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Tag Archives: Pete Souza
What Truly Matters: Ensuring All Americans Have Access to Quality Affordable Health Care
Buenas tardes,
Over the last several weeks the President has highlighted the benefits of the Affordable Care Act (ACA). With HealthCare.gov now working smoothly for the vast majority of consumers, our top priority is to ensure that every eligible American who wants access to insurance is able to get it. We are two months into a six month open enrollment period and are laser-focused on continuing to reach as many Americans as possible to let them know about their new health care options and the various ways in which they can enroll in the Health Insurance Marketplace.
The need for and interest in affordable health insurance extends across the country. For instance, through November, state and federal websites received 39.1 million visits; we have received applications to provide coverage for approximately 3.7 million individuals; and 2.3 million people were determined eligible to buy a qualified health plan. These numbers remind us that we cannot go back to a system that leaves millions of Americans vulnerable and without care. We must move forward.
President Barack Obama delivers remarks at the White House Youth Summit on the Affordable Care Act (ACA) in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building South Court Auditorium, Dec. 4, 2013. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)
As you know millions of people are already benefiting from and will continue to benefit from the Affordable Care Act (ACA). For instance, upwards of 17 million children can no longer be denied coverage due to a pre-existing condition. Additionally, starting in 2014, insurance companies can no longer charge higher premiums based on health status or history. These provisions provide millions of families with the peace of mind to know their children will receive the quality care they deserve.
Also, as a result of changes made by the ACA, millions of Americans are already saving money. For example, the ACA requires insurance companies to spend at least 80% of premiums on medical care and efforts to improve the quality of care. If they don’t, insurers have to send consumers a refund to meet this threshold. Already almost 80 million consumers have saved $3.4 billion upfront on their premiums in 2012; and, based on 2012 spending, 8.5 million customers received an average refund of approximately $100 per family.
The ACA’s commitment to providing health security to all Americans means expanding Medicaid, mental health benefits, and parity protections. Due to the US Supreme Court decision, States can choose whether or not to expand Medicaid coverage to all adults with incomes below 133% of the federal poverty (around $32,000 for a family of four). Already, 26 States and the District of Columbia have expanded Medicaid to provide better care to more of their residents. One thing is clear, Medicaid expansion is both the right and smart choice for states.
Furthermore, for the first time, insurance companies must cover mental health and substance use disorder services at parity with medical and surgical benefits. As such, out-of-pocket costs for behavioral health services must be comparable to coverage for medical and surgical care. That is one of the largest expansions of mental health and substance use disorder coverage in a generation!
In addition to increasing access to health insurance and benefits, the ACA allocated money to increase access to community health centers. Health centers across the country have received funding to create new health center sites in medically underserved areas, to expand preventive and primary health care services, and to support major construction and renovation projects. This important investment supports community health centers double the number of patients they serve to nearly 40 million by 2015. As approximately 35 percent of patients served by community health centers in 2009 were Latino, this investment will positively impact Latinos and help to reduce ethnic and racial disparities in health care.
As HealthCare.gov continues to improve each day for the vast majority of Americans, it’s important to recognize that Americans interested in quality affordable health insurance can purchase health insurance multiple ways. There are four key ways to apply for health insurance: online at HealthCare.gov or CuidadoDeSalud.gov, by telephone at 1-800-318-2596, by mail, and in-person at specified community centers (click here to find local help; En Español). The diversity of application processes allows Americans to select which process works best for them.
As we enter a critical enrollment stage before the holidays, we ask that you to partner with us to amplify the important enrollment deadline of December 23rd to sign up for coverage beginning January 1st, 2014. Even if “health care” isn’t the particular focus of your organization and even if you don’t have grassroots organizers lined up in key markets, there is still something you can do to help people get access to the “gift of health care” this Holiday Season. If you are interested in working with our digital team to send a blast e-mail out to your networks reminding folks to sign-up on HealthCare.gov leading up to the 23rd, please reach out to me at Latino@who.eop.gov.
