House

As part of their Joining Forces initiative, on February 25th First Lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden addressed the National Governor’s Association and issued a call to action – building on President Obama’s June 2012 announcement of the Military Credentialing and Licensing Task Force – that by the end of 2015, all 50 states will have taken legislative or executive action to help our troops get the credentials they need to successfully transition to the civilian labor market. In less than two months 13 states have answered the First Lady’s call and passed legislation that fast-tracks the ability for service members and veterans to earn civilian credentials and licenses, and 8 states have passed legislation that expedites professional licenses or certifications for military spouses when they move to a new state.

Today, the First Lady will join Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley as he signs into law the Veterans Full Employment Act of 2013. This comprehensive bill, developed in consultation with the Department of Defense, includes a number of Best Practices outlined in the Administration’s report: The Fast Track to Civilian Employment: Streamlining Credentialing and Licensing for Service Members, Veterans, and Their Spouses.

Maryland: Setting a National Standard for Military Credentialing and Licensing Policy

Maryland’s Veterans Full Employment Act of 2013 sets a national standard for state legislation, streamlining the ability for service members, veterans, and their spouses to obtain over 70 civilian credentials and licenses.

• Supporting separating service members and veterans who seek to qualify for occupational licenses and certification based on their military education, training, and experience, including licenses in Emergency Medical Services and Advanced Medical Occupations.
o The bill requires state licensing units to accept education, training, or service completed by a military member toward the qualifications to receive a license or certification.

• Supporting separating service members and veterans who seek to obtain academic credit for their military education, training, and experience.
o The bill requires the state’s public universities to implement policies that award academic credit for military training, coursework, and education, thus reducing the time to degree as well as the cost of earning a degree or certificate.

• Supporting separating service members and military spouses who seek to transfer a current license by endorsement or obtain a temporary license when separating in a state other than the state that approved the current license.
o The bill requires state licensing units to expedite licensing for military spouses, service members, and recently-discharged veterans.

Translating Military Experience into Civilian Employment

The United States has the most highly trained military in the world, comprised of men and women who have broad skill sets because of their military education and experience. The members of our Armed Forces and their families make great sacrifices, and when their service is concluded, we owe it to our veterans and their families to help them accomplish a successful transition to the civilian labor market. That is

From: http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2013/04/17/fact-sheet-states-answer-first-lady-s-call-put-america-s-heroes-back-wor

News, Politics, Government

Dr. Jill Biden Announces Sheila Nix as Chief of Staff

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By The White House

Washington, D.C.—The Office of the Vice President today announced that Sheila Nix, who most recently served as Chief of Staff for Vice President Biden at Obama for America, will serve as Dr. Jill Biden’s new Chief of Staff.

Dr. Biden said: “I am thrilled to have Sheila take on this new role. She’s a terrific leader and I know that her wide-ranging experience, strategic vision, and passion will continue to move us forward.”

Sheila Nix comes to the White House from a broad range of leadership positions, including serving as ONE’s U.S. Executive Director, where she was responsible for ONE’s advocacy, communications, and campaign activities in the United States. Before joining ONE, she was a senior vice president for the Strategy Group, focusing on direct mail strategy and production for presidential, Congressional, and state races.

Nix brings a wealth of experience having worked in federal and state government and politics for more than 20 years. Her public service career includes serving as the first Chief of Staff to Senator Bill Nelson of Florida and serving as Chief of Staff and Legislative Director to Senator Bob Kerrey. She also served as the Budget Director at the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee.

She earned her BSBA in Accounting from Creighton University and her JD from the University of Chicago Law School.

Source: FULL ARTICLE at The White House Press Office

News, Politics, Government

President Obama Announces A Key Administration Post

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By The White House

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

• Cathy Russell – Ambassador at Large for Global Women’s Issues, Department of State

“Cathy is a longtime advocate for justice and fairness and has worked on preventing violence against women here in America and around the world,” said President Obama. “She served as Chief of Staff to Dr. Jill Biden for my entire first term, and has worked tirelessly alongside Michelle and Jill to make sure our military families get the honor and support they’ve earned. I’m certain that Cathy will continue to be a powerful advocate for women and girls in her new role.”

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

Cathy Russell, Nominee for Ambassador at Large for Global Women’s Issues, Department of State
Cathy Russell is the Chief of Staff to Dr. Jill Biden. Previously, she served in the U.S. Senate on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee as the Senior Advisor on International Women’s Issues from 2007 to 2008. She served as an Associate Deputy Attorney General in the Justice Department from 1995 to 1996. From 1993 to 1995, she served as the Staff Director of the Senate Judiciary Committee and from 1989 to 1993, she was Senior Counsel to Senator Patrick Leahy for the Senate Judiciary Committee, Technology Subcommittee. She was also a member of the Communications Advisory Council of Women for Women International from 2006 to 2008. Ms. Russell received a B.A. from Boston College and a J.D. from George Washington University.

