Category: July 2012

Executive Order Establishes the White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for African Americans On Wednesday, during his remarks at the National Urban League conference in New Orleans, LA, President Obama announced he would sign an Executive Order today to improve outcomes and advance educational opportunities for African Americans. The President has made providing a complete…

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, President Barack Obama announced his intent to nominate the following individuals to key Administration posts: • Eric J. Jolly – Member, National Museum and Library Services Board • Susana Torruella Leval – Member, National Museum and Library Services Board The President also announced his intent to appoint the following individuals to key Administration…

Private Residence Hunts Point, WA 8:24 P.M. PDT THE PRESIDENT:  Thank you, everybody.  (Applause.)  Thank you.  Thank you so much.  Everybody, have a seat.  It is great to be back in the Pacific Northwest.  And I couldn’t ask for somebody I admire more to introduce me than Jim Sinegal.  And for him and Jan, they…

House of Blues New Orleans, Louisiana 5:49 P.M. CDT THE PRESIDENT:  How’s it going, Big Easy?  It is good to be in New Orleans.  Now, I’ve got to admit I was thinking about just blowing everything off and going and getting something to eat.  (Laughter.) AUDIENCE MEMBER:  Where we going? THE PRESIDENT:  Say where we’re…

Ernest N. Morial Convention Center New Orleans, Louisiana 7:00 P.M. CDT THE PRESIDENT:  Hello, Urban League!  (Applause.)  Thank you.  It is good to be with the Urban League.  (Applause.)  And it’s good to be in the Big Easy.  (Applause.) Now, I don’t know if the fact that this is called the Morial Convention Center had…

National Association of Social Workers urges 650,000 professional social workers to gain education and training on mental and behavioral health, health, economic, and social challenges facing nation’s veterans and military families WASHINGTON, D.C.—Dr. Jill Biden will join the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) on Wednesday, July 25, 2012 at their national practice conference, Restoring…

We condemn the arrest of nearly 50 pro-democracy activists by the Cuban government during funeral ceremonies for Oswaldo Paya this week.  Some of those arrested were reportedly beaten at the time of their detention.  The fact that this occurred while hundreds of people gathered peacefully to commemorate the life of one of Cuba’s foremost human…

National Security Advisor Tom Donilon held constructive, detailed, and wide ranging discussions with senior Chinese officials during his visit to Beijing July 23-25.  Mr. Donilon met with President Hu Jintao, Vice President Xi Jinping, Vice Premier Wang Qishan, State Councilor Dai Bingguo, and Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi.  He also had a productive discussion with Vice…

John Brennan, Assistant to the President for Homeland Security and Counterterrorism, visited Israel on July 25 to consult with senior Israeli officials about a range of shared security concerns, including the recent wave of terrorist plots against Israeli and other interests.  He also had a productive meeting with Palestinian Authority Prime Minister Fayyad in Jerusalem.

NOMINATION SENT TO THE SENATE: Ranee Ramaswamy, of Minnesota, to be a Member of the National Council on the Arts for a term expiring September 3, 2018, vice Miguel Campaneria, term expiring.