Category: June 2012

President Obama called King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia today to offer his personal condolences, and those of the American people, on the death of Crown Prince Nayif bin Abd al-Aziz Al Saud. The President expressed his appreciation for Crown Prince Nayif’s many contributions over decades of service, particularly his leadership in building the strong counterterrorism…

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, President Barack Obama announced his intent to nominate the following individuals to key Administration posts: David “Mas” Masumoto – Member, National Council on the Arts Polly Trottenberg – Under Secretary for Policy, Department of Transportation President Obama said, “Our nation will be greatly served by the talent and expertise these individuals…

NOMINATIONS SENT TO THE SENATE: David Masumoto, of California, to be a Member of the National Council on the Arts for a term expiring September 3, 2018, vice Stephen W. Porter, term expiring. Polly Ellen Trottenberg, of Maryland, to be Under Secretary of Transportation for Policy, vice Roy W. Kienitz. WITHDRAWAL SENT TO THE SENATE:…

Convention Center Los Cabos, Mexico 5:47 P.M. MDT PRESIDENT OBAMA:  I want to begin by thanking my good friend and partner, President Calderon, and the people of Los Cabos and Mexico for their outstanding hospitality and leadership.  Mexico is the first Latin American country to host a G20 summit, and this has been another example…

Arapahoe High School Centennial, Colorado 10:29 A.M. MDT MRS. OBAMA:  Wow!  (Applause.)  You know, this feels like four more years, right?  (Applause.)  Thank you so much.  I can’t tell you how proud and thrilled I am to be here today. Before I get started, on behalf of myself and my husband, I just want to…

Creative Arts Center Pueblo, Colorado 1:52 P.M. MDT MRS. OBAMA:  Wow!  (Applause.)  Yeah, Pueblo!  Wow!  (Applause.)  Thank you all.  Thank you so much.  (Applause.)  Oh, my goodness.  This is awesome.  Oh, let me tell you, this is amazing.  Look back.  Just look at you all.  This is good stuff.  (Applause.)  I am beyond thrilled.  We…

President Barack Obama today announced the designation of a Presidential Delegation to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to offer condolences to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Abdullah bin Abd al-Aziz Al Saud, on the passing of HRH Nayif bin Abd al-Aziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Deputy Premier and Minister of Interior.…

WITHDRAWAL SENT TO THE SENATE: Brett H. McGurk, of Connecticut, to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Republic of Iraq, which was sent to the Senate on March 27, 2012

President Obama and Prime Minister Harper today welcomed the announcement by the nine Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) countries to incorporate Canada into the TPP negotiations.  The current TPP countries are Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Chile, Malaysia, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore, the United States and Vietnam. The TPP countries are seeking to conclude a high-ambition, next-generation regional agreement…

On this day in 1865, two years after President Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation, word finally reached the people of Galveston, Texas that the Civil War was over.  All enslaved men, women and children were now free. Though it would take decades of struggle and collective effort before African Americans were granted equal treatment and…