Jul 26, 2010 09:16AM

DMCA Rules Regarding Access-Control Technology Exemptions

Section 1201(a)(1) of the copyright law requires that every three years I am to determine whether there are any classes of works that will be subject to exemptions from the statute?s prohibition against circumvention of technology that effectively controls access to a copyrighted work.

Jul 22, 2010 01:07PM

Library of Congress Talking-Book Program Receives APEX Award for Publication Excellence

The 20-page booklet "Talking Rooms: Walking Through History at the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped Headquarters" has received an APEX 2010 Award of Excellence in the One-of-a-Kind Government Publication category.

Jul 15, 2010 07:11AM

10th Annual National Book Festival to Headline Follett, Glass, Kostova

The stellar lineup for the 10th annual National Book Festival, organized and sponsored by the Library of Congress, will include international best-selling author Ken Follett; Rae Armantrout, winner of this year?s Pulitzer Prize for poetry; National Book Award winner Julia Glass; Pat Mora, one of the nation?s most beloved writers for children; and Elizabeth Kostova, author of the worldwide sensations "The Historian" and "The Swan Thieves." They will be among more than 70 authors now slated to appear at the event on Saturday, Sept. 25, 2010. The event, free and open to the public, will run from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. between 3rd and 7th streets on the National Mall.

Jul 13, 2010 09:35AM

Robert R. Newlen Joins Law Library of Congress

Robert R. Newlen has been appointed assistant law librarian for collections, outreach and services, a new position within the Law Library of the Library of Congress. Currently the assistant director of the Knowledge Services Group in the Congressional Research Service (CRS) in the Library of Congress, Newlen will join the Law Library in mid-August.

Jul 13, 2010 09:35AM

Library of Congress Seeks Volunteer Docents

The Library of Congress is recruiting the 2010 class of volunteer docents to lead tours of the nation?s oldest federal cultural institution.

Jul 02, 2010 04:12AM

New Analysis of Jefferson's Draft Show Changes in Declaration of Independence

Recent hyperspectral imaging of Thomas Jefferson?s rough draft of the Declaration of Independence has clearly confirmed past speculation that Jefferson made an interesting word correction during his writing of the document, according to scientists in the Library of Congress? Preservation Research and Testing Division.

Jul 01, 2010 04:04AM

W.S. Merwin Named Poet Laureate

Librarian of Congress James H. Billington today announced the appointment of W.S. Merwin as the Library?s 17th Poet Laureate Consultant in Poetry for 2010-2011.

The White House on Jul 29, 2010 03:07PM

Remarks by the President Before Signing the Tribal Law and Order Act

4:58 P.M. EDT

     THE PRESIDENT:  Thank you, everybody.  Please have a seat.

     I want to start, obviously, by thanking Lisa for her introduction and having the courage to share her story with all of us today.  It’s for every survivor like Lisa who has never gotten their day in court, and for every family that feels like justice is beyond reach, and for every tribal community struggling to keep its people safe, that I’ll be signing the Tribal Law and Order Act into law today. 

     And in doing so, I intend to send a clear message that all of our people -- whether they live in our biggest cities or our most remote reservations -- have the right to feel safe in their own communities, and to raise their children in peace, and enjoy the fullest protection of our laws. 

     As many of you know, I campaigned on this issue.  And during our last -- during our tribal conference last year, I pledged my administration’s fullest support for this bill.  And I told Senator Dorgan last week that I intended to sign it in a ceremony here at the White House with all of you.  So today, I am proud to make good on my word. 

     Now, I’m told there’s a Seneca proverb that says “He who would do great things should not attempt them all alone.”  (Laughter.)  And that’s particularly true of this legislation, which is the product of tireless efforts by countless individuals across this country.  Congressional leaders like Senator Dorgan, Representative Herseth Sandlin, and others who are here today, and tribal leaders like Chairman Marcus Levings, President Theresa Two Bulls, President Diane Enos, Chief Chad Smith, Vice Chairman Jonathan Windy Boy -- we are grateful to all of them for their extraordinary support.  And then we’ve got leaders in our administration like Attorney General Holder and Secretary Salazar, Kimberly Teehee, Jodi Gillette here at the White House who work tirelessly on this legislation. 

     And that’s nothing to say of all the dedicated judges and prosecutors and tribal and BIA law enforcement officers -- some of whom are here today -- who’ve supported these efforts.  And the determined survivors most of all, like Lisa, who even when it’s too late to undo what happened to them, still speak out to seek justice for others. 

     All of you come at this from different angles, but you’re united in support of this bill because you believe, like I do, that it is unconscionable that crime rates in Indian Country are more than twice the national average and up to 20 times the national average on some reservations.  And all of you believe, like I do, that when one in three Native American women will be raped in their lifetimes, that is an assault on our national conscience; it is an affront to our shared humanity; it is something that we cannot allow to continue. 

     So ultimately, it’s not just the federal government’s relationship with tribal governments that compels us to act, it’s not just our obligations under treaty and under law, but it’s also our values as a nation that are at stake.  And that’s why earlier this year, after extensive consultations with tribal leaders, Attorney General Holder announced significant reforms to increase prosecutions of crimes committed in Indian Country.  He hired more Assistant U.S. Attorneys and more victim-witness specialists.  And he even created a position for a National Indian Country Training Coordinator who will work with prosecutors and law enforcement officers throughout Indian Country.   

And under Secretary Salazar’s leadership, we’re launching new community policing pilot programs.  We’ve overhauled the recruitment process for BIA officers, resulting in a 500 percent jump in applications and the largest hiring increase in history.  And we’re working to deploy those officers to the field as quickly as possible.

