Let’s Move!, First Lady Michelle Obama‘s initiative to raise a healthier generation of kids, is thrilled to announce the Second Healthy Lunchtime Challenge & Kids’ State Dinner — a nationwide recipe challenge just for kids.
We invite parents or guardians and their kids, ages 8-12, to create and submit an original lunch recipe that includes fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, or low-fat dairy foods. The creators of the winning recipes will have a chance to come to the White House for their very own Kids’ State Dinner.
Call to Governors: On Monday, President Obama and Vice President Bidendelivered remarks to the National Governor Association. The President drew attention to the importance of infrastructure and education, while praising the group for their great work and accomplishments across America. The President also urged the governors to push Congress to end the harmful and automatic budget cuts known as the sequester, set to take effect March 1.
“As governors, you’re the ones who are on the ground, seeing firsthand every single day what works, what doesn’t work, and that’s what makes you so indispensable,” he said. “Whatever your party, you ran for office to do everything that you could to make our folks’ lives better.”
First Lady Michelle Obama participates in a “Let’s Move! Active Schools” event with athletes and students at McCormick Place in Chicago, Ill., Feb. 28, 2013. The First Lady called on leaders to support schools’ efforts to ensure all kids get the physical activity they need to stay healthy and succeed in school. (Official White House Photo by Lawrence Jackson)
According to First Lady Michelle Obama, Thursday was “a groundbreaking, earth-shattering, awesomely-inspiring day.” That’s because Mrs. Obama was in Chicago to announce the launch Let’s Move Active Schools, an unprecedented effort to bring physical education back to America’s schools.
The problem is severe — we are raising the most sedentary generation in history. Only six states require P.E. in all grades, and only one in three kids is physically active on a daily basis. In addition to the health risks associated with an inactive lifestyle, including diabetes and obesity, physical activity has been shown to lower anxiety and stress, and fight depression. In addition, physically active kids do better in school, with studies showing that physical activity enhances important skills, like concentration and problem solving, which have been shown to improve academic performance.
Let’s Move! Active Schools is designed to address these challenges by spurring innovative solutions and offering customized support every step of the way. It empowers schools to find free or low-cost ways to incorporate movement before, during, and after the school day. And thanks to funding and other resources being provided by NIKE, Inc., the GENYOUth Foundation, ChildObesity180, Kaiser Permanente, and the General Mills Foundation, schools can connect to grant opportunities, online resources, personal assistance, and hands-on professional development. The President’s Council on Fitness, Sports & Nutrition (PCFSN) the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation & Dance (AAHPERD) and the Alliance for a Healthier Generation are the managing organizations guiding the development and implementation of the program.
Ed. note: This op-ed by First Lady Michelle Obama was first published by the Wall Street Journal
For years, America’s childhood obesity crisis was viewed as an insurmountable problem, one that was too complicated and too entrenched to ever really solve. According to the conventional wisdom, healthy food simply didn’t sell—the demand wasn’t there and higher profits were found elsewhere—so it just wasn’t worth the investment.
But thanks to businesses across the country, today we are proving the conventional wisdom wrong. Every day, great American companies are achieving greater and greater success by creating and selling healthy products. In doing so, they are showing that what’s good for kids and good for family budgets can also be good for business.
Take the example of Wal-Mart. In just the past two years, the company reports that it has cut the costs to its consumers of fruits and vegetables by $2.3 billion and reduced the amount of sugar in its products by 10%. Wal-Mart has also opened 86 new stores in underserved communities and launched a labeling program that helps customers spot healthy items on the shelf. And today, the company is not only seeing increased sales of fresh produce, but also building better relationships with its customers and stronger connections to the communities it serves.
This week, the First Lady brought ‘Let’s Move!’ to the Summer Olympics, the President signed both the US-Israel Enhanced Security bill and HEARTH act, hosted twelve new Ambassadors to the United States, and met with inspirational groups of young people, both the PECASE science and engineering early career award winners and the 98 boys and 98 girls of the 2012 American Legion Auxiliary. That’s July 27th to August 2nd or “98 & 98.” More
A little Olympic funWe can’t all compete in the Olympicsthis summer, but in just a few days we can all experience some of the fun of the games in our own communities.On Saturday, July 28, we’re launching a Let’s Move! Olympic Fun Day Meetup. In cities and towns all across America, family, friends, and neighbors will come together to participate in Olympic-inspired games and activities. And we want you to join the festivities:
July 28 is the first day of competition for the Olympians in London. One month later, on August 29, the Paralympic Games begin. While Team USA is getting ready to take on the world, you can show your support for our athletes — not just by cheering them on, but by living up to the example they set.
And if you’re participating in the Olympic Fun Day, we want to know about it. Share your photos and updates using the hashtag #LetsMoveDay. We’ll highlight activities happening across the country on LetsMove.gov, Twitter, and Facebook.
Posted by Dan Pfeiffer on October
12, 2011 at 12:30 PM EDT
Last night, Republicans blocked the American Jobs Act. That’s right –
not a single member of the Republican Party voted for a bill that independent
economists estimate would put up to 1.9 million Americans back to work next
year.
They blocked a piece of legislation filled with ideas that they have
supported in the past that would keep teachers in the classroom, police officers
on the beat, and put construction workers back on the job rebuilding our roads
and bridges. The next step now is for Congress to take up each individual piece
of the American Jobs Act. Will they oppose each of these common-sense measures
that will get the American people back to work and put money in the pockets of
middle class families?
Take a look at the front page of the Cincinnati
Enquirer. With so many Americans out of work and so many families
struggling, we can’t take “no” for an answer. It’s time for Congress to meet
their responsibility, put their party politics aside and take action on jobs
right now.
First Lady Michelle Obama leads a group of 400 local children on the South
Lawn of the White House to help break the Guinness World Records title for the
most people doing jumping jacks in a 24-hour period, Oct. 11, 2011. (Official
White House Photo by Chuck Kennedy)
Yesterday, something special happened. People around the world joined
together towards the same goal: to set a Guinness World Record® for the most
people doing jumping jacks in a 24-hour period. The challenge was to have more
than 20,000 people from around the world do jumping jacks for one minute.
Joined by National Geographic
Kids Magazine, First Lady Michelle Obama had the chance to launch the effort
to break the record from the South Lawn of the White House:
I get to do a lot of cool things, but this is really exciting. I never
thought in my entire life that I would be here today to break a Guinness World
Record. Woohoo! And I’m here doing it with all of you and that makes it even
more fun, because the whole country — the world is going to see just how much
fun we can have not just breaking a world record but also doing some exercise,
right? Because that’s one of my big things. “Let’s Move” is about kids eating
healthy and moving and staying active, so you all are ready for life and for all
the challenges that you’re going to face.
