Tag Archives: Pete Souza

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Honoring Our National Peace Officers and more


The White House

Watch the first “We the Geeks” Hangout on today, May 16, at 2:00 p.m. EDT on WhiteHouse.gov and on the White House Google+ page.

Photo of the Day: Honoring Our National Peace Officers

Yesterday, President Obama spoke at the National Peace Officers Memorial Service, an annual ceremony honoring law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty in the previous year.

The President said that the 143 officers honored “exemplified the very idea of citizenship — that with our God-given rights come responsibilities and obligations to ourselves and to others.”

Read more of the President’s remarks here.

President Barack Obama greets audience members during the National Peace Officers Memorial Service, an annual ceremony honoring law enforcement who were killed in the line of duty in the previous year, at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. May 15, 2013. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)

President Barack Obama greets audience members during the National Peace Officers Memorial Service, an annual ceremony honoring law enforcement who were killed in the line of duty in the previous year, at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. May 15, 2013. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)

In Case You Missed It

Here are some of the top stories from the White House blog:

Hanging out with “We the Geeks” The White House is kicking off “We the Geeks,” a new series of Google+ Hangouts to highlight the future of science, technology, and innovation here in the United States.

President Obama Discusses the Internal Revenue Service President Obama discusses the Treasury Department’s review of the Internal Revenue Service.

The President and Vice President’s 2012 Financial Disclosure Forms See the President and Vice President’s 2012 financial disclosure reports.

Today’s Schedule

All times are Eastern Daylight Time (EDT).

9:50 AM: The President holds a bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Erdogan of Turkey

12:00 PM: The President and Prime Minister Erdogan of Turkey hold a joint press conference WhiteHouse.gov/live

1:30 PM: The Vice President, Dr. Jill Biden and Secretary of State Kerry host a lunch in honor of Prime Minister Erdogan

4:30 PM: The President meets with senior advisors

5:15 PM: The Vice President delivers remarks at an event with Prime Minister Erdogan

6:30 PM: The President hosts a working dinner with Prime Minister Erdogan of Turkey

2:30 PM: The Vice President meets with Prime Minister Ivica Dacic of Serbia

WhiteHouse.gov/live Indicates that the event will be live-streamed on WhiteHouse.gov/Live

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A Responsible Blueprint for Middle-Class Jobs and Growth


This morning the President sent Congress his Budget for Fiscal Year 2014. He spoke to the press about his proposal and said that while our economy is poised for progress, we need to get smarter about our priorities as a nation.

President Obama’s budget also replaces the across-the-board spending cuts known as the sequester with smarter reductions — making long-term reforms and eliminating actual waste and programs that are no longer needed.

Learn more about the President’s budget here.

President Barack Obama delivers remarks on the FY 2014 budget, in the Rose Garden of the White House, April 10, 2013. Office of Management and Budget Director Jeffrey Zients accompanies the President. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)

President Barack Obama delivers remarks on the FY 2014 budget, in the Rose Garden of the White House, April 10, 2013. Office of Management and Budget Director Jeffrey Zients accompanies the President. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)

In Case You Missed It

Here are some of the top stories from the White House blog:

President Obama Asks Americans to Stand Up and Call for Action to Reduce Gun Violence President Obama today told families of the children and teachers who died at Sandy Hook Elementary that we have not forgotten our promise to help prevent future tragedies and reduce gun violence in our country.

Increasing Access to Mental Health Services President Obama’s Fiscal Year 2014 Budget includes a critical $205 million investment in programs to help identify mental health concerns early, improve access to mental health services and support safer school environments, and invests $30 million in tools and research that will expand our understanding of gun violence prevention, including key mental health issues.

First Lady Michelle Obama Hosts a Student Workshop Celebrating “Memphis Soul” Yesterday First Lady Michelle Obama hosted an interactive student workshop event: “Soulsville, USA: The History of Memphis Soul,” in the State Dining Room.

