Weekly Wrap Up: “A Dangerous Combination Of Coffee And Obsession”

Posted by White House

A quick look at the week of November 15, 2010:

Quote: “It is in these labs -- often late at night, often fueled by a dangerous combination of coffee and obsession -- that our future is being won,” said President Obama during the presentation of the National Medals of Science, Technology and Innovation, “For in a global economy, the key to our prosperity will never be to compete by paying our workers less or building cheaper, lower-quality products. That's not our advantage. The key to our success -- as it has always been -- will be to compete by developing new products, by generating new industries, by maintaining our role as the world’s engine of scientific discovery and technological innovation. It’s absolutely essential to our future.” VIDEO: http://wh.gov/OrI

Your West Wing Week: “I Really Like this Guy.” VIDEO: http://wh.gov/OaI

On the White Board: In the newest installment of the White House White Board series, Austan Goolsbee discusses the American Auto industry’s comeback. VIDEO: http://wh.gov/Oav

Behind-the-Scenes Pictures: The White House photo office and Pete Souza bring you October in photos. SLIDESHOW: http://wh.gov/Or8

Success Story: President Obama on GM. VIDEO: http://wh.gov/OaK

Official Arrival Ceremony: The President visits Lisbon, Portugal to meet with NATO allies. http://wh.gov/OrY

Vice President Biden: It Gets Better: Vice President Biden’s message to young people that are bullied because of their actual or perceived sexual orientation. VIDEO: http://wh.gov/Oxk

Equal Rights: New rules require equal visitation rights for all patients, including same-sex domestic partners. http://wh.gov/OOs

Must Have Apps: Our top ten picks for government mobile apps. http://wh.gov/OC9

National Entrepreneurs’ Day: The first-ever, part of a full-blown National Entrepreneurship Week. http://wh.gov/O1j

And the Medal of Freedom Goes To…:President George H.W. Bush, Warren Buffett and Maya Angelou, just to name a few. http://wh.gov/OOS

Ask Interior: The Department of the Interior launches a new online Q&A to answer your questions. http://bit.ly/bmsFAM

An American Hero: President Obama presents the Medal of Honor to Staff Sergeant Salvatore Giunta. VIDEO: http://wh.gov/O3n

It’s About National Security: The President and Vice President meet with nation security experts to discuss the New START treaty. http://wh.gov/OrW

6,200 Farmers Markets and Counting: Find your local farmers market, even design an app. http://bit.ly/9D8XU5

Equal Pay For Women:Lilly Ledbetter and leading advocates for women and girls discuss the Paycheck Fairness Act with President Obama. VIDEO: http://wh.gov/OrZ

Tuesday Talks: Talk to Nancy-Ann DeParle, Director of the White House Office of Health Reform, about health reform implementation on Tuesday, November 23rd. http://wh.gov/O15 And check out what you missed last week with the inventor of the digital camera and other recipients of the National Medals of Science, Technology and Innovation. VIDEO: http://wh.gov/OrR

Tuesday Talks: Health Care Reform Implementation with Nancy-Ann DeParle

Posted by White House

Nancy-Ann DeParle, Director of the White House Office of Health Reform, is answering your questions on health reform implementation in a live video chat for Tuesday Talks. In March 2010, President Obama signed the Affordable Care Act into law — the Act gives you better health security by putting in place comprehensive health insurance reforms that hold insurance companies accountable, lower health care costs, guarantee more choice, and enhance the quality of care for all Americans.

Join us for a talk with Nancy-Ann DeParle on Tuesday, November 23rd at 2:15 p.m. EST.

Here's how you can participate:

• Ask your questions in advance on Facebook
• Join the discussion live through the White House Facebook application
• Watch the chat through WhiteHouse.gov/live

Visit WhiteHouse.gov/healthreform to learn more about health care reform.

Watch what you missed in previous Tuesday Talks:

• Tuesday Talk with The National Medals Laureates of Science, Technology and Innovation
• Tuesday Talk on Veterans Day with Tammy Duckworth
• Tuesday Talk on the President’s Trip to Asia
• Tuesday Talk with David Axelrod
• Tuesday Talk with Austan Goolsbee
• Tuesday Talk with The President's Committee on the Arts and Humanities
• Tuesday Talk with Elizabeth Warren

Top 10 Must-Have Government Apps

Posted by White House

Whether you are taking public transport to work, getting coffee in a local café, or shopping for groceries -- there are dozens of apps for your mobile phone to help you stay connected to your government and get the latest information. From the EPA's alternative fuel locator to live video streams from the White House, these apps are worth checking out at apps.usa.gov.

Here is our list of 10 must-have Government Apps:

NASA App

Learn about current NASA missions, with an exciting interface full of images and videos.

Platform: iPhone

USA Jobs

Searching for a Federal job is at your fingertips with the USA Jobs app.

Platform: iPhone

White House

We can’t help but play favorites, our own White House app is pretty cool too. The Official White House app delivers the latest news from the blog and newsroom, featured videos and photos, and live video streaming of White House events with President Barack Obama.