And what we’re going to show people today is that moving is fun, right? You
can do it just dancing around in your backyard. You can get moving if you’re
walking your dog. Or you can get moving doing some jumping jacks, right? There
are so many ways to keep moving.
Posted by Secretary Ken Salazar
on October 12, 2011 at 9:00 AM EDT
As a 12th generation native of the American Southwest, my roots in
this country stretch back before the Pilgrims landed at Plymouth Rock or before
America declared its independence. Like many other American Latinos today, I
learned about my heritage firsthand through the cuentos, or stories,
passed down by my parents and grandparents.
From the heroic service of my father and mother during World War II to my
brother’s tireless work alongside César Chavez, the tales of my family’s past
have always been a great source of identity and pride for me. It is a pride I
carry with me every day, and it is a pride I will one day share with my
granddaughter.
Every family has stories like these – stories that provide a deeper
understanding of where we are from and what we have done to make this country
what it is today. It is time that these stories, like those of my parents and
brother, are shared beyond our families and reflected in our national
narrative.
Posted by Colleen Curtis on October 11, 2011 at 10:45
PM EDT
Tamara Washington hopes Congress passes the American Jobs Act. Provisions
included in that bill that will affect the long-term unemployed “allowed me to
start back on the ladder, which I am still climbing.” The single mom from
Torrance, California thinks others should be afforded the support she had when
she needed help. (by)
Tamara Washington is a single mother whose main priority in life is taking
care of her 3 year old son, Amir. Washington, who lives in in Torrance,
California hopes Congress passes the American Jobs Act, because there
are provisions in that bill that can change people’s lives. Washington knows
that from experience, because she benefitted from one of the programs that will
be extended if the American Jobs
Act is passed.
Washington lost her job at Hunter Douglas early in the economic crisis, and
she struggled mightily to find another. “I could be homeless right now. I can
never forget the experience – I was at a bad place. When you are out there
trying to find jobs, you’re not sitting at home, you are out there looking and
no one is hiring. My unemployment was running out, my son was an infant and I
was afraid I was going to lose my home.”
Fortunately for Washington, she received a “blessing” in the form of
subsidized employment in the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)
Emergency Contingency Fund, which enabled her to obtain a job and support her
son. “It allowed me to start back on the ladder, which I am still climbing.”
Through her TANF job, Washington learned all new skills in visual technology
and sales. “I started out at a lower rate, but what I learned enabled me to get
another job somewhere else and I got a lot more money. The program funded my
training and gave me the experience to get the job I have now and I can take
care of my son.”
Washington says the American Jobs
Act will help many families in her area which was hit hard by the economic
crisis. “A lot of people lost their businesses and then people lost their jobs,
and if you are not making any money you can’t take care of your daily needs.
Families have been displaced from their homes after losing their jobs, they are
not able to take care of their children. With no source of income they are not
able to be productive.”
And most of all, Washington says the Jobs Act is important for our
nation’s children. “Teachers should be the last to be laid off, they are
teaching our children, who are our future. You have to start somewhere and with
no education, you start from nowhere.”
Posted by Nikki Sutton on October 11, 2011 at 10:00 PM
EDT
Every day, President Obama reads
ten letters from the public in order to stay in tune with America’s issues
and concerns. One recent one came from Alice Johnson of Oregon who, along with
her husband, has been looking for a job for about two years. Last week,
President Obama described Johnson’s letter in his Weekly
Address:
She writes, “I have faithfully applied for work every week…Of the hundreds of
applications I have put in, I received interview requests for about 10…I too, am
sick of all the fighting in Washington DC. Please tell the Republicans that
people are hurting and are hungry and need help, pass the jobs bill.” Alice
Johnson needs our help.
After working hard her whole life and playing by the rules, Johnson is one of
the millions of Americans who have been affected by the recession through no
fault of their own. “I’m an honest, loyal, dependable person who has always
worked,” Johnson said. She knows there are many others going through the same
experience.
The American Jobs Act will help
create job opportunities for people like Johnson by providing a $4,000 tax
credit to employers for hiring long-term unemployed workers. The Jobs Act will also prohibit
employers from discriminating against unemployed workers when hiring.
Posted by Ari Matusiak on October
11, 2011 at 9:00 PM EDT
Jamail Larkins, the President and CEO of Ascension Aircraft, hopes Congress
passes the American Jobs Act so he can grow his business. “The ability to reduce
our payroll taxes will allow us to hire more people by stretching our limited
capital.”
Jamail Larkins wants Congress to pass the American Jobs Act so he can
reduce his payroll expenses and put more people to work. “The Jobs Act is critically important to
small firms like mine. One of our biggest expenses is payroll, and the ability
to reduce our payroll taxes will allow us to hire more people by stretching our
limited capital.”
Larkins, 27, is the President and CEO of Ascension Aircraft, an airplane
sales and leasing company in Augusta, Georgia that he founded in 2006. This
entrepreneur’s love of flying began the first time he piloted a plane — at the
age of twelve. He continued taking lessons, but his decision to volunteer to
wash planes at his local airport helped him establish relationships with pilots
and more quickly gain confidence in his flying abilities. Eventually Larkins
petitioned the Federal Aviation Administration to allow him to fly solo before
his 16th birthday. Though his exemption was denied, he was undeterred
and traveled to Canada, where the minimum age to fly solo was fourteen. That
year, Larkins became one of the youngest American pilots to solo a powered
aircraft in Canada. “I was fortunate that I discovered my calling in life at a
young age. Flying a small aircraft is a very unique experience. It’s
challenging, it’s exciting, always changing, and it allows you to see the world
from a completely different perspective.”
Posted by Nikki Sutton on October 11, 2011 at 8:02 PM
EDT
Iraq veteran Joe Kidd said one of the hardest parts of coming home was
finding a job. After two deployments in Iraq, the first in 2007 and again in
2009, Kidd was appointed to the emergency room at Camp Lejeune and later became
the Leading Petty Officer, managing about forty people. Yet, like many
veterans, Kidd found it was difficult for potential employers to understand his
experience, making finding a job outside of the service a challenge.
“I had forty people underneath me and then I got out in April, you know
thinking, hey some of this should transfer, but no nothing really transferred.
