President Obama Meets with World Leaders on Day Two at the U.N General Assembly

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President Obama distinct the 19th anniversary of the International Day of Peace with a series of meetings and events as he participated in the 66th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York City. The President began his day with an address to the General Assembly, where he spoke about the significant changes that have occurred throughout the world since the last gathering of this group:

This year has been a time of unexpected transformation. More nations have stepped forward to uphold international peace and security. And more individuals are claiming their universal right to live in freedom and dignity.

Following the address, President Obama met with Prime Minister Netanyahu of Israel and pledged America’s commitment to the pursuit of peace in the Middle East. The Prime Minister decided with President Obama's assertion that direct negotiations between Israel and Palestine are the only way to achieve that goal:

I think the Palestinians want to attain a state through the international community, but they’re not equipped yet to give peace to Israel in return. And my hope is that there will be other leaders in the world, responsible leaders, who will heed your call, Mr. President, and oppose this effort to shortcut peace discussions in fact, to avoid them. Because I think that avoiding these negotiations is bad for Israel, bad for the Palestinians, and bad for peace.

The President had his first face to face meeting with Japan's new Prime Minister, Yoshihiko Noda. The two leaders discussed the ongoing recovery from the earthquake and tsunami that overwhelmed that country earlier this year, and the importance of the strong Japan-U.S. relationship. The Prime Minister echoed the President’s desire to uphold this vital partnership:

17 Years After Violence Against Women Act, Vice President Calls on New creation to Take Action

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Last night, Vice President Biden and Dr. Jill Biden held a reception at the Naval Observatory to rejoice the 17th anniversary of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) being signed into law, as well as call on a new generation to take action to decrease the high rates of violence and assault that continues to threaten young men and women across the country.

Speaking before a crowd that incorporated many of the men and women who supported the Vice President’s efforts to see the Act become law on September 13, 1994, the Vice President remarked on how it was VAWA that exposed a “flaw that lay as part of the fabric of American society”– the fact that the mere discussion of violence and abuse being committed against women was measured by many to be taboo.

Beyond shattering this notion, the law redefined the way domestic violence is handled from side to side changes in law enforcement, improvements in the criminal justice system and the establishment of shelters and services for victims.

Working Jointly to Create World-Class Schools

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Now that our nation’s children are back in school, I will be travelling through six states with this important message: our nation’s long-term economic security is inextricably linked to education. We have to educate our way to a enhanced economy.

The jobs of today and tomorrow will need knowledge workers with some post secondary training, whether it is an associate or bachelor’s degree, or technical training obtainable from a vocational school or community college.

Unfortunately, America has a long way to go before we can truly say we’re educating today’s children to be competitive in the knowledge economy. By many indicators, we’re falling far short.

The Obama administration has a cradle-to-career agenda to support states and districts as they reform their schools and make college more affordable for students. This agenda is intended around key principles, including:

* Creating premature learning systems that align all of their resources to get our youngest children ready for kindergarten.

* Raising standards so they really prepare students for success in college and careers.

* Improving the quality of teaching in the classroom by improving the preparation, professional development, and estimate of teachers and principals.

* And turning around determinedly low-performing schools that have been failing students for decades or even generations.

It’s an aggressive agenda, and we’re backing it up with unprecedented investments in reform. We’ve already made the largest investment in higher education since the GI Bill. We’re creating new incentives for states to align their early learning programs to make certain all children are ready for kindergarten. Through Race to the Top, states have made more progress in reform over the past two years than in the previous decade. And the President has a plan to fix No Child Left Behind by offering states suppleness from its one-size-fits all mandates.

Nevertheless, reform will occur in states and communities. Our job in Washington is to give resources and support for the excellent work happening in states and communities.

That’s why I’m so keyed up about this week’s bus tour. All across the Midwest, members of my team will be visiting communities where elected officials, union leaders, business owners, and teachers are working jointly to transform the lives of children.

