text:
WEEKLY ADDRESS: "We Can't Wait" to Strengthen the Economy and Create Jobs
WEEKLY ADDRESS: "We Can't Wait" to Strengthen the Economy and Create Jobs
WASHINGTON—In this week's address, President Obama told the American people that we can't wait for Congress to take action to grow the economy and create jobs, and highlighted the executive actions he took this week to help families save thousands of dollars by refinancing their mortgages, put veterans to work, and lower the cost of student loans. The President continued to urge Congress to do its part and pass the American Jobs Act now, which will put more money in the pockets of middle class families, create jobs and strengthen our economy right away.
The audio of the address and video of the address will be available online at www.whitehouse.gov at 6:00 a.m. ET, Saturday, October 29, 2011.
Remarks of President Barack Obama
Weekly Address
The White House
Saturday, October 29, 2011
This week, a new economic report confirmed what most Americans already believe to be true: over the past three decades, the middle class has lost ground while the wealthiest few have become even wealthier. In fact, the average income for the top one percent of Americans has risen almost seven times faster than the income of the average middle class family. And this has happened during a period where the cost of everything from health care to college has skyrocketed.
Now, in this country, we don't begrudge anyone wealth or success – we encourage it. We celebrate it. But America is better off when everyone has had the chance to get ahead – not just those at the top of the income scale. The more Americans who prosper, the more America prospers.
Rebuilding an economy where everyone has the chance to succeed will take time. Our economic problems were decades in the making, and they won't be solved overnight. But there are steps we can take right now to put people back to work and restore some of the security that middle-class Americans have lost over the last few decades.
Right now, Congress can pass a set of common-sense jobs proposals that independent economists tell us will boost the economy right away. Proposals that will put more teachers, veterans, construction workers and first responders back on the job. Proposals that will cut taxes for virtually every middle class family and small business in America. These are the same kinds of proposals that both Democrats and Republicans have supported in the past. And they should stop playing politics and act on them now.
These jobs proposals are also paid for by asking folks who are making more than a million dollars a year to contribute a little more in taxes. These are the same folks who have seen their incomes go up so much, and I believe this is a contribution they're willing to make. One survey found that nearly 7 in 10 millionaires are willing to step up and pay a little more in order to help the economy.
Unfortunately, Republicans in Congress aren't paying attention. They're not getting the message. Over and over, they have refused to even debate the same kind of jobs proposals that Republicans have supported in the past – proposals that today are supported, not just by Democrats, but by Independents and Republicans all across America. And yet, somehow, they found time this week to debate things like whether or not we should mint coins to celebrate the Baseball Hall of Fame. Meanwhile, they're only scheduled to work three more weeks between now and the end of the year.
The truth is, we can no longer wait for Congress to do its job. The middle-class families who've been struggling for years are tired of waiting. They need help now. So where Congress won't act, I will.
This week, we announced a new policy that will help families whose home values have fallen refinance their mortgages and save thousands of dollars. We're making it easier for veterans to get jobs putting their skills to work in hospitals and community health centers. We reformed the student loan process so more young people can get out of debt faster. And we're going to keep announcing more changes like these on a regular basis.
These steps will make a difference. But they won't take the place of the bold action we need from Congress to get this economy moving again. That's why I need all of you to make your voices heard. Tell Congress to stop playing politics and start taking action on jobs. If we want to rebuild an economy where every American has the chance to get ahead, we need every American to get involved. That's how real change has always happened, and that's how it'll happen today.
Thank you.
WASHINGTON, DC — Today, the Obama Administration announced it is taking two important steps to help U.S businesses create jobs and strengthen their competitiveness in a global economy. Through two Presidential Memoranda issued today, the Obama Administration will take steps to speed up the transfer of federal research and development from the laboratory to the marketplace, and it will create BusinessUSA, a one-stop, central online platform where small businesses and businesses of all sizes that want to begin or increase exporting can access information about available federal programs without having to waste time navigating the federal bureaucracy. These announcements are part of a series of executive actions to put Americans back to work and strengthen the economy because we can't wait for Congressional Republicans to act.
"With too many families struggling and too many businesses fighting to keep their doors open, we can't wait for Congress to take action," President Obama said. "Today, I am directing my Administration to take two important steps to help American businesses create new products, compete in a global economy, and create jobs here at home."
Accelerating Products from the Science Lab to the Marketplace
Breakthroughs in science and engineering create foundations for new industries, new companies, and new jobs. With world-class universities and federal laboratories, the United States has long led the world in this innovative process. As other countries begin to challenge American leadership in innovation, America must expand its ability to transfer science and engineering breakthroughs from the laboratory to the commercial marketplace. Today's Presidential Memorandum directs all federal agencies with research facilities to accelerate this timeline in three key ways:
· It directs agencies to streamline and accelerate the process for private-public research partnerships, small business research and development grants, and university-startup collaborations. This will result in grants to startups being made 50% faster.
· It gives agencies more flexibility to partner with industry, encouraging them to create new partnerships with local communities, support the growth of regional innovation clusters, and share laboratory facilities with local businesses, among others.
· It will institute more accountability by directing agencies to develop a five-year plan with concrete goals and metrics to measure progress, including keeping track of how many patents each lab is generating.
Accelerating this timeline will help startups and small businesses around the country create new technologies, create new jobs and grow their companies while making more efficient use of the approximately $147 billion a year that the federal government invests in research and development. Over the years, federal agencies have supported a number of startups that have gone on to define an industry. Each one of these companies, for example, received a federal research grant:
· Qualcomm, a global American telecommunication corporation that designs and manufactures wireless communications equipment.
· Symantec, a global software giant — now the largest maker of security software for computers.
· The iRobot Corporation, which designs robots such as the Roomba, for home vacuuming, and the PackBot, for the US military.
Creating a Streamlined, Virtual One-Stop Shop to Help Businesses Grow and Hire
Today, the Obama Administration is also following through on President Obama's commitment to launch a centralized, one-stop online platform to make it easier than ever for businesses small and large to access services to help them grow and hire. Today's Presidential Memorandum directs the Administration to create within 90 days BusinessUSA, a one-stop shop for information regarding federal programs and services relevant to small businesses and businesses of all sizes that want to begin or increase exporting.
BusinessUSA will implement a "No Wrong Door" policy for small businesses and exporters by using technology to quickly connect businesses to the services and information relevant to them, regardless of where the information is located or which agency's website, call center, or office they go to for help. And the more federal agencies continue to add content to BusinessUSA to encompass the full range of business programs and services, the more we will be able to reduce the confusing array of websites that exist today. To ensure that it is oriented towards the needs of the customer, BusinessUSA will be designed, tested, and built with the active feedback of U.S. businesses and relevant online communities and, to the extent possible, will integrate related state and local government services, as well as those of private sector partners.
To strengthen America's competitiveness in the global economy, we need to equip businesses with the tools and information necessary to support innovation and job growth in the 21st century. Through BusinessUSA, small businesses and businesses who want to grow their exports will be able to find and access relevant programs, information, and other services from across the government rather than having to waste time navigating through the federal bureaucracy – thereby further streamlining and coordinating federal programs to reduce costs and provide customer-oriented service. These changes were called for by the President's Jobs Council, the President's Export Council and small and medium sized businesses across the country as part of broad outreach by the Government Reorganization Initiative.
Oval Office
PRESIDENT OBAMA: Well, I want to extend a heartfelt welcome to Prime Minister Nečas and his delegation. This gives me a chance to return the hospitality that the Czech people have provided me on the two occasions that I've had an opportunity to visit. I've always been someone who not only wanted to visit but — wanted to visit the Czech Republic, but also because I come from Chicago — we've got a lot of people who are originally from the Czech Republic, and they've made enormous contributions to our country as well.
Let me say first at the top, the Prime Minister just came from Brussels, where he was part of the negotiations around the eurozone crisis. I'm glad to see that progress was made in the recent meetings. I think it is an important first step. We've seen that, although it's very complicated, obviously the countries of the eurozone and all of Europe are committed to the European project and are intent on making sure that it continues.
So we've seen that the message that they are going to deal with this in a serious way has calmed markets all around the world. It will help lay the predicate for long-term economic growth not only in Europe but around the world. The key now is to make sure that it is implemented fully and decisively, and I have great confidence in the European leadership to make that happen.
With respect to the relationship between the United States and the Czech Republic, it continues to be strong. The Czech Republic is one of our greatest allies and has provided the kind of support and cooperation on both security and non-security issues that is a mark of a true ally. As a fellow NATO member, we have consistently reaffirmed our Article 5 commitment that says that an attack on any one of us is an attack on all of us, and that we have to make sure that we continue to have the kind of strong mutual defense posture that's required. And the Czech Republic has reflected that commitment in the extraordinary efforts it has made in Afghanistan, for which we are deeply appreciative.
I will tell you that when you talk to American commanders in Afghanistan and you ask them who are some of our best and most effective partners, they consistently say the Czech Republic. And so we are very grateful for their contributions, and we are going to be working and collaborating with them as we move into a transition process where we increasingly make sure that Afghans are taking the security lead in their country.
We also are going to have an opportunity to discuss a range of economic and commercial ties and issues. We want to continue to deepen our relationship around research and development, around civil nuclear power, around how we can strengthen trade between our two countries. And so, over all, I think it's fair to say that, although the relationship between the United States and the Czech Republic economically is very strong, it can always be stronger. And we're going to look for additional opportunities for collaboration.
