What Government Did Today

Release Time:  For Immediate Release HELSINKI HUMAN RIGHTS DAY, 2010 – - – - – - – BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA A PROCLAMATION       This year marks the 35th anniversary of the Helsinki Final Act, a seminal document tying lasting security among states with respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms within states.  With the signing of the Act on August 1, 1975, the United States, Canada, the Soviet Union, and the countries of a divided Europe solemnly pledged to work together to realize comprehensive security across the European continent.  This occasion also spurred courageous human rights activists in Eastern Europe to form citizens' groups to press for the implementation of commitments their governments had made, launching the Helsinki movement.       The guiding principles set forth 35 years ago in the Helsinki Final Act, now institutionalized in the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), still serve as a beacon to all who strive for freedom and peace across the Euro Atlantic region.  On this day, we reaffirm our sincere belief that security is indivisible, and must be rooted in confidence, cooperation, transparency, and respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms.  We also recommit to calling on fellow participating states to reexamine their compliance with their OSCE commitments.       The Helsinki Final Act, with its affirmation of fundamental human rights, inspired many who struggled against repressive regimes and for human dignity.  Today, a new generation of brave women and men work tirelessly    often risking their lives    to realize those same rights.  We stand with them and with all who advocate for the rights of their fellow citizens and for the betterment of their societies.

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Presidential Proclamation–Helsinki Human Rights Day

Release Time:  For Immediate Release TO THE CONGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES:       The law authorizes me to implement an alternative pay plan for locality pay increases for civilian Federal employees covered by the General Schedule and certain other pay systems in January 2011, if I view the adjustments that would otherwise take effect as inappropriate due to "national emergency or serious economic conditions affecting the general welfare."  Our country faces serious economic conditions affecting the general welfare.  As the economic recovery continues, the time has come to put our Nation back on a sustainable fiscal course, an effort that requires tough choices and shared sacrifice.  Accordingly, I have determined that it is appropriate to exercise my statutory alternative plan authority under 5 U.S.C. 5304a to set alternative January 2011 locality pay rates.  This decision will not materially affect our ability to attract and retain a well qualified Federal workforce.

Continued here: 
Letter from the President Regarding an Alternative Pay Plan

Release Time:  For Immediate Release Location:  James S. Brady Press Briefing Room 1:45 P.M.

Excerpt from: 
Press Briefing by Press Secretary Robert Gibbs, 11/30/2010

Release Time:  For Immediate Release As Commander in Chief, I have pledged to repeal the “don’t ask, don’t tell” law because it weakens our national security, diminishes our military readiness, and violates fundamental American principles of fairness and equality by preventing patriotic Americans who are gay from serving openly in our armed forces.  At the same time, as Commander in Chief, I am committed to ensuring that we understand the implications of this transition, and maintain good order and discipline within our military ranks. That is why I directed the Department of Defense earlier this year to begin preparing for a transition to a new policy.

More: 
Statement by President Obama on DOD Report on Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell

Release Time:  For Immediate Release The Vice President and Representative Issa met today to discuss Recovery Act oversight and opportunities to apply some of the lessons learned to other federal programs.  They identified some areas of agreement, including the need to enforce full compliance with reporting by recipients of Recovery Act funds, and to have follow-up conversations about other areas where they can work together.

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Readout of Vice President Biden’s Meeting with Representative Darrell Issa

Release Time:  For Immediate Release I am pleased that today, the House has joined the Senate in passing the Claims Settlement Act of 2010.   This important legislation will fund the agreements reached in the Pigford II lawsuit, brought by African American farmers, and the Cobell lawsuit, brought by Native Americans over the management of Indian trust accounts and resources.  I want to thank Attorney General Holder and Secretaries Salazar and Vilsack for all their work to reach this outcome, and I applaud Congress for acting in a bipartisan fashion to bring this painful chapter in our nation’s history to a close. This bill also provides funding for settlements reached in four separate water rights suits brought by Native American tribes, and it represents a significant step forward in addressing the water needs of Indian Country.  Yet, while today’s vote demonstrates important progress, we must remember that much work remains to be done.  And my Administration will continue our efforts to resolve claims of past discrimination made by women and Hispanic farmers and others in a fair and timely manner. 

More here:
Statement by the President on House Passage of the Claims Settlement Act of 2010

“Policy or Custom” Requirement Always Applies in Section 1983 Cases In Los Angeles Cty.

View original here:
Los Angeles Cty. v. Humphries, No. 09-350

Release Time:  For Immediate Release Location:  Eisenhower Executive Office Building Room 430 12:50 P.M. EST       THE PRESIDENT:  Hello, everybody.  By the way, for those of you who are curious, we're using this room because we've got about a hundred volunteers decorating the White House.  So we're spending a little more time in the EEOB

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Statement by the President after Meeting with Bipartisan Leadership

Release Time:  For Immediate Release With the Senate’s passage of the Food Safety Modernization Act, we are one step closer to having critically important new tools to protect our nation’s food supply and keep consumers safe.  This legislation ensures more frequent inspections of food manufacturing facilities and will require these facilities to take preventative actions to reduce the risks of outbreaks and foodborne illness.  I urge the House – which has previously passed legislation demonstrating its strong commitment to making our food supply safer – to act quickly on this critical bill, and I applaud the work that was done to ensure its broad bipartisan passage in the Senate.

Read more here: 
President Obama Applauds Senate Passage of the Food Safety Modernization Act

Release Time:  For Immediate Release The United States is disappointed with the conduct during and leading up to Egypt’s November 28 legislative elections.  While we are continuing to assess reports from a variety of sources, the numerous reported irregularities at the polls, the lack of international monitors and the many problems encountered by domestic monitors, and the restrictions on the basic freedoms of association, speech and press in the run-up to the elections are worrying.  That being said, the United States commends those Egyptians who participated in the parliamentary elections on Sunday—as candidates, campaigners, voters and election monitors.  The United States has a longstanding partnership with the people of Egypt, rooted in common interests and shared values.  We look forward to continuing to work with the Egyptian Government and Egypt’s vibrant civil society to help Egypt achieve its political, social, and economic aspirations consistent with international standards. 

The rest is here: 
Statement by NSC Spokesman Mike Hammer