Speeches by President Obama

REMARKS BY THE PRESIDENT ON REDUCING SPENDING IN THE BUDGET

THE WHITE HOUSE

Office of the Press Secretary
_____________________________________________________________________
For Immediate Release                                     May 7, 2009 

Dwight D. Eisenhower Executive Office Building
Room 350

10:42 A.M. EDT

THE PRESIDENT:  Good morning, everybody.  All across this country, Americans are responding to difficult economic times by tightening their belts and making tough decisions about where they need to spend and where they need to save.  The question the American people are asking is whether Washington is prepared to act with the same sense of responsibility.

I believe we can and must do exactly that.  Over the course of our first hundred days in office, my administration has taken aggressive action to confront a historic economic crisis.  We're doing everything that we can to create jobs and to get our economy moving while building a new foundation for lasting prosperity -- a foundation that invests in quality education, lowers health care costs, and develops new sources of energy powered by new jobs and industries.

But one of the pillars of this foundation is fiscal responsibility.  We can no longer afford to spend as if deficits don't matter and waste is not our problem.  We can no longer afford to leave the hard choices for the next budget, the next administration -- or the next generation.

That's why I've charged the Office of Management and Budget, led by Peter Orszag and Rob Nabors who are standing behind me today, with going through the budget -- program by program, item by item, line by line -- looking for areas where we can save taxpayer dollars.

Today, the budget office is releasing the first report in this process:  a list of more than 100 programs slated to be reduced or eliminated altogether.  And the process is ongoing.

I want to be clear:  There are many, many people doing valuable work for our government across the country and around the world.  And it's important that we support these folks -- people who don't draw a big paycheck or earn a lot of praise but who do tough, thankless jobs on our behalf in our government.  So this is not a criticism of them.

At the same time, we have to admit that there is a lot of money that's being spent inefficiently, ineffectively, and, in some cases, in ways that are actually pretty stunning.

Some programs may have made sense in the past -- but are no longer needed in the present.  Other programs never made any sense; the end result of a special interest's successful lobbying campaign.  Still other programs perform functions that can be conducted more efficiently, or are already carried out more effectively elsewhere in the government.

One example of a program we will cut is a long-range radio navigation system which costs taxpayers $35 million a year.  This system once made a lot of sense, before there were satellites to help us navigate.  Now there's GPS.  And yet, year after year, this obsolete technology has continued to be funded even though it serves no government function and very few people are left who still actually use it.

Another example is the National Institute for Literacy.  Now, I strongly support initiatives that promote literacy -- it's critical -- but I oppose programs that do it badly.  Last year, nearly half of the funding in this program was spent on overhead.  So we've proposed cutting the $6 million for this program in favor of supporting literacy efforts within the Department of Education which use tax dollars more effectively and wisely.

We're also closing an office maintained by the Department of Education in Paris.  This is an office that costs hundreds of thousands of dollars to employ one person as a representative to United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, or UNESCO.  Now, participation in UNESCO is very important, but we can save this money and still participate using e-mail and teleconferencing and a small travel budget.

In addition, we're going to save money by eliminating unnecessary defense programs that do nothing to keep us safe, but rather prevent us from spending money on what does keep us safe.  One example is a $465 million program to build an alternate engine for the Joint Strike Fighter.  The Defense Department is already pleased with the engine it has.  The engine it has works.  The Pentagon does not want and does not plan to use the alternative version.  That's why the Pentagon stopped requesting this funding two years ago.  Yet it's still being funded.

These are just a few examples.  But the point to remember is that there are consequences for this kind of spending.  It makes the development of new tools for our military, like the Joint Strike Fighter, more expensive -- even prohibitively so -- and crowds out money that we could be using, for example, to improve our troops' quality of life and their safety and security.  It makes government less effective.  It makes our nation less resilient and less able to address immediate concerns and long-term challenges.  And it leaves behind a massive burden for our children and grandchildren.

Some of the cuts we're putting forward today are more painful than others.  Some are larger than others.  In fact, a few of the programs we eliminate will produce less than a million dollars in savings.  And in Washington, I guess that's considered trivial.  Outside of Washington, that's still considered a lot of money.

But these savings, large and small, add up.  The 121 budget cuts we are announcing today will save taxpayers nearly $17 billion next year alone.  And even by Washington standards, that should be considered real money.  To put this in perspective, the $17 billion is more than enough savings to pay for a $2,500 tuition tax credit for millions of students as well as a larger Pell Grant -- with enough money left over to pay for everything we do to pay for -- to protect the national parks.

And this is just one aspect of the budget reforms and savings we're seeking.

I've signed a presidential memorandum to end unnecessary no-bid contracts and dramatically reform the way government contracts are awarded -- reform that will save the American people up to $40 billion each year. 

Secretary Gates has proposed the elimination of expensive weapons systems ill-suited for the threats of the 21st century -- and a sweeping overhaul of a defense contracting system which has been riddled with hundreds of billions of dollars in waste and cost overruns.  A proposal to accomplish these kinds of reforms, sponsored by Senators John McCain and Carl Levin in the Senate, and Representatives Ike Skelton and John McHugh in the House, is advancing through Congress as we speak.

We're also going to eliminate the subsidies we provide to the health insurance companies through Medicare, saving roughly $22 billion each year starting in 2012 as part of a broader effort to reduce health care costs -- essential to putting our nation on a more secure fiscal footing.

All told, by the end of my first term we will cut the deficit in half.  Over the next decade we'll bring non-defense discretionary spending to its lowest level as a share of Gross Domestic Product since 1962.  We will also continue to look for ways we can save taxpayer money.  And I know there are many in both parties in Congress committed to cutting spending and eager to work with us.

One important step is restoring the "pay as you go" rule -- and I've called on Congress to do exactly that.  This rule says, very simply, that Congress can only spend a dollar if it saves a dollar elsewhere.  This is the principle that guides responsible families managing a budget.  This is the principle that helped transform large deficits into surpluses in the 1990s.

I've also asked my Cabinet to continue to scour their budgets looking for savings and to report their findings back to me.  And I've proposed other creative ways to control spending.   For example, we don't want agencies to protect bloated budgets -- we want them to promote effective programs.  So we'll allow agencies that identify savings to keep a portion of those savings to invest in programs that work within their agencies.