Finally, let me just say that the Czechs continue to inspire the world with their own transition from being behind the Iron Curtain to freedom and democracy. And so their strong stance on issues of human rights and democracy and freedom around the world is extraordinarily important. And I know the Prime Minister is committed to making sure that the Czech Republic continues to send a signal around the world, whether it's in the wake of the Arab Spring, or other countries where freedom and democracy have not yet been achieved, that they are able to continue to set a great example and provide the kind of leadership and technical assistance that's so important for many of these countries.
So, overall, Mr. Prime Minister, I want to thank you for your leadership not only in our bilateral relations, but the Czech Republic's leadership in many multilateral fora. We want to welcome you and I hope that you enjoy your stay here.
PRIME MINISTER NEČAS: Thank you. Thank you, Mr. President, for your kind words. Thank you for your hospitality you have shown to me and to my delegation.
We are indeed allies in numerous endeavors in Europe and around the world. We are together in Afghanistan. We are ready to work together on the process of transition in this country.
We are preparing a major summit in Chicago, Mr. President's hometown, and also, as he stated, we have many Czech connections.
It will be necessary to create a framework for keeping our defense capability in the current economical situation. I would like to discuss the issue of the project to create a special helicopter pilot training center of excellence, as a part of a Smart Defense initiative within NATO.
We would like to discuss, of course, the economical situation — the situation on both sides of the Atlantic, vis-à-vis the current crisis of eurozone, and last but not least, the promotion of human rights and democracy around the world.
We would like to discuss our participation within Open Government Partnership initiative, and of course, a discussion concerning center for civil nuclear cooperation — because we do appreciate your strong leadership, your announcement that you'd like to have a vision of a world without nuclear weapons that was announced in Prague.
Thank you.
PRESIDENT OBAMA: Welcome.
Q Mr. President, do you think that the deal in Europe will help prevent another recession?
PRESIDENT OBAMA: There has been progress. And so the key now is to make sure that there's strong follow-up, strong execution of the plans that have been put forward. But I was very pleased to see that the leaders of Europe recognize that it is both in Europe's interest and the world's interest that the situation is stabilized. And I think they've made significant progress over the last week. And the key now is just to make sure that it drives forward in an effective way.
But it will definitely have an impact on us here in the United States. If Europe is weak, if Europe is not growing, as our largest trading partner, that's going to have an impact on our businesses and our ability to create jobs here in the United States.
Thanks. Thank you so much.
Fact Sheet: The United States and the Czech Republic – NATO Allies and Partners in Prosperity and Democracy
Fact Sheet: The United States and the Czech Republic –
NATO Allies and Partners in Prosperity and Democracy
Today President Obama hosted Prime Minister Petr Necas of the Czech Republic for a meeting in the Oval Office. The visit highlighted the three main areas of our bilateral relations: security cooperation, economic and commercial ties, and cooperation in support of democracy, open government and human rights around the world.
Security Cooperation. U.S.-Czech security cooperation is rooted in shared values, NATO membership, and joint efforts in Afghanistan and elsewhere, where our soldiers and civilians serve bravely side-by-side.
- · Afghanistan. The Czech Republic has been a part of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) since 2002 and is committed to remaining in Afghanistan through the completion of transition to Afghan securityresponsibility in 2014. Roughly 700 Czech soldiers, including Special Forces, operate without caveats or restrictions in one of the most challenging areas of Afghanistan. The United States greatly appreciates that the Czech Republic answered the call for more trainers and mentors in late 2010 and increased the size of its contingent by 200, which is directly in support of Afghan transition. The Czechs' civilian-staffed Provincial Reconstruction Team in Logar province, co-located with United States forces, works to increase the effectiveness and extend the reach of the Afghan government, while providing infrastructure projects to stimulate the economy. The Czech contingent also includes aviators who are training Afghan pilots and crews to fly and maintain helicopters. Since 2002, the Czech Republic has contributed over $100 million in bilateral aid to Afghanistan.
- · NATO. The Czech Republic is a strong supporter of the European Phased Adaptive Approach and our common efforts to create a NATO territorial missile defense capability. With U.S. participation, the Czech Republic hosts a NATO Center of Excellence for chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear defense, helping NATO's military commanders and civilian decision-makers meet the potential threat of WMD attacks.
- · Reciprocal Defense Procurement Agreement. The United States and the Czech Republic intend to negotiate and sign in the coming months a Memorandum of Understanding that would facilitate trade in defense items and further strengthen bilateral commercial relations.
Civil Nuclear and Commercial Cooperation. The United States and the Czech Republic share a long history of civil nuclear cooperation based on shared interests, including promoting economic prosperity, supporting regional stability, and strengthening energy security. In the past year, the United States and the Czech Republic have taken a number of steps to continue deepening the bilateral relationship.
- · Creation of a Civil Nuclear Cooperation Center in Prague. In December 2010, the United States and the Czech Republic signed a Joint Declaration on Civil Nuclear Energy expressing the commitment of both nations to cooperate on current and future civil nuclear projects and to encourage scientific and research cooperation. Given the existing and expected future cooperation between the two countries in these areas, the United States and Czech Republic have agreed to establish a Civil Nuclear Cooperation Center in Prague to facilitate and coordinate joint work.
- · Broader R&D Cooperation. U.S. Deputy Secretary of Energy Daniel Poneman announced in September 2011 a series of innovative programs, including joint research and academic exchanges, to expand bilateral civil nuclear cooperation between the United States and Czech Republic.
- · Czech Nuclear Education Network. Texas A&M University and the Czech Nuclear Education Network (CENEN) signed in May 2011 a memorandum of understanding that targets several areas of intensive cooperation, including an exchange of students and faculty, joint research and development projects, and exchange of scientific materials.
- · Nuclear Safety Cooperation. Our two national regulators, the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) and the Czech State Office for Nuclear Safety (SUJB), work closely together on nuclear safety, to include holding regular coordination meetings. Earlier this year, an SUJB representative attended the annual NRC conference and, in August 2011, a six-member team of NRC officials visited their Czech counterparts to discuss initiatives on: counterfeit, fraudulent and suspect items; approaches to physical security and cyber-terrorism; and the AP 1000, the new nuclear reactor design from Westinghouse Electric.
Support for Democracy, Open Government and Human Rights around the World. The United States and Czech Republic cooperate closely in supporting human rights, open government and democracy around the world. The Czech Republic's successful and peaceful transition from a Communist regime to a thriving democracy make it a model for other countries in transition to follow. The United States appreciates the Czech Republic's serving as an unwavering defender of human rights and democracy worldwide, including by hosting Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) in Prague.
- · Middle East and North Africa. The Czech Republic supported the NATO intervention in Libya and Foreign Minister Schwarzenberg visited Benghazi June 29, offering early support to the Transitional National Council (TNC). The Czech government has provided substantial medical supplies to Benghazi, and has offered to assist in training the TNC in the areas of rule of law and the role of a free media. In Egypt, the Czech Republic has provided training to assist in reforming state security agencies. The United States and Czech Republic share a strong commitment to Israel's security.
- · Iran. The Czech Republic has been a leader within the EU on holding Iran accountable for its abuse of human rights and its failure to comply with its international obligations under the Nonproliferation Treaty.
- · Cuba. Within the EU, the Czech Republic is a strong advocate for human rights in Cuba. The Czech Republic provides humanitarian aid, training, and other support for journalists, dissidents and their families.
- · Burma. The Czech Republic provides valuable humanitarian and development aid in support of Burmese refugees and internally displaced persons on the border with Thailand and Malaysia. The Czech Republic stands by Burmese dissidents and democracy advocates, and is a strong advocate for EU and UN sanctions against the regime.
- · Eastern Partnership. The Czech Republic launched the European Union's Eastern Partnership initiative under its EU presidency in 2009, and has championed providing a European perspective and forum for discussing travel, trade and strategic relations to Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine. The Czech Republic has provided transition and development assistance, both bilaterally and through the International Visegrad Fund.
- · Open Government Partnership. In September, the Czech Republic announced its intent to join the 47-member Open Government Partnership. The Czech Republic is a strong defender of human rights and democracy promotion worldwide, and it is demonstrating its leadership on these issues by fulfilling its OGP commitment to develop a domestic action plan and by working with OGP to advance its values in the region and around the world. The United States and the Czech Republic are exploring establishing an Open Government and Democracy Center in Prague to facilitate bilateral and regional cooperation.
Fact Sheet: The United States and Czech Republic: Civil Nuclear Cooperation
Fact Sheet: The United States and Czech Republic: Civil Nuclear Cooperation
The United States and the Czech Republic share a long history of cooperation based on shared values and shared interests, including promoting economic prosperity, supporting regional stability and strengthening energy security. In the energy sector, the United States and the Czech Republic have taken a number of steps over the past two years to continue deepening our bilateral relationship:
- · Prague Vision. Within his first 100 days in office, President Obama traveled to Prague to lay out his nuclear agenda, including his vision for a world free of nuclear weapons and his commitment to the safe, secure and peaceful use of nuclear power around the world. He called for new frameworks of international cooperation which allow nations that play by the rules to access nuclear energy without increasing proliferation risks and which better harness nuclear energy to meet the demand for low-carbon electricity.
- · Launch of Economic and Commercial Dialogue. Building on the framework President Obama articulated in Prague in April 2009, the Department of Commerce led a civil nuclear trade policy mission to the Czech Republic in July 2010. This mission, which was led by Under Secretary for International Trade Francisco Sánchez, included a representative from the U.S. Department of Energy and approximately 15 senior representatives from the civil nuclear industry. In conjunction with this visit, Under Secretary Sánchez also launched the U.S.-Czech Economic and Commercial Dialogue in December 2010. The Dialogue, which includes representatives from U.S. and Czech government agencies, has four main goals: to increase bilateral business development and trade promotion; to facilitate investment expansion; to foster innovation; and to identify and resolve market access issues.
