GOPLeader: Dems’ “Recovery Summer” Upended By More Job Losses, Higher Unemployment Rate http://bit.ly/bC5zHj

September 3, 2010

Presidential Determination No.    2010-14

By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, including section 2(c)(1) of the Migration and Refugee Assistance Act of 1962 (the "Act"), as amended (22 U.S.C. 2601(c)(1)), I hereby determine, pursuant to section 2(c)(1) of the Act, that it is important to the national interest to furnish assistance under the Act in an amount not to exceed $33 million from the United States Emergency Refugee and Migration Assistance Fund for the purpose of meeting unexpected and urgent refugee and migration needs, including by contributions to international, governmental, and nongovernmental organizations and payment of administrative expenses of the Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration of the Department of State, related to humanitarian needs resulting from recent devastating flooding in Pakistan.

You are authorized and directed to publish this memorandum in the Federal Register.

                        BARACK OBAMA

 

On September 21, President Barack Obama will award Chief Master Sergeant Richard L. Etchberger, U.S. Air Force, the Medal of Honor for conspicuous gallantry. Chief Etchberger will receive the Medal of Honor posthumously for his heroic actions in combat on March 11, 1968 in the country of Laos.  He displayed immeasurable courage and uncommon valor - deliberately exposing himself to enemy fire in order to place his three surviving wounded comrades in the rescue slings permitting them to be airlifted to safety. As he was finally being rescued, he was fatally wounded by enemy ground fire.  Chief Etchberger's sons, Cory Etchberger, Richard Etchberger and Steve Wilson will join the President at the White House to commemorate their father’s example of selfless service and sacrifice.

PERSONAL BACKGROUND:
Richard (Dick) L. Etchberger served in the United States Air Force from 1951 – 1968.  Born in Hamburg, Pennsylvania on March 5, 1933, he was inspired to join the military due to his brother Bob enlisting in the Navy in early 1946.  Upon joining the USAF on August 31, 1951, he proved to have a high aptitude in electronics and began long list of training and assignments that he would undergo to become a master in his career field.  On April 1, 1967, he was promoted to Chief Master Sergeant.  He held assignments in Mississippi, Utah, Morocco, North Dakota, Philippines, Illinois and the Republic of Vietnam. 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
THE MEDAL OF HONOR:
The Medal of Honor is awarded to a member of the Armed Forces who distinguishes themselves conspicuously by gallantry above and beyond the call of duty while:

• engaged in an action against an enemy of the United States;
• engaged in military operations involving conflict with an opposing foreign force; or
• serving with friendly foreign forces engaged in an armed conflict against an opposing armed force in which the United States is not a belligerent party.

The meritorious conduct must involve great personal bravery or self-sacrifice so conspicuous as to clearly distinguish the individual above his or her comrades and must have involved risk of life. There must be incontestable proof of the performance of the meritorious conduct, and each recommendation for the award must be considered on the standard of extraordinary merit.

GOPLeader: RT @darrellissa "Putting America Back to Work" at a casino, aquarium, golf course, zoo and swimming pool? http://tinyurl.com/2wqz72v

BarackObama: We can’t afford to go backward to the failed policies of the past. We have to move forward. Commit to vote this November. http://j.mp/cQ5kd7

The delegations have departed, the speeches have been delivered, and the talks have begun. Re-launching direct negotiations between Israelis and Palestinians was of course a first step, but the meetings this week at the White House and the State Department went quite well, and represent a good foundation for progress.

As Senator Mitchell said, the tone was constructive and serious, and the two leaders began to establish a positive relationship. Prime Minister Netanyahu and President Abbas met for nearly two hours one-on-one at the State Department on September 2nd. They talked very frankly and openly with each other, and got a sense of each other’s seriousness of purpose.

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SenJohnMcCain: Service was spotty from Miami to Phoenix, here is the pic. http://yfrog.com/4j8w0j

A PROCLAMATION

Working Americans are the foundation of our Nation's continued economic success and prosperity.  From constructing the first transcontinental railroad to shaping our city skylines, they have built our country and propelled it forward.  Through great innovation and perseverance, our labor force has forged America as a land of limitless possibility and a leader in the global marketplace.  On Labor Day, we honor the enduring values and immeasurable contributions of working men and women today and throughout our history.

As we recognize the contributions of the American workers who have built our country, we must continue to protect their vital role and that of organized labor in our national life.  Workers have not always possessed the same rights and benefits many enjoy today.  Over time, they have fought for and gained fairer pay, better benefits, and safer work environments.  From the factory floors during the Industrial Revolution to the shopping aisles of today's superstores, organized labor has provided millions of hard-working men and women with a voice in the workplace and an unprecedented path into our strong middle class.  By advocating on behalf of our families, labor unions have helped advance the safe and equitable working conditions that every worker deserves.

Today, as we emerge from the worst recession since the Great Depression, far too many American workers remain without a job.  With every work hour lost and every plant closure and layoff, families and communities struggle to make ends meet and face difficult decisions about how to stay afloat.  Yet, in the face of this tremendous challenge, our workers have renewed their commitment to achieving the American dream by training and educating themselves for careers crucial to our long-term competitiveness.  To rebuild our economy, my Administration is focusing on job training and investing in industries that cannot be outsourced.  By focusing on recovery at home, we are saving or creating millions of jobs in America and supporting the working men and women who will drive our 21st-century economy.  More remains to be done, but we have taken important steps forward toward recovery.