That’s pretty much been the hardest thing, knowing that nothing
transfers….employers don’t understand military jobs”
Last month when Kidd heard President Obama introduce the American Jobs Act from the First
Lady’s box at a joint session of Congress, he was heartened to hear that it
included a call for ensuring we have a career-ready
military. Both sides of Congress stood in support as President Obama spoke
about our national obligation to help veterans find jobs:
Pass this jobs bill, and companies will get extra tax credits if they hire
America’s veterans. We ask these men and women to leave their careers, leave
their families, risk their lives to fight for our country. The last thing they
should have to do is fight for a job when they come home.
The American Jobs Act includes
tax credits to encourage businesses to hire unemployed veterans and that makes
sense to Kidd. “Hiring a veteran is one of the most patriotic things you can
do,” Kidd said. And with the American
Jobs Act there is an added incentive.
Businesses that hire veterans who have been unemployed six months or longer
would receive a tax credit up to $5,600, and that credit rises to $9,600 for
veterans who also have service-connected disabilities. That is why President
Obama is urging Congress to pass the Jobs Act right away.
Posted by Colleen Curtis on October 11, 2011 at 6:55
PM EDT
President Obama today attended a meeting of his Council
on Jobs and Competitiveness, where he heard recommendations from the group
on how to get the economy moving and create more jobs. The advisory council,
which includes leaders from business, labor and academia, was created by the
President earlier this year to provide diverse perspectives and ideas on how to
create jobs and strengthen our competitiveness.
The third quarterly meeting of the Council today in Pittsburgh was focused
on a report that team presented to the President that offered five major
initiatives to increase employment while improving competitiveness:
Measures to accelerate investment into job-rich projects in infrastructure
and energy development
A comprehensive drive to ignite entrepreneurship and accelerate the number
and scale of young, small businesses and high-growth firms that produce an
outsized share of America’s new jobs
A national investment initiative to boost jobs-creating inward investment in
the United States, both from global firms headquartered elsewhere and from
multinational corporations headquartered here
Ideas to simplify regulatory review and streamline project approvals to
accelerate jobs and growth;
Steps to ensure America has the talent in place to fill existing job
openings as well as to boost future job creation.
The President called the report “outstanding” and highlighted some of the
Council’s recommendations that have already been acted upon, including the
announcement today of 14 high-priority infrastructure projects which the
permitting process has been significantly expedited through administrative
action. He also discussed the American Jobs Act, which offers
solutions to the infrastructure issues the Council raised and has provisions in
place to accelerate job creation as well as tax breaks that will enable small
companies grow more quickly:
The good news is — and it’s reflected in your Jobs Council report — there’s
just a bunch of stuff that we can do right now that not only helps the economy
immediately but puts us on a more stable path over the long term. And most of
it should not be controversial. The good news is, is that our problems are
imminently solvable and does not necessarily fall into the classic ideological
divisions between left and right, conservative, liberal, but are just smart
things to do to respond to a historic challenge that we face as a country.
The bad news is that there is a big gap between sensible solutions and what
either the political process seems to be willing to act on and also, I think,
people’s perceptions, which are clouded by news reports that would make it seem
as if there is nothing we can do and that we’re automatically on a downward
decline.
And so I think what the Job Council has been invaluable in providing is a
road map for the American people — not comprehensive, this is just a piece of
the puzzle, but pointing to examples of where, if we do some smart things now,
we can have a lot better outcomes in the future. And that can help to build
back a sense of confidence — or a sense of confidence about our ability to meet
these challenges.
Posted by Ari Matusiak on October
11, 2011 at 6:45 PM EDT
Wendy Jameson and Scott Grimshaw are the founders of ColnaTec, a “greentech”
manufacturing business in Arizona
Wendy Jameson, the co-founder of ColnaTec in Gilbert, Arizona says
that the American Jobs Act will
enable her company to “concentrate on what we do best – putting Americans and
American innovation to work. Every dollar saved by the American Jobs Act is one more
dollar we can spend on innovation. This changes the growth trajectory of our
company, creating opportunities at every turn. In these difficult times, with
most Americans worried about what tomorrow holds, who wouldn’t want that?”
Jameson and Scott Grimshaw’s “green tech” manufacturing business lives up to
its founders’ motto: “fear mediocrity.” Since its launch in October 2009,
ColnaTec has become one of the world’s only firms that makes the electronic
sensors needed to manufacture thin film solar cells and display screens used in
devices such as cell phones. The holder of numerous patents, ColnaTec has
received two research grants from the Department of Energy for a new
self-cleaning sensor, which will not only be more accurate than existing models,
but also capable of clearing off the coating that forms on them, which leads to
sensor failure – a process Grimshaw has said will work like a “self-cleaning
oven.”
The co-founders, who met on Twitter, say “can’t” is a word they don’t believe
in. Jameson, who has 25 years experience in sales, marketing and business
strategy is the CEO, and Grimshaw, the founder of two other high tech
manufacturing businesses, is the chief technology officer. Their business
(which is named after Jameson’s sons, Colton and Nathan) is self-funded, and the
owners say their aim is to develop manufacturing products that haven’t existed
before – designing those products for long life and the highest accuracy and
efficiency possible.
ColnaTec’s efforts are paying off: They’ve doubled their staff and plan to
double their office space in early 2012. They’re determined to perfect their
technology so that manufacturers have full control over their production
process. “We literally see no limit to what we can do,” Grimshaw says.
Posted by Ari Matusiak on October
11, 2011 at 4:45 PM EDT
Jane Iredale’s cosmetics company has 160 employees and is based in Great
Barrington, Massachusetts.
Jane Iredale says that the American Jobs Act “will make a
significant difference to my company and our family of 160 employees. By cutting
my employees’ payroll taxes in half, they will be able to use the extra money
for help with mortgages, rents, fuel bills and college tuitions. Happy employees
are productive employees. Cutting my company’s payroll taxes in half will allow
me to put those gains back into the company to aid with growth. We will also be
able to continue hiring because of the elimination of payroll taxes for new
hires and wage increases up to $50 million.”
But the payroll tax holidays are not the only provision of the President’s plan to immediately put
workers back on the job and put more money in the pockets of working
Americans that will benefit Iredale’s cosmetics company, the 100% depreciation
deduction for qualifying investment will also help her bottom line. “We are
currently renovating a building that will become our global headquarters. By
extending the deductions for the purchasing of new equipment and machinery, we
will be able to outfit the building in a timely fashion.”
Posted by Nikki Sutton on October 11, 2011 at 4:22 PM
EDT
Last month, President Obama introduced the American Jobs Act, a plan to to put
more people back to work and put more money in the pockets of working Americans,
to a special joint
session of Congress. Marlena Clark from Maryland watched the President’s
address from the First
Lady’s box as a guest of Dr. Jill Biden. When asked what she thought of the
President’s plan, Clark said, “passing the jobs bill is just common sense.”