- · Joint Declaration on Civil Nuclear Commercial Cooperation. That same month, then-U.S. Commerce Secretary Gary Locke, U.S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu, and Czech Republic Minister of Industry and Trade Martin Kocourek also joined together to sign a joint declaration expanding cooperation in civil nuclear energy research and development (R&D) and strengthening commercial relations between our two nations.
Cooperative Scientific and Technical Initiatives. The Joint Declaration specifically recognized the importance of partnering on nuclear R&D efforts, which is why the U.S. Department of Energy, Czech Ministry of Industry and Trade, Czech Nuclear Research Institute Řež, U.S. Embassy in Prague, Texas A&M, and the Czech Nuclear Education Network (CENEN) joined together last month to announce a series of cooperative scientific and technical initiatives. These R&D programs will leverage each country's areas of expertise to help advance the development of safe and secure nuclear energy in both countries. The collaboration will focus on the following areas:
- · Creation of a Civil Nuclear Cooperation Center in Prague. The United States and the Czech Republic will establish a Civil Nuclear Cooperation Center in Prague to facilitate and coordinate joint work. The center will build on current collaboration in the nuclear field. In addition to working on nuclear energy activities, experts from both countries will continue to collaborate on nuclear security issues such as material control and accounting, physical protection and other safeguards. Common projects announced by the U.S. Deputy Secretary of Energy during his recent visit to Prague could serve as test cases for beginning collaboration through the center
- · Research with Texas A&M and Czech Universities. Texas A&M University will collaborate with several Czech universities, including Brno University of Technology, the Czech Technical University, and the University of West Bohemia, to research ways of improving the efficiency of reactor core analyses and identify additional ways to continue improving the safety of nuclear materials and technologies.
- · Fluoride Volatility Research. Researchers from the U.S. Savannah River and Pacific Northwest National Laboratories and the Czech Nuclear Research Institute Řež will work together to share information on fluoride volatility methods and how they can be employed to treat used nuclear fuel. This will include a bilateral workshop conducted at Řež this winter to review current R&D efforts and identify common research objectives and opportunities for additional collaboration.
- · High School Science Teacher Exchanges. The United States and the Czech Republic will also be launching an exchange program for high school science teachers, which will be administered and funded by the state of Texas through the Nuclear Power Institute and the Center for Large Scale Scientific Simulation. During the spring of 2012, two Texas high school science teachers will visit the Czech Republic for a week, and two Czech high school teachers will visit Texas for a week to learn from one another. The program will facilitate the continued collaboration between teachers and academics in both countries and will help encourage students to enter nuclear energy fields.
Nuclear Safety and Security. Both countries have also joined together to advance nuclear safety and security in the Czech Republic and across Central and Eastern Europe:
- · Cooperation Between National Regulators. In 2010, the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) extended its Technical Cooperation and Exchange Arrangement with the Czech nuclear regulator, the State Office for Nuclear Safety (SUJB), for an additional four years. Under this arrangement, the NRC and SUJB are working together on new reactor designs, security and incident response, code applications, and accident research. The regulators are also continuing personnel exchanges, and are collaborating to review digital instrumental and control activities at the Temelin nuclear plant.
- · Regional Workshop. In addition, the U.S. Department of Energy partnered with the Czech Ministry of Industry and Trade, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, SUJB and the NRC, to conduct a regional Nuclear Safety Workshop on October 10-13, 2011, in Prague. The information exchange workshop provided an opportunity for Central European countries to share technical information and best practices on trends and advances in nuclear safety, including lessons learned from the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear accident. The workshop included a discussion of management practices, safety assessment and verification methods, reactor and plant life extension R&D requirements, accident management, emergency preparedness and public communication, safety culture and related areas that can enhance the safe operation of the current fleet of nuclear power plants.
- · Nuclear Terrorism. The United States and the Czech Republic are also working together to address the threats of nuclear terrorism around the world. The Czech Republic is a key partner in the Global Initiative to Combat Nuclear Terrorism, including contributing $25,000 earlier this fall to support the U.S. National Nuclear Security Administration's work in Georgia. This funding will be used to install physical protection upgrades at the Secondary Standards Laboratory calibration facility in Tbilisi. This latest effort builds on earlier nuclear security accomplishments between our two countries, including the removal of nearly 95 kilograms of highly-enriched uranium (HEU) in 2005 and 2007, and the conversion of the VR-1 Sparrow reactor and the Řež research reactor from HEU to low-enriched uranium. Unlike HEU, low-enriched uranium cannot be redirected for use in a nuclear weapon.
East Room
THE PRESIDENT: Welcome, everybody. Please have a seat. It is a great pleasure to be with so many outstanding innovators and inventors. And I'm glad we could convince them all to take a day off — (laughter) — to accept our nation's highest honor when it comes to inventions and innovation, and that is the National Medals of Science, and the National Medals of Technology and Innovation.
It's safe to say that this is a group that makes all of us really embarrassed about our old science projects. (Laughter.) You know, the volcano with the stuff coming out — (laughter) — with the baking soda inside — apparently, that was not a cutting-edge achievement — (laughter) — even though our parents told us it was really terrific.
But thanks to the men and women on the stage, we are one step closer to curing diseases like cancer and Parkinson's. Because of their work, soldiers can see the enemy at night and grandparents can see the pictures of their grandchildren instantly and constantly. Planes are safer, satellites are cheaper, and our energy grid is more efficient, thanks to the breakthroughs that they have made.
And even though these folks have not sought out the kind of celebrity that lands you on the cover of People magazine, the truth is that today's honorees have made a bigger difference in our lives than most of us will ever realize. When we fill up our cars, talk on our cell phones, or take a lifesaving drug, we don't always think about the ideas and the effort that made it all possible. We don't always ask ourselves how many sleepless nights went by and how many family dinners were sacrificed. But the folks behind me — they know. They worked those long nights. They made those sacrifices. They took on those challenges and ran those experiments and devoted their lives to expanding the reach of human understanding.
And that's why we recognize them today. Because America has always been a place where good ideas can thrive and dreams can become real — where innovation is encouraged and the greatest minds in the world are free to push the very limits of science and technology.
To understand that, you don't have to look any further than the people on this stage. Three-quarters of our honorees were born outside of the United States. From China, Germany, India, Canada and England, they searched for the best universities and the most advanced labs — and they found them here, because America is the best place in the world to do the work that they do.
And now more than ever, it's critical that we make the investments necessary to keep it that way. We live in a global economy where companies and factories can be located anywhere there's an Internet connection. And to compete in that economy, we can't cut corners by paying workers less or building cheaper products. We won't be able to engage in a race to the bottom — that's not who we are.
The key to our success has always been and always will be our unparalleled ability to think up new ideas, create new industries, and lead the way in discovery and innovation. And that's how the future will be won.
Right now, unfortunately, barely more than one in 10 of all undergraduate students are enrolled in what we call the STEM subjects — science, technology, engineering and math — areas that will be critical if America is going to compete for the jobs of the future. And that's troubling, because no matter how many great minds we attract from around the world, it won't be enough if we can't grow some here at home.
That's why we've worked to make college more affordable, why we've set a goal to train 100,000 new teachers in the next decade, and started a Race to the Top to encourage schools to improve the way they teach these subjects. That's why we're working with businesses to train more engineers, and help community colleges provide more workers with the skills that businesses need.
And just as we're working to cultivate the next generation of thinkers, we're also working to fast-track the next generation of doers. We've made historic investments in technology and research, made the most meaningful reforms to our patent process in 50 years, and made it easier for entrepreneurs to turn new ideas into new businesses and new jobs. I want to thank someone who helped make that happen — NASA Administrator Charles Bolden is here, and we're very pleased to have him as well.
As the men and the women on this stage will tell you, nobody gets here on their own. Each of them succeeded because they had a great teacher, a great mentor, or a great partner. Some of them don't have to look far for inspiration. In fact, I hear that Jackie Barton's husband won the same award she's getting today in 2006 — (laughter) — and they plan on displaying their medals next to each other on a mantle at home — which I would imagine will intimidate dinner guests. (Laughter.)
And just as each of today's honorees has had someone in their lives who lit a spark, or kept that spark burning, they've paid it back by inspiring somebody else. When Peter Stang won this award, he made sure to thank the 100 post-doctoral and Ph.D. students he's mentored over the years, because, as he said, "this recognizes their work as well." When Jay Baliga first got interested in physics by picking up a book at the local bookstore, he remembered that and he now tells his students to go beyond the curriculum and come up with ideas of their own. When Richard Tapia remembers what it's like growing up as a son of Mexican immigrants and the first one in his family to go to college, today, he is a world-class mathematician, but he, because of those memories, helps more young people –- especially women and minorities — to get involved in math and in science.
And in the end, that's what today is all about. One of the best ways we can inspire more young people to think big, dream big dreams is by honoring the people who already do — folks who are smart and aren't afraid to show it, but also folks who have taken that brilliance and gone out and changed the world.
Because that next generation is already coming; they're already knocking on the door. A couple of weeks ago, I got a chance to meet the winners of the Google Science Fair. I want to point out that all three of them were girls. (Applause.) They had beat out 10,000 other applicants from over 90 countries. So I had them over to the Oval Office, and they explained their projects to me, and I pretended that I understood. (Laughter.)
