Archive for June, 2009:
Statement from the President on Senator-Elect Al Franken
In a 5-0 decision, the Minnesota State Supreme Court today declared Al Franken the winner of the state's Senate race. Shortly thereafter, Franken's opponent Norm Coleman officially conceded.
In an official statement, President Obama congratulated Franken, saying:
"I look forward to working with Senator-Elect Franken to build a new foundation for growth and prosperity by lowering health care costs and investing in the kind of clean energy jobs and industries that will help America lead in the 21st century.”
Open Thread
"The first step we're taking sets new efficiency standards on fluorescent and incandescent lighting. Now I know light bulbs may not seem sexy, but this simple action holds enormous promise because 7 percent of all the energy consumed in America is used to light our homes and our businesses. Between 2012 and 2042, these new standards will save consumers up to $4 billion a year, conserve enough electricity to power every home in America for 10 months, reduce emissions equal to the amount produced by 166 million cars each year, and eliminate the need for as many as 14 coal-fired power plants."
Join the National Online Discussion on Health Care Reform
On Wednesday, President Obama will hold another online town hall, this time focused on health care reform. From WhiteHouse.gov:
This online town hall will be a little different than the last one. This time around, we are engaging online networks outside of WhiteHouse.gov, such as Facebook, YouTube and Twitter.
You can get started today by watching the President's video and posting your 20-30 second video response here:
Later this afternoon, Nancy-Ann DeParle will be hosting a live-streamed, online chat to discuss health care reform. You can take part using the White House Facebook live chat feature, starting at 5:00 PM Eastern.
Message from Joe Biden: “You’ve got to read these”
From Vice President Joe Biden:
A few weeks ago, President Obama asked you to share your personal story about how the health care crisis has affected you and the ones you love. Hundreds of thousands of stories poured in from every corner of the country. The President and I have read through many of them ourselves -- and now I'm encouraging you to do so as well.
Read these powerful, personal stories from people in your area and around the country.
And after you do, please forward this note on to as many people as you can.
For folks who don't yet understand why health care reform is such an urgent priority, these stories make the case far better than any statistics ever could.
For those who support health care reform but haven't yet found the time to join our campaign, these stories provide more motivation than any speech any politician could ever give.
So please read these stories, pass this note on to everyone in your address book, and help us show everyone in America why fixing our broken health care system is a necessity that just can't wait:
http://healthcare.barackobama.com/stories
Thank you,
Vice President Joe Biden
National Health Care Day Of Service
The National Health Care Day of Service is today, and volunteers across the country are taking place in thousands of events designed to raise visibility for health care reform in their communities. These health care service projects give volunteers a chance to make an impact in their own communities and improve the lives of their neighbors in the short term -- and they are just one step forward in the larger fight for long term, comprehensive health care reform.
Shonda from Greensboro, North Carolina, is making an impact on her community. Her National Health Care Day of Service event this Sunday will provide materials to local parents about State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP). She is expecting about 70 people to attend, including families she met at schools, churches, day cares and summer camps.
The Family Fair is being held at the Greensboro Public Library. The focus of the fair is providing information and applications for SCHIP to families in need. There will be tables with SCHIP information and applications, as well as food and entertainment for the kids. Two guest speakers, whose families are enrolled in SCHIP, are set to speak at the fair. Shonda has even arranged for a Spanish translator. Despite her busy schedule, Shonda is passionate about the impact of her community service.
"We are really trying to make a difference and help out as much as we can," Shonda explained. "Even with our personal lives and schedules, we find ways to make it work."
Meanwhile Pat from Chesapeake, Virginia, is planning a similar event. This Saturday, Pat will provide SCHIP information and applications to customers at local businesses, such as shopping malls and grocery stores. He is expecting a diverse crowd of around 30 volunteers to help him. The group will include health care professionals, educators, and people who are struggling with their own health care.
These are two of the many of events taking place today, and with more events scheduled tomorrow as well. There may still be time to find a service event in your area this weekend. If you attended an event, let us know how it went in the comments below.
The President’s Weekly Address: “The First Step Towards a New Energy Economy”
In his weekly address, President Barack Obama praised the House of Representatives for passing the American Clean Energy and Security Act last night. This historic piece of legislation will lessen our dependence on foreign oil and spark a clean energy transformation in our economy that will create millions of new American jobs -- jobs that are critical to building a new foundation for our economy.