We're also making it possible for government employees to submit their ideas for how their agency can save money and perform better.  And we're going to reach beyond the halls of government.  Many businesses have innovative ways of using technology to save money; many experts have new ideas to make government work more efficiently.  Government can -- and must -- learn from them.

Finally, while these steps will help us cut our deficit in half over the next four years, we recognize that there remain looming challenges to our fiscal health beyond that -- challenges that will require us to make health care more affordable and to work on a bipartisan basis to address programs like Social Security.  So what we're proposing today does not replace the need for large changes in non-discretionary spending.

It is important, though, for all of you as you're writing up these stories to recognize that $17 billion taken out of our discretionary non-defense budget, as well as portions of our defense budget, are significant -- they mean something.  Now, none of this will be easy.  For every dollar we seek to save there will be those who have an interest in seeing it spent.  That's how unnecessary programs survive year after year.  That's how budgets swell.  That's how the people's interest is slowly overtaken by the special interests.  But at this moment, at this difficult time for our nation, we can't accept business as usual.  We can't accept anything less than a government ready to meet the challenges of our time.

We must build a government of the 21st century:  a government that is more efficient and more effective; a government that does what we need to do it -- and nothing that we don't; a government that invests in our future without leaving behind enormous financial burdens that put our future in jeopardy.  And today we've taken an important step, albeit just a first step, towards building this kind of government -- not just for this generation of Americans, but for the sake of generations to come.

Thank you, everybody.

END              
10:53 A.M. EDT

REMARKS BY PRESIDENT OBAMA AND RUSSIAN FOREIGN MINISTER SERGEY LAVROV AFTER MEETING

THE WHITE HOUSE

Office of the Press Secretary
____________________________________________________________________________
For Immediate Release                                                              May 7, 2009

Oval Office

4:40 P.M. EDT

PRESIDENT OBAMA:  I just want to make a brief statement.  I just had an excellent conversation with Minister Lavrov.  He and Secretary Clinton and the rest of our foreign policy teams have been meeting throughout the day.  This caps off many of these conversations, all in preparation for a visit that President Medvedev and I have discussed to take place sometime this summer.

As I've said before, I think we have an excellent opportunity to reset the relationship between the United States and Russia on a whole host of issues, from nuclear weapons and nuclear proliferation, the situation in Afghanistan and Pakistan, how we approach Iran, how we approach the Middle East, commercial ties between the two countries, and how we address the financial crisis that has put such a strain on the economies of all countries around the world.

And President Medvedev has an excellent representative in Minister Lavrov.  We very much appreciate his strong work in trying to move the relationship forward, and I am hopeful that the meetings that we've had so far and the meetings that we expect to have throughout the course of this year will be of mutual benefit to both countries.

So thank you very much for taking the time.

FOREIGN MINISTER LAVROV:  Thank you, Mr. President.  And I just would like briefly to relate that we indeed working very hard developing the documents which you and President Medvedev authorized us to do when you met in London.  I think we work in a very pragmatic, businesslike way on the basis of the common interest whenever our positions coincide, and on the basis of respect to each other whenever we have disagreements, trying to narrow the disagreements for the benefit of our countries and the international stability. 

And I can convey to you once again that President Medvedev is really looking forward to meeting you in Moscow in July.

PRESIDENT OBAMA:  Thank you, everybody.

END
4:44 P.M. EDT

REMARKS BY THE PRESIDENT AT THE CLOSE OF THE TRILATERAL MEETING WITH PRESIDENT KARZAI OF AFGHANISTAN AND PRESIDENT ZARDARI OF PAKISTAN

THE WHITE HOUSE

Office of the Press Secrectary
For Immediate Release
May 6, 2009

Cabinet Room

4:04 P.M. EDT

THE PRESIDENT: Well, thank you, everybody. We're going to be making formal remarks over there, but we just wanted to say that we've had an extraordinarily productive day. And what is represented around the table is not just three Presidents but rather it's ministers, agency heads at every level, and that reflects the kind of concrete cooperation and detail that is going to ultimately make a difference in improving opportunity and democracy and stability in Pakistan and in Afghanistan. So we'll see you guys over there. Thank you.

END
4:05 P.M. EDT

REMARKS BY THE PRESIDENT AFTER THE TRILATERAL MEETING WITH PRESIDENT KARZAI OF AFGHANISTAN AND PRESIDENT ZARDARI OF PAKISTAN, 5/6/09

THE WHITE HOUSE

Office of the Press Secretary
______________________________________________________________
For Immediate Release                                 May 6, 2009

Grand Foyer

4:11 P.M. EDT

THE PRESIDENT:  Good afternoon, everybody.  We just finished an important trilateral meeting among the United States, Afghanistan and Pakistan.  And earlier today I was pleased to have wide ranging bilateral discussions with both President Karzai of Afghanistan and President Zardari of Pakistan.

We meet today as three sovereign nations joined by a common goal:  to disrupt, dismantle, and defeat al Qaeda and its extremist allies in Pakistan and Afghanistan, and to prevent their ability to operate in either country in the future.  And to achieve that goal, we must deny them the space to threaten the Pakistani, Afghan, or American people.  And we must also advance security and opportunity, so that Pakistanis and Afghans can pursue the promise of a better life.

Just over a month ago, I announced a new strategy to achieve these objectives after consultation with Pakistan, Afghanistan and our other friends and allies.  Our strategy reflects a fundamental truth:  The security of Pakistan, Afghanistan, and the United States are linked.  In the weeks that have followed, that truth has only been reinforced.  Al Qaeda and its allies have taken more lives in Pakistan and Afghanistan, and have continued to challenge the democratically-elected governments of the two Presidents standing here today.  Meanwhile, al Qaeda plots against the American people -- and people around the world -- from their safe haven along the border.

I'm pleased that these two men -- elected leaders of Afghanistan and Pakistan -- fully appreciate the seriousness of the threat that we face, and have reaffirmed their commitment to confronting it.  And I'm pleased that we have advanced unprecedented cooperation between Afghanistan and Pakistan on a bilateral basis -- and among Afghanistan, Pakistan, and the United States -- which will benefit all of our people.

