Category: Oct2014

Today, First Lady Michelle Obama announced two commencement challenges via video as part of her Reach Higher initiative.  Schools choosing to participate in the challenges will create video submissions to capture their efforts to make attending and completing college a reality for all students.  Finalists could have the opportunity to hear from the First Lady…

Michelle and I were saddened to hear of the passing of Tom Menino. Bold, big-hearted, and Boston strong, Tom was the embodiment of the city he loved and led for more than two decades.  As Boston’s longest-serving mayor, Tom helped make his hometown the vibrant, welcoming, world-class place it is today.  His legacy lives on…

Vice President Joe Biden spoke today with Ukrainian Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk to congratulate the people of Ukraine on holding successful, orderly, democratic elections despite continuing disruptions of law and order by Russian proxies in the eastern part of the country and Russia’s refusal to allow voting in Crimea. The two leaders also discussed the latest…

Vice President Joe Biden spoke today with United Kingdom Prime Minister David Cameron to discuss the political talks in Northern Ireland as well as global challenges such as Ebola and the fight against ISIL in Iraq and Syria.  The Vice President commended the United Kingdom for organizing All-Party Talks amongst the parties in the Northern…

National Security Advisor Susan E. Rice hosted Israeli National Security Advisor Yossi Cohen and senior Israeli and U.S. officials today at the White House for the semi-annual meeting of the U.S.-Israel Consultative Group.  These ongoing constructive and intensive meetings cover a range of bilateral and regional security issues. The delegations discussed pressing issues, including ongoing…

Today, the Council of Economic Advisers released a report, Women’s Participation in Education and the Workforce, and fact sheet with Eleven Facts about American Families and Work, that highlight the top economic trends facing working families today, and how the administration’s policies would help ensure our long-term economic growth, maintain our economic competitiveness, improve the…

President Obama spoke by phone with President Thein Sein of Burma to discuss his upcoming travel to Burma for the East Asia Summit and U.S.-ASEAN Summit. President Obama and President Thein Sein discussed the status of Burma’s ongoing political and economic reforms. The President stressed the importance of the government of Burma taking additional steps…

President Obama spoke by phone with Aung San Suu Kyi of Burma.  President Obama and Aung San Suu Kyi discussed the status of Burma’s ongoing political and economic reforms and the need to ensure an inclusive and credible process for conducting the 2015 elections.  The President and Aung San Suu Kyi also discussed how the…

The President today declared a major disaster exists in the State of Missouri and ordered federal aid to supplement state and local recovery efforts in the area affected by severe storms, tornadoes, straight-line winds, and flooding during September 9-10, 2014. Federal funding is available to state and eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations…

National Security Advisor Susan E. Rice hosted International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Yukiya Amano at the White House today.  Ambassador Rice reaffirmed the United States’ commitment to the IAEA and the important missions it undertakes in furtherance of international security and promoting the peaceful uses of nuclear energy.  She conveyed the President’s appreciation…