The White House Blog: The President

From the Archives: President Obama Commemorates D-Day

Posted by Megan Slack on June 6, 2012 at 3:12 PM EDT

Today, June 6, marks D-Day, the day in 1944 when Allied forces from America, the United Kingdom, and Canada landed on the beaches at Normandy to liberate mainland Europe from Nazi control. The odds for success that day were bad: for three centuries, no invader had been able to cross the English Channel into Normandy. The 50-mile stretch of French coastline was heavily fortified to fend off a seaborne invasion, and Nazi soldiers lined steep cliffs along the water, armed with machine guns and artillery. Thousands of troops died in the fighting that day, but when it was over, the Allies had gained a foothold into France and, ultimately, Nazi Germany, where they would defeat Hilter.

To commemorate the 65^th anniversary of D-Day, President Obama spoke in Normandy, thanking the men who achieved victory there against all odds, and remembering those who died that day:

It was unknowable then, but so much of the progress that would define the 20th century, on both sides of the Atlantic, came down to the battle for a slice of beach only six miles long and two miles wide.

More particularly, it came down to the men who landed here -- those who now rest in this place for eternity, and those who are with us here today. Perhaps more than any other reason, you, the veterans of that landing, are why we still remember what happened on D-Day.

Watch video from the speech above.
President Obama on Ray Bradbury

Posted by Matt Compton on June 6, 2012 at 2:48 PM EDT

Ray Bradbury, the legendary novelist whose writing career stretched out over the course of 70 years, died on Tuesday in Los Angeles. The author, whose works included "Fahrenheit 451" and "The Martian Chronicles," was 91.

"His gift for storytelling reshaped our culture and expanded our world," said President Obama. Here's the full statement:

For many Americans, the news of Ray Bradbury's death immediately brought to mind images from his work, imprinted in our minds, often from a young age. His gift for storytelling reshaped our culture and expanded our world. But Ray also understood that our imaginations could be used as a tool for better understanding, a vehicle for change, and an expression of our most cherished values. There is no doubt that Ray will continue to inspire many more generations with his writing, and our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends.
Congress Says No to Equal Pay

Posted by Colleen Curtis on June 5, 2012 at 4:24 PM EDT

Equal pay for women is about more than just fairness. Women are breadwinners in more than 50 percent of American households, and if they're making less than men do for the same work, families have to get with less money for childcare and tuition and rent, and small businesses have fewer customers. Everybody suffers.

President Obama supports passage of the Paycheck Fairness Act, a comprehensive and commonsense bill that updates and strengthens the Equal Pay Act of 1963, which made it illegal for employers to pay unequal wages to men and women who perform substantially equal work. Following Congress's failure to act on this bill today, the President released the following statement:

This afternoon, Senate Republicans refused to allow an up-or-down vote on the Paycheck Fairness Act, a commonsense piece of legislation that would strengthen the Equal Pay Act and give women more tools to fight pay discrimination. It is incredibly disappointing that in this make-or-break moment for the middle class, Senate Republicans put partisan politics ahead of American women and their families. Despite the progress that has been made over the years, women continue to earn substantially less than men for performing the same work. My Administration will continue to fight for a woman’s right for equal pay for equal work, as we rebuild our economy so that hard work pays off, responsibility is rewarded, and every American gets a fair shot to succeed.

Learn more about wage inequality and its effects on American families here
President Obama’s Message for Queen Elizabeth II

Posted by Matt Compton on June 5, 2012 at 1:23 PM EDT

President Obama took a moment to record a message for Queen Elizabeth II to mark her Diamond Jubilee.

In the video below, he celebrates the special relationship between the people of the United Kingdom and the United States and the leadership shown by the Queen through the course of the past 60 years.

"May the light of your Majesty's crown continue to reign supreme for many years to come," he said.

Check it out:

Learn more
- British Prime Minister David Cameron visited the White House in March. Go behind the scenes
- In 2011, President Obama spoke to the UK parliament about the relationship between our two countries and the challenges we face in a changing world. Read the remarks.
Weekly Address: It’s Time for Congress to Get to Work

Posted by Matt Compton on June 2, 2012 at 5:30 AM EDT

President Obama speaks to the American people from a Honeywell manufacturing facility in Minnesota about his proposal to make it easier for companies to hire our returning service members for jobs that utilize their skills and help grow our economy.

Transcript | Download mp4 | Download mp3
President Obama: We Have to Deliver for Our Veterans

Posted by Matt Compton on June 1, 2012 at 4:31 PM EDT

President Barack Obama greets people in the crowd at the Honeywell Golden Valley Facility in Golden Valley, Minn., June 1, 2012. The President urged Congress to act on the “To Do List,” specifically highlighting the need to honor our commitment to returning veterans by passing legislation that creates a Veterans Jobs Corps. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)

In Minnesota today, President Obama was introduced by Ryan Sullivan -- a Navy veteran who served in Iraq and Yemen. When he was discharged, Sullivan got an education in electrical maintenance and construction, then went to work for Honeywell.

The President wants to make sure that all those returning from war find good jobs, just like Ryan Sullivan. That's why he's proposed the Veterans Jobs Corps, with a goal of putting 20,000 servicemembers to work rebuilding American infrastructure and serving as cops and firefighters.