One of the winners, Shree Bose, did her first experiment in second grade by trying to turn spinach blue. (Laughter.) In fourth grade, she built a remote-controlled garbage can. And for this science fair, at the age of 17, she discovered a promising new way to improve treatment for ovarian cancer — at 17. And she also told me very matter-of-factly that she'll be going to medical school and getting a doctorate, and I suspect she will do so. (Laughter.) She did not lack confidence.
And it's young people like Shree, but also the people on this stage, who make me incredibly hopeful about the future. Even at a time of great uncertainty, their stories remind us that there are still discoveries waiting to be made and unlimited potential waiting to be tapped. All we have to do is encourage it and support it.
So I want to congratulate today's honorees for their extraordinary and inspiring work. We could not be prouder of all of you.
And now it is my privilege to present the National Medals of Science and the National Medals of Technology and Innovation. (Applause.)
(The citations are read and the medals are presented.)
MILITARY AIDE: Jacqueline K. Barton. The 2010 National Medal Science to Jacqueline K. Barton, California Institute of Technology, for discovery of a new property of the DNA helix long-range electron transfer, and for showing that electron transfer depends upon stacking of the base pairs and DNA dynamics. Her experiments reveal a strategy for how DNA repair proteins locate DNA lesions and demonstrate a biological role for DNA-mediated charge transfer. (Applause.)
Ralph L. Brinster. The 2010 National Medal of Science to Ralph L. Brinster, University of Pennsylvania, for his fundamental contributions to the development and use of transgenic mice. His research has provided experimental foundations and inspiration for broad progress in germ line genetic modification in a range of species, which has generated a revolution in biology, medicine and agriculture. (Applause.)
Shu Chien. The 2010 National Medal of Science to Shu Chien, University of California, San Diego, for pioneering work in cardiovascular physiology and bioengineering, which has had tremendous impact in the fields of microcirculation, blood rheology, and mechanotransduction in human health and disease. (Applause.)
Rudolf Jaenisch. (Applause.) The 2010 National Medal of Science to Rudolph Jaenisch, Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research and Massachusetts Institute of Technology, for improving our understanding of epigenetic regulation of gene expression, the biological mechanisms that affect how genetic information is variably expressed. His work has led to major advances in our understanding of mammalian cloning and embryonic stem cells. (Applause.)
Peter J. Stang. The 2010 National Medal of Science to Peter J. Stang, University of Utah, for his creative contributions to the development of organic super-molecular chemistry, and for his outstanding and unique record of public service. (Applause.)
Richard A. Tapia. The 2010 National Medal of Science to Richard A. Tapia, Rice University, for his pioneering and fundamental contributions in optimization theory and numerical analysis, and for his dedication and sustained efforts in fostering diversity and excellence in mathematics and science education. (Applause.)
Srinivasa S.R. Varadhan. The 2010 National Medal of Science to Srinivasa S. R. Varadhan, New York University, for his work in probability theory, especially his work on large deviations from expected random behavior which has revolutionized this field of study during the second half of the 20th century, and become a cornerstone of both pure and applied probability. The mathematical insights he developed have been applied in diverse fields, including quantum field theory, population dynamics, finance, econometrics and traffic engineering. (Applause.)
Rakesh Agrawal. The 2010 National Medal of Technology and Innovation to Rakesh Agrawal, Purdue University, for an extraordinary record of innovations in improving the energy efficiency and reducing the cost of gas liquifaction and separation. These innovations have had significant positive impacts on electronic device manufacturing, liquefied gas production and the supply of industrial gases for diverse industries. (Applause.)
B. Jayant Baliga. The 2010 National Medal of Technology and Innovation to B. Jayant Baliga, North Carolina State University, for development and commercialization of the insulated gate bipolar transistor and other power semiconductor devices that are extensively used in transportation, lighting, medicine, defense, and renewable energy generation systems. (Applause.)
C. Donald Bateman. The 2010 National Medal of Technology and Innovation to C. Donald Bateman, Honeywell, for developing and championing critical flight-safety sensors now used by aircraft worldwide, including ground-proximity warning systems and wind-shear detection systems. (Applause.)
Yvonne C. Brill. The 2010 National Medal of Technology and Innovation to Yvonne C. Brill, RCA Astro Electronics, for innovation in rocket propulsion systems and geosynchronous and low Earth orbit communication satellites, which greatly improved the effectiveness of space propulsion systems. (Applause.)
Michael F. Tompsett. The 2010 National Medal of Technology and Innovation to Michael F. Tompsett, TheraManager, for pioneering work in materials and electronic technologies including the design and development of the first charge-coupled device imagers. (Applause.)
THE PRESIDENT: Well, let's, please, give one more big round of applause to the National Medals of Science, the National Medals of Technology and Innovation. (Applause.) We are very proud of them. And I hope all the young people who are either watching or who are here today take inspiration from the extraordinary work that they do.
I will say that the only problem with these wonderful awards is my military aides really have to practice reading the citations — (laughter) — because they are multi-syllabic. (Laughter.) But you did good. (Laughter and applause.)
All right, with that, I hope everybody enjoys this wonderful celebration and reception, and again, thank you so much for helping to make the world a better place.
Thank you, everybody. (Applause.)
U.S. Designates Seven Counties As High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas
Seven Counties Designated as High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas
Counties in Four States to Receive Additional Federal Support to Combat Drug Trafficking; ONDCP Awards $10.6 Million in Resources to Target Drug Trafficking Networks and Prevent Drug Use Before it Start
Washington, D.C. –Today, Gil Kerlikowske, Director of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) announced the designation of seven new counties in Florida, Maryland, Ohio, and Virginia as High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (HIDTA). The designation will enable the counties to receive Federal resources to further the coordination and development of drug control efforts among Federal, State, local, and tribal law enforcement officers and allow local agencies to benefit from ongoing HIDTA initiatives working to reduce drug use and its consequences across the United States.
The newly designated counties are:
Brevard County in Florida, as part of the Central Florida HIDTA
Wicomico County in Maryland, as part of the Washington/Baltimore HIDTA
Adams and Scioto Counties, as part of the Ohio HIDTA
Lee, Scott, and Wise Counties in Southwest Virginia, as part of the Appalachia HIDTA
"Drugs place enormous obstacles in the way of our work to raise healthy children, maintain strong families, support economic prosperity, and protect communities from crime," said Kerlikowske. "The innovative initiatives and support provided by the HIDTA program will play an important role in helping local authorities combat drug related violence and crime. Smart enforcement efforts like these serve as a key component of our balanced approach to drug control and complements the Obama Administration's emphasis on preventing drug use before it starts through education and providing treatment to addicts."
In addition to designating new counties, ONDCP also announced $10.6 million in discretionary funding to 27 HIDTAs to enhance targeted enforcement and drug prevention efforts nationwide. These resources will support domestic highway enforcement, combat the diversion of prescription drugs, target domestic marijuana cultivation, enhance parcel interdiction investigations, implement Native American initiatives, and provide funding for drug prevention and education activities at the local level.
Created by Congress in 1988, the HIDTA program provides assistance to Federal, State, local, and tribal law enforcement agencies operating in areas determined to be critical drug trafficking regions of the United States. Law enforcement organizations within HIDTAs assess drug-trafficking problems and design specific initiatives to decrease the production, transportation, distribution, and chronic use of drugs and money laundering. There are currently 28 HIDTAs, which include approximately 16 percent of all counties in the United States and 60 percent of the U.S. population. HIDTA-designated counties are located in 46 states, as well as in Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the District of Columbia.
Overall drug use in the United States has dropped substantially over the past thirty years. In response to comprehensive efforts to address drug use at the local, state, Federal, and international levels, the rate of Americans using illicit drugs today is roughly one third the rate it was in the late 70s. More recently, cocaine use has dropped by 40 percent, and methamphetamine use in America has been cut by half. In Fiscal year 2011, the Obama Administration spent over $10 billion on drug education and treatment and over $9 billion on drug-related law enforcement efforts in the U.S.
For More information about the HIDTA program and ONDCP visit:
The Office of National Drug Control Policy seeks to foster healthy individuals and safe communities by effectively leading the Nation's effort to reduce drug use and its consequences.
President Obama Announces Another Key Administration Post, Nominates Thomas M. Hoenig
President Obama Announces Another Key Administration Post
WASHINGTON, DC – Today, President Barack Obama announced his intent to nominate the following individual to a key Administration post:
- · Thomas M. Hoenig- Vice Chairman, Board of Directors of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation
President Obama announced his intent to nominate the following individual to a key Administration post:
Dr. Thomas M. Hoenig, Nominee for Vice Chairman, Board of Directors of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation
Dr. Thomas M. Hoenig was the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City from 1991 to 2011. As the President and CEO of the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City, Dr. Hoenig directed Federal Reserve activities in the Tenth Federal Reserve District. Dr. Hoenig first joined the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City in 1973 as an economist in the banking supervision area. He was named a Vice President in 1981 and Senior Vice President in 1986. In addition to his work at the Federal Reserve, he has served as an instructor of economics at the University of Missouri-Kansas City. Dr. Hoenig is a member of the Board of Trustees of the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation and serves on the boards of directors of Midwest Research Institute and Union Station. He received a B.A. in Economics and Mathematics from Benedictine College and a M.A. and a Ph.D. in Economics from Iowa State University.
James S. Brady Press Briefing Room
THE PRESIDENT: Good afternoon, everybody. As a candidate for President, I pledged to bring the war in Iraq to a responsible end — for the sake of our national security and to strengthen American leadership around the world. After taking office, I announced a new strategy that would end our combat mission in Iraq and remove all of our troops by the end of 2011.