Today's meeting is the second in the trilateral dialogues among our countries.  And these meetings will coordinate our efforts in a broad range of areas, across all levels of government.  To give you a sense of the scope of this effort, Secretary Clinton, Attorney General Holder, Secretary Vilsack, Director Panetta, Director Mueller, and Deputy Secretary Lew will all host separate meetings with their Pakistani and Afghan counterparts.  And these trilateral meetings build on efforts being made in the region and in the United States, and they will continue on a regular basis.

Now there's much to be done.  Along the border where insurgents often move freely, we must work together with a renewed sense of partnership to share intelligence, and to coordinate our efforts to isolate, target and take out our common enemy.  But we must also meet the threat of extremism with a positive program of growth and opportunity.  And that's why my administration is working with members of Congress to create opportunity zones to spark development.  That's why I'm proud that we've helped advance negotiations towards landmark transit-trade agreements to open Afghanistan and Pakistan borders to more commerce.

Within Afghanistan, we must help grow the economy, while developing alternatives to the drug trade by tapping the resilience and the ingenuity of the Afghan people.  We must support free and open national elections later this fall, while helping to protect the hard-earned rights of all Afghans.  And we must support the capacity of local governments and stand up to corruption that blocks progress.  I also made it clear that the United States will work with our Afghan and international partners to make every effort to avoid civilian casualties as we help the Afghan government combat our common enemy.

And within Pakistan, we must provide lasting support to democratic institutions, while helping the government confront the insurgents who are the single greatest threat to the Pakistani state.  And we must do more than stand against those who would destroy Pakistan –- we must stand with those who want to build Pakistan.  And that is why I've asked Congress for sustained funding, to build schools and roads and hospitals. I want the Pakistani people to understand that America is not simply against terrorism -- we are on the side of their hopes and their aspirations, because we know that the future of Pakistan must be determined by the talent, innovation, and intelligence of its people.

I have long said that we cannot meet these challenges in isolation, nor delay the action, nor deny the resources necessary to get the job done.  And that's why we have a comprehensive strategy for the region with civilian and military components, led by Ambassador Richard Holbrooke and General David Petraeus. And for the first time, this strategy will be matched by the resources that it demands.

U.S. troops are serving courageously and capably in a vital mission in Afghanistan alongside our Afghan and international partners.  But to combat an enemy that is on the offensive, we need more troops, training, and assistance.  And that's why we are deploying 21,000 troops to Afghanistan and increasing our efforts to train Afghan security forces -- and I'm also pleased that our NATO allies and partners are providing resources to support our strategy.  And that is why we are helping Pakistan combat the insurgency within its borders -- including $400 million in immediate assistance that we are seeking from Congress, which will help the government as it steps up its efforts against the extremists.

And to advance security, opportunity, and justice for the people of Afghanistan and Pakistan, we are dramatically increasing our civilian support for both countries.  We were pleased that these efforts were recently amplified through the $5.5 billion that was pledged for Pakistan at an international donors conference in Tokyo -- resources that will help meet the basic needs of the Pakistani people.

The road ahead will be difficult.  There will be more violence, and there will be setbacks.  But let me be clear:  The United States has made a lasting commitment to defeat al Qaeda, but also to support the democratically elected sovereign governments of both Pakistan and Afghanistan.  That commitment will not waiver.  And that support will be sustained.

Every day, we see evidence of the future that al Qaeda and its allies offer.  It's a future filled with violence and despair.  It's a future without opportunity or hope.  That's not what the people of Pakistan and Afghanistan want, and it's not what they deserve.  The United States has a stake in the future of these two countries.  We have learned, time and again, that our security is shared.  It is a lesson that we learned most painfully on 9/11, and it is a lesson that we will not forget.

So we are here today in the midst of a great challenge.  But no matter what happens, we will not be deterred.  The aspirations of all our people -- for security, for opportunity and for justice -- are far more powerful than any enemy.  Those are the hopes that we hold in common for all of our children.  So we will sustain our cooperation.  And we will work for the day when our nations are linked not by a common enemy, but by a shared peace and prosperity, mutual interests and mutual respect, not only among governments but among our people.

I want to thank President Zardari and President Karzai for joining me here today.  I look forward to continuing this close cooperation between our governments in the months and years ahead.  Thank you very much, everybody.

END
4:19 P.M. EDT

REMARKS BY THE PRESIDENT ON INTERNATIONAL TAX POLICY REFORM, 5/4/09

Watch the remarks.

THE WHITE HOUSE

Office of the Press Secretary

_________________________________________________________________

For Immediate Release                                May 4, 2009

Grand Foyer

11:39 A.M. EDT

THE PRESIDENT:  All right.  Good morning, everybody.  Hope you all had a good weekend.

Let's begin with a simple premise:  Nobody likes paying taxes, particularly in times of economic stress.  But most Americans meet their responsibilities because they understand that it's an obligation of citizenship, necessary to pay the costs of our common defense and our mutual well-being.

And yet, even as most American citizens and businesses meet these responsibilities, there are others who are shirking theirs. And many are aided and abetted by a broken tax system, written by well-connected lobbyists on behalf of well-heeled interests and individuals.  It's a tax code full of corporate loopholes that makes it perfectly legal for companies to avoid paying their fair share.  It's a tax code that makes it all too easy for a number -- a small number of individuals and companies to abuse overseas tax havens to avoid paying any taxes at all.  And it's a tax code that says you should pay lower taxes if you create a job in Bangalore, India, than if you create one in Buffalo, New York.

Now, understand, one of the strengths of our economy is the global reach of our businesses.  And I want to see our companies remain the most competitive in the world.  But the way to make sure that happens is not to reward our companies for moving jobs off our shores or transferring profits to overseas tax havens.  This is something that I talked about again and again during the course of the campaign.  The way we make our businesses competitive is not to reward American companies operating overseas with a roughly 2 percent tax rate on foreign profits; a rate that costs -- that costs taxpayers tens of billions of dollars a year.  The way to make American businesses competitive is not to let some citizens and businesses dodge their responsibilities while ordinary Americans pick up the slack.