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Source: FULL ARTICLE at The White House Press Office

News, Politics, Government

President Obama Hosts a Celebration of Women's History Month at the White House

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By <a href="/author-detail/475">Colleen Curtis</a>

President Obama today welcomed a group of accomplished and inspiring women to a reception in the East Room of the White House. The group, which included leaders like A&E Networks CEO Abbe Raven, Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake, Girl Scouts' CEO Anna Maria Chávez, astronaut Sunita Williams, activists Dolores Huerta and Lilly Ledbetter, and WNBA star (and 3-time Olympic Gold Medalist) Tamika Catchings, joined the President, First Lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden to celebrate the progress women make in this country each and every day. President Obama highlighted the changes we've seen in the past century:

When I look around this room, it is hard to believe that 100 years ago this month, thousands of women were marching right outside this house demanding one of our most fundamental right: the right to vote, to have a say in our democracy. And today, a century later, its rooms are full of accomplished women who have overcome discrimination, shattered glass ceilings, and become outstanding role models for all of our sons and daughters. And that means we've come a long way, and that’s thanks to the efforts of so many people like you.

Because of the hard work and exemplary leadership of the women in this room, military families have protected family and medical leave. Women have legal recourse to fight against pay discrimination… Women have the opportunity to serve on the front lines of our military conflicts, and that means that they're getting paid and promoted equally. Women have the opportunity to make their own choices about their health.

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Source: FULL ARTICLE at The White House

White House Press Office

Remarks by the First Lady at Business Roundtable Quarterly Meeting

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By The White House

Business Roundtable Conference Center
Washington D.C.

11:43 A.M. EDT

MRS. OBAMA: Good morning. (Applause.) Thank you so much.

I want to start by thanking Mike for that very kind introduction and for everything that he and Walmart are doing to support our troops, our veterans and the health of our families. I also want to thank Jim McNerney as well as Governor John Engler for their extraordinary leadership of the Business Roundtable and for inviting me here this morning to be with all of you.

I’d also like to thank the military leaders who are here with us — Lieutenant General Bill Troy from the Army, and Vice Admiral Bill French from the Navy. I’d like to recognize the representatives from the administration who have joined us — you guys wave if you're here — Fred Vollrath and Frank DiGiovanni from the Department of Defense; John Gingrich from the Department of Veterans Affairs; Keith Kelly from the Department of Labor; and Matthew McGuire from the Department of Commerce.

And finally, I want to thank all of you, the leaders of our nation’s businesses; leaders who care deeply about the future of your businesses and about the future of our country and those who serve it.

As you know, over the past couple of years, Jill Biden and I have been working to support our nation’s veterans and military families through Joining Forces. And now that the Iraq War is over and the war in Afghanistan is drawing to a close, we are focused like never before on helping our veterans and military spouses find employment and build their careers.

Right now, there are hundreds of thousands of veterans and military spouses looking for work. And in the coming years, we know that over one million more will be hanging up their uniforms and transitioning back to civilian life. These men and women will be returning to their families, rejoining their communities, and figuring out what’s next in their lives. And as they do all of that, the one thing that they're going to be thinking about is a job.

They will be trying to figure out how to achieve that sense of financial security and stability for their family, how to find that next mission to accomplish. And that’s where all of you come in.

So today, I want to spend a little time just talking to you about who these veterans and military spouses are, what they can do for your businesses, and how they can keep on serving this country in the years ahead. So let’s start with who they are.

This current group of veterans –- the 9/11 Generation, as my husband has called them –- holds a special place in our history. These are the Americans who stepped up and volunteered to serve during wartime knowing full well they would be sent into harm’s way. They are young — the majority are between 18 and 34 years old …read more
Source: White House Press Office

News, Politics, Government

Remarks by the First Lady and Dr. Jill Biden to National Governors Association

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By The White House

State Dining Room

10:40 A.M. EST

DR. BIDEN: Thank you very much. (Applause.) Thank you, David, for that kind introduction. And thank you all for coming this morning. It was great to see you all last night. And wasn’t Audra McDonald incredible? (Applause.)

So we’re delighted to have you here at the White House again this morning. And the last time we were together, Michelle and I talked to you about one of our top priorities of our initiative Joining Forces, which I’m sure you all know about, which is our way to honor and support our troops, veterans and military families.

And we talked about one of the top concerns that we hear about from military spouses wherever we go, and that's professional licensing. So I’m sure you remember this from last year, many of you do who were here.

