Category: 2012

It was with sadness that I learned of the passing of Prime Minister Meles Zenawi of Ethiopia.  Prime Minister Meles deserves recognition for his lifelong contribution to Ethiopia’s development, particularly his unyielding commitment to Ethiopia’s poor.  I met with Prime Minister Meles at the G-8 Summit in May and recall my personal admiration for his…

From working tirelessly to improve volunteer support to his leadership in reforming and modernizing the agency, Aaron has been a champion of the thousands of remarkable Peace Corps Volunteers serving across the globe.  I know the positive change that Peace Corps Volunteers make, and under Aaron’s leadership the agency’s work has been at the forefront…

Capital University Columbus, Ohio 1:00 P.M. EDT THE PRESIDENT:  Hello, Ohio!  (Applause.)  Hello, Crusaders!  (Applause.)  Oh, it is good to be back in Columbus!  (Applause.)  The sun came out for us.  (Applause.)  It’s a good sign. It is fun to be back in Ohio, and it is great to be here.  I just want to…

Truckee Meadows Community College Reno, Nevada 4:44 P.M. PDT THE PRESIDENT: Hello, Reno! (Applause.) Hello, hello! It is good to be back in Nevada! (Applause.) Well, listen, first of all, can everybody give Alejandra a huge round of applause? (Applause.) She did a great job. We’re very proud of her. She was outstanding. I also…

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, as part of his We Can’t Wait initiative, President Obama announced that four nationally and regionally significant surface transportation projects will be expedited to put Americans to work replacing aging infrastructure and improving the reliability and resiliency of critical highway, transit and rail systems in Maine, North Dakota, Oregon and Washington…

The President today declared a major disaster exists in the State of Ohio and ordered Federal aid to supplement state and local recovery efforts in the area affected by severe storms and straight-line winds during the period of June 29 to July 2, 2012. Federal funding is available to state and eligible local governments and…

The United States welcomes today’s convening of Somalia’s New Federal Parliament. This marks an important milestone in completing the Roadmap to End the Somali Transition. We commend the people of Somalia for their hard work and unwavering commitment to a better future, and urge those remaining Somali communities that have not yet nominated their members…

East Room 12:12 P.M. EDT THE PRESIDENT:  It looks spectacular!  Hello, everybody. AUDIENCE:  Hello! THE PRESIDENT:  Have a seat.  Everybody have a seat.  Now, I heard that there was a state dinner going on here — and usually I get invited to the state dinners.  (Laughter.)  So this time I just had to crash —…

East Room 11:49 A.M. EDT MRS. OBAMA:  Well, that was really sweet, it really was.  Marshall, we’re so proud of you.  We’re so very proud of you and your mom, who actually has some serious guns going on, too.  (Laughter.)  People talk about my arms, but I felt them.  They’re not — (laughter) — she’s…

James S. Brady Press Briefing Room 1:27 P.M. EDT THE PRESIDENT:  Hello, everybody. MR. CARNEY:  Looks like there’s a surprise guest here. THE PRESIDENT:  Jay tells me that you guys have been missing me.  (Laughter.)  So I thought I’d come by and just say hello. Before I take some questions, let me just mention, since…