As always, please share this information with your networks, get engaged in educating the Latino community about the Health Insurance Marketplaces, and use the hashtag: #OurSalud to join the conversation.
Julie Chávez Rodriguez Deputy Director White House | Office of Public Engagement
Agency Updates
How the Marketplace Works Four steps to gaining health coverage. En Español.
Four Ways to get Marketplace Coverage Learn about all the ways to apply for health coverage through the Marketplace. En Español.
#GetCovered: My Story More people are applying and getting coverage from the Health Insurance Marketplace every day. Read personal stories of how the Marketplace has helped people across the country. You can share your story using #GetCovered.
Education Department Releases Updated Financial Aid Shopping Sheet to Provide Students with Additional Transparency in College Costs December 13, 2013 Today, the U.S. Department of Education released an updated version of the administration’s financial aid model award letter, known as the Shopping Sheet, and announced that nearly 2,000 institutions of higher education have voluntarily committed to using this important consumer tool.
The Health Insurance Marketplace: What You Need to Know December 4, 2013 Since it launched in October, we have made dramatic improvements to HealthCare.gov, taking it from a system that didn’t perform nearly as well as it should, to one that can help you learn about your new health insurance options, create an account, learn about financial help you may be able to receive, compare your options and select a plan. If you’ve tried HealthCare.gov and been unsatisfied with your experience, or if you’ve been wondering if you’re eligible for a more affordable option under the health care law, here are some tips for you. Remember, you MUST enroll in a plan by December 23, and pay your premium, to get coverage on January 1, 2014.
United States Agrees to Comprehensive Settlement with Suffolk County Police Department to Resolve Investigation of Discriminatory Policing Against Latinos December 3, 2013 The Civil Rights Division of the U.S. Department of Justice and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York announced today that they have tentatively agreed to a settlement with the Suffolk County Police Department (SCPD) which calls for SCPD to implement new and enhanced policies and procedures to ensure nondiscrimination in the provision of police services to Latino communities in Suffolk County.
FACT SHEET: Youth CareerConnect Grants November 19, 2013 To compete in today’s global economy, America’s students need deep knowledge and skills that will prepare them for college and the jobs of the future. Yet far too many of America’s students are not meaningfully engaged or motivated in their academic experience while in high school. Many high school graduates lack exposure to learning that links their work in school to college and careers—especially in the critically important fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). Moreover, many of America’s international competitors offer students a more rigorous and relevant education in their middle and high school years.
FACT SHEET: U.S.-Panama Relations November 19, 2013 The United States and Panama share nearly 150 years of history and strong cooperation. Our broad economic, security, and political cooperation reflect the wide range of shared interests.
Blog Highlights
Strengthening Health Centers to Strengthen Our Communities A few weeks ago, I had the privilege of visiting a high-energy forum at a community health center in my home town of Detroit, and saw firsthand how vital community health centers are as a source of quality health care. Today, approximately 1,200 health centers operate more than 9,000 service delivery sites that provide care to over 21 million patients across the country. I am frankly in awe of the great work that these community health centers provide, especially to the Latino and other underserved communities. En Español.
President Obama and the First Lady Will Welcome Two Latino Kennedy Center Honorees to the White House President Obama and the First Lady Michelle Obama will welcome the 2013 Kennedy Center Honorees to the White House this Sunday, December 8, where they will applaud and thank them for their musical contributions to the world. Amongst the five honorees, two of the artists being recognized are Latinos: acclaimed musician Carlos Santana and renowned soprano opera singer Martina Arroyo.
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White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for Hispanics Webinar on Family Engagement This month’s webinar will focus on family engagement. The importance of a family’s role in a child’s academic, social, and emotional development is widely accepted and encouraged throughout the education sector. Join us to hear about two program models designed to create strong engagement between families and their children’s schools, and discuss ways to engage Hispanic families in education successfully.