A couple years ago, Clark was working multiple minimum wage jobs, including
cleaning houses, to put herself through school so she would have a chance at a
brighter future. The first person in her family to go to college, she attended
her local community college where she was involved in a mentoring program
focused on retaining women in IT careers and had an internship at a local IT
company. Now a graduate of Anne Arundel Community College (AACC), Clark is
working as a full-time systems engineer at the company where she interned,
supporting the sales team and customers with networking solutions.
Clark plans to continue her education and get a bachelor’s degree and she
knows the American Jobs Act
would help her reach her goal. The Jobs Act, which will cut payroll
taxes in half next year for 160 million workers, will make her goal more
affordable: The typical American family will take home an additional $1,500 in
2012 if this tax cut is approved.
Clark explained why she believes it is so important to pass the American Jobs Act, “the same
struggles I went through are what so many other Americans are going
through…all of us are going to benefit from it. I hope they go ahead and pass
this jobs bill because people need jobs now.”
Posted by Ari Matusiak on October
11, 2011 at 12:07 PM EDT
Phillip Maung, the founder and CEO of Hissho Sushi arrived in the U.S in 1989
with $13 in his pocket. Today his company operates more than 400 sushi bars
across the country.
Philip Maung, founder and CEO of Hissho Sushi, believes that Congress should
pass the American Jobs Act so
that small businesses like his can fast track their growth. “The American Jobs Act has provisions
that will motivate small businesses owners like me to expand in an environment
in which we have been forced to put some hiring decisions on hold for quite some
time. Hopefully, with these incentives, small businesses will get back on track
and our company, along with many other companies, can continue in our role of
being the driving engine behind job growth.”
Maung arrived in this Los Angeles from Burma in 1989 with $13 in his
pocket. He had a dream of making something of himself and wanted to make his
family proud. In 1998, Maung and his wife started Hissho Sushi in their dining
room. What began as a tiny company providing fresh sushi to supermarkets and
cafes has evolved into a dynamic foodservice and distribution enterprise,
headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina. Hissho Sushi now employs more than
200 people and trains sushi chefs, distributes sushi ingredients throughout the
United States and operates more than 400 sushi bars across the country.
Hissho Sushi’s vision is to educate and promote a healthier lifestyle through
nutritious sushi products. In spite of the current economic challenges, Maung
says, “The fact that we have been able to grow in a difficult economic
environment is a testament to our corporate culture and the dedication of our
employees and chefs. In addition, we would not exist today were it not for our
retail markets and their loyal partnerships and, of course, the many thousands
of people who enjoy eating Hissho Sushi every day.”
Posted by Colleen Curtis on October 11, 2011 at 11:00
AM EDT
Sabrina Mangrum works hard as a student teacher in Maryland, and even harder
at home, where she and her husband are raising six children, aged two-25.
Sabrina and Dannie, who has been a corrections officer for 17 years, are hoping
Congress passes the American Jobs
Act, because the extra money in every paycheck will enable them to put
something aside for their children’ educations.
Education is extremely important to the Mangrum family, who are in the
process of adopting the three children they have been fostering through Lutheran
Social Services of the National Capital Area. “All of my heart and mind are
focused on giving them a better life,” says Sabrina Mangrum. The extra money is
not about luxuries in this family, but the chance to have something left over,
some money to spend taking the children to museums and to places where they can
expand their worldview.
“We are teaching our children the difference between wants and needs,” she
said. The payroll tax holiday that is central to President Obama’s plan to put workers back on the job
and put more money in the pockets of working Americans would offer a cushion to
the Mangrum family. “Now it’s all hustle and bustle to make ends meet, we would
be able to more easily enjoy life with additional funds – bring home, do what’s
necessary and have some left over.”
But that is not the only provision of the American Jobs Act that will benefit
this family. The Mangrum’s oldest son is a 25-year-old college graduate who is
living on his own in Philadelphia and has not been able to find a full time job
in his chosen field. “He is maintaining but not where he wants to be,” says his
mother. She hopes that the hiring incentives in the American Jobs Act will open
up doors for her ambitious son, and believes the opportunity will be very
beneficial for him.
Something exciting is happening today on the South Lawn of the White House.
In partnership with National Geographic
Kids Magazine, First Lady Michelle Obama will launch a challenge to help
break the Guinness World Records® title for the most people doing jumping jacks
in a 24-hour period.
You can watch the jumping jacks kick-off live beginning at 2:00 p.m. EDT at WhiteHouse.gov/Live.
Posted by Jeff Zients on October
11, 2011 at 9:56 AM EDT
Today, as President Obama meets with his Council on Jobs and Competitiveness
in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, the Administration is announcing the selection
of 14 infrastructure projects around the country that will be expedited
through permitting and environmental review processes. This is an important next
step in the Administration’s efforts to improve the efficiency of federal
reviews needed to help job-creating infrastructure projects move as quickly as
possible from the drawing board to completion. And it’s just one example of the
President’s commitment to cutting red tape to help create jobs – the lessons we
learn from expediting these projects will help us reform and improve the
permitting and review process in the future.
Today’s announcement comes as a result of the Presidential
Memorandum President Obama issued in late August at the recommendation of
the Council on Jobs and Competitiveness.Through the Presidential Memorandum, the
President directed agencies to expedite environmental reviews and permit
decisions for a selection of high priority infrastructure projects that will
create a significant number of jobs, have already identified necessary funding,
and where the significant steps remaining before construction are within the
control and jurisdiction of the federal government and can be completed within
18 months. The projects the agencies chose represent diverse sectors of the
economy and combined will support the creation of tens of thousands of
jobs.
Improving the federal government’s permitting and environmental review
process is one of several areas where the Administration has made strides
implementing the Jobs Council’s recommendations and promoting job growth. From
helping small businesses grow, to bolstering travel and tourism to the U.S., to
cutting through regulatory red tape, the Administration has aggressively
promoted job growth in line with the Jobs Council recommendations. For example,
by accelerating payments from federal agencies to small business government
contractors, we’re getting money into the hands of small businesses faster so
they can reinvest that money in the economy and drive job growth. We are also
streamlining existing regulations, with a priority on implementing changes that
benefit small businesses and spur job growth.