As Commander-in-Chief, ensuring the success of this strategy has been one of my highest national security priorities. Last year, I announced the end to our combat mission in Iraq. And to date, we've removed more than 100,000 troops. Iraqis have taken full responsibility for their country's security.
A few hours ago I spoke with Iraqi Prime Minister Maliki. I reaffirmed that the United States keeps its commitments. He spoke of the determination of the Iraqi people to forge their own future. We are in full agreement about how to move forward.
So today, I can report that, as promised, the rest of our troops in Iraq will come home by the end of the year. After nearly nine years, America's war in Iraq will be over.
Over the next two months, our troops in Iraq — tens of thousands of them — will pack up their gear and board convoys for the journey home. The last American soldier[s] will cross the border out of Iraq with their heads held high, proud of their success, and knowing that the American people stand united in our support for our troops. That is how America's military efforts in Iraq will end.
But even as we mark this important milestone, we're also moving into a new phase in the relationship between the United States and Iraq. As of January 1st, and in keeping with our Strategic Framework Agreement with Iraq, it will be a normal relationship between sovereign nations, an equal partnership based on mutual interests and mutual respect.
In today's conversation, Prime Minister Maliki and I agreed that a meeting of the Higher Coordinating Committee of the Strategic Framework Agreement will convene in the coming weeks. And I invited the Prime Minister to come to the White House in December, as we plan for all the important work that we have to do together. This will be a strong and enduring partnership. With our diplomats and civilian advisors in the lead, we'll help Iraqis strengthen institutions that are just, representative and accountable. We'll build new ties of trade and of commerce, culture and education, that unleash the potential of the Iraqi people. We'll partner with an Iraq that contributes to regional security and peace, just as we insist that other nations respect Iraq's sovereignty.
As I told Prime Minister Maliki, we will continue discussions on how we might help Iraq train and equip its forces — again, just as we offer training and assistance to countries around the world. After all, there will be some difficult days ahead for Iraq, and the United States will continue to have an interest in an Iraq that is stable, secure and self-reliant. Just as Iraqis have persevered through war, I'm confident that they can build a future worthy of their history as a cradle of civilization.
Here at home, the coming months will be another season of homecomings. Across America, our servicemen and women will be reunited with their families. Today, I can say that our troops in Iraq will definitely be home for the holidays.
This December will be a time to reflect on all that we've been though in this war. I'll join the American people in paying tribute to the more than 1 million Americans who have served in Iraq. We'll honor our many wounded warriors and the nearly 4,500 American patriots — and their Iraqi and coalition partners — who gave their lives to this effort.
And finally, I would note that the end of war in Iraq reflects a larger transition. The tide of war is receding. The drawdown in Iraq allowed us to refocus our fight against al Qaeda and achieve major victories against its leadership — including Osama bin Laden. Now, even as we remove our last troops from Iraq, we're beginning to bring our troops home from Afghanistan, where we've begun a transition to Afghan security in leadership. When I took office, roughly 180,000 troops were deployed in both these wars. And by the end of this year that number will be cut in half, and make no mistake: It will continue to go down.
Meanwhile, yesterday marked the definitive end of the Qaddafi regime in Libya. And there, too, our military played a critical role in shaping a situation on the ground in which the Libyan people can build their own future. Today, NATO is working to bring this successful mission to a close.
So to sum up, the United States is moving forward from a position of strength. The long war in Iraq will come to an end by the end of this year. The transition in Afghanistan is moving forward, and our troops are finally coming home. As they do, fewer deployments and more time training will help keep our military the very best in the world. And as we welcome home our newest veterans, we'll never stop working to give them and their families the care, the benefits and the opportunities that they have earned.
This includes enlisting our veterans in the greatest challenge that we now face as a nation — creating opportunity and jobs in this country. Because after a decade of war, the nation that we need to build — and the nation that we will build — is our own; an America that sees its economic strength restored just as we've restored our leadership around the globe.
Thank you very much.
Statement by National Security Council Spokesman Tommy Vietor on ETA Renouncing Violence
Statement by National Security Council Spokesman Tommy Vietor on ETA Renouncing Violence
Yesterday's announcement by ETA in Spain that it has renounced violence holds out the prospect of a historic step toward peace, although there is a long road ahead to realize this promise. In this moment of hope, our thoughts go out to the many victims who have suffered due to ETA's actions over many decades. We recognize the courage of the Spanish government and the Spanish people in their enduring efforts to advance democracy and freedom in Spain and around the world. Spain and the United States are close allies in NATO and work together to promote shared values and interests within Europe and beyond.
STATEMENT OF ADMINISTRATION POLICY S. 1723 – Teachers and First Responders Back to Work Act of 2011
S. 1723 – Teachers and First Responders Back to Work Act of 2011
(Senator Menendez, D-New Jersey, and 9 cosponsors)
The Administration strongly supports passage of the Teachers and First Responders Back to Work Act, which will keep teachers in the classroom, police on the beat, and firefighters at work. The President sent these proposals to the Congress as part of the American Jobs Act and as a way to save jobs and get the economy growing again.
Although the recession officially ended in June 2009, declining revenues and the tapering of support from the Recovery Act meant budget cuts and hundreds of thousands of layoffs at the State and local levels. Additionally, in the coming school year, many school districts will have to make another round of difficult decisions that will cost jobs and put the education of the Nation's children at risk.
S. 1723 provides States with $30 billion in relief to support almost 400,000 educator jobs nationwide next year – stopping as many as 280,000 teachers from being laid off and allowing school districts to go beyond that to rehire teachers or add new ones. S. 1723 also provides $5 billion to support the hiring and retention of public safety and first responder personnel. By supporting such jobs, the plan aims to keep communities safe from crime and able to maintain critical emergency response capabilities. S. 1723 is fully paid for through a surtax on those Americans making over $1 million per year. What is most important is putting Americans back to work right now and making sure the debt is not increased over time – and doing so in a way that is fair. S. 1723 meets that test.
By enacting S. 1723, the Congress and the President can work together to save jobs, protect children's education, and keep communities safe. The Administration urges prompt and favorable action.
Statement by the President on the Senate Confirmation of John Bryson as Secretary of Commerce
Statement by the President on the Senate Confirmation of John Bryson as Secretary of Commerce
As Secretary of Commerce, John Bryson will be a key member of my economic team, working with the business community to promote job creation, foster growth, and help open up new markets around the world for American-made goods. At such a critical time for our economy, I nominated John because I believe his decades of experience both in the public and private sector have given him a clear understanding of what it takes to put America on a stronger economic footing and create jobs. I'm confident he will help us do that, and I look forward to working closely with him in the months and years ahead.
The bloody and controversial regime of Libyan dictator Muammar Al-Gaddafi is officially over. NTC fighters trapped and confronted Gaddafi Thursday morning in his hometown of Sirte in District 2, Libya. Rebels then partially stripped a mortally wounded Gaddafi, paraded him in the public streets and prepared to transfer him to a hospital located in Misrata, according to reports from Al Jazeera. The former Libyan leader died in route to hospital.
President Barack Obama addressed the world shortly after confirmation was received:
"This marks the end of a long and painful chapter for the people of Libya who now have the opportunity to determine their own destiny in a new and democratic Libya.
"Just one year ago, the notion of a free Libya seemed impossible, but then the Libyan people rose up and demanded their rights.
"This is a momentous day in the history of Libya, the dark shadow of tyranny has been lifted.
"Across the Arab world, citizens have stood up to claim their rights. Youth are delivering a powerful rebuke to dictatorship. And those leaders who try to deny their dignity will not succeed.
"For the region, today's events prove once more that the rule of an iron fist inevitably comes to an end."
East Room
PRESIDENT OBAMA: (In progress) — representing one of America's strongest allies and global partners, the Republic of Korea. (Applause.)
I also want to acknowledge two guests in particular. Another son of Korea dedicated to peace and security, the Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, is here — (applause) — and our first Korean-American ambassador to the Republic of Korea, confirmed by the Senate today, Ambassador Sung Kim. (Applause.)
I'm going to be very brief tonight because President Lee has had a very full day and a very wet day — (laughter) — as well as extended meetings and press conferences, a State Department banquet, and an address to the Congress, which I understand went extraordinarily well. There is a reason why people call him "The Bulldozer." He is unstoppable. (Laughter.)
Mr. President, today you have spoken with great eloquence about what America and our alliance has meant to your life and the life of your country. This evening, I want you and your countrymen to know what Korea and its people have meant to America.
The essence of our alliance, I think, is embodied in a concept that is uniquely Korean. It doesn't translate that easily. But it reflects the deep affection, the bonds of the heart that cannot be broken and that grow stronger with time. Our Korean friends know it well — jeong.
In our country, we've felt this jeong in our vibrant Korean American communities, including in Hawaii where I grew up — a melting pot of cultures that made me who I am, and that taught me we can all live together in mutual trust and respect.
I felt this jeong during my visit to Korea, on Veterans Day, the 60th anniversary of the Korean War, when our proud veterans of that war, both Korean and American, came together to celebrate a shared legacy — a free, democratic and prosperous Republic of Korea.
And I felt this jeong in my friendship with President Lee. Mr. President, your life story — from crushing poverty to the presidency — is an inspiration. Your success, Korea's success, speaks to the truth that, with education and hard work, anything is possible. It's a spirit our countries share. You've described it in Korean, and in English, it translates as: "Yes, we can." (Laughter and applause.) It sounds good in Korean, too. (Laughter.)
