Category: Aug2013

President Obama and Attorney General Holder met this afternoon with a group of mayors from around the country to discuss strategies to reduce youth violence. The President reiterated that government alone can never fill the void that causes a child to turn to violence, but that we all have a responsibility to do our part…

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, the President’s Commission on White House Fellowships announced the appointment of the 2013-2014 Class of White House Fellows. The Fellows come from diverse backgrounds, varied professions, and have all shown a strong commitment to public service and leadership. The 2013-2014 Class of Fellows and their biographies are included in the following…

Today the State Department announced that the President’s Special Envoy for North Korean Human Rights Issues, Ambassador Robert King, will be adding a stop in North Korea to his current travels in the region.  We remain deeply concerned about the health and welfare of Kenneth Bae, the American citizen currently detained in North Korea.  We…

On August 9, President Obama called for a high-level group of experts to review our intelligence and communications technologies.  Today the President met with the members of this group: Richard Clarke, Michael Morell, Geoffrey Stone, Cass Sunstein and Peter Swire. These individuals bring to the task immense experience in national security, intelligence, oversight, privacy and…

The President and Prime Minister Cameron spoke today as part of their ongoing consultations about Syria.  The two leaders discussed possible responses by the international community to the indiscriminate use of chemical weapons on August 21 and agreed to stay in close consultation in the coming days.

South Court Auditorium 4:24 P.M. EDT MRS. OBAMA:  Hello, everyone.  (Applause.)  Thank you so much.  It’s good to have you all here.  Rest yourselves. Let me start by thanking Bonnie, not just for that very kind introduction, but for all the work that she and her crew and her family put into making this important…

South Court Auditorium 4:24 P.M. EDT MRS. OBAMA:  Hello, everyone.  (Applause.)  Thank you so much.  It’s good to have you all here.  Rest yourselves. Let me start by thanking Bonnie, not just for that very kind introduction, but for all the work that she and her crew and her family put into making this important…

Yesterday, President Obama called Governor Jerry Brown to receive an update on the fires in California, including the Rim fire that is impacting families, communities, and businesses, as well as Yosemite National Park.  The President expressed his gratitude for the brave men and women working tirelessly to combat this devastating fire. The President reiterated his…

This morning, the President met with African-American faith leaders to discuss the 50th Anniversary of the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom and how civil rights and equality are closely tied to voting rights and closing the gap on education, unemployment, and access to health care.  The faith leaders from major African-American church denominations…

James S. Brady Press Briefing Room 3:40 P.M. EDT MR. CARNEY:  Good afternoon, everyone.  Thank you for being here.  Thank you for your patience today.  As you know, we rescheduled this briefing so that it would come after Secretary Kerry was able to make the statement he made about Syria.  But again, I thank you…