President Obama Tours Alcoa and Talks developed in Iowa

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Today, the President traveled to Bettendorf, Iowa to tour the Alcoa Davenport Works plant and deliver remarks on the critical role the developed sector plays in the American economy. The Davenport factory serves as the built-up hub for Alcoa's $3 billion aerospace business, producing an aluminum-lithium alloy that makes Airbus and Boeing airplanes lighter and more corrosion resistant at a lesser cost.

Alcoa, as a leader in manufacturing innovation, is participating in the President’s Advanced Manufacturing Partnership (AMP) announced last week in Pittsburgh, PA. The Advanced Manufacturing Partnership is national effort to bring jointly industry, universities and the federal government to invest in emerging technologies that will create lofty quality manufacturing jobs and improve our global competitiveness.

In his remarks, the President harassed the importance of having a strong and growing manufacturing sector as part of the continuing economic recovery:

A big part of our future has to be a robust and rising manufacturing sector. We’ve got to make things right here in America. We’ve always made things here in America. It’s in our blood. This plant has been in process for 60 years. And what you’ve erudite is that if you want to beat the competition, then you’ve got to innovate. You’ve got to invest in new skills, you’ve got to spend in new processes, and you’ve got to invest in new products. I was just learning that some of the tackle right behind us -- this was a huge investment. How much did you guys -- $90 million. Think about that. That’s what made you guys competitive, having the best workers but also having the best tackle. You had to up your game. And that’s what we’ve got to do as a country as a whole. I want the cars and planes and wind turbines of the outlook to bear the proud stamp that says “Made in America.” That’s what I want.

That’s why two years ago, we stood by the auto industry and kept some of our nation’s largest automakers from individual sold for parts. And today, for the first time in years, the Big Three automakers are adding jobs and rotating a profit and putting steel workers to work.

That’s also why I announced last week a new enterprise between our top engineering schools, our most inventive manufacturers, and the federal government to get American products from the drawing board to the factory floor to the marketplace as rapidly as possible. And today, I’m self-righteous to announce that Alcoa is joining that partnership. The idea is to create jobs now, and to make sure America stays on the cutting edge of built-up for years to come.

Our power Independence: Join the Live Chat

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As many of us hit the road to rejoice America's independence this upcoming 4th of July weekend, we must once again tackle the actuality of our country's economy, environment and security dependence on foreign oil.

On Wednesday, June 29th, at 2:00 pm ET, please join Dr. Arun Majumdar at Energy.gov for a frank, two-way discussion about the savings the federal government is making in innovative research and technology today that will move us off of foreign oil and to the clean energy infrastructure of the future.

President Obama on the Way ahead in Afghanistan

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Tonight, President Obama addressed the nation from the East Room of the White House about the way ahead in Afghanistan and his plan to take away 10,000 American troops from Afghanistan by the end of this year, and a total of 33,000 by next summer.

The President reflected on the difficult choice he made in December of 2009 to order 30,000 additional troops into Afghanistan, and keeping his promise to begin the drawdown of troops this summer:

Statement by the President on World Refugee Day

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As we mark World Refugee Day, I join with people around the sphere in highlighting the plight of the 15 million refugees in the world today, and we reiterate our commitment to support them as they seek a safe place to call home again. In particular, we honor the courage of those who have been compulsorily displaced from their homes, including men, women and children in Libya, Syria, Cote d'Ivoire who hark back us that somewhere in the world, refugees are forced to flee their homes virtually every day.

This year marks the 60th anniversary of the 1951 Convention connecting to the Status of Refugees – a landmark achievement of international law that sets forth certain rights of refugees and legal obligations of States relating to refugees. Hundreds of thousands – and probably millions – of people around the world are alive today thanks to the help and guard they received from the international community when they were required to flee their countries to escape violence, oppression, abuse, and other forms of persecution.