And our nation’s military spouses move 10 times more than their civilian counterparts, and 35 percent of those spouses have jobs that require a professional license. So they're our teachers, our nurses, our social workers. And we heard from a teacher — this is just one of the instances — who had 10 years' experience in her specialty in one state, and then when she moved to another state, she had to wait because the exam only took place twice a year. So she lost a lot of time and actually a lot of income because she had to wait. And then we met a nurse who moved 10 times during her husband’s service and needed to go through a different and complicated process every time she moved.

So these are just a few of the countless stories we’ve heard that illustrate what a challenge license portability really is for our military spouses.

Back in February of last year when we met with you, only 11 states had pro-spouse legislation. So the First Lady and I asked you for your help, and you’ve stepped up. Yes. (Applause.) And you stepped up because you appreciate how much our military families do for our country every single day. And just last month, Arkansas became the 28th state to pass legislation.

In just one year we’ve made tremendous progress, and the First Lady and I are really appreciative of your efforts. But there’s still more to do. Right now we’re thankful that we have 13 more states that already have introduced legislation and are headed in the right direction. So if your state has a small active-duty population, you might think that this issue may not impact you, but every state has a National Guard or Reserve. And with so many families — military families transitioning out of the military now and in the next few years, they’ll be focused on finding good jobs, good schools and good communities, whether there is a military base nearby or not.

So for …read more
Source: FULL ARTICLE at The White House Press Office

News, Politics, Government

First Lady Michelle Obama Challenges Governors of all 50 States to Ease Service Members Transition to Civilian Work Force

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By <a href="/author-detail/475">Colleen Curtis</a>

Too often the talented men and women who have served our country face barriers that make it difficult to find jobs that capitalize on the skills they have gained through their military education and experience. Many service members and veterans are required to repeat education or training in order to receive industry certifications and state occupational licenses, even though much, and in some cases, all, of their military training and experience overlaps with credential requirements.

The members of our Armed Forces and their families make great sacrifices, and when their service is concluded, we owe it to our veterans and their families to help them accomplish a successful transition to the civilian labor force. That is why over the past year and a half, President Obama has taken significant action to create a “career-ready military” and streamline the transition process.

Today, First Lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden highlighted the work that has been done across the country to change laws that require military spouses to attain new credentials when they move to a new state, and challenged the governors of all 50 states to take legislative or executive action to help our troops get the credentials they need by the end of 2015. Speaking to the National Governors Association in the State Dining Room, Mrs. Obama talked about the pressing need to take action and fulfill our responsibilities to the brave men and women who have sacrificed so much over the past decade:

In the coming years, more than one million service members will make the transition to civilian life.

Think about that – a million people hanging up their uniforms… figuring out what’s next… and doing everything they can to make that change as seamless as possible for their families.

So the fact is, while this time of war may be ending, our responsibilities to our troops and their families will only be ramping up.

And that’s what I want to talk to you about today—how we can fulfill what is perhaps our most pressing responsibility to our troops: making sure that when they come home, they can find a job—and not just any job, but a good job, a job they can raise a family on.

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Source: FULL ARTICLE at The White House

White House Press Office

Renewing the National Commitment to Putting America’s Heroes Back to Work

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By The White House

Washington, D.C. – As part of their Joining Forces initiative, First Lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden addressed the National Governors Association and renewed their call on governors to do their part putting America’s heroes back to work, and to serve our military veterans and spouses as well as they’ve served us. The First Lady’s remarks are a call to action – building on President Obama’s June 2012 announcement of the Military Credentialing and Licensing Task Force – setting a goal that by the end of 2015, all 50 states will have taken legislative or executive action to help our troops get the credentials they need to successfully transition to the civilian labor market.

The remarks by Mrs. Obama and Dr. Biden coincide with a new report by the Executive Office of the President that details the barriers veterans and their families face as they seek employment, the Administration’s commitment to help them leverage their skills to good, meaningful jobs and the progress that has already been made.

FACT SHEET: The Fast Track to Civilian Employment

The United States has the most highly trained military in the world, sustained by individuals who have skill sets with enormous breadth and depth because of their military education and experience. The members of our Armed Forces and their families make great sacrifices, and when their service is concluded, we owe it to our veterans and their families to help them accomplish a successful transition to the civilian labor market. That is why over the past year and a half, the President has taken significant action to create a “career-ready military” and streamline the transition process.

Too often the talented men and women who have served our country face barriers that make it difficult to find jobs that capitalize on their skills. Many service members and veterans are required to repeat education or training in order to receive industry certifications and state occupational licenses, even though much, and in some cases, all, of their military training and experience overlaps with credential requirements.