     The bill I’m signing into law today will build on these efforts, because it requires the Justice Department to disclose data on cases in Indian Country that it declines to prosecute and it gives tribes greater authority to prosecute and punish criminals themselves.  It expands recruitment and retention and training for BIA and Tribal officers and gives them better access to criminal databases.  It includes new provisions to prevent counterfeiting of Indian-produced crafts and new guidelines and training for domestic violence and sex crimes.  And it strengthens tribal courts and police departments and enhances programs to combat drug and alcohol abuse and help at-risk youth. 

     So these are significant measures that will empower tribal nations and make a real difference in people’s lives.  Because as I said during our tribal conference, I have no interest in just paying lip service to the problems we face.  I know that too often, this community has heard grand promises from Washington that turned out to be little more than empty words.  And I pledged to you then that if you gave me a chance, this time it would be different.  I told you I was committed to moving forward and forging a new and better future together in every aspect of our government-to-government relationship.

     And slowly but surely, that is exactly what we are doing.  At this moment, agencies across our government are implementing detailed plans to increase coordination and consultation with tribal governments -- and I intend to hold them accountable for following through. 

     We’ve also included a permanent reauthorization of the Indian Health Care Improvement Act in the health care reform legislation we passed this spring.  We’re strengthening Tribal education.  We’re working to spur economic development throughout Indian Country.  And in consultation with Indian tribes, we’re now formally reviewing the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.  And after 14 long years, we’ve finally settled the Cobell case and we’re working with Congress to get the settlement approved as quickly as possible.

     So we’re moving forward, and we’re making progress.  And as we celebrate today, I’m reminded of a visit I made a couple of years ago to the Crow Nation out in Montana.  While I was there, I was adopted into the Nation by a wonderful couple -- Hartford and Mary Black Eagle -- so I’m Barack Black Eagle.  (Laughter.)  But I was also -- I was also given a Crow name that means “One Who Helps People Throughout the Land.”  And it’s a name that I view not as an honor that I deserve, but as a responsibility that I must work to fulfill.

     And looking back, I can’t help but think that only in America could a guy like me named Barack Obama -- adoptive son of the Crow Nation -- go on to become President.  (Laughter and applause.)  That was improbable when it happened two years ago -- (laughter) -- but it would have been inconceivable a generation or two before that.  And I think the same could be said of this legislation.

And that should ultimately give us all hope.  It should remind us that our union has a way of -- over time -- becoming more, and not less, perfect -- more inclusive, more fair, more free.  And that’s because of people like you -- leaders and public servants and everyday folks who understand that we’re more than just heirs to a difficult past.  Here in America, we have a chance to choose a different future, and to heed those better angels of our nature and cast our lot with something bigger than ourselves. 

     So it’s in that spirit that I hope we define the relationship between our nations in the years ahead, and it is the goal of this legislation that I am proud to sign into law today.

     Thank you very much, everybody.  God bless you.  God bless the United States of America.  (Applause.)

     (The bill is signed.)

END           5:09 P.M. EDT
 

The White House on Jul 29, 2010 01:05PM

President Obama Signs Iowa Disaster Declaration

The President today declared a major disaster exists in the State of Iowa and ordered Federal aid to supplement State and local recovery efforts in the area struck by severe storms, flooding, and tornadoes beginning on June 1, 2010, and continuing.

Federal funding is available to State and eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for emergency work and the repair or replacement of facilities damaged by the severe storms, flooding, and tornadoes in the counties of Adams, Appanoose, Audubon, Buena Vista, Butler, Cherokee, Clay, Davis, Decatur, Franklin, Howard, Humboldt, Iowa, Lee, Lyon, Madison, Marion, Mills, Monroe, Montgomery, O’Brien, Osceola, Palo Alto, Ringgold, Shelby, Union, Van Buren, Wapello, Warren, Wayne, Webster, and Wright.

Federal funding is also available on a cost-sharing basis for hazard mitigation measures statewide.

W. Craig Fugate, Administrator, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Department of Homeland Security, named Thomas A. Hall as the Federal Coordinating Officer for Federal recovery operations in the affected area. 

FEMA said additional designations may be made at a later date if requested by the State and warranted by the results of further damage assessments.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:  FEMA (202) 646-3272.

The White House on Jul 29, 2010 01:05PM

President Obama Signs South Dakota Disaster Declaration

The President today declared a major disaster exists in the State of South Dakota and ordered Federal aid to supplement State and local recovery efforts in the area struck by severe storms, tornadoes, and flooding during the period of June 16-24, 2010.

Federal funding is available to State and eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for emergency work and the repair or replacement of facilities damaged by the severe storms, tornadoes, and flooding in Dewey, Perkins, and Ziebach Counties, and the Cheyenne River Indian Reservation.

Federal funding is also available on a cost-sharing basis for hazard mitigation measures for all counties and Tribes within the State.

W. Craig Fugate, Administrator, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Department of Homeland Security, named Michael L. Parker as the Federal Coordinating Officer for Federal recovery operations in the affected area. 

FEMA said additional designations may be made at a later date if requested by the State and warranted by the results of further damage assessments.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:  FEMA (202) 646-3272.

The White House on Jul 29, 2010 10:00AM

Remarks by the President on Education Reform at the National Urban League Centennial Conference

Washington Convention Center
Washington, D.C.

10:09 A.M. EDT

THE PRESIDENT:  Thank you.  Everybody, please have a seat.  Have a seat.  Take a load off.  (Applause.)  Thank you. 

Good morning, Urban Leaguers. 

AUDIENCE:  Good morning.

THE PRESIDENT:  Yes.  It is wonderful to be here with all of you.  It is wonderful to be here.  And let me begin by congratulating Marc Morial for his outstanding leadership, his great friendship.  (Applause.)  I want to thank the entire National Urban League on your centennial.  From your founding, amid the great migration, to the struggles of the civil rights movement, to the battles of today, the Urban League has been on the ground, in our communities, working quietly -– day in, day out -– without fanfare; opening up opportunity, rolling back inequality, making our union just a little more perfect.  America is a better place because of the Urban League.  And I'm grateful to all of you for the outstanding contributions that you’ve made. (Applause.)  

