Category: October 2011

National Security Advisor Tom Donilon hosted Iraqi National Security Advisor Falah al-Fayyadh at the White House today.  They held discussions to follow up on the productive Secure Video Teleconference last week between President Obama and Prime Minister Maliki.  The two national security advisors reaffirmed the common vision of a broad, deep strategic partnership between the…

THE PRESIDENT: Hello, hello, hello! (Applause.) Thank you so much. (Applause.) Viva Italia! (Applause.) Thank you very much, everybody. Thank you. Thank you so much. (Applause.) Thank you, Nancy, for that generous introduction. I am biased, but I think Nancy was one of the best Speakers of the House this country ever had. (Applause.) She…

The full text of the op-ed by President Barack Obama is printed below. The piece, published in today’s Financial Times, can be read online HERE. A firewall to stop Europe’s crisis spreading By Barack Obama When leaders of the largest economies meet next week in France, our citizens will be watching for the same sense…

I congratulate King Abdullah and the Saudi people on the selection of Prince Nayif bin Abd al-Aziz Al Saud as Crown Prince and Deputy Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Crown Prince Nayif has served his nation with dedication and distinction for more than 35 years as Minister of Interior, and as Second…

WASHINGTON, DC — Today, the Obama Administration announced it is taking two important steps to help U.S businesses create jobs and strengthen their competitiveness in a global economy.  Through two Presidential Memoranda issued today, the Obama Administration will take steps to speed up the transfer of federal research and development from the laboratory to the…

President Obama will host Prime Minister Stephen Harper of Canada and President Felipe Calderon of Mexico for the North American Leaders’ Summit in Honolulu, Hawaii on November 13, 2011. The meeting will build on wide-ranging, on-going cooperation among the United States, Canada, and Mexico with a particular focus on competitiveness, citizen security, energy and climate…

The U.S. District Court’s approval of the settlement between the Department of Agriculture (USDA) and plaintiffs in the Pigford II class action lawsuit is another important step forward in addressing an unfortunate chapter in USDA’s civil rights history. This agreement will provide overdue relief and justice to African American farmers, and bring us closer to…

The President today declared a major disaster exists in the State of Louisiana and ordered Federal aid to supplement state and local recovery efforts in the area affected by Tropical Storm Lee during the period of September 1-5, 2011. Federal funding is available to state and eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations on…

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, President Barack Obama announced his intent to appoint the following individuals to key Administration posts: Joseph D. Gutman – Member, United States Holocaust Memorial Council Roman Kent – Member, United States Holocaust Memorial Council Howard D. Unger  – Member, United States Holocaust Memorial Council Clemantine Wamariya  – Member, United States Holocaust…

We welcome the important decisions made last night by the European Union which lay a critical foundation for a comprehensive solution to the Eurozone crisis. We look forward to the full development and rapid implementation of their plan. We will continue to support the EU and our European allies in their efforts to address this crisis as…