Additionally, frequent moves, and the resulting need to search for new employment, can be a significant problem for military spouses, especially when getting a job in a new state requires obtaining an occupational license. Leveraging the skills of our military veterans and their families will build a stronger workforce and a more competitive economy.

The Fast Track to Civilian Employment

In the coming years, America will see a continued demand for skilled workers in high-growth industries from healthcare and information technology to clean energy and advanced manufacturing.

Studies generally find that both occupational licenses and government certifications are associated with higher wages, with substantial wage premiums—on the order of 15 to 18 percent—for individuals who hold an occupational license. Those without licenses often have to take jobs in different, lower-paying occupations.

Helping Servicemembers Gain Industry Recognized Licenses and Credentials
Despite having valuable military experience which in many …read more
Source: White House Press Office

White House Press Office

Remarks by Dr. Jill Biden at Wounded Warriors Reception at Winfield House

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By The White House

Hello, everyone! Thank you, Marjorie, for hosting us here today and for your ongoing collaboration as we support our service men and women and their families.

As Second Lady, and as a military mom, I have been honored to spend time with our troops, and our recovering service members—and I am so inspired by the strength and resilience of both British and American military families and veterans. Major Peter Norton, thank you for your service.

I know a spirit of service is deeply ingrained in all of you … that the warrior mentality doesn’t leave you when you return from war – or when you separate from the military.

Over the past few days, I have visited with Wounded Warriors and medical staff at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center … and spent the day with soldiers and their families at a US Army base in Germany.

With each visit, I am reminded that our service members and their families have done so much for us … and we can all do something in return.

That spirit is what fuels the Joining Forces initiative the First Lady and I started to support and honor our troops and military families.

And I am very pleased to not only visit with some of the heroes that make the British military so strong, but also all the organizations here that support them.

I know that over the past 10 years, you have all worked so hard to improve the lives of the men and women who have sacrificed so much. It is your dedication and support that has made all the difference for so many veterans and their families.

You are truly Joining Forces.

The bonds that British and American troops share are unbreakable. You have served alongside one another every step of the way. Over 250,000 British troops have served alongside Americans in Iraq and Afghanistan. You are brothers and sisters in combat, but also in healing.

In 2010, a soldier named Brian attended a holiday gathering Joe and I hosted in our home. Brian was newly injured at the time, and he and his young family were adjusting to his new normal – walking on prosthetics … separating from the military … and caring for a newborn while healing from amputations and internal injuries sustained during a blast in Iraq.

Almost a year later, I was visiting wounded warriors at Walter Reed hospital when I met another young soldier who had just been injured in Afghanistan.

He told me that he had been struggling to adjust to losing his legs, and to the long healing process ahead of him.

But he said he was feeling much better because a fellow injured soldier had reached out to him and was mentoring him. That soldier was Brian.

Just a year after being injured, Brian was thriving. He gave other wounded warriors confidence that they too would once again be whole.

I use Brian as an example of that same inner strength we have seen in you as many of you have pursued physical challenges beyond what you ever imagined you could accomplish after your injuries.

Not only do you inspire countless other recovering warriors, you inspire me … my husband Joe … President Barack Obama … First Lady Michelle Obama … and all Americans.

To our heroes and your families, thank you for your sacrifice and service, and to our British partners and friends, thank you for your ongoing commitment to our service men and women.

Source: White House Press Office

News, Politics, Government

Vice President Biden and Dr. Biden Visit Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany

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By Donald Cloud

Vice President Joe Biden and Dr. Jill Biden visit with medical staff

Vice President Joe Biden and Dr. Jill Biden visit with medical staff during a visit to Landstuhl Regional Medical Center, in Landstuhl, Germany, Feb., 3, 2013. (Official White House Photo by David Lienemann)

Today, Vice President Joe Biden, Dr. Jill Biden, and Deputy Secretary of Defense Ashton Carter visited with Wounded Warriors and their medical caretakers at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center (RMC) in Landstuhl, Germany.
Landstuhl RMC is the largest U.S. military hospital outside the United States. It serves American servicemembers and their families who are stationed in Europe. Landstuhl RMC is also the nearest medical trauma center treating wounded U.S. servicemembers coming from Afghanistan. The center treats wounded coalition military members serving alongside U.S. forces in Afghanistan as well.
The Vice President, Dr. Biden, and Deputy Secretary Carter thanked the combat-injured U.S. soldier for his service to our country and thanked his wife and their young son for their sacrifices. They also spent time visiting with two wounded soldiers serving in Afghanistan who were from the Republic of Georgia. Of the fifty-nation coalition providing forces in Afghanistan, the Republic of Georgia is the largest non-NATO contributor, providing over 1,560 forces who primarily serve in Afghanistan’s volatile Helmand province.
The Vice President, Dr. Biden, and Deputy Secretary Carter also took time to specially thank on-duty medical caretakers in the surgical wards and the intensive care unit for caring for our Wounded Warriors. Vice President Biden said, “Even if there were no Wounded Warriors here to visit today, we wanted to stop by and visit with you to say thank you for all that you do for them. What you do is truly breathtaking. And because of you, our Wounded Warriors can return home alive to their mothers and fathers, to their wives and husbands, and to their sons and daughters.”