American workers have always been ready to roll up their sleeves, clock in, and earn an honest living.  That steady determination is why I have confidence in the American economy and confidence that we can overcome the challenges we face. There is no greater example of our country's resolve and resilience than that of our workers.  As we celebrate Labor Day, we honor those who have advanced our Nation's strength and prosperity -- American workers.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim September 6, 2010, as Labor Day.  I call upon all public officials and people of the United States to observe this day with appropriate programs, ceremonies, and activities that acknowledge the tremendous contributions of working Americans and their families.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this third day of September, in the year of our Lord two thousand ten, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-fifth.

BARACK OBAMA

Over the past three decades, childhood obesity rates in America have tripled, affecting children across the nation and changing country’s overall health and wellness.   Building on the momentum of the Let’s Move! campaign and highlighting the steps that individuals, families and communities can take to address this issue, President Obama recently issued a proclamation making September 2010 National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month.

The new Presidential Proclamation encourages Americans to be more active in addressing this ongoing struggle and raising a healthier generation of children:

“One of the greatest responsibilities we have as a Nation is to safeguard the health and well-being of our children.  We now face a national childhood obesity crisis, with nearly one in every three of America's children being overweight or obese.  There are concrete steps we can take right away as concerned parents, caregivers, educators, loved ones, and a Nation to ensure that our children are able to live full and active lives.  During National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month, I urge all Americans to take action to meet our national goal of solving the problem of childhood obesity within a generation.”

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On Wednesday in Cleveland, Ohio, the President will update the American people on the state of the economy, talk about the progress we have made, and discuss some targeted proposals to keep the economy growing including extending tax cuts for the middle class, and investing in the areas of our economy where the potential for job growth is greatest.

As today’s jobs numbers demonstrate, we are headed in the right direction. We have gained private sector jobs for the last 8 months, but not nearly enough. As the President said today, there’s no quick fix to the worst recession since the Great Depression. It took years to create our economic problems, and it’ll take more time than any of us would like to fully repair the damage. There are no silver bullets and anyone who is promising them is not being straight with the American people. But there are some ideas that will help the economy and help American families that are hurting and those proposals will be a part of the President’s remarks.

Speaking in the city where Minority Leader Boehner recently detailed the Republican economic agenda, the President will lay out the choice between his ideas and the failed policies and failed philosophy that led us into this mess. 

Dan Pfeiffer is White House Communications Director

President Obama will welcome the Secretary General of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), Mr. Anders Fogh Rasmussen, to the White House on September 7, 2010.  As part of the President’s ongoing consultations with allies about our global agenda, the two leaders will discuss NATO’s role in advancing our shared interests in Europe and beyond, including through the International Security Assistance Force mission in Afghanistan.  They will discuss preparations for the November 19-20, 2010 NATO Summit in Lisbon, Portugal, which will include a focus on NATO’s development of new capabilities that ensure it is able to respond effectively to 21st century challenges.

BarackObama: The party that finally made real the idea that no one should be denied health care just because they get sick: #FF @DemocratsDotOrg.

SenJohnMcCain: Had lunch in Miami at Guayo's El Rey. *my first pic with my new iPhone

The United States condemns, in the strongest possible terms, the terrorist attacks on a religious procession in Quetta and an Ahmedi worship center in Peshawar.  We offer our sincere condolences to the families of the victims.

To target innocent civilians during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan at an already difficult time as the country is working hard to recover  from terrible flooding caused by monsoons makes these acts even more reprehensible.

In line with the deepening partnership between our two nations, the United States government continues to assist and work closely with the Government of Pakistan in its efforts to rebuild and recover, and we will continue to stand with the people of Pakistan as they face these challenging times.

edlabordems: RT @usedgov Alabama, Maine, and Tennessee will receive millions of dollars to support education jobs. http://go.usa.gov/xqr

The President will host a meeting with leaders of the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) in New York City on September 24, 2010.  The President has invited the leaders of the ten ASEAN member states as well as ASEAN’s Secretary General to join him for the second ever U.S.-ASEAN  leaders meeting.   At the first such meeting, held in Singapore in November 2009, the President and the ASEAN leaders pledged to deepen cooperation in a number of areas of common concern including trade and investment, regional security, disaster management, food and energy security, and climate change.  The President looks forward to working with the leaders to assess the progress on these issues, identify future efforts to strengthen U.S.-ASEAN relations, and discuss multilateral approaches for greater regional cooperation.

edlabordems: RT @HildaSolisDOL As you celebrate the holiday wknd, please remember what it is we're celebrating. Visit http://www.dol.gov/laborday

Congressman Donnelly Inspects Progress of Burrows Railroad Crossing Improvements
On September 2, 2010, Congressman Joe Donnelly visited the community of Burrows to inspect one of two railroad crossings under construction that had become safety hazards to Burrows residents and those passing through. Burrows residents brought this issue to his attention in June, and subsequently he contacted Norfolk Southern officials and met with them in Indiana and Washington, DC to voice the concerns about the two potentially hazardous crossings. After the meetings, Norfolk Southern agreed to make the much-needed improvements so travel across these two crossings will no longer be a safety concern for Burrows residents or travelers. From: RepJoeDonnelly Views: 1 0 ratings Time: 00:20 More in News & Politics

SenJeffMerkley: Watch video of Merkley on @nwcn talking about his effort to ban animal torture videos: http://ow.ly/2zhGq