Unfortunately, that's exactly what we're doing.  These problems have been highlighted by Chairmen Charlie Rangel and Max Baucus, by leaders like Senator Carl Levin and Congressman Lloyd Doggett.  And now is the time to finally do something about them. And that's why today, I'm announcing a set of proposals to crack down on illegal overseas tax evasion, close loopholes, and make it more profitable for companies to create jobs here in the United States.

For years, we've talked about ending tax breaks for companies that ship jobs overseas and giving tax breaks to companies that create jobs here in America.  That's what our budget will finally do.  We will stop letting American companies that create jobs overseas take deductions on their expenses when they do not pay any American taxes on their profits.  And we will use the savings to give tax cuts to companies that are investing in research and development here at home so that we can jump start job creation, foster innovation, and enhance America's competitiveness.

For years, we've talked about shutting down overseas tax havens that let companies set up operations to avoid paying taxes in America.  That's what our budget will finally do.  On the campaign, I used to talk about the outrage of a building in the Cayman Islands that had over 12,000 business -- businesses claim this building as their headquarters.  And I've said before, either this is the largest building in the world or the largest tax scam in the world.

And I think the American people know which it is.  It's the kind of tax scam that we need to end.  That's why we are closing one of our biggest tax loopholes.  It's a loophole that lets subsidiaries of some of our largest companies tell the IRS that they're paying taxes abroad, tell foreign governments that they're paying taxes elsewhere -- and avoid paying taxes anywhere.  And closing this single loophole will save taxpayers tens of billions of dollars -- money that can be spent on reinvesting in America -- and it will restore fairness to our tax code by helping ensure that all our citizens and all our companies are paying what they should.

Now, for years, we've talked about stopping Americans from illegally hiding their money overseas, and getting tough with the financial institutions that let them get away with it.  The Treasury Department and the IRS, under Secretary Geithner's leadership and Commissioner Shulman's, are already taking far-reaching steps to catch overseas tax cheats -- but they need more support.

And that's why I'm asking Congress to pass some commonsense measures.  One of these measures would let the IRS know how much income Americans are generating in overseas accounts by requiring overseas banks to provide 1099s for their American clients, just like Americans have to do for their bank accounts here in this country.  If financial institutions won't cooperate with us, we will assume that they are sheltering money in tax havens, and act accordingly.  And to ensure that the IRS has the tools it needs to enforce our laws, we're seeking to hire nearly 800 more IRS agents to detect and pursue American tax evaders abroad.

So all in all, these and other reforms will save American taxpayers $210 billion over the next 10 years -- savings we can use to reduce the deficit, cut taxes for American businesses that are playing by the rules, and provide meaningful relief for hardworking families.  That's what we're doing.  We're putting a middle class tax cut in the pockets of 95 percent of working families, and we're providing a $2,500 annual tax credit to put the dream of a college degree or advanced training within the reach for more students.  We're providing a tax credit worth up to $8,000 for first-time home buyers to help more Americans own a piece of the American Dream and to strengthen the housing market.

So the steps I am announcing today will help us deal with some of the most egregious examples of what's wrong with our tax code and will help us strengthen some of these other efforts.  It's a down payment on the larger tax reform we need to make our tax system simpler and fairer and more efficient for individuals and corporations.

Now, it will take time to undo the damage of distorted provisions that were slipped into our tax code by lobbyists and special interests, but with the steps I'm announcing today we are beginning to crack down on Americans who are bending or breaking the rules, and we're helping to ensure that all Americans are contributing their fair share.

In other words, we're beginning to restore fairness and balance to our tax code.  That's what I promised I would do during the campaign, that's what I'm committed to doing as President, and that is what I will work with members of my administration and members of Congress to accomplish in the months and years to come.

Thanks very much, guys.

END                                         
11:46 A.M. EDT

REMARKS BY THE PRESIDENT AT CINCO DE MAYO EVENT

THE WHITE HOUSE

Office of the Press Secretary
_________________________________________________________________
For Immediate Release                                             May 4, 2009

East Room

5:28 P.M. EDT

THE PRESIDENT:  Hello.  Gracias.

AUDIENCE:  Bienvenidos.

THE PRESIDENT:  Bienvenidos.  Welcome to Cinco de Cuatro -- (laughter) -- Cinco de Mayo at the White House.  We are a day early, but we always like to get a head start here at the Obama White House.

Cinco de Mayo marks a singular moment in Mexican history.  Nearly 150 years ago, a ragtag band of soldiers and citizens, badly outnumbered and facing impossible odds, held their ground on a muddy hill to defend their nation from what was at the time the most fearsome fighting force in the world.  That decisive victory at what became known as the Battle of Puebla ignited a pride in country and culture that Mexican Americans feel to this day.

And tomorrow, on both sides of our border, we'll pay tribute to our shared heritage by celebrating with friends and family, with love and laughter.  We'll remember that America is a richer and more vibrant place thanks to the contributions of Mexican Americans -- (applause) --

AUDIENCE MEMBER:  Yeah!  (Applause.)

THE PRESIDENT:  I knew that was Manny over there.  (Laughter.)  Pat, do something about Manny.  (Laughter.)

We'll remember that the contributions of commerce and culture, in language and literature, in faith, and in food have all made America a better place.  And we will honor the service of Mexican Americans who have worn the uniform of the United States.  We'll also recommit to advancing the ambitions and the dreams of generations of Mexican Americans and all Latinos who have had an immeasurable impact on the life of this nation.

But even as we mark this joyous and festive occasion, we do so mindful of the fact that this is a difficult time for Mexico. The pain our global economic downturn has inflicted has only been deepened by the outbreak of the H1N1 flu, as well as the drug-related violence that has robbed so many of their future.

One thing we know:  Good neighbors work together when faced with common challenge.  And that's why we're working closely with the Mexican government to identify and treat illnesses that are caused by this new flu strain.  I spoke to President Calderón on Saturday about this joint approach.  That's why we're working in an urgent and coordinated fashion to end the drug wars.  That's why we'll continue to stand side-by-side with the Mexican people in pursuit of our common security and our common prosperity.