Finally, I would note that in our lives President Lee and I have both been blessed to find our better halves — leaders in their own right, advocates for women and young people, who we are proud to call our First Ladies. Mr. President, as we say in America, we both married up. (Laughter.)
And so I want to propose a toast — I believe this is mine — to our friends, President Lee and First Lady Kim, and to their delegation, most of all to the enduring alliance between our nations, a partnership of the heart that will never be broken. Cheers. Gun-bae.
(A toast is offered.)
PRESIDENT LEE: (As translated) First of all, Mr. President, Madam First Lady, distinguished guests, please allow me to thank you from the bottom of my heart for this warm reception extended to me, my wife and my delegation. Thank you very much.
And Mr. President and Madam First Lady, my visit to you in Washington, D.C. this time is especially special because before you are the President of the United States of America, you are a great, close friend of mine. And this is how I consider you as well as the Madam First Lady. So this visit is very, very special for all of us.
Ladies and gentlemen, the President just spoke about the Korean emotion that we call jeong in Korea. I think indeed President Obama knows that deep inside his heart he understands the essence of what we call jeong. Jeong can be explained in many different aspects, but one aspect of that is an individual that is humble and very strong inside. And I think President Obama exemplifies this trait of what we call jeong, and that is why we have a very special tie that we feel whenever I think about President Obama. Ladies and gentlemen, I'm a very, very honest guy — (laughter) — so what I say, I really mean it.
And also, Mr. President, I must thank you for one thing, because you have spoken so highly of the outstanding educational system of Korea, the dedication of its teachers and the determination of our Korean parents when it comes to educating their children. You have so many new teacher fans in Korea. (Laughter.) And I have to be very honest with you. I think there's quite a number of them who like you more than they like me. (Laughter and applause.)
Mr. President, seriously, you do have a lot of teacher fans in Korea. But the real reason, when we look deep down inside, the reason why you are so popular among many Koreans is because everyone, including myself, are deeply impressed by your endless passion for learning and that this is very much a — very much reflected in your life story.
Mr. President, Madam First Lady, ladies and gentlemen, whenever I think about the United States and the people of America, I also have a very personal story in mind, which I would like to share with you briefly tonight. As you know, 60 years ago Korea used to be one of the poorest countries in the world, and my family was exceptionally poor, and we really had nothing to eat, nothing to wear. We had to rely on foreign aid for many, many years. And I remember — I think I was about nine or 10 years old — in my village there came an American missionary lady with boxes and containers full of used clothes that she would come to my village and hand out.
So, being a boy whose only wish at that time was to own and wear a pair of blue jeans, I decided to stand in line, along with many people. But I was a very small and shy boy — hard to imagine — (laughter) — so a lot of people were pushing and they were jostling about. So I ended up way at the end of the line. When my turn came, I went up to the American missionary lady and I asked for a pair of blue jeans, to which she said — she just looked at me and said, "Well, I'm sorry, I'm all out of blue jeans." And of course I was devastated. I was heartbroken. And this kind American missionary lady takes one look at me and, out of sympathy, she hands me something out of the box. She handed me a small rubber ball. Now, this did little to console the boy who was crushed, because, after all, what was I going to do with a rubber ball?
And so, to this day — and I shared this story with President Obama — and I — when I finished the story I remember the President laughing a bit nervously, but — (laughter) — I told him, I said, "Mr. President, as you can see, I do not owe the United States anything, except" — (laughter) — "except maybe for a rubber ball." (Laughter and applause.)
So, ladies and gentlemen, Mr. President, Madam First Lady, although half-jokingly I say that I do not owe the United States anything, but in reality my country and my people owe you tremendously. Which other country — no country came to aid the Republic of Korea 60 years ago when my country was being attacked by communists. No country sacrificed more than 37,000 lives defending freedom for the people of my country. So for that, for many, many years onwards, we will always, always be grateful to the American people. (Applause.)
Mr. President, ladies and gentlemen, just last night, the United States Congress passed and ratified the Korea-U.S. Free Trade Agreement. I've said this before, but please allow me to say it again: I am deeply appreciative and grateful to the leadership of Congress, to all the members of the United States Congress who supported this measure, and especially to the steadfast leadership of President Obama for pushing this through. (Applause.)
And also, Mr. President, ladies and gentlemen, I know that there are those in the United States Congress who did not vote "yea" for this very important agreement. I think I see a few faces here who — (laughter) — but I'm very, very confident, ladies and gentlemen, that in one year or even less that these people who may be a little bit critical of this important agreement will say that they made a mistake, because they will see the visible results of this very important agreement. (Applause.)
And the thing that I want to prove the most, ladies and gentlemen, with the KORUS FTA is that many of those critics who were saying that the KORUS FTA was somehow going to make people lose their jobs — but really the KORUS FTA is going to create a lot of good, decent jobs for the people of America. And this is a point that I want to prove by implementing this agreement.
And, ladies and gentlemen, you see Mr. King seated at the head table here. As I was receiving guests, and when he came up to me and I was shaking hands, I thought to myself, this is my chance to explain to Mr. King that the KORUS FTA is going to create a lot of good jobs for his people and the members of his union. (Applause.)
Well, the fact that Mr. King accepted the invitation to be here tonight just goes to show that he believes in the essence and the core values of the KORUS FTA, so I have no worries. (Laughter.)
Mr. President, Madam First Lady, ladies and gentlemen, our relationship between our two countries began 130 years ago. Sixty years ago, our mutual defense treaty began what is considered to be one of the strongest military and political alliance that the world has ever known. Of course, we are here today to celebrate our journey of the last 60 years, one that has been — always been marked by triumphs, sometimes heartache, but always full of hope. And we are gathered here to reaffirm our friendship and to renew our common commitment towards our shared goals. I know that our relationship will go strong; it will become more mature and complete.
Mr. President, as we talked about over the last few days, we have many, many challenges that are facing us as a nation and as a member of the international community. We do not know when, what type of form or how it is going to strike us. There is a lot of uncertainty out there. But I believe in our friendship, because if we are faced with challenges, I know that we will overcome them and even come out stronger.
I just want to emphasize once again our alliance between the Republic of Korea and the United States. It ensures us that we are not alone — neither is Korea alone or the United States. So we can have confidence that we will be able to overcome any challenges that may face us.
Well, ladies and gentlemen, I see the guests today, and I think a lot of you are people who are very much liked by the President and the Madam First Lady. I also see a few of you who I always wanted to see, and so I'm very happy that I have the chance to see and meet with you tonight.
So once again, Mr. President, Madam First Lady, thank you so much for this honor, and thank you for your invitation. (Applause.)
(In English) Now I'm going to propose a toast — for us. (Laughter.)
(As translated) Ladies and gentlemen, please join me now in a toast: First of all, for the health and well-being of President Obama and Madam First Lady, and, of course, for our everlasting friendship between our two countries.
(A toast is offered.)
Obama Administration Releases Creating Pathways to Opportunity Report Highlighting Work Done to Help Underserved Communities, Strengthen the Middle Class
Obama Administration Releases Creating Pathways to Opportunity Report Highlighting Work Done to Help Underserved Communities, Strengthen the Middle Class
WASHINGTON, DC – Today, the White House released Creating Pathways to Opportunity, a report highlighting the work the Obama Administration has done to date to help Americans climb the ladder to the middle class and stay there. The report outlines the critical investments this Administration has made to lift and keep millions of Americans out of poverty, provide critical support to families throughout the economic downturn, and invest in long-term reforms to grow the middle class. It also outlines the direct impact that the American Jobs Act would have on underserved communities across the country.
"My administration has always been focused on helping more Americans – many of whom were struggling long before this recession hit – reach the middle class and stay there," said President Obama. "To do that, we can't just cut our way to prosperity. We need to do everything we can to create jobs and put more money in the pockets of working Americans. And that's why Congress needs to do the right thing and pass the American Jobs Act."
View the full report, which includes success stories from around the country, HERE


text:
The Antiochian Village is a center for Orthodox activities in Bolivar, Pennsylvania, situated upon 380 acres of land in the beautiful Laurel Highlands. Founded in 1978, it is under the jurisdiction of the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America and consists of both a conference center and a camp.
Click here to visit the Antiochian Village web site
Registration is Open for 2014 Mid-Winter Meetings
With the blessing of His Eminence Metropolitan Philip, the 2014 Mid-Winter Meetings will be hosted by St. George Antiochian Orthodox Church, and will be held in Scottsdale, Arizona in February. The Archdiocese and Diocese officers of the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Women of North America, the Fellowship of St. John Divine, and Teen SOYO will gather to conduct the business of our Archdiocese organizations. Please contact each individual organization's president for specific questions.
Travel, lodging, and registration information:
Hotel Reservations
- Group rate of $129.00/night at the Holiday Inn Express Scottsdale North
- Conveniently located just 4 miles (10 minute drive) from the church
Middle School Winter Retreat at Antiochian Village
Registration is open for the annual St. Herman Middle School Retreat, convening at Antiochian Village on the feast day of St. Herman of Alaska.
- Who: Students in grades 5-8
- Where: Antiochian Village Conference Center, December 13-15, 2013
- What: interactive presentations and discussions, weekend liturgical services (with an outdoor supplication service to St. Herman), games, crafts, meals and snacks, sledding, geocaching, stargazing, guided night hike, a campfire
- Why: The distraction-free environment of the Village and the spiritual emphasis of the retreat offer a wonderful opportunity for middle schoolers to focus on their faith
- How much: $96/person for lodging and meals
- Download the registration form or visit the Antiochian Village's list of upcoming events for more information.