As the President’s Council on Jobs and Competitiveness has highlighted,
improving the efficiency and effectiveness of federal permit decisions and
environmental reviews is one critical step the federal government can take to
accelerate job creation. While many of these review processes are not under the
control of the federal government — state, local, and tribal governments are
partners in the effort, as well — the Obama Administration is committed to
reforming the federal permitting and environmental review process to ensure that
it runs as efficiently as possible while continuing to protect the health and
safety of all Americans, and to preserve opportunities for public participation
in federal decision-making. That’s why starting at the end of November, the
public will also be able to track the progress of projects under review through
one central web page. Stay tuned for more news about that in the near
future.
In addition to unveiling the projects selected for expedited review today,
the Administration will also instruct agencies throughout the executive branch
to gather comprehensive information regarding their reviews of infrastructure
projects, and the best practices they have developed. The Administration will
use that information to develop recommendations to further improve the
efficiency, effectiveness, transparency and accountability of Federal permitting
and environmental review, without compromising our responsibility to protect
safety, public health, and the environment, through measures such as adopting
sector-specific guidelines for timely reviews of permitting applications;
encouraging early engagement with stakeholders; coordinating federal reviews
with those of state, local and tribal regulatory agencies; and instituting
greater oversight of the overall process.
Posted by Ari Matusiak on October
11, 2011 at 7:00 AM EDT
SustainU’s Chris Yura, center, with workers Carolina Cut ‘ N Sew in Mt.
Gilead, NC, where his line of environmentally-friendly apparel for colleges and
universities is produced.
The payroll tax holiday on all new hires and wage increases that is part of
the American Jobs Act will help
Chris Yura of SustainU and his
manufacturing partners in West Virginia, North Carolina and Tennessee “free up
much needed capital to continue growing in our community and in other areas of
the country as we look to expand.”
Yura is especially drawn to the tax credits for hiring the long-term
unemployed and for hiring service-disabled veterans that are provision of the American Jobs Act. “The growth and
potential of our business lies solely in our American contracted
manufacturers. Giving our partners in manufacturing the ability to rehire
skilled workers increases our productivity and will change the global scope of
apparel manufacturing. We have the people that want and need jobs; we need to
invest in them.”
When Yura was a fullback for Notre Dame, he wore his Fighting Irish uniform
with great pride. Yura recognized the power of the school’s signature apparel by
the excitement generated in the stands when they took the field, and saw “The
Shirt” bring people together even far from the college stadium. After
graduating in 2003, Yura spent five years modeling in New York City where he
became particularly interested in the sustainable fashion movement and was
frustrated to learn about the misleading character of the “green” clothing
movement.
Posted by Colleen Curtis on October 11, 2011 at 6:00
AM EDT
President Barack Obama meets Kimberly Russell before delivering remarks on
the American Jobs Act at Eastfield College in Mesquite, Texas, Oct. 4, 2011.
(Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)
Kimberly Russell was laid off in May of this year. She was teaching Social
Studies and Economics at Lincoln High School in Dallas, both standard and AP
classes. Unbeknownst to Russell, her position was being paid by federal
stimulus funding and the funding was exhausted. Like many other educators,
Russell has a family. She is a single mother of a 10 year old son, and she
prides herself on being a homeowner. Now that she is unemployed, Russell is
struggling to keep that dream of homeownership alive. Russell is hoping that
Congress will pass the American Jobs
Act to help teachers get back to work soon. She misses her students and
wants to get back in the classroom.
Russell introduced President Obama last week at
an event in Mesquite, Texas where he toured a pre-school before talking
about the impact the American Jobs
Act will have on schools, and on teachers, across the country. He told the
crowd there that the stakes for addressing this situation are high, with
“nothing less than our ability to compete in this 21st century economy” at risk.
And Russell points out additional long term consequences of taking teachers
like her out of the classroom. “My school is in one of the worst socio-economic
districts in Texas. It takes a different kind of person to build a rapport with
those kids, it is a hard school to staff. And my heart fills when I think of
those kids, and then it breaks when I remember that I was trying to show those
children that they could change their situation through education, they could
get out and do something. This makes me look like a hypocrite – look, she’s got
an education and she lost her job anyway. I hope they still value the lessons I
tried to drive home to them.”
First Lady Michelle Obama and White House Chefs join children from Bancroft
and Tubman Elementary Schools to harvest vegetables during the third annual
White House kitchen garden fall harvest Oct. 5, 2011. Mrs. Obama planted the
White House kitchen garden to help connect kids with the food they eat – an
essential component of her Let’s Move! initiative. (Official White House Photo
by Chuck Kennedy)
Today, First Lady Michelle Obama was joined by a big group of helpers for the
third annual White House kitchen garden fall
harvest. Students from Bancroft and Tubman Elementary Schools got their
hands dirty picking produce from the garden and then had a chance to try some of
the vegetables that they picked on grilled garden pizza.
White House Executive Chef Cristeta Comerford shared the recipe for grilled
garden pizza:
Last week the Department of Defense released a statement reminding Service
members and Veterans that the deadline for Retroactive Stop
Loss Payments (RSLP) is fast approaching. This is not an automatic
entitlement, benefit or allowance. Eligible Service members and Veterans must
file a claim by October 21, 2011 to receive this benefit.The 2009 War Supplemental Appropriations Act authorizes Retroactive Stop Loss
Special Pay of $500 per month for each month or any portion of a month during
the period specified that the current or former Soldier, Marine, Sailor,
and Airman was retained
on active duty as a result of of Stop Loss. The act applies to service members
Stop Lossed during the period starting 11 September 2001 and ending 30 September
2009.
Posted by Vicki Seyfert-Margolis
on October 5, 2011 at 12:09 PM EDT
On the interstate, when traffic suddenly slows, often you come across the
obvious cause of the jam: a fender bender, construction, a breakdown. But in
trying to understand why the country’s pharmaceutical, biotech and medical
device sectors seem to be facing a slowdown in terms of innovation, there is no
single cause.
It’s likely that this slowdown is due to a combination of many factors. And
while these industries have fared better than others, it is critical for the
health and well being of every American that they not just survive, but thrive.
Today the FDA is an agency that works with industry to ensure that a wide
array of products that improve the lives of millions of Americans are safe and
effective. We do that well, and I am personally proud of that.
But we have also been listening closely to companies, patients, doctors and
advocacy groups about ways we can help America remain the leader in biomedical
innovation. The FDA’s suggestion box is never closed. And, as you can imagine,
never empty.
Posted by Secretary Ray LaHood on
October 5, 2011 at 11:18 AM EDT
Ed. Note: Cross-posted from Fast
Lane, the blog of the Secretary of Transportation.
Earlier this week, President Obama called on Congress to recognize the needs
of unemployed Americans by taking up the American Jobs Act this month.