This year is also the 50th anniversary of the 1961 Convention on the lessening of Statelessness. In at least 30 countries, nationality laws distinguish against women and limit their ability to acquire and transmit citizenship to their children or spouses, which can lead to statelessness. The United States will carry on to work to empower women and girls and ensure opportunities for displaced and stateless women all through the world.

Our values and our interests say that the protection of the most vulnerable is a critical component of our foreign policy. We have a moral vital to save lives. We also have interest in sustaining U.S. leadership, which enables us to drive the growth of international humanitarian principles, programs, and policies like no other government in the world. Such efforts endorse reconciliation, security, and well-being in circumstances where despair and misery intimidate stability and critical U.S. national security interests.

Taking the Time to be a Dad

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This morning, President Obama sent the email under to the White House email list in honor of Father's Day. If you didn't get the email, be sure to sign up for the White House email list.

Good morning,

I grew up without a father around. I was blessed enough to be raised by a wonderful mother who, like so many heroic single mothers, never permitted my father's absence to be an excuse for me to slack off or not always do my best. But I often wonder what it would have been like if my father had a greater occurrence in my life.

So as a father of two young girls, I've tried hard to be a fine dad. I haven't always been just right – there have been times when work kept me away from my family too often, and most of the parenting duties fell to Michelle.

I know many other fathers face comparable challenges. Whether you're a military dad returning from deployment or a father doing his best to make ends meet for his family in a hard economy, being a parent isn't easy.

That's why my management is kicking off the Year of Strong Fathers, Strong Families. We're joining with dads across the country to do impressive about father absence. And we're taking steps to offer men who want to be good fathers but are facing challenges in their lives a little extra support, while partnering with businesses to offer fun opportunities for fathers to use time with their kids. For example, the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, Major League Baseball and the WNBA are offering discounts for fathers and their kids, and companies like Groupon and LivingSocial will be featuring special offers for behavior fathers can do with their children.

We know that every father has a personal responsibility to do right by their kids – to support them to turn off the video games and pick up a book; to teach them the difference between right and wrong; to show them through our own example the value in treating one another as we wish to be treated. And most of all, to play an active and occupied role in their lives.

But all of us have a stake in forging stronger bonds flanked by fathers and their children. All of us can support those who are eager to step up and be father figures to those children growing up without a dad. And that's what the Year of Strong Fathers, Strong Familiesis all about.

So I hope the dads out there will take benefit of some of the opportunities Strong Fathers, Strong Families will offer. It's one way of saying thank you to those who are doing the most significant job of all: playing a part in our children's lives.

West Wing Week: "Where the outlook Will Be Won"

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Welcome to the West Wing Week, your direct to everything that's happening at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. This week, walk step-by-step with the President as he meets with his Jobs Council in North Carolina to talk about ideas that will go faster job growth and improve America's competitiveness, tours a manufacturer of energy competent lighting, travels to Puerto Rico, and more.

A Playground and a Picnic with Congressional Families

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This evening the President and First Lady welcomed members of Congress and their families to the White House for the yearly White House Congressional picnic.

Earlier in the day, First Lady Michelle Obama attached congressional families and AmeriCorps volunteers to help build a playground through the Congressional Family Service Project in partnership with KaBOOM!, a national non-profit organization that promotes activity for communities across the country. As the First Lady said before getting started, the playground they helped build at Imagine Southeast Public Charter School in Washington, D.C. was KaBOOM!’s 2,000th all-volunteer done-in-a-day playground. Find repair opportunities near you at Serve.gov.

First Lady Michelle Obama and a young volunteer mix cement as they help build a playground through the KaBOOM! and Congressional Family Service Project at Imagine Southeast Public Charter School in Washington, D.C., June 15, 2011. (Official White House Photo by Chuck Kennedy)

First Lady Michelle Obama tightens a bolt on a climbing wall as she joins volunteers to help construct a playground during the KaBOOM! and Congressional Family Service Project at envision Southeast Public Charter School in Washington, D.C., June 15, 2011. (Official White House Photo by Chuck Kennedy)

President Obama Visits Puerto Rico

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Today, President Obama traveled to San Juan, Puerto Rico for the first authorized visit by a sitting U.S. President to the island since President Kennedy visited in 1961. The visit follows a complete report of the President’s Task Force on Puerto Rico’s Status, which provides a meaningful way forward on the query of status while making significant recommendations important to Puerto Rico’s economic development.