Who: White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for Hispanics What: A WEBINAR on Family Engagement When: Wednesday, December 18, at 2:00-3:10 pm EST Where: To RSVP, email WHIEEH@ed.gov with the subject line: “Family Engagement Webinar”. Please provide your name and organization.
Immigration Integration Project: Call for Applications Networks for Integrating New Americans is an innovative, national initiative that seeks to position adult education programs as key contributors to local, multi-sector networks formed to advance immigrant integration. The initiative will identify, strengthen, and document place-based models of immigrant integration that other communities can replicate and adapt. All materials can be found at: http://www.worlded.org/WEIInternet/us/project/display.cfm?ctid=na&cid=na&tid=40&id=13981.
Who: US Department of Education Office of Vocational and Adult Education What: The project will select up to five forward-thinking community networks (also coalitions or initiatives) to receive technical assistance to address the linguistic, civic, and economic needs of immigrant adults. When: Preliminary applications are due Dec. 20, 2013 Where: Submit application online
White House Internship Program The White House Internship Program provides a unique opportunity to gain valuable professional experience and build leadership skills. This hands-on program is designed to mentor and cultivate today’s young leaders, strengthen their understanding of the Executive Office and prepare them for future public service opportunities. The White House Internship Program’s mission is to make the “People’s House” accessible to future leaders from around the nation.
Who: Young Leaders in the Community What: Opportunity to gain professional experience, build leadership skills, and further exposure to the public service sector. When: Applications due January 5, 2014 Where: Apply online at White House Internship Program Website
Email internship_info@who.eop.gov for more information.
White House Fellows Program Founded in 1964, the White House Fellows program is one of America’s most prestigious programs for leadership and public service. White House Fellowships offer exceptional young men and women first-hand experience working at the highest levels of the federal government. Selected individuals typically spend a year working as a full-time, paid Fellow to senior White House Staff, Cabinet Secretaries and other top-ranking government officials.
Who: Young Leaders in the Community What: The purpose of the White House Fellows program is to provide gifted and highly motivated young Americans with some first-hand experience in the process of governing the Nation and a sense of personal involvement in the leadership of society. When: Applications due January 15, 2014 Where: Apply online at White House Fellows Program Website
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Comprehensive Immigration Reform: Win for Economy and American Spirit
For the past two weeks, President Obama has continued to reach out to the unique cross-section of groups pushing for comprehensive immigration reform. On November 5th he hosted a meeting with top business executives to explain the economic benefits of overhauling the nation’s immigration laws and brainstorm possible ways to move forward with legislation in the House:
There’s no reason why we can’t get this done before the end of the year. And I continue to be hopeful that with the leadership of many who are around this table who represent hundreds of thousands of employees and billions of dollars of assets, who are important in their communities all across the country, them joining up with law enforcement, clergy, citizens, to make the case that ultimately folks up on Capitol Hill will do the right thing.
President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden meet with business leaders to discuss immigration reform to bolster U.S. economic growth, in the Roosevelt Room of the White House, Nov. 5, 2013. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)
That same week, the President traveled to New Orleans to visit one of the world’s busiest port complexes. He toured the facilities and spoke to the community about increasing exports and efficiency. In his remarks he described the positive impact comprehensive immigration reform would have on our economy and reminded the audience that both parties have historically supported fixing our broken immigration system:
Over the next two decades, it would grow our economy by $1.4 trillion. It would shrink our deficits by nearly a trillion dollars. This should not be a partisan issue. President Bush proposed the broad outlines of common-sense immigration reform almost a decade ago. When I was in the Senate, I joined 23 of my Republican colleagues to back those reforms. This year, the Senate has already passed a bill with broad bipartisan support.
President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden join hands during a prayer at the end of an immigration reform meeting with faith leaders in the Oval Office, Nov. 13, 2013. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)
On November 13th the President and Vice President welcomed faith leaders to the Oval Office to discuss the moral imperative of fixing our immigration laws. The Christian leaders shared their concerns about the impact our current immigration system is having on families throughout their congregations and offered prayers that we as a nation can work together to achieve comprehensive reform.
