Category: Mar2013

Today marks the 25th anniversary of the horrific massacre by Saddam Hussein’s regime of over 5,000 innocent civilians in a chemical weapons attack on the city of Halabja, in Iraq’s Kurdistan Region. At least 10,000 people were blinded and maimed. This terrible crime was but one of many in Hussein’s Anfal Campaign, in which tens…

The President congratulates the Israeli people, Prime Minister Netanyahu, and the new members of the Prime Minister’s governing coalition on the successful formation of Israel’s new government.  President Obama looks forward to working closely with the Prime Minister and the new government to address the many challenges we face and advance our shared interest in…

THE PRESIDENT:  Hello, everybody!  (Applause.)  Hello, Illinois!  Hello!  It is good to be home!  (Applause.) Well, let me begin by thanking Ann for the great introduction, the great work she’s doing, the leadership she’s showing with her team on so many different, amazing technological breakthroughs.  I want to thank Dr. Isaacs and Dr. Crabtree for…

President Barack Obama today announced the designation of a Presidential Delegation to attend the Inauguration Mass celebrating the Pontificate of His Holiness Pope Francis, which will take place on March 19, 2013. The Honorable Joseph R. Biden Jr., Vice President of the United States, will lead the delegation. Members of the Presidential Delegation: The Honorable…

The United States is on the path to a cleaner and more secure energy future. Since President Obama took office, responsible oil and gas production has increased each year, while oil imports have fallen to a 20 year low; renewable electricity generation from wind, solar, and geothermal sources has doubled; And our emissions of the…

The President called Chinese President Xi Jinping today to congratulate him on his new position and to discuss the future of the U.S.-China relationship. The President underscored his firm commitment to increasing practical cooperation to address Asia’s and the world’s most pressing economic and security challenges. Both leaders agreed on the value of regular high-level…

I thank the Senate for taking another step forward in our common effort to help reduce gun violence by advancing a bill that would reinstate and strengthen a ban on the sale of military-style assault weapons and set a 10-round limit for magazines.  These weapons of war, when combined with high-capacity magazines, have one purpose:…

MRS. OBAMA:  Good morning.  (Applause.)  Thank you so much. I want to start by thanking Mike for that very kind introduction and for everything that he and Walmart are doing to support our troops, our veterans and the health of our families.  I also want to thank Jim McNerney as well as Governor John Engler…

THE PRESIDENT:  Hello, everybody.  (Applause.)  Hello, hello.  Thank you.  Everybody have a seat. Well, it’s good to see all of you.  I missed you.  (Laughter.)  Let me first of all thank Jim and Jon for organizing this.  I want to thank all of you.  I’ve got a bunch of friends in this room, people who…

WASHINGTON, DC – Vice President Joe Biden and Attorney General Eric Holder today announced grants to twelve programs across the country to target the urgent need to reduce domestic violence homicides.  On average, three women a day die as a result of domestic violence.   Research shows that women whose partner threatens them with a…