The Humanitarian Crisis in Africa: How You Can Help

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Dr. Jill Biden and the US officials who connected her on a trip to a refugee center in Kenya want the American people to appreciate how severe the crisis caused by a combination of drought, famine and war has become, particularly on the most vulnerable population, the children of Somalia.

“It touched my heart,” said Dr. Biden about reading the news and seeing the footage of the spreading humanitarian crisis, “as a mother, I watched these children … saw them starving and thought, we have to do something.” Earlier this week, she traveled to the Dadaab refugee complex in Eastern Kenya, where about 420,000 people who have fled war-torn Somalia in search of food, water and shelter, are currently living in a tented city at first built to accommodate 90,000.

Former U.S. Senator Bill Frist, another member of the designation, says more must be done to help famine victims. "A lot of people don't understand, especially in this environment of what's happening in terms of the economy here and at home, that this is the most sharp food security emergency anywhere in the world now and in recent years," he said.

"The crisis is growing fast, and we saw that firsthand on the ground, talking to personage families as they were coming into refugee camps who factually had walked for 15 and 16 days - a mom with her four children; a husband, a father who is absent who is still in Somalia. They don't know whether or not he's alive," Frist said of the situation, which has resulted in the deaths of 29,000 children under the age of five in the past three months alone.

Contributions made by the U.S government and the international community are helping to relieve the suffering - but the famine is spreading and without life-saving assistance, hundreds of thousands of people – most of them children – could die from hunger and disease in the coming months. There is a role for all persons to take action and save lives.

On the Ground in the Horn of Africa

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Eighty kilometers from Kenya’s limit with Somalia, the Dadaab Refugee Complex—already the world’s major refugee camp—has seen on average 1,500 exhausted and starving men, women and children arrive each day. Fleeing from famine that is now gripping a large part of southern Somalia largely inaccessible to aid workers, thousands of refugees have walked days—or even weeks—to reach help. The United Nations estimates that over 12.4 million people are in urgent need of humanitarian aid, including food, water and medical care, across the drought-stricken eastern Horn of Africa.

Yesterday, I arrived in Dadaab with representatives from across the United States Government, counting Dr. Jill Biden, Special Assistant to the President Gayle Smith, Senator Bill Frist and Assistant Secretary of State Eric Schwartz. The trip underscored the pledge of the U.S. Government—the single largest donor in the region—to react to the immediate crisis with life-saving assistance and investments in long-term solutions to hunger. Ultimately, we know that it is smarter and cheaper to put in food security than face the consequences of famine and food riots.

President Obama on Tackling our Debt and Deficit

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Earlier today, President Obama held a press conference to give an inform on the ongoing efforts to find a balanced come up to get our fiscal house in order and decrease our nation’s deficit to help our economy grow. The President believes this is the instant to put politics aside, rise above the cynicism, and prove to the American people that Washington can resolve problems and do big things. As he has said, “If not now, when?”

To solve our deficit problems, the President is eager to make tough choices -- it’s time for members of both parties to do the same. But, solving our economic problems requires communal sacrifice -- which means the wealthiest and special interests be supposed to pay their fair share. 

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South Sudan's instant of Promise

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Today, South Sudan became the world’s latest nation. Several months ago West Wing Week took you behind the scenes of the referendum that led to today’s celebration of an self-determining South Sudan. We traveled to all parts of the country with the President’s Special Envoy, General Scott Gration. We went behind the scenes at polling stations from Juba to Khartoum, met some of the international community who helped to make sure the vote was fair and peaceful, and traveled to Darfur to inspect conditions and learn about the commitment of the United States to peace in this region after decades of civil war.

In case you missed it, be sure to check out the video.

Earlier today President Obama sent an email to organizations and persons in the United States and in Sudan who worked along the South Sudanese people to make this day probable. You can read the email below and check out the President's statement on credit of South Sudan.

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.

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.

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.

