Category: May 2012

President Obama has invited African Leaders to join Leaders at the G-8 Summit at Camp David on May 19 for a discussion session on accelerating progress towards food security in Africa.  The African Leaders who have been invited to participate in the Summit are: Chairperson of the African Union and President of Benin Yayi Boni…

On this World Press Freedom Day, the United States honors the role of a free press in creating sustainable democracies and prosperous societies. We pay special tribute to those journalists who have sacrificed their lives, freedom or personal well-being in pursuit of truth and justice. Over sixty years after the Universal Declaration of Human Rights…

Rose Garden 5:12 P.M. EDT   THE PRESIDENT: Hola, hola! (Applause.) Gracias y bienvenidos. I am honored to welcome you to Cinco de Mayo at the White House. (Applause.) Even though it’s only tres de Mayo. We just like to get the fiesta started early around here. (Laughter.) It is a pleasure to be joined…

President Obama called Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel today from Air Force One to express his personal condolences on the death of his father, Benzion Netanyahu.  In the call the President noted Benzion Netanyahu’s remarkable legacy of service to the Jewish people and deep friendship with the United States.

Today, Secretary Solis will join Mayor Nutter at Philadelphia’s City Hall to announce that the Administration has secured additional commitments from 95 companies and non-profits, three cities, two federal agencies and the White House to provide 110,000 new summer jobs and other employment opportunities for low-income and disconnected youth this year as part of the…

National Security Advisor Tom Donilon will travel to Moscow May 3-4 to meet with senior officials in order to review key issues in our bilateral and international agenda as well as to consult on upcoming U.S. – Russian high-level engagement.

TEXT OF A LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT TO THE SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES AND THE PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE May 1, 2012 Dear Mr. Speaker: (Dear Mr. President:) Pursuant to the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.) (IEEPA), I hereby report that I have issued an Executive Order (the…

The Springs Preserve Las Vegas, Nevada 9:29 A.M. PDT MRS. OBAMA:  Oh, wow, thank you so much.  (Applause.)  Thank you all.  And it smells so good in here.  (Laughter.)  You all, please, rest yourselves.  It is truly a pleasure and an honor to be here with all of you.  I want to start by thanking…

The Springs Preserve Las Vegas, Nevada 10:31 A.M. PDT MRS. OBAMA:  Yes!  Yes!  Yes, we can!  Yes, we can!  (Applause.)  You all, oh, this feels so good.  Thank you all so much.  (Applause.)  I am beyond thrilled to be here with all of you today.  Oh, my goodness. AUDIENCE MEMBER:  We’re happy to have you! …

As Prepared for Delivery – “Already, nearly half the Afghan people live in places where Afghan Security Forces are moving into the lead. This month, at a NATO Summit in Chicago, our coalition will set a goal for Afghan forces to be in the lead for combat operations across the country next year. International troops…