Updates From Antiochian Village Camp
Antiochian Village reports that in an effort to stay connected to campers and introduce young people to the camp experience, the Village at Home program is running several programs this fall. In Village at Home, camp staff visit a church at the invitation of the priest, and run a modified day of camp in the parish. Hosting parishes often extend invitations to neighboring churches with hope of exposing as many young people to the Antiochian Village camping program. Former staff members to join in for the day to assist with the program, which replicates as much as possible the typical camper's day at the Village.
The following Village at Home days are scheduled:
- September 28 - St. Michael Orthodox Church - Louisville, KY
- October 5 - St. Raphael Orthodox Church - Chantilly, VA
- November 16 - St. George Antiochian Orthodox Church - West Roxbury, MA
- December 7 - Basilica of St .Mary - Livonia, MI
- March 22 - St. Philip Orthodox Church - Souderton, PA
Additionally, camp dates for the 2014 season have been posted. The season's earliest camp is Winter Camp in February, and the last camp to wrap up is the Special Olympics Sports Camp during the second week of August.
St. Thekla & St. Raphael Pilgrimage is Sept. 20-22
Download the Pilgrimage brochure
His Grace Bishop Thomas writes:
There are few places in the United States where you can visit the grave and shrine of a saint of the Church. Did you know that the Antiochian Village is one of those places? Saint Raphael, Bishop of Brooklyn, the Good Shepherd of the Lost Sheep of America, is buried on the grounds of the Antiochian Village. This year we are expanding the focus of our Annual Pilgrimage to not only include our prayers for the intercession of St. Thekla, but also we will pray the Service of Supplication to St. Raphael that he may intercede on our behalf before the throne of God.
Born in Beirut, Lebanon, and educated in Damascus Syria, Halki, Turkey, and Kiev, Russia, Raphael Hawaweeny found himself virtually exiled in Kazan, Russia. He was making himself of use on the faculty of a school, when he was summoned to the New World by the Syrian Orthodox Benevolent Committee in New York City.
Immigrating in 1895 and serving under the aegis of the Russian Orthodox Mission—then the only established Orthodox hierarchy—he was technically pastor of St. Nicholas Church (later Cathedral) in Brooklyn, NY, but was, in fact, the roving pastor of several dozen tiny, isolated communities spread thinly across the continent.
Fifth Annual Clergy Wives Weekend, Nov. 8-10
In the second weekend of November 2013, Antiochian Village will host the Annual Clergy Wives Weekend which is held in memory of Kh. Joanne Abdalah. Explains organizer Kh. Stefanie Yazge, "As always, the retreat schedule reflects Kh. Joanne's holy and holistic approach to life – we need to pray; we need to play. We need to enjoy the fellowship for this short time without parish responsibilities, family responsibilities or other cares of this world. We simply need a little time to breathe. The weekend has always been a tremendous success!"
This year's speakers include Bishop John of the Diocese of Worcester and New England, speaking on "Balancing My Life, Family Life and Parish Life," and Kh. Laila Ellias and her father Dr. John Dalack, speaking about "The Holy Family: Are We There Yet?"
- Read more about Kh. Laila and Dr. Dalack, and Bishop John
- Contact Stefanie Yazge at 724-832-1101
- Download the registration form

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Visit the Academy of Military Science.
I'm not usually a fan of the "Live Action" trailer, but the Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn series caught my attention because it isn't simply a trailer, it ties in with the overall story of Halo 4. How could I not watch that?
Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn is a five-part series that will tell the story of the event leading up to Halo 4. After watching this first episode, I have to say that I'm impressed with the quality. It actually reminds me a lot of the new Battlestar Galactica series that aired a few years ago.
Watch Forward Unto Dawn Episode One below, courtesy of Halo Waypoint and Machinima, and look for new episodes every Friday:


text:
Your guide to the new nzherald.co.nz
Welcome to the new nzherald.co.nz. Along with the new compact Herald newspaper, we are releasing a raft of changes today.
The New Zealand Herald Publications Select a network ° 0 / ° 0 Loading…Change
© Copyright 2013, APN Holdings NZ Limited
Assembled by: (static) on red akl_n3 at 09 Dec 2013 22:46:17 Processing Time: 192ms


text:
From the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (MSPCA):
The MSPCA's law enforcement department sees first hand where the state's cruelty law falls short. House Bill 2326, An Act to Ensure Adequate Care of Animals in Cities and Towns, filed by Representative Louis Kafka, would clarify that animals should not unnecessarily suffer from a lack of veterinary care. This bill would make it clear to animal parents and caregivers that they have an obligation to address their animals' unnecessary suffering.
This bill was carefully drafted with specific language to distinguish the more egregious cases where it is obvious that veterinary care is necessary to relieve an animal's unnecessary suffering, and not to other circumstances where an animal's suffering may not be reasonably obvious or apparent.
Currently, the term "necessary sustenance," found in many states' cruelty statutes, including Massachusetts', has been interpreted not to include veterinary care. This leaves animals to suffer with limited ability for law enforcement to address cruelty cases when suffering stems from the lack of this type of care. Many states have remedied this legislatively.
While the wording varies from state to state, over twenty states have some kind of provision in their animal cruelty statutes mandating that pet parents and caregivers provide necessary medical or veterinary care. Some statutes create more defined responsibilities than others. For example, both Maine and Vermont expressly define depriving an animal of "necessary medical attention" as violations of their animal cruelty statutes. This bill would prohibit knowingly and unjustifiably failing to provide the animal with veterinary care that results in unnecessary suffering.
Cases of this nature do occur. For example, in one case, MSPCA law enforcement officers discovered a dog who had a tumor growing from her external genitalia that had been ignored by her caregiver, and had actually grown to the size of a small grapefruit. The tumor dragged on the ground and interfered with the dog's ambulation. Although this case was resolved in the dog's best interest without criminal prosecution, this particular factual scenario, and others like it, regrettably is not unique. If this bill is enacted, cases involving extreme neglect will occur less frequently as a result of express responsibilities clarified for animal caregivers.
Additionally, this bill will require animal control officers to maintain a list of resources for residents (many already do) who are unable to care for animals to help prevent these types of cases.
H. 2326 passed the Massachusetts House of Representatives on May 17, 2012 and is now pending in the Senate. With your help, this bill could become law before the legislative session ends this year. Please contact your state senator to ask for his or her support. For more information, visit: www.mspca.org/vetcare.
Tagged Animal Cruelty, anti-cruelty, Boston, law, Legislation, MSPCA


text:
Director of College Counseling
Phillips Academy
In a nutshell, what is your current role?
To oversee the college counseling office, working with a staff of 12 people and 315 students through the college admissions process.
How and why did you become involved in this (higher education/enrollment management) profession?
I started out in 1989 with admissions work. For years, I went back and forth between admissions and college counseling, and am now here at Phillips Academy in college counseling.
What sustains you professionally?
Facilitating access to higher education—helping socially and economically disadvantaged students overcome roadblocks to college success.
What is the most interesting policy initiative or research project with which you have been involved? Why?
As an admission officer at Williams College, we helped create a mentoring program for first-generation college students. At Andover, we are doing a good deal of research and implementation of programs that helps make our campus a much more inclusive place for our diverse community—faculty, staff, and students.
What are the most pressing development needs for college counseling professionals?
More professional programs like the college counseling programs at UCSD and UCLA. Currently, you gain experience mostly through on-the-job training.
What can enrollment professionals do to enhance student access and opportunities?
Simplify the financial aid process and find some common ground on a standard financial aid award form.
What can enrollment professionals do to enhance student outcomes?
The more we can learn, the better. We need to create more professional development opportunities for college counselors. We need to help counselors tap into the many resources available for students especially opportunities outside of their own state systems to further student success.
What is the most interesting place you have visited?
I spent four weeks in southern Africa on an admission recruitment trip, visiting countries like Zimbabwe, South Africa, Botswana, and Swaziland.
Where would you still like to visit that you haven't already?
Australia and Ireland
What is your favorite movie?
Raiders of the Lost Ark
What is the last book you read?
"Go Diego Go" at least five times a night to my son. Also, Tracy Kidder's "Strength in What Remains." I know the brothers of the main character in this biography.
You get to meet any historical figure. Who do you choose and why?
As a longtime baseball fan and because of my interest in social justice and equity: Jackie Robinson.
What song can't you get out of your head right now?
"Thomas the Tank Engine" theme song –sad, but true
What is the ideal way to spend a Saturday night?
Since my wife is in admissions and I'm in college counseling, spending Saturday night with my 2 year-old son and wife is a nice break from our busy lives.
Cats or dogs?
Don't have time for either right now but identify as more of a dog person.
Do you have a message you would like to share with your colleagues?
Find a balance between your work and home life! In our college counseling profession, a heroic effort is expected, but definitely not sustainable years on end.


text:
- November 28, 2012
- 8:24 a.m.
- Suggest removal
- Reply to this post
mike336336#336342 writes:
"Keith Grellner, director of environmental health for the Kitsap Public Health District, said about 2,500 acres of shellfish beds have been reopened since the SSWM program began in 1994"
So where are the lease revenues from these shellfish beds? Or were they given over to the tribes gratis?
Want to participate in the conversation? Become a subscriber today. Subscribers can read and comment on any story, anytime. Non-subscribers will only be able to view comments on select stories.


text:
Actors: |
Welcome to West Lahunga Beach, the gayest of gay ghettoes, where Rick and Steve make their fabulously decorated double income no kids home. That is until Rick's lifelong lesbian friend Kirsten asks him to be the father of her child. There's just one catch, Kirsten's wife Dana and Rick's husband Steve are mortal enemies. The insults fly and nothing goes unspoken. Who knew the ugly, bitter truth of domestic bliss could look so cute?