The last time I spoke with you was during your Orlando conference in August -- (applause) -- got Orlando in the house.  (laughter) -- Orlando conference back in August of 2008.  I didn’t have any gray hair back then.  (Laughter.)  Say that's all right?  (Laughter and applause.)  But I want to remind you what things were like in August of 2008.  Our economy was in freefall. We had just seen seven straight months of job loss.  Foreclosures were sweeping the nation.  And we were on the verge of a financial crisis that threatened to plunge our economy into a second Great Depression.

So, from the moment I took office, we had to act immediately to prevent an even greater catastrophe.  And I knew that not everything we did would be popular.  Sometimes when we do things, the scribes, the pundits here in Washington, they act surprised. They say, why would you do such a thing, it doesn’t poll well.  And I have to explain to them I’ve got my own pollsters.  (Laughter and applause.)  But I wasn’t elected just to do what’s popular; I was elected do what was right.  That's what you supported me for.  (Applause.)

And because of what we did, America, as a whole, is in a different place today.  Our economy is growing, instead of shrinking.  Our private sector has been adding jobs for six straight months, instead of losing them.  (Applause.)

Yesterday a report was put out by two prominent economists  -- one of them John McCain’s old economist -- that said if we hadn’t taken the actions that we took, we would have had an additional 8 million people lose their jobs. 

Now, that doesn’t mean we’re out of the woods yet.  Every sector of our economy was shaking by the crisis; every demographic group felt its impact.  And as has been true in the wake of other recent recessions, this one had an especially brutal impact on minority communities -- communities that were already struggling long before the financial crisis hit.

The African American unemployment rate was already much higher, the incomes and wealth of African American families already lower.  There was less of a cushion.  Many minority communities -- whether in big cities or rural towns -- had seen businesses and opportunities vanish for years, stores boarded up, young people hanging out on the street corners without prospects for the future.

So when we came in to office, we focused not just on rescuing our economy in the short run, but rebuilding our economy for the long run -- creating an economy that lifts up all Americans.  (Applause.)   Not just some, but all.

That’s why we passed health insurance reform that will give every American -- (applause) -- more choices, more control over their health care; will narrow the cruel disparities between Americans of different backgrounds.  That’s why we passed Wall Street reform -- not only to make sure that taxpayers aren’t paying for somebody else’s foolishness, but also to protect consumers from predatory credit cards and lending practices, regulating everything from mortgages to payday loans; making sure that we’re protecting our economy from the recklessness and irresponsibility of a few.  (Applause.)
 
Across agencies, we’re taking on the structural inequalities that have held so many of our fellow citizens back, whether it’s making more housing available and more affordable, making sure civil rights and anti-discrimination laws are enforced, making sure our crime policy is not only tough, but also smart.  So yesterday, we took an important step forward when Congress passed a fair sentencing bill that I look forward to signing into law -- (applause) -- a bipartisan bill to help right a longstanding wrong by narrowing sentencing disparities between those convicted of crack cocaine and powder cocaine.  It’s the right thing to do. (Applause.)  We’ve gotten that done.

So we’ve made progress.  And yet, for all of our progress -– progress that’s come through the efforts of groups like the Urban League; progress that makes it possible for me to stand here as President -- we were reminded this past week that we still got work to do when it comes to promoting the values of fairness and equality and mutual understanding that must bind us together as a nation. 

Now, last week, I had the chance to talk to Shirley Sherrod -– an exemplary woman whose experiences mark both the challenges we have faced and the progress that we’ve made.  She deserves better than what happened last week -- (applause) -- when a bogus controversy based on selective and deceiving excerpts of a speech led her -- led to her forced resignation. 

Now, many are to blame for the reaction and overreaction that followed these comments -– including my own administration. And what I said to Shirley was that the full story she was trying to tell –- a story about overcoming our own biases and recognizing ourselves in folks who, on the surface, seem different -– is exactly the kind of story we need to hear in America.  (Applause.) 

It’s exactly what we need to hear because we’ve all got our biases.  And rather than jump to conclusions and point fingers, and play some of the games that are played on cable TV, we should all look inward and try to examine what’s in our own hearts.  (Applause.)  We should all make more of an effort to discuss with one another, in a truthful and mature and responsible way, the divides that still exist -- the discrimination that's still out there, the prejudices that still hold us back -- a discussion that needs to take place not on cable TV, not just through a bunch of academic symposia or fancy commissions or panels, not through political posturing, but around kitchen tables, and water coolers, and church basements, and in our schools, and with our kids all across the country.  (Applause.)

If we can have that conversation in our own lives, if we can take an opportunity to learn from our imperfections and our mistakes, to grow as individuals and as a country, and if we engage in the hard work of translating words into deeds -- because words are easy and deeds are hard -- then I’m confident that we can move forward together and make this country a little more perfect than it was before.  (Applause.)

Now, since we’re on the topic of speaking honestly with one another, I want to devote the balance of my time, the balance of my remarks, to an issue that I believe will largely determine not only African American success, but the success of our nation in the 21st century -- and that is whether we are offering our children the very best education possible.  (Applause.)

I know some argue that as we emerge from a recession, my administration should focus solely on economic issues.  They said that during health care as if health care had nothing to do with economics; said it during financial reform as if financial reform had nothing to do with economics; and now they're saying it as we work on education issues.  But education is an economic issue -- if not “the” economic issue of our time.  (Applause.)

It’s an economic issue when the unemployment rate for folks who’ve never gone to college is almost double what it is for those who have gone to college.  (Applause.)  It’s an economic issue when eight in 10 new jobs will require workforce training or a higher education by the end of this decade.  It’s an economic issue when countries that out-educate us today are going to out-compete us tomorrow.