Source: FULL ARTICLE at The White House

News, Politics, Government

Daily Guidance for the Vice President and DR. Jill Biden. Sunday, February 3, 2013

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By The White House

In the morning, the Vice President and Dr. Biden will visit Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Landstuhl, Germany. This visit will be closed press.

Later, the Vice President and Dr. Biden will depart Landstuhl, Germany, en route Paris, France.

In the evening, the Vice President and Dr. Biden will arrive in Paris. The arrival at Paris Orly Airport is open press.

Source: FULL ARTICLE at The White House Press Office

News, Politics, Government

Remarks by the President and the Vice President at Inaugural Luncheon

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By The White House

National Statuary Hall
United States Capitol

2:35 P.M. EST

SENATOR SCHUMER: Mr. President, Dr. Biden, and your whole wonderful family, I now rise to toast the Vice President of the United States and my former colleague and my friend, Joe Biden.

Mr. Vice President, you’ve been an extraordinary leader of this nation and a true partner to our President these past four years. You play many roles — advisor, advocate, implementer, persuader, strategist, and most important of all, friend. We're confident this unique partnership between you and our great President will only grow stronger and more productive over the next four years.

Mr. Vice President, on the surface, we don't share a common ancestry, but on a deeper level we do share a common story, an American story, of achieving our dreams thanks to the sacrifice of our immigrant forebears.

As you embark on your well-deserved second term, in the spirit of those who came before us, and on behalf of all Americans, we offer you all our support and warmest wishes, and we say to you — Sláinte. L’chaim. Salud. Cent’anni. And cheers. To our great Vice President.

(A toast is offered.)

THE VICE PRESIDENT: Mr. President, and to all the
Presidents assembled — I always enjoyed this lunch more than anything we did in the Capitol. For the 36 years I served in the Senate, I had the great honor of being included in this lunch of former Presidents and Vice Presidents — because it really is the place where we get together in a way unlike any other time when we gather. It’s always a new beginning every time we're in this room. And there’s a sense of possibilities and a sense of opportunity and a sense — sometimes it’s fleeting, but a sense that maybe we can really begin to work together.

And, Chuck, we may come from different ancestries, but as all our colleagues know over the years, we're cut from the same cloth — that we share that same common, absolute conviction that was expressed by Harry Truman when he said, “America was not built on fear. America was built on courage, on imagination, and an unbeatable determination to do the job at hand.”

That's what you’ve done throughout your career, and that's what almost everyone in this room has done. At the end of the day, it’s an absolute confidence — absolute confidence — there’s not a thing, a single thing this country can't do.

I spent too much time with all of you not to know you feel it with every fiber in your being that there’s nothing – nothing — this country is incapable of.

I must say the President kids me occasionally — I know Harry Reid always calls me a Senate man. I am proud to have been a Senate man. I am proud to be President of the Senate. But that pride is exceeded only by the fact I'm proud to be Vice President of the United States, serving as Barack Obama’s Vice President. It’s been one of the great privileges — (applause) — one of the great privileges of my life.

As a matter of fact, if the President will forgive me, as we were walking out and he was, as he said, savoring the moment, looking out at the crowd and all those Americans assembled, I found myself — surprised me, even — I turned to him saying, thank you. Thanks. Thanks for the chance. Thanks for the chance to continue to serve.

And so, folks, I raise my glass to a man who never, never, never operates out of fear, only operates out of confidence — and I'm toasting you, Chuck. (Laughter.) And a guy who I plan on working with — you can't get rid of me, man. Remember, I'm still part of the Senate. (Laughter.)

God bless you, Chuck. You’ve done a great job. And, Lamar, you have as well. To Chuck Schumer. Good to see you, pal.

(A toast is offered.)

SENATOR SCHUMER: The best parts of these events are unscripted. (Laughter.)

I'd now like to introduce our Senate Majority Leader, my good friend and, really, foxhole buddy — a great man, Harry Reid — to offer the official toast to the President. (Applause.)