The broad range of groups in favor of immigration reform, from business and labor to law enforcement and faith, represents a remarkable level of consensus in Washington and across the nation. Let’s seize this opportunity and work across the aisle to fix our broken immigration system.
Julie Chavez Rodriguez Deputy Director White House | Office of Public Engagement
Agency Updates
CBP’s Global Entry Program Achieves Milestone November 13, 2013 U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) announced that one million people have been given the designation of a ‘trusted traveler’ through the Global Entry program. The program, which was launched five years ago, provides arriving travelers with a quicker, more efficient and more secure entry process into the United States.
Serving Veterans Across DHS November 8, 2013 As we take time on Monday to thank our nation’s veterans for their service and sacrifices, we also recognize the veterans who continue to serve here at home, including across the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). As a veteran himself, Rand Beers is proud that DHS employs more than 54,000 veterans who make up almost 28 percent of DHS’ total workforce, in addition to the more than 43,000 active duty U.S. Coast Guardsmen and women he is honored to call his colleagues.
USCIS Honors Military Veterans During Naturalization Ceremonies November 8, 2013 In recognition of Veterans Day, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will conduct naturalization ceremonies across the country that will feature military members, military spouses and veterans taking the Oath of Allegiance to become U.S. citizens. From Nov. 7-13, USCIS is welcoming approximately 8,000 new U.S. citizens during 120 naturalization ceremonies throughout the nation and overseas.
DHS Privacy Office Issues Annual Report Summarizing Its Accomplishments November 7, 2013 Over the past nine years, the Privacy Office has worked to create an environment at DHS where neither privacy nor security are compromised, but rather merged in a manner that keeps the country safe and honors the principles on which the country was founded. As a result, privacy is now firmly embedded into the lifecycle of DHS programs and systems to inform Departmental policy, and to ensure effective privacy protections.
DHS and Western Union Announce New Alliance to Combat Human Trafficking November 6, 2013 The Department of Homeland Security announced a new alliance between the DHS Blue Campaign— the unified voice for DHS’ efforts to combat human trafficking— and Western Union. Through this alliance, Western Union will provide the Blue Campaign’s multilingual training and awareness materials to select agent locations across the country. Participating agents will also receive additional training from Western Union on how to identify and recognize indicators of human trafficking, as well as how to report suspected cases of human trafficking.
USCIS: Temporary Protected Status Extended for Somalis November 6, 2013 Acting Secretary of Homeland Security Rand Beers has extended Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for eligible nationals of Somalia for an additional 18 months, effective March 18, 2014, through Sept. 17, 2015. Current Somali beneficiaries seeking to extend their TPS status must re-register during a 60-day period that runs from Nov. 1, 2013, through Dec. 31, 2013.
Blog Highlights
Honoring the Legacy of Immigrants Serving in the Armed Forces November 11, 2013 The success of our military, and indeed, our nation as a whole, is rooted in the dynamism, courage and sacrifice demonstrated by generations of immigrants who have answered the call of duty.
Weekly Wrap Up: “You Can Make it Here if You Try” November 8, 2013 Weekly Wrap Up: Remarks on the Economy, Affordable Health Care for Texans, Business Leaders and Immigration Reform, Stanley Cup Champion Chicago Blackhawks, White House Tours Resume, Celebrating Diwali, and “Careers in Film Symposium.”
The Time is Now: President Obama Meets with Business Leaders on Immigration Reform November 5, 2013 In a meeting with the President and Vice President at the White House, a group of top U.S. business leaders discuss the importance of commonsense immigration reform to bolster U.S. economic growth, and improve the climate for business and job creation.