Now, for years, we’ve recognized that education is a prerequisite for prosperity.  And yet, we’ve tolerated a status quo where America lags behind other nations.  Just last week, we learned that in a single generation, America went from number one to 12th in college completion rates for young adults.  Used to be number one, now we’re number 12. 

At the same time, our 8th graders trail about eight -- 10 other nations -- 10 other nations in science and math.  Meanwhile, when it comes to black students, African American students trail not only almost every other developed nation abroad, but they badly trail their white classmates here at home -- an achievement gap that is widening the income gap between black and white, between rich and poor. 

We’ve talked about it, we know about it, but we haven’t done enough about it.  And this status quo is morally inexcusable, it s economically indefensible, and all of us are going to have to roll up our sleeves to change it.  (Applause.)

And that's why -- that is why, from day one of this administration, we’ve made excellence in American education -- excellence for all our students -- a top priority.  And no one has shown more leadership on this issue than my Secretary of Education, Arne Duncan, who is here today.  (Applause.)

I chose Arne not only because he’s a great ballplayer --  (laughter) -- Arne and I play a little bit on the weekends -- I choose Arne because I knew that for him, closing the achievement gap, unlocking the potential of every child, isn’t just a job, it’s been the cause of his life.

Now, because a higher education has never been more important –- or more expensive -– it’s absolutely essential that we put a college degree within reach for anyone who wants it.  And that’s why we’re making higher education more affordable, so we can meet the goals I’ve set of producing a higher share of college graduates than any other nation by 2020.  I want us to be back at number one instead of number 12.  (Applause.) 

And in pursuit of that goal, we eliminated taxpayer subsidies to big banks.  We saved tens of billions of dollars, and we used those savings to open the door to additional financial aid -- to open the door for college to millions more students.  This is something that a lot of you may not be aware of, but we have added tens of billions of dollars that were going to bank middlemen, so that that money is now going to students -- millions more students who are getting scholarships to go to college.  (Applause.)  That’s already been done.

We’re making loan repayment more manageable, so young people don’t graduate -- like Michelle and me -- with such big loan payments every month.

AUDIENCE MEMBER:  Thank you!

THE PRESIDENT:  You’re welcome.  Right there.  (Laughter.)  You can relate.  (Laughter.) 

And we’re reinvesting in our Historically Black Colleges and Universities.  (Applause.)  Our HBCUs, we are reinvesting in them, while at the same time reforming and strengthening our community college, which are great, undervalued assets -- (applause) -- great assets that are a lifeline to so many working families in every community across America.

But here’s the thing.  Even if we do all this good stuff for higher education, too many of our children see college as nothing but a distant dream -– because their education went off the rails long before they turned 18.  These are young people who’ve been relegated to failing schools in struggling communities, where there are too many obstacles, too few role models -– communities that I represented as a state senator; communities that I fought to lift up as a community organizer.

I remember going to a school back in my organizing days and seeing children -- young children, maybe five or six -- eyes were brimming with hope, had such big dreams for the future.  You’d ask them, what do you want to be when you grow up?  They’d want to be a doctor; they’d want to be a lawyer.  And then I remember the principal telling me that soon, all that would change.  The hope would start fading from their eyes as they started to realize that maybe their dreams wouldn’t come to pass -- not because they weren’t smart enough, not because they weren’t talented enough, but because through a turn of fate they happened to be born in the wrong neighborhood.  They became victim of low expectations, a community that was not supporting educational excellence.

And it was heartbreaking.  It is heartbreaking.  And it reinforced in me a fundamental belief that we’ve got an obligation to lift up every child in every school in this country, especially those who are starting out furthest behind.  (Applause.) 

That’s why I want to challenge our states to offer better early learning options to make sure our children aren’t wasting their most formative years -- (applause) -- so that they can enter into kindergarten already ready to learn -- knowing their colors, knowing their numbers, knowing their shapes, knowing how to sit still.  (Laughter.)  Right?  That’s no joke.  You got to learn that, especially when you’re a boy.  (Laughter.)  That’s why we placed such heavy emphasis on the education our children are getting from kindergarten through 12th grade.

Now, over the past 18 months, the single most important thing we’ve done -- and we’ve done a lot.  I mean, the Recovery Act put a lot of money into schools, saved a lot of teacher jobs, made sure that schools didn’t have to cut back even more drastically in every community across this country.  But I think the single most important thing we’ve done is to launch an initiative called Race to the Top.  (Applause.)  We said to states, if you are committed to outstanding teaching, to successful schools, to higher standards, to better assessments -– if you’re committed to excellence for all children -– you will be eligible for a grant to help you attain that goal.

And so far, the results have been promising and they have been powerful.  In an effort to compete for this extra money, 32 states reformed their education laws before we even spent a dime. The competition leveraged change at the state level.  And because the standards we set were high, only a couple of states actually won the grant in the first round, which meant that the states that didn’t get the money, they’ve now strengthened their applications, made additional reforms.  Now 36 have applied in the second round, and 18 states plus the District of Columbia are in the running to get a second grant.  (Applause.) 

So understand what’s happened.  In each successive round, we’ve leveraged change across the country.  And even students in those districts that haven’t gotten a grant, they’ve still benefited from the reforms that were initiated.  And this process has sown the seeds of achievement.  It’s forced teachers and principals and officials and parents to forge agreements on tough, and often uncomfortable issues -- to raise their sights and embrace education.

For the most part, states, educators, reformers, they’ve responded with great enthusiasm around this promise of excellence.  But I know there’s also been some controversy about Race to the Top.  Part of it, I believe, reflects a general resistance to change.  We get comfortable with the status quo even when the status quo isn’t good.  We make excuses for why things have to be the way they are.  And when you try to shake things up, some people aren’t happy. 

