UK State Visit, American-Made Energy, and the Affordable Care Act Anniversary: Deputies' Download

In a ceremony steeped in tradition, last Wednesday President Obama -- together with the First Lady, the Vice President and Dr. Biden -- welcomed Prime Minister David Cameron and his wife, Samantha, to the White House on behalf of the American people. After the event on the South Lawn that displayed the rock-solid alliance between our two countries, and a one-on-one meeting in the Oval Office, President Obama and Prime Minister Cameron took advantage of a beautiful spring day to hold a joint press conference in the White House Rose Garden. The two leaders answered questions about the global economy, Iran's nuclear program, the war in Afghanistan, and even touched on bracketology.

President Barack Obama delivers remarks during an Official Arrival Ceremony on the South Lawn of the White House honoring Prime Minister David Cameron of the United Kingdom and Mrs. Samantha Cameron, March 14, 2012. (Official White House Photo by Sonya N. Hebert)

Last Thursday, the President spoke at Prince George’s Community College in Largo, Maryland about his all-of-the-above strategy to develop every available source of American-made energy. Otherwise, we won’t be fully in control of our energy future if our strategy only consists of drilling for the 2 percent of oil we have but still buying the 20 percent we use -- especially if we have to buy that oil on a world market where prices -- which are already subject to short-term spikes when political conflict or natural disaster affects supply -- will only keep rising as global demand for oil explodes.

President Barack Obama delivers remarks on energy at Prince George’s Community College in Largo, Maryland, March 15, 2012. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)

Two years ago, President Obama signed the Affordable Care Act – legislation to improve our health care system – into law. As the President said in March, 2010: “The bill I’m signing will set in motion reforms that generations of Americans have fought for and marched for and hungered to see.”

As we look back on two years of progress, senior administration officials are turning to Twitter to answer your questions about the Affordable Care Act in a series of White House Office Hours.

On Friday, March 23rd at 2:00 p.m. EDT, Cecilia Muñoz, Director of the Domestic Policy Council, will answer your questions through a Twitter Office Hours session. Do you have a question about what the law means for you and your family? Here's how you can join:

• Ask your question on Twitter with the hashtag #WHChat
• White House officials answers your questions from the @WHLive account
• Follow the Q&A through the @WHLive Twitter account and the hashtag #WHChat
• If you miss the live event, the full session will be posted on WhiteHouse.gov and Storify.com/WhiteHouse

As the provisions in the law start to take effect, millions of Americans are seeing a noticeable difference in the cost and quality of their health care. How has healthcare made a difference for you and your family? We want to hear from you. Also, you can join the conversation and share your story through Twitter by using the hashtag #MyCare.

Blog Highlights

• Weekly Address: Ending Subsidies for Big Oil Companies
• Toasting the Alliance between America and Britain
• Jobs On The Way: U.S.-Korea Trade Agreement Takes Effect Today
• Celebrating Two Years of the President’s National Export Initiative
• AmeriCorps: Developing the Next Generation of Public Servants
• Are you hiring this summer?
• West Wing Week: 3/16/12 or "Leveling the Playing Field"

White House Champions of Change Program

The President personally congratulated five young leaders last Thursday as Champions of Change for their outstanding leadership on their college campuses. Last fall, the White House announced the launch of the Campus Champions of Change Challenge. After reviewing a record number of entries, fifteen Challenge finalists were announced and the public chose the top five projects they think best embody the President’s goal to win the future. These five Campus Champions of Change will also have the opportunity to work with mtvU and MTV Act to create short features about their projects that will air on mtvU and be featured on MTV.com.

The Champions of Change series spotlights everyday heroes who are demonstrating commitment to improving their own communities, their country, or the lives of their fellow citizens. We are looking for you to nominate someone who is doing extraordinary things to make a difference in your community as a “Champion of Change.”

Get Involved

For more information about ways to get involved, check out the Office of Public Engagement’s blog, which is updated daily with upcoming engagement opportunities. Be sure to participate in the online conversation by following @JonCarson44.

Two months ago, President Obama and Department of Labor Secretary Hilda Solis announced the Summer Jobs+ Initiative, a call-to-action for American business, nonprofits, and government to provide pathways to employment for low-income and disconnected youth in the summer of 2012. Our goal is to provide 250,000 summer job opportunities for America’s youth. We need your help to reach our goal. Employers can commit to offering employment opportunities for youth this summer by signing up HERE. Youth and communities can sign-up HERE to be alerted when the jobs bank goes live.

Do you know of an American scientist, engineer, or inventor who has helped lay that foundation—who made a major mark on the Nation and perhaps the world? Consider nominating them for National Medal of Science or National Medal of Technology and Innovation before March 31. These awards are the highest honors the President bestows in science, technology, and innovation.

The White House Internship Program is accepting applications for Fall 2012. Please visit obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/internships for detailed information about the program, the application process, a timeline with deadlines, and the departments that participate in the program.  The deadline to apply for Fall 2012 is April 1, 2012.

Get Updates

For more information, visit the White House Office of Public Engagement website and blog and sign up for additional opportunities.

We welcome your thoughts and feedback at public@who.eop.gov

Anne Filipic and Stephanie Valencia are Deputy Directors in the Office of Public Engagement.