I was reminded of http://fastlane.dot.gov/2011/09/railjobs.html” target=”_blank”>my trip to
St. Paul, MN, where I saw the progress being made on the Central Corridor
Light Rail Line, which will connect St. Paul and Minneapolis. That project is
expected to create 3,300 jobs – and that doesn’t even include the local
businesses that will benefit from being located near the line’s 18 new
stations.
Posted by Colleen Curtis on October 4, 2011 at 6:58
PM EDT
President Barack Obama tours the Lab School at Eastfield College in Mesquite,
Texas, Oct. 4, 2011. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)
The White House today released a report that outlines the devastating impact
the recession has had on schools and students across the country. Teacher
Jobs at Risk highlights the significant cuts in education spending that have
resulted from state budget shortfalls since 2008, including the loss of nearly
300,000 teaching jobs across the country (see chart below).
And in the coming school year, without additional support, many school
districts will have to make another round of difficult decisions. As a result of
state and local funding cuts, as many as 280,000 teacher jobs could be at risk.
Unless they receive federal assistance, many school districts will be forced to
reduce the number of teachers in their classrooms, or turn to other measures
such as shortening the school year or cutting spending on schoolbooks and
supplies.
President Obama, speaking
today in Texas, compared the situation here with South Korea, where their
President said they can’t hire teachers fast enough:
“They call them “nation builders” — that’s what they call teachers in Korea,
“nation builders,” because they know that educating their children is the best
way to make sure their economy is growing, make sure that good jobs are locating
there, making sure they’ve got the scientists and the engineers and the
technicians who can build things and ship them all around the world. That’s what
he understands. And the whole country supports him. Here in America, we’re
laying off teachers in droves. It makes no sense. It has to stop. It has to
stop.”
The President was at Eastfield Community College, in Mesquite, Texas where he
toured a pre-school before talking about the impact the American Jobs Act will have on
schools, and on teachers, across the country. He told the crowd there that the
stakes for addressing this situation are high, with “nothing less than our
ability to compete in this 21st century economy” at risk.
This is why one of the central components of the American Jobs Act, which the
President introduced last month at a Joint Session of Congress, is funding to
avoid and reverse teacher layoffs now, and to provide support for the re-hiring
and hiring of educators.
Specifically, the American Jobs
Act will invest $30 billion to support state and local efforts to retain,
rehire, and hire early childhood, elementary, and secondary educators. If
enacted, these teacher stabilization funds would help prevent layoffs and
support the hiring or re-hiring of nearly 400,000 educators, includ¬ing
teachers, guidance counselors, classroom assistants, afterschool personnel,
tutors, and literacy and math coaches. These funds will ensure that schools are
able to keep teachers in the classroom, preserve or extend the regular school
day and school year, and maintain important afterschool activities.
Posted by Ambassador Ron Kirk on
October 4, 2011 at 5:45 PM EDT
Every day, President Obama is fighting to put more Americans back to work.
That’s why he proposed the American
Jobs Act – a package of bipartisan, common sense measures designed to help
U.S. businesses grow and create jobs – which Congress should pass right
away.
Yesterday, the President took another step to help create and preserve U.S.
jobs when he sent Congress three trade agreements,with Korea, Colombia,
and Panama. President
Obama is calling on Congress to pass the trade agreements and at the same time
to renew Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) that helps workers whose jobs are
affected by global competition. All four of these items are important elements
of the President’s balanced trade agenda to open markets for U.S. exporters and
keep faith with workers here at home.
Together, these agreements are estimated to increase U.S. GDP by more than
$12 billion and support tens of thousands of additional American jobs. In fact,
it is estimated that every $1 billion of goods and services we export supports
approximately 5,500 jobs at home. That means the Korea trade agreement will
support at least an estimated 70,000 U.S. jobs through increased goods exports
alone.
Naturally, the big job-building potential of these agreements has led many
Americans to ask how increased trade translates into more U.S. jobs. The short
answer is that trade agreements open overseas markets to significantly enhance
opportunities for American businesses and workers to sell more innovative,
high-quality products Made in America to customers all around the world. And as
American exporters expand their businesses by increasing international sales
into these newly-opened markets, they are likely to hire more workers to produce
goods and provide services here at home.
These agreements will make it cheaper, faster, and easier for U.S. producers
to sell more American goods and services in the growing markets of Korea,
Colombia and Panama. They will put American businesses, workers, farmers,
ranchers, manufacturers and service providers on a level playing field against
foreign competitors.
For example, today, there are plenty of Hyundais and Kias on American
highways, because car customers here in the United States have the freedom to
choose among many different brands and models at competitive prices. In
contrast, there aren’t nearly as many Fords, Chevys, or Chryslers cruising the
streets of Korea, in part because high tariff and non-tariff barriers currently
put U.S. auto manufacturers at a disadvantage in the South Korean market.
Seizing sales opportunities overseas can build jobs and businesses of all
sizes throughout the American automotive supply chain here at home. That’s why,
last year, President Obama sent a team back to the negotiating table to secure
additional market access and a level playing field for U.S. auto manufacturers
in Korea. Now there are more export opportunities – and more potential jobs – on
the table in the U.S.-Korea trade agreement. Similarly, the Colombia and Panama
trade agreements will enhance job-building export opportunities for U.S.
producers.
President Obama wants to turn these trade opportunities into real jobs and
more money for American working families. Now’s it’s up to Congress to act by
passing the trade agreements and renewing TAA. By coming together to find common
ground on a balanced approach to trade, we can get our economy moving full speed
ahead with more jobs for hard-working Americans.
Posted by Colleen Curtis on October 4, 2011 at 2:09
PM EDT
Destiny Wheeler wants Congress to pass the American Jobs Act now. The
16-year-old wrote to President Obama last month, and explained that the rough
economy was making it “hard to see myself pushing forward and putting my family
in a better position.”
The President was moved by the Georgia high school junior’s plea, and
referenced her letter in his October
1 weekly address. In it, Destiny wrote about her fears that despite her
hard work, the caliber of her education will seem “trivial” compared to her
peers in other countries. “The American Jobs Act,” she wrote “gives me hope that
I might start to receive a better education, that one day job opportunities will
be open for me to grasp and that one day my personal American Dream will be
reached.”
In a follow-up conversation, Destiny said it wasn’t just concern for her own
future that compelled her to write to the President for the first time, but the
Jobs Acts’ emphasis on modernizing schools across the country. “I am mostly
focused on what I see in other schools. In some schools there will be tons of
students and only 3 computers and one of them doesn’t even work. You modernize
schools and you help kids move forward.” Her own school, Destiny said, does have
enough computers for students to use in class.