There have been criticisms from some folks in the civil rights community about particular elements of Race to the Top.  So I want to address some of those today.  I told you we’re going to have an honest conversation.

First, I know there’s a concern that Race to the Top doesn’t do enough for minority kids, because the argument is, well, if there’s a competition, then somehow some states or some school districts will get more help than others.  Let me tell you, what’s not working for black kids and Hispanic kids and Native American kids across this country is the status quo.  That's what’s not working.  (Applause.)  What’s not working is what we’ve been doing for decades now.

So the charge that Race to the Top isn’t targeted at those young people most in need is absolutely false because lifting up quality for all our children -- black, white, Hispanic -- that is the central premise of Race to the Top.  And you can’t win one of these grants unless you’ve got a plan to deal with those schools that are failing and those young people who aren’t doing well.  Every state and every school district is directly incentivized to deal with schools that have been forgotten, been given up on. 

I also want to directly speak to the issue of teachers.  We may have some teachers here in the house.  (Applause.)  I know Urban League has got some teachers.  Nothing is more important than teachers.  (Applause.)  My sister is a teacher.  I’m here because of great teachers.  The whole premise of Race to the Top is that teachers are the single most important factor in a child’s education from the moment they step into the classroom.  And I know firsthand that the vast majority of teachers are working tirelessly, are passionate about their students, are often digging into their own pockets for basic supplies, are going above and beyond the call of duty. 

So I want teachers to have higher salaries.  I want them to have more support.  I want them to be trained like the professionals they are –- with rigorous residencies like the ones that doctors go through.   (Applause.)  I want to give them a career ladder so they’ve opportunities to advance, and earn real financial security.  I don't want talented young people to say I’d love to teach but I can’t afford it.  (Applause.) 

I want them to have a fulfilling and supportive workplace environment.  I want them to have the resources -- from basic supplies to reasonable class sizes -- that help them succeed.   And instead of a culture where we’re always idolizing sports stars or celebrities, I want us to build a culture where we idolize the people who are shaping our children’s future.  (Applause.)  I want some teachers on the covers of some of those magazines.  (Applause.)  Some teachers on MTV, featured.  (Applause.)

I was on the “The View” yesterday, and somebody asked me who Snooki was.  I said, I don't know who Snooki is.  (Laughter.)  But I know some really good teachers that you guys should be talking about.  (Laughter and applause.)  I didn't say the teacher part, but I just -- (laughter.)  The question is, who are we lifting up?  Who are we promoting?  Who are we saying is important? 

So I am 110 percent behind our teachers.  (Applause.)  But all I’m asking in return -- as a President, as a parent, and as a citizen -- is some measure of accountability.  (Applause.)  So even as we applaud teachers for their hard work, we’ve got to make sure we’re seeing results in the classroom.  If we’re not seeing results in the classroom, then let’s work with teachers to help them become more effective.  If that doesn’t work, let’s find the right teacher for that classroom.  (Applause.)

Arne makes the point very simply:  Our children get only one chance at an education, so we need to get it right.

I want to commend some of the teachers unions across this country who are working with us to improve teaching -- like the Delaware Education Association, which is working with state leaders as part of their Race to the Top efforts, not only to set aside 90 minutes of collaboration time a week to improve instruction, but to strengthen teacher development and evaluation.  That's the right way to go.

So, for anyone who wants to use Race to the Top to blame or punish teachers -- you’re missing the point.  Our goal isn’t to fire or admonish teachers; our goal is accountability.  It’s to provide teachers with the support they need to be as effective as they can be, and to create a better environment for teachers and students alike. 

Now, there’s also the question of how hard our teachers should push students in the classroom.  Nations in Asia and Europe have answered this question, in part by creating standards to make sure their teachers and students are performing at the same high levels throughout their nation.  That’s one of the reasons that their children are doing better than ours.  But here at home, there’s often a controversy about national standards, common standards -- that violates the principle of local control. Now, there’s a history to local control that we need to think about, but that -- that’s the argument.

So here’s what Race to the Top says:  Instead of Washington imposing standards from the top down, let’s challenge states to adopt common standards voluntarily, from the bottom up.  That doesn’t mean more standards; it means higher standards, better standards, standards that clarify what our teachers are expected to teach and what our children are expected to learn -– so high school graduates are actually prepared for college and a career. I do not want to see young people get a diploma but they can’t read that diploma.  (Applause.) 

Now, so far, about 30 states have come together to embrace and develop common standards, high standards.  More states are expected to do so in the coming weeks.  And by the way, this is different from No Child Left Behind, because what that did was it gave the states the wrong incentives.  A bunch of states watered down their standards so that school districts wouldn’t be penalized when their students fell short.  And what’s happened now is, at least two states -– Illinois and Oklahoma –- that lowered standards in response to No Child Behind -- No Child Left Behind -- are now raising those standards back up, partly in response to Race to the Top.

And part of making sure our young people meet these high standards is designing tests that accurately measure whether they are learning.  Now, here, too, there’s been some controversy.  When we talk about testing, parents worry that it means more teaching to the test.  Some worry that tests are culturally biased. Teachers worry that they’ll be evaluated solely on the basis of a single standardized test.  Everybody thinks that’s unfair.  It is unfair. 

But that’s not what Race to the Top is about.  What Race to the Top says is, there’s nothing wrong with testing -– we just need better tests applied in a way that helps teachers and students, instead of stifling what teachers and students do in the classroom.  Tests that don’t dictate what’s taught, but tell us what has been learned.  Tests that measure how well our children are mastering essential skills and answering complex questions.  And tests that track how well our students are growing academically, so we can catch when they’re falling behind and help them before they just get passed along.  (Applause.) 