Platform: iPhone, Mobile Web

Find Your Embassy

It’s always a good idea to know where the nearest U.S. Embassy is. With the ‘Find Your Embassy’ app, the answer to that important question is always in your pocket.

Platform: Mobile Web

My TSA

Ever been stuck in an airport line while wondering about carry-ons, ID requirements, liquid rules, or real-time operating status for U.S. airports? With the ‘My TSA’ app, you can find out and much more.

Platform: iPhone, Mobile Web

Alternative Fuel Locator

Find fueling stations for your alternative fuel vehicle on-the-go with the U.S. Department of Energy’s Alternative Fueling Station Locator. The app allows drivers to find the five closest biodiesel, electricity, E85 (ethanol), hydrogen, natural gas, and propane fueling sites.

Platform: Mobile Web

USA.gov

This app allows you to search Federal, state, and local government websites and contact your government by phone or email. USA.gov is government made easy.

Platform: iPhone, Mobile Web

Veterans Affairs

Use this app to access services and information for veterans and dependents, including facility locations, information for returning service members, suicide prevention, benefits, and much more.

Platform: Mobile Web

FBI Most Wanted

This app allows you to quickly identify Most Wanted criminals or missing children. Also, you can submit a tip conveniently.

Platform: iPhone

FuelEconomy.gov

Use this app to calculate gas mileage (MPG), annual fuel costs, annual petroleum use, and the carbon footprint information for your car or truck.

Platform: Mobile Web

Helping Middle-Class Families Pursue Justice

Posted by White House

This morning, the Vice President spoke at a Middle Class Task Force Event that was co-hosted by the Department of Justice’s Access to Justice Initiative. He announced new steps that our Administration is taking in partnership with the legal community to strengthen foreclosure mediation programs, help veterans cope with legal challenges, and make it easier for workers to find a qualified attorney when they believe their rights have been violated.

First, the Department of Labor (DOL) and the American Bar Association (ABA) are launching a new partnership to help workers resolve complaints received by DOL’s Wage and Hour Division, such as not getting paid the minimum wage or overtime, or being wrongfully denied family medical leave. DOL resolves more than 20,000 of these complaints every year, but because of limited resources, there are thousands more they are unable to pursue. Starting next month, people whose cases cannot be pursued will be provided with a newly created toll-free number that will connect them with an ABA-approved attorney referral service so they can find a qualified lawyer to help with their claims.

Second, the Vice President announced a collaboration between the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the Legal Services Corporation (LSC). In communities across the country, the VA’s Vet Centers provide counseling services to combat veterans. We are now connecting more than 50 of these Vet Centers with the LSC’s network of local legal aid offices, which provide free legal advice to folks who can’t afford to hire a lawyer. So when veterans come to Vet Centers and need help with problems ranging from foreclosure to employment issues, the staff will know where to send them.

The Legal Services Corporation also announced the launch of a new website – www.statesidelegal.org. This website is designed specifically for veterans and their families and they will be able to find information on everything from estate planning to disability benefits to the GI Bill.

Finally, the Vice President announced new steps to strengthen foreclosure mediation programs, which allow homeowners to meet face-to-face with lenders and discuss alternatives to foreclosure under the supervision of a neutral third-party mediator. The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the Access to Justice Initiative issued a report on mediation strategies that are working. In addition to outlining some best practices, the report includes a list of jurisdictions with successful programs that are eager to share their experiences with communities that are developing or expanding mediation programs.

HUD and NeighborWorks, the nation’s largest funder of foreclosure counseling services, also announced that they will each be providing new training for housing counselors, homeowners, attorneys, and mediators in order to make mediation programs even more effective.

As the Vice President said today, “In difficult economic times, we want to make sure all Americans—regardless of income or status—have access to the resources they need to pursue justice.”

West Wing Week: "I Really Like this Guy"

Posted by White House

Welcome to the West Wing Week, your guide to everything that's happening at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. Walk step by step with the President as he attends the G-20 in Seoul, Korea and the annual APEC meeting in Yokohama, Japan, awards the Medal of Honor to Staff Sergeant Salvatore Giunta, and the National Medals of Science and Technology, affirms the Administration’s commitment to promoting equality in the work place at a meeting of women leaders in the Roosevelt Room, and more…

November 16^th, 2010

• President Obama Presents the Medal of Honor to Staff Sergeant Salvatore Giunta: "We’re All in Your Debt"

November 17^th, 2010

• The Importance of Equal Pay For Women

November 18^th, 2010

• The New START Treaty: "A National Security Imperative"
• President Obama on GM: "One of the Toughest Tales" Becoming a "Success Story"

President Obama on GM: "One of the Toughest Tales" Becoming a "Success Story"

Posted by White House

The last time GM made as much news as their IPO has it was on the brink of destruction, at a point where many didn't think the situation was salvagable. Today's news was considerably better, as the President explained this afternoon:

Today, one of the toughest tales of the recession took another big step towards becoming a success story.