Comprehensive Immigration Reform: Survivors Can’t Afford to Wait November 5, 2013 Domestic Violence Awareness Month has come to a close, but the White House wants to make sure immigrant survivors are not forgotten by shedding light on the important ways in which sensible immigration reform that has already passed the Senate will protect victims and hold abusers accountable.
Once Undocumented, Now an Immigrant Advocate October 31, 2013 As a first-generation American whose own family emigrated from the Philippines, Victor Diaz Zapanta always relishes the opportunity to hear personal stories of immigration. As Filipino American History Month comes to a close, he shares a story from Angelo Mathay, a Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) law fellow at the National Immigration Law Center.
Combating Domestic Violence and Other Forms of Violence Against Women October 31, 2013 U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) approved the statutory maximum 10,000 petitions for U nonimmigrant status (U visas) for immigrant victims of crime, including domestic violence, for the fourth straight year since it began issuing U visas in 2008.
Get Involved
USCIS Invitation: Immigration 101 Webinar U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) invites you to participate in an online meeting to discuss green cards and visas.
When: Tuesday, November 19, 2013 at 1 PM (Pacific) Where: Online webinar To RSVP: Join online meeting room 15 minutes before the event.
WHIEEH Webinar on Immigrant Integration White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for Hispanics invites you to participate in a webinar on immigrant integration. How do local communities and cities assist immigrant communities in effectively integration in new communities? Join us to learn how the U.S. Department of Education in partnering to create networks for effective immigrant integration.
When: Wednesday, November 20, 2013 at 2 PM (Eastern) Where: Online webinar To RSVP: To RSVP for the webinar, email WHIEEH@ed.gov with the subject line: “Immigrant Integration Webinar” and please provide your name and organization. You must RSVP in order to receive the presentation materials that will be reviewed during the call.
USCIS Invitation: Implementation of ABT Settlement Agreement Teleconference U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) invites you to participate in a teleconference on Thursday, November 21, 2013, from 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. Eastern to discuss the implementation of the ABT Settlement Agreement. During this engagement, officials from USCIS and EOIR will be available to discuss the implementation of the settlement agreement and answer questions
When: Thursday, November 21, 2013 at 1 PM (Eastern) Where: Online teleconference To RSVP: You are encouraged to submit questions and agenda items before the teleconference. You may do so on the event registration page or by emailing us at Public.Engagement@uscis.dhs.gov.
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Shining a Light on our Researchers, Doctors, Nurses, and Caregivers
Friends,
This has been an important week in a number of key policy areas that impact women, including immigration reform and healthcare.
Earlier this week, Valerie Jarrett, Senior Advisor to President Obama and Chair of the White House Council on Women & Girls, joined the President Obama, Vice President Biden and Senior Administration officials for a meeting with business leaders on immigration reform.
In addition to this meeting, White House Advisor on Violence Against Women, Lynn Rosenthal authored a piece on the importance of immigration reform in protecting victims of domestic violence.
On Tuesday, Vice President Biden and Dr. Jill Biden hosted the 2nd Annual Breast Cancer Awareness Reception. They were joined by survivors, caregivers, families, doctors, researchers, and advocates who have all been touched by breast cancer.
And earlier this week, Katherine Archuleta was sworn in as the first Latina Director of the Office of Personnel Management. Please read below to learn more about Katherine and the responsibilities of her new position.
In case you missed it, First Lady Michelle Obama celebrated Diwali at the White House. She joined students for a Bollywood Dance Clinic in the State Dining Room of the White House. Be sure to read below for more on their great visit.
Thank you for all that you do!
The White House Council on Women & Girls
The Time is Now: President Obama Meets with Business Leaders on Immigration Reform
Reflecting on a meeting with business leaders on immigration reform, Valerie Jarrett posted a blog about her experience:
Today, I joined the President, Vice President and senior Administration officials for a meeting at the White House with a group of top U.S. business leaders to discuss the importance of commonsense immigration reform to bolster U.S. economic growth, and improve the climate for business, and job creation. These leaders shared with the President their desire to see our broken immigration system fixed, both because it is the right thing to do, and because it will be good for the U.S. economy.
