Category: December 2011

Michelle and I send our warmest wishes to all those celebrating Hanukkah around the world. This Hanukkah season we remember the powerful story of a band of believers who rose up and freed their people, only to discover that the oil left in their desecrated temple – which should have been enough for only one…

On Tuesday, December 20, 2011, the President signed into law: H.R. 470, the “Hoover Power Allocation Act of 2011,” which extends and amends the statutory allocation of hydroelectric power generated by the Hoover Dam, Nevada; and H.R. 2061, the “Civilian Service Recognition Act of 2011,” which authorizes the presentation of a United States flag on…

President Obama spoke with Spanish President-elect Mariano Rajoy today to congratulate him on his election and to underscore U.S. support for his economic reform agenda. The two leaders agreed on the vitality of the alliance between our two countries, which cooperate closely on a full range of issues on our shared global agenda. The President…

The Vice President today spoke on the phone with Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki and separately with Iraqi Council of Representatives Speaker Osama al-Nujaifi to discuss the current political climate in Baghdad. The Vice President told both leaders that the United States is monitoring events in Iraq closely.  He emphasized the United States’ commitment to…

At midnight tonight, President Obama spoke with Republic of Korea President Lee Myung-bak to discuss the situation on the Korean Peninsula following the death of Kim Jong Il. The President reaffirmed the United States’ strong commitment to the stability of the Korean Peninsula and the security of our close ally, the Republic of Korea. The…

“The goal is as simple as it is profound: to empower half the world’s population as equal partners in preventing conflict and building peace in countries threatened and affected by war, violence and insecurity. Achieving this goal is critical to our national and global security.” –The U.S. National Action Plan on Women, Peace, and Security…

On behalf of the American people, I wish to express my deep condolences for the tremendous loss of life and devastation caused by recent flooding in the Philippines.  In the spirit of our long history of friendship and cooperation with the Philippines, the United States stands ready to assist the Philippine people and government should…

The United States National Action Plan on Women, Peace, and Security can be viewed HERE.

President Obama called Tunisia’s interim Prime Minister Hamadi Jebali today to congratulate him on his appointment and to underscore America’s strong support for Tunisia’s democratic transition.  The President and the Prime Minister discussed the importance of continued progress on meeting the democratic aspirations of all Tunisians.  The President praised Tunisia for its inclusive transition, which…

On Monday, December 19, 2011, the President signed into law: S. 535, the “Fort Pulaski National Monument Lease Authorization Act,” which authorizes the Department of the Interior to lease certain lands and improvements within the Fort Pulaski National Monument to the Savannah Bar Pilots Association; S. 683, the “Box Elder Utah Land Conveyance Act,” which…