Category: June 2011

On Monday, the Government of Sudan and the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) signed an agreement in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, to reduce tensions in Abyei and allow UN peacekeepers from Ethiopia into the region.   I commend the parties for taking this step forward toward peace, and I urge them now to build on that progress…

President Barack Obama today announced the designation of a Presidential Delegation to Athens, Greece to attend the Special Olympics World Summer Games. The Honorable Dr. Jill Biden will lead the delegation. Members of the Presidential Delegation: The Honorable Daniel B. Smith, U.S. Ambassador to the Hellenic Republic, Department of State The Honorable Ann Stock, Assistant…

On June 22, 1999, the Supreme Court ruled in Olmstead v. L.C. that, under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the unjustified institutional isolation of people with disabilities was a form of unlawful discrimination.  Since taking office, the Obama Administration has taken many steps to uphold both the letter and the spirit of the ADA.…

WASHINGTON–On Wednesday, June 29, President Obama will welcome the WNBA Champion Seattle Storm, to the White House to honor the team’s 2010 championship season.  In conjunction with this event, members of the team will participate in a service project with local area youth during their visit.  This visit will also continue the tradition begun by…

NOMINATIONS SENT TO THE SENATE: Brian T. Baenig, of the District of Columbia, to be an Assistant Secretary of Agriculture, vice Krysta Harden. Margaret Bartley, of Maryland, to be a Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims for the term of fifteen years, vice a new position created by Public Law…

The President met today with two young activists from Tunisia and Egypt who have personal connections to the historic events that have forever altered the trajectory of the region: Jamel Bettaieb, a young Tunisian blogger, teacher, and labor union activist from the town where Mohammed Bouazizi lit himself on fire, and Zahraa Said, the sister…

Vice President Biden met today with Iraqi Council of Representatives Speaker Osama al-Nujaifi. The Vice President praised the Speaker’s stewardship of Iraq’s legislature and offered continued support for the development of Iraq’s democratic institutions, including a national partnership government. The Vice President also thanked the Speaker for his work to secure approval for a $400…

THE PRESIDENT:  Good evening.  Nearly 10 years ago, America suffered the worst attack on our shores since Pearl Harbor.  This mass murder was planned by Osama bin Laden and his al Qaeda network in Afghanistan, and signaled a new threat to our security — one in which the targets were no longer soldiers on a…

Earlier this afternoon, President Obama called Ollanta Humala, President-elect of Peru, to congratulate him on his victory in the June 5 election.   President Obama commended the people of Peru for their commitment to democracy.  Noting the strong historic ties between the United States and Peru, the President underscored his interest in strengthening our bilateral partnership…

WASHINGTON – Today, President Barack Obama announced his intent to nominate the following individuals to key Administration posts: Brian T. Baenig, Assistant Secretary for Congressional Relations, Department of Agriculture Meg Bartley, Judge, United States Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims Mary Beth Leonard, Ambassador to the Republic of Mali, Department of State Gloria Wilson Shelton,…