SENATOR REID: Americans todays are wishing the President Godspeed for the next four years. People all over the world are looking at us, and our exemplary democracy, and wishing the President the best in the years to come.

I’ve had the good fortune for the last many years to work on a very close, personal basis with President Obama. I’ve watched him in the most difficult challenges that a person could face. I’ve watched him do this with brilliance, with patience, with courage, wisdom, and kindness, for which I have learned a great deal.

So, Mr. President, I toast and pray for you, your wonderful family, and our great country four more successful years.

Barack Obama.

(A toast is offered.)

THE PRESIDENT: Michelle and the Speaker of the House came to a meeting of the minds that I may be delaying the proceedings too much. And so I’m just going to be extraordinarily brief and say thank you — to my Vice President, who has not only been an extraordinary partner but an extraordinary friend; and to Dr. Jill Biden, who has partnered with my wife with extraordinary generosity on behalf of our men and women in uniform.

To the entire Cabinet that is here, I am grateful to you. Some of you are staying and some of you are leaving, but I know the extraordinary sacrifices that you and my team have made to try to advance the cause of progress in this country, and I’m always going to be grateful to you for that.

To the Speaker of the House and Nancy Pelosi, to Democratic Leader Harry Reid, as well as Republican Leader Mitch McConnell, and to all the congressional leaders and all the members of Congress who are here — I recognize that democracy is not always easy, and I recognize there are profound differences in this room, but I just want to say thank you for your service and I want to thank your families for their service, because regardless of our political persuasions and perspectives, I know that all of us serve because we believe that we can make America for future generations.

And I'm confident that we can act at this moment in a way that makes a difference for our children and our children's children. I know that former President Carter, President Clinton, they understand the irony of the presidential office, which is, the longer you're there the more humble you become and the more mindful you are that it is beyond your poor powers individually to move this great country. You can only do it because you have extraordinary partners and a spirit of good will, and most of all, because of the strength and resilience and fundamental goodness of the American people.

And so I would like to join all of you not only in toasting the extraordinary work that Chuck Schumer and Lamar Alexander and others have done to create this special day for us, but I also want to thank each and every one of you for not only your service in the past, but hopefully your service in the future as well.

And I would like to offer one last toast, and that is to my extraordinary wife, Michelle. There is controversy about the quality of the President — no controversy about the quality of our current First Lady. (Laughter and applause.)

Thank you, everybody. God bless you, and God bless America.

END
2:44 P.M. EST

Source: FULL ARTICLE at The White House Press Office

News, Politics, Government

Remarks by the President, the Vice President, the First Lady and Dr. Biden at Inaugural Reception

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By The White House

The Building Museum
Washington, D.C.

8:48 P.M. EST

DR. BIDEN: Good evening, everyone. Thank you so much for joining us tonight. But more than that, thank you for the kindness, friendship and support that you’ve shown us since we’ve begun this long journey together. We wouldn’t be here without your help, and that means so much to me and Joe.

Joe and I are thrilled, and I know you feel the same way, to have Barack Obama as our President for another four years — (applause) — and Michelle as First Lady. (Applause.) And I may be a little biased, but I couldn’t think of a better man than my husband to help our President lead our country for the next four years. (Applause.) As long as he has the privilege of serving this nation, I know that Joe will keep fighting for American people every day.

Ladies and gentlemen, please join me in welcoming my husband, our Vice President, Joe Biden. (Applause.)

THE VICE PRESIDENT: I’m going to move this away, baby.

Hello, I'm Jill Biden’s husband, and I’m delighted to be with you all here. (Laughter.) Let me begin with the simplest of statements: Thank you. (Applause.) Thank you, thank you, thank you. You’re the only reason that we are here. Thank you for your support. Thank you for being here. And most of all, thank you for believing in us.

Ladies and gentlemen, I’ve been honored to serve as Vice President. But I’ve been especially honored to serve as Barack Obama’s Vice President. (Applause.) This man has already done an absolutely remarkable job: Historic health care reform, two Supreme Court appointees — Justice Sonya Sotomayor and Elaine Kagan — ending the war in Iraq and about to end the war in Afghanistan — (applause) — and stating forthrightly his support for marriage equality. (Applause.) And I want you to know something else about this guy Barack Obama — he’s just getting started. He’s just getting started. (Applause.)

In the weeks and months ahead, we’re going to reduce gun violence here in America. (Applause.) We’re going to pass comprehensive immigration reform. (Applause.) And we’re going to put this nation’s economy on a sustainable path to the future.

Ladies and gentlemen, it’s my great honor to introduce you to a magnificent, a truly magnificent First Lady Michelle Obama, and the guy she hangs out with — my friend, President Barack Obama. (Applause.)