Read the full post from Valerie Jarrett here.
President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden meet with business leaders to discuss immigration reform to bolster U.S. economic growth, in the Roosevelt Room of the White House, Nov. 5, 2013. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)
Comprehensive Immigration Reform: Survivors Can’t Afford to Wait
Domestic Violence Awareness Month may have ended, but our work to end abuse continues. Today, in this country, women and children continue to suffer from unspeakable violence because they are afraid to seek help without legal status. When immigrant survivors of abuse without legal status are, according to one study, half as likely to call the police to seek the help they need, we must act.
Since it was first signed into law in 1994, the Violence Against Women Act or VAWA has recognized the need for special protections for immigrant survivors of abuse, including self-petitions and categories of visas for victims of violent crimes and human trafficking. But while VAWA includes key provisions to help immigrant survivors, it is not enough.
Now, Congress has the opportunity to take an important step towards protecting victims, and supporting law enforcement to create safer communities for all Americans. Commonsense immigration reform would significantly benefit immigrant women all over the country. The Senate has already passed an immigration reform bill by a wide, bipartisan majority. And Democratic leaders have introduced a bill in the House that’s similar to the bipartisan Senate bill. So it’s up to Republicans in the House to decide whether to move forward with immigration reform. Unlike many other issues in Washington, immigration reform is one that both parties can agree on. Congress must finish the job on commonsense immigration reform.
Read more here.
Shining a Light on our Researchers, Doctors, Nurses, and Caregivers
Earlier this week, the Vice President and Dr. Biden hosted their 2nd Annual Breast Cancer Awareness Reception. They were joined by survivors, caregivers, families, doctors, researchers, and advocates who have all been touched by breast cancer.
As Dr. Biden wrote:
Each year, this reception is one of the most inspiring events that we hold at our home, and this year was no different. As I embraced both old and new friends, I was reminded of the bravery of the survivors and their loved ones. I saw the hope in their eyes, their unwavering spirit, and their determination to continue pushing forward.
This year, we asked all of the survivors to invite someone who was important to them during their course of treatment. Joe and I know that the fight against breast cancer is not only limited to what the patient endures, but also extends to the family members, the caregivers, the doctors, and researchers who work day in and day out to save lives and support those that they love.
Read more here.
Dr. Jill Biden gives remarks at a breast cancer awareness month reception with Vice President Joe Biden, in the living room at the Naval Observatory Residence in Washington, D.C., Nov. 5, 2013. (Official White House Photo by David Lienemann)
President Obama to Dallas Health Care Volunteers: “Nothing Is Going to Stop Us from Getting This Done.”
The President joined canvassers and navigators who are part of the community’s most active group of volunteers working to enroll their neighbors in quality, affordable coverage through the Marketplace. He personally thanked them for their work, calling out the fact that ultimately, “all the politics, all the chatter sometimes leaves out the fact that the system we had — the status quo — just wasn’t working for too many people.”
President Barack Obama delivers remarks at an Affordable Care Act event at Temple Emanu-El in Dallas, Texas, Nov. 6, 2013. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)
At a time when 24 states — Texas included — have neglected to take advantage of the Medicaid expansion available to working families in their states under the Affordable Care Act, the President acknowledged that 133,000 Texans in Dallas alone would immediately have coverage if Texas decided to expand the program.
You can read the President’s full remarks here.
The Truth About Artificial Trans Fats
For decades Americans have been trying to reduce their consumption of artificial trans fats. Parents check the food labels when grocery shopping for their families and consumers are making better choices when eating out. Companies like McDonalds and Subway stepped up and made it easier by removing all artificial trans fats from their products. And Wal-Mart has pledged to no longer have artificial trans fat on their store shelves by 2015.
But there is still more to be done by government, industry and consumers to make sure that we have the tools we need to keep unsafe foods off our tables.