General Motors relaunched itself as a public company, cutting the government’s stake in the company by nearly half. What’s more, American taxpayers are now positioned to recover more than my administration invested in GM.

And that’s a very good thing. Last year, we told GM’s management and workers that if they made the tough decisions necessary to make themselves more competitive in the 21st century -- decisions requiring real leadership, fresh thinking and also some shared sacrifice –- then we would stand by them. And because they did, the American auto industry -– an industry that’s been the proud symbol of America’s manufacturing might for a century; an industry that helped to build our middle class -– is once again on the rise.

Our automakers are in the midst of their strongest period of job growth in more than a decade. Since GM and Chrysler emerged from bankruptcy, the industry has created more than 75,000 new jobs. For the first time in six years, Ford, GM and Chrysler are all operating at a profit. In fact, last week, GM announced its best quarter in over 11 years. And most importantly, American workers are back at the assembly line manufacturing the high-quality, fuel-efficient, American-made cars of tomorrow, capable of going toe to toe with any other manufacturer in the world.

By contrast, independent estimates have said that a million or more American jobs would have been lost had the government not taken the tough steps it did, dealing another brutal blow to the larger economy when it was teetering on the bring of complete disaster...

That wasn’t an acceptable option –- to throw up our hands and to quit. That’s not what we do. This is a country of optimistic and determined people who don’t give up when times are tough. We do what’s necessary to move forward.

So these last two years haven’t been easy on anybody. They haven’t been without pain or sacrifice, as the tough restructuring of GM reminds us. And obviously we’ve still got a long road ahead and a lot of work to do -– to rebuild this economy, to put people back to work, to make America more competitive for the future and to secure the American Dream for our children and our grandchildren.

But we are finally beginning to see some of these tough decisions that we made in the midst of crisis pay off. And I’m absolutely confident that we’re going to keep on making progress. I believe we’re going to get through this tougher and stronger than we were before. Because just as I had faith in the ability of our autoworkers to persevere and succeed, I have faith in the American people’s ability to persevere and succeed. And I have faith that America’s best days and America’s -- and American manufacturing’s best days are still ahead of us.

President Obama Awards National Medals of Science, Technology and Innovation

Posted by White House

President Obama has often spoken of his commitment to “returning science to its rightful place.” Yesterday that place was the East Room of the White House, where the President welcomed the winners of the National Medal of Science and National Medal of Technology and Innovation and presented their awards. Thirteen individuals and a three-person team were recognized for a wide range of groundbreaking achievements that include the development of “super-glue” adhesives, digital photography, and the microprocessors at the heart of today’s computers; insights into human and animal diseases and the biological basis of memory; advances in understanding the dynamics of climate; and profound discoveries in pure mathematics and quantum physics.

The medals, presented by the President in front of an enthusiastic audience of over 200 guests, are the highest honors bestowed by the United States government on scientists, engineers, and inventors. Recipients are selected based on their outstanding contributions to human knowledge and for enhancing American competitiveness and quality of life.

The President praised the laureates for their accomplishments and the profound impact they have had on people’s day-to-day lives. “The scientists and innovators in this room have saved countless lives, improved our health and well-being, unleashed whole new industries and millions of jobs, and transformed the ways we work and learn and communicate,” the President said. “And this incredible contribution serves as proof not only of your own creativity and skill, but of the promise of science itself.”

Many of the awardees honored broke down barriers that had left women and minorities underrepresented in these fields. Semiconductor and materials science pioneer Esther Conwell began her career working as an “assistant engineer,” only to be told that there was no such position for a woman and assigned to serve as an “engineer’s assistant” instead. Still, the President noted, that didn’t stop her from climbing to the highest ranks in her field. Renowned climate modeler Warren Washington became the second African-American to receive the National Medal of Science since its inception in 1959.

The President acknowledged that scientific progress can be difficult and painfully slow. But he also made plain, as he has throughout his tenure in the White House, that science and technology are essential to our ability to address the many challenges facing the Nation today—including boosting the economy, saving energy and the environment, and enhancing national security. “Every day, in research laboratories and on proving grounds, in private labs and university campuses, men and women conduct the difficult, often frustrating work of discovery. It isn’t easy,” he said. “It may take years to prove a hypothesis correct, or decades to learn that it isn’t correct. Often the competition can be fierce, whether in designing a product or securing a grant. And rarely do those who give their all to this pursuit receive the attention or the acclaim they deserve. Yet it is in these labs—often late at night, often fueled by a dangerous combination of coffee and obsession—that our future is being won.”

The ubiquity and utility of some of the discoveries and inventions recognized at the event were underscored when he presented the medal to Steven Sasson, inventor of the digital camera. As Dr. Sasson and the President stood alongside each other, the sound of hundreds of digital camera-clicks filled the room. The resonance of the moment was not lost on the President, who playfully pointed to the bank of photographers.

“This picture better be good,” he quipped.

The East Room ceremony can be viewed here. Also, check out this week’s Tuesday Talk, where three of the award recipients took questions via the Internet.