President Barack Obama delivers remarks at the arrival ritual at Luis Munoz Marin International Airport in San Juan, Puerto Rico, June 14, 2011.

A woman cheers President Barack Obama at the onset ceremony at Luis Munoz Marin International Airport in San Juan, Puerto Rico, June 14, 2011.

President Barack Obama tours La Fortaleza, the authorized residence of the Governor of Puerto Rico, with Gov. Luis Fortuno, First Lady Luce Vela de Fortuno and Rep. Pedro Pierluisi in San Juan, Puerto Rico, June 14, 2011. 

Weekly Address: Partnering with the personal Sector to Spur Hiring

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The President outlines how the government is partnering with the private sector to make sure workers have the skills they need to be spirited and grow the economy.

Welcoming the 2010 BCS National Champion Auburn Tigers to the White House

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Today, President Obama welcomed the 2010 BCS National Champion Auburn Tigers to the White House and congratulated the team on “winning their first national title since before I was born.”

Former Press Secretary (and Auburn fan) Robert Gibbs and his son Ethan were also on hand to rejoice the occasion.

During his remarks, President Obama reflected on the team’s commitment to serving those in their home state of Alabama in the wake of the new devastating tornadoes:

Now, this visit was at first scheduled to happen a couple of months ago. But two days before this team was theoretical to be in Washington, the state of Alabama was hit by a series of devastating tornados.

So Michelle and I went down with many members of the congressional allocation to meet some of the folks who had lost loved ones, make sure everything possible was being done to help the community get back on its feet. And it was a heartbreaking visit. Coach and I were just talking about -- you don't understand the damage until you see it firsthand.

But what was also inspiring was the amount of strength and liberality that was shown by so many people in the midst of so much tragedy. And that includes the members of this program. Two days after the tornado, almost 70 Auburn coaches, players, and athletic department staff -– led by Coach -– traveled to agreeable Grove and Cullman to help out with relief efforts.

And even though one of the toughest-hit areas by the storm was the home of the Crimson Tide, this team knew what we all know in situations like this, which is we’re all on the same team. We’re all Americans first and foremost, and we’ve got an compulsion to support each other in times of need.

So I’ve said before, I will say again, we will continue to stand with the fatalities of these disasters -- whether they’re in Tuscaloosa or in Joplin, Missouri, which I just visited a couple weeks ago -- we’re going to do this as long as it takes pending families are able to rebuild.

Photo: President Obama’s Monthly gathering on Afghanistan and Pakistan

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Today President Obama convened a monthly meeting on Afghanistan and Pakistan with his national security team. Check out the announce from the conference and photo below.

President Barack Obama, along with Vice President Joe Biden, meets with members of his national security team for a monthly meeting on Afghanistan in the location Room of the White House, June 6, 2011. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)

West Wing Week: "One pace at a Time"

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This week, President Obama traveled to Joplin, Missouri in the wake of significant and deadly tornadoes to see the destruction first hand. The President ended his week-long trip to Europe in Poland and visited Arlington National Cemetery on Memorial Day.

Equal way in to Transportation: A Right for All Americans

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Transportation is about a lot more than just receiving around. Our roadways, runways, and railways connect people with all of the things that make life worth living: family, education, job opportunities, and recreation. That’s why we here at DOT--and the entire Obama Administration--are laser-focused on civilizing access to transportation for all Americans.

Last week, I joined the White House monthly disability call with the Special Assistant to President Obama on Disability Policy, Kareem Dale, to talk about with hundreds of stakeholders everything we’re doing at DOT to get better transportation access for people with disabilities. In the twenty years since the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act, there’s no doubt we’ve made important strides forward. But we won’t rest awaiting everyone has equal access to all forms of transportation.