Partially Hydrogenated Oils (PHO), are an artificial substance that is formed by adding hydrogen to vegetable oil during processing to make it more solid. PHOs are the leading source of artificial trans fat; they cause plaque buildup in the arteries, are a contributing factor to heart attacks, and for too many, an early death. The Centers for Disease Control estimates that a further reduction of artificial trans fat in the food supply can prevent up to 7,000 deaths from heart disease each year and as many as 20,000 heart attacks each year.
Thursday, in keeping with their mission to keep the American food supply safe, the FDA released for public comment its preliminary determination, consistent with science, thatPHOs are no longer “generally recognized as safe.” FDA is seeking public comment on this finding as well as input on the amount of time that would potentially be needed for food manufacturers to reformulate products that currently contain artificial trans fat should this determination be finalized.
The good news is that many food manufacturers have already taken this on—it is becoming easier to find foods without trans fats. FDA’s action could make it easier still. Today’s action is an important step in a direction that America has already begun to move in, which will keep us healthier while enjoying the foods we love.
Read more here.
Welcoming Katherine Archuleta, the First Latina Director of the Office of Personnel Management
Monday, Katherine Archuleta was sworn-in as the 10th Director of the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) and will serve as the Federal government’s personnel chief. She will be the first Latina to hold this position. Katherine shares President Obama’s vision for diversity and inclusion in the federal workforce, which the President said helps “create more effective policymaking and better decision-making [for me], because it brings different perspectives to the table.”
OPM is uniquely positioned to have a significant influence on the face of the federal government, welcoming people from all backgrounds and utilizing their talents to have a positive impact on our communities. When we draw on the wisdom of a workforce that reflects the population we serve, we are better able to understand and meet the needs of our customers-the American people.
Read more here.
First Lady Michelle Obama Celebrates Diwali at the White House
On Tuesday, First Lady Michelle Obama welcomed guests to the White House for a Diwali celebration. The celebration started with the First Lady surprising local students at a Bollywood dance clinic and trying out some moves herself.
Then the First Lady spoke in the East Room:
“We’ve celebrated this holiday here at the White House every year since Barack took office. And there’s a reason why we’ve done that,” she said.
When we say that we want to make the White House the “people’s house,” we mean all people. We mean that we want to honor and embrace all of the many cultures and faith traditions that make us who we are as Americans. And Diwali is very much one of those traditions.
Read more here.
First Lady Michelle Obama joins students for a Bollywood Dance Clinic in the State Dining Room of the White House, Nov. 5, 2013. (Official White House Photo by Chuck Kennedy)
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These Folks Have Real-Life Superpowers
These Folks Have Real-Life Superpowers
This week, as thousands of sci-fi and superhero enthusiasts gather in San Diego for Comic-Con, here at the White House we’ll be gathering some of the Nation’s top innovators who are designing materials to enable real-life superpowers—including invisibility and super-strength.
Join us tomorrow, July 19th at 12:00 pm ET for a “We the Geeks” Google+ Hangout on “The Stuff Superheroes Are Made Of” – where we’ll be talking about some of the most exciting new developments in materials science and how they can change our world for the better.
Click here to learn more about tomorrow’s Google+ Hangout
President Obama pretends to be caught in Spider-Man’s web as he greets Nicholas Tamarin, 3, just outside the Oval Office. Nicholas was trick-or-treating with his father, White House aide Nate Tamarin in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)
Senate Confirms Richard Cordray as Consumer Watchdog
Yesterday, President Obama thanked lawmakers from both parties for coming together to confirm Richard Cordray as Director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.
This summer, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Office of Ocean Exploration and Research invites you to get involved in ocean exploration through two unique opportunities.
America’s Commitment to Volunteerism and Service
This week, President Obama welcomed the man who launched the modern service movement, President George H. W. Bush, back to the White House to honor the recipients of the 5,000th Daily Point of Light award.
Be a Seed for Change 
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