So I know this is a tough time on both sides of the border.  I know some of tomorrow's celebrations have been downsized or cancelled out of an abundance of caution, from Puebla to Mexico City to my hometown of Chicago.  And while we hope and pray that all these precautions and preparations will prove unnecessary, I applaud the Mexican government and all the leaders who are taking responsibility and appropriate steps in order to keep the people safe.

As we honor our heritage and our heroes tomorrow, I also know this:  Mexicans, Americans, and Mexican Americans are all a people who've known trial and persevered in the face of incredible odds.  We're a people of revolution; who value hard work and sacrifice; who forever look forward to the future with a deep and abiding faith that the dream of opportunity is still real and alive in our time.

And when one of my predecessors once visited Mexico City, he said that "while geography has made us neighbors, tradition has made us friends.  Economics has made us partners.  And necessity has made us allies... two great and independent nations, united by hope instead of fear."

John F. Kennedy's message nearly a half-century ago is my message now.  And when I made my first trip to Mexico as President, not just -- just three weeks ago, I was greeted by the children of both our nations waving flags of both our nations -- a powerful reminder that in the end, everything we do is done to guarantee a better future for our children and our grandchildren.

And while I was there, I found it impossible not to be touched by the warmth, the vigor, and the forceful vitality of the Mexican people -- a love of life I've seen in Mexican American communities throughout this nation.  And that's what we'll celebrate tomorrow, that's what we celebrate tonight, and that's what we will celebrate in the future.

So feliz Cinco de Mayo.  Thank you very much for being here.  And party on.  (Applause.)

Oh, I also want to -- I want to make sure that -- everybody knows the Bidens, but I want to make sure to acknowledge my good friend and a great friend of the United States, Ambassador Arturo Sarukhan, and his lovely wife, Valencia.  (Applause.)

Excuse me.  In an incredible breach of protocol, I introduced my good friend, the Ambassador, but he has greetings from the people of Mexico.  So I take complete responsibility for that.  I apologize.  Will everybody please settle down, and let's hear from our Ambassador from Mexico.  (Applause.)

AMBASSADOR SARUKHAN:  Senor Presidente, Mrs. Obama, Mr. Vice President, Mrs. Biden, ladies and gentlemen, amigos, amigas.  It is a great honor and a pleasure to be here with you today to celebrate together Cinco de Mayo.  Perhaps no single anniversary captures the depth of our friendship and the ties that unite us as this one does.  True friendship, they say, must undergo and withstand the shocks of adversity to be entitled to that name.

I believe that Mexico and the United States have together on multiple occasions in the past successfully faced hardships and overcome difficulties so that we may rightly claim to be true friends.

Today our two countries have yet again joined hands to address a common challenge.  Over the past few days we have worked together tirelessly, transparently and responsibly to identify and contain the spread of the H1N1 influenza outbreak.  We are firming and strengthening our cooperation, as well as providing an all-too-real example of the benefits of close cooperation and of the need to continue to deepen and widen our ties so that we may together build a strategic partnership.

Therefore, today, as the situation begins to stabilize, I would like to take this opportunity, Mr. President, to express the sincere gratitude of President Calderón and of the government and people of Mexico for all your support during this outbreak, and for your personal commitment to strengthen the already strong ties that bind our two peoples.

The festivities surrounding Cinco de Mayo may have their origin in the victory won in 1862 by Mexican forces against an invading French army.  But the anniversary of the Battle of Puebla has become a truly transnational celebration symbolizing the friendship that exists between our two nations, connected as they are by transported ties of family, history, culture and trade.

Here in the United States, Cinco de Mayo has also become a broader celebration, binding all Latinos as a community, and has acquired distinctive American undertones.  The transformation that this historic date has undergone in this country mirrors the one that all immigrants go through as they arrive and integrate into their new home, conscious that the U.S. thrives because it welcome newcomers, who in turn embrace its values and way of life.

And that is as it should be in a nation of immigrants such as the United States.  For American describes a oneness that points to citizenship and not the place of birth or nationality of the men and women it designates as Americans.  It makes reference to a singular citizenship and a highly plural civil society.

But beyond integration there must also be empowerment.  And this to a great extent is to be realized through the unity and organization that many of you here have dedicated your life to promoting within the Latino community.  Full citizenship can only be attained if people are well informed, organized and take an active part in the public life of their country.  Latino unity and organization is what precisely lies behind one of the most significant stories unfolding in contemporary America -- the coming of age of Hispanic community in this country, a community that many of you here represent today.

We thus need to continue to actively encourage the responsible and intelligent civic engagement and empowerment of Latinos to make sure that their voice is heard and their culture celebrated, and to ensure that they prosper as America prospers.

This is no small task, for notwithstanding the fact that the United States is a country that welcomes immigrants it would be naive to think that empowerment comes naturally and inevitably as a result of integration.  For some, for most recent immigrants, many of them Latinos, the obstacles are indeed significant.  Some would like to make these people invisible.  But as Ralph Ellison once said of the African American community, "If they are invisible it is simply because people refuse to see them."

This cannot stand, for to quote Ellison, "America is woven of many strands.  I would recognize them and let it so remain.  Our fate is to become one and yet many.  This is not prophecy, but description."

Ladies and gentlemen, no other bilateral relationship is more important than security and the prosperity of the United States than its relationship with Mexico, in the same way that the well being of the Mexican people is inextricably tied to the fates of the United States.  We must ensure that on both sides of the border our citizens remain co-stakeholders to this all-important bilateral relationship.  And in this endeavor the Latino community must continue to play a key role.

The celebration of the Cinco de Mayo by both our countries is a most permanent reminder of the common bond and heritage that our two nations share.  What we celebrate here today, Mr. President, is a common past and hopes and aspirations for a common future.

Thank you very much.  (Applause.)

THE PRESIDENT:  All right.  Now you can go party.  Thank you.  (Applause.)