Because of Race to the Top, states are also finding innovative ways to move beyond having just a snapshot of where students are, and towards a real-time picture that shows how far they’ve come and how far they have to go.  And armed with this information, teachers can get what amounts to a game tape that they can study to enhance their teaching and their focus on areas where students need help the most.

Now, sometimes a school’s problems run so deep that you can do the better assessments and the higher standards and a more challenging curriculum, and that’s not enough.  If a school isn’t producing graduates with even the most basic skills –- year after year after year after year -– something needs to be done differently.  You know, the definition, somebody once said, of madness is you do the same thing over and over again and keep expecting a different result.  If we want success for our country, we can’t accept failure in our schools decade after decade.

And that’s why we’re challenging states to turn around our 5,000 lowest performing schools.  And I don’t think it’s any secret that most of those are serving African American or Hispanic kids.  We’re investing over $4 billion to help them do that, to transform those schools -– $4 billion, which even in Washington is real money.  (Applause.)  This isn’t about -- unlike No Child Left Behind, this isn’t about labeling a troubled school a failure and then just throwing up your hands and saying, well, we’re giving up on you.  It’s about investing in that school’s future, and recruiting the whole community to help turn it around, and identifying viable options for how to move forward.

Now, in some cases, that’s going to mean restarting the school under different management as a charter school -– as an independent public school formed by parents, teachers, and civic leaders who’ve got broad leeway to innovate.  And some people don’t like charter schools.  They say, well, that’s going to take away money from other public schools that also need support.  Charter schools aren’t a magic bullet, but I want to give states and school districts the chance to try new things.  If a charter school works, then let’s apply those lessons elsewhere.  And if a charter school doesn’t work, we’ll hold it accountable; we’ll shut it down.

So, no, I don’t support all charter schools, but I do support good charter schools.  I’ll give you an example.  There’s a charter school called Mastery in Philadelphia.  And in just two years, three of the schools that Mastery has taken over have seen reading and math levels nearly double –- in some cases, triple.  Chaka Fattah is here, so he knows what I’m talking about.  One school called Pickett went from just 14 percent of students being proficient in math to almost 70 percent.  (Applause.)  Now -- and here’s the kicker -- at the same time academic performance improved, violence dropped by 80 percent -– 80 percent.  And that’s no coincidence.  (Applause.)

Now, if a school like Mastery can do it, if Pickett can do it, every troubled school can do it.  But that means we’re going to have to shake some things up.  Setting high standards, common standards, empowering students to meet them; partnering with our teachers to achieve excellence in the classroom; educating our children -- all of them -- to graduate ready for college, ready for a career, ready to make most of their lives -- none of this should be controversial.  There should be a fuss if we weren’t doing these things.  There should be a fuss if Arne Duncan wasn’t trying to shake things up.  (Applause.)

So Race to the Top, isn’t simply the name of an initiative. It sums up what’s happening in our schools.  It’s the single most ambitious, meaningful education reform effort we’ve attempted in this country in generations.

And I know there are a number of other steps we need to take to lift up our education system -- like saving teachers’ jobs across this country from layoffs -- and I’ll continue fighting to take those steps and save those jobs.  But I’ll also continue to fight for Race to the Top with everything I’ve got, including using a veto to prevent some folks from watering it down.  (Applause.)

Now, let me wrap up by saying this.  I know there are some who say that Race to the Top won’t work.  There are cynics and naysayers who argue that the problems in our education system are too entrenched, that think that we’ll just fall back into the same old arguments and divides that have held us back for so long.  And it is true, as I’ve said since I ran for President, and that everybody here knows firsthand, change is hard.  I don't know if you’ve noticed.  That's why I’ve got all this gray hair. (Laughter.) 

Fixing what was broken in our health care system is not easy.  Fixing what was broken on Wall Street is not easy.  Fixing what’s broken in our education system is not easy.  We won’t see results overnight.  It may take a decade for these changes to pay off.  But that’s not a reason not to make them.  It’s a reason to start making them right now, to feel a sense of urgency -- the fierce urgency of now.  (Applause.)

We also know that as significant as these reforms are, there’s going to be one more ingredient to really make a difference:  parents are going to have to get more involved in their children’s education.  (Applause.)  Now, in the past, even that statement has sparked controversy.  Folks say, well, why are you talking about parents?  Parents need help, too.  I know that. Parents need jobs.  They need housing.  They need -- in some cases -- social services.  They may have substance abuse problems.  We’re working on all those fronts. 

Then some people say, well, why are you always talking about parental responsibility in front of black folks?  (Laughter and applause.)  And I say, I talk about parent responsibility wherever I talk about education. 

Michelle and I happen to be black parents, so -- (laughter and applause) -- I may -- I may add a little umph to it when I’m talking to black parents.  (Laughter.)  

But to paraphrase Dr. King, education isn’t an either/or proposition.  It’s a both/and proposition.  It will take both more focus from our parents, and better schooling.  It will take both more money, and more reform.  It will take both a collective commitment, and a personal commitment.

So, yes, our federal government has responsibilities that it has to meet, and I will keep on making sure the federal government meets those responsibilities.  Our governors, our superintendants, our states, our school districts have responsibilities to meet.  And parents have responsibilities that they have to meet.  And our children have responsibilities that they have to meet.  (Applause.)

It’s not just parents.  It’s the children, too.  Our kids need to understand nobody is going to hand them a future.  (Applause.)  An education is not something you just tip your head and they pour it in your ear.  (Laughter.)   You’ve got to want it.  You’ve got to reach out and claim that future for yourself. And you can’t make excuses.  (Applause.)

I know life is tough for a lot of young people in this country.  The places where Urban League is working to make a difference, you see it every day.  I’m coming from the Southside of Chicago.  (Applause.)  So I know -- I see what young people are going through there.  And at certain points in our lives, young black men and women may feel the sting of discrimination.  Too many of them may feel trapped in a community where drugs and violence and unemployment are pervasive, and they are forced to wrestle with things that no child should have to face. 

