CATEGORY: June 2011
Statement From the President on Sudan
On Monday, the Government of Sudan and the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) signed an agreement in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, to reduce tensions in Abyei and allow UN peacekeepers from Ethiopia into the region. I commend the parties for taking this step forward toward peace, and I urge them now to build on that progress and agree to an immediate cease fire in Southern Kordofan. ... [Read more]
President Obama Announces the Designation of a Presidential Delegation to Athens, Greece to Attend the Special Olympics World Summer Games
President Barack Obama today announced the designation of a Presidential Delegation to Athens, Greece to attend the Special Olympics World Summer Games. The Honorable Dr. Jill Biden will lead the delegation. Members of the Presidential Delegation: The Honorable Daniel B. Smith, U.S. Ambassador to the Hellenic Republic, Department of State The Honorable Ann Stock, Assistant Secretary for Educational... [Read more]
On Anniversary of Olmstead, Obama Administration Recommits to Assist Americans with Disabilities
On June 22, 1999, the Supreme Court ruled in Olmstead v. L.C. that, under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the unjustified institutional isolation of people with disabilities was a form of unlawful discrimination. Since taking office, the Obama Administration has taken many steps to uphold both the letter and the spirit of the ADA. “The landmark Olmstead case affirmed the rights... [Read more]
President Obama to Honor WNBA Champion Seattle Storm at the White House
WASHINGTON–On Wednesday, June 29, President Obama will welcome the WNBA Champion Seattle Storm, to the White House to honor the team’s 2010 championship season. In conjunction with this event, members of the team will participate in a service project with local area youth during their visit. This visit will also continue the tradition begun by President Obama of honoring sports... [Read more]
Presidential Nominations Sent to the Senate
NOMINATIONS SENT TO THE SENATE: Brian T. Baenig, of the District of Columbia, to be an Assistant Secretary of Agriculture, vice Krysta Harden. Margaret Bartley, of Maryland, to be a Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims for the term of fifteen years, vice a new position created by Public Law 110-389, approved October 10, 2008. Mary Beth Leonard, of Massachusetts, a Career... [Read more]
Readout of the President’s Meeting with the National Endowment for Democracy’s 2011 Democracy Award Recipients
The President met today with two young activists from Tunisia and Egypt who have personal connections to the historic events that have forever altered the trajectory of the region: Jamel Bettaieb, a young Tunisian blogger, teacher, and labor union activist from the town where Mohammed Bouazizi lit himself on fire, and Zahraa Said, the sister of Khalid Said, a young Egyptian businessman whose killing,... [Read more]
Readout of Vice President Biden’s Meeting with Iraqi Council of Representatives Speaker Osama al-Nujaifi
Vice President Biden met today with Iraqi Council of Representatives Speaker Osama al-Nujaifi. The Vice President praised the Speaker’s stewardship of Iraq’s legislature and offered continued support for the development of Iraq’s democratic institutions, including a national partnership government. The Vice President also thanked the Speaker for his work to secure approval for a $400 million... [Read more]
Remarks by the President on the Way Forward in Afghanistan
THE PRESIDENT: Good evening. Nearly 10 years ago, America suffered the worst attack on our shores since Pearl Harbor. This mass murder was planned by Osama bin Laden and his al Qaeda network in Afghanistan, and signaled a new threat to our security — one in which the targets were no longer soldiers on a battlefield, but innocent men, women and children going about their daily lives. In... [Read more]
Readout of the President’s Call with President-elect Humala of Peru
Earlier this afternoon, President Obama called Ollanta Humala, President-elect of Peru, to congratulate him on his victory in the June 5 election. President Obama commended the people of Peru for their commitment to democracy. Noting the strong historic ties between the United States and Peru, the President underscored his interest in strengthening our bilateral partnership to continue work... [Read more]
President Obama Announces More Key Administration Posts
WASHINGTON – Today, President Barack Obama announced his intent to nominate the following individuals to key Administration posts: Brian T. Baenig, Assistant Secretary for Congressional Relations, Department of Agriculture Meg Bartley, Judge, United States Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims Mary Beth Leonard, Ambassador to the Republic of Mali, Department of State Gloria Wilson Shelton,... [Read more]