END
5:40 P.M. EDT

REMARKS BY THE PRESIDENT AT CEREMONIAL SWEARING-IN OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES SECRETARY KATHLEEN SEBELIUS AND COMMERCE SECRETARY GARY LOCKE

THE WHITE HOUSE

Office of the Press Secretary
________________________________________________________________________________
For Immediate Release                                                                 May 1, 2009

East Room

4:50 P.M. EDT

THE PRESIDENT:  Hello, everybody.  Please, everybody have a seat.  This is a big family here.  (Laughter.)  A bit like a wedding, you know.  (Laughter.)

We’re here this afternoon to formally fill out my Cabinet with my new Secretary of Health and Human Services, Kathleen Sebelius; and my Secretary of Commerce, Gary Locke.  Secretary Sebelius and Secretary Locke were actually sworn in before today, but around here, we like to make sure we get it right.  (Laughter.)  I had to do it twice, and so now we make everybody do it twice.  (Laughter.)

When I announced Kathleen as my choice for HHS Secretary, I said that one of her responsibilities would be to make certain our nation is prepared for a pandemic.  What I didn’t expect was that a serious H1N1 flu outbreak would be her first assignment.  But it is.  And that’s why on Tuesday, only hours after being confirmed by the Senate, she was sworn in by my side in the Oval Office and then went straight to the Situation Room to get to work dealing with this emergency.

But managing crises is nothing new for Kathleen.  She has plenty of experience doing just that as governor of Kansas, and that expertise has enabled her to hit the ground running.  She’s been closely monitoring and carefully managing the situation, along with her Acting Director at the CDC, Dr. Richard Besser, and Secretary Janet Napolitano.  They’re making sure all federal agencies are coordinating their efforts and they’ll keep the American people updated over the days ahead.

Experts tell us this is a unique virus with the potential to have a great impact.  And as long as it remains a potentially grave threat we’re going to take it very seriously.  And obviously we hope the precautions we’re taking prove unnecessary, but better safe than sorry.  We will take every appropriate action to make sure that the American people are safe.

And if the flu outbreak isn’t enough, Secretary Sebelius has a lot of other challenges on her plate, from guaranteeing the safety of our nation’s food and drug supply to keeping America at the forefront of medical research, to helping to lead our effort to ensure that every American has access to quality, affordable health care. 

As a former state insurance commissioner and governor, Kathleen has been on the front lines of our health care crisis.  And she shares my belief that if we’re going to cut costs for families and businesses, maintain quality, and improve the long-term economic health of our nation, we must realize that fixing what’s wrong with our health care system is no longer just a moral imperative -- it’s an economic and fiscal imperative.  If we want to make companies more competitive and reduce our budget deficits in the future, we need to tackle health care reform right now. 

The reform we’re talking about won’t focus on Democratic ideas or Republican ideas, but on ideas that work.  And that’s precisely the kind of commitment to bipartisan accomplishment that Kathleen embodies.  She is, after all, the daughter of a Democratic governor and the daughter-in-law of a Republican congressman.  Her father, who is here, former Ohio Governor John Gilligan -- I just want to acknowledge him -- where did he go?  There he is, right in front.  Give him a big round of applause.  (Applause.)  He and Kathleen make up the first father-daughter pair of governors in the United States.

But Kathleen has a -- forged a reputation for bipartisan problem solving in her own right.  Time and again, she bridged the partisan divide and worked with a Republican legislature to get things done for the people of Kansas.

Kathleen possesses the patience and understanding honed by nearly 35 years of marriage to her husband Gary Sebelius -- (laughter) -- the former "First Dude" of Kansas -- (laughter) -- the grace and good humor required to raise sons like Ned and John; and the kind of pragmatic wisdom you tend to find in a Kansan.  She’s already a tremendous asset to my Cabinet.  She has hit the ground running.  I look forward to working with her in the years to come.

Now, when I chose Gary Locke for my Commerce Secretary, I mentioned his own remarkable story.  More than 100 years ago, Gary’s grandfather left China on a steamship bound for America, and found work as a domestic servant in Washington State.  He raised a son -- Gary’s father, Jimmy -- who would go on to fight in World War II, return home and open a grocery store, and later raise a family of his own.

Gary worked his way through Yale with the help of scholarships and student loans, earned his law degree, and returned to Washington State to devote his life to public service.  And when he took the oath of office as governor of Washington, he did so in the state capitol building not one mile from the home where his grandfather worked as a servant all those years ago.  And that’s how I know Gary shares my deep, abiding belief in the American Dream -- because he’s lived it, too. 

He’s since proceeded to honor the family’s legacy with years of distinguished service as one of the nation’s most able and forward-thinking governors.  He worked to promote economic development and attract businesses to Washington that would create the jobs of the 21st century -- jobs in science and technology; agriculture and clean energy.  And I’m proud of what he and his team at the Department of Commerce are doing to help create conditions in which our workers can prosper, our businesses can compete and thrive, and our economy can grow. 

I want to thank his lovely wife, Mona, their adorable children, Emily, Dylan, and Madeline, for being here -- thank you, guys -- (laughter) -- and for the sacrifices they’ve made to send Gary from one Washington to another -- especially Emily, because I know it’s harder when you’re older.  (Laughter.)  And I’m grateful to Gary for his service, because I know how hard it is to be away from your family.

My Cabinet is now full of energetic innovators like Kathleen and Gary; a team of leaders who push the envelope every day because they know that whether the wind is in our face or at our backs, America does not settle -- we always march forward.  I am thrilled to have them by my side as we continue the work of turning our economy around and laying a new foundation for growth that delivers on the change the American people asked for, and the promise of a new and better day ahead.

So with that, I’m going to turn it over to another extraordinary member of my team, my Vice President, Joe Biden, to administer the oaths. 

Joe.

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  Thank you, Mr. President.

(The oaths are administered.)  (Applause.)

THE PRESIDENT:  Thank you, everybody.  Have a great weekend.  (Applause.)

END
5:00 P.M. EDT

REMARKS BY THE PRESIDENT AT KICK-OFF FOR WOUNDED WARRIOR SOLDIER RIDE, 4/30/09

THE WHITE HOUSE

Office of the Press Secrectary

---

For Immediate Release
April 30, 2009

South Lawn

2:25 P.M. EDT

THE PRESIDENT: Thank you. (Applause.) It's good weather for a race -- not too hot.