There are all kinds of reasons for our children to say, “No, I can’t.”  But our job is to say to them, “Yes, you can.”  (Applause.)  Yes, you can overcome.  Yes, you can persevere.  Yes, you can make what you will out of your lives.  (Applause.) 

I know they can, because I know the character of America’s young people.  I saw them volunteer on my campaign.  They asked me questions in town hall meetings.  They write me letters about their trials and aspirations.

I got a letter recently postmarked Covington, Kentucky.  It was from Na’Dreya Lattimore, 10 years old -- about the same age as Sasha.  And she told me about how her school had closed, so she had enrolled in another.  Then she had bumped up against other barriers to what she felt was her potential.  So Na’Dreya was explaining to me how we need to improve our education system. She closed by saying this:

“One more thing,” she said.  (Laughter.)  It was a long letter.  (Laughter.)  “You need to look at us differently.  We are not black, we’re not white, biracial, Hispanic, Asian, or any other nationality.”  No, she wrote -– “We are the future.”  (Applause.) 

Na’Dreya, you are right.  And that’s why I will keep fighting to lead us out of this storm.  But I’m also going to keep fighting alongside the Urban League to make America more perfect, so that young people like Na’Dreya -- people of every race, in every region -- are going to be able to reach for that American Dream.  They’re going to know that there are brighter days ahead; that their future is full of boundless possibilities. I believe that, and I know the Urban League does, too.

Thank you very much, everybody.  God bless you.  God bless the United States of America.  (Applause.) 

END
10:53 A.M. EDT

The White House on Jul 28, 2010 03:42PM

Presidential Nominations Sent to the Senate, 7/28/10

NOMINATIONS SENT TO THE SENATE:
M. Scott Bowen, of Michigan, to be United States Attorney for the Western District of Michigan for the term of four years, vice Margaret M. Chiara, resigned.

Beverly Joyce Harvard, of Georgia, to be United States Marshal for the Northern District of Georgia for the term of four years, vice Richard Vaughn Mecum, term expired.

Marina Garcia Marmolejo, of Texas, to be United States District Judge for the Southern District of Texas, vice Samuel B. Kent, resigned.

Maria Elizabeth Raffinan, of the District of Columbia, to be an Associate Judge of the Superior Court of the District of Columbia for the term of fifteen years, vice Odessa F. Vincent, retired.

Ripley Rand, of North Carolina, to be United States Attorney for the Middle District of North Carolina for the term of four years, vice Anna Mills S. Wagoner, term expired.

David Mark Singer, of California, to be United States Marshal for the Central District of California for the term of four years, vice Adam Noel Torres, term expired.

The White House on Jul 28, 2010 03:34PM

President Obama Names Maribeth Raffinan to Superior Court of the District of Columbia

WASHINGTON – Today, President Obama nominated Maria Elizabeth (Maribeth) Raffinan to serve as an Associate Justice of the Superior Court of the District of Columbia.

“Throughout her career Maribeth Raffinan has shown a commitment to justice and public service,” said President Obama. “I am proud to nominate her to serve on the Superior Court of the District of Columbia,”

Maria Elizabeth (Maribeth) Raffinan:  Nominee for the Superior Court of the District of Columbia
Maribeth Raffinan is a supervising attorney in the Trial Division of the Public Defender Service for the District of Columbia where she has represented indigent defendants charged with criminal offenses since 1999.  Prior to joining the Public Defender Service, Ms. Raffinan worked in the Office of the Federal Public Defender for the District of Columbia.  Ms. Raffinan co-chaired the 2007 Deborah T. Creek Criminal Practice Institute, an annual training program for criminal defense practitioners in the District of Columbia, and she has served as a member of the Superior Court’s Drug Court Committee.  She has also served as an adjunct professor at the Columbus School of Law at The Catholic University of America.  Ms. Raffinan has a bachelor’s degree in political science and philosophy from Boston College and earned her law degree from Catholic University of America’s Columbus School of Law.

The White House on Jul 28, 2010 03:29PM

President Obama Names Two to Serve as U.S. Marshals, 7/28/10

WASHINGTON- Today, President Obama nominated Beverly Harvard and David Mark Singer to serve as U.S. Marshals. 

“These dedicated law enforcement professionals have spent their careers protecting their fellow Americans,” said President Obama.  “I am honored to nominate them to serve the American people as U.S. Marshals.”

Beverly Harvard:  Nominee for U.S. Marshal for the Northern District of Georgia
Beverly Harvard is currently employed by the United States Transportation Security Administration as the Director of Transportation Security Coordination.  Ms. Harvard began her career at TSA in 2002 as the Deputy Federal Security Director.  Prior to Ms. Harvard’s employment with TSA, she worked for the City of Atlanta Police Department from 1973-2002.  Ms. Harvard worked her way through the ranks to the position of Chief of Police from 1994-2002. Ms. Harvard earned her Bachelor of Arts Degree from Morris Brown College in 1972 and went on to receive her Master of Science Degree in 1980 from Georgia State University.

David Mark Singer, Nominee for U.S. Marshal for the Central District of California
David Singer serves as Chief of Police for Whittier, California, a position he has held since 2001.  Previously, he served for four years in the United States Air Force and then began his law enforcement career in 1979 at the Signal Hill, California Police Department, where he served for 21 years, including five as Chief of Police.  Mr. Singer is the chair of LA IMPACT, the Los Angeles countywide drug task force, and he is past president of the Los Angeles County Police Chiefs’ Association.  Mr. Singer graduated received his bachelors degree in criminal justice and his masters degree in public administration from California State University, Long Beach, where he has served as an adjunct professor.  He is also a graduate of the FBI National Academy.

