Category: Jul2014

On background from a White House Official: This morning, the President will participate in a town hall with 500 exceptional young people who participated in the inaugural Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders, an initiative he announced in 2013 as part of the Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI). President Obama first launched YALI in 2010…

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, President Barack Obama announced his intent to nominate the following individual to a key Administration post: ·         Rabbi David Nathan Saperstein – Ambassador at Large for International Religious Freedom, Department of State President Obama said, “I am grateful that Rabbi Saperstein has chosen to dedicate his talent to serving the American…

The President today declared a major disaster exists in the State of Nebraska 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 the period of June 1-4, 2014. Federal funding is available to state and eligible local governments and certain…

President Obama spoke today with Prime Minister Cameron of the United Kingdom, President Hollande of France, Chancellor Merkel of Germany, and Prime Minister Renzi of Italy.  The five leaders discussed next steps concerning the crisis in Ukraine, efforts to achieve a ceasefire in Gaza, and also the situations in Iraq and Libya.  On Ukraine, the…

President Barack Obama today announced the designation of a Presidential Delegation to the Kingdom of Belgium to attend the World War I Centennial Commemoration in Liege on August 4, 2014. The Honorable John M. McHugh, Secretary of the Army, will lead the delegation. Members of the Presidential Delegation: The Honorable Denise Campbell Bauer, U.S. Ambassador…

NOMINATIONS SENT TO THE SENATE: Thomas Frieden, of New York, to be Representative of the United States on the Executive Board of the World Health Organization, vice Nils Maarten Parin Daulaire, resigned. Perry L. Holloway, of South Carolina, a Career Member of the Senior Foreign Service, Class of Minister-Counselor, to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary…

The President today declared a major disaster exists in the State of South Dakota and ordered federal aid to supplement state, local, and tribal recovery efforts in the area affected by severe storms, tornadoes, and flooding during the period of June 13-20, 2014. Federal funding is available to state and eligible tribal and local governments…

Vice President Joe Biden spoke today with Ukrainian Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk about Ukraine’s economic reforms, the situation in the east, the investigation into the MH-17 tragedy, and U.S. bilateral assistance to Ukraine. Prime Minister Yatsenyuk underscored Ukraine’s commitment to advancing economic reforms in keeping with its IMF agreement. The two leaders discussed Russia’s continued support for…

Omni Shoreham Hotel Washington, D.C. 11:10 A.M. EDT THE PRESIDENT:  Hello, everybody!  (Applause.)  Hello, everybody.  Thank you.  (Applause.) Thank you so much.  Everybody, please have a seat.  Have a seat.  We’re just getting started here.  Well, hello, everybody.  (Applause.)  Welcome to Washington.  I know most of you are visiting our country for the first time. …

East Room 3:18 P.M. EDT THE PRESIDENT:  Hello, everybody.  (Applause.)  Hello!  Hey!  Thank you so much.  Thank you.  Thank you, everybody.  Please have a seat. Well, welcome to the White House.  It has been 200 years since Dolley Madison saved the portrait of George Washington that hangs in this room from an advancing British army. …