Memorial Day: Honoring Our Fallen Military While Supporting Active Duty Personnel

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Memorial Day is a time when our nation honors those fallen men and women of the military who have paid the eventual price to defend the United States. It is also a time when we be supposed to reflect on what we can and are doing to support our active duty veterans who hope to one day successfully complete their missions and come home safely. These veterans are also looking for a piece of the “American Dream” — to own a home, have a good job, and receive a good wage from jobs created for them by a grateful nation.

To achieve this, I have begun an employment campaign based on the idea of “Good Jobs for Everyone.” Our goal is to assist veterans with resources and know-how necessary to obtain meaningful careers and make the most of their employment opportunities.

President Obama at the G8 Summit in Photos

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The President spent the day meeting with G-8 leaders in Deauville, France, counting bilateral meetings with President Medvedev of Russia and Prime Minister Kan of Japan. Take a look at the day in photos:

President Barack Obama shakes hands with people in the crowd as he arrives for the start of the G8 Summit in Deauville, France, May 26, 2011 May 26, 2011. (Official White House Photo by Official White House Photo by Lawrence Jackson)

President Barack Obama and other world leaders march to the first working session at the G8 summit in Deauville, France, May 26, 2011. Pictured, from left are: European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso; President Obama; French President Nicolas Sarkozy; Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper; Japanese Prime Minister Naoto Kan; German Chancellor Angela Merkel; and British Prime Minister David Cameron. May 26, 2011. (Official White House Photo by Official White House Photo by Lawrence Jackson)

"Our Force is a Force of Families": First Lady Michelle Obama to West Point Graduates

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We came in to West Point under cloudy grey skies for the First Lady's words to the Class of 2011. In fact, we found out that it had been pouring rain for the last five days! But as the plane touched down, the last of the showers swept during, the clouds parted, and beautiful blue skies greeted Mrs. Obama as she came onto campus. Similarly warm greetings came through from the community, from people waving to the motorcade as it drove by to the thunderous applause that greeted her as she entered Washington Hall for the Class Banquet. Lieutenant General David Huntoon Jr., the Superintendent of the United States Military Academy (USMA), noted that West Point and the First Lady shared a comparable ethos that emphasized values and service.

In her remarks, the First Lady emphasized how important family had been and would continue to be in the lives of these new officers, reminding them:

Our force is a force of families...They’re military spouses who follow a career, raise their kids alone, and still find time for night school. They’re children who move from town to town, continually adjusting to new schools and making new friends. They’re Blue Star moms who wake up every morning and pray and pray that their child comes home safely. They’re Gold Star families who honor the memory of their loved ones while channeling their strength into portion others.

But the First Lady was also empathic that those families would not bear the burden alone. She reminded the class that an whole country stood behind them, and that through efforts like the Joining Forces initiative, the combined efforts of diverse organizations from government and business to faith-based organizations and school districts would be support them up. She ruined the speech with a stirring promise:

I want you to keep in mind that this country and all of its citizens stand ready to serve you and your families. And I want you to remember that as long as we all do our duty, as long as we all serve with honor, then the destiny of this country will never be in doubt.

New Obama Administration Jobs and Innovation plan to Spur Regional Economic Growth

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Regional innovation clusters are based on a simple but critical idea: if we foster organization between the private sector and the public sector to build on the unique strengths of different regions - while creating the incentives for them to do so - we will be better prepared to marshall the knowledge and resources that America needs to contend in the global economy.

The $33 million Jobs and Innovation Accelerator Challenge that the Obama Administration announced yesterday will help make the most of on shared strengths, encouraging America's regions to plan more deliberately to support long-term growth and an environment where the private sector can succeed. It reflects an understanding by both private sector leaders and policymakers that we must apply strategies that capitalize on the full extent of regional assets and ensure that the benefits of cluster development expand to all workers and communities throughout the region.

Sixteen federal agencies are working together on this unparalleled initiative to drive job growth through public-private partnerships in at least 20 regions around the country. High-growth clusters from rural and urban regions across the nation will fight for award funds. Each Challenge investment will serve as a catalyst for leveraging extra private capital to the winning regions from sources including foundations, financial institutions, corporations and other private-sector partners.

