Category: August 2011

My thoughts and prayers go out to the families and loved ones of the Americans who were lost earlier today in Afghanistan. Their deaths are a reminder of the extraordinary sacrifices made by the men and women of our military and their families, including all who have served in Afghanistan. We will draw inspiration from…

THE PRESIDENT:  Well, thank you very much, everybody.  Good morning.  I’m glad somebody told me that was the last one because I had lost count.  (Laughter.) It is great to be here at the Navy Yard.  And first of all, I want to thank Admiral Mullen for being here and for his four decades of…

Today, President Obama will visit the Washington Navy Yard and discuss his plans to ensure that all of America’s veterans have the support they need and deserve when they leave the military, look for a job and enter the civilian workforce. This latest commitment to servicemembers and veterans will provide a comprehensive plan to lower…

I’m pleased that Congress has passed an agreement which will allow tens of thousands of people to return to their jobs rebuilding runways and working on construction projects all over America, while removing the uncertainty hanging over the jobs of thousands of hardworking FAA employees. This impasse was an unnecessary strain on local economies across…

H.R. 2553, the “Airport and Airway Extension Act of 2011, Part IV,” which extends through September 16, 2011, authorities to collect taxes that fund the Airport and Airway Trust Fund, make expenditures from the Airport and Airway Trust Fund, and make grants to airports under the Airport Improvement Program and limits eligibility for the Transportation…

The President spoke with French President Nicolas Sarkozy and, separately, with German Chancellor Angela Merkel this afternoon about the latest developments in the eurozone crisis.  Noting the significant steps taken at the July 21 summit of leaders of the euro area and the importance of their implementation, the President welcomed the continued leadership of President…

On August 15-17, President Obama will travel to the Midwest on a three-day bus tour. As part of the bus tour, on August 16th, the President and members of his Cabinet will host the White House Rural Economic Forum at Northeast Iowa Community College in Peosta, Iowa. The Forum will bring together small business owners,…

THE PRESIDENT:  Hello, everybody!  Hello, hello, hello!  Thank you.  Thank you.  Everybody have a seat, have a seat, have a seat. Well, if you guys are taking off your jackets, I’m going to take mine off too.  (Laughter.)  It’s too hot.  It is too hot. Well, it is wonderful to see all of you.  (Mayor…

THE PRESIDENT:  Hey, guys.  How are you?  I am beaming in from Chicago.  We’re having a little birthday celebration in my hometown.  But I just want to say thank you to all of you.  I can’t think of a better group of folks to spend my birthday with. You may hear the El train in…

WASHINGTON – Today, President Obama announced his intent to appoint the following individuals to key Administration posts: Maria Lombardo –  Chairman, Board of Trustees of the Christopher Columbus Fellowship Foundation William Sisk – Member, Committee for Purchase from People Who are Blind or Severely Disabled Steven L. VanRoekel – Federal Chief Information Officer and Administrator,…