Status: | Normal |
Run time: | 183mins |
Origin: | UNITED STATES |
Aspect Ratio: | 16:9 |


text:
SEO Marketing Posts from the Internet Marketing Blog
The Long-Term Value of SEO: Does SEO Value Last Forever?
Note: This article, originally titled "Debunking the Myth of the Long-Term Value of SEO," has been edited from its original version. I've taken some of the arguments in the comments into consideration, and upon reflection a lot of my points were unclear or misleading, and I've adjusted my language accordingly.
Thanks to everyone for contributing to the debate. - LarryOne of the most common responses to my recent "War on Free Clicks" study and yesterday's article, "Why SEO's Suck at PPC," was the notion that PPC stops the moment you stop spending, whereas SEO provides benefits forever.It reminds me of the "better to buy than rent a home" advice that was all the rage in the days leading up to the housing meltdown. Millions of homeowners got completely wiped out listenin... > Read more
Save $200 on MarketingProfs University (MPU) Search Marketing School: SEO
Howdy, sports fans! Thanks to the good people at MarketingProfs, we have a special offer for our readers to save $200 on an upcoming MarketingProfs University (MPU) online training course: Search Marketing School: SEO. This training course features classes on keyword research, content strategy, link building, social media, SEO metrics and more, with expert speakers including Vanessa Fox, Andrew Hanelly, Jill Whalen, Ian Lurie, John Doherty, Ruth Barr, and yours truly.
Read on for more details on this offer.About MarketingProfs UniversityMPU provides affordable, comprehensive online training in the interrelated disciplines that make up your marketing mix.With each course you'll get 10-17 hours of instruction in what you need to plan, build, and measure successful marketing programs. Plus yo... > Read more
RIP SEO Footer Links
Do SEO Footer Links work? Are SEO-optimized footer links at the bottom of your web pages any good for SEO or are they bad? (does it hurt SEO?). The official answer as of now is No - that SEO footer links don't work.Matt Cutts today announced at the SMX conference that: "We've done a good job of ignoring boilerplate, site wide links.
In the last few months, we've been trying to make the point that not only is link buying like that not doing any good, we're turning the dial up to let people know that certain link spam techniques are a waste of money."What have your experiences been with SEO Footer Links? Are you finding that they no longer work? Is your SEO footer hurting your traffic? Let me know what you're seeing!... > Read more
5 Quick Tips to Increase Referral Traffic
Generally speaking there are three kinds of website traffic: direct traffic, search engine traffic, and referral traffic. All are valuable and serve different purposes, but this post focuses on the third kind, referral traffic.Referral traffic is valuable in online marketing because it sends interested readers and qualified potential customers to your site from new domains.
It also provides added SEO benefits, since by definition referral traffic is driven either by an inbound link or social activity, both of which send positive signals to the search engines about your site.Need some of that sweet ol' referral traffic? We've got you covered with five simple referral traffic strategies to help.Guest PostsGuest posts are a great way to build up referral traffic. Especially in light of th... > Read more
Don't Get Deleted: Applying SEO Lessons to Email
Across the planet, over 300 billion emails are sent every day. That's over 2.8 million emails every second, and 90 trillion over the course of a year. No wonder the U.S. Postal Service can't keep up with the competition.And neither can we. Corporate workers send and receive an average of 225 messages per day.
If we gave each email coming through our inbox our full attention, we'd be hard-pressed to get any other work done.Most of us have adapted to the deluge with a "first cut" strategy. Before even opening an email, we glance at the sender and subject line and determine if it's worthy of our time. If it's a sender that often sends us marketing material we haven't found especially useful, it becomes instinctual to click delete before ever looking at these messages.Although our personal pro... > Read more
10 SEO Reasons to Add Facebook to Your Content Strategy
Over a year ago now, both Google and Bing announced that they factor social signals from social media into their organic search algorithms. As the lines between social media and search engine optimization continue to thin, social media will gain importance for SEO. As Google described it, social media is about relationships and relationships prove relevance.
Relevance is at the core of organic search.It's well known that Facebook has 845 million active users and 50% log in daily. These numbers are astounding! I guarantee you that your customers and prospects are included in those numbers. They are on Facebook and they're likely trying to engage with your brand.If you don't yet have a Facebook Page for your organization, you really ought to consider optimizing your content marketing s... > Read more
The Dangers of SEO Keyword Stuffing
Keyword stuffing, or the practice of shoving as many seo keywords onto a page as physical possible, has long been the bane of SEO white hats everywhere.There was a time when the method of stuffing worked as well on a webpage as it does in a turkey. Back in the early years of search engines, one could easily manipulate a page's ranking on Google's SERP with keyword stuffing.
Sites could rank on a large variety of keywords by simply cluttering them onto a page, even if the keywords were unrelated and the site was absent of any real content.You could be (somewhat) classy about it by hiding the offending keywords, matching their text color to the background color, or you could just be blatantly obnoxious.Naturally this led to a terrible user experience, because most people aren't looking ... > Read more
What Is SEO Content? A Beginner's Guide to Creating Content for SEO
If you're relatively new to the world of search marketing, you may have heard the term "SEO content" being thrown around in marketing meetings. This beginner's guide is designed to answer three questions:What is "SEO content"?What types of SEO content are there?What is my SEO content strategy?If you have any questions about SEO content creation that I don't answer here, let me know in the comments and I'll answer them here or in a future blog post.
Let's get started!What Is SEO Content?To understand what marketers mean by SEO content, it's helpful to break down the phrase into its component parts:"SEO" refers to search engine optimization, or the process of optimizing a website so that people can easily find it via search engines like Google.By "content," we mean... > Read more
5-Step Guide for Creating & Optimizing Video Content that Ranks on Google: Part 2
Part 2: Optimizing YouTube VideosYesterday we posted Part 1 of this guide, which discussed:How YouTube Can Help Your BusinessStep 1: Creating Video ContentStep 2: Recording Video ContentToday we cover Part 2of the 5-Step Guide For Creating & Optimizing Video Content that Ranks on Google, in which we continue with:Step 3: SEO For Your VideosStep 4: VSEO On Your SiteStep 5: Getting Your Video NoticedWhile Part One of the guide deals primarily with video content creation ideas and recording your video content, Part Two covers how to upload and optimize your videos on YouTube so that they rank as high as possible on search engines.
Step 3: VSEO: SEO for VideosGoogle normally "scans" the text of a page to figure out what a piece of content is about. But Googlebots can't actually watch vide... > Read more
5-Step Guide for Creating & Optimizing Video Content that Ranks on Google: Part 1
Part 1: Creating and Recording Video Content for Your BusinessThis guide on creating and optimizing high-ranking YouTube video content for your business, which can appear on Google, the YouTube site, and the YouTube for mobile app, is divided into two parts. Today, we will be posting part one, which covers:How YouTube Can Help Your BusinessStep 1: Creating Video ContentStep 2: Recording Video ContentIn Part 2, we'll cover uploading videos to YouTube and how to optimize your video content with VSEO.
How YouTube Can Help Your Business: Why Video Content Is Great for SEOHaving a hard time getting your business to show up on Google's first page? You might be surprised at just how much a YouTube video could help.In an aim to give searchers the best set of results possible, Google has continued t... > Read more


text:
Scale on citrus trees
I have 3 potted citrus plants that are on my patio. One has died; another is heavily infested with scale and ants. How can I get rid of both?
Community Answers1
Answer this Question
How do I make an insecticidal soap solution to treat for scale on a potted flowering lime tree and a rosemary plant.


text:
Power Tools & Accessories
This is a Tools & Accessories description
3M™ Roloc™ Disc Pad 82879, Soft 3 in 5/8-11 InternalSoft, 3 inch Roloc™ disc pad with 5/8-11 Internal thread. Pad fits 5/8-11 External threaded shafts.Price: $102.60Add to Compare
3M™ Hookit™ Clean Sanding Low Profile Disc Pad 20350, 3 in x 1/2 in x 1/4-20 External 3 Holes Red FoamFor use with 3 in diameter Hookit™ Clean Sanding discs. Use with random orbital sanders with 1/4 - 20 internal threads. Made with Red Foam. MOS: 15,000 RPM/OPMPrice: $211.90Add to Compare
Scotch-Brite™ Roloc™ Clean and Strip XT Disc TR, 3 in x NH S XCSDurable, rigid, long lasting. Aggressive, open-web disc for cleaning welds, removing rust and paint. Roloc™ TR attachment system. Mineral: Silicon Carbide Extra Coarse Color: Purple* MOS: 15,000 rpmPrice: $318.40Add to Compare
3M™ Stikit™ Low Profile Disc PadDesigned with a tough durable foam body for long pad life. Pad has 45 degree tapered edge for ease of sanding on contoured surfaces. Max 10,000 RPMStarting at: $26.33Add to Compare
3M™ Roloc™ Disc Pad, 3 in 1/4-20 InternalBackup pad designed to support 3M™ Roloc™ 3 inch diameter abrasive discs. This pad has a 1/4-20 INT thread which allows it to be mounted directly to tools with 1/4-20 EXT threaded shafts or use with Roloc™ shank to fit collet chuck tools.Starting at: $96.35Add to Compare
3M™ Rubber Cushion Polishing WheelA mechanically expandable rubber cushion safely keeps the band or belt from slipping during use. Use with 3M™ Coated Abrasive Bands and Belts.Starting at: $6.82Add to Compare