He told the crowd in Golden Valley:

[Now] that the war in Iraq is over and we’re starting to wind down the war in Afghanistan over a million more of those outstanding heroes, they're going to be joining this process of transition back into civilian life over the next few years.

Now, just think about the skills these veterans have acquired at an incredibly young age. Think about the leadership they’ve learned -- 25-year-olds, 26-year-olds leading platoons into unbelievably dangerous situations, life-or-death situations. Think about the cutting-edge technologies they’ve mastered; their ability to adapt to changing and unpredictable situations -- you can’t get that stuff from a classroom.

I mean, these kids, these men, these women, they’ve done incredible work, and that's exactly the kind of leadership and responsibility that every business in America should be wanting to attract, should be competing to attract.

The President called on lawmakers to pass legislation making the Veterans Jobs Corps a reality -- part of his To-Do List for Congress.

Learn more about the actions that President Obama is asking Congress to take here.
West Wing Week: 05/31/12 or "Each of Them Loved This Country . . . More Than Life Itself."

Posted by Matt Compton on June 1, 2012 at 12:00 AM EDT

This week, the President honored Memorial Day and the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War, awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, signed bipartisan legislation reauthorizing the Export-Import Bank, and welcomed Former President Bush and Former First Lady Laura Bush for the official unveiling of their portraits.

Tell us what you think about West Wing Week by taking a short survey at http://www.whitehouse.gov/westwingweek
President Obama Unveils the Official Portrait of President George W. Bush

Posted by Matt Compton on May 31, 2012 at 6:37 PM EDT

President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama host a ceremony on the occasion of the unveiling of the official portraits of former President George W. Bush and former First Lady Laura Bush, in the East Room of the White House, May 31, 2012. (Official White House Photo by Lawrence Jackson)

Today marked a rare moment in White House history -- three different Presidents came together to unveil the official portraits of President George W. Bush and Laura Bush.

President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama hosted the event. President George H.W. Bush and Barbara Bush were in attendance.

And as Presidents 44 and 43 spoke, each had warm words for the other.

"George, I will always remember the gathering you hosted for all the living former Presidents before I took office, your kind words of encouragement," President Obama said. "Plus, you also left me a really good TV sports package."

When it was President Bush's turn to speak, he also had a thought for his successor.

"I am also pleased, Mr. President, that when you are wandering these halls as you wrestle with tough decisions, you will now be able to gaze at this portrait and ask, what would George do?" he said.

By tradition, the paintings are commissioned by the White House Historical Association, which in turn presents the portraits to the White House. Each President chooses the artists tasked with painting his likeness.
President Obama Signs Renewal of the Export-Import Bank

Posted by Matt Compton on May 30, 2012 at 3:33 PM EDT

President Barack Obama signs the Export-Import Bill during a ceremony in South Court Auditorium in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building, May 30, 2012. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)

Through the course of the past twelve months, U.S. companies exported $2.15 trillion worth of goods.

That figure breaks a record -- it's a 36 percent increase from the level of exports in 2009, and in fact, it's the most we've ever exported in one, 12-month period. Some 9.7 million people went to work because of these exports -- which is itself an increase of 1.2 million export-related jobs since 2009.

And part of the reason for that success has been the Export-Import Bank. The Bank, which is 78 years old, offers assistance to companies around the world that buy American products -- in order to help boost the sale of those goods.

The Bank's charter was set to expire at the end of the month, but with a bipartisan agreement from Congress, the President was able to extend the Bank's mandate through September of 2014.

"By reauthorizing support for the Export-Import Bank, we’re helping thousands of businesses sell more of their products and services overseas," the President said. "And in the process, we’re helping them create jobs here at home."
President Obama Awards the Medal of Freedom

Posted by Matt Compton on May 29, 2012 at 6:22 PM EDT

President Barack Obama presents the Presidential Medal of Freedom to former University of Tennessee basketball coach Pat Summitt during a ceremony in the East Room of the White House, May 29, 2012. Looking on at left is author Toni Morrison who also received the Medal of Freedom. (Official White House Photo by Lawrence Jackson)

Today, President Obama honored 13 Americans with the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

This year's recipients include cultural icons like Bob Dylan and Toni Morrison, as well as groundbreaking pioneers like former Secretary of State Madeline Albright and Pat Summit, the winningest basketball coach in NCAA history. Also honored were Dolores Huerta, who cofounded the United Farm Workers with Cesar Chavez, and Jan Karski, whose work in the Polish resistance allowed him to share a first-hand account of the Holocaust with Western Allies.

The President said:

Together, the honorees on this stage, and the ones who couldn’t be here, have moved us with their words; they have inspired us with their actions. They’ve enriched our lives and they’ve changed our lives for the better. Some of them are household names; others have labored quietly out of the public eye. Most of them may never fully appreciate the difference they’ve made or the influence that they’ve had, but that’s where our job comes in. It’s our job to help let them know how extraordinary their impact has been on our lives. And so today we present this amazing group with one more accolade for a life well led, and that’s the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

The Medal of Freedom is highest honor awarded to civilians in the United States. It was established in 1963 by President Kennedy and is presented to those who have made "an especially meritorious contribution to the security or national interests of the United States, world peace, cultural or other significant public or private endeavors."

See the full list of honorees here.