July 26 Is 20th Anniversary of ADA

Tax Resources for High School Students

What's On Americans' Minds?

New TSP Website

RestoreTheGulf.gov

Jul 22, 2010 01:30PM

H41: Maiden Lane LLC began making distributions to repay its loan extended by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York (FRBNY)

For Release at 4:30 P.M. EDT July 22, 2010 Consistent with the terms of the Maiden Lane LLC (LLC) transaction, on July 15, 2010, the LLC began making distributions to repay its loan extended by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York (FRBNY). These distributions will occur on a monthly basis unless otherwise directed by the Federal Reserve and will follow the order of payments explained in the note to Table 4. These distributions will also result in a corresponding reduction of the net portfolio holdings of the LLC.

Jun 25, 2010 09:00AM

G17: G.17 Annual Revision

The Federal Reserve Board issued its annual revision to the index of industrial production (IP) and the related measures of capacity and capacity utilization. Data for the new series are available on the Board's public website and the Data Download Program.

Jun 24, 2010 01:30PM

H41: Information on the amount of term deposits outstanding is presented on the H.4.1 release

For Release at 4:30 P.M. Eastern time June 24, 2010 The Board's H.4.1 statistical release, "Factors Affecting Reserve Balances of Depository Institutions and Condition Statement of Federal Reserve Banks," has been modified to include information on term deposits held by depository institutions. Term deposits are a new tool that the Federal Reserve could use to manage the aggregate quantity of reserve balances held by depository institutions. On May 28, 2010, the Federal Reserve announced a schedule for three small-value auctions of term deposits to be offered through its Term Deposit Facility (TDF). These auctions are intended to ensure the effective operation of the TDF and to help eligible institutions become familiar with the term deposit program. The first auction was conducted on June 14, 2010, and settlement occurred on June 17, 2010. The small-value TDF auctions are a matter of prudent planning and have no implications for the near-term conduct of monetary policy. Information on the amount of term deposits outstanding is presented on table 1, table 10, and table 11. The maturity distribution of term deposits is presented in table 2.

Jun 21, 2010 09:00AM

G17: G.17 Annual Revision

The Federal Reserve Board plans to issue an annual revision to the index of industrial production (IP) and the related measures of capacity and capacity utilization on June 25, 2010, at 12:00 p.m.

Jun 18, 2010 10:44AM

Z1: Correction to June 10, 2010, Z.1 DDP data

The Z.1 DDP data has been re-posted to correct missing annual data prior to 1960 and quarterly data prior to 1992q1. All pdf release files are unaffected.

Jun 15, 2010 10:38AM

H41: Correction to the commitments to buy and sell mortgage-backed securities for June 9, 2010

For Release on June 15, 2010 The Board's H.4.1 statistical release ("Factors Affecting Reserve Balances of Depository Institutions and Condition Statement of Federal Reserve Banks") for June 10, 2010 contained an error in table 3, which has been corrected. The amount of commitments to buy mortgage-backed securities was corrected from $49,554 million to $46,924 million, and the amount of commitments to sell mortgage-backed securities was corrected from $13,980 million to $11,350 million.

Jun 15, 2010 05:30AM

Z1: Correction to June 10, 2010, Z.1 DDP data

The Z.1 DDP data has been re-posted to correct missing annual data prior to 1960 and quarterly data prior to 1992q1. All pdf release files are unaffected.

Jul 28, 2010 04:00AM

Remarks by Deputy Secretary Jane Holl Lute at the Black Hat Conference

Remarks by Deputy Secretary Jane Holl Lute at the Black Hat Conference, July 28, 2010, Las Vegas

Jul 28, 2010 04:00AM

Statement by Deputy Press Secretary Matt Chandler

A statement by Deputy Press Secretary Matt Chandler on the court's decision to enjoin most of SB1070 on July 28, 2010.

Jul 26, 2010 04:00AM

Secretary Napolitano, TSA Administrator Pistole Launch "If You See Something, Say Something" Campaign for General Aviation

Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Janet Napolitano and Transportation Security Administration (TSA) Administrator John S. Pistole today launched two major enhancements to general aviation security - the general aviation component of DHS's nationwide "If You See Something, Say Something" campaign, and a streamlined system for vetting passengers and crew on general aviation aircraft entering and exiting the United States through a single, Department-wide process.

Jul 26, 2010 04:00AM

Readout of Secretary Napolitano?s Call to Iowa Governor Chet Culver

Department of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano today spoke with Iowa Governor Chet Culver following the breach of the Lake Delhi Dam in eastern Iowa on Saturday.

Jul 22, 2010 04:00AM

Statement by Press Secretary Clark Stevens on Secretary Napolitano's Upcoming Visit to Wisconsin

?Secretary Napolitano will travel to Oshkosh, Wis., on Monday, July 26, with Transportation Security Administration Administrator John Pistole to participate in the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) AirVenture Convention 2010, meet with general aviation industry leaders to discuss ongoing efforts to protect global aviation networks from threats of terrorism, and make an aviation security announcement. More details on the trip will be released once they are finalized.?

Jul 22, 2010 04:00AM

Secretary Napolitano Releases Report on DHS Progress Fulfilling 9/11 Commission Recommendations, Including Historic Advances in Aviation Security

Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Janet Napolitano marked the sixth anniversary of the issuance of the 9/11 Commission Report by releasing a 2010 progress report outlining advancements in the Department?s capabilities to protect against and respond to acts of terrorism and other threats?including a series of unprecedented steps to bolster aviation security in the United States and around the world.

Jul 22, 2010 04:00AM

Secretary Napolitano Launches First-Of-Its-Kind Campaign to Combat Human Trafficking

Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Janet Napolitano today launched the "Blue Campaign" - a DHS-wide initiative to combat human trafficking through enhanced public awareness, victim assistance programs, and law enforcement training and initiatives.