Thank you, Secretary Gates, for your introduction, and more importantly, for the extraordinary job you're doing as our Secretary of Defense. I want to thank Secretary Shinseki, who served our country with extraordinary valor and courage, who was wounded in Vietnam, and who's leading our efforts to create a 21st century VA.

I want to thank my friend, Tammy Duckworth, who lost her legs in Iraq, and never stopped serving her country when she came home. I got to know Tammy in my home state of Illinois, and I know that she is going to be a great Assistant Secretary of the VA. (Applause.)

And thanks to all of those at Walter Reed and the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, the VA, and the Pentagon who have joined us today, and for all that you do for our wounded warriors. Welcome to the White House.

There are heroes among us today -- men and women who served their country without falter, without fail; men and women who selflessly risked their lives on behalf of others, so that others might live. Soldiers like Sergeant Jeremiah Church, who was shot while defending his unit from an ambush in Iraq, but kept fighting until he lost consciousness. Soldiers like Sergeant First Class Rashe Hall, who, despite being badly wounded by a rocket-propelled grenade, repeatedly charged a Taliban ambush in Afghanistan so that his men might get to safety, then returned to give them first aid before receiving his own.

And soldiers like Staff Sergeant Dillon Behr from my home state of Illinois. While in Afghanistan last year, his unit came under heavy fire. Despite sustaining not one, but two life-threatening injuries, he held his position and fought for six and a half hours until he could no longer hold a weapon -- all so that American and Afghan troops might move to safety. Today, he's undergoing rehab at Walter Reed, and he's going to college as he pursues the next chapter in his life of service.

These men served with extraordinary bravery. They saved lives. And these men were awarded the Silver Star for Valor. They were there for their brothers and sisters in the United States Armed Forces no matter what. And that's the idea behind the Soldier Ride we're kicking off today.

Now, like a lot of great ideas, this one was conceived in a bar. (Laughter and applause.) A young bartender on Long Island named Chris Carney began talking about biking across the country to raise funds and awareness for returning troops and wounded warriors. And his boss said to him, "If you don't do it, I'll find somebody who will."

So Chris hopped on his bike for what became the first annual Soldier Ride. The next year, a couple of wounded warriors joined him. A year later, even more. Civilians started to ride along. Grateful Americans began lining the streets to cheer and show their support. More rides were added, and more money was raised.

And five years after that first ride, I'm honored to have 40 wounded warriors gathered here on the South Lawn to kick off the third annual "White House to the Lighthouse" Challenge. Over the next three days -- (applause) -- over the next three days these men and women, along with family and supporters, will ride from here to Annapolis on bicycles and in wheelchairs, raising money and awareness for others returning from Iraq and Afghanistan with serious injuries.

Keep in mind that today's riders once faced down the possibility that they might never have an active lifestyle again. Some are missing limbs, coping with nerve damage, living with Traumatic Brain Injury or blindness. Some have endured painful rehabilitation, some still are, and some have battles yet to come.

These wounded warriors didn't get to choose the direction their lives would take the instant they were injured. But now they choose to prove that life after injury isn't about what you can't do -- it's about what you can. They choose to keep their faith with the future. They choose to keep fighting for their brothers and sisters and show them that they're not alone.

We also remember that so many are supported by spouses and children, parents and siblings who suffered the absence of a loved one, and then stood by their side through their recovery. These military families are heroes, too. And they are a top priority for Michelle and me, and they will always have our support.

To anyone who's along their route this weekend, I ask you to go out there and cheer. Salute. Say thank you. And we'll do our part to support our troops, their families, and all who have worn the uniform of the United States of America -- because when it comes to their service and sacrifice, warm words and gestures are more than warranted, but they're not nearly enough.

Our veterans deserve the care they were promised and the benefits that they have earned. And as long as I'm Commander-in-Chief, that's what they'll get. (Applause.) Just as these wounded warriors are there for one another, this country is going to be there for them.

And now I'm going to blow a horn and get this thing started. (Applause.)

So who has got the horn? Oh, this is the official horn? Hair trigger, white button. All right. (Laughter.) Everybody -- let's make sure everybody is lined up properly. Everybody all set? I don't want to catch anybody off-guard here.

All right, on your mark, get set -- (the President blows the horn.) (Applause.)

END
2:31 P.M. EDT

REMARKS BY THE PRESIDENT AT NATURALIZATION CEREMONY FOR ACTIVE DUTY SERVICE MEMBERS

Watch the ceremony.

THE WHITE HOUSE

Office of the Press Secretary
___________________________________________________________________________
For Immediate Release                                                            May 1, 2009

East Room

1:27 P.M. EDT

THE PRESIDENT:  Thank you.  Thank you so much.  This is a lot of fun.  This makes so much of the hard work we do worth it, to see this ceremony here today.  It is my honor and my personal pleasure to be the first to address you as my fellow Americans.  (Applause.)  And welcome to your White House.  (Applause.)  Now, I know this day carries a lot of meaning not only for you, but for your family members and your fellow service members who join you today.

Each of you has a unique story to tell about the journey that led you here.  You hail from every corner of the Earth -- from Southeast Asia to Central Europe, from West Africa to South America.  Some of you came to this country as young children, because your parents wanted to give you a better life in the land of opportunity.  Others traveled here as adults, enduring hardship and sacrifice, to provide for your own families.

But all of you have one thing in common:  You're here because you have not merely chosen to live in this country; you've chosen to serve this country.

You're here for the same reason that Jeonathan Zapata is here.  Jeonathan recently returned from serving as part of our efforts in Afghanistan.  He actually helped man the 400,000th aircraft landing aboard the USS Kitty Hawk.  And Jeonathan wanted to serve the country he considers his own -- even though he was not yet a citizen -- because America had been so good to him, from the time he came here from Nicaragua as a child.  "By serving in the military," Jeonathan says, "I can also give back to the U.S."

So, Jeonathan, I'd like you to stand.  (Applause.)

You're here for the same reason -- you can sit down now, Jeonathan -- (applause.)  You're here for the same reason that Chryshann Pierre is here.  Chryshann, where are you?  There you are.  (Applause.)  Chryshann is an Army Specialist returning from service in Iraq late last year.  Originally she joined the military because she wanted to provide stability for her three children.  But then she discovered something she did not expect: She loves being in the Army.  (Laughter.)  In fact, she even said that she loved basic training.  Chryshann, you've got to be pretty tough to love basic training.  (Laughter.)