President Obama is well aware of the negative effects the economy is having
on our students. “Here in America, we are laying off teachers in droves. It
makes no sense, and it has to stop,” President Obama said today in Texas.
“Congress should pass this jobs bill so we can put our teachers back in the
classroom where they belong.”
America’s education system has always been one of this country’s greatest
sources of strength and global economic competitiveness, as well as the engine
of incredible progress in science, technology, and the arts. Today’s students
will not get the training they need for the high-skilled jobs of today, or for
the opportunities of the future, without investments in a world-class education
system.
Today, the White House released a report, Teacher
Jobs at Risk, outlining how the Administration’s efforts – including the
American Jobs Act – will keep teachers in the classroom, strengthen our schools
and improve the local economy in communities across the country.The American Jobs Act will support
nearly 400,000 education jobs, preventing layoffs of educators and allowing
thousands more to be hired or rehired. In addition, the President’s plan will
modernize at least 35,000 public school buildings and community college
campuses, which is the element of the plan that so appeals to Destiny Wheeler,
and is giving her renewed hope for her own future and that of students like her
across the country.
“Please Mr, President,” she wrote, “continue your support for this BIll, it
means so much to me and my family to know there is someone in government looking
out for the common citizen.”
Posted by Dan Pfeiffer on October
4, 2011 at 1:26 PM EDT
This morning, Chairman Cliff Stearns, who leads the House Energy and Commerce
Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, told NPR that “We can’t compete
with China to make solar panels and wind turbines.”
“The United States faces a choice today: Will we sit on the sidelines and
fall behind or will we play to win the clean energy race? Some say this is a
race America can’t win. They’re ready to wave the white flag and declare
defeat… Others say this is a race America shouldn’t even be in. They say we
can’t afford to invest in clean energy. I say we can’t afford not
to.
“It’s not enough for our country to invent clean energy technologies – we
have to make them and use them too. Invented in America, made in America, and
sold around the world – that’s how we’ll create good jobs and lead in the
21st century.”
The race for clean energy jobs and industries is on – and it is a race well
worth winning. The International Energy Agency projects that in the coming
decades, solar power could grow to more than 20 percent of the world’s
electricity. Conservatively, this means that there is an economic opportunity
worth trillions of dollars for whichever countries claim the lead. The global
market for wind turbines is also growing exponentially.
But it’s not just the vast potential of jobs tomorrow – these industries
employ a growing number of Americans today. In fact, business groups
estimate that America’s solar industry accounts for about 100,000 jobs and the
wind industry employs 75,000. Should we simply tell those workers that we’ve
given up on them?
A study released last month showed that, in spite of the intense global
competition, the U.S. remains a net global exporter of solar technology – with
$5.6 billion in exports and an overall positive trade balance of $1.8
billion.
It is certainly true that China is playing to win. Last year alone, China
offered its solar manufacturers $30 billion in government financing, vastly
exceeding the U.S. investment. And China has overtaken the United States market
share in solar power – a technology we invented.
Chairman Stearns and other members of his party in Congress believe that
America cannot, or should not, try to compete for jobs in a cutting edge and
rapidly growing industry. We simply disagree: the answer to this challenge is
not to wave the white flag and give up on American workers. America has never
declared defeat after a single setback – and we shouldn’t start now.
America’s entrepreneurs and innovators are still the very best in the
world. Our workers are second to none – and we have never been afraid of a
challenge. It’s time to do what we’ve always done in the face of a tough
competitor: roll up our sleeves and recapture the lead.
Posted by Colleen Curtis on October 4, 2011 at 11:13
AM EDT
Governor John Kitzhaber of Oregon says that in his state,
“the American Jobs Act
will translate into almost
9,000 jobs for vital transportation, school infrastructure projects for idle
construction workers, funding for our schools and incentives for small
businesses to put people back to work.”
Most importantly. says Kitzhaber, the jobs that are
created will be “good middle income family wage jobs,” which will create a
significant economic ripple across the state. “In an economic crisis we need to
be investing in the economy–we need to be investing in job creation and I think
the American Jobs Act is exactly
what we need at the right time and certainly for Oregon and I think for
America.”
See how other elected officials say the American Jobs Act will impact their
communities:
Posted by Sarah Bernard on October 4, 2011 at 10:26
AM EDT
Suddenly it’s October. The kids are settled back into school, and at the
White House we’re preparing for the 2011 Fall Garden Harvest tomorrow – so
healthy eating is on our minds. Do you have a question about Let’s Move!, the First Lady’s initiative
to end childhood obesity? Ask it on WhiteHouse.gov, facebook
or on Twitter with the hashtag #AskMichelle and the
First Lady will answer a few in the coming days.
First Lady Michelle Obama and kids double-dutch jump rope during a taping for
the Presidential Active Lifestyle Award (PALA) challenge and Nickelodeon’s
Worldwide Day of Play, on the South Lawn of the White House. July 15, 2011.
(Official White House Photo by Chuck Kennedy)
Posted by Kathleen Sebelius on
October 3, 2011 at 6:47 PM EDT
The North Portico exterior of the White House is illuminated pink, Oct. 3,
2011, in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. (Official White House Photo by
Lawrence Jackson)
October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month – a time to remember those
who have lost their lives to breast cancer and those who are battling it now,
and to celebrate with those who have survived. It is also a time to reaffirm our
commitment to fighting breast cancer and to remind ourselves of the importance
of prevention and early detection.
In recognition of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, I had the privilege of
joining actress Jennifer Aniston, who recently directed a new Lifetime Original
movie exploring a family affected by breast cancer, Dr. Jill Biden, and a small
group of breast cancer survivors, providers and others, to discuss lessons
learned from those who have been treated for breast cancer. We also talked about
how important it is to coordinate health care, so we can do more to treat and
prevent breast cancer.
Breast cancer remains one of the most frequently diagnosed cancers among
American women and despite remarkable advances in treatment and prevention, it
remains the second leading cause of cancer death.
Posted by Amy Dudley on October
3, 2011 at 5:07 PM EDT
In the weeks since Vice President Biden launched the 1is2Many initiative – a
call for young women and men to share their ideas on how to prevent dating
violence and sexual assault at their schools and college campuses – he has
received more than 2,000 responses via the www.whitehouse.gov/1is2many and
Twitter.
Earlier today, the Vice President thanked everyone who submitted their ideas via Twitter:
Many responses highlighted the importance of educating boys and girls early
on about healthy and respectful relationships. A number suggested upgrading
campus infrastructure by improving lighting or ensuring that campus police are
always accessible.