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Victims of Gun Violence Deserve a Vote


Yesterday President Obama traveled to Connecticut, where he spoke with families of children and teachers of the tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary. He reiterated that we have not forgotten our promise to help prevent future tragedies and reduce gun violence in our country — and that now more than ever we need to act:

“Now is the time to get engaged. Now is the time to get involved.  Now is the time to push back on fear, and frustration, and misinformation. Now is the time for everybody to make their voices heard from every state house to the corridors of Congress.”

See more from President Obama’s visit, and the common-sense plan to reduce gun violence.

President Obama Asks Americans to Stand Up and Call for Action to Reduce Gun Violence

President Barack Obama and Jillian Soto exit Air Force One at Joint Base Andrews, Md., April 8, 2013. Soto is the sister of Victoria Soto, a first-grade teacher who was killed during the Sandy Hook Elementary School shootings. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)

In Case You Missed It

Here are some of the top stories from the White House blog:

Recognizing Sexual Assault Awareness Month April is National Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month and Americans are urged to support survivors to continue the progress towards addressing sexual assault.

Weekly Address: The President’s Plan to Create Jobs and Cut the Deficit President Obama tells the American people about the budget he is sending to Congress, which makes the tough choices required to grow our economy and shrink our deficits.

Weekly Wrap Up: “We Have Not Forgotten” Here’s what happened last week on WhiteHouse.gov.

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Take a Peek at the President’s Trip


President Barack Obama is greeted by Israeli President Shimon Peres and members of Hora, a local children's dance troupe, upon his arrival at the President's residence in Jerusalem, March 20, 2013. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)

President Barack Obama is greeted by Israeli President Shimon Peres and members of Hora, a local children’s dance troupe, upon his arrival at the President’s residence in Jerusalem, March 20, 2013. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)

It’s President Obama’s second day in the Middle East, during the first foreign trip of his second term. While in the region, he’s met with both Israeli and Palestinian leaders, and today he addressed the Israeli people from Jerusalem, where he spoke about the future of the region: “That is where peace begins – not just in the plans of leaders, but in the hearts of people.”

See photos and videos from President Obama’s trip to the Middle East.

In Case You Missed It

Here are some of the top stories from the White House blog:

President Obama Tells Israeli People: The U.S Is Proud to Be “Your Strongest Ally and Your Greatest Friend” The first stop on President Obama’s trip to the Middle East marks the first time the President has visited Israel since taking office, and comes as its citizens celebrate the 65th anniversary of a free and independent State of Israel.

Reaffirming the Incredible Bond Between the United States and Ireland President Obama holds a bilateral meeting with Irish Prime Minister Enda Kenny at the White House before heading to the Capitol for a St. Patrick’s Day Luncheon.

Health Care Law 3rd Anniversary: Paying for Quality Saves Health Care Dollars On the third anniversary of the Affordable Care Act, Secretary Kathleen Sebelius lays out some of the ways in which the health reform has lowered costs.

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BOOM ! New ad hits McConnell: Stephanie Taylor and team


Gary Nutt is a gun owner and veteran.

He’s not happy that his senator, Republican Leader Mitch McConnell, is standing in the way of sensible gun laws. Especially after gun interests spent $198,615 to elect McConnell.

So Gary worked with us to make a powerful TV ad calling for strong gun laws. We want to air it this week, as the Senate holds a key hearing on banning assault weapons.

Can you watch the TV ad and donate $3 to help air it in Washington DC and Mitch McConnell’s homestate of Kentucky? Click here.

Enable images to see new TV ad, in which a gun owner makes the most obvious case in the world against assault weapons

(Share this TV ad on Facebook!)

Our latest poll shows that Kentucky voters favor an assault weapons ban by 50%-42%. But Senator McConnell is threatening to abuse Senate rules and block gun reform.

Our ad reminds folks back home that McConnell is not on their side. He sides with big gun manufacturers who spent $198,615 to elect him.

Let’s go on offense! Watch the ad — and donate $3 to put it on TV.

Thanks for being a bold progressive.

— Stephanie Taylor, Adam Green, Matt Wall, Karissa Gerhke, Drew McConville, and the PCCC team