Category: May2013

THE PRESIDENT:  Good morning, everybody.  As we all know by now, a series of storms swept across the Plains yesterday, and one of the most destructive tornadoes in history sliced through the towns of Newcastle and Moore, Oklahoma.  In an instant, neighborhoods were destroyed.  Dozens of people lost their lives. Many more were injured.  And…

President Obama and President Sleiman spoke by phone today to discuss their shared commitment to preserving Lebanon’s stability, sovereignty, and security, particularly in relation to the ongoing conflict in Syria.  President Obama expressed his appreciation to President Sleiman and the Lebanese people for keeping Lebanon’s borders open and hosting refugees from Syria, and pledged continued…

NOMINATION SENT TO THE SENATE: Jon M. Holladay, of Virginia, to be Chief Financial Officer, Department of Agriculture, vice Evan J. Segal.

President Obama and the First Lady look forward to traveling to Senegal, South Africa, and Tanzania from June 26 – July 3.  The President will reinforce the importance that the United States places on our deep and growing ties with countries in sub-Saharan Africa, including through expanding economic growth, investment, and trade; strengthening democratic institutions;…

President Obama will meet with President Xi Jinping of the People’s Republic of China on June 7-8 in California, at Sunnylands, the Walter and Leonore Annenberg Estate.  This will be President Obama’s first meeting with Xi Jinping since he became China’s President.  President Obama and President Xi will hold in depth discussions on a wide…

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, President Barack Obama announced he will award a posthumous Presidential Medal of Freedom to Dr. Sally Ride, the first American female astronaut to travel to space.  The Medal of Freedom is the Nation’s highest civilian honor, presented to individuals who have made especially meritorious contributions to the security or national interests…

This evening the President spoke with Oklahoma Governor Mary Fallin to express his concern for those who have been affected by the severe weather beginning last night and continuing today. While information is still coming in, the President made clear that his Administration, through FEMA, stands ready to provide all available assistance as the Governor’s…

This evening the President spoke with Oklahoma Governor Mary Fallin to express his concern for those who have been affected by the severe weather beginning last night and continuing today. While information is still coming in, the President made clear that his Administration, through FEMA, stands ready to provide all available assistance as the Governor’s…

President Obama spoke by phone today with Prime Minister Letta of Italy to congratulate him on his new office and to reaffirm the deep and enduring bonds that the United States and Italy share.  The President expressed support for Prime Minister Letta’s focus on reducing youth unemployment and looked forward to further discussions about promoting…

The President today declared a major disaster exists in the State of Oklahoma and ordered Federal aid to supplement state and local recovery efforts in the area affected by severe storms and tornadoes beginning on May 18, 2013, and continuing. The President’s action makes federal funding available to affected individuals in the counties of Cleveland,…