Posted by Colleen Curtis on October 3, 2011 at 4:43
PM EDT
President Barack Obama meets with the Cabinet in the Cabinet Room of the
White House, Oct. 3, 2011. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)
President Obama today met with his Cabinet to talk about the most pressing
issue facing the country right now: Putting America back to work. The President
is waiting for Congress to take action on the American Jobs Act, which he
introduced at a Joint Session in early September. But in the meantime, the
President is committed to having the entire administration and all agencies to
do everything possible that does not require Congress’s help, as he said before
the meeting today:
Each of the Secretaries and heads of agencies have been assigned to look at
what we can do administratively to accelerate job growth over the next several
months. And working with the Jobs Council that we’ve set up, working with the
private sector, we have been looking for a wide range of ideas of administrative
action we can take. A good example would be, for example, accelerating the
payments to small businesses so that they’ve got better cash flow; trying to
figure out ways that we can be working in the housing market without
congressional action to provide some relief for homeowners.
Posted by Macon Phillips on
October 3, 2011 at 3:13 PM EDT
Wow.
Planning for the new We the
People platform, we were confident the system would ultimately get a lot of
use, but we expected it would take a little longer to get out into the ether and
pick up speed.
Let’s just say our estimates were … ahem … a wee bit on the low side! In
one week, more than 7,800 petitions have been created, more than 600,000
signatures have been logged and more than 375,000 people have created an account
to participate in this platform. It’s by far the biggest online engagement
event ever for the White House – and we’re just getting started.
That’s what you call a good problem to have. Here’s one thing we’re doing to
address it:
The massive participation on We
the People means that in the first week over 30 petitions reached 5,000
signatures, the initial threshold to generate an official response from the
White House. At our first internal review meeting Friday, two things were clear:
(a) everyone is thrilled about this new challenge and excited to process the
first batch, but (b) this many petitions challenges our ability to offer timely
and meaningful responses to petitions in the long term.
So starting now, the threshold a petition has to reach in order to
generate an official response is 25,000 signatures in 30 days. This change only
affects petitions created from this point forward, and will not be applied to
petitions of any signature count already in the system.
This may not be the last time we change the thresholds, both in terms of
signatures and amount of time. And we’re also evaluating a number of other ways
to improve the system, many based on ideas we’ve received from you. Since we
launched We the People we’ve been reading your feedback submitted via the feedback form on the We
the People platform and through the Twitter hashtag #WHWeb.
Here are a few answers to questions and issues we’ve seen over the last few
days:
Posted by Nikki Sutton on October 3, 2011 at 2:25 PM
EDT
Ed. Note: This event has now ended.
Today, President Obama will sit down with ABC’s George Stephanopoulos to take
questions submitted through Yahoo.com.
Watch the interview live beginning at 2:35 p.m. EDT:
Posted by Howard A. Schmidt on
October 3, 2011 at 12:52 PM EDT
Today, the White House issued a Presidential
Proclamation designating October as National Cybersecurity Awareness Month.
On Friday, I will be speaking together with Secretary of Homeland Security Janet
Napolitano at the official kick-off event for the month at Eastern Michigan
University in Ypsilanti. In the following weeks, the Department of Homeland
Security will be hosting events across the nation to bring cybersecurity
awareness to your state and your community. Every company, school, and family
should use October as an opportunity to focus on cybersecurity – update
training, attend or host an event, or talk to your children about responsible
use of the Internet.
Cybersecurity is of course not something we can pay attention to for only
one-month each year. It is a shared responsibility each and every day. That is
why last year we began the National Cybersecurity Awareness Campaign – Stop. Think.
Connect., an ongoing effort to educate Americans about risks in
cyberspace and promotes simple steps that everyone can take to protect
themselves online.
I’d also like to highlight the re-launch of OnGuardOnline.gov, the federal government’s
website to help you be safe, secure and responsible online. The site is a
resource for parents, educators, and individuals who want to learn more about
cybersecurity. Managed by the Federal Trade Commission, OnGuardOnline.gov is a
partner in Stop. Think. Connect. and part of the National Initiative for Cybersecurity
Education (NICE), led by the National Institute of Standards and Technology.
I encourage everyone to visit these three sites to learn more about what you can
do to be safe online.
As this is the eighth National Cybersecurity Awareness Month, it is a fitting
time to reflect on how far we have come and how far we still need to go to
secure this nation in cyberspace. At the start of the Obama Administration, we
released the Cyberspace Policy Review, which issued a near term action plan to
improve cybersecurity. I am pleased to say that our progress looks
pretty good. In the last year, we issued two strategies that address major items
on the action plan. The National
Strategy for Trusted Identities in Cyberspace described a
private-public partnership that will improve the way online transactions are
conducted by moving beyond passwords toward secure, reliable online
credentials. The federal government is now working to implement this vision on
our own networks and encouraging the private sector to do so as well. We also
released the first comprehensive International
Strategy for Cyberspace, calling for prosperity, security, and openness
in a networked world. The strategy lays out the Administration’s vision for the
future of the Internet and an agenda for partnering with other nations and
peoples to realize this vision. Yet still more must be done. Working with the
private sector, we expect to finalize the National Cyber Incident Response Plan
shortly. The interim version of this plan has served our government well in
managing cyber incidents over the last year. The revised plan has benefited from
this experience.
Over the next year, we will continue progressing on the President’s vision of
an open, interoperable, secure and reliable Internet. This month, stay tuned for
the release of a strategic plan that will outline how we will develop the
next-generation of game-changing technologies for cybersecurity and for the
release of the Department of Homeland Security’s strategic plan for securing the
homeland security enterprise in cyberspace.
First Lady Michelle Obama participates in a “
First Lady Michelle Obama leads a group of 400 local children on the South
Tamara Washington hopes Congress passes the American Jobs Act. Provisions
Jamail Larkins, the President and CEO of Ascension Aircraft, hopes Congress
Wendy Jameson and Scott Grimshaw are the founders of ColnaTec, a “greentech”
Jane Iredale’s cosmetics company has 160 employees and is based in Great
Phillip Maung, the founder and CEO of Hissho Sushi arrived in the U.S in 1989
SustainU’s Chris Yura, center, with workers Carolina Cut ‘ N Sew in Mt.
President Barack Obama meets Kimberly Russell before delivering remarks on
President Barack Obama tours the Lab School at Eastfield College in Mesquite,
First Lady Michelle Obama and kids double-dutch jump rope during a taping for
The North Portico exterior of the White House is illuminated pink, Oct. 3,
President Barack Obama meets with the Cabinet in the Cabinet Room of the