You all have your own stories -- you can sit down, Chryshann -- (applause.) You all have your own stories of how you came to this country.  And you all have your own personal reasons for why you joined the military.  But in the service that you render, in the sacrifices that each of you have made and will continue to make, in the commitment you've shown to your adopted nation, you're part of a larger story -- America's story.

For more than two centuries, this nation has been a beacon of hope and opportunity -- a place that has drawn enterprising men and women from around the world who have sought to build a life as good as their talents and their hard work would allow.  And generation after generation of immigrants have come to these shores because they believe that in America all things are possible.

So you are not only living examples of that promise; you're also serving to defend that promise for future generations.  And your service reminds all of us that much of the strength of this country is drawn from those who have chosen to call it home.  It's not lost on me or anybody here today that at a time when we face an economic crisis born in many ways of irresponsibility, there are those who are actively pursuing greater responsibility.

And one person here today who fits that description well enough is Jeanne Ebongue Tapo -- right here.  She grew up in a poor family in Gabon, Africa, the daughter of a single mother raising five children by herself.  And Jeanne immigrated to the United States to provide for her family and to pursue her dream of becoming a dentist.  And that's why she joined the Navy.  And she hoped she'd have the opportunity to work and see the world and also earn her education.

And that's exactly what she has been able to do.  She has started college; she's had the chance to travel.  And even though she's had to make sacrifices to be apart from her loved ones, the people she's met in the Navy have become like a "family away from home."  And she's had the chance to be a part of what it feels like -- what feels like a small community and, at the same time, to be part of something much larger than herself.  So Jeanne, thank you.  (Applause.)

Despite all the -- all that she's faced, despite all the obstacles that she's overcome, Jeanne has made it her mission to serve others.  "At the end of the day," she said, "the only thing that matters is that I helped."

As our newest Americans, all of you remind us just how precious our citizenship is -- of how much it's worth and why it's worth protecting.  You all remind us that citizenship is not just a collection of rights, it's also a set of responsibilities; that America's success is not a gift, it is hard-won.  It depends on each of us doing our part.

So thank you all for your service.  I am extraordinarily proud of you.  And your nation is grateful to you.

So now it is also my privilege to present a distinguished American with an award in recognition of the many contributions of naturalized citizens like all of you.  It's called the "Outstanding American by Choice" Award.  It's given to -- it's given by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, and it is my honor to award it to Peter Lemon.  And let me tell you a little bit about Peter.  Peter was just 19 years old, and a citizen for just seven years, when he and his platoon came under fire in the Tay Ninh Province of Vietnam.

Wounded by shrapnel from a mortar that exploded near his foxhole, Specialist Lemon kept fighting to protect his position against wave after wave of attack.  The battle raged for hours.  He was wounded a second time, and then a third.  But he refused to give up, even leaving his foxhole and exposed himself to enemy fire in order to continue to defend his fellow Rangers.

In fact, once the fight was over, Specialist Lemon refused to be evacuated until others had been taken to a field hospital. And Pete would spend a month in the hospital himself to recover from his injuries.  Soon after he returned home, he would be presented with the Medal of Honor by President Nixon. 

Today, Peter Lemon is a proud father and a proud veteran -- as well as an author and a filmmaker.  And he has devoted his time and energies to talking about what his own experiences have meant to him and what he has learned -- to encourage each and every one of us that the way to make the most of our talents is to make a difference in the lives of others.

His experience is a testament to the men and women who have come to this country to build a better life for themselves and their families -- and who have, by their commitment and contribution, made America a much better place as well.

So it is my honor to present this "Outstanding American by Choice" Award to Peter Lemon.  Peter, will you please come here? (Applause.)

(The award is presented.)

One of you might win this someday.  You're already well on the way. 

END
1:34 P.M. EDT

Joint Statement President Obama and Prime Minister Harper United States-Canada Support for Chrysler LLC

THE WHITE HOUSE

Office of the Press Secretary
________________________________________________________________________
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                  April 30, 2009

The Governments of the United States and Canada have reviewed and approved the restructuring plans of Chrysler LLC and its subsidiaries, including Chrysler Canada Inc. 

As a result, thanks to the considerable contributions and sacrifices of company management, the United Auto Workers and Canadian Auto Workers, and major lenders, and a successful partnership agreement with Fiat SpA, our Governments are in a position to extend support to help Chrysler restructure itself and re-emerge as a globally competitive automaker.

"We appreciate the close and cooperative relationship between the U.S. and Canadian governments during this period of restructuring in the auto industry. Together, we have put in place a financing package that will give Chrysler a chance to achieve financial viability," said President Obama.

"I want to thank President Obama and the U.S Automotive Task Force for their close cooperation with Canada on this challenging issue. Thanks to our joint efforts, there is now a road ahead to a stronger Chrysler and a stronger industry in the future on both sides of the border," said Prime Minister Harper.

The Governments will provide $US 10.5 billion in financing, including short term and medium term capital and debtor-in-possession financing to assist with the court-supervised restructuring of Chrysler LLC.   Of this amount, the United States is contributing $US 8.08 billion and Canadian governments (including the Government of Canada and Government of Ontario) $US 2.42 billion. 

The United States will have 8 percent of the equity of the restructured Chrysler LLC, and Canada and Ontario will have 2 percent, and the United States will appoint four independent directors to the new Chrysler LLC board, while Canada will appoint one independent director.

The close cooperation of our Governments acknowledges that the automotive industries in Canada and the United States are tightly linked, with major automobile manufacturers and suppliers operating on both sides of the border in a completely integrated way.  The cost sharing reflects the historic shares of auto production in both countries for Chrysler, which will be maintained under this restructuring agreement.

The United States and Canada are committed to continuing to work together closely as we chart the path to a stronger automobile industry in both countries, both in the short term as we complete similar efforts on General Motors restructuring plan, and in the long term as we seek to ensure a competitive, environmentally responsible automobile industry for the future.