Hey. (Laughter and applause.) I thought you weren’t coming out. (Laughter.) I thought you weren’t coming. (Laughter.)

MRS. OBAMA: Hi, everybody. (Applause.) Excuse our tardiness. But you know what, when Stevie Wonder has a few words to say to you — (laughter) — you don’t rush Stevie Wonder. (Laughter.) So pardon our delay, but thank you. Thanks so much, Jill. Thank you for that kind introduction. But more importantly, thank you for your leadership and service. (Applause.)

I love Joe Biden. (Applause.) I love Jill a little bit more. (Laughter.) But I want to thank you both for making this journey so much more fun. Our families have bonded and this has just been a phenomenal four years. And I’m ready to do four more with both of you. (Applause.)

THE PRESIDENT: Four more.

MRS. OBAMA: Four more.

And most of all, I want to thank all of you here tonight for everything — everything — that you’ve done to bring this Inauguration to life. This weekend has been such a wonderful celebration for our people and for the future. And we know that none of it could have happened without all of you. And that’s why it was so important for all of us to be here and to spend some time with you.

So this weekend, as we look ahead to the next four years, we should absolutely take some time to truly enjoy this next few days. I mean, the last one was kind of fast. (Laughter.) So we’ve all agreed that we’re going to take some time to just breathe in and enjoy it.

But let's also remember that this Inauguration is about more than all of the events that we will all enjoy this weekend. It's about more than swearing in a President. It's about more than we accomplish together over the next four years. It's also about the opportunities we have to make a real difference in people's lives. (Applause.) I mean, the truth is it's about our opportunity to continue to lift up our families, to help more of our children achieve their dreams, and to put our country on a solid foundation not just for these next few years, but for generations to come.

So tonight, let us re-dedicate ourselves to that work. Let us keep building on the progress that we've made. And let's keep working and fighting and pushing forward —

THE PRESIDENT: Forward.

MRS. OBAMA: Forward. (Applause.)

THE PRESIDENT: Forward.

MRS. OBAMA: — forward to make the real changes that's happened.

And that's what this man, my husband, has been doing for these last four years. (Applause.) And let me tell you, it has just been a true thrill to watch this handsome, charming — (laughter) — individual grow into the man and the President that he is. We have seen him every single day — his integrity, his character, his sense of humor — (laughter) — his compassion, his courage. And no matter what the obstacles, we have seen him be so steady facing the challenges that lie ahead and, as always, held true to one unwavering belief — and that is that we love this country, and we can all work together to change it.

So, ladies and gentlemen, it is my distinct honor and pleasure to welcome the love of my life and our President for the next four years, Barack Obama. (Applause.)

THE PRESIDENT: Good evening. Now, first of all, I love Michelle Obama. (Applause.) And to address the most significant event of this weekend, I love her bangs. (Laughter and applause.) She looks good. She always looks good.

You know, as President, you make a lot of important decisions. Probably the most important decision is who is going to be your partner during the course of your presidency. And there have been some decisions I got right, some maybe folks might question. But one decision I know was absolutely correct, absolutely spot on, was my choice of Vice President. I could not have a better partner than Joe Biden. And Joe Biden couldn’t have a better partner than Dr. Jill Biden. (Applause.) We love these folks. Give them a round of applause. (Applause.)

Now, some of you may have heard the story of Andrew Jackson's inaugural reception. Party-goers got so rowdy they broke several thousands of dollars' worth of White House china. (Laughter.) So my first big thank-you tonight is to the National Building Museum for hosting us here. (Laughter.)

I also want to thank The Source for their outstanding entertainment, the U.S. Navy Sea Chanters — (applause) — and a guy who has been known to make pretty good music, Mr. Stevie Wonder. (Applause.)

I'm delivering another speech tomorrow so tonight I'm going to be pretty brief, because there are a limited amount of good lines and you don’t want to use them all up tonight. (Laughter.) My main purpose tonight is just to say thank you.

As I look out on the room, we've got people from every walk of life, every corner and nook and cranny of this country, every state, every city, every suburb — people who have invested so much heart, soul, time, money, energy. One of the things that made this campaign unique was the degree of investment and ownership people had in this common project of ours, because you understood this was not just about a candidate; it was not just about Joe Biden or Barack Obama. This was about us, who we are as a nation, what values we cherish, how hard we're willing to fight to make sure that those values live not just for today but for future generations.

All of you here understood and were committed to the basic notion that when we put our shoulders to the wheel of history, it moves. (Applause.) It moves. It moves forward. And that’s part of what we celebrate when we come together for Inauguration.