"Now my call to every Senator, as well as to every American, is this: We cannot be afraid of the future. And we must not be prisoners of the past. Don’t believe the misinformation out there that suggests there is somehow a contradiction between investing in clean energy and economic growth. It’s just not true."
“Now is the time to finally act”
Yesterday, President Obama urged the House of Representatives to pass the American Clean Energy and Security Act -- a bill that is expected to come to a vote later today. In his remarks, he explained:
Right now, the House of Representatives is moving towards a vote of historic proportions on a piece of legislation that will open the door to a new clean energy economy.
For more than three decades, we've talked about our dependence on foreign oil. And for more than three decades, we've seen that dependence grow. We've seen our reliance on fossil fuels jeopardize our national security. We've seen it pollute the air we breathe and endanger our planet. And most of all, we've seen that others countries realize a critical truth: The nation that leads in the creation of a clean energy economy will be the nation that leads the 21st century global economy.
Now is the time for the United States of America to realize this, as well. Now is the time for us to lead. The energy bill before the House will finally create a set of incentives that will spark a clean energy transformation of our economy. It will spur the development of low-carbon sources of energy -- everything from wind, solar, and geothermal power to safe nuclear energy and cleaner coal. It will spur new energy savings like the efficient windows and other materials that reduce heating costs in the winter and cooling costs in the summer.
And most importantly, it will make possible the creation of millions of new jobs.
...I've often talked about the need to build a new foundation for economic growth so that we don't return to the endless cycle of bubble and bust that has led us into this deep recession. Clean energy and the jobs it creates will be absolutely critical to that new foundation.
...I know this is going to be a close vote, in part because of the misinformation that's out there that suggests there's somehow a contradiction between investing in clean energy and our economic growth. But my call to those members of Congress who are still on the fence, as well as to the American people, is this: We cannot be afraid of the future, and we can't be prisoners of the past. We've been talking about this issue for decades, and now is the time to finally act.
There is still time to contact your representative in the House, and ask him or her to support the American Clean Energy and Security Act.
Tonight: Help Create a Clean Energy Economy
OFA Political Director Addisu Demissie just sent out the following update to the President's message on the American Clean Energy and Security Act:
Any minute now, Congress will vote on historic climate change legislation that will transform the way we use and produce energy in America.
The American Clean Energy and Security Act creates a framework of clean energy incentives that will spur the development of new technologies -- innovations that have the potential to create millions of new, good green jobs that can't be shipped overseas.
But its passage out of the House is in jeopardy -- will you make a call today to ensure that it passes?
Click here to find your representative's number.
And after you've made your call, let us know whether or not your representative committed to supporting this legislation.
Making sure this bill passes the House is an important first step towards a comprehensive energy policy that breaks our dependence on foreign oil, reduces dangerous carbon pollution, and will help create millions of new, green jobs here at home.
Call your representative today, and help ensure that this crucial legislation passes.
Then let us know how the call went, so we can keep track of where your representative stands:
http://my.barackobama.com/energycall
Thank you,
Addisu
Addisu Demissie
Political Director
Organizing for America
President Obama on the Importance of Passing Historic Energy Bill
In advance of an expected vote in the House of Representatives on historic energy legislation, the President will deliver remarks from the White House lawn.
You can watch a live stream of the President's remarks at WhiteHouse.gov/live.
UPDATED: From the Associated Press:
President Barack Obama is pressing again for passage of legislation that would confront the problem of global warming head-on.
Speaking in the Rose Garden of the White House, Obama said Washington must not miss the opportunity to work on cleaning the air and at the same time creating new "green" energy jobs. He called the measure "a jobs bill" and said the country for far too long has been too reliant on energy from fossil fuels.
The American Clean Energy and Security Act creates a framework of clean energy incentives that will spur the development of new technologies, and has the potential to create millions of new, good green jobs. The vote in the House is expected to be close, and could take place within the next 24 hours.
If you have a moment, you can use our online tool to contact your representative and ask him or her or support the American Clean Energy and Security Act. And after you've made your call, let us know whether or not your representative is committed to supporting this legislation.