The Innovation Accelerator Challenge represents the Obama Administration's commitment to speed up the development of strong industry clusters - like the Research Triangle in North Carolina - that promote robust economic ecosystems and the development of a capable workforce, both of which are critical to long-term regional success. We're looking to be a means for regional clusters that can:

* Promote sustainable economic development in the region;

* Support business pattern, especially of small businesses, while leveraging existing businesses' assets;

* Advance commercialization of federal and private research;

* Increase exports;

* Develop a expert workforce through outreach, training, and the creation of career pathways, and;

* Integrate historically underserved businesses and communities into the economic behavior of the cluster.

This cluster announcement reflects another significant goal of the Obama Administration - to streamline government while maximizing resources. Applicants will submit ONE application, instead of multiple applications to several agencies, cutting down on costs and time. Awardees will be given funds in a coordinated, integrated manner that is more well-organized and predictable. When President Obama was elected, he promised to change the way government does business. The Accelerator and 40 other innovation cluster projects that were awarded in FY 2010 reflect his vow to deliver on his promise.

As President Obama said during a Winning the prospect forum in February, "This cluster notion is so important...When you get a group of people together, and industries together, and institutions like universities together around exacting industries, then the synergies that develop from all those different facets coming together can make the whole superior than the sum of its parts."

President Obama Signs Missouri Disaster Declaration

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The President today declared a major disaster exists in the State of Missouri and prepared Federal aid to supplement State and local revival efforts in the area struck by severe storms, tornadoes, and flooding beginning on April 19, 2011, and continuing.

The President's action makes Federal funding available to affected persons in the counties of Butler, Mississippi, New Madrid, St. Louis, and Taney.

Assistance can embrace grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses, and other programs to help persons and business owners recover from the effects of the disaster.

Federal funding also is available to State and entitled local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for emergency work and the repair or replacement of facilities injured by the severe storms, tornadoes, and flooding in St. Louis County.

Federal funding is also available on a cost-sharing basis for hazard mitigation measures statewide.

W. Craig Fugate, Administrator, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Department of Homeland Security, named Elizabeth Turner as the Federal Coordinating Officer for Federal recovery operations in the unnatural area.

FEMA said that damage surveys are ongoing in other areas, and additional counties may be designated for assistance after the assessments are fully completed.

FEMA said that inhabitants and business owners who continued losses in the designated counties can begin applying for assistance tomorrow by registering online at http://www.DisasterAssistance.gov or by calling 1-800-621-FEMA(3362) or 1-800-462-7585 (TTY) for the hearing and speech impaired. The toll-free telephone numbers will operate from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. (local time) seven days a week until further notice.

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President Obama, Congressional Black Caucus on solid ground?

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If President Barack Obama and the Congressional Black Caucus distinct their relationship on Facebook, there’s little doubt what the status would be: It’s complicated.

This week, Obama will meet privately with the caucus at the White House in the newest attempt to define a sometimes stressed relationship between Congress’s most recognizable legislative coalition and its highest-profile former member. The session with Obama comes just days after a closed-door, clear-the-air meeting last Thursday between the caucus and White House chief of staff Bill Daley.

Neither side would outline the agenda for the upcoming meeting, hesitantly scheduled for late this week.

The membership has long complained that, in addressing the lethargic economy, Obama has neglected chronic problems in the African-American community — including an unemployment rate that’s nearly twice the national average. The caucus has also criticized the president for negotiating away funding for key social programs during the last budget fight — most remarkably, canceling federal funding for abortions in Washington.

But the White House insists Obama hasn’t forgotten black voters, who still give him endorsement ratings above 80 percent. Aides also note that despite three overseas military conflicts and bare-knuckle budget fights with Republicans — not to talk about the raid on Osama bin Laden’s compound and the launch of Obama’s 2012 reelection campaign — the president is making sure the lines of communication with the CBC are open.