Yesterday, Americans in all 50 states took part in a National Day of Service. Tomorrow, hundreds of thousands will join us in the National Mall. And what the Inauguration reminds us of is the role we have as fellow citizens in promoting a common good even as we carry out our individual responsibilities — the sense that there's something larger than ourselves that gives shape and meaning to our lives.

The theme of this year's Inauguration is “Our people and our future.” And throughout my career, what’s always given me energy and inspiration and hope, what’s allowed me to stand up when I’ve been knocked down, are folks like you — the decency, the goodness, the resilience, the neighborliness, the patriotism, the sense of duty, the sense of responsibility of the American people. You have inspired me throughout.

And so whenever I think about the challenges that Joe and I and Jill and Michelle face, we know that we stand amongst friends and colleagues and fellow citizens, and that the work is not just ours, that we are working together.

So I just want to say thank you. Thank you very much. Thank you. (Applause.) And I want all of you to know that even as we celebrate over the next couple of days — and feel free to stay up as late as you want. Tomorrow is not a school night. Make sure to bundle up — although it won’t be as cold as it was four years ago. (Laughter.) Make sure you know that what we’re celebrating is not the election or swearing-in of a President; What we’re doing is celebrating each other, and celebrating this incredible nation that we call home. (Applause.)

And after we celebrate, let’s make sure to work as hard as we can to pass on an America that is worthy not only of our past but also of our future. (Applause.)

God bless you guys. I love you. We’ll see you tomorrow. (Applause.)

END
9:02 P.M. EST

Source: FULL ARTICLE at The White House Press Office

News, Politics, Government

Young Reporters Ask All the Right Questions About Helping Military Families

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By Hannah August

Michelle Obama and Jill Biden with kid reporters, Jan. 18, 2013

First Lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden are interviewed by young reporters during a kids magazine roundtable in the First Lady’s Office in the East Wing of the White House, Jan. 18, 2013.

(Official White House Photo by Sonya Hebert)

Yesterday, the First Lady and Dr. Biden sat down with four exceptional young reporters from kids’ magazines to talk about their initiative to support military families, Joining Forces. The reporters – from Highlights, National Geographic Kids, Scholastic and TIME for Kids – asked some great questions about the initiative and how kids can help!

Some of the takeaways?

  • Mrs. Obama and Dr. Biden talked about how they encourage all Americans to look for ways to honor and support military families, and Dr. Biden said when her son Beau was deployed their church put his name in the bulletin to pray for him, people brought meals over, and someone shoveled her daughter-in-law’s driveway during a snowstorm.
  • Asked about advice for a military child who moves a lot, Dr. Biden encouraged them to get involved in sports teams and school activities. And as a teacher herself, she talked about how teachers can get involved to reach out to military kids. For example, Dr. Biden’s granddaughters’ teacher put a picture of her dad’s unit outside of her classroom so the entire class would know Beau was deployed.
  • Mrs. Obama encouraged all the kids’ magazines’ readers to think “what can I do?” for a new kid in school – especially a new military kid.

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Source: FULL ARTICLE at The White House

News, Politics, Government

4 enlisted troops picked for inaugural ball dance

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An Air Force medical technician who served in Afghanistan has been chosen to dance with President Barack Obama at an inaugural ball Monday night.

Staff Sgt. Bria Nelson is one of four enlisted men and women announced Friday as dance partners for the president, first lady, vice president and his wife at the Commander in Chief’s Ball.

President George W. Bush was the first to host the ball to honor U.S. troops and began the tradition of taking a brief spin with one of the military guests. Obama did so as well at his first inauguration, and this year is doubling the size of the Commander in Chief’s Ball to about 4,000 guests, most of them enlistees.

The four chosen to dance each are stationed in the Washington area after serving in the wars in Iraq or Afghanistan. A board of senior enlisted leaders picked them from more than 50 candidates nominated by military leaders, based on criteria including combat experience and volunteer efforts.

Nelson, an Indianapolis native, currently is serving at Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling in Washington.

First lady Michelle Obama‘s partner is Marine Gunnery Sgt. Timothy Easterling, a native of Barnwell, S.C., who is assigned to the Marine Barracks in Washington. He is an expert in chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear defense who helped plan for the Obama‘s first inauguration and each of his State of the Union addresses.

Army Staff Sgt. Keesha Dentino has been chosen to dance with Vice President Joe Biden. The Homestead, Fla., native is a military police officer who currently serves in Fort Myer, Va., as a patrol explosives detection dog handler.

Jill Biden‘s partner is Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class Patrick Figueroa, a Fort Worth, Texas, native who enlisted as a hospital corpsman. Figueroa is assigned to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Md.

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Source: FULL ARTICLE at Fox US News